Flight or no Flight
It was the scariest thing that Zoey had ever experienced. Her legs felt weak. Her body was completely rearranged. Her eyes were on different sides of her head! What had happened?
"Oh no," Said Zoey, but all that came out was a squawk. "It can't be...It's not possible..."
Tenuously, she unfolded her slick, black, feathery wings.
Zoey couldn't believe it. She wouldn't. It was impossible.
"This can't be happening," She kept thinking.
"Zoey! Dinner time!" A voice called from downstairs.
"Uh-oh," thought Zoey. She stumbled around on the bed for a few minutes, until she knew what she would have to do. She took a running leap, and jumped off of the bed...only to crash onto the hard wood floor.
Zoey tried to yell because she was so frustrated, but she only made a weird squawk. Which got her to thinking what sound birds made when they were angry. But then she told herself to keep concentrating on flying.
Except when she tried to get back on the bed to practice, she realized that birds were not all that good at climbing.
So she flapped her wings while on the ground. Flap, flap, flap! Her wings were floppy and weak. Zoey flexed her wing muscles, getting her wings stiff, which would prevent the wind escaping through her feathers. Flap, flap, flap, flap!
It was exhausting. She was wearing herself out.
"Zoey! Where are you, sweetheart?!"
Her mother called again. Zoey wished she could answer. She felt helpless and miserable.
"A bird!" She squawked angrily. "I'm a bird!"
Zoey was about ready to give up trying to fly, when she remembered something her mother had once told her. It was to always be persistent. Never give up. Keep trying. So Zoey tried again. And again. And then, finally, up, up, UP! Into the air she flew! It was the most amazing feeling! The wind ruffling her feathers, she glided happily around the big room. And right then she realized two things: how big her room was, and how lucky she was to have a mom that gives her useful advice.
Zoey flew around the room a few times before deciding she'd better go downstairs. As she went down, she realized just how much she loved her mom.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Morning
It's the early morning
silent and still
I'm perched quietly on a window sill
In the sky above
there flies a white dove
She's twirling, diving, and spinning in the Sun
The Sun, that's peaking over the horizon
silent and still
I'm perched quietly on a window sill
In the sky above
there flies a white dove
She's twirling, diving, and spinning in the Sun
The Sun, that's peaking over the horizon
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Zoey Rockshindle, chapter 1: The Crone
Zoey Rockshindle
Chapter one...
Zoey Rockshindle was born to a wealthy couple who's names were Cecilia and Cody Rockshindle. They lived in South Dakota, in a big house. Zoey was very greedy. She was always asking for things, and saying "Canihavesome?!" She only thought about herself, and whined when she didn't get what she wanted. So one day, a wise crone came to Zoey's huge house when Zoey was about 12 or so, in late June. Cody Rockshindle answered the door.
"What do you want?" He demanded.
"I am only here to see your daughter. This is very important." She replied.
Cody didn't seem convinced. He continued to stand in the doorway, with his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. Then, a strange connection passed between the two people. The crone's eyes turned a deep blue. Her posture got, somehow, stonger and more powerful. The hairs on the back of Cody's neck stood up, but his gaze did not lift from the crone's eyes. The old woman chanted a few words. Cody saw her power. He stepped aside and led her up to a Zoey's room.
The little girl sat playing with a china doll.
"Who're you? What are you doing in my room?!" Zoey yelled at the crone when she saw her.
"Calm down, young child. I am only here to teach you something. My name is Chinocluc."Then Chinocluc pulled out a cupcake. Zoey licked her lips. "Canihavesome?!" She yelled. But before waiting for an answer, she ran over, yanked it from Chinocluc's hand, and ate a big bite.
Suddenly, Zoey dropped the cupcake and sat down on the bed, shaking all over. She turned pale. She made a funny noise, sort of like a squawk, then shrank and started changing. Her skin began sprouting feathers! After five minutes, there sat Zoey Rockshindle, a glossy black bird. She squawked again, and the noise sounded strangely like 'canihavesome?!'
Chinocluc giggled. "Oh, it's really not that bad. To become human once again, you must prove yourself generous and kind. Good-bye, Zoey."
And the goddess of lessons walked out the door.
Chapter one...
Zoey Rockshindle was born to a wealthy couple who's names were Cecilia and Cody Rockshindle. They lived in South Dakota, in a big house. Zoey was very greedy. She was always asking for things, and saying "Canihavesome?!" She only thought about herself, and whined when she didn't get what she wanted. So one day, a wise crone came to Zoey's huge house when Zoey was about 12 or so, in late June. Cody Rockshindle answered the door.
"What do you want?" He demanded.
"I am only here to see your daughter. This is very important." She replied.
Cody didn't seem convinced. He continued to stand in the doorway, with his arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. Then, a strange connection passed between the two people. The crone's eyes turned a deep blue. Her posture got, somehow, stonger and more powerful. The hairs on the back of Cody's neck stood up, but his gaze did not lift from the crone's eyes. The old woman chanted a few words. Cody saw her power. He stepped aside and led her up to a Zoey's room.
The little girl sat playing with a china doll.
"Who're you? What are you doing in my room?!" Zoey yelled at the crone when she saw her.
"Calm down, young child. I am only here to teach you something. My name is Chinocluc."Then Chinocluc pulled out a cupcake. Zoey licked her lips. "Canihavesome?!" She yelled. But before waiting for an answer, she ran over, yanked it from Chinocluc's hand, and ate a big bite.
Suddenly, Zoey dropped the cupcake and sat down on the bed, shaking all over. She turned pale. She made a funny noise, sort of like a squawk, then shrank and started changing. Her skin began sprouting feathers! After five minutes, there sat Zoey Rockshindle, a glossy black bird. She squawked again, and the noise sounded strangely like 'canihavesome?!'
Chinocluc giggled. "Oh, it's really not that bad. To become human once again, you must prove yourself generous and kind. Good-bye, Zoey."
And the goddess of lessons walked out the door.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Book Report: "Among the Hidden"
Last week, I read a book titled "Among the Hidden" written by Margaret Peterson Haddix. It was about a timid, quiet boy named Luke, who lived in an imaginary time in the future when the Government had total control over almost everything, giving the people barely any rights, and when the laws were broken the citizens suffered severe punishments. In this time, only two children or less were allowed in each family, because the Government believed that would solve food shortage problems. But Luke is one of many third children, who has been hidden inside his home for as long as he can remember. He does not know that there are other third children out there-until he sees a girl in a house where two boys already live. He risks his life running over to the house to meet the girl. Her name is Jen, and they quickly become friends. But Jen dreams of a better life for third children. She plans to fight for justice, and that's where the story begins.
I liked this book because it really made me feel as if I were Luke in his world.
The author was creative and made it so I always wanted to see what was on the next page. For example, the way she ended every chapter with an exciting or surprising sentence.
The book made me think a lot when I was reading it, and it was inspiring.
But a similar book called The Giver by Lois Lowry was more meaningful to me because in that book, you were given an idea of what happened to the boy (who also had to go out and leave his family) while in Among the Hidden, it doesn't say what happened except for that he left. It's a cliff-hanger.
I recommend this book to people who like exciting, inspiring fiction tales. I really hope the author makes a second part of the story. I think it deserves a 6 out of 10 star rating.
I liked this book because it really made me feel as if I were Luke in his world.
The author was creative and made it so I always wanted to see what was on the next page. For example, the way she ended every chapter with an exciting or surprising sentence.
The book made me think a lot when I was reading it, and it was inspiring.
But a similar book called The Giver by Lois Lowry was more meaningful to me because in that book, you were given an idea of what happened to the boy (who also had to go out and leave his family) while in Among the Hidden, it doesn't say what happened except for that he left. It's a cliff-hanger.
I recommend this book to people who like exciting, inspiring fiction tales. I really hope the author makes a second part of the story. I think it deserves a 6 out of 10 star rating.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Orange Peel Fungus
Out hiking, our friends came upon some strange looking mushrooms. They took a sample of one of them back to our cabin. We all took a good look at it, and our parents identified it in a book: "It is called Orange Peel fungus," they said. Then they lost interest. But after a while, I figured out from looking in a book that this mushroom is edible! So I took my friends out to try and find the spot where they found it. It appears on the side of the trail, like our book said it would. We get down on our knees, mentally and verbally checking off signs that says it is Orange Peel fungus, with the book, to make sure. Finally we were absolutely positively sure that it was, so we put most of it in a basket and took in home, yelling, "WE FOUND MORE MUSHROOMS!"
Orange Peel fungus is bright orange, paler on the underside, growing completely or almost completely flat on the ground with no stalk or barely any. Edges are sometimes wavy. It is edible.
Orange Peel fungus is bright orange, paler on the underside, growing completely or almost completely flat on the ground with no stalk or barely any. Edges are sometimes wavy. It is edible.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Sumo Pumkins - Science Friday
Pumpkins are interesting plants. The way they grow, their unique color and how they vary in so many different shapes and sizes! The Atlantic Giant pumpkin can weigh more than 1800 pounds, while some other full grown pumpkins weigh no more than an ounce! An interesting thought to ponder is this: why do some pumpkins change their shape as they grow? Most large pumpkins seem a bit different in shape than the smaller ones. And why don't the larger pumpkins collapse under their own weight? A scientist name David Hu decided to pursue the answer to this question. After researching, he concluded that the reason bigger pumpkins are different in shape has everything to do with gravity. Evidently the cells of the pumpkin walls divide faster from the stress that gravity puts on them, giving the pumpkin a strange new look, with strong walls supporting the sagging top. To learn more on this subject, visit this site:
http://www.sciencefriday.com/videos/watch/10332
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Rabbit Stick: 2010
My family and I love to travel. Visiting new places is one of my favorite things to do, as well as learning about them.
Every year, there is a gathering called Rabbitstick in Rexburg, Idaho where people come from far and wide to practice the ancient method of living practiced by the Native Americans, and Prehistoric man. This includes traditional ways of hunting, trapping, gathering plants and herbs, fire making, tool making, shelter making, and crafts.
In the week I was at Rabbitstick, I learned skills that made me feel independent and prepared.
One of the most important skills I learned at Rabbitstick was how to set a certain type of trap called the Paiute deadfall. A deadfall is a type of trap that crushes the animal. This particular deadfall is named after a Native American tribe.
My favorite thing I learned at Rabbitstick was fire making. There are a few different ways of making fire, including flint and steel, the hand drill, the bow drill, fire plow, the magnifying glass, and others. Fire keeps you warm and safe, cooks food, and if you are lost, it can signal help.
I also really liked learning about making shelter. Shelter protects you from the elements. It gives you a feeling of security. There are many types of shelters, just like there are many types of houses. I like making a certain shelter that requires a tarp and rope, but is quick and easy to make.
Another thing I learned at Rabbitstick was ways of collecting water. One strategy is called the solar still. It works like this: The water from the plants or moist dirt is trying to evaporate, but is caught on a tarp or piece of plastic. The moisture on the tarp condenses, then falls into a cup. I find it interesting that you can use the sun to get water!
Since we cannot always be sure certain water is clean, there are a few ways of purifying it, such as a natural filter made out of a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, and grass, dirt, rocks, sticks, in it. To use it, you simply pour water in the bottom (when it's upsidedown), and then you wait until the relatively clean water comes out the top.
A fun part about Rabbitstick is that the big community fire in the middle of camp is always being tended to, and people are usually around it talking to eachother. There is also a lot of warm sunshine and dry weather in that area, so there's many grasshoppers hopping around camp.
At Rabbitstick there is a big variety of people--people that live in differnt countries, people that have all sorts of beliefs. They come in tipis, tents, and campers. It is a good place to socialize.
Learning about skills is not the only exciting thing that happens at Rabbitstick. There are also other activities, like the Raffle, the Trade Blanket, and the Welcoming Circle. The Trade Blanket is where people trade special goods that they have been collecting or making all week or even all year, for other objects.
The Welcoming Circle is where newcomers introduce themselves.
The Raffle is always exciting!
The skills I have shared in this report are just some of the many things you can learn at Rabbitstick. That's why I am so excited to go back next year and learn some more!
Every year, there is a gathering called Rabbitstick in Rexburg, Idaho where people come from far and wide to practice the ancient method of living practiced by the Native Americans, and Prehistoric man. This includes traditional ways of hunting, trapping, gathering plants and herbs, fire making, tool making, shelter making, and crafts.
In the week I was at Rabbitstick, I learned skills that made me feel independent and prepared.
One of the most important skills I learned at Rabbitstick was how to set a certain type of trap called the Paiute deadfall. A deadfall is a type of trap that crushes the animal. This particular deadfall is named after a Native American tribe.
My favorite thing I learned at Rabbitstick was fire making. There are a few different ways of making fire, including flint and steel, the hand drill, the bow drill, fire plow, the magnifying glass, and others. Fire keeps you warm and safe, cooks food, and if you are lost, it can signal help.
I also really liked learning about making shelter. Shelter protects you from the elements. It gives you a feeling of security. There are many types of shelters, just like there are many types of houses. I like making a certain shelter that requires a tarp and rope, but is quick and easy to make.
Another thing I learned at Rabbitstick was ways of collecting water. One strategy is called the solar still. It works like this: The water from the plants or moist dirt is trying to evaporate, but is caught on a tarp or piece of plastic. The moisture on the tarp condenses, then falls into a cup. I find it interesting that you can use the sun to get water!
Since we cannot always be sure certain water is clean, there are a few ways of purifying it, such as a natural filter made out of a plastic bottle with the bottom cut off, and grass, dirt, rocks, sticks, in it. To use it, you simply pour water in the bottom (when it's upsidedown), and then you wait until the relatively clean water comes out the top.
A fun part about Rabbitstick is that the big community fire in the middle of camp is always being tended to, and people are usually around it talking to eachother. There is also a lot of warm sunshine and dry weather in that area, so there's many grasshoppers hopping around camp.
At Rabbitstick there is a big variety of people--people that live in differnt countries, people that have all sorts of beliefs. They come in tipis, tents, and campers. It is a good place to socialize.
Learning about skills is not the only exciting thing that happens at Rabbitstick. There are also other activities, like the Raffle, the Trade Blanket, and the Welcoming Circle. The Trade Blanket is where people trade special goods that they have been collecting or making all week or even all year, for other objects.
The Welcoming Circle is where newcomers introduce themselves.
The Raffle is always exciting!
The skills I have shared in this report are just some of the many things you can learn at Rabbitstick. That's why I am so excited to go back next year and learn some more!
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