Being Decisive - Part 4

Faithful Friday Fiction Fans,
Okay, I know I'm later at getting this posted than usual, but I'm on vacation! :)
It has been a good week here at my grandparents' house. We washed windows at my aunt's house nearly all day Tuesday, I helped move a bed from an upstairs room into the dining room after Grandpa and I had cleared everything out of the dining room except the china cabinet (This was for a friend of my grandparents.),  I made a fall wreath for another friend of Grandma's who had been asking when I would be there to do it (I had made her one before.), I relaxed and lounged around, slept in, went out to eat with Grandma, Mom, and S, (Grandpa was gone.), and have enjoyed my time. 

Writing? What's that? :P I really haven't gotten much written since the last time I posted. Sorry. And I won't get anything written the rest of this week either. We are heading home this afternoon and then this evening my Heart-Sister comes down and will be here nearly all day tomorrow. But, I am hoping to get back into writing next week.

So, until then, enjoy this next part of 

Being Decisive

Part 4

 Last week . . .
"Come on now. That’s right.” As she scooted back away from the edge.
    She wasn’t sure she really wanted to go up first. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to face Don and Cath. They’d probably never trust her again.
    Tom was talking again. “There, that’ll hold. Now stand up.”
    Stand up? Was he crazy? She couldn’t stand up on that ledge! Why she’d probably get so dizzy she’d fall.
    “Come on, Mel,” Tom urged quietly. “Everything is going to be okay. Don’t think about where you are. You won’t fall. Grab a hold of the rope and look up.”
    Somehow, she was never quite sure how, Mel managed to stand, though she trembled and her legs shook. It was one thing to climb up the cliff because you had to and you didn’t have time to think, but to stand up on the ledge after you have had a long time to fully realize where you were was something else.
    “Why, where in the world are your boots?” Tom asked in astonishment, realizing his cousin was only wearing socks.
    “At the bottom of the cliff,” Mel whispered.
    Tom didn’t say anything else to her, but hollered up that Mel was ready.
    The rough rope on her already raw hands almost made her cry out in pain as she was slowly drawn upwards. By keeping her eyes shut tightly, Melody tried to pretend she was being pulled into the hayloft of the barn. After what seemed like hours, she felt strong hands grasp her and pull her onto something solid.
    “Thank God you were decisive, Mel,” Don said softly as he quickly untied the rope from around her.
    “Oh, Mel!” Lou flung herself at her cousin and burst into tears while Liz hugged her without a word.
    “Come on, girls,” Cath directed calmly, though Mel thought she heard a tremor in her voice. “Let’s get Mel away from the edge and let her have a drink. Mel, you’re shaking. Are you cold?”
    Mel shook her head and sank to the ground. “I don’t know.” Eagerly she took the canteen, though her hands shook. Never had water tasted so good as it did then! At last, with a long, shuddering sigh, she let Cath take the canteen back. Lou still clung to her and Liz tried to tell her about the wild ride back to the ranch, but Mel didn’t hear much of it. She was too exhausted.
    Afterwards, Mel was never quite sure how the boys got Dick to the top of the cliff, but at last he was there and being placed on a hand-made stretcher. Feeling in a daze, she watched as Tom and Jim each took an end and started down the trail with Cath close beside.
    Vaguely she wondered where the others were and how late it was. Into her thoughts came Don’s voice.
    “Come on, Mel.”
    She looked up to see Don’s hand held out as though to help her up. Wishing her hands didn’t hurt so much, she offered one, but to her surprise, instead of gripping it to pull her to her feet, he turned it over and looked at it before holding out his other hand.
    “Let’s see the other one,” was all he said. After looking them over, he asked, “Where are your boots?”
    “At the bottom of the cliff. I couldn’t climb in them. Should I go get them?”
    Don gave a slight snort and shook his head. “Hardly. Jim can pick them up when he takes the horses back.” Then, without another word, he stooped and lifted her in his strong arms.
    “I . . . I think I can walk,” she stammered, not feeling at all sure of her claim.
    “Nope.” Don’s answer was quick, as he set off with his long, steady strides down the path after the others. Mel didn’t argue, but let her head rest on the broad shoulder of her cousin. It was wonderful to feel safe again.
    When they reached the horses, Liz and Lou mounted and Don helped Mel into the saddle of her horse. “You don’t have to worry about guiding him at all,” he told her. “Jim is going to bring the horses in as soon as we reach the truck and he’ll lead yours now.” As he talked, Don had unstrapped a blanket from the back of Mel’s horse and had put it around her. “Wind’s a bit chilly,” he remarked quietly.
    Mel didn’t protest. In fact, the arrangement was just fine with her, for though she loved riding, her feet and hands hurt badly and she felt rather lightheaded. The warmth of the blanket made her realize just how chilled she must have gotten sitting still in the shade for so long. Or was it the excitement?
    The slow ride down to where the truck was parked always seemed rather hazy in Mel’s memory. Several times a hand touched her and Jim’s quiet voice said, “Mel, are you all right?” Each time she nodded and wondered why he had asked.
    Upon reaching the truck, Mel remained seated on her horse and watched as Dick’s stretcher was carefully loaded in the back and Tom and Cath climbed up beside it. When she noticed Liz and Lou had dismounted and were climbing into the back, Mel wondered if she should follow them. Before she could do more than feel around for the stirrup with one aching foot, Don was beside her.
    “Here, I’ll carry you to the truck. You shouldn’t be walking on these rocks without shoes on.”
    “How’s Dick?” she whispered anxiously.
    “I think he’ll be all right though his leg appears broken,” was the reassuring answer. Don set her gently on the front seat of the truck. When she insisted she could ride in the back, he replied, “It’d be too crowded. Stay here.” And he shut the door. Moments later they were on their way to the house.

    There was a blur of activity when the truck pulled up before the ranch house. Mel’s aunt and uncle were there waiting, and Dick was swiftly transferred from the truck to the car in the midst of a babble of words from the excited younger girls, calm, direct instructions and replies from the older boys, and soothing ones from Cath and Aunt Mary.

 You have one more part, will you be back?

What did you think of this part?

Being Decisive - Part 3

Well, my computer says it's Friday, so I suppose I should post. :)
My week has been crazy and busy and I am so mixed up on what day it is that I called my friend on Wednesday evening thinking it was Thursday. Then yesterday I did something that I usually only do when it is not Thursday. And we babysat the kiddos on Wednesday evening and Tuesday evening (well, I was only here part of the time then since I had a political meeting to attend) instead of Friday, and I am so confused!

Well, this has not been a good week for writing TCR-4. I did write Sunday and Monday and then . . . nothing. So sorry. Maybe I can write tonight. I think I told you all last week that I was a quarter of the way done with book 4. If so, that is just an example of what my brain can do with numbers. ;) I'm actually a little over 1/3 of the way done. Does that sound better?

Oh, here is my other news. How would you like to listen to a professional read my book "Pirates of Rocky Crag Bay and Other Stories"? You are going to get your chance because right now it is being recorded! :) I put my first four books up on ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) last week and on Saturday someone auditioned to read "Pirates." She did a wonderful job with the sample part and was looking forward to recording the rest. I'll be sure to keep you informed about the progress. And I'm still waiting for auditions for the other books. Wouldn't it be fun to get to listen to these books on audio? Do you listen to many audio books? I grew up listening and I still love it.

But here is the next part of 

Being Decisive

Part 3

Last week . . .
"Lou,” she told the silent, frightened girl who was clinging to her hand, “you have to be brave and help Liz keep Dick from moving. When she goes for help, you sit still up here and talk to us, okay?”
    Lou nodded.
    “And pray, girls,” Mel said, standing up and pulling her hand away from her cousin’s grasp. “Hang on Dicky,” she shouted down. “I’m going to come to you and then I’ll tell you a story.” Without waiting to hear if Dick would reply, Mel had begun to move toward the trees. The hillside was steeper than she thought but she didn’t care. Half running, half sliding from tree to tree, she made her breathless way down and at last reached flat ground. Here she had to push her way through a tangle of brambles before reaching the open. Once there she could see the cliff side.
    “Help me, dear Lord,” she panted, running along with eyes open, looking for the best place to climb up. At last, reaching a place that seemed most likely, she started up. But she had only gotten a short ways before her feet slipped.
    “I can’t climb the side of the cliff with cowboy boots on,” she muttered, jerking them off. Next her socks came off and were stuffed in her pockets. It was easier to climb after that, for she could grip rocks with her toes just as she used to climb the swing rope back home. As she climbed higher, she could hear Liz’s voice up above her. Not once did she dare to look down lest she panic. “Keep going, keep going,” she told herself each time she wanted to stop. “Dick needs you.”
    Persistently she continued upwards, unmindful of rocks which cut her hands and feet, ignoring the aching in her legs and arms as she pulled and pushed herself ever higher. Liz’s voice was growing louder and then she heard Dick’s voice. She was almost there! By this time she was breathing in gasps. “Just a little farther,” she thought. “I’m almost there!”
    It felt like months to the waiting cousins on top of the cliff who had watched the slow climb with pounding hearts, but to the climber, it seemed like years before she at last pulled herself onto the ledge with Dick. She had made it.
    “I’m here, Liz. Go!” she shouted up as soon as she could catch her breath.
    “Tell me a story,” Dick pleaded, whimpering a little as he moved his leg slightly.
    “All right, just you lie still now. Lou, can you hear me?” Mel spoke loudly.
    “Yes,” came back a tremulous voice.
    “Good, because I have a story for you and Dick. Listen up now.” And she launched into a story filled with excitement and adventure, making it up as she went along. She had told stories so often that this one just seemed to tell itself, for, while her mouth was telling the story, her mind was busy with other thoughts. How long would it be, she wondered, before help would arrive? How badly was Dick hurt? She knew almost nothing about first aid, but even she could tell he was suffering, though the gallant little figure didn’t utter one word of complaint. Why had Don left her in charge? Would her uncle or cousins ever trust her again?
    As the shadows began to lengthen, Mel began to wonder how long her voice was going to last. She was sure their canteens of water were still on their horses, but she dared not send Lou to get them. What if she were also to fall! And anyway, how would she be able to get them if Lou did bring them? No longer in the sunshine, for the sun had slipped farther to the west, Dick began to shiver. Mel didn’t know if it was shock or cold, but she pulled off the light jacket she had put on that morning and laid it over her cousin.
    Would no one ever come? What if something had happened to Liz? Oh, why had they come? Her feet and hands hurt and she was starting to feel dizzy being up so high on such a small ledge.
    Then, just when she was sure she could stand the situation no longer, she heard voices above them.
    “Listen, Dicky,” she whispered. “Someone has come.”
    “Mel! Dick!” A voice called down to them.
    “We’re right here, Don,” Mel croaked back, her voice hoarse from her long story and lack of water.
    “Just hang on a few more minutes. Tom is coming down for you.”
    “You hear that, Dicky,” Mel asked, “Tom is coming.”
    Dick nodded his head slowly and a faint whimper escaped his lips.
    Looking up, Mel saw her cousin slowly start down the side of the cliff; a rope was tied securely around him and he moved like one used to such things. She noticed he wasn’t wearing his cowboy boots, but regular shoes. This fact brought to mind her own boots lying far below and quickly pulling her socks from her pocket, she gingerly pulled them on.
    “I thought you were supposed to go to Lookout Rock, Dick,” a cheery voice said just above them. “And here you are half way down a cliff. Is the view any better here?” As he talked, Tom had reached the ledge. “Slack off the rope!” he called up.
    There wasn’t much room for three of them on the ledge and Mel wondered how Tom was going to get Dick up from such cramped space with his injured leg. She couldn’t exactly move farther over, for she was sitting on the edge now. Tom’s next words answered her thoughts but didn’t make her feel more comfortable.
    “I’m going to send Mel up first,” Tom shouted upward and began untying the rope which was around him. “All right, Mel,” he said cheerily, “scoot back just a bit so I can get this rope around you. All you’ll have to do is hold on and Don and Jim will pull you up. Come on now. That’s right.” As she scooted back away from the edge.

What would you have done in Mel's place?

Will you be back next Friday?

Would you like to listen to any of my books on audio?

Being Decisive - Part 2

And a lovely good morning to you FFFs!
The last few days have been cool enough to have the windows open again. Though we did turn the AC on yesterday afternoon. I don't know about you, but I'm starting to look forward to fall. Not that I'm in any hurry for this year to end, but . . . I just like fall. :)

This week has been a week for getting things done. I've gotten many of those small things on my "to do" list accomplished and it sure feels good. Yesterday morning I mowed the yard. It was in need of it and it was cool out. Why is it that a freshly mowed yard looks cooler than one which needs mowed?

Writing update. Yes, I have written! In fact, last night I reached the quarter mark on TCR-4! It's always exciting when I reach this point. And this book reached it at a good part. I'm also starting to get a few ideas for a possible book 5. Would you like five books in the series?

I've been thinking of what to write for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Any ideas? If you come up with an idea, or create a first line for a story, let me know. Should I post a Thanksgiving story? I know if I can write one, I'll post a Christmas story in December. I just don't know what about.

But now that I'm done rambling, I'll let you read the next part of

Being Decisive

Part 2

Last week . . .
    At that a cry of dismay arose from Dick and Lou. “We don’t want to go back yet!
    “And we haven’t gotten to show Mel Lookout Rock.”
    “Oh, do we have to go back now?”
    “Please let us stay longer, Don!”
    Don looked at Cath questioningly but spoke to his youngest siblings. “I can’t let just the two of you stay here—” he began.
    “But Mel will be with us,” Lou pointed out.
    “And I could stay too, couldn’t I, Cath?” Liz asked, her eyes pleading silently with her older sister.
    “Well . . . All right,” Don consented as Cath nodded. “But—” he added firmly. “Don’t stay too long. I want you all home in plenty of time before supper, and the horses are not to be taken off the trail, is that clear?”
    “Yes!” Liz, Lou and Dick exclaimed in one breath while Mel nodded, her mouth too full to talk.
    “Mel,” Don turned to his cousin, “you are the oldest, and I’m putting you in charge. You are to start back for the ranch no later than a quarter to four. Don’t let them talk you into staying one minute longer.”
    Nodding soberly, Mel looked down at her watch. A quarter to four was a long time away. They should have plenty of time to enjoy their excursion.
    Soon the oldest four, after giving many admonitions to be careful and to stay together and to keep the horses on the path, mounted up and rode off back to the ranch, leaving the youngest ones wildly excited behind.
    “Come on, Mel,” Dick called, trying to pull his cousin to her feet. “Let’s go to Lookout Rock.”
    Laughing, Mel allowed herself to be pulled up. “All right. Let’s make sure we have everything with us and then we’ll go.”
    After a hurried check, the others declared all was in order and, untying their horses, they mounted and were ready. “One of you lead the way,” Mel said, “because I don’t know where we are going.” She felt very grown up just then, knowing that she was in charge of her three younger cousins and that they were in the mountains not just back among the ranch buildings. Of course, Liz was only seven months younger than she was. She could hardly believe Don and Cath had agreed to leave them. “But I’m sure it must be perfectly safe or they wouldn’t have done it,” she thought.
    Before long Liz reined up her horse and looked back. “We’ll have to leave the horses here,” she said. “The path to Lookout Rock in just over there.” She indicated some place on her left before swinging down from the saddle.
    Rapidly the others followed her example, and soon the horses were tied to the trees which grew along the trail. Dick, eager to reach the special place first, hurried ahead of his sisters and cousin. And when Mel called after him to be careful, Lou assured her that Dick was like a mountain goat.
    Scarcely had the words died on the air when the rumble and crash of falling rocks sounded just ahead of them and then a scream! Madly the three girls rushed forward until Melody, gripping her cousins’ arms, stopped. “Wait, girls!” she cried. “We’d better be careful.”
    Cautiously the girls moved along the trail which now wound along the edge of the mountain.
    “Look!” Liz exclaimed, pointing ahead. “The rocks near the edge have slid! There must have been a rockslide since we were here last and Dick—”
    Thankfully the path widened just then and they were able to make it safely past the rockslide to solid ground. Here Melody and Elizabeth peered over the side of the cliff.
    “Dick!” they called together as they spied the boy lying on a ledge some twenty-five feet below them.
    “I’m down here,” his faint voice came back. “Help me!”
    “All right, Dicky,” Mel shouted back. “Just stay right there and don’t try to move.”
    “But I don’t want to stay here,” Dick cried. “I want to get up there.”
    “Just wait a minute, Dick,” Liz called down. “We’re going to figure out how to get you back up.” Then she turned a pale face to her cousin. “What are we going to do? Dick won’t be able to stay still down there for very long. Not by himself.”
    “Someone is going to have to ride back for help,” Mel said. “I don’t know the way, so it is going to have to be one of you.”
    Lou shook her head emphatically. “I can’t do it.”
    “I can go,” Liz said. “But how are we going to keep Dick still? If he moves too much he’ll fall again.”
    “If I could get to him, I could tell him a story,” Mel suggested hesitantly. Carefully she studied the rocky wall below her.
    “But you can’t climb down there,” Liz protested.
    “No,” Mel began slowly, “but maybe I could climb up to him.”
    “How?”
    She pointed. “See those trees over there, going down the side of the hill? I’m sure I could get down there and then once on the bottom of the cliff I could climb up. It looks like there are lots of places to step and hold on.”
    For a moment Liz looked doubtful. Something had to be done she knew, but . . .
    “We’ve got to decide—” Mel began and then stopped. Wait, she was the oldest. She had to make the decision and she had to make it quickly. The longer they delayed, the more chance they had of Dick moving too much. “I’m going to try it,” she said aloud. “Liz, stay here with Lou and keep talking to Dick until I reach him. Then get the fastest horse and ride as quickly as you can for help. Lou,” she told the silent, frightened girl who was clinging to her hand, “you have to be brave and help Liz keep Dick from moving. When she goes for help, you sit still up here and talk to us, okay?”
    Lou nodded.

Sorry, you'll have to come back next Friday.

Will you be back?

Do you like this story?

What do you think happens next?

Being Decisive - Part 1

Hello Faithful Friday Fiction Fans!
I am please to announce that my newest book Triple Creek Ranch--Rustlers is now published and ready for orders!

This is quite exciting as it feels like I've been working on this book for a long time. :) To those of you who have read books one and two, it probably feels long as well. But now your wait is over. You can order it from my Rebekah's Books page on this blog or go to Amazon. And yes, it is in ready for Kindle orders as well. :)

This week has not been a good one for writing TCR-4. I can't remember if I even tried to write anything Sunday night or not.
On Monday evening I was busy getting things together and then read and went to bed early because I had to get up at 4:15 the next morning.
Tuesday was spent all days as an election judge. It didn't feel as long as sometimes it has. I also sold 3 books. :) But, when I got home about 9:10 that evening, I wasn't about to try to write.
Wednesday I was tired. I worked on making all the corrections for TCR-3 and read and worked on TCR-3. (I was trying to find a missing font which wasn't on my new computer and my old one had messed up the fonts.)
Yesterday I was going to write, but took some things down to my best friend's house and ended up staying and talking and doing dishes with them. (Don't you wish I'd come do dishes with you? :) )
This evening we're babysitting the kiddos so no writing.

Thank you all for deciding on which story you wanted next. Noah, I'll probably do "Forget Not" after this one is done. I hope you enjoy this story. It wasn't planned out really. I just had an idea and wrote it. I wasn't even sure I liked it when I finished it. I hope you'll let me know what you think of it. Enjoy!

Being Decisive

Part 1

    Thirteen-year-old Melody laughed. She hadn’t been out to her uncle’s ranch for many days, but already she loved it. She loved the early morning breakfasts, the chores, the horses, everything. It was so different from the life she knew back in Chicago. Here the air was fresh and clean, the streams clear and cold. All the men she had met were gentlemen who at the least touched their hats to her or nodded. No longer did she have trouble getting to sleep at night, for the outdoor life she led brought on a feeling of tiredness quite new to her, and she dropped into slumber almost as soon as her head touched her pillow.
    There were a few things which bothered her, though they weren’t much and she hoped they would soon pass. One was her oldest cousins, Donald and Catherine, or Don and Cath as they were more commonly known. They were as polite and kind to her as the others were, but somehow Melody could sense that for some reason they weren’t sure they approved of her. “Perhaps it’s because they think I’m really a city girl at heart,” she thought. “But if I was, why would I do the things I do?”
    The other problem was her perpetual fault of indecisiveness. For as long as she could remember, Melody had never been able to make up her mind quickly about anything, whether it was a new dress, what to order at the ice cream shop, or even which pair of white socks to wear with her Sunday dress. So indecisive was she that her cousins had almost quit asking what she wanted to do and just told her what she was going to do. She didn’t really mind that. But just the other day her uncle had scolded her a little for not making a decision until the opportunity was past. “One day, Mel,” he had told her, “you are going to be faced with a grave decision which you will have to make at a moment’s notice. If you aren’t ready, it may be too late.” This has caused her a new concern. What would happen in a crises if she couldn’t be decisive?
    Other than those things, Melody was greatly enjoying her time at the ranch and was glad fall was so far away.
    “Mel, come on!” A voice called.
    With another laugh, Melody ran after her cousin. That was another thing she liked, the nickname she had at once been given by her country cousins. It sounded much more interesting and daring than Melody did.
    Dashing up the steps, Mel caught up with Lou and Dick. “Why are we in such a hurry?” she panted.
    “Come on,” Lou, who was ten, urged impatiently. “Inside.”
    Still puzzled, but willing to follow if someone was leading, Mel allowed herself to be pulled into the large ranch kitchen.
    “Here she is!” Dick shouted with all the lung power of a healthy seven-year-old.
    “Goodness, Dick, you don’t have to shout,” Liz scolded with a smile and a shake of her head. “We’re not deaf.”
    “Eh, what was that?” sixteen-year-old Tom asked, putting his hand to his ear.
    A burst of laughter filled the kitchen. Tom was always cracking a joke or doing something to make others laugh.
    After the laugh had died away, Melody looked from one face to another. “Well, what are we doing?”
    Every eye turned to Don. “Before Mom and Dad left, they said we could go out for a ride and,” he added quickly before Dick or Lou could speak, “Dad said that since you have improved so much in your riding, we can take you up to the promontory.”
    Loud squeals of delight came from the two youngest who had known of the coming picnic, but not the location.
    “Liz and I have the lunches packed,” Cath said. “So, Mel, Lou and Dick, get your boots and hats.”
    “And hurry,” Jim called.
    By the time the three had their hats and boots on, the boys had the horses saddled and everyone was ready. Just before they rode off, Don had a few words to say.
    “You all know the rules No goofing off when you are on your horse going up the mountain. Or down either. No riding off alone and no bringing home any live creatures.” Here he looked at Dick who was known for filling his pockets with grasshoppers, snakes or any other creatures he could find.
    “All right,” Dick sighed. “Then let me ride with Mel. She’ll make sure I don’t bring any home.”
    Melody enjoyed every moment of that ride up the mountain with her cousins. The views were breathtaking and by the time they reached the promontory, she was hungry and even sandwiches tasted like a feast. However, once the edge of hunger had been dulled, she forgot the rest of her food and sat staring out over the valley, completely lost in her own thoughts until someone shoved part of a sandwich in her mouth. That brought her back with a start and she nearly choked.
    “Tom,” Cath scolded with a smile, “be nice.”
    With a wink at Melody who was glaring at him with a half grin on her face, Tom replied, “I was. I could have dumped water on her head.”
    Hastily swallowing the bite thrust in her mouth, Melody said, “I’d rather eat than take a shower, thank you.”
    “Then hurry or we’ll have to leave you behind,” Jim told her. Jim was two years older than Mel and Liz and never said much.
    “The rest of us are finished,” Liz added.
    Instantly Melody was filled with remorse and ate the rest of her lunch as quickly as she could while Don explained that the boys had chores they had to get back to and Cath needed to start supper.
    At that a cry of dismay arose from Dick and Lou. “We don’t want to go back yet!

So, what do you think of the start?

Are you going to be back next Friday?

Any ideas of what happens?

Questions, Questions, Questions!

Since I was awarded the Liebster Award 4 times, I thought I'd do a post and try and answer all the questions at the same time.

 I was awarded by Rebekah

by Calamity Rene

by Jesseca

and by Rishona

 Are you ready for 44 questions?

1. What is your favorite thing to do during the summer? Well, since I'm not a fan of hot weather, I enjoy staying indoors and reading.

2. What's your favorite color? RED

3. What's your favorite Bible passage, and why? Oh, this one is hard. There are too many that have really been special to me over the years. 2 Samuel 22:33 has been one I keep going back to when I don't know what to do or feel overwhelmed by everything.

4. What do you want to be when you "grow up"? Can I say an author? :) A woman after God's own heart.

5. Who is your favorite author? Isabella McDonald Alden (Pansy) though I like many others as well.

6. What is your favorite book/series? How do you expect me to tell you my favorite book when I've read over 12,000? And a favorite series? We have over 4 dozen different book series in the house that I have read. I can't pick a favorite!

7. What is your favorite pastime? Reading, writing or holding/playing with babies or young children :)

8. What is your favorite season? Autumn! I love the colors, the crisp weather, the wearing of sweaters and jackets, the crunch of the leaves, . . . Is it fall yet? I also really enjoy winter when we have snow and cold. :)

9. What's the funniest joke you've ever heard? I've heard many jokes in my life, but the first one that comes to mind was told by a 2-year-old to her mother who shared it with me.
S: "Knock knock"
Mom: "Who's there?"
S: "Oatmeal!"
Mom: "Oatmeal who?"
S: "Oatmeal in your bowl." *snicker* "Oatmeal on your plate!" *giggle* *eyes look slyly to the side* "OATMEAL ON YOUR WINDOW!" :D

10. Do you like answering questions? Oh, sure. Why not? ;)

11. If you could go back in time to any place at any point in history, where would you go? Wow! I don't know. Maybe the late 1800s. Maybe the turn of the century. I've always enjoyed the Victorian era. But I like other times too. It's too hard to decide on one time.

1.Who is your favorite author? Already answered. (Whew, one question the same!)

2. If you could go on vacation anywhere, where would you go? Montana! No thought required on this question.

3. Do you play any instruments? Yes, I do. . . . Oh, you wanted to know what I played? Piano, violin, some bowed psaltry, some recorder.

4. What is your favorite type of music to play? Depends on my mood. :) Sometimes hymns, sometimes old songs, sometimes songs from "Sound of Music" or "Mary Poppins," sometimes classical, sometimes patriotic.

5. What are your hobbies? Hobbies? Hmm . . . Reading, being dramatic, reading, crafting things and reading. (Did I mention reading?)
6. What is your favorite type of food? Oh, dear, now I'm hungry! I love Mexican and Italian.

7. What do you want to be when you "grow up"? Already answered!

8. Do you know a foreign language? I do speak some Chinese though it has been a while since I've studied it. (Nee how boo how?)

9. If you could learn any language, what would it be? Probably more Chinese, though I sometimes think German or Russian might be fun.

10. On a scale of 1-10. 1, being hardly at all and 10, being extreme, how much do you like to talk? 9 ;) But I do know how to listen too. :)

11. What is your favorite book series? Already answered. Well, I said I couldn't decide. Would you like a list of some of my favorite book series?

 

1. You just got awarded a million dollars. What are you going to do with it? Well, after paying the IRS a whole lot of it and giving my tithe, I'd probably scream, then probably buy some books. :) But not with the whole thing. :P I think I would be smart enough to save some, but I just might take a vacation to Montana.
2. What time period would you travel to if you could? Isn't this the same question as I already answered? I'm not sure where I'd go.
3. If you had to pick one, who would you pick as your favorite fictional character of all time? Having read over 12,000 books, I really have no idea who I would pick as my favorite.
4. Who is your favorite Bible character? Besides Christ? Ruth or maybe Lydia.
5. What's your favorite book series? Okay, I got the point. You want to know my favorite book series. But I still don't know. But here are a few: Bret King, Moody Family, Tales of the RAF, Silver Chief, Ester Ried, the Chautauqua series, Grandma's Attic, Trixie Belden, Jungle Doctor, Dave Dawson, Danny Orlis,  . . . I could go on, but I'll stop.
6. Who's your favorite author? You want more besides Isabella Alden? Francena Arnold, Marguerite Henry, Jack O'Brien, Dan Scott, Ralph Connor (be careful because his old books have swear words in them), Louisa May Alcott, and so on.
7. Do you have a favorite movie? "A Thousand Men and a Baby" (Now it's called "Narrow Escape") I could watch that one over and over. I also like "Miracle of the White Stallions," "Sound of Music" and others.
8. What's your favorite past time? Reading
9. What do you want to do when you get older? Visit Montana, and the rest of the 50 states, and well, here's the link for what's on my "to do" list. :)
10. What's your favorite wild animal? One that stays away from me. :) Though I'd love to see a wild mustang in person.
11. If you could ask God one question, what would it be? How should I best use my life?

 

1. What is your favorite season? I said it once, but I'll tell you again because I love autumn!

2. What do you enjoy doing most during that season? Walking through the leaves, wearing sweaters and jackets, sitting around a fire roasting s'mores, curling up with a good book, drinking hot cider, dreaming of staying in a cabin in the woods. :)

3. Do you play any instruments? If so, which ones? Already answered this. :)

4. What is your favorite style of music? Depends on my mood. No rock, no jazz, not much country, just about anything else.

5. Who is your favorite author? Wow, this is a popular question. But I already answered it.

6. If you could do anything you wanted, what would you choose to do? Ride a train to Montana and stay at the Triple Creek Ranch for at least a week.

7. What is your favorite animal? Dog or horse.

8. What is your favorite thing to do around a campfire? Oh, this sounds fun! Sit around and talk with friends while we roast marshmallows and eat s'mores.

9. Who do you most enjoy spending time with? Can I say those who aren't here? ;) Okay, my family, my heart-sister, my best friends and my niece and nephews.

10. What is your favorite riddle? Already answered. But . . . What do you sit on, lie on and brush your teeth with?

11. What is your favorite radio drama? (If you listen to any) Yes, we listen to radio dramas! The trouble is which one is a favorite . . . I really liked "This is Your F.B.I." and "You Are There" and "Our Inheritance."

Are you tired of these questions yet? I think I'm tired of answering them. :) But it was fun. I hope you enjoyed them. Feel free to answer these yourselves or to ask others. Oh, I was supposed to pass this award on to others, but I can't think of any who haven't gotten it already. So, if you want the award, let me know and I'll give it to you. :)

P. S. If you read this on the day it's posted, I'll be sitting at the polls working as an election judge for 13 hours. So, if you leave me any comments, I'd love to read them when I get home! :)

Happy Day - Part 4

Good Morning Faithful Friday Fiction Fans,
This has been another "fallish" week though not so much as before. We've had the house open all week and it rained almost all day on Wednesday which was wonderful as we really needed rain. Right now it is partly cloudy and I can hear the birds singing away. Can you believe it is August?

My week has been busy.  I got a new computer desk and put it all together on Tuesday. I finished cutting out a bunch of paper dolls for my niece, painted a wall in the kitchen, read some, worked on putting odds and ends away, visited with a friend and her little children and held her new baby, and did other various things.

As far as writing goes, I have written a little over a 1/4 of TCR-4 and it's been fun. I did get completely stuck, but the next day I played the piano for a little while before I tried to write and that night I got 1,000 words written. :) (500 is a usual amount for me in the evenings.)

Update on Triple Creek Ranch - Rustlers: It is still being edited. With my computer problems in June, and a busy life, things got a bit behind. But don't panic yet. I'm hoping to have the book ready for order by next Friday. If it is ready before then, I'll be sure to let you all know. I can't wait to hear what you all think of this book. :) And to see if you have any ideas for future stories. :)

And I think that's all I have to tell you about right now. So, I'll let you have the rest of this story. 

Happy Day

Part 4

    “And what’s that?”
    So I told him what I wanted to get her and then said, “And you should get her a ring with a real diamond.”
    For a minute Daddy didn’t say anything or even look at me. Then he said quietly, “Do you think so, Rinnah Bird?” (That’s Daddy’s other nickname for me.)
    I nodded.
    “Do you know what a ring like that means?”
    I nodded again. Of course I knew, and I wanted Miss Natalie to be my mama. “I’ve wanted a mama for a long time, Daddy,” I whispered. “But we never met the right one until Miss Natalie came. And Daddy? She said I wasn’t too big to sit in a mommy’s lap.”
    Daddy didn’t say anything but pulled me into his own lap and held me tightly.

    Well, Diary, Daddy did get Miss Natalie a ring for Christmas, and she hugged him. I heard her say quietly to him, “What does Rinnah think of all this?”
    And Daddy whispered back, “She’s the one who suggested it in the first place.” And he winked at me.
    We all went over to Grandma and Grandpa’s on Christmas night for dinner, and when Aunt Anna saw the ring on Miss Natalie’s finger she gave a little scream and hugged her and then hugged Daddy and said, “It’s about time!” whatever that was supposed to mean. And Uncle Will slapped Daddy on the back and everyone was excited.
    There was lots of talking during dinner and afterwards, but I was quiet. I was doing some thinking. Don’t misunderstand me, Diary, I wasn’t having second thoughts about Daddy and Miss Natalie getting married, not at all.
    “Rinnah!”
    I jumped and looked up. Everyone was looking at me and I couldn’t figure out why. I was about to see if my dress had turned inside-out or was on backwards when Daddy called me over to him. “You’re being awfully quiet, Rinnah Bird, is something wrong? Are you feeling all right?”
    “No, I’m fine. I was just thinking.”
    “What about?”
    “What I want for my birthday.”
    Suddenly everyone started laughing. I didn’t know I had said anything funny. I hadn’t meant to be funny. Sometimes I just don’t understand grownups.
    “But I was, Daddy,” I protested when the laughter had quieted down. “And I know just what I want.”
    Uncle Will was still chuckling and the others had grins on their faces. “Chickadee, it’s not even the day after Christmas, your birthday isn’t until April, and you are already trying to decide what you want?”
    I sighed. “No, Daddy, I’m not deciding what I want, I already know that. I was just thinking about it and wondering if I’d get it.”
    Daddy was still too amused to ask me what it was I wanted, but Miss Natalie wasn’t. She put her arm around me and pulled me over to her. “It must be something very special if you are already thinking about it,” she said and I nodded. “What is it?”
    “I want a mama for my birthday.”
    Miss Natalie blushed and Daddy looked eager. “Why not, Natalie?” he asked.
    “But that’s only four months away. I don’t know if I could plan a wedding that quickly—”
    “We’ll all help, Natalie,” Aunt Anna put in quickly. “Just think, we could be sisters in only four months!” I could tell Aunt Anna and Daddy were on my side, but I wasn’t sure we had won the most important person over yet.
    “Please,” I leaned against her to whisper. “I’ve wanted a mama so badly for such a long time.”
    First she kissed me, then she looked at the hand Daddy was holding, and at last she agreed.

    Diary, it is evening now. I’ve been roller-skating and helped make supper and now I’m going to try to finish writing this. I don’t have many pages left.

    I won’t tell about the months before the wedding. My birthday came on a Tuesday this year and Miss Natalie wasn’t sure that was a good day for a wedding, but I convinced her it was. It was beautiful! The sun was shining and everything was pretty.
    Daddy woke me up that morning with a kiss. “Happy Birthday, Rinnah Bird,” he whispered.
    I was wide awake in a minute and dressed quickly. I had begged to have the wedding in the morning before my birthday party because I wanted my mama at my party and not just Miss Natalie. Daddy told me I should be a lawyer because I argued my case so well, but they agreed to it. Daddy and I drove over to the church right after breakfast and Bible reading. There was a lovely verse this morning that Daddy read that I kept thinking about: “Let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. Sing unto God, sing praises to his name.” That just fits how I felt yesterday morning.
    The church looked so pretty that morning. The grey stone walls with large ornate windows and a brown roof formed the chapel, while the rest of the church was connected by a stone wall that looked like part of a castle. The grass and pine tree were green and the redbud tree was in full bloom. The sun was shining and there were patches of white clouds that seemed to melt into the blue sky. It was all so pretty and I was so excited. I wanted to sing and shout.
    Aunt Anna helped me get ready and did my hair. I wore a white dress with a sash just the color of the redbud blossoms. Never was there a happier girl than I was when I walked down that aisle yesterday morning scattering petals for my new mother to walk on. When I reached the front of the church, I saw Daddy standing there waiting. He smiled at me and I ran over to kiss him. He seemed to like that even if it hadn’t been rehearsed.
    When Uncle Josh (he had come down from Maine just to preform the ceremony for Daddy) had finished all the vows and things and then pronounced them man and wife, I was so excited; I had a mother! Then they came down the steps and both Daddy and Mama smiled at me.
    After the reception, Daddy and Mama and I, all left in the decorated car and drove to Grandma’s together. There we changed and I had my birthday party. Diary, you’ll never know how special that birthday party was to me because I can’t tell it. It wasn’t until after cake and ice cream that Daddy and Mama left for their honeymoon. They’ll be gone only a week, and I’m staying at Grandma and Grandpa’s.
    I see I didn’t tell all the details of the day, but how could I? It would take another diary to write them all down. I guess I can remember all the extra little things in my heart until I can write them down because I’m out of room here.

Did you like the ending?

Which story should I give you next:

"New Life," "Forget Not" or "Being Decisive"?

P. S. I was going to do a post mid week because I'd been awarded several times by different people, but I haven't had time. I'll try to do one this week, so keep checking to see a whole bunch of questions and answers. :)