Ruth's Excellent Short Story

Treasure in the Desert

By: Ruth McKnight

The sand was red hot in the Shimmer-Scale Desert. It was mid-day, and the sun’s relentless heat was beating down upon the three young dragons sitting at a rare oasis. One of the dragons, who had scales that looked like they were made of brass, spread her wings out. Each long spine that supported the wing membrane stretched out so she was covered by the shadow. “Gosh Obsidian, I thought we’d be at the ruins by now.” She groaned. The black dragon, whose wings were more like those of the dragons that stormed castles and battled knights, looked up. “I keep telling you two the directions!” he said, glaring at his friends. “Amber, if I can’t tell where we are, this map is useless!” Obsidian roared, his black scales quivering with force.

            Amber sighed, “What do you think Typhoon?” she asked the blue dragon beside her. Typhoon looked up, the mountain-like horn on the front of his face dusted with sand. He shrugged, “I thought that that rock was closer to us that it was.” He said. The Sapphire and gold necklace around his neck glistened in the sun. Obsidian rolled his eyes. “I keep telling you that we need to go west!” he snarled, his black dragon attitude was kicking in. “Alright, calm down.” Amber said softly “west is that way,” she pointed a claw towards a sand dune in the distance. Typhoon perked up, “Amber, I’m sure that west this that way.” He said pointing in the opposite direction. Amber narrowed her eyes; Brass dragons were very much at home in the desert, so why was Typhoon telling her that she was wrong?

             If only they had a compass, but a sly human thief had stolen the only one they had.  Typhoon’s horns started to crackle with electricity, a sign he was preparing to attack if need be. Amber snarled, and small spikes of flame sizzled between her teeth. Obsidian's throat swelled with acid, prepared for a fight. “Wait!” Amber roared suddenly. “Fighting each other will not get us out of here.” She said calmly. Typhoon and Obsidian looked at her, the electricity slowly faded away, and Obsidian swallowed the acid.  Amber began to dig around in the leather pouch strapped to her side. She pulled out a magnet, a piece of iron form a human sword, and a bowl that was big enough for a dragon to drink from.

“What are we going to do with those things?” Obsidian asked. “We’re going to make a compass.” Amber said “Typhoon, will you fill this up please?” she handed Typhoon the bowl. Amber began to rub the sword blade with the magnet like her life depended on it. Typhoon came back with the bowl, which was full of water from the oasis. Amber pulled a leaf from one of the palm trees that circled the oasis. She set in the bowl, and placed the sword blade on it. The blade and leaf slowly turned until it stopped. “Okay, it’s pointing north, so west is that way!” Typhoon said, pointing towards the sand dune Amber had been pointing at. Amber smirked at him. Typhoon blushed “okay, you were right. Let’s go find that treasure!”

The three friends trekked over to the sand dune, their water bags filled with oasis water, and Amber’s food bag filled with coconuts. Typhoon scooped a snake from the sand, roasting it with it a blast of electricity. “That is so gross.” Amber muttered, making a face as Typhoon swallowed the snake whole. Obsidian was eating a fish from his bag. Seeing her friends eating, Amber opened a small bag hanging from her deck. She pulled out a crystal vial filled with dew drops, and poured the whole thing into her mouth. “Wow.” Obsidian's voice caused Amber to look up from her snack. The ‘sand dune’ was actually a huge temple, buried in sand. Only the entrance was visible. Suddenly, the sand beside her shuddered and Typhoon rose up. He was holding a whole human boat, filled to the brim with gold and jewels! The friends split the treasure evenly, with Obsidian taking the gold, Typhoon taking the jewels ( they were nearly all blue) and Amber taking the boat. “I can’t wait to show this to my parents!” Amber said excitedly. “I know, my dad will flip! Typhoon said. “My brothers will try to steal all of this, they’ll be so jealous!” Obsidian roared happily. With their treasure packs full, the three friends took flight to go back home.

  

More of what we have been up to...

Here are some more pictures. It is funny to look at the pictures. In one set, everyone is wearing coats and then barefoot and the coats and then shorts.... That is how it has been here this spring.

Easter egg hunt at the local plant nursery. And as you can tell by the winter coats, it was freezing cold.

Made our Easter bunny cake. I put Abbe in charge of the decorating and she did an excellent job. Wesley LOVED it! He made my day! "Aunt Anera, (that's how he says my name - just like his dad did) you made a bunny cake!!!" he said with a great big smile.

Eian's buddy moved to Florida. :(
I think Eian is still a little lot lost without him. He was in Eian's class at school AND lived right down the street. We all miss him.

Abbe had another friend over.

Ummm....wait doesn't she he look familiar? Let's just say Abbe talked him into it. He makes a cute little girl though doesn't he? ;)


Eian is now playing soccer. This is the only picture I have right now. It has been FREEZING cold every game. When it warms up, I will get some better pictures.

We went on the spring salamander hunt.

4-H is starting.

We now have chicks. I will have do a separate post on that whole ..... thing.

What have we been up to lately?

Sorry it has been so very long. The winter blahs really got a hold of me! School has been intense with many special projects and portfolios due. People have been many kinds of sick around here too.

Ready for spring!

So, what have we been up to?

Well.....

Abbe had a birthday.

Abbe played basketball. (It was crazy hair day.)

Made a spring wreath (from Pinterest) hoping that it would make spring come. Huh. Did not happen!

Abbe had a friend over. As you can see, she fits right in. Sometimes, people ask if she and Abbe are sisters.

Blogger quit letting me put pictures on. :/
Just going to post this. So, another post should be coming soon.

Everyone sick....

Just spent all morning taking Abbe to the doctor, stopping at store to get essentials (more tissues, gatorade, juice, etc), and the pharmacy. Jason is going to the doctor this afternoon and Ruth is asleep on the couch. Nice, huh?

Eian and I have so far just had a touch of this nastiness, and hopefully THAT WILL BE ALL.

Have not been able to go anywhere to celebrate Abbe's birthday because everyone has been sick. She hasn't been feeling well for almost two weeks sooooo...

Here are some pictures from COSI. We went a couple of weeks ago. Last day to see the LEGO exhibit. Just a suggestion, DO NOT go on the last day to see the LEGO exhibit. Was so very crowded. Also, Eian's friend and neighbor stopped by as we were getting ready to go, so he went too. Four kids and me. Good thing Eian's friend is such a good boy! 'Cause Ruth was wound up. Sigh. Makes for a longer than usual day. Thank goodness this was the second time we had went. Here are photos from the first time.

Abbe in her cool new fedora

Eian and his buddy

Ruth's favorite part - dressing up in knight/horse costume and jousting

LEGO bricks made to look like stained glass.

21 Ways to Deal with a Bully

This list was compiled by my Ruth for one of her classes. She had twice as many as everyone else. Probably because she was bullied and her counselor worked with her A LOT about it. I am just glad to see how much it sank in! Ruth has also been helping Eian deal with a boy in his class who seems to have an issue with Eian. Sigh. It never ends. (#1 is about the Golden Rule.)

Ruth’s Anti-bully List

1.      Try to be nice to people!

2.      Tell a teacher if you or friends are being threatened.

3.      Don’t give a bully what it wants! Money or just a reaction!

4.      Try to stay away from the bully.

5.      Stay in a group with lots of friends! It’s hard to pick on a group!

6.      NEVER FIGHT THE BULLY!!!!!!!

7.      If they are insulting you, laugh or say, “That’s right, and I’m proud of it!”

8.      If people are excluding you, just sit next to them and don’t do anything.

9.      Try to do things you like! Don’t let them ruin your day!

10.   Write a letter saying all the things you want to say to them and throw it out, or make a paper doll and rip it up.

11.  Talk to friends, parents or the school counselor.

12.  Tell the bully they are being mean. Sometimes they don’t mean it!

13.  If it’s not at school, like if a kid throws rocks at you when you skateboard by their house, stay away from the area!

14.  If it’s a “on –off bully”, a bully who is mean some days and nice others, try to find out the pattern and avoid them on the “on” days.

15.  If it’s a cyber bully, block them from your contact list, or don’t read email from them.

16.  Send any threats online to your internet provider. They can help stop it.

17.  Don’t listen to an older sibling who tells you to fight.

18.  If you see someone being a jerk to another kid stand up for them!

19.  “Ignore the bully” that is what most people say. Don’t! They will just keep at it!

20.  If you think YOU are being a bully, stop! Being nice is golden!

21.  Treat people how you want to be treated!

LEGOS and COSI

COSI has a new LEGO exhibit. And since everyone around here is LEGO crazy, they had a great time. Also displayed were works by LEGO master builders - soooo detailed and realistic.

Everyone built a castle.

I think Ruth had the best time. She loves dragons and knights. So, this was right up her alley!

COSI has some new, really cool, wall art. These are moths made of recycled materials.

Famous art made of Jelly Belly jelly beans. So detailed and true to life.

Art at Our House

Ruth and Abbe have a pretty excellent art course as part of their online school. They are learning art history and method in addition to actually doing art.

Their public school used to have an AWESOME art teacher that the school let go due to budget reasons. Now, they (well, just Eian from here) have an OK teacher. But the school has changed art teachers quite a few times in the past few years because they never knew if they would have the money to keep the teacher. So, I have lost track of which one he has now! How sad is that? I do know that she doesn't seem to give them anything that stretches them artistically. Maybe the school doesn't have the money for the art supplies???

Two of Ruth's:

Four of Abbe's - the last one she painted while it was taped to the bottom of the table, like Michelangelo did the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel:

Art wall at my house - clown and owl are Eian's:

HRH Princess Sarafina looking condescendingly at me photographing the art.

Halloween

This was probably the easiest year for me costume - wise. We had a pirate AKA Jack Sparrow, Taylor Swift, and a lion.

These were taken after they came back from Trick or Treat. So, Eian is missing his headscarf and Abbe is missing her whiskers and Ruth her bright red lipstick courtesy of Abbe the make-up lady.

The pirate costume is one of Eian's 18th century outfits. Made by Nana. ;)

Ruth as Taylor Swift just required a swishy skirt which she can wear to church. And, a borrowed cowboy hat from Dad.

Abbe, of course, had to have something that I had to sew. I bought white leggings and sweater. Dyed them yellow using fabric dye. Basted the fake fur on the hood (to be taken off) and sewed ears onto that. Did not use a pattern, just kind of 'winged' it. Comes from many years of sewing costumes on demand. Sewed a tail and basted it onto the leggings (to be taken off also). One reusable lion costume!

'Taylor Swift' in action!

* All pictures taken by Jason. I was handing out candy to the few brave souls that came that night. Usually, we have TONS of kids but it was cold and misting. :(

God is Awesome!

Ok. So God is really kicking it to me this week!

Joyce Meyer might as well have been talking right to me this morning. Part of her message was on how to stay happy and cheerful when faced with chaos in your life.

You need to turn it over to God.

Soooo...I know this. I really do. But things have been so very chaotic around here lately that I have let my knowledge of this disappear into the clouds of chaos that have been my life.

I am feeling much more at peace the past couple of days. Talking with Jason some about everything always helps too. There is a reason he is my helpmate and my cornerstone. God chose a very forgiving man for me and I am thankful for it.

God really spoke to me this morning and I praise him for it! Thank you Lord for your guidance.

***********************

The other evening was so beautiful that I decided to take the kids to the park. This was a beautiful time to go. It helps me find peace to be in nature and appreciate all that God has made. (Jason went to dinner and to see the movie "Burn" with a bunch of his firefighter guys.)

Here are some pictures from that evening. The thing is, the pictures proceed to get more and more blurry as the evening progressed. I really need to learn to use the manual settings on my camera!

Frogs were EVERYWHERE! The kids kept saying "There's a frog!" "There's a frog!" "There's a frog!" And of course, Eian and Ruth wanted to catch them. Sigh. No, its a park - not supposed to touch or take. Except for pictures.

We saw this really cool duck. But it kept diving under the water for a really long time and I kept thinking it was eaten by a turtle. Finally, Ruth said, "Mom. It is probably a loon not a duck."

Ahhhh.... Abbe at her best. So glad I captured this.

The trees had lost most of their leaves but still some beautiful ones left.

Big Foot's foot print according to Ruth.

A kingfisher, which I said was a blue jay. Ruth - "No, Mom. It's a kingfisher." Abbe - "Just like we chase away from Grandma and Grandpa's pond."

The loon again.

My big spot and identification: bob white quail. Ruth just read this afternoon that the Metro Parks are releasing them. I just wish I would have been able to get a better, less blurry, picture. I was afraid to move because I was afraid it would run away. I have never, ever seen one at a place that is as busy as this park is. Only in the woods where it is pretty quiet. DEFINITELY not with three kids talking and fighting and laughing and jumping!

Abbe spotted this rabbit - she was thrilled.

Eian hanging upside down and looking under the dock for more frogs.

There are fish in there, I promise.

Some sort of tern.

We had a good evening. We needed it.

Where do you go to find peace?