When Monsters Fall in Love

I wanted to share some writing because I haven't in a while. I wrote this in a coffee shop in a small suburb of London where Mia and I used trusty old Pinterest to find inspiration.

"Monsters fall in love, too."
via Pinterest

We're all touched by things. Funny how even someone with the darkest soul can be affected by beauty, or attached to people or places or pets or posessions. The thing is that most people don't enjoy inflicting pain or doing damage just for the pure sake of it. It's that they grow too attached to the wrong idea or person and don't care who they hurt in the process of trying to hang on to it as long as possible. They think they're doing "good," in a sense: either for themselves or for the people they're trying to keep. And if they do lose the thing that is precious to them, there is the danger of them becoming so hurt and disappointed and angry that they end up trying to express how they feel by attempting to make everyone around them feel the same. We all want everyone to understand how we are feeling and why. So really, it's no surprise that monsters fall in love, too - but rather that love, if sought after improperly or taken too far, can turn people into monsters.

I just realized that in my last post, I didn't really ask how you guys have been. #rude What have you guys been up to? Also, what are some posts you would like to see over the next few weeks? I have recently acquired quite a bit of time, so I will most likely be able to actually post every Tuesday, at least for a while. Let me know in the comments! It's good to be back!

Stay beautiful, guys!

- Maddie

Try

Hey, everyone! I'm sorry that I haven't posted for the last two Tuesdays :( Here's a poem to make it up to you (although, it probably won't cheer you up too well).

You didn't have to.

You didn't have to try to forget.

Now look what it's done to you.

It's the only thought in your head.

That's the problem with problems.

You try so hard to make them go away that they just stay.

Obsessions, obsessions.

Is that what happens?

You become over involved in everything that you do?

You have to stop.

You can't keep living this way.

But don't commit to that too seriously, either, for even that could go wrong.

I don't know what to do.

I can't help you in a way I know how.

You need help from someone who isn't me.

For your own good, the sooner you accept it, the better.

For all of us.

Thanks for reading! Stay awesome ♥

- Maddie

Time - MMC (July 11, 2016)

Four months, and thirteen days. There was a time when you thought there would never be a day that would go by when you wouldn't see each other, and now it's been over four months. A fire that spread in less than five minutes is to blame for this.

Thoughts of Ariel spin around in your mind as you pull your feet up onto the hard wooden chair where you are sitting and rest your head on your knees. The tears you didn't know you had inside you come rushing out, and you wrap your arms around the top of your knees, your left arm pressing into your forehead. Your fingers dig into your arms as you try to squeeze the pain out of your chest and pass it on to anywhere but there.

Minutes tick by. From just the sound of your wristwatch, you count the time that passes: seven minutes, fourteen seconds. Ariel used to think it was funny how you always knew exactly how much time was left until the bell would ring for the next class without even glancing at your watch... Your sobs start afresh from the remembrance, and you begin to rock back and forth, thinking maybe it will help you to regain your calm.

Your tears finally slow, and once you rub away the blur, you realize the thing you must do. Somehow, the thought of her watching from above as you play the music she taught you already calms you. Keeping in time, your fingers move across the burnt piano keys, growing less and less shaky with each note played. You feel the ache in your chest being released, and the thoughts of your friend slow in their spinning. Time ticks by, and you realize that there are two things the fire wasn't able to take from you: time, and her piano.

Hey, everyone! I haven't done a Monday's Minutes Challenge in forever, and it feels so good to write one again! I used the picture prompt this week and my story is 310 words. Thank you, Tessa, for hosting!

- Maddie

Facing Fears: Is Love Really Worth the Pain?

This is something I have been reflecting on a lot lately.

In the middle of August, I had the chance to visit my best friends one last time before they left for their mission in England. It was lovely. Soccer and walks and chocolate. Videos, 3 am talks, a concert, and ice cream. Not getting lost, just not finding our way. Rounding the traffic circle seven times before getting off on the right road. Talking in our sleep and laughing at each other. Sitting in silence and feeling comfortable because we've known one another for six years and we've been through just about everything together. Saying, "Well, I don't know about you, but you're pretty much my best friend." And the other rolling their eyes and responding, "Well, duh, you're my best friend, too." I had such a wonderful time, such a perfect balance of deep conversations mixed with silly nothings, that when I left, I left depressed. There was an overwhelming feeling of the people I was closest to outside of my family being separated from me across the ocean and the burning question in the back of my mind, "Will it ever be the same?" We're all growing up, finding our paths in life. What if the next time we see each other one of us or both of us have a boyfriend? What if we somehow grow apart? When will we even see each other next? Why do we never seem to get enough time with the person who understands us the best?

I've never regretted knowing and loving the people that I am closest to in my life. I've never wished I hadn't gotten to know someone as well as I have, or that we hadn't been so close. But after I got back from my visit, when I thought about the new relationships that I could be cultivating here in my new home, I had to ask myself, "Do I want the pain that's going to come with this later? Should I just leave things as they are and not try to make actual friends with people here, but just keep things casual? Should I love now and be hurt later, or be lonely now and it won't matter later? Is love worth the pain? I know I would think so if I really did come to love this person. But right now, while I have the chance to save us both the heartache, should I prevent it?"

It's tough to be always moving. I don't know how attached to get to one place. It may seem like we'll be there for a long time - that this will finally be the last place we'll move to for a few years, if not that we've finally found somewhere to settle permanently; but the reality is, it's probably not going to turn out that way, no matter how it may seem now. My family hasn't lived in one place for longer than a year since 2010. But the thing is, I've enjoyed pretty much every place we've lived since then, and I know that if I move somewhere else, I'll most likely enjoy it there, too. So the hard part is moving and leaving behind the ones you love in that place and not knowing if or when you will ever get the chance to see them again, but also knowing that if you stay where you are, you could be missing out on falling in love with more people and places, too.

It's also sometimes hard being an introvert. I think it takes us longer to get to know people and to open up ourselves, and I feel like a lot of the time when I am just starting to feel comfortable around people, that's when we leave.

After the trip, I wrote this in my journal, "Do I really want to live here for years? Is staying in one place for years and years something I'm capable of? I don't want to always be moving, but since I always am, it's hard to picture me not. And I wonder if I would be able to stand it.... I guess I'm feeling lonely right now. I mean, where do I really belong? I've never wished that I hadn't met any of my friends, but at the same time, it just makes everything so much more difficult. I want to make friends here, but which will be worse: the pain of having no one to talk to, or the ache when I have to leave? I want to live here for a long time, but I don't. I want to get to know people more closely, but if I don't stay, it will make it harder to leave. Or what if they leave? Ever since I can remember, I'm the one who has moved away. I've moved on and left them, and met new people and been to new places, and I miss the people I've left behind, but at least I have a distraction. They have to stay where they are and go on with their lives without me, and I don't know if I could stand to switch places because I'm sure people handle it better than I would.... I guess that's what I want to know. Is it better to not have as much love, and therefore not have as much hurt? Or does the love always outweigh the pain?"

I was really praying that God would speak to me. There are times that I want to hear clearly God's voice more than anything, and that was one of those days. I didn't get an answer when I opened the Bible, and I went about the day in a deep sadness. At work, during my lunch break, I was surprised to see that Mia was online at the same time I was, and we were able to talk until I had to go back to work. She asked me how I was, and I almost just replied with the typical, "Fine, how are you?" But I caught myself and decided to tell her what I was really feeling. Sometimes it feels weird saying things like that over the internet and not in person, but as she was already in England, that would not be happening soon.

So I asked her, "Should I make friends now and be sad later when I leave, or be lonely now and it won't matter later?" I didn't use the word "pain" at all.

When she wrote back, she said, "Don't be lonely now. That's my advice. I feel like the pain is worth it." 

Her choice of words answered exactly what I had asked for earlier in prayer, "Does love always outweigh the pain?" There was such an inexplicable feeling of comfort that came with having received an answer to my fear from God and my best friend at the same time.

A few days later, I wrote in my journal, "I've come to realize that with life there comes pain, no matter how you choose to live it. I would be hurt if no one loved me. If I was deliberately abused, I would of course be hurt, too. And if I love someone and they love me and we never see each other again, we will hurt then, the same. But if I choose the latter, at least I'll have some happiness, too. I'll have the joy of memories. I'll always look back and be glad I knew them instead of the nagging feeling in the back of my mind saying, 'What if I had?'

"Life, love, and pain go hand in hand, no matter how you choose to look at it. Therefore, the choice that stands is not, 'if' we should love, but 'how' we should give and receive it."

We all have these fears at some time or another, don't we? You obviously know now that I do. Have you ever felt this way? The funny thing is, if we all thought this way and then chose to not love so as not to be hurt, how would life go on? We would all be so afraid to step out and go to new places and meet new people because of the possibly of getting hurt later that we would miss out on so much.

So go ahead and make that step. Get to know that person better who you were afraid to become close to. We shouldn't become too attached to anyone or anything because it wouldn't be good for us to be completely crushed if something were to happen, but that 'maybe' shouldn't prevent us from creating good, strong relationships now.

I want to hear your thoughts on this subject. I want these topics to be things we can share with each other. Little heart to heart conversations. It's good to know that people have the same feelings; that you're not the only one who feels a certain way. Not that you're glad someone else is going through the same ugly situation, but that since they are, you're glad they didn't just keep it to themself and think that they were the only ones with that problem. I want Facing Fears to become a regular post topic, and hopefully will post one once a month. What do you guys think?

And to end, I wanted to share a poem I wrote before leaving my family in Montana. I haven't shared some of my writing in forever, so here's a bit for you. Thank you for being patient with me, and for all of your wonderful comments on my last post. You don't know how warm it made me feel inside. You all are wonderful.

(I had titled it Fears Forgotten, but I'm not sure if I think it fits the best, now. Oh, well.)

It's good to know

You will be missed;

To know your loneliness is 

Worth something.

Nice to have the words taken

Right out of your mouth:

"Call me."

"Write me."

"Keep in touch."

"Tell me everything."

"I'll see you soon, won't I?"

Easier to breathe once your fears are taken away.

Honey, you're friends.

Stop worrying.

Peace, everyone. Until next time.

- Maddie

In Which I Come Back From Hibernation

Hello, everyone!

No, I didn't die.

Thanks for your concern.

I'm really sorry for the pain you've been going through not knowing when and/or if I was going to post again.

Nothing tragic has happened to keep me from blogging except for maybe living an adult life. I just haven't had much time, and when I have, I have preferred to use that time to relax my frazzled mind.

Did you know it was my blog's first birthday on July 16th, and I didn't even have a party for it? I know. Shame on me. I'm a terrible parent. No, I really do feel bad. Other bloggers have awesome celebrations planned for their blogs which sometimes go for a week, and they'll have tags, and giveaways for their followers (cause you can't really give your blog a gift, so giving one to the people who support you and your blog is the next best thing), etc. I did not even acknowledge my blog, say thank you to any of you, or even post in like a month. So I'm saying it now: Thank you all so much. You all mean a lot to me. I mean it. It means a lot that you read what I have to say and take time to say that you read it and that you have opinions on what I have to say, as well.

Guys, I'm really sorry. I want you to stay. I want to have things to talk about. I don't want to slip away from posting for so long that I think that no one will be interested if I do decide to post again. I don't want to have a reason to think, "It's too late, now." I feel like I've been a bad blogger, and I want to have a more consistent schedule and really try to stick to it. I've already lost one follower, and I don't want to lose you, too.

I really haven't even been writing fiction, so don't feel left out. My creative side has really been placed on the back burner because work has kind of been burning me out. I really hate it. Not work; I love my job. I hate not having inspiration. It's like I have no inspiration, but I don't even want it/am not even looking for it, but I want to want it and I hate that I don't. I don't want to lose the writer in me. I want to always feel the need to write. I don't know why I don't right now and it bothers me. I guess I need to try to write and the more I do the more inspired I will be.

So life has been really interesting. I've been making new friends. I've been finding my own clothing style. I got my hair cut a different way than I have before. I've been finding new music and movies and shows. I've been figuring out that the stuff my mom used to tell me was healthy for me actually does make me feel good when I eat it instead of when I eat crap. I've been driving all around and having to make my own decisions about what events to say yes to and what to pass up on. I've turned down a relationship. I've said goodbye to my best friends and hoped that I will see them before a year is up. I've had to budget. I've been doing spiritual direction with my priest friend and have to dig and find my weaknesses and my flaws and my sins and try to figure out what will help me overcome them. I've had to push my introverted self to socialize when I don't feel like it because I know I'll be thankful that I did later. I've been learning my limits and finding when I do need alone time. I've been learning who I am as a person and it's a hard journey but I'm glad that I have this opportunity.

I've had a lot of time to think since I've been on my own. I have some thoughts that I want to share, and which I will try to put into words worthy of reading and post soon.

I have approximately two minutes before my alarm rings and I'll have to get ready for work, so I'm going to have to wrap this up quick. I'm really happy to be back, and I have a few post ideas. I will always appreciate receiving requests from you guys about what to post about, so if you have any ideas, please let me know! I love you guys, and I'll see you next Tuesday!

P.S. Maybe we should start planning my blog's second birthday now?

- Maddie

Memories - MMC (June 20, 2016)

"So, what's in it?" Alex dropped to his haunches and reached to lift the flap of the cardboard box. He pulled, then realized that it was still taped shut.

"I don't know." Avery raised his shoulders in a shrug. His arms hung still, almost as if in fear, at his side.

"You don't know? Why'd you bring me over here, then? What if it's something stupid, like old crafts gone badly from someone's kindergarten days, or something?" His cousin didn't look impressed.

Avery's gaze shifted to the box again and he drew a breath. "It's not. There have been some... other things I've found up here in the attic, and... this is something serious."

Alex looked at him with a skeptical glaze in his eyes, but Avery didn't look up as he got to his knees and slit the tape. Both were still a minute, wishing the other would be the one to move first and open it. Finally, Alex sighed and mumbled something to the extent of, "How bad can it be?" He flung open the flaps and the boys stared down at the contents.

For a moment, nothing would have compelled them to touch anything inside. But neither were they ready to turn away. 

"It's..." Alex began to state the obvious, but decided to ask something more important. "But why?" He lifted his gaze from the box for the first time since it had been opened and stared at the boy that had brought him up there.

Avery remained silent for a few moments more, gathering the right words to sum up the picture. When he spoke, he whispered. "Because someone didn't want Margaret's family to remember her. But they didn't want to remember the times she wasn't theirs, either. And most important, they didn't want her to remember."

Hey, guys! I used the picture prompt, and it's 301 words. I won 2nd place last week! I know this is a little vague, so sorry. It's a continuation of the stories about Margaret Johnson I wrote: this one, and Forgetting. Hope you all have a lovely week! And if you want to join the Monday's Minutes Challenge, go here!

- Maddie

Pity - MMC (June 6, 2016)

The rope. How could it have slipped? It wasn't as if she’d meant it to. And that was the pity.

She'd been tempted to pass him by when she had seen him hanging there. And why not? They weren't friends. In fact, they'd never spoken a civil word, either one to the other, in life. She could have walked right by, let him die. Not been accused of anything. That was the pity.

Instead, she'd tried to help. Put aside petty prejudice that had lasted a lifetime, and tried to help the man. Tried to save his life. And she was accused of murder. No one would believe her if she tried to deny it. And she could not blame them. How many times had she sworn she'd take out Jeremy Kindle, her opponent, even killing him if need be. How many times had he sworn the same of her. Their malice was not a private matter. And that was the pity.

Their oaths had been fulfilled without either party wanting them to be.

The mallet came down to smack the wood of the desk, sentencing her for the next 30 years.

The rope had snapped, dooming him to give up the rest of his life forever.

If words could be taken back, what each wouldn't give to do just that. Bucket load by bucket load.

It was a pity to learn the truth which the old grade school rhyme tried to hide.

Words do hurt.

Surprise! You guys still get a MMC story this week. 

I used the items prompt (rope, bucket, wood), and the story is 247 words. This was a really fun one! (Yeah, I know, I say that every time). Also, I won second place last time :D Thanks, Tessa, for hosting!

- Maddie

Burnt - MMC (May, 16, 2016)

(Ignore the fact that he's covering her eyes)

"Yes. Yes, I know." He looked down at the little girl whose head did not even reach his middle.

She had one hand wrapped in his, and had one finger from the other pointed rigidly at the sight in front of them. Slowly, she tilted her head back and stared up at him. Her deep blue eyes did not hold tears, as he had expected. Instead, there was hurt contained in them. A bruised look, as if he had delivered her a blow after telling her that he had a present to give her. Which is almost what had happened. But he hadn't meant it.

"I- I'm sorry. I thought...." A heavy breath escaped his nostrils. He took his gaze off of the little girl and swept it across the piles of bricks and glass that lay in the charred grass at the bottom of the hill. Crouching so as to fully look her in the eye, he said, "I didn't know. The rumors were true." When he inhaled sharply, the ashes that mixed and carried on the air almost choked him. He moved his hand over his mouth and felt the bristly stubble on his chin; a reminder that life had not been normal for over a week since he'd met Angelica.

The little girl reached for that hand, and pulled it away from his face, still keeping her grip tight on his other hand. Placing first the right, then the left around her shoulders, she stepped in closer and put her own around his waist.

James returned the hug when he realized what she wanted. She was the first to pull away, and he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"You'll have to stay with me, now. All right? Come, Angelica. We'd better start on the way back home."

She raised her arms and he understood the cue. Scooping her up, he placed her on his aching shoulders and turned the both of them away from the burnt ruins of the city.

Guys, I'm back! (I think). Oh, and look: I posted on Tuesday this time. :D I have posts planned for next week and maybe the week after, so you'll hear from me at least until then. Things are a little crazy because of moving and finding a new job, and stuff (more on that later), so I am not making any promises, but I do really hope to be back on my normal posting schedule very soon. Anyway, this entry is 334 words, and I used the sentence and items prompts. Hope you enjoyed. :)

- Maddie

Guilty - MMC (May 2, 2016)

Once upon a time, I was free.

I didn't have dread and doom and misery hanging over my head at every waking second.

I had worries, but what were they compared to this?

If you've hurt a person in speech or attitude and felt remorse, go out and take it to the tenth degree, and then come back and tell me how you feel.

No, stop. Don't. That wasn't meant to be taken literally. I'm trying to save you from what I'm feeling. Trying to tell you not to make the same mistake I have.

It's nights like this that I can hardly breathe, the guilt weighs so much.

How can I still be sucking in air when Aaron's death was my fault?

I should turn myself in. Tell them what I know.

But the animal part of me continues to prevail. My instincts say stay hidden. Move away from blame.

The sad part is, I would be happier if I handed myself over, or if I was found.

But I know I don't deserve that.

Someone, anyone, come find me.

I may not be able to do it on my own, but I need someone to come and do for me what I did not do for Aaron:

I need you to save my life.


*tries to pretend she hasn't been away for forever* Heh-hey everybody! How's it going? You like how I'm posting on schedule and everything, right?

Who am I kidding? Will you please raise your hands if this is working?

*cricket*

So, I'm very sorry, guys, for being away for so long! Work has taken a tremendous amount of time and energy out of me, and I have not had time for much besides working, eating, and sleeping. Seriously, I'm not kidding. But since I have three days off in a row this week, I decided to post something, even though it's not Tuesday, which I hope is okay with you. ;) I'm very glad to be back, lovelies, and I am going to try really hard to have a post on Tuesday for you!

This story is 216 words, and I used the sentence prompt. I hope it's not too late, but if it is, I understand!

- Maddie

Happy Easter! (And A Special Announcement)

Yeah, I know it's Monday, but I wrote most of this yesterday. So just pretend it is yesterday while you read this. :)

Happy Easter, everyone! What a beautiful day to celebrate our Savior's resurrection!

And guess what happened?

Yeah. Snow on Easter. What even? Like, we barely got any during the Christmas season. But weather is usually like that where I live. It's beautiful, though. I think God planned it this day (I mean He did, cause it happened, but...) because He wanted us to remember how white He made our sins when He sacrificed His Life for us on the Cross. At least, that's what I was reminded of this morning.

So Happy Easter, again!

Also, guys...

I have an announcement to make...

*DRUMROLL*

*TRUMPETS*

I'm going to write for an online magazine!

*CONFETTI*

Okay, have a great week, guys...

Oh, you wanted to know more?

Okay, I guess I'll tell you. ;D

SOOOO, as I said, I have been accepted as a regular contributor to Tessa Emily Hall's new magazine called Pursue Magazine. 

Pursue Magazine is an inspirational, uplifting magazine for teenage girls. It encourages them to pursue their interests and to make a difference using their talents, though they are young. It covers beauty, fashion, health, and creative topics, and it is a Christian-based magazine. 

I am so excited to begin writing with this community of amazing young women! My first article is scheduled for April, but in the meantime, go and check out all of the wonderful articles already posted. Pursue is also in the process of raising funds for the launch of their first digital issue, which is coming this fall. You can purchase items from their online store here, and help out!

And if you are a young woman at least 16 years old, Pursue is still looking for writers. You can write guest posts, or send in an article and request to be a regular contributor. Come be part of the Pursue community!

And that concludes my announcement! :D

I'll be posting a few more times than just Tuesday this week, so stay tuned.

So how was your Easter? Did you get snow, too? Are you going to check out Pursue? Going to consider becoming a writer for them??? 

- Maddie

Dreams - MMC (March 7, 2016)

i had it again -
that inspiration, that conviction,
that motivation,
that feeling.

i had the dream again.

where it went i don't know.
i only know that it was here and now
i can't find it though i want it more than before.

why does fear come crawling and steal your resolve
just when you thought to use it?
life isn't fair -
so say others.
but i can't help but wonder if
we can work around it.

can you do what you would when you had the courage
even if you don't now have it?
i believe that when you feel the least compelled to do something
knowing it is right
that is when you should the most.

deciding something is not really doing it.
when is someone more fulfilled:
when thinking
on something or
on carrying through
with it?

do the poets conjure
or the inventors dream?
does the actor simply feel
or the pastor only contemplate?

i won't have the dream.
no.
not any longer.
instead of closing my eyes in my room and seeing it happen
i'll keep my eyes open and walk through the door
and go see the change i've been hoping will come.

because by God's grace, i'll do it.


I used the sentence prompt. And guys, seriously, Monday's Minutes Challenges are really fun! You should join! 

Hope you guys are having a great week! Anything new happening?

Tricked - MMC (February 22, 2016)

"You seem tense this evenin', sir. Beg your pardon for sayin' so." Abigail curtsied, and was careful not to let her tray overturn.

"Oh, I don't mind. I know it rather well myself." The old man sighed, rubbing his neck. He took the wine that she offered. “I’ve not seen you before.”

"My name's Abigail Brightly, sir. New around here."

The gentleman set his empty glass back on her tray, looking thoughtful. "I... have a niece named Abigail Brenton. Strange, isn't it? You've the same initials. Though... who can say how long since I’ve seen her? She asked to come a few months back, so as to attend the party this evening. But I...." His brow furrowed. Giving a nervous chuckle, he shook his head. "Go along, now, and attend to the guests."

She had not been elsewhere very long before a cry went up and a crowd began to gather. "Lord Brenton is ill!"

A panic went up in the girl's heart. "How is he? What is wrong?" Her servant's speech was gone.

"Poison," a man told her, his face red with shock and anger. His eyes shifted to the tray of empty wine glasses in the servant's hands. In the next instant, he pulled her to the dying patient.

Though his vision was darkening, Lord Brenton testified at once on seeing the servant girl's face, "Yes. She… my... wine..."

Abigail's eyes grew large as she cried, "Uncle! I’m Abigail, your niece, Abigail. I just wanted to see you! I'm so sorry, I don't know how..."

Her tray was wrenched away to be examined. Traces of arsenic were found in the lord's cup.

Though she tried to explain, no one would listen. Whoever poisoned him had just gotten rid of two nobles in the family.

Wow, that took forever to cut down! It's 296 words, and I used the picture prompt. I realize now that a better title would have been "Framed," but I already made the picture, so... yeah. "Tricked" it will stay.

Also, I won 2nd place last week! :D

Head over to Christ Is Write to join in the fun!






Oh, yeah. Also, guys, I'm going to be posting every Tuesday now. Ideally, it will be a Monday's Minute entry one week, and then a post that I'll... make up? the next week. Sound good? Okay, great. Have a great week, everyone!


auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Jump - MMC (February 8, 2016)

              

             

walk.

walk.

keep your head down.
don't draw attention.
we can't afford to be found.
not here.
not yet.
we'll be out of here.
and then we'll be off.
as fast as we can.

we're out.
the coast is clear.
no, let's keep a normal pace.
no one will notice.
our coats are black.
we'll blend in.

whistle.
whistle.
no sudden moves.
maybe they'll pass us by.
they have no way to prove
that we're behind this.
they can't.
not possible.
we're two friends.
wearing coats.
the night is cold.

they're gone.
went right past.
yes, maybe we should
get off the road...
oh. they're back.
only turned around.

run.

run.

don't get caught.

not now.

most definitely not.

not after all we've been through.

cross to the side.

cross to the left.
it's our only chance.
the river.

look here.
we can jump.
won't be so swift
as the other side.
have you got the note?
then 1-2-3.

we're off.


This was not the best, but it's what I managed for this week. It's 162 words, and I used the picture prompt. 

auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Convictions - MMC (January 25, 2016)

via Pinterest

What is the point of my thoughts 

if they stay

inside my head?

What good is my writing

when there is no one 

to read it? 

What sense is there in thinking

or dreaming?

It is all a waste, anyway.

Because me, I don't matter.

who would want to know 

my feelings or ideas?

I'm just a little nobody,

Living on this earth and questioning

why.

And then I see it.

I look up to the 

                                                                gray skies that

                                                                 surround me,

                                                                 feel the breath

                                                                  which rolls off the sea,

                                                               hear the waters

                                                                 crawl desperately to the

                                                                  shore and collapse, 

                                                                 taking their rest.

                                                                 I see how 

                                                               You see it.

                                                              And I know

                                                            that

                                                            I am made

                                                           to share

                                                           my thoughts and feelings,

                                                          my dreams and writings,

                                                         and my little opinions

                                                          about the big wide world.

                                                         Because 

                                                         if I've been touched by someone

                                                     then maybe someone is

                                                     waiting to be touched by

                                                        me. 

I used the picture prompt, and it is 151 words. Click here to find out more about Monday's Minute Challenge.

auf wiedersehen, darling

-Maddie

Only She - MMC (January 11, 2016)

via Pinterest

She buries her head in her arms and her screams won't stop.

If she screams any louder her voice might break.

She can think of only one thing: "No, no, no! This can't be happening. Not to me. Why to me?"

She still hasn't accepted this.

First it was her bedroom mirror.

Then it was the kitchen window.

Now it's the t.v. in her living room.

It's understandable that a hand banging on all of the glass surfaces it can find in her house would be nerve wracking.

But she's only curious as to why it's happening to her and not why it's happening at all?

It's tempting to give up and find another old friend to try to communicate with.

But it's she who has to know.

She's the one who has to know.

She's the only one who can set me free.

I don't let the poor girl alone.

Instead, I lift my hand and tap on the glass one more time.


It's good to do a MMC again:) I used the picture prompt, and it's 165 words. Thanks, Tessa, for hosting!

auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Autumn

picture via Pinterest. edited by me.

Hello, people. How are you? Today is the first day of winter, and before it goes another day further, I am going to share a poem that I wrote on Thanksgiving. Enjoy, and happy first day of winter! Also, Merry Christmas (it's coming up so fast, y'all)!


Rain
Droplets racing down my window pane
Which will be first? Impossible to tell
Too many to count

Wind
Cold beating on my windows and the door
Will you let me in? It's screaming
I remain deaf to its pleas

Blankets
I snuggle with a book in bed
What time is it? I brush the thought away
I'm cozy in this autumn atmosphere


auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Six Word Story Contest

I found this contest at Elly's blog, and am excited to do another six word story:)

So, here goes.

She was ready for the world.

Also, I created a Bloglovin' account, so be sure to follow me on there! Follow my blog with Bloglovin


auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie

Coffee Shop Chats - The First

Tessa at Christ Is Write has come up with this idea so that bloggers will be able to get to know each other better, and have an excuse to tell their readers about their life. I think it's a great idea, and I hope you guys will join the link-up, too! To see the rules as well as Tessa's post, go here.

What I did this week

Well, for one, I have NOT gotten any writing for NaNo done since I posted the last Beautiful Books post *hides in a corner* No, don't judge, I've been busy! 

As always, I've been doing a lot of school work. I went to my last skills lab for the CNA course on Wednesday (the 18th). We did vital signs for four hours. That was exhausting. Blood pressure is so hard to measure:p Anyway, our friends came to visit and they stayed the night. It was awesome to see them again! 

I had a phone interview with John Paul the Great Catholic University, an acting school that I've wanted to go to for a couple of years now. So that was exciting. I'm also working on the essay questions I need to turn in for my application. I'll need to take the ACT, and I'll probably do that in February. I'm getting really nervous for that, cause I took a practice test once, and - I'm not gonna expand on that. So I've been prepping for that.

Last Thursday, a family from our homeschool group brought a first class relic of Saint Maria Goretti to our church. St Maria is my confirmation saint, and it was a very blessed opportunity to be able to venerate her! I was able to pray for her intercession for some of my friends, and I'm confident that she will hear me:)

And of course, yesterday was Thanksgiving! I think it was our family's first year celebrating Thanksgiving on our own. We had a great day. We went to Mass in the morning to thank God for all of our blessings. My mom made a lot of great food, and we had a Thanksgiving lunch instead of dinner.  We watched the Dallas Cowboy football game as a family (they lost :( ), and had a nice, relaxing day.

So that was my week (and a half)!

Music I've enjoyed

This year, we have discovered a lot of great musicals. My sister and I have been listening to and singing songs from Hello, Dolly! and My Fair Lady lately, along with some random songs from musicals we've never actually seen before:)

Movies I've enjoyed

Everyone in our family except my mom and I had seen Inside Out in the theater. So we rented it the other night, and I liked it pretty well. The only thing I wanted to see more of was Riley. I know by the title the main characters were the emotions, but I wanted to see more of Riley's character because... I don't know, I just did:) It was a really creative movie, though, with a really good family theme.

Quotes I'm enjoying

"Greatly to be loved is his love who loved us so greatly." ~ St. Francis of Assisi

"How dim the earth seems when I raise my eyes to heaven!" ~ St. Ignatius de Loyola

Just to name a few!

Currently working on

I worked on a poem that I'd started a few months ago,  and I wrote a new one this week. I need to work on Christmas gifts soon. Also, my little sister's birthday is tomorrow, so I think I'm gonna work on knitting her something today. She's turning 3 years old, by the way!:)

Looking forward to

My sister's birthday tomorrow! She's the cutest thing, guys. I can't believe it's been three years since she was born. She's growing up too fast. I'm not gonna say what I'm making for her, cause I might not get it finished in time. But when I do get it done, I might post a picture.

I'm also looking forward to the March For Life. In case you've never heard of it, it's the biggest pro-life rally in the world, and it takes place every year in D.C.. My sister and I are going next year in January. It'll be our first time, and we're really excited!

1. Do you think it's okay to celebrate Christmas before Thanksgiving?

To be honest, I don't think so. I think it sort of takes away from Christmas day, the day Jesus was born. I mean, I don't think it's bad, but I think that it's better for us to slow down and take things as they come, and not jump ahead so far. My family celebrates Advent and we sing Christmas songs before Christmas day, and things like that, but Advent always starts after Thanksgiving. We have a family tradition to decorate our tree on Christmas Eve. And we don't stop celebrating Christmas after the 25th. We leave all of our decorations up and even give little gifts to each other throughout the 12 days of Christmas - until Epiphany. So, if you ask me, Christmas should be celebrated closer to the 25th than Thanksgiving, and longer than just the 25th:)  

2. Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? How much progress have you made? 

So, I'm currently (still) at 5,901 words in my novel Like A Writing Desk. I am in love with every thing that I have written so far, but I just don't have much time to write more this month:(

Here are my questions:

1. If you put your music on shuffle, which artist would play the most?
2. What is your favorite book that you have read this year?
3. Which genre do you write best in?

auf wiedersehen, darling

- Maddie