Hello, the writing gremlins in my computer have been busy helping mr write thr fourth chapter of my short story!!! So, to honour all their hard work and motivation – here is all four chaptets!!! Hope you enjoy – please share your comments and reviews!!!
The Antique House
Chapter One : Forgotten Treasures
She sat silently at her desk sipping her favourite raspberry tea while trying to stir up her creative muse. Today for some reason, her writing routine that she followed to help her get in the creative mind frame was not working. Desperate to get her juices flowing, she replayed all her steps in her mind on the off chance she forgot something. “First, I gathered my favourite candles, favourite mug and favourite classical CD. Then I shut all blinds, turned on laptop and let it warmed up and turned on stove and placed my grandmothers antique kettle…
I thought i would take a moment to discuss one of my major pet peeves and qualms with society and our government.
It is forced down our throats every day through public service announcements -Obesity is on rise and we need to eat healthy, be more active, reduce stress and have healthy lifestyles!
Excellent messages of course and all good in theory and advertising to promote but what are the government, companies and producers doing to help make this change attainable for people – nothing in my eyes!!
Here is my question – if government and society tells you to eat healthier – why is eating healthy so expensive? Why are they having non-healthy foods that are loaded with crap and preservatives cheaper than foods that are fresh, healthy and wholesome more expensive?
Why does it cost me more money for groceries than my husband? Why is the cost of foods such as vegetables, beef, chicken so high but canned crap so cheap when it is unhealthy for us as we are told by health Canada?
In my opinion, if the government is so “concerned” about the health of it’s country and members than they should be making eating healthy and living a healthy lifestyle more affordable. They should have subsidies for families to get fresh fruits, vegetables and healthy foods that are lower income and have to relay on canned goods in a food bank, as good as food banks are it is they do not always have perishable items for families. Our government is not helping end Obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, as well as diseases they are contributing to it because they are making the cost of living and eating healthy too expensive for families. Why is it cheaper to buy junk food than it is to buy healthy snacks for children?
Why is the cost of sports and recreational activities for family so high? Why are they no grants for services for places like YMCA and other recreational activities available to the children whose families cannot afford memberships and passes? Why when they want us to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce stress do they contribute to it by increasing taxes, having such low rates of pay, increasing housing costs, allowing “slumlords” to get away with poor standards of maintenance and increasing cost of living without increasing wages? Why do they want to make the “little guy” suffer and cut jobs, but don’t make the corporations and big chain business accountable?
Why are so many people below poverty line because our government is not looking out for who voted for them – they are looking out for themselves only and failing us!!
She sat silently at her desk sipping her favorite raspberry tea while trying to stir up her creative muse. Today for some reason, her writing routine that she followed to help her get in the creative mind frame was not working.
Desperate to get her juices flowing, she replayed all her steps in her mind on the off-chance she forgot something. “First, I gathered my favorite candles, favorite mug and favorite classical CD. Then I shut all blinds, turned on laptop and let it warmed up and turned on stove and placed my grandmothers antique kettle on burner i had filled it earlier when i made hot chocolate in morning. Once water was ready, I prepared tea, turned on favorite CD and lit my candles. All steps have been completed, then why am I so blocked!”
“Damn it Melinda, why are you struggling with this?” She thought to herself.
Frustrated with her inability to jump-start her mind and release the block stopping her from working on her project, she decides to stray from her usual routine and goes for a walk in the park near her country home.
Walking up her winding stairs she enters her spacious and antique designed bedroom. She heads to her extremely organized and roomy closet, she picks out her mother’s pink cashmere sweater and slips it on.
Once she was had grabbed her tea and was ready to embark on her walk, she took a deep calming breath and repeated to herself “one
step at a time!”
After ensuring her alarm was on and doors were locked, she slipped the pewter key chain into the pocket of her favorite grey slacks and started walking along her brick walkway. She was surprised at how beautiful it was outside for a spring day and how she was delighting in the sounds of spring all around her.
“I haven’ t walked this trail in so many years. Although it was one of the reasons, she bought this old house and fixed it up to her liking it was almost forgotten about it and neglected. Her gardener kept all her shrubs, flowers and trees looking immaculate and this was something that made her proud to have this beautiful picturesque yard.
Looking around at all this majestic beauty, she couldn’t help but think back to how far he had come in the last few years. It had been a very turbulent four years and it had almost broke her spirit and destroyed her sanity, but with faith, prayer and determination as well as professional help she had climbed her way to where she was now.
As she walked down the cobblestone walk way, images of the past began to flash through her mind and flooded her thoughts. Overwhelmed by what was taking place, she decided it was best to go sit down in the most peaceful and serene place she knew – her perennial garden. Hidden among the tall cedar hedges in her back yard was a beautiful perennial garden that she designed,and selected all the flowers, shrubs and decorations for it as well.
She smiled at who proud of this garden and herself that she was as she had researched each aspect of it, as well as she even planted it herself. This hidden beauty now seldom visited was still immaculately maintained as she left specific instructions with the gardener on how to care for it and paid him handsomely to come in an extra day a week to care for it alone.
Once she reached the cedar hedges, she felt around for the carefully hidden and trimmed entrance. Taking a moment before entering, she took in the beautiful smell of cedar which always reminded her of her grandparents house and then she carefully looked around three times to ensure she was alone and entered her forgotten gem.
Walking to her granite bench she took a deep breath and looked at all the flowers blooming and admired all the radiant colours. She felt a wave of sadness as she thought to herself, how she had neglected to spend any time here in the last couple of years.
She made a mental note to try to visit her space at least once a month.
As she sat down on her bench and took a sip of her tea, everything began to flood back to her and she began to feel trapped in the flash backs.
“Why is this happening now?” “It has been years since the memories have haunted me!” Her therapist had helped her break the flash backs and gave her coping mechanisms to push through the anxiety of them, which she followed religiously. So why now was all her strategies not working and why couldn’t she break out of flash back and emotions associated with them?
She searched frantically through her pockets, in hopes that her cell phone was with her and then she could call her therapist but her efforts were futile as she came up empty-handed. Attempting to calm herself she took a slow breath and said quietly to herself, “only choice is to ride through them, but i am not sure if I am strong enough to handle the outcome”
Taking one last sip of her tea, she placed her mug down on the antique table beside her bench and took a deep breath then closed her eyes while waiting for the flash food of memories to wash over her.
There were no specific defining moments just a pattern of events and experiences that rattled around in her soul like loose screws in an appliance. They were always present in her mind,but usually she could redirect her thoughts when something triggered her mind to relive them. It had taken a long couple of years for her to finally find the strength,peace and tools needed to get normalcy back into her life not that her world would ever be truly
normal again.
Melinda had what some of her friends called a “respectable” and “envious” lifestyle before everything had been upheaved on her. She had a great job that paid her well, a beautiful apartment in the downtown area and was very active in her community. She had been in a few relationships but she wasn’t ready to settle down as she was focusing on her career first.
She remembers vividly when her life seemed to take her off the original course she planned for herself. How she wished she could erase the memories that were embedded in her mind, but like many experiences in life there was many complicated emotions woven together.
Her day started off as usual as all her day offs from work as she always planned them out as she had only every second Monday off and wanted to ensure she made most of day. Sunday night after she was done work, she perused her cupboards and fridge to see what groceries and supplies were needed as well as browsed the online ads from her favorite super markets and wrote down all the sales. She made sure it was ready for Monday morning’s grocery run so she wouldn’t waste valuable time this morning.
She woke up and pulled on her favorite fleece house coat and slippers and then headed to her kitchen to make her breakfast of toast with honey and banana slices. While she was waiting for the sound of the toaster, she started her kettle and grabbed a tea bag and mug. Once everything was ready, she headed to her small wood kitchen table to sit down and browse her favorite column in newspaper.
Once she was finished eating, she placed her mauve plate and mug in her sink and headed to her bedroom to get dressed in her previously set out clothes to wear grocery shopping. “Comfort is the most important element of grocery shopping because you do not want to be all stiff and uncomfortable pushing through aisles” she always told her friends and family. Ironically although they teased her about it, they couldn’t argue with her logic as it made sense.
Once she got dressed in her pink leggings and knitted pink and white top, she slipped on her black loafers and headed to the counter to grab the necessary items that she had set out for her day – grocery bags, lists, car keys, house keys, cell phone and her matching pink purse. On her way out the door, she grabbed her warm black poncho and headed outside. Locking the door, she took a step ahead and took in all the aromas of springtime surrounding her neighborhood.
Melinda’s first stop was to the supermarket to gather supplies plus get some new ingredients for a recipe she wanted to try. Cooking and experimenting with new foods and flavors was something that she loved to do especially in her time after work.
Some of her favorite things to make were bread,scones and soups. She always found it so relaxing and therapeutic when she spent time working in her kitchen. Many of her most precious memories from childhood were rooted around spending time in the kitchen with her grandmother. One of her favorite things to make was her grandmother’s “Blackberry Scones”. She had made the recipe so many times that she had it memorized.
As she pulled up to the super market, she began to scan the parking lot for a space that did not have any cars near it as to not have to worry about anyone hitting her car. It was her pride and joy and her first brand new car and she spoiled the car and always kept it immaculate inside and outside.
Once she was parked and had grabbed her cart inside, she began her favorite part of the day grocery shopping. She loved the feeling of browsing the aisles as she picked out her favorite items and picking up new coupons for her next shopping trip.
While she was reading her list and walking the bakery department, she accidentally bumped into someone. When she looked up, she saw a tall, slender man with deep blue eyes and short reddish blond hair.
“Oh my gosh, i am so sorry. ” she said “i was kind of absorbed in my list!” She could feel her face redden as she spoke, she was so embarrassed.
“It is okay ma’am it happens to us all. Are you okay, did you hurt yourself?” He smiled at her with such a beautiful smile and a sincere look of concern.
” i am okay, only thing bruised is my ego” she laughed nervously “”Thank you for asking though!” “My name is Melinda by the way, nice to meet you” She figured she should at least introduce herself as he was so kind and understanding.
“Name is Jobe, but my friends call me Jo and it is a pleasure to meet you as well. ” he extended his hand to shake hers.
As her hand touched his she felt a weird sensation and feeling run through as if they had a deep connection. There was something about him that drew her to him and she couldn’t put her finger on what.
Chapter Three – Taking Chances
Melinda ran into Jobe again a few weeks later on her usual Monday errand run in the baking aisle while she was picking up ingredients to try a new bread recipe.
“Hello there stranger”, she said happily. “Fancy meeting you here again!”
“Why hello Melinda, it is nice to see you as well” “and to be seen” he said. Then winked and chuckled softly.
Melinda couldn’t help by laugh along with him and almost blush at how captivating she found his smile and laugh. “So do I get a pass since I didn’t try to run you down with cart again” she teased.
“Well, unfortunately ma’am I don’t have any stickers but how about lunch” he said invitingly. “Know any good places to eat?”
“I was only joking, but if you are looking for a great place to eat there’s a deli I know that serves the best pastrami on rye sandwich. It is on Meadowlark Lane.” She could almost smell and taste the sandwich just thinking about it – the fresh homemade bread and pastrami slices freshly sliced.
” I am still learning all the streets, would you mind accompanying me so I can find it and to repay your kindness i will treat you to lunch?” He asked with a boyish grin that nearly pleaded with her to say yes.
” Of course, I am so sorry in a small town like this I sometimes forget that not everyone was born and raised here. My apologies and yes lunch sounds good, how about we meet back here in a few hours?” “I have a few errands that i have to finish first, if that’s alright?”
“That would be fine with me. I will be here with bells on” he said sweetly as he winked and waved good-bye.
After her shopping was complete, Melinda headed to her house and put away all her groceries. Checking her watch, she decided that she would have time to go for a workout and still have time to meet Jobe for lunch. She grabbed her work out great, a bottle of water and a change of clothes for afterward. “I can save time if I get ready at the gym”, she thought to herself.
While she was running on the treadmill, she started to question why she spontaneously agreed to lunch with an almost stranger. This was so out of character for her as she was always the cautious and reserved type who preferred the company of her cat Celestice over people but there was something so captivating and genuine about him.
She couldn’t put a finger on it but it was almost like she was drawn to him by Divine Intervention.
After she washed up and got dressed, she pulled out her lipstick and hair brush to finalize her appearance. Looking at herself in the mirror she took a long deep breath and said to herself “here goes nothing!” She went to her locker and grabbed her stuff, headed out to her car and threw her belongings in back seat.
Before she headed to the supermarket, she checked her watch and noticed she still had twenty minutes left. She sat in her car for a few minutes and collected her thoughts and her composure as her heart was racing wildly. She could feel herself blush as she realized this was the first time her heart beat so crazy.
“Ok gran, keep me safe”, she said looking at the chain with the locket hanging in her mirror and then looked up to the sunroof and blew a kiss to the sky.
Driving to meet him, she turned on her favorite jazz station and began to sing along as she let her worries slip away to the sound of musical notes dancing in the air.
Waiting at the supermarket, Jobe paced back and forth holding a bouquet of yellow roses. He could not believe how nervous he was for a casual lunch date – he was never nervous around woman. Although it had been a few years, since his last relationship – he had been dating on and off but no one struck him as “future” worthy.
“There is something about her,” he thought to himself “she is mysterious and charming”. He laughed softly at himself for sounding so corny. As he waited, his insecurities started to run through his mind “what if she doesn’t show?” “What if she doesn’t like roses or hates the colour yellow?”
Before he could go crazy with anxiety and insecurities, he saw her black Honda pull into the parking lot. He could feel himself grin with pleasure and tried to act cool and calm.
“Man up, Jobe”, he told himself as he walked to meet her at the front doors of super market.
“Hello again, stranger”, she said teasingly as she walked up to him and waved.
“Hello lovely lady, you look very nice. These are for you”, he said shyly as he pulled out the flowers from behind his back. “I hope you like them!”
“Oh my goodness, they are so beautiful! I don’t know how you knew but I love yellow roses!” She went up to him and gave him a hug and a kiss on his check.
He couldn’t believe how sweet she smelled and how nice she felt in his arms. He smiled at the thought of getting to know her on a more personal level.
“Shall we head to lunch? It is just a few blocks away, is it okay if we walk? It is such a beautiful day!”, she asked.
“Sounds great to me”, he said “Lead the way, my lovely guide!” They began to walk toward t deli and started talking as they walked along in the warm, sunny afternoon.
Recently, I have been blessed with the gift of free literature in the form of PDF ebools and all these kind souls wished for was my feedback on their stories. It was a wonderful win/wim situation as a) as an avid reader and a lover o all literatur, i got to expamd my repitoore of genres for free and b) inspiring authors and even accredited authors get honest reviews.
The first gift of literature I was given was “Breath of Aoles” by Alan Spade – thank you again Mr.Spade.
This wonderful book was my first introduction to the genre of fantasy (so if I got genre incorrect I apologize) and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. My confession, in past i was kind of a genre snob but my resolution for year is expand my intake of all genres.
The characters in this book were great and the author portrayed their tribulations and aspirations with such heart and created really believable and inspiring heros. His portrayal of Pelmen’s determination and aspiration to be more than what his class and role allow is very inspiring and touching.
I loved this book and look forward to reading rest of the series as well would reccomend this book to both newbies to genre from avid readers and followers.
She sat silently at her desk sipping her favourite raspberry tea while trying to stir up her creative muse. Today for some reason, her writing routine that she followed to help her get in the creative mind frame was not working. Desperate to get her juices flowing, she replayed all her steps in her mind on the off chance she forgot something. “First, I gathered my favourite candles, favourite mug and favourite classical CD. Then I shut all blinds, turned on laptop and let it warmed up and turned on stove and placed my grandmothers antique kettle on burner- i had filled it earlier when i made hot chocolate in morning. Once water was ready, I prepared tea, turned on favourite CD and lit my candles. All steps completed, then why am I so blocked!” “Damn it Melinda, why are you struggling with this?” She thought to herself. Frustrated with her inability to jump start her mind and release the block stopping her from working on her project, she decides to stray from her usual routine and goes for a walk in the park near her country home. Walking up her winding stairs she enters her spacious and antique designed bedroom. She heads to her extremely organized and roomy closet, she picks out her mother’s pink cashmere sweater and slips it on. Once she was had grabbed her tea and was ready to embark on her walk, she took a deep calming breath and repeated to herself “one step at a time!” After ensuring her alarm was on and doors were locked, she slipped the pewter key chain into the pocket of her favourite grey slacks and started walking along her brick walkway. She was surprised at how beautiful it was outside for a spring day and how she was delighting in the sounds of spring all around her. “I haven’ t walked this trail in so many years. Although it was one of the reasons, she bought this old house and fixed it up to her liking it was almost forgotten about it and neglected. Her gardener kept all her shrubs, flowers and trees looking immaculate and this was something that made her proud to have this beautiful picturesque yard. Looking around at all this majestic beauty, she couldn’t help but think back to how far he had come in the last few years. It had been a very turbulent four years and it had almost broke her spirit and destroyed her sanity, but with faith, prayer and determination as well as professional help she had climbed her way to where she was now. As she walked down the cobblestone walk way, images of the past began to flash through her mind and flooded her thoughts. Overwhelmed by what was taking place, she decided it was best to go sit down in the most peaceful and serene place she knew – her perennial garden. Hidden among the tall cedar hedges in her back yard was a beautiful perennial garden that she designed,and selected all the flowers, shrubs and decorations for it as well. She smiled at who proud of this garden and herself that she was as she had researched each aspect of it, as well as she even planted it herself. This hidden beauty now seldom visited was still immaculately maintained as she left specific instructions with the gardener on how to care for it and paid him handsomely to come in an extra day a week to care for it alone. Once she reached the cedar hedges, she felt around for the carefully hidden and trimmed entrance. Taking a moment before entering, she took in the beautiful smell of cedar which always reminded her of her grandparents house and then she carefully looked around three times to ensure she was alone and entered her forgotten gem. Walking to her granite bench she took a deep breath and looked at all the flowers blooming and admired all the radiant colours. She felt a wave of sadness as she thought to herself, how she had neglected to spend any time here in the last couple of years. She made a mental note to try to visit her space at least once a month. As she sat down on her bench and took a sip of her tea, everything began to flood back to her and she began to feel trapped in the flash backs. “Why is this happening now?” “It has been years since the memories have haunted me!” Her therapist had helped her break the flash backs and gave her coping mechanisms to push through the anxiety of them, which she followed religiously. So why now was all her strategies not working and why couldn’t she break out of flash backs and emotions associated with them? She searched frantically through her pockets, in hopes that her cell phone was with her and then she could call her therapist but her efforts were futile as she came up empty handed. Attempting to calm herself she took a slow breath and said quietly to herself, “only choice is to ride through them, but i am not sure if I am strong enough to handle the outcome” She wasn’t sure what was worse, not being able to forgot or the intensity of the emotions that overtook her when the flashbacks occurred. All she knew for sure was that each time they had occurred in the past, it had physically and emotionally drained her to the point all she could do is cry from the pain of exhaustion. Taking one last sip of her tea, she placed her mug down on the antique table beside her bench and took a deep breath then closed her eyes while waiting for the flash food of memories to wash over her. Chapter Two There were no specific defining moments just a pattern of events and experiences that rattled around in her soul like loose screws in an appliance. They were always present in her mind,but usually she could redirect her thoughts when something triggered her mind to relive them. It had taken a long couple of years for her to finally find the strength,peace and tools needed to get normalcy back into her life not that her world would ever be truly normal again. Melinda had what some of her friends called a “respectable” and “envious” lifestyle before everything had been upheaved on her. She had a great job that paid her well, a beautiful apartment in the downtown area and was very active in her community. She had been in a few relationships but she wasn’t ready to settle down as she was focusing on her career first. She remembers vividly when her life seemed to take her off the original course she planned for herself. How she wished she could erase the memories that were imbedded in her mind, but like many experiences in life there was many complicated emotions woven together. Her day started off as usual as all her day offs from work as she always planned them out as she had only every second Monday off and wanted to ensure she made most of day. Sunday nightsafter work, she perused her cupboards and fridge to see what groceries and supplies were needed as well as browsed the online ads from her favourite super markets and wrote down all the sales. She made sure it was ready for Monday morning’s grocery run so she wouldn’t waste valuable time this morning. She woke up and pulled on her favourite fleece house coat and slippers and then headed to her kitchen to make her breakfast of toast with honey and banana slices. While she was waiting for the sound of the toaster, she started her kettle and grabbed a tea bag and mug. Once everything was ready, she headed to her small wood kitchen table to sit down and browse her favourite column in newspaper. Once she was finished eating, she placed her mauve plate and mug in her sink and headed to her bedroom to get dressed in her previously set out clothes to wear grocery shopping. “Comfort is the most important element of grocery shopping because you do not want to be all stif and uncomfortable pushing through aisles” she always told her friends and family. Ironically although they teased her about it, they couldn’t argue with her logic as it made sense. Once she got dressed in her pink leggings and knitted pink and white top, she slipped on her black loafers and headed to the counter to grab the necessary items that she had set out for her day – grocery bags, lists, car keys, house keys, cell phone and her matching pink purse. On her way out the door, she grabbed her warm black poncho and headed outside. Locking the door, she took a step ahead and took in all the scents of springtime surrounding her neighbourhood. Melinda’s first stop was to the supermarket to gather supplies plus get some new ingredients for a recipe she wanted to try. Cooking and experimenting with new foods and flavours was something that she loved to do especially in her time after work. Some of her favourite things to make were bread,scones and soups. She always found it so relaxing and therapeutic when she spent time working in her kitchen. Many of her most precious memories from childhood were rooted around spending time in the kitchen with her grandmother. One of her favourite things to make was her grandmother’s “Blackberry Scones”. She had made the recipe so many times that she had it memorized. As she pulled up to the super market, she began to scan the parking lot for a space that did not have any cars near it as to not have to worry about anyone hitting her car. It was her pride and joy and her first brand new car and she babied the car and always kept it immaculate inside and outside. Once she was parked and had grabbed her cart inside, she began her favourite part of the day grocery shopping. She loved the feeling of browsing the aisles as she picked out her favourite items and picking up new coupons for her next shopping trip. While she was reading her list and walking the bakery aisle, she accidentally bumped into someone. When she looked up, she saw a tall, slender man with deep blue eyes and short reddish blond hair. “Oh my gosh, i am so sorry. ” she said “i was kind of absorbed in my list!” She could feel her face redden as she spoke, she was so embarrassed. “It is okay ma’am it happens to us all. Are you ok, did you hurt yourself?” He smiled at her with such a beautiful smile and a sincere look of concern. ” i am okay, only thing bruised is my ego” she laughed nervously “”Thank you for asking though!” “My name is Melinda by the way, nice to meet you” She figured she should at least introduce herself as he was so kind and understanding. “Name is Jobe, but my friends call me Jo and it is a pleasure to meet you as well. ” he extended his hand to shake hers. As her hand touched his she felt a weird sensation and feeling run through as if they had a deep connection. There was something about him that drew her to him and she couldn’t put her finger on what.
She sat silently at her desk sipping her favourite raspberry tea while trying to stir up her creative muse. Today for some reason, her writing routine that she followed to help her get in the creative mind frame was not working.
Desperate to get her juices flowing, she replayed all her steps in her mind on the off chance she forgot something. “First, I gathered my favourite candles, favourite mug and favourite classical CD. Then I shut all blinds, turned on laptop and let it warmed up and turned on stove and placed my grandmothers antique kettle on burner- i had filled it earlier when i made hot chocolate in morning. Once water was ready, I prepared tea, turned on favourite CD and lit my candles. All steps have been completed, then why am I so blocked!”
“Damn it Melinda, why are you struggling with this?” She thought to herself.
She sat silently at her desk sipping her favourite raspberry tea while trying to stir up her creative muse. Today for some reason, her writing routine that she followed to help her get in the creative mind frame was not working. Desperate to get her juices flowing, she replayed all her steps in her mind on the off chance she forgot something. “First, I gathered my favourite candles, favourite mug and favourite classical CD. Then I shut all blinds, turned on laptop and let it warmed up and turned on stove and placed my grandmothers antique kettle on burner- i had filled it earlier when i made hot chocolate in morning. Once water was ready, I prepared tea, turned on favourite CD and lit my candles. All steps completed, then why am I so blocked!” “Damn it Melinda, why are you struggling with this?” She thought to herself. Frustrated with her inability to jump start her mind and release the block stopping her from working on her project, she decides to stray from her usual routine and goes for a walk in the park near her country home. Walking up her winding stairs she enters her spacious and antique designed bedroom. She heads to her extremely organized and roomy closet, she picks out her mother’s pink cashmere sweater and slips it on. Once she was had grabbed her tea and was ready to embark on her walk, she took a deep calming breath and repeated to herself “one step at a time!” After ensuring her alarm was on and doors were locked, she slipped the pewter key chain into the pocket of her favourite grey slacks and started walking along her brick walkway. She was surprised at how beautiful it was outside for a spring day and how she was delighting in the sounds of spring all around her. “I haven’ t walked this trail in so many years. Although it was one of the reasons, she bought this old house and fixed it up to her liking it was almost forgotten about it and neglected. Her gardener kept all her shrubs, flowers and trees looking immaculate and this was something that made her proud to have this beautiful picturesque yard. Looking around at all this majestic beauty, she couldn’t help but think back to how far he had come in the last few years. It had been a very turbulent four years and it had almost broke her spirit and destroyed her sanity, but with faith, prayer and determination as well as professional help she had climbed her way to where she was now.Chapter One.
Melonie's Poetic Life 