I had never been to the Seattle art Museum, so when I was greeted by the pungent smell of paint and the vivid flashing of six precariously suspended cars, I was in awe. I had stopped in the first gallery that caught my eye, in which an intricate porcelain figure pointed a quizzical finger toward her deity in the sky. Marveling, I dreamily walked around the large room where a knight’s suit, effigy of a mouse, and black canvas greeted my curious eyes. Eager for more, I walked down a ubiquitously lighted hall where paintings of all genres hung to the neighboring walls, including an eccentric canvas of a moose on a pink background, and a beautiful piece in which the creator incorporated a 2d painting with a 3d ladder.
As I walked further on, my interest increasing exponentially, I got to the George De Forest Brush exhibit. The first painting I saw was of Dr. Silvester Gardiner in 1772. The immense detail to value and composition blew my mind away, and the mood and character of the man was caught perfectly in that space and time. I had almost felt like I was in the room with Gardiner as he stared back at me rather mockingly. I walked to the opposite partition to an oil on canvas of the Puget Sound. The climate and geography of the painting reminded me of Whidbey Island, allowing me to make a connection to the stunning piece. There was many more Oil on Canvas paintings, the main attraction being the life and ritual of Native American Indians. The Indian paintings gave me an inconceivable feeling that I was one of them, walking around in their moccasins to tend to hunting, cooking, or telling ancient legends by a scorching fire. There was one canvas painting called “The Weaver” 1889, in which a dedicated Indian weaved in the confined space of a diminutive hut. The detail was amazing, including the change of value and color while combining all the elements. The painting itself was an unfathomable sight laid out before me, a whole attitude and world caught within the tiny limits of a brittle wooden frame. It looked like someone had walked into the hut of one of these pious humans, and out of amazement and appeal, took a photo. Although all of these pieces lured me to ponder their nature, one I was particularly drawn to the most was The Moose Chase, 1888 by George Brush.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
My Name Is Caspian
I pounded a hoof angrily upon the dirt path, temptation and anxiety hanging above me like an ominous cloud. As I was weighing my options and getting a broader view on the situation, a tall square faced man walked down the path from behind me, a slight skip in his step. His arms hung loosely at his sides, and his eyes were dreamily staring at the road. The way he walked reminded me of a fishers bob, and I realized that for such a hefty man he had quite a graceful walk. I turned around to face him, curiosity now replacing my other emotions. No one ever traveled this road, not when I had been here.
When he saw my large shadow he abruptly stopped in mid step and looked up at my looming figure. He stumbled backward, quickly regaining his equilibrium. Maybe it was the way I was intently eyeing him, or my kind face, but he immediately knew that I meant no harm. A smile slowly spread across his lips, blue eyes glistening in the dim light. Even though I didn’t fully understand human, I managed to make out a few of his words.
“What’s a nice roan like you doing out in these parts?”the man said. He extended a long hairy arm in my direction, and my natural instincts were to shy away but something prevented me from doing so. As his callused hand touched my thin coat, I outstretched my neck and curled my upper lip. This man smelled different. Before he could stroke my neck, a rustle was heard nearby. I startled, but when I heard the familiar sound of a faint gasping, I knew it was just The Runt.
The Runt (so I called him) was a small feeble man, and a man I could hardly call him. He was weak, frail, and had the tendency to squeal at small things such as a wolf howling to the moon or the eerie screech of an owl. He had a small tuft of grey hair jutting out of his narrow scalp, and sagging jowls that hung like a caterpillars nest in spring. His eyes reminded me of the ocean on a cloudy and stormy day, cold and unforgiving. His ways were so unlike mine, barbaric and mean. He destroyed almost anything that didn’t have a purpose, and knowing no other humans besides him, I thought it was normal of their kind…until today.
“Who a Yeou?” he said to the large man, warily inspecting him from head to toe. Brambles stuck out from underneath The Runts permeable overcoat, and willow twigs managed to find their way into the bottom of his trousers. When the man didn’t answer he asked again, and louder.
“I am Bartlebee, and this must be your horse?” He gestured toward me with a nod of his head. I was starting to understand their body communication, and made the conclusion that he was talking about me. The Runt looked at his hands, than back at the man.
“Aye, so?” The man looked confused at these words.
“Do you ride him?”
“What else would eye do with em?”
“Do you travel much on him?” Now The Runt was annoyed, and pointed a stubby finger at the man.
“What’s yeou proddin me foa? He’s moine, na tend ter ya own business.” The man smiled apologetically, and made one more glance my way before returning to his graceful, bobbing walk down the small path. The Runt stared him down until he was out of sight, and then turned to me with his eyes full of hatred. I remembered the kind eyes and smile of the male human, and compared it to The Runts malicious glare and menacing scowl. My decision had been made, I was to leave. Making haste, I barred my teeth at the man and broke off into a gallop, down the path the man was heading. It felt good to finally feel the wind on my face and see the blur of the world around me, to feel my hoofs lift off the ground and return again, only to repeat the process. I reached the man slightly after the small bend; he looked not a bit surprised to see me. Without a word, we ran together until the path ended and there was only a small trail, which we continued on until we broke into the steady waves of the hills. Here we rested until the sun began to set, than continued at a hurried walk. The whole time we could hear the cracked screaming of The Runt through the trees.
When he saw my large shadow he abruptly stopped in mid step and looked up at my looming figure. He stumbled backward, quickly regaining his equilibrium. Maybe it was the way I was intently eyeing him, or my kind face, but he immediately knew that I meant no harm. A smile slowly spread across his lips, blue eyes glistening in the dim light. Even though I didn’t fully understand human, I managed to make out a few of his words.
“What’s a nice roan like you doing out in these parts?”the man said. He extended a long hairy arm in my direction, and my natural instincts were to shy away but something prevented me from doing so. As his callused hand touched my thin coat, I outstretched my neck and curled my upper lip. This man smelled different. Before he could stroke my neck, a rustle was heard nearby. I startled, but when I heard the familiar sound of a faint gasping, I knew it was just The Runt.
The Runt (so I called him) was a small feeble man, and a man I could hardly call him. He was weak, frail, and had the tendency to squeal at small things such as a wolf howling to the moon or the eerie screech of an owl. He had a small tuft of grey hair jutting out of his narrow scalp, and sagging jowls that hung like a caterpillars nest in spring. His eyes reminded me of the ocean on a cloudy and stormy day, cold and unforgiving. His ways were so unlike mine, barbaric and mean. He destroyed almost anything that didn’t have a purpose, and knowing no other humans besides him, I thought it was normal of their kind…until today.
“Who a Yeou?” he said to the large man, warily inspecting him from head to toe. Brambles stuck out from underneath The Runts permeable overcoat, and willow twigs managed to find their way into the bottom of his trousers. When the man didn’t answer he asked again, and louder.
“I am Bartlebee, and this must be your horse?” He gestured toward me with a nod of his head. I was starting to understand their body communication, and made the conclusion that he was talking about me. The Runt looked at his hands, than back at the man.
“Aye, so?” The man looked confused at these words.
“Do you ride him?”
“What else would eye do with em?”
“Do you travel much on him?” Now The Runt was annoyed, and pointed a stubby finger at the man.
“What’s yeou proddin me foa? He’s moine, na tend ter ya own business.” The man smiled apologetically, and made one more glance my way before returning to his graceful, bobbing walk down the small path. The Runt stared him down until he was out of sight, and then turned to me with his eyes full of hatred. I remembered the kind eyes and smile of the male human, and compared it to The Runts malicious glare and menacing scowl. My decision had been made, I was to leave. Making haste, I barred my teeth at the man and broke off into a gallop, down the path the man was heading. It felt good to finally feel the wind on my face and see the blur of the world around me, to feel my hoofs lift off the ground and return again, only to repeat the process. I reached the man slightly after the small bend; he looked not a bit surprised to see me. Without a word, we ran together until the path ended and there was only a small trail, which we continued on until we broke into the steady waves of the hills. Here we rested until the sun began to set, than continued at a hurried walk. The whole time we could hear the cracked screaming of The Runt through the trees.
Monday, April 13, 2009
A Stunning Incident
"Brother, alas, what have you done to my azealas!" Shouted the distraught wizard who stood over a large broken pot. In his hand lay a ripped pink petal speckled with small purple spots, traces of brown whittling away at the flowers smooth surface.
"Solomon...I didnt mean too it wa-"
"NO! No no no no Merlin, no no." Solomon was now on his knees, his arms above his head, banging on an invisible door, his long grey hair and beard hanging to the ground.
"My precious flowers," Solomon sobbed, tears slowly forming miniscule puddles onto his lap. "All my hard work...GONE i tell you, GONE!"
Merlin did not know what to make of this wretched tantrum Solomon was brewing, for wasnt it just a pot of flowers? Couldnt he plant more?
"Brother, forgive such a shrivled soul as mine! An old wizard fool like me happens to trip some, no? You can just make some more with a simple spell or brew."
Solomon looked up at his brother from behind his shaking shouldiers, his eyes as red as the tip of his worn hat. His lower lip was trembling uncontrollably, along with his hands which were still clutching his cloak so hard that the tips of his aged knuckles were white.
"Spell? Brew? A POTION! I THINK NOT!" In a rage the belligerent wizard swiftly smacked his brother on the cheek with a loud SLAP, and hastily fled from the room, realizing the wrong he had done. Merlin stood in a daze, his cheek stinging like he had been stung by a hundred bees, the sound of his brothers hand on his cheek resonating throughout the corners of his mind like a musical triangle.
Merlin was more Stunned than mad. This unuaual behavior was not like his brother, He had never really cared about flowers, pots, nor plants come to think of it. Merlin had made up his mind that something was wrong with Solomon, something was not right.
***To be Continued***
"Solomon...I didnt mean too it wa-"
"NO! No no no no Merlin, no no." Solomon was now on his knees, his arms above his head, banging on an invisible door, his long grey hair and beard hanging to the ground.
"My precious flowers," Solomon sobbed, tears slowly forming miniscule puddles onto his lap. "All my hard work...GONE i tell you, GONE!"
Merlin did not know what to make of this wretched tantrum Solomon was brewing, for wasnt it just a pot of flowers? Couldnt he plant more?
"Brother, forgive such a shrivled soul as mine! An old wizard fool like me happens to trip some, no? You can just make some more with a simple spell or brew."
Solomon looked up at his brother from behind his shaking shouldiers, his eyes as red as the tip of his worn hat. His lower lip was trembling uncontrollably, along with his hands which were still clutching his cloak so hard that the tips of his aged knuckles were white.
"Spell? Brew? A POTION! I THINK NOT!" In a rage the belligerent wizard swiftly smacked his brother on the cheek with a loud SLAP, and hastily fled from the room, realizing the wrong he had done. Merlin stood in a daze, his cheek stinging like he had been stung by a hundred bees, the sound of his brothers hand on his cheek resonating throughout the corners of his mind like a musical triangle.
Merlin was more Stunned than mad. This unuaual behavior was not like his brother, He had never really cared about flowers, pots, nor plants come to think of it. Merlin had made up his mind that something was wrong with Solomon, something was not right.
***To be Continued***
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Jones Soda
Hey everyone, check out some of my awesome pictures on Jonessoda.com! just go to photo gallery and type in sidneigh. Vote for some of my pictures!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Publishing My Book
Hello, and even though I'm not in school anymore, I'm going to be writing anyways. Well, I was so happy when I got my book published. If you don't know, for my eighth grade project I wrote a children's book about a wizard who's trying to save his brother. We got the pages done at boomerang, (high gloss), and book jacket at mypublisher.com, and the binding at Phil's binding company in Seattle. It looks like a real book! I drew my own pictures, and the finished product looked great! And I got an A, yea! So I am going to try to get it actually published this summer, I cant wait!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Nokota
Our owner strutted down the aisle of stalls, and past my stall, stopping at the one nearbye with an array of medals hanging loosly on the wooden doors. She stood, glaring intesly through the black metal bars at the horse that awaited her beatings and lashings. Her long blond hair was pulled up into a tight bun, and her newly polished chaps tapped the ground impatiently. Her red, lipstick caked lips were turned into a frown. Her hands lay crossed over her chest.
"Lets not be impatient now, you wouldn't want the consequences, would you?" came the high, strong voice of the women. A whinny was heard from inside the stall. "Thats what I thought." She hastily lifted the knotch on the stall door, and opened it, swiftly walking inside. A quick slap on the rump, and the noises of buckles and straps being attached and pulled, along with the swish of brushes, and metal being scraped into the hoofs of the horse broke the once, peaceful silence of the warm barn. A grunt of disaproval came from the harrased horse, he had submitted to the beast. The knotch was lifted again, and a chesnut gelding walked out with his lead rope in the hands of the predator. His eyes bore into the ground, too humiliated to see the concerned faces of the many other horses in the barn.
"Lets not be impatient now, you wouldn't want the consequences, would you?" came the high, strong voice of the women. A whinny was heard from inside the stall. "Thats what I thought." She hastily lifted the knotch on the stall door, and opened it, swiftly walking inside. A quick slap on the rump, and the noises of buckles and straps being attached and pulled, along with the swish of brushes, and metal being scraped into the hoofs of the horse broke the once, peaceful silence of the warm barn. A grunt of disaproval came from the harrased horse, he had submitted to the beast. The knotch was lifted again, and a chesnut gelding walked out with his lead rope in the hands of the predator. His eyes bore into the ground, too humiliated to see the concerned faces of the many other horses in the barn.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Chapter One: A Kettle O Tea
"Aah, confounded you curmudgeon, the kettles been whistling like mad cant ya hear it?!" The wizard sitting smug in his velvet red chair, with legs crossed just eyed him entertainingly behind his spectacles.
"Now now, Merlin, no need to lose your temper," he said rather calmly,
"I'm sure it wont burn." A smile started to spread from underneath his long, graying beard.
"I know its na going to burn, I'm just saying, its your turn to remove the kettle." said the one from across the room, standing with clenched fists. "Alas Solomon, you are always sitting on your lazy bum eating crumpets."
"Why yes, you noticed. But o course you cant have crumpets without tea, so why don't you get it?"
"No!" shouted Merlin, "If you want tea with your bedamned crumpets, you get it!"
"no," was the simple reply from the wizard in the red chair. This was obviously a normal Monday morning for the brothers. Solomon raised a furry eyebrow, and removed his spectacles, setting them daintily on his lap. He then folded his long fingers and stared at his brother, grimacing.
"well, if you recall, Merlin. Three days ago at 6:00 Am, we were riding past Habibi's Oasis, and you thought (mind you) that we should dismount and have a nice picnic."
"yes, I recall," whispered Merlin.
"Of course you do. Anyways, we dismounted and sat up above on Shavavgo's Peak. I set down my staff, and admired the setting sun that was so graciously set out before us.
"It was actually quite boring," added Merlin, pondering the moment.
"Please do be quiet!" snapped Solomon in agitation. "Merlin's beard you can be annoying."
"Would you be referring to my beard?" questioned Merlin, (well in the know that he was not.)
"O course not, our great great grandfather, I would never be talking about your beard."
"Well then don't talk about my beard, anyways, I know you want it, your jealous." Merlin was agape with horror.
"I was neva jealous,"
"Aah, not was, brother, is is the appropriate word." Merlin was now jumping up and down and waving his long beard in Solomons face.
"You will never grow a beard as long as mine!" He kept taunting. Clearly he was enjoying this. Merlin pushed him away, and pretended as if nothing happened.
"Anyways, you thought a push off the cliff would be just a knee slapper, and thus pushing me off, my staff snapped into two pieces as it fell down with me. Luckily I payed attention in gravology, and preformed the floating kinesis-corpse spell before I fell onto impending death." Merlin chuckled his deep, throaty old laugh, and leaned over, laughing so hard that the throbbing had to have him set his hand on one knee for support.
"Solomon, O course I would of not let you get hurt, clearly you hadn't a clue that I was watching you the whole way down in case you were to flustered to remember anything. And you are right, I never should of done that to your poor old soul." He gave out a devious smile as he said that, knowing Solomon hated being called old.
"Old, old?! Who are you calling old? I am only three years, four months, five days, and sixteen seconds older than you! And I am only 103 years old. So you better shut your mouth you curmudgeon!" Solomon was standing out of his chair, and holding his blue hat, revealing his bald spot exactly were it had been.
"I have battled a dragon, made alliances with the most stubborn troll you will ever meet, rode a Griffin for five days strait, and not to mention the horrible soars that followed. Do you think I could have done all that when I was old? Rubbish, not a chance! And every wrinkle or crease you see on my skin is not from aging, but from the adventures I have been through. They show you what chances I've took, how I have come inches to death! Think of it as that. But you complaisant old man have no ambitions, I actually have a desire in life! And now since my precious staff is gone I can only do half of the things that I was able to do with it in my grasp, If I was to have it right now, intact, I would be able to remove the kettle. But, since it is not, you will do it for me. And that is why I will not remove the tea kettle."
Solomon gratefully sat back into his chair, and lit a carved brown pipe. He closed his eyes with content, and formed some smoke rings. Merlin walked to the desk at the bottom opposite end of the room, and shakily grabbed a florescent bag. He put it hastily to his mouth and heavily breathed into it. He removed it from his mouth before he began to cough uncontrollably. Solomon looked at his brother with pity, wishing that the sudden outburst was never said. The process was repeated again rasp rasp, ruffle ruffle, cough cough. After about 3 minutes, Merlin was done, and sleepily lay down upon the couch across from Solomon. Only the ticking of the grand wizard clock, and the occasional whinny of a horse was heard. Other than that, all was silent.
Solomon got up from his cozy, velvet chair, and removed the kettle. He poured two cups of tea, and set one on the table next to the couch.
"I suppose a cup of tea would be reasonable for this hour,"
the grandfather clock read 10:00. Solomon returned to the warmness of the chair,
"I agree brother," came the whispered voice of Merlin "I agree."
"Now now, Merlin, no need to lose your temper," he said rather calmly,
"I'm sure it wont burn." A smile started to spread from underneath his long, graying beard.
"I know its na going to burn, I'm just saying, its your turn to remove the kettle." said the one from across the room, standing with clenched fists. "Alas Solomon, you are always sitting on your lazy bum eating crumpets."
"Why yes, you noticed. But o course you cant have crumpets without tea, so why don't you get it?"
"No!" shouted Merlin, "If you want tea with your bedamned crumpets, you get it!"
"no," was the simple reply from the wizard in the red chair. This was obviously a normal Monday morning for the brothers. Solomon raised a furry eyebrow, and removed his spectacles, setting them daintily on his lap. He then folded his long fingers and stared at his brother, grimacing.
"well, if you recall, Merlin. Three days ago at 6:00 Am, we were riding past Habibi's Oasis, and you thought (mind you) that we should dismount and have a nice picnic."
"yes, I recall," whispered Merlin.
"Of course you do. Anyways, we dismounted and sat up above on Shavavgo's Peak. I set down my staff, and admired the setting sun that was so graciously set out before us.
"It was actually quite boring," added Merlin, pondering the moment.
"Please do be quiet!" snapped Solomon in agitation. "Merlin's beard you can be annoying."
"Would you be referring to my beard?" questioned Merlin, (well in the know that he was not.)
"O course not, our great great grandfather, I would never be talking about your beard."
"Well then don't talk about my beard, anyways, I know you want it, your jealous." Merlin was agape with horror.
"I was neva jealous,"
"Aah, not was, brother, is is the appropriate word." Merlin was now jumping up and down and waving his long beard in Solomons face.
"You will never grow a beard as long as mine!" He kept taunting. Clearly he was enjoying this. Merlin pushed him away, and pretended as if nothing happened.
"Anyways, you thought a push off the cliff would be just a knee slapper, and thus pushing me off, my staff snapped into two pieces as it fell down with me. Luckily I payed attention in gravology, and preformed the floating kinesis-corpse spell before I fell onto impending death." Merlin chuckled his deep, throaty old laugh, and leaned over, laughing so hard that the throbbing had to have him set his hand on one knee for support.
"Solomon, O course I would of not let you get hurt, clearly you hadn't a clue that I was watching you the whole way down in case you were to flustered to remember anything. And you are right, I never should of done that to your poor old soul." He gave out a devious smile as he said that, knowing Solomon hated being called old.
"Old, old?! Who are you calling old? I am only three years, four months, five days, and sixteen seconds older than you! And I am only 103 years old. So you better shut your mouth you curmudgeon!" Solomon was standing out of his chair, and holding his blue hat, revealing his bald spot exactly were it had been.
"I have battled a dragon, made alliances with the most stubborn troll you will ever meet, rode a Griffin for five days strait, and not to mention the horrible soars that followed. Do you think I could have done all that when I was old? Rubbish, not a chance! And every wrinkle or crease you see on my skin is not from aging, but from the adventures I have been through. They show you what chances I've took, how I have come inches to death! Think of it as that. But you complaisant old man have no ambitions, I actually have a desire in life! And now since my precious staff is gone I can only do half of the things that I was able to do with it in my grasp, If I was to have it right now, intact, I would be able to remove the kettle. But, since it is not, you will do it for me. And that is why I will not remove the tea kettle."
Solomon gratefully sat back into his chair, and lit a carved brown pipe. He closed his eyes with content, and formed some smoke rings. Merlin walked to the desk at the bottom opposite end of the room, and shakily grabbed a florescent bag. He put it hastily to his mouth and heavily breathed into it. He removed it from his mouth before he began to cough uncontrollably. Solomon looked at his brother with pity, wishing that the sudden outburst was never said. The process was repeated again rasp rasp, ruffle ruffle, cough cough. After about 3 minutes, Merlin was done, and sleepily lay down upon the couch across from Solomon. Only the ticking of the grand wizard clock, and the occasional whinny of a horse was heard. Other than that, all was silent.
Solomon got up from his cozy, velvet chair, and removed the kettle. He poured two cups of tea, and set one on the table next to the couch.
"I suppose a cup of tea would be reasonable for this hour,"
the grandfather clock read 10:00. Solomon returned to the warmness of the chair,
"I agree brother," came the whispered voice of Merlin "I agree."
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The Beggining Of The Nokota
In the summer of 1884, the HT Ranch near Medora bought 60 Siox mares from the Marquis de Mores, a french entreprenerur who had purchased 250 head, including all the mares from Sitting Bulls confiscated herd which was originally sold at Fort Buford in 1881. Some HT mares unfortunatly had visible bullet wounds from their lives with the Hunkpapa Siox who had fought in the battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. The HT Ranch in addition to buying 60 mares, also purchased the great thoroughbred stallion Lexington from Kentucky, and they crosed him on some of the sitting Bull mares. In the early twentieth century, bands of wild horses continued to roam in the Missouri Badlands with no fences so domestic horses were often turned out to breed among the range brands. But they became targets of political and emotional issues, -and guns. Local ranchers wanted to limit any grazing competition between their cattle and the the wild horses so they often rounded up the horses, took some for using horses, and sold the rest of them so people could shoot them for sport, and slaughter. After the drought and the great depression of the 1930s, federal and state agencies under a great pressure from cattlemen to prevent future dust bowls, teemed up with ranchers to wipe out wild horses from western North Dokota. During the 1940s and 1950s most of the remaining bands of horses were shot from aircraft, or rounded up and sold for slaughter. Also in the 1940s Theadore Roosevelt National Park was being built, and a few bands of wild horses were accidently enclosed within the 70,000 acre parks perimeter fence. Sadly, by 1960, these were the last surviving wild horses in North Dakota. The national park service continued to try to eliminate the horses, but federal laws held them back that were passed in 1971 to protect wild and free roaming horses. The park service won that battle and today it is not subject to the laws and regulations governing wild horse management on public lands. A change of polocy was beggining in the late 1970s when public opposition to the removing of horses and a growing understanding of the importance of their history of the area was thought by the people. Since then the park has managed a "historical demonstration herd." Sadly for those interested in preserving the original type and lines of horses, in the 1980s the park administrators decided to modify the apperance of the horses by adding outside bloodlines. The dominent stallions in the park bands were either shot, or removed. They were replaced with an Arabian, a Quarter horse, two feral BLM stallions, and a part-Shire Bucking horse. At about the same time, several large roundups were held, and many of the parks horses were sold at an auction. Leo and Frank Kuntz of Linton, North Dakota were concerned about the future of these horses, so they began buying as many of the original park horses as they could. They has become interested in them after purchasing a few for breeding and for use as cross country race horses. The brothers became convinced that the horses were a unique and historical type, and they had high respect for their enduance and agility. Researching the origins of the horses, they discovered that the Marquis de Mores (who founded the town of Medora, right where the parks headquarters were later located) had purchased and range-bred Sitting Bulls confiscated ponies. The Kuntzes grew to believe that the Sitting Bulls horses were related to the herds of horses that later were enclosed into the park. Since their discovery of the link to the Sitting Bulls horses, the bothers have devoted their lives to preserving this strain which now survives on their ranch near Linton. The breed name reflects this history of both the land and the horses on it. Until the Nakota Horse Conservancy was founded in 1999, the brothers were the only force standing between these special horses and extinction. In 1994, Dr. Philip Sponenburg evaluated the park horses and the Kuntzes horses and concluded that about twenty animals owned by the brothers, and sadly none in the park were phenotypically consistant with accepted standereds for spanish colonial horses. Since that time, Leo Kuntz has selectivly bred those animals to maintain their spanish characteristics. Indian people and others urged the state of North Dakota to designate the Nokota horse the honerary state equine, wich it did in 1993.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Big Trouble
The next day at school, April was madder than ever. She must of eavesdropped on me and my friends conversation.
"Ha, your mom persuaded Carn to give you private lessons, I mean, Carns never done that to me!" April pouted.
I made my way toward science and sat down next to Hannah once I finally opened the jammed door.
"class, we are going to learn about energy input, and output, when I look at this pencil, it is sitting, and energy is not doing anything. This is called potential energy, when I pick it up, it is kinetic."
"boorringg" said Hannah yawning
"the things she talks about would rather make me want to eat my own puke than listen to her"
"and when I set it down, that is kinetic energy to!" the teacher continued
"Is shutting your mouth kinetic energy?' shouted Hannah, Everyone in the class was laughing their heads off, and putting their knuckles in their mouths so as not to be heard, but it was to late. Ms.Clitch was outraged.
"HANNAH, TORY..........out in the hall NOW!"
"But, I didn't do anything!" I said pleading for mercy
"your sitting next to her, you must have encouraged it, I saw you guys talking to!" She snapped
"But I didn't-"
"Ill believe that when pigs fly!" She retorted
"LOOK, A PIG!" said Hannah in my defence, pointing out the window
"Ha, your mom persuaded Carn to give you private lessons, I mean, Carns never done that to me!" April pouted.
I made my way toward science and sat down next to Hannah once I finally opened the jammed door.
"class, we are going to learn about energy input, and output, when I look at this pencil, it is sitting, and energy is not doing anything. This is called potential energy, when I pick it up, it is kinetic."
"boorringg" said Hannah yawning
"the things she talks about would rather make me want to eat my own puke than listen to her"
"and when I set it down, that is kinetic energy to!" the teacher continued
"Is shutting your mouth kinetic energy?' shouted Hannah, Everyone in the class was laughing their heads off, and putting their knuckles in their mouths so as not to be heard, but it was to late. Ms.Clitch was outraged.
"HANNAH, TORY..........out in the hall NOW!"
"But, I didn't do anything!" I said pleading for mercy
"your sitting next to her, you must have encouraged it, I saw you guys talking to!" She snapped
"But I didn't-"
"Ill believe that when pigs fly!" She retorted
"LOOK, A PIG!" said Hannah in my defence, pointing out the window
Friday, December 21, 2007
My Dog Lily
On December 18, 2007 about a week and a half before Christmas, my favorite dog in the whole world lily had to be put to sleep. That following morning she had been vomiting a vile brown substance. My worried mother toke her to the vet that day while I was at school, She had a feeling on what they were going to tell her. She was right. Lily had tumors everywhere, and one in her throat, making breathing difficult. She also had bad arthritis in everyone of her legs, and a liver problem. It was time for lily to move on. Our family knew lily had a tumor and arthritis, but she was happy all the time, so we thought of it as nothing, until that morning. Lily was a fighter, she had been poisoned by rat chemicals, and almost died. 1,000 dollars later with a pint of blood transfusions and 1 pint of plasma, she was up and going again. Another time we came home, and lily had something like a bullet hole in her stomach, but....she lived. Then about 2 weeks ago, lily wanted to come up on my mom and dads bed, she was laying when a glass toppled over and she got scared. She toppled off of the bed, shocked, scared, and a very soar back. She got up, and started moving, but was walking funny. Soon it was better. Lily would do anything when it came to our family.
My dad had got lily in a small farm in Washington. The man who lived their described a puppy yellow lab, and was very cute and gentle. My dad got their and walked to where the puppies where. Suddenly a small puppy crawled up to him on her tummy and started whining. coincidentally, it was the puppy the farmer described to my dad. Without hesitation, he bought her and brought her home to me for my birthday present, I was going to turn three. The first time I saw lily, she was wrapped up in a blanket carried by my dad, she was fast asleep. I thought it was a baby at first when my dad lifted up the blanket from it's face. I was so happy! Lily was like a sister, we would play all day, and my butt would be soar and bruised from her nipping, but i didn't care. When I was sad, lily would comfort me, she would go over and started sniffing in my ear, like she was whispering she loved me. Then over the years and many adventures with lily, we moved to Whidbey Island. We built a house next to my grandma and cousins on Possession Beach. Now lily could hang out with my grandma and grandpa's dog, Jocko, a black poodle. The two were inseparable, until one unfortunate day when Jocko died. You could tell lily was sad, she would not eat and she LOVED food, but she eventually got over it. Soon over the years she was getting old but she never lost her spirit. I noticed the top of her head was getting whiter and whiter every year. Ups and downs came and gone with lily, in the end we were OK.
That day when lily got put to sleep, I came home from school, my mom told me the story, it was painless, and peace full. I cried and cried, and so did my mom, brother, and even my dad. That night everyone was sleeping, I thought I heard a noise. I got out of bed, and walked down the hall, nothing was there. I was walking back to bed, when I felt a cold, gentle nudge on my hand, but again, nothing was there. Everyone should know, that your dog, or whatever animal you have will have a certain time to go. They Will give you signs like lily did. No tail wagging, trembling, not eating, or looking up at you as if saying, it's time to go. But when they die, mourn for them, and feel sad. But know that they will always be in your heart, and they will always love you.
My dad had got lily in a small farm in Washington. The man who lived their described a puppy yellow lab, and was very cute and gentle. My dad got their and walked to where the puppies where. Suddenly a small puppy crawled up to him on her tummy and started whining. coincidentally, it was the puppy the farmer described to my dad. Without hesitation, he bought her and brought her home to me for my birthday present, I was going to turn three. The first time I saw lily, she was wrapped up in a blanket carried by my dad, she was fast asleep. I thought it was a baby at first when my dad lifted up the blanket from it's face. I was so happy! Lily was like a sister, we would play all day, and my butt would be soar and bruised from her nipping, but i didn't care. When I was sad, lily would comfort me, she would go over and started sniffing in my ear, like she was whispering she loved me. Then over the years and many adventures with lily, we moved to Whidbey Island. We built a house next to my grandma and cousins on Possession Beach. Now lily could hang out with my grandma and grandpa's dog, Jocko, a black poodle. The two were inseparable, until one unfortunate day when Jocko died. You could tell lily was sad, she would not eat and she LOVED food, but she eventually got over it. Soon over the years she was getting old but she never lost her spirit. I noticed the top of her head was getting whiter and whiter every year. Ups and downs came and gone with lily, in the end we were OK.
That day when lily got put to sleep, I came home from school, my mom told me the story, it was painless, and peace full. I cried and cried, and so did my mom, brother, and even my dad. That night everyone was sleeping, I thought I heard a noise. I got out of bed, and walked down the hall, nothing was there. I was walking back to bed, when I felt a cold, gentle nudge on my hand, but again, nothing was there. Everyone should know, that your dog, or whatever animal you have will have a certain time to go. They Will give you signs like lily did. No tail wagging, trembling, not eating, or looking up at you as if saying, it's time to go. But when they die, mourn for them, and feel sad. But know that they will always be in your heart, and they will always love you.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Chapter Five
We landed the jump perfectly, we went so high I thought we were flying. Sun Dance was obviously proud to, he whinnied and shook his head back and forth excitedly.
"Well I'll be, you sure are a piece of work on that gelding, keep up the good work!"
The rest of the lesson was jumping and more dressage. Almost every little thing I did, Carn became more and more impressed. By the end of the lesson she was speechless. our group dismounted our horses, and led them back to the stables, April had already left. I led Sun Dance to his paddock, and removed his halter and bridle. He greedily drank the cool water I had filled before the lesson in his green tub, and gave him a fresh batch of hay. I gently brushed his bay colored coat, and reluctantly picked his mud caked hooves. Finally done, I kissed his muzzle, and closed the paddock door, when I found Carn walking toward me with a big ear to ear grin. She pointed a finger at me and laughed with her country accent which sounded more like a donkey nee haw.
"You are one amazing girl Tory, you have improved a great amount and I want to award you for that. And besides, this class is to easy for you." She handed me a slip of paper with days and different times on the front, and a small picture of two horses in the corner. I suddenly realized what she was trying to tell me.
"You got private lessons with me now, Tory. No interuptin, and no tantrums", she exclaimed jokingly.
"Just you and me."
She waved goodbye and walked down the cozy barn isle, and to her house next door.
"Oh!, and I forgot", she said over her solder
"Call to confirm, just in case. And you be good now, ya hear!"
"OK" I yelled back, but she had already closed the barn door. Exited, I said one last good bye to Sun Dance, and ran out the other door. My mom was waiting in the car, and I hopped in.
"Well you look mighty happy sweety, what happened?" She turned the car around and drove up the dark driveway, and into the night.
"Well I'll be, you sure are a piece of work on that gelding, keep up the good work!"
The rest of the lesson was jumping and more dressage. Almost every little thing I did, Carn became more and more impressed. By the end of the lesson she was speechless. our group dismounted our horses, and led them back to the stables, April had already left. I led Sun Dance to his paddock, and removed his halter and bridle. He greedily drank the cool water I had filled before the lesson in his green tub, and gave him a fresh batch of hay. I gently brushed his bay colored coat, and reluctantly picked his mud caked hooves. Finally done, I kissed his muzzle, and closed the paddock door, when I found Carn walking toward me with a big ear to ear grin. She pointed a finger at me and laughed with her country accent which sounded more like a donkey nee haw.
"You are one amazing girl Tory, you have improved a great amount and I want to award you for that. And besides, this class is to easy for you." She handed me a slip of paper with days and different times on the front, and a small picture of two horses in the corner. I suddenly realized what she was trying to tell me.
"You got private lessons with me now, Tory. No interuptin, and no tantrums", she exclaimed jokingly.
"Just you and me."
She waved goodbye and walked down the cozy barn isle, and to her house next door.
"Oh!, and I forgot", she said over her solder
"Call to confirm, just in case. And you be good now, ya hear!"
"OK" I yelled back, but she had already closed the barn door. Exited, I said one last good bye to Sun Dance, and ran out the other door. My mom was waiting in the car, and I hopped in.
"Well you look mighty happy sweety, what happened?" She turned the car around and drove up the dark driveway, and into the night.
Sun Dance was doing great for the rest of the lesson, he trotted, cantered, and even walked better than all of the other lessons before. Marissa was on her usual horse Dulcy, but she was giving her to many mixed signals for her to obey correctly. April was OK, but General tripped on the trot and that got her steaming, I swear I could see a little smirk on Sun Dances face when April dismounted her horse and stomped toward the stables shouting,
"I give up!" how immature.
"All right girls, I now want you to canter, but keep plenty of space between you and the other horses", said Carn trying to keep her mind off of Aprils childish tantrum. I put my right leg back on Sun Dances barrel and kissed the air. He picked up a faster gait, and soon we were soaring. I felt like I was floating in midair, the sun was glistening on his mane, and wisps of moisture was floating out of his nose like smoke.
"Now I want you to walk" I pulled back on the rains gently, but firmly and his hooves were now a slow, and more steady beat.
"Good job Tory" cheered carn
"Nice work on the gaits." I smiled proudly and rubbed my horses neck. I noticed his stride was more pronounced, and his head was held up high.
"Alright" said carn again
"It's time to jump!" We turned around, and trotted to the walls, I could feel the surge going through Sun Dance, building up like an eagle about to soar. Finally we came to the wall, and we took off.
"I give up!" how immature.
"All right girls, I now want you to canter, but keep plenty of space between you and the other horses", said Carn trying to keep her mind off of Aprils childish tantrum. I put my right leg back on Sun Dances barrel and kissed the air. He picked up a faster gait, and soon we were soaring. I felt like I was floating in midair, the sun was glistening on his mane, and wisps of moisture was floating out of his nose like smoke.
"Now I want you to walk" I pulled back on the rains gently, but firmly and his hooves were now a slow, and more steady beat.
"Good job Tory" cheered carn
"Nice work on the gaits." I smiled proudly and rubbed my horses neck. I noticed his stride was more pronounced, and his head was held up high.
"Alright" said carn again
"It's time to jump!" We turned around, and trotted to the walls, I could feel the surge going through Sun Dance, building up like an eagle about to soar. Finally we came to the wall, and we took off.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Dream Horse Ode
I came across you when there was nothing to do, and to lift my spirits up,
I saw your face, you were a Paint, It was just pure luck.
You were just what I wanted, your temperment 1 and at a reasonable price,
I saw your name, it was a shame, but you looked fairly nice. The next day after school, I had homework to do, But when I was done I looked, you were there, OH, we'd make such a good pair. But yet, all I can do is stare. At school the next day, we had time to play, but I just looked at you, You were even cuter, so I saved you to the computer. To dream a dream, one day a dream come true.
I saw your face, you were a Paint, It was just pure luck.
You were just what I wanted, your temperment 1 and at a reasonable price,
I saw your name, it was a shame, but you looked fairly nice. The next day after school, I had homework to do, But when I was done I looked, you were there, OH, we'd make such a good pair. But yet, all I can do is stare. At school the next day, we had time to play, but I just looked at you, You were even cuter, so I saved you to the computer. To dream a dream, one day a dream come true.
Hey You Guys
everyone, my video is on youtube, but it is not showing up on my blog so if you want to see my video go to marlee's blog-
Thanx~
Thanx~
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Chapter Four
our group was doing dressage while Carn was assisting Marissa with another horse
"nice job!" I called over sarcastically to April, who had a smug little expression on her face.
"I hope you feel good after what you did to Marissa!" April trotted over beside me next to Sun Dance.
"I do" she laughed, "And I will feel GREAT when I get rid of her horse." She grinned and winked at me with those small beady eyes. "Oh yeah", and this is for earlier. I felt her hands push my shoulders, and next thing I know I'm on the dirt covered ground. "Later" and she speeded around the barrels. I slowly got up and brushed the dirt off my new riding pants. Luckily Sun Dance didn't stomp all over me when I fell off, so I safely hopped back on the saddle. I cautiously looked back to make sure she wasn't going to sneak behind me and push me off again when I noticed her mom looking strait at me. She had the identical smile as April's, just upturned a little in the corners.
"I see my daughter pushed you off that pony" she exclaimed, "maybe you should learn to stay on betta?"
"Maybe your daughter shouldn't go pushing people off their horses?" I replied. Her mom stood up a little more off the rail she was leaning against, and the corners of her smile turned down into a frown.
"What did you say?" now more tense in her voice
"I said maybe your daughter shouldn't go pushing people off their horses?" I knew I had crossed the line, she jumped over the picket fence and landed right next to Sun Dance. Her eyes were bulging out of their eye sockets, and her hair was falling out of her neat little bun, Her nostrils were flared like a horse gone wild, and the pointy chin that looked like someone just glued it to her face was jutted out as far as it could go.
"Listen hear sassafras, I ain't gonna put up with this crap, my daughter has the right to push you off this jack@##, and if you don't like it, you got somthin headed your way, and it's headed right up your-
"Valerie" interrupted Carn, (she must have found Marissa a horse)
"What did you I tell you about yellin at the kids? Tory didn't do anythang so it ain't nothin to worry bout, understand?" Valerie nodded and slowly made her way toward the blue hummer, slyly looking back and glaring from time to time.
"You ride Alon now Tory" Carn said calmly, "I'll talk to you after lessons." She smiled and made her way toward the center of the ring. "All right girls, let's start at the trot!"
"nice job!" I called over sarcastically to April, who had a smug little expression on her face.
"I hope you feel good after what you did to Marissa!" April trotted over beside me next to Sun Dance.
"I do" she laughed, "And I will feel GREAT when I get rid of her horse." She grinned and winked at me with those small beady eyes. "Oh yeah", and this is for earlier. I felt her hands push my shoulders, and next thing I know I'm on the dirt covered ground. "Later" and she speeded around the barrels. I slowly got up and brushed the dirt off my new riding pants. Luckily Sun Dance didn't stomp all over me when I fell off, so I safely hopped back on the saddle. I cautiously looked back to make sure she wasn't going to sneak behind me and push me off again when I noticed her mom looking strait at me. She had the identical smile as April's, just upturned a little in the corners.
"I see my daughter pushed you off that pony" she exclaimed, "maybe you should learn to stay on betta?"
"Maybe your daughter shouldn't go pushing people off their horses?" I replied. Her mom stood up a little more off the rail she was leaning against, and the corners of her smile turned down into a frown.
"What did you say?" now more tense in her voice
"I said maybe your daughter shouldn't go pushing people off their horses?" I knew I had crossed the line, she jumped over the picket fence and landed right next to Sun Dance. Her eyes were bulging out of their eye sockets, and her hair was falling out of her neat little bun, Her nostrils were flared like a horse gone wild, and the pointy chin that looked like someone just glued it to her face was jutted out as far as it could go.
"Listen hear sassafras, I ain't gonna put up with this crap, my daughter has the right to push you off this jack@##, and if you don't like it, you got somthin headed your way, and it's headed right up your-
"Valerie" interrupted Carn, (she must have found Marissa a horse)
"What did you I tell you about yellin at the kids? Tory didn't do anythang so it ain't nothin to worry bout, understand?" Valerie nodded and slowly made her way toward the blue hummer, slyly looking back and glaring from time to time.
"You ride Alon now Tory" Carn said calmly, "I'll talk to you after lessons." She smiled and made her way toward the center of the ring. "All right girls, let's start at the trot!"
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Chapter 3
The rest of the day was just a normal one. I ate lunch, hung out with my friends, and listened to the boring teachers. As I was listening to Mrs.Hue (or Mrs.Pue) drone on about why mammals can't fly, the bell finally rang and I rushed to the buses to go to the barn. I went up the dirt laden stairs and walked down the small isle filled with kids spitting spit balls at the bus driver, and teens making out and sat down in the back seat next to Marissa, who is one of the girls who go to the barn. Apparently she is really weak on the lower part of her body so her parents made her do horse back riding lessons. She isn't very good but I still acted like she was, even when her back was completely bent over on her horse and her feet are never down in the stirrups.
"Oh, hi" she said in her quite voice. "I was wondering if I could ride your horse today, my horse doesn't listen to me." "Well", I responded in my sweetest voice, "I think my horse may be a little to hard for you to handle." But I thought of a devious plan. "maybe you can ride April's horse, General?" I could picture her on him, her small skinny legs stretched over his sides, and her back bent over so her head was buried in his mane.
"OK" she whispered again, "That would be nice."
The bus came to an abrupt stop outside of the dusty road, leading to the barn. I bolted out of the bus and ran as fast as I could toward the stables. Today I would be doing dressage. I opened the stable doors and a huge whiny greeted me by my favorite horse, sun dance, (the horse I was leasing) I went over and gave him a huge hug around his strong, bulky neck. He stomped and nipped my arm in delight.
"Well that horse sure loves you!" I turned around and saw Carn, my trainer leaning against Sun dance's stall.
"Never liked anyone like that before" She said in her country accent. Carn handed me my saddle and bridle and patted my horses back
"Nice and strong". Marissa suddenly came in and sagged in the door, with the usual sad expression on her face. The twinkle in Carns eye went out like a shining candle that would never be lit again.
"What's wrong" the trainer cooed.
"Nothing" she whispered "I'm just tired." Sun dance was dying of anticipation so I put on the saddle and halter, and hopped on. Squeezing my legs to go, me and my noble steed trotted out the door.
Our group was warming up in the ginormous ring bordered with a brown picket fence. I cantered around the ring, jumped a few of the brick walls, and occasionally trotted around one of the barrels. I just jumped over one of the walls when April's Blue hummer came down the dusty road with dirt clouds poofed behind it. I could see her mom through the windshield. She had bright neon red lipstick, and way to much mascara on. It was blotted everywhere on her eyelashes, and scattered everywhere on her lower ones. Her eyes drooped like she hadn't slept for days, and dark rings were formed around her eyes like she had just woke up from the dead. They pulled up next to the barn door, and April strutted out of the car and headed toward the stables when Marissa bounced up to the ring on general. April's face was like she had just seen a ghost. She was as white as a blank sheet of paper, and her mouth was dropped open like a codfish. "Why is that stick on my horse?" She said under clenched teeth, eyes bulging. "I thought I should ride him today" spoke up Marissa. "My horse has been acting up lately, so I thought I should ride him today because he is really good with you."
"Well" exclaimed April,
"I guess that is to bad because I am riding him today, and you are NOT!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. I could tell Marissa was about to cry, water started to swell up in her eyes, and her glasses were getting all fogged up.
"OK" she exclaimed and she hopped off the horse and dragged toward the barn.
"Oh, hi" she said in her quite voice. "I was wondering if I could ride your horse today, my horse doesn't listen to me." "Well", I responded in my sweetest voice, "I think my horse may be a little to hard for you to handle." But I thought of a devious plan. "maybe you can ride April's horse, General?" I could picture her on him, her small skinny legs stretched over his sides, and her back bent over so her head was buried in his mane.
"OK" she whispered again, "That would be nice."
The bus came to an abrupt stop outside of the dusty road, leading to the barn. I bolted out of the bus and ran as fast as I could toward the stables. Today I would be doing dressage. I opened the stable doors and a huge whiny greeted me by my favorite horse, sun dance, (the horse I was leasing) I went over and gave him a huge hug around his strong, bulky neck. He stomped and nipped my arm in delight.
"Well that horse sure loves you!" I turned around and saw Carn, my trainer leaning against Sun dance's stall.
"Never liked anyone like that before" She said in her country accent. Carn handed me my saddle and bridle and patted my horses back
"Nice and strong". Marissa suddenly came in and sagged in the door, with the usual sad expression on her face. The twinkle in Carns eye went out like a shining candle that would never be lit again.
"What's wrong" the trainer cooed.
"Nothing" she whispered "I'm just tired." Sun dance was dying of anticipation so I put on the saddle and halter, and hopped on. Squeezing my legs to go, me and my noble steed trotted out the door.
Our group was warming up in the ginormous ring bordered with a brown picket fence. I cantered around the ring, jumped a few of the brick walls, and occasionally trotted around one of the barrels. I just jumped over one of the walls when April's Blue hummer came down the dusty road with dirt clouds poofed behind it. I could see her mom through the windshield. She had bright neon red lipstick, and way to much mascara on. It was blotted everywhere on her eyelashes, and scattered everywhere on her lower ones. Her eyes drooped like she hadn't slept for days, and dark rings were formed around her eyes like she had just woke up from the dead. They pulled up next to the barn door, and April strutted out of the car and headed toward the stables when Marissa bounced up to the ring on general. April's face was like she had just seen a ghost. She was as white as a blank sheet of paper, and her mouth was dropped open like a codfish. "Why is that stick on my horse?" She said under clenched teeth, eyes bulging. "I thought I should ride him today" spoke up Marissa. "My horse has been acting up lately, so I thought I should ride him today because he is really good with you."
"Well" exclaimed April,
"I guess that is to bad because I am riding him today, and you are NOT!" She screamed at the top of her lungs. I could tell Marissa was about to cry, water started to swell up in her eyes, and her glasses were getting all fogged up.
"OK" she exclaimed and she hopped off the horse and dragged toward the barn.
Monday, November 5, 2007
A Horse Tail
We were almost to the finish line. I could already hear the screams and yells of the press and family,
"Tory, you won!"
The crowd would be roaring and there would be camera flashes everywhere. My picture would be on the front cover of the Whidbey Record with a caption saying,
"Tory and her horse Sundance win the three lap race." I would be all over the school and the teachers would be awing over my remarkable performance. My mailbox would be full of letters from relatives and viewers.....I would be a star. We came rounding over the last corner in the lead of all the other horses, and I knew they could feel my glory. Hours of practice finally paid off, victory was mine!
* * * * * * *
It was two days after the horse race, and I was glumly sitting on my queen sized bed. After that race everything seemed dull, Even my favorite French Toast didn't appeal to me, it just tasted as lame as my victory. I didn't get it, I was ahead of everybody by at least ten feet and then that April chick sped by me on her stupid mule she calls a horse. Then she is in front of me, I could no longer see the victory and fame of my win, but two rear ends. Then April turns around and looks at me with that smug little pig nose face of hers and makes an expression saying,
"Look who's the loser now?" She crossed the finish line with me behind her in second. Now everything that I thought would be me..was her. She was in the Whidbey Record, she got tons of attention from the kids at school, and the teachers were drooling and awing over her performance.
"Oh April, you were amazing out there." About every teacher stated.
"Especially when you passed that girl....what was her name?"
It was crazy. The teachers were spending so much time talking about her, they soon forgot about every kids name but one, April, April, APRIL! At least the teachers didn't care about late assignments anymore.
"Tory, you won!"
The crowd would be roaring and there would be camera flashes everywhere. My picture would be on the front cover of the Whidbey Record with a caption saying,
"Tory and her horse Sundance win the three lap race." I would be all over the school and the teachers would be awing over my remarkable performance. My mailbox would be full of letters from relatives and viewers.....I would be a star. We came rounding over the last corner in the lead of all the other horses, and I knew they could feel my glory. Hours of practice finally paid off, victory was mine!
* * * * * * *
It was two days after the horse race, and I was glumly sitting on my queen sized bed. After that race everything seemed dull, Even my favorite French Toast didn't appeal to me, it just tasted as lame as my victory. I didn't get it, I was ahead of everybody by at least ten feet and then that April chick sped by me on her stupid mule she calls a horse. Then she is in front of me, I could no longer see the victory and fame of my win, but two rear ends. Then April turns around and looks at me with that smug little pig nose face of hers and makes an expression saying,
"Look who's the loser now?" She crossed the finish line with me behind her in second. Now everything that I thought would be me..was her. She was in the Whidbey Record, she got tons of attention from the kids at school, and the teachers were drooling and awing over her performance.
"Oh April, you were amazing out there." About every teacher stated.
"Especially when you passed that girl....what was her name?"
It was crazy. The teachers were spending so much time talking about her, they soon forgot about every kids name but one, April, April, APRIL! At least the teachers didn't care about late assignments anymore.
Chapter Two
Today was going to be another day of some old school, same old teachers, and same old classes. It also meant another day of humiliation. I can already see April's face as I pass by her on my way to math, her little nose squished up against her lips, and her small beady eyes fixed upon the center of her nose. It would make her look even more like a pig. The bus I was riding that morning jolted to a stop and I slowly got off remembering to thank the driver for the ride, (or else I would be on his list of suspected enemies) and headed toward first period. As I was walking toward the main building, a group of three girls were huddled in front of me trying to keep up with the moving crowd. They all had Hollister backpacks, and Abercrombie And Fitch shirts and pants, also known as preps. They were talking in low voices, and looking up every now and then to see who was listening. Fortunately I hid behind some people so they couldn't see me, and I happened to catch a word or two
"Oh-my-gosh" Said the blonder haired girl, "It must be so embarrassing to lose to a horse race, especially one against April." "Yea", said the taller of the two. "Sooo embarrassing." They all started giggling like a pack of hyenas, and walked into their first class.
*********
I woke up on my favorite day of the week, Friday. It was the one of those days when you can do whatever you want after a day of school. I could go to the stables, walk on the beach, draw, or do homework. I got out of bed and took a long hot shower until my mom came in in her extremely colorful polka dot robe and yelled at me for taking a "Marathon" shower. Hesitantly I got out, got dressed, and ran out the door to the car. My mom was eagerly waiting with an angry expression on her face.
"You need to stop taking long showers,"
She said in an agitated tone. "It is going to keep getting us late!" Trying not to listen I turned on my music, and just answered with a monotonous, yes mom. satisfied, she started the car and drove to school. Down the road we past the big towering trees with ivy hanging down like green snakes down the sides, constricting it until all the life was sucked out of it's sturdy body leaving only the skeletal figure. All the bunnies and deers scurried out of the way as our car descended the hill. I looked down where an eagle plummeted into the ocean below.
I got out of the car and indolently made my way toward the library. A good book would be a pleasant morning start. I opened the rusty, creaky, doors to the building, and struggled up the stairs with my 30 pound backpack. Then I saw a face that just ruined my morning, a face that made even the fiercest shrivel in fear, a face that makes you just want to throw up your lunch, then eat it back up again afraid that it might be your last meal. I tried not to look at the horrible looks she was giving me, so I went to the horse section in the library. April decided it was worth making fun of me so she shouted in her preppy, high voice
"Are you going to find the book how to win a horse race?" "If you cant find it, I'll help you!" Saying something back would just have her say another lame joke so I pretended to be reading "A Horse Of My Own" but really I was peaking at the hideous faces she was making at me. Being brave I decided a little dis wouldn't hurt so I shouted back
"hey April, don't you need a little pigtail with that nose?" By the look she was making at me I knew I was in for it. "Are you saying I look like a pig?" She said exasperated. "Yea" I responded in a bratty like tone "Or maybe you're a hog. April looked like she was a train about to explode with steam, her cheeks got all red and she started to mumble things under her breath like "Stupid freak, loser." I'm guessing the library teacher had her hearing aid in and heard our squabble. She hobbled over leaning on her cane and squawked,
"What's the problem?" "Well", the pig nosed girl sighed "Tory said I looked like a pig, then she called me a hog!" I could tell the librarian was about to burst
"YOU" she shrieked "WILL NOT BE CALLING NAMES!" "I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS RIDICULOUS, PREPUBESCENT,NONSENSE!" "IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM TAKE IT OUTSIDE, THIS IS A LIBRARY, NOT A MAD HOUSE!" She took a deep breath and shuffled back to her desk piled high with books. "Well then." April said, shaking her head back pleased. "We will settle the rest at the barn.
"Oh-my-gosh" Said the blonder haired girl, "It must be so embarrassing to lose to a horse race, especially one against April." "Yea", said the taller of the two. "Sooo embarrassing." They all started giggling like a pack of hyenas, and walked into their first class.
*********
I woke up on my favorite day of the week, Friday. It was the one of those days when you can do whatever you want after a day of school. I could go to the stables, walk on the beach, draw, or do homework. I got out of bed and took a long hot shower until my mom came in in her extremely colorful polka dot robe and yelled at me for taking a "Marathon" shower. Hesitantly I got out, got dressed, and ran out the door to the car. My mom was eagerly waiting with an angry expression on her face.
"You need to stop taking long showers,"
She said in an agitated tone. "It is going to keep getting us late!" Trying not to listen I turned on my music, and just answered with a monotonous, yes mom. satisfied, she started the car and drove to school. Down the road we past the big towering trees with ivy hanging down like green snakes down the sides, constricting it until all the life was sucked out of it's sturdy body leaving only the skeletal figure. All the bunnies and deers scurried out of the way as our car descended the hill. I looked down where an eagle plummeted into the ocean below.
I got out of the car and indolently made my way toward the library. A good book would be a pleasant morning start. I opened the rusty, creaky, doors to the building, and struggled up the stairs with my 30 pound backpack. Then I saw a face that just ruined my morning, a face that made even the fiercest shrivel in fear, a face that makes you just want to throw up your lunch, then eat it back up again afraid that it might be your last meal. I tried not to look at the horrible looks she was giving me, so I went to the horse section in the library. April decided it was worth making fun of me so she shouted in her preppy, high voice
"Are you going to find the book how to win a horse race?" "If you cant find it, I'll help you!" Saying something back would just have her say another lame joke so I pretended to be reading "A Horse Of My Own" but really I was peaking at the hideous faces she was making at me. Being brave I decided a little dis wouldn't hurt so I shouted back
"hey April, don't you need a little pigtail with that nose?" By the look she was making at me I knew I was in for it. "Are you saying I look like a pig?" She said exasperated. "Yea" I responded in a bratty like tone "Or maybe you're a hog. April looked like she was a train about to explode with steam, her cheeks got all red and she started to mumble things under her breath like "Stupid freak, loser." I'm guessing the library teacher had her hearing aid in and heard our squabble. She hobbled over leaning on her cane and squawked,
"What's the problem?" "Well", the pig nosed girl sighed "Tory said I looked like a pig, then she called me a hog!" I could tell the librarian was about to burst
"YOU" she shrieked "WILL NOT BE CALLING NAMES!" "I WILL NOT TOLERATE THIS RIDICULOUS, PREPUBESCENT,NONSENSE!" "IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM TAKE IT OUTSIDE, THIS IS A LIBRARY, NOT A MAD HOUSE!" She took a deep breath and shuffled back to her desk piled high with books. "Well then." April said, shaking her head back pleased. "We will settle the rest at the barn.
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