The Rise
8/25/2011 | Author:
For fun, Quinn and I have started a roleplay for the two of us to share; in this roleplay we have taken the long and rather intricate story we played out years ago in LEGOs and have started it over---with a few changes, I admit, because some of the characters and ideas we had were very silly! We haven't gotten very far, and probably won't, because I quickly run out of writing ideas, and Quinn doesn't like reading everything I do write. :) But this is the beginning of what I've started...I'm not real sure it's very good, and pretty much completely exists of description, which I'm sure is boring to read. :)

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Steelburn could see the proud flag in the distance, whipped about by the chilling morning wind. It was red as blood, and imprinted upon it was the silver phoenix of the Dragon Chain; even across the tethered, homey hills, Steelburn could make out its noble head, and powerful wings: glistening under the pale sunlight.
Sweat tickling between his shoulder blades, the knight trudged forward; his heavy iron armor was smeared in grime, and the battleax strapped to his waist was caked with mud and dried blood. His pack of supplies was empty, and strung across his back, and his helmet visor was propped open so he could breath easier, revealing tired, but determined gray eyes.
The young man had traveled for three months, braving untamed wilderness, to reach the flag ahead. The flag that was, as it were, mounted to the tallest tower of what castle he hoped would become his home, and his worth-fighting-for. The infamous, but destroyed, DragonClaw Kingdom.
The royal family of the Dragon Chain had formed the DragonClaw realm back before records were kept of such things, and nobody had thought it would be toppled by the Dragon Chain's broken sister the Draconi.
The DragonClaw's Kingdom was overtaken, and the survivors fled under the guidance of their young king, Zarrowg. That had been four years before, and now, rumors were spread and scattered on the wind like smoke, whispering about the kingdom's untimely, but determined comeback. They were building again, seeking to set a new war on the Draconi and regain power of their lands again.
Steelburn was a no-lander, and had no kingdom to serve. But he wanted in, and unwilling to go with the Draconi's primal cruelty, he sought for King Zarrowg, hoping he was even still alive.
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Steelburn eventually stopped, taking a long, sucking breath, as he came across a broad, freshly-harrowed moat, yet to filled with water. It was of great expanse, and far deeper than the tallest of men, stacked on another's shoulders. He looked into it, his wide chest heaving as he drank in the biting morning air. On the otherside of the dank, shadowy moat was the castle, and it did him well to see it.
With favoring eyes, the knight looked upon the brave, thick walls, built of honed gray stone, carefully cemented and collected in a massive structure that had that cold presence of a determined lord; fanning in the frosty wind, the silver phoenix flag of the Dragon Chain was large, and displayed in noble grandeur; he could hear it snap, and whip, rippling with fine red and silver colors against the pale, hard sky.
After sparing several moments to admire the growing towers, and seemingly impenetrable walls of the castle, Steelburn Burnes directed his gray eyes down the moat, seeking some way to pass. But there was none in sight. Opting to venture alongside it, he began walking, hoping to find some passage.
But the deep moat circled completely around the castle, leaving only a hundred yards between its depths, and the great, frigid walls. It took Steelburn a whole hour to finish his tread around the monstrosity, and had to his dismay seen no living being, nor any way to cross the moat, and reach the massive, looming doors that he knew would take him into the heart of the castle. They seemed shaped of bronze, and oak, carefully sculpted and withstanding. He stood staring at them, bemused and exhausted from his long journey, and further exertions. To add distress, his stomach cramped with hunger, and his hand was weak at the battleax belted to his waist. He was beginning to wonder if he should quit, and seek shelter before the afternoon waned and night fell; for there was not even a partially-constructed drawbridge to assist him in crossing. For a dreadful, sinking moment, he wondered if the menacing castle was deserted; or if the possible life that dwelled behind its walls could possibly be adverse to a young knight seeking to join their ranks. What if the famed lord and his few surviving subjects turned out to be hostile? Or worse---what if they had already been vanquished by the Draconi?
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Sweet Zelda
8/19/2011 | Author:
 My sweet girl Zelda; you wouldn't believe how hard it is to get a picture of your reflection in a dog's eye!
 Can you see me in Zelda's brown eye in the photo above?




Zelda's a tough dog now.
I swapped her collar for an old choke-chain I found hanging up in the laundry room, and took some pictures. She doesn't need a choke-chain---far from it! She walks well, and minds good too!



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Sunflowers
8/06/2011 | Author:






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Rico
8/06/2011 | Author:
Rico is getting so handsome, with his old-school mullet and girl-ish little cluck.


I've contemplated trying to sell him, but he's awful cute, and I'd hate to get rid of him. But the problem is, I have no hens for him and I'd hate to release him into the main lot where he might get eaten by a hawk or something of the sort. I may end up doing that though, in the future when he gets bigger and starts to prove a problem.

Or I could find a lady-friend for him online, but I doubt I can find one local---and shipping pullets or other large chickens is a lot of money...so we'll see how things work out. He's not even crowing yet.

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Hallelooyah
8/05/2011 | Author:
My gifted cousins singing and playing the piano. That's Logan and Bryan at the piano, and Jordan on the chair. All three are singing. :) It amazes me how everybody in their household is so musically inclined, while the only person at our house that can sing is my mother.

I always love listening to them. :)
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I Got One Picture To Upload!
8/05/2011 | Author:
"You know dat's right."

 Jordan and I kept the Psych-fanatic-ness remarkably restrained throughout our stay in Arkansas, but we couldn't resist a couple stray pictures like this one. It's just how we are---I can't explain it, or control it, and he may very well be even more insane than I---but we do try not to explode on occasion.

But when we do explode. You notice.
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Back From Arkansas
8/05/2011 | Author:
Yes! We are home!

Grandma brought Quinn and I back from Arkansas yesterday morning, and we reached home-land by early evening. Nothing like getting in home in time to take care of the chickens and mow the yard! Actually, I took care of the mowing today, and I'll tell you---it's hot out here! Luckily we will soon be able to swim everyday-all day if we like!

Today, three guys came out and installed out new above-ground pool! I haven't taken pictures yet, but it's a monster, and should be filled up with water within a day or so. The people that installed it seemed quite nice, though granted it was a mild shock to wake up and three shirt-less people in our backyard! It was a man, and his two sons, and it certainly didn't take them as long as I thought it would to put the pool up. I'm very excited to be able to swim, and am looking forward to being able to hop in it after mowing the yard, which would be very cool.

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(Still picture-less, I'm working on that issue!)

Back to Arkansas, I can just say I had a blast. Quinn did, also, and I am also prone to believe that the Girls had a great time also! Jill really brightened up over the trip, and played a lot more than she usually does around kids!

We did all sorts of things up there. We saw two new movies at the theater, helped move a very nice family into their new house, worked at Bike City, learned to play disc-golf, and watched two classic movies back at the house. Want to know what those were? Monte Python and the Holy Grail, and The Three Amigos. I'd never seen either before, and just loved them. Too funny!

We also went to Church, and Ethan's baptism, which was wonderful. We enjoyed some fantastic meals, and great family company. :) I hope we can see everybody again soon---though I know it will be a while before we see Cousin Logan again---for he will soon be off on his mission! Best of luck to him, he's so nice and funny. I'm sure he will do great.

And Jordan---I will be waiting with great impatience until I get to see you again! Almost as impatiently as I shall be waiting for the new Psych season! ;)

- Journee

Lucky Day: Oh great! Real Bullets!
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8/03/2011 | Author:
"Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries!"

There are only two reactions to that. The nice one will come from the people who have seen that movie!

~ Lots of laughs,
Journee
"Ni"
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