Wednesday, March 31, 2010

My Dance With Words

My Dance with Words

Every writer I know has a different story. Some were practically born with a pencil and paper in their hands. Others discover the joys of the written word somewhere along the way during their schooling. Others come to writing later in life, when they can look back and draw on their won journey's to enrich their craft.

I've walked my own path, and danced around my love of writing until I came to the point where I am now.

Growing up I was always an imaginative child. I'd get lost in my day dreams, I had more than one imaginary friend, and being the bossy big sister, I often set the scenario when the boys and I would play make believe.

Mom taught me early to appreciate a good story, and I was reading books like "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," in first grade. I'd pretty much devour anything in print you'd put in front of me. Well, except maybe my text books. I've always been drawn more towards the imaginative than the literal!

While this hunger for books only broadened my imagination, it also held me back some when I first started trying to write. I'm a perfectionist, and every time I tried to write down a story I'd find myself frustrated as I compared my feeble attempts to the books I loved. It vexed me that I could have these vivid stories in my head that would turn flat and dull when I put them to paper.

Unfortunately my lack of patience with myself led me to give up writing for a long time. I would still write for school or write letters to my grandparents, but I was never very happy with what I'd written. On very rare occasions I'd write something for myself, but I was convinced that I could only write when "inspired." Any other time I tried to write it was simply "junk."

By the time I reached high school I had some outlets for my desire to write that I actually had the courage to use. It started with keeping some journals. I don't have them anymore, but if I did I'm sure I'd be amused by the things in life I chose to record, and by the things I chose to rant about. I've always been able to rant at the drop of hat, something I think/blame my Dad's family for; it certainly didn't come from my Mom's much tamer family! But those are stories for another day.

At some point I grew frustrated with writing simply for myself, so I began to write letters to my closest friends. These letters were often very similar to the journals i had kept before. The big difference was that I now had an audience to pour out my heart and dreams to. This provided more purpose and definition to my writing than there had ever been previously.

Two things I learned about myself through this process is that I find writing to be very therapeutic and it is often easier for me to express my deepest emotions on paper.

Leaving my high school years behind and starting my slow journey through college I was finally willing to admit that I had a talent for writing. Most of my writing continued to be for school, but I now had much more confidence in my ability to work with words. When I did write outside of school it tended to be either true stories or something else that was still realistic.

I also discovered and fell in love with blogging during this time. I loved the concept of being able to "journal" and share it with my friends. I quickly learned the downsides that can go along with blogging and to be careful what I chose to share.

Blogging became my main writing outlet, and remained so for several busy years while I worked instead of going to school. Most of what I wrote was simply sharing the highs and lows of my days, but sometimes I'd go one step farther and truly tell a story. So, in this haphazard way, in the midst of my busy life, I continued to improve my writing.

Ever since my first frustrated attempts at writing I've dreamed of having the power to touch other people's lives through my words. Letter writing and blogging has allowed me to do that to a certain degree, but I've always dreamed of more. As long as I can remember I've wanted to write a book.

I've started to write books several different times, but always given up when I realized that my stories didn't have the scope to fill the pages of a book. It never occurred to me that shorter stories had value as well - I was too focused on the concept of a book! It took me a long time to realize that writing out the stories in my head, short or long, will grow my abilities as a writer. Plus, you never know when a short sketch might prove useful in the future, and I've recently discovered that I enjoy publishing these pieces on my blog!

When I got sick around 2 years ago I found myself with more time on my hands than I'd had in a long time. I decided it was time to reach for my dream once again, and I began to write my first book, Jemnath, a fantasy adventure.

There have been a lot of ups and downs since then, and I had to stop writing for awhile due to migraines, but I think I've come a long way. Recently, as we've finally gotten the migraines under some sort of control, I've set about to be more purposeful in my writing. I don't know if I'll ever realize my dreams of being a published author, but I do know it will never happen unless I pursue writing with a passion.

So I write. I continue to work on my book, but I write other things as well. Short stories that pop into my head. Character sketches. True stories about life as it is right now as I'm living it. Memoir pieces. Opinion pieces. I dance with the words in the hopes that one day I will reach my dreams.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Aria's Quest - A New Way to Search

Section 4
Searching for Molly
Part 6
A New Way to Search

After dinner Aria and Robyn headed out with Robyn in the lead. He hadn’t said any more about his contacts who might be able to help them, he’d only asked a few more questions about what information she had. Molly was curious about where they were going, but she figured that she’d find out soon enough. At first she thought they might be headed to the Nexus, where the fey of the city gathered, but she soon realized that they had flown past where they would have had to turn to go there.

Finally they came to a rest on the window ledge of an apartment building, one not that different from the place Aria was staying in, and Robyn proceeded to lift up a corner of the window screen and gesture Aria to walk through. He followed after her, gestured around the room, and said,
“Welcome to the one of the best places to find information in the city!”

Aria looked around the room, curious, trying to understand. The small room was full of computer equipment, wires everywhere, with soda cans and candy wrappers overflowing from the trash. Seated at the two main computers were a pair of, she looked closer, elves! Aria was stunned to see two elves period, let alone among all this computer equipment. Aria had always been told that elves remained aloof from fey society and that they shunned the cities, preferring the natural places that were left to them. The idea of them working with all this equipment was almost more than Aria could take in!

Neither elf had paid them any notice when they came inside, and as Robyn began to explain to Aria they continued to ignore the fairy’s, completed absorbed in whatever they were working on. “Eddie and Micah are good guys, I know your probably surprised, but really, they are the best around. Very few elves have ever come to the city, but something called these two here, and they have an incredible ability with computers.”

“How will that help us?”

“Well, Joey gave you a lot of information, but he didn’t really follow up on any of it any way other than in person. Hopefully these guys will be able to find an electronic trail of what happened. If it’s there, they’ll find it at least. Well, that is, assuming we can get their attention! They tend to get rather caught up in their work, but I can usually get them to notice me,” Robyn said and took off with a roguish grin on his face.

Aria stayed where she was and watched as Robyn performed acrobatics in front of the computer screens. At first the elves just tried to wave him away, but finally one of them looked up and said, “Look, is it important? Because if it’s not…”

“Oh it is Eddie! It’s very important!”

Eddie sighed, tucked his long black hair behind one pointed ear, and tapped a few more keys on the keyboard. “Fine. What do you want?”

Monday, March 29, 2010

Writing ADD #12

Happy Monday! I hope everyone is doing well :) I'm hanging in there. Reacting to something but I'll live.

My dear hubby's birthday is on Wednesday so we went out to lunch with his family at the Mongolian Grill yesterday. It was really good! I need to experiment more with stir fry's. I've never really cooked them - but I love eating at the Mongolian grill so I've gotta be able to figure out a way to cook it yummy at home too right?

I had a decent writing week - here's the report:

Week's Total:
Book Reviews: 6
Letter's Home 1: Completed
Letter's Home 2: Started
Total Words: 2680

The Letter's Home are letter's from my D&D character home to her Mum. I'm publishing them on our team blog. You can find it here if your interested in reading it! We're almost done with the next "day" of play, and I'll finish the second letter as soon as we finalize the day and I know I don't have anything else I want to write :P I've already worked on it some today. Now I need to do some book reviews and work on my other stories... There's just so much I want or need to work on right now!


Saturday, March 27, 2010

Spirit Gate by Kate Elliot


"Spirit Gate" is the first book in the "Crossroads" series by Kate Elliot. I don't remember how I stumbled across her work, but I was captivated by this book, and I'm glad I did!

"Spirit Gate" introduces us to the land of the Hundred. A land that was protected by the immortal Guardians, but no one has seen them for some time. Now the only agents of justice are the Eagle Reeves, humans who have each bonded with a giant eagle and travel the land settling disputes. They have been stretched to their limits and beyond however, and they were never meant to do the job with out the umbrella of the Guardians over them.

Now, due to the absence of the Guardians, the Hundred begins to fall under a dark shadow. Lawlessness begins to break loose, and people actually begin to not only mistrust the Reeves, but to attack them as well! It's a perilous situation and the solution will not come easily.

While this is going on we also meet a young girl named Mai, the flower of her family, she works each day tending their market stall in a land far outside the Hundred. One day a soldier, one of the men occupying her home town, comes to her stall and her world changes forever. Before she quite knows what's happening she finds herself married to the soldier, and along with her father's youngest brother and few slaves, traveling with the soldiers towards the land of the Hundred.

"Spirit Gate" is an epic journey full of plot twists, excellent character development, and plenty to excite the imagination. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and more books by this author for that matter!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Writing ADD #11

I'm so happy! Last week was a really good week - I got a lot done and felt good the vast majority of the week! That translates to the most writing I've gotten done since the beginning of January! Here's the report...

Week's Total:
Book Reviews: 4
Aria's Quest: 1 section
Letter's Home 1: In progress
Poem (ballad): finished
Total Words: 2546

The only thing I'm really disappointed in myself about at all is that I wrote a section for Aria's Quest - but never edited it or published it. Oh well, it'll go up tomorrow.

The "Letter's Home" is something that I'm doing for fun with our D&D group. I'm going to be writing regular letters home to "my mum" from my character Illia. They will talk about what's been happening in the game, and maybe have a few amusing extras. Ya never know! Since it's an online game, things move pretty slowly (because were dependent on people having a chance to log in) so I don't know how often I'll write them. But whenever I finish and publish one on our D&D blog I'll let you know in my weekly ADD post :)

The poem/ballad was something I wrote up spur of the moment for our D&D game. So it's not polished or anything, but I'll share it with you anyway :)

"Ariella was a farmers daughter,
Full of laughter, full of grace,
She was the light of her Papa's eye,
And her Mama's dearest friend.

Everyone loved the farmer's daughter,
Every teacher, clerk, and stranger,
And every boy would stare after her
Hoping she'd smile for them.

Till one day the farmer's daughter,
met a boy with eyes of blue,
His eye's were full of tears,
And she didn't know what to do.

And so that farmer's daughter,
made it her goal to see if,
she could make those eyes of tears,
Clear as the morning sky.

She tried, that farmers daughter,
to tell jokes, and stories gay,
She brought him cakes and pies,
And tried to brighten his day.

Until one day the farmers daughter,
Saw the blue eyes clear of tears,
and so fast you hardly saw it,
a smile crossed his solemn face.

And now the farmers daughter,
is married to that boy so serious,
Who blue eyes are still full,
But full of joy, laughter, and love.

Ariella was a farmers daughter..."

Saturday, March 20, 2010

"Missing Sisters" by Gregory Maguire

Most readers who hear the name "Gregory Maguire" will probably most readily associate him with his book turned into the smash hit musical, "Wicked." Those who are a little more familiar with the rest of his work still probably associate him with the fantasy realm, albeit the edgy, twisted, fringe of fantasy. Since that's all I've read by him, that's what I associated his work with. So when I picked up "Missing Sisters" and say the tag line at the top "Alice never knew she had a twin," and the very realistic picture on the cover, I didn't know what to expect.

I was pleasantly surprised by this novel for young adults from Maguire. It didn't have the same level of edginess that the rest of his work tends to hold. The story is about a 12 year old girl, Alice, who lives in an orphanage run by nuns, and one day accidentally discovers that she was born a twin. Her twin, Miami, and her were separated at some point after their birth and Miami has found a permanent home with a loving family that's bursting at the seams with children.

Life's been a little harsher for little Alice. Alice has a speech impediment, and a bit of a hearing loss, so people tend to assume so she's dumb as well. In actuality Alice is quite a bright little girl who cares deeply about the people she connects with and wrestles with some of the big questions in life about pain and why God allows it.

Considering some of the themes present in his other books I was a little nervous to see how Maguire was going to handle a building full of nuns, and the topic of God and suffering. While there were a few interesting moments, I think he handled quite well, but this is a rather intense book, and while it's intended for young adults, if I were a parent I'd want to read it first and make my own decision about whether or not it's a book my child would enjoy and be ready for.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

"Hunting Ground" is the second in the "Alpha and Omega" series by Patrica Briggs, a companion series to the "Mercy Thompson" novels that I've also written about. In the previous book we met Anna Latham, a rare Omega werewolf, and Charlas Cornick's new mate. Life could be rather tumultuous as they explored their new mate bond, but they did eventually begin to settle into their new life, of course having to kill off that evil witch didn't make things any easier on them.

Married life just isn't destined to be easy for Anna and Charles. Charles is the son of the Marrock, the lead Werewolf of North America, and more than that, he's his father's assassin and enforcer. This has meant that Charles has always kept to himself not wanting to have any weaknesses that anyone else could exploit. Having a mate brings a totally new dimension to his world that this ancient werewolf doesn't quite know how to deal with, but he is working hard to process!

To further complicate matters, Alpha's from all over the world are coming together to discuss the Marrock's plan to reveal the Werewolves existence to the general public. Emotions are running high, and Charles and Anna have gone to the meeting in the Marrock's stead. Unfortunately someone in Seattle has decided to kill Anna.

Meanwhile Anna is still exploring what it means to be an Omega. There are many Omega's in the human population, but it's so rare that they are turned, that it's hard for her to find information on what she can do. One advantage of the conference is that she gets to meet another Omega. He knows even less than she, but just the process of talking to another of her kind helps to broaden their understanding of who they are.

Oh and did I mention there's a nasty fae mixed up in all of this?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Escaping Cabin Fever

One of the Etsy Bloggers current blog themes is Cabin Fever - and it's something I know quite a bit about! With all the health problems I've dealt with over the years I've spent way to much time cooped up inside, and I love being outdoors!

I'm really feeling it this year as Spring starts because it's been a long few months with lots of ups and downs. Days where I felt really good and was really optimistic about my improvement, and days where I was crashed so low I just wanted to cry and give up. So what have I been doing?

Our apartment has a back patio, and I put one of my canvas chairs that my mother in law bought for me to use at craft shows out on the back patio. So now, when I'm feeling cooped up, I can go out there :) I don't always go out there for very long - but it can be nice to breath the fresh air and feel what little sun we're having on my face!

I'm also taking walks when I'm up to it - and I'm hoping to be up to it more often!

When I feel cooped up and being out side just isn't an option, because of weather, I turn to my friends. I have some girls in my life that can always make me laugh and doing something with them (if I'm strong enough) is always a sure fire cure for cabin fever!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Update on Me!

So I hear that some of my friends have been getting rather worried because I've been AWOL from the etsy forums lately, so I decided it was time to do another "hey, this is life" post.

Ok, short back story for anyone new, is that I've been on steroids for my asthma for over two years now because of the severity and frequency. We're finally getting my asthma under some semblance of control due to some other treatments, and as a result, we're working to lower my steroid levels. Cuz those steroids are nasty little buggers that tear your body apart while keeping you alive.

Anyway...we've gotten me down to 14 milligrams on the steroids! Woohoo! The reason I keep disappearing though is that I'm going through lots of withdrawals from the medication. The worst of these is that I've been getting massive migraines. Last week it was so bad that on the worst day I was literally only awake 5 hours out of 24...and that was with out any medications to make me sleepier or anything...

The good news is at this point we've drastically slowed down the rate of reduction on the steroids, so hopefully I'll have another week before I get hit really bad with the withdrawals! I seem to be a lot more stable today. Hoping it lasts!

I do miss all the chatting I used to do. I just haven't been up to it with the way my head has been hurting. Trying to pop in when I can, and on good days, even chat :)

Monday, March 15, 2010

Writing ADD #10

Well, my week started out with great plans, only to get squashed by a three day migraine that left me in bed for the majority of those three days. The first 24 hours I was only awake for about 5 hours total! Crazy. I'm on the upswing again though and hoping this week goes better!

Here's my summary for the week:
Weeks Total:
Book Reviews: 3
Aria's Quest: 1 section
Total Words: 1291

Goals for this week:
~ Continue to write book reviews
~ Write and publish another section of Aria's Quest
~ Work on my "Water" story.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Aria's Quest - Getting Help

Section 4
Searching for Molly
Part 5
Getting Help

When Aria left the church she considered trying to find Robyn, but she decided to stop by the apartment first and let Gina and Darryl know what was going on. They always had good advice, and they might even know where Robyn was. It was the best decision she could have made, because Robyn was actually at the apartment visiting his adoptive parents when she got back!
Aria flew in with a rush and said, “Oh Robyn! I’m so glad to see you! I was going to stop in and talk to Gina and Darryl for a few minutes and then come looking for you!”

“It’s always great to see you too, but why the extra excitement this time? Why are you looking for me?”

“I need your help.” Aria was so focused on her goal that she didn’t even consider building up to that statement. Robyn clutched at his chest in response, pretending to be in pain.

“Oh, so it’s not really me you want is it lassie? You want my services!”

“Well yes, but you’re the only one I know who can help! So you see, it really is you I want.” Aria said with a small stamp of her foot on the table top that the two fairies had come to a rest on.
Gina and Darryl exchanged an amused glance before Gina spoke up.

“How about if you tell us all what you need help with deary? Maybe poor Robyn would have less cause to pretend to be wounded then.”

“Pretend? How could you say such a thing?”

“I’m your mother boy, don’t try to fool me.”
Robyn’s grin was anything but contrite as he took a seat on table, pulling Aria down with him.

“Yes ma’am. Now Aria, we’re all ears, what’s so important? Is it something to do with Joey?”

“Yah. Did Gina tell you that I figured out what I need to help him with?”

“She mentioned you had figured it out, but she was going to let you explain it.”

“Ok,” Aria said as she took a deep breath and launched into an explanation about Molly and Joey’s search for her. Gina and Darryl listened in fascination as well because Aria now had a lot more detail than she’d had when she left that morning. As Aria finished up she turned to Robyn and said, “I’m hoping you know some people who might be able to dig up some more information that Joey was able to find.”

Robyn gave her a solemn smile (for once) and said, “I think I do know a few people. We can even go visit some of them tonight after dinner.”

“Really?” Aria was delighted, she had hoped, but she had also been afraid that Robyn wouldn’t be able to help her, and she hadn’t known what she’d do next if he couldn’t help.

“Really.” Robyn turned to Gina, “Mum, can I join you guys for dinner? Something smells wonderful”

“Of course you can laddie. Your always welcome here. Let me just go check on the stew and put the rolls in the oven.”

Monday, March 8, 2010

Writing ADD #9

I actually have good news to report! I didn't meet my goals this last week, but I did REALLY good considering my best friend was in town for the week and I spent most of last week either spending time with her or recovering from the energy spent while spending time with her!

What does that mean? Well I didn't get any of the writing done on Aria's Quest or my Water story...but I did get 6 book reviews written! One out of three goals is at least something right? And I've already worked on Aria's Quest this morning, so all I need to do is some editing tomorrow and it WILL be published. The other good news is that, between one thing or another, I managed to write more words this last week than I have since January! I keep a spreadsheet of what I accomplish each week and that was really exciting to see.

Goals/Plans for this week:
1. Keep working on catching up on book reviews (I have 10 books sitting on the floor behind me).
2. Publish Aria's Quest. Write the segment for next week.
3. Work on my Water story.

Do you have any writing goals for this week?

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Have you Ever Done That? by Julie Larios

Pictures by Anne Hunter

"Have You Ever Done That?" is a delightful children's picture book full of fun and fantastic things that a child might do. The pictures are pastoral and the ideas are things that a child might do if they are fortunate to grow up away from the hustle and bustle of the city streets. Some of the ideas get a little fantastic, but I love her first suggestion that she also wraps up the book with, sleeping outside on a hot summer night!

Reading this book made me think of my own child hood and the hours spent out doors exploring different nooks and crannies. I was fortunate enough to grow up on a quarter acre of land, and there was plenty to foster the imagination! I remember digging forts in the dirt, running barefoot in the grass, hiding in the trees, and of course climbing everything that I could!

Spending time with my cousin gave me even more opportunities to explore the great out doors. Their land was wild, and perfect for creating fantasy lands. We'd swing on their tire swing, climb the cherry tree and spit the pits and her brothers, and race around on our bikes like little animals. I also loved their dogs, I never got to have a dog of my own, so I loved their dogs all the more!

Have you ever done that? Played wild and free in the trees? Given yourself over to childhood in utter abandon? Have you ever done that?

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Ever by Gail Carson Levine

I was first introduced to Gail Carson Levine by my former room mate when she handed me "Ella Enchanted" and told me I would fall in love with it. She was right, and I then proceeded to devour the rest of her small collection of Levine's work. This was several years ago, before the movie came out, and before Levine had very many books out there. Recently I decided to look her up again, and I ordered the first book I saw listed under her name, "Ever."

"Ever" while still a beautiful story, is very different from the other books I've read by Levine. The story is still full of magic, romance, and imagination, but doesn't have the flavor of European fairy tales that the other books I've read by her had. This book has more of an Arabic feel to it. It threw me a little at first, but as I got into the book I began to really enjoy it!

In "Ever" we meet Olus, the Akkan god of winds, and Kezi, the mortal he falls in love with. Now I know the "god falls in love with mortal" story has been done a million times over, but I think Levine did a really good job at taking this from her own unique perspective and creating a story that will captivate you and keep you turning the pages!

Kezi's Father has foolishly sworn an oath that accidentally leads to requiring Kezi's death. When Olus learns of this he desperately begins to try to find a way to save Kezi's life. This leads the two of them on a quest that will test both of them and make them face their greatest fears to discover their true strength.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Vale of the Vole by Piers Anthony


"Vale of the Vole" is the next book in the continuing Xanth series by Piers Anthony. I love this series for so many reasons! Anthony has incredibly inventive mind, and he's created a diverse world in Xanth that is full of unlimited possibilities, which he proves over and over with each new book he writes!

The book stars Esk, the son of Smash Ogre and Tandy Nymph, and Chex, the daughter of Xap Hippograph and Chem Centaur, as well as Volney Vole, a totally new character to the series! Well, the other two are new as well, but they are descended from characters that we know and love. That's one of the things I like about this series, Anthony keeps things fresh and moving along by bringing in the children of previous characters!

Esk is on a mission to ask the Good Magician how to get rid of a seductive demoness who has invaded his hiding place. Along the way he meets Chex, who is mostly a centaur, but has wings thanks to her hippograph father. She's also looking for the Good Magician wanting to learn how she can fly, because her wings are not big enough to support her mass. The two of them meet up with Volney Vole, who is on a mission from the Vale of Voles trying to find out how they can get rid of the demons who have over run the vale and ruined their paradise.

One major problem though, the Good Magician has disappeared! Now it's up to our three adventurers to come up with their own solutions to their problems. Which is something they usually have to do after they receive their answer, but they usually at least have their answer from the Good Magician to guide them!

Along the way our friends make even more friends! We meet Marrow the Skeleton, Bria Brassie, and Latia Curse Fiend. We also get to meet up with some of our old friends from previous books! The one thing that doesn't get resolved in this book, though, is what happened to the Good Magician? I'm hoping we find out in the next book!

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

February Round Up

Last month was a difficult month. I lost my Granny and I've been going through medication withdrawals as we work me down to a lower dose. So I didn't post very consistently, but there is always hope for this month!

Personal:

Writing:

Book Reviews:

Here's to a less stressful month during March - and more productivity!

Writing ADD #8

Once again I didn't have a very good week writing. *sigh* Again, it was due to circumstances beyond my control! Part of it was just being way to busy (and some of that was very unexpected) and part of it was due to exhaustion. This last week I've been super tired, but I just thought it was emotions and doing too much. I didn't realize until yesterday that a good portion of it is the withdrawals from the steroids I've been on for my asthma. Apparently my adrenals have been mostly shut down for the last two years and now they are trying to learn to work again. So it could be a month or more until I start feeling energy again.

That fact was hard to assimilate, but knowing that also gives me a bit more incentive to push myself. Because if I don't nothing is going to get done in the next month, and that's not acceptable to me. Don't worry, I'll give myself breaks too and let myself get a ton of sleep!

Accomplished this week:
~ 2 book reviews

Goals for this next week:
~ Write and Publish a segment of Aria's Quest! (that's what I'm grumpiest about not accomplishing last week)
~ Catch up on ridiculously high pile of book reviews at least somewhat.
~ Work on my "Water" story.

The good news is that the "Water" story is an idea that came to me yesterday and I jotted down a page of notes on in my planner, and I've already written one book review this morning! So I'm on the path to success for this week - now we just have to see what actually happens.

Monday, March 1, 2010

If I Could Be:


If I were a month I’d be July
If I were a day I’d be Saturday
If I were a time of day I’d be the late night
If I were a planet I’d be Pluto

If I were a sea animal I’d be a mermaid
If I were a direction I’d be north
If I were a piece of furniture I’d be a big soft chair
If I were a liquid I’d be mocha coffee

If I were a gem stone I’d be amethyst
If I were a tree I’d be a dog wood

If I were a tool I’d be a small nosed pliers
If I were a flower I’d be a rose

If I were an element of weather I’d be a sunny day
If I were a musical instrument I’d be a guitar
If I were a color I'd be purple

If I were an emotion I’d be perky

If I were a fruit I’d be a strawberry
If I were a sound I’d be laughter
If I were an element I'd be wind

If I were a car I’d be an old truck

If I were a food I’d be chocolate
If I were a place I’d be South America
If I were a material I'd be cashmere

If I were a taste I’d be yummy

If I were a scent I’d be vanilla

If I were a body part I’d be eyes
If I were a facial expression I'd be a smile
If I were a song I’d be something belted out from the heart.

If I were a bird I'd be an eagle

If I were a gift I'd be a book
If I were a street I'd be a street in Venice

If I were a city I'd be Portland
If I were a door I'd always be open

If I were a pair of shoes I’d be flipflops

And what would you be?

(Note: I got this cool little thing from my friend Lori
- and I was surprised at how many of her answers fit me perfectly!)