Monday, October 24, 2011

Are you Proud of your Country?

 Author's Note: This is a piece I wrote in response to the question, "Are  you proud of your country."

When your country is killing people from different countries can you be proud? When it is  for the good of your country can you be proud?  I can say that I am proud of my country but don't believe in every choice that is made.  This is true in the situation of Bin Laden.  He did hurt America but did we need to kill him and dispose of his body in the ocean? This is one decision I'm not sure I agree with.

I am proud of America because when other countries are in times of grief we help. Whether it is donating money or actually going over to the country to give physical support.  In the instance of Haiti's natural disaster where a lot of money was donated but also we helped rebuild the country.

I am proud of America because of the ability to practice your own  beliefs.  There are many different religions and beliefs throughout the country and each one can be practiced freely.  In many other countries this is not the case -- they are forced to practice one religion and all have the same beliefs.

I am proud of America  because I can speak my opinion freely.  I can say why I don't always agree with the choices of our country. I am proud to call America my home.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Short Story Hook

Author's Note: Is a short story hook that I wrote. I was given three cards with the setting, conflict, and characters. The character's are Old man Leroy and the little boy. The setting is in the kitchen sink with a little boy laughing, and the Conflict is the little boy crashes a wagon.


"Ahhh" screamed the little boy laughing as he zoomed past down the street on his little red wagon.
 Old man Leroy saw the whole situation happen as he was washing himself in the kitchen sink -- that's a whole other story itself.  Leroy jumped out of the kitchen sink right after he heard the crash of the wagon. He ran out  the door to find the wagon crashed against a tree but no sign of the boy.
From inside the house he could here his wife laughing and pointing at him. He looked down and realized he was still wearing his red speedo from water aerobic classes.

"Well at least I'm wearing something ," Old man Leroy said while blushing through his wrinkly skin.
There was still no sign of the boy so Old man Leroy went on a search in his red speedo.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

A Haunted House?


As Halloween nears Megan, Emily, and Anna start mapping out their trick o' treating plan. They figure out how many houses they can go to in the least amount of time. Most importantly they pick the houses that give the most candy.

As they map out their trick o’ treating route they realize that they have never been to Ms. Munster house.  There is a reason they have never been there -- she is the meanest old lady in town.  No one has rang her door bell in over 20 years because of the rumor. It is said that a little boy went, rang her door bell, and wasn’t found until weeks later.  No one dares going up the hill to Ms. Munster’s house.  The three girls all agree that they are old enough and brave enough to make the trip.  They plan it as the last stop, so if she tries to kidnap them, they will be able to use their bags of candy as weapons.

As Halloween is just around the corner, the girls get more and more nervous for their trip to Ms. Munster’s house. They have kept it a secret from everyone, including their parents. On Halloween they could barely sit still during school they were so anxious. After school as they were getting into their costumes they questioned if they should go --- but after back and forth debating they came to an agreement that they should go.

They said good bye to their parents; not knowing if it would be their last, and ran out the door.  They got through the whole neighborhood and started on their way to Ms. Munster’s. All three of the girls’ stomachs were queasy with fear. As the house came into sight all that was in their mind was fear.  

The house looked haunted in the dark. It had peeling paint, the grass wasn’t cut, windows were broken, and no lights were on. “Maybe no one is home,” Emily said quivering.
“Someone is home,” Anna said, “She never leaves her house.”

They held each other tight as they started up the driveway. Each of them took a deep breath and Megan stepped forward and rang the door bell. At first no one came to the door, so they rang it again. This time Anna rang it. They stood outside Ms. Munster’s door shivering. Just then they a black cat with yellow eyes peered through the window at them. Following it was the shortest hunched over old lady they had ever seen. She opened the door and all the girls froze; not knowing what was going to happen next.
“Trick o’ treat,” the girls all said in unison all gripping their bags of candy.

“Come in girls,” Ms. Munster said, slightly suspicious.

The girls glanced at each other, and then they slowly walked into the house. They could smell something cooking -- was she going to cook them for dinner?

“Are you going to eat us?” Emily asked.
“Eat you? Who do you think I am,” said the old lady starting to chuckle.
“We have heard rumors about the kid that came to your house and wasn’t seen for weeks.”
The old lady looked confused but then started to laugh. “I was taking care of my grandson that day. That day he came done with chicken pox so he had to stay in bed for a while. That’s why no one saw him, and my house looks scary because my husband died a few years back and I don’t have anyone to take over it.”

The girls felt so bad for believing all of the rumors. Ms. Munster offered them a cup of hot chocolate and told them all about her grandkids and husband. They promised her they would help her take of her house, and visit as often as possible.

When they went back to school they told everyone that the rumors weren’t true and that they needed people to help fix up her house and keep her company. They had almost everyone at their school volunteer to help her with something.

Ms. Munster was so happy that everyone was helping her. They cut her grass, fixed her windows, repainted the house, and even planted her a garden.
Every Halloween they make sure they don’t forget to put Ms. Munster’s house on their trick o’ treating route.