Generational Care

I sat there smoking with my friend Heather after making a batch of cookies with Pam and Evan. At first, the intention was popcorn balls. But after consulting Google about how to freeze popcorn balls people posted that popcorn is not good to freeze. When it thaws out is makes the popcorn balls soggy; something my dad on the way home tonight commenting on how that happens with bread too. I walked in and place my baking bag; nothing more then those green bags Shaws sells near checkout.. or was it Wal-Mart?, anyways, on the table aside the basket of folded up laundry. Which I later put onto the chair next to the window spotting an updated application to look like it was stained glass, very nice indeed. I starting pulling the stuff out on the table that we would need. I took the vanilla out of my bag along with the baking soda and the stick of butter, and grabbed one out of the fridge and placed it on the sideboard. Nikki was doing dishes with one part of the headphones on her ear and the other side was lifted up, so she could listen to her ipod and also here what is going on around her.

Pam throws a small outburst because Nikki and I decide it would be better activity for their school vacation. So then resumed wiping dishes while Evan was upstairs cleaning his room and moving the toys into the closet. I went up to check on him. I stood at the top of stairs and listened...there was noise, but as I peered around the bend of the wall he was on one side toys and belongings scattered around the floor. I told him five minutes. I went downstairs and started with Pam with the 2 eggs, tsp vanilla, dash of salt, tsp baking soda , 2 sticks or 1 cup of butter thawed,and 3/4 cup of white and brown sugars. Pam cracked the eggs on the side of the table, after I told her it would be wiser to do this over the sink...she opened it over the sink, but still cracked on the table. "No shells" she said. Next she added the rest of the other ingredients and Evan came down to do 1 stick of butter and mix while he and I added 2 1/2 cups of flour. Next they spooned in 1/2 bag of chocolate chips and 1/2 bag peanut butter chips and licked their spoons and started working on the beaters. "Sometimes the batter is better then the cookie" Pam said. Then Evan and Pam had their own pan and spooned the dough and put them in a 375 oven for ten minutes.

The first batch, because of the oven temperature, were burned on the bottoms. The second batch went into the over lowered to 325 for 10minutes and placed the cookie sheet on the third notch. I allowed Pam and Evan they could have two cookies and the spoon/bowl, but they need to do the dishes after. Each taking turns did all the dishes - except the pans which I did. The second batch came out perfectly browned and chewy. Reminder to always take them out a little sooner then a recipe calls for. Insert a toothpick or knife into one of the cookies gently and pull back. If it comes out clear, chocolate or peanut butter does not count, clear. We put them on the table and scooped them into a bag moments later.

So, upstairs I was finishing a cup of coffee and smoking a cigarette. Heather tells me of the classes she wants to take... I am not sure if she thought the company was going to pay for them all or what, Principles of Supervision and something else. I then got a phone call from Amy, my dad needed a ride because he was at my grandfathers.

Meanwhile on the other cell phone, Becky called as Pam brought i up to me. So i sat there in the chair with Amy talking in my left ear and Becky in my right ear. "Ok" I say "I'll pick up dah at papae's house in twenty minutes." After I finish my coffee and Allison tells me about her current cheerleading practices, I proclaim I must go to pick up my dad. I got to my grandfather's house and pulled in behind my grandfathers car. I walk up the stairs and into the hall, my dad and grandfather are there. "Are you ready" I ask my dad. "Yup" he responds. We get into my car and it is silent, besides Ryan Seacrest's American Top 40 playing.

"You still making popcorn calls?" "No, we decided to make cookies instead. I guess popcorn balls don't freeze well. They come out soggy after you thaw them out." I tell him while adjusting the heater in the car.

"Bread is like that to." he stated. Then we start to talk about papae. John is working/driving and is away. I tell my dad who is watching out for papae, he needs a chauffeur or someone to care for him some. What happens if he goes outside and slips on some ice. My dad confessed to papae eating premade stuff, nothing homemade, which is sad. Mamae always was cooking something. just sits there in the kitchen and nukes up something in the microwave.

"I always remembered the table being full of different kinds of food when I ate over. Now Papae needs to go into some sort or retirement home. There are people his age to socialize with, which is good. Who does the shopping anyways?" I ask my dad.

"John probably; all he eats is ready made stuff." Something my dad has always become aware in his home. My mother does not cook; her current food choices are: noodle soup, egg noodles with friend onions, fried hamburger buns with mustard, or microwavable french fries.

"Well I thinks it was nice of you to bring papae home; we don't need him a ditch r anything" I tell my father as we pull into the parking lot and I walk into my room passing: Aunt Tina, Uncle Romeo, Marie, Becky and her kids, and start writing while listening to Amsterdam Dance Event Tunes 2008 .

Daunting Dreams

I sit here in front of the computer screen waiting on the coffee to finish brewing.

Creative Writing Summary

Karen E. Bender -- writing

In Bender's writing piece, Refund, we go through a story where a middle aged couple with child in financial distress come up with a plan to help there finances. They will rent their apartment which is close to the towers for $3000 for a month. They receive an email and a the money, while the occupant, Kim, stays in their home for ten days the Twin Towers go away will 9-11.


Kim decides to leave early because of all the stress and mess. She sends Clarissa, the mother, an email demanding that she refund her money in full. Clarissa becomes a worried after the harassment continues. Clarissa sends an email back at the price she thinks is appropriate for the amount of time she actually spent. This does nothing with Kim, who ups the refund amount to $54,200 at the end of the story. Kim tells Clarissa that she will not stop the harassment until she gets her money.

I found this story enjoyable and easy reading. The little drama of a refund goes a long way to carry this story through to the end. Bender's writing is done well as you can see she has practiced a lot, and like to talk about love, politics and religion.

My Pet Taur

I was overjoyed with the news come by father in a letter from the north when I was ten. The letter said I was old enough to get my own pet and would have to choose amongst the great pets in the land. Father brought me on his Trojan horse to the druid master, Lychen, to choose.

We rode two days until we came to l’Acadie, where the druid master lives. “Cen, my dear boy, may have one pet from all the great pets I have encountered in my travels” Lychen said with his cold blue eyes. I looked and saw a room full of great creatures.

Tucked away in the corner he saw a sparkle and he knew he must have him. The steed was my age. “Father I want this one” I exclaimed with excitement in my eyes. He stood there sipping water from the fountain.

“His name is Taur” Lichen said as he same over to me and put his hand on my shoulder. “He has great power and one day that power when the time is right will become part of you. Here is a special saddle be careful”

I rode along side father on Taur. He was white with big strong legs and a headband encased with purple jewels. Taur jumped around with glee as he told me about where he was from. Taur grew up in the outskirts where the water crosses the path of the Indians. When his home had burned down Lychen rode by and saved him from the flames of death. That’s why he had the headband. With the jewels encased he could perform healing and protect his owner just as Lychen had for him.

Upon arriving home I took Taur around the camp to show my friends. They commented that he was a little off compared to the great hunting pets they had and couldn’t see past the jewels as they made fun of him. “Come Taur it’s getting late, father will worry.”

Mom and I made a special bed of hay for Taur next to my bunk. I sat there all night watching Taur sleep.

When I was thirteen a great storm had come, I had fallen off the roof helping father getting our home ready. I was paralyzed from my waist down. The doctors told me that I would have to wait to see if I got any use of my legs again. They did not. Taur told me that it was time the moon would rise tonight and tomorrow I would be able to walk again. He told me I would be great with hunting and to not be frightened.

The next morning I awoke. I didn’t feel any different until I stood up. Taur was gone. “Taur… Taur … where are you?”

“I am inside little Cen. Do not be frightened. Together with my great legs and your body we have become one as my father did years before. We shall be called Centaur.”