A Winter Sunset

There is just something about it. The sun setting behind an array of snow covered trees. The sky is relieved of its grayness for a moment when the warm colors of the setting sun fill it. The birds chirp, families come inside, and supper time is near, as every stomach tells so. The work traffic increases, the evening news comes on, and suddenly all that has happened that day is thought over. It may only happen once a day, so try watching while you can. 

New York in November

A couple weeks ago, I went to New York for the first time. I embarked on a one day bus trip with my Aunt to New York. So I packed my mini suitcase tight full of clothes, and headed off to my Grandma's house. I stayed their for a couple days, until 12:00 AM on Saturday after Thanksgiving. I was woken up and half asleep got in my Aunt's car to drive to the bus lot, to go to New York. By 2:00 AM, we were well on our way. I don't remember much, except for the fact that my pillow and blanket kept freezing to the window, because of how cold it was. And apparently, I was snoring, so yay. After many, many hours of driving we finally we had arrived. I was woken suddenly out of my sleep by Aunt urging me to look at the sun as it rose over the skyline. It was like a movie, but better. We were dropped off at a park that was probably the ugliest park I've ever seen, but what the heck, we were in New York City. Very few people were out walking at this time of the morning. The streets were quiet, but the air was nippy and the wind was frigid. We scrambled to find a place that was warm and offered some food for breakfast. After, we walked around for a while we found Starbucks. I was relieved to sit down, as we neared the shop. But to my disappointment, they didn't have any where you could sit, they only had bar like tables attached to the walls, where you could stand and eat. But at least we were warm, hahaha. My Aunt and I walked to Rockefeller center and watched the families and couples skate in the freezing weather. I saw the NYPD, and yes I heard one talk and he had an accent. We went inside and looked at shops and talked. Later that evening, my Aunt and I went to see a show at Radio City Music Hall. The streets got louder and busier as the day aged and it became more and more obvious that I was not at home any more. A jazz band in the subway station played tunes, while I got a donut. Lots of walking and skipping, and darting had been done through out the evening, but by the night I was worn out. Our bus wasn't coming for an hour or so, so we walked back to the ugly park and there in the night, little shops made mostly of glass were scattered throughout it. Christmas ornament shops, homemade soap shops, even wooden kitchen items, and ice skating was included in this tiny park. There was still some time left so we walked across the street to what looked to be a book store. When we got close to the sign, we realized it was a Japanese book store. But because of the freezing conditions, we went in anyway. hahaha. Thankfully, they had some English books too. The bus arrived at 8:00 PM, I think and I was glad to be on it, but couldn't believe my one day in New York was gone.  

December

the cold

is like the spanking we got as children

it is bitter in the moment

our breath is swept from us

but just think something as cruel as the cold

could only exist if we knew something better

the warmth that ravels us in spoils

has got us thirsting for its sweet taste

as the winter sets in

the ground is coated in white cake

it bites our toes as we walk down the street

the air is robust and fat with ice

that when it hits us

we are shriveled and frightened

the people rally and stare at the cold

no matter what it does 

we shall celebrate

this is the day of Christmas

Sweet smell of pine trees lined across the road

makes a smile form on children and old

Bulbs sway in the freezing wind

but never let go of the tree

Children wait and look through all the goodies and toys

hoping they may receive one

to get through the artcic storm

 Grannies and Grampas all happy at heart

homes full of parties and snacks

their stomachs full with cheer and ham

the nativity scene that is cuddled in the corner of the block

shines brightest of all on this night

now some may say the cold is too cold 

and should go away

but think about this

perhaps you'll consider

that without the cold 

this wouldn't be winter

Ñövémbêr

So its already November. The leaves have mostly fallen, the days are shorter, and the cold weather is nippy. I am making pumpkin pancakes tonight and planning on watching a movie. I have to say fall is my favorite. You can have all the pumpkin stuff you want, stay inside in a blanket listening to music and smelling fall candles burning, and getting to turn heat on in your house. What are some of your fall favorites?

Fall To Do List

Found this online thought I'd get through as many as possible.

Drink apple cider.
Make a friendship bracelet and send it to your friend.
Start or update a checking account.
Plan a Harvest Party.
Plan a fun filled trick with friends.
Hike a rail trail and check out the fall foliage.
Ride a trail on a ATV.
Stuff a scarecrow.
Take a picture looking up into a fall foliage tree with your cell phone and send it to a friend.
Write a note to a friend that is far away.
Leave a motivational quote on a friend's social networking page.
Write a thank you note to someone who has helped you.
Make falling leaves earrings.
Visit a corn maze.
Make a blue jean craft for school.
Eat candy corn.
Take a hunters safety course and go hunting.
Attend a school football game.
Attend a high school soccer game.
Attend a school field hockey game.
Attend a volleyball game.
Learn a new make-up trick.
Offer free babysitting for one night to someone who could use the break.
Take pictures of the fall foliage.
Join a new school club or invite someone new to a club you are in.
Picnic at a local park.
Have an overnight movie marathon.
Have a bonfire/campfire complete with marshmallows.
Bike five miles
Sketch a tree that is losing its leaves.
Play in a pile of leaves.
Volunteer in a community effort for your local food pantry.
Camp in your backyard.
Visit the local library and ask what is coming in that you may be interested in.
Sit or look outside and write a poem.
Sit or look outside and write a song.
Sit or look outside and write a play.
Start your novel.
Make a website.
Give your social networking page a fall look.
Friend someone famous on your social networking page.
Write in your journal, "My Top Ten Favorite Fall Activities".
Get your community's events list for the fall and attend an event.
Get a new hairdo.
Watch last year's cool fall flick on DVD.
Go to this year's cool fall flick in the theater.
Make a leaf t-shirt.
Make a fall leaf shaped collage out of fall fashion magazines.
Go pumpkin picking.
Go on a hayride.
Take your dog/pet for a mile-long walk.
Clean out and organize your junk drawer so you have room for this school year's junk.
Create a sidewalk mural with chalk, use a fall theme.
Have a fall color scavenger hunt.
Make a Taffy Apple Pizza Dessert for your family.
Write in your journal: "10 Things I'm Thankful For".
Got a sibling in college? Send them a goofy picture.
Read something that moves you emotionally.
Read something funny.
Take a poll of your friends on something you feel is an important issue.
Do a crossword puzzle.
Put together a jigsaw puzzle.
Learn one thing about your favorite actor/actress that you didn't already know.
Roast pumpkin seeds.
Collect pine cones for the holidays.
Make a new after school snack.
Start a new healthy habit.
Visit a historical site.
Play hopscotch.
Organize a yard sale.
Organize your favorite links.
Add a folder for homework help sites to your favorite links.
Add a folder for sites on a new interest to your favorite links.
Think of three ways you can make your life better. Employ at least one of them.
Create a family newsletter to send to your whole family.
Create a cartoon character.
Hug your parent, a friend and yourself.
Play Apples to Apples.
Join a book club.
Experiment and decide what way is the best way to eat leftover turkey - journal it.
Carve a Pumpkin.
Make a dream catcher.
Paint a funny face on a pumpkin.
Make place cards for dinner.
Change something about your bedroom.
Give your email signature a fall look.
Paint your nails in a fall color - toenails too!
Make Apple Cinnamon Lip Gloss.
Take a bath in Autumn Peach Bath Salts.
Create a school friends scrapbook album.
Learn how to make a favorite family recipe.
Write out your school holiday schedule on the family calendar.

Sweet 16

Well I'm 16. One day I've been looking forward to for forever. I have to say being 16 is not all that the movies make it out to be. What makes a birthday special is the ones who care about you showing up and celebrating with you. My family came and it meant a lot for them to show up. I feel the same sort of but a lot of things have happened this year, which have made me feel more like an adult. 1. I got a job! I now work at chickfila. I am surprised I got hired considering I said the word crap while talking to manger interviewing me. Hahaha, my bad. 2. I go to public school! Now this may not seem hard to majority of people, but for me it was like going into a warzone. I had never gone to public school and thought I'd get beet up or bullied, but so far its not that bad. 3. I can get my permit! The fact that I can drive is crazy. I am going to get my permit this month I think. So ya I will be driving my parent's minivan. Or a bike. That's about it.

Photos taken by my Mamaw. 

Trees or'e the Mountains