Here is a little teaser from Harmoni's book. I have left her spelling and usage errors in since we haven't "edited" this section yet. I use her mistakes to teach grammar, spelling, etc.


ch 18 THE DUEL

As they disapeared Katie felt a pang of sadness and regret. As she turned to find Bobby she ran into jennifer. "Jennifer, have you seen Bobby?"she asked.

"Yes he's in the practice ring." Jennifer replied.

"Thank you".

She ran down the hall, she ran until she came to a dead end. "What...what is happening?" she asked herself.

"It is simple,"came familiar voice.

"Mike"she whispered.

"yes, thats right katie, I did this."

"why?"

So we could have a private fight."

"Alright, we will,"

"Good, get her a sword."

Clank. She turned around and there he was, just standing there wearing the false kings symbol. She took a deep breath and picked up the sword. You can do this Katie, you can.

Now, this is an 11 year old who didn't learn to read on her own until she was 8 1/2. She loved being read to, still does, but she just didn't care about reading. She was much more interested in numbers and music so I left her alone. Just when Dad and I were beginning to feel our commitment to following her natural learning rhythms, she decided she was ready to read on her own. Within a year, she was reading everything in sight up through junior high level. I really think her primary motivation for wanting to read was because she had all these amazing stories in her head and she wanted to be able to get them written down. Don't get me wrong, she doesn't write like an adult. But she sure writes like a pretty darn clever and imaginative 11 year old8o)

And while we are on the subject of Harmoni, the kid is growing like Jack's beanstalk!! She is now 5'7" and is outgrowing her size 12 shoes! I'm so sick of her having to wear ugly old mens' socks that I've decided to knit her some pretty socks. Socks are not my favorite thing to knit but by golly my little girl is going to have some socks that look like little girl socks once in a while!

I have a new favorite quote. I heard it on, of all things, Men in Trees! Now, I love Men in Trees but it is usually a pretty light diversion, not exactly deep, kwim? But this past episode, a character named Jerome had sort of an epiphany I suppose about who or what he had let himself become. It showed him looking at pictures of himself as a young man looking very successful and happy with important people. He is currently the town character that sits around the bar making pithy remarks. Follow me? Anyway, after his epiphany or whatever, he is sitting at a bookstore in a suit, all shaved and cleaned up and reads the following quote to a lady:

"The greatest loss of all, the loss of oneself, happens very quietly in the world as if it were nothing at all. No other loss occurs so quietly." ~~Kierkegaard

That hit me like a ton of bricks. In the middle of this light, fun show I was suddenly reflecting on how true that was. Nuff said lest I go on for days. Keep me as well as ol' Jerome (or his archetype) in your prayers that what was lost may be found. And may you all pay attention to who and what you are. Don't let it slip away. Be the person you truly mean to be.

Ryley's first Halloween. She was totally, seriously NOT impressed. Trey and Braiden had a great time. But then, they got to eat their candy... Mommy and Daddy took all of Ryleys8o) Gini opted not to go this year. She is 13 and I figured it was her call. Harmoni probably looked 13 to people (the kid is 5'7"!!) but she is just 11 and I guess she is now the last trick or treater amongst my kids. Unless you count Bonni (the one in the hat); she and her friends trick or treating was on a whole different level8O