Things we take for granted

I am sitting here enjoying a small cup of applesauce and remembering that I really do like applesauce and how much I've missed eating it and I thought that I had taken for granted the fact that my wonderful friend made jars and jars of homemade applesauce and I never eat it.

Then I started thinking about all the things I take for granted and the things others might take for granted that I value.

Take for instance the sense of smell. More often than not people take this wonderful sense for granted. They spend more time complaining about how bad things smell than enjoying the good scents in life.

I don't have this problem because my sense of smell is not functional. I have had the absolutely wonderful opportunity to smell seven things in my entire life. Of those items only two have been food and two were spices. The only scent I have been able to continuousely smell is peppermint. When I catch that brief hint of something wonderful I go crazy trying to find out what it is so I can remember it if I ever happen to smell it again.

On the other hand I have a friend whose sense of smell is overwhelming to the point that just the wrong fragrance can give her a headache.

Two opposite ends of the spectrum and two completely different views of life. I don't have hardly any memories attached to smell and she has a plethora of them. Smell doesn't draw me to food and all she has to do is smell it and she wants it.

How often do we take something like this for granted. I probably take the fact that something stinks and doesn't bother me for granted. When everyone around me is miserable I am oblivious. :)

So the next time you are enjoying something think about what you have and don't take it for granted.

And more books

So I have been thinking a lot about books lately, as you've all probably noticed and I realized that I haven't really given very many recommendations of books that I've read and enjoyed. So here are a few more to consider.

In the fantasy and fairytale world there is a series of novels call the Books of Bayern by Shannon Hale. The first is The Goose Girl. It is a wonderful retelling of the Grimm fairy tale. There are four books in the series and each one coveres a different character, but you still have interaction with your original characters.

As you may have noticed I am a fan of series. I guess I just like to get a little bit more if I like the characters that I am reading about. So if you are like this too then you will enjoy these books.

Shannon Hale has also written a few other stand alone novels including a delightful tale called The Princess Academy.

Another author I have enjoyed reading in the mystery and suspense world is Phyllis A Whitney. She writes exciting novels that have a wonderful twist of romance, but keep you on edge and anxious for what will happen next. She has been one of my favorite authors since I was a teen and I think I might have read every book she wrote.

So there are two of my suggestions for books to read. Enjoy, but come back soon. :)

What greater witness...than from God?

So I was reading my scriptures yesterday and in one of the lessons I read I came upon this scripture reference that really made me think about my own testimony and witness. 

Doctrine and Covenants 6:23

 21 Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the ^aSon of God. I am the same that came unto mine ^bown, and mine own received me not. I am the^clight which shineth in ^ddarkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.

 22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might ^aknow concerning the truth of these things.

 23 Did I not speak ^apeace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater ^bwitness can you have than from God?

How many times do we question our own testimonies of truth or fall to unholy paths in search of a witness that we have already received. Even I have fallen prey to that old trick of Satan's.

I am so grateful for the scriptures and the lessons we read and learn in and out of church. If it hadn't been for these wise words from a prophet of God then I wouldn't have had the opportunity to remember the beautiful experience I had when I gained my own personal witness of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Followers of Galashad 9

Check out the last chapter of The Followers of Galashad.

The Shadow 6

Marissa entered her house breathless from her dash. She had taken the most round-a-bout way home to make sure she wasn’t followed. Her heart pounded in her chest at what she had heard and seen. There was another woman out there who was just as invisible as she was and yet she couldn’t change and Marissa could.

She pondered what the difference could be as she removed her Shadow clothing and put on her nightgown. As she reassumed her normal role as Lady Edgington she watched her skin and face become visible. 

That must be the answer, she thought. 

She had two lives and when she was dosed she was playing the life of the Shadow. As Lady Edgington she was seen by anyone who chose to look. This woman must not have been so fortunate. Marissa also recalled that she had been given the second dose and not the first. If this woman had been given a first dose that might also explain the difference.

Then she thought about Jarvis’ instructions to find the Shadow. She shivered. She would have to remain aloof from her night job for a time.

She crawled into bed and lay restless for several hours before falling into a fitful sleep. When she awakened she was dead tired and cross. Eliza came in to help her dress and she made her way groggily down to the dining room for breakfast. Sean was already there waiting with her schedule of activities for the day.

“I’m not in the mood for social calls today, Sean,” she said grumpily.

He waited until the servants had left before responding. “You should think about that before taking to the streets at night, Lady,” he said sarcastically.

In a very unladylike way she stuck out her tongue at him. He only smiled.

“You have an appointment with Lady Cameron at eleven for tea and then the aid society at three,” he continues ignoring her manners. “There is also Sir Barton’s ball tonight. Dinner is at seven and your distinguished presence is requested.”

She made a face. “I’m not interested in Sir Barton nor his ball.”

“Never-the-less you have to go. There is a rumor that the Queen will be in attendance,” Sean replied.

“Victoria is attending Sir Barton’s ball? That’s a laugh,” Marissa said with a snort. “In his dreams will she ever attend one of his droll parties, besides she is getting on in years and after that attempt on her life I wouldn’t leave the palace if I were her.”

“Of course,” Sean replied annoyed.

She thought about her day’s schedule and sighed. “I guess it’s time I wore my new gown anyway. It hasn’t gotten some good dancing yet.”

“Leave it to a dress,” Sean grumbled.

“Thank you, Sean,” she replied sweetly. “Will you be coming to the ball with me?”

“I have other affairs to attend to,” he said stiffly.

“Always other affairs. Someday I will get you out of that board stiff role you enjoy playing so much and we will have some real fun,” Marissa replied with a laugh.

She didn’t feel like doing much of anything that day, but Sean was relentless in helping her fulfill her obligations. The constant visiting and social calls were a total bore to her, but she completed them with flair that usually left the ladies breathless and full of new gossip to share about Lady Edgington.

Marissa didn’t care about what the gossips thought of her. She knew that she was well liked among those who really mattered. Her thoughts returned again to the conversation she had overheard the previous night. 

Who was this woman and who was her daughter that was so accessible. Jarvis had mentioned a Lady, so it must be someone she knew, but who had a mother that had literally disappeared? She had no answers so she pushed it to the back of her mind and finished her breakfast.

On her was to see Lady Cameron for tea she decided it might be a good idea to put out random feelers. Lady Cameron knew most of the ladies in London and most of their background and history too. She would be an excellent resource to pump for information.

The servant immediately let her in after the coachman rang the bell and showed her into the parlor. She straightened her dress and hair after removing her hat and jacket and sat daintily on the small puff chairs that annoyed her. They weren’t built to accommodate the bustles that Marissa despised.

“Lady Edgington,” Lady Cameron exclaimed as she entered the room.

Marissa rose gracefully and went to greet her hostess. “Lady Cameron, thank you so much for inviting me to tea, it is quite an honor,” Marissa lied.

“Marissa dear, it’s been ages since we’ve gotten together,” the lady gushed.

For good reason, Marissa thought, you annoy the daylights out of me. “I know Charlotte, but we’ve both been so busy. Are you planning to attend the ladies aid meeting this afternoon?”

“Oh no, I have to get ready for Sir Barton’s ball tonight. Aren’t you attending the ball?” Charlotte asked amazed.

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it,” Marissa replied.

How could anyone stand primping for three hours, ugh! She glanced around the room, sipping her tea and trying to figure out how to ask her questions about the missing mother.

“Charlotte, I was wondering if you could possible help me with a little mystery I have on my hands,” she said carefully.

Charlotte’s eyes brightened and she leaned forward conspiratorially. “Yes?”

“I heard, from the servants, that a certain lady’s mother has disappeared in the last few months or years. I’m not certain which, you know how the servants can be so blaze` about these things,” Marissa said quietly.

She knew Charlotte would drink in any gossip that she heard and spill it just as quickly.

Charlotte’s eyes widened and then her brow crinkled. “Which lady?”

“I don’t know, that’s the problem. I overheard them talking about it, but it seems like some time ago and since I am still so new to everything I thought you might know about it.”

“I can’t think of any ladies that have up and disappeared recently, even in the last few years. There have been some who have passed on, bless their souls, but none that have disappeared,” Charlotte replied.

“Nothing mysterious?” Marissa asked hopefully.

“Well, darling, the only mysterious thing lately has been your appearance here in London,” Charlotte said with a smile and a tiny dig.

“Indeed, I am quite the mystery,” Marissa answered with a grin. She found it so much more satisfying to play with their little insults and toss them back than to actually be insulted. The expressions on their faces when their remarks didn’t faze her was priceless. “But everyone knows, I’m no longer the gossip anymore,” she added for the final sting.

Charlotte’s face darkened slightly and Marissa knew she had won.

“I guess the fact that no one knows who my mother is makes quite a stir. I would love nothing better than to find out myself and settle everything once and for all,” Marissa replied nonchalantly. “Thank you for trying, dear. I always wonder at the things I hear the servants say. Sometimes I think they are just playing with me.”

“You should send the whole group packing and hire some that are more respectful of your position,” Charlotte advised.

Marissa nodded laughing to herself. She loved her people. They were all extremely loyal knowing her background and she treated them all with respect. She knew what they were required to do, having been there herself, and they knew she knew and chose to do what they were asked. She made sure they were well compensated for their work and they all worked hard. She would never get rid of one of them unless she were forced to.

Marissa sighed inwardly. Charlotte was not going to be any help. She would have to turn to her next source which was the very servants they had been discussing. She finished her tea spending the hour discussing fashions and parties and balls. Finally she was able to make her escape and on her way home stopped at her favorite sweet shop.

The bell rang cheerfully as she entered and a voice from the back called for her to wait. She glanced over the desserts on display deciding on a sweet little Italian chocolate that she was very fond of. The chef bustled out from the back room looking pale and uneasy.

“Hello Robert,” Marissa said cheerfully. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the curtain move as if someone had passed through.

Her thoughts went wild as her previous evenings adventure sprang to the forefront of her mind.

“Lady Edgington, this is a surprise,” Robert said nervously.

“Not really, you know I always stop by after tea every second friday,” she said her eyes darting to the curtain.

Someone had walked through, she was certain of it, someone invisible. she never would have believed it if she weren’t head deep herself.

“Oh yes of course. What would you like, Marissa?”

“I want the Italian mint chocolate,” Marissa replied eagerly.

“Is that all?”

“Yes.” She paused. “Did I hear voices when I came in?” she asked carefully.

Robert’s hand froze as he reached for the chocolate. “Voices?” he asked shakily.

“Yes. Do you have a guest?”

“No, no guests, just me talking to myself,” he laughed and she could hear the fear in his voice.

“Can I also get a variety box of chocolates. I like to surprise the staff once in a while,” she said airily. She was dying to know if the invisible woman was here or not, but she couldn’t think of a way to find out.

She glanced around the room and noticed a bag of sugar and cocoa beans. She meandered around the shop toward the cocoa beans chatting about how Sean and Eliza loved the chocolates and how much fun it was surprise them. When she got near the bag she faked a trip and pushed the bag to the floor the beans scattered all around the floor. For a split second she saw the outline of two feet in the mess and then it disappeared and once again the curtain moved on its own.

“Oh, Robert, I’m so sorry.” 

She got down and started sweeping up the beans into her skirt. Charlotte would have a field day if she saw this.

“Lady Edgington, it’s fine. I’ll clean it up. You shouldn’t be putting those in your dress. Are you all right? Did you catch the edge of the counter?” he exclaimed.

She allowed him to help her back, dumping the beans into the outstretched bag.

“Oh I’m fine, it’s the lace on this silly dress, the hem is just a tad bit too long. I need to fix it, I keep tripping on it. Did I ruin anything?” she asked hoping she hadn’t.

“No, no, everything is fine,” Robert replied. He was still nervous, but not nearly as much as before. “Marissa, only you would stop to help a working man clean up the mess you made...accidentally,” he said with a sigh.

“But it was my fault,” Marissa chided.

“Yes, but that doesn’t matter to most high born folks,” he replied.

Marissa shook her head in disgust. He was right and she knew it. She held out a three pound note to him. 

“Here is for the chocolates and the ruined beans,” she said kindly.

“Lady Edgington, this is too much,” Robert refused.

“I don’t care, Robert, you deserve it. I’ll see you in two weeks,” she said leaving the money on the counter and taking the wrapped chocolates he had left on the counter.

She had gotten more information from that little accident than she thought. The invisible woman was moving through her contacts. Robert was one of her best sources for messages. He often sent potential clients her way and she paid him handsomely for his efforts.

She wondered if the woman knew what she was doing when she wandered the shop and if she did would she come after Marissa. She hoped she playacted well enough to disguise her actions. If not then she was certain she would be receiving a visit from the invisible woman.

Marissa returned to her waiting carriage and decided to stop at another one of her contacts. She gave the instructions to the driver and he nodded and flicked the reins. They moved through the streets of London to a well-known cheese maker named Albert.

A few minutes later she pulled up to the cheese shop and the driver helped her down. She entered the dimly lit shop and rang the bell. she took a deep breath reveling in the delicious smells that entered her nostrils. She loved the heady smells and sharp tangy flavors of the shop.

A robust man with heavily muscled arms came to the front.

“Marissa!” he exclaimed, “What brings you here today?”

“I need to order some cheese for next week. I’ve been craving a few things and cook hasn’t been in a cheesy mood lately,” she said with a grin.

Albert laughed. He knew just as well as she that her cook would make anything Marissa asked for, she was here for jobs.

“Well I don’t have any new cheeses this week. Do you want to try some nice sharp cheddar or a creamy havarti perhaps?”

“Cheddar is fine.” She paused and then decided to take it one step further. “Has anyone come asking about our friend?” she asked quietly.

“No, not recently at least nothing specifically about our friend,” he replied just as quietly. 

“If anyone does will you let me know?” she asked.

“Certainly. Is our friend in any danger?” he asked suspiciously. “I don’t mind being a contact for him, but I don’t want to be involved in anything dangerous.”

She didn’t blame him. “I don’t think so, but it might be a good idea to send new cheeses in other directions for a few weeks,” she replied.

“All right. So how much cheddar do you want?” he asked resuming his normal tone.

“A small block,” she replied. “If I get too much cook will put it in everything. Just send it up to the house when you have a chance.”

Albert nodded and she turned to leave. He headed back to the back of his shop as she opened the front door. She froze when she heard a cry of fear from the big man. She reached up to silence the bell as she closed the door and crept back into the shop.

The door to the back was slightly ajar and she could hear voices.

“What do you know about the Shadow?” a woman’s voice hissed. It was Sarah.

“I don’t know anything about him, I just receive messages and pass them on to his contacts so he can deliver them,” Albert replied. “Please, I’m just a simple cheese maker.”

Marissa was ready to jump through the door, but Sarah continued.

“Who is your contact?” she asked.

“I...I can’t say,” Albert replied hesitating.

“Oh I think you can,” Sarah threatened.

Marissa’s blood froze in her veins.

“It’s a Lady. She’s a good Lady, please don’t hurt her,” Albert begged.

“What is the Lady’s name?” Sarah demanded.

“Edgington,” Albert replied defeated.

“Marissa?” Sarah said surprised. Marissa heard a knife drop onto the floor.

“Please, Marissa is a good woman. She’s kind hearted to working folks. She wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Albert cried.

“Marissa keeps with interesting company,” Sarah said thoughtfully. “Thank you cheese man.”

There was silence and Marissa heard sobbing. She knew it was Albert and that he felt responsible for anything that might happen to her in the near future. She quietly slipped over to the door and held the bell as she left the shop.

If the woman was tracking her this way then it was possible that she could find the Shadow, but would it lead her to Marissa Clarence or Lady Edgington?

Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July!

Okay I know it's now the 5th, but I have been thinking about yesterday. I was flying and had the opportunity to see a few small fireworks from the air and a few on the ground where I overnighted.

I think of those beautiful colorful explosions that seem to carry such power and thrill and yet they fade away only to be replaced by another. We live in a country that is exceptional in so many ways. We have so much freedom here and often we choose to exert that freedom in explosive little bursts that seem so colorful and powerful and bright, but often times fade away to dull darkness.

The history of this country is wrought with such explosions and yet when the smoke and the bright lights disappear we are left with the constant of the stars and the moon and the sun. The foundation of this country is like those constants that never fade away. We have an amazing Constitution that is the constant that keeps us free.

Too often we find people of all walks of life who choose, with their freedom, to create these little bursts of light that seem so brilliant and wonderful, but after the smoke and bright lights fade we find dull darkness that doesn't thrill or aid anyone.

I hope that we will remember the powerful constant of the Constitution of the United States of America and the blood that has been spilled over the ages so that document can still remain as a standard today. Like the mariners of old who used the stars to guide them we too as a united people can use the Constitution to guide us into a bright future full of freedom and light.

God Bless America!

Imagination

Since I am a writer and I thrive on what goes through my imagination to create new and exciting stories, I have thought a lot about the world we live in and how different it would be without the technology and industry that we are all used to.

I have often wondered, as I stare through the misty pollution at the barely visible mountains, how beautiful the landscape would be without cars, trucks, tractors or machinery of any sort. But then as I consider this I wonder how people would survive without the food that these modern conveniences provide. 

How well would we do without electricity? Would we be able to live our lives or would we succumb to the possible violence of the world we live in.

These thoughts run through my head when I think about ideas for books and worlds to create. People used to live on this world without all of the technology and modern devices, but would we be able to do it again? When I consider this I think about how I would survive. I like to cook things from scratch, but how willing would I be to grind my wheat by hand without the handy electric grinder?

I have a tiny little garden of which I am very proud, but how willing would I be to plant an entire garden and weed it every day, carry water from a pond or well and eat only foods produced from that garden?

These are thoughts that stir my imagination and help me create characters who must meet these requirements. As each thought moves through my mind I wonder if I will ever have to be like these characters in my stories or the books I read. 

I wonder...

Sounds

I sit thoughtfully on my bed in my hotel room and listen to the sounds of the city below me. I wonder about the many vehicles that rush by on their way to where ever it is they are going. Do they wonder about the people around them? The noise of their passing fades only to be replaced by another car as it rushes by.

The evening glow begins to fade as the sun continues on its steady journey toward the tree-topped mountains and the sounds change steadily. Now the wind is louder than rushing vehicles as the people reach their destinations and the road grows more and more deserted.

I wonder about the world around me. What would it sound like if there were no vehicles on the road? What would that absolute silence sound like? I can almost hear the chirping of the crickets, but the sound of the air-conditioner drowns them out.

With a smile I close the drapes and listen as the world goes quiet around me. Only a low thrumming remains and then that clicks off leaving only the precious sounds of nature.

The Followers of Galashad 8

Check out the next chapter of The Followers of Galashad.

Faith

With our ever increasing tempestuous world that we live in I am finding it more and more important to exercise faith. My particular faith happens to be in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I know most religions believe in God or some higher power. I know that it can be difficult to believe in anything when we look at the horrible things that happen in the world and even in our lives today.

I recently had some struggles with the health of my dog. Now I know this doesn't compare to other's struggles, but for right now this is my struggle. I love my dog. Being a single woman he is like my little boy right now. I hate seeing him suffer and have begged and prayed to Heavenly Father that he could be healed or released.

Even in this minor struggle of mine I am finding the importance of exercising faith even when nothing appears to be happening. The Lord will always see fit to bless us according to our faith in Jesus Christ and his ability to work miracles. I can't say my faith has always been perfect, but I do believe in miracles whether they are tangible or just feelings and thoughts of comfort.

I keep hoping and praying that I will have the faith necessary to do what the Lord expects of me and to stay strong and faithful in my beliefs even when it seems so hard to do so.