16

She sighed glad to have it all out and done with she dumped the carrots into the pot simmering over the playful fire. Martha turned to look at Nathan.

"Lily, I am sorry I left you to face all this by yourself," he got up from the table and hugged her. Then he whispered in her ear "you look awful cute in that apron." Martha pulled away laughed and and fained offense as she playfully whopped him with a towel. He laughed "Thank you I deserved that and thank you for tell me your story."

15

"Very well thank you, I would like you to meet my wife Mrs. Jane Taylor." Christopher spoke as if we where old friends and nothing else. My heart fell into my feet "Nice to meet you" my voice shaking a little "excuse me" I turned and walked calmly away tears starting to fall but as soon as I was in the woods I ran to the meadow and plopped myself down and just cried." Nathan watched Martha peel potato's she had her head bent low so he could not see her face.

"All I ever wanted was a home a place where I could know I would never have to leave security that's what every girl wants, I had lost my secure world twice once when ma died and once when I lost who I thought was my best friend. I cried myself to sleep awaking to someone picking me up. It was Joseph he carried me home and set me in my rocking chair next to the fire. "Martha" he said "Be strong you're all dese chillen have dey look up to ya, dey love ya and dat will never change. I know wes didn't starts out on so good of terms but I've come to think of yous as a granddaughter listen ta me your smart, your pretty, and your prudent if he didn't take ya he tisn't worth havin'. "Ya don't have ta snatch da first one comin along." With that he patted my shoulder and left.

well I wasn't myself for a few weeks I soon got into a rut keeping to my close friends and family.
Although I was scared to go to town town for fear I would see him I soon plucked up the courage to go and found it got easier each time I went. And.....well....that's my story"

14

The Next day Dawned bright and with a few white fluffy clouds. Nathan took the gift tied a red ribbon on it think how much she would love it! The next day dawned bright with a few white fluffy clouds. Nathan took the gift with him when he walked to the garden. Martha was no where in sight he waited and waited still no smiling girl showed up. Almost in disappear he trudged to the house that he had followed her to the other day. There he found Martha Lily hanging dripping wet clothes on the line she had on an apron of lavender her hair was pulled back into two braids with a handkerchief on her head. Nathan reached in front of her with a rose and a music box in his hands. Martha gasped and turn around to face him, Nathans arms still around her. "I forgot Ian I am so sorry I have to work late at the house." He smiled and brought the gift in front of her again. She took it in her hands as her eyes glistened. Martha undid the red ribbon gracefully she smelled the rose. Smiling, she opened the box and as the figure twirled around Martha's eyes brimmed with gleaming tears. "Thank you so much I love it!" she blinked back the tears and then stepped she simply walk up the porch steps and laid the box down with care on the a small table. Walking back to her clothes basket she took out a dress and hung it on the line. "Martha, will you tell me the rest of your story, while you work?" To Martha's surprise Nathan picked up a pair of pants and attempted to hang them on the line. "Yes, Ian, I will. The house began to look like a real home I felt just like a mother hen with all her chicks. I worked at Joseph's most of the time taking the children with me to help out some. Joseph taught Philip how to hunt, trap, and fish. I finally felt I could again breath all was safe and smooth sailing was ahead." Martha sighed as she put three loaves of bread in the stove. Turning she started on the pile of dirty dishes.

"About two months after I got my family I went to town to visit and elderly lady. I often went to visit and help her, for she was old, lonely, and nice. I walked past the train station and saw Christopher I was elated I ran to greet him but right before I reached him a young woman, in the latest Paris fashion, took his arm and they laughed together. Next they started walking down the street toward me. I thought well I will turn and run maybe he won't notice me, I was to late he saw me and called out. "Miss Martha, what a pleasant surprise to see you here."

As he neared me my face grew red "How do you do Mr. Taylor?" was my graceful reply.

13 it keeps gong and going!!!

Nathan sat up, reached out a hand to help her up. "I have to go, Than."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lily."
"No, Than," she avoided his eyes "not tomorrow but the day after." Martha Lily waved goodbye as she Merrily trip her way down the path toward her home. Nathan gather up the basket his socks and shoes and headed for the boarding house just as the first stars pop out.

Nathan woke to rain pounding the window. His mood fit the weather perfectly. taking up a book he found he could not concentrate the words became muddled tossing it aside he tried to write some letters but all he could write was Martha Lily over and over he gave up and put down the pen. Finally after pacing a while he decided to visit the small town that he grew up in. He found his umbrella he headed out the door the rain reminded him of Martha and how she would want to dance in it.

Entering a store his eye was drawn to a small music box he instantly picked it up opening it he found a small figure twirling around to the song adelvice (sorry can't spell) he thought how Martha had danced that first morning he saw her he had to buy this for her.

12

At his words I jumped up and spun around in pure joy landing with a laugh on the rug in front of the fire. The next day I met the young ones at the door I scooped little Annabelle up and kissed her cheek saying "I'am coming home! we had a jolly old time of it I tell you ,Ian, I have never danced and cheered so much!" Joseph was really a dear sweet man he let me have every Tuesday off. I started in on the house cleaning it all up. Between my pay and Thomas pay we found enough money to buy a little paint.

Martha closed her eyes. Nathan watch her every move waiting for her to continue with her story then he realized she was asleep As the sun kissed her peaceful face and made her shine he found his own eyes growing heavy with sleep. He awoke to find her still asleep with a smile on her face seeing the sun lowering itself in the sky Nathan gently grasped her arm Martha's blue eyes opened wide looking straight into his hazel eyes she smiled wider as she turned on her side and moved her hands to under her head. "I had the most wonderful dream" she spoke in a sleep filled quiet voice.
"What was it Lily where you walking on water?"
"I was hopping from cloud to cloud when I fell through one I was falling, falling, falling then I was floating not falling. I landedon a tree all green with spring buds I sat on a branch when bird flew by and dropped a rose in my lap. It was all so beautiful and real feeling" Martha sat up and took in a deep breath.

11

Worry sprang into my eyes "Is something wrong?"

"Lets go somewhere we can sit and talk. Its about pa" my brother said as he took my elbow and led me to the near by restaurant.

As soon as the coffee was poured he Thomas started talking "Pa threw Annabelle against the wall then when he realized what he did he took off and hasn't returned. Last night the sheriff came by and said they found him dead in the back of the saloon," Thomas said the last part with no emotion. "Martha, I can't care for the children." I bit my bottom lip trying to think of a plan "bring Philip, Amelia, and Annabelle to my house tomorrow we will figure it all out then."

That evening I was darning a sock furiously as I rocked in the rocking chair. "What's gat yourins lip tinight" Joseph spat a woad of tobacco into the fire as he spoke.

"Will you let me bring my siblings here so I can care for them?" I blurted out.
"Don't wanna no mop head littlins' running round hare" he looked at her and then around the house as he bit another chew "But I's spects I kin let ya live at yers home and work fer me"

10

"Come on Ian the waters wonderful."
No one has ever called me Ian before he marveled at the rivulets of water running down her bright face. He kicked off his shoes and socks and joined her they laughed and splashed for an hour he got out and laid in the warm, sweet smelling grass. She got out and laid not that far away "It was a necklace"
"what?"
"The gift Chris gave me it was a necklace. As he hooked it around my neck he said "I am going away on a trip soon and when I come return I will give you a ring that is if you will have me?" I was to amazed at first to say anything "Christopher I would Love to be your wife." I flung my arms around his neck and kissed him. We spent the rest of the day just walking around holding hands. Martha Didn't look at Nathan as she said this she stared up at the clouds floating past. "A week later as I was walking up the front steps of the store my brother came around the corner I ran to greet him I had visited my family often but was glad to see him.
"Martha we need to talk" he looked me dead in the eye

part 9

Christopher asked to see me home I of course accept we gazed at the stars all the way home. "well...the weeks past I was now 15 and was called a beauty of the woods whatever that means. One day Chris came to the house I was in the garden I stood up covered in dirt and holding a bunch of weeds. He laughed "What's so funny" I demanded this reminds me of the first time we met you looked beautiful then too. Embarrassed I hung my head and said I never have looked so bad in my life and you know it! he smiled and asked if I wanted to get cleaned up before we went on a walk. So I went into the house and cleaned up and when I came out I found him studying the ground in a thoughtful way.

What's on your mind Chris? he turn and said
"You" he handed me a gift and made me promise not to open it till we were in the valley our favorite place to walk. I was very excited this was the first gift I had gotten since my mama died two year before. When we got to the valley I opened it up and it was".....Martha's voice trailed off

"Oh Lily don't stop Please."
"Than I want to stop I am hungry" she said as she unpacked the food they ate in silence when they had both had their fill and all the leftovers packed back into the basket. Martha rose and ran toward the lake "Wait Lily are you doing?" Nathan stood. Martha made a big splash when she landed.

part 8

I had to go back for the basket I had begged for it when I first started shopping.
"Hi my name is Christopher Taylor I work at the bank as a teller my uncle owns it."

"My name is Martha Lily nice to make your acquaintance" I said shyly.

"May I walk you home?" he asked taking my basket and holding out his elbow for me to take.
bobbing my head I took his arm. We walked and talked for two hours I didn't tell him that we had went past the path to my house three times. I promised next time I saw him I would clean up a bit. He laughed and said "see you at the singing on Sunday night if not at Church Sunday Morning." I waved goodbye not telling him that I might not see him at either gathering. That night I girded up my courage and asked Joseph if I could go to the singing he looked at me up and down and said "What fer?"
"To visit with people my own age"
"No"
I jutted out my chin and said "Well then you can just eat slop till you say I can go for I am not fixing you grub worth eating!"
"Fine go he huffed into his grey beard. So Sunday rolled around I went to the creek and bathed got my best dress on and went to the singing we sang songs I hadn't sang since my mother died. I had fun there was a taffy pull I was so sticky.

Love Story Part 7

I heard my name and decided to listen "It is very improper if you ask me if you ask me" said one fat bitty "It is almost as if she likes it. you know her pa sold her for whiskey of all things!" said another woman.

"I bet she doesn't even have a room of her own" the store owner exclaimed

"Why Mildred don't say such things" said another woman with a floppy hat

"Or God will strike you down" said the first lady

I was so hurt my cheeks were flaming red I ran out of the store tears Almost blinding my seeing the stunned looks on the lady's faces. I stumbled and my barefoot kept going I heard laughter from all around me as I landed in the mud. Suddenly I felt a firm kind hand helping me up I looked to find a handsome young man that I had never met "Are you alright?" I realized just then that bunches of people were standing there Staring at me. I did what I always do I ran heading toward the road home but his voice stopping me "wait your basket!" I didn't want to face those people feeling so ashamed by my dwelling place and by my muddy state to my surprise he was the only one standing there.

Love story part 6

She stopped twirling "Good morning Than" she called back giving him that heart stopping smile.
"Will you go on a picnic with me today?" Nathan thinking about the basket he had asked the boarding matron to make up for him.
Martha laughed "well of course I will Than but only if you will let the sun come with."
" Well indeed the invite was to be for both of you." She came forward and took his arm as they headed to the boarding house to pick up the basket. They settled a blanket under a tree near a lake "I am guessing you want to hear the rest of my story Martha placed her bare feet under her as she sat down on the red and white blanket.
"Yes, I would if that is you are willing to tell me the rest."
"As I pointed the gun to the Joseph's head I said 'wake up you mangy dog' He sat and saw the gun fear came into his eyes. Being only thirteen I was tickled pink to think of a man being afraid of a girl my size. 'Listen to me listen good I'll stay here only if you pay me a wage to send home to feed my family.' of course he agreed to it there being a death in line if he didn't I made him write down the agreement and sign it after that things went smoothly. That year he made a small room off side of the cabin and he also built a bed for me. I did the cooking, cleaning, and all the other chores including the shopping. One morning in the late summer when I was almost fourteen I entered the store no one noticed as I slipped to the back to pick out fabric for a new apron.

love story part 5

following her she lead him to a small white house that had green shutters on the windows and a rocking chair on the porch a swing swinging in the breeze. He watched from behind a tree seeing her enter the house he heard voice cheerfully greeting her. Nathan crept to a window and peeked in he saw three children crowed close to Martha hanging on her skirts chatting about the days events.

Nathan was puzzled were those her kids or were those her brothers and sisters or was she living with the family? Confused he walked back to the boarding house but he had felt his heart being squeezed when he saw the children he didn't know why.

Nathan was up bright and early the next day only to find the boarding house already filled with the smells of frying bacon and baking biscuits. As soon as the breakfast was over Than was out the door he wanted to find Lily to hear the rest of the story. He found her in the same place as yesterday again she was dancing in the first warming rays of the sun "how beautiful she is" he said to himself as he approach her. Martha was wearing a pale blue dress that made her large, Innocent, sweet eyes stand out."Good morning Lily" Nathan called.

love story 4

Of course the hound stuck around as I scrubbed the clothes the water soon became so dirty I had to get another bucket to start over and as I washed the clothes I spread them over bushes to dry. A rumble in my stomach So I took myself to the kitchen and found corn meal made myself some johnny cake. I devised a plan to that would help out everyone. "You girl did good" Joseph gruffly said when he arrived back at the cabin with two rabbits. I then cleaned the rabbit's and made rabbit stew. That night to sleep I curled up in a blanket I had just washed. The next morning I gave the dog a hunk of the rabbit and Tied him up to a tree a long ways away from the cabin. Next I took the gun down from above the door were Joseph had stuck it. I went into his room.



Martha pulled away from Ian suddenly realizing how close they were she straightened up to her full height she simply walked away without saying another word. Nathan stuned by her actions also stood but he did not call her back he could tell by the slump in her shoulders that she was drained from all that had taken place. But Nathan Ian just had to know were she was going.

te he

1. YOUR REAL NAME: Sandra Sieg

2. YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (first 4 letters of real name plus izzle) Sandizzle

3. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (fav color and fav animal)Green cat

4. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (your middle name and the street you live on) Jean 10

5. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2letters of your first name) Siesa! cool

6. YOUR SUPERHERO NAME: (Your 2nd favorite color, and favorite soda). Blue dr. pepper! HA HA!

7. YOUR IRAQI NAME: (2nd letter of your first name, 3rd letter of yourlast name, 1 letter of your middle name, 2nd letter of your moms maiden name, 1st letter of a siblings first name or cousin, and last letter ofyour moms middle name) Aejare what?

8. YOUR GOTH NAME: (black, and the name of a pet)Black Indiana jones

Love story part three

"Na she's too scrawny" Joseph said as he dropped my chin which he held in his grimy hand. "But man she will clean, and cook for you and of course you can keep her for quite sometime she'll make you a strong young wife" when he said that I stood shocked at the way this conversation conspiring before me was going. I started to run I ran without knowing were I was going then I tripped on a log trying with all I had in me to get away tears blurred my vision as I got up pa caught me taking hold of my ear he dragged me back to cabin."Think I will take her I like them with a little spunk but she is worth three jugs." Joseph declared taking a hold of my arm as he waved pa toward some jugs by the cabin. Pa gathered them up and rode off singing Oh Susanna stopping once in a while to take a swig of whiskey. The mans grip on my arm as he led me into the cabin was gentle but hurt because of the bruise. When I entered that cabin I just about became sick it was the worst place I have ever been in or hope to be in! The Stagnant smell of unwashed, clothes; plates; dog; and unwashed man, filled the air. The earthen floor was covered in chew tobacco I was told to to sleep on the it in front of the fire and if I moved an inch the dog would growl. Joseph made his way to a small room were his bed was I soon heard him snoring. looking at the floor in disgust I curled up on a chair and cried myself to sleep. I was up before the sun after starting the fire I picked up all the clothing and threw them out on the porch the dog watched me so closely that it made me nervous this is not were I wanted to be I had to make the best of it so I went to work I hauled four buckets of water heating them on the wood stove. I dumped the first bucket into a metal tub were I then stuck all the dirty dishes. One of the other bucket I soaked the clothes. After the dishes sat for a few minutes I proceeded to wash them Joseph hearing the noise came out of his room and watched me for a short time getting bored he took down his gun and went off into the woods.

love story part two!

Surprised by her own outcry she turned unable to stop the tears any longer. He reached out to her but she pushed him away "don't touch me."

"Please explain Lily."



"About a week after you went away my mother died I was left at the age of 12 to care for my four brothers and sisters and a drunken father. For about a year we had help from friends, neighbors, and relatives....but after a while it trailed off. I cooked, cleaned, hauled water, chopped wood, cleaned chicken coops, milked cows, gardened, and sewed. My younger brother who was 11 left school to work so we would have food on our table.

At the age of 14 he was sweeping out the bank when a robbery took place he was shot wounded the doctor bills piled up and I had no money for food." no a motion in her voice. Pa had no money to support his drinking habit sold everything we owned. One night he came home I had just put the youngin' to bed he was terribly drunk I was sitting in on the floor in front of the fire he saw me at once he demeaned I give him money but I had non to give. His face was fierce he grabbed my hair and pulled me around the table then slapped my face. "Your good for nothin' gal I'm getting rid of you at that he took my arm in a firm grip that bruised. dragging me to his horse he threw me on jumping on behind me he rode off as we rode he sang loud and off key. I tired to get away but his arm so was strong so tight" she rubbed her arm as if it was still bruised Martha sank her knees unable to keep the tears in check she felt so drained so weak. Nathan knelt down and put his arm around her back she leaned her wet cheek on his strong shoulder.

"He took me into the woods to an old brooken down cabin were he hollered with all his might 'Joseph McCorner are ye in thar?' a man, with one leg and a scare across his cheek and nose, came to the door 'Yah I'm here ya old fool what you want?' my pa replied 'I have an offer to make you take this wench off my hands for two jugs of your home brew. The old man hobbled out to look me over my father pushed me off the horse I landed witha thud on the cold, wet ground.

A love story

One spring morn when the dew had not yet burned off the light green buds on the trees. A voice raised in song is heard singing a soft but fast melody. A figure dressed in white dancing in circles with her face sky ward to greet the morning sun. The fair maiden has curls of black half twisted into a bun and half down to the middle of her back. Little white blossoms tucked here and there in the wavy mass making her look flower like. The figure has her slender white hands on the hem of her dress lifting it to keep the tall grass from making it any wetter then it already was. Her bare feet hopping, skipping, and twirling, with beads of dew clinging them. Suddenly from what seemingly nowhere a handsome young man appeared. He stopped a small ways away to study the dancing figment. He is dressed in black pants a light green shirt loosely hangs on him he has hazel eyes and clean features. Unaware of being watched the woman bends low to smell a tulip. "Are you talking to flowers again?" She jumped at his words and turned to study the tall handsome man that had spoken.
" Well?"
She bowed her head and smiled "The flowers are talking to me."
"Pray, what are they saying my dear lady?"
Gazing into his eyes she giggled and said "They are telling me their secrets about spring!" she ended by thrusting her arms out and twirling around once. "They told me that soon a rain shower will come and make more flowers!"
"Martha Lily, you have not changed a bit" he took a few steps toward her.
The smile slipped away from her lips and a look of confusion replaced it "Do I know you?"
He chuckled to himself as he reached for her hand "Very well Martha Lily."
She pulled her hand away "Was it when I was young?"
"Think hard Lily. Think about a time when you were lost in a woods."
She gasped "Nathan Ian! your the boy that found me and showd me the way I was only five."
"Yes, but everyone calls me Than now."
Surprised glowed in her face " I haven't seen you for four years not since you left to find an adventure. We spent hours playing togather I remember when we got into the strawberry fight my ma tanned our hides for that one."
"Will you stroll with me" he offered his arm to her.
She took it and they headed down the garden path.
"Lily may...I...well..may I have your permission ask you some questions?"
"Why you just did ask me a question." she teased him "Yes, I will answer you questions as best to my abbility."
"What did you do while I took my leave of absent? you seem so different yet the same."
Tears sprang to her eyes, not wanting him to see them and think her weak, she wisked them a way a moment to late. "I have done what only humans can do I have lived, I have watched, and I have listened."
"Why must you speak in a riddles that I cannot understand?" He turn on her angerly.
She turned to face him anger that beat his in her hazel eyes "Because while you have been out to find an adventure I have stayed finding hunger, pain, love, death,and sorrow you say I have changed well, I had to I could no longer be a carefree child I have had to do things your own mother would be ashamed to here of..........(to be continued)

All thing great and small!

This is one saying we say but what does it mean it of course is not a complete sentence and as you notice I have nothing else to talk about.

All things great and small we should be thankful for.

All things great and small can get in your way.

All thing great and small can be fun to have.

All things great and small we sing about.

well however you finish the sentence is up to you and your brain but me I finish it ALL THING GREAT AND SMALL!!!!!!! IS SO TOTALLY WICKED THAT I CAN"T STAND TO TALK ABOUT IT YAHHHHHHHHH!!!! OK so I am crazy bored right now and I thought why not write on that blog you never write on.

: )