Defend Us in Battle

Mont St. Michel, France

The name "Michael" means "Who is like to God(?)".

St. Michael has been prayed to and revered since the earliest days of the Church. In fact, in said earliest days of the church angels were held in higher respect than even the Blessed Mother. Surprised? St. Michael's name used to come before her's on the Litany of the Saints. He is known as the "Prince of the angels" and, as an archangel, is as high up as they go in the angelic hierarchy. He led the angels in battle against the demons around the beginning of time and according to prophecy will do it again at the end of time.

However, early Christians saw him as more of a holy physician than a warrior saint. He was (and still is) patron saint of the sick. There was even a shrine (sorry! I don't remember where it was) where the sick and dying went to be healed by St. Micheal. There are many reports, some probably fictional, of visions and apparitions of this saint. In the 14th century he is said to have appeared three times to St. Aubert, a bishop in France. St. Aubert was instructed to build a church on a rather peculiar location: an mountain-like island just off the coast. The result was the amazing Mont St. Michel, a village, abbey and cathedral built Minas Tirith-style. I have a strong inclination to believe that Minas Tirith is modeled on Mont St. Michel. You've already seen the picture up top there. On the very top of the highest steeple is a statue of Saint Michael. You can see a picture of it here. (Brag time: did I mention that my dad went there? :-D)

Saint Michael is also the saint who is there with you when you die, helping you fight your very last battle with the devil, who will be trying his very evil best to make you give up and despair.

St. Michael the archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, oh prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

P.S. Did I mention that there is a St. Michael chaplet and a St. Michael scapular? More info here and here, respectively. You'll have to scroll down quite a bit on that last one.

Slightly belated, but...

Just to get back into the swing of things here, I thought I'd post about Saint Micheal, since yesterday was the feast day "Dedication to Saint Micheal the Archangel". I'm not sure what that "Dedication" means, but I am about to go look it up. Coming up! A picture, some facts and stories about this saint, and hopefully the history of the feast day! My priest talked about him this past Sunday in the adult catechism I attend, so stay tuned for some neat stuff.

My apologies..

Hey everyone... um, I've been ridiculously buried in schoolwork, so... I know I'm a bad blogger and blah blah blah, but hopefully (if all goes well!) I'll have more freetime soon! :)

Reviews by the "Real Katie"

The so-called "Real Katie" is currently very busy and unable to post, but to keep this place alive I have requested (and been given) permission to post some of her reviews from her review blog on her. I am lazy so you will only get the link. Enjoy!

Ever After
The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks

A post of no importance.

Just testing out the loverly signature that I added!

E-mag!

The marvelous Katies are starting an e-magazine! Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the page to see an ad. There is no link yet, but The Real Katie will be making a website so we'll let you know when that is done. The e-mag is not connected to this blog, we came up with it as a separate idea. However, since we have this lovely cyber-spot, I am now making use of it. We can't write, edit and publish an entire magazine by ourselves. Ideas and helpers are most welcome!! Please contact one of us if you would like to help or have a suggestion.

The first issue will be out in October. If you'd like to subscribe, comment and let us know! It will be sent out by email so we will probably make a new email address for it. More details on subscriptions coming soon!

Here is a general outline of the kinds of articles we need (we haven't got a concrete list yet):

A faith-related article (as this is a Catholic magazine)
Saint of the month?
Health & Beauty
Reviews (we have that one covered already)
Recipes (I'll probably be doing that)
Craft?
Personality quiz?
A contest of some sort?
A story? I mean, true story.
A "monthly playlist", a list of must-hear songs, because as the Real Katie said, who isn't always looking for new music?

Please comment with your ideas and suggestions!

Carrie Underwood's new single: Cowboy Casanova!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd5UeL6wEmI

Listen to it on youtube! It's really fun!

Bookses, precious!

Need something new to read? Here a some great books for you to put on your "next trip to the library or bookstore" list:

The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Sorry, I just had to mention this one. It's one of my all time favorite books. It's a funny, heart-warming story about finding courage in times of cowardice. Also to check out by this author, Ella Enchanted.

Christy by Catherine Marshall
An inspirational classic, this is the story of 19-year-old Christy Huddleston, who in the year of 1912 goes to work as a teacher in the remote village of Cutter Gap, far back in the Tenessee mountains. There she learns lessons about love for God and other people by living with, working with, and befriending the fascinating, complex mountain-dwellers.

All For The Love of Mothers: Memoirs of a Catholic Midwife by Lisbeth Burger
An absolutely wonderful book, composed of true stories and anecdotes told from the view of a Catholic midwife working in Germany. As a midwife in a relatively small town, she was closely assosciated with the families she helped and many of the other women around confided in her. With true stories taken from the lives of these women and their family, she illustrates an unabashedly Catholic view of chastity, abortion, marriage, and child-raising. A great book. I'd recommend it only to people 15 and over, as it deals with some rather mature topics.

Lady Susan by Jane Austen
Probably the least-known of her works, this is Austen's tale of a scheming, scornful woman and the people she tries to manipulate. It's written in epistolary style, which makes it really interesting because we get the story from virtually every character's point of view.


Have any books you'd like to recommend? Comment and let us know!

P.S.
A great way to get the classics, for free! Go to librivox.org, where you can download audio versions of books onto your computer and even your mP3 player. Only books that are in the public domain (i.e., published before 1923. For more information go here).

It's just, for the first time, I feel...

WICKED!

Yes, that's right folks.

I.

Saw.

WICKED!

And, oh my goodness, was it amazing! I started crying during "For Good" cuz I'm a baby with no life. LOL

Pics and more details coming soon! <3

Ooops

OK. So. Hopefully I'll have the picture up of the AWESOME PRIZE for our AWESOME CONTEST on Monday or Tuesday! Mmkay? Mmkay.

So. Katie came to visit me for MY birthday! Awesome, no?

Coming up!

OK, let's face it. We've been neglecting this blog and we are terribly sorry. We're seriously going to try to post here more. Right, Katie? Anyways. We are having a... CONTEST!! Sometime over this weekend we'll post a picture. Whoever comes up with the best caption for it will recieve a lovely bookmark with a Celtic blessing on it. Up to two entries per person. More details later with a picture of the bookmark.
Also coming soon! Graphic art by the Katies! Must-read books! Hopefully, some more interviews.
Farewell for now!

-The Other (although technically real, being older) Katie

YAYAYAA

I'm posting the 50th post.

Just cuz I'm cool like that O.O

New New Header

Eh.....it didn't come out too well, did it? I'll try to find a way to make it fit better. Or I'll make Katie fix it. :-P She has better picture-editing stuff than I have.

Happy 4th of July!

Happy Independence Day!! Today is the day when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Or rather, they started to sign it. Technically, it took a few weeks for all 56 signatures to find their way to the Declaration. But this day is important anyways, because the 4th of July started it all. Not everybody may like the direction our country is going in these days, but even though we have our differences politically, you have to admit that this is pretty good place to live.


God Bless America!


-The Katies

The End

In which Henrietta makes a discovery (or two), a battle is fought, and we eventually arrive at happily ever after.

-5-

Henrietta was not happy- at all. She was perfectly capable of holding her own in a battle, and he knew that. She had been fencing since the age of 7 and had defeated Max in friendly duels with wooden swords plenty of times. Yet here she was, bumping along in a carriage headed towards her father's estate several miles out of the city. She mumbled uncomplimentary phrases about Max under her breath.
"Would you stop that?" demanded Brianna. Brianna was very good at demanding.
Henrietta glared at her. Brianna glared back. Father intervened.
"Why don't you read a book, Henrietta?"
She stopped glaring at Brianna and glared at him instead. "Alright," she said. "Did you bring any books with you?" He handed her a small, thin volume. She opened it.
"A History of the Royal Family" was on the cover. It had been written recently, just 10 years ago. She opened it, thinking that her father knew her far too well. He knew that the mere sight of a book she'd never read instantly made her forget everything else, and he had used it against her. Defeated, she began to read.

****


Max's stepfather was inspecting his new armor. Max was in the room, being measured for his. The two of them were talking about a very serious topic generally known as war.
"What is their motive?" asked Max.
"We are," replied the king. "That crazy wizard is convinced that he can take over the kingdom."
"Idiot," said Max.
"My thought exactly," agreed his stepfather. "So anyway, this Eugor's main plan is to march through the city, violently forcing the people into submission as he goes, surround the palace with dragons, and send infantry in to find our family and drag us outside. He'll try to force us to submit to him. If that doesn't work- which it obviously won't -he'll give the order and those dragons of his will fry us."
"What about the soldiers? If they're still standing around when he incinerates us..."
"He doesn't care. Neither do they. They wouldn't work for him otherwise. He's done something to them so that they're incapable of emotion and thinking for themselves."
"That's horrible!" ejaculated Max. The king grunted a little as he started trying on his suit of armor. "Indeed it is, Max," he said soberly. "That's why he needs to be stopped. If not, he'll do that to the entire kingdom to prevent any uprising against him. Eugor will rule a nation made up of blind, unthinking machines."
Max was shocked. "Are we sure about this?"
"Our intelligence service is excellent. Each spy is trained from the age of ten to tell nothing but the plain truth. They couldn't exaggerate if they tried."
They fell silent for a while. The fellow taking Max's measurements was about to leave when Max suddenly stopped him. "Stay a moment," he said.
"What are you up to?" asked the king.

****

Henrietta found the book to actually be quite interesting. As she came towards the end, the book began to talk about the current royal family. There was a page with paintings of all of them. One was of a little boy. She estimated his age to be about eight or nine. As she looked at it, she wondered why he seemed so familiar. She read the caption: "Prince Maximilian III at age 8".

She stared at it in numb shock. Several things were suddenly falling into place. "HE'S THE PRINCE!" she practically shrieked, startling her family. "You're joking!" scoffed Rain from her perch on Mother's shoulder. "What on earth are you talking about?" asked Brianna. "Max! He's the prince!" Henrietta still didn't know exactly how to feel about this. She figured she should either laugh or be mad that he didn't tell her. She chose to laugh. Trying to control her giggling, she explained. "Don't you see? He said he lived at the palace, he just didn't mention why." She tossed the book to her sister. "Look at the picture there." Brianna's eyes widened. She looked at their parents. "Did you know about this?" she asked. Father and Mother were grinning and trying not to laugh. "We suspected it," said Mother. "But we didn't want to tell you in case it wasn't true," said Father. "Aaaaaaloo!" said the baby.

****

"Uh, what exactly is the point of all this, Max?" The king was trying on armor again, but this time it looked exactly the same as that of any regular soldier. "It's simple," said Max. "The soldiers that the madman will send in after us won't be able to recognize us if we're dressed like ordinary footmen." Max was already wearing such armor, holding the helmet under his arm. The king blinked. "Why didn't I think of that? Simply ingenius, son." Max started, and suddenly a lump threatened to rise in his throat. His stepfather had never called him that. The king coughed slightly, as Max tried to wipe his eyes without it looking like he was wiping his eyes. "Er...(sniff) thanks." Blast! I'm not supposed to cry. Not the time, Max!

Moving on with their conversation (and trying to get past an awkward moment) they walked over to a table with a map on it. "Eugor's footmen will enter here," he pointed to a spot on the map," here and here." He marked three of the city gates on the map. "The dragons will fly in and surround the castle from all directions. We'll assume for now that Eugor will be riding one of them." "Everyone has been evacuated, right?" Max asked. "Everyone, and we're calling in troops from all the neighboring provinces," replied the king. "How long will it take them to get here?" "Two days at the most." "How long until Eugor arrives?" "We're not sure. We're preparing for his attack as fast as we can. Why all the questions? I thought I already told you all this." Max mused. "Just thought a review would be nice. I'm going to take off this armor. I'm working on an idea...I'll tell you about it later." And Max left the room, leaving his stepfather with a confused expression on his face.

-6-

At last! They arrived at the country estate. A good sixty leagues away from the city, it was a very long ride, almost eighteen hours in a bumpy carriage. Rain was already flitting about the house, exploring every nook and cranny. Henrietta followed a servant carrying her things to her room. She had by now gotten used to the fact that Max was royalty. After the servant left, she sat down on her bed and looked at little Max's picture again. She realized now what the "something" he hadn't told her about was. His father had died, and his mother had remarried. Closing the book and putting it on a shelf, she said softly to herself, "I'm in love with a prince." What?! Where did that come from? I'm not....oooh dear. I am! Bother.

"Mother, I have a predicament." Mother put another nightgown into the wardrobe of her's and Father's room. "Can it be worse then war?" "Not exactly," said Henrietta. She closed the door. "This is stictly confidential, you understand." Mother nodded, an amused look on her face. Henrietta began with, "Um....well....." "What is it?" asked Mother, now nearly grinning. Henrietta took a deep breath and tried again. "I love Max!" she said in a despairing voice. Mother's reaction was not what Henrietta expected. She laughed and laughed, and at first Henrietta didn't understand. Then, sheepishly....she began to laugh too. Rain flew into the room, and Mother explained it to her. She laughed too, and Father, in the hallway, wondered what all the merriment was about.

****

Max and the king sat down to a hurried supper before rushing off to supervise the warlike preparations taking place all over the city (the queen had already left town). "So, what's this idea you've been hinting at?" asked the king. "Well, it's really just a basic battle-plan. What I thought we'd do was, when Eugor's army shows up, they'll storm the palace and find it empty." "But--" the king objected. Max continued, cutting him off. "They'll have orders from Eugor to spread out and search everywhere. But we won't give them a chance to. Our men will be hiding in the turrets above the main gate and in the courtyard behind the front door. As soon as Eugor's men come through, we'll shut the gate behind them, the men on the turrets will drop down and the men in the courtyard will come through the door, and we'll have them surrounded. From there, you get the idea."

The king thought a moment. "Interesting. Not bad at all, really. And what about those outfits you picked out for the two of us? If no one's going to be looking for us, what's the point?"
"Precautions," said Max. "And in case you decide not to go with this particular plan of action." He handed his empty plate to a servant. "Well, if we do that, what next?" asked the king. "I haven't a clue," said max. "I told you, this is just a basic idea. We're going to need to do a lot more than that if we're going to defeat anybody. Any ideas concerning the dragons?"

****

"Father, may I send a letter?" Henrietta asked. "To whom?" he replied. "Max." He looked up from his desk. "Why?" he asked. "I want to ask him a few questions. Please, Father. The messenger will be there and back long before whatever idiot wants to take over gets there." Father sighed and leaned back in his chair. "All right." He gave her some paper, a quill and some ink. "Thank you, Father," she said, kissing him on the cheek.

Dear Max,

I know you're the prince. Don't bother asking how, I'll tell you another time. I thought you should know that. I'm not sure why you didn't tell me, but don't worry. I'm not angry or anything. I am sorry though...about your father. He was a good king, and knowing you tells me that he was a good father. How can I tell? Because you turned out pretty well. He would be proud.

Getting to business; what exactly is going on? Who is attacking, why and how? I'll just say that Rain's curiosity is rubbing off on me. Let's hope it isn't permanent.

Affectionately,

Henrietta



She had thought of telling him about her newfound feelings concerning him, but decided not to tell him. He could bring up the subject if he wanted to. She folded the letter and sealed it with wax. She was about to take it downstairs to give to a messenger, when she had a crazy idea. (Also a very silly one. had someone more sensible come along and shown her the folly of it, things might have turned out very differently.) Without stopping to think about it, she quickly changed into her old riding clothes. She had worn these two years ago, during a tomboy phase. The loose trousers and belted tunic still fit, thankfully. She added a cap and a small knife, and the outfit was complete. She snuck outside by the back way, stopping only to leave a note on the kitchen table and to grab some provisions, ran to the stables and chose a fast horse. As she saddled it, she heard a small, accusing voice behind her.

"Just where do you think you're going?" She whirled around. Rain was there, with a face like a thunderstorm. "Running off to battle, are we?" Henrietta looked angrily back. "Do you intend to tell on me?" Rain huffed. "Of course not! I'm only wondering why you didn't think to take me along!" Henrietta laughed.

And so, the two reckless companions galloped off down the road.



(To be continued.)

A sneak peek....

At The End.
I'm still at a loss for the title of this story. Please, PLEASE if you have any suggestions, go ahead and say them. I'm getting desperate.

Anyways, here is a sneak peak at the last part of [insert title here].

The End
In which Henrietta makes a discovery (or two), a battle is fought, and we eventually arrive at happily ever after.

-5-

Henrietta was not happy- at all. She was perfectly capable of holding her own in a battle, and he knew that. She had been fencing since the age of 7 and had defeated Max in friendly duels with wooden swords plenty of times. Yet here she was, bumping along in a carriage headed towards her father's estate several miles out of the city. She mumbled uncomplimentary phrases about Max under her breath.
"Would you stop that?" demanded Brianna. Brianna was very good at demanding.
Henrietta glared at her. Brianna glared back. Father intervened.
"Why don't you read a book, Henrietta?"
She stopped glaring at Brianna and glared at him instead. "Alright," she said. "Did you bring any books with you?" He handed her a small, thin volume. She opened it.
"A History of the Royal Family" was on the cover. It had been written recently, just 10 years ago. She opened it, thinking that her father knew her far too well. He knew that the mere sight of a book she'd never read instantly made her forget everything else, and he used it against her. Defeated, she began to read.

****


Max's stepfather was inspecting his new armor. Max was in the room, being measured for his. The two of them were talking about a very serious topic generally known as war.
"What is their motive?" asked Max.
"We are," replied the king. "That crazy wizard is convinced that he can take over the kingdom."
"Idiot," said Max.
"My thought exactly," agreed his stepfather. "So anyway, his main plan is to march through the city, violently forcing the people into submission as he goes, surround the palace with dragons, and send infantry in to find us and drag us outside. He'll try to force us to submit to him. If that doesn't work- which it obviously won't -he'll give the order and those dragons of his will fry us."
"What about the soldiers? If they're still standing around when he incinerates us..."
"He doesn't care. Neither do they. They wouldn't work for him otherwise. He's done something to them so that they're incapable of emotion and thinking for themselves."
"That's horrible!" ejaculated Max. The king grunted a little as he started trying on his suit of armor. "Indeed it is, Max," he said soberly. "That's why he needs to be stopped. If not, he'll do that to the entire kingdom to prevent any uprising against him. He'll rule a nation made up of blind, unthinking machines."
Max was shocked. "Are we sure about this?"
"Our intelligence service is excellent. Each spy is trained from the age of ten to tell nothing but the plain truth. They couldn't exaggerate if they tried."
They fell silent for a while. The fellow taking Max's measurements was about to leave when Max suddenly stopped him. "Stay a moment," he said.
"What are you up to?" asked the king.

New Header

So. Whatcha think?

I (The Real Katie) made it. Cuz I'm just so talented.

The next part of my story...

Enjoy! Criticism and suggestions are welcome.

The Middle

-3-

She spun in circles and watched her dress twirl. She felt her hair fly straight out from her head and laughed.
"What in the world are you doing?" asked a small voice from the windowsill.
"Spinning, of course!" was the jubilant reply.
"Why are you spinning?"
Henrietta stopped abruptly and her hair hit her in the face. She flipped it aside and said, "It's fun."
"Why is it fun?" demanded her friend.
"Why, oh why are fairies so inquisitive? It just is. And no more questions, Miss Rain, or I shall put you in a jar." The fairy pouted. She was very small- not yet full grown- and like all her race, she was exceedingly curious. Her skin was lightly tinted with pink, and if she were sick or sad it would become very pale and grayish. Her eyes were violet colored and looked large in her small face, which was encircled by dark wavy hair. Her tiny dress was blue that day, with little silver vines running up and down it. Her name was Raindrop (Rain for short) and she sat on the windowsill looking irritably at her human friend. "Why not?"
"I give up!" said Henrietta. She huffed, then smiled at the fairy, picked her up in her hand (Rain's wings were still growing, so she couldn't fly) and was about to show her how fun spinning was when there was a knock on the door. "Brianna, will you get that please?" No answer. Henrietta went to the door herself, and opened it to find a familiar face. "Why, hello!"

****

He had used the front door that time, and had told the guard to tell his officer to tell his officer to tell someone important to tell his stepfather that he was out for a walk through the city. He went by her house (need one elaborate on who "she" is?) and decided, after a great deal of debating with himself, to drop in. He knocked, she opened the door.
"Why, hello!"
"I was in the neighborhood and dropped by to say that exact same thing," he smiled. She smiled back.
"How kind of you. You know, we were never properly introduced. I'm Henrietta," she said, holding out her hand. He shook it a bit awkwardly. "Max."
"Won't you come in?"
"Well...just for a minute."
"Wonderful!" She led him to the sitting room.
"Uh.... nice house," he said, for lack of better comment. He thought he heard a giggle, but it didn't come from Henrietta. He looked around. There was a young female fairy sitting daintily on the small tea-table. "Is that the best compliment you could think of?" she asked, rather mockingly. He paused a moment, laughed slightly and bowed to her. "I was simply lost for words at the sight of your beauty, madam," he said grandly.
"You didn't see me until just now," she pointed out.
"Your overwhelming presence, then."
Rain giggled again. "I like you," she said. "Even though you are a little slow. Who are you? Where do you live? Are you Henrietta's beau?"
Henrietta laughed and asked if he would like tea.
"Does it come with cookies?"
"All kinds."

****

Max became very good friends with both of them after that. He called often. When asked where he lived, he simply said "The palace." The girls thought he was just a page or some such person, never bothering to ask. Henrietta's parents liked him immensely, and even Brianna conceded that he "had a charming sense of humor, much more pleasing than Henrietta's". He, Rain and Henrietta spent most of their time either teasing each other ruthlessly or discussing everything from politics to fashion to why spinning is fun. Rain often drove the others crazy with her never-ending flow of questions. However, in a few months her wings grew completely, and she spent so much time flitting around and trying new tricks in the air that she only asked about one question per minute.

One day, about three months after their first meeting, Henrietta and Max chanced to meet each other on the street while it was raining. "History repeats itself!" said Henrietta. The only difference was that this time, she was the one with the umbrella. They laughed. She held out her umbrella and said, "It's big enough for both of us." He entered under it gratefully.
"Where be ye headed, fair lady?" asked Max.
"To the milliner's," said she.
"The what?"
"It's where you buy hats and ribbons and such."
"Ah, I see. And what is your errand there, miss?"
"To buy hats and ribbons and such, of course."
"I knew that." He walked her to the milliner's and stood around while she tried on headgear. She looked at a long pink ribbon and squealed. "Ooh! Isn't it lovely?!"
He blinked. "What's so special about it?"
She smirked at him. "I guess you wouldn't know."
"I guess not."
As she wandered around the shop, she glanced at him now and then. He looked bored. But more than that. He had that melancholy look that was always on his face when he wasn't occupied. I'll ask him about it, she thought.
He noticed her looking at him and flushed. "Er, are you done here?"
"Yes," she said. Actually she wasn't, but she felt bad for making him stay there. "Let me just buy these and we'll be on our way."

****

On the way back to Henrietta's house, Max wondered why she had been looking at him so pityingly back in the hat shop. He also wondered why she was being so quiet. What was going on in that mind of hers? He'd better say something. The silence was getting awkward.
"How's your baby brother?" he asked. Mother's baby had been born a few weeks ago.
"Oh, he's fine," she said absently. "Um....Max?"
"Yes?" Maybe now she'd tell him what had been going on.
"Is something wrong?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Well... it's just that you look so sad sometimes. I wanted to know if you were alright."
He hesitated. If he told her about his father, she'd figure out who he was. For some reason, he didn't want her to know just yet. "It's nothing you need to worry about," he said finally.
"Then there is something wrong. I'll decide what I want to worry about. Just tell me."
He tried to smile reassuringly at her. "Maybe some other time."
She looked at him, concern still lining her pretty features. "You sure?"
"Yes."

-4-

Their friendship continued, but Max never told Henrietta more about the "something wrong". She still wondered about it, but she didn't pry. He'd tell her in his own time. After their conversation on the street, she noticed that he consciously tried to be more cheerful more often. She would have told him he didn't have to, but she didn't want to bring up the subject again.
Meanwhile, there were preparations being made for Brianna's wedding. Max, of course, was coming. She'd invited him to bring his family also, but he hadn't said anything to that. Her curiosity about him increased, and suspicions started to form in her mind. Rain thought something was up, and said so. Henrietta ignored her. She was puzzling over Max's melancholy-then-cheerful countenance and she was also trying to decide what dress she should wear to her sister's wedding. "The green velvet or the blue silk?" she mused.
"Either one. What is silk made of?"
"I don't know and I don't particularly care."
"Why is green called green, and blue called blue? Why can't blue be called green, and green be called blue?"
"Stop!" Henrietta implored. "You're giving me a headache!"
"Do you think Max is handsome?"
Henrietta glared at her fairy friend. "Go find someone else to bother." Rain pouted. "Max is never that rude to me."
"AAGH! Please Rain, just a little peace? Please?"
"Alright, alright! I'll be quiet." Henrietta sighed wearily. "Thank you," she said.

"Why is pink called pink?

****

"Max," said his mother one day.
"Yes?"
"Go to the study. Your father wants-"
"To speak to me. Alright," he sighed. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and walked down the hallways to the study. On entering he said, "You wanted to speak to me?"
"Yes, come sit." Max obeyed.
"Am I in trouble?"
The king shifted in his chair. Max realized that he never thought of him as "Father" but always as "the king" or "Mother's husband". That's depressing, he thought cynically.
His stepfather spoke. "You and I have been edging around each other ever since I married your mother. Why do you think that is?"
Well, the man sure knew how to get straight to the point. Max was rather startled. "Well....you...I....what I'm getting at is...well....oh, must you spring things at a fellow like that?" he demanded.
"I thought we should talk about it. I didn't see any reason to lead up to it gently," the king said bluntly. Luckily, his answer gave Max a moment to pull his wits together. "What about you? Let's hear your reasons for 'edging' first," he said flatly.
The king remained undisturbed. He put his fingertips together and replied, "I realize that you miss your father. I know you feel that I'm here to take up a place that you don't want to be filled. I've been giving you space, giving you time to sort things out on your own. You should have had time enough by now. Do you think that, instead of my trying to be your father, you can let me be your friend?"
Max was startled once more. Then again, you don't have to be terribly perceptive to know someone's feelings about their dead father. Max was grateful that the king was being considerate about this, not trying to be a father. He decided he might as well go along with it. He wasn't sure he could take any more awkwardness.
"Friends," he said. Suddenly the door opened and a messenger rushed in. He looked out of breath. He handed the king an envelope. The king opened it and read. When he finished, he handed it to Max with a solemn face.

****

The doorbell rang. "That should be Max. He said he'd come today," said Rain. Henrietta left off taking measurements for Brianna's wedding dress to let him in.
"Hello! Long time no see," she said when she opened the door. Then she realized that (oops!) that was not her friend standing there on the threshold. It was Brianna's fiancée. He looked flustered.
"Henrietta, where is your sister?" he demanded immediately. Henrietta was taken aback by his urgent behavior.
"Is something wrong?"
"Where is she?"
"Sh-she's upstairs," said Henrietta, eyes wide. He pushed past her and started up the steps. "Sir, you can't go up there! She's busy! We're making her wedding dress!"
He huffed. "Send her to me as soon as possible. I'll be in the parlor."
Henrietta went upstairs and told her sister to go down to her husband-to-be, and quick. Brianna hastened to the parlor. Henrietta followed.
"My love," said he, "Start packing. You are leaving this city immediately." At that moment Max came running in through the front door (Henrietta had left it open).
"Henrietta!"
"Max!"
"You and your family must leave. There is going to be an attack on the city."

Cliffhanger! MUAHAHAHA!

Coming soon!

Interview with Amanda C. Bell!

Review of All For The Love Of Mothers: Memoirs of a Catholic Midwife by Lisbeth Burger. Just let me finish the book first. :-P

(Untitled) The Middle by me. Btw, if anyone could help think of a title for that, I would be eternally grateful.


So don't touch that remote! Stay tuned... we'll post more soon!

(untitled)

Not the blog post, the story.

Quick note: this story is divided into three main parts. "The Beginning", "The Middle", and "The End", each of which will divided into smaller parts just because I felt like it. :-P It has no title yet.
Enjoy!

The Beginning

-1-

Henrietta turned to smile beatifically at the assorted members in the sitting room. "Raining again," she said cheerily.
Father moaned. Brianna groaned. Mother kept stitching. It had been raining on and off for almost a week now.
Henrietta walked away from her place at the window and sat down next to Mother to look at her embroidery.
"Must you tell us these things?" Brianna demanded.
"What do you mean? It's raining. You'd find out eventually anyways, and whether I say it or not won't control whether or not it's raining. Which it is," replied Henrietta calmly. She never missed an opportunity to irritate her older sister.
"You just said it again! Twice!"
"Said what?"
"That's it's raining."
Henrietta absently put a runaway lock of golden hair behind her ear. "Well, it is."
"Thrice!" Brianna cried, throwing her hands in the air. Henrietta concealed a grin.
"Four times, actually. If you count the first time."
Brianna glared at her and walked out. Henrietta waited for her sister's dark head to disappear out the door before allowing the grin to come out of hiding.
"Victory," she said smugly.
"You really shouldn't do that to her all the time," Mother reprimanded her.
"It's not entirely Henrietta's fault. It does sort of run in the family," said Father. Mother gave him the "Oh, really?" look and turned once more to Henrietta. "Go get me that pink thread from the sewing closet, please." Mother spent most of her time sitting down those days, which was to be expected, as she was expecting.
"Yes, Mother." Henrietta left the room, a smile still tugging at the corners of her mouth.

Later that day Henrietta took advantage of a brief let-up in the weather to visit a friend. On her way back, it started raining again.
"Oh bother!" she said. She looked accusingly at the sky. "You just had to do it, didn't you?" She shook her fist at a raincloud. It remained insultingly indifferent to her.
"May I offer some assistance?"
Henrietta turned from her tirade and found herself looking at a young man.

****

He had been walking along, enjoying his time away from all the servants and dignitaries and fawning people who seemed to have no real job. Then it started to rain. Again. He opened his umbrella and continued his stroll. A few minutes later, he stopped short. Before him was a young lady of such beauty that he nearly tripped and fell on his face at the sight of her. She didn't notice him, so he took a moment to pull himself together and assume an air of practiced courtesy and suavity.
"May I offer some assistance?" Oops. He hadn't meant to sound so false. He berated himself then stopped, for the lovely creature had turned around. She blinked.
"What?"
"Um," he floundered, "well, I've got this umbrella, and you don't seem to have one, and I wouldn't want you to get wet, so..."
She smiled gracefully. "How very kind of you." Her eyes twinkled. He looked closely at her. Was she laughing at him? She was! Wait, she was speaking again. Her voice was as beautiful as her deep blue eyes...
"Where exactly are you headed? For you see, it wouldn't be fair for me to just take your umbrella. In all practicality, the only way to go about it is for you to escort me home. But if that's out of your way, I don't mind getting wet."
"Oh, I'm not going anywhere in particular. Just enjoying some fresh air. Where do you live?" That was a little better.
"Just a block over."
"Let's go, shall we?" He held out his arm.

****

What a nice boy, thought Henrietta. She waved at him once more before going inside. Brianna descended on her immediately, like a bird of prey.
"Where did you go? Who was that? How old is he? Is he courting you? How long have you known him?"
"I went to Anna's house. I don't know his name or his age. I've known him for about ten minutes. He's a very nice boy and I hope he stops by again sometime."
Henrietta went upstairs with Brianna staring at her, wondering what in the world was wrong with her sister. A handsome boy, rich by the look of his clothes, and she hadn't bothered to get introduced! Brianna herself was actually engaged. Her fiancée, however, had apparently forgotten that little fact. Next time he came by she'd have to remind him. Brianna sighed. She was surrounded by forgetful, careless people.

Henrietta, meanwhile, was in her room reading. After a while she put down her book and said to herself, "What is his name anyway?"

-2-

"Max! Max? Maximilian! Oh, there you are!"
He came across the threshold into her room. "Yes, mother dearest?"
"Don't be smart with me. Where have you been all day?"
He hesitated. "Oh....around..."
"You climbed over the palace wall again, didn't you?" She sighed and sat down, her voluminous silk gown rustling. She waved at herself with a heavily decorated fan. You could tell that she had once been very pretty, but time and sadness had wiped most traces of beauty from her now-melancholy face. "If you don't stop doing that I don't know what we're going to do with you. Princes aren't supposed to run away, you know."
"Well if your life was as boring as mine you'd want to get out too sometimes!" he fumed. He sat down next to her and let out an explosive breath. Life was so....so frustrating!
"I live here too, dear. Sometimes I do want to get out," she sighed. "Ever since your father died people have bombarded me with sympathies and consolations. I've suffered through three years of 'I'll never forgets' and 'May he rest in peaces' and they do absolutely nothing but remind me...of his death."
Max laughed.
"What's so funny?" she asked sharply.
"In pieces," he chortled. "Sorry mother. I didn't mean to be unsympathetic." More gently, he said, "I miss him too." He cleared his throat. "You were saying...?"
"Oh never mind. Just please, don't leave the palace without telling someone first, all right?"
"Yes, mother."
"And try to use the front door like normal people generally do."
He grinned. "Oh, but mother, climbing the wall is so much more fun."
She whacked him with her fan. "Leave, you. Go on! Your stepfather wants to speak to you."

****

Henrietta was in her room practicing Latin verbs (confounded things!) when her mother knocked on her door. Henrietta leaped up and opened it.
"Hello dear, I want to talk with you."
"Of course."
Mother sat down on the bed. Henrietta followed suit. "Yes?"
"You're sixteen."
"Really? What did I miss?" Mother looked irritably at her. Henrietta grinned impudently.
"Anyway," Mother continued, "That means you're of an age to marry." She looked at Henrietta very seriously. "Tell me honestly, dear: are there any young men you are interested in?"
Henrietta looked just as seriously back. "No, mother. Not yet anyway."
"Not yet?"
Henrietta toyed with the edge of her bedspread. "I met a very nice young man today. I don't know his name or anything, but he was very courteous and friendly and I rather liked him. I hope we'll be friends. And maybe later on...." she left it hanging. Her mother smiled slyly. "Courteous, friendly....and handsome?"
Henrietta shoved her playfully and smiled. "Well, I've always thought that's a matter of opinion. He has dark hair and pleasant features. I didn't really take note of the color of his eyes...I think they're green. He looked a little sad for some reason." She frowned thoughtfully.
"Well, dearest, please be careful, and think about what I've mentioned. You're old enough to be married, but I don't want to lose you too soon. Give it some time."
"Don't worry, mother. I wasn't planning on being wed anytime soon. I will be careful, though." They hugged. Mother went downstairs and Henrietta returned to that absurd thing known as the passive voice in Latin.

****

Max stepped hesitatingly into the king's study. This room had once been his father's. Now it belonged to the new king, his stepfather. He liked the man, but still resented him a little for no reason he could express in words. He missed his real father very much, and this man had taken his place too soon. The relationship between the two was shaky, and they stepped around each other rather carefully.
"Come here Max, I won't bite you," said the king.
"Yes, sir," said the crown prince. The new king was a rather ordinary looking man, except for his eyes. Max often felt that under their gaze his thoughts were being read, as though they were written in the air over his head.
"You will not have to become king for a long time yet."
"Yes, sir. Quite frankly I'm glad of that. I'm definitely not ready."
"Hmmph," the king mused. "In any case, your mother and I think it would be wise for you to marry soon. Settle down, establish a family." Good heavens, must the man stare at me so? thought Max.
"Have any girls caught your eye?" the king asked. Max blushed and thought of the nameless girl who had captured his heart in less than ten seconds."Er....well..."
The king laughed (who knew he could sound so merry?).
"You don't have to tell me about it. However, if you choose someone to take to wife, do bring her to dinner or something so we can all meet her. Don't just surprise us." Max smiled a bit shyly. His stepfather smiled back and held out his hand. "Agreed?"
Max shook it firmly. "Agreed."

Interview with Miss CNW!

Interview with Miss CNW! Katie's questions are in blue, Emmy's answers are in Red. :)

What inspires your writing?

Mostly real life experiences. For example, the novel I'm currently working on was inspired by things that happened to me two years ago. It's not autobiographical but pretty darn close. I guess I just write what I know.

If you could do magic, what would you do? Why?

I'd rather not do magic. I'm pretty content with leaving everything up to God. Besides, I like life's little surprises (most of the time. lol).

If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why?

Tickled Pink... just because it sounds very silly, girly, and happy. That's me. :D

If a movie (or TV show) was being made about your life, who would you want to star as you and why?

I would say a young June Allyson, if she were still alive. Current actresses... I guess I would have to choose someone younger. I'd choose Selena Gomez. I think she's adorable and she's such a great role model for my nieces and nephews. I'm not saying we're anything alike, 'cause I don't personally know her, but I like that she's down-to-earth and that she has a good head on her shoulders.

When you're not reading or blogging, what do you like to do in your spare time?

Spare time? What's that? lol. Of course, writing. I'm an iTunes addict so probably looking for new music on there. Photography -- looking at ordinary things, finding the beauty in it, and taking a picture of it.

If you could have any accent, what kind would you have and why?

I have sort of a Spanish-Argentinian dialect/accent when I speak Spanish so I'm good. :D Wait, I'd want an Irish one too.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

All of Europe. There are so many beautiful countries out there, it's impossible for me to choose one country. I'll hopefully move out there some day.

If you could be any character in any book or movie who would you be and why?

I would be Catalina Zamora because.. I AM Lina. lol. She's the character that's based on me in the novel. :D Or definitely Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.

If You Could Be Any Animal, What would You Choose and Why?

Good question. I don't know. A hummingbird, I suppose, because it's my favorite animal. To be able to fly, and be surrounded by flowers... that would be a dream.

How would you describe yourself?

I don't know. lol. I'm horrible at describing myself. Full of surprises would be a good description. I'm always surprising people because I'm a very private person when it comes to certain things so when I reveal things here and there. My friends are like "Whoa, where did THAT come from?" The boys are usually surprised by how much I love football (soccer) and how well I play sports. The girls are usually surprised by how girly I can be when it comes to my wardrobe. lol.

Go visit Emmy's blog, Journey of A Catholic Nerd Writer

The Real Katie Has A New Blog!

Dun Dun Dun!

I'll post all my graphics and stuff I make there.

It's called Designs by Katie.

Sooo, go check it out!

I is back from Florida, I is.

Did I sound like Yoda?! Did I, did I, DID I?!?!

Okay, I'm done.

As some of you MAY know, I went to Florida last weekend for a good friend, Ashley's, Sweet Sixteen.

Long story short, she shared it with her cousin who was celebrating HIS eighteenth birthday. The end.

Anyway, Ashy (As I oh-so-lovingly call Ashley) and her sister, Stephy (Short for Stephanie) were getting over colds. So, of course, as soon as we get home, all five of us (Megan, Sara, Teresa, my sister Sarah and I) end up SICK! Sore throats, coughs, runny noses, sinus pressure, fevers, sleeping all day, that sort of thing. My throat FINALLY doesn't hurt, but my sinuses want to murder me, I'm sure, and I keep sneezing and coughing. No. Fun. Nuh-uh.

So, on Wednesday, my family drove up to Hartford to protest the Catholic Controversy (If you don't know about it, click HERE). I of course, complained the whole time we were there. "My throat hurts! I'm tired! My nose feels weird...". What else was I supposed to do!? I was CRANKY.

Anyway, that's the update on moi life. Very interesting, I know. *nods* Anyway, while I've been sick, I've been doing LOTS of reading. So, hopefully, I'll have some exciting book reviews up at my review blog! YAY!

Later, homedogs.

Moi aka Katie aka THE REAL Katie

Theology Discussion At Dinnertime

Goodness, how we've neglected this place! Sorry! Highly interesting theology discussion headed your way!






Ben (age 5): How come Jesus doesn't look like God?
Emma (age 8): Jesus IS God! Besides, no one knows what God looks like.
Ben: I know what He looks like!

(discussion continues for a minute or two until I hear:)

Emma (exasperated): Ben, God is in HEAVEN. People don't sit up there and sketch him!

50 Million Red Envelopes

"Dear Friends and Intercessors: This afternoon I was praying about a number of things, and my mind began to wander. I was deeply distressed at the symbolic actions that President Obama took as he began his presidency. Namely, that he signed executive orders releasing funds to pay for abortions, permission to fund human stem cell research, and federal funding for contraception. I have been involved in the pro-life movement for nearly 20 years, and it pained my heart to see a man and a political party committed to the shedding of innocent blood. This man, and this party lead our country, but they do not represent me or the 54% of Americans who believe that abortion is wrong and should no longer be legal. As I was praying, I believe that God gave me an interesting idea. Out in the garage I have a box of red envelopes. Like the powerful image of the red LIFE tape, an empty red envelope will send a message to Barack Obama that there is moral outrage in this country over this issue. It will be quiet, but clear. Here is what I would like you to do: Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores. On the front, address it to President Barack Obama The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Washington, D.C. On the back, write the following message. This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility begins with conception. Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this email to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died before having a a chance to live. Maybe it will change the heart of the president.

Warmly, Christ John Otto"

Prayer for the new president

God of power and might, wisdom and justice,through you authority is rightly administered,laws are enacted, and judgment is decreed. Assist with your spirit of counsel and fortitudethe President and other government leaders of these United States.May they always seek the ways of righteousness, justice and mercy. Grant that they may be enabled by your powerful protectionto lead our country with honesty and integrity. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

God Bless Our President and God Bless the United States of America!

Prayer for vocations

O Holy Spirit, Spirit of wisdom and divine love, impart Your knowledge, understanding, and counsel to youth that they may know the vocation wherein they can best serve God. Give them courage and strength to follow God's holy will. Guide their uncertain steps, strengthen their resolutions, shield their chastity, fashion their minds, conquer their hearts, and lead them to the vineyards where they will labor in God's holy service. Amen.

Twilight review by Anne

From a literary standpoint: The way Stephenie Meyer writes Bellas viewpoint really annoyed me. It's like Bella is telling you everything thats going through her head, but changing it a little. I never felt totally absorbed into the book or characters. I just felt that I was reading a book. Bella also annoyed me. I'm not sure what it was - she didn't seem very whiny to me as some people have complained of, but I just didn't care for her that well. She was really pretty boring. What I did like was that I could easily relate to her clumsiness, lack of sports skills and car knowledge lol I got so sick of hearing some things over and over again. How Bellas teammates acted in gym, and Edward's brilliance for example. I mean, she describes "He flashed his blinding white smile" and then all I can picture is a floating white mouth! Aside from that though, I found myself laughing out loud many times at Edwards comments - and some of Bella's too. About the time Edward and Bella took their first exscursion through the woods, I got more interested. From a moral viewpoint: Bella is pretty unselfish. She goes to live with her Dad, even though she hates his town, so that her Mom can be with her new husband. She takes very good care of her Dad. You can also tell she wants to have a better relationship with him. She does keep her relationship with Edward hidden from him at first, but tells hi mat Edwards urging. She's respectful of Billy even though he's telling her to stay away from the guy she loves madly. Edward does watch her every night while she sleeps, and then sleeps in the same bed with her after he tells her, but they don't do anything wrong. As to the wisdom of this, that's up to you. As far as their chastity goes, I wouldn't say it's so much that they are waiting till marriage (if they do so) to have sex, but the fact that Edward doesn't want to harm Bella by doing so. But it's a good analogy. Edwards family are all but one very kind to Bella, even if though don't all think Edward and Bella should have a relationship. And they also risk their lives for her sake.

Hello again...

Alas, we have hardly been good blog-keepers. Most heartfelt apologies!
So, when you are disappointed here, go to one of the blogs on the sidebar. They are mostly kept by smart, interesting people who post on some kind of regular basis and can be expected to have interesting posts. :-P
(btw Katie, why can't I add to the blogroll? you did something. fix it. now)

So..... any ideas what we should post about? This place needs livening up. I'm inclined to do that by singing "CE-LE-BRAAA-TION!!" and get everybody dancing but.... well maybe something different. AHA! Twilight! I'm a genius. No, I haven't read or seen Twilight but Katie has! I'm thinking some reviews, by different people (including Katie). I see it now.... Twilight: To Read Or Not To Read?

Where would you people be without me? I'm going to go get permission from girls I know who have read it and have written some sort of moral review.
See ya'll!
-KatieK

Fight FOCA!!

Hello Everyone,

Most of you probably know about the FOCA, but for those who don't, here's a brief summary:

If you are opposed to abortion then there is bad news on the horizon. For those of you who do not know, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) is set to be signed if congress passes it on January 21-22 of 2009. The FOCA is the next sick chapter in the book of abortion. If made a law then all limitations on abortion will be lifted which will result in the following:

1) All hospitals, including Catholic hospitals will be required to perform abortions upon request. If this happens Bishops vow to close down all Catholic hospitals, more then 30% of all hospitals in the United States.

2) Partial birth abortions would be legal and have no limitations.

3) All U.S. tax payers would be funding abortions.

4) Parental notification will no longer be required.

5) The number of abortions will increase by a minimum of 100,000 annually.

Perhaps most importantly the government will now have control in the issue of abortion. This could result in a future amendment that would force women by law to have abortions in certain situations (rape, down syndrome babies, etc) and could even regulate how many children women are allowed to have.

Please go to Fight FOCA and sign the petition. It's a horrible thing. This goes BEYOND pro-choice. If you support this, you are supporting the right to take away a woman's choice. Isn't that pro-choice? That each person makes their own choice for their life? Not the government? This would squash all of that.