To the Stars

The stairs led upwards, to the stars.
But can we ever travel so far?
Beyond the moon, out into space.
Will we ever find our place?
When we reach for galaxies.
Sometimes we forget our own realities.
The sun might not be where we start.
But its warmth is like the love in our hearts.

For Hot Water

1. Because boiling water before drinking it can help prevent you from getting sick, should you have any concerns about the water.
2. Cold water isn't always fun to bathe with.
3. If you want to cook some pasta, boiling water takes less time to cook it.
4. For hot cocoa, a sweet treat on a cold day.
5. Because mixing honey into hot water can help soothe a sore throat.
6. Dishes get cleaner if you use both hot water and soap.
7. Breathing in steam can help clear inky gunk from lungs when you're sick.
8. For a foot bath, as sometimes your feet need some extra relief from their aches.
9. Because eggs boil better when the water isn't cold.
10. To sterilize jars when you're making home-made jam.

The Cranky Cranberry

The cranky cranberry didn't want to become sauce. Nor did he care to become juice.
No what the cranky cranberry really wanted to be was the main course.
Not a side dish, or a drink, or a hiking snack.
All he wanted was to be the star, to outshine the turkey and the mashed potatoes.
But he was only one, itty bitty cranberry.
And that was what made him so cranky.
For no one would want a single cranberry to be the main course. They frown, and ask where the turkey was.
Oh, how the cranky cranberry loathed that turkey.
The cranky cranberry could think of a reason to dislike every other food he could possibly be paired with.
Every dismissal he made of them only brought more feelings of frustration to the cranky cranberry.
And the crankier he became, the more tart the cranberry's flavor.
No one wanted to eat the cranky cranberry, for his tartness had become far too bitter.
In the end though, the cranky cranberry did become the main course.
For a flavor-blind turkey.

What to do When it Snows

1. Build a snowman.
2. Throw snowballs for the dog to chase.
3. Drink hot cocoa.
4. Snuggle into a blanket by the fire.
5. Read a book.
6. Watch White Christmas.
7. Catch up on chores around the house.
8. Take a nap.
9. Eat grilled cheese sandwiches and soup.
10. Watch the snow fall.

Welcome to the Wilderness

Welcome to the wilderness, where the winters are bitter and cold. Where bears and deer roam, and where some animals never grow old.
Welcome to the wilderness, where people rarely roam. Where those who wander risk becoming lost, and never seeing home.
Welcome to the wilderness, where all may have a say. Of where to go, what to do, and where the kids may play.
Welcome to the wilderness, welcome one and all! Stay awhile, and you might see why people come to call.

Why Dogs Bark

1. Because another dog barked.
2. They see a stranger, and that means danger!
3. How else will you know that their ready for a treat?
4. The cat was in trouble, and the dog wanted to make sure you knew.
5. The dog saw that the person they love best has come to visit, and is so excited to see them.
6. You forgot the dog inside, and now the dog wants to remind you that they too want to got outside.
7. Your food smells so good, that it would drive the dog insane not to say something about it.
8. You have a toy, and the dog wants it.
9. There is a turtle! Why is the turtle (known as the moving rock to the dog) moving? Somebody stop it!
10. Because that plastic bag looks like a shady character, and to not bark and scare it off would be a crime the dog cannot afford to commit.

The Road

The road was straight, a seemingly unending line into the distance. Nothing disrupted its progess, and nothing marred the sides.
Flat, smooth land as far as the eye could see, and then beyond that.
It was so boring!
What fun was it to fly above such a bland landscape? Where were the trees to torch, the hills to rise up from, the tiny towns filled with tiny frightened people?
No, this bleak road was no place for a dragon.
Yet no matter how far the dragon flew, nothing ever changed. The dragon couldn't even remember when he'd last seen a tree.
Still, his wings were strong, and his will even stronger.
He would find the end of this road.
Even if it took centuries.

To Make a List

1. So you know what foods are needed for the chicken surprise recipe you wanted to try.
2. That way you don't have to open every box just to find which one your socks were packed in.
3. Because having a list of what trouble your characters have already gotten into will help you with deciding what new trouble they will find themselves in now.
4. So that you don't forget to send a Christmas card to great-aunt Ethel.
5. Because a list of how and when to do something is very handy.
6. A list can tell you who is going to an activity, so you know how many snacks to take.
7. A record of your cat's funny moments can make you laugh.
8. Because if you don't, how will you remember who has been naughty or nice?
9. If you make a list of what you've already done, then it will provide some time to ignore all that you have left to do.
10. Because lists can help simplify tasks.

Better Late

Better late than never, that's what they always say.
But isn't late still not enough, when the day needed to be saved?
How late is acceptable, when lives are on the line?
There is a reason they call such things deadlines.
When all hope has been lost, what apologies can be said?
"Oh, I so sorry, I overslept," such excuses can fill one with dread.
Better late than never, such timing is never enough.
Being there is far better, though being on time can be rough.