Ordinarily, the sun’s light captured everything in sight like a mother hugging a child and giving it warmth. From the dark oak bed, I rose because of the unpleasant bites of mosquitoes. The Civil War is always on my mind. After a most successful battle yesterday when our soldiers all left home, relief and happiness came to mind, for there was a chance that we would win. Consequently, that would explain the surge of energy running through my body after waking up. Starting off with breakfast, I walked to my kitchen, the wood underneath my feet start to creak. The closer I walked to the kitchen, the warmer and cozier the atmosphere became. My servant, Julia, prepared breakfast for me today similar to many other days, I always wonder what will breakfast will be. Fresh eggs from my brown feathered hens were soft surrounded by creamy goat cheese, and well-cooked toast was on the plate this morning. Enjoying the meal is a morning ritual,…
Here in this small community, seemingly blocked off from the rest of the world, lies a small slate colored house with a large white tarp sheltering the driveway. Adjacent to it, is a fairly large camping trailer that, if it's lucky, gets used for its intended purpose. The maroon deck in the foreground brings life and color to the dull, 1- story house. The front yard, in which I spent my childhood, seems everlastingly covered with the blades of the towering trees that I have grown so accustomed to. The aroma of the rainfall the night prior still lingers in the air, even as the sun begins to rise over the dewy, frost ridden lawn. Here, in the confines of my own habitat, listening to the songs of the morning birds and the blue jays, is where I connected with my surroundings. Here, is where I call home..…
The thick tree lines and vast open fields bring a sense of freedom and grandeur. The brilliant light shining like beacon of hope with the soft calming breeze flowing across the field is refreshing and pure like a baby after a warm bath. The air seems to be free and clear of the city’s poisonous air pollution and the soft sounds of birds makes it all too refreshing, like a beautiful day on the beach. With quiet clean monuments and buildings dancing across the landscape, the look of peace and quiet seems to be present at last. As the blue crisp skies begin to darken across the brilliant blue pond, the shimmering light hitting the trees is as beautiful as the sun setting on the Catalina Island on a bright blue day with soft clouds flowing across the sky. I have the taste of fresh fruit on my tongue in my mouth as I take a long deep breath, and realize how much the soft green grass adds to the peacefulness in the park. I can hear the cheerful wildlife scampering beyond the tree line, like young children frolicking in their mother’s front yard. As the quiet darkness sets in, and with the city brilliant lights in the background, the serene park makes the bustling city seem peaceful once…
I remember it all. I can still feel the warm summer wind gliding my sun-kissed cheeks. I didn’t usually have all of my windows down while I drove, especially not on the way to my lackluster burden, otherwise known as my job. Today was an exception, however, summer was quickly approaching its end, and I would be once again bound by the chains of high school. I decided to cherish every little bit that I had left. As I pulled in, I thought to myself, “just another ordinary day of work.” Oh…
The job of the first person that wakes up is to open all windows and doors of the house. You can smell the cooking of eggs, and the making of Cuban coffee. Inside of my aunt’s house I smelled the breakfast she cooked, the flowers from her backyard, and the scent of soap from the bathroom. The hills surrounding the town reflected the rising sun’s light on the dewy grass. The sound of horses galloping enters the house as they pass by. Noises gradually increase throughout the day, but as the day dies out so does all the sounds. At night the town is quiet. The streetlights were dim, but the moon was as white as paper and the stars bright as diamonds. Families are in their homes, eating, talking, playing dominoes, or getting ready for bed. I enjoyed nighttime because my family always stayed up late to talk and laugh. Every night was the same routine. I ate, showered, and laughed until I was…
Was the first thing I heard as I entered Lemon’s Diner snatching a black waist apron from the makeshift hook which was basically a nail. Everyone in the diner turned, looking at the rather recent and ongoing incident happening at Table 10.…
It had rained recently and the scent of pine filled the car as we drove with our windows down. I noticed wet red dirt that resembled clay. I pointed out this discovery to the kids, whom were amazed at every new sight. The air was so clean, there was no scent of smog, to which I had grown accustomed, in my home town. We observed many trees and relished in their beauty. There were trees of all kinds ranging from pine, to cedar, hickory and many others. The colors that filled them made me realize, I had truly arrived. The scenery was so beautiful and welcoming. I was home and it felt that way from the moment I arrived. My children and I noticed fall leaves everywhere. All colors associated with autumn made me cry, I was just so happy and exhausted. I couldn’t wait to get out of the car and really relax. After about three days of driving I was totally worn out and suffered from a bad case of insomnia. In spite of it all, I was excited to start my new job and our new…
The familiar echo of fast paced foots steps approached, my eyes low with my hood on. The ground was damp and cold, the setting sun futile as a source of warmth in comparison to the wind which chopped at my cheeks like jagged knives, my clothing insufficient on the freezing July evening. I distinguished the walk as that of 2 females, my daily routine improving my clarity when listening to passers by. I’d become accustomed to the city life, the familiar smell of freshly roasted coffee beans, the jingle of bakery and butcher bells as they open their doors at the crack of dawn, signaling the start of a new day.…
As I sit outside my porch gleaming at the clear blue sky, the sun peeking through the clouds down on my face. I take a long breath, taking in the morning breeze and letting it out. Today will be different, it will be a new beginning. I hear the birds chirping and the sun has risen. It's time. I run back inside my house grab the keys and head straight to the front door. I take a deep breath again telling the voices in my head that today will be different. I stroll down the road as I rehash what this day was one year ago. A deadly disaster, a heart throbbing story that I never want to be reminded of. I ambled past a group of people down the street, I hear their words turning into whispers and their ferocious eyes looking at me. The whispers are…
As I stepped outside my porch, like any other day, to attend my morning quite-time. This day wasn’t just like others. I was so peaceful and quite. I saw the sun’s rays in my eye, lighting my way step by step. It shined so bright, it burned my eye. I saw the beautiful green trees up across the sky, with birds flying over them and other just waiting to sing…
On the afternoon of that eventful day, I stood on the porch, dumb, expectant. I guessed vaguely from my mother’s signs and from the hurrying to and fro in the house that something unusual was about to happen, so I went to the door and waited on the steps. The afternoon sun penetrated the mass of honeysuckle that covered the porch and fell on my upturned face. My fingers lingered almost unconsciously on the familiar leaves and blossoms which had just come forth to greet the sweet southern spring. I did not know what the future held of marvel or surprise for me. Anger and bitterness had preyed upon me continually for weeks and a deep languor had succeeded this passionate struggle.…
When breakfast is over it is time to get showered and ready for the day ahead. By this time, the sun is out full blast, taunting us to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather. I walk around enjoying nature, and the beauty of God's creations. The smell of hamburgers and hotdogs overwhelm the air as my dad is busy playing chef on the grill. As I set down to rest, the sun is beats down on me and I enjoy every minute of it, knowing that in a few short weeks the cold weather will be on the way. I make my way over to the grill and grab me some food before it's all gone. We set down as a family and eat while the sun is slowing climbing down behind the mountains. I know that the days are getting shorter and that my time to go back to college is drawing closer.…
Whenever I have a stressful day and my head is full of thoughts and problems, I tend to think of my happiest place and most peaceful moment to remain calm and get the bad things out of my mind. They are not imaginary because I have actually been at that place and lived that one moment. It was the summer of 2011 and I was visiting my cousins in Switzerland. This one particular day, I woke up and I realized I was home alone so I made a cup of coffee and enjoyed dipping cookies in it while looking at the beautiful nature through the window. They had a cute old styled house that I absolutely loved, in the most picturesque place I have ever been. While looking outside I noticed there was a swing suspended from a tree by robes. I immediately ran to the swing and took my sandals off to feel the grass. It felt like a high quality carpet tickling my feet with its delicacy while I was stepping over it. I have never seen grass greener than that in my entire life. I was swinging and flashing through the air with my eyes closed knowing this is the most peaceful moment I had in a long time. It was only me and the nature. I could hear the water flowing down its stream as background music to the birds’ song and all this as a feast of nature under the sky that was light blue with white clouds that looked like cotton candy. I had a genuine smile while living this and I get one every time I rethink it. The emotions I had are still as strong to distract me from the daily problems that I might be going through.…
To wake up each morning to the sunrise, to lie in bed and listen to all the activity and the hustle and bustle, knowing that today, like any other day, will become a challenge that is unexplainable. Looking out the window of my second story room, I see the dew glistening as far as I could see. The sunlight reflects only a glimpse of its natural beauty. Seeing the dogs herding the bellering cows, the horses thundering hooves as they gallop in the field is a tremendous graphic noise. Chickens are amidst the wild activity, pecking the ground for the remains of their last meal. The sharp squeal of the pigs as I approach them, anxiously waiting for the slop that will consume them. Sweet and pungent odors rise from the buckets we carry, their shrieking turns to grunts of sheer delight.…
The most relaxing and jubilant moment for me after a long, hot day is the family time together in the backyard after dinner. It is a good day today and not yet dark. I made the hot, green tea in my husband’s favorite blue and white porcelain teapot, and brought it out to the table on the patio. The sky was a beautiful, landscape blue with little clouds; the cool breeze gently blew my face and brought the smell of fresh cut grass; the birds were chirping as they are singing a melodious song; our neighbor’s fat, white cat slipped into our yard, glanced shyly at me, and then lowered her eyes. Just beside the patio, my mother was watering her tomato seedlings, with vivid tiny green leaves that can be seen clearly. Wearing her reading glasses, she bended over to carefully check every leaf to make sure there are no pests. On the left side of my mother’s small task, my two daughters, aged 2 and 5 years old, were enjoying their happiest hour in the playhouse. They were quarreling to be the first one to go down the slide, and the big one finally let her baby sister go first because her face was puckering up and spilling tears. My big angel then sat down in the grass, picking a downy flower head from a dandelion, and blew it to the sky with hope in her eyes. Their grandfather stood beside the slide, looking at them with a smile and waving a paper fan to shoo the mosquitoes away from them. The busiest person was my husband, who slowly walked along the gray fence, standing on tiptoe or bending down from time to time to check if there are any cracks. There was nothing special tonight, but I really enjoy this peaceful, joyful moment, which is like a picture that cannot be found in…