It is going to be another hot one today
And she believes it
As she steps outside
And feels the heat rise
In the breeze-less air
What happened
To the cool, breezy days of spring
Not in Southern California
California means “Hot Oven” in Spanish
What an appropriate name
for a place that has no seasons
Where it can be 95 degrees in December
and 60 degrees in June
But earthquakes occasionally stir things up
and make living here interesting on Monday morning, 11:30AM
The following poem was sent to me by a friend. It is reminder of what is really important.
To realize the value of a sister/brother
Ask someone
Who doesn’t have one.
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student
Who has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a stillborn.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother
Who has given birth
To a premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more
When you can share it with someone special.
To realize the value of a friend or family member:
Lose one.
Remember….
Hold on tight to the ones you love!
What a difference from last Sunday, she thinks
As she breathes in the heavy air of the evening sky
Even though the clouds have finally lifted
the air remains heavy, weighted with nature’s garbage
She wonders how people survived in this place before air conditioning was invented
They must have been cold blooded or thick skinned, she decides
But then her thoughts turn to the events of last week
The cool air blanketed by fluffy clouds blocking out the sun
Stirring up a chilly, brisk wind
Not a great day for a picnic in the park
What she wouldn’t give to have been at that same park on this hot, sticky day
But a a nice, cold serving of frozen yogurt is a satisfying replacement
And she realizes that she had a perfectly happy, do nothing day
As she lays down to sleep on Sunday evening.
The characters in the story, Lord Asriel and his counterpart, Mrs. Coulter seek to control the time/space connection by collecting ‘dust’ from children. Through experiments and study, both scholars learn that the ‘dust’ or particles of energy found on children provides the necessary means to build a bridge between the world of northern England and the one visible through the Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. The golden compass or alethiometer is a crucial tool in this quest because it provides the keys to unlocking the secrets of the universe and finding the point at which these two worlds meet.
The story centers around a golden compass or alethiometer, a tool quite different from the compasses we use to tell us what direction we are traveling in. In contrast, this compass doesn’t give a direction, but through its sophisticated symbols and codes, provides answers to profound questions and helps the possessor peer into the thoughts and actions of other people. This compass proves extremely helpful to Lyra Belacqua, who gains possession of the object through the Master of Jordan College before she goes north with a group of Gyptians or people who live in boats.The goal is to rescue her father, Lord Asriel and children who had been kidnapped by the “Gobblers”, or members of the General Oblation Board, which her mother, Mrs. Coulter.They form alliances with three key characters, the Witch Queen, Serafina Pekkala; Lee Scoresby, a Texan Aeronaut and owner of a hot air balloon; and Iorek Byrinson, an armored polar bear, to confront their foes. Along the way, they encounter challenges, including Lyra’s capture and rescue from Bolvangar. In the end, the forces of good trump evil as Lyra and her friend Roger escape the grasp of Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel, as they travel to another world.
Filled with a mixture of suspense, adventure and fantasy, the author offers a compelling, colorful narrative. The relationship between human and animal characters seems natural and believable. Although the plot slowly developed, the ending proved to be a satisfying conclusion to a worthwhile read.
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