The Phil Story

2009-11-06T10:58:00.000-08:00

My dream of driving has become a reality. Yesterday at about 1:30 pm I passed the driving test for my Driver's Permit. Oh man, I could have flown; if mom had told me to jump the Empire State Building I would have.

It all happened so fast: One minute I was answering questions on the computer and the next I was staring at a screen that said "applicant passed with 20 right and 2 wrong." I was so dazed I just sat there for a couple of seconds. When I finally did get up I must have looked confused 'cause the first thing mom said was "What happened?" To which I replied "Uhh I think I passed."

Anyway they told me I'd passed with a score of 91%. Then took my picture, and handed me my permit.
So now- as long as mom or dad is with me- I can drive. Hurrah!

Did you know that...?

2009-10-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

I'm going to try and do a weekly fact on Middle- Earth. I'll try to stay within the bounds of the trilogy and The Hobbit but I might throw in some stuff from other material (like the Silmarillion). So here goes:

You probably know the country of Rohan is also called the Riddermark but do you know what the words Ridder-mark actually mean?

I'll give you a week to answer.

Which Author Do You Like Best Results

2009-09-30T07:11:00.000-07:00

The results are in: George MacDonald is our favorite author, while C.S.Lewis and J.R.R Tolkien tie for second. So all you fans of MacDonald, celebrate!

Studying to Drive

2009-09-29T10:32:00.000-07:00

Teen Son: I wanna drive! I wanna drive!

Dad: Then you need to pass the test.

Teen Son: I've tried and I always fail.

Dad: then you need to study harder.

So I study and I study and I fail the knowledge test again. Four times I've taken that test and four times I've failed. And so its back to studying for next time.

You know, it struck me while I read the driving booklet that I'm studying for something that could potentially take my life. Which is a rather morbid thought; it might actually make me drive safely,not that I wasn't going to anyway(don't get nervous Mom). Anyway, I can't wait 'til I can drive. So I guess I better go study some more.

Jobs I've Had This Summer.

2009-09-24T19:01:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday while raking pine needles for an older couple from our church, I got to thinking about all the different jobs I've had over the summer. Some of the jobs were interesting and some were hard but none of them were boring.

As I raked, I tried to remember as many of them as I could. So far I've: reroofed a garage and a house with a roof so steep it was almost like roofing a wall (not really!),washed dishes in a little diner in downtown Ellensburg, dug post holes (each one twice) and installed a fence, washed the walls of a rental home for the property manager's husband, and helped a locksmith, also from our church, install and re-key locks.

It has been a busy summer for our family, and now it looks like it's going to be a busy fall as well.

I Love to Read. Part 2

2009-09-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

I love to read is finally finished.
I now give you I love to read part 2

I love to read of made up worlds;
Lands of story and song.
Of Elven swords and banners furled,
And ashwood lances keen and long.

I love to read of magic lands,
Of hoary mountains tall and cold.
Of vast and trackless shifting sands
And forests mighty of old.

I love to read of High Elven lords,
Of Dwarvish warriors or wandering men.
Of battles against the evil hoards,
And of journeys through forest and fen.

I love to see the faces again
Of the peoples in these stories.
For I've journeyed with them joy and pain,
And watched them earn their glory.

It's Over.

2009-09-07T19:08:00.000-07:00

The Fair is officially over (ahhhh) It was fun, yes, but so is normal life.

It's Coming.

2009-08-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

It's coming. That noisome, greasy, bloated, beast. Armor-plated and bedaubed with sickly colors. I can already smell the stench and hear the screams of people who have lost their minds. They will set up its lair across the road; it will thunder and roar at all hours and we will sleep at its mercy. Unfortunately we have no knight in shining armor to ride to our aid so we'll have to face the Kitittas County Fair as best we can. It's not all bad, I mean when else during the year are you allowed to eat greasy over-priced food or ride carnival rides until you're sick to your stomach. And if you like people-watching then your in luck, for there is a constant parade of people walking by. Still it is a relief when its over and the last food booth has been packed up and driven away.Then life returns to normal, sort of.

Tag Number One

2009-08-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

Who is you favorite male fictional character and what book is he in?

Sam Gamgee, from The Lord of the Rings.

Who is you favorite female fictional character and what book is she in?

Tangle, from George Macdonald's The Golden Key.

Who is you favorite author and what is your favorite book/series by him?

J.R.R Tolkien: Anything by him about Middle Earth.

If you are writing a book, answer this question: Who is your favorite character in the book/series you are writing?

Right now the main character, Sigatha.

Least favorite character from a book you read?

Grima Wormtongue, The White Witch, Mr. Crawford, Watho.

I Love to Read. Part 1

2009-08-22T09:35:00.000-07:00

I love to read of days of old ;
Of mighty kings worn with care.
Of fearsome knights strong and bold,
And of ladies passing fair
I love to read the history
Of vast and mighty empires.
Of strong desires and people free;
Of humble dames and simple sires.
I love to read the lives of saints
And of the paths they trod.
Satan their glory cannot taint,
For they did walk with God.

2009-08-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Bracie for critiquing my poem and for your enthusiasm. You have given me several ideas and I am grateful.

Okay, you'll have probably noticed that the poem is split in two parts. I have decided to make them two separate poems. Also I decided change meter and rhyming patterns to allow myself more freedom. I'll have more updates soon.

I Love to Read.

2009-08-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

I have written another poem, this time about my love of reading. However, nothing good in life comes easy and, accordingly, I am having a little trouble, so any help would be appreciated.

I need help with meter and rhymes.

Lines with rhyme problems are highlighted in blue, lines with both rhyme and meter problems are in yellow.

If you come up with whole new lines that's cool.

Also if you spot anything else please tell me.

I love to read
Of ancient things,
Of days long gone and old.
Of mighty kings
and warriors bold,
and of ladies haughty glancings.
I love to read
The history
Of vast and mighty empires.
Of people free,
Of strong desires,
Of wise men of philosophy.
I love to read
The lives of saints,
And of the paths they trod.
Satan their glory cannot taint,
For now they walk with God.

I love to read
Of made up worlds
Lands of story and song.
Of great banners furled ,
And keen swords long ,
And ancient willows gnarled.
I love to read
Of magic lands
With mountains tall and old.
Of majesties grand,
And mariners bold,
and ever shifting sands.
I love to read
All these stories,
And now they're part of me.
Of Elves and Men and bygone glories,
And lands across the sea.

We're back ya'll!!!

2009-07-29T10:14:00.000-07:00

And its good to be home! Which is not to say our vacation wasn't fun; in fact it was a blast. We dug clams for mom's clam chowder, played and swam in the surf, skipped stones, pedaled around in the pedal boat, made s'mores and just hung out with our friends. More fun was to follow, as on the return journey we took an hour long ferry ride, ate lunch at Ivar's Fish Bar, stopped at Krispy Kreme, drove through a rain storm, and arrived home in time for Vespers. Now we're all tired.

Getting Ready For Vacation...

2009-07-22T11:17:00.000-07:00

... takes a lot of work, I have to say my mom is amazing, planning meals, organizing packing, and getting us kids ready to go without dad's help (he's away working near Seattle). There lots to do and everyone is busy, sister #1 is making marshmallows, Una and I are drawing and writing up paper route lists and maps for the people who are going to sub for us. Like I said its a lot of work.

I have to say right now though thanks mom, your awesome!!!

Day and Night.

2009-07-22T07:59:00.000-07:00

This is a poem I wrote some time ago. Please by so kind as to give your opinion of it.

Through leaf laden branches,
Sunlight falls and dances .
With wind and shadow it plays;
Scattering about golden rays.
It browns laughing children,
And hardworking men.
Until it passes o'er earth's western rim,
And the bright light begins to dim.
Silver moonlight steals its place,
Filling the night with cool grace.
Shadows grow ever deeper,
While dreams fill the mind of the sleeper.
And stars in heavens shine,
As they sing their ancient lines.
Till dawn dyes the sky
And the sun rises again on high.

Phew! This is harder than I thought...

2009-07-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

... but with the help of my sister I'm managing quite nicely.

2009-07-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

Well, I have taken the plunge and here I am, (pause for applause). This won't be the greatest blog in the world, but none the less I am here. Thank you.