ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
My name is Shelley, AKA the Queen of Bells. I currently work as a musician and put out writing as the spirit moves. I'm not into the writing prompt thing. When the spirit moves, it moves. Over the past five years with the help of my star team, I have self published three novels, one book of poetry and one story in three parts. The novels are Tresspasser (2015), Brave Pilot (2017) and Forgiving Sky (2018.) I am currently working on a fourth novel titled Shadows in the Outfield. My book of poetry is titled Christ Crush: Poems and a Story, and my story in three parts is Angel Hug. They can all be purchased from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple Books, and Lulu.com.
I've been submitting work here for seventeen years. I write about things that inspire me: planes, trains, history, life, Christ and cats. I follow my passions. They have led me many places. Here you will find a variety of work so enjoy.
Pearl and Brandy, the cats who oversaw my three novels have crossed the rainbow bridge. They left me five months apart: I guess Brandy missed Pearl. Prince my current cat doesn't try to help me write but I'm sure he has his own book in the works. R.I.P. to Pilot, his brother.
We must also thank cold and hot weather for driving me to write. That is, when the spirit moves.
So, here we go! Kick off your shoes, grab the beverage of your choice, and maybe a cat and go exploring. Enjoy the read and keep dreaming! [June 2020]
AUTHOR'S OTHER TITLES (294) A Beacon Of Hope (Essays) How I've decided to share my faith in Jesus Christ online. A message of hope for 2020 and beyond. How did I get here? [1,390 words] [Spiritual] A Fortuitous Meeting (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 1. An emergency landing brings a pilot and a teacher together in a meeting that has the potential of changing both their lives, forever. This story received Honorable Mehntion ... [16,996 words] [Romance] A Mother's Lullaby (Songs) A very short life story of my mother with a refrain to remember when we think of her. [187 words] [Spiritual] A Not So Ordinary Day (Short Stories) Aviation story 15. A glimpse into the sometimes frazzled existance of a general aviation airport. General aviation should always be blessed with non eventful days. but sometimes, life just happens! [2,064 words] [Romance] A Passionate Recipe For Communication (Non-Fiction) Read a story about how one deaf man and one blind woman got together with friends, prepared lunch, and thought out of the box using alternate forms of communication and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon. ... [1,847 words] [Relationships] Accident (Short Stories) Aviation Series Story 1A, Flashback. We step back in time to the day of Andrew's accident and the beginning of his fascination with the teacher who helps him. I would like to thank Dale the pilot wh... [2,756 words] [Romance] Adventures In Opinion (Essays) About a month ago, someone asked me if there was anything I didn't have an opinion about. The comment surprised me because I don't express my opinions too often. Enter the idea for a new series of ess... [1,125 words] [Motivational] Afternoon Nap: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) Prenuptial wonderings. [2,263 words] [Romance] All I Wanted (Songs) A song about the possible thoughts of Timothy McVeigh one of America's most notorious terrorists. The lyrics do not infer endorsement of the crime. [276 words] An Aviation Accident Arouses An Advocate (Non-Fiction) On Saturday September 25, 2004, a plane went down while taking off from our local municipal airport. Read about my day and how this event so fresh in my mind has turned me into more than just a passi... [2,007 words] [Motivational] Angel Encounters 1: The Tree (Short Stories) On a rainy day a man shows up and helps her with a tree. Who is this mysterious guest? [4,023 words] [Spiritual] Angel Hand (Poetry) Christ's agony in Gethsemane. This also goes along with the story Angel Hug. [317 words] [Spiritual] Angel Hug (Short Stories) Walk through Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. Notes Using a verse in John 14:27:30 where among other things Jesus says he won’t talk much with his disciples from the point where he finishes his discourses... [3,278 words] [Spiritual] Angel Hug: Images And A Journey To A Story (Essays) Childhood never meant so much as the images that led here: Hands, eyes, and worship lead me to the writing of this story. And who's to say help from above isn't part of it? [2,280 words] [Mystical] Anything For You (Songs) I promise I did not steel this title from the movie "oliver" it was one of those moments when a phrase, out of inspiration, pure adoration, or simple gushing just comes out! So enjoy this sentimental... [134 words] [Relationships] Behold The Lamb Of God: Images From Handel's Messiah (Essays) Walk through my journey of rediscovering my first love, Jesus Christ, through this simple and stunning work. [2,621 words] [Spiritual] Birthday Wishes: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) Getting ready for a big day. [2,016 words] [Romance] Call This Hearth Home (Songs) A peaceful respite from the pain of a scarred heart. [187 words] [Relationships] Calling (Short Stories) Aviation story 16. Romance, roses, and a cool summer morning all give us a glimpse into how Anne and Andrew feel about him returning to the sky. [1,580 words] [Romance] Carol: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) Flash back. A distressed engineer, train traffic and domestic worries. [2,046 words] [Relationships] Chatsworth Journal: Observations About The Metrolink111 Crash On September 12 2008 (Essays) I'm obsessed with the Chatsworth train wreck. I have to express my opinion about breaking company policy. [1,785 words] [Relationships] Cold: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) Snap shot of Brett's morning. [1,820 words] [Relationships] Coming Home: Flight Three (Non-Fiction) This is the third instalment of Shelley's adventures in flight! Improving communications and familiarity lead to new and even better experiences in flight number three. [2,354 words] [Adventure] Confidence (Short Stories) Aviation Story 12. Andrew helps a passenger become more comfortable with flight. We get to see him at work. [1,712 words] [Romance] Connecting With A Train Engineer: My Personal Memories Of Amtrak's Coast Starlight (Essays) Four trips on the Coast Starlight train serve as a backdrop for my latest feelings about the Metrolink 111 train wreck out of Chatsworth. Some humor, some questions, some melancholy, and some nostalgi... [3,862 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glen: Engineer Gold (Essays) There's gold in that there engineer and I didn't have to dig for it. Oh the conversation! Signals, Chatsworth, and computers. This man really is the best. [3,419 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glen: Engineer Of My Dreams (Essays) It has been six months since I've talked to him, and it is, after all my struggles and missing him, worth the wait. Sweet engineer. Engineer of my dreams. [2,596 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glen Sweet Engineer Dreams And Metrolink Nightmares (Essays) A dream come true; life, money, marriage, and something about trains. b [5,852 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: A Good Day Up Here (Essays) Fatalities and Mickey Mouse. And a man admitting his flaws. What a gold mine! He's had a good day and he's still my lucky engineer. [3,566 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Engineer Responsibility (Essays) He says deal with it. Engineers have to be responsible. he wants me to be the same way. [3,336 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Engineer Valentine (Essays) A railroad rock. But, not the rock train. In 2009, I said he was my Christmas present. Informationa nd amusement. and just plain...Engineer valentine? I'll take that. [4,476 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Engineers And Angels (Essays) The best of both worlds, I guess. Bodily comfort, moving, anoying railroads and Angels. It doesn't get much better than this. [2,478 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Friendly Engineer (Essays) Almost perfect. No birds. no blue tooth. He's always worth the wait. Always. [2,554 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Number One Rail Nut Friend (Essays) It's all I ever wanted. [5,921 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Relaxed Engineer (Non-Fiction) Or, maybe it's me who's relaxed? Train talk. Sweet. [2,841 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: So Much In Between (Essays) It wasn't till two weeks after I returned from Austin, Texas where I had gone for a reason completely unrelated to railroading and met a former railroad engineer that I had the courage to sit down and... [2,945 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Something About Trains (Essays) Yes, my Number One Engineer I'm moving to Texas. But, someday I'm moving to MOntana and I'm taking you with me. [1,966 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Southern Pacific Whatever (Essays) Glenn is a great story teller. I hope I can write them as well as he tells them. This is my friend. [3,583 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Sweet Engineer Confusion (Essays) Short, sweet, confusing, lovely, always worth the wait. Numbers. Sweet engineer numbers. [2,343 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Sweet, Lucky Engineer (Essays) Train 221's fatality. I am the happiest love sick, star struck middle-aged adolescent railfan in the world. And he's the sweet, lucky engineer. [3,301 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: Sweet Train Engineer (Essays) Signals, Chatsworth, hanging in there, and the mad dash on a rainy night to Lancaster. I'm the happiest middle-aged adolescent railfan, ever. [3,058 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: The Bestest Engineer (Essays) Pick your railroad any one. Any mistakes are purely mine. He had time for me. [3,856 words] [Relationships] Conversations With Glenn: The Bravest Engineer Of Them All (Essays) Kitties and keys. And, oh, what a relief! [2,544 words] [Relationships] Course Correction (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 3. Can one night change Andrew and Anne's relationship from friendship to something deeper? The teacher faced with the prospect of uninteresting company, tells the pilot exactly ... [3,369 words] [Romance] Creator Of Time (Poetry) Christ through all of time. [256 words] [Mystical] Daughter: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) A wedding cake, a ring, and a daughter. [1,885 words] [Relationships] Early Political Conflict In America: Jefferson, Hamilton, And The Washington Administration From 1791 To 1798 (Essays) Jefferson and Hamilton represent two opposing factions in early United States politics. This short essay examines the major issues which plagued the Washington administrations during and beyond their... [1,526 words] [History] Fatal Flight (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 9. Reacting to Eric's death, Andrew, Eric's first flight instructor, and professional colleague finds that comfort comes from surprising quarters. [3,852 words] [Romance] Flight Number 4: The Human Quality (Non-Fiction) January 13, 2004, the date for Shelley's flight number 4. This flight will have pictures as well as a logbook entry and my memory to prove it happened. Glimpse the personalities and the moments that... [2,663 words] Flight Number Five: Cuddling And Turning Cessna Style (Non-Fiction) Flight number five in Shelley's adventures in flight offers new perspective on why I have absolutely fallen in love with this vulnerable existence. Find out what happened in this latest flight and st... [2,028 words] [Adventure] Follow (Poetry) Inspired by Christ's cross. [120 words] [Spiritual] For Love Of Lessons (Short Stories) Aviation Story 13. Anne and Andrew Crance have lived in this house for about fifteen years at this point, time for some of their neighbors children to get a bit older. A young girl, Anna, cares for he... [2,295 words] [Romance] Gethsemane's Angel (Short Stories) The time just before Angel Hug. Dialog between angels the night before Messiah's crucifixion as the angel awaits the call to Gethsemane. [1,016 words] [Spiritual] Glass (Short Stories) About the thoughts and reactions of a little girl viewing a riot taking place in a street in Germany during Kristalnacht, one of the actions taken by the Nazis against Jewish citizens. [1,021 words] Goodbye, Good Night: Thoughts From A Dying Journalist (Short Stories) Vignettes. [6,354 words] [Relationships] Grounded (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 10. Seven years into their marriage, life presents the Crance's with a few welcome and unwelcome surprises. [2,957 words] [Romance] Hey Little Dreamer (Songs) This song shows that even in life's darkest moments there's always hope. I based it on Thomas Jefferson's loss of his wife but it's true no matter who you are. It's about the indomitable human spirit... [138 words] [Spiritual] Hill Number 18 (Short Stories) A major recalls taking his platoon out of a mine field in Vietnam. [1,225 words] [History] House: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) Laurie meets Brett's house. [2,842 words] [Relationships] Hypothetical Dialogs With Christ (Plays) I could never make up the truth. This is a work of fiction with some theology mostly conversational. [2,420 words] [Spiritual] Instrument Meteorological Conditions (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 6. Built on friendship and common interest, Andrew and Anne's relationship builds to its next milestone. [2,464 words] [Romance] I've Only Got One Question For You (Songs) Daring to ask "the question" and not really knowing the answer...but hoping! A lyrical melody almost celtic and very peaceful. Gentle rocking motion in the chord structure which is minor. [190 words] [Relationships] Kissed By The Wind (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 2. Andrew, involved in his piloting work, and Anne, living her life as a teacher, continue the relationship begun after Andrew brings his plane down for an emergency landing acro... [2,664 words] [Romance] Kitty Kisses: Adventures With Pearl The Cat's Meow (Non-Fiction) Confident little Pearl knows she has nothing to worry about even after getting tossed out of the bedroom. [939 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Affection With Stipulations (Essays) Signing a contract with a cat can be a pleasant affair. [664 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Cat Wisdom (Essays) After three years of cohabitating with cats, what have I learned? Read this entertaining look at life with my firry room mates. [1,383 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Don't Fence Me In (Non-Fiction) Flee meds, the closet, and the nineteenth century frontier. [1,089 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses Entry One (Non-Fiction) Shelley's life with her two cats. [957 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Licking The Hand That Feeds You (Non-Fiction) Here's to many more lickings. [1,019 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Our Little Brandy (Non-Fiction) Tales of a little kitten. [1,366 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Peter Jennings And Cat Company (Non-Fiction) Amusing tales of cats just when you need them. [789 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: The Brandy Police (Non-Fiction) Even if I bring home the bacon, Brandy insists on running the house her way or no way. [1,254 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: The Feline Moving Day Blues (Essays) Moving with two cats. [1,239 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Water Everywhere (Non-Fiction) Brandy and the water fountain. [909 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses: Whose Bed Is It Anyway (Non-Fiction) The family bed cat style. [750 words] [Animal] Kitty Kisses:We Can't Be Bothered (Non-Fiction) Cats as inexpensive and affective therapy. [1,203 words] [Animal] Kitty Kissses: The Silent Treatment (Non-Fiction) Brandy tells me just what she thinks of going to the vet. [1,231 words] [Animal] Landing Part Five (Short Stories) Jeff's dream. [1,033 words] [Romance] Landing Part Four (Short Stories) Melanie is afraid. [1,480 words] [Romance] Landing Part One (Short Stories) Anaviation story. A pilot is caught between a rock and a hard place, literally, leading to a painful decision. I'm putting this up here in parts so you can read one section at a time. We meet Melanie... [1,637 words] [Romance] Landing Part Three (Short Stories) Origins of the accident. Pleasant flight. [1,176 words] [Romance] Landing Part Two (Short Stories) Aviation story. Relationship conflict. Melanie talks to Laura about Jeff. [1,765 words] [Romance] Last Day (Short Stories) Aviation Story 18. Anne and Andrew, a sinus headache, troublesome passengers, a frantic boss, and the last day of school! One of these sentimental stories at which I seem to excell and from which I'm ... [2,335 words] [Romance] Last Hours (Short Stories) A general contemplates his decision before formally declaring war. [1,467 words] [History] License (Short Stories) Aviation Story 14. Will Andrew ever get to hear the news that his niece has gotten her private pilot's license? A party, a flight, and a worried girl supply us with the answer in this continuing saga... [2,947 words] [Romance] Licorice Tea (Short Stories) This is a story I havent' worked into my novel yet; it's how Rachel makes a decision to fall in love with Jason, the flight instructor. Read chapter 6 of "Second Marriage" for all the other details a... [3,590 words] [Romance] Little Things (Short Stories) Aviation Story 7A. Anne and Andrew's first year of marriage is a good one. Humor, ritual, and love make returning home from flights a pleasant experience. [1,672 words] [Romance] Losing Mrs. Jefferson (Short Stories) In 1782, Thomas Jefferson was summoned by Congress to serve in france as the new United States ambassador. this came on the heels of his wife's death, and so I've taken artistic liberty with an event... [2,277 words] [History] Managing (Short Stories) Twenty years after marriage, and despite life, Anne and Andrew still manage to hold everything together. [2,329 words] [Romance] Memorial To A Train Engineer (Essays) Personal reflection on the crash of Metrolink 111. [963 words] [Spiritual] Metrolink111: A Crush On The Engineer (Essays) Why don't I just admit that I have a mad crush on someone I never met, and I'm not talking about Rob Sanchez. Philosophy, memorial plaques, food, and great stories, and the engineer. [2,595 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Alfa Cat Engineer (Essays) Another week ends at the fullerton station for Shelley and her engineers. Well, they'll be there but I'm finished. But oh what a rewarding week! Promises, sweet promises. [3,359 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: All My Engineers (Essays) What a journey I've had over the last year since the chatsworth accident. I keep talking about meeting engineers so if you've been following the story you might want to read this one. Read about tears... [2,519 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: All The Engineer You Need (Essays) A heckler, intrigued engineers, and just how do you pronounce chatsworth? [2,122 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Asking The Freight Engineer (Essays) Making life happen, conversations, a pleasant August evening at the fullerton train station, and rob Sanchez, always. [2,756 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Assist At Chatsworth (Essays) I meet the fans that knew Rob Sanchez and get ideas for the memorial plaque. It is a trip I've needed to take since the Metrolink111 accident on September 12, 2008. [2,561 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: Being Unforgettable (Essays) Yet another trip to the Fullerton station provides more relief and allows me to express the personal lessons I've learned since the Metrolink 111 crash on September 12, 2008. Lessons on how to be unfo... [1,475 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: Being With Trains (Essays) A second trip to the Fullerton train station allows me to get started on an idea I have for remembering the engineer in the metrolink 111 crash and allows me to be with trains, a source of comfort. [3,040 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Blame The Engineer (Essays) So people want to drag Rob Sanchez's name through the mud after the Chatsworth accident? Okay, fine, blame him for this one, then; for my introduction to the commedy and spectacle and colorful charact... [2,215 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Brown Eyes, Technology And Railroad Tracks (Essays) Another milestone in my journey through the metrolink 111 crash and the discovery of the Fullerton train station. Notes on technology, eye color and train watchers. [2,744 words] [Spiritual] Metrolink111: Chatsworth Stories (Essays) Today I make thirty seconds of contact with a locomotive engineer who knew Rob Sanchez. I'm standing looking up at him on the chatsworth platform, hardly able to believe I've come this far. Stories, c... [3,903 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Defending The Engineer (Essays) Two trips to the Fullerton station, a trip to a railroad model shop, the Chatsworth accident and finally finishing the memorial plaque. [2,416 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111 Education On The Rails (Essays) Saturday September 12, 2009 finds me passing through Chatsworth on my way to Santa Barbara on the Wine Lovers Daylight train. Today I indulge my intellectual and emotional obsession with trains. And t... [3,334 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Finding Rob's Spot (Essays) A cheeseburger, freight trains, and the quest to find a spot for a memorial plaque. [1,590 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Finding The Engineer (Essays) Comfort, food, waving, and just plain finding the engineer. [2,750 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Finding The Gold Nuggetts (Essays) An accident memorial, a not for an engineer, and everything in between. [5,339 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Flowers For An Engineer (Essays) On this trip to Chatsworth I meet rob's conductor, lay flowers for him, get my plaque, and am tempted by fresh ground coffee. Today is a milestone in the quest for information about the accident and i... [3,305 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Going Steady (Essays) Steady as she goes, a dilemma, cherishing the engineer, it doesn't get any better than this. [4,897 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Here Comes Your Freight (Essays) Of horns, freights and memorial plaques. [2,178 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Icecream And The Umbrella (Non-Fiction) Three trips to the Fullerton train station all have these things in common: icecream, an umbrella, the chatsworth train wreck, a smile, creativity, and a picture. [3,107 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: I'd Rather Have The Serving Dish (Essays) Thoughts of losing Rob the Metrolink engineer in the Chatsworth crash as well as some Fullerton history and maybe some humor and more familiarization. [2,571 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: In Search Of The Engineer (Essays) Which engineer you ask? By now in my story you have several choices. Pick one and enjoy. [3,492 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Is She A Foamer (Essays) Six months and it all comes down to one question. Between grief, solace, creativity, and now new people introduced to the station, you have to ask, is she a foamer? [2,665 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: It's All About Lunch (Essays) Never turn down an invitation to lunch and always make good memories. Good memories are the best comfort when grieving sudden loss. [909 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Late Baby Late (Essays) Late trains, freight engineers, and new connections. [2,786 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Listening To The Engineer (Essays) After gushing about glen, it's time for the story I haven't told you yet. [1,540 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: Looking Hell In The Eyes (Essays) Another step on my journey through the Metrolink 111 Sept 12 crash; a sympathetic look at the Metrolink engineer. Call me the Robert Sanchez Torch Carrier. [1,557 words] [Spiritual] Metrolink 111: Love A New Rail Fan (Non-Fiction) On this journey to Santa Barbara I pass through the Metrolink 111 accident site, the event that has consumed me for six weeks. Read about me being a tourist, the Chatsworth crawl, various travelling m... [3,285 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111 Love On The Rails (Essays) Oh the joy and pain of communicating with a locomotive engineer. MP36 verses FP59, sweet promise, reconciliation, sweet bells. In all of it, the train calls, comforts, beckons. Come. [5,155 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Love Your Best Station Girl (Essays) Does he remember my name? Does he know where to find locomotive specs? What does he think about two train-related deaths near the Fullerton train station? He's Glen. Love your best station girl. [6,322 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: My Happy Places (Essays) An engineer, food, a gentle train journey, and meeting a restaurant owner. It's a perfect train day. [3,331 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: No No Magic Days (Essays) Only someone at a train station would call me a gold digger. Heartache, trouble, curiosity, kindness, and what I call the "no magic day." Read all about it. [2,182 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Not Quite Throwing The Switch (Essays) Finally, a real live, sort of railroad switch! [2,017 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Questions People Ask (Essays) A stellar day in the nonlogic department at the fullerton train station. [1,645 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Railroad Family Ties (Essays) You would never ever guess what the common factor in my train station journeys is! I had forgotten about it till today! [2,056 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Rob Among The Chips And The Cookies: Almost (Essays) Someone told me that I would stir up fireworks in Chatsworth. Apparently I did. Rob, we're still looking. [1,910 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Shaking Hands With The Engineer (Essays) My Glen full of surprises. [2,541 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Shoes, Songs And Tunnels (Essays) All I can say is that two trains colliding last September led to all this. [3,128 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Sick For Trains (Essays) The chatsworth accident, engineers, friends, a dog that's a train fan, quiet moments, and lots of opinions. Read the longest Metrolink111 essay yet. [2,995 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Slumming It With The Guys (Essays) the engineer factor, can she find the train, plans, a supportive metrolink agent, Glen, and a smile. [3,522 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: So What Do I Know About Trains? (Essays) Stories start in the strangest places. I never would have thought the Metrolink 111 crash would have started me on a journey whose seeds perhaps had been planted long ago in other experiences. [977 words] [Spiritual] Metrolink111: Sweet Engine Purring (Essays) Locomotives, engineer withdrawals, a stressful day, crying on the engineer's shoulder, and Glen, you really are the best! [3,992 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Sweet Nothings (Essays) This week, at the fullerton train station, Glen, the mysterious Metrolink engineer, speaks. [4,452 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: Taking The Curve (Essays) Another trip to the fullerton station and plans to commune with the Chatsworth station. [1,408 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: The Best Two Minutes (Essays) I've always said that Glen provided the best two minutes of my day. This week that holds true. Late trains, stress, life, and the best two minutes. [3,088 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: The Case Of The Dejected Engineer (Essays) Questions, Chatsworth connections, eyes, and a milestone. [1,950 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: The Disney Engineer (Essays) This doesn't take place at the Fullerton train station, it takes place at Disney Land and starts on Wednesday February 25 with a call from a train engineer on the Disney Land railroad needing help wit... [2,046 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: The Freight Train From Nowhere (Essays) My perspective on why I feel so keenly the loss of robert M. Sanchez the Metrolink engineer on metrolink 111. [1,831 words] [Spiritual] Metrolink 111: The Green Light Of Passion (Essays) A trip to the fullerton train station to get a hair of the dog that bit me: trains, and a note about passion. [1,417 words] [Spiritual] Metrolink111: The Human Place (Essays) Six months after the Chatsworth train wreck it is the human story that draws me to the Fullerton train station and always, when I think about it, has been. [1,174 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: The Learning Trip (Essays) It has been two months since the Metrolink 111 accident. I've learned lots and tonight I'm in the group on the patio at the fullerton train station, one of the rail fans. [1,758 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: The Place Of Escape (Essays) Waving at and interacting with engineers, teasing, and escaping with trains. [3,034 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: The Planter By The Railroad Tracks (Essays) Margaret Mitchell had her window seat. I have my planter by the railroad tracks, a place to reflect on the Chatsworth train wreck of 2008, remember the importance of this place in my life, and create ... [2,342 words] [Relationships] Metrolink111: Touching The Locomotive (Essays) This week it's all about Glen and doign something that I've been afraid to do; touching the locomotive. And maybe it's more than that. You decide. [2,520 words] [Relationships] Metrolink 111: What Does That Face Look Like (Essays) Reflections on the portrayal of Robert M. Sanchez in the media, and some questions in my ownmind about those final moments. [1,425 words] [Spiritual] Metrolink111:She Likes Trains (Essays) Metrolink Glen, my engineer, how did you ever get it so right? How could something so devistating turn into something so joyous? three little words sum up the last year of my life so neatly all it nee... [2,190 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608: Cuddled By The Engineer (Essays) quiet confidence, energetic moments, teasing, ephiphany, the engineer and ice-cream, cuddling me with tech talk, just another perfect week at the Fullerton train station. And he still is the best, bec... [3,783 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608 Learning The Story (Essays) Learning the story, following advice. [3,760 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608: Making It Through Tuesday (Essays) Love, a hard taskmaster; tortured by the bell; two engineers, and standing in the rain. It's a very human week at the fullerton train station. [5,677 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608: Making The Engineer Happy (Essays) Big trouble, morning blessing, and no sympathy even if I have a cold. he's Glen. He's the best. [4,549 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608: Meeting Locomotive 800 (Essays) Teasing, loco 800, wary Glen, the two woman fan club, it's all Glen. [2,844 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608: Number One Engineer (Essays) Christmas, New years, laughter, tears, teasing, the engineer steeler, and living on a kiss, sort of. It doesn't get much better than this. [6,046 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608: Playing Hooky (Essays) The first week after New Year's day, quiet, the same question over and over, and my favorite game. It's a good week. [2,426 words] [Relationships] Metrolink608 The Railroad Facts Of Life (Essays) Oh the drama! Showing the engineer the switch key, changing the route, goodbye, the call, sweet reconciliation! The last two weeks have been emotional, fun, and oh so perfect! [9,681 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Being There Tomorrow (Essays) Not a good day, but such a great day. Already it has been eventful and we're only up to Wednesday. I think of you sweet engineer, wonder if you're okay. And yes I'll be there tomorrow. [2,200 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Engineer Day (Essays) freight baby, social butterfly, drama, fun, and the gold standard. [5,147 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Engineer Drama (Essays) Oh goodness! If you don't like drama, even if it's all in my own head, and you don't like self analysis, don't read this. Magic, petulant engineer, sweet engineer. [6,420 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Engineer Hunter (Essays) the engineer and the switch key. Of cool summer nights and engineer hunting. [3,117 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708 Engineer Magic (Essays) One can't stand the MPI, one wants to know where I've been, one wants to know if I'll be there tomorrow. So many engineers, one switch key, and so little time. [5,802 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Getting The Right One (Essays) the FP59, the engineer, it's definitely the right one. And even if he is leaving he's still the right one. I got the right one. [5,635 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708 Making Connections (Essays) There's no place like home, I guess. New engineers, connecting with trains, it's all about my social life. Ordenary connections. [3,225 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Metrolink Tales (Essays) Metrolink tales. [2,576 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: On The Trail Of Gold (Essays) Gold, engineers, it's all good, it's all gold. [3,498 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Prince Charming (Essays) All of Shelley's Prince charmings. [1,829 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Railroad Birthday (Essays) My very own train party Shelley style. Trains, conductors, engineers, food, friends, fun, the best birthday, ever. I smiled. [4,633 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Remembering My Name (Essays) Do the engineers remember me? Seems so. This week they all either know, use, or remember my name. But who is training whom? [2,015 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Replacing The Engineer (Essays) So many engineers, so many stories, so much potential, so little time, and still you can't replace Glen. but it's all fun and all part of Shelley's engineer adventures. [4,401 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: The Commuter Train To Paradise (Essays) Tales from the Fullerton station. [3,172 words] [Relationships] Metrolink708: Train Orders For The Court (Essays) My engineers get a break, and yet life is still eventful at the fullerton train station. [2,272 words] [Relationships] My Dream About Rob Sanchez (Short Stories) In March I had this dream about the Metrolink engineer who parished in the Chatsworth train accident on September 12, 2009. It wasn't really bizarre or anything it was a dream but I had to write it do... [450 words] [Spiritual] My Dream About The Chatsworth Train Wreck (Non-Fiction) You know how dreams are. No revelations, no judgement calls, just a sadness for the families and a dream I had to write down because I know I will forget it and someone might want to read it. You can ... [1,082 words] [Mystical] My Favorite Eisenhower Moments: Reminiscences From Crusade In Europe (Non-Fiction) In January, 2000, I read Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower's book on operation in the European theater of war during World War II. I found it detailed, engaging, and at times utterly delightful. Here are so... [1,160 words] [History] My Friend, My Number One Engineer (Poetry) For Glenn, killed in an unfortunate railroad accident, 2015. [344 words] [Relationships] My Wonderful Life With Cats (Essays) - [2,340 words] [Animal] Neighbors (Short Stories) Aviation story. This story takes place before Andrew meets Anne in his spactacular early morning landing. As I've developed these stories I've thought up a whole host of neighbors for Andrew. Here i... [1,523 words] [Romance] No More Stalling: Part II (Non-Fiction) In the passion of recounting my Cessna adventure, I left out some ideas you might find amusing. Thanks to the flight instructor who provided me with his physical details to give this writing a more p... [1,829 words] [Adventure] No More Stalling: Shellbell's Flight Adventure Number 2 (Non-Fiction) Six months after my first flight in a C172 Skyhawk, I am back for more in the same plane with the same instructor, this time with a twist! [2,049 words] [Adventure] North Star Notes (Non-Fiction) As a result of flight number three, I picked up a book that the pilot recommended to me. It's called North Star Over My Shoulder. I've written my notes about it. I know you'll like it. [1,194 words] [History] One Pilot's Magic: A Review Of Fate Is The Hunter (Non-Fiction) In 1961, Ernest K. Gann wrote a book about flying: one of many books about flying... perhaps as one person I talked to suggested, the "gold standard" of aviation writing. Here are my notes on this in... [383 words] [Adventure] One Small Moment (Short Stories) One woman's small action makes a lasting impression on a man condemned to die for his crime. [1,847 words] [Crime] One Winter Day (Short Stories) One man's small action to combat the hideous direction in which Hitler is taking his country. This story is set in 1943 Germany when the outcome of the war is perhaps at its bleakest. - [1,665 words] [History] Passion For Truth (Poetry) My admiration for a federal prosecutor. [69 words] [History] Pilot's Song (Songs) I wrote this for the pilot who takes me flying because it's such an amazing experience that I had to express my gratitude. [135 words] [Adventure] Plane Inspection (Short Stories) Aviation series story 6B. A plane, inspection, and dinner put Andrew's decision about Anne into perspective. Who is the hero of this story? Read it and see. [1,493 words] [Romance] Preflight (Short Stories) Aviation Series Story 5. Andrew on one of his cross country flights begins a lively correspondence with Anne. We learn more about them through their emails, and when he gets home, he admits to his cha... [4,411 words] [Romance] Prelude To Separation (Short Stories) In 1774 Thomas Jefferson penned a pamphlet that after some delay became the philosophical foundation for the Declaration of Independence. This domestic scene on a hot, Virginia evening could have tak... [1,763 words] [History] Project Baby And Other Fourth Of July Adventures (Children) Standing in a muddy hole on any day is probably never romantic, but you just have to read this story to get what I mean by that opening line. And if that wasn't enough, it didn't end there! Read on ... [1,132 words] [Adventure] Quiet Love: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) Brett and Laurie and the beginning of a marriage. [4,377 words] [Romance] Reach For The Sky (Non-Fiction) On Saturday March 19, 2005, I gave this speech at our Toastmasters division D contest. It's about how SpaceShipOne's taking of the ten million dollar Ansari X prize in October, 2004, can teach us and ... [588 words] [Motivational] Resistance (Short Stories) The actions and thoughts of a boy facing the bleak certainty of death in a Jewish ghetto in 1943. [1,414 words] [History] Robert (Poetry) Poem for the Metrolink 111 engineer. [288 words] [Spiritual] Saturday Musings: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) A little bit of truth and a whole lot of fiction. Sweet engineer love. [1,781 words] [Romance] Scatter My Ashes On The Railroad Tracks (Songs) A train engineer's final wish. [323 words] [Spiritual] She Likes Trains: A Hundred Engineers (Essays) Sadness, engineer laughter, new information, new names, stories, and it's all Janice's fault. Hope all is well. [3,675 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: A Raging Railroad Crush (Essays) Cats, cookies, what's on your lap, locomotives, feel better number one engineer, crazy for trains. It's all part of a raging railroad crush. [2,876 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains Adventures With The Super Hero Bag (Essays) Adventures with a railroad grip. [3,881 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Barely Getting By (Essays) Rules, paint jobs, diet Pepsi, kids, pictures, passion. It's all here. [2,142 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Between 606 And Infinity (Essays) Starting my sixth year of railfanness and my fifth year of engineer interest I still think my number one hung the railroad moon and stars on a Saturday night. I hope he doesn't mind too much. Man, am ... [3,399 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Between Engineers (Essays) what takes my time between meeting all my engineers? Happy Easter all my engineers! [2,742 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Brave Engineer (Essays) Can you figure out who you are? Brave engineer, opinions, love, guilty pleasure, but no guilt, only pleasure. Lineup! [1,745 words] She Likes Trains Catching The Right One (Essays) Tonight it might be as much about the right train as it is about the right engineer. I caught the right one. [2,834 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Chatsworth Ephiphany (Essays) stories, the missing link, the harvey girls, fatalities, and the Chatsworth ephiphany. All part of my adventure into trains. [2,768 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Chatsworth? Or Paradise (Essays) A non honeymoon kind of a day. Strange day. Friendly faces, the man buys me a ticket, where are the two Chrises, and the disconnect. It has to get better from here. But I'm ok, Mr Engineer. [4,249 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Convincing The Engineer (Essays) I meet them all along my railroad journey and they're all important. [2,933 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Crossing The Railroad Tracks (Essays) Happy new year all my engineers! This year has been very eventful, including, finally crossing the railroad tracks. [3,783 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Dog Days And Coming In Out Of The Rain (Essays) Rain, accidents, dogs and the crazy Fullerton engineer girl. [3,642 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Engineer Birthday Wishes (Essays) Another birthday at th efullerton station. what fun! [3,275 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Engineer Numbers (Essays) All my engineers. All my numbers. [2,347 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Engineer Questions (Essays) Questions, back to the Chatsworth drawing board, the baby is back, rain, offending food, and love. And the bestest engineer, ever! [2,792 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Engineer Vacation (Essays) Tehachapi, engineer friends, and still his best station girl. [2,814 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Flirting With The Locomotives (Essays) The switch key attachment, love struck by the locomotives; love on the rails and the silent engineer. [2,844 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: From Stress To Comfort (Essays) From stress to comfort. Errands. Work. Trains. And, entertainment. [1,328 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Hogger Stocker (Essays) All my engineers. All my fun, surprised, sweet engineers, and always my best! [2,153 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Hot Blue Flags And Red Hot Steel (Essays) Some days and some nights it's just all about the logic of staying off the railroad tracks. Boundary lines, strange conversations, cookies, diet soda, hot blue flags and red hot steel. [4,364 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Indomitable Train (Essays) 8705. Distractions. Indomitable train. A promise to an engineer. [2,014 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Journeys To Friday (Essays) On our way to Friday, we experience the death of a mascott. The married engineer with children, my freezing Lancaster railroad crush, And a passing comment about trains. [2,415 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Knowing About The Railroad (Essays) Engineers, daring passengers, dogs, signals, and love. [4,635 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Lancaster Nightcap (Essays) Oh, there's so much I left out. and, no one ever experienced railroad radio quite like this. You're still the best. [2,316 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Magic Train (Essays) Diverging clear. full circle. Rr cheater. Excitement, adventure, and the Magic train. [2,155 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Missing The Train Meet (Essays) Birthday wishes are never too late, heart-stealers, more dogs, and missing the train meet. [5,044 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: My Familiar Places (Essays) Engineer teasing, returning to my beloved trains, or is it engineers? And gentle Glenn. [1,446 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Name That Train (Essays) New Year's Eve 2011, Fullerton style. [2,939 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: North Stories (Essays) Shy? Who me? New characters and always a quest to meet more. [1,683 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Not Looking For Trouble (Essays) The man from the orange trains, two engineers by the stairs, an unconfirmed fatality, and the Angels Express. All in two weeks and I promise it wasn't the fullerton engineer girl looking for trouble. ... [2,064 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: One Hand Somewhere Else (Essays) One hand waving, a bridge to paradise, helpful passengers who take the cake, and one hand somewhere else. [3,838 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Post Fatality Syndrome (Essays) Two years, four switch keys, one lock, one lantern, and three engineers later. here we are. [2,887 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Private Railroad (Essays) Communion with the locomotive, meeting he extra, threatened with my own bells, and missing my engineer. Does it get any better than this? [4,369 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Quaking Trains (Essays) The endless loop of adventures. The engineer voicemail. The rr circus. Engineer training school. And, always...trains. And, the moving earth. [4,548 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Quality Engineer (Essays) Twenty locomotive engineers. Count them! [3,175 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Rail Nut New Years Eve (Essays) Number one engineer I'm shamelessly stealing your phrase because it works here. Don't mind too much, please. [2,867 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Railroad Groupy (Essays) four engineers, one conductor, a couple of people I know. The Fullerton engineer girl has turned into a rialroad groupy. [2,889 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains Railroad High School (Essays) Kidnapped on thrown on the magic train. Three years of bliss and keys and the very best. Shameless confessions. [4,003 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains Railroad Journeys (Essays) How we got here, where are we going, all my journeys, and teasing, but this time, not me! [4,107 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Redoxx Engineer (Essays) Kismet. Wonder what number he is? [3,367 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Riding The Slow And Poky (Essays) Nail biting, hands in the right place, cats, bells, pictures, and the best engineer ever. worth the three year wait to see him in person again. All on the slow and poky. [7,178 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Shining Railroad Eyes (Essays) It's about comfort after losing my number one engineer in an accident on February 24, 2015. It's therapy, healing, passion and most of all, shining railroad eyes. [9,839 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Silent, Train Night (Essays) A Christmas carol, a messy, rainy week, Christmas presents for cats, love on the rails, and my engineers, all the gold standard. [3,183 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Sitting Pretty (Essays) Nail polish, quiet days, sleep, and doing time. This week, the baby and me, we're sitting pretty. [2,458 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Sleepy Freights (Short Stories) Back to the Union Pacific, the last meal, engineer in training, and just hanging with trains. [3,746 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Slow Engineer (Essays) The man from the orange trains, love calls, waking the sleeping engineer, locomotives, and the cat. It's all about trains. [4,025 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Slow Order Freights (Essays) Protests, flange bite, all this between freights. [2,815 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Station Gold (Essays) Glen the Metrolink engineer's first vocal utterance has inspired my new series of train writings. Catch up on all the things that are hapening at the station, besides talking to the engineers. Who han... [2,734 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Steel Tangled (Essays) A new restaurant, a systems operation guide, lovely trains, don't get her mad, getting offline, and love. [3,497 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Steel Train (Essays) Always fascinated with steel no matter how it makes you feel. [2,904 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Sweet Train Dreams (Essays) The opening of track 4, more engineers and sweet train dreams. [2,457 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Taking It From The Engineer (Essays) wow you're going to love this one! From the patio to this! Shelley's railroad milestone for sure. [4,478 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Taking The Engineers Heart (Essays) Keys, dogs, stories, and the engineer's hearts. [3,992 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Tales From The Rails (Essays) Hit or miss, amazing ladies, the bath. sometimes the train station isn't about trains. [2,395 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Bag, The Switch Key, And The New Engineer (Essays) It always gets better from here. Always. Engineers. Switch keys. Bags. a new bridge inspection. Psychology. It always gets better from here. [2,930 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Book Of Engineers (Essays) Memories, a new engineer, community, and the book of engineers. [4,114 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Engineer Who Saved The Day (Essays) Sweet engineer, when that train whistle wails, when you make sweet music on the mainline rails, you don't know how you rescue the conversation. All hail the hand on the switch! [6,133 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Engineer's Right To Know (Essays) What persistence led to. [2,234 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Human Gold (Essays) Gold digging at the fullerton station. Everything about everything, the gad about, on time, and the pig mauler brigade. [2,945 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Little Engineer That Couldn't (Essays) Did God just call my name? I'll get him someday. On our time. And, why am not so nervous? Still the best number one engineer. Lancaster lucky. [6,321 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Locomotive Stairway To Heaven (Essays) So many things led to this moment, the moment I took my first ride in a diesel electric locomotive cab. [993 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Railroad Sweet Spot (Essays) A question, freights, the railroad sweet spot. [3,015 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The South Side Of Paradise (Essays) Engineers, food, warm weather, and train chasing. [6,629 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: The Stairway To Locomotive Heaven (Essays) The metal staircase of Alco 98 curves upward, today is the start into my continuing railroad journey, and it was all because of Kimberly. I'll take it. [1,969 words] [Relationships] She Likes Trains: Train Struck (Essays) When it's all said and done, sometimes accident just happen. 269's turn. [4,227 words] [Relationships] Shellbell's Flight Adventure (Non-Fiction) I've been publishing stories here with an aviation theme so I thought you might enjoy reading about my first flight as a passenger in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk! [1,797 words] [Adventure] Simply Friends (Novels) The story of Ted Hamilton and Kim Heming. Previously I had stories up here about them, this is the novel form with some improvements. It's funny how love just grows without even trying to make it do t... [29,243 words] [Relationships] Sincerely, Michelle White (Short Stories) A prominent recording executive realizes her relationship with a band manager has been properly resolved. [2,207 words] [Relationships] Six Speeches To Success (Non-Fiction) In January, 2003 I joined toastmasters and will complete my first certification by November, 2003. Here are my first six speeches ranging from flying, to owning a restaurant, to Internet relationship... [4,162 words] [Motivational] Sky Bound (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 8. Five years after Anne and Andrew marry, a crisis in the making forces them to come to a decision about their future. [3,501 words] [Romance] The Attorney's Assistant (Short Stories) About a relationship between a U.S. attorney and an assistant. Emphasizes positive contributions of people with disabilities to society. Sometimes our expectations of disabled people or their expect... [7,617 words] [Relationships] The Best Grocery Shopping Experience Ever And Other Activities (Non-Fiction) Another communication story about my deaf friend Richard and me. who in the world except me would think grocery shoping could be so much fun? Well there's so much more than that, but read the story ... [1,572 words] [Relationships] The Dish Star: Stories From Bay St. Louis, 2005 (Non-Fiction) In December 2005 I had a chance to work at a relief kitchen in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Three years later I'm posting my experiences for everyone to read. Good luck to those who are still dealing w... [8,310 words] [Relationships] The General's Driver (Short Stories) About the relationship that exists between a top army general and his driver. [4,245 words] The Human Part Of The Railroad (Essays) Trespasser on the tracks. The intimate kiss of the engineer. It's all the human part of railroading. [2,519 words] [Relationships] The Letter (Short Stories) Instalment One. A plane crash, a letter, and twenty years of memory cause Alex, a deaf man, and Julie, his hearing wife, to pause and reflect on their relationship. For those of you who love conflict,... [5,349 words] [Relationships] The Melanie Files (Children) This file has now in September, 2004, been updated! Various musings from my encounters with my favorite six-year-old: Melanie. [2,801 words] [Relationships] The Pursuit Of Happiness (Short Stories) A hot, humid night in Philadelphia sets the course for the coming centuries as Thomas Jefferson sits down to compose the Declaration of Independence. [1,102 words] [History] The Railfan (Short Stories) Story 1. We meet Matthew Martinez Glen Streicher's teenage railfan friend. Fever, basketball, a conference, and mentoring And a plan. . [5,360 words] [Relationships] The Stair Case (Short Stories) Aviation Story 6A. Several months after Anne and Andrew attend an airshow (which I haven't written about, Anne returns an extra set of keys to Andrew and finds him in need of her help. In this inter... [2,903 words] [Romance] The Surprise (Short Stories) This story was given as a speech at a Toastmasters meeting. A little girl, all grown up, reflects on the day she gave her mother a surprise birthday party. [690 words] [Relationships] The Woman (Short Stories) About the last moments of a woman who perishes in an Auschwitz death chamber and how one person's memory keeps her alive, even now. [790 words] Those Presentation Jitters (Non-Fiction) The next time you think you're nervous about a speech, read this account of a presentation given by someone with a Competent Toastmasters certificate! Don't think just because you have letters behind... [2,325 words] [Motivational] Thoughts On The Death Of Peter Jennings: Dividing The Sky (Essays) An essay on why I feel Peter Jenning's death so keenly and how his life in some ways has influenced mine. [1,203 words] [Motivational] Time Is Like A Clock (Poetry) This poem about time is dedicated to my mother, Terry, who went to be with the Lord in December. She told me before she died that she carried this poem in her purse since the day I was fourteen years... [90 words] [Relationships] Timothy McVeigh: A Legacy (Essays) This short work examines the possibility that Timothy McVeigh in character, action and upbringing could have been any one of us. Long live the memory of those who perished. (Revised August 7, 2001.) [788 words] Toastmaster Speech 10: You Never Know (Non-Fiction) This was the last speech required for completion of the certification process for Toastmasters. It discusses one of my mentors and how his introduction of advanced computer technology has helped furt... [1,280 words] Toastmasters Speech Number 9: Our Most Important Document (Non-Fiction) In October, 2003, I gave speech number 9. It was about how the US. Declaration of Independence paved the way for the following years in U.S. history. [889 words] Today With Ms (Poetry) A poem about the affects of MS. This is how I've heard it described and expressed it. [70 words] [Motivational] Tony's Unbirthday Party (Non-Fiction) My birthday visit with Tony. [1,150 words] [Motivational] Train Watchers: A Brett Mccarley Locomotive Engineer Story (Short Stories) You hope this never happens out on the line, but if it does, you hope you have a friend like Laurie. A day's work cements a growing bond between engineer and commuter. [3,405 words] [Relationships] Trespasser (Novels) Sample chapter from my first published novel. Published 2015. Jeff and Judy meet after a fatality and here we learn some general information that helps him deal with the aftermath. To purchase the boo... [1,759 words] [Romance] Uncharted Skies (Short Stories) Aviation Series story 7. Time has passed since Andrew's admission to Anne. Now a crucial decision must be made and Andrew struggles till the end with just how to put the question! [4,715 words] [Romance] Virginia Planter (Short Stories) Thomas Jefferson is asked to write in the service of his country. I found this on a disc with another story I wrote several years ago. It's my imagination of our country's very young history. [3,016 words] [History] Waiting For Us (Poetry) Metrolink 111 waiting to leave from the Chatsworth station. [173 words] [Spiritual] What Are You Thinking (Songs) A man I know whose primary means of communication is sign language encountered a sad event and so one day he was sitting and looking out of the window and it gave me the idea for this song about what ... [163 words] [Relationships] Wine Coolers And Chocolate Chip Cookies (Short Stories) Aviation Series Story 4. christmas serves as the backdrop in which we learn more about Andrew's life before meeting Anne. [4,067 words] [Romance] You Were Born For The Rail Way Station (Songs) Another tribute to Robert M. Sanchez the perished engineer in the Metrolink 111 crash September 12, 2008. The key is cminor with a 1 6 4 5 progression and a lot of open chords. The words look odd on t... [198 words] [Spiritual] Your Name In The Wind (Songs) This is a song about someone's absolute passion for flight. [198 words] [Adventure] You've Got This (Poetry) Christ reigns. [86 words] [Mystical]
Kitty Kisses Entry Two Shelley J Alongi
It’s 5:45 AM, and Pearl is jumping on my bed with that insistent meow that does not suggest, but emphatically insists that she have my attention. I have a king size bed that I only share with my two cats when they feel like sleeping there, so I’m not so annoyed when they wake me up. The fact is I’ve been awakened earlier this day by some noise, probably a cat playing with a box, and so I’m used to such beauty sleep interruptions. Do you hear me complaining? Hardly. I’m one of the over sixty percent of cat parents who feel that sharing a bed with your cat is acceptable; there’s a huge debate about whether or not children should share the parent’s beds. I have my opinion on that, and so since my cats, in essence, are my children, they’re welcome to share my bed. Hey I already bought it; it’s one less thing the pet industry can persuade me to buy. Should I invest my hard earned money on a furry, funny-looking bed for the cats when mine will do just fine? No thank you.
You’ll have to tune in later for another expose on why sleeping with the cats for me is a good thing, so now back to the morning wake-up call I got. Pearl did not want to lie down and be petted, so what was the deal, anyway? Simple. Feed me, as a famous plant once said.
Soon I had two cats around my feet, who are, by the way, on two different formulas. Feeding Brandy is a fairly straightforward thing. My kitten waits patiently, maybe she’ll give me one meow, for me to bring out the kitten food, the square dish, and the one cup bowl I have prepared earlier with the correct amount of food in it. She circles around my feet till at last she dives in and starts gobbling. Wait, I thought this journal was about cats! If only turkeys gobble, haha, my cat thinks she’s a turkey! I’m glad she likes it.
Pearl is a bit of a different story. She’s older, wiser, bigger (not overweight), more laid back, and kind of prissy about her food. I’m sure this new feeding routine for her is not the most ideal, though, she is adapting. She is a nibbler, and so since I’m working from home for the time being, her food gets left out for certain periods of time during the day.
The challenge is to keep Brandy out of it! During late morning and early afternoon, this is pretty straight forward. During the morning, it isn’t!
Separation Policy Strongly Enforced
Pearl’s bowl and Brandy’s dish are in separate areas of the house. In the morning they get left out for half an hour. This isn’t a bad thing. It allows me time to make the required cup of java to signal my internal clock that it is, indeed, morning, and do other things, like sit down and think or plan the day. There’s always a plan, even if the plan is not to have a plan! Today is one of those days, so the food gets left out, the cats eat, and now the day begins.
Formula One Cat Feeding
I only have one simple question and statement to make here. Is feeding a cat like feeding a baby with premixed formula? That question gets a resounding yes, without the addition of one step: burping.
Even I wasn’t going to go the bottle route with kittens! No, not me. I’ll let mom feed the kittens, then I’ll take them and happily do the rest! I don’t want to be responsible for feeding a kitten a bottle. By four weeks a kitten should be beginning to lap out of a bowl and eat dry food, so at least it’s not as if we’re feeding kittens for six to eight months on a bottle, so I suppose there is one difference.
The similarities, however, are striking.
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