WRITE 2 THE HEART
                 Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart"
                                         August 31, 2004
         Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator @ write2theheart.com


     Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new
subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e-
cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To join,
send an e-mail with subscribe written in the subject line to:
subscribe-me @ write2theheart.com.
 
   For a writer a good imagination is a good thing. But when you
are alone, in the dark, and your imagination starts running away
with you, it can lead to heart pounding situations.
 
                     Attack of the Night Monster
                       By Ellie Braun-Haley

     The dark scares me. I don't know why but I think it's because I
have a good imagination. Walking alone on a country road in the
dark really scares me. I mean we havecoyotes out our way, some
moose, deer, porcupines, and other critters. Some I would just as
soon not bump into on a moonless night.

     On this one particular evening when there was still light left in
the sky I headed out across the distance between house and barn to
retrieve something from the barn. I paused to admire the breath-
taking beauty of the landscape as the pinks and purples, grays and
blues of a sunset lit up the western sky.

     I must have lost track of time, (getting sidetracked is one of my
pastimes) because when I stepped outside it was black. I waited a
moment for my eyes to adjust to the change but I soon realized
there was no moon and we had no yard light for this end of our
property. Whoa, this was going to be a hair-raising run for safety!

     I stumbled along on the uneven ground, trying to hurry yet
unable to really go as fast as my fears indicated! I was still
orienting myself and mentally recalling where the obstacles were.
There were no night sounds. It was weird, black, and scary. All I
could think of was, "Oh please, just let me get back to the safety of
the house."

     It all happened so fast and I didn't hear a thing. Something
touched my hand. It was wet, like a drooling slimy monster! I
reacted by jerking away and jumping higher than the clothesline
(well almost) while an involuntary piercing scream escaped me. I
ran faster toward the house knowing I was being pursued by
monsters or at least one of those man eating coyotes.

     As I neared the house I saw a figure running away to the north
of me, his silhouette framed in the light cast by the neighbors yard
lights. It was the neighbor's dog, the friendliest dog to ever set foot
on this earth. He was always trying to nuzzle my hand and I knew
immediately the wet drool I had felt had been his nose.

     That night he was likely the most frightened dog in the
neighborhood!

Ellie Braun-Haley © 2001
shaley @ telusplanet.net

     Ellie writes stories for a number of publications. She is also the
author of four books. Ellie Braun-Haley  shaley@telusplanet.net
  

     You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know
what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story?
Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com


     Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen.
They have several long distance plans to chose from. I personally
use the PowerNet Global 4.5¢ Per Minute Plan. I love having my
own toll free number without the monthly fee; I only pay for actual
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have used it more times than I care to remember over the last three
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                     Letters From Our Readers

     Patricia Spork shines as a grandmother, don't you think? I feel
the love between her and the little ones. Plus her love for animals,
no matter how great or small, shines through in this warm, moving
story of the realities of life--and death.
As usual, a lovely piece from Patricia.

Blessings,
Barbara Deming
Author of "The Quilt Maker"



     I can relate to Patricia’s story. So many times my children and I
have tried to save an animals life. Sometimes we happily watched
when they hopped or flew away. Sometimes we had a funeral
complete with eulogies for the dearly departed.
KC
    

                     Military Prayer Reminder
    
     As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to
pray for these young people and their families:
 
Chris Speir                   
Tim Speir                     
Alan                              
Todd Holland
Graham
William
Julie Sagel
Jessie
Marshal Thompson
Jason
Eric Hernandez
Kristin Danielson
Ken Prieur
Ryan
Larry Miele
Daniel
Amy
John
Joanne
Gary Boardwine
Josh
Hadassah
Chanz Wackerly
Robert Henderson
David Habighurst
 
     Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and
our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military,
or who are being called to go overseas, send their names
(first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer
reminder.


                           Cheryl’s Corner


     Chris and Nicole invited David and I to go tubing with them.
Aaron and Junie came, along with several of their friends. I had
forgotten how soothing it is. For five hours we floated, stopping
occasionally to eat and stretch our legs. David brought a fishing
pole and tried to fish as he floated. He enjoyed this occupation
until he hit some white water and got snagged on limbs. When his
tube flipped, he lost his pole. He didn’t mind the dunking, but the
loss of his fishing pole…

God bless,
Cheryl

Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart
Nothing may be reproduced or published without
the written permission of the individual author or
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