Ani Was Writing

Part 4   The cold stone overshadows Praza as she scales up its ragged edges. A lot of Lord Ovid's refuge is rebuilt with smother stone, but the neglected animal stalls provide the wear and tear for her to climb over the main walls and into the animal's courtyard. A few startled sheep cry, but the other animals remain asleep. The night air keeps the area warm enough to avoid the virus of panic that can infect animals. The warmth keeps them calm; the same goes within people, if Praza remembers correctly. After a moment of straightening her attire and grabbing her silver yarn, she heads toward the building to her left.    The place seems too elegant for such a trivial lord. Praza comments to herself as she slides through a doorway. She was in here days before, posing as a surveyor neecding to check in on the buildings and land for any damage. While it wasn't her best work in disguise, she managed to be convincing enough. She scoped the entire plot of land that they all...

Everything is upside down.  There are people melting at the sight of a snowflake.  Complainers retching against their complaint-ridden hands.  Screeching out against the white noise of those who screech.  They join those they did not wish to join with clouded eyes. Everything is upside down.  Those who think they have an audience blow air into the wind.  Those who wish to stands out blend into the monochrome.  Those who speak the words they do not seem to understand.  They join those they did not wish to join with deafened ears. Everything is upside down.  We need more listening than shouting.   More cooperation than "winning."   More compassion than standing out. Everything is upside down.  It is time to speak for the masses, not just the mermaids.   Time to help out the shunned, not just the lime-lighters.   Time to see who truly need help, not just the attention seekers. Everything is upside ...

  Last month brought me a new challenge to my perspective on how involved parents could be when their children play sports.   I help two high school boys with mental disabilities. Let's call them Jack and Josh for the sake of their privacy. Both families are generally nice to me. On 30 January, I was invited to watch one of their basketball games.     First I ran into Jack's family. Jack's family consisted of his mom, dad, older sister, and an older brother who was playing basketball as well that night. (Apparently, Jack and Josh's game was the halftime show of the official varsity game.) As soon as I sat and finished saying hello, the entire family became cold to my presence and intensely focused on the game. When Jack would try to speak to me, his family would immediately quiet him. He was nervous to play, but his dad seemed insistent that he would. By the time I got up and moved to Josh's family, I got a feeling that I wasn't wanted around them.   Befo...

Part 3   Praza stares at the stranger. "Sounds more plain than your tone attempts to make it sound."   The stranger rolls his eyes. "It is a rare yarn! Only the specific sheep of Lord Ovid have the wool to make it."   "Oh? Lord Ovid, huh?" Her lips curl into a smile. That particular lord had been judged impure of soul in her eyes. What a pleasant opportunity to force chaos upon him. "Come back to me at this place in three days. I will have your blanket ready for you."   The stranger smiles giddily. "Thank you, Stranger Kadlec." He reaches his hand out to shake hers. She stares at it for a moment before thinks to return the gesture. By that point, he pulls his hand away and nods instead before he disappears into the forest. Praza blinks in his general direction, then looks to her horse. Geralt lays in the warmed grass with his head toward her. His ears flick back as she makes eye contact with him.   "I don't know what to make of...

  This is a yearly reminder. I have a lot to remember, but this is one of the biggest ones. Not everyone has to agree with you.    It is easy for me to forget while I'm in the midst of talking to people, especially when it is something more controversial. It can start as a basic question about life experiences that turns into either a mutual discussion or a stifled disagreement. It can be difficult to remember this in a moment, but I try to pause in my conversations to remind myself: Not everyone has to agree with you.   It makes tense communications disintegrate like ash. It can bring into view those who will not listen to what I am saying. It always reveals the intentions of conversation partners. In the end, it hands me the total control of my actions and responses to others, no matter what the topic. It gives me the freedom to step back and see the conversation at its most basic level.      A reminder like this is not just ...