The Second Civil War of the United States had just ended. As one might imagine tensions were still extremely high. The country was divided in two and the line was not easy to draw. The now separate countries would be called East and West America. The West was dramatically larger than the East. The line separated Georgia from Alabama, Tennessee from Arkansas, followed the Mississippi river and ultimately divided Minnesota to the West and Wisconsin to the East. The East would have control over the Great Lakes and the East Coast. The West would have the West Coast, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico. The last remaining piece, Florida, was still under harsh debate, both sides wanting to have complete control over their coast line.
Texas had long been seceded from the U.S. before the Second Civil War broke out. Texas supported the West mostly due to its proximity and not necessarily due to Western viewpoints. Texas merely didn’t want to form enemies with neighboring states. Since its departure from the U.S., Texas had grown to be a military powerhouse. Never large enough to challenge the United States by itself, Texas quickly took the opportunity to form allies with the West and fight against the “Old U.S.” as the West called them. In the end, Texas power was what ultimately caused the East to stand down.
Due to their locations, Hawaii and Alaska became part of the West. Puerto Rico, which had become a state after Texas seceded, would also become part of the West, despite its extremely vulnerable location in the East.
Families were divided, some favoring the “Old U.S.” mentality, a complacent viewpoint of the nation’s position in the world, held by the East and the belief of Westerners that drastic change was necessary to become a dominating influential country within the world. The majority of Montana residents favored Eastern view points but were unfortunately completely surrounded by Western states and in no way would be able to survive within the West; without fight many Montana residents fled to the East. Proud Western citizens gladly commandeered the land of Montana. A number of California residents were forced to leave, unwilling to speak the officially Western language, Spanish. Of course there were many people living within either side that did not share the same viewpoint of their newly formed country. They either moved or kept their mouth shut.
After the lines had been drawn and migrations had commenced the ultimate decision came through to the West’s dismay, the East would take hold of Florida. Outrage poured over the West. They had won the war but now lost the crucial piece to their coast line. Some residents were even angrier now than before the war began. They gathered up their arms and were prepared to travel to the panhandle to take Florida as the entrance way to the West. However, despite the anger not much could be done at that point. Under orders of the newly established government the military would not attack and Western rebels alone would not be enough to take Florida. The residents would have to sit back and take the bitter loss of Florida. Even though the war was over, the West would not rest until Florida was theirs.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
The Best Day of the Year
The best day of the year is not the last day of school; it’s the first day of summer.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Anthony the Ant Becomes Human (except 3)
“Come here children. I want to show you something,” Kathryn said.
They all followed her to the top of the ant hill. Ants were hustling past them in and out of the opening. The children were mesmerized by the speed of the other ants.
Kathryn began to speak, “Each and every one of these ants has a job to do for the colony. There are forgers, soldiers, caretakers, diggers, and cleaners. Without any one job our colony could not exist. Each and every one of you will have a job and it’s your responsibility to do your job well for the sake of the colony.”
Butch said, “What will our jobs be?”
She replied, “That is up for the magistrate to decide.”
There were whispers among the children about what their jobs would be. Butch wanted to be a soldier and Zeke wanted to be a forger. Becca and Kelsey wanted to be in the nursery.
Kathryn said, “Now, there are a few more things you need to learn before you get jobs. I want everyone to look far out across the grass. What do you see?”
Becca spoke softly, “It’s another ant hill.”
Zeke butted in abruptly, “Sweet! Let’s go!”
Kathryn stopped him, “Hold on there Zeke. That is one place we should never go. That is a rival colony of over one million ants. If anyone from our colony goes there they will be attacked and killed. Our colony would be in jeopardy of collapse because they could then follow the scent back here and try to take over our ant hill.”
“Why would they want to do that?” Kelsey asked.
Kathryn continued, “Well, that is a colony of many queens. Our queen was once one of them before she escaped with her Serv-Ants.”
“Why did she leave?” asked Anthony.
“She was the fifth queen and wasn’t taken seriously. She was given less Serv-Ants, a small nesting area and fewer food rations. She protested many times but the other queens wouldn’t adhere to her requests. So late one evening she had her Serv-Ants carry the eggs she had just laid and they flew to this location just out of sight and scent range from her old colony.
“They flew here?” Kelsey questioned.
“Yes. Queens and Serv-Ants have wings at first but once they land they shed their wings. You’ll be able to recognize Serv-Ants by their distinct stubs on their bodies from the wings. Only male ants with wings can become the queen’s Serv-Ant.”
All the children looked over at Butch. No one had really noticed before but Butch had something unusual about him.
“Butch, you have wings!” Anthony exclaimed.
Flabbergasted and shocked Butch responded, “What? ... I do?” He tried to turn his head but couldn’t quite see. He tried to spin around but his whole body spun with his head. He ended up spinning in circle before realizing he wouldn’t be able to see them. All the children were laughing at the sight of Butch spinning in circles.
“Butch, you’ve got to feel your wings,” Kathryn said.
A little flutter came from the wings on Butch’s back. “Wow! I can’t believe it. I’ve got wings. Whaowho!” He began to jump around.
“Careful Butch, if you use your wings they will fall off,” Kathryn said.
“What?” Butch was surprised.
“Wings can only be used once.”
Butch seemed disappointed, “Really? Why? When should I use them?”
“The time will come when you will know when to use them. Just know that your job will be very important. You must protect the queen at all costs. Only Serv-Ants ever see the queen. She remains deep inside the colony in a guarded chamber. No one ever goes in and no one ever comes out except for Serv-Ants.” The children were speechless. Kathryn pointed to the other colony. “They would do anything to get revenge for her disloyalty.”
They all followed her to the top of the ant hill. Ants were hustling past them in and out of the opening. The children were mesmerized by the speed of the other ants.
Kathryn began to speak, “Each and every one of these ants has a job to do for the colony. There are forgers, soldiers, caretakers, diggers, and cleaners. Without any one job our colony could not exist. Each and every one of you will have a job and it’s your responsibility to do your job well for the sake of the colony.”
Butch said, “What will our jobs be?”
She replied, “That is up for the magistrate to decide.”
There were whispers among the children about what their jobs would be. Butch wanted to be a soldier and Zeke wanted to be a forger. Becca and Kelsey wanted to be in the nursery.
Kathryn said, “Now, there are a few more things you need to learn before you get jobs. I want everyone to look far out across the grass. What do you see?”
Becca spoke softly, “It’s another ant hill.”
Zeke butted in abruptly, “Sweet! Let’s go!”
Kathryn stopped him, “Hold on there Zeke. That is one place we should never go. That is a rival colony of over one million ants. If anyone from our colony goes there they will be attacked and killed. Our colony would be in jeopardy of collapse because they could then follow the scent back here and try to take over our ant hill.”
“Why would they want to do that?” Kelsey asked.
Kathryn continued, “Well, that is a colony of many queens. Our queen was once one of them before she escaped with her Serv-Ants.”
“Why did she leave?” asked Anthony.
“She was the fifth queen and wasn’t taken seriously. She was given less Serv-Ants, a small nesting area and fewer food rations. She protested many times but the other queens wouldn’t adhere to her requests. So late one evening she had her Serv-Ants carry the eggs she had just laid and they flew to this location just out of sight and scent range from her old colony.
“They flew here?” Kelsey questioned.
“Yes. Queens and Serv-Ants have wings at first but once they land they shed their wings. You’ll be able to recognize Serv-Ants by their distinct stubs on their bodies from the wings. Only male ants with wings can become the queen’s Serv-Ant.”
All the children looked over at Butch. No one had really noticed before but Butch had something unusual about him.
“Butch, you have wings!” Anthony exclaimed.
Flabbergasted and shocked Butch responded, “What? ... I do?” He tried to turn his head but couldn’t quite see. He tried to spin around but his whole body spun with his head. He ended up spinning in circle before realizing he wouldn’t be able to see them. All the children were laughing at the sight of Butch spinning in circles.
“Butch, you’ve got to feel your wings,” Kathryn said.
A little flutter came from the wings on Butch’s back. “Wow! I can’t believe it. I’ve got wings. Whaowho!” He began to jump around.
“Careful Butch, if you use your wings they will fall off,” Kathryn said.
“What?” Butch was surprised.
“Wings can only be used once.”
Butch seemed disappointed, “Really? Why? When should I use them?”
“The time will come when you will know when to use them. Just know that your job will be very important. You must protect the queen at all costs. Only Serv-Ants ever see the queen. She remains deep inside the colony in a guarded chamber. No one ever goes in and no one ever comes out except for Serv-Ants.” The children were speechless. Kathryn pointed to the other colony. “They would do anything to get revenge for her disloyalty.”
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Bill Gates, The Almighty
Why is that when you're in the middle of a huge project and you're pressed for time, the document you're working on is forced to close? Do you think Bill Gates creates these occurences and does it on purpose just to have control over us?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Solving the Hiccup Epidemic – One hiccup at a time
Tilt your head way back and look toward the ceiling or sky. Place your fingertips at the top of your neck. Run your fingertips down your neck excruciatingly slow (for 10-15 seconds). During this process you body may jolt as if a hiccup up were coming. If needed, repeat the process again. Congratulations, you no longer have hiccups. You’re Welcome.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Solving the Hiccup Epidemic
I despise hiccups. So much so that I become increasing angrier the longer they stick around. That is why I developed a fool proof plan for getting rid of them. Now sure we all have our tricks; drinking water upside down, holding our breath, having someone scare us but these tricks may work sometimes and not others. The trick that I came up with works now and always will. This isn’t one of those tricks that work once and then never works again, no; my fool proof plan works every time. Here is what you have to do.
Tune in next week to find out how to solve your hiccups.
Tune in next week to find out how to solve your hiccups.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
The Acting Profession
Imagine an actor writes a screenplay, casts himself in the show, obtains all props necessary for the show, performs the show five times in one day, critics each performance, and then repeats the entire process the following day with a new show. The audience, however, is actually forced to be there for the entire theatre season and a large majority of them wish that they didn’t have to attend. The audience is required to provide a summary of each performance upon which the actor now critics to insure that the audience members fully understand each performance. Sound like a profession you know? It’s teaching.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Courtroom Teachers
An attorney only working within the courtroom is like a teacher only working within the classroom. Attorneys get paid for everything they do for a client outside the courtroom. Do teachers?
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Rehabilitating Students
Teaching a student who doesn’t want to learn is like trying to rehabilitate an alcoholic who refuses to stop drinking.
Friday, April 1, 2011
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