Mip and the Wing Spell

Once upon a time, there was a fairy named Mip. His hair was brown and curly and he wore a blue tunic and brown leggings. His eyes twinkled, probably because he was very curious and liked to try new things.

One day he was flying through the forest when he heard Dr. Penzo explaining to his nurse the proper way to do the wing spell. You see, Dr. Penzo is a pediatrician. He takes care of baby fairies after they're born. One of the things he does is to give them their wings. Baby fairies are not born with wings, because they're too little to fly. They get their wings when they are about two years old.

" 'Winging' is a very special procedure", explained Dr. Penzo that day, as Mip slowed down to listen. "First, you take two leaves and two berries from a butterfly bush. You crush them between your fingers until they make a lot of purple juice. Then, you rub the juice on the back of the baby, right where the wings should grow. While you're rubbing, you sing the flying song."

"Wow!" thought Mip, as he flew away. "I have to try this."

So, he flew to a very dark, quite part of the forest and he looked around. He found a small brown caterpillar. Then, he found a butterfly bush. He crushed two leaves and two berries between his fingers until they made lots of juice. Then, he quickly rubbed his fingers on the caterpillar's back and sang the flying song.

Before he finished the song, he could see wings growing out of the caterpillar's back. But......

"Oh, NO!" shouted Mip. Something was definitely wrong. The caterpillar's wings didn't grow right. They were supposed to have a large pointed wing piece on the top and a smaller, rounder piece on the bottom. They were supposed to be symmetrical - the same on the left and right - but they weren't. The left side was missing the lower part.

"Try to fly, caterpillar.", said Mip. The little caterpillar fluttered his wings and started to fly a bit, but the right side of his wing was so much bigger and stronger that he was wobbling and going in a circle.

"Well, that didn't go very well." thought Mip. I guess I didn't get my fingers down onto his skin the way I needed to. It's probably because his fur is so thick. I'll just have to try again.

New Year, New Start

The kids are back in school and the many jobs of the Christmas season are almost done (still haven't mailed out Christmas/New Years' cards...), so it's time to blog!

I have a lot more free time now, for a number of reasons. First, it is post-Christmas, and second, I quit my job! Things did not work out at the research lab. I was very uncomfortable with the lab supervisor's style. Since this is a public post, let's just leave it at that.

So, I have started the year off right! I got rid of a part of my life that I didn't like or need. My husband and I are doing that standard New Year's activity called "starting to exercise again" and reading the Bible more. Exercising felt great this morning and reading the Bible was satisfying last night. I will also be doing some jobs around the house that have been on our mental list for quite some time.

I know, however, that in a week, maybe less, I'll wish I had a job. I'll feel like I'm not doing enough, not really using my talents and not getting many pats on the back. I have to try to be patient. I'm going to try to resist the urge to jump into whatever I can find, especially if it's not really what I want to do.

I was also thinking that I should write up a research project proposal to show to one of the other lab supervisors I met in the Fall. Maybe we could work on a project together. I've been looking into going on a mission trip. And then there's the idea of writing a book. I'm not sure I have the perseverance. Writing well takes a lot of time.

I'll let you know how it goes. Will I be patient? Will I do those household jobs that need doing? Will I write up a research project? Will anyone care? Will I write something? ....a book, a short story, my Christmas cards??? Hmmmmmmmm......

Lots to do. Better go read "The Half Blood Prince" and get that out of the way! (ha ha)

Peace to you in the coming year.