Famous Last Words: The Longest Week Yet

This week I was better able to keep up with all of my homework. I'm finally getting the hang of how this online class works. I was even able to do some extra credit because I got so far ahead! I still have quite a bit to do so that I can have an A in the class, and I plan to finish early, too.

For the project, I chose to do ghost stories. Since I'm behind a week, I chose three stories that I would like to retell. I'm thinking I want to do a collection of ghost stories that all seem to connect in some way. In the end, I want to come up with a surprising secret.

My other classes are going really well so far. I've made all A's so far on quizzes and assignments so I hope that I can keep that up. This week has definitely been a long, busy week. I had so many due dates approaching on the same days, I had work five days this week, I attended a PRSSA meeting, and applied to be on a committee for PRSSA. I was chosen to be on the promotion committee and I'm really excited.

Later on in the semester I will be creating another blog for one of my classes. This blog is going to be about myself though, and it's going to be really professional. I don't know yet exactly what I will be posting about, but I do know it will be my own personal blog.

This next week in class I hope to be able to manage my time and meet all of my deadlines. I have a super busy work week, so I hope I'm able to keep up. My schedule is different every week, so it's difficult to make time for everything sometimes. I hope I'm able to get ahead this week because I need to do quite a bit of extra credit to bring my grade up.

Here's another personal photo taken of Trixie.

Week 4 Story: The Deal Between Saint Gudwall and the Fish

Going to the Welsh coast is a fabulous idea for anyone wanting to see clear, blue water and soft, white sand. Just the view of the coast in general is magnificent! For the summer, of course. What about the winter, you ask? Now that's a different story...

Saint Gudwall and his dear friend Charles began their search for a new place to call home on the Welsh coast. It was a beautiful day, and they began their search.  After a whole day's worth of searching, they came across a large cave that was not too high and not too low. They had heard warnings of pirates in the area, but surely that was just a  farfetched possibility. It was easily accessible and had an incredible view. They moved all of their belongings in, and made their home as comfortable as possible. They enjoyed the rest of their summer in the new home.


School of fish
Source: Wikimedia Commons                    Then winter came.


And with that came terrible storms. They started out small, and the more time that went on, the worse the storms got. The waves were beginning to crash so high that water was entering their home. On the night of the most dangerous storm, the waves were entering their home completely! All of their furniture and belongings were drifting away and being destroyed. The men were barely staying alive in the churning waves, then all of a sudden, they were floating.

Giant fish had picked them up enough for them to breathe above the water. Saint Gudwall and Charles looked at each other with disbelief. What was going on and why were these fish helping them?

The next thing they knew, they were having a conversation with the fish in charge, who had an idea in mind. The fish wanted to help the men, but also wanted something in return. The fish would create gills for the men to live in peace in their new home, if the men would protect them from the pirates who give them trouble and pollute their water.

So the deal was made. Sir Gudwall and Charles could live peacefully in their home year-round, and the fish would be protected. The men and fish lived happily for the rest of their days off the Welsh coast.



Bibliography: The Deal Between Saint Gudwall and the Fish, from The Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall by Abbie Farwell Brown
Author's Note: In the original story, the two stories begin the same as this. When the winter storms come, Saint Gudwall and his pupil evacuate their home. As they watch from afar, they notice something moving in their home. They soon find out that the fish are taking grains of sand and forming a barrier so that the water will not invade their home.
The first thing I did to change my story was giving Saint Gudwall's pupil a name, who I called Charles. It was easier to reference than just calling him his pupil. I also gave the fish a more magical role. As in they could talk, negotiate a deal, and even create the gills for the men. I also introduced the idea of pirates so that the fish and the men would each be getting something in return.

Tech Tip: Pinterest Board

When I did this specific tech tip, I knew how to do all of the steps. I have used Pinterest for many years and for many different reasons. Back in high school, I would make boards for all different sorts of things. I had boards for prom hair, wedding ideas, future house ideas, nail designs and many more. I have since reorganized my Pinterest, but it still has a variety of boards posted. My Pinterest board for this class is titled Myth Folklore Portfolio.

Reading Notes: The Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall, Part B

For my reading in the Saints Unit, Part B, my favorite story was The Fish Who Helped Saint Gudwall from The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown. I enjoyed this story because the human characters of this story were desperate and helpless, and needed the help from the fish in order to survive. Without the fish, the chances of surviving were slim.

To make my twist on the story more interesting, I would have some rather large fish save the humans by swimming under them and allowing them to ride on their back. The fish will be able to talk to them, figure out what is going on and decide how to fix the problem. Rather than building a wall from grains of sand, the fish will summon their leader. After a half our of deliberation, the fish will talk to the humans. Their solution will be to create gills for the humans so that they can breathe under water and live in their home year-round. At first, Saint Gudwall and his pupil will be hesitant on this decision. After further thought, the pupil will convince Saint Gudwall to accept the idea.

The problem will be solved and the Saint and his pupil will live in the beautiful place from now on. The first storm destroyed their home and washed away all of their possessions. The fish will again help them by retrieving their lost items and rebuilding their home. The home will be durable above and under water.

Another problem I would maybe introduce is the arrival of pirates when the storm approaches. Their home, as mentioned in the story, is a prime place for pirates to wreck havoc. I'm not positive yet, but I would like to maybe have pirates enter in the plot somehow.

Home along the coast in summer

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Reading Notes: Saint Blaise and His Beasts, Part A

For this week's reading I chose to look at the Saints unit. The specific story that interested me in the Reading A was titled Saint Blaise and His Beasts which came from The Book of Saints and Friendly Beasts by Abbie Farwell Brown. I like how Saint Blaise is a devoted Christian who sticks to his values. He dedicates his life to learning medicine and treating people as well as animals who are sick.

I didn't particularly like the ending of the story because it almost seems as if his work was for nothing. He didn't pass his knowledge on to anyone, he just died when they beheaded him. I think a good change to the story would be for him to pass his knowledge onto a son, so the son continues his work and becomes friends with all the beasts.

Before Saint Blaise is beheaded, he will be teaching his son all that he knows. He realizes that the heathens will be after him soon, so he tries to teach as much as possible before that time comes. The son will be becoming friends with the beasts when his father is taken. He decides to ride one of the beasts and spy on the encounter. He will witness the death of his father, and then vow to do his best to live up to his father's expectations.

The son will be very secretive, unlike his father, because he knows what would happen to him if the heathens found out. He will build upon his father's work and also pass the knowledge onto others who share common interests. Slowly but surely, many others will be practicing the work, the beasts and various humans are at peace with one another.

The heathens will be unable to kill all of the different people who follow in Saint Blaise's footsteps. Saint Blaise's practices will live on all thanks to his son.

Saint Blaise with his beasts

Source: Wikimedia Commons