November-6-2010

Spirit Lake Road, Washington/Olalla, Washington

The sun's light was filtering through the cracks in the wall from the 2008 earthquake, which totaled my grandparents' old addition to their house. It was caused by a fault called the Mount Rainier, Seattle C.H.R.M.C. fault. I believe if it were two measures stronger on the Rictor scale it would have swallowed the entire earth—though earthquakes are not known to do that.

There is a thump from the hall a door is being opened.

Well someone is up. Probably my sister, god knows she never sleeps in. it's just the South Kitsap High School, school district time, 5:30am every morning, on the bus at 6:25am and at school by 7:15am. Now that is what I call chaos! But you grow use to it. Here in Castle Rock, school is out in November because of winter snow days. We will be back in school in January. It is nearly noon; I have slept that long, I must need my sleep. With the Vorlon experience yesterday, I just could not stop thinking what Kosh Naranek was trying to say.

Irisma's mother calling to him. "Irisma get up! It is nearly noon."

"All right." Irisma sighs, but Irisma remains still in bed.

"Irisma! Get out of bed now! It is now 12:13pm. Hurry up we are heading towards Mount Saint Helens, the news crew are up there, and an alien ship has landed there!" Replied his mother in a hurried voice as she packs up clothing as to be going on a trip.

"You're joking!" Said Irisma.

"Irisma!" The mother says sarcastically "No and I changed my mind we are heading to Olalla to get to grandma's and grandpa's house."

Irisma gets dressed and is meet with Nanette who is not talking to him, as they load into the small car they catch interstate 5 which goes to Olalla where Irisma's grandparents live. As they arrive Irisma's grandpa is cutting out the dead raspberry plants to make way for the next years plants—same process every year.

Quietly walking up to his grandfather. "Hello grandpa…"

"Irisma! It's been so long! So how is my big boy doing?" Says Irisma's grandfather with much surprise in his voice.

"Doing all right grandfather."

"I heard about the government's alien encounter. I hope that hasn't affected you!" Says grandfather with much more feelings.

Thinking it as a sarcastic idea. "I am all right." Hoping to change the uncomfortable subject. "So how was your trip across the Atlantic Ocean?"

"You mean the Pacific Ocean?" Said the grandfather.

Trying to correct his mistake on their vacation. "Oh that's right, there is an east and west difference!"

Showing that he was displeased with the trip. "Well your grandmother seemed to enjoy it. If you don't mind me saying, it was nothing it was said to be."

Irisma thinking of the disaster in Alaska. "I'd say so to if my ship had hit an ice burg!" Said Irisma with some humor in his voice.

Almost forgetting the event in Alaska. "That's right we did hit an ice burg, the Alaskan trip."

Becoming bored with the conversation. "Well I am going to go see grandmother; I see you are taking care of the raspberries." Looking at the already prepared plants. "It must be hard?"

"It is. I could use your help."

"Well I barely got my drivers licenses, maybe latter in time."

Disappointed with the results. "I see—well you better say hi to your grandmother."

"All right." Irisma exits the hibernating raspberry patch, and heads down towards the house. He wants to see what they did to fix up the house after the earthquake. As he gets down there his grandmother is awaiting for him. "Hello grandmother."

"Irisma, nice to see you, you seem a bit taller." Noticing a growth spurt from the last time she has seen Irisma.

"I don't think so." Irisma, and his grandmother hug another "So how are you doing?"

"All right, your grandfather only works in that patch of his. I wish he took a break!"

Looking towards the raspberry patch. "Well raspberries keep this place going, so you can pay your income taxes." Said Irisma.

Thinking about jobs, his grandmother is interested if Irisma has found any employment. "Do you have a job yet?"

"Yes a part time job in the field at Mount Saint Helens National Volcanic Monument. I am a geological speaker, and a park ranger."

"I am glad for you! Well go get your grandfather, and get him down here for dinner."

"All right." Irisma heads to the raspberry patch. "Grandfather—grandpa." Irisma walks towards him "Grandfather!" Irisma yells.

Frightened by the sound of Irisma's voice grandfather jumps a little. "What! You scared me; you shouldn't scare an old man like that!"

"I know, but it is dinnertime."

"Okay." Grandfather lays down his gloves, and Sassy the dog snatches his gloves and run's off.

Grandfather yells at the dog to get his gloves back. "Sassy! Give them back!"

Nanette and Sassy enter the house. Grandfather and I enter after them. The dinner was quite large, and good! We sat around the table with heaps of food towering over us. Then grandfather said prayer.

"So Sarah do you have a job?" Said Grandfather.

"Yes, it is at McDonalds. We sell regular hamburgers, McLean Deluxe, Filet-O-Fish, McChicken, and Quarters-Pounder with cheese."

Bored with Nanette's job. "Sounds interesting." Looking at my mother. "So will you be staying for the night?" Said Grandfather.

"Yes I figured we could celebrate Irisma's birthday here, if it does not bother you?" Said the mother who was still loading food on her plate.

"No of course not. Irisma can sleep in his old bedroom, and you two can sleep in the ceramic room. For your rooms been torn down." Mother nods and the family eats, as the meal is complete it is late and the household usually goes to sleep around 9PM to remain healthy.

"Well we better get off to bed for it is late, tomorrow will begin a long day." Said the mother who is tired of the stressful day.

"Yes I look forward to be working with farm equipment again." Said Irisma as Irisma heads downstairs. As Irisma goes into his old room he lays down a blanket to sleep on with his asthma spray, watch, and a glass of water next to his sleeping area. As the night grows shorter, the household is asleep and the sounds of creaking floorboards keep Irisma awake—but for only awhile.

The town of Olalla lays dormant, waiting for the seventh to arrive. Then Irisma and Nanette, grandpa and grandma, and last mother would dream, all different, some dreams would affect the mind, soul, and body. The other dreams would turn downright scary! And other dreams, dreams that should have never been dreamt, because if fantasies are what dreams are made of, then what does that leave for our nightmares? No, at least a dream is a period of no beginning, and no ending, but is it possible to dream a dream that becomes reality, or is it truly a dream that we call the meaning of life? And a nightmare is the failures of the purpose of life?