My name is Wren Theresa Jackson, but most everyone I know calls me "Rootie".  It's a nickname that my Grandpa gave to me when I was a little toddler, and it's stuck ever since.   I am thirteen years old and live with my family in Bangor, Maine.

I have my Mom and Pop, my Grandpa Willis, and my two big brothers Clarence and Gavin, who are 15 and 19.  Guess that's where I got my tomboyish ways; I have no sisters.  All I know is football, baseball, soccer, or basketball, let alone, wearing hand-me-down blue jeans, tee shirts (or sweats if it's cold or cool outside), or beat up tennis shoes.  I don't like wearing dresses or skirts: they make me itch at the thought of it!

My mom is, of course, dismayed at the thought of her precious baby girl (ME) being more like a boy than a girl, but I'm sorry.  I don't like tea parties, playing with dolls, or wearing pink or purple.  I'm more into grey or camoflage or military green, anyway.

My dad is thrilled that I am more like him and his sons, so I'm happy.  As long as I am happy playing contact sports, going on hunting trips, or dressing for comfort, then why should Mom have a cow?  I don't understand her sometimes.  I know she is disappointed that I am not like her, but as I said, I'm a tomboy.  Always have been.  I've loved climbing the highest tree and I have never fallen out of one yet.  Maybe one day this will happen, but so far it hsan't, and besides, I'm careful whenever I go outside anyway!

Maybe it's because I love to climb trees that I got the nickname of "Rootie".  Trees.  Roots.  Get it?? :)  It's the only thing I can figure out!

Besides playing sports, going hunting, and such, I love to help Dad, Clarence, and Gavin with the car.  I may be only thirteen, but I can hotwire a car and tell the parts of a car better than any of 'em.  I love working with cars and love perusing auto mags and seeing the hottest trends in the automobile industry.  I love the smell of oil and gasoline and can never get enough: the dirtier a job is, the more I happen to enjoy it!

Well, I am going to go: am waiting for Grandpa Willis now to pick us up from school; then I am going to play with my friends (soccer, perhaps?) after I complete my homework.  I will write in here again soon; until then, this is Rootie Jackson saying so long!  God bless and take care!

~Rootie.

~To be continued.~