tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-333957062024-03-12T15:34:16.400-07:00small town mesmalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.comBlogger1867125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-54458821528169866022023-12-10T15:23:00.000-08:002023-12-10T15:23:16.546-08:00Signs of Fall 2023 Part 2<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUbKkHkjsAsnsAWsck7IVTDonNo9x42MLI8qVJ8rsFhWWcRPzubOrKe59MxOgXCnMi7_56FkR_bKUdZyx4rxIYPJlKQGZtvEd2d6mkx7jVQSY_uPbdcc_PkpsIPPbdW7YX3ipR5bqZ799pl3j312Mj49ki7UgKZ6PdRaYkMUlLRoLSKhGO_Wiq"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7295457328820910034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUbKkHkjsAsnsAWsck7IVTDonNo9x42MLI8qVJ8rsFhWWcRPzubOrKe59MxOgXCnMi7_56FkR_bKUdZyx4rxIYPJlKQGZtvEd2d6mkx7jVQSY_uPbdcc_PkpsIPPbdW7YX3ipR5bqZ799pl3j312Mj49ki7UgKZ6PdRaYkMUlLRoLSKhGO_Wiq=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Bugles are hard to find these days. I remembered making witch fingernails but it was disappointing as most were flattened in baking </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN0Jt52rnq7HOZdgesn6HbKEaGyIMdoWC-DzEHI7FDoFRaI1-s0zo9DwQ9FRqv54x5_6nSGZwNi_s127a_rSNVDzOvC68-ecYKkYs0NLllOXWHxn1J0gy-qMNHjHNIRGw_G7_JCGdPua5AsmrIFoFsBeWI4EutgsmRRAeQ7IW_xG15-W6VSCU8"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7295457343025167314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiN0Jt52rnq7HOZdgesn6HbKEaGyIMdoWC-DzEHI7FDoFRaI1-s0zo9DwQ9FRqv54x5_6nSGZwNi_s127a_rSNVDzOvC68-ecYKkYs0NLllOXWHxn1J0gy-qMNHjHNIRGw_G7_JCGdPua5AsmrIFoFsBeWI4EutgsmRRAeQ7IW_xG15-W6VSCU8=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">My light-up bar is a good spot for holiday displays </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGHzmJ5jlUlokQETUKbfvXIVAKwuNZfKcyAfCgudG6ZzSsKor8a1ET864m6GU3kPsMIL11hqv94EtR1mrdMkuwl_PHki3fQa8SODLi3_rAWnQU7an4Q12awEQGlYxFQA9uiePtnIo-6kvzMfl1hMRThOSnJc-7ttSstVcJkkTa3iGuaa3_BBRo"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7295457355928802498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGHzmJ5jlUlokQETUKbfvXIVAKwuNZfKcyAfCgudG6ZzSsKor8a1ET864m6GU3kPsMIL11hqv94EtR1mrdMkuwl_PHki3fQa8SODLi3_rAWnQU7an4Q12awEQGlYxFQA9uiePtnIo-6kvzMfl1hMRThOSnJc-7ttSstVcJkkTa3iGuaa3_BBRo=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">First fire in years. The kittens had been too active and then hearth got covered with music stuff. </p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-37706430256354509702023-09-29T10:39:00.001-07:002023-09-29T10:39:47.959-07:00The Orange Pan<p class="mobile-photo">I recently went through a box of my MIL's pictures which had sat in my garage for 10 years. Oops. Anyway, I found this gem of a Thanksgiving picture. It's taken between 1988 and 1990, as in 1991 we remodeled the funky kitchen.</p><p class="mobile-photo">Handy is carving the turkey and placing it into his beloved Orange Pan. My flea-market-scrounging uncle gave the pan to us soon after we were married. It has always been Handy's pan.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx1viRcKDelyqusM5cZV__GTAC1K5vl2UaaI_ixQgAqUg2a4LSpj9dJtQPOgco_Upa8wqlANS5xd3affXLE_lqH4sOzeKXK4Sl5DEMJv3b9YlxMUONcS88C3ytWCvmbGmO8mmiNkpiLO1mVP2ebx9sLtmjnYaYz1p1pPav4DfsrTMN7cqiUCaB"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7264595337472054322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgx1viRcKDelyqusM5cZV__GTAC1K5vl2UaaI_ixQgAqUg2a4LSpj9dJtQPOgco_Upa8wqlANS5xd3affXLE_lqH4sOzeKXK4Sl5DEMJv3b9YlxMUONcS88C3ytWCvmbGmO8mmiNkpiLO1mVP2ebx9sLtmjnYaYz1p1pPav4DfsrTMN7cqiUCaB=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">We can't ever have a barbecue without using The Orange Pan. When we gave Frank a propane grill as a housewarming present, we knew we had to give him an orange pan too. I found one on eBay! (I actually found 2 - Ernest will be getting one for Christmas.)</p><p class="mobile-photo">So the saga of The Orange Pan will continue.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik2RD2jSWtoOiyEbNHnkPjchsSetvolqAPXaIaYR0qHx6BlUV2hvrrM4MfHGsVdOKm0Af943IsGmJvs0YHapCQyDQSaL9KGtUZEAhlwHRiHNhaTZWzKiJlElVbXKyQeqs6WmhY6abMd6wRmE6IaD8xYwsoOzmWrVzkClx4rQIApU5wk_ScJaxB"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7264595348382931810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEik2RD2jSWtoOiyEbNHnkPjchsSetvolqAPXaIaYR0qHx6BlUV2hvrrM4MfHGsVdOKm0Af943IsGmJvs0YHapCQyDQSaL9KGtUZEAhlwHRiHNhaTZWzKiJlElVbXKyQeqs6WmhY6abMd6wRmE6IaD8xYwsoOzmWrVzkClx4rQIApU5wk_ScJaxB=s320" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-54224636137292042112023-09-25T14:46:00.004-07:002023-09-25T17:59:05.895-07:00Signs of Fall 2023<p class="mobile-photo">I ran into The Batmobile today! There was a school field trip walking around and many students wore Batman capes. I did not go Edna Mode on them. They were short capes, traveling capes, I used to tell my mini superhero children. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSdHoyPeex-6cllFSISHmHQZ04pwNWWlJ86Yhw38OpBK9NaTHxW3P-UzuNI59772dFCgQeXYhjFl4vo6Gdi9dhBzc8O1RTnFmyDhhs4dwZ2RPto8Ye5mY6GBKl5H6uVTnx9OkciFy7rTUCkHDKGwup3oR0klX2PPrhMepNOw2C2wse9_aOlLYX"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7282878929040919250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSdHoyPeex-6cllFSISHmHQZ04pwNWWlJ86Yhw38OpBK9NaTHxW3P-UzuNI59772dFCgQeXYhjFl4vo6Gdi9dhBzc8O1RTnFmyDhhs4dwZ2RPto8Ye5mY6GBKl5H6uVTnx9OkciFy7rTUCkHDKGwup3oR0klX2PPrhMepNOw2C2wse9_aOlLYX=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">We split a cord of wood with Frank, who has moved 2 blocks away into his grandmother’s house. He’s looking forward to fires this winter. We hadn’t had any fires for a few years due to misbehaving kittens. They still parkour across the woodstove, but the big fireplace seems to be off their route </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1Dnf93C0x-YokdyRvBoL2E-9lbD9559SxWQzHMbdq9zoLKSyhc_EYvV47ZbkUbG-YXWVcgloqo4R3wC8om-7CZSSHDBemKqrpAlQtIIi61vtyjXogsbjNwA5OyjGitRhvJCGIVLn01zz_jQkdfwzVpNPSY937gDw63cOhuLsSN1yTuXF13xuA"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7282878914840087810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj1Dnf93C0x-YokdyRvBoL2E-9lbD9559SxWQzHMbdq9zoLKSyhc_EYvV47ZbkUbG-YXWVcgloqo4R3wC8om-7CZSSHDBemKqrpAlQtIIi61vtyjXogsbjNwA5OyjGitRhvJCGIVLn01zz_jQkdfwzVpNPSY937gDw63cOhuLsSN1yTuXF13xuA=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">I have very few flowers these days. This is a volunteer, loved by hummingbirds.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPvWM65CvFaRPOHjZRk9D-0PsGX57bHscvvVA_94uBXSdfYbR90Jx-ff76fFBJBj39rnecILlI2Add-p-DWoEJERV2V8eH-ORLnHg5BL5IGyoD0JjFOGH3fa1cEYwFrSyPjga6u-lyphlOi8crJ_NcWcxaVjhBBMIN5Ff1Tl14stuloOdIz3ZY"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7282878919233968434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgPvWM65CvFaRPOHjZRk9D-0PsGX57bHscvvVA_94uBXSdfYbR90Jx-ff76fFBJBj39rnecILlI2Add-p-DWoEJERV2V8eH-ORLnHg5BL5IGyoD0JjFOGH3fa1cEYwFrSyPjga6u-lyphlOi8crJ_NcWcxaVjhBBMIN5Ff1Tl14stuloOdIz3ZY=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Dessert season. Our 40th anniversary and Frank’s birthday </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZzOqgl3Zu82-AyGnXZpXs58MW_686i2-G4ok_GNpZHp8KGfY6TmQ0sZxTgK09juBqpeuXb5wOZ5lQkvU2si6rKrNqpe6q49yUKYKDGIt7hTt87CY5vIMXoBcCQ6sJIqttc3dIGjnUEPiO_UkLmgxsUEVH-rjafy7q-Bb-sSgOxSvD_Tn7QTtG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7282878924614939202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZzOqgl3Zu82-AyGnXZpXs58MW_686i2-G4ok_GNpZHp8KGfY6TmQ0sZxTgK09juBqpeuXb5wOZ5lQkvU2si6rKrNqpe6q49yUKYKDGIt7hTt87CY5vIMXoBcCQ6sJIqttc3dIGjnUEPiO_UkLmgxsUEVH-rjafy7q-Bb-sSgOxSvD_Tn7QTtG=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-52530017345385421372023-03-30T20:10:00.001-07:002023-04-07T18:32:38.894-07:00Wisteria Adventure: The Full Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I thank my friend Jen Anderson for providing this photo prompt. I wrote a few sentences and posted it on social media and I received such amazing support! So I kept going and it turned into something bigger. I am proud of my little bookstore story. Thanks to everyone who followed along on Instagram. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Qfxo-TRe2bAg11ioSteyHLkPY_a0wgIj1tk8w-jhqmQT3InxJmMIIznlcL49slU856XlQ5T0AGECR381rVyEOc0Bm0Lm1Xq_DsQG4P6nrd-pE8bfJXE23EcwvC5xt_055n5scJK5SxuwJ6fbdAk3NTWf3KAHVWTfap4xUofKXJTvJDrW3g/s1180/1%20Wisteria.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="843" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Qfxo-TRe2bAg11ioSteyHLkPY_a0wgIj1tk8w-jhqmQT3InxJmMIIznlcL49slU856XlQ5T0AGECR381rVyEOc0Bm0Lm1Xq_DsQG4P6nrd-pE8bfJXE23EcwvC5xt_055n5scJK5SxuwJ6fbdAk3NTWf3KAHVWTfap4xUofKXJTvJDrW3g/w458-h640/1%20Wisteria.jpg" width="458" /></a></div><br /><br /></div></div></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Part 1</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi checked the address again after the Uber dropped her off. This wasn't at all what she was expecting, after the tedious description in the lawyer's letter. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"It does look like wisteria," she muttered. "I've always loved wisteria." She cautiously tried the key in the lock. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Keys always defeated her at the book store, where no cabinet opened upon the first try of its designated key. No, one had to try all keys three times in a secret pattern known only to the owner and rarely discovered by the hourly booksellers. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">To Heidi's surprise, the elegant key easily turned in the lock, and she entered the Wisteria House. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5PcN7cXwOzNW-EZz8dHIhBPsb7btx0mARkNRog8N_J-3rP36tQ22fgd2rJqHvUq10LafrO_fYr4xos-GEXoXDPw4uoah9VgyyGiXryzMvF9HSq9M0Zb3W6PxQVlzZiObniybarZysHZqVzEgJUxTFEyOmsR_kmxcW-nbSZIKDhFj0BB-HA/s1646/IMG_7193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1646" data-original-width="1170" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5PcN7cXwOzNW-EZz8dHIhBPsb7btx0mARkNRog8N_J-3rP36tQ22fgd2rJqHvUq10LafrO_fYr4xos-GEXoXDPw4uoah9VgyyGiXryzMvF9HSq9M0Zb3W6PxQVlzZiObniybarZysHZqVzEgJUxTFEyOmsR_kmxcW-nbSZIKDhFj0BB-HA/w454-h640/IMG_7193.jpg" width="454" /></a></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Part 2</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">With some trepidation, she pushed the door harder until it fully creaked opened. She shuddered at the noise, a chill down her spine and goosebumps rising on her arms. Horripilation again. "This is not going to go well," she sighed, and returned the key to her purse. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Why had the owner sent her into spaces where he feared to go? Her job description did not include book hunter. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi faced a long book-lined corridor. But something was off. The wisteria vines seemed to have begun to work their way into the hall. She reached up to tug a book off an upper shelf, just out of reach of the encroaching vines. The book tugged back. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0Za-4pq1RBL1czxtYofukt_HQgGCI_aVLl4meNAgOruVMJ7QxGIZpIYzodSQBlgNj2qvMPH3jJggG6dbTeigEvWvDpRqfu3oPkMt4xMJM7ksPvEIHXBQVqHgU_9g2VKKbqjh8-ZmuIO0Uaf1Mo39xqUvoYJ9Mt-f_1-KyQQW3_AIOozCQw/s1280/IMG_7204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="1280" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj0Za-4pq1RBL1czxtYofukt_HQgGCI_aVLl4meNAgOruVMJ7QxGIZpIYzodSQBlgNj2qvMPH3jJggG6dbTeigEvWvDpRqfu3oPkMt4xMJM7ksPvEIHXBQVqHgU_9g2VKKbqjh8-ZmuIO0Uaf1Mo39xqUvoYJ9Mt-f_1-KyQQW3_AIOozCQw/w640-h476/IMG_7204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Part 3<br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Well. That was odd. She tugged again then abruptly let go, only to hear a clattering noise behind the bookcase. Certainly not a ghost, she thought. They're quiet. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">She moved forward a few steps, where a book on the other side caught her eye. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">A print of wisteria twined around the spine. As she moved her hand towards it, a smoky silver tendril encircled her wrist. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">A mellifluous voice chimed in her ear, "I'm sorry, Miss. You can't take that. It's property of the master."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"I don't know who your master is but Mr. Gregory's lawyer sent me here to search for—"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Sir Edwin! Sir Edwin still exists?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Mr. Gregory? His first name is Edwin. He's missing."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /><span class="s1"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2Kdp__MRcGuVRKQpj7GgL-0Jz8z2IVmuJpt_R6WEqHNUoqWN66wr5k4k50TZbVzSOHt7OCH1uXIVDqTjUIfRfpnZu57JorVvSfaJal8WmGREV6GPWcreLBAsVvbKko1orvzVC8JT_-JZjOAA_wTTDxCjkaEgBk7YtgEzwr2aYvFr-TO5cg/s750/IMG_7200.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="575" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO2Kdp__MRcGuVRKQpj7GgL-0Jz8z2IVmuJpt_R6WEqHNUoqWN66wr5k4k50TZbVzSOHt7OCH1uXIVDqTjUIfRfpnZu57JorVvSfaJal8WmGREV6GPWcreLBAsVvbKko1orvzVC8JT_-JZjOAA_wTTDxCjkaEgBk7YtgEzwr2aYvFr-TO5cg/w490-h640/IMG_7200.JPG" width="490" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;">Part 4</p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">The silver tendril retreated from her wrist, then coalesced into a hand, arm and shoulder. Slowly, a shimmering figure appeared from between the books. Hazy at first and then suddenly sharply clear, as if a projectionist finally realized the film was out of focus. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">A tall, slightly stooped gentleman with long silver hair leaned towards her, toppling books off the shelf as he emerged through them. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi realized her preconceptions about quiet ghosts were completely wrong. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /><span class="s1"></span></p><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw9z5sDIr5mp-G0a1otc9gT75gGSbKcf6NclRxRsuPyh8--30csJVNQQnbYQ6J8HTYIZTXLrweJ7PH9jbh_KFWaL4M3PzpDc1Rj5ZAzjvCeS6lMV9SZX0q-I7X_908g0GqdYlLNe1cnyXpnm4YbcTFM6cszYEi1d_3ZcxGPRZp4bsJmCmTg/s910/IMG_7203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="604" data-original-width="910" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQw9z5sDIr5mp-G0a1otc9gT75gGSbKcf6NclRxRsuPyh8--30csJVNQQnbYQ6J8HTYIZTXLrweJ7PH9jbh_KFWaL4M3PzpDc1Rj5ZAzjvCeS6lMV9SZX0q-I7X_908g0GqdYlLNe1cnyXpnm4YbcTFM6cszYEi1d_3ZcxGPRZp4bsJmCmTg/w640-h424/IMG_7203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Part 5</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /><span class="s1"></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Missing? He's been missing for forty years," said the man, as he stumbled through the fallen books and brushed sparkling silver dust off his elegant clothing.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi frowned. "Forty years? No, he's owned the Twisted Vine Bookshop about that long."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"He stepped through the shelves here one day and never returned. How long has he been missing in your time?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"My time? Three weeks. He went on a hiking trip and never returned. Yesterday a lawyer brought by the key and a letter. Here, read it for yourself," Heidi said as she pulled the note from her purse. "Who are you anyway, a ghost?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Oh, you can call me Tom," he replied as he squinted and held the letter up closer to his antique glasses. "I'm not a ghost per se, at least I don't think so. You could say I'm a protector."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss-fffvv7TP0QYJzx_Vx7EIgQ6QOnh0HFeRSf2cNNTzP90pUS-p7EEk6-akwbGPrbz3rcmyYoA5VqbMU0dz6u5MisI3XWXvSyhO5jOMfbjqCk431kQdCb6rNCLZcycODJECrMKNnBRPwjOL6WTlsd1UtCmusxME6WYgm9ztek-G1HReHe7Q/s4032/IMG_7212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss-fffvv7TP0QYJzx_Vx7EIgQ6QOnh0HFeRSf2cNNTzP90pUS-p7EEk6-akwbGPrbz3rcmyYoA5VqbMU0dz6u5MisI3XWXvSyhO5jOMfbjqCk431kQdCb6rNCLZcycODJECrMKNnBRPwjOL6WTlsd1UtCmusxME6WYgm9ztek-G1HReHe7Q/w640-h480/IMG_7212.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Part 6</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Tom, would you also be a… Sir…?</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Well, I don't like to be fancy but yes. Sir Thomas Gerald at your service. Say, my eyes aren't what they used to be. No wonder, wearing these ancient things. Would you mind reading this for me with your pretty purple spectacles?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"'If you are reading this, you are my only hope. Take this key to Wisteria House and find the arcana.' <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>What? That's not what it said yesterday! It only gave directions here and said I was to pick up a book."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi took off her glasses and scanned the note again. The lawyer's mundane directions were plainly apparent. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>"What is with these new glasses?" </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Tom sighed. "Here's our dilemma. Long ago Sir Edwin and I were tasked to protect the Wisteria Arcana but the problem is that we've never been able to find it."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFANw_UuN76ZuTC9WtL_1L33CiGOIGOlYh342rOeB-5eoTzPa91BWSHGpe58pKd8TAMpvDz58zS_77K_oMiJDlWrmDN9nKUldpzdOO05uKh6Car_j4zPyLlIRvcSu5DanXDUdTVW0bx1yhlVf1wBLVJ6z0JORhDdT3Htf_ZXWyKH5hPX6Qsg/s1080/IMG_7205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFANw_UuN76ZuTC9WtL_1L33CiGOIGOlYh342rOeB-5eoTzPa91BWSHGpe58pKd8TAMpvDz58zS_77K_oMiJDlWrmDN9nKUldpzdOO05uKh6Car_j4zPyLlIRvcSu5DanXDUdTVW0bx1yhlVf1wBLVJ6z0JORhDdT3Htf_ZXWyKH5hPX6Qsg/w640-h640/IMG_7205.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span class="s1"><br />Part 7</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Arcana? Like tarot cards?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"So much more than that. A compendium of all the secrets and mysteries in the world. All the light and life, the joy and beauty, held together in one perfect volume." </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Tom's eyes glistened and his voice broke. "We've been through and beyond these shelves thousands of times. There should be clues to its location in the books. Five clues."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Maybe the clues are somewhere else?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Ah, these shelves all lead to other shelves. We've traveled the world through the shelves and never found a clue."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Sir Tom, what about this?" Heidi pulled the wisteria embossed book off the shelf. "Can you see it?" Sir Tom picked up the book with the loving care of a longtime bookseller. "It's a beautiful volume, but no, I don't see anything special."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi carefully took off her new glasses and handed them to Sir Tom. "Look at the book through these."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjvZvTw9iGsRCN-dlEyD_35YfQacP8B3BoJlvxyFG77dq_F883GmtOb1A4QJwIuGg-Nlzk-so3xxBLzKGT68kUjIS_uazXIxQZK2tCoz48MFkoUw5Dy_oPrX5kTxy60pzdM6qehDIN95ctCreIaHONXXNlJp17w5Che0PZrsIasJyYeNd3g/s500/IMG_7206.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOjvZvTw9iGsRCN-dlEyD_35YfQacP8B3BoJlvxyFG77dq_F883GmtOb1A4QJwIuGg-Nlzk-so3xxBLzKGT68kUjIS_uazXIxQZK2tCoz48MFkoUw5Dy_oPrX5kTxy60pzdM6qehDIN95ctCreIaHONXXNlJp17w5Che0PZrsIasJyYeNd3g/w640-h426/IMG_7206.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span class="s1"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Part 8</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">He respectfully held her glasses in front of his own, and drew in his breath. "Oh my! I see it!" The wisteria embossment moved on its own, the blossoms nodding. He looked further away and gasped again. "And there! And there! Good gracious, dear, take these magic glasses back and lead us to them."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi put her glasses back on. Was her optometrist part of this strangeness? Granted her choice of purple frames had seemed a bit odd to some, but at age 60 she felt unencumbered by fashion and fondly remembered the purple glasses she had as a child in</span> 1972. </p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">She looked down the long book-lined corridor. Sure enough, another wisteria-embossed spine was beckoning, sending out a come-hither tendril. And further on there was a third, green gilt leaves frantically waving. She shrugged, situated her purse more carefully across her body, and moved on down the corridor. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Tom gripped the first book in his arms and followed along. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">So there were no keys, no clues. Just the <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>books calling to her. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">She took each book from the shelves and the emanating vines quivered. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Let me carry those for you," said Sir Tom, ever the gentleman. But what with the twining and squirming, it seemed a bit much to handle, so Heidi dug in her trusty purse to find her Twisted Vines tote bag. She tossed it to Sir Tom. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">He expertly bagged the books and smiled. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Sir Tom, what now?" </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"We go through the shelves to the store."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Oh no, I'll just get an Uber back there."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"No, you can NOT. You must go through the shelves. You should have a few good passages before you get stuck in time like us." Sir Tom grabbed her by the shoulders and they pushed on through into —</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXTnpVmEkWpYArrMA52cpFftxPE-4Wtj0dK2g8yfBWkAK4pyB0R7ML0TUmhpz6kDGnkt4_p_XchNsgWwIaUoicdvdFF7zLRelAgAHM-V5BMwVZlWnY0afWMvpZyLg6TK0OQCn6Y0hbrmOA7WFKUMw5JhNri87LqcJcQoJK417JMezeYWPUg/s700/IMG_7247.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="527" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXTnpVmEkWpYArrMA52cpFftxPE-4Wtj0dK2g8yfBWkAK4pyB0R7ML0TUmhpz6kDGnkt4_p_XchNsgWwIaUoicdvdFF7zLRelAgAHM-V5BMwVZlWnY0afWMvpZyLg6TK0OQCn6Y0hbrmOA7WFKUMw5JhNri87LqcJcQoJK417JMezeYWPUg/w482-h640/IMG_7247.JPG" width="482" /></a></span></div><span class="s1"><br />Part 9</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">— an indescribable maelstrom of… </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">…\pages\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*to be or not to be*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\covers\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*some pig* <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s1">\voices\ </span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*and so we beat on boats against the current*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\dust\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*is there anything in this world as joyless as muesli*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\sounds\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*the night max wore his wolf suit*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\ash\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*it is a truth universally acknowledged*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\sand\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*i had the epiphany that laughter was light*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\petals\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>*</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">why sometimes i've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\flashes\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*so it goes*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\glimpses\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*it does not do to dwell on in dreams and forget to live*</span><span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>\illustrations\ <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*some things you learn best in calm and some in storm* <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span class="s1">\music\ </span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody; font-style: italic;">*</span><span class="s3">🎵🎶</span><span class="s1">*…</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">As Sir Tom led Heidi through this page turning twirling twisting vortex, she wondered, "Sir Tom, with all due respect, how can you possibly know where we need to go?" </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"You must form within your mind the thought of your chosen destination, if you have one. And the images of the books you wish to seek, if you know them. Otherwise, as you can see, eh, it's a bit… <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>aimless." He chuckled. "Truthfully, you eventually get used to it." <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He paused, then something in the distance caught his eye. "Look ahead. Over there, I see the Twisted Vine's shelves."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">A bookcase began to appear through the frenzy, all the books backwards on the shelves, as one would expect when approaching from behind. A light glimmered through a space in a shelf and they pushed on through. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Tom brushed off his silver dust. Heidi shook off a cascade of purple petals, and looked around. They were indeed in the rare books section of the Twisted Vine Bookshop. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Hamlet </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Charlotte's Web</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">The Great Gatsby</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Death & Croissants</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Where the Wild Things Are</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Pride and Prejudice</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">The Goldfinch </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Alice In Wonderland</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Slaughterhouse-Five</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">The Song of the Lark</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9xDNuzUj2Tzang2n9nKRLc1Ap1lMCyoAYvZ8xjurNiNQLuPKsVDqW65Hwk7cIiI3XQ4Zdi8KVbA0EN3o5EZAzjXlRIUMEvK9FuBCvM47gaKupwRbVordlfV1P5ZznQmIL4_g3S3LCVOCWt92xF7KjZiYL1VWqoHBSD7KkPTwesfEm_WW5w/s4032/IMG_7225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-9xDNuzUj2Tzang2n9nKRLc1Ap1lMCyoAYvZ8xjurNiNQLuPKsVDqW65Hwk7cIiI3XQ4Zdi8KVbA0EN3o5EZAzjXlRIUMEvK9FuBCvM47gaKupwRbVordlfV1P5ZznQmIL4_g3S3LCVOCWt92xF7KjZiYL1VWqoHBSD7KkPTwesfEm_WW5w/w480-h640/IMG_7225.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Part 10 </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi fleetingly thought an Uber would have been faster and far less stressful. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">But she was here in this moment. Somehow, this place she'd known for so many years now seemed very different.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"What about Mr. Gregory, I mean Sir Edwin? How can we find him?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Do you see anything odd?" asked Sir Tom. "Sometimes stuck books prevent our movement through the shelves. That first book you tugged out at the Wisteria House? You unstuck me."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"How can we unstick Mr. Gregory? What should I look for?"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"It could be anything, even as mundane as a book out of place."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi laughed. "I can alphabetize!" she said excitedly. She smiled and started humming the ABC song, and as she did her eyes fixed on a book clearly out of place. Was that a history book in the literature section? That just wouldn't do! </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">She pulled the heavy book off the shelf and immediately a sandy gold tendril appeared in the space. Smoothly, the tendril turned into a hand, arm, and shoulder. Then, with much less disruption than when Sir Tom emerged, a lithe, sandy figure stepped out between the books. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gvjoVMCWdrvrfx2VIyD4GwzpnhhyBWMXx9M96OzxOT825aqD_c-st2SNtDbSp34ak_hjB-0ch1dBiycjb7qeK3_BgMrDz76zSC7iDVaAhU21dGjl3SMaPbRdxoUg6DHH0cusSk57-1_NPnvbwGu8R75eVxGJjmEyWQW4hooPyl-MFdNOng/s2532/IMG_7209.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="474" data-original-width="474" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYNFKQol2E0G-dNkbrLzfEANaNiCJz1Mgl4uggIlgMbs0yqLM7ferMkvFeDb7kammayGc6TrXYyxreG49Ameia2yvRMI00-5NRQ6bLA9UhfrLUF_uHgNoNfMmG934HK6uKBVUSkjQIH02n6qlwU-j1ZteaEEAmzbcBjGs2P-GBuDDA6lylRA/w640-h640/11%20peanuts.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span class="s1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gvjoVMCWdrvrfx2VIyD4GwzpnhhyBWMXx9M96OzxOT825aqD_c-st2SNtDbSp34ak_hjB-0ch1dBiycjb7qeK3_BgMrDz76zSC7iDVaAhU21dGjl3SMaPbRdxoUg6DHH0cusSk57-1_NPnvbwGu8R75eVxGJjmEyWQW4hooPyl-MFdNOng/s2532/IMG_7209.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span></div><span class="s1"><br />Part 11</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Oh, Mr. Gregory. At last! We've missed you." </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Tom smiled heartily. "Sir Edwin always has been spry as a mountain goat getting in and out of the shelves. And on the hikes."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Brushing golden sand off his plaid shirt and corduroy pants, Sir Edwin winked. "Merci! That book's been stuck for weeks. And to see both of you here together is unexpected! Tom, so glad to be in cahoots again. You missed some great hikes! Hey, Heidi, tell everyone I brought peanuts!"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Tom blinked in confusion. "It's a joke," Heidi said dryly. "We say we work for him for peanuts and then he brings some back after his hikes. Hikes!?!" She glared at Sir Edwin. "Mr. Gregory, you have not been truthful."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Mea culpa," Sir Edwin said. "Would you have believed all this?" </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi did some serious eye roll. "I might have, if I had been allowed to be 'in cahoots' too!" </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Meanwhile Sir Tom was craving the peanuts. "I remember when I would get them in paper bags at the Planters Store back home." </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPGJ86PoR1nf20cv4hLODH-_E0Yu6RvtsPXpX3_wKXu1t_2Bv50oYkdWwmN2Exig1Qa9NR594C2kKKy_5ks2mrI7IJrim9L8T0H-bGvEX_gQtm_kFJ5M7RiG_xuEhF8qf9s3U_XX1g5Ow8LU4ENyPLAKLHoMuzsOCvBFVYrh7xTnurAI1QA/s775/IMG_7249.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="774" data-original-width="775" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOPGJ86PoR1nf20cv4hLODH-_E0Yu6RvtsPXpX3_wKXu1t_2Bv50oYkdWwmN2Exig1Qa9NR594C2kKKy_5ks2mrI7IJrim9L8T0H-bGvEX_gQtm_kFJ5M7RiG_xuEhF8qf9s3U_XX1g5Ow8LU4ENyPLAKLHoMuzsOCvBFVYrh7xTnurAI1QA/w640-h640/IMG_7249.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span class="s1"><br />Part 12</span><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"Good to see you, old man," said one Sir to the other. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>While the Sirs caught up on forty years of gossip and bad jokes, Heidi looked around. She pulled a tissue from her purse and wiped away a gray ashy smudge from a display case. I'll have to get on people about cleaning better, she thought. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">The jokes did not seem to be stopping. She busied herself by taking the twining books from the tote and placing them atop the case next to her purse. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Tom noticed her action and said. "Edwin, we found three books that seem to be significant. We're hoping two others are here. Heidi's glasses seem to have an affinity for them."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">A rattling noise surprised them all. They turned to look at an ornate case behind them. Sir Edwin pulled a ring of keys from his pocket. "These books seemed promising. I found them on my recent forays. Er..hikes." He smiled impishly, selected a key, and opened the case on the first try. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">At first Heidi saw nothing other than dusty volumes. But as she looked closely, there was a small glimmer deep in the case. "Let's move some of these out of the way." Hidden behind the larger tomes was a small volume which quickly wrapped a tendril around her finger. "Aren't you a cutie?" she cooed as she tried to take it from the case. It quickly shot another tendril into a deep corner. "You're trying to tell me something, aren't you?" The Sirs pulled more books out of the way to reveal a companion volume. With tendrils of its own, it quickly twined with its partner. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTX3IBJA5f7Ow7gCTJfjUP1XKv5MvlVPVowkRcSXu14v2z266GQOedHnnBe3unbdqxHSWNaegS0cnKNqTgLBr9HOKBiqB2ZfQSuANHNDL1aarrVDuxW8ujbl78opx9Mpdgkrx-lPWELvvJPOKdHuoUVrfbk_WXU63MSa0PQnMda3OODjKsg/s900/IMG_7216.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOTX3IBJA5f7Ow7gCTJfjUP1XKv5MvlVPVowkRcSXu14v2z266GQOedHnnBe3unbdqxHSWNaegS0cnKNqTgLBr9HOKBiqB2ZfQSuANHNDL1aarrVDuxW8ujbl78opx9Mpdgkrx-lPWELvvJPOKdHuoUVrfbk_WXU63MSa0PQnMda3OODjKsg/w640-h640/IMG_7216.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Part 13</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Sir Edwin pointed to a spot on the floor. A pattern she had never seen before emerged from deep within the carpet. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi knelt on the floor and laid out the five books along the pattern, then rearranged them. She looked up at Sir Edwin, sighed, and said "Third times the charm." Sir Edwin chuckled, thinking he had trained her well. She altered their position one more time. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">A book began to tremble. Another's cover flapped. One by one each of the five books fluttered open and streams of particles rose from the pages. The particles melded, spiraling into a circle above the books. The dust, sand, and petals that had scattered upon everyone's exit from the shelves joined the dance, swirling and sparkling until there was a bright silver, gold, and purple orb in the center of the room. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"It's time," whispered Sir Tom. Together, the three entered the orb—</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTlm-HRfSdBYhHPC_iTAygbtfn7kqd_u-8ZjM-lSvxicr1thNQ46Zr_jKctTdnfco0WVjKc01Np-NszQEO9C2M-WTNrN5ZQ0lbXhrPnrRfWr1v5gMFBPkDm-E2tu5Nohs57TN46dxWiTXQQEPf6sEOzZqDIjlBqF854o3cb-t0ZgK3wYXcQ/s780/IMG_7215.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="780" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTlm-HRfSdBYhHPC_iTAygbtfn7kqd_u-8ZjM-lSvxicr1thNQ46Zr_jKctTdnfco0WVjKc01Np-NszQEO9C2M-WTNrN5ZQ0lbXhrPnrRfWr1v5gMFBPkDm-E2tu5Nohs57TN46dxWiTXQQEPf6sEOzZqDIjlBqF854o3cb-t0ZgK3wYXcQ/w640-h640/IMG_7215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Part 14</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">—and they stepped out again into the most astoundingly beautiful library ever imagined. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Ethereal creatures flew between the coves and arches of the ceiling. The finely carved wooden banisters and balusters abounded with flora and fauna. And the shelves! Shelf upon shelf held an abundance of the most precious books in the world. The floor was patterned in an intricate manner, so perfect and pristine that soft felt slippers materialized on their feet as they walked upon it. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Moire drapery in shades of amethyst, periwinkle, and heliotrope graced the stained glass windows, each featuring a flower. A gilded dais rotated slowly in the center of the room. On it, atop a rich velvet cushion, lay the book of most ineffable beauty, too great to be described or even imagined. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"At last!" exclaimed Sir Tom and Sir Edwin in unison. They shook hands, then turned to Heidi, beaming with happiness. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your help and partnership. Now we can finally rest and protect the Arcana. And you, dear bookseller, should go back before the portal closes."</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"But Mr. Gregory, the store—"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"I leave it in your hands. My lawyer will be in touch with the deed. Pay yourself more than peanuts, OK?" he said as he tossed her the ring of keys. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">As she stepped back into the orb, Sir Tom called out "Say, who's your optometriiisssttt—"</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbgrZvk6klY_wyWrxBRk23t70vwHGeC5JJALJtYLdK8s5NRYGbIe4seI7xK_nwuDHus9Skwg66quCfw4OP4i1F97O61AASHj4LilR2Q3_gNOFkuIA1k1b6KEmoUwZ0LOhFpZNfMAegw_lZJQJHYxvgOLMIoOwxzIIzlAMCOfC0nNG3XEqFw/s1240/33174BF3-004F-4934-A6FE-5D1A2F121534.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="1240" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbgrZvk6klY_wyWrxBRk23t70vwHGeC5JJALJtYLdK8s5NRYGbIe4seI7xK_nwuDHus9Skwg66quCfw4OP4i1F97O61AASHj4LilR2Q3_gNOFkuIA1k1b6KEmoUwZ0LOhFpZNfMAegw_lZJQJHYxvgOLMIoOwxzIIzlAMCOfC0nNG3XEqFw/w640-h622/33174BF3-004F-4934-A6FE-5D1A2F121534.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Part 15</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Heidi stepped through the portal into the store again. She turned back towards the orb only to see it dwindle into nothingness. The store appeared as she always knew it, but with a tinkle of musical notes in the air and a sprinkling of ash on the books. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">She gently picked them up, brushed them off, and placed them neatly on the display. Then she paused. Might they be safer in a case? </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Well, that would involve the inevitable agony of finding the right key. She fervently hoped Sir Edwin's key ring held some of his magic. Her strange new glasses might help. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Or perhaps else she could take the books back to the Wisteria house? <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>She picked up her purse and rummaged through it. Now where is that key…</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">She withdrew her hand, only to find it covered with gray ash but with no key. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">That was odd. She was quite sure she had put the key back at the beginning of this adventure. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">Should she dare a trip back through the shelves? Sir Tom had said she should have a few good passages before…. She shuddered. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">"I think I'll take tomorrow off." </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1">The End?</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px; text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"></span><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-80877838048529744412023-03-09T09:36:00.000-08:002023-03-09T09:36:07.244-08:00Writing Prompt<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS6M2lWtkEQCIF1eXgz_Bd8B1Q9lc696caTaDsVNQe2dcj7JCRq-iulHPnsvk_012FCuAe18TXy_SHID-speDD_vuLtt2z8usslnqLa23Rz9nNTd4goHCCYlGLKFCErGWNY2Jj1DARbByZ4AlI13XiF69Gm6K4r-potHf95HujpTr_h3M0Ww"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7208601181496071986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjS6M2lWtkEQCIF1eXgz_Bd8B1Q9lc696caTaDsVNQe2dcj7JCRq-iulHPnsvk_012FCuAe18TXy_SHID-speDD_vuLtt2z8usslnqLa23Rz9nNTd4goHCCYlGLKFCErGWNY2Jj1DARbByZ4AlI13XiF69Gm6K4r-potHf95HujpTr_h3M0Ww=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeNxMspdu7DVqtCE9OYQyDETksgWYFUM8XMsdeqqIBvWetoH7WESLp5MsO4dVKSM3uIah4k-QY5j2mnitqJHX2P37m7PBEsKEw6oSzkiJiozgXsDH_0tkZzadQqfzcOWfIvMoSx-d2eChdAXHEzhrT2J2b2oXlDdNkkMxm8SRUqouqjUPH6A"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7208601184405378338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeNxMspdu7DVqtCE9OYQyDETksgWYFUM8XMsdeqqIBvWetoH7WESLp5MsO4dVKSM3uIah4k-QY5j2mnitqJHX2P37m7PBEsKEw6oSzkiJiozgXsDH_0tkZzadQqfzcOWfIvMoSx-d2eChdAXHEzhrT2J2b2oXlDdNkkMxm8SRUqouqjUPH6A=s320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">The keys are inspired by real life incidents. 🤣</p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-51284349663373474722023-02-13T19:54:00.001-08:002023-02-13T19:54:51.592-08:00Quorum<p>What is a quorum of cats in our house?</p><p>quo·rum/ˈkwôrəm/noun. the minimum number of members of an assembly or society that must be present at any of its meetings to make the proceedings of that meeting valid.</p><p>In a one or two cat society a quorum is one. </p><p>In a three cat society we might still have had a quorum of one, moving up to two for important issues such as “when is dinner?”</p><p>In our four cat society we require a quorum of two. If two cats are swarming like fish after dinner, yes! It is treat time! </p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-74527480560344151092022-01-22T22:40:00.002-08:002022-01-22T22:40:52.906-08:0017¢<p> It I am calling out after a customer who walked off without their change? How loud do I have to be? How much effort must I expend for your carelessness? And no I don‘t want a 17¢ tip because you sense I am annoyed. If you’d left the other $3 I’d put it into our filtered water fund. </p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-38721380048473584612021-08-31T16:44:00.001-07:002023-07-07T07:59:15.572-07:00Progress! <p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zrwcg-WAdU/YS6-7oQdeQI/AAAAAAAAPP8/ugOlbbHlaYocNT7bXEbACymStnVZacFywCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_4136-785854.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zrwcg-WAdU/YS6-7oQdeQI/AAAAAAAAPP8/ugOlbbHlaYocNT7bXEbACymStnVZacFywCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_4136-785854.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_7002744402235717890" /></a></p>Whoo-hoo! Broken curb is gone baby gone.smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-41188688820308303642021-08-23T04:11:00.002-07:002023-07-07T07:59:11.026-07:00To Spuddle<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRTm78zaOSw/YRxGpvg8pKI/AAAAAAAAPOA/q7xRx4a0ncc45DlqNnagAMN31aHpDKuaACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_4033-745974.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6997545603970147490" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRTm78zaOSw/YRxGpvg8pKI/AAAAAAAAPOA/q7xRx4a0ncc45DlqNnagAMN31aHpDKuaACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_4033-745974.JPG" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-1216205034613268062021-08-16T05:43:00.002-07:002021-08-16T05:43:00.289-07:00RIP Two Buck Chuck<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hg0wHkFySMM/YRMKFicMXgI/AAAAAAAAPNE/iEFfmggd70o1iiz_-j8dzpT7VNpydQY2gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3998-717845.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994945736497192450" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hg0wHkFySMM/YRMKFicMXgI/AAAAAAAAPNE/iEFfmggd70o1iiz_-j8dzpT7VNpydQY2gCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3998-717845.jpg" /></a></p>Yes inflation is real. Chuck is up to $3 now.smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-62998060987508305402021-08-15T08:00:00.001-07:002021-08-15T08:00:00.258-07:00Where’s Steve Carrell?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmJUzSDAflE/YRMJ3h9cvRI/AAAAAAAAPM8/ViuMAyOKhFIpRI2-lH1TDimYUo6frXNOwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3997-761635.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994945495850073362" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nmJUzSDAflE/YRMJ3h9cvRI/AAAAAAAAPM8/ViuMAyOKhFIpRI2-lH1TDimYUo6frXNOwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3997-761635.JPG" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">Weird but true. Space Force is real. </p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-86921012827823334592021-08-14T10:41:00.000-07:002023-09-29T10:41:58.551-07:00Peach Week 2021<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KEc1ZvPwJ4/YRBKLUlq7BI/AAAAAAAAPLc/HUak2aUDnOQNgqXLUl6WYAzK2VaANGCGACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3903-716618.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171779672108050" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1KEc1ZvPwJ4/YRBKLUlq7BI/AAAAAAAAPLc/HUak2aUDnOQNgqXLUl6WYAzK2VaANGCGACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3903-716618.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LmSxlRfNc8/YRBKL59CL9I/AAAAAAAAPLk/j2dGbx4wAjs6YcbTiE7UM4-463B_YxlowCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3914-718489.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171789702213586" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9LmSxlRfNc8/YRBKL59CL9I/AAAAAAAAPLk/j2dGbx4wAjs6YcbTiE7UM4-463B_YxlowCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3914-718489.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f6pic9I3T0/YRBKMHZxh0I/AAAAAAAAPLs/X8kYIRjvuOceaV9tQ4FccHJORkZEx4GKACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3919-720396.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171793312417602" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8f6pic9I3T0/YRBKMHZxh0I/AAAAAAAAPLs/X8kYIRjvuOceaV9tQ4FccHJORkZEx4GKACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3919-720396.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMIycmP1Zws/YRBKMlsODFI/AAAAAAAAPL0/W9WvJvsSJPAk8lFJnsF9pgTt_oclSkQJgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3976-722292.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171801442847826" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cMIycmP1Zws/YRBKMlsODFI/AAAAAAAAPL0/W9WvJvsSJPAk8lFJnsF9pgTt_oclSkQJgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3976-722292.jpg" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-49179592641419738012021-08-14T08:00:00.000-07:002021-08-14T08:00:00.256-07:00Busy BoyHarry was such a busy boy, working hard to find the best lap situation. <p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ63ytsPfVE/YRBKNxrH8iI/AAAAAAAAPL8/Iyl5pfiX4YgmfHYvFqGXvqqmAYL6CtOWgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3979-726998.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171821839348258" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ63ytsPfVE/YRBKNxrH8iI/AAAAAAAAPL8/Iyl5pfiX4YgmfHYvFqGXvqqmAYL6CtOWgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3979-726998.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Like Goldilocks, some places just weren’t quite right </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nW-n7MTtjOI/YRBKOBG3o8I/AAAAAAAAPME/C4wDYRKN-jopIMsj5IxfPpDUmV_Bj3N1ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3981-727773.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171825982251970" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nW-n7MTtjOI/YRBKOBG3o8I/AAAAAAAAPME/C4wDYRKN-jopIMsj5IxfPpDUmV_Bj3N1ACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3981-727773.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Hey buddy, can you just scootch over a bit?</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2UwkY-0Wh0/YRBKOfQoRFI/AAAAAAAAPMM/e1F_z3j6Vkww1Ya3c1gvTULH2zWDaQdPgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3982-728637.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171834076251218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k2UwkY-0Wh0/YRBKOfQoRFI/AAAAAAAAPMM/e1F_z3j6Vkww1Ya3c1gvTULH2zWDaQdPgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3982-728637.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Hmmph. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3qJPskiCpU/YRBKOeZdkcI/AAAAAAAAPMU/HxWE02vvMoEBokj0Mz1GlgK1bqs9uJicACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3983-729369.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171833844863426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3qJPskiCpU/YRBKOeZdkcI/AAAAAAAAPMU/HxWE02vvMoEBokj0Mz1GlgK1bqs9uJicACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3983-729369.jpg" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-15664697036235775562021-08-13T07:00:00.000-07:002021-08-13T07:00:00.326-07:00No Parking<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USVIxn3r3NI/YRBKH-ZmBbI/AAAAAAAAPLU/ze-slinbNhoVEFd0zoq3PrTGOxWdPj83gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3935-702714.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171722176267698" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-USVIxn3r3NI/YRBKH-ZmBbI/AAAAAAAAPLU/ze-slinbNhoVEFd0zoq3PrTGOxWdPj83gCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3935-702714.jpg" /></a></p>There’s supposed to be road work in the neighborhood, but all that’s happened so far was a noisy morning of the asphalt being cut. Tree roots have cracked and lifted a section of the gutter just past the telephone pole, which stops the flow of water when it rains and then we get a giant pool of water in front of our mailbox. So it will be nice if that gets fixed. Someday. And maybe someday it will rain again. smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-80201591016992125162021-08-12T14:18:00.016-07:002021-08-12T14:18:00.288-07:00Family Fun Month<div>I haven’t gotten to do any window projects this year until now. The store moved from collaborative efforts to assigning each month’s window to a specific person. I drew August. After some Googling I found that August is Family Fun Month. So the window encompasses a bit of everything: games, puzzles, cooking, picnics, outdoors, activities, arts and crafts. </div><div><br /></div><div>And googly eyes!</div><br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1K9fVgsHnmY/YRBKFOQwIqI/AAAAAAAAPLM/O6me49mdnGsuMp88q_7bTzcURHcuqaGGgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3930-792402.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6994171674894541474" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1K9fVgsHnmY/YRBKFOQwIqI/AAAAAAAAPLM/O6me49mdnGsuMp88q_7bTzcURHcuqaGGgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3930-792402.jpg" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-8136764332220526632021-08-11T17:08:00.001-07:002021-08-11T17:08:00.287-07:00Gingerbread StoreFor the store's open house and 50th anniversary last fall, they had a beautiful gingerbread version made.<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIM7yanhYNw/X7httBnLYJI/AAAAAAAAO3w/WbU1X5hcl-k47Z-TECLioMGOg4SJGtmOACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2465-728146.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6897383449612214418" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIM7yanhYNw/X7httBnLYJI/AAAAAAAAO3w/WbU1X5hcl-k47Z-TECLioMGOg4SJGtmOACK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2465-728146.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">But there were no pigeons!</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2e3NQ8FCXA/X7htswkmzRI/AAAAAAAAO3o/LjskiurGLaUk-hP3hVwrU4nYhHAe2d-LgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2464-726335.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6897383445038026002" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U2e3NQ8FCXA/X7htswkmzRI/AAAAAAAAO3o/LjskiurGLaUk-hP3hVwrU4nYhHAe2d-LgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2464-726335.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-10654916364035589472021-08-10T09:29:00.001-07:002021-08-10T09:29:00.265-07:00Saga of the duckWe had duck for new year's eve dinner. Yes, I told you I had a lot of old draft posts hanging around.<div><br /></div><div>I wondered what was the best method for cooking it. Every cookbook had a different method! As you can see, I checked out quite a few. Yes, I have a lot of cookbooks.<br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqwvl81849I/X_CtjUC-SfI/AAAAAAAAO44/DvdLaoB3f6U4mpMgWC5OiKmIzvnFDlsLwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2653-788529.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6913216250201917938" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqwvl81849I/X_CtjUC-SfI/AAAAAAAAO44/DvdLaoB3f6U4mpMgWC5OiKmIzvnFDlsLwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2653-788529.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">I finally went with the tried-and-true Joy of Cooking, as I had tried it before (see check mark).</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCwMYsmyyEw/X_Ctjvu7YUI/AAAAAAAAO5A/cedF-XrTRiAUZHV60B_VoA4ijnxCOHl4gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2654-790390.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6913216257634033986" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lCwMYsmyyEw/X_Ctjvu7YUI/AAAAAAAAO5A/cedF-XrTRiAUZHV60B_VoA4ijnxCOHl4gCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2654-790390.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">It was good.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tO0Er8Uc_9I/X_CtkNb5jSI/AAAAAAAAO5I/a83CggDi6Fcu6t4DNiG89H5-wCobM_akgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2655-792134.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6913216265607286050" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tO0Er8Uc_9I/X_CtkNb5jSI/AAAAAAAAO5I/a83CggDi6Fcu6t4DNiG89H5-wCobM_akgCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2655-792134.jpg" /></a></p></div>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-31626967218663518152021-08-09T13:26:00.004-07:002021-08-09T13:26:00.310-07:00SightingsJust some things I spotted walking around town some months ago, when it was still cool enough to walk around or walk to and from work. Now it is too hot, I would be a pile of slush if I walked back and forth. Longing for cooler days!<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8moj2CBfF7E/X9U1gIUFk0I/AAAAAAAAO4Y/aW-OrQ9cpA8mtiIw5oED7aghm-pNWrDuwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2536-783348.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6905484429746344770" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8moj2CBfF7E/X9U1gIUFk0I/AAAAAAAAO4Y/aW-OrQ9cpA8mtiIw5oED7aghm-pNWrDuwCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2536-783348.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnbVMBEzvJs/X9U1gUoXP4I/AAAAAAAAO4g/VuzpAcLztL09BZMu4zmXOFjbl_X16GuWQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2571-785376.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6905484433052614530" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnbVMBEzvJs/X9U1gUoXP4I/AAAAAAAAO4g/VuzpAcLztL09BZMu4zmXOFjbl_X16GuWQCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2571-785376.jpg" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-15315765726152324862021-08-08T17:54:00.001-07:002021-08-08T17:54:00.264-07:00Old School<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GCtQc6L3W2k/YE1s3AkXE0I/AAAAAAAAO8E/XBhmuPVTVbAxE-UT5vj0pBxtuJ8BstXyQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3003-776045.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6939322293148914498" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GCtQc6L3W2k/YE1s3AkXE0I/AAAAAAAAO8E/XBhmuPVTVbAxE-UT5vj0pBxtuJ8BstXyQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3003-776045.JPG" /></a></p>This old picture appeared on Facebook some time ago and I don't want to lose track of it, so I am posting it here. This was the neighborhood fort, and the Handy Husband is right in the middle of it.smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-72499698881067410842021-08-07T22:55:00.001-07:002021-08-07T22:55:00.221-07:00The Bacon Butty Does the TrickSpeaking of breakfast...<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBwmdYDzdyY/YQeFvXpldVI/AAAAAAAAPJ4/RVnq6tvfOmofzS1tALhZdslgY41fuZHHwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3762-740612.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6991703995364767058" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBwmdYDzdyY/YQeFvXpldVI/AAAAAAAAPJ4/RVnq6tvfOmofzS1tALhZdslgY41fuZHHwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3762-740612.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Many (3 is many in a small store) of us at the bookstore are fans of Elly Griffith’s Ruth Galloway mystery series. In the newest installment, The Night Hawks, Chief Inspector Nelson has had a long night but a “bacon butty” is restorative. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-GXJhNFKdE/YQeFv9U8flI/AAAAAAAAPKA/bzqokSQcYS0HzxuYELki2Qep3DPL37G8QCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3954-742989.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6991704005478743634" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-GXJhNFKdE/YQeFv9U8flI/AAAAAAAAPKA/bzqokSQcYS0HzxuYELki2Qep3DPL37G8QCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3954-742989.JPG" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">Well, yes. I found an illustration. Probably the bacon quantity is exaggerated. </p><p class="mobile-photo">My husband is on a breakfast sausage kick 3 weeks running. Tasty, but I miss bacon.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-70344072182264605492021-08-06T08:58:00.002-07:002021-08-06T08:58:29.337-07:00Breakfast CompanionsI am finding all sorts of draft posts here in old blogger land. One morning I was having a lovely breakfast of egg in a nest or toad in the hole, whatever you prefer to call it. Mine was california style, to use up some guacamole before it went bad.<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_rwqpW1zMk/YE1s7N8pT2I/AAAAAAAAO8M/lkzozdKn7BYZuaybMAGr9tMaNroNMrZgwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3021-792189.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6939322365459910498" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C_rwqpW1zMk/YE1s7N8pT2I/AAAAAAAAO8M/lkzozdKn7BYZuaybMAGr9tMaNroNMrZgwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3021-792189.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">It was pretty interesting, as I had a lot of company. Very alert company. Sorry kitty, there is no bacon.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYmPieXmBDs/YE1s75g92MI/AAAAAAAAO8U/5bSYdw3P7VQ4DgxKpZD10KknQ7ag27cUwCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3023-794655.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6939322377154975938" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYmPieXmBDs/YE1s75g92MI/AAAAAAAAO8U/5bSYdw3P7VQ4DgxKpZD10KknQ7ag27cUwCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3023-794655.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Are you sure??????</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IRDgcasCIKo/YE1s8bS_IRI/AAAAAAAAO8c/uq_BvdN8plgoTZeoVHdLQ_-dGoVLej0EgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3024-797040.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6939322386223145234" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IRDgcasCIKo/YE1s8bS_IRI/AAAAAAAAO8c/uq_BvdN8plgoTZeoVHdLQ_-dGoVLej0EgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3024-797040.jpg" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-18711644205146024272021-08-02T11:35:00.001-07:002021-08-02T11:35:00.273-07:00Le Miau<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z57itkyl5nY/YQbqD_kuBhI/AAAAAAAAPIg/VfaPJ46hFH0ot-CZ98KeVvEQHUcVc2UKQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3868-786479.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="244" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6991532825865225746" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z57itkyl5nY/YQbqD_kuBhI/AAAAAAAAPIg/VfaPJ46hFH0ot-CZ98KeVvEQHUcVc2UKQCK4BGAYYCw/w320-h244/IMG_3868-786479.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo">Warner Bros retconned the cat’s name to be “Penelope” but see I have proof it was “Fifi.” Our Fifi certainly has the mannerisms of this cartoon cat </p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">Looks like Pepé was skulking around outside looking for her.</p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hm0KYpd48w/YQbqD_ERhFI/AAAAAAAAPIs/kpFSbWI6MU8Brt8j2um4xKB42zeI5LFuQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/0A957A99-9B38-4B2F-AE38-5A0102D55EBB-787546.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6991532825729139794" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Hm0KYpd48w/YQbqD_ERhFI/AAAAAAAAPIs/kpFSbWI6MU8Brt8j2um4xKB42zeI5LFuQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/0A957A99-9B38-4B2F-AE38-5A0102D55EBB-787546.JPG" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-56236041711807970442021-08-01T14:47:00.000-07:002021-08-01T14:47:03.195-07:00His Good Side?<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfHn51WHmnE/YQbqXoMdvyI/AAAAAAAAPJE/PoTcLgt-6jg-PPMhR4Zmq9-rqxeAqdvIACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_3813-766490.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6991533163186863906" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tfHn51WHmnE/YQbqXoMdvyI/AAAAAAAAPJE/PoTcLgt-6jg-PPMhR4Zmq9-rqxeAqdvIACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_3813-766490.jpg" /></a></p>This is the floofiest butt I have seen…since the last tine he posed like this. He was a little disappointed to find me sitting in his daddy’s chair. He is such a daddy’s boy. smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-82133819332889519442021-03-13T17:49:00.002-08:002021-03-13T17:49:37.220-08:00Gifts from CatsI am ever so lucky to live in a home with generous cats who share their toys. We are always finding treats in our shoes. Epiphany. <br /><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOlKRAWwnds/YDWjbjxcyKI/AAAAAAAAO7g/XYUNi_4RL_go2htstowvDfIrgp8tXg2SACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2955-781503.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6932626895261190306" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hOlKRAWwnds/YDWjbjxcyKI/AAAAAAAAO7g/XYUNi_4RL_go2htstowvDfIrgp8tXg2SACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_2955-781503.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">Some cat worked really hard to get this jolly mouse almost all the way up the stairs. No shoes up there, though. </p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6aNMWL8qnh0/YDWjcU07DFI/AAAAAAAAO7o/E6uNZyLnQmspRiV5KCiD2DxATbvBOGIJQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2961-784190.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6932626908429093970" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6aNMWL8qnh0/YDWjcU07DFI/AAAAAAAAO7o/E6uNZyLnQmspRiV5KCiD2DxATbvBOGIJQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_2961-784190.jpg" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><br /></p><p class="mobile-photo">Thank you kitties. </p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33395706.post-9020534072708794782020-11-21T09:46:00.001-08:002020-11-21T09:46:20.233-08:00I Love Trader Joe’sNot only do I love Trader Joe’s for the yummy food and cheap wine, I love them for their signage! Bold and vivid chalk art to illustrate what has become a big issue nowadays. Thank you TJs and your talented chalk artist. <p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BdOpb-Us6Y/X7htpiJ7HGI/AAAAAAAAO3g/XTmeGbwzCYw1MfZGkeMY6F7Qq0MYNswngCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_2458-713578.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_6897383389628406882" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5BdOpb-Us6Y/X7htpiJ7HGI/AAAAAAAAO3g/XTmeGbwzCYw1MfZGkeMY6F7Qq0MYNswngCK4BGAYYCw/s400/IMG_2458-713578.jpg" /></a></p>smalltownmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10857871195417461235noreply@blogger.com1