Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 29

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene
The Flying Scotsman
The Flying Scotsman

Chugging Along Slowly

The steam locomotive to the Victorian Era is almost at the platform to take you to Copper, the Alchemist, and the Woman in Trousers.  Although, it’s chugging along rather slowly. One of the landslide of things that derailed the locomotive last weekend was the cold I had Saturday. Happily I managed to fight it off in a single day.  Not so happily, the wretched thing sneaked up on me and grabbed me by the throat (not so figuratively either) Wednesday night as I prepared my “Thriving Thursday” post for LinkedIn.  Dratted sneaky cold…

Like Uncle Joe the steam locomotive is moving kinda slow.

The three things for this chapter are from a talented writer you have seen featured here in the past.  I can always count on Daniel (aka Randstein) at “Hyperion Sturm” to send marvelous things to drive the serial.  Be sure to check out this talented writer’s amazing blog.

This chapter ties all the way back to Episode 3.  Several elements of this new episode are rooted in the third installment of this serial.  We’ll finally learn more about the dead man in the study!  There was also the little matter of a signet ring that suggested the corpse was someone in Copper’s family. (You might want to skim Episode-3 for all the details.)

The locomotive has finally reached the platform.  All aboard!

From Episode 3

First things first, I told myself as I turned my attention back to the dead body slumped over Calvin Hixon’s desk.  I had expected to see a pool of blood, but the top of the desk was clean.  The dead man’s left hand rested on the desktop.  Something seemed wrong about the position of the hand.  It had been moved.

Hadn’t Cornelis said he wore a signet ring?  Without looking I could feel the cool metal of the ring the alchemist placed on my finger.  “You’ll need this,” he’d said.  My eyes went back to the naked hand of the dead man.

“You moved a ring from the finger of a cadaver and put it on my hand?” I exclaimed, but Cornelis was nowhere to be seen.

“Cornelis Drebble!”

*

From last time

 We had a measuring device.  It looked like a silver toothpick holder.  It was shaped like a little gazebo with a domed roof supported by columns.  Within was a crystal bird with wings outstretched.  Tiny holes in the rounded roof held toothpicks.  If the toothpicks started to turn lavender, it was a warning that we had been in the amethyst world too long.  If all the toothpicks turned purple we were in serious danger of being unable to return home.  Should the bird turn purple, it would be too late.

I quickly took the detector out of the Dutchman’s bag so I could examine it.  The toothpicks were lavender.

Portuguese Silver Toothpick Holder

29.  Cornbread, Champagne Glasses, Astrolabe

The amethyst ape looked to the direction in which his violet complected chimpanzee housekeeper had ridden away on an aubergine coated horse.  Viola went back to his grand house to make sure the doppelgängers of Copper and myself did not come any closer.  Their proximity had made us quite ill, but Cornelis alchemically altered some green Chartreuse, which set us back to rights.  I wondered if the ape versions had also felt ill.

Cal Hicks shook his head regretfully.  “Poor Viola,” the ape murmured, causing me to ask what he meant.

“She showed you the locket containing a bit of her dead son’s hair,” he said as a reminder, so I nodded.  “He was lost in the battle with the one-eyed-one-horned flying-purple-people-eater; the dragon.  Though I cannot reconcile that in my mind with the tiny Purple Fairy, Aubrieta.  Whatever changed her form to the dragon must have also held uncontrollable sway over her personality as well.  We should feel pity for her, not resentment,” Cal added as if to himself, then cleared his throat.Hair brooch

“Forgive me, I digress.  Viola’s son was not in the chapel with the apes that disappeared that day,” Cal said, going back to his point.  “Nor was he among those returned by Aubrieta’s magic.  Viola said she felt his death a short time after the chapel apes disappeared.  I hoped she was wrong, but she must have been correct,” Cal told me.

“More’s the pity,” the amethyst ape commented, again shaking his head.  “Viola’s son was a scoundrel, though I liked to believe he had a good heart.  He never got the chance to correct the path on which he’d put himself.  He never reached his potential,” Cal spoke sadly.

Cornelis Drebbel got that look on his face.  Though his skull was safely ensconced my hatbox, I knew the expression on his face meant the gears in his mind were turning.  Abruptly he held an ancient looking leather portfolio.  That was where he kept his drawings.  He opened the folio and handed two sketches to Cal Hicks.  One drawing was of a chimpanzee and the other of a man.

Signet ringFirst I recognized the man in the drawing as the person we found in the study at the Hixon estate.  The man had been dead when we arrived.  The rogue chimpanzees carried away his corpse.  The second thing I noticed was a strong resemblance in the drawings of the dead man and the chimp.

“Is this, by any chance, Viola’s son?” the alchemist asked Cal Hicks of the sketch of the chimpanzee.

Cal gasped.  “Why yes!  As always, Lord of Alchemy, your talents astound me,” Cal replied.  “Do you have news of him?”

“We found his doppelgänger dead, but that’s as much as I can say,” Cornelis told him.

Carson mansion Queen Annd
The Carson Mansion, Eureka, California

A few of the returned apes moved uneasily, but they were reluctant to leave.  They stayed nearby, hiding their nakedness as best they could.  Their coloring had fully reverted to various shades of purple, as was natural for them.  Cal Hicks stepped into the laboratory and quickly returned with several pairs of coveralls for them.

Hicks invited them to go to his house for a hot meal.  However they refused, saying they couldn’t take advantage of his hospitality.  They watched Cornelis Drebbel closely, almost as if mesmerized.

“At least have some bread and wine then,” Cal Hicks told them.

The amethyst ape uncovered a basket containing all manner of loaves, muffins, and cornbread.  Hicks insisted that the returned simians at least eat some bread.  He told them that being translocated had surely depleted their reserves.  Since Hicks wouldn’t take no for an answer, they drank and ate a little, but they looked much more interested in Cornelis and the two fairies.Absinthe tail up

Aubrieta and Absinthe cuddled near the laboratory building.  The Purple Fairy and the Green Fairy were both tiny now.  The alchemy that imploded the dome of fire also allowed Aubrieta to remain in her natural winged skunk-looking form.

Absinthe stretched and touched his green nose to the golden unicorn-like horn that was above Aubrieta’s single amber eye.  They both made muttering noises that sounded remarkably like giggles.  The erstwhile purple-people-eater she-dragon and Absinthe entwined their fluffy tails as they muttered and snorted softly to one another.

Cal Hicks looked at them wonderingly.  “It’s a pity Viola isn’t here to witness that,” he murmured.

Cornelis gave a wicked grin.  He reached into nothingness and produced a tray with etched champagne glasses.  His arm disappeared up to his elbow as he reached into that magic space again and came back with a bottle of champagne.

“I wouldn’t pop the cork on that just yet,” I told him.

Antique champagne GlassesTo remind them, I held out the measuring device Absinthe had insisted we take with us when we left the submarine.  It looked like a silver toothpick holder fashioned to have a gazebo with a crystal bird inside.  Tiny rods that resembled toothpicks protruded from the roof of the gazebo.  It measured how much we were being influenced by the amethyst world.  If we stayed too long, we might not be able to return home.

The words of the alchemist echoed in my mind.

“Many of the effects can be mitigated,” Cornelis had said, dismissing my concern.  “For instance, a little lavender hue is of no real concern.  But if all the toothpicks turn purple we are in serious danger of being unable to return home.  Should the bird turn purple,” he added pointing to the crystal ornament in the center of the gazebo.  “Well, then it is too late,” he’d finished with a wry twist of his mouth, which suggested that was a real possibility.

The metering toothpicks had turned to a saturated lavender, and not a pastel lavender like they were the last time I looked.  Cal Hicks gasped, his face painted with concern.  Absinthe and Aubrieta fluttered over to me and inspected the device closely, muttering the while.  Cornelis puckered his lips in an expression that made me think he was about to sidestep something.

“As I’ve said, the lavender hue is of no real concern.  It could be from your doppelgängers being too near, or even from what we consumed at tea,” the alchemist said in an unconcerned tone, but he cast a sidelong glance at the device.Mauve teacup Wileman Co 1893

Several feet away, the small group of coverall clad apes conversed quietly but animatedly among themselves.  I got the feeling that the group had come to a decision.  A very large dark purple chimpanzee came forward.  I thought there was something reluctant in the way he moved.

“Begging your pardon, Mr. Hicks.  We heard the Lord of Alchemy mention doppelgängers.  When we—,” the chimpanzee began haltingly.  “Well, it’s Von, sir — Viola’s son.  When we were in that strange world Von met his double.  They both ended up dead, although none of us saw exactly how it happened,” the chimp said and hung his head.

“You saw nothing at all?” Hicks questioned, pushing for information.

The chimpanzee looked contrite, as if there was something he did not want to disclose.  “Von had that family ring he stole from your son.  There was a man who seemed to recognize the ring.  He tricked Von into giving it to him and then ran off.  Von slipped off to track him.  We found them at a fine home that looked a lot like yours.  But when we got there they were both dead,” the chimp explained.

Naughty Chimps
Chris Graham, The Story Reading Ape’s Naughty Chimps

“We took both bodies and hid them,” the chimpanzee added.  “We were afraid of what might happen if the residents of that world noticed the two were doubles.”

Cal Hicks made a tut-tut sound and slowly shook his head.  “Von was a scoundrel and a petty thief,” Hicks commented.  “But he was Viola’s son.  Even after he stole the signet ring from my son Nate, I wouldn’t have wished him dead.”

I still wore the signet ring Cornelis removed from the hand of the cadaver we found in Calvin Hixon’s study.  Cornelis gave it to me so I could pass myself off as Copper’s aunt, and prevent the people from the orphanage taking her away.

Jaime Murray as the woman who wears trousers
Jaime Murray as the Woman in Trousers

The ring was much too big for my finger, but I had taken to wearing it on a ribbon hung around my neck.  I pulled it out from inside my shirt.  Removing the ribbon I handed the ring to Cal Hicks.  “Is this the ring?” I asked.

“Lady Felicity!  Why yes.  That’s the ring I had made for Nate.  How did you come to have it?” Hicks asked.

He tried to give the ring back to me.  I took the amethyst ape’s large hand in both of mine and closed his thick fingers around the ring.

“It clearly belongs to you, or your son.  I only borrowed it as a way of helping Copper.  We don’t need it anymore,” I said.

Excited chirping and snorting came from the two fairies.  Suddenly Aubrieta popped out of sight.  I heard an agitated screech from inside the laboratory.  Absinthe snorted and then disappeared.  An instant later both tiny fairies reappeared.  Between them they supported an intricately designed astrolabe.  Aubrieta chirped excitedly.  They flew over to Cornelis, and the alchemist gingerly took the apparatus from them.

“What is that thing?” Copper wanted to know.

“It’s an astrolabe,” Cornelis told her.  “They’re used by astronomers, navigators, and astrologers.  Its many uses include locating and predicting the positions of the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars, determining local time given local latitude and vice versa, surveying, and triangulation,” he explained.

Copper looked blankly at Cornelis and blinked.  Absinthe gave an exasperated snort at the Dutchman, clearly dissatisfied with the appropriateness of his definition.  Absinthe fluttered onto Copper’s shoulder and nuzzled into her hair.Astrolabe 2

With a longsuffering sigh, the Dutchman revised his explanation.  “They’re used for solving problems relating to time and the position of the Sun and stars in the sky,” the alchemist clarified and Absinthe seemed satisfied that that explanation was suitable for Copper.

The girl looked at the Green Fairy in hopeful astonishment.  “We can use this to find my Daddy?  Is that what you mean, Absinthe?” she asked the little fairy.

Aubrieta flew to them and hovered near her newly reconciled mate.  Both of the fairies chirped happily to Copper in what seemed to be affirming noises.

“Hopefully the astrolabe can help us get home as well,” I said wryly.

Then I held out the measuring device.  A third of the toothpicks had darkened from a saturated lavender to royal purple.

***

So… the dead man in the study had an ape doppelgänger — and both seem to be a tad dishonest. The fairies may have found a device to find Copper’s daddy, but in which world is Calvin Hickson?  The amethyst world or our own — and how much time do they have to find him if he’s in the purple world?  Meanwhile the metering “toothpicks” deepen in purple hues.

What about those awful people from the orphanage?  What about the woman with a chimp — she lead one of the groups chasing our trio? And the ape who gestured “Daddy” in sign language?

There are many questions yet to be answered. So be at the train station next time.

***

When I saw a cornbread recipe was needed for this episode, I thought of one of the newer supporters of this blog and serial – Cheryl “Cheffie Cooks” Wiser.  I was pleased to find more than one tasty cornbread recipe in her repertoire!

https://clwiser.wordpress.com/

Recipe:  Zucchini Corn Bread Muffins

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/breads/zucchini-corn-bread-muffins/

Sorry – no photo this time.  Just browse around Cheryl’s blogs – you’ll find plenty to drool over!

 

Copyright © 2015 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author or from Pinterest unless stated otherwise.

90 thoughts on “Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode 29”

  1. Pingback: Train Schedule and Character Recap – Copper and the Rest | Teagan's Books

  3. More twists and turns than a helter-skelter Teagan. I’m still wondering where on earth those champagne glasses and that bottle of champagne came from? I love the way you got them into the story. They appear as if by magic, but I ‘m sure it’s not magic at all.

    Another cliff-hanger to tempt us with especially with those toothpicks turning purple. i hope they do make it and I can’t imagine where your imagination is going to take us in this story on Saturday. Can I have a first-class ticket please?

    Hope you are feeling much better. A summer cold is as bad as a winter one. Get well soon.
    Hugs to you.
    xx

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    1. Hi Hugh and thank you so much for your good wishes. I am feeling much better, so they must have worked! 😀 Oh this story is filled with magic! Though I try to limit it to mostly small things. Cornelis has a tendency toward accidents of alchemy, so we don’t want him doing anything too risky. 😉
      Absolutely saving you a luxury seat. Now if only I knew where the heck this steam locomotive was going…
      Loved your latest installment of Truth App — talk about a cliffhanger! (However, my network is not letting me comment. At least it let me read…)
      Mega hugs my friend!

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    1. 🙂 You’re so kind, Inese. Hopefully I haven’t gotten them into a pickle that I can’t imagine the way out of. LOL. The cold is better, thanks so much. I’ve realized fall allergies contributed. They seem to be hitting me hard this year, especially with the itchy eyes. But I’ll cope — had lots of practice. 😀 Wishing you a thriving Thursday! Hugs.

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  7. Thanks for the mention, Teagan and you did a wonderful job of seamlessly integrating the three things into the story. Amazing job on the astrolabe! I didn’t know you were such an expert on this marvelous piece of precision instrumentation. 🙂

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    1. Hi Daniel and thanks for commenting. I’m pleased you enjoyed your episode.
      Oh… I’m no expert. Jack of all trades but master of none! One of the fun things about this serial is the things it causes me to learn when I research them. (Hopefully I remember a fraction of it afterwards! 😀 )
      Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hugs.

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      1. Thank you, Teagan and likewise 🙂 The story is a thrill all the way through and your seamless integration of the items provided by readers is amazing. Researching some things must be equally fun too. 🙂

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  8. Oooh, all those questions still to be answered and our heroes in danger of never escaping the purple world, I’m so delighted at the way you’ve brought all these strands together from a detour into another world. You have endless imagination 🙂

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  9. Good to see you haven’t lost your touch in my absence teagan. 🙂 I saw the Flying Scotsman once as a boy in England, I was a so-so trainspotter.
    Cheers
    Laurie.

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  10. Hi dear Teagan… ⭐
    Captivating installment!- The ring issue is quite intriguing….
    The same principle applies to the silver toothpick holder….
    I like the way you introduce magical tools or objects which at first sight couldn’t seem too extraordinary…
    I guess it is the context which gives them that mystical halo and powers as a measuring device. Not to mention Cornelis´magical powers!.
    Also I found interesting that the silver toothpick could reveal undeniable signals as colours symbolizing lapses of time and even the presence of doppelgängers being too near…
    Later on, the astrolabe, which hopefully would help them find their way back home!… Fingers crossed!
    Thanks for this episode… Until next week. Many hugs to you. Aquileana 😀

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    1. Hi Aquileana. It’s great to see you. I so appreciate you reading and commenting. The everyday objects into magic is inspired by the idea of “alchemy” transforming one thing into another. Plus I did not want to use “over the top” magic in this story — mostly little things. Wishing you a wonderful week. Mega hugs!

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    1. Hey RC, it’s a pleasure to see you. Thanks very much for taking a moment to read and comment. That means a lot to me. I hope you’ve had a wonderful week.
      It’s just run-of-the-mill-cold-miserable. Nothing big. Here comes Monday — hope it’s marvelous for you! Hugs.

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  16. This episode is wonderful…..you paint amazing pictures with words….and so throughout I am visualising every single detail…..so inventive, creative, imaginative….and much much more…..
    Hope the nasty cold disappears into the ether….and that magical hummingbirds take its place:) Enjoy the rest of your weekend and remember to sit on your laurels for a few days – Janet. xxx

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    1. Dear Janet, thank you so much for dropping by and commenting. I always think of hummingbirds when I think of you. Humming birds and your amazing talent in painting. Yes! I must manifest magical hummingbirds — what a beautiful thought!
      Thanks for reminding me to sit back for awhile. I’m feeling better, and end up pushing myself too hard, and relapse. So after I finish the laundry that’s in progress, I will try and rest. It’s my “long week” at work so I will need it. (I work my hours so that I’m off every other Friday but still put in 80 hours for the 2-week period.) Wishing you a wonder-filled week. Mega hugs. ❤ 🙂

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  19. Fascinating as always, Teagan. This episode sent me back to when I used to watch the Planet of the Apes, even though I haven’t seen it it years. Loved the part about wearing a dead man’s ring, the orphanage and the chimp. Great work! Thanks again for letting me re-blog and have a fabulous weekend!

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    1. Melissa, thank *you* for reblogging!!! I think of “Planet” every now and then when I write a scene with the chimps/apes. I see the amethyst world as a gentle idyllic place, and our world as the world that could use some civilizing. 🙂
      I’m delighted you are enjoying the serial. Wishing you a supremely happy Sunday, and a new week full of hugs! 🙂

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  21. Melinda, my friend in all things purple! (I keep thinking enviously about all those purple glasses you had. 😀 ) Writing this wild ride with the “three things” is easier than writing it without them. Try it some time, just for giggles.
    Wishing you a perfectly purple sunset, and a lavender streaked dawn — and Mega hugs!

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  22. Teagan, you’ve done it again! Wow…I had to read this episode very slowly to not miss the complex twists & turns, and possible clues. How does she do it? comes to mind! Your descriptive story telling is a visual “trip” right there with the cast of characters. The color purple has taken on a whole new eery meaning. It’s no field of heather! Anxiously awaiting the next episode. Hope you’re feeling better! Hugs! Chryssa

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    1. Dear Chryssa, thank you so much. And yes thanks, I’m beginning to get the upper hand on the cold. (Hope I haven’t jinxed myself with that. 😉 )
      I can’t let go of the image of a field of heather. LOL, you’ve seen how my brain latches onto things… That heather might show up. Hang on tight my friend. The twists and turns aren’t over yet. 😀 Mega hugs.

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      1. Love those twists a & turns, and now a hint, fields of heather! What can you possibly do with that image? I already know, something incredible like you always do. Stay well! Hugs back, Chryssa

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    1. Ooooh! I’m thrilled! My very own soup. Cheryl what a lovely thing to do. Thank you from my heart. Amazingly I actually have everything for it (except the carrot) and that never happens. It sounds easy and delicious. Thank you again.
      I’ll save you a seat next weekend and make sure the engineer lets you blow the train’s whistle. 😀 Mega hugs!

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  24. Teagan, once again you have outdone yourself! Very ingenious what you did there with the doppelgangers and the dead man in the house. And darn those summer colds! Gentle hugs to make you feel better soon. ❤

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    1. Hi Kathryn. Thank you! I’m so happy you enjoyed this chapter. And thanks for wishing me well — I’m getting there. If it wasn’t so hot out, I’d be looking up one of your delicious soup recipes. 😀 But I really do think I’m finally getting the upper hand on the cold. Mega hugs!

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  25. Well, I’ve missed far too many episodes to know the ‘whole’ story, but this one is a master class! I could never begin to put characters and plot together like this, Teagan. Never will I look at chimpanzees the same again, no matter what their colors may be! However, I can’t wait to stir up a batch of zucchinni-cornbread muffins! 🙂

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    1. Why thank you so much Kim. It’s nice to see you. Since these serials are driven by the “three things” readers send, the story goes to unpredictable places that I don’t believe I would otherwise consider. Enjoy that cornbread! Huge hugs.

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  26. My imagination is running wild now and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next episode, lovely complexity I know I have said this before but you are a master story teller and have such an amazing ability to weave a story that is captivating.

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    1. You are too kind, Suzanne. It delights me to know this story is enjoyed. But it means even more to me to feel respected for it. That’s a rare and wonderful feeling, so thank you from my heart. Mega hugs my friend.

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  27. Dear David… I am flattered and downright humbled. Thank you my friend.
    I’ll have the folks at the station put a thick memory foam cushion and a foot stool with that crate — and put a climate controlled bubble around it — with all your terrific music videos from your great blog.
    Now I need to go back and re-read this chapter and try to figure out what I did right. 😉
    Mega hugs! ❤

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  29. Happy to see you back on track with another great episode. Oh wow! “The Petticoat Junction” brings back long lost memories from my youth. Prefect time to post a zucchini cornbread muffin recipe as lots of people are getting smothered in zucchini harvest this time of year.

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    1. Hi Tim. It’s been so many years since I’ve had a garden, I didn’t think of that! Cheryl has several blogs and tons of great, do-able recipes. When I was little, I really liked that show. Hmmm… maybe the next serial can be inspired by Petticoat Junction…
      Thanks for taking time to read and comment. Looking forward to your next “Tales of My Youth” or the next Photo of the Day. Mega hugs to you and yours!

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    1. Thanks so very much, Kirt. (Though my cold befuddled brain is wondering if everyone saw something that I didn’t…) I always appreciate your kind and encouraging words. Looking forward to more of your beautiful photos and art. Have you ever visited any of the petroglyphs in the southwest? I can imagine the beautiful prints you could make with those. Sorry — it’s the cold rambling. 😀 Huge hugs!

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  31. Just when I think you can’t surprise or thrill me more with these installments I’m ever so happy to be proven wrong.
    Knocked my socks off again, Teagan. I read it this morning and then had to come back to read it again and comment…and share and share and share!!!
    I agree with Dan, you have a masterful ability for description; it’s impossible not to feel like you’re in the story when you read your work.
    Also, that recipe looks delicious, I can’t wait to try it.
    Hope you’re feeling better from your nasty cold, sweetie and hope this week is good to you. I’ll be at the station next week or if you wanted to say, throw us a few clues during the week….? No? It was worth a try. I’ll be here, trying to puzzle it out for myself.
    You take care. 🙂 Megaugs!!!

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    1. Donna your comment made me feel so good I could forget this darned cold. It’s better and I should be over it in a few more days.
      LOL, if I were sure what was happening next, I would throw out some clues. The best I can do is remind you (and myself) of the lose ends that need to be tied up. I’m trying to focus on one per episode now. I think the next one will be the woman who was leading that group with the “trained” chimp and the hydrofoil. That lose end has been on my mind, and I think I might be able to work it into the next episode. How? I’ve no idea! 😀
      Mega hugs right back. ❤ 🙂

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        1. Marvelous, Donna. That’s what I hoped you’d do. I love it when I know readers are imagining the story ahead of me! No worries — I’ll kick this little cold. (It’s nothing like the one I had early in the year — which caused me to give Cornelis and Felicity head colds too! LOL)

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  33. Man oh man. There should be some kind of device that is a little more exact than waiting for a set of toothpicks to let you know you are doomed, Great episode and hope the cold is gone,

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    1. Thanks for you good wishes, John. I’m still working on the cold, but it’s better.
      Haha! It’s funny how one thing or another shows up repeatedly in episodes. I don’t plan on bringing them back. Like the naughty chimps… and back in the first Three Ingredients serial — cilantro of all things just kept coming back. If I ever see purple toothpicks, it will totally mess with my sense of reality! 😀 Thanks so much for reading and commenting, John. Huge hugs.

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  34. I have commented before about your ability to quickly describe something complicated. I hate to repeat myself, but I just had to smile and nod a bit when I read “His arm disappeared up to his elbow as he reached into that magic space again” It’s such an interesting way to describe an opening , a portal, a tear – who knows how long and drawn out and complicated you could have made that. “Magic space” covers everything and his arm invokes a clear visual image. Nicely done Teagan. Now, get these people home 🙂

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    1. Dan, I blush! ^^’ I’m truly flattered. Never thought of it that way — probably because that’s far from the case in my real life! 😀
      LOL. Yes I actually am trying to get the characters home — because I plan to take a “noveling” break once this serial concludes. Have a wonder-filled weekend. Mega hugs.

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