Saturday, July 17, 2021

Hello, all. Welcome to my sanctuary — and to my so called break. Thanks to everyone for the terrific response to my “call for things.” Your random reader things will inspire and drive the next serial story of Teagan’s Books.
Before that, I asked GP Cox and Chris Graham, the Story Reading Ape to provide the kickoff sets of things. The thoughts those things inspired set the era of the future story. Asking a couple of people in advance let me put some limits on my general request to everyone. However, my inspiration was split. You see the culprit above, that princess phone. Thanks to Dan Antion for the photo.
That kind of phone first came out in 1959. In that year Jupiter AM-18 rocket launched two primates into space from Cape Canaveral along with living microorganisms and plant seeds. Successful recovery makes them the first living beings to return safely to Earth after space flight. That of course made me think of our dear Ape.
(If this seems a little scattered, just imagine what it’s like inside my head.)
The split in the time-setting for the story-to-be came when cave was also one of GP’s random things. I thought of a cave in Sweetwater, Tennessee where you can find the Lost Sea. It is listed as “America’s Largest Underground Lake” in the Guinness Book of World Records. THEN since my mind was in that general neck of the woods, I went from the Lost Sea to the Secret City, which is related to Oak Ridge, TN and the Calutron Girls… which took me to 1945. More about the Secret City and the Calutron Girls some other time.
Then I had to limit the era of reader things. While the story will begin in 1959, most of it will be in the World War II Era. Anyhow, those random things triggered the twisting path my brain has been traveling.
Call for Things!
If you missed the “call” last weekend, I’ll repeat it today. The new serial will be driven from the very beginning by random reader things. I ask you to leave sets of three unrelated (random) things.
The Rules. Things must be…
- Leave sets of 3 things, and yes, you may leave more than one set 🙂
- Things must be random — not related to one another
- Things must be suitable to the time-frame of World War II
- Leave your sets of 3 random things in comments at this blog post (not Facebook)
- Don’t use events or objects that would force the story into a different era.
I will collect your 3 random things for a few weeks before I begin the new serial. Of course, you can continue to leave things after the story begins. I hope everyone will jump in and be part of the creation of this next story from the beginning. Remember to leave your things in a comment.
Also I’m sorry to have to make this statement again. This is my sanctuary, a safe place for everyone to gather in friendship. It is not a forum for critique or debate. It’s perfectly fine if you “talk” among yourselves. Whether your comment is to me or another commenter, keep it friendly.
***
In Other News
I’m trying to catch up my work on Dead of Winter: Journey 8, The Lost Library. However the first seven novelettes are available at Amazon. I welcome you to be a part of these Journeys.

Dead of Winter — All the Journeys
Universal Purchase Links
Journey 7, Revenant Pass
Kindle: relinks.me/B098MS8P48
Paperback: relinks.me/B098GV1G5V
Journey 6, The Fluting Fell
Kindle: relinks.me/B096CPJNSX
Paperback: relinks.me/B096CPJNSX
Journey 5, Llyn Pistyll Falls
Kindle: relinks.me/B09431TD6G
Paperback: relinks.me/B0942KC471
Journey 4, The Old Road
Kindle: relinks.me/B092G5LB7R
Paperback: relinks.me/B092M51Y88
Journey 3, the Fever Field
Kindle: elinks.me/B08XTNZ9M8
Paperback: relinks.me/B08XXY3JXF
Journey 2, Penllyn
Kindle: relinks.me/B08VMNSF97
Paperback: relinks.me/B08VLMR2KD
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/dead-of-winter-journey-2-penllyn
Journey 1, Forlorn Peak
Kindle: relinks.me/B08RBBVRGX
Paperback: relinks.me/B08R7RH4F5
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This is a work of fiction. Characters, names, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene
All rights reserved.
No part of this work 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 provided by free sources, unless stated otherwise.
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Wow! Just thrilled you’ve chosen to follow my blog. I’ll learn a lot following yours. Love it. Muriel
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Thank you kindly, Muriel. Big hugs.
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This is very exciting!!
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Oh, you really are catching up. Thanks so much, Jennie. Hugs again.
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I am! Grandkids were here for 12 days and headed back to Oregon last night. Hugs to you, Teagan!
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Wow, that was quite a visit. Excellent. ❤
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Happy and very tired!
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😀 I’m glad. Your enthusiasm will help me along Jennie. I hoped I would be able to start the serial this weekend, but I haven’t accomplished enough on my other works. Next weekend for sure though. Stay happy and sassy. ❤
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No worries! I will be here. 😀
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Teagan, more 3 things related to WWII time.
Ration books, black-out shades, canning food.
📚🎶 Christine
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Hi Christine. Those are great. LOL, I can see canning food leading to trouble. Happy weekend hugs!
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What kind of trouble can you get into canning food? 🤣My Mom canned (preserved vegetables & fruit in Mason jars) every fall. We had a basement full for the winter. Maybe I got in trouble snitching peaches or pears! 😉🎶🤣 Happy Weekend! Hugs back! 🌺🎶
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My mother refused to have anything to do with canning. But in summer my dad would take us down to the big farmer’s market (1 1/2 hours away) and get bushel baskets of corn and peaches… sometimes okra. There was lots of peeling and packaging. I think as many peaches were eaten as were frozen. Maybe more! 🙂
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I can see why your mother didn’t like canning. Not sure if my mother liked it either. It was such a big all day production. Yep, she canned and stacked up the jars in the basement. She also cooked on a wood stove! Yikes! We used ice in the refrigerator to keep things cold. No freezing things. It was real country living back then. Fun for us kids! 🌺🎶
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Looking through here, you’ve got a variety of suggestions – you’re a brave woman, Teagan, lol!
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Braver than you know, Teri. When I researched, over half of them didn’t come along until after 1945 (aka the end of WWII). Not sure what I’ll do about that right now. But it’s all good. I just need some energy. LOL. Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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Congratulations, Teagan – you are a dynamo. Toni x
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Thank you kindly, Toni. I hope you’re having a great week. Hugs on the wing!
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Great image from Dan. At first i was shocked, because i thought you would use this for connecting the internet. Lol Sorry, i overslept just the whole weekend. ;-( Wish you a beautiful week, Teagan! Big hugsx
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Haha! I still remember the sound of those old modems connecting, Michael. And going back and forth to the kitchen to do a minor task while I waited for it to connect — or even change pages on a website.
I hope over-sleeping means that you got some good rest. Stay safe and well. Hugs winging back to you.
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Oh yes, a lot of silence was with me, this weekend! This old modems were great, as long as we had not heard about much better connectivity. Have a beautiful week! All the best, Michael
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Heartfelt thanks for reblogging, my friend.
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You are welcome, Teagan! I am feeling so sorry for my very slow reading. Have a beautiful week! xx Michael
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A great picture from Dan, Teagan. I’m lookinf forward to the new serial. I started Journey 5 last night.
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Thanks, Robbie. Dan finds some terrific things to photograph. I hope you love Journey 5. Have a relaxing rest of this weekend. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan. I hope your weekend is/was also good.
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How exciting, Teagan!
I’m going to leave my 3 things today. I wanted to think on it.
Purple Heart Medal
45 RPM Record
Aerosol Hairspray
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Hi Resa. Thanks for coming back. The Purple Heart is a great idea. Hugs on the wing!
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Looking forward to the serial, Teagan. 😁
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Thanks, John. I hope you’re having a lovely weekend. Hugs on the wing!
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Brilliant as always, Teagan. Three things–mascara drawn lines on the back of the legs to imitate seamed stockings, party-line phones, roadsters
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All those are terrific, Pat. I’m taking a cue from Smithsonian and naming that “Painted-on hosiery.” I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler. I can’t imagine trying to put one on the back of my leg. LOL. Hugs on the wing!
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There’s even a salon type photo.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/paint-on-hosiery-during-the-war-years-29864389/
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Fascinating article. It might be fun to have a leg make-up party some night before going out with the girls. What a hoot!
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“(If this seems a little scattered, just imagine what it’s like inside my head.)” LOL. You make me dizzy with all you have going on, Teagan. I should finish Journey 6 today and on to Journey 7. I’m looking forward to all you have to write.
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Haha! Diana, even though I’m a cat person, I very much relate to the canine reaction to “Squirrel!”
Heartfelt thanks for being part of the Journeys. I hope you love both 6 and 7. There’s a lot of “history” in 7, which brings out some of the characters. Wishing you a relaxing weekend. Hugs on the wing!
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Loved the picture of the beautiful telephone, Teagan and such a lovely post.
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Thanks so much, Kamal. Dan is so good about finding “things” to photograph for my stories. They’re wonderful. I appreciate you spending part of your Saturday here. Hugs on the wing!
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You are always welcome dear Teagan. Happy Sunday. Love and light to you dear ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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This sounds like it’s going to be a really fun, adventuresome serial. I’m going to leave you with more than one set of “things”. I hope that’s ok.
1. DUCT TAPE
2. VIEWMASTER – I loved mine
3. VICTORY GARDENS
1. CRINOLINES
2. MOVIE: FATHER OF THE BRIDE
3. BAG OF MARGARINE – It came in a clear bag and was white so you didn’t mistake it for butter in the
market. There was a big dark blob in the viewing center that was the yellow dye. My job was to squish that
bag until dye was thoroughly mixed throughout. Then you cut a triangle off one corner, squeezed it into a
container!
1. ELASTICIZED WOMEN’S CINCH BELTS
2. BROWNIE CAMERA – took the best pictures ever
3. BETTY CROCKER CAKE MIX
1. LEATHER BALLET FLATS
2. POODLE CLIP – like Lucille Ball’s hair style
3. BOOK: THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA
Ginger
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Thanks Ginger. I’m fascinated by the margarine story. I never knew about the bags. I do remember the milkman delivering it in brightly colored bowls. Hugs on the wing.
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I love the insights about your creative process, Teagan. My break is proving a bit demanding, so far, but I keep thinking about the three random objects. And good luck with Journey 8!
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Oh gosh, I’m sorry to hear that, Olga. There’s always so much to prepare for taking a vacation. And what you’re doing isn’t an easy destination either. I hope it becomes more enjoyable. Hugs on the wing!
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post office, bicycle, tomatoes
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Thanks, Beth. Those are great things. I foresee hijinks at the Post Office! 😀 Hugs on the wing!
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it could happen!
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Oh, I am lovin’ how the little ideas I sent you! Your imagination already has shown more creativity than many finished stories I’ve read.
I caught that paragraph asking to respect your sanctuary – who has been so rude and do otherwise?
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GP, that means a lot to me — thank you. As for the other, I’m sure no harm was intended, but… Well, I do moderate things. Anyhow this is going to be huge fun. Hugs on the wing!
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I love following the breadcrumbs of your thought process, Teagan. Since my set of things last week were closer to the 1958 end, I offer Newspaper, Charcoal and Aerosol Can. I never heard of Sweetwater. I’m not sure where these vehicles will take us, but I look forward to going along for the ride.
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I knew there was some kind of landmark cave in that part of TN, Dan, but I didn’t remember hearing about the underground lake or it’s long history of use. Thanks for the things, and the phone photo. I’m delighted that you’re onboard for this next serial. Hugs on the wing!
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You know you’re always welcome to photos if I have them. I’m looking forward to this serial.
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I’m looking forward to the transportation serial! Interesting about the lake.
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I really wish I had known about it (to visit) when I lived within a day-trip of the area, Priscilla. All I knew was that there was some sort of cave. Thanks for the good wishes. Hugs on the wing!
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Looking forward to the new serial.
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Thanks Fraggle. I’m happy that you’ll be part of it. Hugs!
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Adored Ape, thanks for sharing from your tree house. I hope it’s a great weekend there. Hugs on the wing!
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30 deg C (86 deg F) and rising here, Teagan 😱
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Yikes! That’s hot. I recommend Piña Coladas or banana daiquiris. 😀 Keep cool.
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🍻🥂🍾🦍🤗❤️❤️🤗🦍
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Nice update. I love the princess phone. Bygone times. Sweetwater looks like and interesting place.
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Caves are fascinating, and Sweetwater is pretty amazing. I hope you’re having a great weekend, Tim. Big hugs.
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Brilliant as usual. I have wanted to go to to Sweetwater forever.
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You’re so well-traveled, Cindy. It’s a compliment to Stillwater that it’s on your wish list.
I have to laugh at myself. While I sat marveling at the wonders in that video (including the trout)… I kept thinking how nice some trout almandine would be… LOL. Thanks for visiting. Hugs on the wing!
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