Saturday, August 7, 2021
Hello, all. Are you ready for the takeoff? I’ve used this video before, but I love the song (and it was a really cool anime series too), and it’s just perfect for this beginning. The all new, interactive, reader-thing driven serial is here!
My overbooked status continued throughout last week. I’m still playing catch-up. So, I was up late writing this first episode. It’s definitely by the seat of my “pantser” pants. So kindly ignore any mistakes. Pointing them out does not qualify as a “friendly comment.” You’ve seen the middle of this episode, in the teaser I gave last week. It was simpler to include the whole thing together, so I’m sorry for rerunning that.
Because of that, the random reader things have a couple of repeats princess phone from GP Cox and transistor radio from Dan Antion. I’ve also used the remaining two of GP’s kickoff set of three things, pink fairy armadillo and cave. I’ve been itching to say this again, so without further ado…
All aboard!
Prologue — TROLLEY
Claxons rang. Warning lights flashed. TROLLEY roused enough to determine the threat-level. Neither date nor location were auspicious. February 3, 1959. Clear Lake, Iowa, USA.
“Ah… the music died. Tragic. However, it creates interesting changes to potential futures. Although no warnings. So, why the claxons?”
TROLLEY checked potential hazards with past interactions.
“Dates at risk from 1943 through 1945. Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA. Calutron. Potential for tampering. Threat unlikely. Not critical. Only potential. Yet troubling…”
“Cross-referencing future. One potential convergence point found. Can that be it? May 28, 1959. Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. Hazard seems unlikely. Although risk determination is high. Reporting threat.”
Satisfied, TROLLEY entered status.
“Time Rate Oscillation Lithium Link Enabler Yttrion, TROLLEY reporting threat assessment, positive. Awaiting instructions.”
1 — Where’s Fang?
My last thought before oblivion overtook me was that those jerks in the lab had slipped a Mickey Finn into my coffee. I should have been unconscious for the few hours that remained in the night and all the next day. However, I had an oddly high tolerance to drugs, especially for someone of my height. I didn’t know why. Maybe if you grew up in Alligator Alley you were automatically tough.
A horrible ringing in my ears brought me around. I woke up remembering that I left the lab thinking I had gotten a particularly nasty bug. The timing couldn’t have been worse. As I staggered to my quarters all I could think was that I was going to miss the biggest moment in my career — such as it was. Even with a name like Faraday, in 1959 a woman without connections didn’t tend to get very far, especially in a scientific field.
As the bell blared into my skull, I realized that I had passed out with my head resting on my princess phone. When I answered it, nobody was there.
Suddenly a terrible thought occurred to me. Those bullies were always threatening to mess with the one thing I cared about besides work. My eyes darted around the room. Where was he?
Trying to put the phone’s receiver back, I knocked over everything on my nightstand. My transistor radio fell over. La Bamba blasted from the speakers. I tumbled to the floor and looked under the bed. Then I looked everywhere else.
Fang was gone!
♦ ♦ ♦
One day, people would be able to sue employers, even the government, for harassment and bullying. However, that wasn’t the case in my day. I had to stand up to all the sleazy remarks, and slap way the hands that got “too friendly” ― and I was no great beauty.
While most women went to the beauty parlor, wore girdles, and endured all manner of torture in pursuit of physical perfection and getting a good husband, I had to go the opposite direction. I threw myself into botanical studies, and then my work as a scientist. I liked plants better than people. Plants and Fang.
It wasn’t that I really meant to let myself go… I just found that if I wore loafers or Keds, and socks instead of nylons, and didn’t get my hair done, the creeps in the lab didn’t pester me as much. There was also the unexpected plus that they didn’t treat me like I was utterly stupid ― or at least not quite as often.
Don’t get me wrong. I liked pretty clothes, and would have loved to be called beautiful. Although I recognized that “average” was the closest to a compliment that my face or figure would get. I would have been fine with that, except for the name my parents hung on me. The irony of it was cruel.
Delila was my unfortunate name. As a toddler the closest I could come to saying my name was “Dilly,” and that was my nickname. As it became apparent that I would never look like a Delila, the silly moniker stuck.
I grabbed my telephone and dialed the switchboard. It felt like forever before the “0” rotated back around.
“Hey, Dilly. I got word from the guys in the botany lab that you were sick,” Donna, the operator answered.
“My telephone rang a minute ago, but nobody was there. Did you take any messages?” I wanted to know.
“Oh yeah. There was so much laughing, that I’m not sure which one of those bozos it was, but the message was ‘Bon voyage, Fang.’ He wouldn’t say what he meant. Hey, wait a minute. Isn’t that what you call that weird critter of yours? Dilly? Dilly did you hang up? Land sakes. How rude,” Donna sighed.
A glance at the hands of the clock told me there was barely enough time to get to the launch area. It would be prudent to check other places first, but I was certain those goons had taken Fang and put him on the rocket!
The weird critter in question, Fang, was a gift from my Uncle Arturo. He wasn’t my real uncle, but he was my dad’s best friend and my godfather. Uncle Artie brought Fang to me from Argentina. I don’t know how he managed to sneak him into the country, but then again, Fang was small and easy to hide.
Fang was a pink fairy armadillo, and my best friend. I was able to keep him with me by pretending he was part of the study group of animals at Cape Canaveral. However, Fang’s status was about to become all too real.
Thinking fast, I picked up a small plant from my table and stuck it in the pocket of my lab coat. Glad that I had passed out with my shoes still on, I bolted from my quarters. The corridors were empty. Everyone who was allowed had gone to the control center. The sound of my heels echoed in the empty hallways as if I was in a cave.
There wasn’t a lot of security back then. The guard recognized me. He buddied around with the lab guys. I said that one of the plant specimens slated for the launch had been overlooked.
“The whole team could get fired for this,” I fibbed and retrieved the plant from my pocket. “I know you’re the kind of guy who looks out for his friends. I promise I’ll be so quick and quiet that nobody will ever know I was there.”
The guard was reluctant, but he let me through. I ran, but I didn’t have to sneak. No one in their right mind would go near a rocket that was about to blast off to outer space. However, Miss Baker and Miss Able would be the first primates in space, and I wanted to make sure they weren’t joined by a tiny armadillo!
I darted past the men who secured the pods holding the two little monkeys. I pretended to do a final check on the plant seeds. The men looked askance at me, but they were exhausted from working double shifts to get things ready for the launch of the Jupiter AM-18. Also, the space was cramped. Adding me made it even worse. They were happy to get out.
“Don’t worry. I’m right behind you,” I told them.
Hurriedly I looked in every nook and cranny for Fang. I knelt down to re-check a low area. As I crawled backward from the extra tight spot, my posterior bumped into something.
“Oh! Excuse me,” I exclaimed having thought I was alone.
When I stood, my eyes met the strangest sight. It was a man who would have been ordinary looking, except for his bizarre choice of clothing. On his head was an officer’s peaked cap, but it was black and the insignia was unlike any I had ever seen. Shaggy pink hair stuck out from the cap. The hair color was the least of his strangeness. He wore a tank-style undershirt and black leather short-shorts ― with bright pink fishnet tights.
I stood in open-mouthed astonishment. I tried to speak, but words wouldn’t come.
“Honestly, Dilly. You look like a fish trying to breathe. Did I get something wrong with the outfit? There wasn’t a lot of past-future fashion information in the database,” he remarked in a sassy accent that reminded me of Uncle Arturo.
I sputtered incoherently.
“Oh, never mind. There’s no time. Sorry, honey,” he added.
Then he took a strange sort of gun from his belt. A ray shot from the gun and zapped me.
♦ ♦ ♦
So there’s the first episode! I hope everyone is on board for this new, crazy ride. Since I’m so far behind, I might be slow to answer comments. However, I hope you’ll stop to leave one. Whether your comment is to me or another commenter, keep it friendly.
***
Dead of Winter — All the Journeys
One thing I’m trying to catch up on is 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.
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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Great work Teagan! I’m a bit late forr these new series tho I love it!!
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Welcome aboard, Owl! There’s no such thing as late here. I just made a couple of notes for the next episode. I try to post them weekly, at midnight Saturdays (Eastern Time USA). I hope you can click over at some point this weekend. Hugs on the wing!
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Hey Teagan I’ll for sure check up ur blov on this weekend (actually that’s the time when I am free). Hugs on the wingss!!
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Reblogged this on Ravenhawks' Magickal Mystical Places and commented:
I am late for the launch but I am looking forward to being on this ride.
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Yay! I’m happy you got aboard, Dyanna. It wouldn’t be the same without you. Big hugs.
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All right then Dilly and Fang I will be looking for more
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Laugh! Try It You’ll Like It
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Haha. Yep, there’s more in episode 2. Have a great week.
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You are amazing, Teagan. I love the start of this story. I’m in awe of your imagination. Pink armadillo? Love it! 🤗
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Hi Gwen. I was shocked to learn that the pink fairy armadillo is a real thing. How cool is that? Hats off to GP Cox for leaving is as one of his 3 things for the kickoff. Hugs on the wing.
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I am caught up with you again, Teagan, and enjoying the new serial ride you have begun. I like Fang and Delila already!
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Lavinia, it’s always wonderful to see you, whenever you have time. I hope all is well at Salmon Brook Farm. Thanks for your encouragement. I’m delighted you enjoyed this new beginning. Hugs on the wing!
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We continue to wake up on the right side of the ground. 🙂 Many hugs back to you and Crystal. ❤
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I have a habit of walking in midstream and not knowing what’s going on, Teagan, but I’m here from the start this time. Plenty of interesting characters, from Dilly to Uncle Arturo, and of course, Fang.
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Hi, Pete. I’m glad you could be here for the kickoff, and that you enjoyed it. This is going to be a zany ride. Hugs on the wing.
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I have never been on a trolley , but I already know I’m going to love the ride!
A pink armadillo (that maybe can turn himself into a funky man with no fashion sense) and a woman who promises to be more than a little interesting!
Yeah, this is going to be good!! You need to get lots of sleep this weekend so you are bright eyed and bushy tailed next week to write, write, write!
Ginger
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I’ve never been on one either, Ginger. But this is no ordinary trolley. 😀 Thanks for the terrific feedback. I’m happy you could be here for the kickoff. Hugs on the wing.
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I am aboard too, Teagan! Wow! A great start I love armadillos, even i havent seen one in real. Thanks for making this true, and have a beautiful Sunday! Big hugs Michael
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Thanks Michael. I’ve never met an armadillo either. It seems strange how they are common only in certain areas. I’m glad you could be here for the first full episode. Big hugs right back to you, my friend. 🙂
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I had seen some in the past, by visiting a zoo. I’d felt thrown back to the age of the dinosauriers. Lol A wonderful intro, Teagan! Thank you, and enjoy your Sunday! xx Michael
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Reblogged this on NEW OPENED BLOG > https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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Many thanks for reblogging, Michael. Hugs on the wing!
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You are welcome, Teagan! Thank you for your efforts on the new serial. I will have to read faster to get my degree in reading all the “Death of Winter” episodes. Best wishes, Michael
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It’s no surprise, but pat yourself on the back!! Awesome start…..you all of us ready for this take off!!!
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Woo-hoo! I’m glad you’re aboard this zany trolley, Kirt. Have a wonderful weekend. Great big hug!
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An exciting start Teagan. Congratulations, thank you and I am All Aboard!
{{{hugs}}}
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I’m so happy to hear that, Resa. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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You are the Cat’s Pyjamas!!!!
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OMGosh, I think I know what happened to Fang. If I’m right, this is going to be a crazy fun ride!
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You might be onto something, Priscilla. Thanks for being here for the kickoff. Hugs on the wing!
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Oh my goodness, Teagan!! What a great start to this story. I’m already in Dilly’s corner and how awesome to have a pink armadillo fairy for a best friend. Your imagination knows no bounds!! I’m happy to be on board for wherever this story goes!
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Welcome aboard the Trolley, Jan. GP gets credit for discovering the pink fairy armadillo. I was stunned to learn they are a real thing. Of course, in my universe, things aren’t always what they seem. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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Wow. What a start! Or should I say blast-off. Love it, Teagan. I can tell this is going to be great fun. 🙂
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Happy weekend, Diana. I’m kind of giddy about all the wheres and whens this story could go. I still need to get in touch with Dilly’s personality. And it might be tough to prevent the pink haired guy from stealing the entire show. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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I’m sure you’ll pull it off with flair.
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Terrific start, Teagan. I’m so excited that you are back on the serial train (er trolly) again. Hugs.
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Thanks so much, John. I’m thrilled with everyone’s excitement, and delighted that you’ll be on this crazy trolley. Hugs winging back to you! ❤
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🤗
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AHA! ! A very good beginning, will be looking forward to the development of your story. Your story takes place in a good place and in a good time, I am expecting all sorts of excitement! ! !
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Welcome aboard the trolley, Ms. Frances! I’m so glad you could make it. The wheres and whens this story could go are limitless. I’m thrilled with everyone’s excitement. Hugs on the wing!
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Fantastic start! I can NOT wait to read more!!!!! (I especially love the Princess phone. I always wanted one when I was growing up (pink! light-up dial!), but as one of ten kids, I was instead doomed to share the family wall phone with my siblings.
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Welcome aboard the trolley, Barb. Yeah, those princess phones… I also always wanted, but never got one. The shape was so elegant, and they just seemed almost magical. Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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Where can I get a pink armadillo? This is crucial. Lovely jubbly, Teags!
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Hmmm… no one has ever called me Teags before… I think I might like it. 😉
Geoff, amazingly they are real. The pink fairy armadillo is an itty bitty illusive critter from Argentina. They would love your beautiful garden, but probably wouldn’t go so well, since they enjoy digging holes… Hugs on the wing!
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Wow and Wow so mysterious and amazing story, Teagan. Hearty Congratulations.
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Welcome aboard the trolley, Kamal! I’m so glad you could make it. There will certainly be a mystery… but the first mystery is how do we got to it? 😀 Many thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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Thanks and welcome dear Teagan. Continue in your mystery writing. Lovely. Love and hugs to you too 🤗❣️🤗🤗
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Wow! WOW!! What a great start, Teagan. I’m hooked!!!
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Hi Jennie. I’m glad you could make it to the launch pad. It wouldn’t be the same without you. I thought of your amazing teaching skills when I threw in several historic tidbits. Thanks for being here for the kickoff. Hugs on the wing!
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I wouldn’t have missed the launch pad for a million dollars! Thanks so much for your kind words and thoughts. You’re the cat’s meow! 🥰
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It certainly is going to be a crazy ride, Teagan. Now is the man with the pink hair actually the armadillo?
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Haha! I believe it will be, Robbie. Well… I don’t think that possibility has occurred to Dilly yet. We’ll see what she figures out. Heartfelt thanks for being here for the kickoff. Hugs on the wing!
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Readers, starrrrrt your engines. Prepare to be blasted off to parts unknown. Great intro, Teagan and I’m happy to almost meet Fangs’ attention. This girl reminds me more of Hullabaloo Lulu than Emeraude. Love the new serial. Creative hugs bouncing your way.,
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Hi Pat. Haha — hopefully no parts get blasted off. The pink haired guy seems a little trigger happy with that zapper.
Dilly will develop her own voice and personality. She won’t be quite like any of my past heroines. My initial inspiration for her got less firm, so she’s still “cooking” so to speak. But she’ll retain part of that. Do “Dilly” and “Fang” bring anything to mind?
Hugs winging back to you. 🙂
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Not yet
Now you have me wondering what I’m forgetting. Dang you. Teagan. 😉
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LOL. I couldn’t resist. That went way back. Does Dilly’s unkempt hair do it?
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Not as familiar with some of your earlier works before The Delta Pearl and the Journeys.
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Not from my earlier stuff. Not important. That inspiration kind of froze up anyway. That’s why her personality is still forming in my mind.
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I’ll have to do some research.
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I never expected anything like this and I’m thrilled! You’ve done it again! You started with a hook to beat all opening hooks! 😊👍❤
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Tee-hee! Thanks, GP. That means a lot to me. This story still might go anywhere, anywhen. I’m just glad you’re aboard. Hugs on the wing!
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how about – stop watch, hurricane lamp and/or sledge hammer?
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Thanks for the cool things, GP. There’s a non-plot related bit with the armadillo in my head that could use the stop watch. That sledge hammer could cause all kinds of trouble. LOL.
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Fertile imagination GP. How about a glider, malted milk, and cowboys?
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I am totally hooked, Teagan. I will be waiting at the pad, or wherever Dilly ends up. I love the part about how long it took for the dial to return when dialing “0” – you still got it 😊
I hope you can rest and recharge your batteries over the weekend.
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Haha. I thought you would like that, Dan. When I was a kid, everything was second-hand (at least). When we finally got a phone, it was one of those old 1940s models, with the sharp ridge shape across the receiver. I *hated* dialing phone numbers with zeros in them. It took forever. LOL.
Ah, no rest for the wicked. I’m still playing catch-up from that month long lull of July. Yesterday I was able to do a lot of work on Dead of Winter #8. Spent a lot of time revising a chapter with a big flow problem. I’m still not happy because the “pretty” beginning I had for “Exploring” just doesn’t work with a good flow. But it was time to leave it alone. Then I found a “timeline error” in the cover and had to redo the cover. Yesterday was packed, but at least it wasn’t wasted. Take care. Hugs on the wing!
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Sounds like a lot of work. I hope you get it all sorted.
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Wow that’s a start and a half!
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Woo-hoo! Thanks Fraggle. I’m happy you were here for the kickoff. Hugs on the wing!
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Reblogged this on Just Olga and commented:
And she’s off! Don’t miss the first episode of Teagan’s new serial!
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Many thanks for sharing, Olga. You’re a gem!
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I’m hooked as well! Monkeys, rockets, a pink armadillo and plenty of mystery already. That’s starting with a bang, Teagan! Congratulations and good luck with all your projects. Ah, and here come three things: a microwave oven, a Hula Hoop and Tang. ♥
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Welcome back, Olga. Thanks for being part of the kickoff, and the “space race” things. Wishing you a relaxing weekend. Hugs on the wing!
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Reblogged this on Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog.
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Adored Ape, heartfelt thanks for sharing this kickoff from your tree-house. You’re a gem!
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💎💎 🦍❤️❤️🦍😂
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Uncle Artie’s namesake is jumping up and down with glee 😂🦍🤗❤️❤️🤗🦍
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Haha! How could I *not*? Your Artie character, with that crazy timey motorcycle of his started knocking at my brain-door the instant the idea of a time-travel component came to me. It was all I could do to keep myself from making Miss Able and Miss Baker part of the action. Thanks for being aboard this wild trolley, my friend. Hugs on the wing!
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🦍🤗❤️❤️🤗🦍
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Wow! You have kicked this serial off in style, Teagan. You have to find Fang!
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Tee-hee! I’m glad you’re aboard this crazy trolley. I promise Fang will be found soon. 😉
Thanks for reading and commenting. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank goodness!
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Oh this is going so interesting. I was literally glued to the screen! Are you going to publish this?
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Welcome aboard the trolley, Arnav. Or maybe I should say TROLLEY. 😀 Yes, I’ll eventually publish this, as I do “bookize” all my serials. However, I won’t do that until after I finish publishing the monthly installments of Dead of Winter on Amazon.
I hope you’ll stay aboard — and leave 3 random things. This story might go anywhere, anywhen, but right now it’s best if the things existed before 1945.
Thanks for being here for the kickoff. Hugs on the wing!
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Now, you are on a roll. Many authors consider publishing books on an yearly basis! And… you have monthly goals!!!? That’s just awesome 🙂
I am a millineal and don’t know much of the things which existed before 1945😀 Though if I get any thoughts, I will share!
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No worries. Partly, this is how I try to make the story a little bit educational. But reader things don’t have to be inventions. They can also be things like a broken finger nail, or dirty dishes, or a loud voice. Cheers.
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A missing pink armadillo and zapped. I’m hooked.
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Haha! That’s what I wanted to hear. Thanks, Tim. Happy weekend hugs!
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