Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam 2

Welcome back to Thistledown, everyone! If you are joining this serial for the first time, or if you need to refresh your memory click here for the premier episode. I also have a category button on the right side-bar of the screen for “Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam.” However, these days I can’t make promises about WordPress behaving as it should. (For several days I found myself unable to comment on any blogs — including my own! WP just told me to email somebody else… Finally and laboriously got it fixed myself.)

Alex Iby, Unsplash

Writing Process

As a writer, I tend to reject rules. (Often things are presented as rules, but feel more like “formulas” than anything else. I don’t care for formulas either.) Although, when writing in a genre, (to a degree) I do try to follow some general expectations, for the comfort and understanding of readers.

So before anyone asks… When writing fantasy, I’m fond of using archaic forms of words. Hence my spelling of “faery.” I followed the lead of Brian Froud. Many people see him as an expert on fairies/faeries/fae. If you want to know more about the topic, click here or here.

I had expected to reveal Bedlam’s vision in this episode. However, I’m flying by the seat of my pants. It didn’t work out that way. That’s all part of pantsering.

About the Episode

The mystery folk from the first episode return for this one. However, several new characters are introduced. Be sure to click the links (like this) to reveal the mystery folk behind the character names.

This time we get an idea of what sort of gifts, talents, and magic the faeries of Thistledown might have in their daily lives.

Thistledown

Midsummer Bedlam 2

Trumpet Vine, by Manu via Wikimedia Commons free media repository

In the Kitchen

Smoke curled from the twin chimneys of the cottage where Peaches Dragonfly lived. I could see it a short distance away. The warm breeze brought the aroma of tarts Peaches had cooking in the oven. Even though my mouth watered, I couldn’t get my feet to move.

“Come on!” Peaches encouraged. “Bedlam Thunder what’s wrong?” she asked, letting go of my arm and giving me a concerned look.

My eyes had found the bright yellow flowers of the trumpet vine. A horrible idea sprang to my mind when I saw the blossoms. The vine bore the local news. I touched a petal, fearing it would shout my name.

“Extra! Extra! Get the Thistledown Trumpet here!” the flower cried. “Get the time and place of all the best Midsummer parties! Take a leaflet,” the blossom added encouragingly.

“Oh good,” murmured Peaches as she reached to pluck a curled leaf. Unrolling the leaf she read the list of parties before commenting, “Good, they got my information right. They mentioned that Pick is visiting. They even included that Holly Songbird will be singing! I had to ask them to update the announcement for that. I didn’t think I had given them the information in time. Perfect!”

I was relieved at not hearing my own name or anything about my awful vision. However, I still couldn’t manage to raise my eyes to look higher than the ground, or lift my feet to follow Peaches.

Yeshi Kangrang, Unsplash

“People are saying that the things in the vision I had will happen because of me — as if I’m going to make them happen. That it’s my fault. Or they just make fun of me. I haven’t been around much of anybody since River Mindshadow and I were suspended. That was so humiliating… I just haven’t wanted to deal with seeing anyone,” I explained, eyes still firmly fixed on my feet. “And I just can’t face River. It’s all my fault that she got suspended with me. I should have done something to stop it.”

It was hard to hold back tears. I was overwrought, I had been for days. Stellar the cat twined around my ankles consolingly. However, it took all my concentration to keep my composure, so I didn’t pet her. I sniffled and swallowed and sniffled some more before I could finally hold up my head.

Both Peaches and River stood watching me impatiently, fists planted firmly on hips. I was startled because I hadn’t even heard River come up to us. Peaches was tapping a foot. River’s wings were unfurled, so I knew she was about to leave.

“Bedlam, I’ve been given a curfew, a truly unreasonable one too. So I can’t stay, but I want you to know that none of this is your fault!” River told me in a firm voice. “Especially me getting suspended, or this curfew. If you say that again, I’ll be insulted. My analysis of your vision was mine to state. I made my own choices. You didn’t make them for me.”

I drew back. River’s reaction was not what I expected. I started babbling an apology, but she cut me off with a smile and a wave of her hand. Then she nudged me with her elbow.

“It’s alright. Go on inside and get a slice of tart. Pick Dragonfly already had two slices,” River said in a kinder voice before she zipped into the sky.

“Ha! My cousin has been accused of having hollow legs, a slim guy who is always hungry,” Peaches commented fondly as she waved to River. “He’s actually a good cook. That more than makes up for it.”

Bird Cherries tree vincent-van-zalinge-38365

Vincent Van Zalinge, Unsplash

Peaches drew me toward her cottage. Blackberry vines covered the roof. It was dotted with berries in various degrees of ripeness, white, red, purple, and black. The kitchen windowsill was lined with bread and pies set there to cool. The aroma of desserts in the oven was irresistible. The pink haired faery did not spare the ovens for her solstice celebrations.

As we neared her home, we had to stop for something most people would find unusual. A long line of red cherries rolled from the other side of the orchard. The cherries tumbled along, in single file across our path and through the open front door of her cottage.

Peaches shook her head and made a wry face. That was how her cousin Pick took care of the cherry picking chore when he visited. It was part of Pick’s gift, convincing the cherries to leave the tree and come to him.

“If I find a single bruise on those cherries…” Peaches muttered.

Different faeries had different talents or magical abilities, and to varying degrees. The school was meant to help us, from an early age, to develop our apparent talents, and to uncover hidden gifts. Some faeries had hardly any magic at all. Like me. I didn’t see my visions as any sort of talent, and they certainly weren’t magic.

I had hoped that going to the school would cause me to manifest a better talent. However, before my freshman term of senior level was finished, my visions got me suspended. I sighed without meaning to make a sound. Peaches gave me a sympathetic look before we went inside her home.

Her cottage had a huge kitchen — the largest room in the house. The way Peaches baked, that was a necessity.

Across the room, the first thing I saw was a uniquely lovely flower arrangement. It contained the most unexpected combination of things, with all manner of wildflowers, and even stems of cotton bowls.

Cotton plant circa 1901, Wikimedia

However, I stumbled to a halt the moment I stepped through the doorway. The cherries continued to roll until they went into a basket beside the sink. Pick Dragonfly carried not just one, but three plates to the sink. Yet none of those things were what caused me to stop in my tracks.

I faced the long kitchen table, mouth agape. All of the people I admired most in Thistledown were gathered in my friend’s kitchen. They weren’t the official council, but they were highly respected people.

The fae at the other end of the table sat head and shoulders above the rest. He was known far and wide as the furry faery, Field Yewwasp. The huge table looked ordinary next to him. I knew the large top hat on the coat rack had to belong to Field. Wire rimmed spectacles with rose colored lenses sat on his nose. The red jacket he wore was perfectly tailored for his large frame. I supposed that if your size and hair automatically drew attention to you, then you would want to be well dressed.

Ember Beamwitch sat at Field’s left. The flowers in her hair bobbled when she looked up at us. The fiery colored print of her dress had a soft radiance even in the daylight. After dark it would give a fanciful glow. A voluminous sleeve swayed gracefully when she raised her hand to wave at me. Ember would judge the dance competition that Peaches planned to include in her Midsummer celebration.

One of the spectacles of the Midsummer gathering would be worked by Catseye Glimmer. From practically nothing, Catseye could create fun and useful things. I suspected that he would somehow make the dance floor, and that his creation of it would kick-off the party.

At seeing these enormously respected fae, I was a nervous wreck, on top of being an emotional basket case. My eyes were wide with shock. I stood speechless even when someone bade me sit down at the table. That’s when I had one more shock than I could handle. I dazedly realized the person offering me a seat was Calico Rainbowforest. She ran the Thistledown Trumpet News!

Oh no, I thought. This is horrible. What if she puts my vision in the news? She’ll probably agree with everyone else. What if she blames every bad thing on me, like some people are doing?

“Oh dear. You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Calico spoke in a kind voice. “Poor Bedlam, I know what you’ve been through. Did you know that the Readings Master suspended me once too?”

That admission got my surprised attention. I couldn’t imagine Calico Rainbowforest getting into trouble at school, but she grinned and nodded.

“It wasn’t that long ago, you know. I believe you and I are more alike than you’d expect. That man just seemed to take an instant dislike to me. Anyway… I would very much like to hear the story in your own words,” she requested and paused as if waiting for my answer. When I didn’t speak she continued, “Whenever you’re feeling ready to talk about it. I’d just listen, mind you, nothing more. Then if everyone here agreed that it was safe to share with Thistledown, only if you approved would I put it in the Trumpet.

At that moment I knew Calico was saying something, because I could see her mouth moving. However, I was already intimidated by the individuals who sat around Peaches’ table. Plus I was downright paranoid about the Trumpet. I was slow to absorb Calico’s words. It seemed like I heard her voice from far away.

Fairy_Islands_1916_by_Ida_Rentoul_Outhwaite

Fairy Islands, 1916, Ida Rentoul Outhwaite, Wikimedia

Faeries have a fight or flight reflex — quite literally. Mine abruptly kicked-in, and my wings unfolded before I knew what was happening. My wayward wings knocked a honeydew melon off a sideboard. The honeydew hit the floor in an explosive crash of seeds, juice, and melon flesh. It splattered half the people at the table.

I jumped backward in my agitation. One of my wings caught painfully on the doorjamb. I gasped and turned, not understanding what was causing the pain. My wing started to tear as I moved.

In the recesses of my mind I heard more than one person scream “No!” They could see what I was too distressed to understand — that I was about to do serious harm to myself if I moved.

I was vaguely aware of seeing Catseye Glimmer stand. He turned to the unique flower arrangement behind his seat. Quickly he picked a stem with several cotton bowls. He whispered to the plant and flexed his fingers in an impossible looking motion. Then he threw it toward me.

The stem sailed past, an inch from touching me. It transformed to a soft cushion the size of the doorway, gently preventing me from moving or doing serious damage to my wing.

“Goodness, she looks like she’ll swoon!” Ember Beamwitch exclaimed. “Here Bedlam, sit down.”

As if he had the same thought as Ember, Pick Dragonfly handed me a glass of chilled water.

Ember put the first two fingers of her right hand to the “third eye” area of my forehead. A soft glow emanated from her hand. After a second I felt a wonderful cool sensation and I no longer felt faint.

I was suddenly aware of Field Yewwasp bending over me. Everyone else had been between the furry faery and me. How could someone so large move so fast that I didn’t even see him? As I looked at him in confusion, he asked if I was all right.

“You’d best stay earthbound, rather than fly, until that heals,” Field advised.

The big pain in my wing seemed disproportionate to what was actually a small tear. Calico unexpectedly drew a tiny jar of ointment from her pocket. She gave me a sardonic smile.

“Bedlam, my flight skills aren’t any better than yours. I’ve learned to keep first aid with me,” Calico confessed. “May I?” she asked indicating the ointment.

I nodded, still mute. The ointment did lessen the pain. I drank from the water Pick gave me. Wide-eyed, I gazed in amazement at the kindness of the people around me. However, a most unpleasant sensation reverberated through my head. I shook my head to clear the ringing, but it wouldn’t stop.

Wikimedia

***

I hope you clicked the links to reveal the mystery folk. Additions to the cast for this episode include characters named by Hollyberye, Colleen Chesebro, Chris Graham, Mary J. Mccoy-Dressel, and Tim Price.

Fly back to Teagan’s Books next time to reveal new mystery folk and see what happens in episode three.

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.

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.

Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam 1

Welcome everyone, to the beginning of an all new serial here at Teagan’s Books! This one is not a “three things” story, but it is still a pantser tale. I’m flying by the seat of my pants again! As I’ve done with other serials, I will promote bloggers each week.

Many of you will know that last weekend I issued a call for characters (for bloggers who wanted to be associated to a character), here and at Facebook. Well, let me state a big disclaimer about that part. The characters do not represent the person for which they are named. That is only a means of promoting the person.

Each week, you will see brightly colored faery names (like this) which will be links. Click on the link to reveal a mystery blogger.

Here’s a little extra to get this premier rolling:

Now that we’ve gotten all that out of the way, I present to you the opening episode…

Alex Iby, Unsplash

Thistledown

Midsummer Bedlam

Beginning

Fragrances whispered to me of the past as they wafted on the twilight breeze. Above, clouds from a distant storm moved aside, no longer obscuring my view of the stars.

Moonstones mirrored in the reflection pool. I gazed at the images reproduced in endless repetition. It was the memory of a long ago Midsummer. Could such a time happen again? I shuddered.

A faraway rumble came to my ears, reminiscent of my name. Bedlam Thunder. How, could anyone have expected me to fit in with such a name? However, my grand-uncle had a vision and insisted that I bear a name of chaos among a race of people who were known for being goody two shoes. My grand-uncle was a seer, so even his whims carried weight.

He insisted that I had the sight. Some of the oldsters agreed with him, though they shook their heads and tut-tutted at the mention of my name. They weren’t wrong, but I wasn’t the same kind of seer as my grand-uncle. I could see around the odd corner or three, but I never saw anything good. I never saw the healthy birth of a babe or who someone would marry. I didn’t see anything anyone wanted to know. Instead I saw things the existence of which my people denied. Paranormal things — impossible places, creatures, and events.

However, in my younger days I had yet to fully realize those gifts. When visions randomly bubbled to the surface, so to speak, they were more curse than gift.

My eyes shifted again to the reflection pool. The vision remained. Heaving a sigh, I sat down beside the pool to watch the mirror image of the stars gliding into place for the summer solstice. It seemed that I must endure the replication of the past. Perhaps I would find some enlightenment in it. I allowed the reflection to flow into my consciousness, and my mind to merge with the vision.

Yeshi Kangrang, Unsplash

***

Morning’s blush still pinked the sky, but the fae of Thistledown were early risers. The Opal siblings hurried past me, calling cheerful taunts at one another about who would get into the most trouble for being late for school. I didn’t think their grand-aunt Willowtree would be too upset with them.

Folk of my age were on their way to school, beginners, intermediates, and seniors alike. Except for me that is. A week before the end of first term my friend, River and I had both gotten thrown out of freshman studies.

River Mindshadow was a free thinker. That wasn’t something the schoolmasters appreciated. The fact that she had no compunction whatsoever about sharing her thoughts and questions was the bane of their existence.

Me? My visions were beyond the reckoning of the masters, or anyone else for that matter. I had stopped presenting them in class, pretending that I’d had none. Then came the day the Readings Master knew full well I’d had a vision and he demanded that I share it for the class to interpret.

The vision had been particularly chaotic and disturbing. Knowing the contemptuous reaction it would receive from my classmates and the master, my face heated. I begged to be excused, but the Readings Master would have none of it. So I described my frenzied revelation as well as I could. The class erupted in disorder, but the master brought everyone back to point.

River chose that moment to voice her thoughts. The Readings Master interrupted her.

“Miss Mindshadow,” he began but turned to include me in his warning, “and Miss Thunder, I’ve had more than enough of either of you. Think twice about challenging common sense in my classroom!”

At his words, I tried to shush River. She rolled her eyes at me and relentlessly continued. River’s analysis of my vision was creative yet logical. Of course the “creative” part was not well received by the master. The sniggering from the other students brought the classroom to the edge of disruption.

We might have come out of it unscathed if she had stopped there. However, River closed her interpretation with a dire warning of what the vision represented. Her reading resonated with me, and I vehemently defended my friend’s analysis. Everyone else objected. Then, suitably for my name, bedlam thundered in the classroom.

The Readings Master practically dragged River and me to the Headmaster’s office.

“The loyalty of friendship is a beautiful thing, but…” the Headmaster said before I interrupted her.

We were in her office for all of five minutes before we both were suspended for the rest of the term. River unfurled her wings and zipped away in righteous indignation.

River did will in flight class. I was not so proficient. My wings remained smoothly tucked away. (Wings of the faeries of Thistledown were not apparent until needed. It was a matter of convenience that became custom. Imagine the amount of space that would be taken up by roomful of faeries in full winged glory.) I was better off on the ground, so I contented myself by leaving at a slower, dignified pace.

Brina Blum, Unsplash

I stumbled over a rock. That brought my young thoughts back to the moment. It seemed I wasn’t much more graceful on the ground than in the air.

A group of children laughed at me. The adults minding them whispered to one another and smirked. Word of my suspension from school got around almost as fast as the tales told about my chaotic vision.

“You’re a fine one to laugh, Sprite. You fell out of your own bed last night,” a woman told him.

The boy glared at me, but looked suddenly inspired.

“It was because of her!” he accused, pointing at me. “She sees bad things. She must make them happen too!”

The woman made an exasperated sound at Sprite, and made an admonitory face him. However, she turned a speculative look at me just the same. It was not the first time I had seen that kind of expression on a faery face since my suspension.

Part of me knew it would only make them laugh harder, but in a fit of youthful emotion, I unfurled my wings and jumped into fumbling flight. It wasn’t the first time I had been blamed for things that went wrong, things beyond my control. However, I had the feeling this time it was going to get a lot worse.

I had no idea where I meant to go. Even if I had, I wouldn’t have been able to see the way through my tears. After a while, I managed to get myself tangled in the branches of an exceptionally large plumb tree. A surprised cat, lounging on the next branch, meowed at me.

“Stellar?” I asked the meowing feline.

Even if I had not recognized the cat and the unusually big plumb tree, the delicious aromas of baking would have let me know where I was. It was the orchard that belonged to Peaches Dragonfly.

“Bedlam?” I heard the astonished voice of the baker, just before I tumbled to the ground.

As Peaches pulled me to my feet, I noticed the ground was littered with plumbs.

“What’s all this?” I asked even though I was afraid to hear the answer.

She pushed her lovely fluffy pink hair away from her forehead, and looked wryly at the plumbs.

“Rotten,” she said, shaking her head. “This season half the fruit is rotting as it grows.”

“Oh Peaches, I’m so sorry!” I apologized, as my tears flowed again.

Peaches started out in the same class as River and me. However, Peaches proved to be a prodigy in persuading fruit trees to produce. What she did in preparing the fruit was pure magic, even when no magic was involved. She graduated three full terms early.

“What? Oh, I see. You’ve been listening to the wrong people, my friend. River told me all about your vision, and her reading of it. I’m in complete agreement,” Peaches said to my great relief. “I have some free-thinking friends coming to lend a hand with my solstice preparations. They will want to talk to you, hear what you have to say first hand.”

I gave Peaches a wide-eyed, doubtful look and murmured that I wasn’t so sure that was a good idea.

“All of Thistledown is already talking about your vision. It gets more twisted with every telling. So don’t you think you should discuss it with a few people who are willing to listen? Tell it the way you saw it? Now, come with me. You need pie,” she told me. “Come on, my cousin Pick is back. River is here too.”

Pick Dragonfly was the only person I knew who had traveled beyond Thistledown. He was almost a legend locally.

“Oh! I should have known Pick was back when I saw Stellar in the tree,” I commented, feeling a touch better about the situation already.

Saso Tusar, Unsplash

***

End Episode 1

I hope everyone clicked on the links to reveal this week’s mystery bloggers. Pay them a visit and leave a comment. We love comments.

Thanks to the mystery folk of this episode:

Barbara Murray (along with Zen and Zasha)
Olga Núñez Miret
Suzanne DeBrango
John W. Howell

Stay tuned to learn just what kind of disturbing vision Bedlam had. I hope to see everyone again next week in Thistledown. Mega hugs,

Teagan

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

Come out to play! — Thistledown

I am happily overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response to this post! You all are spectacular. So — for now — I have as many fairy characters as I can write. Because of that I’m closing comments. However, I reserve the right to reopen this call for characters! :o)

This is your chance to become a character in a new story! Or rather have a character with your fantastical pseudonym.

1920s Peoples home journal girl parrot It began as a bit of fun on Facebook with one of those silly find-your-whatever name things. It was one of many “What’s Your Fairy Name?” graphics. Cute, I thought, But too cute. I posted my wish for a less frilly fairy name, and vowed to make my own game.

Well the frilly fairy names caught on, and next thing I knew, I had taken a challenge from Colleen Chesebro to make it into a story. …And I’ve already admitted that I’m just not able to continue Truths Unseen. …And you know I enjoy featuring other bloggers. So I decided to turn it into a story here, a pantser, fairy story — and include everybody!

If you want to join the fun, find your fairy name name and leave it in a comment along with a link to your blog or Amazon author page. (For example, I’m Glimmer Songbird and here’s my link.) If you already have a fairy name of your own, sure — you can use that instead.

First find your Frilly Fairy Name

Frilly Fairy Name

If you’re curious, here’s how to find your Scary Fairy Name

Life Flapper Bat

Scary Fairy Name

So let’s go back into the sunlight. Come on out and play in this new fairy story. Become a character! Plus you’ll get a little free promotion when your character is introduced. Leave a comment with your fairy name and the link (blog, author page, or service) you want me to use when your character comes into the story.

Folks who left their fairy names on my Facebook post (by end of day, June 30th) I already have your names and links — you don’t have to do anything.

Here’s a blurb…

LifeFlapper1922

Something strange happened in the sunny land of Thistledown, when the stars aligned at Midsummer. A veil thinned and a parallel fairy-verse merged with that world.

The parallel world will be a darker version of Thistledown… So your character will have both frilly and scary fairy names.

Still not sure if you want to play? Okay then, here’s a draft of the opening to tease you.

Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam

Fragrances whispered to me of the past as they wafted on the twilight breeze. Stars gently drifted to align for the solstice. Moonstones mirrored in the reflection pool, images reproduced in endless repetition.

In the pool I saw the memory of a Midsummer of long ago. I wondered if that time could happen again. I shuddered.

Bedlam Thunder. How, could anyone have expected me to fit in with such a name? However, my grand-uncle had a vision and insisted that I bear a name of chaos among a race of people who were known for being goody two shoes. My grand-uncle was a seer, so even his whims carried weight.

He insisted that I had the sight. Some of the oldsters agreed with him, even though they shook their heads and tut-tutted at the mention of my name. They weren’t wrong, but I wasn’t the same kind of seer as my grand-uncle. I could see around the odd corner or three, but I never saw anything good. I never saw the healthy birth of a babe or who someone would marry, I didn’t see anything anyone wanted to know. I saw the things the existence of which my people denied. Paranormal things. Spirits of those who passed, and mythical creatures… like humans.

My eyes shifted again to the reflection pool. The vision remained. Heaving a sigh, I sat down beside the pool to watch the mirror image of the stars gliding into place for the solstice, and to endure the replication of the past. I allowed the reflection to flow into my consciousness, and my mind to become one with the vision.

***

So, now are you ready to play? See you in Thistledown next weekend!

Mega hugs,

Teagan

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

Get Caught Reading — The Sign of the Ape 4 (2016 Rerun Conclusion)

Image courtesy of Chris Graham

Welcome, one and all — to this re-run of last year’s Get Caught Reading mini-series. Without further ado, here’s the conclusion!

***

It’s been fun participating in Get Caught Reading Month. I hope my zany and bizarre story encouraged people of all ages to read. Last week my real-world schedule caused me to put blogging on the shelf. But look what grand company I had, thanks to Chris Graham!

When we left our heroes…

As many of you know, a few elite bloggers (and their pets) banded together with one quest — catch the Story Reading Ape reading. During the first chapter, I found a shimmering airship outside my window. The pilot looked suspiciously like Cornelis Drebbel. Before I knew it, I was in Time Square beginning a chase to “catch” the Story Reading Ape in the act of reading.

In Chapter 2 Suzanne from A Pug in the Kitchen and I met a number of author-bloggers (and their pets) who joined the quest to catch the illusive Ape. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel , Christoph Fischer, John W. Howell, and blogger Dan Antion.

Then last time a new duo was added to the intrepid band of bloggers – Hugh Roberts and adorable Toby. But to the astonishment of our intrepid band, everyone became anime characters when Cornelis Drebbel’s alchemy went wrong. Now for the conclusion of The Sign of the Ape.

Sign of the Ape 4

Image courtesy of Chris Graham

Toby barked frantically at the pavement and scratched at it with his little paws. Doubtless, the dog could hear John W. Howell, Dan Antion, and their pets in the tunnel beneath the street. Finally, Hugh couldn’t take seeing the Corgi so upset. He jumped back onto the big construction loader and started digging a hole in the road — much to the dismay of the drivers in the area.

My phone buzzed at me. When I answered, I was greeted with a loud chorus of meowing from Annette Rochelle Aben’s cats. I couldn’t make heads or tails of it. And yes, that did remind me of the fuzzy ears and long tail that came with the anime version of me. I shot Cornelis Drebbel a nasty look and muttered that I’d get him for it. Then a second call got patched onto the meow-wow. The four naughty chimps translated for Annette’s kitties via text message.

“You’ve got to figure out how to get to London. The Story Reading Ape is there. He left Tokyo before your airship even touched down!” came the message from the chimps.

London? Well the chimps should know. They were tight with the Ape. But London? I hadn’t figured out how to stop being an anime yet! How could I possibly get to London? I sure couldn’t go as an anime — and especially not in that horrid schoolgirl uniform!

Although I was rather shocked that Mary J. McCoy-Dressel and Suzanne DeBrango seemed to take their cartoon situation in stride. Their dogs, Kasha and Percy, didn’t seem to think it was worth barking about. Maybe I would feel differently if I were a beautiful goddess or a cute giant-robot-driving future girl, I thought. I steamed and stewed… I’d never forgive Cornelis for putting me in such an outfit.

Toby caught reading

Toby gave an excited yip and Hugh turned off the loader. Once again I heard that crazy, funky guitar music of the original James Bond theme. Then a sports car roared up through the big hole dug by the construction loader.

Thanks again Chris!

John W. Howell and Dan Antion, along with dogs Lucy and Maddie, and MiMi the tuxedo cat were in the sports car. Oddly I could have sworn I saw the Boxer, Lucy driving the car. But who am I to say that was strange. After all, I was an anime schoolgirl with cat ears and a tail…

Lucy, who owns John W. Howell

I could see Dan wave from the back seat that everyone in the car was okay. John leaned out of the passenger window. He had a weird looking guitar. I asked where he got it.

Maddie who owns Dan Antion

MiMi caught reading

“A strange taxi driver with bushy eyebrows gave this guitar to me,” John told me. “But no matter what notes I strum, it will only play that James Bond theme,” he added and played the chorus to demonstrate.

However, the music abruptly changed to the Goldfinger theme. Glittering clouds of golden dust formed in the sky. John put down the guitar, but it continued to play. The golden dust settled on everyone (and every pet) who had become anime.

I felt my stomach expand and contract like the beginning of a very unfortunate gastritis attack. The most embarrassingly loud belch escaped my lips. However, everyone else produced similar burps, so I was a little less mortified. We were anime no longer, but the dratted costumes remained. I muttered a new curse to Cornelis Drebbel about my uniform.

“Thank heavens you’re a redhead again,” John Howell commented. “The raven locks were nice, but it just wasn’t right.”

Then with sharp popping sounds, one by one, my friends began to disappear. Frightened beyond reason, I screamed at the alchemist for an explanation.

“My dear, do calm down,” he said in that droll voice. “Everyone is perfectly safe. I sent each of them directly to their homes,” the alchemist explained as I stammered and tried to ask why. “Darling, remember it is Get Caught Reading Month. May is almost over! How can they read anything if they are trotting around the globe with you? And you still haven’t finished “The Sign of the Four” for that matter,” he told me, adding a tsk-tsk sound for good measure.

Cornelis took my hand and suddenly we were inside the giant robot. “I’ve always wanted to pilot one of these,” he confessed with a giggle. “Next stop, London!”

As Cornelis flew the alchemically powered robot, I wandered, exploring the many nooks and crannies. It was more spacious than I expected. The sound of deeply pitched chuckling caused me to stop in my tracks. I strained to hear. It seemed to be only one voice, like someone talking on the phone. Ever so carefully I moved closer.

“You four truly are naughty,” the voice rumbled. “Sending all those bloggers on such a wild goose chase. Although I must admit, a free ride back to London in a magical giant robot is a memorable adventure. I will see you naughty rascals when I get home, but for now I have reading to catch up on. I think Gwydion may have just gone too far for Ralda to forgive him. I really must see what happens next in Atonement, Tennessee“

With a silent gasp I realized the Story Reading Ape was hiding right under my nose! I removed my cell phone from my skirt pocket and switched on the camera. I crept around the corner… Gotcha!

As I checked the image, the spoils of my victory, my long tail swished in a self-satisfied rhythm.

…Tail? I looked behind myself. The tail was still there…

“Cornelis Drebbel!” I yelled.

Here ends The Sign of the Ape.

***********************

Thanks to all of you for tuning-in for this zany chase. I’m glad you were “caught reading” here at Teagan’s Books. As you know, this is a workday, so I might be delayed in answering comments.

Special thanks to all the bloggers who participated in this madcap adventure — and to their pets as well!

The Sign of the Ape, furry family cast

Row 1: Percy, Crystal, Lucy, Kasha

Row 2: Claudius, Oh Kitty, and Sweeney, and Toby

Row 3: Wilma, Greta, Maddie, MiMi

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

Special mention to Christopher Graham for the marvelous “Atonement, Tennessee” images.

Get Caught Reading — The Sign of the Ape 3 (2016 Rerun)

Crystal pointing to a clue

Hello everyone. Welcome back to my rerun of last year’s mini-series, in support of Get Caught Reading Month. It’s about the escapades of our intrepid band of bloggers and their pets. Who could resist those fur babies?

If you were here last year, I’m delighted that you’ve stuck with me. If this is new to you, then hang onto your hats, because it’s a wild ride! I hope you’ll visit the bloggers included in this post. Now for the rerun. Enjoy!

***

Wow! May is nearly half over already. However, it’s still Get Caught Reading Month. Welcome back to the zany and bizarre story I’ve been writing to encourage people of all ages to read. As many of you know, a few elite bloggers (and their pets) banded together with one quest — catch the Story Reading Ape reading.

When we left our heroes…

During the first chapter, I found a shimmering airship outside my window. The pilot looked suspiciously like Cornelis Drebbel. Before I knew it, I was in Time Square beginning a chase to “catch” the Story Reading Ape reading.

Last time Suzanne from A Pug in the Kitchen and I met a number of author-bloggers (and their pets) who joined the quest to catch the illusive Ape. Mary J. McCoy-Dressel (Cowboy Boss and His Destiny), Christoph Fischer (The Gamblers.), John W. Howell (John J. Cannon Trilogy,) and blogger Dan Antion.

This time a new duo gets added to the intrepid band of bloggers – Hugh Roberts and Toby. Now, let’s join our adventuring bloggers.

Sign of the Ape 3

Image courtesy of Chris Graham

I couldn’t see anything when I looked out the portholes of the dirigible. No, I don’t mean that it was nighttime. There was nothing to see, just flat blackness. I supposed it was just as well. The airship was traveling outside the laws of nature with the alchemist, Cornelis Drebbel, at the helm.

That gave me a very unsettling feeling. However, the steady whir of the engines was comforting. The sound was almost hypnotic. I wondered aloud how long it would take us to get from New York to Tokyo, even with the magic Cornelis used.

“I don’t feel very well,” Mary J. McCoy-Dressel murmured, and her fur baby, Kasha, put her head on Mary’s knee.

“Air sickness, Mary?” Suzanne DeBrango asked the author in a concerned voice, but Percy the Pug barked a decisive yip.

Tilting my head, I studied the little dog. It seemed like he sensed something, but we humans were not picking up on it.

Suzanne made a face. “Now that you mention it, I don’t feel quite right either. Maybe it was the hors-d’oeuvres back at the Fictional Heroes exhibit,” the blogger-chef suggested. “My stomach feels all wrong, but then so does my head.”

Abruptly we experienced a sharp bump, an air pocket, I thought. However, the pressure inside my ears immediately did something strange, causing me to shake my head. With a sinking feeling I knew that was no air pocket. It was the blasted alchemy going awry.

“Cornelis Drebbel!” I shouted, much as Felicity, the woman in trousers, would have. “What have you done?”

Before the words had left my mouth, I felt the sensation of horrible pressure. It was like having a giant vice in front and in back, pressing hard against me from both sides. I thought my head might explode, but my ears finally popped, giving me some relief. It effected my eyesight as well. Everything blurred and twisted. Then my eyes bulged painfully, so I squeezed them shut.

After a moment I the dirigible bumped lightly. I heard soft groans from my companions. Snuffling sounds told me Kasha and Percy were sniffing everything excitedly. My eyes were still closed against all the unpleasant sensations I had just experienced, but I felt a little paw on my knee. I put my hand out and knew it was the Pug’s sturdy little body, so I petted him. Then he ran back to Suzanne.

Finally I opened my eyes, but I had trouble focusing.

“Teagan, are you okay?” Mary asked. “You know, I never realized how huge your eyes were before,” she commented in a puzzled tone.

Or at least it sounded like Mary. Her hair was blond, but there was something different about it. When she moved I realized that her hair flowed almost to the floor. Something else wasn’t wright, but everything was still blurry.

“I think I’m okay,” I told Mary. “I’m having trouble getting a deep breath though.”

She and Suzanne helped me stand. Suzanne led us to the portholes.

Terrence Mann as Cornelis

“Look at the lights,” Suzanne exclaimed. “It’s Tokyo! We’re there.”

Cornelis called out that we should sit down. The airship was about to land. The three of us staggered to our seats. Apparently I wasn’t the only one experiencing my unfortunate symptoms.

“Teagan, could I ask you something?” Suzanne began hesitantly and my affirmative came out as a groan. “Oh, here – these might help,” she added handing me my glasses. “Are you feeling a little… deflated? Because I sure am.”

Putting on my glasses I looked at Suzanne. I was speechless. Her hair was suddenly short and bluish-green. She was dressed in a turquoise metallic futuristic outfit with matching tall boots. There was one other thing. Suzanne was flat. So was Mary. So were the dogs! They all looked like anime characters. I started to hold my hand up in front of my face to see if I had been effected, but I was afraid to look.

I turned to Mary, who was shifting uncomfortably in her seat. Mary made a complaint to that effect. She wore a flowing airy gown. Indeed there was something that prevented her getting comfortable.

“Erm… that might be because of your wings,” I told her. “I think maybe you’re some sort of goddess character.”

Mary reached frantically behind her and gasped when her fingers came into contact with her wings.

For a moment I studied Suzanne in that futuristic outfit. I asked her if she thought perhaps somewhere nearby there was a giant robot that belonged to her. The oddest expression came to her face.

“I know it sounds crazy,” Suzanne admitted. “But I think maybe there is!”

“Don’t you all look delicious?” Cornelis exclaimed as he strolled into the area.

He was dressed as a Victorian gentleman, but that would not be unusual for him. However, it was certainly odd that he looked like an anime Cornelis Drebbel. He reminded me of one of the male characters I might see on the Black Butler series.

“Am I supposed to be some kind of goddess?” Mary asked the alchemist. “These wings!” she added, still uncomfortable in the seat.

“Darling Mary, all women are goddesses,” Cornelis replied slyly with bobbing eyebrows.

“But what about you, Teagan?” Suzanne asked worriedly.

Inuyasha (& Kagome) manga, v. 1, 1997

Looking down, I saw that I wore loafers and knee socks. I was dressed in a pleated skirt, and white blouse with a sailor collar. It was like an anime schoolgirl uniform. I groaned even louder than I had when the air was squeezed out of me. I was barely aware of hearing a rhythmic thumping sound.

“Cornelis Drebbel,” I growled pushing my skirt into place. “You’d better be glad this skirt was not a mini! Else you’d be a dead man.”

“I don’t mean the outfit,” Suzanne told me as she gestured to her head, just above her ear.

Moving a strand of my hair, I realized it was long and black. I gasped, but apparently that wasn’t the full extent of my transformation.

Finally Suzanne added, “Ears? Tail!”

I put my hands to the top of my head and felt two soft furry ears. The thumping sound grew faster and louder. I put a hand to my backside. The noise was coming from my anxiously swishing, thumping tail!

“Your character may have gotten a little… crossed,” Cornelis said in a droll voice. “You were actually supposed to be a Neko character.”

Percevil Ulysses Holmes

“Come along. There’s a city square we must get to. It has a number of billboards bearing images of our quarry. We can take the giant robot as transportation, if Suzanne will kindly drive him,” Cornelis told us all, with a bow to the blogger-chef.

The turquoise anime version of Suzanne scrambled to the porthole and gasped in excitement. I followed and my tail swished, knocking over a small table. Mary glanced at her wings, murmured something about what damage she might do with her wings, and stayed in her uncomfortable seat. When I reached the window, I saw a huge flatbed being pulled by a heavy duty construction loader. Stretched out on the flatbed was a giant flying robot.

Cornelis moved to help Suzanne and Percy as they disembarked the dirigible, though they both scampered down the gangway without need of assistance. Mary’s wings presented more of a problem. A gust of wind caught her and she was lifted into the air.

“Mary!” I screamed and Kasha barked.

A thread of magical glowing green shot from the alchemist’s hand and wrapped around Mary’s ankle. Cornelis and Kasha walked down the ramp, with the anime version of Mary in tow via the magical lead. Once safely on the ground, Cornelis helped her touch down.

My tail swayed as I descended. It was amazingly useful for balance. Then my cat ears picked up a familiar voice and barking. Kasha and Percy also heard it and barked their replies. A man and a Corgi hopped out of the construction loader. It was Hugh Roberts and Toby.

Toby caught reading

Moments after I introduced everyone, my new cat ears picked up muffled sounds. It was the same music I’d heard back at the wax museum. I heard the funky guitar music of the original James Bond theme, and I remembered the tunnel back at Time Square into which John W. Howell, Dan Antion, and their pets had gone. It seemed impossible that it could be them. Then I heard two dogs barking and a cat’s meow. It had to be Lucy, Maddie, and MiMi.

Finally the sounds grew loud enough for the other humans to hear.

“Isn’t that ruckus coming from below ground?” Hugh commented in surprise.

“Yes. It sure is,” I replied, feeling very worried.

End Chapter 3, The Sign of the Ape

I begin to think the Ape won’t be caught until he simply allows us to do so. Now that I’ve seen his image all over billboards in Tokyo I think maybe he’s in charge! Stick around to see what happens to our intrepid bloggers next week!

By the way, it is a work day, so forgive me if I’m slow to answer comments.

The Sign of the Ape, furry family cast

Row 1: Percy, Crystal, Lucy, Kasha

Row 2: Claudius, Oh Kitty, and Sweeney, and Toby

Row 3: Wilma, Greta, Maddie, MiMi

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

Special mention to Christopher Graham for the marvelous “Atonement, Tennessee” images.

The Art of Taking a Break: Twilight Zone

Help! I’ve slipped into the Twilight Zone!

I don’t talk work, religion, or politics here. So even though I’ve brought it up, let’s not comment about it. I’m just giving you my state of mind. But I don’t think I have to talk about it for you to understand why I have a surreal feeling that I can’t shake off… one that is overwhelming each time I’ve looked at the television or read the news since the morning of November 9th.

Where do we go, now that we’ve gone too far?

My word count is still pathetic, but the only place I could go was farther into my NaNoWriMo novel, The Delta Pearl.

It occurred to me that a riverboat needed passengers. So I now have crew and passengers — along with a couple of other things that live on the boat. That part was fun. My character matrix has grown and gotten quite complex with all sorts of tabs for different things I’m prepared to track or use for my own reference. Do you see that across the bottom of the picture? Each of those is a separate “worksheet” with all sorts of information.

I’m falling down a spiral, destination unknown

However, this story is still full-on pantser. I have no idea where I’m going. Yet the voyage is becoming more interesting. The other night I even dreamed I was aboard The Delta Pearl. I don’t remember the dream, except that the water was rough, just like the scene I wrote that evening. It may have had something to do with a bad food allergy reaction that had my stomach roiling right along with the fictional river… But when I awoke, I was laying across the bed, rather than vertically! That was strange. I’ve never done that before… But then we are living in the Twilight Zone after all.

My beacon’s been moved under moon and stars

Sometimes it’s easier to see where a story should go, if you can put actual faces on the characters. I haven’t actively tried to do that with “Pearl” yet. Even so, a couple have come to me. Suddenly I saw one of the Doctor Who companions, Jenna Coleman as Émeraude.

A taller version of Louis Jourdan as he was in Gigi could be The Dealer, Jaspe (ZASH-pah). That came to me… though I’m not sure. Maybe.

So I’ve gotten that far with the story. Me, here in the Twilight Zone, imagining different worlds, and pantsering a novel. Trying not to worry about where we’ll all go now that we’ve gone too far.

Where am I to go, now that I’ve gone too far

“No Time Like the Past” Twilight Zone 1963

Soon you’ll come to know, when the WriMo hits the bone

Okay… so I couldn’t pull the ending together for this post… But maybe all the endings are catawampus here… in the Twilight Zone.

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.

Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode- 30

Unexpected Connections

I don’t delude myself that my blog serials are “properly” written stories. They are pure unplanned, pantser fun. Since I never know what the next episode will bring, I can’t do advance planning so that everything is properly connected from the beginning. Events and characters show up later than is “acceptable.” I’m aware that flaw exists as this story-line works its way to an eventual close. Hopefully you can still enjoy this as unanticipated fun.

There have been other unexpected connections for me because of the serials. I’m very pleased that many of you who comment here are also my connections on my “career network” at LinkedIn. It was exciting to see that network reach a milestone number, and I was honored to have Dr. Phuong Le Callaway as my 100^th connection there. That was also around the time I started the first culinary serial.

Phuong is successful and admirable in her career. A couple of years ago, I encountered some completely unexpected obstacles and had little idea of how to navigate them. Phuong started mentoring me in those unknown seas. I found her to be wealth of information, and a tireless fountain of support.

However, she isn’t just a business woman. Phuong has authored several cookbooks! She was generous with photos from them, so I’ve added a few here. I’m featuring her book Cooking with Me. Check out all of Phuong’s books! You’ll also get one of her recipes at the end of this episode.

Episode 30 ties back to early chapters particularly Episode 5. That installment also has an unexpected connection to a famous person in history.

Are you ready to return to the Victorian Era, and the amethyst world? The steam locomotive is at the platform. All aboard!

From Episode 4

When I upended the owl-shaped lamp, I found an opening. Some very old documents were tightly rolled and inserted into the lamp…

From Episode 5

“Oh! What have we here?” Cornelis Drebbel exclaimed excitedly over the ancient papers. “Don’t tell me this is what was hidden in the lamp!” he cried and Copper and I both nodded, taken aback by his enthusiasm. “Really? The audacity! To hide such treasures that way. Don’t you know what these are?”…

… “My dear, these are the work of Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci! They are valuable beyond belief,” Cornelis exclaimed.

“The Leonardo da Vinci?” I couldn’t help asking. “Then they must be at the core of whatever is going on here,” I said with certainty.

From last time…

The chimpanzee looked contrite, as if there was something he did not want to disclose. “Viola’s son 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.

“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.”

***

30. Herbs, Kitchen, Texan

Through an accident of alchemy, the submarine in which we traveled crashed on the shores of the amethyst world. The Green Fairy and Cornelis Drebbel had an animated conversation about the submarine Cornelis invented, and whether it could be repaired quickly enough. If we didn’t leave the strange purple place soon, we might be trapped forever. After a moment they rejected using the submarine as a means of departure.

When the missing “chapel chimps” were returned to the amethyst world, a few of them hung back to talk to us. Cal Hicks sent those chimpanzees back to submarine to retrieve our belongings. The two fairies, Absinthe and Aubrieta, fluttered ahead of the apes, leading the way. Copper watched from the laboratory window as they disappeared from view.

The girl stood at a table in the far corner of the long building, tying string around a small bundle of herbs. I noticed a number of varieties hanging to dry. Unexpectedly, Copper seemed to know what she was doing. When I commented on the fact, she told me that she used to help her governess dry herbs.

“Is Viola coming back?” she asked Cal Hicks, the amethyst ape.

“I’m sure you’ll see her again,” Hicks answered. “You two became friends very quickly,” he prompted.

Copper nodded as she tied the string into a bow. “She reminds me of Violet, my governess. I didn’t want her to go away, but Daddy said she was going back to live with her son Vaughner,” Copper told him with a sad look in her eyes. “Daddy shouldn’t have let Violet go. I heard him say her son was a criminal.”

“He did?” I was surprised into saying. I felt like my brain was pulling threads together that I couldn’t quite grasp.

“Yes. I heard him tell your boyfriend,” Copper answered with a distasteful twist of her mouth and the glimmer of a dare in her eyes.

Basil Gill as Ignatius Belle

“My what?” I exclaimed with a strangled chuckle, but then I remembered her distrust of Ignatius Belle.

There had not been more between Ignatius and me than some light flirting. In fact, when I saw how focused he had become on Copper, and apparently wanted to lure her away, I felt he had tried to use me. I had developed my own mistrust of the tall handsome innkeeper, and learning that he was really Copper’s half-brother did nothing to allay my concern. However, considering that father and son were somewhat estranged, I was surprised to learn Calvin Hixon had confided that information in Ignatius Belle.

“Daddy shouldn’t have made her go live with Vaughner. I don’t think she wanted to,” the girl said of her governess. “Anyway, I think Viola looks like her,” Copper added with a sudden grin. “Or she would if she had been a chimpanzee.”

Another idea clicked into place when Copper spoke. I looked around for Cornelis Drebbel, but he had popped off somewhere. Where was the alchemist? He’d finish my sentences for me and this would go a lot faster.

“He asked me if the laboratory had a kitchen,” Cal answered my question. “I think the Lord of Alchemy was feeling a bit peckish.”

Cornelis Drebbel

“Trust Cornelis Drebbel to go looking for a snack at a time like this,” I complained.

Without the alchemist to be my sounding board I spoke my thoughts aloud as I sorted them. “So… Copper’s father dismissed the governess she loved because he could no longer pay her wages,” I remembered Cornelis figuring out that in the past. “That woman’s son was a reputed criminal, as Copper told us…” my words trailed away as I continued to assemble jumbled bits and pieces.

“Meanwhile, here in this amethyst world, Voila is the double of that governess. Viola’s son was a ‘scoundrel’ as you commented,” I added turning to Cal Hicks. “And the son of the governess a criminal,” I repeated and Copper nodded.

I paced as I untangled the mess. “So Viola’s son Von met his doppelgänger in our world… and that doppelgänger was the dead man in Calvin Hixon’s study — and he was Vaughner, the son of the governess!”

What a moment of crystal clarity! If I’d worn suspenders on my trousers I would have given them a snap of satisfaction. Copper had a wide-eyed expression on her face, but she seemed to have kept up with my summation. Cal Hicks nodded every step of the way, an intelligent man for certain — or rather ape.

“Vaughner was surely up to some duplicity, since Copper heard her father calling him a criminal. He stole the signet ring from Von so he could pass himself off as a member of the Hixon family. He was in the house, sitting at Calvin Hixon’s desk when he died. So he must have been looking for something. But did he find whatever it was he wanted?” I questioned.

“I don’t think so. You’ll see when the chimps get back,” Cornelis Drebbel said as he materialized at my side with a sharp pop.

I jumped, startled. The Dutchman grinned, as it was his intention to disconcert me.

“Cornelis Drebbel! Will you please cease doing that,” I insisted for the thousandth time. “Where have you been?”

The alchemist, originally from the 1600’s, was attired in knee britches with his favorite doublet, which had broad velvet sleeves, slashed with satin. The broad brimmed hat that matched his ensemble was exchanged for a Stetson, and he wore tooled leather cowboy boots on his feet — both hat and boots were purple, of course. Seeing me stare at his apparel Cornelis twisted his pointed blonde beard and wriggled his bushy eyebrows, clearly pleased with himself.

“I found my doppelgänger’s closet,” the Dutchman said with a twirl to show off his borrowed accessories. “He has the most marvelously eccentric taste, don’t you think?”

I tried not to laugh, but I failed. “Cornelis, you look like a Texan who fell into a Shakespearean fair,” I said and he pursed his lips, deciding how to react.

“I think they’re rather smart,” Cornelis replied, sticking out his lower lip. “Copper, don’t you agree?”

Copper answered by giggling and hugging the alchemist. I decided that was probably the safest response. Besides, I was rather envious of those cowboy boots, just not with that outfit.

There was a commotion at the front door of the laboratory. The coverall clad chimpanzees brought in our belongings.

“Ah, good!” Cornelis said. “You’ll see what I mean.”

He went directly to the large carpet bag Copper had packed with all manner of things. Cornelis retrieved the owl-shaped lamp. I gasped. Inside that lamp, were hidden valuable drawings made by Leonardo da Vinci.

Cornelis upended the owl lamp and removed the priceless da Vinci papers. He smoothed out one in particular.

“Is that some sort of children’s toy? A top of some sort?” I speculated as I looked at the drawing.

“Oh no,” Cornelis corrected me. “It’s an aerial screw. I think it is the key to finding Copper’s daddy. And it might be how we get back to our world.”

***

Will the combination of da Vinci’s aerial screw and the alchemy of Cornelis lead our trio to Copper’s daddy? Or will it lead to a disastrous accident of alchemy? To find out, be at the train station again next time.

But first, here’s the recipe for this episode. Bon appétit!

Recipe: Fish and Herbs in Soy Sauce

Recipe and photo credit, Phuong Le Callaway

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

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Tag Archives: Fantasy

Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam 2

Writing Process

About the Episode

Thistledown

Midsummer Bedlam 2

In the Kitchen

Thistledown – Midsummer Bedlam 1

Thistledown

Midsummer Bedlam

Beginning

Come out to play! — Thistledown

First find your Frilly Fairy Name

If you’re curious, here’s how to find your Scary Fairy Name

Thistledown — Midsummer Bedlam

Get Caught Reading — The Sign of the Ape 4 (2016 Rerun Conclusion)

When we left our heroes…

Sign of the Ape 4

Get Caught Reading — The Sign of the Ape 3 (2016 Rerun)

When we left our heroes…

Sign of the Ape 3

The Art of Taking a Break: Twilight Zone

Copper, the Alchemist, & the Woman in Trousers: Episode- 30

30. Herbs, Kitchen, Texan

Recipe: Fish and Herbs in Soy Sauce