catching up again ...

 

We are getting closer to everyone being friends.
There is the occasional hiss by one of the girls to a little,
but it is almost as an afterthought.
"Oh, right, I'm not supposed to like you."

I was surprised that Lucy was participating in some play with the littles.

Here, Oliver had been sleeping on Gracie until the flash woke him.

I volunteered again this past week at the Alleghany Highlands Arts & Crafts Center.
They had a new exhibit remembering an artist, Kathy Mason Nicely, who has passed.
This was an oil on canvas replica of an album cover that reminded me of good times at Fort Hood, Texas when I worked with the Army Contracting Command.

Don't let their innocent faces trick you.
The two littles are like drunk, heavy-metal band members in a hotel room sometimes.

This was a delightful find at a thrift shop.
Made in China, date unknown.

The wide-eyed shocked look is after I squirted him with water for getting into my beads.
That was the 2nd of 4 cabinet doors I've been working on for my neighbor.

I finally finished this book I started months ago, and I loved it.  
It goes on my "keepers" shelf to read again.
It was an excellent trip through history from the late 1400s through 2002,
based on the true story of the Sarajevo Haggadah.

  

setting off ...

[This is an ongoing chapter a week story that began with the first Words for Wednesday for 2025 on 1 January. I'm hoping to continue it through 31 December, the last Wednesday of the year. To start from the beginning, click on the Words for Wednesday 2025 label to the right and it will pull up all of the weekly posts, beginning with the most recent. To start from the beginning, continue to click "Older Posts" at the bottom of the page until you get to 1 January 2025, then click "Newer Posts" to read the next date. You can thank Blogger for the inability to list them by chronological order under the labels.]

  Elder Elowin handed her the purple satchel with the books and jellies to Lyri.  "You will need to carry this, my dear, because I sense in you a spirit for healing.  I have also included some additional salves and herbs that you will need.  You will know when and how to use them.  Trust your instincts.  I've also included a blank journal for your writing pleasure so that you can record your journey."  Lyri took the satchel gratefully, wondering if there would be a time when someone would find the journal if they didn't succeed.

  Kael licked his lips nervously and sauntered over to where Elowin stood as the others continued to gather their items.  Elowin took his hand and looked into his eyes.  "You need not be afraid, child.  You have a strength within you that has not yet been fully seen.  The trials you recently faced in your journey from the stone house were only the first of many, but you will be successful in all that you do."

  He nodded, unsure of whether to believe her or not, but trusting that the others would have his back when the time came.

  Eldrin returned to the group again, this time without his loud armor, but carrying a satchel full of berries and apples.  "I thought it might be a good idea to gather some things to eat along the way since we haven't supped yet.  It would save us some time when we stop for a rest."

  The four of them now turned to look at Elder Elowin, realizing that there was nothing more to do except to start their long journey.  She looked at them and nodded, and the four bowed slightly out of respect before disappearing into the darkness of the forest.  There was nothing more to be said, and any further delay would let doubt enter their minds and hearts.  

  They silently walked through the woods for several hours, thinking only of what they might face in their journey.  The path was lighted only by fireflies they had caught in jars.  Finally, Eldrin caught up with Thal and elbowed him.  "I think this might be a good time to stop and rest.  The sun should be up soon, and we have passed the edge of our own forest.  I'm ready to put a fork into some berries as well."  Thal nodded, and the four gathered some wood and moss to build lean-tos that would shelter them from the sun during the heat of the day, and from eyes that might have been sent to spy on them.

  Lyri dispensed equal measures of the food Eldrin had brought with him, and using a small knife sliced one of the apples so that each could have a piece.  She saved the other apples for later, knowing that they were less likely to find an apple tree on their journey, but that berries could be plentiful.

  Looking over at Thal, she said softly in the silence before the birds began to announce the rising sun, "Perhaps this would be a good time for you to tell us of your dreams?"

This week's Words for Wednesday prompts can be found here.

disappearing into the forest ...

[This is an ongoing chapter a week story that began with the first Words for Wednesday for 2025 on 1 January. I'm hoping to continue it through 31 December, the last Wednesday of the year. To start from the beginning, click on the Words for Wednesday 2025 label to the right and it will pull up all of the weekly posts, beginning with the most recent. To start from the beginning, continue to click "Older Posts" at the bottom of the page until you get to 1 January 2025, then click "Newer Posts" to read the next date. You can thank Blogger for the inability to list them by chronological order under the labels.]

  Elder Elowin looked at the four young wood elves and nodded.  "You will need to leave tonight, carrying as little as possible with you.  There should be no revealing of your journey, or your quest, to anyone else in the village for it will cause a panic that we need to avoid."

  Eldrin sighed dramatically, "What?  No going away party for us?"

  "No.  There is a chance that there are those among us who would take note of the direction you go, and we cannot risk that information being passed along to those who do not want Thalion to succeed in sitting upon the throne of Queen Legodia."

  Thal looked at her quizzically, "Do we even know if the throne still exists?"

  "It does, and the heir will guide you to it."

  El now looked at Thal with a questioning rise of his eyebrows, "I'm sorry, but I thought you were the heir?"

  Thal sighed and looked at Elowin, who nodded.  "I am now, however, the heir who should have taken the throne when the Queen died speaks to me and has been guiding me for the past several weeks."

  El, Lyri, and Kael now looked at him with wide eyes.  Thal continued, "I hear his voice in my head at times, and he was also guiding me in sort of a trance state to write the protective sigils around the village.  I can't control when I hear from him, it's not like I'm able to turn it on and off like a water faucet.  But it was him who has been reaching out to both Elder Elowin and me about the coming danger and the black Grimma."

  Turning to look at Elowin, Lyri asked, "So, this idea of yours to go on this quest is not just random fairy magic, but it is based on the history of our ancestors, Thal's ancestor, and the forest?"

  "Yes, child, it is.  We have no more time to waste because you must get started before daylight.  You must be to the edge of these woods by dawn.  Quickly gather some things and be started.  You can rest during the early morning hours after dawn, but each day will need to travel in the afternoons and evening hours.  Follow the direction of the setting sun.  Go now and pack some food and clothing."

  The four scattered in the direction of each one's home after agreeing to meet back at Elder Elowin's cottage in a few minutes.  Elowin in the meantime, gathered some healing jelly she had made into a small leather satchel.  She added one of her books on plant roots that can be eaten for strength and nourishment.

  When the four began to gather again at her house, she gave the satchel to Lyri.  "This will help you along the way.  The jelly will heal any wounds, and the book will tell you what will be safe to eat along the way."

  Much to everyone's amusement, Eldrin arrived wearing battle armor which clanged loudly announcing his arrival.

  Elowin shook her head, "Child, the point of leaving at night is to go under the cover of darkness so that no one will be able to follow you.  You cannot wear that outfit.  Not to mention, it will become heavy and painful to walk in for the distance you must travel."

  "Begging your pardon, Elder Elowin, but if we must go to battle against gnolls and other forest evil, I'd like to be prepared."

  "Being prepared is one thing, young Eldrin, however, announcing your arrival is another.  You cannot wear it, and I can assure you that there will be those in the forest who will help you on your quest for they have a vested interest in your success."

This week's Words for Wednesday prompts can be found here.

perspective ...

I took these during the David decade when I felt like less.

Less of a person.

Less worthy of happiness.

Less worthy of everything... including life.

It's amazing how much a person can change in five years.