“I think now is a good time,” said Mama Jack. “Follow me.” In the farmyard, the animals gathered around and excitement permeated the air. Raskee strutted ahead, his tail waved with pride. Even the bright red rooster bowed as they passed. At the shed, once more the strange black fire license plate drew Finny’s attention….
“You will.” He finally understood she meant more than the house and yard he’d left behind when he traveled to visit her. Before Mama Jack could add more, Raskee brushed against Finny’s leg. Good, The cat’s purr added comfort to all that now surrounded him. With this soft response from his small friend, Finny fell asleep. ***…
It’s almost time for the conference to wrap up. Again it has been an incredible experience. I intend to add to this, but for now, I’ll talk about an experience from yesterday. I had my craftlab with Alan Clark. It was fabulous. I have started working on the suggestion. I have no doubt about the dimension that will be…
“Oh dear.” Mama Jack pulled her shirttail out of her jeans. With the care only a grandmother knows, she pressed the clothe against his hand, careful not to put any pressure on the sliver. Misty nickered. Hold your hand up. Finny’s hand tremble. His finger hurt and besides, he didn’t know what to expect. “It’s…
In the kitchen, Mama Jack waited. Even though she was dressed in clothing like his, she looked like a being from another world, or an astronaut. Maybe it was just the memory of her picture in the book that made him think that. “Here. Carry this.” Mama Jack handed him a bucket. “There’s grain in…
**** A noise blared through the open window. “Wh…what?” Finny rubbed his eyes. “That’s just the rooster telling you it’s time to get up. You don’t want to sleep the day away.” Mama Jack stood in the doorway. “Come on down as soon as you’re ready. I have breakfast cooking.” She didn’t give him time…
Finny crawled back in bed, holding the book closed against his chest. Get me out of here so we can talk. Mrs. Sander’s gift shook with urgency. Finny looked around, afraid the noise would bring Mama Jack back into the room. He burrowed deeper under the covers, then peaked out. Nothing happened, so he opened…
Finny climbed out without prompting and slammed the truck door. In front of him a big white, two-story farm house dwarfed almost everything around it. The outline of an equally big barn blocked trees and other buildings on the far side of a wide open yard. It was a little bothersome that everything here felt…
Finny looked around. “Who?” When he looked back the unicorn was reared once more in its frozen pose. All was quiet. “Come on now. I asked you to get ready.” Mama stood at the door. Raskee purred loudly in her arms. Long blond hair pulled up in its tight pony tail stretched down her back….
A golden light flowed out, when the bag tipped over. When the book fell out with a slap on the floor, the front cover flew open. Finny jumped back startled by what he saw. Rearing, a white unicorn pawed at an empty page. It landed with a snort and turned magnificent midnight blue eyes on…
**** Meooow. With all the other kids, Finny looked around, then ducked his head. How did that silly thing get out? On the outside ledge, Raskee butted his head against the glass. “Franklin Joidean, is that your cat again?” Chalk tapped on the green board to join with the irritation in Mrs. Sanders’ voice. “Yes…
Jacquelyn Joidean forced her breathing to quiet. Alone in the cupboard at the back of the classroom, she heard Henrietta Sanders finish the lesson plan for the last day of school. She should be back at her farm, taking care of the animals and preparing… Preparing for what? She shivered, despite the stuffy heat that…
November is almost on us. I need to get to know my characters better before I start the writing for NaNoWriMo. They are beginning to talk to me, but their voices are still a bit vague. Today I finish the vacation from my day job. It was nice. Last Thursday I took a Writers’ Digest…
Memories of a dead world worked to erase the beauty of the planet that lay before her. Xandra M’Ren fought, without success, against the nightmare. It returned again and again to remind her of all she’d lost, each time she closed her eyes. “Alexandra where are you? Come to me.” Sweet and low, JasHaarr’s voice…
That was too easy, Eihpos cackled. Come on. We need to get started on the rescue. Now. “But I’m supposed to go to the basement.” One last chance to escape slid away when the elevator opened and the cart seemed to wheel itself inside. The door snapped closed before Sophie could follow. “If we don’t…
There was no use trying to stay on this floor. Maybe if she finished up somewhere else, she might be able to sneak back. Either way, Jim wasn’t going to let her do anything but what he commanded her to do. A light touch on her shoulder let Sophie know she wasn’t alone. I’ll go…
“You….It’s your fault.” The ghostly figure raised an emaciated hand. A boney finger pointed adding accusation to the words. “Ssssssh,” voices chorused with fear. Sophie tried to back out of the room, but she found her avenue of retreat blocked. The dog, somehow she knew it was a Basenji, the pet of the pharos, pressed…
“I need to get back to work.” It was the only excuse Sophie could think of. It was really creepy to have someone materialize before her. And when that someone looked like her, well to say it was creepy was definitely an understatement. “Oh, don’t worry about it. We don’t have much time. It’ll be…
“Oh you’ve done it now,” the voice whimpered. “Quick, get the towels. You need to stop it before it reaches the detectors. If they sense anything’s amiss, the examiners will be here. We’ll never get to spend any time together.” A gentle pressure on Sophie’s cheek inspired her to action. She grabbed one of the…
“You go take care of the toilets on the third floor,” said Jim. The job had not been good to him, Twenty years of pushing a cart, collecting other peoples garbage had left him with little to show for his years on earth. He wore a uniform of khaki pants and a lighter shaded shirt…
Marie woke to the fragrance of coffee brewing. At least she thought she could smell it. She couldn’t remember the aroma being so strong. Maybe Bill had made it his special way this time. “Bill?” Still mostly asleep she reached for the comfort he would give her. But his side of the bed was cold….
The meeting didn’t last long. For Marie it only brought more questions and doubt about any success for survival. Even though there was no use arguing, Sam tried. “Why don’t you come out into the woods with us?” “What makes you think it’s safe out there?” Marie brushed at the moisture that still clung to…
Marie woke to the fragrance of coffee brewing. She couldn’t remember it ever smelling so good. Maybe Bill had made it his special way this time. “Bill?” She reached for the comfort he would give her, but his side of the bed was cold. “Bill?” Still no answer. She forced her eyes open. Grayness greeted…
“You will.” He finally understood she meant more than the house and yard he left behind, when he traveled to visit her. Before she could add more, Raskee brushed against Finny’s leg. A strong rumble let Finny know he wasn’t alone. Good, the cat purred. With this soft response from his small friend, Finny fell asleep. Long…
Misty nickered. Hold your hand up. Finny reached out. The tip of Misty’s horn touched Finny’s injury. Warmth spread through him. When he looked again only a slight pink stain of his blood remained. “Thank you.” With both hands, he scratched the soft muzzle that nudged him. For the rest of the day, Mama…