tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86361010010356331132024-03-13T10:02:01.114-07:00D.G. Hudson - Rainforest WritingWriting is an adventure into the unknown. Photography enhances the trip.D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-46328329072906748382019-04-16T16:30:00.000-07:002019-04-16T16:30:11.195-07:00WEP - The Jewel Box of Mystery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Any </b><span style="text-align: left;"><b>container can hold surprises, and jewels or keepsakes can be cursed.</b> Beautiful and detailed or worn and dusty, it's a risk not knowing <i>where the box and its contents came from</i>. . .</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCalbC6k0RrM_sbEpW7AtWisGKlTmi7qj5SIDicX1BDgNYpC05llV6IVa7IP76ys6hFl5doz1_1UlLhbdk5E3_bZrFG038gWBWZmIuHWgElc7sMSV-dmfnzQ1pVihzkHAWPafCfJCm-8/s1600/jewel+box+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCalbC6k0RrM_sbEpW7AtWisGKlTmi7qj5SIDicX1BDgNYpC05llV6IVa7IP76ys6hFl5doz1_1UlLhbdk5E3_bZrFG038gWBWZmIuHWgElc7sMSV-dmfnzQ1pVihzkHAWPafCfJCm-8/s1600/jewel+box+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>THE JEWEL BOX</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Working in her study one morning, Madeleine heard a knock on the front door. Putting her book aside, she went to see who would call </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">at this early hour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She opened her door cautiously, keeping the chain link attached between the door and the wall. No one was there. After removing the chain, she looked side to side but saw no one. About to close the door, she looked down and saw the wrapped parcel. It had her name and address on the front. She felt a shiver run up her spine. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What the . . . ?" </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She hesitated, remembering Pandora's box. That box would have been better left closed. Suppressing her curiosity, she picked it up and brought it inside. Setting the parcel gently on the dining table, she carefully opened the mailing box and unwrapped the object it contained. Inside was a jewel box made of a translucent ivory material that seemed to shimmer, with delicately carved symbols she didn't recognize.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She could feel the jewel box calling to her<i>, open. . . open. . .open. . . </i>So she did. A gasp escaped her lips as she two items in the box and a small bit of writing on a yellowed scrap of paper. Secured with a pearl hatpin, she saw </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">an elegant sapphire ring surrounded by diamonds, and a triple strand of pearls of a choker-style necklace. They sparkled as if new, not hundreds of years old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The jewel box belonged to someone named Gudruun, or so it was written on a strange type of paper inside, dated 1475. <i>So, how had it survived so many years? And more to the point, how did it get to her door? Was this charmed or cursed? </i>Hidden under the choker she found another piece of rag paper with a warning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>A beautiful chest contains the power, which attaches to the person who receives these objects, but know that the ring will give but the choker will take away. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As she read these words, Madeliene felt a strange warmth infuse her body with a sense of contentment. Her mind was pushing her worries into a small corner and changing her resistance to put the ring on her finger. She felt no need to worry. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">"Why not?" she said as picked up the ring. It was a <i>perfect</i> fit.</span><br />
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WC story 386<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Would you be tempted to open the box? If not, why not? </b>If there was no warning, would you wear the jewelry, or arrange to have it destroyed?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. I'll respond. Thanks for reading my entry to this month's challenge.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*****</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> </span>- <b>Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Prompt: Jewel Box</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b> challenge - with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim and L.G</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>. Keltner </b>adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> for being the host.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click on the link for </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to see the list of participants and read their stories. Joining the WEP-ISWG challenges is easy. See information on the WEP website for details, if you're interested!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7Qbc5hQzaOYLECcYmYTghCd_LmiqlH1zNY8X2KXXStdnkSwgmcyn8WdnnSDEl2jnkFYYtavctSD2NUSFq2eCsg_eWiXJ0ggpISfvZOabrJAI72axw5SVnltXl3R0ov4PqP3MwOYCuJc/s1600/a+joint+light+rays.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA7Qbc5hQzaOYLECcYmYTghCd_LmiqlH1zNY8X2KXXStdnkSwgmcyn8WdnnSDEl2jnkFYYtavctSD2NUSFq2eCsg_eWiXJ0ggpISfvZOabrJAI72axw5SVnltXl3R0ov4PqP3MwOYCuJc/s320/a+joint+light+rays.jpg" width="217" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Our Partner in Writing</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/" target="_blank">IWSG</a></b> - The Insecure Writers Support Group</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click on the link to learn more! .</span></div>
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***D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-3289187779354141432019-02-18T07:20:00.000-08:002019-02-19T16:54:50.035-08:00WEP - 28 Days and Gone - February Challenge<b><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time is such a controlling master. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes, you need to leave your past behind. . .</span></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wl7JsmObqTzX8aKQeAXCcCyHjs0QUmKd3P2h5ZAlH-NNi2tn33Y7hWxAvDWYhc4RBhmCjJJsevJQG_0Wbgyk1bdOoahvdOc6XGk61VqLlb4wUmcfvrJUikVLHKlJFHYhbo2kksU0cwA/s1600/a+28+days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wl7JsmObqTzX8aKQeAXCcCyHjs0QUmKd3P2h5ZAlH-NNi2tn33Y7hWxAvDWYhc4RBhmCjJJsevJQG_0Wbgyk1bdOoahvdOc6XGk61VqLlb4wUmcfvrJUikVLHKlJFHYhbo2kksU0cwA/s1600/a+28+days.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>28 Days and Gone</b></span></i><br />
<i>A study case in the Wish-ESP connection</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I can't believe it. <b>28 days</b>. I've been hiding in a deserted cabin for <b>28 days</b>, and no one has reported me missing. No one has come looking. I wanted them to think I had vanished, I wanted to become someone else. Maybe it will be easier than I thought.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When life knocks you flat, you get up. You don't give in. Everyone I cared about is gone, killed in one moment in time by a careless driver. If I had been in that car, I would be dead as well, but I wouldn't be alone. I thought for a while I'd track down that driver, but that would tie me to this place. I want to get away, I can't stand the memories that keep running through my head.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How do I start over, where do I go? I want to go where no one knows me. I need a change, preferably somewhere far from here.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last night I saw a meteor shower, mesmerizing and beautiful in its brilliance. Now, everyone in this small town is looking for the pieces of the meteorites that may have stayed intact. Enough of waiting. I grab my backpack and jacket and close the door to the cabin.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I climbed up the steep road keeping to the trees, and as I reached the top of the hill, I saw a figure shaped like a man but smaller, coming the opposite way. I hid behind a tree, as I couldn't make out the features of the man-creature. It stopped right at the tree and looked at me. I could see blue skin and large blue eyes. As it fiddled with a translation box on its chest, I heard him say, "Human, are you ready for the tour?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Tour? Am I dreaming</i><i>? </i>"Yes," I managed to say, ignoring my fluttering stomach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The tour ship is waiting. Follow me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"How long will the tour take?" <i>Will I ever come back?</i></span><br />
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"<b>28</b> of your Earth <b>days</b>. We use hyperjump travel. There are also longer tours, if you survive your initial trip. Follow all instructions please."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I see."<i> Why did he say survive? But then, maybe I don't want to know. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we entered the portal within the clouds, I took one last look at the blue planet. Earth.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pixabay Image from Int'l Space Station-free use.</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">28 galaxy days later, we exited the same cloud portal and
there was my home planet, but it looked different, as if it had more ocean water visible than I
remembered. I had requested to be landed near my home. I survived this trip and could book another
in a couple of years.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As I walked to my
old neighbourhood, nothing looked familiar, the houses were all different and
only a few people were around. I looked at an overhead ad sign which said, “In
this year 2047, we will be sending another colony to Mars. Do you want to be a
colonist in space?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 107%;">So, 28
galaxy days equalled 28 Earth years. That’s a translation I missed. But no one here
will remember me now and I haven’t aged at all. I think I’ll stay here.</span></i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">523 Word Count</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Would you want to join this tour?</b> If all your obligations were gone, would you prefer turning vigilante to track down the driver, living with the reality of losing your family, or casting away the depression and doing something totally different?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please leave a comment, so I'll know you were here and I'll reply. Thanks for visiting and reading!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> </span>- <b>Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b> challenge - with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim and L.G</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>. Keltner </b>adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> for being the host.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click on the link for </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to see the list of participants and read their stories. Joining the WEP-ISWG challenges is easy. See information on the WEP website if you're interested!</span></div>
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Image Credit: Image of Earth from the International Space Station.<br />
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***D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-92091134003056622072019-01-05T13:50:00.000-08:002019-01-05T14:24:26.577-08:00Silhouettes - A Short Story Collection Review<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A collection of short horror stories by Roland Yeomens that will make you look over your shoulder, and avoid the darkness. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover for Silhouettes Stories, Roland Yeomans</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>Silhouettes in the Key of Scream</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The theme is <b>revenge</b>, and the different ways it can manifest itself in the minds of those who now reside on the 'other' side. Be warned that you should never underestimate the strength or the depth of revenge. . . </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Following is a list of the short stories in this collection and a snippet about them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Dead Have No Say</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A tale set in Hollywood, and served with the movie industry's flair for style and drama. An undead actress has a score to settle with her past coworkers. She sets the stage to</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">unveil her plan. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Town That Hated God</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A seraphim, Darael, is sent by the Vatican to settle a problem in a town lost to evil. He confronts the dangers in his own way. Although Darael's history is known, his powers are not. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dead Not Yet</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When a ghost from your past comes back to visit - do you welcome them or run the other way? Running might be the wise choice, especially if the ghost is a sultry red-haired female.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Murder As A Kindness</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes a </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">'past' interrupted comes around again, like a second-hand second chance. You may get what you want, but not the 'way' you would have chosen. . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A Shore Never Reached</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This tale goes to the past in memory of loved ones, those who were taken from their son. A harsh decision must be made so fewer will suffer.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do you ever think of revenge or do you just let it go and try to learn from it ? Do you like collections of stories?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment so I know you were here, and I'll respond. If you like Roland's novels, you might want to read this collection. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
***<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Roland Yeomans was born in Detroit, Michigan. But his last memories of that city are
hub-caps and kneecaps since, at the age of seven, he followed the free food
when his parents moved to Lafayette, Louisiana. The hitch-hiking after their speeding car from state to state was a real
adventure. Once in Louisiana, Roland
learned strange new ways of pronouncing David and Richard when they were last
names. And it was not a pleasant sight
when he pronounced Comeaux for the first time.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He has a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and a Master’s
degree in Psychology. He has been a
teacher, counsellor, book store owner, and even a pirate since he once worked at
a tax preparation firm.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So far he has written thirty-four books. <b>You can find Roland at his web page: <span class="MsoHyperlink"><a href="http://www.rolandyeomans.blogspot.com/">www.rolandyeomans.blogspot.com</a></span> </b>or at his private table in <i>Meilori’s</i>. The web page is safer to visit. But if you insist on visiting <i>Meilori’s</i>, bring a friend who runs
slower than you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Images in this post property of Roland Yeomans. Photo of Roland's cat, Midnight, courtesy of the cat.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWqrHv7xvdzCb_Nl93PrfAVLPTxeRI2xbAHW6mDacB2qoFBWEk1s3D-EAC-QkqpD2ldfMNgVV90NnRW6Ve8oGgJCSofJuK7GWran379m0N92_Mu9aW3aMg1E2CWaSBi8CnLJyc1gWx5I/s1600/MIDNIGHT+MAKES+A+PLEA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWqrHv7xvdzCb_Nl93PrfAVLPTxeRI2xbAHW6mDacB2qoFBWEk1s3D-EAC-QkqpD2ldfMNgVV90NnRW6Ve8oGgJCSofJuK7GWran379m0N92_Mu9aW3aMg1E2CWaSBi8CnLJyc1gWx5I/s320/MIDNIGHT+MAKES+A+PLEA.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midnight. A helpful friend of the author.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Note</b>: I was going to post this review in part on Amazon Reviews, after I purchased and read it, but the controller, Amazon, blocked me from doing that as I had not spent a specific amount on books ordered from them in the previous 12 months. This is not customer friendly, IMO.</span><br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-27607795289318146552018-12-18T15:25:00.000-08:002018-12-18T15:38:08.924-08:00WEP Ribbons and Candles - A Christmas Space Story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Ribbons</span></b> are like roads tying different places together in time and in place. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Candles</span></b> project warmth and light the path for each person to find their way to what they are seeking.</i></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVTk3LTwDmG2ydJN6cglVBcfiIyhwD7EbFy74pKgR4OmKoQyiqnuES0IW9KWnIkjLsneLMEXjtv9YGrc09aQ4woqPo8aAnzyKRATtZ3ypA9NwSE6hNlMGKsW4_LM5FqJco7_bEaPuefc/s1600/hs-2007-04-a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="400" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVTk3LTwDmG2ydJN6cglVBcfiIyhwD7EbFy74pKgR4OmKoQyiqnuES0IW9KWnIkjLsneLMEXjtv9YGrc09aQ4woqPo8aAnzyKRATtZ3ypA9NwSE6hNlMGKsW4_LM5FqJco7_bEaPuefc/s320/hs-2007-04-a-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubble Image - Free Use</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>A CHRISTMAS SPACE STORY</b></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a continuation story told as part of a series. Links to the previous stories in this series are at the bottom.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Seek and you might Find</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Wait and that which you seek might find You</i>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ODIWA</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Odiwa and Dev sat in the captain's office, sipping something like tea. Dev had come to discuss the explorations team that would go down to the Lower Levels.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Well, Dev, I think you need to talk to Noot before you make any plans. We can always add you to the team later." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Why Noot? Aren't you in charge here?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"They don't call me Capt'n for my good looks, Dev. Noot is my right hand man. I'd trust him with my life. He usually heads up any expedition. Besides, you just got away from those Lower Levels, and I think Noot might have something to say to you, too."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Okay. I like Noot, I have no problems talking to him. He brought us to the Upper Levels to meet you, and I'm grateful for that."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Drop by later and bring Moby with you. I have something I want to tell him."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOOT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dev knocked on Noot's door and heard him say, "Come on in, I'm just looking for some maps."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he looked up to see who had knocked, Noot felt a little strange and his heart was thumping as he saw Dev. <i>Was this his long-lost son? </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Hello, Dev, what brings you to my place?'</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Odiwa wanted me to discuss the exploration team and whether I should go or stay behind. I'd like to help out, but I hate to leave my family alone. I guess you will be in charge of the explorations, won't you?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Yes, and I think you should remain behind now. You can go on the next exploratory team, but for now that son of yours needs his dad.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Oh. You're right, he's had a tough time. He sure likes you, though. I almost forgot, Odiwa wanted me to tell you my kidnapping story. We got to talking about how we got here and he thought you'd be interested."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I am. Very much. Sit and I'll make us a hot drink. That was a brave move that you did, escaping from those slaver types."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I didn't have a lot of choice, I knew that my wife and son wouldn't be safe if we stayed. I had a lonely childhood myself, after my mother was killed and my father disappeared. The kidnapper told me my father did the killing, but for some reason I couldn't believe it. He raised me and then left me alone for a while so he could continue raiding. He took me and my family with him when he came out here to avoid the Galactic police. Then, he died on the way from some virus he contracted and his gang decided to make us slaves. That's how we arrived here in the Lower Levels. How did you end up here, Noot?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I had nothing left to lose. I came home to find my wife dead, and my son missing. The planetary police wanted to frame me for it since they had no other evidence. I did what most smart guys do, and left for the Outer Reaches. I didn't know who did the dirty deed but my life was worthless after that. I searched and tried to find out about my son but always came up empty. I was a hermit here until Odiwa decided to pull me out of my melancholy."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Your story seems almost parallel to mine. What was your wife's name?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Nita, my only love." Noot saw Dev turn pale.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Is something wrong, Dev?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"My mother's name was Nita. The kidnapper changed my name to Dev."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What was your birth name?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I only remember my mother calling me a nickname, Dari."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Dari is a fine name, usually used for the proper name Darielo."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"And what was your son's name?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Darielo Newt. It's why I'm called Noot here on the space station. . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dev swallowed but his mouth still felt dry. "It's very hard hearing all this, yet it makes me feel hopeful. You think I'm your son?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's hard for me too," said Noot. "I'm afraid to believe it, yet it would make me the happiest man if it's true. I praise the Fates that brought us together. Do you think I'm your father?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I don't think all these things are just a coincidence. My brain is spinning, though. I don't think you could have killed my mother since you said she was 'your only love'."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"A kidnapper will say anything to cover himself. Perhaps he wanted a son like you. I don't understand why he would have killed Nita though."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Mother tried to fight him. She tried to protect me from him. I could hear them yelling and he must have hit her because I heard someone fall. When I ran in to the room, she was lying in a pool of blood. I was terrified. I didn't know where my father was."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I was working out at the asteroid field. That work used to take me away for weeks at a time."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'll have to tell my wife, Jio and Moby."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We'll tell them together if you want."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I would like that, Father."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I like the sound of that, Son, it makes an old man feel like life is good again."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">MOBY</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Odiwa had carved a spaceship from a scrap of wood he found in the storeroom</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Dev's son Moby would get a gift while he told him the ancient story of Christmas, an old Terran legend.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the boy came to see him he told him about <b>candles</b> left in the windows to help travellers to find comfort if they were far from home. He told him of the <b>ribbons</b> given to tie back the hair of men and women in the early days of the celebration. For the children, gifts were left by a jolly man who dressed in red, and lived at the North Pole, making </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">toys to give to children. It was a tradition in some countries.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moby listened quietly with eyes as round as could be, but those eyes were staring at the small carved spaceship sitting on Odiwa's desk.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Toys? Is that a toy?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Oh that, some guy in a red suit must have left this toy here. There is a name on it. Well, my goodness. . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What?" Moby couldn't sit still. "I wish it was for me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That seems to be a wish come true. It says, 'for Moby'."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moby's mouth dropped, "For me? Are you sure?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Odiwa smiled and handed the small wooden spaceship to the boy. "For you, and I hope you will remember to tell your children that story, too. We must always remember our home planet of Terra, where humanity originated."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A few minutes later, Moby's parents and Noot come back and tell Moby that he really does have a grandfather, Noot.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Then all my wishes have come true, Mr. Odiwa. Will you thank that man in the red suit for this spaceship?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I sure will, Moby."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Moby turned to Noot, "Hi Grandfather, I knew, when I first saw you."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(The End of Noot's story. More character stories to come.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you think Christmas will become a legend in the future, when humanity is spread through the stars? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Please leave a comment</b> so I'll know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for visiting and reading. </i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember to visit the main </i><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> page to find the other participants and other entries</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Merry Christmas to you and Best Wishes for the New Year!</i></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UqzN3W1bo3EczxXTvXMKICw_vl19Jjc3ZOCB99Pnpz_2Am4qZv7BxI5oGtCv9JwnA_PnbjgYy6r4R5-C8fMEXPTNsGKBiuwVp3V7f7GLSj8ebgHYabWyFKAYQNdotHxfOClCfcv77RQ/s1600/7da7fa7966bc3e7ebc13cad4edecbd5d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8UqzN3W1bo3EczxXTvXMKICw_vl19Jjc3ZOCB99Pnpz_2Am4qZv7BxI5oGtCv9JwnA_PnbjgYy6r4R5-C8fMEXPTNsGKBiuwVp3V7f7GLSj8ebgHYabWyFKAYQNdotHxfOClCfcv77RQ/s320/7da7fa7966bc3e7ebc13cad4edecbd5d.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> </span>- <b>Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge</b></span><br />
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</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b> challenge - with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim and L.G</b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>. Keltner </b>adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> for being the host.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click on the link for </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to see the list of participants and read their stories. </span></div>
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***<br />
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<a href="https://www.spacetelescope.org/search/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hubble Space Station Images</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://www.spacetelescope.org/search/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/08/wep-change-of-heart-discovery.html" target="_blank">WEP - Change of Heart - Discovery</a> (3)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/06/wep-unraveled-yarn-lower-levels.html" target="_blank">WEP - Unraveled Yarn - Lower Levels</a> (2)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/04/wep-road-less-traveled-outpost-story.html" target="_blank">WEP - Road Less Traveled- An Outpost Story</a> (1)</span><br />
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***</div>
D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-424092611786913042018-10-17T03:35:00.000-07:002018-10-17T04:30:37.564-07:00Deja Vu - Who are you?- WEP October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Paths cross for reasons unknown.</b> Is it Fate or Happenstance that brings together those whose destinies are intertwined? Are there 'threads of possibilities' that become realities depending on the degree of need of the parties involved? </i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnuVxcINtcT_INumfLbzRDST0wrUldSM08hrm-_Sadc6a0drYvNf3Uv_28I8aXA5RRciri5uCsY2ELl6vXsakUhM0vCMHC367lFXMbk7fhevLdi2JBippuXm5kTq9393PhqkizenL7sY/s1600/Magellenic-potw1441a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="700" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwnuVxcINtcT_INumfLbzRDST0wrUldSM08hrm-_Sadc6a0drYvNf3Uv_28I8aXA5RRciri5uCsY2ELl6vXsakUhM0vCMHC367lFXMbk7fhevLdi2JBippuXm5kTq9393PhqkizenL7sY/s400/Magellenic-potw1441a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hubble Space Telescope - Magellanic Cloud *</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Déjà Vu</b><b><i>- WHO ARE YOU?</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>For previous episodes, see the <b>links under references</b>. </i></span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In this segment, the couple and the young boy found in the inspection of the lower levels are brought to Odiwa for debriefing. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>***</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot couldn't get the images of his son, as a child, out of his head. That memory was buried deep in his brain. The hurt and the sense of loss of wife and child came rushing back. He pushed the hurtful emotions into the depths</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> of his memory. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">No time for that now. Later.</i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot and Mondero escorted the young couple to the upper levels,where Mondero suggested that Noot watch the young child while the parents talked to Odiwa. Noot had changed since meeting the young boy, he was acting as if he had experienced </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>déjà vu.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot took Moby's hand as they walked into the waiting room. Dev and Jio followed Mondero with some trepidation at meeting Odiwa. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During the interview, Dev told</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> Odiwa about being kidnapped as a young child. He couldn't remember his parents faces, but he remembered his mother's name, Nita. Odiwa felt like he was missing a connection of some sort while he listened.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Where were you and your family captured by these Lower Level people?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"On the planet, Magellan, near the Sirius galaxy. As a child, the kidnapper Joss </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">told me my father had killed my mother in a fit of rage.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> After I turned 20 galactic years, I escaped from the man who kidnapped me. I didn't believe what he told me. He left me alone until h</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">e decided to leave for the outer reaches. MagPol, was looking for him and his gang. They </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">found me and my family and took us with them. Joss died on the trip to the Outer Reaches, so then rest of his team decided to make us their slaves and threatened to kill the boy if we didn't agree."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That's some story, Dev, but you are a survivor and you did well to escape. How did you manage that?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Through wit, luck and careful planning. Jio and I were not taking chances that Joss' men might harm Moby. It's a long story, but we were trying to decide our next move when your men happened upon us. Our food supplies were minimal as we were on the run. The little one has been confused and scared but tries not to show it. I think that's why he wanted your man Noot to be his grandfather."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Interesting. What skills do you have, maybe we can fit you in here if you can help with the work. We all support each other somewhat, and I'm the so-called Captain of this defunct space station. It's our home, though, and we don't want trouble from the lower levels."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'll tell you what I know about the lower levels, and what we've seen. We will do our part if you let us stay</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. I'm not scared of work. I will do what you ask, but my skills are the practical ones. I can build things, and I know about growing food. Jio was a field nurse.when she came to live with me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We'll talk again in a few hours. Here's the keys to the room where you can stay temporarily, until we register your family. You can get food at the MessHall on the northwest side of this level. Mondero can take you there. Let me know if anyone gives you any trouble. Will you ask Noot to come in?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot and Moby, are talking in the waiting room outside Odiwa's office. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What is this place, Noot?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I call it home. It's what used to be a space station. A busy place with spaceships coming and going."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Am I going to stay here now?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That's up to the boss, Odiwa and your parents."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I hope we do. Can you be my grandfather, then?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I suppose I could pretend to be, if your parents approve. Have you ever met your grandfather before?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"No, my father said he was dead before I was born. He doesn't like to talk about it when I ask."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Maybe there is a reason."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I don't know. Nobody tells a kid anything important."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Well, we can talk whenever you want. I'll try to answer some of your questions."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Thanks, Noot, you can be my friend first, and grandfather second."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Sounds like a plan. If your parents approve."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot and Moby look up as they see Moby's parents coming out of Captain Odiwa's office. They tell Noot that Odiwa wants to see him. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We are going to get some food and rest, Noot, thanks for watching Moby."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Anytime, I don't mind at all. Reminds me what it's like to be young."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Odiwa told Noot about his idea that Dev could be Noot's son, but Noot is</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> wary of believing that. Will his son talk to him about</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the time he was kidnapped? It will awaken old wounds in both men. For the first time since Odiwa met Noot, he saw a changed man, a man with hope in his heart and sadness in his eyes. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he walked away, a thought unbidden rose to the surface in Odiwa's brain, <i>he must remember the threat still existing in the Lower Levels.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>To be continued . . .</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WC=924 approximate (story only)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you believe in </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Déjà Vu</b><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> or have you experienced it?</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Do you think families will adapt to the rigors of space life, away from the planetary norms?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for reading! Remember to visit the main WEP page to find the participants and other entries</i>. Links follow.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>October </b><b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b><b> Challenge</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_lrNz0bWVvvRPZMhmPjx4n6uuB_Ats8jajPnLCKCJjYmYeUE00OEFdfQHxOInRdi9_MxtvYJEUYIQUm7m0lvt7hPLXDdS5M4I7k6e3A1LLFaPKG5nNB7QFQAbTQdvo7BpZWk8HxD0CU/s1600/a+new+voodoo+iwsg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_lrNz0bWVvvRPZMhmPjx4n6uuB_Ats8jajPnLCKCJjYmYeUE00OEFdfQHxOInRdi9_MxtvYJEUYIQUm7m0lvt7hPLXDdS5M4I7k6e3A1LLFaPKG5nNB7QFQAbTQdvo7BpZWk8HxD0CU/s320/a+new+voodoo+iwsg.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> </span>- <b>Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b> challenge - with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim and L.G. Keltner </b>adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> for being the host. We also want to wish <b>Yolanda</b> the best in her new challenges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Click on the link for </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to see the list of participants and read their stories. </span></div>
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***<br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References and Links:</span></b><br />
<h2 class="hw" title="what is “déjà vu”?">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">déjà vu - <span style="font-weight: normal;">a feeling that you've been in that time and place before</span></span></h2>
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<a href="https://www.spacetelescope.org/search/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hubble Space Station Images</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://www.spacetelescope.org/search/</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/08/wep-change-of-heart-discovery.html" target="_blank">WEP - Change of Heart - Discovery</a> (3)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/06/wep-unraveled-yarn-lower-levels.html" target="_blank">WEP - Unraveled Yarn - Lower Levels</a> (2)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/04/wep-road-less-traveled-outpost-story.html" target="_blank">WEP - Road Less Traveled- An Outpost Story</a> (1)</span><br />
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<br />D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-83946418120077641902018-08-15T12:55:00.000-07:002018-08-15T13:24:58.467-07:00WEP - A Change of Heart - Discovery<span style="font-size: large;">OUTPOST STATION NO. 6</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>A CHANGE OF HEART - DISCOVERY</b></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/06/wep-unraveled-yarn-lower-levels.html" target="_blank">In the last segment of this story,</a> Odiwa, the station manager, told Noot and Mondero to scout the lower levels to determine if a 'radio' message about a raid was an actual threat. </span></i><br />
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<i>***</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
Noot and Mondero walked to a deserted part of Level 8, down through a maintenance corridor and stopped at an elevator. It didn't appear to be operational. No lights. No noise. Entry screen dark.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What's this? Is it working?" Mondero asked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"See that sign, it says Freight Only. That means I need a key, which I have, and I control which floor we stop on. Odiwa told me about this elevator a few months ago. Not many know it works. We can block certain floors if needed."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You're a cagey one, Noot. I like that. So what's the plan?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Plan? I don't need a plan. We're scouting out the area. No one has been down to these levels for a couple of years now."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That's reassuring. . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The mid levels contained much of the still operating machinery which powered the station air, the water and waste systems and a few isolated areas which had been designated as restricted. An empty holding area composed of individual cells was kept for the criminal elements.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"How do we know what's on all these levels below the main, Noot?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Exploration was a necessity when we first came here. Odiwa found an old map in what used to be the administration centre on this station and we went out in small groups. The first ten is where the existing population including us lives, the second ten is maintenance and holding cells. After those, we have made a buffer zone of ten more levels. No one should be in those levels, but there could be things like radio transmitters, which could have been used by the controllers."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Controllers? Who or what is that?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Nothing ominous. The workers who guided the ships onto a beam for docking were called that. And below that buffer zone, we aren't sure what, who or how many may be living there. The air supply and other systems for water are still working. That's about it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's just a matter of time before someone is going to get curious if the other levels are working. Do we take prisoners or talk to the perps?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Neither one. We are here to see what is going on. And that's all we're going to do this time, Mondero. Odiwa said to look, get as much info as possible and get back to him when we returned."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That's fine with me. You lead when we get there, I don't know my way around. And Noot, if anything does occur, you can count on me to have your back."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You do that."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mondero kept silent as they left the elevator and Noot locked the control board.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With weapons drawn, the two men stayed together and began surreptitiously checking corridors to be sure they were empty. Noot put up a hand and signalled to the pilot to be quiet and listen. Some faint footsteps could be heard. They crept back into an indented doorway and waited.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CLICK. . .the two men heard just before a couple and a small figure came into the hallway. They were armed, but one was carrying a small child.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Hold your fire, we mean no harm," Noot said before he stepped out in front of the man holding an old style laser gun.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Who are you?" the man asked. "You're not a renegade, are you?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You'd be dead if we were. We're looking for those renegades you mentioned."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Oh. You're from the upper levels?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That's right. How did you get that museum gun?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We found it, but it's got very little ammo in it. We're living in a hiding spot on this floor, and we keep moving about if we hear something we can't identify. I thought I heard some strange sound."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The freight elevator made that, most likely. How did you get here?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We were with the 'Lost Ones', the colonists that left Terra during the final stages of evacuation, looking for a place to live. We had no luck but kept searching until our starship floundered. It was taken over by renegades and we and others were brought here to be used as slaves."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The little boy, not more than four years, walked up to Noot. "Are you my grandpa?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For a moment, Noot felt unsteady, a flash of deja vu enveloped him. Then, he stooped over to ask the child his name. It brought back memories of his own son. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Me? I am Moby," said the child as he fixed his large eyes on Noot.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot felt a <i>change of heart</i> when he saw the small child, a little boy. He had a family, long ago, before he became a wanderer. Before his wife died, his world caved in and he went searching for the kidnapper of his son. He never found his son.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"My name is Mondero and this is Noot," the pilot said. "We're looking for raiders, someone we heard over an old radio receiver."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We can give you information, as much as we have. I'm Dev and this is my partner, Jio," said the man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Good, but save it for the captain of the station. Is it safe for us to check without more people?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I wouldn't recommend it. The men we have observed don't look too accommodating, and they would likely shoot on sight."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Fair enough. We will take you with us, under protective custody, and Odiwa can determine what we can do for you. I'd like a larger group before we proceed further."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I don't know, Noot," said Mondero, "are you sure Odiwa will be okay with that?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Nope. But we will deal with that if we need to. I'm trusting you two know what will happen to you if you're lying to us?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We tell the truth. We want your help."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Returning to the upper levels Noot reports to Odiwa and turned the couple over to the captain for debriefing. A council meeting of the working crew was called. On this outstation there were no police, just experienced ex-military who acted as a reserve group.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This story series continues. . .is this couple legit? What type of armed group can they muster? Come back next time to discover tales of outpost life in the outer reaches.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How would you like going into a unknown area, not knowing what you might find on an abandoned outpost station? </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for stopping by to read my entry</i>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> </span>- <b>Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge</b></span><br />
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<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b> challenge - with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim</b> adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> for being the host. We also want to wish <b>Yolanda</b> a swift recovery.</span></div>
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***D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-40513904991561602342018-06-20T01:25:00.000-07:002018-06-20T01:25:11.700-07:00WEP - Unraveled Yarn - The Lower Levels<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Lower Levels of Outpost Station #6</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Somewhere out there in the vast darkness and bright stars at the edges of civilized space, the only law is what you can enforce. An abandoned space station can be like an old west town, where the yarn is always unraveling. . .</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Continued from <a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.com/2018/04/wep-road-less-traveled-outpost-story.html" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Outer Reaches</a><b>, </b>the first Outpost story )</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot had just sat down with a coffee (at least that's what they called it) when he heard a knock on the door. Slowly he got up, putting down the reader he had found from decades prior. <i>A fella can't sit down for a few minutes, oh no. . .</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i>
Opening the door, he was surprised to see the pilot that he had found on the lower levels. He appeared slightly agitated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Can I come in?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Sure, sure. Why not? You need something?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Just talk right now. I was listening to an old short wave radio I found and I heard some talk about raiding this old abandoned station. It didn't seem to be coming from a distance, but closer if not on the station. It seemed to me that they were trying to contact someone here."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You sure about this? I can't go to the Boss with some cockamamie story."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Why would I make it up? You can come and listen for yourself, Noot."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Right. But first, sit down and tell me more. Where is this radio? You sure this isn't some kind of set-up? You show up here, and shortly after, you hear about a raid on this derelict old station. Nobody usually bothers us, most don't even know we are here, and that's the way we like it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I swear, Noot, I wouldn't do such a thing. Do you know if there are people on some the lowest levels? I'll do my best to defend any kind of trouble on this place. I was a pilot and I did serve time in the fleet before all my stupid mistakes."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Hmmm. You were in the fleet, eh? That gives you a bit more credibility. As for the information you heard, we don't honestly know too much about the lowest levels. We are all fugitives from one thing or another and most of us scrounge for what we have."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Maybe they want to strip the metals, I don't know. Does anyone know about those flyers you discovered, other than the the Boss (look for his name)?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"A few of us, but all are trusted. This is bad news if it's true. We may have to rig some traps for these attackers, if they exist." He looked pointedly at the pilot. A raised eyebrow was all he got in return.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot finished his coffee, and grabbed a jacket. "Let's go, then. I want to hear that message if it comes again."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot followed Pilot Mondero down to his rooms. He watched as he connected the wires. The 'radio' as Mondero called it, looked like a bunch of toggles, switches and wires. Noot was intrigued, wondering where all these parts must have come from. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Static burst out as Mondero fiddled with the tuning until all of a sudden they heard, "We have a team ready to breach the upper levels. Those upper levels won't be ..." static interrupted the rest of the message.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More static came back. . .then the voice continued.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"...Received. Time plan is set. Keep this talk to a minimum. See you at ......."(more static). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot and Mondero looked at each other, both surprised and alarmed. An attack might be imminent. They tried but couldn't pick up the signal again.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We have to notify Odiwa right away. He'll know what to do. Let's go, Mondero. Sorry for my earlier comments. You may have just saved us from a rude surprise."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(To be continued at another WEP moment.)</span><br />
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***<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiCDAZZr7rrtsId-NfsxlN_RaDc1zgZXNiTjDsM0YG8MtaAV8psbrAOGICRzlv-DAbzIPSrU9vrwVRHuVxReruWKQqjTow3TgOzJ5nLwUeg4TLcgfoZf327hFO7UENozLm8K7MpXsLjY/s1600/03d5de5e815838feed3a449c9093024b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHiCDAZZr7rrtsId-NfsxlN_RaDc1zgZXNiTjDsM0YG8MtaAV8psbrAOGICRzlv-DAbzIPSrU9vrwVRHuVxReruWKQqjTow3TgOzJ5nLwUeg4TLcgfoZf327hFO7UENozLm8K7MpXsLjY/s200/03d5de5e815838feed3a449c9093024b.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> </span>- <b>Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b> challenge - with </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim</b> adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> for being the host. We also want to wish <b>Yolanda</b>, the other host, a swift recovery.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The challenge:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create an artistic entry using the given prompt: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Be sure to check all the other entrants on the <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> participation list! </b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Is an abandoned space station appealing to you? Or a little creepy? Do you think you could survive on one? Do you have scrounging or life skills which might help you?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. I'll respond. Thanks for stopping by.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>***</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-16972803200316368452018-04-18T10:05:00.000-07:002018-04-18T10:05:00.259-07:00WEP - The Road Less Traveled, An Outpost Story<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Outpost Station #6 - The Far Reaches</b><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><i style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;">A hermit doesn't seek or enjoy the company of others, unless circumstances require it</i><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: 400;">. </span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This bit of hermit wisdom described the wizened Old Man Noot. Not an ounce of fat on him, with long greying hair streaming from his beard and the top of his head. But when he looked at you, his bright blue eyes revealed a curious mind.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot, like many of the others who inhabited the abandoned space station at the edge of the Sirius system, was a space drifter looking for a place to stay off the grid, out of the mainstream and away from nosy authoritarians. He wasn't the first to show up at the station, where he had to sign an agreement before he was allowed a space in the eerie structure. This was a waystation for those who ran out of options</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, it provided shelter, access to supplies and was run by those who lived there. Working at odd jobs around the station was exchanged for a room and food supplies.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Noot!" someone called out. The old man turned to see the station master, who was 'in charge'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Yes, Odiwa?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Got a job for you. It's down on level 15. I need someone to check the anti-grav equipment on that level. Someone reported hearing strange sounds coming from the room there. See if the equipment has been vandalized, or if it's a human problem."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You think those new people may be filching stuff?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Possibly. Take your weapon and your wits, might need them."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"For the usual pay?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Depends on how much you have to do."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"All right, I'll do it, but I get to choose my options for the pay."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Sure. If I don't hear back from you in a few hours, I'll send down a finder."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Hmmph."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot didn't like the finders, all nose and no brains. He scrummaged in his equipment box for his spacesuit, the lightweight one, his tools, and a some extra ammunition. Never hurt to be prepared. He grabbed some emergency supplies and water. He was ready.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he descended to the 15th floor, he wondered what he'd find this time. Last time he checked for noises he found a large family of rats. Rodents seemed to endure anywhere in an oxygen environment. Noot </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">thought </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the rats hitchhiked</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> on one of the early starships. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All was quiet when Noot arrived on the 15th floor, so he let himself into the anti-grav room and cautiously entered. He didn't want to alert anyone or anything. He held his breath as he couldn't see further than 8 inches in front of himself. He activated his helmet light, just before he heard a noise in a far corner of the room. Grunts and mutterings reached his ears. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot crept to within 10 feet of the corner and saw a human figure on a bedroll. He </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">couldn't tell if the human was armed, so he gently told him, "Hello. My name is Noot, and I'm here to help. Identify yourself, please."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Starship Pilot Mondero, recently on the trade ship <i>Europa</i>. Where am I?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You are on Outpost Station #6. We don't get drop-ins, Mondero, or encourage stowaways . How did you get here?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'm a pilot, a starship pilot, who argued with his commanding officer. It didn't go well, so they deserted me here on this station, saying they would send someone to rescue me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Are you going to claim refugee status?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I don't know."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What noise were you making? We got a call about the amount of noise in this apartment."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I wasn't wrecking the equipment, if that's what you mean. . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Never mind what I mean, get up and grab your gear. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you got your identity docs?</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Yes." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noot took Mondero to the station master, and advised him that the <i>prisoner</i> was a pilot of starships, who had some recent misfortunes. . </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"A pilot, eh? We can use </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">a pilot, if you can fly our small starships."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Let's see 'em."</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Odiwa took Mondero deep into the underground storage. "There they are."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mondero stared, interest showing in his eyes. "Wonderful. The small scale blackbirds of Stealth. Haven't seen those for years."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>To be continued. . . </i></span><br />
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***<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> </span>- <b>Write, Edit, Publish, a flash challenge</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a></b> challenge - with </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim</b> adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> and <b>Yolanda</b> for being the hosts! </span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The challenge:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create an artistic entry using the given prompt: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Be sure to check all the other entrants on the <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">WEP</a> participation list! </b></span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Would you want to live in an abandoned space station? </b>What would cause you to have no choice but to live in this structure?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here. I'll respond. Thanks for stopping by.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>***</i></span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-29798646884901533672018-02-20T20:00:00.000-08:002018-03-15T23:54:00.553-07:00Gone! In Too Deep - WEP February Challenge<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sailing ship, <em>Lucky Lady</em>, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">bobbed in the waters of Schooner Cove in old Key West. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I sat in the bar nearby sipping a Mojito. Tonight, I would be on </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">that tall-masted beauty.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Free Use Image* - Sailing Ship</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">IN TOO DEEP and GONE!</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Leave the city behind," my friends said, "go somewhere new. You need a change." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It wasn't romance I was running from; nothing so simple as that. I had told my dark secret to </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">no one</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, and without clues, the police had no reason to question me. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A new identity, a new face, and no one will ever know what happened to me, that woman who fell overboard during the midnight astronomy cruise. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I waited until all was quiet, the guests were in their bunks, and the captain was in his quarters. Slipping over the side of the sailing ship, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I dropped silently into the warm water. The black wetsuit made me nearly invisible in the darkness. I glided toward the meeting spot where a fishing boat signalled with a small light. I paid well, so no questions were asked. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The old fisherman in the boat had tackle for mullet fishing, in case we were stopped by the Coast Guard. I changed in his cabin packing the wetsuit in a bag to discard as soon as I could. I was brought to shore at a location a few miles from the airport and caught a cab nearby. I had a one-way ticket to London on British Airways. I would decide my final destination from there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In London, I searched the news and found the article I was looking for:</span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Woman Lost at Sea on Cruise in Key West. </b></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All the pieces were falling into place. The local police in Key West, Florida would be sending divers down to locate the body. It was possible, according to 'the experts', that no body would be found. There had been an increase in the local sharks known to occupy the Florida waters.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Being considered dead could benefit me in several ways. It's easier to be 'born again' with surgery, than to find a safe hiding place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here I sit now in my Paris apartment, wondering what my next move will be. I'm </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">in too deep</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> to change my mind. Freedom is a hell of a lot better than spending time in prison. I will be forever haunted by what I call an honourable act, some call revenge, and the law calls murder. I knew it came with a price.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I closed my eyes, but I felt the memory coming back, and then I was there, </span><em style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">back in that dimly lit hallway of an old apartment building. . .</em><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>. . .I'm walking down the corridor. . .I hear small noises like talking, I'm almost there, get ready, release the safety, secure grip, push door, throw in a smoke device. It lands between the man and his woman on the bed. This man killed my sister. They turn as one, I aim and fire, intent only on accuracy. Snick! Smoke is filling the room. No witnesses. Aim. Snick! </em></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><em>Keep moving fast. . . Focus. Remove silencer, empty chambers, get out of the building. Into the car and on the road</em>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">**** </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I pulled myself out of the memory of that vivid moment that kept fermenting and washing over my thoughts without warning. It was a trigger for anxiety and paranoia. I took some pills to suppress the memory of my crime, before it drove me mad. This was the price I paid for the satisfaction of seeing my sister's murderer dead.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I sipped the wine in front of me and felt the coolness slip down my throat. Life on the run was the path before me. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I would have to forget old friends, old lovers, and never go home again. I have to become someone totally different. I have to believe the lie myself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>The deed is done. Do I regret it?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>No. It was necessary.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"More wine, s'il vous plait?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Oui, Madamoiselle."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WC = 672</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">******</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What would you do if someone you loved was murdered and you knew who did it?</b> Would you exact revenge? Do you think you could handle changing identities and your face?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you stopped by, and I'll respond. Thanks for visiting!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">******</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Write, Edit, Publish (<a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2018/02/wepff-february-2018-challenge-in-too.html" target="_blank">WEP</a>) - The Challenge</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqndb0NjjPauit90HjqhE5-RVOwMTL6YIHNXJEwlTU7Dc4or2HkSGqM8EZnhlCctckryLF-rsO0q_-HPMsusjhxgI1jJ7OFoGYpAliXozo40wm6NVmUXLMyFF7-u4OB0Zj2J-OzwoFU4Y/s1600/cb9190a4a7b937fd9fed68f203c3b1a6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqndb0NjjPauit90HjqhE5-RVOwMTL6YIHNXJEwlTU7Dc4or2HkSGqM8EZnhlCctckryLF-rsO0q_-HPMsusjhxgI1jJ7OFoGYpAliXozo40wm6NVmUXLMyFF7-u4OB0Zj2J-OzwoFU4Y/s320/cb9190a4a7b937fd9fed68f203c3b1a6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's time for another year of <b>WEP</b> challenges - with the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim</b> adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> and <b>Yolanda</b> for being the hosts! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The challenge:</b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create an artistic entry using the given prompt: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Be sure to check all the other entrants on the <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2018/02/wepff-february-2018-challenge-in-too.html" target="_blank">WEP</a> participation list! </b></span><br />
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***<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Note: this story is a compilation of bits and pieces re-purposed to </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">create a new story. You may remember the gun scene from </span><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2014/09/wep-changing-faces-what-now.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">WEP - Changing Faces - What Now? </a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sailing Ship</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Free Use Image: Pixabay</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span></div>
D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-78105479986245054672017-12-20T00:20:00.000-08:002017-12-20T00:20:07.328-08:00 The End is The Beginning - WEP December Challenge<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Round and round the circle of life goes, from beginning to end and beginning again. The End is The Beginning of a new cycle, a new life, a new chance</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFApkXD5iAYe9pXuqGl0phZaD17gsIn_rOg3cq7IeAbcrX44lZdbRg-BfG-VyQax9XdYR8pFhX43vv7bqz9Ukgvplh2k-3rlwLBVJyMROv3W0yVQQXJD1hCwU2odUhTITUZu0m4EeDzPk/s1600/fantasy-2368432_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="543" data-original-width="960" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFApkXD5iAYe9pXuqGl0phZaD17gsIn_rOg3cq7IeAbcrX44lZdbRg-BfG-VyQax9XdYR8pFhX43vv7bqz9Ukgvplh2k-3rlwLBVJyMROv3W0yVQQXJD1hCwU2odUhTITUZu0m4EeDzPk/s400/fantasy-2368432_960_720.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking down from the bridge I could see the swirling depths calling. <i>Here lies peace.</i> But how do I know if I cross that line to the other side that there will be peace. How do I know that I won't still be in limbo, watching all those that live as I do now. A horrid contemplation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My world,Terra, is disintegrating slowly but surely. As the water levels rise, more bridges are built, then man-made islands to be used by those displaced with the flooding in low lying areas. There are so many bridges now that soon that will be all that's left. The warming of the climate and the melting ice which used to change very little, is now reclaiming land which man has occupied for millennia. Is the planet deeming us unfit and trying to reduce the numbers of humans? Perhaps.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The news and travel channels are blasting out advertisements for'colony ships' which will transport people to safer planets. Other adverts cajole us to be one of the founding colonists of the Moon, our nearest neighbour, but that entails living underground most of the year. Mars also has underground colonies with only the scientific study areas and weather watchers on the surface. Terrans are having to make harsh choices, seeking to fix the problems born in the old 20th Century and proliferating into the 21st. Now at the end of the 21st century, we reap the consequences. The scientists say it will take 10,000 years or more for Terra to be habitable again. They say we were warned.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I see my partner coming toward me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Meli, forgive me for being late. It couldn't be helped."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"No worries, Jala, did you get the info for Mars?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Of course, but it took an hour's standing in line. A lot of people want to leave this planet, even the scoffers have admitted the truth; we will have to make our decision in a short time. Will it be the Moon or Mars? It's a tough call, but those are our best bets."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I like the idea of being close to the mother planet, but can I stand seeing it die slowly? Now we have starships that can take us at least as far as the outer solar system, maybe further. Going to the Moon is the easiest, but Mars is the most interesting. Both force the colonists to live below ground - but we'll get used to that."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You've got to get signed up now to leave on the next flight outward, so we must decide in the next couple of days."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What did you hear on the street?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"A lot of panic. Solar flares are causing a delay in the launching of the carriers. Storms seem to follow one upon the other, especially in the equatorial regions. Some reports say geysers of gas have been exploding from the ground in some national parks."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Warning signs. Strong ones. Let's go for Mars, it used to be a planet and it's got a few colonies now. I think we stand a better chance there."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'll call and pre-register for Mars. We'll have to show up tomorrow to confirm identification, pay fees, and pick up starship tickets."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"This could be the beginning of another life, a life as spacers. Terra will be brought to its knees, an end not befitting such a beautiful planet. I hope without humans here, the planet can begin to flourish and become stable again sometime in the future."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One month later, the loading began. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our last vision of Terra was from the windows of the starship. I felt tears slipping down my cheeks. Goodbye, Terra. May we one day be able to return.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WC = 844</span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Have you had instances where you had to start over? How did you feel? Adventurous? Sad? Which colony would you choose between the Moon and Mars?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll reply. Thanks for dropping by. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>MAY THE HOLIDAYS BE MERRY FOR YOU AND BEST WISHES FOR 2018!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">*************</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Write, Edit, Publish (<a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2017/12/wep-ff-december-challenge-end-is.html" target="_blank">WEP</a>) - The Challenge</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's December and time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim</b> adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> and <b>Yolanda</b> for being the hosts! It's been a good year for great flash stories and these bloggers and the participants have kept us all interested.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create an artistic entry: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Be sure to check all the other entrants on the <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2017/12/wep-ff-december-challenge-end-is.html" target="_blank">WEP</a> participation list! </b>This prompt could take us anywhere from the end to the beginning of something new. Hope you enjoy reading!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-73806412342550869662017-11-13T16:15:00.000-08:002017-11-13T16:15:01.173-08:00Heartbeat - My Life with Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, A Review<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A novel about Beat Legends Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassady, told by Neal's wife Carolyn Cassady</b>. The time period is the early to mid 1950s.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajV4FBmZSs0wgr_R-6sWQLu6TiRxANE9ZlkbM4C6SqSweFwyjhTnPUYfmXwp_PdaJ35bnkzB-CvgnSwI4WX-5RiZWzA5bqKIROmRxgvCTx4_-hQUfiU5jUcLNqSE2g4eIeokAlJihFdI/s1600/April21-Images+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajV4FBmZSs0wgr_R-6sWQLu6TiRxANE9ZlkbM4C6SqSweFwyjhTnPUYfmXwp_PdaJ35bnkzB-CvgnSwI4WX-5RiZWzA5bqKIROmRxgvCTx4_-hQUfiU5jUcLNqSE2g4eIeokAlJihFdI/s400/April21-Images+009.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Heartbeat</i>, by Carolyn Cassady</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>HEART BEAT</i></b></span><br />
By Carolyn Cassady, wife of Neal Cassady<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>My Life with Jack and Neal, </b></i>as the subtitle indicates, is written from the point of view of the wife of one of the most loved and discussed of the Beat legends, Neal Cassady.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One woman, and two men who are best friends, the "triangle" that never seems to work very well. When Neal settles into family life with Carolyn, he invites Jack to come and stay with them. Jack is on the healing end of a marriage split, and appreciates the offer and the company. He thinks he can hire on to the railway, and yearns to see different places. Jack arrives and is given his own room to encourage him to write. He thrives on the family atmosphere, but Neal gradually becomes less keen on the sharing, especially when it affects his marriage. As the tension builds, Jack gets the signal that his welcome is wearing thin. It's time to hit the road again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jack describes the San Francisco he sees in the mid to late 1950s, and the trains where he tries to make a few dollars to help pay his way. Jack may covet what Neal has, it's hard to say. Neal may covet Jack's freedom to roam. But the idyllic setup comes to an end. What one imagines as ideal doesn't always seem that way in reality. Sad but true.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a small book, a novella, and easy to read. If you're a fan of the Beat Literary writers, then you might like reading this one, as I did. There are letters in the book which were written between Ginsberg, Kerouac and others. It's a resource for those learning about Jack and Neal. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Recommended for fans of the Beats and for those wanting to learn more about the 1950s lifestyles of this generation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you like to read about the Beat literary writers and their books? </b>Have you read any of the books by Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady, William Burroughs, or Allan Ginsberg? Do you like any of the Beat writers?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please leave a comment to let me know you were here, and I'll reply. Thanks for stopping by!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More reviews to come on two mystery books (compilations) by Agatha Christie.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/04/k-kerouac-jack-author-z-blog-challenge.html" target="_blank">Jack Kerouac (A to Z Blog Challenge 2016)</a></b></span><br />
Contains several additional links to Jack Kerouac book review posts and information on the writer.<br />
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<b>***</b>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-22635916489169337202017-10-18T01:30:00.000-07:002017-10-27T18:09:13.504-07:00DARK Places, Dark Intentions - WEP Halloween<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>There's one big problem with dark places and portals to other planes of existence. Those entry points could be one-way portals.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Haunted houses, haunted mental institutions, abandoned buildings all experience some form of pain, torture, or grief which are reflected back into the world from whence they originated.. These are the places <i>between</i> where the discontented spirits vent their anger and try to capture those unsuspecting humans who 'say they don't believe'. One day that twilight plane of existence may send a visitor to your door, or closet or mirror.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>DARK PLACES</b>; DARK INTENTIONS</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I was awakened by my cell phone signalling an incoming message. I yawned. I<i>t's either bad news or a wrong number</i>. . .URGENT flashed in the subject line. "Help. Come quick, I'm in danger. At old house, 666 Hades Crescent. Urgent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The display showed my friend Manny's number. I hadn't seen her for years. Why would she call me now, on Halloween? Something doesn't feel quite right about this. Was it a trick? It's nearly midnight and I'm not sure I want to go to that area at night. <i>My hair is standing up on my arms. My intuitions says No, stay away. But what if it's true and she's really in danger?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What am I scared of? It's just an old house. The few neighbours still living on this street say it's haunted by the last owner, a man who killed his wife and kids and buried them under the house. They say the ghosts of his family wander these halls looking for their killer. He's long gone now but those souls not released tend to vent their anger at whomever steps over into their territory. That territory is this house. My friend rented this place for a cheap price, since she said she doesn't believe in the paranormal.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But where is she? This place looks abandoned, no one has lived here for a while. I wander through the unlocked front door. It stays open.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Hello, is anyone here? Manny?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The door behind me creaks, then closes softly with a definite CLICK. <i>OK, now I'm starting to worry. </i></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Looking upward, I see another level, but for some reason, I DO NOT want to go there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The house wants me to go there. I can feel it. Was that a noise upstairs? What could have happened? This house looks like it's been abandoned. I thought it was in better shape when Manny rented it. Then I feel like someone is behind me.. I turn and see Manny's image in a mirror in the corner. She's not looking out but away at something. Horror is etched on her face. I can't move. I can't think. A cold breeze seems to move from nowhere with a smell like the weather before a storm.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now what do I do? Manny has been missing for a year or more now. Has no one looked here?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I remember some weird things like don't touch the mirror, I might be drawn into that other world, and don't look too long in any other reflective surfaces, it's a way for some spirits to step into our world if we acknowledge them. This entire house could be under a spell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do I believe in spirits and spells? On All Hallows Eve, I do. At the moment I don't feel threatened, but I don't know how I can help Manny? How did she contact me? From the beyond? I've got my spotlight, so I'll look about a bit more before I go to the police. . .or may a psychic. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I walk through several more rooms, and find it odd that the lights come on when I flick the switches. If the house has been deserted, why do the lights still work? Never mind, don't get distracted. Some force is propelling me to walk to the next room, a deserted kitchen. Everything is covered in dust but I see footprints in the dust by the door which has been nailed shut.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Hmm that's not good</i>. <i>My hackles are rising</i>. I wonder if that front door will open as easily </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">when I leave. Perhaps I should find out now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I turn back to the door in the front room, and try the knob. It's locked and won't turn. My stomach is getting jumpy now and I feel cold air. Then I hear what sounds like steps coming down the hallway above beyond the stairs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I peer upward, Manny stands there gesturing for me to come upward, but not speaking at all. She's dressed strangely in an old outfit from Victorian times, a little raggedy around the edges.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Manny?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No answer, but the pale apparition looks directly at me and I see dark holes where her eyes should be. <i>Oh,God, she's not alive. . .</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At that point, I turn slowly and make my way to one of the windows, grab a chair and throw it through the window breaking it and making a lot of noise. I care not. My only intention is to get out of there as fast as I could. Once I jumped out the floor length window, I vaulted over the outside railing and ran down to my car. It was safe, no uninvited riders.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The house was dark as I looked back except for one light showing in the upper room on the 3rd floor. I turned on the ignition, it didn't catch. <i>Oh hell, did I have to walk?</i> I tried again trying not to shake so much. The motor caught, I backed up faster than I ever had before, turned as soon as I could and beat it down the driveway and out onto the road.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I never looked in the rear view mirror or anywhere but straight ahead until I got home. I checked the back seat and trunk again before I went into the house. I locked the car and the garage. I felt safer in the bright lights where I lived.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once inside, I tried to make sense of it. Did I just imagine what happened?, Was I dreaming? I checked my cell phone and that call from Manny was missing. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Maybe I'll stay awake til dawn. Dark places hide dark secrets and dark intentions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1064 words approx.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Have you had a scary experience in a 'haunted house' or elsewhere?</b> Do Tell! Do you believe in spirits and the paranormal?</span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please leave a comment to let me know you stopped by to read my entry. I'll respond. Thanks for dropping by and be sure to read all the other entries at the <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2017/10/wepff-october-2017-challenge-dark-places_1.html" target="_blank">Write, Edit, Publish site</a>.</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">WEP</span> - <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2017/10/wepff-october-2017-challenge-dark-places_1.html" target="_blank">Write, Edit, Publish</a> - a fiction challenge: DARK PLACES</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's October and near Halloween, time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of <b>Nilanjana Bose </b>and<b> Olga Godim</b> adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to <b>Denise</b> and <b>Yolanda</b> for being the hosts!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create an artistic entry: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be sure to check all the other entrants on the participation list! There's many a good tale told at Halloween.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-29541056394854747522017-08-26T00:30:00.000-07:002017-08-26T01:59:51.477-07:00Book Review - A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When you know war is coming, how do you prepare for it? </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover for D. Gabaldon's <i>A Breath of Snow and Ashes</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>A Breath of Snow and Ashes</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(#6 in series)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the hills of the Carolinas, on the southeastern coast of the USA, spring was only beginning when a desolate sight met the eyes of Claire and Jamie Fraser. A burning homestead. . .and it wasn't the only one. A friend reports the carnage to Jamie and the Frasers go to investigate. They find half-burned bodies, whole families murdered and hanged, and some poisoned. The settlers are being killed by roving gangs of men who are the forefront of the coming war. Like carrion-eating birds, they judge and execute those who don't agree with them. The marauders blame the Indian camps, some of whom had taken to fighting back as they try to protect their own against these same roving gangs of men.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tensions are running high when Jamie is offered the position of Indian Agent, a liaison between the British and Native tribes. The British are gathering their supporters about them as they try to determine where and when the trouble will come. Jamie accepts the Indian Agent position with misgivings. One of his first meetings reveals that the Indians want guns, they fear any treaties will be broken if the white man goes to war. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Both the British and the Regulators (who consider themselves patriots of this new country) are wondering where James Fraser's allegiances lie. Then, an incident at the Fraser mash shed occurs and Claire is snatched as a hostage. She suffers much before Jamie locates the camp. This is a pivotal point in the story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Incident follows incident, and Claire is regarded with suspicion after she makes a bad medical decision. Some consider her a healer, others thinks she's a witch. Her daughter, who has time-travelled back to find her mother, is kidnapped by a pirate. The Frasers and Roger, Brianna's husband to be, pursue the man responsible in order to find their daughter.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This novel reads at a faster pace, with constant action. The war machine of the British colonial empire is coming. Gabaldon weaves the history details into the narrative, as she shows the anguish and horror which helped birth a nation. The settlers are defending their own land. The British redcoats are defending the Empire. The Indians just want to survive. Recommended for anyone who likes Gabaldon's writing and for fans of the American colonial times. I enjoy Gabaldon's writing style, and the characters that populate her novels. There will be more reviews of her work for this series, once I acquire them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Are you a Gabaldon fan? Have you watched the Outlander series on tv? Do you like historical based fiction books?</b><i> </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll reply. Thanks for stopping by! Next up will be reviews about a couple of Agatha's mysteries (Poirot) and one review of a book about Jack Kerouac and Neal Cassidy. Hope you'll</i><i> come back for those.</i></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span></i><br />
For my other reviews of Gabaldon's work:<br />
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<b><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/07/diana-gabaldons-drums-of-autumn-review.html" target="_blank">Drums of Autumn</a> (#4)</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/05/voyager-by-diana-gabaldon-review.html" target="_blank">Voyager</a> (#3)</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2015/10/diana-gabaldons-dragonfly-in-amber.html" target="_blank">Dragonfly in Amber</a> (#2)</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2015/07/the-fiery-cross-by-d-gabaldon-book.html" target="_blank">The Fiery Cross</a> (#5)</b><br />
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<b><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2014/12/outlander-by-diana-gabaldon-review.html" target="_blank">Outlander</a> (#1)</b><br />
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<b>***</b><br />
<br />D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-30739262221161477152017-08-16T01:00:00.000-07:002017-08-16T01:13:45.966-07:00Reunion - The Wanderer - WEP August Challenge<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Reunions are celebrated on ReUnion, a colony planet that has been settled for a few hundred years.</b> Here is one of the stories from that planet.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surface horizon of a planet, similar to ReUnion, free use image</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><i>ReUnion - The Wanderer</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A <i>Noah Generation II </i>Starship arrived at the landing port with supplies to trade. The sleek stealth black wing design could handle hyperjumps and was equipped with hidden armaments in the exterior shell of the ship. The manifesto included grains, seeds, cloned animal embryos designed to withstand the rigors of space travel, and the latest inventions.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Captain's Log:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>We planned to be here for a week, time to unload, reload, make a few deals. </i></span><i>With the upcoming ReUnion Festival of Humanity opening in a few days, this place is going to be crawling with potential customers. I smell more profits. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A red alert flashed indicating an incoming message to the bridge. The captain's raised eyebrows and his switch into action at one of the consoles confirmed this was a real call for help. No one else moved for a few seconds. . .</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Urgent. Mayday. SOS. SOS. Generation I, Colony Starship Wanderer, damaged from attack. Urgent. Come in ReUnion. Our call code is SSJ900. Mayday. Mayday...."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Call Code SSJ900. This is NOAH , Gen II Trade Starship SST1100, Captain Jona speaking. Do you read me? I'm in contact with the landing agent on ReUnion. An emergency ship will be dispatched. What coordinates?"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Coordinates sent. Thanks Captain Jona. I'm Pilot Olivar, our power level is depleting. We may need towing unless you have a mechanic who understands the old starship configuration. I can send the schematics."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Great. I'll forward them to the agent. Your signal wasn't strong enough with all the interference of other ships landing and leaving."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Can't boost it. Power level too low</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. I'll look you up later, Captain Jona. I owe you one, sir."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he signed off, Captain Jona wondered if this man kept his word. Many say of things they will do, but few follow through. This could be an event of historic importance, a wandering explorations colony ship! He wanted to see the other ship and look up Pilot Olivar, once he arrived. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Captain Jona obtained clearance to visit the ship, on the condition that he would act as liaison for the incoming Terran ship and its captain. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From the notes of the meeting in the Captain's Log, Starship Noah, quoted verbatim:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We are a exploration settlement ship which left Terra many centuries ago, an advance ship sent prior to the Great Evacuation. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have been searching for human settlements but only finding other species or humans who look like us. but are NOT like us. Searching so long . .then we were attacked several weeks ago by one of the free-running marauders. They usually travel in pairs but this one was alone. We used a lot of our power supply to escape the attack. We are grateful for your help.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"May we also express our sincere thanks to Captain Jona who heard our call for assistance and responded. Our pleas would have gone unheard if not for him."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Captain Jona winced, but smiled and nodded. <i>No way was he going to stand and acknowledge his part. Nope</i>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pilot Olivar stood and looked at the few who were able to attend this momentous meeting. Privacy meant it couldn't be a public affair, only an inner circle could be trusted. But Olivar knew, it wouldn't take long for word to get around.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"We, and I speak for my shipmates, will need to assess our damage in human lives as well as our ship functions. I'm not sure how many we may have lost in that last encounter."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pilot Olivar invited Captain Jona to meet with him privately, so they might talk friend to friend. As they are dining, Jona tells Olivar about ReUnion and asked him to meet again so they might be able to set up a deal with some of the trade items. Olivar asked him how the name of the planet came to be ReUnion.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jona replied, "</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This planet was named <i>ReUnion</i> by the initial settlers with their hope of reuniting some of the far-flung colonies of humankind. After centuries of no contact, most of the population has forgotten that reason. Reunion has become a focal point at the crossroads of several trade routes.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> The colony has grown into several large cities on the one large continent. Trade is the lifeblood of this planet. That's why we are here."</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WC = 754</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>To be continued</b> at a later date. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Do you like reunions of any kind?</b> Have you attended a reunion for your school or work location, or a large family reunion in the last year?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you came by and I'll respond. Thanks for taking time to read my entry, a partial beginning for a short story.</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">WEP</span> - Write, Edit, Publish - a fiction challenge: REUNIONS</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's August, time for another WEP challenge - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to Denise and Yolanda for being the hosts!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Create an artistic entry: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-22832514696954433402017-04-29T00:15:00.000-07:002017-04-29T02:02:27.539-07:00REVIEW: Dear Reflection: I Never Meant to be a Rebel, by Jessica Bell<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Growing up is hard to do. . .growing up with performing musicians who are also your parents, is even harder. </b>Jessica Bell has written an engaging and poignant memoir which spans two distinct places: Australia and Greece. It's a whirlwind tour of learning to cope.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jessica Bell's Memoir cover for:Dear Reflection</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>DEAR REFLECTION: I Never Meant to be a Rebel</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Author: Jessica Bell</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lonely child uses her imagination to provide what she doesn't have--a trusted person to talk to. In listening to this mirror image alter ego, she gives permission to the voice that urges her, demeans her and chips away at her confidence. Music comes along with an early guitar and suddenly she finds something she enjoys. But is she good enough? Always the uncertainty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are forays into the wilder side of life for intervals, but something always seems to save her from her destructive tendencies. Family issues come and go, each teaching the young woman more about the real world. She learns the darkness of addiction to prescription drugs from her mother, the blindness of the mind that alcohol causes, and the bullying of a jealous partner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To survive, she must accept her parents for what they are, and push back and prove to herself that the voice in the mirror and in her head is wrong. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">memoir, with its moments of grittiness, is the first I've read that has kept my attention throughout. Reading this novel stirred the thought that when the going gets tough, the struggle strengthens us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Highly recommended for parents, teens, or anyone who has felt loneliness whether growing up or afterwards as an adult. I consider <i><b>Dear Reflection: I Never Meant to be a Rebel </b></i>one of Jessica's best. She handles the issues which she has lived through with sensitivity and brutal honesty. Bravo!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ALERT: Available the 1st of May. See the link to website below.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Have you read any of Jessica Bell's other novels?</b> Do you like memoirs? Why or why not? <b>Do you ever think of writing a memoir?</b> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for dropping by. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For more on this author's novels, and other talents, please visit </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jessica Bell's website: </span><b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/</a> </b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-40446911470907231902017-04-19T01:40:00.000-07:002017-04-19T01:40:06.472-07:00WEP April Challenge - No Love Nor Peace, Part 2<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What would you do if you knew who had killed your brother and he was still loose on the streets? </i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcHlJZfqi-LH2xzKs9-BcnbyVTVnpTS_fXHzKoVy3TXkkbaudX5a7gw9D05v9gPNgLiSWCehMi53TwNSwQnk62kdFD5EJlNuJKvSQAEnfL0WJcDdFDYIUBLl1O2XzeE3jOlMezBHnHGc/s1600/Ultimate_Godfather-Tuxedo-AutoSlim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTcHlJZfqi-LH2xzKs9-BcnbyVTVnpTS_fXHzKoVy3TXkkbaudX5a7gw9D05v9gPNgLiSWCehMi53TwNSwQnk62kdFD5EJlNuJKvSQAEnfL0WJcDdFDYIUBLl1O2XzeE3jOlMezBHnHGc/s320/Ultimate_Godfather-Tuxedo-AutoSlim.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Promotional photo of The Godfather Knife - Google Images<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">NO LOVE
NOR PEACE</span></b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(Part 2 of story <a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2017/02/wep-back-of-drawer-automatic-slim.html" target="_blank">Automatic Slim</a>, see link also at bottom of post)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam first
interviewed Hans and Ildi Loewen, who brought their two children to the party </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">-- Joshua, ten and Birgit, sixteen. They befriended Jonathan shortly after moving into the
neighbourhood. </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When Sam questioned him about the party, Hans
remembered little, only that his daughter had arrived late and left shortly after. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Birgit
had plans to meet with her boyfriend, who picked her up at Jonathan’s house.<i>”</i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>“</i>Did you notice anyone at the party who was unfamiliar?” Sam
asked making a note about Birgit leaving early. “I’ll need the name of
Birgit’s boyfriend, as well. I’m verifying a list of everyone who attended
the open house or who happened to be on the premises, like Birgit’s friend.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Well,
if it’s part of the investigation . . .his name is Dieter Jensen.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>He seems all right, but I don’t know
anything about his family.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Hans walked Sam to the door, Birgit shouldered past them in the hallway. She looked covertly at Sam but said nothing. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam's instinct was bristling like an insect’s antennae. He left after asking a few more questions, but gathered little additional information. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jonathan had not mentioned Birgit’s boyfriend at the front door</span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">. </i><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b>
</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>***</b></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A week
later, a second man was found dead behind Grey’s Tavern with the same type of
switchblade sticking out of his chest. Lazlo Podarsky, 30 years of age,
was an associate of Rico Divenuto and a known ‘person of interest’. The owner of the tavern told Constable McNulty that Lazlo left a
couple of hours before closing time, and seemed capable of getting himself
home. When the owner took the trash to the bin in the alley the next
morning, he discovered Lazlo’s body hidden behind the huge garbage bin. He phoned the police.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“This is
bad for business.” the owner told McNulty. “You
cops, you find out who has done this or nobody will want to come to Grey’s
Tavern. If these people want to kill each other, I wish they go somewhere
else.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“We’ll
contact you for a statement soon,” McNulty said. “Don’t talk about it to
anyone. The killer could be one of your customers.”</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constable
McNulty asked Sam to attend the second homicide scene and check for anything Forensics might have missed. He scanned the pile of garbage where the body had been thrown. No one was around, so Sam closed
his eyes to concentrate on clearing his mind, a trick he used to
spot the clues others missed.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The sun
flashed on the building wall opposite just as Sam opened his eyes. A quick reflection of light shone from the garbage. He walked over to pick up a finely
tooled but dirty knife sheath with silver edging which lay amid the mess. Garbage piled behind the dumpster had fallen to the sides when the body was
removed, exposing the knife sheath. Sam pulled a small forceps from an inner pocket, put the sheath in
a specimen bag and pocketed the evidence.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam later asked
his friend, a tech in the Street Crimes investigation unit to run an analysis
of a partial fingerprint on the silver work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>***</b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam woke
from his nap with a start. What was that? With a shrill tone, the
cordless phone reminded him as it rang again. He struggled out of his old
wingback chair muttering oaths under his breath and grabbed the phone.
“Hello?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Jarvis,
back off. One warning. Keep your nose out of Grey’s
Tavern. This is private.” Click. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With his mind still groggy from the nap, Sam didn’t register fear, just annoyance.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>The tenor male voice sounded muffled,
but he heard loud music in the background. He called Constable
McNulty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
hearing about the threats from someone at Grey’s Tavern, McNulty said, “I’ll send an
undercover man around to your address to watch for trouble. Any ideas who
it was? You ruffled any feathers, Sam?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I’m just
doing my job, asking questions. That usually ruffles a few
feathers. Have you got an undercover at Grey’s Tavern? If not, put one
on. And thanks for the tail, Constable.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Watch yourself Sam, and don’t try anything alone.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> We’ve tried to close that bar down, but we need hard evidence to do that. The owner won’t report the crimes. He just turns his back. Can’t
report what you don’t see."</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam made
a pot of coffee before he pulled out his notes on the case.<span class="apple-converted-space"><i> </i></span><i>Could that call have been set
up by the owner of the bar? Or one of those thugs that hung around
waiting for the action? <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>
What connection did the murders have with the stolen knife?<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he poured himself a cup of coffee, he saw the message light flashing on the old
cordless base unit. The message list showed the lab number on the display.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam’s
friend left a message regarding the fingerprint identification. The
prints on the knife sheath belonged to Jonathan Ashworth. <i>What?</i> His
head felt sluggish. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Confused
at what this meant, he remembered the stack of knife-size boxes he’d seen in
the corner of Jonathan’s library. Sam’s
lack of sleep was making his thinking less clear and more fractured.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The phone
rang again. Mr. Hans Loewen's<i> </i>daughter, Birgit, confessed to her
father that she had stolen Jonathan’s original knife from the library.
Birgit told her dad after Sam left and asked him to intervene. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According
to Birgit’s story, her boyfriend came to Jonathan’s front door to pick her up
for a movie. Birgit asked him to wait while she went to the bathroom. On
the way, she passed the library and convinced Jonathan to go downstairs to meet
her boyfriend<i>. </i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>When
Birgit came out of the bathroom, the library door stood ajar and she saw the
white stiletto lying on top of the main desk. No one was upstairs, so she
pocketed the knife in her jeans and left. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jonathan
was at the front door talking to Birgit’s boyfriend Dieter, while they waited
for her. She told her father that she later gave the knife to Dieter.
Dieter lost it there a few hours later to Rico Divenuto in a poker game at
Grey’s Tavern.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam
thanked Mr. Loewen for calling and told him he would have to make a new
statement to the police. No charges had been laid yet<i>.</i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">***</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On his
way to the police station downtown to update Constable McNulty, Sam got a call
on his cell phone from a train dispatcher at the Canadian National
Railway. Another body was found. Constable Johnson had given the manager Sam's number.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam
changed his route to head down East 1<sup>st</sup><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Avenue to Main. A male body had
been dumped near the railroad tracks off Terminal Avenue and Main Street, on
the edge of the downtown eastside. Third man -- same type of blade – same
efficient killing method. The hilt of the knife rested between the second
and third rib, the blade buried at an angle in the flesh. Very little blood was
around the body. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Railway
workers halted their train until the police and Forensics had finished their
investigation, warning the other rail traffic of the stoppage with flares and
red flags. Operations for the CNR had sent a supervisor over to confirm
that the railway was not responsible for the death. Someone had wanted the body to be
found with the same death signature as the two previous murders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam
stopped in at the Ovaltine Cafe for a coffee after he saw the body. <i>There
had to be some connection between these three murders.</i> He finished his
coffee, left a tip for the waitress and left, heading back to his bungalow on
Capitol Hill.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After
setting his security alarm and his clock, he looked to see if the police cover
was outside watching his place. Yes, the black sedan was there, the
full-bodied type that screams ‘police’, as soon as you see it. For now,
he was grateful.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">McNulty conducted
an internet search of all Vancouver purchases of the Protec Godfather Tuxedo
knives in the last two years<i>.</i> A
background search on each order pinpointed Jonathan Ashworth as a multiple
importer of the knives for his business. <i>Imports International</i>, his storefront, was also his family business.
By special police warrant, the <i>Imports
International</i> database was hacked into by the RCMP. When the web search
analysis arrived at Constable McNulty’s office, he called Sam in to see the
results. Jonathan’s name headed the list of suspects<i>.</i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“How can
it be him? He’s the one who reported the knife missing.” <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Yeah,
that theft gave him a great alibi, didn’t it? Now hold on, Sam. Do you
remember that murder a few months ago involving a guy who hung around Grey’s
Tavern? That was Jonathan’s younger brother who was shot in the
head at close range. His brother was used as the pawn in a dispute
between two rival gangs. We had no concrete evidence, so no charges were laid, and no one
would testify.” <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam
remembered the news article. It stated that there had been a set-up to
establish one club's drug turf. He hadn’t known that the victim had been
Jonathan’s brother, due to a court-ordered embargo on the case details.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“How did
you find out that it was a set-up?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“To
answer that, I’ll need you to keep your mouth shut. This is highly
classified, and I’ll hold you responsible if you let it get out.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I’m a
professional, Constable. My information is confidential just like
yours. You must have someone on site. I hope he’s tough.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “You’re
right, Sam. One of our men is working as a bartender at Grey’s Tavern,
he’s six foot four, two hundred fifty pounds and he works out at the gym where
some of the lowlife go. He was military before, so he can take care of
himself. He’s reported seeing a man fitting Jonathan’s general description
hanging around with some of the gang members at Grey’s.<i> </i>For several weeks before the first murder occurred, he infiltrated
the gang based out of Grey’s bar and ingratiated himself with his dead
brother’s associates. Since he knew his weapons, they allowed him into
their fold.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I’ll be
damned. I’d forgotten that Jonathan used to act in community theatre, he
did it for a few years. He was good at it too. But to go to Grey’s
by himself -- I didn’t know he had it in him.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Jonathan
Ashworth made his own vendetta against the three men he discovered were
responsible for his brother Boyce’s death. The knife that Jonathan reported stolen came back to its
original owner that night, as Jonathan waited for Rico’s return. Rico
must have trusted him in his business biker disguise, making it easier for
Jonathan to get close. That same knife or a similar one was used to
eliminate Rico, the one who bragged to his friends about the killing. ”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“So the
knife found in the second body was another copy?” Sam hadn’t told McNulty
about the sheath identification since he had been called by the CPR on his way
to the police precinct. Three men in the deal, three men dead. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Probably.
I haven’t heard from the lab yet but they’re comparing the evidence.
We’ll know for sure tomorrow. That one would have been easy for Jonathan
if he was keeping company at the bar. The owner never said if Lazlo
Podarsky left by himself or perhaps with Jonathan. We’ll be calling the
owner in for questioning.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Okay.
What about the last body by the CN tracks? Who was the third man?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“That was
Vincent Sturgeon, Vinny to his buddies, a guy who assaulted women
whenever he got the chance. He’d been hauled in several times, but the
women always got scared. He did the dirty work for Rico on
occasion, whenever he wanted to rough someone up. Jonathan did society a
favour on that one, but don’t quote me. Same type of knife, same thrust
to the heart on the last victim. ”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “I
see. I guess that ties it. When will Jonathan be arrested?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“As soon
as we get a warrant prepared, and we’re watching his place nonstop until
then. He’ll undergo psychiatric testing first. This isn’t the first
case of something like this occurring. Good men can lose it, when the only person they call family, is murdered.
Jonathan<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>must have snapped when
his brother was killed so brutally.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I guess. I'm an old friend of Jonathan’s; I'll visit him at the hospital. Could you keep me informed as to how it goes for him?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Confidentially,
of course.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Of
course. Any idea what will happen to his business?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “The
import business is closed by order until the psychiatric assessment is
completed. The law will determine what happens based on that report and
auditing the books. At worst, the inventory will have to go on the
auction block.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam felt
as if he had entered a walking bad dream, with exhaustion dogging his
steps. He wanted to kick something as he walked to his car. Life
wasn’t fair; it had turned gritty for his friend, and there wasn’t much he
could do about it. His old friend Jonathan had crossed that fine line
between the exceptionally intelligent and the intelligently insane.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A couple
of days later, Sam found Jonathan in his room at the Riverview hospital,
reading a book on ancient sword making. His eyes brightened when he
recognized Sam. Some of the old memory seemed intact.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Good
morning, Sam, you’re a little late. I’ve already had my breakfast.
It’s good to see you, though.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I’m
sorry, I got delayed by that lineup of traffic coming off Lougheed Highway.
Traffic keeps getting worse.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“At least
you’re here. While I’m in this<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>hospital</i>,
my schedule isn’t my own. I’m a little confused as to exactly why I’m
here, but the doc tells me it’s only a short stay. They’re worried about
me, you know.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Well, I
hope you’re cooperating, dear friend. I see
you’re reading a historical book. Do you like it? I’ve got
that one myself. Let me know when you’re finished and we can discuss it.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“You’ve
read it? How interesting – an expert like you?”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I can
always learn something new. I’ll admit that I contributed to some of the
facts they cite on swords and curved blades.”<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jonathan
looked pleased. Almost like old times. He rang the nurse to see if
he and his visitor could get some tea and a bite to eat. The staff had
been advised to humor his requests in the hope that his mind would
stabilize. A stable mind could stand trial.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the
tea arrived, Jonathan waved the nurses away and served them both. “We’ll
just sit awhile and talk, ladies. If you don’t mind.” Sam followed
his friend’s lead as they talked, avoiding any references to recent
events. Except for the occasional moments when Jonathan stared at his
hands as if they weren’t his own, all was normal. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jonathan
was indicted for the three murders, receiving a reduced sentence due to his
psychiatric assessment. That memory of what he had done was buried deep within his subconscious. It was a common trait of multiple personality disorder. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sam’s
last visit, Jonathan talked about Boyce as if he were still living.
Perhaps in Jonathan’s muddled mind the horror never happened. The elegant
black bladed, white handled knife with the double edge was never mentioned
again. He had wiped away all memory of the blade that had been his
favourite, the Godfather Tuxedo.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
weapons collection was held in trust for six months, along with the rest of Jonathan’s estate. Sam visited
Jonathan once a week in the Riverview psychiatric centre, trying to keep to
their old breakfast arrangement. If Jonathan was allowed to keep the weapons
collection, Sam wanted to be the next caretaker. <span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jonathon </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">knew that he would have no PEACE until his LOVE for his brother was honoured by his judging and executing the men who had caused his death. Despair and Hope were both resident in his heart.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
****<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">END</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WC</b>=2639 approx.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*********************</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Write, Edit, Publish (WEP)</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace and Love</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvrQ5ri1bQ7MazWw0iHFKRtsTYnGRafvhyvu0pdscFKq0K4dIKFmcijQ1pZJaG3AEl2wkOMaFJkJjvmqM746l-0JEnumXjRyyOgYSLWT93GLZ4n5ZoHVmW0aBI55rjrLBCYk34GVaw-U/s1600/April+PEACE+AND+LOVE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvrQ5ri1bQ7MazWw0iHFKRtsTYnGRafvhyvu0pdscFKq0K4dIKFmcijQ1pZJaG3AEl2wkOMaFJkJjvmqM746l-0JEnumXjRyyOgYSLWT93GLZ4n5ZoHVmW0aBI55rjrLBCYk34GVaw-U/s320/April+PEACE+AND+LOVE.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's April, time for our second WEP challenge - with the support team of Nilanjana Bose and Olga Godim adding their imaginings and creativity. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks to Denise and Yolanda for being the hosts!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Create an artistic enterpretation: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 words or less, a non-fiction piece detailing your personal experience or someone else's experience, write a script, draw your dreams, or post a photograph or a photo essay. The genre and the artistic choice are yours!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #efe7dd; color: #5c5c5c;"><br /></span>According to the poem <i>Peace and Love by Ella Wheeler Wilcox. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Despair and hope may meet within one heart."</i></span><br />
<br />
***<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Part 1 of this story: Automatic Slim</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2017/02/wep-back-of-drawer-automatic-slim.html">https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2017/02/wep-back-of-drawer-automatic-slim.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Note: </b>The original 5000 + word count story was edited to this current length in Part 2 to finish off the story which began in the last challenge. A lot of narrative was cut, but I couldn't meet the 1000 word count limit and still keep the story valid. Please forgive my excesses. . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-1683342351513900992017-03-06T00:15:00.000-08:002017-03-06T00:15:11.141-08:00Lonesome Traveler by Jack Kerouac -- A Review<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Jack Kerouac was </b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>on the cusp of becoming one of the best known of the Beat poets and writers when this book was written.</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopqYl7JWn4F9i-iey13CujkaNeE4Bli8g9ELYiPqVJjHnGcFKHZeP4HoGvIDWKCuS1yCHLy6joAupNAW9cMVl9TQzMkBxb80DYvyyfN1hM5yaqhyYdOy1mGg8UD3YSv-d82sAYkVJeNU/s1600/KerouacLonsmTravlr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopqYl7JWn4F9i-iey13CujkaNeE4Bli8g9ELYiPqVJjHnGcFKHZeP4HoGvIDWKCuS1yCHLy6joAupNAW9cMVl9TQzMkBxb80DYvyyfN1hM5yaqhyYdOy1mGg8UD3YSv-d82sAYkVJeNU/s400/KerouacLonsmTravlr.png" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cover image for Lonesome Traveler, by Jack Kerouac</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Lonesome Traveler</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Jack wrote <i><b>Lonesome Traveler</b>,</i> he was working at various jobs while he tried to get <i>On The Road</i> published.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He observed, lived through and recorded a time period of change in the USA. It was a time of questioning, a time of epic road trips and the introduction of variety in American literature style.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this autobiographical work, Jack Kerouac writes about the years of his wandering, when he worked as a railway brakeman in California, a steward on a tramp steamer, and a fire lookout on Desolation Peak in the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Lonesome Traveler includes San Francisco stories, New York scenes (the clubs, the parties), and a saved-for big trip to Europe. Jack was getting his culture education and wasn't afraid of working to achieve his goals. This generation was restless, curious, and a forerunner of the social movements to come. No longer content to sit and grow old in the same place as their parents, the young adults of this time period (the 50s) wanted to see the USA and the world'.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kerouac also reveals more about himself in this book, as he talks about his goals, his work and how he writes. His personal life is always a bit 'in limbo' as his relationships don't tend to survive. He does remain in touch with the other members of the Beat group, albeit sporadically. A bit different from his stream of consciousness rambling, <i>Lonesome Traveler </i>is an enjoyable read with a lot of detail packed into the narrative. I recommend this book for those who like the historical detail of the Beat poets and writers, or those who like to read about the man, Jack Kerouac. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An Alley in 'Frisco</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In recognition of his literary contributions, Jack Kerouac has an alley behind City Lights Bookstore named for him. '<i>If you're going to San Francisco' </i>as the song goes, be sure to stop by and drop in at the City Lights Bookstore. Ferlinghetti, the longtime owner-poet-writer, ensured many of the Beat authors were represented there, along with poets and other authors.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU757UY02Ai5-fCYD14nfDMN9NKvs7TtpujouyA_JwenUo5Wuj3oVSW9uMkFts14oAkxU1dmIo1rBQyxbkG3Vh72Pgo-r8Sc-0O-ZLFG6440j0C3oDFox2cjDr1egDeTyireBNIGGg2U/s1600/DCP_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZU757UY02Ai5-fCYD14nfDMN9NKvs7TtpujouyA_JwenUo5Wuj3oVSW9uMkFts14oAkxU1dmIo1rBQyxbkG3Vh72Pgo-r8Sc-0O-ZLFG6440j0C3oDFox2cjDr1egDeTyireBNIGGg2U/s1600/DCP_2969.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerouac Alley in San Francisco, CA. by AC, prop DG Hudson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Have you ever read any of the Beat writers?</b> Are you a fan of Kerouac's novels? Ever seen Kerouac Alley?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond.</b> Thanks for dropping by! I'll soon be reading and reviewing several more <b>recent</b> books, one by Jessica Bell, and several by other current indie writers. </span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">American <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poet" title="Poet">poet</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painting" title="Painting">painter</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberalism" title="Liberalism">liberal activist</a>, and the co-founder of <b>City Lights Booksellers & Publishers</b>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Ferlinghetti">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Ferlinghetti</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>City Lights Bookstore, San Francisco</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Lights_Bookstore">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City_Lights_Bookstore</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>A to Z post on Jack Kerouac</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/04/k-kerouac-jack-author-z-blog-challenge.html">https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/04/k-kerouac-jack-author-z-blog-challenge.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Jack Kerouac, American writer</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2012/07/jack-kerouac-american-writer.html">https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2012/07/jack-kerouac-american-writer.html</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-23965659187153480212017-02-15T00:10:00.000-08:002017-02-15T00:10:09.983-08:00WEP Back of the Drawer - Automatic Slim<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>At the back of my desk drawer,</b> I found this story based on the very real theft of a collector blade, The Godfather knife. It's a weapon that keeps making an appearance in one dead body after another. . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, who is the thief?</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fE0iGn6ghH9Ra_fxYf1git4uqNxoCgqEDMOodcmbtimLoXMcuWpeB784OWHxlNxTg8n45TL0DrINWdqDgPFmOK0L_mTl6J0nlPSdShHnM7TyIHgYOq4_QzSXqnazLg5IfcqRlhFKH3E/s1600/Ultimate_Godfather-Tuxedo-AutoSlim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fE0iGn6ghH9Ra_fxYf1git4uqNxoCgqEDMOodcmbtimLoXMcuWpeB784OWHxlNxTg8n45TL0DrINWdqDgPFmOK0L_mTl6J0nlPSdShHnM7TyIHgYOq4_QzSXqnazLg5IfcqRlhFKH3E/s320/Ultimate_Godfather-Tuxedo-AutoSlim.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Promotional photo of The Godfather Knife - Google Images</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><i>Automatic Slim</i> . . . </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A short story excerpt</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yellow police tape cordoned off a small
rancher a few blocks off Commercial Drive, in Vancouver’s east end, while
lights flashing from several police car beacons created a strobe effect. A few blocks away, the emergency sirens
blared a warning to pedestrians and traffic on Broadway. The noise grew louder as the ambulance and
coroner’s van arrived one after the other at the scene of the homicide. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Vancouver Police officers were directing
pedestrians to move back from the barriers while forensics specialists and the
coroner collected and tagged their evidence.
Bystanders, including a few dog walkers and a couple of joggers, stood
nearby talking to their neighbours trying to determine what had happened.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Keep back from the barricades, everyone,
or I’ll have to clear the area. No
statements will be issued at this
time.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constable Sean McNulty glowered
at the crowd and the reporters standing by the barriers, using his imposing
size and bushy eyebrows as reinforcement. It didn’t stop reporters or the gawkers with their camera phones from
taking photos of the house. No one
argued -- but they didn’t move either.
Any one of them could have phoned in the anonymous tip the precinct had
received that morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Constable, don’t we have a right to know
what’s happening in our own neighbourhood?” asked the white-haired lady from
the house two doors down. “I live by
myself and this violence frightens me. I
need to know what to watch for.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Yes lady, you do. But first, we need to do our preliminary
investigation. Now, if any of you have
any information about the deceased Mr. Divenuto, please let Constable Johnson
take your statement. If anyone witnessed
anything, we need to know. Johnson’s the
one standing over there by the patrol car.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Only a couple of those hanging around went
over to talk to the officer, offering what they knew of the young victim. No one seemed to like him much, judging by
the comments.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“He wasn’t a friendly guy, if you know
what I mean,” said one of the men. “Kept
to himself, and didn’t have many visitors.
Didn’t even cut his own lawn.
Paid some gardening service to do that.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Did you hear anything late last night or
early this morning? A struggle or yell,
anything unusual?” Constable Johnson
said as he made eye contact with the crowd.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Not at the time he comes home. That’s usually in the wee hours. He can walk home from Grey’s Tavern, a bar on
Commercial Drive.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constable Johnson and the local police unit
knew the exact location of Grey’s Tavern, having been called there on several
occasions to settle disturbances.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rico, born Ricardo Divenuto, had been
found dead in his home with the murder weapon buried in his flesh. Between the second and third ribs, the
officers had found a knife thrust through to the heart. Not just any knife, but an elegant one with a
white ivory handle encasing six inches of black satin steel. <i>. </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">According to the coroner, the weapon had been
placed with surgical precision and the intent to kill. Judging from the lack of visible evidence and
the sweet smell of chloroform, the coroner reported that the victim had been
under forced sedation prior to death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Constable McNulty pulled up a background
check on the laptop in the squad car. Rico’s police profile showed minor offences, and suspected complicity in
a few felonies. Lack of evidence had
prevented any serious charges being laid against him. He was thirty-one years old, but had spent
time in juvenile detention as a minor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After Rico’s body was zipped in a body bag
for delivery to the morgue, Forensics packed their specimen evidence and equipment into cases
for the lab. Constables McNulty and
Johnson were the last to leave and locked the house. The yellow tape remained, edging the property
like an ugly fence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“What do you think happened, McNulty? That fancy knife seems out of place, don’t
you think?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Looks like a vengeance killing to
me. And Johnson,
this is off the record and goes no further than the two of us --
understand? We’re not paid to give our
opinions, nor to do any talking about it.
Let’s go get a coffee at Timmy’s before we head to the precinct, I could
use a strong one.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I’m aware of the consequences McNulty,
and I don’t talk about my job. Coffee sounds
good. I’ll pay. You drive.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“You got a deal.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Knives have a certain beauty to them, an
aesthetic value above the actual utilitarian purpose for which they were
designed,” said Jonathan Ashworth. “Especially this one,” he said pointing to a switchblade in his
collection. “It’s the Protec Godfather
Tuxedo Model.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Yes, it’s a fine piece, that one,” said
Dr. Samuel Jarvis. “Looks brand new and
deadly, is it a recent acquisition?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam, an authority on unusual methods of
killing, had written several books on hand weapons and lectured on historical
and current models. He worked with the
Street Crime Investigation Unit when his expertise was needed.<i> </i>As an old friend
of Jonathan’s, Sam came once a week for breakfast and companionship.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“As a matter of fact, yes, it is. A replacement, actually, since the original
that I purchased on a trip to Florida was stolen a couple of days ago. I
was showing it to a small group of guests at my annual open house, when I was
asked to meet someone at the front door. When I returned, it was gone.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He pushed the cabinet back into the hidden
wall enclosure, and locked the steel door. As Sam
walked back to the dining room, he noticed a stack of small rectangular boxes with </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">elegant black and white packaging </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in the corner.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Neither Jonathan nor Sam mentioned the
police incident from the rental house three doors over.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each kept that information close to their
heart</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspector Mike Patterson had pulled Sam into the murder case at the
local tavern, when Forensics saw the special knife. Rico Divenuto, when he was
among the living, had been employed at the local motorcycle dealership, and
rode his bike in his off hours with the gang that hung around Grey’s Tavern. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inspector Patterson approved Sam's request to
interview some of the people on Jonathan's guest list. They were
investigating other leads from their undercover operations at the tavern. There was no reason - yet - to advise the
inspector of his friendship with Jonathan.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WC= 1071 (for story only) not including lead-in and notes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>To Be Continued. . .at a later date.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Note:</b> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Two more bodies will be found stabbed with the same knife. This whodunit in full is about 5000 WC so can't post the whole story. <i>Automatic Slim</i> is a lead-in story to introduce the character Sam Jarvis who also appears in a novella/novelette based on a border story incident.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">What was in the back of your drawer? A mystery object? A forgotten story? A box with someone's history in it? Do you have any special weapon, either purchased or inherited?</span><br />
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here, and I'll respond. Thanks for dropping by!</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WEP -Write, Edit, and Publish</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The prompt: </b>Create an artistic interpretation: a poem, a flash fiction piece of 1000 wc or less, a personal experience, a dream or a photographic essay. The genre and style are up to you. You could find a note about a scandal, a love lost, a deed, a lottery ticket or a will naming you the beneficiary. Have fun with it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks <b>Yolanda and Denise</b> for hosting this challenge and thanks to those behind the scenes as well!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">What will you find at the Back of the Drawer? Check the main list <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2017/02/wepff-back-of-drawer-flash-fiction.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Knife</b> - Wiki</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://www.protechknives.com/knives/switchblades/custom-godfather-knives.asp</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-6452103595587750592017-01-28T14:50:00.000-08:002017-02-21T10:01:02.492-08:00Duma Key by Stephen King - A Review<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Amid the lulling noises of the ocean waves rushing onto the beach are the clicking of shells under the pink house that reaches out over the water . . . or is that sound, voices? No, it's only shells, only shells. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">DUMA KEY</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">elsewhere in the Florida Keys. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a suspense story woven into the deceiving background of palm trees, island beaches, and shells that 'talk' beneath a house reserved for artists. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this story by Stephen King, master of the horror genre, we learn about an artist who seemingly reaches the peak of his talent after a traumatic accident. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Edgar Freemantle has suffered from a construction accident which takes his right arm and some of his memories. He is left with a scrambled mind and a throbbing rage as he begins rehabilitation. After the accident, his marriage falters and ends, leaving Edgar wishing he had not survived.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He moves to South Florida in the Keys, those islands that extend from the mainland outward into the Gulf of Mexico. His therapist tells him to get a hobby he enjoys and try to come to terms with his new life. Edgar begins to draw and paint. . .at times feeling a driving force he cannot identify. The results astound him. Now he has a purpose, but he wonders at what is driving him. <i>Perhaps it's the need to do something, anything. Perhaps not.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As he settles in to the Pink House, he begins to meet his neighbours and others who live or do business on Duma Key. One elderly lady who owns part of the island, including the house in which he is staying, has a few quirks of her own. She takes a liking to Edgar, as does her hired helper, called Wireman. Between trying to get his work into a gallery for an art opening and trying to determine what is real and what isn't, Edgar has his hands full. His past life intervenes when one daughter who is closer to her father, comes to visit. Everyone is praising the work that Edgar is creating, especially as he has suffered the loss of one arm. That arm occasionally feels as if it's still there. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Edgar realizes he must find out </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'what' happened to the original family that settled here. One of them is still living. </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The deeper Edgar and his friends investigate, the more the paranormal activity increases. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Relationships between the characters, secrets about the past and the strange behaviour of plant life and the ocean near the Pink House will keep you wondering what's next. The pace in </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Duma Key</b></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b> </b>is much better than the pace in </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Stand</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, which I found too drawn-out in the middle. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recommend <i><b>Duma Key</b></i> to readers who are fans of Stephen King, love paranormal stories or suspense, or those who have an interest in art. It didn't take me long to get through it, it's a page turner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Are you a fan of Stephen King's writing? Have you read Duma Key? What would you do if you thought the house you lived in or rented was haunted?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. I have several upcoming book reviews about books by: Jack Kerouac, Agatha Christie (2), and Diana Gabaldon. Hope you drop by to check them out, especially if you're looking for a change of pace. </i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOW in the </span></b><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">news (Jan 28/17):</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <b>Sanctuary Cities</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Update: Canadian cities follow American counterparts in declaring Sanctuary for undocumented immigrants: </b>Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, with others discussing and voting on joining the move to resist following Trump policies on the Canadian side of the border. <b>See <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/sanctuary-cities-montreal-canada-toronto-vancouver-1.3991321?cmp=rss" target="_blank">CBC news</a> Feb 21/17.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Original news: Jan 28/17</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many of the great cities in the USA are putting up resistance to the current protectionist policies of the new president, in particular, immigration. The following article is from our Canadian news. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/sanctuary-cities-undocumented-immigrants-donald-trump-executive-order-1.3956502">http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/sanctuary-cities-undocumented-immigrants-donald-trump-executive-order-1.3956502</a> <b>CBC News, Sanctuary cities in the USA. </b>Egalitarian policies still prevail in some smart humane cities, managed by smart mayors! Bravo!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">****************************** </span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-62851371857401908312017-01-08T14:50:00.000-08:002017-01-09T15:18:58.951-08:00Roland Yeomans - The Not-So-Innocents Abroad Novel - A Review<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Steampunk, Floating Airships, and new inventions, oh my, with an entourage of characters who are invited for a one-of-a-kind cruise. </b>Wouldn't you like to come along?</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Not So Innocents Abroad -Cover. by Roland Yeomans</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>The Journey begins</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sam McCord, Meilori, Meilori's henchmen, Ada, Abigail, and a young Tesla cross paths with vampire politicians, Captain Nemo, and other assorted villains in this adventure set in a time of exploration and new inventions. The original stated purpose is to take the guests to the great world exposition in Paris, with a few side trips.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>All is not what it seems.</i> The airship is powered by new technology and Meilori's control. Sam McCord does what a Texas Ranger is hired to do, keep the peace or control the mayhem. Somewhat. This is a cruise meant to impress and to explore, but at the same time, it is a venue where Sam McCord and Meilori can rein-in certain revenants-<i>the undead-</i>and others who plan their demise.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Will the tour survive? Will Captain Nemo get his way? Will Sam McCord and Meilori be able to deter the plots set in motion by those who have gone to the Dark side? This is a book which makes you want to look over your shoulder for those souls lurking in your own past. . .</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In <i><b>Not So Innocents Abroad</b></i>, Roland Yeomans has crafted another tale of a world we can only imagine, yet one which mirrors the real world in some aspects - one in which good and evil battle for control against known and unknown enemies. Plots and sub-plots entangle our hero and his heroine, but the demon alien goddess (Meilori) paired with her solid Texas lawman with a deadly right hand manage to survive, so far. . .This tale continues in Roland's next novel, <i><b>The Not So Innocents at Large</b>.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Underneath the tension of the adventure runs the never-ending, time-spanning romance of McCord and Meilori. I recommend this novel for those who like steampunk, adventure, history and the magical world which the author has created. This is a book which will transport you to those realms where anything is possible.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To learn more about Roland Yeomans, the prolific author, please visit his website, </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Writing in the Crosshairs</b></a></i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, where you can view some of his other titles. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you a fan of steampunk tales? Have you read Roland Yeomans novels? Do you like adventure with a fantasy twist?</span></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for dropping by! Hope 2017 will bring us better news and events than the past year! </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Reference:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Roland's website</b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/">http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>More info on Roland Yeomans as Author (from the A-Z authors list)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/04/y-yeomans-roland-author-z-blog.html">https://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/04/y-yeomans-roland-author-z-blog.html</a></span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-30836668504652939422016-12-21T09:05:00.000-08:002016-12-23T14:18:57.190-08:00Asteroidian Dreams of Utopia - WEP Holidays 2016<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Utopia? I wouldn't call it that. It's Someplace Else I dream about, A real planet. . .</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image 1, see credits </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Noises drifted into the corridor from one of the lab units. Loud voices. Aperture doors cycled open and closed with only a slight click. Then, silence. A woman stepped into the corridor, paused for a moment as the door cycled close. She turned and headed for the marked surface exit. Two seconds later,</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a head popped out of the door which just cycled open again and a young man said, "Citizen Leta, excuse me Citizen Leta Buk!"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leta tried to relax her shoulders and hands. Tension did that to her. Made her want to bite something hard. </span><br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep walking. Ignore. Keep walking. Focus. That man can't tell me what I can do. </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-style: italic;">My job is to study the surface, and I'm prepared this time in case the lurker I saw before is dangerous, human or something unknown. As prepared as a human can be. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After a few minutes, the head belonging to the young man in an officer's uniform disappeared and the door cycled shut again. His name tag identified him as Citizen Dako Jon, Special Assignment Officer.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image 2, see credits</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leta put on the custom surface suit she had bought for exploring the outer layer of the asteroid. One of the tailors in the colony made these for special request at a likewise special price. It was puncture resistant, had a longer airtime for its oxygen breathing tanks which were made with a lightweight composite, and included a built in deflector vest. No one asked the tailor how he managed to acquire the materials; they didn't want to know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After cycling the airlock compartment closed, she left the re-purposed starship which served as the main administration centre. It was built into the highest level of the colony, stripped from the mother ship. Once she was out, where no one could live without life support, away from the claustrophobic areas and recycled air, she felt more calm. She checked the spot where the heat signature had appeared on her last outing. It was innocuous. There was nothing to indicate anything had been there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She pulled out her constellation map copies to compare those to the multitudes of stars above and around her. She wanted to map the constellations she could observe from this colony, and soon was absorbed in her study. With a special tool designed for her spacesuit -</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">a little extra installed by the maker of the suit-s</span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">he started to plot her own star chart. The flexible fingers and small manipulations she could do made the cost of the suit reasonable.</span><br />
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<i>It's an investment. And it hides a very capable weapon capable of stunning or killing. I hope I can find out what was shadowing me last time.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjTNrPRHjJVHHDC-FJ3td3F0sV_wA2Y_-NhQMbjtRK0MWV2aq3G1EkFpgnFDiYidXL6J9DQQReJ3A42sz_CLNXwyn-G3SCOgQw2TTxcqQRRXYR9JOGc98Twn-U8u4PLucT6MOhAbPvjg/s1600/hs-2006-55-a-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjTNrPRHjJVHHDC-FJ3td3F0sV_wA2Y_-NhQMbjtRK0MWV2aq3G1EkFpgnFDiYidXL6J9DQQReJ3A42sz_CLNXwyn-G3SCOgQw2TTxcqQRRXYR9JOGc98Twn-U8u4PLucT6MOhAbPvjg/s400/hs-2006-55-a-web.jpg" width="373" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image 3, see Credits</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The feeling of being watched suddenly came back and she turned quickly. There! She saw a flash of what looked to be a humanoid figure dart in the shadows in a different location than before. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She activated the suit's weapon array and the transmitter inside her helmet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Attention, intruder. This is Citizen Leta Buk. Show yourself. Identify your name and your purpose. My weapon is armed and ready."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I acknowledge, Citizen Buk. I mean no harm. I have been shadowing you to see why you come up here, and I wanted to learn who you were. Not many ever come to the outside, not unless they have to. My name is Killian Max, I'm a historian."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>He's no assassin. . .or I'd be dead.</i> She disarmed her weapons. "Accepted. I don't remember seeing you before, did you transfer in from another part of the colony?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Yes, I'm from Level 8, transferred in a few weeks ago, but I'm a nobody really," he said. "But one day, that could change. I invent things, I create something new out of a bit of this and that. Like this suit I'm wearing."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Your surface suit? You made it yourself? I couldn't get a heat signature from your suit the first time you stalked me."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I don't know why I'm telling you that I make things, but it's my secret. I could get into more trouble if word gets out. And, I wasn't stalking. I was observing."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It's illegal to create new technology? That doesn't make sense. But don't worry, I can keep a secret."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"The council members fear that it was technology that derailed a lot of old civilizations, fear that it will subvert the human goals. Fear of the new. It's a way of controlling growth and it allows the council to monitor what it calls rogue citizens. . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"You don't seem like a crazy inventor. . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I consider myself like those greats from Antiquity - Tesla, Edison, and others. I honour their memory from the age when inventions were heralded, not hidden. I like to dream about other places, planets rather than chunks of rock. Places where inventions are welcome. I want to see things. I don't want to stay here all my life."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"So, you're a dreamer like me."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"If that means dreaming of other places and better times, yes. In the meantime, I work on my inventions, test them covertly, and study our ancestors. Could I ask you something about your work?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Sure. I'm a mapper for the surface of this colony. I have begun to map the constellations in our system for my own interest."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Is that what you doing with those sheets of film I saw you drawing on?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Yes. Mapping. This suit has been adapted for my work. It's what I do. Making star charts is like mapping the universe, or at least a part of it."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'll remember that if I run across any ancient maps in my work. There is so much of our history that has been suppressed here in the colony. For instance, have you ever heard of Christmas? It's an ancient Terran holiday that seems to have been lost from our collective memory."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I've never heard anything about it. Why was it a holiday?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"It celebrated peace, and was entangled with several religious traditions that seem like legends to us. People would sing, give gifts and try to help those less fortunate. There was a feast using some type of avian species which was unique to Terra."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Interesting. So many things died or were lost when Old Sol, the Terran sun went nova. Will we ever find the remnants of the human race, scattered as it is? That would be a good reason to bring back some of the old ways. I'm ready."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I've been ready for some time. I'm glad we have met. It gives me hope that there's more out there. . ."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Yes, this could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship, Killian."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"That sounds like something I read somewhere before. Well met, Leta."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And so, another link in the chain is formed. A chain which will eventually pull these two scientists in training away from their birthplace and toward other colonies and planets. As the circle turns and twists, what was old becomes new again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>MERRY CHRISTMAS AND BEST WISHES FOR 2017!</i></span><br />
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***<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">WEP, aka Write, Edit, and Publish</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNM_GpCBTVxDIlQF8D8HDUQ2zRG1FMkTEhwPLEbzZ7bLnC5o5LUdaizE1pnn1OlUBcSqOJkyNr3SPMRat4yPTYoRitq75l8hKoFk563a6mZFdEINmUFwVgo4rsahMMt6fKP5BNgxGAlE/s1600/thumbnail_Badge_GirlCastle5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXNM_GpCBTVxDIlQF8D8HDUQ2zRG1FMkTEhwPLEbzZ7bLnC5o5LUdaizE1pnn1OlUBcSqOJkyNr3SPMRat4yPTYoRitq75l8hKoFk563a6mZFdEINmUFwVgo4rsahMMt6fKP5BNgxGAlE/s320/thumbnail_Badge_GirlCastle5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks to Yolanda and Denise, co-hosts of <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/"><b>Write, Edit, Publish</b></a> for once again stirring our minds to create! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We all have dreams, the fleeting kind that can end up being nightmares or the ones about what we would like to achieve, but for the Utopian Dreams Challenge, we want to know about that secret desire, the something you spend time daydreaming about, talking about and maybe even secretly planning for. It can be anything that will make your life seem perfect, or utopian. However, reality is rarely ideal. Let's talk about as we end the year 2016, and look forward to perhaps getting a little closer to that dream.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The challenge: Create an interpretation of your own choosing: a poem, a flash fiction piece, a non-fiction piece detailing an experience, or write a script, draw your dream, or find photographs to show us the essence of the dream and enhance the story. It's up to you. Have fun and don't forget to <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2016/12/wepff-utopian-dream-challenge-reality.html"><b>visit all the participants on the list</b> </a>who are sharing their ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Can you imagine how it might be to live underground on an asteroid? Do you think traditions can fade away as centuries pass? </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Thanks for visiting, and please leave a comment to let me know you were here. I'll respond. I also want to thank everyone who has been a regular visitor here or just occasionally drops by. I will try to get back into my own posting routine after the holidays.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">References:</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">NOTE: this story continues as Part 2 of <i>Asteroid Stories</i></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Previous WEP story: <i><b><a href="http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/10/if-i-wish-upon-constellation-wep.html">If I Wish Upon a Constellation</a>, Part I</b></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/10/if-i-wish-upon-constellation-wep.html">http://dghudson-rainwriting.blogspot.ca/2016/10/if-i-wish-upon-constellation-wep.html</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/">https://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/</a> <b>Write Edit Publish</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>***</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Images:</span></b><br />
<a href="http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/the_universe"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/the_universe</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1st Image via Hubble</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="import">Credit:</span> <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>, <a href="http://www.spacetelescope.org/">ESA</a>, and the <a href="http://heritage.stsci.edu/">Hubble Heritage</a> Team (<a href="http://www.stsci.edu/">STScI</a>/<a href="http://www.aura-astronomy.org/">AURA</a>)-<a href="http://www.spacetelescope.org/">ESA</a>/Hubble Collaboration</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2nd Image via Pixabay</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">https://pixabay.com/en/space-asteroids-planets-cosmos-1422642/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3rd image via Hubble</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="import">Credit:</span> <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/">NASA</a>, <a href="http://www.spacetelescope.org/">ESA</a>, CXC and the University of Potsdam, JPL-Caltech, and <a href="http://www.stsci.edu/">STScI</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-19715917072023217482016-10-19T02:50:00.000-07:002016-10-19T02:50:04.680-07:00 If I Wish Upon a Constellation - WEP October Challenge<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>If I Wish Upon a Constellation, </b></i> will more stars make the wish come true?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What was that old Terran saying? Star light, Star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight. . . .</span></i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsOYZDCz21cGnCUZtYY7BBLQp1ST_NZAbPYi2AZYgi5sfNCFTPdVEV5erdih91EDB5FGG5XBEIf2C-N3-swMuwhwiIO0RrkoeQool0K_0fG4q4Q6JKJdm8TTDnNg-Y-G6oLpKKlJ6ix4/s1600/Omega_Nebula.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsOYZDCz21cGnCUZtYY7BBLQp1ST_NZAbPYi2AZYgi5sfNCFTPdVEV5erdih91EDB5FGG5XBEIf2C-N3-swMuwhwiIO0RrkoeQool0K_0fG4q4Q6JKJdm8TTDnNg-Y-G6oLpKKlJ6ix4/s320/Omega_Nebula.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Omega Nebulae *</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I look up into the darkness above me, I see multitudes of glittering stars, and a few constellations I know. Some regions of the starry sky have order and others do not, they seem splattered on the darkness in chaos. The swirling clouds of nebuli glow with colours for which we have no names, as stars are born from the etherial dust. A flash of distant brightness as a star goes nova, and a comet streaks by, its tail streaming. This is a performance, a light show of the night sky.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiovLrXpakYhluO-9ZGwaQL6Ye1zhwp-pMkBkIk434FWuqgR5wKqcwEzWhbURl4mfoJW0MtNlbJP31K8g_0j7ynDzefc8bqQ54P-k-TywyUD78MzPZI-Qdw0MR5KtBGwMR2K9keJzNl8Y/s1600/Eagle_nebula_pillars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiovLrXpakYhluO-9ZGwaQL6Ye1zhwp-pMkBkIk434FWuqgR5wKqcwEzWhbURl4mfoJW0MtNlbJP31K8g_0j7ynDzefc8bqQ54P-k-TywyUD78MzPZI-Qdw0MR5KtBGwMR2K9keJzNl8Y/s320/Eagle_nebula_pillars.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eagle Nebulae Pillars *</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All around me I see the dust and little rocks which make up the surface of this asteroid which is our colony's home. This fine dust gets into everything. Likely it's in our bodies, too. The surface is barren and unwelcoming. But below the surface, we manage with what we have. It's not a bad life, but it is a hard life. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmrVC2lqx2TdM9IpUQ-LZjhweiAEAcive6SsMuT3ODMyMwOjYxBfrpTBhnPmnIdP99lUAROUshp_f7-ZREk4TzBhupeBj2jl8wf7nL5RQ1O_dgGWBmNObpeQfDAmPDyskKEubdMDA9XU/s1600/imagesCA0ZHSJJ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmrVC2lqx2TdM9IpUQ-LZjhweiAEAcive6SsMuT3ODMyMwOjYxBfrpTBhnPmnIdP99lUAROUshp_f7-ZREk4TzBhupeBj2jl8wf7nL5RQ1O_dgGWBmNObpeQfDAmPDyskKEubdMDA9XU/s400/imagesCA0ZHSJJ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telescope Image*</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Terr</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">a, so the teachers tell us, the ancients studied the stars, gave them names and sent probes to explore them.. All this, which they told us was unfounded however, until a recent discovery.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While working my shift turn at the main library, I found a forgotten copy of an antiquated manuscript on constellations which detailed groupings of stars in the various quadrants as seen from old Terra. It had fallen between two storage shelves. Now, I had that manuscript, hidden in my satchel, loaned to me under strict secrecy by a sympathetic librarian in our colony. I had to return it in a few days. All artifacts had to be submitted to the colony panel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I leaned back on the rock, I caught a movement out of the side of my eye. All my sensors went on high alert. What was that? And, why is it hiding?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Something doesn't feel quite right.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe I'm </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sensing something. Prickly hair on my neck, and a twitchy eye. A bad sign. <i>No one could know about the manuscript pages I brought up to compare to our stars. . .could they?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I look around but see nothing. Only one person knows I'm on the surface and that person is out at one of the camps. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have to do something. . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />I reached for the laser pistol clamped on the side of the suit. I turned. Nothing. All seemed as it should. I did a quick 360 degrees turn, using my visual infrared feature of the helmet to scan for heat signatures. There, something giving off a very small heat signature behind that outcropping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then it was gone. No heat signature reading. No movement. I looked away, for just a moment. When I looked back, they were gone. I wasted no time in getting up, keeping the pistol in my gloved hand and securing the exterior door after leaving the airlock.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another incident. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
****<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and tell me how you feel about the unexplored frontier in space? </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read my post. Please remember to visit the others on the participation list found on Denise's blog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>****</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b>Write, Edit, Publish</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISXK9PSZIJX5qpO6qmZv9eg0UauBhAhDb6e25Pji3ikg5yJ-aRVe0nlmd1BHQWVDCUVassI_q9V8xNJ47CKr470IGJVXXeD5bZTi3kIvtSA1hJT5EOVOZO7h98eRJfkqsuReJrgrZPa0/s1600/Badge_Diagonal5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISXK9PSZIJX5qpO6qmZv9eg0UauBhAhDb6e25Pji3ikg5yJ-aRVe0nlmd1BHQWVDCUVassI_q9V8xNJ47CKr470IGJVXXeD5bZTi3kIvtSA1hJT5EOVOZO7h98eRJfkqsuReJrgrZPa0/s320/Badge_Diagonal5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">FLASH FICTION, POETRY, NON-FICTION, PLAYSCRIPTS, ARTWORK OR PHOTOGRAPHY. It's your choice of medium, and genre, but the word count should be about 1000 maximum. Check out more details at the </span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2016/10/wepff-october-sign-up-constellations-or.html">WEP</a></span></b><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> site, and there you will find the entrants participating in this challenge! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Join us in these challenges, and practice your short fiction!</span><b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2016/10/wepff-october-sign-up-constellations-or.html">WEP Hosts</a>: Denise and Yolanda</b></span><br />
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****<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">References:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* = From various telescope images.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88_modern_constellations">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/88_modern_constellations</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.go-astronomy.com/constellations.htm">http://www.go-astronomy.com/constellations.htm</a> images of constellations</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_quadrant">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactic_quadrant</a> Galactic quadrant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(constellation)">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_(constellation)</a> Orion constellation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<br />
CONSTELLATION DEFINED:<br />
a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern that is traditionally named after its apparent form or identified with a mythological figure. Modern astronomers divide the sky into eighty-eight constellations with defined boundaries. OR a group or cluster of related things.<br />
<br />
***D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-63522907441999342332016-10-18T01:45:00.000-07:002016-10-18T01:45:08.541-07:00New! THE NOT-SO-INNOCENTS AT LARGE from R. Yeomans<div class="MsoNormal">
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<i><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Paris
was an old city, the very moonbeams seeming but ghosts of sad lovers wandering
the night in search of their lost soulmate.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mark Twain</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Welcome to my <i>DON’T
BUY MY BOOK!</i> Blog Tour</b>. This stop
graciously provided by the ever kind D.G. Hudson.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGynL9LjZ0OQ3H9Avhkx3BDheu_9grQu03KDhdkjbufMZeoBfoL9zfbyhJ16oyx68ZMQ7oz4EwGVOZrScwfVBx-r8u-5UWBMgGLo9kxTS0BNCukbEFrM8joECyH4o9DiCFGBdvEmaGs8/s1600/louvre-495397_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyGynL9LjZ0OQ3H9Avhkx3BDheu_9grQu03KDhdkjbufMZeoBfoL9zfbyhJ16oyx68ZMQ7oz4EwGVOZrScwfVBx-r8u-5UWBMgGLo9kxTS0BNCukbEFrM8joECyH4o9DiCFGBdvEmaGs8/s400/louvre-495397_1280.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Pixabay Image of the Louvre Museum</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">D.G. loves the Louvre … and since part of my Steampunk
occurs in that fabled museum, I thought to speak of it.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But before approaching its awe-inspiring galleries,
let me tell you why I named my tour: DON’T BUY MY BOOK!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IjPUcqQl2jKSJ2FB4swqmgPkbjFojbq5psMij7MfW8Pl7p3XfCpS_jc9J9d_2S0Sn6z1UkQ7sUi6kzNuhRt29bLJxOIaOqSU4ut_IwVjwErxCMSxqJf4md83iG__P2Pm5qt9uoIEn0Y/s1600/DON%2527T+BUY+MY+BOOK_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9IjPUcqQl2jKSJ2FB4swqmgPkbjFojbq5psMij7MfW8Pl7p3XfCpS_jc9J9d_2S0Sn6z1UkQ7sUi6kzNuhRt29bLJxOIaOqSU4ut_IwVjwErxCMSxqJf4md83iG__P2Pm5qt9uoIEn0Y/s400/DON%2527T+BUY+MY+BOOK_1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">R. Yeomans, for <i>The Not-So-Innocents at Large</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like life in Paris, the craft of writing is never
simple, for it embraces not just the <i>“How”</i>
but the <i>“Why”</i> and the <i>“What”</i> as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don’t wish for you to buy my book; I wish for you to
<i>WANT </i>my book.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most people have given up the hope of ever finding a
book that so completely draws them in that they totally forget about their own
lives and actually live the exploits of characters who have become more real
than many of the people with whom they work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How do you write a book like that?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Understand that there are no heroes … only ordinary
folks who must step up to the challenges facing them and do more than what they
feel they are capable of.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvkIPSWjXCk5UoDB5b0f6wfsGQWDsmq_DR4E2m2u33qszFKFJXU4JmOVrwf5pR1ztJaRz9xJ3iG0AFjYFHHMfn2ppJQFSHfyIxatkLR2zw1DQfeD5i1b5s-bi0lo7saKi2EqSQ_B8grc/s1600/NOT+SO+INNOCENTS_CORA+PEARL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigvkIPSWjXCk5UoDB5b0f6wfsGQWDsmq_DR4E2m2u33qszFKFJXU4JmOVrwf5pR1ztJaRz9xJ3iG0AFjYFHHMfn2ppJQFSHfyIxatkLR2zw1DQfeD5i1b5s-bi0lo7saKi2EqSQ_B8grc/s320/NOT+SO+INNOCENTS_CORA+PEARL.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Cora Pearl’s Image above Paris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tap into the primal fears we all have, the inner needs
that comprise the human heart, and pull your reader into the turbulent lives of
your characters by making him or her care if they win or lose.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How to do that?</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You craft your characters so that the reader sees herself in them and
her enemies in the antagonists your characters face.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">When I wrote of visiting the Louvre, your mind filled
with the magnificent items that the famous museum contains. </span>I did that as a magician distracts the audience with a
false flourish. You see, Paris of 1867 was an all too real city,
filled with heartbreak and despair.
Those with seeing eyes found the rot beneath the gilded façade
disturbing.</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">View the early morning streets of Paris through the
eyes of <b>Texican, Samuel McCord</b>, and his <b>Apache blood-brother, Elu:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Considering its many gardens, you might think Paris fragrant. You would be right … and wrong. Story of the human race I guess. The streets of Paris reeked of decay both
literally and figuratively. Its idea of
sanitation was to throw everything unwanted out into the street: dish water,
feces … people. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The stench of Paris made me long for the clear, clean mountain air of
home. It wasn’t the soot that layered
every building I passed, but the soot that stained this city’s soul. Six thousand children a year were delivered
like so much refuse to the orphanage run by the <i>Catholic Sisters of Charity</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In various parts of the city, there were places with small boxes in
which tiny babies could be “deposited” like unwanted clothes. I sighed.
In winter one child in three of those children died of exposure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elu flicked hard eyes to me as we walked the awakening streets of
Paris. “Have I told you lately how much
I hate the White Man’s cities?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My steps picked up as I thought I spotted one of those accursed boxes. Elu growled low under his breath and walked
at my side like an angry panther. I got
to the damn box and bent down, dreading what I would find.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was empty.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="line-height: 150%;">Still standing tall, Elu grunted, “What would you have done, Dyami, if
you had found an infant there?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I looked up at him puzzled, “Why take care of the child, of course.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Of course,” he laughed without a trace of humor. “Dyami, even you cannot take care of the
whole world.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I nodded. “Don’t mean to. I just take care of those lost souls whose
trails cross mine.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Elu’s face became flint as he kneeled beside me, looking with disgust
at the tiny box. I had the terrible
notion that his mystic nature was having him feel all the deaths that had
happened to small crying babies who died of exposure or thirst in this wooden
coffin. He flicked harder eyes to me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Have I told you how much I hate the White Man’s cities?</span>”</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUkiTuzCi_Fi4gtO2fAfMu_5cFUf-0DSe8bHCTW9oGPCaWhKghp8zuKSqXg_Wvsp2zQ8Ukv-IhkJzsGrtHa9bFQ6Ilz-dOlpe20RWnWptilzGCZeYafhmDnHuNnlzp_4MKrd3gpDKzlM/s1600/DRAGONS+OVER+PARIS_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUkiTuzCi_Fi4gtO2fAfMu_5cFUf-0DSe8bHCTW9oGPCaWhKghp8zuKSqXg_Wvsp2zQ8Ukv-IhkJzsGrtHa9bFQ6Ilz-dOlpe20RWnWptilzGCZeYafhmDnHuNnlzp_4MKrd3gpDKzlM/s400/DRAGONS+OVER+PARIS_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image DRAGONS ABOVE PARIS!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">See how I put in juxtaposition your expectations of
beauty with the confrontation of stark reality?
That is how you draw your reader in. Do not worry: a mysterious tour of the Louvre does
take place at the end of my Steampunk novel …</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Along with an aerial battle atop the Thunderbird
against attacking dragons above the Eiffel Tower. And, there is much more:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The Sidhe kidnapping Princess Victoria; a deadly “Red
Wedding” in the catacombs beneath the ancient Rouen Cathedral; </span><span style="line-height: 107%;">t</span>he passengers of the first Air/Steamship, <i>Xanadu</i>, being attacked by the Fae Spell
of St. Vitus Dance; Samuel McCord being cornered by the Rougarou, the
werewolves of France. </span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What are you waiting for? </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Disregard the title of my tour. <b>BUY MY BOOK! </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yHhLRF5bgiMOaID-1LfVIo8Bo5syZqVIXIfc9YwLXoytFszlmp2Q-zOayqS-OHH1yqwcC6__PW1gw6OjkZlYMab1gXHy40L8zz_cogcbeJN5cYL6MssMosLtYzb6bsCYrXG_zR8E4tY/s1600/INNOCENTS+AT+LARGE+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yHhLRF5bgiMOaID-1LfVIo8Bo5syZqVIXIfc9YwLXoytFszlmp2Q-zOayqS-OHH1yqwcC6__PW1gw6OjkZlYMab1gXHy40L8zz_cogcbeJN5cYL6MssMosLtYzb6bsCYrXG_zR8E4tY/s400/INNOCENTS+AT+LARGE+cover.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">DG:</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Any comments about the covers and images? Have you been to the Louvre Museum? If not, would you like to? </b></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please leave a comment to let me know you were here AND to welcome Roland to the Rainforest Writing Blog. Each comment will receive a reply. . .Thanks for dropping by! Please check out Roland's blog when you have time at <b><a href="http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/">Writing in the Crosshairs</a></b>.</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>References:</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/ <a href="http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/">Roland Yeomans Blog</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/2016/10/do-you-trust-your-doctor.html <a href="http://rolandyeomans.blogspot.ca/2016/10/do-you-trust-your-doctor.html">Reference to this post</a></span></div>
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D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-4318345054009101762016-08-16T11:15:00.000-07:002016-08-16T11:46:22.867-07:00A Garden of Darkness - WEP GARDENS Challenge<i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Darkness hides in the bright colours. . .tread lightly. This is my Garden.</b></i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgqWFS8om2BfNFm6lFX6cZUJwj_h1G-sYxwTZ3kwnwiYWpV9LQqJwvgFhO7iDPh9wk3v4mPeHY8rjG_5WRgCIXWESFtBKzpGlu1Tg99sfqM7zINwYD2Y7KYtgP_EaCscmLEt71nvtomo/s1600/PARIS-Autumn2010+400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwgqWFS8om2BfNFm6lFX6cZUJwj_h1G-sYxwTZ3kwnwiYWpV9LQqJwvgFhO7iDPh9wk3v4mPeHY8rjG_5WRgCIXWESFtBKzpGlu1Tg99sfqM7zINwYD2Y7KYtgP_EaCscmLEt71nvtomo/s320/PARIS-Autumn2010+400.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken at Monet's Garden in Giverny, Fr., by DG Hudson</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All around me, the scents of wisteria, and honeysuckle weave into my dreams. The smells of summer nights settle heavily in my mind. It's my favourite time, the resting time of flowers when the stamens release their pollen, as the air cools. My flowers fill the air with the smells of perfume, of rare tea and fragrant herbal sachets.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Portrait, by DG Hudson, Rainforest Writing</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's the dark hues, the sultry warmth, and earthy smells that lure me back again and again. <i>The Temptress</i> grows here, a deep, blood-red old-fashioned rose that smelled of the fields of flowers in France. Just watch for the sharp, sickle-shaped thorns. Next to it is <i>Chicago Peace</i>, with its petals painted warm orange with ivory and pink shading. Clematis, the charmer vine, climbs the old arbour in the corner, showy with its large purple blooms.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbafU7MfsrLPVYKnZBb8ej4ihepl58RBPHmxxgXvFOPyCYrhopditTJBASOlAO58vQgLYon94wYKrZHUSuT6WywyHW10S1GF2PTk-1ej8M_b1YHdMSZrGpeuWvGBxBGFId30MW9vduK4/s1600/Large_purple_clematis_flower_with_white_finger_stamens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbafU7MfsrLPVYKnZBb8ej4ihepl58RBPHmxxgXvFOPyCYrhopditTJBASOlAO58vQgLYon94wYKrZHUSuT6WywyHW10S1GF2PTk-1ej8M_b1YHdMSZrGpeuWvGBxBGFId30MW9vduK4/s320/Large_purple_clematis_flower_with_white_finger_stamens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wikipedia Creative Commons - by Michael Palmer*</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Come into my little sheltered garden and if you look closely, you will see roses with thick large thorns, and thorny brambles forming a natural barrier on the edges of my hideaway. Many para-gardeners, or hedge witches don't know about thorn horticulture, or understand the properties of the thorn itself. I do. I know the uses of the Black tulips, their petals closed in the evening air, and the blue flower of periwinkle nestled against the dark green leaves, but the best, the <i>Grand Black Rose,</i> I do not yet know. It was a gift and I have yet to study it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clomp, clomp, clomp! A small stop. Then, the sound started up again. The noise came from heavy footsteps on the flat stones of the garden path, a meandering line paving the way to my secluded spot. Someone was coming, as if on a matter of importance. . .who would dare interrupt my retreat?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then, I saw the creature coming towards me, He looked like the hunchback who terrorized Paris, a fictitious man. Yet, here he was. And here I was, alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Begging your pardon, m'lady," he said, "but I have been told to bring you out of this doomed garden."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Doomed? Why do you say that?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I'm forbidden to speak for the master, but I bring a message: Himself would like to see you. . ."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Oh, would he? And where would Himself be that I should come to him?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"He is waiting below in a carriage." <i>A Carriage? What is Himself thinking?</i></span><br />
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<i>"</i>I will do this thing you request, but I must grab a shawl."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"This one?" The hunched over creature held up my red shawl, the colour of fresh blood.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Damn him. How did he do that? </i>"That one will do."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She twirled the shawl over her shoulders as she rose from the bench. <i>Himself had better have a good reason for this. I'm vulnerable outside of this place of sanctity.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They walked down the stairs toward a dark black chaufferred carriage. A curtain pulled aside. . .</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Herself is lovely this night. I have a errand for you, my dark one."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"What if I don't agree?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Oh, but you will. You are under my protection, and under my spell. Herself has no choice."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Perhaps."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"Agree and you will be released from the dark garden. You will have the light."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In answer, she turned, slipping the knife made from a giant thorn that absorbs moonlight into her hand and stabbing Himself right in his eye, then using it to slit his throat.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"I happen to like the dark garden. Himself does not know me well. . ."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The little hunchback had disappeared in smoke as Himself melted into a puddle. They had not known about the giant thorn's magic. She quickly stepped down from the carriage as it too disappeared and made her way back down the stone path to her refuge, humming to herself.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and tell me how you feel about gardens or gardening. Do you like to grow flowers or veggies or both? </b>Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read a short fantasy. . .!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">WEP - A GARDENS short fiction post</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Gardens prompt is all about creativity. What picture comes to mind when you hear the word 'garden'? It may depend on whether you like to garden or just like to observe the artistry and style of other gardens. Denise and Yolanda, or literary hosts for <b><a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2016/08/wepff-wep-flash-fiction-gardens.html">WEP</a> </b>would like you to tell how the prompt inspires you. . .enthrall us, please.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">FLASH FICTION, POETRY, NON-FICTION, PLAYSCRIPTS, ARTWORK OR PHOTOGRAPHY. It's your choice of medium, and genre, but the word count should be about 1000 maximum. Check out more details at the <a href="http://writeeditpublishnow.blogspot.ca/2016/08/wepff-wep-flash-fiction-gardens.html"><b>WEP</b></a> site, and there you will find the entrants participating in this challenge! Be sure to enjoy the variety of garden delights by visiting the links and commenting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Dark Purple Clematis Image</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>by Michael Palmer:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This file is licensed under the </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8636101001035633113.post-52001743824636721562016-07-23T00:20:00.000-07:002016-07-23T22:43:58.878-07:00Diana Gabaldon's 'Drums of Autumn' - A Review<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Knowing what the future holds can be a curse. . .</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">From erstwhile travellers passing through with no fixed address, or evidence of killings and the burning of property, the warning signs are clear. Roving bands of looters and opportunists are combing the ridge areas trying to find out who is on the side of the Crown and who is with the rebellious colonists. The drums are starting to beat a refrain: <i>war is coming.</i> Even when you know what is on the horizon, as Claire does, you know that the juggernaut of war can't be stopped.</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">DRUMS OF AUTUMN</span></b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The story of Jamie and Claire Fraser, the two main characters, is primarily about the Highlanders. This specific novel is one of a few set in the years leading up to the American Revolution, when the 'colonies' decided to make a stand for their independence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The story begins in Charleston 1767, where Jamie and Claire have come to see their nephew off as he goes back to Scotland. Only, it doesn't happen that way, much to the nephew's delight. On their arrival, Jamie is surprised to learn that Jocasta Campbell, his aunt, wants him to assume control (with her as advisor) of River Run - her plantation estate. Jamie balks, not sure he wants to accept. His aunt is a formidable woman who likes to run things her way and he knows that. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jamie has also been offered land in the highlands of North Carolina, with the proviso that he becomes the leader of those he settles on the large property he will get from the Crown's representative. This suits Jamie better, having been laird of his own property in his past. Of course, Fraser's Ridge becomes a gathering point for many of the Scottish who arrive after the Battle at Culloden. Claire becomes the 'doctor-healer' of the area, even though some still view her as part healer, part witch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a well-woven tale of early America. I enjoyed it as I have all of Gabaldon's books. This novel, <i><b>Drums of Autumn</b> </i>comes after <i>Voyager </i>and before <i>The Fiery Cross.</i> All focus on the coming American War for Independence, but at a personal level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This book will be of interest to those who reside in the southeastern USA, as most of the action takes place on that coast and further inland in the eastern coastal mountains. It will also appeal to those who enjoy reading about the clans of Scotland in the 1800s and their lives as colonists in the 'New World'. The historical details enrich the story and reveal a life before electricity and formal medicine. Recommended, of course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm currently reading the next Gabaldon book, <i>A Breath of Snow and Ashes</i>, and a steampunk story, a Roland Yeomans book, <i>The Not so Innocents Abroad. </i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Does this book sound like something you might be interested in reading? Are your ancestral roots in the southeastern USA? If you're a Gabaldon fan, have you read this one? </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Please leave a comment to let me know you were here and I'll respond. Thanks for dropping by! </span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I apologize for he infrequency of posts, but until I get the family issues stabilized, I'm going to be posting as I can. </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hope your summer is going well!</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">***</span>D.G. Hudsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06213237734772028645noreply@blogger.com