RELAXATION STARTS

HAPPY WEEKEND GANG!

This week the gang from the Peak are off on vacation. They invited Pris (my muse) and I along.  Something about a few beers and some song writing for the festival.  I hear Louie, Vernon McMahon, Gill and a few others have started a band. We'll have to see what they come up with.  Chloe and Bettina accompanied by Rachel are taking turns enjoying the beach and surf while watching the kids.

Beach and surf you say?  I don't know where the women folk headed off to for sure.  I know this much they said I'm supposed to keep the men folk in line.  I shook my head and ran away screaming no to that job description.  Maybe they're some where in Florida visiting Chloe's family or the west coast enjoying California sunshine.  

Me?  I'm staying home by choice.  Too much money to go somewhere anymore.  Cramped airlines, hotel costs, and the prices for food...I can buy groceries and gas for my car for a couple of weeks on what it costs to go much of any where. I'd rather chill, sleep, and write.  I know the next Cascade Bay book is ready to spill out.  So me and Pris got a date getting another book written and submitted.

What are some of your favorite vacation spots?  Here are a few of mine:

1.  Santa Barbara, CA

2.  San Francisco, CA

3.  Monterrey, CA

4.  Florida (various places)

5.  Virginia  (Home turf)


I look forward to reading what some of yours are.  I will catch up with you all next week.  I bet there are some good lyrics happening as the boys burn the midnight candle and have another root beer.
I'm busy sharing a good book or two with my loves and spice.  I know you are too.

Until Next Week,

Solara

BATTLE FOR THE PEAK AS TOLD IN SONG AND MUSIC: THE PEAK'S ARTISTIC SIDE

 

Gill stopped as he reached the podium in front of the two groups occupying the stage.  He turned and applause broke out.  He bowed and faced the choral group and community orchestra.

  Picking up the baton laying on the podium, Gill glanced over to the orchestra.  Miss Elly sat at the piano, her hands on the keyboard ready to begin.  Close by, her husband, Vernon sat his trumpet raised.  Others from the city council met his gaze with their instruments raised as well.  In the seats next to the chorus, Rachel sat holding a century old violin.  Gill blinked as he glanced to the tall blond male next to her.  Tyburn saluted him with his cello bow. 

Gill raised his arms and pointed to Rachel. Low tone began as she started playing.  Tyburn joined her as a dark melody grew in volume.  Soon all the orchestra began playing.  Drums and percussion amplified the harsh storm sounds the group wrote about as all composed songs about the town’s recent battles and woes. 

Rachel’s eyes closed as she played.  It was as though the music flowed from inside her.  Tyburn’s actions mimicked hers.  Two phoenix in harmony on creating disharmonic chords.  The blend and sweetness came through as much as the dissonance.  

Half way through the second stanza, the chorus joined singing the lyrics of the heart wrenching battle scene the melody depicted.  Bettina added her soprano voice to the women’s sections while Louie’s baritone added to the counter rhythm the men sang in response.

Five more stanzas and the music swelled to a crescendo.  Cymbals and a gong sounded as quiet filled in the deafening silence startling the audience.  Applause broke out again.  Many rose to their fee, clapping louder until Gill raised his baton again.  

Louie and Bettina walked to opposite ends of the stag.  Two notes several octaves apart sounded.  An acappella duet began telling the tale of two-separated lover.  Each knowing their world and existence could change with the whim of combatants seeking to enslave them.  As the chorus joined in, Miss Elly started playing.  As the song faded to its last note, more of the chorus joined Bettina and Louie.  In turn, each group sang with the other replying telling of the fighters who came and aided.  Another song told of the foe who wanted to command all who came within his view.  As the last notes paled, Vernon rose.  He played revelry on the bugle he proudly held.  As staccato drumbeats sounded, trumpets and other winds added their sounds to the final battle.  The chorus joined hands, raising them as the spotlights fell upon them. Half-morphed shifters and humans stood in unison singing joyously of their victory and unity that followed.

Gill faced the audience, smiling and applauding.  He stepped back letting the chorus moved forward taking their bows.  The orchestra stood, bowed, and sat down.  As quiet filled the auditorium, Gill spoke.  “Thank you all for coming.  Tonight’s receipts are the start of the town’s defense fund.  Please donate generously as you exit.  United we’re stronger and safer.”

Chloe and several of her family stood outside the auditorium doors with baskets ready to accept the donations as the audience filed out.  Within moments, her basket grew heavier.  Coin and bills filled hers to the brim.  Others asked for envelopes she held with the address where to send checks.   Yes, even in the short amount of time, she called the Peak home, a lot of change happened.  Good change that kept getting better and better. 

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 Happy Weekend Gang!

Hope you enjoyed the show!  I enjoyed writing this scene.  May the season find you healthy and happy ready for the holidays.  Keep sharing a good book or two with your loves and spice.  I know I will!

Until next week,

Solara

 

HALLOWEEN COMES TO TALBOT'S PEAK

Gill looked around the council room table.  He counted fifteen people including himself and Rachel.  Rachel would abstain from voting unless a deadlock happened.  Human and shifters gathered for the random meeting.  Each of the sections of the main residential neighborhoods sat at the table.  Cordialness and civility ran rampant this evening.  Gill wondered how much longer this could go on.  His next agenda item affected all of them.  He picked up his gavel and rapped on the table. Fourteen sets of eyes gazed at him.

“Now that I have all of your attention again, I’ve got one more item.  I feel strongly about this one and so do several of our merchants as well as the schools.”  Gill picked up the stack of stapled papers to his left.  He took the top set and hand the rest to Vernon MacMahon who sat to his right.   “This packet includes this year’s trick-or-treat schedule.  With the past two months free of danger and the city experiencing a period of quiet, I recommend we let our children have a night of fun.”

Several murmurs rose and fell as the last of the packets made their way back to the head of the table.  Gill noted everyone had one.  He flipped back the first page.  “Louie down at Rattigan’s is offering apple bobbing contests while the fire department x-rays the goods the kids got.  Making sure nothing is hidden.”

“I thought you said this was a safe time for the kids.” One of the human mothers present raised her hand, shaking the packet as she did.  “Why do we need to x-ray our children’s candy?”

Gill opened his mouth to speak.  Vernon coughed as he slid back his chair before rising.  “Gill, if you don’t mind.  I’ll address this.”

Gill nodded and sat down.  Vernon continued.  “I understand your concern Ma’am.  My wife Ellie said the same thing when we discussed our part in the town’s celebration too.”

“And?”  The woman’s tone didn’t sound any worse or better.  Gill noted the nods as she spoke.  Yes, ensuring their town stated safe mattered to all present.  Good, a united Talbot’s Peak kept everyone safe.

Vernon leaned on his hands on the table, and spoke.  “Keeping everyone safe matters.  While my grandkids can eat carrion pops, your kids can’t.  Sugary treats are good for a few.  What about those that can’t have them?  Knowing the content of what’s in those trick-or-treat bags makes sense.”

The mother nodded vigorously.  Bettina sat next to her.  She looked up and raised her hand.  Gill nodded as he spoke.  “Go ahead Bettina.  You’re next.”

“There are some special needs children amongst us.  A few human parents voiced their concerns over their children not being able to participate in regular trick-or-treating.”  She looked around the table before she sat down.

Gill rose, holding up his hands.  “That’s why the second and third pages are important.  All of Main Street is hosting a costume parade and trick-or-treating event.  We want every child to have fun.”

Miss Elly stood and walked up next to her husband.  “I’ve got pledges from the football and basketball teams from the senior high to police the streets.  They’ve agree to chaperone those needing help or an extra hand during the hours of six-thirty to nine.  In turn, they are having a chaperoned sleepover in the school gym.  Girls on one side. Boys on the other.”

Vernon spoke before anyone else could.  “I’m heading up the overnight chaperoning.  They all know who is working with me. Right Bettina?”

“Right, Vernon.  No one is going to cause trouble and chaos.  Bedlam and harm are not coming back.” Bettina moved to the head of the table.  She stood next to Miss Elly, Vernon, and Gill.  “We want all the children, human and shifter alike, to enjoy Halloween.”

Gill rapped on the table.  “Let’s vote on the celebration and enjoy our children enjoying themselves again.”

Gill waited until Vernon, Miss Elly, and Bettina took their seats.  “All those in favor of the proposed Talbot’s Peak Halloween Celebration raise your hand.”

Fourteen hands rose, including Rachel’s.  Gill smiled as he raised his, calling out.  “The first annual Peak Halloween celebration is a go!”

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Happy October Gang!

The colors of fall are upon us.  What beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows mix with the remaining greens of summer.  May your fall be beautiful and full of enjoyment.  Remember to keep a good book or two handy for those moments of quiet as the warmth of the sun reaches out before the chill of winter crisps the air.  Share those books with your spice and loves.  I know I will be!

Until next week,

SOLARA

MIXED AGENDA OR IS PHOENIX SPOKEN HERE?

Gill reached for another tissue as his eyes watered.  His nose started twitching again.  He hastily held the two tissues over his nose and mouth. Two loud sneezes followed.  He blew vigorously, tossing the use items in the trash can near his bed.  

On the bedside table, three large bottles sat along with a huge sipper filled with more water than he cared to think about drinking.  Blackie raised her head, blinked her golden eyes, and curled her tail around her.  Gill sniffled, and slid lower in the bed.  Allergies, sinus infection, and orders to stay away from Rattigan’s for a week didn’t bode well for his re-election campaign kick off.  After his Elvis imitation went viral way beyond Talblot’s Peak, loosing didn’t appear to be an option.  

Picking up the thermometer, Gill shook it, squinted to read it.  He slipped it under his tongue and went back to reading the handwritten instructions the vet had left on her hasty visit.  The blue bottle needed taking every 12 hours.  The red every 6 and the clear liquid in the opaque one said two tablespoons at bedtime.  Then there was the aspirin he needed to take to keep his fever under control.  Thank deities, the vet had taken the rectal thermometer with her.  The look on her face when he explained he wasn’t going to take his temperature with that and why had him giggling and coughing so hard he almost wet himself in front of her.  So much for a squirrel’s dignity much less his human counterpart either.

“AAAACCHOO!”  Gill grabbed another tissue cursing in a voice even he didn’t recognize.  Great now laryngitis was setting in.  What the hell had he caught?

Back at Rattagin’s, Louie wiped his brow.  Chills ran up and down his back causing him to draw his sweater tighter around him.  Bettina looked at him shaking her head.  She looked at the bottles lining the counter.  Blue one every 12 hours.  Red one every 6.  And the opaque with the liquid inside two tablespoons each night.  Sneezes echoed off the  kitchen walls.  Bettina pointed to the door separating their living quarters from the restaurant.  Someone else would have to cook tonight and tend bar.  She had a sick wererat to attend to.  Hadley and Ranger were on their way to help out.

Across town, Rachel shook her head as Tyburn began explaining his reasons for giving Louie and Gill his homemade hooch recipes.

“You said get involved.  I studied where I could be useful like you added my job and time should be.” Tyburn leaned against the counter, his hands in his jean’s pockets.

“What makes you think getting half the town drunk on your divinity brews was a good idea?” Rachel drummed her fingers on the table where she sat.  Having a civil conversation was hard when Tyburn smiled smugly.  At least the recipes he’d provided were tame compared to the ones he planned on releasing next.  The ones he now knew he couldn’t let out of his head as no human or shape shifter in this realm could comprehend the intricate math and language they were written in even translated.  Rachel applauded his insight.  Now could she get him to swear a Phoenix oath he wouldn’t translate them further?

“Louie made double his money.  Gill had fun flirting and meeting new women.  Bettina even sang a few songs for Karaoke night.  What harm have I done?”  Tyburn walked over to the table, pulled out a chair and sat down.

Rachel combed her hands through her hair, inhaled, drummed her fingers more, and sighed.  “You’re supposed to be learning how the other half lives.  Seeing how working together and compromising works.”

Tyburn rocked back in his chair, laughing.   “Didn’t you find Louie, Gill, and I doing that?  I don’t get why you’re upset.”

Rachel scowled, pushed back from the table and rose.  She knew better than to take on Tyburn on an empty stomach.  Food and a few more hours sleep might coagulate her thoughts.  Meanwhile there was the bill the new vet in town was sending after making two rather expensive house calls. Two hay-fever stricken shape shifters struck down by a human ailment—a sinus infection and cold together.  What else could Tyburn’s brews release on the Peak?  

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Happy Weekend Gang!

Warm weather is upon us.  Rain and thunder too.  Ah spring and summer.  Hard to believe it will be June in a few weeks.  We're doing well here at the Spice Homestead.  Reading and writing in between our day jobs.  

I've got book three of Cascade Bay started.  And a line on book four.  Another menage is planned for book three with book four a bit different spin-Two couples coming together.  While you're planning your summer vacation, remember to take a good book or two with you.  Share them with your loves and spice as you relax and enjoy time away.  I know I will.

Until next week, 

Solara

THE MORNING AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE

Gill groaned, opened one eye.  The room spun and blurred out of focus.  Who or what had he done last night?  He slowly opened his other eye.  He blinked, trying to bring the room in to view.

A snore sounded beside him.  Turning his head, his bed companion came into sight.  Louie!  Next to him lay Hadley and Ranger.  All four snored as if in unison.  The onerous sound slammed into him, bouncing around his mind and brain before leaving out the other side with several more echoes off the walls beside him.  Waves of pain rushed down his neck, warping through his throat before splashing like a huge boulder in the pit of his churning gut.   Not wanting to shame himself in front of the board of Rattigan’s Microbrewery, Gill bolted upright, clapping his hand over his mouth.  His volcanic stomach spewed his molten contents upward, scorching his throat as his eyes watered.  Swaying like the room before Gill rushed for the cool porcelain awaiting him in the mayoral bedroom’s bath suite.  

The celebratory party and sampling of the first batches of Acorn Ale, Brazil Nut Dark, and Mixed Nut Chocolate Beer might not be the resounding success they initially thought. 

Meanwhile across town, Bettina downed two human aspirin while eying the blond haired male leaning against the bar.  Her tongue and mouth felt like a Mac truck fully loaded and its mud flaps full of obnoxious gritting mud passed through leaving half of its load behind.  On the bar sat a half empty glass of vilest brew she consumed.  No one said consuming the hair of the dog that bit you the night before was going to be savory.  What had Tyburn called the concoction?    She pointed to the glass and spoke, “What the frig is that stuff?”

Tyburn picked up glass, sniffed, and sat it down.  “This is one hundred year old Phoenix Ambrosia.  Same thing you drank last night.”

“That shit is potent,” Bettina groaned sliding off the bar stool she’d been semi-sitting on.  “There’s no way we can serve that to shifters, much less humans.”

Tyburn chuckled.  “Well the recipe I provided you and Louie is modified to allow human consumption.  Rachel would pluck all my feathers out if I provided you the original instructions.  Though I doubt you could find the key ingredient anywhere in this realm.”

Bettina tried to nod.  She should have known better.  Her stomach voiced its protest and voted to mark the ballot too.  She lurched forward, her hand over her mouth as she raced toward the area marked restrooms at the back of the bar.

Tyburn sauntered back into Rattigan’s kitchen wondering if his new business partners knew much about drinking and sampling their product.  Some of his best recipes were fermenting as others processed.  Rachel’s idea of finding something useful to engage in appeared to be paying off. 

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Happpy Weekend Gang!

Spring appears to be taking the Peak by something.  First Karaoke at the Gazette and now the Microbrewry is adding to their production.

Who knows what a karaoke night and the new brews will do for business at Rattagin's?  There might be a week's worth of flashes on that alone brewing.  LOL!!  Of course Tyburn sharing his recipes might not be what Rachel had in mind when she mentioned community involvement!

I'm working on a few more stores and ideas in between bouts of work at my day job.  The Spice Homestead is celebrating a few things ourselves this weekend.  As we relax together, we'll share a few good books or two with our spice and loves.  Remember to do the same with yours.

Until next week,

Solara