LIfe Is For Living and Celebrating

Mick looked out across the pavilion floor. Twenty to thirty sixteen year old shape shifters filled the dance floor.  Tyburn stood at one side nodding his head as Rachel talked with him.  On the opposite side, the two new security guards stood, their gazes patrolling one end of the dance floor to the other.

The two guards hadn’t said much since they rolled into town three weeks prior. Rampant rumors said they were mixed breed runts that looked worse than their bark or bite.  Mick shook his head. One was a frilled lizard shifter relocated from Australia after his tour in Iraqi. The other was a porcupine.  His accuracy with knives and guns even had several on the police force giving him wide berth.  So new breeds came to town. Would they settle down as others had? Find what they were looking for and know they’d come home?

“Makes you think twice about having kids,” Vernon said, strolling up.

Mick chuckled. “I don’t think you’ve got much choice. Yours are here and grown.”

“Good point,” Vernon conceded.  “I don’t remember giving my parents as much crap as today’s kids do.”

“Vernon McMahon stopping lying,” Miss Ellie chastised, coming up behind her husband.  “You’ve told me your sainted mother pulled your wolfish ass out of more fights than your father did.”

“Fights with my litter mates.  Raising twelve rambunctious cubs isn’t easy, “Vernon offered.

“No wonder your father took that traveling salesman position.” Miss Ellie linked her arm with Vernon’s.

“Wasn’t that your late husband my dear?” Vernon lifted Miss Ellie’s hand to his lips and licked her knuckles.

Mick turned ready to make his escape when Miss Ellie spoke. “I see Mooney, Nick, and Zivia.  Let’s go see our grandchildren.”

“Yes, dear,” Vernon replied guiding Miss Ellie through the crowd toward the other end of the pavilion.

“I wonder if we’ll be as tame when we’re there age,” Trina asked moving up beside Mick.

“Tame?” Mick questioned.  “You haven’t seen those two when they’re pranking.”

“Pranking?” Trina entwined her fingers with his.  The rough edges of the two-carat diamond ring she wore roughed his fingers.

Mick raised their hands to his lips.  He kissed the back of Trina’s hand and winked. “Oh yeah. Ask Gill about snow ball fights with Vernon and Miss Ellie vs. Thor and Loki.”

Trina snickered. “Another time. You promised to show me some stars once the music got going.”

As if on cue, music began playing and many of the teens started dancing. Mick slipped his arm around Trina’s waist and leaned closer. “Stars and much more once we get home tonight, my love.”

LOVE LIKE SNOW IS A FOUR LETTERED WORD

Gill glanced out the window.  White everywhere and more fell from the sky.  The outside thermometer showed minus five degrees.  Inside behind him, a fire roared.  Phil and his crew toasted marshmallows prepping them for the smores Chloe and Miss Ellie asked for.  The children sat near Vernon who entertained them with shadow puppets and tale tails from his youth.   No matter the temperature outside inside the mayoral mansion, warmth, love, and acceptance abounded.

Chloe hadn't blinked an eye when the weather turned worse as the adults played cards and the children watched television.  Somewhere into the first twenty hours of the storm, his wife turned into a hostess that gave and took without problem.  Gill smiled watching Miss Ellie set out the bowls filled  chocolate and graham crackers.  A stack of dinner sized paper plates sat close by as well as a stack of napkins.  A pot of green tea and mugs occupied the table too.  Smaller mugs sat next to a pitcher filled with warm milk.  Bedtime snacks were about to commence. 

Seregi's loud singing filtered down the stairs as he showered.  He'd romped with the children making snow angels and tossing snowballs at each other for almost two hours.  The petite mixed breed shapeshifter traveling with Phil and family caught Seregi's eye.  Her wolf and timber fox mix caused most to shun her according to her.  In the Peak, folks accepted people for who they were.  What their hearts and values said about them.  If they walked the talk about what they said, short of those who sought to hurt and took delight in it---not BDSMers--well they could find another place to call home.

"See the bright star in the sky?" Vernon asked, pulling back the curtain, motioning the children to him.

"Yes, Mr. Vernon," one of Phil's youngest said.

"Know always where that star is.  It will lead you home."  Vernon dropped the curtain and faced the children.  "Many of us chose this spot to claim as home.  The one place where we love and help each other because we all matter."

Miss Ellie walked over to Vernon, holding out a plate with two smores on it.  She leaned toward him, lips puckered.  Vernon ducked his head and came up with his lips puckered too.  Their lips met.

"Dad, Miss Ellie and Mr. Vernon are at it again." Gill looked over at his son sticking out his tongue and making a face.

"You don't think your mother and I do that?"  Gill asked, walking over to Chloe.  He slipped his arm around her waist, hugging her close.  "Shall we show them?"

Chloe laughed.  She pointed toward the fire.  Phil took turns kissing each of his wives.  They faced the kids.  Arms spread and lips puckered, they moved toward the children making exaggerated kissing noises.  Phil followed them calling out. "Hug Monster on the loose.  Kissing one too."

Giggles erupted.  Laughter flowed.  Tickling matches started.  Soft 'love you' sounded followed by 'love you mom' or 'love you dad.'  Minutes passed as the joy of love enveloped everyone.

"I'm in the mood for love..." echoed down the stairs followed by Seregi's growls.  The children giggled more as they ran to hide under the table.

"I see there is chocolate, marshmallows, and crackers.  All this will give me a large belly ache.  Who will help me eat this?"  Seregi  poured himself a mug of tea.  He sipped and waited. 

Trina, the mixed breed shapeshifter, rose from her place close to the fire.  She moved toward the table, pointing at it.  "I'll help.  I think these mice under it will help too."

The children popped out one-by-one from under the table calling out.  "I want to help."

Soon smores and mugs along with glasses littered the table as all ate and shared their favorite joke.

The grandfather clock in the hall chimed ten times drowning out the laughter filling the room.  Gill held out his hand to Chloe who in turn held hers out to Miss Ellie and she to Vernon until all present formed a circle holding the hand of someone next to them.

Gill cleared his throat, drawing everyone's focus.  "Earlier we learned snow is one of those four lettered words."

Chuckles sounded.

Gill continued as the gaiety died down.  "I think we learned another four letter word tonight.  Love.  The love of friends, family, community, and for ourselves too." 

He raised his and Chloe's joined hands.  "All together now.  Here's to love and us."

Other joined hands raised repeating the words.

The warmth and love filled the room and mayoral mansion heating it in a way that those present understood and cherish.  Cherished very much.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang!
Cold got you down?  Put on a warm blanket, cuddle up with your spice and share a good book or two together.  We at the Spice Homestead are.  Spring is a few weeks more off. 

I hope you enjoyed today's flash fiction piece.  I thoroughly enjoyed writing it.

Until next week, keep warm--share a book or two along with a warm blanket with your spice and loves.  It creates a lot of lovely warm feelings and nurtures a linger heat deep in the heart.

Smiles,
Solara

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON

Gill looked out over the back of the house, looking for any subtle difference.  Anything he could notice.  There wasn’t once speck that caught his eye.  Not even Vernon’s or Miss Ellie’s.  Even the local hawk shifter from two blocks over could locate the one thing Woody said would be there.  Damn, the work ranked up there with extraordinary and out of this world.  Well, given that supernatural powers and human created it, that last part rang true.

“Woody,” Gill began moving to his left, closer to the dragon shifter who had taken up residence with his band in the in-suite apartment in the subbasement of the mansion.  “You’re right.  It can’t be seen.”

Woody laughed.  Smoke rolled out his nose, clouding the area between Gill and he.  “Acoustic music doesn’t reverb walls and travel like higher frequency amps would.  Look even we know when to take things to a lower level.” He turned to Gill grinning at his own pun.

“I’m glad we’re able to accommodate your lair with your needs.  Even the rest of your band found room to settle in.” Gill counted the pile of broken packing crates littering the yard. He lost count as a flash of flames came closer than he liked.

“Easy, Ned,” Woody cautioned.  “Too close quarters to let the flame rage like that.”

“Sorry bloke,” a strong British accented voice said.  Ned stood close to six-foot-seven.  His closely cropped red hair, goatee, mustache, and piercings created an image of badass biker from the UK.  Behind steaks sizzled on the barbecue.  A chef’s hat sat at an angle on top of Ned’s head.  

“No harm,” Gill offered, glancing over his shoulder hoping he didn’t smell more smoke or a singed smell.  Living above a group of dragon shifters was going to be very different.  Then there were the papers Woody presented to the state agent in triplicate plus the signed letter from the supernatural council and the world president of preternatural relations.  It basically said the hills belonged to Woody deeded down through centuries of old English law and current US law.  Wasn’t a damn thing the state could do about it. No fracking could take place unless Woody or his descendants approved it. Given his groups’ polygamous views and fertile reproductive systems, the chance of a warm spot freezing over for ice skating and Beelzebub selling his rights off was more probable. 

 

“Do you think we’ve got a period of peace and quiet finally happening again?”  Gill reached for his son as Chloe handed him to him.  

“Peace and quiet?”  Woody laughed.  No smoke rolled out of him this time. Heat blasted off in spurts as his eyes glowed.  “For a while.  Someone is waiting out there to try to reclaim what they think is theirs.”

Gill swallowed hard.  Had looking over their shoulder as a town become a way of life?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY WEEKEND GANG!

Hope you like the new additions moving into town.  Sounds like digging in and drawing lines is happening.  What is going on at the state capital?  What integrations and plans are taking place there?

Middle of July already.  How is life and summer going for you?  Good, I hope.  The Spice Homestead is enjoying the warm weather.  We're getting together and sharing books, good times, and enjoying each other's company.  Remember to keep a good book or two handy to share with your loves and spice.  I know I am!

Until Next Week,

Solara

Census Day and City Song

Census day was not far off.  Gill looked at the calendar and grinned.  To have an idea of how many species of shape shifters called the Peak home would gain them a foothold in the supernatural world.  Not that many wanted it known they existed or resided amongst humans.  Many welcomed their counter part as the humans calling the Peak home did.  Those on the outskirts ventured into town knowing the unusual was normal there.  

Gill leaned back in his chair, picking up the sheet with the lyrics he, Vernon, and Louie worked on as they camped.  Phil lent his voice to the quartet as they recorded the tape waiting Gill's approval for Fuzzy and Tabs to play on their morning show.  Gill started humming as he pushed the play button the tape recorded.  (Lyrics are based on When the Saints melody and style)

Census day has come

Time to count and mark the slot

What citizens do we have

Only they know, that’s why we count

Oh, when the Peak goes filing in

When the Peak goes filing in

Oh, gosh I want to be in line

When the Peak goes filing in

Birds, dragons, and fowl

Remember your umbrella lest you get fouled

Mark the ballot right, you count

That’s right, you is a citizen

Oh, when the Peak goes scratching in

When the Peak goes screeching in

Oh, I got be in the line

When the Peak goes filing in 

More verse followed trying to catch each type they knew of in song.  If all the stanzas got out the song would take hours.  Gill laughed as he read the note on the bottom of the last page of lyrics.  The note read streamlining and cutting needed.  That was what the council would vote on next.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang!

Since I'm a bit under the weather, I'm posting a quick blurb here for the anthem and census day theme I'm working on.  The cross-dress formal ball party is under planning.  Images of Vernon in Miss Elly's poodle skirt and high heels has Nick wanting to wash his eyes out.  Ziva hasn't told him yet her plans for his out fit to the ball.

For now stay, cool, well, and safe.  Summer and its storms are here.  Remember to keep a good book or two handy for your vacation and beach trips to share with your loves and spice.  I know I am!

Until Next Week,

Solara

Solutions, yes?!

Happy Weekend Gang!

This week I'm bemused by Pris and the stories we're working on.  Between end of the month, home front, and day job, I'm writing in spurts that leaves me dreaming about the books.  Talk about alien road maps!  Sleep and I have a date. 

The lyrics for the Peak's anthem are coming together. I hope to post them before next weekend.  I'm out of pocket next weekend learning about plotting and editing.  I've heard there's a cross dressing formal party in the offing as part of the music festival going on.  Vernon and Miss Elly are having fun coming up with their outfits.  Tyburn keeps saying his kilt is not a skirt.  Rachel just tells him he needs to wax his legs.  And the fun keeps happening.  When this one comes home to roost I bet its gonna be a hoot.

Remember to share a good book or two with your loves and spices.  I know I will!


Until next week,

Solara

LIFE ON THE ROAD: ROUGHING IT WITH FAMLY AND FIRENDS

Gill tiptoed to the edge of the tent.  He stopped, glancing back over his shoulder.  Louie lay on his back snoring louder with each breath.  Vernon lay curled up in wolf form on top of his sleeping bag.  Back in the last corner, Phil lay burrowed somewhere inside his sleeping bag.  Camping and the great outdoors. . .enough to make a squirrel. . .

“Horny,” he muttered, leaning down to unzip the tent flap.  His gonads could wait until the trip home for any sexual relief.  Chloe, Miss Ellie, Gladys, and Bettina slept in the other close-by tent.  In between the two tents sat Rachel and Tyburn’s tent like they chaperoned the group.  The kids bunked with the women in the largest tent of the three.  

Gill made his way out of the tent, savoring the quiet.  Louie’s snoring masked the other sounds of the night that most of them took for granted.  Strange animals and an unfamiliar section of the mountain might have left them sleepless until Vernon morphed and howled loud enough to stop the crickets from chirping.  Gill snorted as he made his way to the pine tree closest to the tents.  He unzipped his shorts and squatted.  Letting nature takes its course he wondered if they’d get back to town any time soon.

Driving back from their week long trip to the nude beach, a stalled weather front blocked access to the main highway back to town.  Three nights in a hotel had set nerves on edge.  Games and books kept civility going until the fourth day.  The hotel’s proprietor suggested they try the campgrounds two miles up the road.  Hastily procured camping gear from the local thrift store and here they were.  And here they’d likely be for several days more since the rain and flooding washed out two of the back roads they might have used.  

Gill stood up and fastened his shorts.  As he walked back to the tent, he hummed the tune Vernon and Louie were penning.  An anthem for the Peak sung to the melody of When the Saints Go Marching In.  Music rolled through the camp each night thanks to the banjo, harmonica, bongos, and guitar they picked up at the thrift store too.  Roughing it was okay.  They ate, slept, and made do with what they had.  Home had its allure and would be wonderful when they returned them.  For now, things were pretty good the way they were.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY WEEKEND GANG!

Our group finds themselves on the trip that doesn't stop.  I'm wondering what lyrics this group came up with.  As soon as Pris reveals them to me, I'll share.  What adventures await the gang next you ask?  Not sure.  Maybe we get them back at the Peak for the festival and sharing their penned anthem for the town.

Enjoy the holiday weekend and start of summer.  Keep safe, dry, and sane.  Remember to share a few good books with your loves and spice.  I know I will!

Until Next Week,

Solara

THONGS REQUIRED?!

And the sign read “Thongs Required”.  Gill swallowed hard, looked over his shoulder to where Vernon McMahon, Louie, and several others from the Peak stood buck ass naked.  Even their wives and girlfriends sat back on the beach nude.  Who the hell had put up a sign bearing such?

“How do we comply with this?” Louie asked moving forward.  “I mean it’s a nude beach.  It’s not like we’re going to have those stuffed in a back pocket.”

Vernon clapped his hand over his mouth.  It didn’t do much good.  Gaffs of laughter spilled out.  Gill watched Phil walk up to the sign point at it and then boldly give it the finger.  The bird as some referred to the middle finger cheer many humans used as they drove down the highway of life. 

“Gentlemen,” Tyburn began as he reached the group.  “We’re heading to the bar for drinks and food, aren’t we?"

“We were.  Until that.”  Gill pointed at the sign five hundred yards from the bar.  The overhead sun blocked a clear view into the outdoor bar.  How many patrons complied with the posted requirement couldn’t be determined.  

Tyburn looked back to where Rachel stood shielding her eyes.    She motioned to him with a ‘come here’ wave.  He held up one finger.  Facing back to the group, he asked, “Where do we find those?”

Phil moved back even with the group, opening his mouth ready to speak when  a semi-clad woman walked past them and stopped within a few feet.  She leaned over, sat down the bag she carried and shimmed out of the thong bottom of her bathing suit.  Never mind she was topless.  She stood up, picked up the bag, after bunching her bathing suit bottom in her other hand, and took off trotting down the beach.

Gill didn’t bother to chastise the others standing next to him with their mouths hanging open.  No doubt his gaped in the wind with theirs.  Two men walked out, stopped approximately the same place the woman had.  Each wore swimwear.  Moments later they didn’t.  Their swimwear, gripped in their hand, flapped in the breeze as they strolled toward the shoreline and where their families probably lounged.  

“This is beginning to be a real undertaking,” Phil muttered.

Louie grinned, and pointed as two middle-aged couples walked up.  The men stopped short of the sign, shook out what appeared to be swimwear from the tote bags they carried.  The women with them did the same.  Each pulled the bottoms on.  Tyburn, Phil, Gill and Louie all groaned as they walked away.  The men’s covered fronts weren’t at issue nor were the women’s covered crotches.  Their backsides left plenty to continue catching the air.  

Vernon motioned the group to him.  “Look there’s a swim suit shop down the beach.  Let me procure what we need.”

The group agreed and handed him part of the money they had intended for buying lunch. 

Back out on the beach, Elly and Chloe gathered up the children.  “I thought the guys would be back with food by now,” Phil’s wife Gladys said.

“Me too,” Rachel chimed in.  “Tyburn gets antsy when his stomach growls.”

“I’ll check on them if you like,” Elly offered, pulling on her bathing suit bottom.

“I suspect we all need to go check on them,” Chloe stated putting on her bottom as well.   

Soon the four bottom clad women faced toward the area where the bar and shops marked the start of the beach.  “Bettina are you going with us?” Elly asked pausing near the second sun umbrella close to their belongings.

“Not in that heat and sun.  I’ll be charcoal in seconds.”  Bettina picked up the tube of sunscreen and lathered more on.  “I’ll stay with the kids.  They’re all conked out right now.”  Close to her lay the triplets and twins along with Phil’s kids, eyes shuts as their chests rose and fell indicating they slumbered.

The women made their way to the bar and strolled inside.  Three feet in and off to their right sat their men folk.  Clad as the sign required.  Four sets of male not quite bare arses sat at the bar.  Their towels hung over the bar stools as they perched very precariously on the cool metal stools.  Chloe pointed as she leaned close to the other women saying, “Gee lace and red do become them don’t you think?”

Elly nodded smiling, as did Rachel and Gladys.  The men each wore dark red lacy women’s thong panties.  Elly spoke as the women grouped around her.  “Vernon has a hard time judging sizes and letting a practical joke pass by.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPPY WEEKEND GANG!

Never a dull moment with our gang from the Peak.  Let's hope the joke doesn't back fire on Vernon.  Of course all of them did put their red lacy thong panties on.  I hope you enjoyed your giggle as much as I enjoyed mine writing this.  Who's to say that unisex panties don't have a future?

Enjoy the warm weather and stay safe.  Those sudden storms are deadly some times.  Remember to share a good book or two with your spice as you stay safe and warm.   I know I am.

Until Next Week,

Solara