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.”

April Fool Me. . .

Pris and I  are focused on the stories I'm working on and not Gill and gang this week. I'm making notes for a four book series and book two in the Pacific Cay Trilogy.  By the way, tentative publication time frame for TOGETHER AGAIN (Pacific Cay Trilogy Book 1) is mid-May.  The Spice Homestead is in midst of day job changes too.  Next week or maybe later on this weekend, I'll post a piece on this photo inspiration:

There's A What in My Past?!

Gill looked up from the pile of paperwork in front of him.  Rachel stood in front of his desk with another stack of papers equal to the ones he'd spent the better part of the last two hours trying to get through.  Talbot's Peak history weaved through a narrative and very few actual historical facts.  At least ones that were factual.

"More," he groaned.  "You found more?"

Rachel nodded.  "And Vernon is going through another box out at my desk.  Whoever stashed this stuff didn't want it found or thought it wasn't going to be."

"We're going to need another table and more boxes.  Breaking this down into dates and events is maddening."  Gill picked up two sheets of paper.  "Same event. Two completely different accounts."
. 
Rachel shook her head and shrugged.    "I'll see what I can come up.  The historical society is using two other offices and all the tables from the waiting room."

Gill watched Rachel exit the office.  He looked over to where Chloe sat with boxes of newspaper clippings.  She sorted them a few a at time, holding the faded ones up to the goose neck lamp, squinting as she tried to make out the print. From time to time, she sighed, shook her head, and stretched.  Four empty take out containers sat in stuffed in the trash can between them.  Louie had more coffee and sweets in route.  This project wasn't going to end tonight or even a few nights later.  What they'd unearthed could rattle some of the Peak's homesteaders.  He wasn't sure letting this out made sense.

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

Happy Weekend Gang!

Looks like there's stuff stirring up in the Peak.  A historical society. . .a bunch of documents that someone stashed?  And clean up post move out and ransacking the government offices is showing where the proverbial needle in the haystack is.  Ooh, sounds like Mick and Trina are going to get some added fireworks to their budding chemistry with this too.  Let's see where each of these takes us as the weeks ensue.

Spring is making its mark and hold as winter takes one last pass through the area.  Keep warm, ready to snuggle up with your loves and spice sharing a few good books.  I know I am!

Until Next Week,
Solara

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

Change is Happening

Gill took a deep breath.  City hall remained quiet with half of the prior citizens moved on.  Many of the sections of the Peak that demanded representation and his elimination decided that leaving was the better part of valor.  He wished no one harm.  A few broken hearts still pinged some of the council.  He looked around his office.  Mayor for life didn’t set well with him.  He’d continued in office until spring when clearer heads prevailed.  

“Gill,” Vernon called out, moving into the office.  “I know its hard.”

“Hard is part of life,” Gill murmured.  “Just wish I hadn’t created it.”

Vernon nodded as he walked closer to where Gill sat next to what remained of his desk.  Spray painted graffiti and broken furniture littered the office.  Vernon glanced over his shoulder and sighed.  “Some people think this is fun.  I’m sure those that left didn’t do this.”

“Me too,” Gill said, shaking his head.  “We’re going to come back strong and hardier.  I know it.”

Vernon sat down next to Gill, his hand folded in his lap.  “More humans are moving into town.  Some are saying they want the protection associating with our kind offers them.”

Gill snickered.  “There is some of that.”

“Don’t let the last few months get you down.  The council and I talked.  We need humans here and shifters at the state government level.  Keeping all of us safe and informed.”  Vernon looked at Gill.

“We sure do.  How much change is next?”  Gill stood, moving toward the door.  “For now, cleaning up this office takes priority.  You in?”

Vernon rose, following Gill.  “Sure Elly didn’t teach me how to mop floors for no reason.  Of course, mopping floor races makes cleaning interesting when there’s two in the shower afterwards.”

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

HAPPY WEEKEND GANG!

Keep warm as the month starts its second half.  I'm back to posting once a week here.  Change takes over the Peak with the New Year.  Let's see what comes as our town puts itself back together after the massive move out.   I bet there are new folks and businesses cropping up all over.  Stay turned as the Peak reinvents itself.

Until next week, remember to share a good book or two with your loves and spice.  

Smiles,

Solara

Plunging into Fall Talbot's Peak Style

“Vernon, you wanna run that by me one more time?” Gill looked up from the pad where he’d jotted several lines of notes.

“Sure,” Vernon, ex-deputy mayor, replied.  “Instead of chunking pumpkins and making a massive mess all over town, we have a pumpkin carving contest, a bake sale, a pie eating contest, and a town wide sidewalk sale.  Merchants put out pre-fall and winter items at discounted rates.” 

“Ya know doing the fall festival thing before the snow flies makes sense,” Louie chimed in.  “Besides there’s plenty of charcoal left over that could be used for a bond fire that allowed different sections of town to have a story telling night along with block party barbecue too.”

Gill looked from Vernon to Louie and back.  Both sat at conference table grinning and nodding.  Talk about seeing double.  It was like twin Cheshire cats inhabited his two best friends.  Gill tossed his pen on his desk.  He closed his eyes and inhaled.  Halloween, the one night where all chaos broke out all over town.  Of course, the last couple of years with more children out trick-n-treating, the revelry makers held off until curfew for the younger citizens came and passed.  

“Do you think an organized celebration will keep things to a low roar?”  Gill almost laughed at his own pun.  Noise levels around the Peak ranged from decibel ear blasting to so quiet that even he wanted to check on everyone.  Once the snows came, the partiers turned into hard workers.  What could one last hurrah hurt?

“Dante and his gang are ready to spread the word about low level merriment.  Since the incident with the boys from the state, quite a few more humans moved closer to town.  Don’t blame ‘em.”  Vernon leaned forward and picked up his pad.  Louie read over Vernon’s shoulder nodding a couple more times.

Louie pointed at the pad.  “Moon-Moon is willing to set up the carnival rides free of charge.  His carne pack wants to winter here.  They know there’s money to be made even if it’s our currency.  They can set up housekeeping at the abandoned school out on highway six.”

“Is the building habitable?” Gill picked up his pen.  “Last I heard the place reeked from the mammoth attack.”

“Let them clean it up.  They got the man and woman power.  In turn, we get rent off the place.”  Vernon slid his pad across the table.  “Number four also makes sense too.”

Gill pulled the pad to him.  He trailed his finger down the pad, grinning from time to time, until he reached Vernon’s number four.  Gill snorted and looked up.  “Community hot tubs and bath houses?”

“Yes!” Louie and Vernon exclaimed together.  “Remember last winter when we all ended up at your place.”

“Lord do I!  Chloe asked me if that was going to happen again.”  Gill slid the pad back to Vernon.

“Rather than running out of hot water, we create our own from the snow.  People get to bathe and commune with their neighbors. Also, wash their clothes too.  Add a few washers and dryers,” Louie said.

‘How do we pay for all this?” Gill wrote a list of possible figures on his pad.  

“Revenue from the state for the repairs their boys visit caused.” Vernon leaned back in his chair.      

      

“From the state?”  Gill laid his pen down again.

Louie whistled as he read the figure Vernon wrote on the pad before he slid it back across the table to Gill.  Looked like some top notch improvements were coming to the Peak.

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

Happy Weekend Gang!

My muse has me hard at work on another story that I'm working on the last third of.  Once that is done I can pick up with Lilly and the boys.  I got an inkling where the next chapter is going with them.  Looks like this week's flash may be the intro for that. Perhaps one of my blog mates will take a turn at the Halloween preparations.

 

I hope you're staying warm and dry. Wet cold weather arrived at the Spice Homestead.  We turned the heat on inside.  I got out a jacket too.  Even tossed a light weight fleece jacket in the car to keep handy for those chilly mornings and afternoons.   

Time turns back soon, November 1.  Keeping some books handy to read and share with your spice and loves will help as night lengthens.  Discussing a passage or two, nude and joined can be very interesting.  No, I'm not letting out secrets.  Try it you might find your reading perspective changes.

Until next week,

Solara

A Different Perspective of Talbot's Peak

              
"Yes, that was a good idea, " Gill said, leaning back in the chair he occupied.  He propped his feet on the low porch railing.

"Louie's idea of appointing Vernon deputy mayor worked out wonderfully," Chloe added, sitting beside him.

"One of the best." Gill nodded as his spoke.  "Nor meat smells.  No threats.  Just peace and air."

Chloe laughed.  "You mean no foul smells."

"Yes!" Gill replied.  "After a while all those meat smells make me nauseous." 

"How do you stand it at Rattigan's?" Chloe wrapped her shawl around her shoulders.

"Great ventilation system." Gill laid his arm across Chloe's shoulders.  "And Louie cooks each meat separately when possible."

"How do the carnies stand the mixed smells?"  Chloe shuddered as she spoke.

Gill glanced at Chloe, smirked, and hugged her to him.  "Their noses work differently Vernon tells me.  Louie gets some of it.  His rat genes gave him a great sniffer."

"He does some wonderful things with the seasonings he uses."

"Evening folks," Mary called out, sitting astride her horse-shifting husband Dash.

"Evening Mary," Gill responded, waving to Mary as she rode by.

"Kind of Mary and Dash to let us use the cabin for the week." Chloe leaned forward, pointing toward the field in front of them.  "I'm sure the rest of the herbies escaping town appreciate them too."

Tents and campers took up portions of the mountain high pasture.  Several camp fires dotted the area, twinkling like the stars in the twilight evening sky.

Gill inhaled, enjoying the cool air filling his lungs.  Taking his vacation during Talbot's Peak's first barbecue cook off really made sense.  He wondered how Vernon and Louie were doing back in town.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Weekend Gang,

I hope the lead into fall finds you enjoying decent weather and temperatures.  My allergies are kicking over time.  Ah, climate warming changes.   I'll survive.

This is the flash piece I started a couple of weeks ago when Ned and Adam decided they wanted to get their story going.  Ned, Adam, and Lilly will be back soon.  I need to finish another story I working on first so I can let things simmer before revisions begin.  I wonder which one of my blog mates will take the next piece in this flash with Louie and Vernon talking back in town.  I hear Vernon's been appointed temporary fire chief since Station 1 (the only fire station in town) is vacant thanks to the vegetarian firemen vacating the area.

Remember to keep a few good books handy to share with your loves and spice.  I know I am! 

Until Next Week,

Solara
 

A New Serial: Two Dragons for Lilly Chapter 1 Part 2

“Ned, you keep that up and Mayor Gill is going to complain.  His mate doesn’t like that we’re under their toddlers’ bedroom.  Turn the heat down on your horny imagination, okay?”  Adam reached for his mug of coffee.  Strong double espresso laced with raspberry chocolate syrup.  His sweet tooth ached every time he saw Lilly.   Ned brought home free samples from her shop thanks to the friendship he struck up with another soccer fan down at the boys and girls club in town.

“Yeah, I know.  I don’t plan on doing more than warming the wee ones overhead snug in their beds.” Smoke curled out of Ned’s nose.  “Taming the flame that lass set’s off is going to take more than all of Antarctica to cool down.”

Adam shook his head, trying hard to not spray coffee on the computer screen he looked at.  He gulped down the coffee he’d drank before Ned let loose one of his blasted puns.  “Look here,” Adam began, setting his mug down.  “Lust will melt your guitar picks if you aren’t careful.  You know we got a recording contract to fulfill too.”

Ned flipped him the bird and stuck out his forked tongue.  With an unintended lisp, he said, “Blowing raspberries ain’t easy with a forked tongue.”

Adam chortled.  “Ah, but think of the double pleasure we give our partner’s clitoris when we take a few pleasing licks.”

Ned slammed his fist down on the table rattling the coffee pot and other mugs sitting on the table.  Woody’s heavy footsteps sounded from down the hall.  He called out as he approached, “Ned you breaking tables and dishes again?”

Adam saluted Ned with his mug, and kept sipping, keeping his eyes on the computer screen in front of him.

Woody stuck his head into the kitchen.  “Well, Ned?”

“Ah come on bloke, you didn’t hear any china cracking or a spoon hitting the floor.”  Ned picked up the pages in front of him.  “Just trading inspirational ideas with Adam to get our song writing juices going again.”

“Fine.  Remember, this lair is our home, not some hole in the ground or dank musty wet cave.”   Woody started back down the hall, calling out again.  “And, mate shopping can wait until the CD is done.”

“Frack!” Ned cursed, flames shooting out of his mouth.  

Adam picked up the fire extinguisher near the table, pointed one end of the hose at him. “Antarctica is melting fast enough.  Calm your dragon down.”

Ned narrowed his eyes and laid both hands on the table as he leaned forward.  The glow in his eyes grew until only yellow remained visible.   He blinked, exhaled, and stuck out his tongue.  Three golden red medium sized charcoals landed on the table close to a heavy metal cover dish center of the table.

Adam reached over, picked up the tongs laying on the lay under the dish and handed them to Ned.  “Thanks for reminding me.  Take care of yours while I get mine under control.”

Adam closed his eyes.  He never liked displaying his off antics.  The group agreed that keeping tabs on each other worked better than having an outsider freaking out every time they separated their internal dragon from their essential core.  Ned would need to see his eye color change and the coals end up on the table.  Hazel colored eyes didn’t take well to the blast of heat and corralling of the energy that took place.  His human heritage came out from time to time and his eye color was one of them.

Adam opened his eyes, looked up until his gaze met Ned’s.  Ned nodded.  Adam leaned forward, laid both hands on the table and muttered an ancient Gaelic curse.  Heat rose from deep in his groin, pushing upwards until beads of sweat rolled off his brow.  He repeated the curse again,  tasting smoke, and the flash of heat rising up his throat.  Opening his mouth, he stuck out his tongue, four similar sized coals landed on the table.  Ned handed him the tongs.  The lid on the dish clattered shut shortly thereafter.  A red ring grew in size where the top of the bowl and the lid met.  Two of the band knew the words that unlocked the bowl’s magic.  Each knew half of the spell.  That way neither could grab the power the coals held from any of the others.  

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

Happy Weekend Gang!

Ned and Adam are back and their story moves forward.  Dragons with dual essences, wow!  These guys are different for sure. This is going to be one interesting story it looks like.

Fall is definitely in the air.  Nights are cooler from time to time.  Some leaves are already changing color.  The heat strikes out with Summer not wanting to yield its time.  Who can blame it?  That cold blast lasting into March makes me want to start buying up longjohns now!

Remember to keep a few good books handy to share with loves and Spice.  I know I am!

Until Next Week,

Solara