Laine's Blog, Thinking Out Loud

Halloween Story Conclusion...

 

     The twins woke before dawn to find their dad in the cockpit of the boat with a steaming cup of coffee. Rubbing the sleep from their eyes, they called up to him,

"Hi, Dad, are you drinking coffee? You never drink coffee!"

"Well, today is special. In fact, I left some for you guys, and even warmed up the milk for you."

     They weren't going to argue with him, even though their mom would never let them have coffee. Where was their mom?

     "Where's Mom?"

     "Come up here when you have your coffee and I will tell you a story."

     Uh, oh, was all the girls could think and they found themselves joining their dad, with the moon still bright in the west and the sky just beginning to brighten at the horizon in the east. There was a slight chill in the air and a mist was just becoming visible over the river. The only sound was the water gently rippling against the hull when their dad began his tale.

     Dan, that was dad's name, didn't know where to begin, so he jumped in with some humor, telling the girls that their mom had met the little person years ago at Girlscout camp. Nancy and Stacey shared a doubtful glance until their dad reassured them that it was true.

     Norma was 11 years old at the time and after her swimming lesson, she went into the cool spring water to explore the river with her friends. Somehow she got separated from them, when she saw some turtles sunning themselves on a log. She moved very quietly to get a closer look. One by one the turtles heard her approaching and fell into the water, swimming to safety.

    That's when Norma noticed the fish on the log, only it wasn't a fish at all, it was a small boy who wasn't all boy either. Trying to get a closer look, the boy/fish saw her coming and he disappeared into the water with the turtles.

 

Halloween Story, Day 6

 

 

Back in the "Enchanted Room", Billy (the crow) tapped on the giant watch. The little person opened it again on the 10th tap.

"Are they gone?"

"Yes."

"Whew, that was close, what were you thinking, Billy?"

 

Zeke, for that was the little person's name, seemed to be wound up a bit.

Billy answered, of course not in English, but in his own language that the boy could understand,

"I had the strongest feeling that one of them was the girl that you've been waiting for."

 

"You know that Norma would be some years older that those two rascals, don't you, to the tune of 19 years?"

 

"Well, that did cross my mind, afterwards. I'm sorry, Zeke, I..."

 

"Don't worry," said the little person, pulling himself together and finding the bright side, "maybe it's a sign that she is getting closer to finding me. I do wish that I had kept in contact with her all these years. I was so distracted by this world of yours that the time flew by. O well, let's eat and forget about it, for now, no harm done."

The boy climbed onto the back of the crow and they gently glided into the kitchen.

 

___________________________________________

 

On the boat, the girls breathlessly told the story about the little person and the crows, the golden light and the miniature furniture. Their parents didn't look at them like they were crazy, or laugh at them. They listened closely and hugged the girls even harder when their story was done. In the morning the girls would find out why.

 

To be continued...

 

 

Halloween Story, Day 5

 

 

When they looked back, the crow had flown to the other side of the room, to a

wall that was painted to look like water. As the girls approached, they

realized that what looked like a painting from the distance, was actually a giant

pocket watch and it appeared to float on the wall. It was the only thing in

the room that was larger than normal. It might have belonged to a giant, if

such things existed.

 

Tapping on the watch, the crow seemed to be trying to get it to work. Maybe

he wanted us to fix it for him.

Tap, tap, tap, and then again, tap, tap, tap. After the 10th tap the watch slowly

opened and a small boy(?), man(?), person(?) stretched and yawned and

said, "What's up Billy?"

 

Inside the watch were soft blankets and a painted nightstand, and a lamp, all miniature.

The girls took a step back and the noise startled the little person in the watch

and he closed it with one yank on the spring.

There was a loud CAW as if the crow was complaining and the twins didn't wait

to see if he was mad at them or the little person. They turned around so

fast, and as if they had a tail wind, they made their way out of the winding

building and into the twilight.

 

"There you are, I have been calling you."

They barely registered that it was their dad talking to them and ran straight to

the boat.

Their mom asked, "Where's your father?"

"Here I am, I think they must have found a ghost!"

"It's not funny, Dad."

"It's okay, come here," and he hugged them both. "You guys stink."

"Stop, Daddy."

"Okay, okay, you're safe now, it's ok, it's ok."

 

To be continued...

 

Halloween Story, Day 4

 

 

Nancy bravely peaked between her fingers to see if the birds were gone.

There was one on the floor walking around.

It seemed to be trying to get a good look at her. She said, "Shoo, go away."

The bird started to coo, as though it were talking to her. Sitting up, Stacey

hesitantly said,

"Hello?"

to the bird!

 

It turned out to be a crow and it hopped up onto a nearby workbench as the

girls helped each other up, dusting the sawdust and grease from

their shorts and t-shirts, never taking their eyes off the lone bird. Nancy

sensed that it wanted them to follow it. It seemed to be heading for the shaft

of light that the twins had been trying to reach

when they were startled by the birds.

"What do you want to do?" Nancy asked Stacey.

"What do you want to do?" Stacey asked Nancy.

"Let's follow it."

"Okay."

 

They soon found themselves in a room flooded with golden light. It seemed to

be enchanted. Everything was in miniature. A split level living room with a

kitchen off the side. It was so warm and charming, with a small persian rug

and sofas and chairs - all the perfect size for a -

crow!

 

The girls looked at each other, just to be sure that one of them wasn't crazy.

 

To be continued...

 

Halloween Story, Day 3

 

 
    After lunch the girls ran off the dock once again, this time straight to the rickety old porch of the abandoned building looking for an easy way in. There were two black cats by the entrance that they hadn't seen before. Was it an omen of things to come? The door turned out to be bolted shut, but they soon found some rotted planks that easily gave way and they slipped through.

    Once their eyes had adjusted to the semi-darkness, Nancy spotted the two cats again. Shrugging, she followed them past the dusty workbenches and the old motor blocks. Ancient dusty ropes and pulleys were hanging from the ceiling and tons of cobwebs. Stacey tried not to think about the spiders that made those webs.

    "I don't like this, it keeps getting darker and darker and those cats are strange and this building goes on and on. There's nothing here but these useless greasy engines and spider webs. Let's get out of here."

     "Let's go a little farther, we might find some neat old tools or even some valuable coins."

    Nancy loved old tools and coins and Stacey thought that one day she would understand why, but it wasn't today.

     "We can't even see. Maybe we should come back tomorrow, when it's bright and sunny out."

     "What's wrong with you? See that shaft of light up ahead? Let's check it out and then we can leave."

    They took two more steps and there was a sudden, CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW CAW, and the sound of a dozen pair of wings whooshing overhead. The girls jumped a foot off the ground and started for the exit, tripping over each other and landing in a pile of sawdust and grease. They covered their heads with their arms as a dozen black birds flew over them in a rush of sound and just as suddenly, it was quiet. Were the birds gone?

 

continued tomorrow...

Halloween Story, Day 2

 

 

    When Stacey and Nancy disembarked from the boat, they ran off the dock so fast it looked as though they were being chased. Norma, their mother called to them,

        "Don't go far, we haven't had lunch yet and I don't want you to starve."

"Okay!"

    The twins headed straight for an ancient looking boat, high on its chocks, that reminded them of Noah's ark. Stacey called out, just in case someone was aboard.

        "Hello...hello? Anybody there?"

    Silence - just the throaty sound of a heron in the distance.

    Smiling as wide as the beam of the boat, the girls looked for a way up. Where's the ladder? They began searching around the other derelict boats.

 

"Come on, there must be a ladder here somewhere."

 

    Nancy began to notice some objects embedded in the decaying concrete, fun things, like marbles and a key and broken shards of glass.

 

"Hey Stace', come and see this."

 

    Stacey jumped down from the boat that she had climbed into and joined Nancy.

 

 

 

"Wow! That's cool! Look there's more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    It was like a scavenger hunt, as soon as they lost sight of one thing, another one would pop into view.

 

 

 

 

    Before they knew it the girls were standing in front of the old building. There were old barrels, slats strewn everywhere, hoses and ropes hanging from the ceiling. Looking for a way in, Stacey thought she saw a door, just when she heard their mother calling...

 

"Girls, lunch is ready. Come and get it."

 

    Their mom loved saying that, "Come and get it!"

    They gave each other a look. Should they go in?

"GIRLS!"

"Coming."

 

To be continued...

 

 

The Abandoned Boat Yard, Halloween Story, Day 1

 

 

An abandoned boat yard, the perfect scene for a Halloween story...

 

    The girls loved exploring deserted buildings, the scarier the better. They were 10 now and practically fearless. They'd been best friends since they were born, maybe before, as they were identical twins and were hardly ever apart. This trip was no exception. A weekend excursion on the sailboat with Dad and Mom.

    Dad insisted on a new river every time they went out and why he decided to dock at this particular spot was beyond them. There were no stores, or ice cream shops or anything. Just this dock, and the other two boats, that weren't occupied and this very interesting old boat yard. It was late afternoon and the twins couldn't wait to get away and explore the terrain. Little did they know that what awaited them would change them forever.

 

to be continued...

 

 

October, Harvests and Full Moons

 

 

October - harvests and bright moons, bales of hay and straw, pumpkins,

ghosts and goblins, spider webs, dressing up and acting out.

 

What was your favorite costume for Halloween?

Mine was Robin Hood!

I remember a burlap tunic, a bow and arrow and the perfect pointed hat.

I think that my mother made it for me.

 

Did you have a scary neighbor like we did?

Of course the only reason we were afraid of her was

because she was sooooooo old and she lived alone and

she had a cat.

Now I am old-ish and I live alone and I have a cat!

Scary!

 

 

Do You Like My Dress?

 

 I really like watermelon.

Do you like my bow?

I always wear one.

My mommy is really good at matching my bows to my dresses,

and, no, they don't always match my food,

but this time it is really close!

 

Do you like my dress?

 

I like you.

Cat Meets Armadillo

 

 

 

 No worries!

 

 

Do You Have A Big Sister?

 

Do you have a big sister?

Is she as nice as mine?

My big sister writes me notes that tell me how much she loves me.

Does your big sister do that?

I want to be just like her, but I guess that I have to wait 'cause

I can't write, can't read either, but I know what the notes say.

My daddy reads them to me.

Just look at her, isn't she great?

 

I love my big sister.

She loves me too.

 

 

 

The Lighthouse Stairs

 

 

Looking up or down?

You...

...today,

looking up or down?

 

(That's the short version of today's post. Here is the long one.)

 

If you're feeling good today, happy and cheerful, be sure to share that

somehow, because you never know how much a heartfelt smile might mean to

someone, how just a smile can save a life.

 

If you're not feeling happy or cheerful, breathe that in

and try to connect to other people who aren't feeling happy,

who are probably trying to figure out why, and how to "fix"

or get rid of it somehow.

If you sit with the feeling and trust that it will pass,

(and you know it will),

at the end of that you will be softer, because you made the

friendship with yourself stronger.

Instead of rejecting that part of yourself, you have

embraced it and your shadow grows smaller

and your heart grows bigger.

 

So, up or down,

It's still you there,

and you're fine,

right where you are.

 

 

Enter the Garden

 

 

What do you see when you enter a garden?

What do you hear?

Is there water falling nearby?

A bird singing?

Can you smell the lavender,

or the damp earth?

What do you see?

 

Life is exploding all around us.

Can you feel it?

 

Stoked!

 

 

Back and forth he goes with endless energy!

This boy is so stoked with his skimboard and the newly formed tidal

pool, that he doesn't notice the drama unfolding over the ocean

right beside him - the outer edges of Hurricane Irene,

illuminated by the setting sun.

 

I think to show him, but decide to enjoy his pleasure, and

mix it with mine, to double the moment.

 

Fishing, Reading...

 

On a warm January day off, sitting on the beach,

enjoying the skimmers, pelicans and gulls, and a family fishing nearby.

 

In Vietnam each seaside village has a secret fish sauce recipe.

 

Reading Vietnamese-American, Andrew X Pham's

Catfish and Mandala -

a very brave piece of storytelling about  one man's search

for his bearings, that takes him back to the village in Vietnam

where his life began. Through foreign yet familiar landscapes,

the author bicycles his way across memories,

encountering dangers he hadn't imagined and finding

the grace that his soul so badly needed in a simple encounter.

 

It is a true hero's journey.

 

The family scurries off the vanishing sandbar and gathering my book and chair

I head to my favorite Chinese restaurant for some scallion pancakes.

 

 

 

Teaching a Young Dog a New Word

 

Jack, "Hey, that's my ball."

Sophie, "My ball."

Jack, (laughing)

Sophie, "My ball."

Everyone in the room, (laughing).

Sophie, "My ball."

Gertrude Stein, "A tennis ball is a tennis ball is a tennis ball."

(paraphrased)

Sophie, "My tennis ball!"

 

Power!

 

 

Power, pressure, heat, steam...all coming from the earth.

A generous gift of energy, warmth and light to Icelanders.

 

Where does your power come from?

Your real power?

 

Two books out of the library simultaneously...

The Art of Power, by Thich Nhat Hanh and

The Power of Art, by Simon Schama.

 

Never finished either one, but would like to one day!

 

 

Thanks Steve!

 

 

Inside the iMac G5

 

A small tribute to Steve Jobs for creating an amazing line

of reliable and elegant playthings for the rest of us

to enjoy and marvel over.

 

Here's to the beautiful thought that your trip

through time and space is only just begining.

 

In gratitude and awe,

Laine

 

Seek honestly that which nourishes you.

 

 

Does the Egret apologize to the fish?

Is the fish feeling like a victim, getting angry and huffy?

These two marvelous creatures are

  living and dying on the same page.

No apologies.

No blame.

 

When we seek honestly that which nourishes us,

we thrive.

 

Blessings

 

A woman in red looks out over the ocean.

A rainbow is forming.

In this month of rainbows, and double rainbows,

it still feels like a blessing.

Like the rain. 

 

 

 

Check Mate

 

 

Beach erosion, day 2 of the pounding surf of Hurricane Irene,

Anastasia Island State Park, St. Augustine, Florida.

Beach re-nourishment.

Beach erosion.

Beach re-nourishment.

Beach erosion.

Beach re-nourishment.

Beach erosion.

Check.

Check mate.

It's not that Nature wins,

It's that Nature is and is better at is than the

Army Corps of Engineers.

 

 

MOM?

  That's not Mom.                                                (Why are they staring at me?) 

        Are you sure?            

  It's not Mom.                                     (Hey, guys, I didn't do it, whatever it is,

        No, too tall, I guess.                                              I didn't do it, okay?)          

 

         Mom?                                                   (Why are they standing so close?)

 

   It's not Mom.

 

 

 

Clinging Vine

Delicate clinging vines - this is a time when clinging is good.

Good for the vine and the wall benefits too, aesthetically.

Is clinging ever good for us? We humans?

Holding on to that good or bad feeling - joy or anger?

Being in the moment is preferred, but if you have to cling,

cling to the things that become more beautiful with your clinging,

like a baby's smile or the best day ever in the water with the  boogie board.

It makes you more beautiful to do that!

 

 

Stop! Look! Listen!

 

Welcome to Laine's Blog

 

There is a school of thought that claims

that the heart is our real brain, and that a shift is taking place

in the universe. We are learning to think, see, and act, more with our hearts and

less with our other brains.

At Laine's blog each weekday, you will find an original photograph or graphic

paired with words of wisdom or folly - all from the heart.

So, Stop! Look! and Listen! with your open heart and thanks for

letting Laine share hers!