Happy Saturday! I am happy to share some smiles with all of you today. I have a picture that I was given permission to share on here.
Meet Benjamin. One of “The Odessa Chronicles” youngest fans, and oh so very sweet! He has been such a delight to know. He has made Colin and I smile so many times with his enthusiasm for our book, “The Odessa Chronicles”, and he happily shares the stories with his friends too!
His favorite character is Jaxon. Jaxon was thrilled to hear that! Dewey, heard it and just went back to sleep. Odessa rolled her eyes. They all have had their turn though of being in the spotlight as someone’s favorite. When I share stories either at schools or libraries, all 3 get mentioned as being someone’s favorite. I am glad to say that the man-servant does get mentioned as well by the children. They enjoy how cunning he can be at times, and his big heart. For who would take care of Jaxon, Odessa and Dewey they say, if it wasn’t for him! Especially Dewey! Poor cat would be lost without someone to wait on him hand and foot!
Benjamin’s Grandma, who is a wonderfully sweet lady, says that Jaxon is always with Benjamin! She sent Colin and I this picture and his smile melted our hearts. This is why we wrote the book, to spread smiles!
And if you are new to my blog and wondering what ” The Odessa chronicles” is about, here is an excerpt of a story from Colin’s blog, that he shared a few months ago. I hope it brings a smile to your heart. If it piques your interest, click on the picture of the cover of the book in the right hand margin. The link will provide you with more information.
Our friends live on Moonbeam Farm. Joshua, who is known better as the “man-servant”, retired to the farm, not knowing what guests would be there to meet him. Odessa, (the Barn Owl), Dewey, ( the Cat), and Jaxon (the Jackalope). They all have very distinct personalities and become the best of friends having all kinds of crazy adventures.
In this excerpt, there has been a woman visiting the farm, and they all have grown to like her very much. Her name is Florence, and she has a special connection to Moonbeam Farm, for it used to belong to her Grandparents. Being that everyone likes her they have made the decision to give her the ability that will allow her to communicate with all of them. All they have to do is ask her if she would like that and then Jaxon will work his magic.
Florence
The next time that Florence visited, the man-servant called everybody over. “Florence,” he said, “the four of us here had a discussion about you, and we would like to tell you what we decided.”
“Oh dear,” said Florence, “I hope it is going to be good news, because I have a question for you guys.”
The man-servant became thoughtful. “Okay, Florence, as a matter of courtesy, why don’t you ask your question first?”
She was obviously thinking about the best way to present her question. The man-servant, Dewey, Jaxon, and Odessa were all looking at her and waiting. Suddenly, she said, “Well … I’ve really enjoyed coming here, and we all seem to be getting along really well, and so … I was wondering if …”
There was total silence.
Odessa looked at the man-servant. “What’s your problem? Can’t you see that she is having difficulties? Encourage her! She is one of your species … in case you had not noticed.”
The man-servant turned to Florence. “Please continue. We have thoroughly enjoyed your visits. What’s on your mind?”
Florence looked around the room for a few moments, and then looked at Dewey, Jaxon, Odessa, and finally the man-servant. “Could I live here? You’re not using my old bedroom for anything, and I would love to use it again. I wouldn’t be here too much, because my work takes me away for weeks at a time, but it would be lovely to stay with you all when I am back in the area, and I could help out with the costs of running this farm.”
The man-servant looked at her. “It’s a nice idea, Florence, and we would all love to have you live here, but there is a major problem. We will be leaving Moonbeam Farm before the end of this year.”
Florence was saddened by the news. “Why would you want to leave here?” she asked.
“We don’t have a choice, as far as I can tell,” said the man-servant. “The farm is being purchased by the town, and then demolished in preparation for a road that is planned to come through here.”
“Joshua,” she said, “that does surprise me, but I think that I may be able to assist with resolving that problem. Would you like me to get involved?”
Odessa, Dewey, and Jaxon had all moved in a little closer, and waited for the man-servant’s response. He didn’t say anything. Odessa jumped up onto the man-servant’s shoulder and shouted into his right ear, “Why aren’t you answering? Here you have a female human who obviously knows what she is talking about … and you sit there pondering something or other! Tell her, ‘Yes! Please get involved!’”
Florence had watched Odessa’s performance. “My word, Joshua,” she said, “Odessa certainly gave you a good talking to!”
The man-servant looked at Florence. “Yes, she certainly did. She wanted to know why I didn’t say ‘yes please’ to your offer.”
Florence looked at the man-servant. “Well … why didn’t you?”
*the rest of the story and many more can be found in “The Odessa’s Chronicles”, and yes this isn’t the first time or the last time where Odessa gets baffled by something the man-servant does say, or as in this case what he doesn’t say! It can be hard work figuring him out! 🙂 *
Those eyelashes! I think they border on criminal. What a cutie-pie.
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He really is!!
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What a charmer!
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He charms my heart! 🙂
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I can see that Benjamin loves jackalopes, with their many horns. Although I believe that one horn is all an animal really needs.
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Hmmm….I wonder why you think that. 🙂 LOL!
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It could be that the one horn animal that you speak of may make an appearance in one of the stories in the book. 🙂
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That would be wonderful. But be careful. They have a way of stealing the show.
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You obviously have not read the book. Like Odessa would let that happen! We had to put her name in the title just to get her to agree to us publishing the stories! Barn Owls can be frustratingly difficult to work with.
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LOL! Oh if Odessa hears what you said, she may have quite a few words to say to you! 🙂
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Who?
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Haha!
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Exactly!Whoo …. whoo …. whoo!
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Pretty sure Odessa may be rolling her eyes at you and you! That’s Who! 🙂
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Just have to love him! 🙂
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Yes! 🙂
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How adorable. ✨💕✨
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🙂 ❤
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I just found your site. Really enjoying your posts.
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Hi! Welcome, glad that you are enjoying my posts. I hope you continue too and that they can bring you smiles. 🙂
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The kid has great taste & I love his Jackalope stuffy.
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Great taste indeed, though I may be a little bias. 😉
And yes that is a cute Jaxon stuffy! 🙂
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Hehe 🙂
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Our sweet Benjamin! Oh the love he and Ellen/Gem spread 🙂 ❤
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They both are just so dear!!! ❤ ❤
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I, of course, read this post yesterday and had planned to add a comment on my way back from finally reading/commenting on Tuesday’s Thoughts. Then, as I gazed into those beautiful brown eyes of my darling Benjamin, I was flooded with emotion and left speechless…a rarity for me, as you well know. This amazing, wonderful, beloved Grandson of mine will carry a tiny piece of me into a future that I most likely will never see. That is both a humbling and rapturous thought, perhaps at odds with each other but nonetheless true. I have been blessed with the gift of Benjamin and I am honored to have had some small part in the development of the person he will become. My time of influence will soon end, as school days will replace Gem days and that is just as it should be. My hope is that the love of reading and the love of books that I promoted will not be diminished as other interests arise. I hope that I have helped him to learn that reading is a pleasure and not a task to be endured. If I have succeeded, it has been with the help of books like “The Odessa Chronicles”. I am grateful to Colin and yourself, not only for writing the book, but also for the inclusion of Benjamin in the process. There are times when the word thank-you seems inadequate, this is one of those times. Thank-YOU!
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Awh Ellen! So tender what you wrote. ❤ Benjamin is so blessed and I believe you will always hold a special place in his heart. I know my Grandma holds a very special place in mine!
Thank you for your sweet words about "The Odessa Chronicles". and you and Benjamin are so very welcome! (((Hugs)))
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Hi Ellen – I really cannot add too much to Carolyn’s comment, but it was a real pleasure having Benjamin “on board” during the Odessa process. His reactions assured us that we were on the right track! 🙂
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So great to see young Benjamin here!!! He pops into my blog on Mondays and Saturdays (the only two days I leave politics out of the post) and he is such a delight … he warms my heart, as I’m sure he does yours!
Hugs!
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Yes he does! He spreads joy to all who know him! 🙂
Glad you got to see him here. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. Have a great day!
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I enjoyed your post … I have long followed Colin & Ray, though I don’t get to visit blogs like I once did, for my own work keeps me busy 12-14 hours a day! You have a great day also!
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Thanks! I hope you enjoy more of my posts, they are a variety.
Colin and Ray bring me smiles often. 🙂
That is a LONG work day, thankful that you spent some of your precious time reading my post. 🙂
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I’m sure I shall … as I said, I don’t get the chance to visit as much as I would like, but I have added your blog to my list and will visit as often as I can!
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Thank you very much and I will look forward to your visits and getting to know you! 🙂
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Benjamin is ecstatic that “Miss JoyRoses made Jaxon and me famous!” He had me read each comment to him and his smile just grew and grew. Benjamin recognizes several of the commenters by their pictures…My Jodi, Mr. Colin and Ray, Miss Jill and of course you! He wants to tell everyone that commented and complimented him “Thank-You so much!” And we do, Thank-YOU!
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P.S. A quick note, hopefully, to just say that Jill posts 3-4 separate posts throughout the day on her blog, “Filosofa’s Word”. The political ones are easily recognized before opening for those who do not wish to get embroiled therein. But, she always has a “Jolly Monday” post that is delightful and the Saturday ones are too. On Wednesday she features a “Good People Doing Good Things” post that is so heartwarming and enlightening. She also has a daily post that features a song, highlighting songs of days gone by with some history about the song and singer too. In today’s Jolly Monday post, she suggested sharing our smiles and that prompted me to tell her in my comment to visit your Saturday post for a smile she would recognize. I am so pleased that she did!
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Thank you so much for sending her to my blog post and I will be glad to check out her posts, they sound intriguing. Thanks for letting me know!
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Oh, and her Snarky Snippets posts are politically oriented too!
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Ahh! I will definitely have to check those posts out. 🙂
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Thank you, Ellen! First, for pointing me in the direction of this blog (you know I adored the picture of Benjamin … that smile melts my heart). Second for explaining a bit about my blog. And third … for being such a wonderful friend.
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Awh on Benjamin’s excitement on being “famous”. 🙂 Makes me smile imagining his smile getting bigger and bigger as you read the comments to him. He is soooo welcome! Please give him a hug from JoyRoses. 🙂 ❤
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Namaste, Benjamin!
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Completely understandable how your audiences get captivated by your beautiful and adventurous stories…they always bring a smile to my face! 🙂 ❤
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Awwh! Thank you very much, so glad that they do!
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You’re very welcome!😊 ❤️
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