Spinning the Web

Miss. Libby was sitting in her bright sunflower yellow kitchen, deep in thought. Lisette had left to do some shopping, so she was all alone. She still couldn’t get over the fact that Lisette had gone and applied for a job at Miss. Jill’s Dress Shop. The fact that Jill had actually hired her was an even bigger surprise!  How could she have hired her? Wasn’t she afraid that Lisette would find out and if Lisette found out, who knew what would happen. What would she do with the information?  Libby shook her head, taking another drink of her Vanilla Chai tea. Perhaps she needed something a little stronger. Her stomach was in knots. 

Things had been going so smoothly. She had the perfect set up with Miss. Jill, and now some stranger from out of town, just appears and risks ruining everything. All the hard work that Miss. Libby had put into the lucrative side business. She needed this business, as her Inn wasn’t doing very well presently. She set her cup down hard making some of of the tea splash out onto the white tablecloth. Something had to be done, and she was going to do it. She was going to make a phone call to Jill and give her a piece of her mind. 

Miss. Jill was pacing the floor with the phone in her hand. “Yes, I know but…”  “She is a nice la…”  Jill rolled her eyes, she could barely get a word in. “Just calm down and listen!” she finally said in a little sterner of voice, finally Libby got quiet. 

“I am not firing her, the girl didn’t even start yet! I think this could be a very good thing. I could really use the extra help in the store, especially when the special customers come.  Lisette can stay out front with the other customers, as I take the special customers to the back room. 

Jill sighed, as Libby ranted again, but by the time they ended the conversation, Libby did seem a little more warmed up to the idea. She would come around, thought Jill, at least she hoped she did. Dealing with an irritable Libby was not pleasant.

There were times Jill wished that she had never got involved with this side business in the first place. All she had wanted to do was own her own Dress and Fabric store, and then she met Miss. Libby. Before she knew it, she was caught up in a tangled web of secrets, and she kept getting deeper entwined. 

Miss. Libby hung up the phone feeling a little better. Perhaps Jill did know what she was doing. Lisette did seem pretty innocent and naïve, so she might be the right one to help out at the store. It would free up Jill. Maybe business could increase if Jill had more time. Libby saw dollar signs in her head and her smile grew bigger. This really may be a good thing, a very good thing, she thought.  She was thinking of what all she could do with the extra money, as she headed upstairs with her silver Persian cat following right behind her. 

Lisette was dumbfounded. She had come back to the Inn, because she forgot her wallet and she had overheard Miss. Libby on the phone. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but when she heard her name spoken, she couldn’t move from her spot in the hallway. 

Miss. Libby wanted Miss. Jill to fire her!? Why? Did she have that strong of dislike for Miss. Jill? She listened some more and things just weren’t adding up. Miss. Libby said that Lisette couldn’t find out about their other business dealings. That they all would be in jeopardy then. What other business? 

Lisette’s mind was swirling. Something wasn’t right and suddenly she was uncertain about working for Miss. Jill. Maybe she should rethink this whole idea of staying in this town. What was she getting into? She needed to take a walk to clear her brain about the troublesome conversation she had heard. 

She didn’t really have a destination in mind she just left the Inn and kept walking, pondering things over. 

When she finally decided to pay attention to her surroundings, she figured out where she was. She was near the creek where she had met the little Annie before.  She had walked out of town. Perhaps sitting by the creek was just what she needed to relax and think straight. 

Walking a little ways more she saw the babbling creek and it didn’t look like anyone was around. Lisette relished the idea of sitting alone for a bit. She slipped off her shoes and dangled her feet in the water. The cool water felt good, she hadn’t meant to walk so far and her feet were a little sore. She found a pebble in the grass and skipped it across the water. She was beginning to relax, when she heard a “MOOOOO!” right behind her! 

Jumping up, she almost lost her balance!  She caught herself and turned around to see Betsy, the cow staring at her, with her deep brown eyes. 

Lisette tried to catch her breath and calm down when she noticed something hanging around Betsy’s neck. It was the enchanted cowbell! Oh Lisette was really tempted to grab it off her neck and shake it for all it was worth! It just had to work again. She went to grab it, but something stopped her from touching it. Never had she been so intimidated by a cow’s eyes before. 

Betsy continued to stare at her and then just as quickly as she had appeared she turned her back on Lisette and walked back towards the barn. Lisette stared after her. Oh how she wanted that bell, but … She sighed. No, she wasn’t going to give up, she would go to work for Miss. Jill and see what she could find out. Perhaps all those Nancy Drew books that she had read as a child would finally pay off! 

(to be continued….next week) 

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

Happy Tuesday! I hope your week is off to a good start and that it continues to go smoothly. If you find yourself dodging curve balls though, perhaps you can follow the advice of the first quote of the day. Though I do hope that your world doesn’t crash down around you! Enjoy the quotes, and remember take some time each day to “just breathe!”  

 

 

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Secrets Abound

Sometimes I think I am finished with a story but sometimes I am not. Here is a link to 3AM Thoughts! in case you missed it, and here is the rest of the story. 

Lisette heard her alarm clock ringing at 8am. She groggily shut it off, once she could find the right button! With the way she felt now she would be needing an afternoon nap, instead of sharing tea with Miss. Libby today. 

The smell of bacon being fried and coffee perking, did awaken Lisette’s senses and she walked into the dining room with a smile on her face. 

“Good Morning Miss. Libby!”, she called out to her in the kitchen. 

“Good Morning Lisette, I hope you are hungry. I made French raspberry crepes today. ” 

“Sounds delicious!” Lisette replied, thinking to herself that she may need to jog around the block a few extra times today due to this big breakfast. 

“You spoil me!” she said, as Miss. Libby came out of the kitchen with a bowl of scrambled eggs and a plate of crepes. 

Miss. Libby laughed. “I love doing it, and remember you can stay here as long as you like! What are your plans for the day?” she asked, as she took a seat at the table with Lisette. 

“I thought I would apply at some stores today for a job.” 

Miss. Libby clapped her hands together. “Great! So you are planning on staying in town then?” 

Lisette’s heart was warmed by the light in Miss. Libby’s eyes, and her genuine smile, that seemed to really want Lisette to stay. It gave her a boost of confidence. 

“Yes, I am planning on staying, at least for a while, this seems like such a wonderful town. ” 

“Oh it is, it is! The town is finally getting back to normal after the tragic mystery of … Oh, I don’t want to hold you up. You finish your breakfast and we can talk another time. You have a job to find.” 

“But, but what mystery? Does this have to do with the Chicken Man?” 

“Oh dear, I forgot to bring out the bacon. Let me go get it.” and Miss. Libby bustled into the kitchen, returning with the bacon. 

“So what kind of job are you looking for?” she asked. 

Lisette inwardly sighed, Miss. Libby was very nice, but she could be a mystery herself at times, the way she would close up about certain topics. She guessed she was just going to have to be patient, when Miss. Libby was ready to talk she would talk. 

“I was going to see if Miss. Jill needed any help. There wasn’t any  “Help Wanted” sign on her door, but she was so friendly when I visited her shop and she had the most beautiful dresses.”

“Hmm…I know the coffee shop is hiring. They are always busy in there! You may inquire at the Fluffer-Nutter Shoppe as well. You would be laughing yourself through the day if you worked there.” 

Lisette laughed, she had met the owners of the Fluffer -Nutter Shoppe and they certainly were characters. She wondered though why she so quickly talked about other places to look for work besides Miss. Jill’s Dress Shop. She took another bite of her crepe. “This is divine!” 

Miss. Lily blushed with pride. 

“I may check out those places, but I do think I will go to Miss. Jill’s Dress Shop first. ” 

Miss. Lily stared down at her plate and just quietly ate for a few moments.  Lisette was curious now, what was it about Miss. Jill’s place? 

“Umm…Is there a reason that I shouldn’t apply at Miss. Jill’s place?”

Miss. Lily still kept looking at her plate, and when she did look up , her eyes were serious. “Being a respectable lady, you should probably look somewhere else for a job.” 

Lisette took her last sip of coffee to wash down the salty bacon. Miss. Libby was a great cook, but she Lisette wouldn’t mind if she cut back on the salt! 

“Wh-What are you saying? Are you saying that Miss. Jill isn’t…?”

Miss. Lily interrupted her.  “I am not saying anything more, Lisette dear, we do have a great town, but every town has its secrets and well …. lets just leave it at that.  I need to go now and start cleaning up the kitchen.  Good Luck with the job search and we will talk more this afternoon at tea.”

Saying that, she excused herself, leaving Lisette sitting at the trouble with questions circulating in her mind. “Every town has its secrets…” Miss. Lily’s words came back to her. What exact secrets did this town hold? 

She sat at the table holding her water glass and thinking. She hoped that Miss. Lily would tell her more this afternoon at tea, so much for her grabbing a nap. Her curiosity was piqued now, she needed to hear. 

Finishing her water and popping the last strawberry into her mouth she got up from the table and headed out the door. 

It was a beautiful day to be walking downtown. Fall was in the air and the big Maple trees that lined the sidewalks looked lovely. She paused at the Coffee Shop, seeing the sign on the door.  She opened up the door and the bell jangled, but then she turned right back around and walked out again. 

Miss. Jill was busy with a customer when Lisette walked in. Lisette browsed through the clothes, but kept one ear tuned into the conversation going on between Miss. Jill and the customer. They had hushed their tone, and she could barely hear. She then noticed the customer follow Miss. Jill to the back of the store through a door. 

Lisette went back to browsing through the dresses, an emerald green one caught her eye. She was debating about it when Miss. Jill returned just a few minutes later with the customer behind her. 

“Thank you Mrs. Gray, I hope you have a wonderful day now! And please come again!”  

Mrs. Gray smiled and said “Thank you! May you have a great day too.” 

Lisette watched Mrs. Gray exit the store. 

Miss. Jill seemed almost nervous as she approached Lisette, but her voice was calm. 

“Sorry to keep you waiting. How can I help you? Great to see you back again.”

“Well I was actually wondering if I could help you? I am thinking of staying here but I need a job first. Could you use any help? It doesn’t look like you have any other employees here.” 

Miss. Jill paused, looking uncertain,  and then said, ” Wellll … I pretty much run this shop by myself, always have, but … ” and she paused again. this time she smiled. ” Yes, perhaps I could use an extra hand here, that would leave me free to attend to other business. Let me ask you a few questions and we will see what we can work out. ” 

A hour later Lisette walked out of Miss. Jill’s shop feeling great. She had a job now. Plus, Miss. Lily gave her the emerald green dress, as a gift! Now she could write home and let her parents and friends know that she was staying. They would feel better, knowing she had a job. Life was taking a good turn! 

Meanwhile, back in the meadow by the babbling creek, there was a cow grazing contently on the grass, with an enchanted bell hanging around her neck. 

 

 

 

Riding the Waves

Mind bending painting by Robert Gonsalves on Pinterest

What had he been thinking? He had been sailing on the sea for 3 days now and had spent most of his time leaning over the railing, while turning green.

Ooooh the big waves came again, and with them another wave of nausea. Jeremy bent over the railing just in time.

Floyd came by and patted him on the back. “Not feeling too good eh?”

Jeremy groaned and shook his head, not trusting himself to speak. He gripped the railing, hoping the breeze would help refresh him and bring some relief to his misery.

“Don’t worry fella, this happens to all the newbies, you will make it! By the way, we are having liver and onions for lunch, sound good?” Floyd didn’t wait for a response, he walked away laughing as Jeremy grimaced.

The adventure had sounded so exciting. A 15 day deep sea adventure. They were going to dive and explore the hidden parts of the sea, who knew what wonderful things he may see. He didn’t think twice about signing up. He had always wanted to scuba dive, sounded so cool. He never took into account though that he had never been on a ship before!

He closed his eyes as he fought another wave of nausea. Earlier, Jeremy had been lying below deck in his cabin, but it got so stuffy in there that he thought he could use some fresh air. Maybe he should go back to the cabin and lie down, for he was starting to feel dizzy.

Staring out at the never ending sea he squinted his eyes, was that another ship he saw, and maybe 2, or 5 or … wait no just one. Oh he must be losing it, he couldn’t even count anymore. Jeremy closed his eyes. Then he opened them and looked again. Yes there was 1 ship and wait, was that a bridge? A bridge in the middle of the sea? He shook his head, trying to clear his mind and looked again, yup, sure enough there was a bridge in the middle of the deep blue sea.

Robert was mopping the deck, as Jeremy was slowly walking across it to head downstairs to his cabin.

“Oh Jeremy you really don’t look too good, where are you headed?”

“Back to my cabin to lie down.”

“Good idea! I am guessing you don’t want anyone to wake you up for lunch in a half hour? Liver and onions with beets. Hey ….. be careful the deck is wet, you may … !

Poor Jeremy’s legs slipped out from under him and he fell smack onto the floor! This day just kept getting better.

Later that night, he woke up and for the first time his stomach finally wasn’t turning. Perhaps the worst was over and from here on out it would be smooth sailing! He got up and opened his door. A strong odor assaulted his senses. What was that? He looked down to see that a tray of liver and onions with beets had been placed beside his door. Just then the boat rocked, almost knocking him off his feet.

He grimaced. Oh No! Not again, he thought, as he bent over holding his stomach, and ran back to his bed. Next time he was going on a safari adventure, he was not cut out for the sea!

Friday’s Super Short Stories!

Some chapters in life are like a mystery book … Problem is you can’t flip to the last page to see how it ends!

When your train of thought gets derailed!

Is the purpose of car alarms to protect your car or to make your heart jump?

3AM Thoughts!

Lisette tossed and turned, and turned again. The bright green glow from her alarm clock showed that it was 3AM!

Letting out a groan she grabbed her pillow and smacked it down on the bed, what was she going to do?

Her cell phone had messages from work, her friends and her Mom. She had texted them before so that they wouldn’t worry about her absence, but now they were wanting details.

She had been at Miss. Libby’s Bed and Breakfast Inn for a week now. Miss. Libby was so nice, hadn’t asked her any questions, just told her how glad she was to have her there. Business had been slow lately and she was getting lonely.

Lisette could easily get used to being spoiled by Libby’s delicious meals. As a rule, she only provided breakfast , but she was so glad for Lisette’s company, that she happily made supper for her too.

Lisette was grateful for her hospitality. Everyone she had met so far had been so kind. It seemed like a nice, little town. She loved the quaint little shops. She had went clothes shopping the first day she was there, for she really needed new clothes!

Miss.Libby had referred her to Miss.Jill’s Fabric and Dress Shop. Oh, the beautiful clothes she had! Lisette was so glad that she had money on her when she had shaken the cow bell.

She really was enjoying herself here. Back home she had wrestled with not knowing the next step to take, but now….perhaps she had just taken the next step! Perhaps this town was meant for her. Miss. Libby had said that she was welcome to stay as long as she would like.

They enjoyed afternoon teas. Miss. Libby loved to talk and Lisette was fascinated with the stories she shared about her life, as she sipped her Vanilla Chai tea. Miss. Libby had lived in this town for a long time and she could tell you about every person who lived here.

One afternoon she had told Lisette that she needed to tell her the story of the Chicken Man. The Chicken Man? Lisette was curious but Miss. Libby said she had to lie down for her nap and she would tell her later. Lisette was still waiting.

When Lisette walked through town she had seen “Help Wanted” signs on some of the shops. She really needed a job, if she planned on staying. Thats what she would do. She let out a contented sigh. She had a plan.

In the morning, after a yummy breakfast of eggs, bacon, grits and pancakes with a slice of honeydew melon, she would go out job hunting.

If she found a job that she enjoyed she would stay. A simple plan … the only difficult part was going to be explaining it to her friends and her parents.

The glowing numbers on the clock said 3:45, she had to get some sleep. This would all work out, thats what she would tell herself. Think positive. That is what her Dad had taught her to do. She wanted adventure and it looked like she had found it, thanks to the magic of an old, enchanted bell.

Tuesday’s Thoughts!

I think this is a really cute, creative way to announce a pregnancy. No, this is not MY picture! Thought I would clarify that, before any of you fainted with shock. It is my dear niece that is expecting, and we all are excited to welcome another sweet baby into our family.

May this week bring you joy and hopefully these quotes will too!

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Every year my friend sends me a joke about Candy Corn, for she knows I like Candy Corn. I realize I am probably in the minority here, but hey speak up if you like Candy Corn too. I am not totally crazy, I like peanut butter cups too!

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What do you do?

“I have a dream, a song to sing
To help me cope with anything
If you see the wonder of a fairy tale
You can take the future even if you fail”

“I have a dream, a fantasy
To help me through reality”

                                                                      “I Have a Dream” by ABBA

Sometimes even though one has heard a song so many times, there will be a time when the lyrics speak something different to them. That happened to me with the above song. 

I love ABBA’s music and also the great “Mama Mia” movie! I have always liked this song, but the other day the words that I posted grabbed me in a different way.  They made me think of my writing. 

I love to write, or I simply wouldn’t do it. Writing makes me happy and its also a stress release for me at times. When Colin and I were writing “The Odessa Chronicles”, life was turning me upside down! I greatly enjoyed escaping to Moonbeam Farm with my dear fictional, (SSH! Don’t tell them that they aren’t real!) friends. If you would like more information on a book that will help you escape the real world for awhile, you can click on the book cover in the right hand margin.

Writing helped me through reality. “if you see the wonder of a fairytale, you can take the future, even if you fail.” 

I am so thankful that I writing can help me when times get tough and it brings me joy in all the happy times as well. 

What brings you joy? What helps you get through reality, when reality is harsh? I hope there is something that helps you find release, for I feel its so important! We all deal with stress, especially with this past year. Please don’t let it get the best of you, and don’t let it build up. Take time each day to just breathe! 

Here is a video clip of the ABBA song. Its the clip taken from the movie. “Mama Mia!”  I love just watching the sparkling ocean water. 

 

 

 

Trouble by the Creek

I had thought about letting Lisette riding in the gondola, from yesterday’s post Treasure in the Wheatfield , but decided to share one more of her adventure’s. Enjoy! 

Lisette was really enjoying riding down the river on the gondola. She thought she could really get used to this. After a hour the gondalier finished playing his accordion and pulled up to the dock. Lisette thanked him kindly, as she took his hand to help her step out of the boat. 

The sun was shining and she decided to take a walk in the little town. There were open fruit markets and flower and craft vendors, that she enjoyed stopping at. 

After browsing she stopped at an outdoor cafe , thinking she would treat herself to a dark chocolate raspberry latte. She was sitting there savoring the sweet taste when she heard a woman yelling, “There she is! That’s her! She’s the thief!” 

Lisette saw the policeman and the lady coming towards the cafe. She looked around at the other customers, seated outside, wondering who the thief was. 

“Where is my purse?” the lady shouted at her! 

Lisette was startled, the policeman was standing right in front of her! 

“I…I…don’t know what you are talking about?”  Lisette said. 

“She is lying, she looks just like the lady that left the store I was in.” the lady said to the policeman. 

Lisette’s stomach was turning into a big knot, what was she going to do? She looked at the cowbell next to her latte. That bell was starting to cause her trouble. Could she go anywhere without being mistaken for someone else? She didn’t know what would happen if she shook her bell again, but anywhere had to be better than where she was now! She grabbed it and shook it 3x. POOF! Purple and pink smoke again everywhere. 

The smoke cleared and Lisette found herself  sitting by a creek, with a large Weeping Willow tree by it. It was quiet and much more peaceful than having a lady scream at her. She sighed deeply, thinking she may rest here for a bit, and then decide what to do next. 

This cowbell obviously had special powers to take her to different places, but could it make a house appear for her too? Like where was she to go, after resting at the creek? She was almost afraid to walk around town, wondering who she would be mistaken for next? If she could only be mistaken for a famous person, now that might be fun. Living in a mansion? Oh the possibilities that existed with this strange new bell. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by a gentle touch on her shoulder. Lisette jumped, she hadn’t heard anyone coming . She turned her head and noticed a cute little girl staring at her. 
“What are you doing?” the little girl asked. 

Lisette wasn’t sure how to reply. Was she on someone’s private land? She looked around a little more and gasped when she saw a little white cross, not far from the tree. This was someone’s land. 

“Annie, Annie! Time to come in for supper!”  Lisette saw a woman standing in the distance, calling to the little girl. 

The little girl smiled and took Lisette’s hand. “Mommy, can she have  supper with us?” Annie yelled back. 

Annie started pulling her along as she walked towards the house. Lisette didn’t know what to do. What was she supposed to tell Annie’s Mom? That a mysterious cowbell brought her here. The Mom would wonder what kind of strange nut her daughter had found! 

While walking towards the house, Lisette saw a cow grazing, not far from them. 

“Do you want to see Betsy?” asked Annie. 

“Betsy?” replied Lisette. 

“Yes, she is our cow. She is really nice, though she has a habit of disappearing at times, but she always comes back.” 

Lisette couldn’t say No to this sweet, spunky girl.

“Sure, lets go say Hi to Betsy.” 

They started walking towards her and Betsy looked up from her grazing, watching them come. Lisette felt her eyes looking directly at her. The closer she got the more intensity she saw in Betsy’s deep brown eyes. She had never been scared of cows before, but this one was giving her a strange, unnerving feeling. 

Suddenly Betsy started running straight towards her and she did not look happy! 

Fear struck Lisette and she shook her bell 3x! Nothing happened! What was wrong, had the bell lost its power, she shook it again and nothing and Betsy was almost upon her! Lisette dropped the bell and took off running towards the road. 

Down the road she went until she had to stop. She bent over with her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath! Looking behind her she didn’t see any mad cow running after her, much to her relief. But now, what was she to do? How did she get back home? 

It was growing dark, she decided that for now she would follow the sign she saw, heading towards town, hoping she could find a motel. She needed a deep, long sleep after this crazy day! She would figure out her next step in the morning. 

 

 

Treasure in the Wheatfield

image from Pinterest

The sun was starting to set and Lisette needed to get home. She knew she would never make it before dark if she went her normal route, so she decided to take a short cut through the wheat field. As she walked she wondered what she was going to do in the next few months. Her one friend was getting married and moving away. Another friend was moving away due to a job transfer, and Lisette’s job was closing its doors at the end of the month. What was she going to do?

She had moved into an apartment, thinking she would feel a surge of independence, with not being at home anymore. Instead she was often lonely and the bills in her mailbox did nothing to boost her joy about being independent. Why had she been in such a hurry to grow up again?

Lisette sighed, as she looked at the sky, wishing for some magical writing to appear, telling her what to do.

Her foot kicked something, and she heard a ringing sound. What was it? She bent down to look and picked up a cowbell. Hmm…she wondered where it came from. The farmer who owned these fields didn’t have any animals, he just planted wheat.

It looked pretty worn, there was writing on it, but it was too faded to read. It still rang though. Lisette rang it again and suddenly there was lots of purple and pink smoke and she was knocked off her feet. When the smoke cleared, she stood up, looked around and she was …. still in the farmer’s wheat field and still holding on to the cowbell.

“Myra! Myra!”

Lisette turned her head, who was that guy running towards her, and why was he calling her Myra?

He threw his arms around her in a tight embrace.

“I am so glad to see you! You came back!”

Lisette was speechless. Looking around some more, she saw how this wasn’t the same wheat field that she had been in. She noticed the 2 story farmhouse that she hadn’t seen before, with its wraparound porch.

“Mama! Mama!” Lisette looked and saw 4 children running towards her! Oh she was not ready to be a Mom! She shook the bell as hard as she could, and POOF! Purple and pink smoke came again and she was knocked off her feet.

Hearing music, she opened her eyes and she felt herself moving. There was flowing water beside her. She was in a gondola and a gondolier was playing an accordian.

Ahhh! Now this was more like it, thought Lisette. She looked down at the cowbell still in her hand. This may be the most valuable thing she had ever found, she felt like a great adventure awaited her!