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Awh! A fish that likes to cuddle. Sweet, but I am still not planning to dive into the ocean to find it.
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Another reason to be thankful for birds.
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If only it was an organ, so that everyone could have it!
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I read a book about her life and this was a sad fact. They toured together when younger, and she hated having to give that up.
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Impressive!
This is the conclusion to Stepping off the Cliff
What a fun weekend it was turning out to be. Audrey and her bestie were on a celebratory shopping spree. Yes, technically, Audrey had not received her first large paycheck yet from her new job, but it would come. Why wait to celebrate?
“I have a wonderful idea. Let’s buy some tickets for the evening show tomorrow at The StarLight Theater.” Audrey’s eyes were aglow with anticipation. But her friend objected.
“You have to be dressed in fancier clothes than what I own to go to that upscale theater.”
Audrey put her finger on her lips. “Hmmm.. Well, I would suggest that we don’t have time to waste standing around.”
With that said, Audrey pulled out her credit card, and they went shopping for dresses.
Standing in line at the register, trepidation started to rise in Audrey’s chest when looking at the price tags. What was she doing? Maybe she should wait to do this until the paycheck was in her hand.
“Shannon, I think…” Audrey began to say. But a little voice in her head said, “You deserve this! You have been scrimping along for a while now. Your ship has come in.”
“What?” Shannon raised her eyebrows in question at Audrey. “What are you thinking?”
“I think….we need some shoes to go with our dresses.”
Audrey turned deaf ears to the loud groan coming from the other voice in her head.
After a five course meal at the La Bella Italian restaurant Audrey dropped off Shannon at her condo.
“Thanks for everything, girl! Can’t wait for tomorrow and hey, are you sure your boss isn’t looking to hire another secretary?”
“I will check, but aren’t you are afraid of heights?”
Shannon frowned at her with a puzzled look. “What does that have to do with anything?”
Audrey laughed. She had let out that little detail when telling Shannon about the job. Didn’t want her thinking that her boss was crazy. Audrey was still trying to rectify that part in her own head.
“Have a good night, I will see you tomorrow.” Audrey waved goodbye and headed home.
Monday morning had come fast, and Audrey was regretting being up late the night before, but the show had been worth it! It was amazing, and they had felt like Cinderella at the ball, as they watched the show.
The best thing was that when the clock struck midnight, things didn’t disappear. Audrey still woke up the next morning and was starting her six-figure job today. Plus, she had returned home last night still wearing her new sparkling red three inch heels. She hadn’t lost a shoe while rushing home, afraid her fairytale would end. Her fairytale was only beginning.
The first three weeks at her new job had flown by. Audrey was enjoying it, for the most part. Though, Mr. Blackbeard was kind of hard to figure out.
He appeared to be so charming at times. Treating her to lunch and surprising her with little gifts, but then there were the secret meetings in his office. The times he scared her as he would stress to her that he wasn’t to be disturbed for any reason, pounding his fist on her desk. She would hear her heart echoing in her ears like a bass drum.
Today, he appeared to be on edge, and she made sure to stay out of his way as much as possible.
“Miss Hartford!!’
Audrey’s cup of coffee shook in her hand, almost spilling. She put it down and looked up at her boss’s red face.
“Leave now!”
“But, but…sir, why?”
His voice thundered as he told her not to ask questions to do as he said! To leave now and come back on Monday.
Audrey was trembling from head to toe. What had she done? She grabbed her purse and dashed for the door. Whatever it was, at least he wasn’t firing her.
He had her so rattled that she couldn’t get her key in the ignition at first. She definitely didn’t feel like she was living a fairytale now.
Driving down the road, she heard sirens. Five police cars were coming down the road. Wow! She wondered where they were headed.
Audrey had a rainy weekend of reading, taking bubble baths,and going to the spa. She was trying to prepare herself for Monday. Hoping with all her heart that Mr Blackbeard was in a much better mood after the weekend.
That was strange. Audrey pulled into the parking lot at work, and no other cars were there. Mr Blackbeard and his assistant Mr Hook were always there before she was.
She decided she wouldn’t sit in the parking lot and wait she would go in and get started. Didn’t want to give Mr Blackbeard any reason to be mad at her.
Ugh! The door wasn’t opening. She knew she punched in the right code on the keypad. After several more tries she gave up. Looked like she would have to wait for her boss to arrive.
Where were they?? An hour later and still Mr Blackbeard and Mr. Hook hadn’t come. She tried calling and received no answer, only went to voice mail.
After another hour of waiting, she drove home. This was ridiculous! Now she was the one getting angry. Today was payday.
All day she waited for a phone call from Mr Blackbeard or his assistant but none came. That evening she turned on the news and all color drained from her face as the newscaster spoke.
“After a high-speed chase, Mr Blackbeard, the head of a smuggling ring, was arrested. He has many charges against him, including embezzlement of government funds and….”
Her voice droned on, and Audrey lost her appetite. She didn’t understand all the charges, but one thing was becoming abundantly clear, she wasn’t going to be receiving a six-figure paycheck. In fact, she wouldn’t be receiving a paycheck at all!
With her mind spinning, she flipped through the mail that she had laid on the table earlier.
Letting out a loud groan, she covered her face with her hands. She held the credit card bill in her hand. Her fairytale had come to an end, and she didn’t even have a lost glass slipper out there for her prince to find.
Yesterday was The National Day of Laughter … If you know me, you know I can’t let such an important day go unnoticed…. What makes you laugh? Share in the comments a funny story, poem, or quip and take the time to laugh … It’s good for the heart!
Are you looking for some new, lighthearted books to take to the beach this summer? My friend, Dineen Miller, will give you plenty of laughs and warm fuzzies with her new rom-com coming out this month!
What was she doing? Other than reminding herself to breathe and trying to ignore the thumping woodpecker in her chest.
This was by far the most bizarre place for an interview. Audrey was having second thoughts about this job, but it wasn’t like she was going to tell him that now.
Perhaps she should have written on her job application that she was afraid of heights. Not that there had been any question asking that. Nothing had seemed odd about the job application, but the more Mr. Blackbeard talked, the more confused Audrey became. He didn’t seem to be simply describing a secretarial job. There were undertones hinting at something mysterious.
Finally, Mr Blackbeard asked if she would like to go back inside. What kind of question was that? No, she would much rather sit precariously on the edge and watch all the traffic below.
She couldn’t be happier to give him her hand, as he helped her crawl back into the window. If she had known she was going to be climbing in and out of windows, she would have worn pants.
Once back inside, Audrey began to relax and resume normal breathing. The woodpecker had stopped, and she was grateful to accept a cup of coffee.
When sitting in the oak paneled office with Mr Blackbeard behind his large cherry oak desk, all seemed normal. There were photos of his family on his desk and prestigious certificates on his wall. Bookshelves lined the walls.
He was acting like a true gentleman, and now he was asking the typical interview questions that she had expected.
“Well, Miss Hartford, there is only one more thing to discuss, and that would be your salary. Would you accept this as a fair wage?”
She felt his dark eyes watching her with an intense gaze after handing her a folded piece of paper.
She opened it and almost choked on her coffee, as sbe tried to swallow and not spit it out. Was he serious?? The six figure numbers danced on the paper in front of her eyes.
Once she caught her breath, Audrey raised her head and looked at Mr Blackbeard. He was still holding his intense gaze, waiting for her response.
“If these numbers are correct, then yes, I accept the job.”
He pulled out a paper from his desk.
“Wonderful, all you need to do is sign this contract. Don’t worry about all the tiny words. I already went over everything. All you need to do is sign on the dotted line.”
Seeing the same numbers in large print stating her salary, she wasted no time in signing on the dotted line.
A satisfied smile spread across his face. He put out his hand and shook her slender hand with a firm grip.
“Welcome! I think you will do quite well here. As long as you remember who the boss is.”
He gave a low chuckle, and she let out a nervous laugh, while he still kept a firm grip on her hand.
“We will see you next week, Have a good day.”
“Thank you, sir,”
While walking through the surpentine hallway, leading out of the office, she couldn’t help but think about Mr Blackbeard’s smile. His smile after she signed the contract. It had sent a small chill through her, being that it reminded her of the smile of a sly snake.
Shaking that thought out of her head, she told herself all was well. She never imagined that she would make six figures being a secretary! Her friends would be so jealous! Well, she would be a secretary and a delivery person. He has mentioned her dropping off packages at various locations. No problem, she had a GPS.
Yes, all would be fine, thought Audrey as she mentally compiled a shopping spree list in her head.
She was so busy texting her friend about her salary that she stepped off the curb, not seeing the car coming. It squealed its tires, and the driver yelled out his window. “Pay attention, lady, before you walk off a cliff!”
This is the conclusion to The Song of the Heart
Patience heard the music before she saw her sitting on the hill. There was a haunting beauty in the melancholy tune.
She stood behind Nadia, not wanting to interrupt her, feeling enraptured by the music.
After Nadia played the last note, all was silent, Patience waited to speak until Nadia put her flute back in its case and rose to her feet.
“I never knew you played the flute.”
Nadia spun around in surprise as color rose in her cheeks.
“I … I .. I didn’t know anyone was here.”
“I was out taking a walk when I heard the music. It was sad, yet beautiful. Stirred my heart.”
A glimmer of a smile showed on Nadia’s face.
“Thank you, I learned how to play from my mother.”
Patience saw the longing look in Nadia’s eyes. “Would you like to talk about her?”
“I miss her. She said she would come back for me once she found a job and a place to live.
But the more time that goes by, the more I worry. It helps me feel closer to her when I play the flute. I had been avoiding it, afraid of it bringing me pain, but I am glad I started playing again.”
The wind sang to them as they both sat down on the hill.
“It was always the two of us. My mom and I. Money was often tight, but we got by until Mom lost her job. We lost the house, and mom didn’t know what to do. I had never seen her so worried.
Patience heart filled with compassion.
“My mom was worried about us ending up on the street and my safety. When she heard about Lady Ella needing maid servants, she insisted that I go. She knew I would have shelter and food.
I wanted her to come with me. Unfortunately, she said that when she inquired about being hired as well, Olga told her that there were no more positions.”
Patience shook her head, “Olga is a grump, you know that. I bet Lady Ella would have been glad to give your mom a position. You should talk to her.”
Looking at the darkening sky, they started to head back to the castle.
Nadia kept talking, and Patience listened with rapt attention.
“Earlier, I had played Libertango. It was a lively tune that I had danced to as a young child and later played with my mom. We had many good times sharing our love of music together. Our last night together, we played the Libertango with tears in our eyes.
CRACK! Thunder rolled through the sky.
They started running as the raindrops began to fall. Fortunately, they were not too far away and were able to reach the castle before getting themselves too wet.
Lady Ella raised her eyebrows when they came through the door.
“Not the best night to be out. “
“No, ma’am.”
“Nadia, go change out of your wet clothes and then come down and meet me in the sitting room, please.”
Nadia looked at Patience and saw that she looked confused as well. The hour was late. Why did Lady Ella want to talk to her now? What couldn’t wait to morning?
“Well, don’t stand there dripping on my floor. Go!”
Patience and Nadia ran up the stairs and stopped in front of Nadia’s room.
“I wish I could go back downstairs with you and hear what she has to tell you. Lady Ella is typically an early to bed, early to rise person. My curiosity is piqued.”
Nadia smiled at her friend. She had such a curious streak.
Patience sighed. “I know, I know … Have patience.” She said in a sarcastic tone.
“I will be up late if you want to knock on my door later. ” With a wink, she turned around and headed to her room.
Nadia shook her head, letting out a light laugh, watching her friend walk down the long hall.
It didn’t take her long to change her clothes. She was eager, if not a tad apprehensive, about what Lady Ella wanted to see her about. Was she in trouble?
Taking a deep breath to still her rapid beating heart, she entered the sitting room.
“You wanted to see me?” Nadia stood in front of Lady Ella, who had her head down reading a book. She looked up at Nadia and closed the book.
“Have a seat.”
Nadia sat down, still feeling a little on edge.
“I would like to offer you the opportunity to join our royal orchestra if you would like. It has come to my attention that you are talented at playing the flute.”
How did she know? Thought Nadia. She had only played out on the hillside over the past couple of weeks. Had someone heard her and told Lady Ella? Patience had only heard her today for the first time, so she knew it hadn’t been her.
“Am I wrong in my understanding?”Lady Ella asked.
“No, I do play. I am flattered and will consider your offer.”
“Good! You will meet with the royal conductor tomorrow and play a piece for them. I will still expect you to perform your other duties as well. Though you will be excused from them on days that you have concerts.
I will have Valerie do your chores on those days. That girl needs to learn some responsibility.” Lady Ella muttered.
Nadine bit her lip to keep from laughing. She couldn’t wait to hear Valerie’s reaction to having more work to do. Ahh! Life was sweet.
“That was all. You may go now, sleep well, my dear.”
“Thank you. Goodnight, Lady Ella.”
Nadine wondered about the tenderness in Lady Ella’s voice when she bid her goodnight and called her “my dear.” She was kind but not usually as warm spoken as she had been lately to Nadine.
When she got upstairs, she stopped outside Patience’s room and knocked.
“Yes! You came. Tell me all about it.” Patience exclaimed as she made room for her to sit on her bed, throwing off all the extra pillows.
Patience was thrilled for her and doubled over with laughter about Valerie getting Nadia’s chores to do.
Two weeks later, Nadia was going to be playing in her first royal concert.
The day before the concert, Nadia was back in the hills again practicing her flute. She could still hardly believe that she would be performing in her first concert. Her mom would be so proud if she could see her.
After finishing the pieces for the concert, she started playing “Libertango” again. She let the music take her back to yesterday.
Once she finished, she stayed on the hillside, lost in thought. Then she heard it. It was faint at first but grew louder. Someone else was playing her song. She turned around in bewilderment and covered her face with her hands.
Her mom. Her beautiful mom was playing their song and walking towards her!
Nadia ran to embrace her. They hugged with a grip that never wanted to let go. Laughter mingled with tears as they both were talking at once.
Lady Ella had tracked down Nadia’s mom and offered her a position in the orchestra.
Nadia’s heart was bursting with a joy that she couldn’t put into words. That night, it felt truly magical as she and her mom played under the stars. Life was a symphony, and being reunited with her mom made the most beautiful sound of all.
Patience watched from the audience. She felt so much happiness for her good friend, and for the first time in a while, she thought about her family. Memories rolled down her cheeks as the orchestra played.
Happy Tuesday! We had summer temps yesterday. Felt great to be outside on the patio soaking in the Vitamin D, but I am not ready for it being too hot yet. I want to enjoy Spring temps. It’s time to buy flowers and enjoy their beauty. Spring is a wonderful time of the year. The ice cream shop close to us has opened up, making it an even sweeter time of year. Enjoy your day and hope you have plenty of smiles this week.
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Because you needed a cute picture of a pig eating icecream today. Enjoy the following quotes. I always like hearing which ones resonated with you.
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Nadia’s hands were full. The bouquet was finished, but her thoughts were far beyond the meadow. In fact, she almost forgot that she was in the meadow.
“I am so tired.” Valerie said.
She still hadn’t picked any flowers from off the tree that she had been standing at for a while. It was typical of Valerie, always trying to get away with doing as little as possible. She put her hand to her forehead, acting like she felt faint.
“Oh, why didn’t I bring my fan with me. I think I must sit.” Valerie plumped down on the ground unceremoniously, letting out a groan.
Giving her a withering look, Nadia shook her head.
“I can’t understand why Sir Oliver didn’t hire you as an actress for the royal theater. You have such a dramatic flair about you.”
Patience, who had been bending down picking flowers, let out a giggle at Valerie’s red face.
Rising from the ground, Valerie marched over to Nadia and grabbed her bouquet.
“Well, my last bouquet is finished. See you all later. I am going inside to relax.” Giving Nadia a snide smile, she walked away.
Patience rolled her eyes. “Sorry Nadia, she is a royal pain! I wish she would simply get fed up for working for Lady Ella and walk out. What a happy day that would be.”
“If only we could be so lucky!” Nadia replied.
Patience helped Nadia make another bouquet, and soon, they were both finished and ready to go back to the castle for some refreshment.
While walking back, Patience looked at Nadia and said, “You looked like you were a thousand miles away back there, before Valerie threw her little fit. Would you care to share what was on your mind?”
Nadia remained silent at first. Patience was a dear friend. It would be miserable being at the castle with only Valerie to work with. But was she ready to share her heart?
“I am sorry, I don’t feel like talking about it yet, but when I do, know that you will be the first person I confide in.”
Patience smiled and gave Nadia’s hand a light squeeze. “Whenever you are ready.”
They all had their own stories. Stories of what brought them to the castle and why they were working for Lady Ella.
In spite of the nickname Lady Cruella that Valerie had given her, she wasn’t cruel. She could be demanding at times, but as long as you did what was expected of you, it was fine.
Later that day, after finishing her chores inside, Nadia knew what she wanted to do. The hills were calling her. It was time.
Opening up the top small drawer in her dresser, she lifted out her precious flute and held it in her hands, remembering.
There was a sharp knock on her door. Quickly, she placed the flute back in her drawer and shut it.
“Come in!”
Lady Ella opened the door. “I need you please, in the kitchen, to finish supper preparations.”
Nadia’s heart sank a little. “I thought it was Valerie’s turn to work in the kitchen tonight.”
Lady Ella couldn’t hide the displeasure from her face. “It was her turn, but after dropping and breaking the crystal chalice and burning the bread in the oven, the cook ordered her out of the kitchen!”
“I will be right down.”
“Thank you, Nadia. I know I can depend on you.” Lady Ella closed the door.
Nadia opened the drawer, looking longingly at her flute. She was finally ready to play the song, but now it would have to wait. The song that her mom had played, when Nadia was a child and danced around her on the hill.
The song that Nadia had first played when her mom had surprised her with a flute of her own.
The song they had played together on their last night, when her mom told her that she would have to be brave.
With a lump in her throat, she closed the drawer and changed her clothes to go work in the kitchen.
The cook had onions for her to chop. A job that Nadia hated, but today, it wasn’t too bad. For no one thought it strange at seeing the tears in her eyes. Onions always made one cry. At least, that was what Nadia would let them think as she wiped at another falling tear.
(To be continued…)
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Ouch! I am guessing that worked pretty well. Maybe he should have tried not having garlic breath!
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Laughter is so much fun!
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Too bad that its frowned upon for adults to fall asleep wherever they are at! They don’t look as cute as pandas do when sleeping.
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Welll … I am certainly glad that things changed!
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Definitely a colorful duck! Though I think the emerald green forehead looks a little blue.
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What a wonderful man! Such a kind heart.
It was an easy walk out of her front door to her flowerbed. Some may think of it as a mundane task to water the flowers every morning, but Clarice took delight in it.
She took a moment to breathe in the salty air from the ocean. The perfect way to greet the day. Some had told her that she would grow tired of living by the sea, but she knew better. The sea had bewitched her, and she was now under its powerful spell.
Her mom had desired for her to be under the spell of love for Phillip, but Clarice had no interest in men. She was content to simply live alone by the sea.
Phillip was never interested in her anyway. Clarice tended to intimidate people, especially men.
This bothered her mom so much. She had always believed her daughter to be practically perfect in every way. Why couldn’t others see it?
It wasn’t Clarice’s fault that magical things happened when she was around. It mystified her at first, too. She really was a charming young lady with a caring heart, but people were wary of her.
That’s why she moved to the sea, taking her parrot with her. The sea had a magic all of its own, and Clarice felt at peace there.
Time passed by, and Clarice was content. Her mom gradually came to an acceptance of her moving away and did enjoy visiting her and their walks by the sea.
Clarice would shake her head and smile at her mom, still reminding her to wear a jacket, to not catch cold, and to always carry her black umbrella with her. Things she had told her all through her childhood.
It didn’t look like Clarice would ever leave her simple home by the aquamarine sea. But one day, everything began to change.
She had come back from her bi-monthly trip into town to get groceries. After putting the groceries away and her mail on the table, she made herself a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of creamy tomato soup.
When her food was ready, she poured herself a cup of tea and added a teaspoon of sugar to it. The tea would often help her morning medicine go down easier.
Looking through her mail, a rose colored envelope stood out to her.
“I wonder what this could be?” She said to no one in particular, being that she lived by herself, except for her parrot. He could be annoying as he often liked to speak his mind, but he did keep her company.
Picking up the rose colored envelope, she opened it and pulled out the letter within.
This was most odd. It wasn’t a personal letter. It was a child’s handwriting, but it read like an advertisement for a newspaper.
It intrigued Clarice, and once again, she started talking to herself. Her parrot kept interjecting his thoughts, but she ignored him.
Clarice walked by the ocean late at night, unable to sleep. Why did the strange letter intrigue her so much? She felt drawn to it in a way that she couldn’t explain. As if this marked a time of change for her. That the decision she made about the letter would define her life.
Finally, she made her decision. Perhaps this was her calling. Children did like magic, so maybe they wouldn’t think her strange.
With excitement building, she packed up and said goodbye to the sea. Looking out over the sea, she had a moment of doubt creep into her heart. Holding her umbrella in one hand and her purse in the other, she spoke out loud.
“How can I leave the magical sea, maybe I should stay?”
“Oh, stop that nonsense talk. The children need you.” Her parrot told her.
Taking a deep breath, she told herself that was true and Mary Clarice Poppins opened her umbrella as she rose up high into the air.
So pretty … but their time is so short … Eastern Redbuds announce the beginning of Spring and then start to fade … Every year I smile at ours … for when we first got it, we didn’t think it would survive … To people who would drive by it looked like I was watering a dead tree … but it has lasted many years now … This isn’t ours but looks the same, except ours has started turning green already.
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Pawprints are forever left on the heart! A month ago we said goodbye to our Lassie girl, at the age of 17. She lived a good, long life, but when a dog becomes a member of the family, their time is always too short. Forever grateful for the special pets I have had in my life. Each one touching my heart in a special way. Thank you Lassie, you will be forever loved!
My son’s girlfriend made the special collage of pictures of Lassie below for us. He had Lassie since he was six years old. She grew up with our children.
Run free now over the bridge and enjoy seeing clearly once again!
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France
Share picture of your loved pet in the comments. What a sad world this would be if there were no animals.
Nuggets of Gold 