“Twiggy. You still after that Squirrel?” “I figured Friday would be a good time to catch it.” “I can see that plan is going well.”
Another Friday is here and that means the weekend is a mere eight hours away. Oh happy day.
This week has been quite busy with odds and ends. I have begun thinking about the sequal to Eternal Road and have a couple of plot points in mind. You have to woder about what kind of circumstance could possibly bring two souls who are happily spending their eternal time as they envisioned, together again? You have to believe it would be something major. Well it is. Before I spill the whole story let me just say, “Workin on it.”
Halloween is sneaking up on us for sure. If you have followed the Views of the Neighborhood you know we have been taking tours and looking at Halloween decorations. Well this week is the last look since Halloween is on a Saturday and by Sunday when Views is posted it will be old news.
Reviews for Eternal Road continue to arrive. I’m so grateful for them and loved that the fact that all of the readers enjoyed the book. This makes the job of an author so rewarding and certainly makes me feel good.
The 99¢ price on Kindle ends on November 1st here is a link if you want to take a look.
“What are you doing?” “The grass itch only on the rug.” “Woo boy. Does Mom know about this?” “Hump Day secret.” “I’ll bet”
It is Wednesday Story Day, and last week, we learned that Carolyn is probably headed for the Chunnel to go into France. We also learned that she has papers for at least six identities, so the idea of intercepting her before the trip to France looks doubtful. Lazar did not tell anyone about Carolyn’s ability to virtually disappear does not sit well with Pricilla. In all likelihood, if Carolyn is not in protective custody, Lazar won’t testify against Cortez, and Pricilla won’t have a case. So Lazar is destined for prison unless something can be done. Let’s return to the State Patrol headquarters to see what the next steps will be.
“You realize there is no way we can protect Carolyn if we can’t find her.”
“I do understand that. I also understand Cortez won’t be able to find her either.”
“So would you be willing to testify against him?”
“No. Sorry. You see, I have all the cards. My daughter is safe, and the only thing I have to do is serve the rest of my life in jail.”
“You want to do that?”
“It’s not a matter of want. It’s what I have to do. Even if you were able to find Carolyn and put her into protective custody, there is no guarantee Cortez or his minions won’t find us.”
“Nothing is ever one-hundred percent, Lazar.”
“Not testifying and Carolyn hidden gets me real close to that target, Pricilla.”
“You realize that Cortez can still get to you in prison.”
“Yes, but that is a small price to pay. Besides, why would Cortez want to get me if I’ve kept his information secure.”
“Maybe he won’t believe that you have.”
“Well, no matter. Carolyn will be safe, and that’s all that matters.”
“Lazar.”
“Yes, Lieutenant?”
“You know a guy named Somner?”
“W-why do you ask?”
“We got a call about a disturbance, and when our people got there, they found Somner tied up and beaten to a pulp.”
“Why are you asking me?”
“He kept mumbling your name. You want to let us in on this game before someone gets hurt?”
“Did he say anything else?”
“No, he was in too bad a shape. I think he was interrogated by someone.”
“I can just imagine.”
“So, who is this guy?”
“He is a forger and made all the IDs for Carolyn.”
“Well, that’s not good.”
“You have no idea, Lieutenant. If he gave Cortez’ men the names on the IDs, they would be able to find her.”
“That raises the stakes again, Lazar.”
“I know Pricilla. I know. I guess we will have to try and find her after all.”
“If you fully co-operate and knock off the stories, maybe we can do that.”
“You have my word Pricilla no more stories.”
“Call me, Ms. Thomas. The first name crap is over.”
“On to this week’s challenge: Using this photo ( below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
The Guggenheim Museum under construction in 1958 with James’s 1956 Oldsmobile out front proving we were there.
This week marks the 61st anniversary of the opening of the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 1959. You know we all have to go there to be part of that historic event. We need to take a list of things ‘not to do’ to prevent any accidental tear in the time continuum. So hop aboard the 1956 Oldsmobile, and let’s go.
The Olds from Eternal Road. A few days left at 99¢on Amazon. Click the car to go there. Come right back though.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Opening of the Guggenheim Museum in 1959.
10 If you go with us, do not make jokes about the appearance of the building. If you do, at best, everyone will be too busy to hear from you. At worst, you’ll make a joke overheard by James Johnson Sweeney, the museum’s director. (Mr. Sweeney takes great exception to your joke, Meinrad. He now wants to give you the whole history of the building and its architect Frank Loyd Wright. This is going to be a long day.)
9 If you go with us, do not ignore Tiny’s directions, the WWF champ who has been appointed a temporary guard for the Chagall exhibit. If you do, at best, Tiny will be busy with other guests. At worst, Tiny will assume you do not recognize his authority. (After all, Meir, he told you to stand behind the white tape, and clearly, your foot is two inches over. Tiny has missed the last month of his court-ordered anger management sessions. I know that hold hurts, but I don’t think your head will pop like a melon. I must say your face is sure red.)
8 If you go with us, do not complain about the layout of the museum. If you do, at best, everyone is too busy looking at the art. At worse, Sweeny will be standing behind you. ( If it helps, Melenthius, before the museum opened, 21 artists signed a letter complaining about how the walls and niches were designed and protested displaying their work there. Of course, Sweeney ignored them just like he is ignoring you. Well, except for the big burly guard helping you to the exit.)
7 If you go with us, don’t complain about the 50¢ entrance fee. If you do, at best, the box office personnel will be busy. At worst, you’ll be told to come back on Saturday when the museum entrance is free. (The 50¢ seems like a bargain, Melbourne, even if 50¢ in 1959 would be a little over $4.50 today. It may surprise you to know the fee today is $25.00 for admission for an adult. Saturday is still free from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M.)
6 If you go with us, do not try to push to the head of the line. If you do, at best, you’ll get lost. At worst, since several folks have been in line for a while, you’ll meet some short tempers. (On opening day, Melbyrne 3000 people showed up. You better believe some of them will not take kindly to your attempt to jump ahead of them.)
5 If you go with us and don’t like the building, do not facetiously ask James Johnson Sweeney if Frank Loyd Wright did any architectural drawings. If you do, at best, he will be busy dealing with the crowd. At worst, he will advise you that indeed Frank Loyd Wright did over 700 drawings. (I think Sweeney has about had it with you, Meldrick. I see him with two huge guys motioning toward you and drawing his thumb across his throat. Not a sign we like to see.)
4 If you go with us, do not ask for directions to the restaurant. If you do, at best, the person you ask will probably be confused. At worst, you will tip off the fact that you are not from this time zone. (You almost blew it, Melville. The restaurant in the Guggenheim did not open until 1975. No harm is done. The person directed you to the restaurant down the street.)
3 If you go with us, do not take bets about the distance of the walk from the ground floor to the top of the display space. If you do, at best, people will think you are joking. At worst, someone will take the bet. (The person taking the bet, Melvyn, is the guy who cleans the gallery. He correctly identified the distance as 1,416 feet. Hope you don’t intend to write a check to cover your debt.)
2 If you go with us, do not touch any of the paintings. If you do, at best, no one will see you. At worst, you will be seen by the biggest guard. (Everyone knows you don’t touch the paintings, Menelaus. I know it is irresistible sometimes, but after all, unless you want to pay $24 million or so, no touch.)
1 If you go with us, Do not ask to meet the benefactor Solomon R. Guggenheim. If you do, at best, you’ll get a blank stare. At worst, you’ll ask a Guggenheim family member. (You have to be the biggest clod; Mercer. Solomon passed away ten years before the Museum opened. Although it was his dream, he didn’t live to see it come to reality. Go sit in the corner.)
Welcome to the third edition of the neighborhood tour of Halloween decorations. Today we have hickory smoked ham, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and pecan sticky buns. The drink today is Veuve Clicquot champagne served in Baccarat flutes. I have also been asked what kind of accommodations are on the bus. We have leather reclining chairs, personal entertainment centers, a full kitchen, a full bar, A Bose Soundsystem, 300 G internet, WiFi, and restroom facilities. The bus is equipped with air suspension and can run on multi-fuel as well as full electric.
Hop aboard. We also have ZZ Top playing for our enjoyment.
Here we are with a couple of pirates. Looks like the one is getting ready to do something.
Here we have an elaborate display. Spiders on the house and Tombstones in the yard. (Not to mention the string of skulls on the wall.)
A couple of friendly ghouls.
Several things that are scattered in the yard. That big skull to the left is my favorite.
Nothing like a big orange spider and big web to welcome visitors.
More tombstones and an assortment of ghosts with a purple spider on the mailbox.
A dancing ring of ghosts and a masked ex Wal-Mart greeter.
Here are a few keep out signs. (They must know me)
A big pile of who knows what.
So that’s what it is. (Um, not sure I know any more than I did.)
That is our tour for today. I hope you enjoyed it. Stay and have some more champagne and listen to the music. I hope you have a great week.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. Linda Hill just walked in with a plain-looking envelope. My guess is she has this week’s prompt and doesn’t want the neighbors to know what’s in it.
“Hi, Linda.”
“John.”
“This week’s prompt?”
“Um, I guess it could be a hot pastrami sandwich, but you have guessed right.”
“I’m ready.”
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a word you have to look up.” We all have words we can never spell. Use one of yours in your post and let that word drive your stream of consciousness where ever it goes. Have fun!”
“Lucy. You going to snooze all day? “Murf, snozzle, sniggle, snort. What?” “It’s Friday. Time to ruckus.”
So nice to see Friday roll around again. I hope you are glad to see it too. It has been a pretty slow week around here. My big excitement was a virtual doctor visit and run to the local CVS drive-through. I mean, come on? How could life get any more exciting?
The doctor visit is necessary since I needed some prescriptions refilled, and my doctor is the kind of person who wants to check to see if they are still needed. I admire his dedication, but I don’t think I’m on anything that could even remotely be a candidate for abuse. Anyway, the virtual appointment included me taking my blood pressure, heart rate, pulse, weight, and temperature. These go via the virtual app to the doctor’s office. We meet in a zoom like setting. I’m happy I don’t have to go into his office. No telling what you could catch there.
Another piece of excitement happened this week. You may remember the blog A Frank Angle which, after more years than I can count, had a dignified and touching ending. Well, Frank is back, and beginning October 20th, he will be generating high-quality thoughts that have originated on the beach. His blog is titled Beach Walk Reflections. Here is the link.
Welcome to Beach Walk Reflections. I’m Frank in Cincinnati, Ohio USA. From Aug 2008-Feb 2020, I hosted an eclectic blog, A Frank Angle. After a break, I’ve decided to return to blogging, but differently.
The roots for Beach Walk Reflections dates back to A Frank Angle. My aim here is to share my thoughts hoping to stimulate your thoughts. I also hope that you will be an active participant here by following, reading, commenting, interacting with others, and by submitting your ideas for future walks.
My wife and I walk a lot during our winter as snowbirds in the south – something we’ve done since 2017. Our southern getaway can be cold, then again, no matter how cold the temperature gets on the beach, it is always warmer than home.
Topics for beach walks will be wide-ranging. The first 20+ will directly relate to the beach, but after that, topics will vary. I invite visitors to visit the Topics pages for a list of topics that are either published, currently in the queue, or a draft stage. I also have an offline list of ideas. I hope to link the published topics on the Topics page. There is also an email form for readers to submit ideas for future walks.
Each walk will conclude with a music video. The video will either be based on the walk’s theme or or it will fit based on its title, lyrics, images, or simply mood.
The current posting schedule is Tuesdays (1:00 AM US Eastern) and Saturdays (1:00 AM US Eastern). In time, I may publish more posts per week.
I hope you enjoy the experience of Beach Walk Reflections.”
A visit with Frank is always rewarding and to follow him very necessary.
“Outa my way, Lucy. I’m on a mission.” “It’s Wednesday. Little One, and I have no intention of moving.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we discovered Carolyn had left her dorm, and the two agents who were there to collect her had no idea where she went. We also learned that she has turned off her phone. The question was raised about the possibility of her throwing her phone away. It is doubtful that a college kid would dump her phone. So, let’s get back to the State Trooper center and see if there is any new information.
“So, lazar.”
“Yes, Priscilla?”
“I just got off the phone with my FBI contact.”
“Good news, I hope.”
“Well, it’s not bad news anyway.”
“So, what’s going on?”
“Carolyn turned on her phone for enough time to get a fix on where she is. It looks like she is going to be taking a trip through the chunnel. Her location is on highway M20 near Maidstone.”
“What makes you think she is going to take the Chunnel?”
“There isn’t really a reason to be on M20 unless the Chunnel entrance at Folkestone is the destination. There is the Surry Hills area where she could hide out for sure, but she is already past there when we got a ping from her phone.”
“Did she hire a driver?”
“We don’t know. We are contacting several cab companies, but that is a shot in the dark.”
“Can’t someone intercept her?”
“Right now, the best thing to do is wait until she gets to the Chunnel site. We can do some screening of anyone who is thinking of taking public transportation to France.”
“She can’t walk it, can she?”
“It‘s not allowed. There have been people trying to enter France illegally who have walked the distance but were always arrested at the other end.”
“So, how will she go through?”
“If she hired a car, there are trains that will take cars across. If she does that, there is a passport checkpoint before getting loaded on the train.”
“You sound a little unsure.”
“There are also Ferries across the channel.”
“So, she has two ways to go.”
“Yes. There is also a passport checkpoint for the ferry, so either way, we will probably intercept her. We have notified the authorities, and if she shows up at a checkpoint, she will be detained.”
“Unless.”
Unless what?”
“Unless she has a way to get false papers.”
“What makes you think she has a way to get false papers?”
“Um.”
“Come on, Lazar. Level with me.”
“Since I was working for Cortez, I wanted to make sure Carolyn would be safe no matter what happened. I knew Cortez could somehow use her to get to me. Several years ago, I had some passports and visas made.”
“Forged, you mean?”
“Yes, to use the legal term. I gave her a set with instructions to use them if I got into any trouble.”
“She didn’t question you?”
“Oh sure, but I told her it was government business, and it was for her protection. She has six sets.”
“Six sets? What names are on these sets.”
“I don’t know.”
“What do you mean you don’t know?”
“They were delivered to her without me knowing. I wanted to make sure that no matter what Cortez did to me, I would never release Carolyn’s identity.”
“Do you know the countries?”
“Not sure, but you can guess.”
“Guess?”
“Sure, US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain.”
“you know or guessing?”
“Just guessing.”
“Well, this is just great. Why didn’t you tell us this before?”
“I didn’t know she was going to run.”
“Yeah, but it would have been helpful to know she could disappear at will.”
