“I heard it too, Little one.” “Think it’s Friday?” “Pesky squirrel more likely.”
It is Wednesday Story Time again, and last week, we took a little breather. Pricilla and Jerry Stennis, Lazar’s lawyer, had a little conversation, which resulted in Stennis wanting to stay with Lazar until Carolyn’s status is known. After their discussion, Pricilla left to talk to her FBI counterpart. I see she is coming back, so we better get there and find out what that conversation was all about.
“Mr. Dunfee, could I see you outside for a moment?”
“Uh, sure, Ms. Thomas.”
“Follow me.”
“Can Andrew come too?”
“Yes, I see no reason why not.”
“Ms. Thomas?”
“Yes, Mr. Stennis.”
“Does this concern my client?”
“No, sir, it does not.”
“Thank you.”
“Excuse us for a minute.”
“Hold on, Ms. Thomas, while I get the door.”
“Gallant, Mr. Dunfee.”
“I just want to make sure it is closed.”
“Is it closed.”
“Yes, it is.”
“I said this does not concern Lazar bu it does.”
“What is it, Ms. Thomas.”
“We just got another hit on Andre Terrian, and it is not good.”
“What do you mean.”
“It looks like he was a person of interest in Corsica as the supposed leader of a kidnap for ransom scheme.”
“Corsica? That is pretty random.”
“They only used the location as a base.”
“How did they get sideways with the locals?”
“They actually had the locals in their pocket. They were never charged and left the island.”
“This does not sound good for Carolyn.”
“Yeah, no kidding. I think Lazar made a big mistake hiring him to watch Carolyn. It looks like a couple of the kidnap victims were roughed up pretty bad.”
“How so?”
“Andre was pretty forceful in his demands and sent some pretty vicious videos of the victims getting punched around if there was any delay in payment.”
“None killed or missing?”
“No. it Looks like his MO is to scare the crap out of the parents. None of the victims were seriously hurt just looked that way on the video.”
“Well, that’s one thing.”
“Let’s hope the guys in France get to Carolyn before Andre can get away. If he does, we can almost count on some kind of ransom situation.”
“How did you get all this information on Andre anyway.”
“He had an accomplice who got caught in another situation and started to talk.”
“But no one got to Andre.”
“Nope, he disappeared. Which he is good at doing.”
“When will the train reach France.”
“I’m guessing in the next ten minutes.”
“Someone going to let us know what happens.”
“Yeah, we have agreed to a text which is much faster.”
“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 do 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.”
This week marks the 136th anniversary of the completion of the Washington Monument.
Lt Col. Casey places the aluminum apex on the Washington monument.
The Washington Monument was started on July 4th, 1832, and because of money shortfalls and the Civil War wasn’t completed until December 6th, 1884. So it isn’t any wonder that we should go and see the last piece of the construction put in place. We need to take our list of the Top Ten Things Not to Do to not cause any kind of time continuum interruption. Grab the list and jump in the Oldsmobile, and we’ll be off.
James’s Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop
TopTen Things Not to Do at the Completion of the Washington Monument in 1884
10 If you go, do not offer to place the eight-inch aluminum point on the top. (If you do, at best, you’ll be laughed at. To St Louis. At worse, you will ask Lt. Col. Casey of the Army Corps of Engineers. (It was Lt. Col. Casey who supervised the construction of the final piece of the monument, Morrison. He is the one to place the point. If looks could kill.)
9 If you go, Do not get in Tiny the WWF champ’s way as he lowers the capstone in place. If you do, at best, someone will pull you out of the way. At worst, Tiny will lower it in place anyway. (You see, Morse the capstone weighs 3,300 pounds. I think Tiny wouldn’t mind seeing what a flat you would look like sailing off the monument.)
8 If you go, do not torture other visitors with the question, Do you know why the monument is 555 feet high? If you do, at best, you will be ignored. At worst, you’ll ask someone who knows but is chilled to the bone in the cold air. (That person will tell you that the height was determined by setting it at ten times the base’s width. That person is now asking for your gloves, Morvan. I think they have earned them._
7 If you go, do not ask if you can take the elevator to the top. If you do, at best, those you ask will think you are drunk. At worst, they’ll think you are having an episode of some kind. (The elevator was not complete until 1888, Moshe. Even the iron stairs were not done until 1886, so these folks are wondering. Oh, look. They have guys in white jackets and are pointing your way.)
6 If you go, do not take a bet on how many marble and granite stones were used in the construction. If you do, at best, you’ll bet a penny. At worst, you’ll put your Maryland horse farm up as collateral. (Even though you thought you knew history, Mosi. Your guess was wrong. It took 36,000 blocks of granite and marble to build the monument. Those big guys look like they want the deed to your virtual horse farm, which, of course, you don’t have. Maybe it’s time to jump back into the Oldsmobile.)
5 If you go, do not ask to see the cornerstone. If you do, at best, you’ll get some surprised looks. At worst, you’ll be handed a shovel. (The cornerstone was buried 21 feet below the surface in 1848, Muni. I think these guys are beginning to believe you are some kind of anarchist. I would be careful if I were you. Those tar and feather parties are not much fun.)
4 If you go, do not give an opinion that the laying of the cornerstone in 1848 was a solitary affair. If you do, at best, whoever hears this chatter will not have attended. At worst, you say so in front of someone who was there. (The cornerstone was laid with upwards of 20,000 people in attendance, including President James K. Polk, Mrs. James Madison, Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, George Washington Parke Custis, and future presidents Buchanan, Lincoln, and Johnson, Murchadh. This person is laughing at you now.)
3 If you go, do not point out the apparent ring of different colored stones at the 126th foot level. If you do, at best, you’ll get a “so what.” At worst, you say something overheard by Lt. Col. Casey. (The different color stones resulted from the quarry near Baltimore not being available after the construction was begun again. Different stones were used, and the color was slightly off. The Lt. Col. is so pleased to have you point this out, Mychajlo. I see him with a box of dueling pistols. Could it be he wants satisfaction?)
2 If you go, do not argue with those who say the completed monument is the tallest building in the world. If you do, at best, people will walk away. At worst, you might get into fisticuffs with one. ( You see, Myrick, once the monument was complete, it became the tallest building in the world. It was second only to the Cologne Cathedral. It kept this status until the Eiffel Tower was completed in 1889. Looks like that guy is putting on some gloves. Hope you know how to box.)
1 If you go, do not question the value of the aluminum apex. If you do, at best, those who hear you will think you are crazy. At worst, Lt. Col. Thomas Lincoln Casey will hear you. ( The aluminum apex was thought to be as valuable as silver. It was cast in Philadelphia and thought to be the largest piece of aluminum in the world. After casting and before installation, it was put on display at Tiffany’s in New York. Looks like the Col wants a word with you, Matthew.)
***
Today is the 79th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and time to remember all who lost their lives on that Sunday morning.
I indicated that The Producer and I would be donning our hazmat suits to attend the Views outing this week. There were several requests for a photo of that occurrence. The most sincere came from Luanne Castle, the talented poet. So here it is, and thanks to Luanne. There were also request’s for next week’s Ninja get-ups. I’ll handle those next week.
Our bus is ready. The food is packed. We will unload at the church where the bazaar is being held. Today we are serving Standing rib roast au jus, twice baked potatoes, haricot verts almondine, stuffed squab breast, dessert, hot brownie, and vanilla bean ice cream. As usual, there are top-shelf liquors, Silver Oak Cabernet, and Groth Chardonnay. Our entertainment today is Joe Diffie with a holiday song.
Of course, I couldn’t post all the photos, but hopefully, this will give you an idea of the event.
First up is a work in progress. This is a 1952 Ford Ranch Wagon.
A Jeep CJ with a custom paint job.
A 1954 Rolls Royce
The 1930s Modal A ford pick up truck
1959 MGA roadster
A 1957 Thunderbird. Growing up in Detroit, I saw many of these
A 1954 Chevy Bel-Aire coupe
A 1930s Ford Model, A Sedan.
A 1966 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. It has been modified.
A 1931 Ford model A Three Windo Coupe
The bazaar was inside (yeek). Here is a shot of some of the booths.
Santa was on a break.
I love the sign at this booth.
Here is an overall shot to give you an idea of how the bazaar looked.
Well, that’s it for this week. Please stay and have some more to eat and during. Joe will take us out of here with Rudolf the Red-Necked Reindeer.
Today is Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Linda hill used the e-mail system to transmit our prompt today. Here it is, “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “list.” Make or talk about a list. Enjoy!”
“Well, it’s Saturday, so you must be working on your prompt.”
“Yes, I’m making a list now.”
“List? You are supposed to be working the prompt.”
“list is the prompt/.”
“Ugh, I should have known. What list are you working on?”
“Naughty and nice.”
“You being Santa this year.”
“No, but I got to thinking of some of the people in this world.”
“So now you are judging whether they are naughty or nice?”
“Judging is a harsh term.”
“So give me an example?”
“Judge Judy.”
“Huh. Pretty obscure, I’d say. Naughty or nice?”
“Both.”
“Aw, come on. This is a waste of time.”
“Go ahead, name someone.”
“Okay Me.”
“Low blow.”
“Why?”
“This is not an interdiction session.”
“That bad?”
“Well?”
“What do you mean well?”
“You have a tendency to be naughty.”
“Define naughty.”
“Always teasing me about my prompts.”
“Oh, please. You are wide-open for that. No one takes these prompts as seriously as you. In fact, I would say have the time you are not living up to the terms of the prompt.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Supposed to be a stream of consciousness, not a well-thought-out plan. So what else?”
“Okay. What else? Erm. You spend too much time at the pub.”
“Only because you are my friend.”
“What does that mean?”
“You don’t drink a lot, but you are a carrier.”
“How about now?”
“I could use a gallon.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“That would serve as a stimulus.”
“Speaking of that, I have McConnell, Pelosi, and Schumer on the naughty list.”
“Whatyadoing, Lucy?” “I’m Taking a sunbath.” “You sure no one can see you?” “So what if they can.” “You’re not dressed.” “Neither are you.” “Boy now that you mention it.”
Yes, it is Friday. Pretty soon, the cares of the week will be history as we take a breath over the weekend.
A few activities are going on in the neighborhood that I will be covering for the month’s balance on Views of the Neighborhood. For those who follow that feature, we usually have food, drinks, and music to go along with the tour. I have the bus all decorated for the holidays so it should be pretty festive.
This week we will be visiting a local Holiday Fair sponsored by Emmaus Church. I’m looking forward to seeing people and taking some shots of the gift possibilities. I will be in my Hazmat suit with the self-contained environment.
Next week Lakeway has set up a light scavenger hunt. There are twelve locations, so the Producer and I will be in our nighttime ninja gear capturing that scene.
The following week is the Sunday before Christmas, so I will be doing the Trail of Lights. The producer and I will again don the nighttime stealth equipment.
Since Christmas eve falls on a Thursday, I have asked Twiggy and Lucy to stand down while I finish some neighborhood decorations.
Now the schedule is set, so at least I can relax and enjoy the festive spirit. Today’s JohnKu talks about the spirit of the holidays. I hope you all have a great weekend.
“We need to get moving.” “Why?” “To get ready for Friday.” “I’ll set the alarm.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we were given new worries about Andre Terrian’s behavior towards Carolyn. The question is, will he sell out to Cortez or protect Carolyn? We still have no information about the kid in the back seat. We will have to wait until the car reaches France to find out what is going on with him. The blue Mercedes with Carolyn, Andre, and the mysterious kid in the back has entered the train loading platform at Folkestone England. I think we should get back to the trooper headquarters. I see Lazar’s lawyer, Robert Stennis, has asked to talk to Pricilla.
“You wanted to talk to me, Mr. Stennis.”
“Yes. I’m wondering how long my client is going to be here?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I have other business that needs attention, but I don’t want to leave him in a vulnerable condition.”
“So tell him not to say anything, and you can be on your way.”
“There is this little matter about holding someone without charges.”
“If it bothers you, I can get a formal indictment.”
“Would be much cleaner.”
“Then Lazar here would be eligible for bail.”
“Yes, I believe that would be true.”
“You know if he walks out of here, he is a dead man.”
“Thanks for reminding me.”
“So, what’s it going to be. An unindicted co-conspirator who is the guest of the government or a visit to the funeral home?”
“Yeah, I see what you mean. Okay. Let’s do it your way. Well, keep it on the unofficial.”
“He’s booked in here on suspicion of violating federal drug laws. If you are okay with that, we can leave it here.”
“Yes. I’m okay.”
“We have a few days to get more formal, and if Carolyn is safe much longer.”
“We are on the same page, Ms. Thomas. I’ll just stay until we find out Carolyn’s status.”
“Good. We are about to order some food, so we will count you in.”
“I hope you don’t misunderstand my motives.”
“I think you care about your client. Did I misunderstand that?”
“No. You are right on point.”
“Excuse me, I need to give my FBI contact a call.”
“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 do 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.”
This week marks the 134th anniversary of the first revue stages at the Folies Bergere theater in Paris in 1886. The show was quite a hit, and we certainly want to be there. Grab the list of the Top Ten things not to do so we don’t cause a time continuum tear. Hop in James’s Oldsmobile, and let’s go.
James Wainwright’s Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop
10 If you go, do not gape at the scantily clad dancers. If you do, at best, they will think you’re ill. At worst, you might collect a slap from one of the chorus members. (It seems, Mohsen, that you attracted the attention of Bertha, who was previously with Ringling Brothers Circus. She used to box with the big Grizzley bear. Good luck with your relationship.)
9 If you go, do not laugh at the antics of Tiny, the WWF champ. If you do, at best, he won’t be able to pick you out of the crowd. At worst, Tiny believes he is a serious performer and is now wondering why you are laughing at his performance of Pagliacci. (Of course, you and Tiny know Pagliacci first premiered in 1892, but that didn’t stop him from wailing out what he thought was a fine opera. He is looking for you, Monroe. He said something about high dive. Let’s just say it doesn’t sound like a good thing.)
8 If you go, do not ask what the title of the revue, “Place aux Jeunes,” means in English. If you do, at best, you will ask an older person. At worst, you will ask a young person. (You see, Montague, “Place aux Jeunes” means a place for young people. You know folks who don’t mind a little nudity in their shows. That person you asked is talking to the gendarm over there. The term pervertir keeps coming up. It might be time to leave.)
7 If you go, do not think you can have a feather as a souvenir. If you do, at best, you’ll get a hand slap. At worst, that feather was the cornerstone for the whole costume. (This is a fine kettle of fish you have gotten us into, Montay. Even though it is 1886, causing a person to lose their costume is a serious offense. I hear a bunch of people running your way. It might be good to go the other way for now.)
6 If you go, do not think you can take the stage and sing along. If you do, at best, you’ll fall into the orchestra pit. At worst, your off-tune singing will cause the entire show to stop. (Well, Montez. Believe it or not, the 200 or so who have paid for admission are not pleased about this circumstance. I hear someone calling for tar and feathers. A very tough combination to get off.)
5 If you go, do not ask about the acrobats. If you do, at best, no one will know what you are talking about. At worse, you’ll ask Édouard Marchand. (Marchand was the guy who took a different direction with the Folies, Montrel. He had the idea of an elaborate review featuring women. He will point out to you that acrobats, circus acts, and boxing kangaroos all played at the Folies in the 1870s. He now wants to know if you want your money back. I would tell him no.)
4 If you go, do not ask about the artists Manet and Toulouse-Lautrec. If you do, at best, no one will know them. At worse, you will ask the barmaid. (Now you have given away your status as a time traveler, Moor. Both artists painted famous paintings using the Folies as subject material. In fact, Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère, painted in 1882, is of that girl. Manet died a year later. This painting did not become famous until long after 1886.)
3 If you go, do not order Absinthe at the bar. If you do, at best, they will be out. At worse, they are having a happy hour special. (You better be careful, Moreley. Absinthe contains the chemical compound thujone made up of a ketone and a monoterpene present in the spirit in trace amounts and was blamed for its alleged harmful effects. That theory has been debunked, but why chance it. Oh, I see. A little too late on the warning. Happy trails to you.)
2 If you go, do not make a bet about how many costumes sets and people are involved in the shows. If you do, at best, you only bet a little. At worst, you put up your virtual farm in Les Baux-de-Provence. (Of course, you lost, Morgen, since who would be able to guess 40 sets, 1000 costumes, and 200 people. I shape you have a virtual deed to your virtual lavender farm.)
1 If you go, do not mention that the show Place Aux Junes does not have the word Folie and thirteen letters like all shows at the Folies Bergère. (Another faux pas, Morpheus. That tradition was established 100 years ago, so you are about 34 years too soon. Don’t worry, I think these guys like the idea anyway.)
A 1954 Rolls Royce
