Tempeste. Look out the window, there is a lot to see.”

“I like to keep things under control by looking down.”

“This is a great park. Let’s go to the chess players.”

“What are chess players?”

“It’s a sculpture of two beings involved in a chess game.”

A game of chest. That sounds odd.”

“It is an ancient game of strategy. And it’s chess, not chest.

“Looks pretty boring if you ask me.”

These elk sculptures look life-like, don’t they?”

“That is a serious set of antlers.”

Tempeste. Quit that.”

“I just want to see if it is anyone I know.”

Let’s head over to the heron.

“We should be quiet and not scare him.”

“He’s made of bronze and not going anywhere.”

“That is good to know. I like him.”

“How about that old log over there?”

“There could be some interesting creatures in it.”

“Well, that was a bust. Not even a spider.”

“You would at least expect some hapless ant.”

“I want to show you the bridge and creek.”

“This has been a great walk so far.”

“Some of the creek flows through the culvert.”

“Yeah, I see that.”

“Some also flows under the bridge.”

“This looks new.”

“It is. You can see the old foot path crossing.”

“I want to go down there.”

“Be careful. You don’t want to slip off the footpath.”

“This is much more interesting than the bridge.”

“Yes, it is, and more dangerous. Let’s go to the greenbelt entrance.”

“Okay. Hey wait. I see something in the water.”

“What did you see?”

“A black dog looking back at me.”

You are kidding me, right?”

“Yes, I am. This is beautiful.”

“A favorite place.”

“Twiggy. Wake up. I hear something.”

“Mmffmm.”

“I’m serious. There is something out there.”

“Ummmf. Huh?”

“We have to get up and find out what it is.”

“My goodness I just dozed off.”

“There it is again. You hears that?”

“I sure do. Funny I didn’t hear the FedEx truck either.”

“That’s what I mean. It is some kind of weird sound.”

“I guess it is up to me to figure it out.”

“There it is again. I would swear it is at the front door.”

“I don’t smell the Amazon or UPS driver either.”

“You see anything?”

“Nope and I haven’t heard that noise again.”

“It is scary that we can’t identify the source.”

“Just wait. If it’s still there it will make more noise.”

“There it is at the front door.”

“Hold your bark till we are sure it is something that we can send to St. Louis.”

“Hey you guys. I know you’re in there. Where’s my carrots?”

“Oh, brother.”

 

 

“You going to attack or shall I?”

“Let’s go back to our nap. Mom will get the carrots for those moochers.”

“So Twiggy. It looks pretty wet out here.”

“What’s a little rain?”

“Looks like a lot more than a little.”

“Yeah this is pooling up nicely. We have the tent though.”

“Yes but the wind is blowing pretty good.”

“You are so right. Let’s call it on account of rain.”

“Maybe it will let up?”

“Not a chance. The forecast says all day for this one.”

“I guess well have to play with the toys then.”

“Not that one. It’s too small.”

“How about this one?”

“The snowmen are all out. There is nothing but a crackle sound left.”

“Why don’t you choose one then?”

“The puma has decided to let the toys live.”

“The Panther decides not to let the Puma live.”

“Oh, good. It has been a while.”

“What kind of hold do you call that?”

“It’s my famous step over toe hold.”

“The Panther breaks the hold and pins the Puma.”

“The Puma decides to take a breath before the next move.”

“The Panther doubles down on the hold.”

“The Puma can’t stop laughing cause the Panther is tickling me.”

“Aw, come on. Stay in character.”

“Hard to do when laughing.”

“Try harder.”

 

 

“Hey, Tempest. Come help me.”

“What are you doing on that stair?”

“Not sure. I didn’t realize it was a Stairway to Heaven. Now I can’t get down.”

“Man. For the oldest, your setting examples leave a lot to be desired.”

“Well, it could happen to anyone.”

“Sure, it could. Needless to say, you can get down now.”

“I know that. I’m just thinking of hitting the back of the couch.”

“That would be a new position for you.”

“Sarcasm in the classroom.”

“I thought we were going to play. At least that’s what the headline says.”

“I’m resting from my stairway trauma.”

“Well, I’m not in the mood for resting. Come on, let’s play.”

“I’ll be right there. Grab a toy.”

“Okay, but no reneging.”

“I see you got almost everything out.”

“Much better choices that way.”

“I almost have this raccoon where I want him.”

“He looks frightened for sure.”

“One belt to the solar plexus should do it.”

“Hey, hold on. I hear something in the kitchen.”

“What do you hear? Tempeste?”

“Tempeste?”

 

“Twiggy. Let’s hit the backyard.”

“That does sound good. What should we play?”

“We could do the Panther and Puma hunting game.”

“We haven’t done that for quite a long time.”

“I know. So what will it take to see some movement on your side?”

“The Puma is resting at the highest part of the hill looking over the valley.”

“Hey Puma. You better not scare the folks like last time.”

“Don’t worry. The puma has more sense than to jump into the valley.”

“Okay. I left a leaf here when I came in last time.”

“You aren’t supposed to be eating leaves. I’ll bet Mom picked it up.”

“Makes me wonder how she knows it’s there. I also had a stick over here.”

“Are we going to play Panther and Puma, or will you continue talking about leaves and sticks?”

“I don’t know how you feel when your stuff disappears, but it is unnerving.”

“For heaven’s sake. Those leaves and sticks aren’t your stuff. They are forbidden fruit.”

“I would  like to see how you react if someone took your leaves.”

“Oh, brother. Do you know if you stopped eating sticks and leaves, we would have the run of the yard?”

“Hey, Mom. Is that true?”

“Is what true?”

“If I stop eating sticks and leaves, would we have the run of the yard?”

“Absolutely true.”

“Told ya, Tempeste. Why don’t you give them up?”

“I don’t have a good reason, Twiggy. I think I’m addicted.”

“Hello, leaves and sticks intervention.”