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The Cold Spell: A Summer's Tale
The Morning Dawns
The first sliver appeared in the east, a hint more than a reality, a promise more than actuality, and the land awakened from the long night. The tiny band of light grew in size, and as it grew shades were raised, arms were stretched, and yawns stifled. The village opened its eyes and rubbed away the sleep.
The golden orb slowly rose, but it was not accompanied by warmth, and the people of the town bundled up in preparation for yet another day of frigid temperatures that defied all logic. People appeared on their stoops, their breaths plumbing, their arms wrapped tightly across their bodies, all dressed in fleece and heavy coats on this July morn. Their faces were etched with concern, and why not? There was no explanation forthcoming from the experts. Where there should be warmth there was only numbing cold. Where there should be swimming at the lake and barbecues in backyards, there were frozen surfaces and warm meals by the fireplace. Confusion was the supreme ruler of the town, and with confusion came fear and of course, with fear, came the need to blame.
Who was to blame? Why had the warmth abandoned this lovely, postcard village in July? How is it possible? Should they blame it on global warming? Is the government to blame? Did a foreign nation conspire against them? Had science managed to tilt the scales and disrupt Mother Nature so much that she thought July was January?
Town Leaders Scramble for Answers
An emergency meeting was called by the town government. Panic was rising among the populace, and panic meant dissatisfaction with leadership, so to protect their jobs they hastily called all heads of government to meet at noon at City Hall.
The police chief, the mayor, the town council and other elected officials filed into the cavernous space. There was no bravado in the meeting hall this day. These were frightened and confused people, desperately seeking answers to questions and not knowing where to turn.
The mayor called the meeting to order.
“Thank you, all, for coming on such short notice. We have serious problems to address, and hopefully, by putting our heads together, we can find some solutions. The meeting is open to general discussion and a sharing of ideas. All suggestions will be listened to so please, who will go first?”
Mr. Hopkins, a member of the town council, stepped up to the microphone.
“This is all the fault of the federal government. They’ve been passing laws that they have no business passing, and they’ve upset the balance of nature by doing so. We must contact Washington D.C. and demand change.”
“Nonsense,” said Pastor Baker. “This is God’s will. The people are living in sin, and God is punishing us all for their transgressions. We need to gather up the sinners and banish them from our town. Once that is done, God will smile upon us and send us warmth.”
The assembled throng murmured upon hearing the pastor’s words, a nervous murmuring as they all considered the ramifications of banishing all sinners from their midst. Who would remain if all sinners were eliminated?
The police chief stepped up and spoke with authority. “I tell you, we need to get rid of the riffraff. This town was fine until the outsiders came to live here. You all know who I’m talking about. Get rid of the bums, the unemployed. Get rid of those who aren’t like us. We don’t need their kind here, and the sooner they are forced to leave the better.”
And so it went, hour after hour of the blame game being played, with no results and no workable solution. As the meeting came to a close, the division in the town had only deepened, and suspicion grew as the sun rose and the temperature continued to plummet.
Meanwhile, on the Outskirts of Town
Straddling the city limits sat a small farm. The white clapboard farmhouse was weather-beaten but it stood tall upon a solid foundation. In the pasture the goats and cows ate the tall grass, and chickens scratched and clucked after delivering the morning’s eggs.
Two young children erupted from the front door and ran for the barn to do their chores. Both were dressed in cutoff jeans and tshirts. One was Jessie, a ten year old tomboy with golden locks that spilled haphazardly down to the small of her back. Her blue eyes sparkled with a zest for life, and wherever she went her giggles could be heard.
The other was Jessie’s brother, Preston, eight years old and full of piss and vinegar. Preston climbed trees, splashed through puddles, raced with the wind and always, always, came home dirty from his day’s adventures. Spit and polished at eight, mud would cake his brown hair by noon but, like his sister, nothing would dull the sparkle of his blue eyes.
The two children quickly fed the horses and pigs and cleaned out stalls. They were just finishing up when their mother called them to the house, so like two wind devils they raced back to her loving arms.
“Children,” she said. “It’s going to be a warm one today. Your dad and I think we all should go down to the pond and swim today. Does that sound like fun?”
Their whoops and hollers were all the answers their mother needed. Soon mom and dad, Preston and Jessie, were walking through the fields to the acre-sized pond on the south forty. When they arrived they all ran and dove into the cool, refreshing waters, and the sounds of their enjoyment could be heard for hundreds of yards in any direction.
In Fact, the Mailman Heard Their Laughter
Passing by delivering the mail, dressed in a parka and earmuffs, the mailman heard laughter as he loaded the mailbox at 11218 South Bay Road. A new family had just moved in to this address, and he assumed it was that family that he heard. He turned off the engine and turned his head trying to locate the source of the joviality. In the distance he saw what appeared to be a mother, father, and two small children, diving into a pond. How can it be, he thought? It must be twenty degrees. Have those people lost their minds?
He got out of his mail truck to investigate, blowing his hands for warmth, but as he stepped onto the farm property he was almost overcome by the warmth he felt. Suddenly he was standing in summertime heat. He was confused. He was frightened. He stepped off the property and was cold again. He stepped back on the country farm and perspiration began to form on his forehead.
What should I do, he thought? Who can I tell? Who would believe me? Shaking his head, he got back in his truck and continued on his route, but while driving he called his wife to tell her of his wondrous and bizarre experience. She answered on the second ring.
“Honey, you’ll never believe what I just saw,” and then he proceeded to tell her of the heat, the cold, the family swimming and the suspension of all natural laws.
“Harry, have you been drinking?”
“I swear to God, Martha, I haven’t touched a drop. This really happened? What do you think I should do?”
After much discussion it was decided that Harry should do nothing. He should just continue on his route as though nothing happened, and the story would have ended there had Martha upheld her end of the agreement, but Martha told her sister, and her sister told her mother, and her mother was friends with the mayor’s wife and, well, the proverbial poop hit the fan by three p.m. of that same day.
In the Mayor’s Office
The police chief knocked and the entered the mayor’s office.
“What can I do for you, Mr. Mayor?”
“Chief, I know this sounds like some New Age b.s., but my wife just talked to a trusted friend, and that friend told her of a farm on the city limits where the weather is warm and children are swimming in the pond. She says the mailman saw it all, experienced the heat, and even though I think this is all a fairy tale constructed by a guy who had too much to drink, I think you should go check it out.”
“Heat, on a farm nearby? Mr. Mayor, it’s twenty degrees outside. Look out your window at the ice on the road. How the hell could there be a farm five miles from here where it’s warm enough to swim?”
“I have no idea, and I’m not giving this much credence, but just do me a favor and go check it out, would you please? And take someone with you for verification. Let’s either kill this rumor or get to the bottom of it today.”
So off the chief went, with his trusted deputy chief, through the downtown section, past the strip malls, through a residential neighborhood and finally to the address on South Bay Road. The chief turned into a driveway and followed it a couple hundred feet to an old, white farmhouse. Sprinklers were watering the lawn, flowers bloomed in window boxes, and sure enough, two children were running through the sprinkler in swimsuits.
Getting out of the patrol car, the two officers shed their winter parkas and looked at each other in bewilderment. They cautiously moved along the path, climbed the steps to the elevated front porch, and knocked on the front door. It was answered within seconds by a woman in her mid-thirties. Flour speckled her apron and even spotted her cheeks. She smiled at them, a smile of warmth and friendship, and her lovely eyes, golden like her hair, sparkled.
“What may I do for you, officers?”
“Excuse us for bothering you, ma’am. I’m Police Chief Duncan. This is Deputy Warner. We received a report that there was an oddity here at your farm, and to tell you the truth, this is all a bit strange. We just left a town that is in a deep freeze, only to drive on your farm and be bathed in beautiful, warm weather. Can you explain this for us? I’m sorry, but I didn’t catch your name.”
The woman held the door open wider. “Come in, gentlemen, and perhaps I can explain it all to you. My name? My name is Mrs. Love.”
2015 William D. Holland (aka billybuc)
Comments
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I hope so too, Deb, or else we are all in serious trouble. Thank you for the Sunday visit.
And you know, when you stop to think about it, this is not an odd farm at all. The masses were overcome by the cold of indifference. Perfect story for a current era, which I hope soon changes
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Thank you Dianna. I love writing like this. Now I have to figure out how to make money doing it.
I so enjoyed reading this story. You had me engaged from the beginning and kept me guessing about the snow's source. The ending is a good one and I love the reference to "love" making the difference.
- Author
"Standing on the side of love"....Brian, I love that. Will we live long enough to see it happen, or have we already? From a small seed.....
Love of family, friends and neighbors and neighborliness can make life in a cold place wonderfully emotionally warm. I learned that living in Thunder Bay ON, Winnipeg MB and Marquette MI.
In recent years American Unitarian Universalists have expressed our shared ideals upon which we take social issue stands--GLBTQ equal rights, humane immigration policies, antiracism, worker rights, peace advocacy, etc.--with the phrase "Standing on the Side of Love". This is not to imply that all those taking opposite stances are standing on the side of fear and hate. Their motives are a matter for their reflection and expression. It's each person's business to decide in what ideal(s) they have faith and to live that faith in thought, word and deed. Unconditional, uncondemning, agape love (which Jesus, for one, taught by parable, precept and example) is, I think, an ideal worth considering as one's primary guide in adopting attitudes and actions in personal, family, business, community, national, and international relations.
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Thank you, Zulma! I love any message of love. It has a way of worming its way into a lot of my stories.
Happy Weekend my friend.
What a way to start the New Year. I like this message of love delivered in a parable for the modern age. Well done.
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I appreciate it, vkwok. Thank you so much.
Great story, Bill!
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Thank you very much, Anna, and I agree with what you said about what is inside....:)
What is inside affects everything and everyone around. Wise words Bill so beautifully described with all the senses engaged.
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Thank you so much, Faith. As you know, I'm a huge believer in the power of love...as are you...probably explains why we are friends. :)
blessings and love today and always
bill
What a creative and wonderful story here, dear Bill! I love it. Only love can do away with any deep freeze, even in our hearts.
(((Hugs))), much love and blessings in this new year and always
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Thank you Cris. This is the type of writing I love to do. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any money in it. LOL Oh well!
hugs from Oly
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Jaye, thank you. That was my goal and I am thrilled that I achieved it.
I see one very creative writer starting a New Year with a real kick off. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read and the images are great. I love how you used all the catchy descriptive terms from the beginning until the end that makes your readers ask for more.
Truth be told, we would all be left destitute if we all live into the habits of "I don't care" and "not giving back".
Beautiful story, excellent write.
Love from the sky~
Bill - You excel at writing enjoyable-to-read fiction that contains strong moral truths without seeming preachy. The reader finishes the story but continues to think about it and what it means.
Voted Up+++
Jaye
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Cristen, your insights continue to impress me. I am so tired of the blame game. Society is reeling and all anyone wants to do is point fingers and blame the person standing next to them. We are all in this together, and the sooner we realize that fact, the sooner we can find solutions.
Thank you for your thoughts.
You hooked me, Bill. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a good friend last night. She was talking about someone she talked to recently that was going through some serious personal challenges. But instead of facing those issues, the person redirected their frustration and went on a tirade about certain government officials and the general state of the world today kind of stuff we all hear (in your story from the pastor, police chief, mayor, etc.).
If we were all willing to see our situations for what they are and to recognize the non sequiturs in our blame, we'd all be better off and the world would be a warmer place (and a little love sprinkled in definitely helps too).
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Linda, you're right although I would have never thought of that. He had many a show like this...thanks for that and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Bill, I loved this story. All of the residents of the town were playing the blame game, when in truth the chill was coming from their icy hearts. Voted up and awesome. (This is the type of story Rod Serling would have told years ago.)
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Frank, coming from an excellent short story writer like you, I consider that a wonderful comment. Thank you!
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Mary, I don't do well with that kind of praise, but thank you. I have a long way to go before I'm the writer I want to be, but I really appreciate your kind words.
Billybuc ..Praise for the very well written short here.. skillfully captures the scenario.. and the story line was grabbing and easy to follow voted awesome
Obviously the amount and quality of comments here show just how great this story is. You know what I like about you Bill? You practice what you preach. All the things you tell us a good writer should do are right here in your story. Damn you're good! Wait, make that great....you Are a great writer.
As for this story, I hope Mrs. Love comes from a big family and her relatives will spread throughout the land.
Voted all but funny and shared.
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Thank you very much, DDE. I'm glad you enjoyed my simple story.
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Vellur, there is a mystery...the mystery and power of love. :) Thank you!
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Venkatachari M, thank you. The ending is sudden for sure and was written like that for a purpose. In my mind I see a second part to the story.
A great story told and you certainly did with great thought.
A beautiful story with a surprise ending! Love truly warms! I thought that there was some mystery going on in that part of town! Great story!
It's wonderful, Bill. I wonder how you get so amazing ideas. Very awesome story. Ending is quite good, though it appears sudden halt. Many many thanks for sharing such beautiful works.
Voted up and awesome. Sharing it on G+ and H+
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Thank you for your kind words, EAsylearningweb. I wish I could answer your question, but my wife did the technique stuff on the video...I though she just used a Microsoft app, but I don't know what it was. Sorry.
Beautiful heartwarming story, Bill. it kept my attention the whole way through and it was a nice surprise ending.
I also really enjoyed the video by George Weir, and your video as well. may I ask what software you used to create the video especially the introduction and ending with music? I create a lot of instructional videos on software but not as many videos with people talking.
Thanks and Regards,
Easylearningweb
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Well, Jackie, I'm feeling pretty good about surprising you. Thank you!
You surprised me, lol, but I don't know why; I expected good and I got it!
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Dad was full of b.s., Sis, but I'll let you have that one. LOL
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Manatita, I'm not sure about part two. I'm perfectly fine with it ending here, but who knows? I may get a whim.
Thank you my friend, and pax vobiscum!
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Smilealot, any friend of Siddhartha is a friend of mine. I revisit that book often to keep my head on as straight as possible. :) Thank you!
Well...LOL....I love it. Dad always said I was more versatile than you! Ah can swich inta anathin I wanna be....it aint hard to write ill-it-er-it-like.
I stopped taking fiber long ago!!!!!
Beautiful! I kind of thought you were going to end that way, but it did take me a while. I suppose you'll have a part 2. Interesting Hub.
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Alan, thank you, and Happy New Year to you.
Odd weather for sure. Every once in a while we'll have an anomaly that is hard to understand, but we wake up the next morning and chalk it up to a bad dream. :)
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Paula, I feel for you back there. Nasty weather for sure. Our soaking rain has ended and now it's time to clean up after the flooding and mudslides, but none of that touched us in our little portion of heaven. :)
Sis, I don't know if I can do it....I'd love to be there for you, but you're asking me to go against every fiber of my being. :) Sheez, what I won't do for family.
A great use of analogy in this story Bill.....very well written...Siddhartha is an incredible read, it was one of the first books I read as an adult, and I have read it a couple of times more, perhaps as a reminder to myself of what is really important in life...it can become so easy to forget. Best wishes my friend:-))
Bro.....Caught the weather report for the past few days....You North-Westerners are getting soaked, I see? (Pay no attention to DJ. Someone let her out of her room today w/o authorization) She just LOVES to dangle that Florida weather in our faces.....as I sit here trying to type with my little frozen fingers. Arghhhhh! Expecting -10 degrees here tomorrow. I may simply refuse to get out of bed.
Love this very creative work.....always do. I wonder if you could do something just a little different, like write some horrible piece of trash riddled with misspelled words, no punctuation and extremely poor grammar? I mean, C'mon bro....be daring!.....UP++++ Sis
Hope you have a prosperous New Year, 2015, Bill.
Interesting, the notion of winter weather in summer.
Reminds me of what an aunt told me some time ago, that when she looked out one June morning in the 70's (I think she said), there was snow on the hills to the south. This is at the southern edge of the Tees Valley near Middlesbrough on one side, Redcar in Tees Bay to the east. Eston Nab, built on the site of a Roman signal station, is only 794 feet/242 metres above sea level.
She said it was gone before the day was out, but this was out of the norm even then. When the wind's off the sea you don't get snow, even in winter. It has to come across the land from the north. However, back in '63 the winter lasted into late April/early May, and that came from Siberia via Scandinavia across the North Sea to the north-east.
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Thank you Dora. This was a fun story to tell....only a dream of mine, but so much better than some realities I have seen.
Great story with an amazing ending. I'm still thinking of the implications of the Love family having a different experience for the other families. Voted Up!
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I'm glad you did too, Jamie. Thank you!
Great story Bill! I am glad I stopped by for a read today! Jamie
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Thank you, Clive! That's putting me in good company and I appreciate it.
nice video bill and good story, you and frankantacio should combine and write shirt stories and make a book.
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Thank you Catherine. I don't know if this will continue or not. Time restraints...always time restraints. :)
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Ann, Bev and I were just talking about that yesterday. There are some people who are just cold inside, and that radiates outward. Sad for sure, but I can choose to spend time with them or head for warmer climates. :)
Thank you as always. My elbow is exercising for customers today.
bill
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Melissa, I'm so sorry for your weather. We are basking in 50 degrees today and the next few...sorry about that. :) I'll tell Mrs. Love you are looking for her.
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Thank you Greg. I'm so glad you enjoyed my little message.
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Marlene, you've got the mind of an artist. Thank you....one day I would love to collaborate with you.
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Eric, I'll go to my grave believing that love conquers all...let's hope we are right.
Thanks, buddy!
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MizB, it could still be aliens. I'm just a writer and not a reporter with the facts. :) I just tell you what my characters tell me. LOL Thanks my friend.
I love your allegory stories. Will you be continuing it as you did with the Faith/Hope/Mercy stories? I've never lived in a small village, but you have depicted it well, as I imagine it to be. Voting up.
It's lovely to feel warmth on a cold winter's day. Literally, a heart-warming story, bill! You do these so well. Your family of wonderful people is growing.
It's amazing how some people can create a cold atmosphere when they're all wrapped up in their own prejudices, hates and worries. We should all look to the love inside us. Such a great message for the start of a new year.
All power to your elbow, bill!
Ann :)
I'm currently searching the phone book for Mrs. Love, because we are -6 degrees today with a -30 degree windchill....
Love the story! Stay warm!
Wonderful Bill; absolutely wonderful!
I absolutely enjoyed this story. My mind immediately goes to what it would look like as a screenplay. I can actually visualize this story playing out on a screen, or on a stage. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Wonderful piece here Bill leaving us all with a sense of truth out of a fiction story. Love does conquer all -- even the weather.
Actually, I was going to blame it on space aliens until I got your message at the end. I hope this farm is on the outside of Ferguson, Mo. They need to get the message. This is a thought-provoking story. Thanks for giving us something to chew on, Bill.
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Brad, I'll save those philosophical questions for when I'm more awake. :) I am glad you enjoyed the story...and I can say it is warm here today. :)
billybuc
I liked it while I was reading it
However, the message that everyone else seemed to get was missing in my mind.
Can Love change the harshness of reality, or could the opposite create the opposite. Cold for the cold, and warm for the warm.
I am I in town, or on the farm? lol
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DJ, it is warm here as well, while the rest of the nation suffers. It must be love, my friend, only in Florida and western Washington. :) Thank you and enjoy that summer weather.
bill
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I'm glad you enjoyed my little story, Sha. A message that is timeless. Thank you my friend, and love to you always.
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Bobbi, you stated it all perfectly, and I LOVE IT! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and Happy New Year to you, dear friend.
This is a new twist for a story......Quite original in nature.
I enjoyed this novel approach and unconventional prose.
Although, I must be living in your story fantasy, because I'm in shorts
and sandals and we are expecting a high of 81* today. Really strange....
You should know I would just have to throw that in.
I would like a continuation of this story. It is very nice.
DJ.
Wow, what a story, Bill! Love can warm the iciest of hearts. Hopefully the townsfolk will learn this valuable lesson. You reap what you snow - I mean, sow! :-)
Hi Bill,
Our world needs a lot of "LOVE" and forgiveness. And, unconditional love is with me every moment for my family, friends, and my pets.
Love will spin a warm cocoon around your life-- if you open the door of your heart.
Per your video---This is how I end my emails--Love U---so all my family and friends know it is from me.
Have a wonderful 2015
Bobbi Purvis
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Thanks, Liz, and stay warm and safe. I hate to tell you, but spring-like weather here in western Washington.
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Barbara, I'm shivering just thinking about your weather. Fifties here....sorry.
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Thank you, Ruby, and yes, isn't it funny how they always seem to be blamed?
So awesome, Bill. I love it. A great, heart warming read on a frigid day here in Maine. Such a truth, love can warm you on the coldest days
I enjoyed the story. Your work is getting better and better. I wish love would warm things up here, because I'd send lots of it to everyone. I guess I will anyway. We've got teens and single digits.
A beautiful story Bill and the message is clear, the people in town needs a new direction and love for the misfits and the poor in their town, funny how everything is blamed on the have-nots.
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Thanks, Pop! I'll take awesome any old day.
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Thank you, Carol. Your praise of me means a great deal. I still don't see myself as an excellent writer, but I'm working towards that goal.
I love this one, billy. It has a strong message that appeals to me. Up and awesome.
I had to read every word as i was totally fascinated. Bill---you are such an excellent writer--and words seem to flow out like music. Thanks for sharing this lovely story and great hope for all of us when things seem very dark.
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Happy Tuesday, Janine, and thank you! I'm just finding my rhythm, thank you, so hopefully today will be productive.
Beautiful story Bill and loved hat last line and message, too. Happy Tuesday and hoping you are doing well so far this week :)
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As time allows, Deb. Thank you for visiting me on a cold winter's day.
Awesome story! I hope you are submitting some of these fiction pieces to literary magazines.
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