Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Dreams.....




Never Ending......

I Hope you will understand, Dear Readers, when I tell you that it was a good thing that Tommy's pony Prince ran home alone, leaving Tommy on the ground, because his arrival without Tommy alerted Beatrice that Tommy was in trouble, and she told Papa right away! With the help of their dog Snowy, Papa was able to find Tommy before it was completely dark, and he brought Tommy home and put him to bed. But it was a long time before Tommy was himself again! He talked wildly about a sword and Wizards and the Castle and had his family completely alarmed.

It took Tommy several days to return to "himself"
 and even then.... he was sure he must have been Dreaming...
because if he hadn't been Dreaming.... then he had lost a sword....
and he got a headache whenever he thought about it.
And I am sure you will not be surprised 
when I tell you that the Sword was not lost for long!

Perhaps it was that very next afternoon
 as the Gypsy Rowena was riding to the Castle 
so she could tell fortunes at the Halloween Party
that she spotted something glittering in the leaves on the ground....

She stopped to investigate....
and saw the hilt of a beautiful weapon under the leaves.
She could feel the power of the sword even from a distance...
 she was almost afraid to pick it up...

But she thought that she would not have seen it
 if she were not meant to take it with her...

So she picked it up and continued on her way to the Castle.
Perhaps it belonged to someone who would be there tonight...
She would wait and see!

And because it had been such a Beautiful Autumn Day after a stormy night...
On a Cloud not very far away, 
Sweet Pea the Fairy Beary had decided that
 she wanted to go seed gathering before all the seeds had fallen...

Brother Beorn thinks that is a great idea and he says he would like to go too!

When Tiny Bear hears them planning to go to the Ground (from off the cloud!)
 he jumps up and asks if he can go too!
(Because he cannot fly ... he is always nervous that he will fall off the cloud... 
and has secretly been waiting for an opportunity to get back to Earth!)

And he gallantly offers to escort the Tiny Dolls, 
Little Rose and Sweet Pea,
 (yes, she is also named Sweet Pea!)
 who are also a little bit nervous up in the Clouds!
Before you could blink, 
they were all safely nestled in Sweet Pea's basket!

And before long they were wandering through
 a mossy old garden searching for seeds!

"Oh look!" says Sweet Pea... 
"Violet seed pods..... just what I was hoping to find!"
"They are such an innocent flower..."

But Tiny Bear is really hoping they will be going to the Distant Briar Moors...
 he is thinking of Rose Thorne Cottage and how happy he felt there...

He clears his throat and asks...
"Any chance we will be going to the Distant Briar Moors?
I was hoping to return the Tiny Dolls to Rose Thorne Cottage... 
but we don't want to be any trouble!" he added.
"Oh...!" said Sweet Pea.... "well, I wasn't going that way...
 but we could find someone who is....!
Look...! Here comes Copper... 
we'll ask him if he's going that way!"

Copper agreed that he would not mind 
carrying them to Rose Thorne Cottage..... 
it would be no trouble at all...!

And Just like that, he picked up the basket.....

And raced off to the Distant Briar Moors......!
 
And Lest you think we have forgotten, Dear Readers,
 that it is All Hallows Eve and there is a Party at the Castle to attend,
 let me reassure you that nothing could be further from the Truth! 
Because even now, the guests are arriving....

Helen and Charles came with Victor and Joanna. 
While they were not the first guests to arrive,
 they were nearly so, because Helen is always afraid they will be late,
 and she doesn't want to miss a thing!

Arthur decide he felt like being a Pirate this year...
 and Pollyanna is his Sweetheart....

Annabelle is once again a Fairy.... she is such a cute fairy!
And Chip is once again an "Ordinary Guy"..... 
the party would not be the same without him!

Juliet is once again fascinated by the Gypsy Fortune Teller's Crystal Ball...
had she Dreamed it... or did a Voice sometimes speak from the ball....?
Perhaps she would hear something tonight...!
 
Little Jasper was once again Robin Hood....
(He took the hat back from Victor...!)
 

 And Gabrielle is trying out a Maid Marion look....


 
But the Guests are not the only ones
 who have been preparing for this Night, Dear Readers,
 Old Meg had spent the Evening stirring up potions
 in the Attic of Hardwick Hall...



 She knew that Trouble was Afoot
 and that her Help was needed!
"A pinch of violet for innocence.....
and dandelion to chase the darkness...
St. Johnswort for immunity......
Lavender to sweeten the Dream.....
 
 
    Three grains of the sands of Time.... 
She chanted as she mixed....
 
 
The Darkness had grown too strong... 
and was growing still.... 
Even the Wizard had succumbed to it's lure....
It would take great Innocence to brave the Darkness and bring Hope...
And she knew just the one to carry out this Task....

And I am Sure you are Wondering, Dear Readers,
 Who would answer
 the Little Dreamer, Amy's call for Help!


 Blue, The Blue Fairy Beary was drinking Tea
 on the Tower Terrace with Sir Orion Blackthorne
 when she heard the faint call.......


 "Did you hear that...?" she called to Sir Orion....
"I have to go...." she added as she flew off....


Amy was not sure which way to go... 
she couldn't remember the way to the Castle
 where the Wizard lived in the Caves....
She called for Help....

Suddenly Blue The Blue Fairy Bearey appeared before her... 
"What do you Wish, my child...." she asked.
"I need to get help for my sister..." said Amy....
 "she's stuck in a Dream.... she won't move...."
 "I can't wake her up....!"
"I cannot grant Wishes that are made for another..." said Blue.... 
"I can only grant the Wishes of the one who is wishing... 
what is it that You Wish for..."
 

And suddenly Amy was aware that what she really Truly wished for
 was to go home to Rose Thorne Cottage.... 

And suddenly there was a wishing star in her hand that glowed brightly....

And the next thing she knew she was standing on the Distant Briar Moors....

And there was Old Meg.... as if she was expecting her to arrive...
and before Amy could even turn around,
the little pony Copper galloped up...


And in his mouth he carried a basket...


And out tumbled the Little Dolls and Tiny Bear!
"Ah....!" said Old Meg... "Just the one I was looking for...!"
And she leaned down to Tiny Bear....

And said "I have a Task for you..... If you are Willing...."
Tiny Bear could only stammer... "Of... of.. c..course... 
whatever I ca..ca..can do...!"
"The Wizard needs a potion brought to him..." said Old Meg.... 
"And it must be brought by one of Great Innocence and Steadfastness.... 
who is not prone to being swayed by the Dreams of others....." she added.
Tiny Bear nodded... although he wasn't entirely sure what she meant....


"He will not see you...." she said... 
"But you must throw the potion in the Fire.... 
and when he wakes tell him this... 
"'His Dreams are Only what he makes of them...!'"
"Copper will take you to the caves...." she added...


Tiny Bear looked up at Copper.... 
he wasn't sure about any of this.... 
but before he could blink he was on Copper's back....


And once again they were racing across the Moors....
"Hi ho Copper..." thought Tiny Bear as he held on tight...!


Amy gathered the Little dolls in her arms.... 
at least help was on the way for her sister!

When Tiny Bear reached the Caves it was as Old Meg had said...
 the Wizard did not see him at all! 
He climbed over the rocks until he stood near the fire....


When he was close enough he threw the potion in the flames...


It burst into a mist of stars.....


And wafted upward towards the Wizard......


It was as if the Mist was seeking the Wizard......

He suddenly gasped and inhaled deeply....
as though he had not breathed truly in a long time...


Then he saw Tiny Bear!
"You are not part of my Dream..." he said....
"Old M..m... Meg sent me....." stammered Tiny Bear.
"She said to tell you 'Your Dreams are
 only what You make of them...'" he added.
 
And at that moment Perry appeared!
"Oh hi Tiny Bear..." he said. 
"I wondered where you were!"

Well, Dear Readers, we have to leave them here...
 because the Night is passing...
Time is worn thin and frayed at the edges....
Are all those who Dream awakened...?
Or are those who are Awake... Dreaming still...?
Perhaps we will never Know!
But I can tell you... there is a Party at the Castle...

The Deadly Nightshades are just getting started....


The Gypsy is telling Fortunes......


The Dancing is about to begin....


And Charles is going to dance with Helen...
 the Fairest Lady of them All...
What better way to push back the Darkness...
than With Innocent celebrations!
I hope you enjoy the Party!
Happy All Hallows Eve!


27 comments:

  1. what a wonderful tale, thank you for this beautiful dream
    hugs

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  2. Hello Betsy,
    I was so happy to come back to blogs and find such wonderful stories from you. Your talent as a storyteller is equal to your ability as a miniaturist. Not only do I love the stories, but I adore seeing your wonderful pictured which must take so much time and work.
    Happy Halloween and big hugs,
    Giac

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    1. Thank you Giac! It is wonderful to see you back in blogs! I hope all is well at the Manor? I Love to tell the stories... and having an audience is very important! LOL! I am so glad you enjoy them! :):)

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  3. I am enchanted and thoroughly enthralled by the story line and the amazing settings you have created for them. The only Trick to your Treats, dear Betsy, is that we have to wait for the ending (which I hope never ends!).

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    1. Hi Jodi! I am so glad you like the story! I am afraid that I am not good at bringing things to a conclusion...! LOL! The stories have too many loose ends... and things keep "happening"...! But that is what keeps them going! The year will pass before you know it.... and you never know when other things will "happen" through the year in my mini worlds... the little people keep me busy! LOL! :)

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  4. Happy Halloween! I love your photos and how beautifully they illustrate the story. I think the ones with the glowing pumpkin are my favorite though. The atmosphere is wonderful.

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    1. Hi Sheila! Thank you for your lovely comments! The atmosphere is sometimes a challenge! To be a "night" story but still be visible takes a lot of careful lighting... and keeping fingers crossed! LOL! I am glad you like the pumpkin.... he was one of my first sculpey creations! :)

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  5. Thank you for your enchanting story, dear Betsy, your imagination and talent as a story teller are endless!! The pictures illustrate your story so well, therefore for me it reads as an animation film.
    Happy Halloween!!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Dear Ilona, thank you for your lovely comment! I think of it as an animation when I am "filming" it... trying to get the sequences right! The little people just need to pose long enough for me to get the right shots! LOL! It is fun and I do get very absorbed in the story... I am glad you like it! :):)

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  6. Happy Halloween! A story in the spirit of Halloween, beautifully told with charming characters illustrating it.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. Thank you Drora! I do have fun making the stories "come alive"!

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  7. You are definitely a Dream Weaver Betsy! You skillfully gather many different story strands, weave them together to create a Fantastic Tapestry of Awe and Wonder!

    Elizabeth

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    1. Thank you Elizabeth! It means a lot to me that you enjoy the story! :):)

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  8. Oh my… where to begin… perhaps with the most important point: Thank you once more from the bottom of my heart for this year's wonderful, wonderful new episode of your hopefully never ending Halloween tale. I've enjoyed it so much and I really need to thank you for all the work, time and effort this takes. Your pictures are fantastic, with so many details that need to be installed, like Ilona already said, they really animate your amazing story. And I must admit that it's extra fascinating for me to find a little tribute of mine every now and then… like for example the sands of time... I knew they would be helpful some time. ;O) But I can't deny it - my biggest pleasure was finding out that it's true… a dream is a wish your heart makes! I was (with a bit of selfishness I fear) wishing for ponies and bearies… and you made my dream (or was it a wish?)come true! And how you made my dream-wish come true - with a little help from Blue! And not to forget an unexpected hero - bravo, Tiny Bear! So thank you - I've enjoyed every sentence (on a cloud not far away - great), every picture and I'm already looking forward to see how this will go on. But before I get too sentimental I should better say that it was also great that I wasn't wrong, as I expected it - the Deadly Nightshades are rocking another fantastic Halloween Party! My, are these guys handsome! *LOL* Hopefully it's not frustrating for all those familiar faces in their fantastic, creative costumes that the price for the best costume goes once more to… Chip!!! His ordinary-guy-costume can't be beat!

    Happy Halloween and hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Dear Birgit, I can't tell you how much your support means to this story... which probably will go on "forever" (because I just can't seem to Finish things! LOL!)... but be assured that your contributions to my mini world are "Little" but powerful! Your wonderful Bearies are over here... (or perhaps they are sometimes hovering nearer to you on those clouds....) and they bring endless happiness and creativity with them! When the stories get going... you can be sure they are whispering in my ears...! And all the other "little" things you send my way... from perfect potions to mischievous cats to little goats to a family of pumpkins.... the inspiring ideas that flow from them are too many to count! Not to mention the comments you leave which often make me think I need to make something more....! So rest assured, your contributions help to assure that the stories will go on and on and on...! LOL! And I must admit that it is knowing that there are at least a few readers out there who Really want to hear the stories that keeps me going against all odds and deadlines and computer difficulties and uncooperative weather.... in other words... The Show Must Go On...!!! I LOVE knowing you are out there as an audience waiting for the next episode! :):):)

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  9. Wonderful story always a pleasure to read. So many tales weaved in together amazing.
    I love all your pictures they tell the story so well.
    Hugs Maria

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    1. Thank you Maria! I am glad you enjoy the story! The pictures are important to me... I "see" the story and have to get the right shots.... it sometimes takes a lot of tries to get it right! LOL!

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  10. What a wonderful story! Is it over?
    And great photography - particularly the appearance of the wizard in the stars above the fire..
    Helen certainly is always afraid she'll be late!
    And what a great addition is that brown pony- is he new? I think my favorite panel of all is the one of the gypsy lady side-saddle on his back- altogether a wonderful post, well worth the time & effort!
    Love, Mom

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    1. Thank you Mom! :) I am always glad to know you have enjoyed the story! Copper was new last year, and Raven too... they are wonderful additions to the "Cast of thousands" I am finding inhabit my Little World! LOL!

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  11. Another fantastic story with perfect pictures.

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    1. Thank you Fabiola! I am glad you enjoyed it! :)

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  12. Hi, Betsy - Your superb storytelling leaves me breathless; it's such a wonder to me that you consistently move the story forward with your huge cast of characters, and not once have I seen the wrong character in the wrong place at the wrong time! I would love to witness one of the photography sessions for your story; that must be such a fun, creative time - not to mention lots of hard work. As always, I'm looking forward to the next installment of this exciting adventure.
    Marjorie

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    1. Dear Marjorie, I have so enjoyed your comment! I wish I could show you a glimpse of the mayhem the stories produce in my otherwise sort of orderly existence! LOL! The frantic searches for a piece of fabric for the ocean...(that I know I have but has been put away for years) the little bit of scrap that was part of the costume last time it was shown... but where oh where did it go...? the necessary new "props" for the new pieces of action... what can I possibly find to use that will work for this new idea...? the struggle with timetables of photography and available lighting and weather constraints.... yes, I need a Producer! LOL! Too often the ideas arrive after the light has gone... or the rain won't stop so the filming has to be on a manufactured setting... etc.... It is fun and wild and frustrating and exhilarating all at once.... but The Show Must Go On!!! And I never ever have enough Time to really do it justice.... and each year I try again...! LOL! Thank you for your wonderful comment!

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  13. The moment you start telling, I am drawn into the story and I listen to you mouth open. So much work went into this! Making all the costumes, creating every scene, making all the photographs. Thank you so much for all your hard work! You have me hooked for the sequel!
    Hugs,
    Véronique

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    1. Dear Veronique, I am so glad you are drawn in and enjoy the story so much! That means the World to me! I do get carried away with the story... and it completely takes over my life... work, sleep, meals, my entire house.... are all sacrificed to the need to get the next bit arranged and photographed and written into the blog...! Yes, it is a huge effort... but one that is so much fun I just can't imagine not doing it! LOL! I am so glad you will be waiting for the sequel....! :):):)

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