Capricious Climes...
It was Not a glorious Autumn afternoon, Dear Readers, as Pollyanna and Arthur set out for their afternoon walk, but was really rather chilly and dreary and almost unpleasant! The sky was heavily overcast and rain was threatening to add to their discomfort at any minute. But then again, it had been threatening for hours but had so far failed to start, leaving them to feel as though time was wasting and they had better just go for their walk anyway. And so they set out rather later than usual. Pollyanna was wearing her new cloak, but still could feel the chilly wind, giving her goose-bumps on her arms and legs.
"Brrr....! I didn't think it was this cold out!" she declared.
"Maybe I should have my scarf too!" she added.
"I don't think it's that bad!" said Arthur, a bit surprised.
"After all, it's only October!" he added.
"Well, that's because you're a Guy!" retorted Pollyanna.
"You have hardly any exposed skin... so of course you don't feel cold!"
"Ah, of course!" said Arthur meekly,
as if it was all his fault Pollyanna was wearing a dress.
"Well, at least it's not snowing yet...!" he said cheerfully.
"Don't even mention snow yet!" cried Pollyanna.
"If you even think of it, it might decide to show up!" she declared, laughing.
"Ah, but Not thinking about it
won't keep it from coming either!" replied Arthur cheekily.
"But I might feel warmer, if I'm
Not thinking about snow!" said Pollyanna decisively.
"Well then," said Arthur "Maybe we should be thinking about
what we will wear for the Halloween Party at the Castle instead."
"Aaarggh..." said Pollyanna, grimacing
"I have no idea what to wear for the Halloween Party...!"
"Maybe I should be a Princess or something..." she added...
"Maybe I just need to be something different...
maybe I just need a new gown..." she said wistfully.
Arthur just smiled to himself and said not a word!
And You might just expect, Dear Readers,
that they were not the only ones to feel the urge
to go outside in spite of the fitful weather.
Not very far away, but not at the same time at all,
the Little Dreamer Beth was feeling restless.
She and her sister Amy had spent what felt like Ages and Ages
inside their little room in Rose Thorne Cottage
on the Distant Briar Moors.
"Let's go play outside..." she said to Amy suddenly.
"I don't want to go out.." said Amy in reply.
"Why ever not...?" said Beth, surprised.
(She was the older sister and was used to
making the decisions for both of them!)
"I just don't," said Amy.
"Besides, I'm reading.." she added defiantly.
"Well, fine!" said Beth, annoyed.
"I'm going out!"
"Maybe I'll find the ponies!" she said,
as if that would make a difference.
But as she turned to go,
she noticed the Tapestry on the wall...
with the beautiful tall tree at one side.
There were no trees to speak of on the Briar Moors...
she thought as she went outside alone.
It was Not a lovely Autumn afternoon at all.
It was overcast and gloomy and maybe even threatening rain.
The air smelled moist and earthy, like decaying leaves...
but there was a feeling in it of barely contained energy....
as if it too was alive... and might suddenly burst forth
with gusting wind and pouring rain...
or maybe just a gentle enveloping mist.....
it was that unsettled.
But the electric feeling sent tingles down her arms!
She just had to go somewhere....
she knew not where!
So she set out...
And she remembered she had dreamed of a forest...
or had she been there herself...
she did not remember for sure....
But she could feel the sense of the trees,
huge and old surrounding her...
and she knew the sound of the brook burbling over the rocks
and splashing over the roots of the trees...
and the moss coating the rocks
and the roots making magical little doors.....
she knew she had been there before...
but did not know where or when...
She had been enchanted...!
Meanwhile, Dear Readers, the Seasons have been changing
and the Hour is approaching for the
Annual Halloween Party at the Castle!
Kendall, the host has been making preparations....
The Witches have rolled back the carpet and moved the trestle table into place.
They will guard the Portals and keep the Evil ones
from creeping in uninvited...
And they will surely keep an eye on the Refreshments too!
Kendall is still waiting for some of the special effects decorations to arrive,
and has hired the favorite party band the Deadly Nightshades....
But of course, the Night would be no fun at all
if it weren't for the guests in their costumes
ready to dance the Night away,
and perhaps fall under the Spell....
of All Hallows Eve...!
So in Spite of the Unsettled Times
and the Capricious Climes...
He hopes you will come too!
(To be continued....)
Well... so far I've always thought that Arthur was a friendly, pleasant guy... But now after he showed his leisure attitude against that certain thing which shall not be named aloud but can be described as da*n cold white stuff I'm not that sure anymore! Of course I'm Team Pollyanna... you-know-what shall never be named in October yet... which is also true for the other you-know-what aka that certain holiday at the end of the year which shall under NO circumstances be named in these times of the year (however, it's not that far away anymore as some of us would like it to be... today it's only two months left until you-know-what... or in other words: Aaaaahhhhhhhhrrrrrggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!)
ReplyDeleteBut with all these word traps around us and the need to avoid the s-word and the C-word it's somehow a relief if we can without any hesitating shout happily out: Hooraaaay... it's that time of the year again! Finally!!! Long awaited, with much impatience, even more anticipation and plenty of keeping fingers crossed it's finally here - Halloween bringing along a new episode of the most wonderful, stunning, epic Halloween tale being out in Blogland and anywhere else. Btw... are you able to tell from my words how happy and over the moon I was when I discovered this post I was so eagerly hoping for??? *tweet*
And what a promising post for this year's continuation it is... Pollyanna in her stunning new cloak with Arthur on a couple walk, running through those familiar looking autumn leaves while making plans for their Halloween costumes. I had to smile about her wondering to get herself a new gown... and Arthur's reaction (okay, if he doesn't mention difficult key words starting with an "s" I still like him). Sounds promising...
... and so does Beth's part. Looks like the little Dreamer is on her way to a new adventure... and who knows... sounded like it will lead her to a special tree house. Perhaps she will find some friendly rats there and a not so friendly garden gnome - and maybe on her way a pony here and a fairy beary there. (And before I forget to mention it: The Medieval Ladies tapestry looks awesome in this room in Rose Thorne Cottage... and I had to smile when I spotted this special chair with its decoration being given to you from Jodi).
And now knowing that with Beth being on her way there's also a new adventure on its way because there's more to come (oh, the sweetness of the words "To be continued...") is such great news. But the best news of all is that Ken is a good as he is experienced when it comes to planning and organizing a Halloween party. Good thing that he already hired the Deadly Nightshades... and he can count on me to come. However... I'm doing it like Chip... although in my case the disguise will be a regular old woman. Well, I would never dare to battle with him about his well deserved title "Costume of the Year". ;O)
Hugs
Birgit (who really needs to say "Thank you so much" for taking once more all the time and effort... and also "BRAVO" for your neverending creatitivty)
Dear Betsy, I am enchanted by this story! The castle is the perfect setting for a Halloween party. And oh my goodness, the tiled floor is so beautiful! I would love to attend the party, especially since my favorite band, The Deadly Nightshades, will be there!
ReplyDeleteI'm worried for Beth, wishing she hadn't gone outside all alone. Amy will feel terrible if something happens to her. Although, I'm like Amy and would rather enjoy reading indoors next to those gorgeous tapestries.
Pollyanna and Arthur made me smile. Pollyanna's cape is lovely!
This was just what I needed today, Betsy! Thank you!!!