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....)
