Your Inspiration for December 2012

Your inspiration for December 2012 - you may want to look back at Arwin's first adventures from December 2011

Unexpected by Gabrielle Wind

Unexpected by Gabrielle Wind

As I continue inside the building I notice a small girl and I ran to her making sure she was okay. I didn’t see any scratches on her the only thing I could find wrong with her was her red eyes.

The Astonishing, Awsome Adventures of Arwin - part4 - Lillian Morpork

They travel on, and after a while, Arwin noticed that there were more kelp beds appearing. She investigated some that were right next to the road, and saw many different sea snails and barnacles living in them.

Arwin's Christmas Adventure ANOTHER YEAR PART 4 by Llola Lane

Arwin stepped back in the room and sipped the last of her hot chocolate. She put the cup down on the dressing table and lay in her bed staring at Suzie til she fell fast asleep, exhausted from the day.

Santa Bus 2 - part 4 - by Sven Pertelson

The weed choked yellow brick road wound between trees overgrowing the edges and Arwin and PM had to duck under them as they climbed the hill. As they neared the top the trees grew more sparsely and by the time they reached the summit the woods gave way to open grassland. In the valley below they could see a dilapidated village of small round houses with peeling paint and threadbare thatched roofs. Small threads of smoke came from a few chimneys and they could see the final spiral of the yellow brick road in the central square of the village.

Training 2 by Gabrielle Wind

Training 2 by Gabrielle Wind

"You know I not normal as most humans are." I said running in front of her. I held her by the shoulders and stare right into her eyes, and gave her a smile. "I tend to have a split personality so to say you know. Before I knew what going to happen I woke up.

The Astonishing, Awesome, Adventures of Arwin – part 3 – Lillian Morpork

Arwin, Solly and Leo went on down the yellow brick road, chatting, getting to know each other. Arwin felt really happy for some strange reason, and occasionally she did a little dance, or broke into song. Leo had just told them of a funny episode when he was young and foolish, and they were all laughing, when a large, dark shadow passed over their heads, and they heard a very nasty chuckle.

Santa Bus 2 - Part 3 - by Sven Pertelson

The Santa Bus slithered over the icy lake. The sun had set and the first stars were just visible. Arwin reached for the headlight switch. “Hands off the switch!”, squawked the GPS, “We don't want to be seen, do we?”. Arwin drew back her hand reluctantly. It was bad enough driving a bus on lake ice, but doing it by starlight seemed sheer madness. However, thinking back to her adventure last year, the GPS had never let her down before. Perhaps she could trust it, for now.

"Arwin's Christmas Adventure ANOTHER YEAR PART 3" by Llola Lane

"Arwin's Christmas Adventure ANOTHER YEAR PART 3" by Llola Lane

The stack of presents seemed to never grow smaller. There sure where a lot of good little Munchkins in OZ with some very strange names too.... Blopp... Grisp... Vlek... Quont... and the names got stranger as the pile grew smaller... Finally! The unloading took longer than Arwin thought it would, and there was no time to talk to the Mayor before a flood of little Munchkin children filled the room. Just WHAT had Santa gotten her into? Now... SHE... was Santa passing out presents... and somehow she knew this adventure was just beginning.

The Astonishing, Awesome, Adventures of Arwin – part 2 – Lillian Morpork

The bus moved on, and Arwin wondered just how it was moving. It couldn’t be the wheels turning, could it? Didn’t they have to be touching something solid to turn? As she pondered, she turned and looked out the open side window – where still, no water was coming in. That puzzled her, too. Was it magic? Tentatively, she moved one finger until it was almost to the window, then pulled it back hastily. ‘If I poke my finger out the window, maybe I’ll break whatever is keeping the water out,” she thought.

"Training" PART 1 by Gabrielle Wind

"Training" PART 1 by Gabrielle Wind

I awoke to looking around and finding myself in small quarters. I get up and dust myself off looking around I found a window to my amazement we were underwater. I continue to look around and figure out what happened. I walked down the hall until I ran into one of the people who that captured.

"Arwin's Christmas Adventure ANOTHER YEAR PART 2" by Llola Lane

"Arwin's Christmas Adventure ANOTHER YEAR PART 2" by Llola Lane

A yawn broke into Arwin's story; Suzie could hardly keep her eyes open. She would have to finish the story another night. It had been a long day for the two of them. She didn't realize it but she was sleepy too. She kissed Suzie on the cheek and laid her head down on the pillow next to hers. Before she knew it... she was fast asleep too.

Santa Bus 2 - Part 2 - by Sven Pertelson

Arwin booted up the bus's GPS system and was greeted by the familiar voice of Pepper Minstix, one of Santa's helpers she had met last year. Not only did the GPS have Peppers voice but also her impish, or should that be elvish or even devilish, sense of humour.

Santa Bus 2 -Part 1– by Sven Pertelson

“It is all the fault of that dratted Dorothy,” the Munchkin muttered. …

"Arwin's Christmas Adventure ANOTHER YEAR PART 1" by Llola Lane

"Arwin's Christmas Adventure ANOTHER YEAR PART 1" by Llola Lane

Arwin's Christmas Adventure - Last year synopsis...

Arwin is given the task of driving the children at the North Orphanage to Macy's in Downtown Winnipeg to visit Santa via the SANTA SPECIAL BUS... she finds that driving the 'Santa Special' was more of an adventure than she had expected... Hating Christmas, the music, the decorations, and all the holiday festivities... the dispacher MAKES her wear a special elf suit that jingles when she walks and all the other bus drivers make fun of her in the outfit. She is taken to a special part of the garage where the Santa Special is waiting... all shiny and clean. She finds out that it is a "magical" bus. The exhaust smells of peppermint... all the radio stations on the bus are Christmas... and her hot chocolate is "just right"... just to name a few. Things happen on her way to the orphanage that leads her to believe she is not on a usual bus trip.

Arwin’s Magical Bus Tour by: kizmit Kamachi

For years Arwin had been driving the same bus route conveying passengers to their destinations. To make her day a little more exciting, sometimes she would secretly speculate about their lives. Which of them were happy and in love, and which were down on their luck and desperate. She preferred to think that all of them would come through to brighter skies in the end. Sometimes it was easier to pinpoint which of her passengers seemed more in need than others, and this time of year was always the easiest; Christmas time. It’s no secret that the holidays brought about some depression, whether it’s due to loss or not being able to provide for their families. She would envision something wondrous for each of the ones who seemed the most down and hope that maybe someone somewhere would see the need in them and provide it.

The Astonishing, Awesome, Amazing Adventure of Arwin - part 1 - by Lillian Morpork

The Christmas season was here again, and Arwin was ecstatic. Once again, she had been chosen to drive the Santa Special. She did a ‘happy dance’ as she crossed the terminal floor to the gaily painted bus. At least this year, she wouldn’t have a bus crammed with food and clothing as well as gifts. Nor would she have to worry about a bunch of Guides, Scouts, Cubs and Brownies. This trip would be the normal one, taking passengers around the route in Winnipeg. And she didn’t have to wear a stupid Elf costume. Grinning, she opened the bus door and climbed in.

Your Inspiration for November 2012

Mandolin by Treacle Darlandes

The Mandolin - Part 4 - by Lillian Morpork

Ten Years Later.

“Oh, Isalita,” Brendoris sighed. “Don’t you just love the Pan Pipes? The sound is so dreamy. And Journeyman Taunilyn is so handsome, and his story is so romantic!”

"The Devil and Johnny" by Llola Lane

"The Devil and Johnny" by Llola Lane
(based on the song "Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels)

Johnny stood up on the hickory stump
so glad that fiddle was his,
he pull the bow across the strings
and they made an evil hiss.

The Mandolin - part 3 - Lillian Morpork

The Mandolin - part 3 - Lillian Morpork

Nathanya stood on the small platform outside the gates surrounding the grounds of the School Halls. Zachren Vogan, Eamon Tardan and Delmon Bodshiel were all still muttering threats as the Journeymen in charge pushed them to the motorised wagon. Once they were settled in their seats, with the journeymen flanking them, Nathanya stepped down and walked back into the school grounds. He still had Taunilyn to deal with, and that would be hard.

"Johnny and the Golden Fiddle" by Llola Lane

"Johnny and the Golden Fiddle" by Llola Lane
(based on the song "Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels)


"I BET this fiddle of gold that I'm better than ANY of you," Johnny yelled out!

The Devil stepped through the doorway and yelled back... "I'll take that bet and you're gonna regret cause... I'M... the best that's ever been!"

The Mandolin - Part2 - by Lillian Morpork

Miriauna,”Master Sebathur called. “Do you have any idea why Master of Guilds Nathanya called an all guilds meeting? I need to get going, we’ve been working on improving the meat cattle by cross breedings, and we are at a critical point. I expected to be on my way home by now.” Sebathur caught up to Master Gardener Miriauna as they crossed the lawn to the Guild Hall.

"The Devil and the Mandolin" by Llola Lane

"The Devil and the Mandolin" by Llola Lane
(based on the song "Devil Went Down to Georgia" by Charlie Daniels)

The devil went down to Georgia, he was looking for a soul to steal.
He was in a bind 'cos he was way behind and he was willin' to make a deal.
When he came across this young man sawin' on a fiddle and playin' it hot.
And the devil jumped upon a hickory stump and said: "Boy let me tell you what:
"I guess you didn't know it, but I'm a fiddle player too.
"And if you'd care to take a dare, I'll make a bet with you.
"Now you play a pretty good fiddle, boy, but give the devil his due:
"I bet this fiddle of gold against your soul, 'cos I think I'm better than you."
The boy said: "My name's Johnny and it might be a sin,
"But I'll take your bet, your gonna regret, 'cos I'm the best that's ever been."

"Madelin and her Mandolin" by Llola Lane

"Madelin and her Mandolin" by Llola Lane

Madelin loved her mandolin
she played it all day long.
From early morning til late at night
she played her lovely song.

What the Maestro wants .... - by Sven Pertelson

The rule in my job is, 'What the Maestro wants, the Maestro gets.', though that is not always as simple as it sounds. Depending on his schedule I'm one of between five and seven of his assistants scattered around the globe. We arrive at the location of his next recording, concert or TV show a month or two before him and he expects to walk in perhaps a few days before the event starts and for everything to be as he wants it.

The Mandolin - Part 1 by Lillian Morpork

Master Nathanya stood quietly watching as Apprentice second class Taunilyn carefully finished staining the wood of the mandolin he was building. If the instrument filled all the requirements and was accepted as playable, then young Taunelyn would be raised to First Class. Nathanya was still amazed at how dextrous the boy was with his crippled right hand. He remembered the first time he had seen the lad, only six years old, one leg and one hand and arm crippled from an accident. A large pot of boiling oil had been upset and the lad, a toddler of just two summers, got the brunt of it.

Your inspiration for October 2012

Trick or Treeeeeeeet - by Llola Lane

"Lucus Glub" by Llola Lane PART 3 (The End)

"Lucus Glub" by Llola Lane PART 3 (The End)

Lucus fell fast asleep... Thinking... He dreamt about the blurry faces and eventually they came in to focus. He remembered the face talking to Bobby's mother and lots of other people that were in the room at the Halloween party too. He smiled to himself in his dreams. He was remembering happier times. Slowly he opened his eyes, and he found he was smiling. But something was wrong.

A Touch of Evil - Part 3 - by Lillian Morpork

“Tim,” I gasped. “I can’t breathe. I feel like I’m being smothered, the feeling of evil is getting stronger. I need to get outside for a while.”

“You do look awfully white, Jake. Let’s go, then. Maybe we can do some prodding around in the enclosed back yard.

"Lucus Glub" by Llola Lane PART 2

"Lucus Glub" by Llola Lane PART 2

Lucus Glub awoke with a start... Someone was banging on his door... BANG!!! BANG!!! BANG!!! The banging got louder.

"Lucus Glub.... I come for youuuuuuuuuuuu!"

A Touch of Evil - Part 2 - by Lillian Morpork

Tim and I spent almost a week digging through the archives. We amassed a great pile of information. He also called our sister Sally, who had followed Dad into the police force. It turned out that she had all of the notes Dad had made during the investigation. He was one of the detectives working on the case, and Tim said it bothered him all his life that it had never been solved. She sent the box of notes by UPS, and we had it the next day.

Apple Street - by Lizzie Gudkov

“Run,” she yelled. And they ran, their hearts pounding madly, till they reached the main road.

A Touch of Evil - by Lillian Morpork

It’s odd to be back in the old neighbourhood, so much has changed. The house I lived in is gone, and so is the house next door, where my best pal lived. He’s been dead for twenty years and more, killed with all his family in a plane crash. Now there is a big house there, the grounds taking up both lots, and the one that was our baseball field.

"Lucus Glub" by Llola Lane PART 1

"Lucus Glub" by Llola Lane PART 1

Lucus Glub hated his name. It was bad enough he been made fun of when he was a boy... NOW the children had made a song up about him. The song stuck in his head like a knife. He could hear them singing it even when they were not around...

"Lucus Glub Theme Song" by Llola Lane (Sung to the tune of Daniel Boone Theme Song)

"Lucus Glub Theme Song" by Llola Lane (Sung to the tune of Daniel Boone Theme Song)

Lucus Glub is a man. Yes a mean man.
With a voice that is grouchie he's as grumpy as a man be.
Lucus Glub is a man. Yes a mean man.
He is old and decrepet and he's feared by the people is he.

I Dare You! by Lillian Morpork

Little Llola and her best friend Sven were out Trick or Treating, and having a great time. They had visited all the houses on the block, on both sides, and had now come to the end of the block, where it dead-ended. That was where the haunted house stood, facing down the street.

“It looks scary,” Llola said.

Knock, knock! by Sven Pertelson

Sven and Llola really were not naughty children, In fact most of the time they were well behaved and gave their own and each others parents very little to complain about. Now and then however their ideas did not go quite to plan with some impressive and expensive results.

Your Inspiration for September 2012

© JudiLynn - reproduced with permission

3 Naani poems from Telugu India by Lillian Morpork

3 Naani poems from Telugu India - written4 lines, 15 to 20 syllables, subject human nature, emotions, observations
preferably not in first person

"Shattered" by Teri Meridian

"Shattered" by Teri Meridian

She looked down at the shards of pottery on the ground at her feet. The small earthenware bowl had just slid off her tray by accident when it had tipped as she reached to open the scullery door. She could see how each broken part would have joined to the others, though little fragments had chipped off and the joins would never be perfect. Once its integrity had been shattered by the collision with the floor, the bowl had ceased to have a meaningful existence. It was simply a handful of clay fragments waiting to be swept up and discarded in the dust bin. It may once have been a treasured family heirloom, but now it was simply rubbish to be disposed of. How quickly and easily changes can come about from a single, brief, moment in time. It had taken less than the blink of an eye for the bowl to shatter and be destroyed.

"A Truth Revealed" by Llola Lane

"A Truth Revealed" by Llola Lane

Edwina looked at the men standing in line. What WAS she doing here? She was no match for their strength, but she did have other attributes to offer a ship of this size. She was an expert at map reading and graduated top of her class at the naval academy. She knew this ship well, every nook and cranny. It was old, but Edwina knew it had one more trip left in her. Her previous captain and been a pig, and she and the others had cheered when he was killed.

Creativity - by Lillian Morpork

Mommy was out doing something for her work. She mostly worked at home, but sometimes she had to go out. When she did, four year old Reggie and Ruthie were left in the care of Stella, their nanny. And there was always Mrs. Baker, the cook/housekeeper, too. Only, today, after Mommy left, Mrs. Baker went shopping and Stella got sick, really sick. She upchucked all over the ground near the back steps. Before she went to lie down, she made Reggie and Ruthie promise that they would stay in the yard, be quiet, and not get into trouble. She looked so awful, they really felt sorry for her. They gave their solemn promise, and she went inside and up to her bed.

Fragile - Part 2 - by Raphaela Palmer

Ymara moaned in pain as she began to regain consciousness, and she stared in wonder at her surroundings. The first thing she noticed was the sunlight filtering through the trees. As her eyes took in more of her surroundings, she noticed that she was lying on her back, in a small clearing of what appeared to be a large wooded area. The second thing she noticed was the badly ripped canopy of her balloon, tangled around the trunk of a nearby tree. As Ymara lifted her head in an attempt to get a better view of her surroundings, she felt dizzy and sick; pain coursed through her body and she cried out in horror as she saw she was trapped under the basket of her balloon. “Help me, please someone..HELP ME“ As Ymara cried out for help and struggled desperately to free herself, she though she heard the sound of running feet and a voice answering. Just then her exhausted mind gave up the struggle and she lost consciousness again.

"A World of a Secret" by Llola Lane

"A World of a Secret" by Llola Lane

"Dear Paco,
If you are reading this letter then I must be dead. I am entrusting you with the most valuable thing I own. It is worth more than all the money in the world. You asked me once a long time ago if "we would survive?" This could very well be the answer to our survival on this planet."

The Tale of Tommy the Ant - Lillian Morpork

The ants were all busy searching the ground,
Gathering food for the nest.
Young Tommy, the scamp, had wandered away,
He was really quite far from the rest.

"Success" by Jayme and Teri

"Success" by Jayme and Teri

She walked across the stage as she had many times in the past, exuding confidence, professionalism, and poise. When she reached the podium, she took a moment to savour her success. Not many women had the opportunity to give a Nobel acceptance lecture. She had no notes and didn’t need them after explaining her research so many times in the past. She began as she had planned, with an abstract visual image of blue and tan. “If it was necessary to sum up my life in a single image, this would be it. False colour photography through an electron microscope of protein isolates in a saline solution. I have spent my life unravelling the complexities of protein structure and their associated receptors. This slide depicts the receptor clusters for Epinephrine, as viewed under ultraviolet light.” The scientific jargon flowed easily and naturally for her as it always did – a practiced lie that she could tell in her sleep.

"Fragile" by Raphaela Palmer - PART 1

"Fragile" by Raphaela Palmer - PART 1

Around about the seventh hour, the rain came down and the wind grew wilder. If an onlooker had had good enough eyesight to see that far up into the sky they would have seen a balloon bobbing about erratically against the rapidly darkening sky. If they had been able to see still higher they might have caught sight of a terrified figure crouched in the bottom of the basket.

"A World of Adventure Awaits" by Llola Lane

"A World of Adventure Awaits" by Llola Lane

Paco remembered that day like it was yesterday. Little did Master Vogel know that he would light a fire under Paco that would never go out. That day in the classroom as Paco sat listening to Master Vogel tell his story of a world before the great shift, and of the new world with all it's wonders, Paco dreamt of seeing it all. The idea of going on a ship danced in his thoughts. He had explored every nook and cranny of the little island he lived on and he wanted to see more of the world.

"Obsession" by Jayme and Teri

"Obsession" by Jayme and Teri

I hate it. I despise it. It is my bane, my nemesis, an enemy to be defeated. Every week, when I am forced to visit this chamber of horrors, it stares down upon me, taunting me in its glib way. As I recline on the cold sterile medical bed, it floats above me on the opposite wall, daring me to understand its meaning. As, 3 times each week, they insert the dialysis tubes in my arm, it laughs at my failed attempts to decipher its hidden message. I hate it.

New Earth part 2 - Lillian Morpork

New Earth part 2 - Lillian Morpork

The crews in the four scout ships sat watching, hour after hour, as the debris field rose from the planet, expanding, slowing, until it had almost reached the orbit of the moon. Behind the debris, they could still see the blue and white of the planet.

"Cornflakes" by Jayme and Teri

"Cornflakes" by Jayme and Teri

“Bobby, eat your breakfast or you’ll be late for school.”

He looked down in the bowl of cereal, listlessly stirring the soggy flakes with his spoon and pushing them beneath the surface of the milk. Every morning it was the same thing – a bowl of Cornflakes in a half a cup of milk.

"A Fragile Earth" by Llola Lane

"A Fragile Earth" by Llola Lane

"A millennia ago our world looked very different," said the teacher to her students. "That was before the great earth shift. You can see how Efrika did not changed much, in the middle of the map. It was the only land that wasn't affected. Efrika used to be hot, dry and flat and not much would grow there. It is now a place where plants grow in abundance and vast mountains can be seen in all directions"

New Earth by Lillian Morpork

“That just plain makes me homesick!” Cindy Clarke sighed, staring out the port at the planet below them.

“Yeah,” Ivan Dostenko agreed. “Of all the planets I’ve seen, this is the most like old Mother Earth.”
The rest of the crew in the scout ship agreed as they stared at the beautiful blue and white ball floating in the darkness of space. They had been exploring planets for five years now, and of the twenty they had visited, none were such a close twin to Earth.

Fragile Beauty - by Sven Pertelson

I specialise in the repair, reconstruction and conservation of art work and documents, so it is not unusual for me to get calls from the local university for help. This call however had me puzzled as they were quite secretive about the nature of the object they wanted me to work on and would only say that it was very small and fragile and would need me to use a microscope.

Fragile - by Lizzie Gudkov

The painting had been moved, he knew it.
“How do you know?” the police officer asked.

Inspiration for August 2012

Choose any picture from this slide show for your August 2012 inspiration

The Bicycle Race - by Lillian Morpork

“Daisy, Daisy. Give me your answer, do” Charles ‘Chaz’ Mitchell caroled as he peddled along. Philip Warrall, on the front seat of the tandem bicycle, turned his head a bit and called back:

"A Kitten Finds a Home" by Llola Lane

"A Kitten Finds a Home" by Llola Lane

Inspired by 'Sooty' with my Sisters

Sooty opened her eyes... The world was a dark place. She felt someone licking her head. She was all sticky... and hungry! That was a good sign she was healthy and strong. She tried to stand but her paws would not hold her little body. She rubbed her eyes... A faint light burned them. She fell back asleep... hungry.

"Souls" by Teri and Jayme

"Souls" by Teri and Jayme

Inspired by Bringing Home the Shopping

She carved the marks into her arm carefully, following the diagrams in the book she had been given. It hurt, of course, as the paring knife sliced into her skin, but she endured the agony because she knew she had to. At the top was the intricate and complicated sigil of the demon Beelzebub, carved of flowing lines with a single cut of the knife. Beneath it was the true-name of her father. That had been difficult to discover and had required many visits to the big library in the British Museum. In the end she had determined that as Beelzebub was originally Hebrew, the true-name she needed was the Hebrew spelling of her father's name. Next came the symbol for soul. After she had carved this geometric shape into her arm, it had to be sealed with fire. The pain from the candle flame was excruciating and she had passed out as the bleeding cuts were burned black. Finally, surrounding the entire set of marks, was an oval that was capped with the symbol for a contract. After it was done, she sat down to wait. The minutes turned into hours and eventually, in the darkness of the night, she fell asleep.

"A Bedtime Prayer" by Llola Lane

"A Bedtime Prayer" by Llola Lane

A poem inspired by Prayers at Bedtime

Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
If I should die before I wake
I pray the Lord my soul to take.

"Down the Rabbit Hole" by Jayme and Teri

"Down the Rabbit Hole" by Jayme and Teri

Inspired by Prayers at Bedtime

'But I don't want to go among mad people,' Alice remarked.
`Oh, you can't help that,' said the Cat: `we're all mad here. I'm mad. You're mad.'
`How do you know I'm mad?' said Alice.
`You must be,' said the Cat, `or you wouldn't have come here.'

Home From School - part 2 - Lillian Morpork

Susan and Sarah sat quietly at the breakfast table, slowly spooning small amounts of porridge into their mouths. They were dressed in clean play dresses, faces and hands clean, hair neatly combed. They didn’t raise their eyes from their food, and were very subdued, faces sad.

The Picnic Basket Heist - by Sven Pertelson

Fred Russell rolled up his shirt sleeves and then adjusted his straw boater to keep the sun out of his eyes. It was crowded on the paddle steamer, the ‘Duke of Cambridge’ on this pleasant summer morning as it ploughed its way up the Thames towards Kew Gardens.

"Home From School" by Lillian Morpork

"Home From School" (picture of the same name) by Lillian Morpork

Susan and Sarah sat still and smiling, waiting for Father to get everything set to take the picture. It wasn’t so bad, now he had the new Kodak Brownie camera; not at all like when Grandfather took a picture. That took just about forever, with Grandfather fussing with the lights and the reflectors, and the camera, and their hair, and skirts, and heads and just everything! And they had to sit so still for so long they were aching when they were finally allowed to go. At least with Father, it only took a few minutes.

"Horace's Dolls" by Llola Lane

"Horace's Dolls" by Llola Lane

Inspired by "Who Will Be My Mother?"

"Pleeeeeeeeeeeease Horace.. take a picture of my dolls with your new camera." Horace's little sister begged. She had been bugging him all day.

"What the Camera Failed to Catch" by Jayme and Teri

"What the Camera Failed to Catch" by Jayme and Teri

Inspired by “Time for Tea at the Terazzo Works”

It was tea time and James was futilely coaxing the boys to stand still long enough for him to adjust his camera lens. In the background the wireless was playing a show tune that no one was really listening to, as the boys were too busy laughing to create a serious pose for the picture. As the song ended the BBC announcer cut in with a dire and sombre voice to report a special message from the Prime Minister: “Great Britain has just declared war on Germany, more details are forthcoming.” Suddenly, the room fell deathly silent only to be interrupted a second later by the loud “POP” as James' flash illuminated the room and caught the moment on film.

Time's Wasting! - By Lillian Morpork ( Inspired by - Sunday by the Thames)

“Children, come along now, we must be going!” Father called. There was the clatter and thud of running feet, and the Watson children lined up in a row in front of their father, breathless and excited.

"Which one to choose" by Llola Lane

"Which one to choose" by Llola Lane

So many pictures... Which one to choose
With a variety of choices, I can not loose.

Forty Winks - by Sven Pertelson

I knew I should have gone straight home from the Stadium. That would have been the sensible thing to do, I suppose. I just had to go and watch the United Kingdom play Denmark in the finals of the 1908 Olympic Football contest, and we won, two nil!.

Inspiration for July 2012

Moment in Time from HHB 1900's England Photography Exhibit - by Sven Pertelson

Moment in Time - Part 4 - Sven Pertelson

Just a week, and a few hours, after the long-case clock in the Hotel Bentink stopped working Starr rapped on frame of the open door of Louisa's office and announced, "Ma'am, your father and a young man are at the front of the hotel, unloading a crate from one of those infernal taxicabs. I have opened both doors for them and Fred is standing guard on the steps."

"Horace" PART 2 by Llola Lane

"Horace" PART 2 by Llola Lane

His father had not been as proud of him as Horace had thought he would be. Father thought photography was a waste of good time and money. "There are better ways to make a living," his father yelled. "You need to get a more respectable job. You are getting older... you will have to provide for a wife and family. Photography is o.k. for a hobby but it won't pay the bills!" And with that father huffed out of the room. Horace was determined to prove him wrong.

It's Time - part 2 - by Lillian Morpork

A moment later a young man stepped through the door. He was about 5’10”, with curly dark brown hair and eyes, high-browed, with an intelligent face. He was dressed in a three piece tweed suit, and as he came, he twitched the suit coat into place. He looked up and smiled. “Yes, Miss Tudor, let me see the watches.” He stepped up to the counter and nodded at Mrs. Underhill.

"The Kiss" by Teri Meridian and Jayme Svoboda

"The Kiss" by Teri Meridian and Jayme Svoboda

It is the scent of a rose that brings back the memory from so long ago. She used a rose-water face cream that left the barest hint of its essence behind on her skin. As my lips pressed against hers, I inhaled its sweet scent and have always linked the smell of roses with that forbidden kiss. Girls were not supposed to have these feelings, these needs and wants, and yet I did and she saw that.

Moment in Time (3) by Sven Pertelson

The next day, after the visit to her father's shop, Louisa was working in her office, planning menus for the hotel and for some prestigious luncheons and dinners at client's private houses.

"The Watch" by Teri Meridian

"The Watch" by Teri Meridian

It was a store she knew well and one that she had been in several times before. The clerk would likely recognise her and know why she was here. Swallowing hard, she squeezed her eyes shut, hardened her resolve, and crossed the street. The door was heavy and stiff. Its iron hinges groaned slightly as she pulled it open. The store smelled of old wood and oil while the tick-tock of all the time-pieces filled the air with a constant, low volume, noise.

"Horace" Part 1 by Llola Lane

"Horace" Part 1 by Llola Lane

Horace was bored... He'd taken all the pictures he could inside and outside the clock shoppe. He had been watching the new girl behind the counter for some time now. He knew her name, Penelope, that was all. He wanted to know more. He wanted her picture. But how to get it was the question?

It's Time (Part 1) by lillian Morpork

Ceridwen Tudor looked up as a customer came in, and gasped. It was Her! Mrs. Abigail Underhill, the woman she had heard last week, speaking about votes for women. Ceridwen had been going back to work after winding the clocks at Ashley Hall for Mr. Taylor, when he had been away ill. She passed the home of one of the Lords, and Mrs. Underhill was standing speaking to a large group of women. What she said thrilled Ceridwen, it made so much sense. She blinked, and realised that Mrs. Underhill was speaking to her!

Moment in Time (2) by Sven Pertelson

Looking out of her dressing room window Louisa could see the passers-by wrapped up well against the chill of a London spring morning. From her wardrobe she selected a long warm coat and a sensible hat. where she was going was not a well-to-do area and while she wanted to look smart she did not want to be over-dressed. As she came down to the hotel reception Starr was waiting for her at the door. "I've hailed a cab for you ma'am, but I'm afraid I could only get one of those new-fangled motor taxicabs. They seem to be everywhere these days, nasty noisy things.", he scowled, holding the front door open for her.

A moment in time. By Jayme Svoboda and Teri Meridian

I have led a very posh and pampered life as the daughter of a wealthy aristocratic family. To be Miss Anastasia Edwards is to be noticed by the society columnists and to have one's every outfit examined in minute detail for hints of coming fashion trends. I am popular, wealthy, courted by only the finest of gentlemen, and financially secure for the rest of my life. But it has not always been this way for me.

Moment in Time (1) - by Sven Pertelson

Merriman! Starr! Louisa's strident voice pierced the silence of the Bentink Hotel. It was half past six in the morning and the usual underlying murmur of breakfasts being prepared, shoes cleaned and tables being laid was absent.

"Lady With a Hat" by Llola Lane

"Lady With a Hat" by Llola Lane

Lady with a hat... Who can she be?
Lady with a hat is looking at me
Lady with a hat so proper and prim
Lady with a hat that has a wide brim

Moments in Time - by lillian Morpork

A store full of clocks, each one keeping time,
The seconds go by with a tick and a tock.

Inspiration for June 2012

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY Second Life!

We ask that your writings for June, in some way, reflect what 'Community in SL' means to you. Perhaps some of our pictures at the Gallery might give you a starting point

The theme for this year's SL9B birthday bash is... COMMUNITY. The OZLAND Art Gallery is celebrating all month long with an art exhibit that shows how OZLAND continues to be a thriving COMMUNITY in SL.

When you visit our gallery you will meet residents and friends through artwork, that portrays our love of OZLAND and the SL COMMUNITY.

.

Community in OZLAND by Llola Lane

Community in OZLAND by Llola Lane

I live in a kingdom called OZLAND in Second Life. I call it HOME! It is home in every sense of the word. The dictionary defines home as...The place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household. OZLAND and SL both qualify as HOME. I spend half my day in SL. Most of that time is spent helping my residents and friends, exploring, going to concerts, building and making clothing. When my day is finished I return home to the manor.

Vixen Pt2 by Teri

Vixen Pt2 by Teri

Vixen sat in her chair, idly twirling her hair with her finger. As the world’s first “Virtually Intelligent Sex Automaton” her primary goal was the realistic and pleasing performance of sexual intercourse. She had been designed, programmed, and produced by Electronic Arts as the first in a new product line they intended to pursue. While games had provided a steady revenue stream for the company, sex was where the real money lay.However, things didn’t quite work out as the executives at EA had planned.

"Community" by Teri

"Community" by Teri

Community means to me: Saps -- a gathering of saps all ripe for the killing and blissfully unaware of the danger lurking among them. As they come together to dance, smiling and joking at their inane and pointless comments, they provide a convenient target for a spectacular killing spree. I drool and salivate in delight at the misery I will cause. Carefully, I wipe my keyboard dry.

"Mork’s Report" by Jayme and Teri

"Mork’s Report" by Jayme and Teri

(based on the characters from Mork and Mindy)

Mork calling Orson, come in Orson!

Community – by Lillian Morpork

Community – by Lillian Morpork

The word Community has several meanings, not all of them meaningful in SL. It can mean:

Community - by Lizzie Gudkov

Community in SL means to me small and up-close friendships.

The first time I heard of Second Life (SL) was on TV, years ago. This odd, cryptic world where people got lost and opted out of their real lives to become entangled in dangerous relationships with strangers, seemed more of a waste of time than an interesting place to explore.

Virtual Community - by Sven Pertelson

Virtually sitting
On virtual ground.
With virtual friends
Round a virtual fire.
Eating virtual marshmallows
Off virtual sticks.
Putting the real world to rights.

"A Big Word" by Llola Lane

"A Big Word" by Llola Lane

Community is a big word to say
but I live in SL, and see it every day!

What Community in SL means to me by Lillian Morpork

What Community in SL means to me
by Lillian Morpork

I’m not quite sure that I actually belong to any community in sl. If so, it’s the Christian community at Eternal Creations. That is where my grandson has his Club AnSky, with dances several times a week.

Inspiration for May 2012

Flowers to you - Copyright Sisse Singh

"Flowers to you, from Sunflower to Llola" by Llola Lane

"Flowers to you, from Sunflower to Llola" by Llola Lane

Sunflower opened the door of the store. It was to early to open up but she wanted to be sure she knew where everything was. This was not her usual store to work in. It was noisy being so close to the train track, but this was an overtime day so she really didn't mind too much. She could use the extra money. Little did she know HOW exciting of a day it would be!

My Garden by Lillian Morpork

I went into the garden,
Where the bright red poppies grow,
The baby’s breath and cosmos,
And carnations, row on row.
And I sat beside the rosebush
In the lovely summer’s glow
And I thought I saw a fairy –
Or perhaps, a faint rainbow.

"My Garden - A Tribute to Memorial Day" by Teri and Jayme

"My Garden - A Tribute to Memorial Day" by Teri and Jayme

1837-38: Our family moved to here in 1837 to escape the bank failures, unemployment, and despair of New York City. We wanted to leave the chaos and crowdedness of the big city and settle into a much quieter, simpler, and self-sufficient lifestyle, away from the crime, poverty, and desperation of the big city. We wanted air we could breathe, clean, fertile soil under our feet, and fresh, clear, sparkling spring water we could drink. We settled into a quiet valley, near the river, on a little 25 acre homestead of rich arable land. We never realized how difficult this life would be and the challenges that we would face. We arrived too late in the summer to put in more than a few fast growing vegetables. The first winter was a nightmare as we nearly starved to death. We had no stockpile of wood and each day had to cut and burn green logs to keep the cabin above freezing. Fevers and coughs wracked us all. It was a blessing when spring arrived, and with it, better times. One bright sunny day, as our family gathered together in a respite from the constant work of running a farm, I discovered a little flower garden that I would often come to visit and where I could be alone and daydream. I loved my garden and spent lots of time there, enjoying the tranquility and beauty that surrounded me. While I would sometimes have to leave to perform my chores, my spirit never truly left that place.

Who Is Ian? – part 3 – Lillian Morpork

Ruth sighed as she settled in her favourite chair, with yet another glass of iced tea. For a moment, she just sat, relaxing and looking out at the patio and garden. Alice had not only had the tea ready when she got home, but a lovely cold dinner. Now she was in her room working on a computer program, and Ruth could get to work on the things in the shoe boxes.

"Flowers to you, from Raphaela to Ariadne" by Llola Lane

"Flowers to you, from Raphaela to Ariadne" by Llola Lane

Ariadne was a great friend, and Raphaela wanted to make sure she knew it. Being alone in a hospital bed for a week was no fun. Poor Ari. All she had told Raph was that the operation was for "woman stuff." How much "woman stuff" could one little dragon have?

Happy Anniversary - by Jayme and Teri

He wasn't going to make the same mistake as last year! Even though it wasn't really his fault, he did try to be a dutiful husband and remember their anniversary. Each year, in the lazy days between Christmas and New Years, he would diligently record all his important dates in the day planner someone inevitably gave him as a present. Damn that new Blackberry that had made him lazy and lulled him into a false sense of security. Somehow the automatic calendar reminder had failed to happen and the day came and went. He had been totally oblivious to the fact that he had even missed it. She had never even mentioned it, in fact, and he had wondered if she also had forgotten their anniversary after all these years.

Petals: A Woman's Musings by Teri

When I was younger, my older sister used to play a game. She would pluck the petals from a flower to decide if her current sweetheart truly loved her. Well finally, after so many years of waiting and hoping, I too get to play her game. It is a breezy and bright morning when I venture out into the garden. Where, hiding in the recently cut grass, I see a small yellow buttercup that will be perfect for my game. I sit down on the lawn, still slightly damp with dew, and pluck the little flower from its stem. I begin my litany as I carefully remove the petals, one at a time.

"Pansies" by Teri

"Pansies" by Teri

The pansies in the garden were a gift from her. I had come home one night after another long tiring day at work to find a blister-pack of 12 icicle pansies sitting on my front deck. Stuck to the black plastic tray was a small yellow post-it note, “Enjoy. I know these are your favourites. S.” That evening, in the pale orange light of the setting sun, I had sat on the cool damp ground and lovingly placed each small plant in the little bed beneath my living room window. I don’t know how long it took me to plant and water the little flowers, but it was far longer than it needed to be. I’m not even sure if it was necessary to water them or if my falling tears had been sufficient on their own.

Who Is Ian? Part two – Lillian Morpork

Who Is Ian? Part two – Lillian Morpork

“Hi, Ruthie! What has got you so excited?” Matt asked as he came hurrying in. “You were almost incoherent on the phone.”

"Sample 2207" by Teri

"Sample 2207" by Teri

Each day, as she had for the last 9,875,213 days, her assignment was the same, “Tend, protect, and preserve specimen sample 2207.” She had no knowledge of where samples 1 to 2206 were located, or if they even existed. Similarly, she lacked any knowledge of samples 2208 or higher. Her entire databanks were filled with the knowledge needed to care for her sample: Plantae (Angiosperm, Eudicot, Rosid), Rosales, Rosaceae, Rosa, R. Virginiana (Rosa Virginiana; “Virginia Rose,” “Common Wild Rose,” “Prairie Rose.”) As far as samples went it was fairly mundane. Her database description was suitably terse:

"A Childish Gift" by Jayme Svoboda

"A Childish Gift" by Jayme Svoboda (With some help from Teri)

The clouds hung low, close to the ground, depressing and slate grey, as they dampened the world with an endless drizzle. It was mid-May and, after a cold damp spring, the trees were still not in leaf. Their skeletal branches were, only this week, showing the first signs of budding. I remember these big oaks. I used to run, hide and play among them all those many years ago. They seemed more majestic back then. Now, they just seem sad.

"Flowers to you, from Arwin to Iliana" by Llola Lane

"Flowers to you, from Arwin to Iliana" by Llola Lane

The bus screeeeeeeached to a hault. Arwin had 10 minutes to grab what she needed and get back to the bus before she had to be at her next stop. If she hadn't taken time to help that old lady get out of the bus, she'd have more time... but she saw her struggling and Arwin couldn't help but help the old woman. Oh well... can't cry over that now... She had her mission... Get in and get out of the store as fast as she could.

A triad of haiku on lost love - by Sven Pertelson

Gave flowers to you.
Held you tightly in my arms,
then you slipped away.

Who Is Ian? - Lillian Morpork – part one

The house was empty. All the furniture, pictures and whatnot the family had wanted were delivered to their destinations, the rest were in the auction house awaiting the sale on Saturday. All that was left were the cedar chest and the old steamer trunk in the attic, and the odds and ends of broken chairs, decrepit cabinets, and boxes of odds and ends. Ruth had decided to look at the chest and trunk, and leave the rest for whoever bought the house to worry about.

"Flowers to you, from Sven to Llola" by Llola Lane

"Flowers to you, from Sven to Llola" by Llola Lane

This was taking too long. Sven's feet hurt as he stood starting at the words....

Memories – Lillian Morpork

The old man stood at the foot of the bed, head bent, eyes closed in sorrow. After a moment, he straightened up, his gaze resting on the face of the woman lying there. Her white hair formed a halo around her pale, peaceful face, and his heart ached, his stomach knotted up as he fought the tears. His gaze drifted around the room as he tried to control himself. His eyes caught on a card sitting on the bedside stand.

Of Times Past - by Sven Pertelson

Images from the past arise, unbidden,
Like a half forgotten song.
Misty, watercolour memories,
Of a time when love and laughter
Filled two hearts.

Inspiration for April 2012

Your Inspiration for April 2012

Moonrise over Virginia - by Sven Pertelson

Frances looked up from her writing as the moon rose over the Virginia forests. The twenty one years she had been living in the colony since arriving on the 'London Merchant' in 1620 had been eventful. There had been many good times but also many bad times.

The Blended Saga, Epilogue by Zhu Juran

The Blended Saga, Epilogue
by Zhu Juran

Will Zola find her friend? Will Zasu and her lover be reunited? And what of Svenius and Lilliana? Stay tuned for answer to these important questions and more!

First Contact part 3 – Lillian Morpork

First Contact part 3 – Lillian Morpork

It took about half an hour to get everyone settled. Chuck asked what they called their world, and the reply sounded like Dipavuga, sung to the scale. Somela said they and their city were called Dikega, also sung to the scale.

"Lunatic" by Teri

"Lunatic" by Teri

I pride myself on my reasoning and intellect. I can solve any problem and overcome any obstacle. I apply logic and analysis to a situation and invariably come up with an effective solution or optimal technique to address the issue. I am known for my skills and they keep me employed. I am a tower of strength and a bastion of dependability. If it can be done, I will be able to find a way to do it. I am the rock that never crumbles and that provides others with an anchor to weather any storm. Well … um ... I was.

Nobody Home - Part 2 - By Zhu Juran

Nobody Home - Part 2
The Finale of the White Disk Saga

By Zhu Juran (With lots of help from Teri )

The white disk was disgruntled (Yes, , disks can get disgruntled). The last extraction had gone badly, and he didn’t fully know why. It wasn’t that he was particularly concerned about the fate of that obnoxious creature Robert, a.k.a. HotStudley Resident, who ended up trapped inside his own computer instead of being properly transported to SL. It was probably for the best that he hadn’t made it to SL; there were enough idiots there already, in the white disk’s humble opinion. (For the astute reader, we pause to let you ponder the startling revelation that the white disk is male.)

"A Full Moon Night" by Llola Lane

"A Full Moon Night" by Llola Lane

Lots of crazy things happen on a full moon night. The hospitals and police departments even put on extra staff because of all the craziness, and... I suppose tonight... will be no different. For it IS a full moon night!

First Encounter part two – Lillian Morpork

First Encounter part two – Lillian Morpork

Chuck stood there for a moment, then turned to Chief Peterson. “Brian, leave all your weapons here and come with me, I think we should go meet them.” He turned to Lieutenant Lorraine Albright and said “You too. We need a linguist. You do have your translator, don’t you?” when she nodded, he told her to disarm too, then took off his own weapons and carefully laid them on the ground.

TH3M and H3R by Teri

TH3M and H3R by Teri

Note: '3' is pronounced like 'E.' Thus 'TH3Y' is the same as 'THEY' and 'TH3M' is the same as 'THEM.' Similarly '$' is the same as 'S,' making '$HE' the same as 'SHE' and the '@' is the same as 'A' so 'LUN@' would be 'LUNA.' I'm sorry about the awkwardness of this language, but crazy people don't always do the most rational things. Try being crazy sometime and you'll see that its very different. Things don't always work quite the way they are supposed to work.

-------

TH3Y watch me. TH3Y try to hide so me can't see TH3M watching me, but me knows TH3Y are there. How does me know? $HE told me. $HE is always there as well, watching, whispering in me ear, letting me know what TH3Y are doing.

"Paul Revere" by Llola Lane

"Paul Revere" by Llola Lane

Hush my darlings and you will hear
about the story of Paul Revere
Of how he traveled far and wide
up and down the mountain side
Over a river and through the woods
to deliver the message about the hoods.

Close Encounter part one – Lillian Morpork

Close Encounter part one – Lillian Morpork

As the Landing craft completed a final orbit of the planet, Captain Charles “Chuck” Matthews looked at his first officer, Commander Katharine “Kate” Evans. “Well, Kate, now what do we do? There is definitely intelligent life here. We’re not supposed to land on such planets, but the D’Arcy McGee is well on the way to the next star system, and in FTL flight.”

Miss Luna's Genie by Teri

Miss Luna's Genie by Teri

A story for Llola to read
-- Episode 2 in "A Month of Lunar Crazies"

They call me crazy, but I know I'm not. They call me violent, but I am only doing my Mistress' bidding. They call me evil, and on this I might agree, for I will do what is required of me, regardless of any morality. I serve my Lady, in all Her glory, for She is the only truth I have ever known.

"Scarecrow" by Lillian Morpork

"Scarecrow" by Lillian Morpork

The harvest moon shines so bright,
Lighting up the darkness of the night.
Far across the field he stands,
A man of straw, he is a funny sight,.

You Are My Moon by Mendy Winkler

You Are My Moon by Mendy Winkler

In the dark stillness of the night
You are the moon that radiates warm light
Capturing the sweet essence of pure love
Showering my heart in the beauty from above

Gloomy Planet by Llola Lane

Gloomy Planet by Llola Lane

Gloomy Planet that's dark as night
has a moon that shines so bright

Nobody Home by Tami (and Zhu Juran)

Nobody Home
By Tami (and Zhu)

Robert grabbed the magazine from his desk and flung it at the wall. Without strong aerodynamic properties, it tumbled end over end, pages fluttering until it struck the cheap paneling and fell to the floor, open to page 32 and the full page spread of the latest Faith Maxwell exhibit at the museum. He took a deep gulp of Pepsi, drinking straight from the two quart bottle, and let the warm fizzy liquid roll around his mouth, effervescing on his tongue. Disgusted and irritated he spat the liquid onto the magazine, as though he were a god showering black fetid rain upon the virtual landscapes within.

"Luna" by Teri

"Luna" by Teri

In the frozen tundra of Nunavut, on the edge of the Arctic Circle, in the depths of the winter's cold, the nights can stretch for an eternity. For up to twenty hours at a time, the sun remains hidden below the horizon, leaving the sky vacant for the Goddess Luna to glide beneath the stars. With so much time to herself, free of the critical gaze of her master, Sol, she can play to her heart's delight on the extraterrestrial stage.

Your inspiration for March 2012

Your inspiration for March 2012 - Voices of the Ancients - by Soul Yheng

The Muse Has Gone – Lillian Morpork

The Muse Has Gone – Lillian Morpork
...

Old Walls (3) by Sven Pertelson

George met the returning watch-keepers at they entered the village. There were hand shakes and hugs for them all. "You all did very well," George said "and as a thank you we have set aside seats of honour for you all at tonight's event." Lowell could not resist asking, "Just what is going on tonight?" George smiled and replied, "It is a secret, but I assure you that it will be memorable, you better go and get washed up and fed, and get into your best clothes."

Ituha's Story by Llola Lane

Ituha's Story by Llola Lane

Ituha's muscles ached... He had been helping the men of the village all day put up the new wall on the cliff's edge. His body was covered with dried mud. It was hard work bringing the mud up from the river below, but he would be a man soon, and he wanted to show the men of the village that he was just as hard a worker as they were.

Deja Vous – part 2 - by lillian Morpork

Darkness, nothingness, drifting; what has happened, where am I? I? who am I? Am I dead? Is this Limbo? I can feel nothing, no hint of my body. I’m still drifting, but now I can hear something, faint, a soft sound, like fine hair lifted by a soft breeze. I stir, and realise that I did move, so I must have a body. I am not dead. I try again, moving my fingers, and feel something smooth, padded. I am lying on my back, on …. what? Slowly, oh so slowly, things start to come back.

The Old Walls (2) - by Sven Pertelson

Lowell watched through the telescope as the village riders met the incoming group. Making his comments to Carla who relayed them by semaphore to the village below. "All friendly – so far" he said.

Aiyana's Story by Llola Lane

Aiyana's Story by Llola Lane

Aiyana had butterflies in her stomach as she sat still, as her mother wove her hair into the traditional squash blossom hairdo. It was a signal to the young men that she was an unmarried eligible women. Her head hurt as her mother pulled out the carved piece of wood that shaped the blossom. She was of age... marrying age. She sat and looked at the young men of the village wondering which one would ask her to be his wife.

The Old Walls (1) - by Sven Pertelson

These walls are old. They were old before the Vikings landed in Vinland. They were deserted before Columbus mistook the continent for India. Settlers log cabins have decayed and blown away as dust while these walls have watched over the valley. Western towns have sprung up and been abandoned while they remain. Now weeds and trees break up the interstates, roofless ruins of suburbs are the home to wild dogs and glassless sky-scrapers stand like broken teeth emerging from the waves in the coastal cities.

Deja Vous - by lillian Morpork

I had been traveling through the southwest on a belated winter holiday, enjoying the warmer temperatures and the burgeoning growth. It was such a wonderful change from the cold winter weather of Southern Ontario, with calf deep snow and bitter winds. Now I stand in the Verde Valley, looking at the new growth of spring, and feel the joy of new life, new beginnings. All around me there is evidence of spring; on the ponderosa pines, the pinyon Jupiter. The grassland is greening, even the desert scrub shows new growth. The banks of the river and the wetlands nearby echo with the sounds of life, with the silvery tones of the water as counterpoint to the twittering of birds and the clicking, buzzing and rustling of unseen creatures.

Montezuma Castle, near Camp Verde, Arizona - lillian Morpork

an American Blues Sonnet

I stand and stare up at the cliff's sheer face,
At the steep, rough, rocky sheer cliff's face,
And wonder what has happened to that race.

Empty Homes - a Triolet Poem in two stanzas - by Lillian Morpork

Sleepless darkness, empty, still,
Lonely, silent, waiting, sad;
Where are those who used to fill
That sleepless darkness, empty, still,
With tales of hunts and exciting kill?
No more the Sinagua, doeskin clad,
Just sleepless darkness, empty, sad.

"Voices of the Ancients" by Llola Lane

"Voices of the Ancients" by Llola Lane

Through these walls you can hear
Voices of the Ancients
A language spoken long ago
Tell of tales we don't know

Chepi's Story - by Chraeloos

The boy trembled against the wall, curled in a tight ball. Everyone heard the sounds just as clearly as he did, but no one else seemed afraid. BANG! There it was again, accompanied by the deafening roar of hard rain. A whimper erupted from deep inside his chest. He looked around, wide-eyed, at all the people doing their normal routines. They were all busying themselves, he thought; trying to distract themselves from the reality. They were all going to die.

Inspiration for February 2012

Transition – Lillian Morpork

Transition – Lillian Morpork

He paused at the gate in the dilapidated fence, staring up at the old house. Once, it had been his home, a happy place, full of love and laughter. Now it was dark, empty, haunted, and something in it was calling to him. Taking a deep breath, he opened the gate and stepped through. His feet made soft clicking sounds on the weed grown bricks of the path, and the steps creaked as he climbed to the rickety front porch.

"The Dance of Death" PART 5 (the end) by Llola Lane

"The Dance of Death" PART 5 (the end) by Llola Lane

The faces melt and fade
Death has tricked me again
Grandma and Grandpa are NOT with me
They will have to wait to see me dance
I am NOT home

Nightmare - a triolet - by Lillian Morpork

Ghouls and ghosts and dancing bones
Fill my fearful dreams at night.
I toss and turn, oh hear my groans!
Ghouls and ghosts and dancing bones.
A gentle hand shakes, wakens me,
To free me from my awful plight,
Of ghouls and ghosts and dancing bones
That fill my fearful dreams at night.

"The Dance of Death" PART 4 by Llola Lane

"The Dance of Death" PART 4 by Llola Lane

Deaths' hand is white
It gently touches me
Death IS an angel
I am not afraid
Death holds me close

Wizard of the Wasteland - by Lillian Morpork

Wizard of the Wasteland,
Enigmatic shape changer,
Head and heart and eyes and hands,
To yourself a stranger.

Inside and Deep Down by Relay Caedmon

Inside and Deep Down by Relay Caedmon

Slowly the darkness that surrounded her slowly vanished and she could see a small part of wood in front of her. Her eyes followed the cracks in the wood up to a corner, left the corner over to another corner on the opposite side. "Wait!!!" her blood almost froze when she realized that she was inside a coffin, "why why can i see its dark but i can still see!!"

"The Dance of Death" PART 3 by Llola Lane

"The Dance of Death" PART 3 by Llola Lane

Have I escaped death?
or am I just asleep?
I still see myself dancing
I can't stop
Is death still waiting for me?

The Girl with the Plastic Smile PART 2 by SweetTrinityBaby Resident

The Girl with the Plastic Smile PART 2 by SweetTrinityBaby Resident

The rest of the way to work, all she could think about was this strange man and how her body had felt when it collided with his and the energy or electricity that had engulfed her being. His touch to hers was so fast, but seemed to have stopped time. In a sense it had shifted her whole universe. Susan could only think of how she wanted more of his touch and to see his distant face that had seemed so cold, but had to have held some kind of life to bring forth such power.

Svenius, a Roman Tragedy, Part two by Zhu Juran

Svenius, a Roman Tragedy, Part two by Zhu Juran
(with apologies to Anonymous)
thanks to Tami Meredith for technical assistance!


Our story thus far:

Svenius, a Roman slave of the House of Jura, is on the run for the crime of “defiling” the Vestal Virgin Lilliana; she is on the run with him. Svenius’ master, Dominus Waynium, has promised Lilliana’s father, Consul Insatius Morporcium Magnus, that he will find Svenius and Lilliana, and bring them both back so that she may be buried alive and Svenius tortured and thrown from the Tarpian Rock. They must be found and brought back or the entire Ludus will be burned, and all within crucified.

Dem Bones, Dem Bones part two - by lillian Morpork

The phone rang a third time and David lifted it. “Hello,” he said. Mary’s frantic voice filled his ear. “Mother is missing! I had to go out for an hour, leaving her with Becky, the nurse. When I got home, I looked at her chair by the window, and she wasn’t there. I called Becky and asked if Mother was in bed. She said no, she had been sitting in the chair as usual and Becky went up to make the bed. When she came down, she went right to the kitchen to make tea, and had only just found that Mother was gone, when I got here. Please, please, come and help search! She is not safe outside alone!”

Paris - L'Exposition 1900 by Mika Gigamon

Paris - L'Exposition 1900 by Mika Gigamon

Baron Faustus Moreau was vexed by the death of his unborn progeny. To have one of his consorts turn upon him in such an irritating and rudely inconsiderate act was something to which he was not accustomed. Her manners were reproachable, her attitude obnoxious, and her subservience virtually non-existent. It was time to move on from the colonial backwaters of New York to a world where his toys were better bred. Thus, the Dark One turned his attentions to the elegance of the old country. He cast his gaze upon the most majestic of cities and voyaged east by clipper ship on a mid-September passage. It was the turn of the century and time to return to his homeland.

"The Dance of Death" PART 2 by Llola Lane

"The Dance of Death" PART 2 by Llola Lane

Suddenly I feel pain
the dance is not over
Death looks at me in shock
it's grip lets go.

"The Dance of Death" by Llola Lane

"The Dance of Death" by Llola Lane

Lights flash all about me
I am hypnotized
Calling me deeper into unconsciousness.

"The Girl with the Plastic Smile" by SweetTrinityBaby Resident

"The Girl with the Plastic Smile" by SweetTrinityBaby Resident

Opening her eyes she pinched herself to see if the numbness was still there. Susan knew it would be, but she was just hoping that some how or some way the pain would leave during the night. Susan had been though more pain then most in her short life and had learned how to numb out most of it. But, from all her avoiding and numbing, she had almost completely died inside. Although, her heart was beating and she was breathing, no one looking at her could tell just how cold, dark, and lonely she had become inside. Susan felt trapped in a grave that she had buried herself in.

"Denied" by Mika Gigamon

"Denied" by Mika Gigamon

The candle's flame flickered in the still evening air, dancing on the most imperceptible of air currents and bringing forth life to the normally still shadows on the stark stone walls. An undercurrent of gloom and despair clung to the floor like a sick fog -- invisible, cloying, foul, and putrid. Evil had set root within this room and taken hold of all that entered.

Dem Bones, Dem Bones part one - by lillian Morpork

The hand of the Lord was upon me ……… Prophesy to these bones, and say to them ‘O dry bones: Behold I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinew upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall love; and you shall know that I am Lord. Ezekiel 37. 1, 4 to 6

“Oh, Mother, will you not speak to me? Will you not look around you and see your children, and grandchildren? We love you, we miss you. And our children would so love to have a grandma to talk to them, tell them tales of the past. Now they are grown, and starting their own families, will you not try to hear and see us? What of your great-grandchildren? They would love to know their Granny. Oh, please, Mother, come back to us!” Mary sighed, kissed her mother’s cheek, and rose from her knees wiping the tears from her face.

Your Inspirations for January 2012

Your Inspirations for January 2012 - Retrospective of OZLAND Gallery for 2011

Please use any of the art works below as your inspiration for stories and poems this month.

January 2011 was our retrospective for 2009/10 so there is no picture for this month. For the other months please either write something new or come and read one you wrote for that month. Click on the pictures for a larger version.	Feb 2011	Mar 2011
Apr 2011	May 2011	Jun 2011
Jul 2011	Aug 2011	Sep 2011
Oct 2011	Nov 2011	Dec 2011

The Lost Prince part 2 lillian Morpork

“Do? Why we must away on the instant to the King! Come, Gwyneth, take thy broom and let us fly!” Nemausus took a step toward the entrance, and was stopped by Gwyneth’s voice.

Arwins santa bus adventures Part 4 - by Relay Caedmon

The weather outside the window was fantastic clearblue sky and just some small hint of thin clouds at the horizon. Santa looked out the window, most of his worries had gone away after he heard and spoken to Arwin thru the radio. From her voice he could get that she was a warmhearted person, yet little stressed. No wonder he thought it was the first time for her, i will be careful with her. His eyes fell on the stable there he saw old grumpy rudolph stared at him. Poor Rudolph he thought it cant be easy to be sidestepped like this.

The Lost Prince - March 2011 picture - Lillian Morpork

The old crone sat on a makeshift chair, made of half a log with holes bored in the bottom where sturdy sticks were inserted to make legs. It was worn smooth with the many years she had used it. On an equally makeshift table made of a slab of rock lay several hefty tomes, one open in front of her. As she stared at the page, she muttered to herself:

Arwin's Santa Story Part 3 - by Relay Caedmon

Part 3 The journey

All the Helpers had became very very busy the last few hours. A group made different colored toys for children, while others had a serious discussion over the planning routes over christmas.
Santa himself sat in his chair with a troublesome mind. His Reindeers all got sick and the new inventions called the Santa bus was disapeared. He had lost contact with it for a few days ago together with one of his must trusted helper. He put on his com radio again, another new invention from his fantastic helpers.

Mac's Rabbit Hunt - lillian Morpork

(Inspired by Trill Zapatero's art from March 2011)

Maverick mongrel Mac’s ear were perked up as he scampered through the woods just at sunset, looking for adventure. Suddenly a big, golden hare leaped out of a bush and went hopping off at full speed. Delighted, Mac went after, barking in glee. Chasing rabbits was fun, but this hare was so much bigger, and he’d never seen one that colour before. Surely it promised the best adventure of his young life.

"Is it a Gift?" by SweetTrinityBaby Resident (PART 2)

"Is it a Gift?" by SweetTrinityBaby Resident (PART 2)
inspired by "finale" by Shugaaa Rhapsody (Feb/2011 OZLAND Picture Stories)

“I do think I can teach you and I do believe you are ready” Nathan said then continued. “Look around the room what do you pick up?”

Jan glanced at him then slowing scanned the crowd. Image after image flooded her mind and she turned and looked at him, “A whole lot of crap! I can't figure this all out, it’s too much.”

Svenius -- A Roman Tragedy by Anonymous

Svenius -- A Roman Tragedy by Anonymous
inspired by "la forza" (THE STRENGTH) by Alba2 Rossini

Setting: Rome, about 100BC, immediately following the civil war in which Gaius Marius seized control of the city in a bloody coup. We begin in the ludus (gladiatorial training school) of Domina Zhusa and Dominus Waynium of the House of Jura, on a market day in early spring.

--- Begin ---

The Ennui of Sargon (by tami and zhu)

The Ennui of Sargon (by tami and zhu)
inspired by the artwork "Santa Special" by Sven/Llola

Arwin rubbed her eyes, trying to wake up. She’d had that dream again, where she was someone else, and looking for someone she’d lost. It was such a sad dream, and so real! Arwin wished she knew what it meant. Oh, but she was driving the Santa Special today! That should be fun, she’d been looking forward to it. She dressed quickly and headed out the door - it wouldn’t do to be late for the Santa Special!

The Old Woman - by Lillian Morpork

Inspired by February 2011 picture

The old woman limped slowly down the street, pushing a walker ahead. She stayed as close to the buildings as she could, so that she would not block the way for the younger, faster pedestrians. She paused at times, to study the display in a window, and sometimes she found a spot where she could sit in the walker and rest.

"Is it a Gift?" by SweetTrinityBaby Resident (PART 1)

"Is it a Gift?" by SweetTrinityBaby Resident (PART 1)
inspired by... SandraLee Palianta's artwork called Collage2

Walking into the room, she looks up and their eyes meet for the first time. Taking a step back she closes her eyes to calm her mind and thoughts. It was normal for Jan to pick up images off of people or "read" people as she liked to call it. She had a knack for knowing things about strangers and planning for things that were to come. But when her eyes met his she was so flooded by images that she could not take it. She did not know if they were from her mind or his, but they all meshed together. Intrigued and knowing that there had to be some deeper meaning behind it, Jan walked over to where this man was sitting. As she approached his table, she watched him as he looked down to his glass of red wine, his hand encircling around the rim of its base.