Maltese said to: Scare the “dickens” out of us!
-EXTRA EXTRA-
Maltese said to: Scare the "dickens" out of us!
Leaves falling in the Pecan Grove and harvest time will be upon us soon. The limb pruners will be working meticulously so the heavy equipment machines do not break a precious branch. Next years harvest depend on those trees for new Pecans. All year long the groves are shaped and cared for by everyone involved. The rows are kept free of debris. Watering spaced for all the trees to absorb. Pruning every four years alternately so each tree gets the right amount of light and new baby trees grow alongside their elders. At harvest time the rows are manicured so that nothing is there on the grounds except for leaves. The squirrels are hiding in safer places because they know they will be crushed if they get into the Groves at harvest.
Loud noises come, the earth is shaking and the tree shaking machines start the work of gathering the pecans. The pecans fall to the ground as the machines shake each tree. The last machine follows behind whooshing up with vacuum force pecans and leaves alike. Then the last truck hauls the last of the pecans to the processing plant where they are treated with tender care.
The grove is quiet, with only an occasional leaf falling into the clearing air. The workers have left and the foreman checks the grounds then goes home for lunch.
Bobby and Billy Squirrel look at each other to see if the coast is clear. They want to grab as many broken pecans they can to take home to their families.
CRUNCH!
CRUNCH!
CRUNCH!
There are humans entering the grove. All sorts of sizes and shapes. Some with heavy feet stomping on the precious broken pecans that Bobby and Billy Squirrel wanted to gather. These humans are noisy and complaining Bobby whispered to Billy. Yea just listen to them tramp all over our nice peaceful Grove. They sure do make a lot of mouth noises too!
“How in the world did that crazy woman ever find our real names?”
“I want to know how she found our addresses!”
“Who does she think she is dragging us all the way out here in the hot desert JUST for a Halloween party?”
“The invitation was to come to the Pecan Grove after harvest and follow the path of yellow and orange balloons to the party.”
“She paid all our ways round trip and said there would be food and lodging and she is a little squirt so will not harm us because we are gathered together as a group.”
“Every time we pass the balloons the ones behind up disappear, people do you not find that strange?”
“Stop complaining we're all here together and will have a great time, relax for once in your life.'
“ I wore my nice red velvet jacket because I really think this is some kind of reality show that our Social Media group, Scribblers Writing Circle set up to see how we all fare together.”
“Did you bring your notes you had for upcoming stories?”
“Yes and I'm wondering if she will steal them.”
“She does not steal. Be quiet and lets keep going on. This path seems to be tilting down a bit.”
“Yes and it is getting darker. Do you think we should just turn around and go back?”
“We can't go back because the balloons have dissipated and I only see the Pecan Groves behind me.”
“This is starting to creep me out. None of us really know this woman. Perhaps she is a killer of writers and plans to steal our notes then tosses us off a cliff!”
“Look there is a little cafe with twinkling lights and inviting tables. Lets sit and have a drink.”
“Funny I'm not even tired walking all these steps down hill.”
“I see a red telephone booth so we can call out if we need to since we have no phones with us.”
“Yea I thought that was odd that we could not bring a phone or camera.”
“Stop complaining. We are here to have a good time. All your negative speculation is starting to bother me. We all were invited to a fun night and I for one am going to have F U N.”
A tiny little lady wearing a very very tall chef hat with red curly hair is at the counter. She has the biggest sea green eyes one has ever seen.
“Ladies. Gentlemen. Ask me what you would like for a drink and one small snack and I will have it ready for your pleasure.”
Tea, coffee, juice , two chocolate milkshakes, water and one very dry Gin Martini were quickly set upon the counter along with Pecan pie, chocolate cake, grapes,crackers and a small wedge of real Stilton Cheese.
The group enjoyed their treats immensely because the treats reminded them of their childhood. One very dry Gin Martini you think! Yes one of the group used to join their parents at Toddy Time and beg for a Martini sip. They did get one mini drop of gin on a spoon with a martini glass filled with Lime juice at Toddy Time to feel grown up. Later in life they enjoyed a Martini once in a while.
Down the path came a bouncy little lady dressed in a black skirt, neon green blouse wearing a red fedora. She was wearing four inch clogs and neon striped red and pink knee high stockings.
A swarm of bats flew over her head and she was yelling “Bats begone go to your cave now!”
“Damn Bats have to know everything that's going on. They will not hurt you.”
“WELCOME MY FRIENDS. So happy you all came to the party.
I am Julia and I will be your hostess. There is plenty of food and drink. You will have the sleeping quarters of your choice and when you choose to leave ( whenever you wish) you will have a safe journey home. Now let the party begin. Follow me to the big barn house.
When they reached the entrance door there was a big black cauldron inside the entrance where everyone deposited their notes. Once inside they saw long inviting tables filled with all sorts of favorite dishes. Each person saw a place set for them with a name card next to the water glass.
There was truly a banquet of everyone’s favorites. Each participant anticipated what the main course would be and each person received what they loved best. How did this funny little lady know what we liked? How did she know what they wished and dreamed for a meal. This was a bit eerie but everyone was safe and happy. Those that smoked or had a pipe were led outdoors to the smoking tree.
The accommodations suited everyone and all had a restful and peaceful sleep.
Next morning at breaking fast Julia announced that Halloween was on it's way and that she was giving them all a treat and they would find it in the box next to there table setting.
“Do remember your writings and notes you placed into the cauldron. Those were your treats you brought. I mixed them up, along with mine, and now they are your tricks. Go write with a happy heart with someone else s brain a nice story. Walk into their mind and create a story you yourself would have never in a million years wanted to write.”
Happy Halloween My friends
©Julia A Knaake