THE SOUND AND THE FURRY: Coffey and the Beansprouts, pt. 2

     Coffey told his mother the whole story over lunch.  The discussion of what the cat deserved as a reward went on all afternoon.  Mistress Klotsch agreed that any cat who let them have a magic frying pan deserved something appropriate.      “Why don’t you take it a jar of applesauce?” she suggested.  “We haveContinue reading “THE SOUND AND THE FURRY: Coffey and the Beansprouts, pt. 2”

THE SOUND AND THE FURRY: Coffey & the Beansprouts, pt. 1

     In the golden wage, when there were no cats, and geese occasionally laid expensive but inedible eggs, a woman known to her neighbors as Madame Klotsch owned a very successful apple orchard.  She sold apple cider, apple fritters, apple chips, apple dumplings, apple pies, and, when the occasion arose, plain apples.  And because MistressContinue reading “THE SOUND AND THE FURRY: Coffey & the Beansprouts, pt. 1”

Belated Salute: The Dignity of Labor

     Of course, Labor Day was Monday, but we were busy with the serialization of one of my somehow unpublished novels.  The NEXT serialization will be a collection of long fantasy stories which was rejected several times in the 1990s by publishers who suggested the world didn’t need more fairy tales, or, if it did,Continue reading “Belated Salute: The Dignity of Labor”

FICTION FRIDAY: Reflections

“Magic Mirror on the Wall, are you that most famous mirror of all?” “Yes, Mistress.” “And you answer truthfully every question I ask?” “Been doing it so far, Mistress.  That’s two of two.” “Just a plain straightforward truthful answer?  No ifs or hidden….” “Let me tell you about that, Kiddo Socko.” “What happened to ‘Mistress’?”Continue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Reflections”

MIDWEEK FICTION: LITTLE HOUSE IN THE HAUNTED WOODS

     “This the place to buy magic stuff?”      “Yes indeed, Madame.  Welcome to the shop.  How may I assist you?”      “Well, I’ve inherited my sister’s house.  She made it out of gingerbread to bring in livestock for her larder but there was a little accident with some supper that got the drop onContinue reading “MIDWEEK FICTION: LITTLE HOUSE IN THE HAUNTED WOODS”

FICTION FRIDAY: Castoffs

     “Good afternoon, Madame.  What can I do for you today?”      “I’m not sure.  I found these things in a ditch but when I took them home, I noticed that this, particularly, seemed to attract small birds.”      “Ah yes.  I recognize the decoration style.  What you very likely have there, Madame, are someContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Castoffs”

SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: Golden Opportunity

     “What can I help you with today, sir?”      “I need money, fast.”      “I should warn you, sir, that the last person who attempted robbery here is now the stuffed mermaid you see on the wall over….”      “I wasn’t going to try it.  But can you sell me something that will makeContinue reading “SHORT STORY WEDNESDAY: Golden Opportunity”

FICTION FRIDAY: Making the Seen

     “Look, I have to climb the wall a then walk across a yard filled with gravel to get to Darkhaus the Dire’s dungeon door.”      “Yes, sir.  And those Slippers of Silence will get you across the gravel without disturbing a single pebble which might alert a watchman or guard dog.”      “I don’tContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Making the Seen”

FICTION FRIDAY: Ancient Scrolls

     “Well, that was more than I expected to spend.  But if it helps me keep track of the wench and those seven little….”      “Ma’am!  Look out for the…..”      “Oh, insult and incinerate it!”      “I really should have moved your broom farther inside.  Are you hurt, Ma’am?”      “My old bones haveContinue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: Ancient Scrolls”

FICTION FRIDAY: There Will Be a Reckoning

            “What do you seek, mortal?”             Kellek tried to see where the voice was coming from, but could find little farther in the murky cave beyond the spiked knees of the demon, high above him.  “Vengeance,” he said, through cracked lips.             “On whom, mortal?”  The voice of doom sounded a little bored.            Continue reading “FICTION FRIDAY: There Will Be a Reckoning”