Scampers and Capers

Fall in WV is always beautiful. The squirrel's scamper blithely from tree to tree. Carolyn points out a hidden one to James. He captured this picture. Can you find the squirrel in the photo? He,  along with his squirrel friends, seem to be enjoying the weather in Wanton. They are busy gathering for the winter, but they take time to play.

Carolyn decides to play too. She gleefully pushes James down the hillside into a pile of leaves. He catches himself on a nearby, young sapling. He recoups quickly and rushes back up the hillside. Revenge is on his mind. He laughs heartily and pastes a big grin on his face. He doesn’t want to give away his strategy. Well, if he had any. He laughs again, all the while edging closer. He reaches out, grabs her and kisses her.

Her heart beats faster, and she returns his kisses.

Then…

He pushes her down the hillside. A little too hard, she stumbles and crashes into a big tree. Her nose starts to bleed.

James runs to her side, but she threatens him away. He reaches out, and she hits his hand.

“I’m so sorry. Oh baby, I’m so sorry. I did’nt mean to hurt you. He pulls out his handkerchief, (his mom taught him, always keep a clean hankie).  

She grabs it and hisses, “You’re ssso gonna pay.”

He laughs. “Okay, but let’s get you to the house for now."

They walk up the hill, arm in arm. 

Maybe this stamp will make it into the next book in the series. Cancel Out MurderDo you know who is on this stamp? This stamp is printed in 1940. 

Fourth of July 2014

Fourth of July 2014 was almost the same as 2013, except James and Carolyn are even more in love.

Fireworks, a parade and lots of excitement surrounds the Fourth of July in Wanton, WV. There's even a Dilly-Dunker where it's a tradition for Mayor Harold Benson to get dunked. The townspeople have been trying for years to get the sheriff to volunteer too, but he says, "No way."

Mayor Benson, one of the biggest men in Wanton, smiles broadly as he sits on the little padded seat. People are lined up to get a shot at seeing him fall and hearing the song, "Splish-splash" play each time the target is hit. He's there early to allow the people to have some fun, but he has to leave around lunch time to get ready for the one o'clock parade. Never fear, he'll return to the Dilly-Dunker right after he finishes the parade, kissing some babies, and judging the pie baking contest.   

Aunt Linda always wins the pie baking contest, but no one minds because she makes plenty of extras to sell. Linda leaves McKeel's Bed and Breakfast long enough to watch the parade, win the Blue Ribbon for her apple-rhubarb pie and to take a couple turns at dunking the mayor.

The local gossip is all about Aunt Linda and Mayor Benson. Have they rekindled their the love affair of their youth? You'd think with so much going on in this small town for the 4th of July there wouldn't be time to gossip. 

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When Will James Arrive?

Mid January brings James closer to a heavy work schedule. The weather in Wanton, WV is unpredictable this time of year, but it's worth the risk to see Carolyn.

Carolyn excitedly awaits James' arrival. She tunes the Antique Philco Model 90  radio to the news station. She runs her hand over the smooth wood, and puts her ear close to the cloth covered speaker. The tone is a little scratchy, but not too much. The veneer is the light and dark wood shades that made up so much of the furniture in the 1930's. The Cathedral design gave it a bit of a regal look. Carolyn worried over James' unfamiliarity with the winding, switchback roads, that were so much a part of her life.

"Carolyn, get your ear away from that radio and make yourself useful. There's work that needs to be done. Your Uncle bought over a fresh load of wood and Pedro has stack it on the far side of the porch, but you need to bring some into the sitting room. Then we need to get the potato salad ready. There's no rest for the wicked is what I've ever heard, and I reckon I must be mighty wicked." Aunt Linda smiled slightly. "I know you're not wicked, but you can't lollygag until the work is done."


"Yes, Aunt Linda." Carolyn turned up the volume of the old fashioned white radio. "I'm worried about Jim."

"No sense fretting. He'll be here soon enough."

Carolyn rushed out to get the wood.