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Countdown to Halloween
“I think you just needed a date for this year’s Halloween party, right, Sam?” Ursula winked,
“I think you deducted correctly,” Sam said with a touch of laughter. “With all the activity of searching for that container, I didn’t have any time to think about my costume. But you thought of it for me. Thank you!”
The music swells up while people and ghosts are dancing.
In the crowd, people were talking. “That was a great idea that Sam and Ursula had, joining forces to put on this great party. The musicians got their drumsticks and bow, and the guitarist got his magic pick. The people here are enjoying the music.”
“And after the dancing, we get to go Trick-or-Treating!”
“I’ve got the treat if you’ve got the trick!”
FINIS
Recently featured in the Guardian's "Smart Shots".
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/jul/15/david-ingrah...
Countdown to Halloween
“You called, Wanda?”
“Yes, I did, Sam. I have good news and bad news. Which do you want to hear first?”
“Oh, we’re playing that game again, huh?”
“You know I always do.”
“And you know what I’ll want to hear first, right?”
“Okay. The good news is they have taken the bait. Our informant has spotted them nearing the drop site and the Admiral confirmed it with a visual spotting of their boat.”
“And the bad news?”
“It’s going to cost you a pizza.”
“Is that all?”
“And a large bottle of soda!”
Again, Ian Fleming said nothing.
Jeffry also turned and saw what Marsha saw. Robby had dropped his keypad, but for a reason. He was holding the hands of two people, one who looked like one of the singers from the pre-concert gathering at the cemetery, and the other…well, both Jeffry and Marsha had to blink their eyes several times to see clearly.
The dim lights in the old gymnasium didn’t help, the loud music was interfering with their thinking, but inside, they were wondering if Robby could see something they couldn’t at first.
Had Sasha returned? But who was that other image who was holding hands with Robby?
Then Robby’s keypad started to flash bright colors. It was like a countdown to something. But what would happen next?
Nervously looking forward to my first day at work!
The outfit has been chosen* (enjoyable, but not at all easy...!) and now I'm hoping for a good nights rest.
12 hours and counting...
* This is not the outfit. I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise ;-)
Image of a pre-launch countdown at daybreak over the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Post-processing with Topaz Photo AI, Snapseed HDR, Midjourney, and Photoshop Elements 2024.
Fireworks at Marina Bay to welcome the new year, 2010. Taken from the 64th floor of the Swissotel Stamford.
#72 in Flickr's Explore section on Jan 2, 2010.
© 2010 CP Cheah. All rights reserved.
Countdown to Halloween
Captain Estubing is rescued from the Shrimp Boat by Petty Officer Third Class Gozman and the Admiral along with what appears to be a cargo container. After Captain Estubing regains his composure, he frantically tells them about his harrowing experience of how the sea just churned up underneath him and almost capsized his boat. “I was fearful for the cargo more than I was even my life!” he panted nervously. “I mean, I wanted to live, but I knew how important this shipment was. Did you get the other container? There were two of them, a matched set!”
“Sorry,” the Admiral replied. “This is the only container we recovered.”
“But we have to find that other container!” Captain Estubing immediately replied.
Petty Officer Third Class Gozman asked, “Why? What’s so important about that container?”
“It has the parts to operate this year’s Halloween display at Grinsmouth Cove’s Trick-or-Treat party!” Captain Estubing explained, now fearful that this event will be a total loss. “The children will be expecting this!”
It's time to get to work! Elf on the Shelf & his wife head back into Santa's workshop...
Some wonderful finds (Elf on the shelf) from the Tiny Frock Shop on eBay www.ebay.com/usr/tiny-frock-shop and at tinyfrockshop.com direct link to Elf on the Shelf tinyfrockshop.com/products/super-impulse-worlds-smallest-....
Photos by Steve McKinnis of stevemckinnis.com
Countdown to Christmas is available as a book/pdf at www.blurb.com/ebooks/pc9227a5b507c417297c7 and as a magazine at www.blurb.com/b/11010810-countdown-to-christmas.
About the Ebook
As a self-challenge for December 2021 a photo was taken every day up to Christmas Day (sometimes multiple photos a day) featuring 1/6 scale dioramas, Elf on the Shelf and Santa to celebrate the upcoming holiday. For any collector of smaller scaled items this is a must for any fan of Christmas in general.
Countdown to Halloween
Sam Shoegum returns to his agency to check on how the tracking devices were working. He had several of them tracking throughout the town, and needed to see if the latest addition was working.
“How are things going, Wanda? And how is Ian Fleming doing?” Sam greeted her as well as her pet flamingo.
“Oh, okay, I guess. Ian keeps me company all day and doesn’t say a word.”
“That’s good for a flamingo, I guess. What can you tell me on the ‘Cargo Case’?”
“What you started is working, and as soon as Ursula plants that cargo container, we’ll be able to track any motion that thing makes. We’ll catch those bad guys, just like we did in the other caper.” Wanda was an avid reader of crime novels and majored in criminal investigative techniques in college. She also was an accomplished computer programmer.
“You’re right, Wanda. Without your expertise, we wouldn’t be able to solve these cases and catch the bad guys. But in this case, we’re trying to track ghosts.”
Wanda winked and said, “This will be a great challenge for that new tracking device then, won’t it?”
“You bet!” Sam agreed with a little laughter.
Ian Fleming said nothing.
53 days to go... as of Saturday Nov 2nd, 2019... Wednesday, December 25, 2019 will be Christmas Day!
Just a little vision of future Sugar Plums to dance in your head!
Regent Miniatures Mansion and Mr.Z Cat! Mr. Z Animal Model MRZ036 FC005 1/6 Felis Black White Domesticus Cat to be exact.
Farrah is on facebook www.facebook.com/FLFawcett. On Tumblr at; farrahlenifawcett.tumblr.com. Join Farrah on Instagram at www.instagram.com/farrahlfawcett. On pinterest at www.pinterest.com/myfarrah/
Photo/Graphic Layout & web sites ncruz.com & myfarrah.com by www.stevemckinnis.com.
The smoke clears but the results were not as expected. "That's what you get for low bid!" the fairy said in disgust. While their identities were switched, the appearance of Wesson and Lugosi were not what was anticipated.
"What now?" both Lugosi and Wesson said together in horror.
"I guess you'll have to wait until someone else comes with a better wand," the fairy said, nonchalantly, and promptly vanished, leaving with all her Oxford commas.
2019 October 20 of 31
Countdown to Halloween
“This is Commander Waters of the Coast Guard. You are ordered to stop your craft now!”
The engine on the pirate ship stopped. The jet-ski approached the starboard side of the pirate ship. The officer told the crew, “Don’t try anything silly. That craft in the air can do something to your ship that you don’t want to even begin to think about.”
The ghosts on board were petrified. The officer found the container and waved to the helicopter. Ursula prepared to go down into the pirate ship to assess what needed to be done. “I’ve got to find out where they’re hiding that other container. We’ve got to have that one in order to have all we need to have our Halloween party.”
At least four ex-N&W GP9s from the Hampton and Branchville were shipped over to PowerRail for scrapping. Now there are only two of these left, and their time is short.
Countdown to Halloween
Having gathered in the lighthouse's garage area, Sam explains, “You see, this is a tracking device. We put it in the container at the bottom so anyone who opens this won’t see it until later. That way, we can track where this container goes.” Sam inserted the tracking device in the bottom of the container.
“But it won’t be the right container as we’re using a decoy. We’ll keep the precious cargo locked up here until we get the other container.” Ursula added. She had seen how Sam Shoegum had worked before and knew how these tracking devices work.
The Admiral and Petty Officer Third Class Gozman nodded in agreement that this would be a good plan. But Captain Estubing wasn’t easily sold on this idea.
“What if they sense this isn’t the right container?” he asked, hoping that there would be a different plan. “I can only hope that we do actually find that other container. I would hate to see this year’s Halloween party a disaster because we couldn’t get all the stuff from both containers.”
“Don’t worry, Captain,” Sam consoled. “I know how this will work, and with the help of the local officers from the Coast Guard, we’ll find that other container as soon as we see the tracking device indicate movement.”
“And we have this other design which we’ll use as the cover. This will be the only container here, so if they do try to get it, this is the only one that will look to be the one they’re seeking.” Ursula added, just as she placed the last item in the container and sealed the lid.
“Now, does anyone want a drink? The tavern closes in 30 minutes.”
“No, you go ahead. We’re going to get our rest for the night.”
“I’ll see you in the morning.”
Sam checked his laptop and the tracking device was working. “Now, let’s see if we get any action. My backup plan is also working.”
You at least deserve to see what photo Doc took from his camera once the gems were restored and the ghosts given their honorable positions of Gardians of the Graveyard. (Don't let Peter Quill, and Rocket and Groot find out about their positions here!)
Thank you for your visits, comments, and faves. I truly appreciate your loyalty.
Stay tuned for the "Elf Off the Shelf" coming between Thanksgiving and Christmas!
Countdown to Halloween
“Mayday! Mayday! This is Captain Estubing on the Shrimp Boat. Do you read me?”
Radio static.
“Mayday! Mayday! I’m located about 1 mile out from shore. Rough waters. Do you read me?”
Radio static.
“MAYDAY! MAYDAY! I see the beam from the lighthouse. Do you read me?”
Radio static.
“This is Petty Officer Third Class Gozman. Do you read...”
Radio static.
Day 3. Posting a collection of pictures with the ubiquitous Christmas tree. An excuse to dress up even if we have no party to go to.
Countdown to Halloween
“Come with me to my workshop and we’ll get a container made and fill it with musical instruments. My wagon is here.”
“I’m not so sure about this idea of yours. After all, we just met, in a tavern, it’s late, and I had six beers.”
“I counted eight.”
“I lost track after four. Anyway, do you really think this idea will work? I mean, tricking those musicians with fake instruments isn’t a good idea. They’ll see right through this plan like a ghost on a windy night.”
“Like I told you. I know someone who knows someone who knows about a thing or two about making a decoy, so that by the time they figure out what the story is, you’ll be long gone.”
“But won’t they find me?”
“Only if you keep wearing that yellow raincoat. You may have to ditch it and find some other costume to wear for Halloween. I never wore the same thing from one Halloween to another.”
“But what should I wear?”
“Why not be a musician? That way, you can act just as disappointed as the rest of them.”
“But what instrument should I play?”
“How about a shoehorn?”
Countdown to Halloween
Sam Shoegum and Ursula get busy unpacking the one cargo container and making an inventory of the contents. Meanwhile, Captain Estubing starts writing down what he remembered was in the other container.
“Don’t be too worried about getting every last item,” Sam advised. “We just want to get a rough idea of what was in that other container.”
“Why?” the Captain asked.
Ursula replied, “That way, we can make up a second decoy container. Like we’ve done before, we try to spoof the ghosts. We find it works all the time.”
“All the time?” Petty Officer Third Class Gozman shot back. “I remember the one time your decoy plan backfired.”
“Oh, yes, that’s right,” Ursula admitted. “But if you also remember, we caught the ghosts, changed their identities, and got back the contraband they had. It was a successful mission, even with a little extra work.”
“I guess you’re right,” Gozman replied. “I kind of remember the failures better than the successes.”
“Don’t we all?” the Admiral said woefully. “I catch myself criticizing other when I should be looking at the good things they do.”
After making their lists, Sam and Ursula set out to round up the items to put into the decoy container. “And we’ll add this one little thing,” Sam said with a devilish grin.
Countdown to Halloween
“I’ve got to find my informant! But how?”
After ditching his sword and wings, he walked in the dark for a while. Then he comes up with an idea. “I’ll find a tavern and listen to the talk of the town. Perhaps there I will get some information. Besides, all this excitement has made my hungry, and I might be able to grab something to eat, like a good fish sandwich or something. And maybe something to drink. Yes, something to drink. That’s what I really need.”
Two more blocks and he discovers a tavern. “It’s still open, and I hear music! Just what my ailing spirit needs. Oh, wait. I am a spirit! But this spirit gets hungry and thirsty, too!”
Literally moments after leaving work, I find myself on a bridge shooting an IC SD40-2 rolling into the yard, bringing a BNSF bonga, a broken ex-IC GP38-2, and a DIT CN SD40-2W. What the hell is going on here?
CN A408 drags its way into the Champaign yard with the rear two units out of service, making the old EMD and the new GEVO work hard to bring in all 600 axles of the slog freight.
Looking back to 2019 (only last year!) I found this unposted image, taken during a trip to Victoria Park with other members of the Brick Lane Posse. I say "unposted", but I did in fact include a cropped and re-edited version of this image in my retrospective video of 2019. So apologies if you consider this to be a re-post. At least you can see my legs and boots in this version!
Anyway, this picture is a very pleasant memento of happy summer days with the girls - which I hope will be back before too long!
Stay safe and stay well, everyone!
Love and Kisses to all my Friends and Fans!
xxxxxxx
Rebecca