Tag: yuletide aviary

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What’s New Wednesday: January 6

We are rolling in hot to the new year. And that means there are new writing goals as well. I hope to have a couple more serialized short stories in the future but no news in that area for the moment. Poetry posts will be a little different this month and part of next month. You probably noticed yesterday’s poetry post titled “The Tales of Enderas.” This is a poem series I wrote many years ago and the remaining Monday and Tuesday posts will be part of this series. I don’t have many poem series so this is fun for me. Perhaps it will inspire more of these. Also, I began writing  fiction for this same series using the poems to help outline my ideas. I may revisit this story and eventually post it on my blog.

Also, starting at the end of the month, I’m changing my Saturday posts. January 30 will begin the new segment Snapshot Saturday. I’ll share one or two photos I’ve taken and maybe describe each one. I’m finally taking some pride in my amateur photography. I have hundreds of photos to share as well. This will be an exciting new addition to the blog. I’m excited. Are you excited? I’m excited. For now, everything else is business as usual. There are two more installments of the “Yuletide Aviary” story so don’t miss those. Let me know how you feel about some of these new additions to the blog.

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Yuletide Aviary – Part 3

Read Part 2

            Thomas looks around the shop.

            “You okay there, pal?” Jacob says.

            “That other guy left. Guess I scared him off.”

            “Maybe you’ve had enough eggnog, Eh?”

            “Nope. I’m getting’ another. Barkeep? Another round.”

            Lutin placed another beer and eggnog in front of the birds. The Hens whispered clucks go unnoticed. Thomas pecks a few seeds. He offers the bowl to Jacob who declines by raising a wing. They enjoy the silence for a few minutes. The music isn’t loud enough for anyone to care.

            A little bell jingles as the shop door opens. A tall yellow and orange Heron ducks under the door jam and enters.

            “Ah, geez. Not this guy. He gets so depressing around delivery season.” Jacob says.

            “Good evening…gentlemen.” The large Heron says.

            He towers over everyone in the shop with his head only a few inches from the ceiling. He sits next to Thomas with a seat between them.

            “Hey there, Ben. You finish your deliveries already?” Jacob says.

            “One could say that. I’ve…taken some time off…as I’ll be passing on soon…very soon.” Benjamin says.

            “Sorry to hear that old timer.” Thomas says.

            “Oh, it’s…not so bad. I’ll be born again…a few weeks after.”

            “Born again, Eh? How’s that work?”

            “Well…I burst into flames…I’ll burn in such a violent way…then from those ashes…a new version of myself…will rise up.”

            “So, will you be the same or like a new person?”

            “I will…be the same…but younger and…more virile.”

            “This happened before, Eh?”

            “About…17 times. I may have…lost count.”

            “Good luck with that, I guess.” Thomas says.

            “Thank you. I’ll be…on my way…just saying goodbye to everyone. See you…on the other side.”

            “See you ‘round Ben.”

            “Take it easy there, Ben.”

            “Hey Jake, that’s guy’s a couple twigs short of a nest.”

            “You’re telling me. First time he’s talked about death though. You think he’s okay? Maybe he shouldn’t be alone, Eh?”

            “He’ll be fine.” Lutin says.

            “How do you know?” Thomas says.

            “He’ reborn about every 500 years. I’ve seen it twice.”

Read Part 4

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Yuletide Aviary – Part 2

Read Part 1

            This night is not unlike most nights for the two birds. There are fewer birds and elves than usual and no other creatures. They discuss many topics, but they don’t always get along.

            “You think they have any of those little pretzel sticks here?” Jacob says.

            “Ask him.” Thomas says.

            “Hey Lutin? You got pretzel sticks, Eh?”

            “Nah. But I got those pickled eggs you like.”

            Jacob slices his wing by his neck signaling Lutin to stop talking. Thomas glares at Jacob.

            “You cannibal freak!”

            “Relax Tommy. They’re chicken eggs and they ain’t got no babies in there.”

            “That’s not the point. I knew you couldn’t be trusted. You’re just like all the other Jays stealing bird eggs. You’re sick, you know that? You’re a sick bird.”

            Lutin rests his elbow on the counter and his chin in his hand. He watches with excitement.

            “Don’t be a hoser. You know me. You know I ain’t a thief.”

            “Then why you eatin’ eggs!? And what the hell is a hoser?”

            “Look, I’m sohrry. I never ate the eggs in front of you ‘cause I know how you feel aboot it. But chickens lay eggs all the time not just when they have babies like we do. Just try one and see if you like it.”

            “Hell no! I ain’t no cannibal. I gotta use the john. You better have forgotten about them eggs when I get back.”

            The Hens are quiet as Thomas walks past. He sees his reflection in the mirror.

            “What are you lookin’ at!?” Thomas says.

            No one speaks while he’s gone. The commotion has subsided and Lutin returns his attention to the television looking bored. Thomas walks out and again sees his reflection.

            “Still starin’? You got something to say? Don’t mess with me, man. I’m from Southie!”

            Thomas struts back to his seat with his feathers ruffled.

            “That guy’s getting on my nerves.”

            “There’s no one there, Tommy. It’s a mirror, Eh.”

            “Don’t tell me what I saw. You weren’t there.”

Read Part 3.