The Shed 12

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Nice photo of You two Gordi!! Happy Birthday Chrissy!!
Gordi, I believe the stem on Her glass is perhaps hollow?
Just an educated Dragons guess! LMAO!!!

a reply to: PrairieShepherd

Hey Shep!! And Hello everyone!!
Shep this is another fine addition to Your Tale! Oh and I loved "Master of the Estate" and commented there! A Great read with My morning coffee!

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Ah, the old upside down wine trick eh.

originally posted by: SyxPak
a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Nice photo of You two Gordi!! Happy Birthday Chrissy!!

Gordi, I believe the stem on Her glass is perhaps hollow?
Just an educated Dragons guess! LMAO!!!

It IS indeed a hollow stem... you drink the wine through the open base.... the usual "open" end is closed!!
G

a reply to: crappiekat

I think that's the EXACT one that she's got kat!!!
(Did YOU send it to her??? LOL)

Gx

a reply to: SyxPak

Hi Syx.

Don't they look so good together.

Just like you and CC. You look perfect together.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Our little secret.

Ohhh, I forgot to mention...
Chrissie also received a lovely carved wooden teacup!!!!

I'm having it!!! It's Mine I tell you.... all MINE!!!!!! Mwahahaaa!!!

a reply to: crappiekat

Hi Kat! Yes they are a great looking couple!!
And, aww shucks...
I'm blushing for Your comment about CC and I.
Thank You! You are most kind...

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

LOL Gordi! Now now there. Play nice!!

originally posted by: SyxPak
a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

LOL Gordi! Now now there. Play nice!!

Awwww!!! but...but...but.... I'll give you a loaner of it too??? LOL


OK, I think it may be time for another Halloween tale....?
Are you sitting comfortably?
Then I'll begin...


IT ALL MEANS JACK

I remember once hearing a story about a guy called Jack.
He lived somewhere around here I think?
The story starts with Jack and his family gathered around a camp-fire.... not unlike our one here tonight....

“It was back in... let me see... When was it...’91 maybe? Anyways, back in those days things were a lot... simpler around here.”

Jack briefly glanced up from the mug of coffee he’d been aimlessly stirring and looked around the faces of the people gathered around the fire; Uncle Jim, Bradley, the Twins, Mum and Dad, old Ted and his pal Harry.

”You see, time can... do things to a man, it can make him stronger, it can make him weaker. It can fill his heart with fond memories or it can just as easily snatch them away.

I don’t... uhm... drink anymore by the way.

Well, you all know that I grew up around here, and spent my time in these very woods or down by the river there with a fishing line in my hand.

And... well, that was where I met my Kate.

No more than a boy really, I didn’t have a clue what to say or do... but when you see them... when you meet your own true...

...well, your heart skips a beat and then starts poundin’ and you just know that they’re the one for you and somehow you find a way to, you know... you just.. just fumble through and then suddenly they’re right there with you.

They’re right beside you, in your life and in your heart.

Their stuff starts appearing in your house and before you know it... it’s their house too and you start to realise that it just wouldn’t be the same without them.”

Jack glanced up again and could see that everyone was staring intently at him.
It made him feel slightly ill-at-ease but, well it had been his idea to have this cook-out and camp-fire thing in the first place and he had sorta started the story-telling part too, so... with a slight shrug... he continued;

”She was so pretty! With her little blue dress and the ribbons in her hair, knees all muddy from runnin’ down the trail there. I can still see her sparklin’ green eyes and her smile to this day.”

A small tear caught the flickering orange fire-light as it formed at the corner of Jack’s eye, and he feigned flicking away a bug so he could wipe it clear without anyone seeing.
He sucked in one long heavy breath, took a single gulp of his coffee, and then carried on;

”We, uhm... we got married when she was still in her teens, and we settled right here in Mum & Dad’s old place.”

Jack gave a thankful and thoughtful nod to his Dad who started glassing over before steeling himself and nodding right back.

”Sure, it needed a lot of work, but I was young and strong then, and Kate was so good with all the house work and stuff. It wasn’t too long before we had it kind of homely and warm.

I remember that Christmas when Uncle Jim brought Bradley and the twins over for the very first time!
They were chasin’ the dog down through the trees and the chickens were goin’ crazy and we were shoutin’ and hollerin’ at them, with Harry & Ted lookin’ over the fence to see what the hell was goin’ on.
It was like a crazy house!
I remember we got the big old oil-drum barbecue and set it up on the porch because the clouds were building up and we thought it might rain? Mum wanted to cook in the kitchen, but I was pretty determined back then and I insisted that I was havin’ myself a BBQ!

So, I cracked open the beer and Bradley there started singin’ and strummin’ on his guitar, I think Harry had his harmonica? That’s how I remember it anyways... but... I suppose that all means “Jack” now."

Jack held back another tear and shuffled uneasily from foot to foot as he glanced up once again.
Looking in turn at Mum & Dad, Uncle Jim, Bradley & the Twins, Old Harry and finally Ted.

”I, uh... I guess that’s why I asked you all to come here tonight.

You see... it was all...

...My fault...


I got drunk that night and Kate got angry with me and stomped off into the woods. I lashed out at the porch-rail, but I missed and lost my balance... I fell against the Oil-Drum, knockin' over the BBQ and I guess I kind of blacked out.

The fire musta gotten hold of the place then... it was all tinder dry at the end of the summer, and well... I never saw my Kate again.

That was 25 years ago...
25 years ago... tonight as it happens, and I just wanted the chance to put things right and to apologise to you all."

Jacks tears were flowing now and he couldn’t properly see through them, so he took out a handkerchief, blew his nose and wiped his eyes clear before looking up again...

The fire was gone, as were all of the ghosts of his lost family and friends from that fateful night.

As he stood there cold and alone, he started sobbing openly, as he had done at this time every year...

When suddenly, for the first time in 25 years, he felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see, just standing there...
A beautiful girl, in a blue dress, with green eyes and ribbons in her hair, and she was smiling.

They hugged like never before, and she led him across the lawns to Mum & Dad’s old place, which was all homely and warm... again.

The End.

a reply to: SyxPak

Thanks Syx, I had a little diabolical fun writing that.

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Awww Gordi that was a touching Tale... Nice one!

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

A sad tale.

But with a lesson within its words.

DON'T PUT THE BBQ ON THE PORCH DUFUSS!!!! 30 Feet from any structure.

LOL!!!!!

Great story Gordi

Aww thanks guys!

(We're on the Champagne now!!! WooHoo! Fizzy Vinegar if you ask me... but hey.... you gotta celebrate right??)



G

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Story was great, Gordi! And I have roughly the same reaction to champagne.

If I'm going to drink vinegar at least make it sort of sweet like balsamic.

originally posted by: PrairieShepherd
a reply to: Gordi The Drummer
Story was great, Gordi! And I have roughly the same reaction to champagne.
If I'm going to drink vinegar at least make it sort of sweet like balsamic.

Thanks Shep, and AYE!

(I think I might get my Isle of Jura out soon..... fancy a wee dram?)

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Oh heck yeah! LOVE a good Scotch!

originally posted by: PrairieShepherd
a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Oh heck yeah! LOVE a good Scotch!

YAY!

Ok, so far... it's me, you and Jack!

Is anyone carving a pumpkin this year?

Here's mine from last year....

I think we should have a mini-shed contest???

Carve a Shed-Themed Pumpkin!

Who's in??

a reply to: Gordi The Drummer

Nice - he doesn't look nearly as excited as he should be. A wee dram is a cause for celebration!