Thursday Thoughts…

With the warmer weather comes the freedom to make way the sails, as they say. Whether you desire to come along is entirely your choice, though, you’ll be missing out on some grand adventures if you don’t make it to the dock on time.

Since we’ve only one available day of the week for such tales, I opted to settle our nautical explorations and high seas adventures, on Thursdays, just for the summer months.

Living a homebound lifestyle requires that my brain be actively engaged in some form of challenging pursuit. To be honest, Thursdays were falling a bit flat, in regards to being very interesting, or even challenging, for that matter.

So, what is one to do when the brain calls for stimulation? We mix things up, seek out new paths of adventure, and dip into the the well of creativity. From there, all manner of new and exciting places begin to appear upon the surface of your computer screens.

So join me on Thursdays for some high seas sailing, as we set sail for distant waters. Some waters may be familiar, while other parts will be places you’ve never before imagined.

Our first voyage will be embarking on a search for Squagon’s lost kin. We search for Pinion Valley, which was lost to us some time ago. Our young squirrel prince misses his family desperately, so it’s imperative that we locate them. It’s unclear, as to the valley’s location, as none of the paths that once led to it remain.

As you remember, last year we had some form of strange storm that magically erased all of The Barnyard, Acorn Valley, the magical home of our dragon, Brutus, as well as all the rest of our forest homes. They simply vanished without a trace! Somehow we were able to seek out all of the missing babes, including Squagon, whom we found sitting alone in a tree.

Sadly though, we lost one of the puppies, and all the dreamers vanished, as well.

Since those dark days, we were able to locate Peanut and scoop him up from where my grandson had misplaced the little fellow. We also relocated the small church where young Henry’s family lived, for Miss Tilly.

If you recall, we had been set to search out the two missing squirrel valleys when we were not only caught up in a storm that took us way off course, but then we were set upon by several pirate ships, forcing Brutus to hold them at bay, while we fled into foreign seas. Though we escaped the pirate attack, we became hopelessly lost for a good portion of last fall. It was worth it though, as we discovered Osrig on one of the strange islands we encountered.

Unfortunately, by the time that we found our bearings and made it back to familiar waters, it was already far too late in the year for us to safely sail, out on the rough open waters.

Now that Maisie is settling into our routine around The Barnyard, it’s time to show her the sea that calls to us, and get her used to living aboard a ship. She doesn’t sail with us all the time, but on the days that she visits, Brutus flies back to the Barnyard and gets her for us. Brutus assures me that she loves flying, as the dragon can hear her squeals of delight, and happy baby babble all the way to the ship.

All the babes are safely tucked aboard, settling into their cabins. Creed and Eustace outdid themselves with all the accommodations, upgrades, and expansions aboard The Torrent, so there’s a place for everyone. Osrig still refuses to sleep anywhere other than the foot of my bed with Bailey, which suits me just fine. It can get chilly at night, out on the water, so it helps having furry heaters on the bed, while sleeping.

Everyone else seems to be settling into their rooms, and getting back into the swing of things around the ship. Each crewmate has their own duties, and we only have a week til we set sail.

Your bunks have already been prepared for when you board, so I would suggest you arrive early if you want first pick of which spot you want. They’re all comfortable, don’t get me wrong, but some folks are outside edge sleepers, while others might be middle, or inside edge sleepers. You know what I mean, don’t you?!

I look forward to seeing any and all who choose to join us.

Healing waters…

Daily writing prompt
Describe your most ideal day from beginning to end.

I’ve always had the desire to travel along the Nile aboard one of those beautiful boats, or possibly sailing over the waves on an authentic Pirate ship. I wouldn’t even mind taking all those sea sickness pills, just to make sure I don’t get ill.

I’ve been on a charted fishing boat, but those waters were so wild that I barely made the 4 hour trip without running for the bathroom… but I didn’t get sick!

Now that I’ve remembered that little excursion, I think that my ideal day would have to be experienced on the calmer waters of the Nile. I didn’t say calm waters, but calmer waters. I’ve seen videos of spots on that river that are rather sketchy.

However, for all intents and purposes, let’s just say that our river excursion would be the calm stretches of water. I mean, this is my ideal day, right?

To wake up in one of those stately rooms, aboard a beautiful river boat, would be divine. Lying on a posh bed, covered in crisp, clean linen and immense fluffy feather pillows. I can hear the waters gently lapping against the side of the boat, outside my window.

Stretching lazily, I roll over and ring a small, delicate bell, alerting the attendant that I’d like my morning tea. (Nobody put any budget limits on this prompt, so don’t judge my imaginary poshness!)

When I’ve finished my first tea of the day, a bath has already been drawn in one of those beautifully crafted claw footed basins. All the towels smell of Jasmine, and there’s a side shelf with all differing types of bath oils, and soaps. I pick an argon oil mixed with some sort of fragrant flower, making me feel exotic and mysterious.

The whole of my morning will be spent on deck, sipping more tea, and watching the land as it passes me by.

Of course, most of the day will be spent touring one of any number of historical sights along the river. I’ve always wanted to travel along the Nile, watching numerous documentaries about the land, the culture, and the people. Honestly, I should have become a journalist for National Geographic. Oh, well. Woulda coulda shoulda, right?

Anyway, after a long day of adventuring through the pages of history, I’d spend the rest of my evening on deck, playing cards with the porters, and listening to them tell stories about themselves, and their families.

When one spends an entire day running through the desert seeking history and adventure… that beautiful bed, covered in all those pillows and fine linen feel simply divine…

Cookies?

There’s plenty of tea and coffee, as well. I spared no imaginary expense!