Hello, Invisible Friends.

We’ve come to a decision.

We’d like to throw a party.

Nothing big, nothing fancy.  A Barbecue, in fact.

With lots of tasty ribs, burgers, hot dogs, brisket….

We’ll even have some fish for the kitties who want to attend.

And pie.  Tables and tables of pie.  And puppy peanut butter cookies.

If your critter, real or stuffed, mammal or sea creature, would like to attend, e-mail the Blond Duck through her contact page. The date is to be announced…

We’ll be waiting.  And plotting.

Until then, check out Miss Pickles.  The previous editions are here;  the published novel here.

And be sure to write whether you want burgers, brisket, ribs, chicken, or hot dogs.

Or all of the above.

We won’t judge.

New Orleans pictures are coming soon! Never fear!

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Not only did it not take long, but nothing happened as Mason had planned.

Within a few moments, Beatrice came skipping out of the forest.  A giant grin was on her face and she was singing at the top of her lungs, swinging her arms and twirling through the sand.

“Hit the deck!” Don screamed, dropping to his stomach and covering her head.  “Something’s happened!  She’s cracked!”

“Beatrice, what happened to you?” Mason cried, shrinking back.

“And is it contagious?”  Ralph moved behind Miss Pickles, his eyes wide.

“I hope so.”  Beatrice sighed, fluttering her eyelashes.  “Isn’t it a wonderful day?  What a glorious day for an adventure!”

The entire class scuttled back from her, covering their noses and mouths with their hands.

“It’s rabies,” the Ladybug cried.

“Anthrax!” Don howled, literally pressing his face into the sand.

“She’s eaten some bad berries and gone psychotic!” Ralph howled.

Miss Pickles peered at her, brandishing her rhinestone covered sword at her.  “Who are you, child?  What have you done with Beatrice?”

Beatrice giggled, her cheeks pink with delight.  The children shrank back in horror, crying out.  “Why Miss Pickles, it’s me!  Why does everyone find it so hard to believe?”

“Because you’re a miserable person!” Don shouted, his voice muffled by the sand.

“I don’t think you eat enough….you’re always rather sullen,” Ralph offered kindly.

“You’re cranky and rude,” the Ladybug informed her, unable to help herself.

“You hate everything,” Mason explained bluntly.  “Us, adventures, Miss Pickles…if it’s not a test or a book, you don’t want it.”

“Tests are so mundane,” Beatrice cooed, bending and picking up a flower.  She buried her nose in the flowers and inhaled deeply.  Holding it out, her cheeks dimpled.  One girl burst into tears, shaking at the sight.  “Is this not the most beautiful flower you’ve ever seen?” Beatrice continued, obvious to her trembling classmates.  “It’s just wonderful.”  Beaming at the others, she slid the flower behind her ear.  “I love this island.  Gorgeous flowers, friendly sugar sharks, the sound of laughter in the wind…”

Mason’s head snapped up.  “What did you say?”

“Gorgeous flowers, friendly sugar sharks, the sound of laughter in the wind,” Beatrice repeated, puzzled. “What did I say?”

“Laughter in the wind,” Mason mused, tapping his fingers to his chin.  His eyes lit up and he gasped.  “Oh no!  Beatrice, do you hear someone giggling?”

“Oh yes.”  Beatrice clapped her hands, her face lit up with rapture.  “It’s so lovely.  It fills me with such joy.”

“The Giggler!” Mason cried.  “He got to Beatrice!  He got to her!”

“But she’s not miserable like we are,” Don groused, removing his face from the sand and brushing it off his cheeks and lips.  “Figures.”

Mason frowned. “If the Giggler got to her that fast, he has to be close.”

“Of course,” Don muttered as the other children drew even closer together.  “Things just keep getting better and better.”

“I don’t want to see the Giggler,” Ralph whispered, his face pale behind Miss Pickles left leg.  “Or hear him either.”

“But if he’s close, and you and I don’t hear him…”  Mason trailed off, his eyes wide with horror.  “Either he’s dead or injured, or he’s coming for us.”

The Ladybug snarled.  “I’ve got a party to go to and I’m tired of chasing after this stupid creature.”  Grabbing Miss Pickles sword, she let out a yell and charged into the forest.

“We’ve got to run after her!” Ralph squeaked, ducking closer to the ground.

“Of course!” Mason pulled Don to his feet, ignoring his glare.  “Come on, guys!  Who’s with us?”

Lowering their heads, the class muttered under their breath and shuffled their feet.  No one dared look Mason in the eye.

“Come on, guys!” Mason shouted.  “Where’s your sense of adventure?”

“I’ll go!” Beatrice raised her hand and fluttered her fingers.  “Where are we going?”

“Nowhere with you as goofy as you are!” Don snapped.  “You’re like a walking laundry detergent commerical–unnaturally happy and shiney!”

Beatrice broke into a grin so wide it looked as though her normally sullen face would crack.  “That’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me!”

“Guys, come on!” Mason interrupted, waving his arms.  “Let’s go!  Who’s with me?”

“I am!” Don linked his arm through his.

“I am,” Ralph whispered miserably, creeping out from behind Miss Pickles.

The rest of the children stayed silent, their heads bowed.  Mason shook his head, his nose wrinkled in disgust. “Some adventure,” he muttered.

“The Giggler could make us crazy,” one child protested.

“It’s dangerous in there!” another squeaked.

“Adventure isn’t worth risking my life,” another snarled.

“Well, if I ever need help, I know not to ask you.”  Mason glared at the children, who had the decency to blush.  “Anyone else?”

“I’m going, duckie!” Miss Pickles reached into her handbag and pulled out a more elaborate sword.  “To defeat the Giggler!”

“To defeat the Giggler!” the three warriors cried.  Chins up and chests out, they marched into the forest.

“Ladybug! Ladybug!” they cried.  “Where are you?  Where are you?”

“Over here!” they heard a fain shout.  “And you’ll never believe what I found!

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  Tomorrow we have pictures from New Orleans, then Wednesday a new pet shop story, then Thursday tales of food from New Orleans, then Friday a new Dallas Jean!  Stay tuned!

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