I KNEW THE ANSWER TO THE MYSTERY OF THE RED TEA POT!

posted by Ellis the Ram

I thought it would just be we two boys, sill sitting in New Jersey. And it seemed to be until I looked out from the coffee table and what was rolling down the entry way? THE RED TEA POT ! I could have predicted it if the trouble between Noah and the Rude Rabbit hadn't occupied my thoughts. After all, I was the one who said that Callopie was simply hiding and would appear when she wanted. And when I heard Esme shout out to the boys, when they had gotten Ovi to the top of the RED TEA POT, I should have gone over to see if Esme needed my assistance....right then and there the answer would have been found. But I didn't and now what was to be an Ellis and Noah sill sitting quality time weekend...well AND THEN THEY WERE 4. Well, 3 plus a RED TEA POT. Yes, it wasn't just a RED TEA POT rolling down the entry way because right behind it in what was obviously a 'tailing operation' was Sullivan. And I couldn't just him let me know when he got to the coffee table because he got stuck in the door. And he already told you about all that up til after I assisted him out of the door.

As the 3 of us...Noah, myself and Sullivan convened on the coffee table we all pretended not to see as the RED TEA POT made its was to the tabletop also. But it kept its distance. While the 3 of us conferred I heard our HC and her MPU discussing why Sullivan and the RED TEA POT appeared. HC assumed I simply brought Sullivan along and I didn't correct her. But she also assumed her MPU, Polly, had brought the RED TEA POT. That is when the next clue arrived. As our HC and her MPU questioned how the RED TEA POT would have been packed as next weekend it would go to MALICE DOMESTIC....out of the corner of my eye I noticed the pot shake and heard a bit of a gasp from inside the RED TEA POT. I suppose you can guess the next part. I 'suggested' Noah and Sullivan go with our HC and explore other portions of the hotel as we had plenty of time to sill sit. And when they left....

Up I climbed to the lid of the RED TEA POT. "Callopie? You need to open the lid as it will be simpler to talk if I'm not having to speak to RED TEA POT, but to you."

I climbed down and slowly the lid flipped back. I stood quietly and when Callopie didn't appear I had to become ELLIS THE RAM, HEAD OF FLOCK and tell her she must come out as we needed to discuss all. Her disappearance. Her hiding as I knew full well she heard the frantic searching by her brother as well as others in the flock. Her temper tantrum when she didn't get what she wanted in answer to her frequent requests to go to Malice Domestic.............I waited.

And then she appeared. "Why don't you explain where you have been and what you have been doing the last several days?" Callopie slowly told me how important it was to go to Malice Domestic and she had been upset having to wait with all the others to see if she was chosen. After she had run away she knew Sullivan was horribly worried but she was torn between wanting him to know she was OK and wanting to find a way to go to Malice. It was then she noticed the RED TEA POT. And wasn't a TEA POT what the Agatha Winners at Malice were given to honor their achievements. And Red and Black were Malice colors and wasn't this a RED TEA POT. Surely this could be a special thing taken to Malice by Polly, she couldn't imagine it would stay at home. And when she heard a trip was planned for the weekend-IT MUST BE MALICE DOMESTIC. So if she could stay inside the RED TEA POT she would be taken to Malice Domestic and wouldn't need to see if she was picked.

"How did you get any MLGV while you were gone?" Callopie said she had found a bit here and there the first few days but once she was inside the RED TEA POT she realized if she got out to find MLGV she might not managed to get back in. Plus she had been so lonely after the first night that she had rolled in the pot to the sleeping spot in the pasture, where she always slept next to her brother, Sullivan. And they all woke up before she could roll away the next morning. Since then she had been trapped, almost found and all the while gotten very very very hungry.

We both sat quietly for a few minutes. Finally I said, "Callopie, this has been a very dangerous thing you have done. Rolling about in this strange place in the RED TEA POT. You're lucky no one thought it had been abandoned and decided they could then take it. And you worried all of us, especially your brother, Sullivan. I don't think I've ever seen him so worried. Plus, you haven't been fair insisting you must be chosen for the trip to Malice over others. That was not only rude but unfair. Every ovine in the pasture would like to be chosen." Callopie hung her head and soon I could hear Baa' who-whos quietly sounding. Esme wasn't along but I did my best to comfort her. Then I told her the moment we returned to the pasture she needed to appear, APOLOGIZE, and asked forgiveness. Of all the flock but most importantly, Sullivan. Then I told her we all loved her very much. I got her some MLGV and told her when the others were about she needed to stay in her RED TEA POT but could explore, but IN THE ROOM. Bit by Bit my Callopie began to return to herself. I knew by the time we returned home and the difficult task of asking forgiveness was over she would be back to the energetic questioning little ovine we all loved.

I think she has learned a great deal these last few days. Because not once since then has she pestered me about Malice and being picked for the Adventure.

You know.........I think she will be going.........but she will have to wait with all the others to find out. Case Closed~~~~ELLIS THE RAM

BUSTED

posted by 'those busted' Sullivan, Ovi and Noah

Wonder if we got the REA TEA POT off of Fla'Lamb? Well, we didn't, although Ellis the Ram, with our assistance, did push it off him AFTER we got busted. Busted by Esme, who came upon the scene just as Ovi reached the top of my head and right before he pushed the lid up to do as we reported. There we were, all prepared and then Esme bleated out Baa'd IDEA and go not one inch forward. Esme isn't one to normally yell at all let alone to us in the flock. Even when some are misbehaving. But not at that moment and just when we were about to achieve our goal, opening the lid of the RED TEA POT and pushing it off Fla'Lamb. BUMMER!

So we stopped. Ovi backed down off my head with Esme fretting and bleating about being careful, until he was all the way down. Soon Ellis arrived and Esme asked him to take charge of assisting Fla'Lamb. After he calmed Esme and told her all would be fixed, he then turned to Ovi, Noah and I and quietly asked us to gather next to him around the RED TEA POT, without stepping on Fla'Lamb. Then on his signal, together we pushed the RED TEA POT off the Fla'Lamb. It tumbled off and rolled over the edge of the area where we slept, it landed in a basket. It sounded a bit odd when it fell and I could have sworn I heard a whispered little sound, a bit like a bleat. I asked Ovi if he heard it and he said he thought he heard something but couldn't define what the sound was. Baaa'ffleing?

The rest of the day was spent in making sure Fla'Lamb was all right and then being given a lecture on safety. {Esme was definitely not pleased at the risks she felt we had taken....of course we didn't see it through the same eyes as Esme but....she loves us all and we know she only wants to protect us. Guess it's a good thing she hasn't been around when Piper and I were playing Spider Man last week. swinging off the railing around the downstairs pasture.}

Although it did interrupt my worry over where my sister Callopie has gotten to, I'm still worried. And won't stop worrying until she reappears. Ellis seems to believe she is fine and is hiding because she is miffed over not being given an answer to her question about going to Malice. Hope she appears soon as in 2 weekends the event will be upon us. If she doesn't turn up soon she won't get to be chosen at all. I also want to go and as we go everywhere together I can't go without her. And if she stays away then I won't have a chance of being chosen either. Boy, then she will really have something to hide from...ME. Until then...back to searching.

Written by Sullivan as dictated by Ovi and Noah.

THE BUSTED ONES

STILL NO CALLOPIE....BUT, A RED TEA POT

posted by Noah The Grey One for Sullivan

Sometime during the night I heard a noise but went right back to sleep. Mostly because it was just one sound and it didn't seem to wake up others in the flock. But in the morning as one by one we woke and greeted each other~there it was, a RED TEA POT? Sullivan was still asleep, due to his previous day being extremely tiring. Between his searching throughout the day for his sister, climbing up then down the stairs, into each room calling her name and poking about everywhere to check for her, he was exhausted. Plus he had started to sniffle a bit, probably due to the time he spent in the refrigerator searching and then having to wait til a HC reopened the door so he could exit.

But the rest of us immediately saw the RED TEA POT ! Slowly a few of us gathered about Sullivan and the RED TEA POT and nudged our friend Sullivan awake. Our first question was where did it come from and why was it in that spot, right next to Sullivan? After Sullivan chased the sleep out, he told us it was the same RED TEA POT he saw when he spoke with Polly to see if she knew where Callopie might be. And he told us it had been brought back from a Malice Domestic a few years before 'the flock'. Even before Ellis the Ram. Well, that meant the RED TEA POT was really really OLD.

We all discussed its strange appearance and most importantly why it was in THAT SPOT. Right next to Sullivan. Close to where Callopie normally slept? Odd, we all agreed. It was then we heard the muffled bleats and realized that this RED TEA POT was sitting on top of Fla'Lamb. Fortunately Fla'Lamb is already, well~FLAT, but it still couldn't be comfortable. Well, maybe for the RED TEA POT but certainly not for Fla'Lamb. We asked our flat friend if he wished us to fetch Ellis and Esme for help but after freeing his ear from under the RED TEA POT and to raising his head, he assured us that no, he was fine. Plus he said although the RED TEA POT was rather large it really wasn't heavy at all. Fla'Lamb explained he thought the RED TEA POT was empty, hollow. Which was a good thing as it was then we noticed 2 of the Magnet Gang had climbed to the upper part of the RED TEA POT.

Pepe and A. Fro~2 of the Magnet Gang climb the RED TEA POT

It was then A. Fro told us that the top seemed to be attached to the RED TEA POT, but only for a short distance. And both she and Pepe felt the RED TEA POT jiggle so they thought it was hollow. Ovi, Sullivan and I gathered around the bottom, Fla'Lamb underneath and now with Pepe and A. Fro climbing the RED TEA POT and insisting it was hollow, perhaps we could open it. That might make it easier to push it off of Fla'Lamb. So at least he would be able to move about.

So when A. Fro made it to the top of the RED TEA POT, we outlined our plan. Sullivan would move to the side with Ovi bracing him from behind and I directing the action from the front. First, using his nose, Sullivan would push open the top with help from Pepe and A. Fro. Ovi would then come from behind and climb over Sullivan to position himself along the open top, placing himself where it might add weight, to help lean it away. Then all 5 of use would push it off Fla'Lamb. It would take teamwork and cooperation but together we could achieve the results, to get the RED TEA POT off our Fla'Lamb.

As long as nothing unexpected interfered, Fla'Lamb would soon be free......we thought?

Noah, The Grey One

THEN THIS MORNING?

posted by Sullivan

We woke up with all in our usual spots, except Callopie, who as reported in "Overwhelmed", was missing. I had gone to Ellis and Esme yesterday morning to report my sister's absence, after first having searched the pasture thoroughly with no results. Ellis and Esme told me all would be OK and they would soon find my sister, but I was still scared. I've never woken up and found Callopie gone before and why would she be gone?

Ellis and Esme promised me it would turn our with Callopie safely home and very soon. I trust them......but my worry wouldn't leave. So I decided to keep looking. All day yesterday I looked. Under furniture, in closets, under the sink, nothing. I asked each member of the flock and then went back and asked them all again, nothing. I climbed up on window sills and looked behind curtains, nothing. I waited by the refrigerator door until my HC opened the door to get something out and I quickly crawled in before she shut the door. I looked on every shelf, under the cheese, down to the drawer where the fruit is stored, and flipped up the clear front of where the butter lay, nothing. Then I went down to the bottom shelf and very soon my HC opened the door to return an item to the refrigerator and I hopped out, nothing.

Still no sister. I wanted to call our "Callopie, are you hurt? Are you lost?" Nothing. And when the sun was gone I was so tired and so sad I didn't have anywhere else to search. And I was scared.

So I went to the cozy blue chair we had stayed while the painting man was working. But it wasn't empty. Sitting in the cozy blue chair was my HC's MPU, Polly. She was settling in for a while before going to resting place for the night and was sitting in her nightgown.

It was daunting to approach Polly as I knew she was resting before bed but finding Callopie was more important than my fears. So I looked up at her and asked "Have you seen my sister, Callopie?" Polly was so very nice and kind, she could see right away how worried I was. She leaned down and touched my head. "No" she said, "I'm afraid I haven't seen Callopie for, lets see..., since yesterday I believe. Isn't she in the pasture?" Then I told her about Callopie being gone and where I'd searched. Polly kindly agreed to keep an eye open and should she find my sister, or any hint of her, she would immediately call out for all to hear. I thanked her. It was then I noticed a big red............tea~pot?. It was sitting on a little stool next to Polly. I asked her what it was and she confirmed, yes it was a teapot. It was red, Callopie's favorite color. I asked what a big red teapot was doing sitting on the stool. Polly explained it was a bag HCs sometimes carry with important things and she had found it at Malice Domestic.

BOOM! Malice Domestic, a place Callopie wanted terribly to go. I told Polly it was very nice and turned to do a bit more searching before bedtime. I was getting very tired. I could hear Polly say goodnight to me as I walked away. Where was Callopie?

When I got to our bedtime place and the flock were settling down I told Noah, Ovi and 2 of the Magnet gang about my day. Just as I was falling asleep I said "Oh, yea. There was this big red teapot bag which our HCs MPU got at Malice Domestic. We all settled in to sleep, I just hoped when I woke in the next morning, Callopie would be in her spot, I miss her.

Sullivan

BACK AT THE SHORE

posted by Esme the Ewe

******

Ellis the Ram and I, spent our first day getting this adventure's Ovines settled in for the last days of our HCs MPU's winter at the beach. So nice to be back and also happy to see the MPU is doing well. 2 walkers and a never ending effort to enjoy each day despite the issues of age, I always find her Let's Go spirit admirable.

******

It was a difficult decision as to who would come to the beach this time. Ellis the Ram and I naturally. Although I would always wish to bring our entire flock, that just wouldn't be possible. Adventures are both EDUCATIONAL as well as a reward for positive flock manners. But also a selection to go on an adventure can be a lesson or an incentive for an Ovine. So Ellis the Ram and I gave the selections our usual due diligence.

******

Much to my surprise Sullivan and Callopie decided to stay in the pasture. Heaven knows what Callopie will have gotten into while we are away. So of the original 7 of our last beach adventure, only 5 need be considered. We thought Ovi might elect to stay behind with his mentor Sullivan. But after asking Ovi just that question, he said he would like to try going on an adventure without Sullivan, just to see how he would manage on his own. That left Noah and Piper.

******

Piper has been very quiet lately, well since the Updates from the Flock are complete I believe he is a bit adrift. I fear we may have to again deal with his Eggplant issues. As I am a bit concerned over Piper, I felt it best he join us. Strangely he seemed neither pleased or disappointed but resigned. {Yes, we will need to keep a wary eye on our Piper}.

******

Ah, Noah. Our Noah has been both a gift of support, thoughtfulness and well considered ideas as of late. He deserved another trip.

******

And that left a few spots if we wished to bring a few more Ovines. Then our Noah again made an excellent suggestion. He felt that this time we should bring the KOO along to reward them for sharing their story with the flock. And to encourage them to continue learning and experiencing things which truly frighten them. Plus Noah said "We need to show them the proper way to go on an Adventure so they don't stow away again. Stowing away can be dangerous and is not fair to others on the adventure." "Well done Noah" Ellis the Ram exclaimed, the KOO will complete the Ovines going on this adventure. Piling into the vehicle we left on the 22nd, settled in that evening and the next day~~~a surprise. An Art Show.

******

ESME THE EWE

Delinquents Return

Guess I'll have to Start at the End of

The Day's 'Adventure'

~~~~~~~

Esme the Ewe

As you can see Ellis the Ram is a bit 'involved' dealing with Callopie and Ovi who have just returned from their 'unauthorized' adventure. And right after we went through this issue with Callopie just a few days ago. Ellis and I did see that she posted of her sneak about, despite being 'under punishment'. When she returned that day Ellis was absolutely spinning~~~went into FTRM {Full Tilt Ram Mode}. Any who may have dealt with unruly groups for which they are responsible will no doubt recognize FTRM.....Or if an HC, their version of it. May I say some handle such situations in a more calm frame of mind. And at times Ellis, through sheer force of will, can manage to control his temper............but this was not the case when Callopie was returned by our HC the other day.

~~~

So imagine my surprise when this afternoon we hear the door open and the noisy bickering and fussing as our Callopie and Ovi made their way down the hallway. THEY DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE US STANDING THERE. I was prepared for a FTRM times two. Instead my Ellis simply planted himself at the end of the hallway and waited. So busy were those two arguing and fussing it took a while for them to notice The Head of The Flock. Ellis was the picture of calm. After the 2 delinquents finally realized they were being watched the silence became complete. Ellis told me, "Esme, would you kindly go and post on our blog that 'THEY' will not be reporting on their 'adventure' for a while." Then to Callopie and Ovi....."So how was your adventure today? Have fun? I see you didn't injure yourselves. Perhaps you would care to explain what the two of you are arguing over?"

~~~

Callopie and Ovi uttered not a bleat or baa............complete Silence. {Music to my ears after the din that accompanied their return.} Ellis and the two walked toward the back of the hallway and into another room and we haven't heard a sound, as of yet. Perhaps later, when all the issues have been hammered about, Ellis has said what needs saying, and they return to our Beach Pasture~Callopie and Ovi will be permitted to post of todays adventure, perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps with an explanation of what all the fuss was over.

~~~

{{I didn't tell Ellis I thought Callopie posted a nice account of her adventure ~~probably wasn't a good time :):) }}

For Ellis, Esme the Ewe

Sorry Ocean Birds !!!!!!

Sorry Ocean Birds !!!!!

{I forgot this photo of my adventure}

posted by Callopie

I watched 3 Seagulls as they braved the Ocean as it came and came and came while it went and went and went. {I wonder if their toes get cold? }. They never swooped down and threatened me as other 2LFC {2 Legged Flying Creatures} have as I am eating MLGV in the pasture. The 2LFCs like the Hawks, nasty Blue Jays and Grackles. And they didn't make annoying noises as do the Grackles and Crows. Their wings did make sounds when they flew but nothing as fast as the Hummingbird. Although I saw white, grey, black, brown and tans from their feathers nothing as bright and lovely as the Gold Finches, Cardinals, Red Winged Blackbirds or Hummingbirds~who move so quickly I find it hard to decide just what color each may be. And although not unpleasant in form they didn't make the lovely rippling movements of the Morning Doves. But I am very glad we met and so sorry I forgot their part in My Adventure.

Callopie "Explorer Extraordinaire"

MY VERY OWN ADVENTURE

posted by Callopie "Explorer Extraordinaire"

********

Around the Corner, Across the Patio, Through the Gate

Yes, I got in trouble and Yes, I was punished. But it really was worth it. I went on my own adventure, ALL by myself. I saw wondrous sights, met other creatures and found my very own PLUS. At first it was quite scary. When Susan, our HC, left the condo on some errand I managed to sneak out the door and then staying right next to the wall I inched my way~all the way down the stairs. Finally, downstairs on what is called the 'pool deck', I peeked around the corner. Just in case something dangerous lurked there. {Also to check for our HC, she is tricky}. Then across the patio I raced. Still undetected I crawled onto the gate and wiggled through.

********

I slid down the rail, I walked over the sand, I see the Ocean Tide

********

Although the wood had splinters I carefully slide down the railing and onto the sand. I'd never been on 'sand' and it was strange. Parts of it were dry while others were damp and all over were so many exciting things. Bits of rock and shells, feathers, dips in sand and then piles of sand. What fun! Finally I found my way to where the sand was very wet~~the OCEAN. And it was beautiful, HUGE, and busy. The Flock thinks I never sit still? I guess they never met the OCEAN. It comes and goes.....well first it goes and goes and goes and then it comes and comes and comes. I think that part is what HCs call THE TIDES. The strange thing is that the whole times it goes and goes and goes it still comes and when it comes and comes and comes it still goes. I guess the OCEAN doesn't need rest or sleep.

******** So I walk far, I meet a grey Cat's Paw, I climb big rocks

******** WOW....the sand goes on and on and on. I wonder if it ever ends but I decide to walk as far as I am able certain there will be more new adventures. Soon I meet a very old and pale Cat's Paw and we had a friendly chat. Out in the Dennison Flock they live with a 4LFC, Mr Tig. Last year when Ellis was here he sent Mr Tig a box full of Cat's Paws. Ellis told him he could use them to show his flock where they could not be, Cat's Paws could make a border for Mr Tig's Pasture....or whatever a 4LFC calls where they live. After meeting the Cat's Paw, I found a wonderful mountain of beach rocks and I climbed them. The red ones were my favorites.

********

I discover Sea Grass, I Play Hide and Seek, I meet a PLUS

******** Around the rocks was MLGV, like in my Pasture. Well, not exactly the same but a lot like it. I prefer Pasture MLGV. Although some of the Sea MLGV was green, most of it was brown and dry. Hm, guess when it gets cold even in my Pasture the green turns brown also. Although I did not find the Sea MLGV very tasty, I did find it made a great place to play Hide and Seek.....but as I am alone on the adventure Hide and Seek isn't much fun. I can Hide but no one to Seek me or I could Seek but no one to Hide. Maybe next time others can sneak out with me. So I went back to the sand and was so very very happy to find my very first PLUS. And we had a very nice chat also. I told him about all the other PLUSES and he agreed to come home with me, 'when' I end my adventure later. So now 2 of us are on my adventure.

******** Then disaster strikes, And although I hide?, The PLUS and I are BUSTED!

********

Just when I have a companion to explore with me, it happens. The PLUS has stopped to rest while I go ahead. He calls and when I turn AARRGGHH !!! MY HC !!!!! What a disaster. My absence obviously had been discovered and now I had been found. I did try to hide and found a rock but it was far to small and although I tried to hide I was much larger than the rock. The PLUS and I were BUSTED. And from the look on the shoes I was in serious trouble.

********

We are ordered home, This time an open gate, The PLUS and I cross patio

********

My adventure has ended. We are ordered back to the beginning, the boring Condo. No crawling up the rail nor slipping between the rails of the gate. No sprinting across the patio keeping eyes out for potential problems. Our HC takes the elevator and tells me that I can return the way I came, along the wall. {This seemed hopeful as once she leaves we may sneak off to more adventures but....}. HC warns before the elevator door closes, that if we are not knocking at the condo door within 10 minutes we will be hunted down again. And punishment WILL be compounded. So 5 minutes later we reached the door.

The Punishment-no playtime with the rest of the flock, no story time before bed, no extra MLGV the rest of the day. {PIFFLE-My adventure was worth all that times 10 and more}. Sullivan reminds me that some may be confused as to "What are PLUSES?" I'll mull over how to explain them to you, later, when my punishment is ended.

********

CALLOPIE~~~~"EXPLORER EXTRAORDINAIRE"

AND MY NEW FRIEND PLUS {he still is deciding on his name}

FLOCKISM~IT'S OFTEN BETTER TO BLEAT FOR FORGIVENESS THAN BAA FOR PERMISSION