A NEW PLAN!

And the colors which will be perfect are Purple and Green. I came home from my search up at the pasture of my HC's parents, in the country. I had looked everywhere I could think of, no knitted Eggplant. That night before we fell asleep I told Piper of all the places I had looked and to keep the faith as I would find the knitted Eggplant. Piper sighed but what he said gave me encouragement. He told me that he wanted to thank me for taking all the time and facing all the danger of looking in holes, under places and even climbing up into a bird bath and a tree. Thanks was all I needed to not give up. And he was talking more and more, and not in Eggplant. Each day more and more of my best-est friend Piper was coming back.

After a night's rest, as we were all breakfasting on MLGV, my mind was thinking away. I knew I was missing something, but what? Start back at the beginning! Our HC reads to us each night from mystery stories, our favorites are written by our GFBFHD and CBFED, I have learned that our hero's~~~VICKY HILL AND PENNY BRANNIGAN often tell themselves~~~Start back at the beginning and think of everything. Think carefully to see if there is anything you missed. Or something you had seen or known but hadn't thought about. Or think about what you do know but from a different perspective {I got that word from Noah long ago}. 

So while we all were munching away I did just that, I thought about the knitted Eggplant which could be viewed as the start of the story. I STOPPED MUNCHING AND REALIZED, a knitted Eggplant. Quickly I bounced over to Piper and asked him where he got his knitted Eggplant and he told me he found it. Where did you find it was my next question. Piper explained that one day when he had no one to play with he had been looking about in our HC's room. And he had found the knitted Eggplant sitting in a basket full of yarn and knitting needles. It looked lonely and as he was lonely he carried it out of the basket and went to find our HC.

I asked Piper what he went to ask the HC. "If I could play with the Eggplant and keep it with me in the pasture" he said. "Why ask our HC?" I said. And there it was, the answer to the puzzle.

No, the answer wasn't finding the lost knitted Eggplant. But there was an even better answer!!!! Because Piper answered my why question by saying "Well since the knitted Eggplant was in a basket in her room and because as anyone in the flock knows~~~our HC knits. The only reason why the knitted Eggplant was in the basket in her room was she must have KNITTED THE EGGPLANT!"

At that point I started HLBing all around the pasture bleating "THAT'S IT THAT'S IT".  "What's it?" said all the ovines around us. I loudly bleated, "THE ANSWER!!!!"

I was Vicky Hill and Penny Brannigan all rolled into one, except of course that I am a boy and they are girls. NOW, I knew what had to be done so I began my quest.

HERZIG 

DANIEL, A MACHE TRIPLET

posted by Ellis the Ram

My first task, per Esme, was comforting our Daniel, who it appears had been sitting in front of the computer looking at Malice Posts. But when he had come to the photo of Duncan and Dennison he went no further. And Esme said, there he had been for several hours. Not a Baa or a Bleat, just looking at the photo of his brothers. They had now been separated for over 2 years, which at first we had anticipated to be an absence of, at most, a few months......Perhaps the best way to explain the Mache Triplets was the letter I sent with the other 2 triplets, Duncan and Dennison. The letter which explained it all and accompanied them to our CBF, Elizabeth and Eleanor and our GFBFHD, Hannah and Emily~we post below...

Our Dear Human Friends Hannah and Elizabeth, Oh and of course, our Ovine Friends~ Emily and Eleanor,

We find ourselves dealing with a potentially disruptive force within our flock. Recently our HC Susan found, in an antique market at the very back and no doubt due to the issue we are now facing, 3 new young Ovines. She brought them home. They refer to themselves as the Mache Triplets, due to their resemblance in structure to paper mache. Well, 2 of them use the term Mache Triplets, the 3rd has become increasingly withdrawn.

We will explain...Yes, they are triplets. And one would think bonded together genetically. But this bond seems to have developed a 'crevice'. The 1st and 2nd of the triplets are extremely close, rather more like twins. But for some bizarre reason the 2 seem to shun the 3rd triplet. Why? We aren't privy to why. It is just blatantly obvious and the 'crevice' is getting wider every day.

A few examples. 1 and 2 do everything together. Eat~Sleep~Frolic. The 3rd is always left out, although he will stand quietly near. Painful to watch. When they move about the flock he always walks behind them and if they engage in chat with others in the flock they block him out,. Or interrupt when he attempts to speak or degrade what he is able to utter. {The flock has come to avoid 1 and 2 but feel badly and wish to include 3. But he simply follows his brothers about}. When we asked what their names were the very first day~the first piped up with 'DUNCAN' and the second quickly added 'I'M DENNISON'. {They hadn't had time to interact with the flock so how they chose the names of you, our friends, baffles us}. We waited for the third to tell us his name but instead the first and second bgan shouting

.......DUMMY.......DUMPSTER........DUFFUS.......DEADHEAD......DENSELY..... Well, I quickly stopped that nonsense. Then, I kindly asked the third directly what his name might be. Finally he stammered D.....D......D.....ah DUH. At which point the 2 broke out in a huge Baa'ha and Duncan yelled "Yea, that his name....DUH!". The poor thing hung his head and mumbled, "Yes, Duh will be fine".

We, Esme and I, do NOT THINK THAT IS FINE. We think it is not fine at all. What we have here is a full blown case of bullying. And we must put an end to it and very soon. Well~~IMMEDIATELY. Obviously, these 3 brothers belong together and we think D, 'D' is how we will refer to our precious 3rd triplet for now, really does need his brothers. But no doubt being introverted by nature and the bullying he is being subjected too by his brothers is crushing his spirit. And as the older and kinder ovines, we feel D doesn't have the requisite skill set to stand up for himself. Therefore to become all he is capable of being. So after much discussion and thought, Esme and I have decided to seek your help. Well frankly we aren't asking you at all. We are acting upon our decision.

Therefore we are sending this letter along with Duncan and Dennison, to explain the problem and what we wish you to do to assist with this sadly dysfunctional behavior.

We have decided that we need to separate the Mache Triplets for a short while, if they are to flourish and live in our flock, or in any flock. And this doesn't simply mean separating D from Duncan and Dennison. We feel Duncan and Dennison also need to be apart, in order to correct their inappropriate behaviors. So with that idea in mind and due to the strange incidence of what they 'claim' are their names......we are sending to each to their namesakes, Elizabeth DUNCAN and Hannah DENNISON.

While we work on D's low self esteem and build his confidence, we wish you both to take your namesakes in hand. While we provide the positive and full support for D, we hope you can put your fertile and inventive brains toward breaking down the rather 'too high opinions' these 2 have of themselves. Teaching them the value of working together, proper flock etiquette and positive family interactions, all traits which are based on respect. Knowing you both are busy with jobs, writing and family, we know Eleanor and Emily can tackle the hands on day to day work, based of course, on your guidelines.

It may sound harsh, but we believe that 'tough love' is the only hope for these 2 bullying brothers and the only hope for our D is acceptance and love from all of us in the flock. We think a little over a month should do the trick for all 3. So as Malice Domestic is about a month from now, perhaps Duncan and Dennison can accompany Eleanor and Emily when they travel to Malice with you both.

After such rigorous personnel work on themselves the triplets will have earned a holiday at this elite and fun conference. The triplets being in the company of the 'E' quads of Au Gres at ~Ellis/Esme/Eleanor/Emily ~ while at Malice Domestic can also monitor their behavior to ensure they are all 'with the program'.

Our faith in the 4 of you is well founded and together we feel a wonderful and mature new Mache Triplets will enhance our flock and yours.

ELLIS, ESME AND OUR ENTIRE FLOCK

Well, unfortunately the month became a year. At which point we all agreed a year hadn't resolved the problem. So Duncan and Dennison returned to Canada and California. D had really progressed extremely well remained with us, although the test would be when the Mache Triplets found themselves together again. Hopeful again, this year Malice arrived. Duncan had made a complete change and was ready and anxious to return home. But Dennison seemed to have reverted the last month prior to Malice and had been giving our Hannah and Emily a great deal of difficulty. Sadly it was decided Dennison was still incapable of joining his brothers at home. D, who now has declared his name to be DANIEL, was heartbroken but resolute. He had worked very hard on himself. And after 2 years Duncan proved he had also worked very hard on himself. But not Dennison.

But an idea? We conferred with our HC, Daniel and Duncan, and Hannah and Emily.....and a new and final plan was developed. Duncan would accompany Dennison back to California with our confidence that Duncan would maintain his new Open and Accepting frame of mind. Perhaps this would be what Dennison needed at last. But now here was our Daniel. Sadly sitting in front of the computer looking at his brothers. Esme and I will need to discuss what is next for our Daniel and ultimately, the MACHE TRIPLETS.

In support and hope,

Ellis the Ram

MALICE DOMESTIC 23 AGATHA AWARDS BANQUET posted by Ellis the Ram

CBF Elizabeth Duncan with Emily and MPU Polly Van Hyning with Esme the Ewe and Ellis the Ram as they prepare to take their seats

YES, The big night arrived so with all other Ovines having their own part'ee in #420, I escorted Esme and Emily to the award banquet. Together we gathered with our CBF Elizabeth Duncan, Polly and our HC for pre banquet photos. As usual we sat at the best table, which this year was #23{like Malice Domestic #23?}. How did we manage THAT? Silly question, I am after all~~~ ELLIS THE RAM! {Baa~ha~ha}

At our table were so many fine intelligent women so as the only male at the table, I kept alert. Lea Mesner sat to the right of my HC and I noted them immediately becoming great friends. Which I am very pleased to see. Another fine lady and another which I'm sorry to say I did not get their names. Mea Culpa! Then next our CBF Elizabeth Duncan, IN THE COLD LIGHT OF MOURNING and A BRUSH WITH DEATH. Esme and I had been having our SLEEP~OVER {Baa-rah Baa~rah Baa~rah} with Elizabeth, so back together we now were at dinner. Then 2 very fine ladies, yep Mea Culpa times 2 again. Then Jane Bird who had asked of our HC in the afternoon, finding out she knew Elizabeth Duncan. Jane wished to purchase Elizabeth's 2nd book but couldn't find it in the vendors room. Perhaps our HC knew where she might find one. Sadly no, but Jane was able to speak to CBF herself so we felt better. The next 2 ladies were another set of ladies becoming great friends. Now Polly has the name of her left dinner person, so I won't worry about a Mea Culpa and then Polly, nattering along nicely. {I will ask our HC for her name and tell you another time}.

***In place of 'names' a MC-for the Mea Culpa's.***

MC~Jane Bird~CBF~MC~MC ****MC~Jane Bird and Ellis~CBF

MC~MC and Esme~CBF and Emily*** MC~Jand Bird and Ellis~CBF

The dinner was nicely done with no OVINE entrees, so other than that, well it was Human Creature Food, blah blah blah. After dinner and before the awards portion we finally came to the really really really fun part of the evening. Visiting and chatting, which always means lots of fun with ooo's and ahhh's over us, the Ovines!!! Yes we sit on the table and all the humans really are quite tolerant of that. I mean some have no idea what we may have been hoofing through in the pasture, but we always are Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion for being in such locations at these events. Since no one asked we be removed, all was well.

Jane Bird cuddled us and we had some photos taken with the -Mea Culpa-ladies and Jane and Elizabeth. One lady even tried to tease Esme by helping her sip from a cup. But they all treated us wonderfully. All in all it was another great evening spent with our HC and new friends. WE LOVE MALICE!

Esme and Elizabeth....Jeri and Ellis

Finally, just as the program announcing the winners of this years Agatha Award was to begin, our CBF noted a lady at the next table had the same brilliant fashion sense as herself. Although in different shades of course. So to ensure we would be able to identify one from the other......Elizabeth is holding Esme and Jeri Westerson nicely held me. Now, Agatha awards were announced but you will have to find on the web. HC's are special but no Ovines had been nominated........so our interest was waning. {But the nice lady at breakfast who named one of the KOO, Avery Ames? She won so..........}

Baa-Rah!~Baa-Rah!~Baa-Rah!!!

Now the night was over and 'sleep wells' were said so up to #420 we sleepily went, to join the Ovine Stay Behind Crew. And when the door was locked and as lights were outten'd we gathered. A traditional Ovine Sill Sitting, together watching the lights of the city between sweet dreams.

Reporting from Saturday Night at Malice Domestic 23,

ELLIS THE RAM

UNBELIEVABLE WONDROUS SPECTACULAR FLOCK~TASTIC MALICE DOMESTIC

posted by Ellis the Ram & Esme the Ewe

The event dreamed of finally arrived, as did those of us in the flock. With our HC's MPU Polly, we settled into our terrific room and prepared to go downstairs to get ourselves checked in to Malice. A new bag full of books for our HCs {and once they are piled in TBR piles WE will take custody of the bag.} All of us decided it would be such fun to go when we wished and to events each thought interesting. But for Esme and myself our first priority was to find our great friends Hannah Dennison and Elizabeth Duncan. Authors EXTRAORDINAIRE! Duncan of the Mache Triplets would be arriving from Canada with CBF Elizabeth. We were assured his 'anti bullying' training has gone well and perhaps he would be rejoining the pasture in Pennsylvania. Also Dennison of the Mache Triplets was accompanying our GFBFHD, Hannah. Dennison has not been quite as successful with his anti bullying training and lately has been giving Hannah an increasing amount of trouble. To think he had progressed last year much much further than Duncan. But this year a complete shift. We would need to speak to our Hannah to determine what will be next for our Dennison. But first the priority was to find Elizabeth. Yes, Elizabeth who left her flock behind....so we knew she would be terribly lonely and homesick for the Canadian flock. Elizabeth was so happy to see us after a long year apart and just as we hoped?????

SLEEP~OVER!!!!!

Imagine, for the night Esme would be sill-sitting in our CBF's room and catching up. Esme would accompany CBF to the Banquet the next night. But when we found CBF Elizabeth I knew she was in need of not only Esme at the SLEEP~OVER, my presence was also needed. So the first night that is where we HLB'd. Sullivan would take charge of the flock in our HC's room so all would be well.

Sullivan, Piper aka Eggplant, Callopie in her RED TEA POT, Ovi comfy in his bed and Marty Grau and KOO, now in Esme's cozy bed and our Noah, the next EASTER CREATURE!! all happily in room 420 while we snuggled in room 112. The next morning each of us would get a turn 'smoozing' with all our old friends and making new friends. Lots of photos will be snapped and new friends introduced. And Noah is very anxious to ask Mr Sparkles to accept his request to be his campaign manager. Mr Sparkles is very adept at presenting himself and unafraid to put himself 'out there'. That was something Noah knew he would need over the next year during his campaign. Mr Sparkles? A unique and 'performance' oriented Ovine from the Dennison Flock. First thing on Saturday morning............With hopes of a good night sleep both in room 112 and room 420,

Smoozingly yours,

Ellis the Ram and Esme the Ewe

MALICE IS COMING~MALICE IS COMING~MALICE IS COMING

posted by Esme the Ewe

As the flock is scattered here and yon in the pasture, it leaves time for me to express myself. And I'm thrilled and soooo baa'ry excited for in 4 days we shall be in the vehicle and on our way to the best weekend EVER EVER EVER!!!

So much going on in the flock these days I know. What with Noah planning his campaign for next years Easter Creature Election. He's losing and making Fleece Balls. The losing part he will explain soon, Rude Rabbit!!!

Ellis confided in me the story of our little Callopie and the mischief with the RED TEA POT. Hard to be truly angry with her really, she is quite the little imp. Still a stern talk with her will be on my agenda FOLLOWING our return from Malice.

Piper has not spoken a word since we reported of Herzig's finding out about the Vegetable Detachment Disorder relapse. We are seriously considering bringing him along to Malice hoping perhaps the break from his routine in the pasture may at least make him communicate, well speaking in something other than Eggplant that is. All in all though he really gives no trouble although, certainly not our Piper.

All in all things are going well for me. But there has been 2 pieces of disturbing news. Our GFBFHD, Hannah, just learned her pasture has been sold so immediately a new pasture must be found and then relocated into. I haven't mentioned my private concern to Ellis the Ram. But I'm worried that the Dennison Flock may not be invited to the new pasture. Or with all the rush may be injured or left behind. I am very very worried and Hannah is so busy even if I wrote of my worries she may not see my email for a while. By then it may too late. I must ask our HC if she can help.

And truly disturbing bit of news came from our CBF, Elizabeth. Apparently she crossed the border from Canada and is now scurrying about America on a book tour. She is a very very very talented author. But it seems in the process of preparing for that trip~during which she will be at Malice, and so YES YES YES we will get to spend time with her....BUT, she did not bring ANY of the Duncan Flock. Well, she is bringing Duncan home as his anti-bullying training seems to finally be complete. Hannah is bringing Dennison back from his anti-bullying training also.

Who are Duncan and Dennison?

Oh Yes, you haven't met the Mache Triplets, Daniel being the third triplet who needed no training for a bullying problem so he remained home with us. Well, that is another tale to tell, which hopefully will end happy and the Mache Triplets will be together back in our pasture and on to new Adventures.

Oh yea, Elizabeth. So no Eleanor, Sammy or Joe or any of the Canadian flock to reunite with us over the weekend. But all in all will be nice for me as Elizabeth has asked if I can spend time with her and no doubt it will mean I get to SLEEPOVER in Elizabeth's room. I will miss not seeing the Canadian flock it will mean I will have more time with my CBF.

Just wanted everyone to know how excited I am that Malice Domestic Weekend will soon be here. And trust me when I tell you, I will share our weekend with all of you.

BBBing all the way to the weekend,

ESME THE EWE

HFBBB HFBBB HFBBB HFBBB

{Happy Flock Bouncing Bouncing Bouncing}

posted by Ellis the Ram and Esme the Ewe

Do you believe it? It is almost time for Esme and I to prepare for our annual sojourn with all our HCFs and Ovine friends at Malice Domestic. In case someone is unfamiliar, we will explain all about this Malice Domestic. Or in our typical acronym mode~MD XXIII. {For any who may fondly recall times past? This MD is not the acronym for the toxic alcoholic beverage which was the drink of choice for many as it was CHEAP. Which by default meant LOW QUALITY} I digress.

MD XIII?

A wonderful gathering of authors, readers/fans, and those professionals who deal with the bits and pieces of authors getting their works to the readers/fans. Our HC and MPU began attending several years back and absolutely love every minute of the weekend. In 2008 it was my turn to attend, my=Ellis the Ram. Of course. As head of flock both my duty and privilege. It was wonderful. And I met so many lovely people who interacted with me as ones who GET IT.

ELIZABETH J. DUNCAN {CBFEJD} author

IN THE COLD LIGHT OF MOURNING~BRUSH WITH DEATH

That was the year Elizabeth J. Duncan and I met. Actually she stopped my HC and spoke directly to me. I knew she was the right sort as she immediately commented on how perceptive I was, she knew that, she said, simply by my eyes. We have been friends since through many adventures. Alas, she has been so busy our correspondence has trickled off but it doesn't change our friendship. Next morning, as we nattered away, she asked my HC if I was going to the banquet. {I HADN'T BEEN ASKED} HC said I had nothing appropriate to wear to such an event and friend Elizabeth quickly offered to provide 'formal attire'. Next post I will have photos of 2008 MD where you will easily note, CBFEJD has great fashion sense. A wonderful time, not only the Banquet but the entire weekend.

HANNAH DENNISON {GFBFHD} , author

A VICKY HILL EXCLUSIVE~SCOOP~EXPOSE~THIEVES

The next year having noticed Esme in my of my pics, shared with Elizabeth, an invitation was extended to include Esme. Imagine, Elizabeth brought lovely fleece clips for Esme to wear to the banquet. That year we met our GFBFHD, Hannah. She also 'gets it' and it was like we'd always known each other. Hannah is extremely funny and very gracious. She began corresponding with us also but alas is often so busy we have long spells without hearing from her. But she always writes eventually and that is all that matters to us. Most importantly, it is all due to GFBFHD that this blog exists and for that alone we are eternally grateful.

OH YEA, MD XIII ?

We are HFBBB because it will soon be time to leave our pasture and journey to the convention. This year in Bethesda Maryland, which we've learned is not far away. Nevertheless we will be 'sleeping over' as in past years. Our HFBBB is due to our HC finally making our reservation for 'sleeping over' accommodations!!!!! And this year due to GFBFHD's plan to bring her entire flock we plan to select a few of our flock to accompany us also. And we certainly hope CBFEJD will bring members of her flock also !

I realize this is a slight detour from our interrogation of the 4 MDIs but fear not, the flock is fleece deep in that investigation and Flock on the Trail updates will detail it all.

Our Post minus 'titles and such' in red and black? Those are MD colors. Which we will be sporting at the banquet as will our HC and MPU.

For the Flock,

Ellis the Ram and Esme the Ewe