Planned, Rehearsed, Put in Action

posted by Herzig

Following our meeting with our MTF it was time to approach our HC with our plea for help. Since she had visited with Ellis after our visit was completed, Himhe and I decided the next day would be better to put our plan in action. The plan was really quite simple. I would gather the 3 items and ask our HC to knit another Eggplant for Piper. But from the moment I got to the bottom of the chair where she was sitting helping her MPU with some phone calls, the first obstacle appeared. She was knitting on another project. Then again she is always working on some knitting project or another. As a matter of fact there are so many PIP's {Projects in Progress} around where our pasture is located we could build a mountain. Asking to begin yet another PIP may just tip the mountain and crush the flock. Still, it was for Piper.

She didn't notice me and I sat at her feet for a good 10 minutes so finally I steadied my nerves and climbed up on the table. I positioned myself on the table between my HC and her MPU, right in the middle of where they were working. FINALLY I was noticed. Looking a mite resigned at having to take time away from other things, she stopped knitting and crossed her arms. She said "Good Afternoon Herzig. I'm guessing there is something you want from me?" With the fiber on each side and the needle on a tube with points on both ends draped over my back, I cleared my throat with a 'baaahh'.

  

I began the plan I'd rehearsed. "The flock, really me, need a huge favor HC. Do you remember the Eggplant you knitted long ago? The one that Piper asked if he could take it to with him to the pasture because he was lonely and needed a friend?" I said.

"Yes" HC replied, "I do recall both the Eggplant and my conversation with Piper. I also recall that Piper lost the Eggplant. I was a bit sad about that really, as of all the vegetables I knitted the Eggplant was the best. It looked exactly like an Eggplant. The carrot looked like a knitted carrot and the banana looked like a knitted banana. But the Eggplant, yes it looked knitted but it looked EXACTLY like an Eggplant. Why do you ask?" I meant to sneak the request into our talk and slowly. But all my planning went over the pasture fence and I just blurted out "I WANT YOU TO MAKE ANOTHER EGGPLANT!!"

Right away I knew I'd made a mistake. HC quickly pointed to the PIP she was working on and said "I'm right in the middle, the 3rd of 5 ADLs {Adult Dining Linens} which a lovely woman sitting next to me at the Malice Domestic Banquet asked me if I would knit for her. She saw my Mom's when she put it over her neck as our meal arrived and was so excited, as she had already asked many knitters to make them for her. No one would help her and she has already paid me a very generous amount of money. I've knitted her 2 so I have 3 more to knit."

"Couldn't you just tuck an Eggplant in between knitting for the lady? Oh, Please. It's for Piper!"

After a few minutes of silence she reached over and picked up the fiber I had found and asked if I got it from one of her bins. When I said yes she began to smile and said "I believe you found the same purple yarn I used before.....oh, and you found the green too. And whats this? Hm, size 3 needles? But Piper, I don't think I could find the pattern I used to make the knitted Eggplant, it was a few years ago."

Victory was just over the pasture gate if I could just unlatch it and push it open. So I told her I had taken care of all that!!!! Proudly I puffed out my fleece and said "Himhe helped me to go on the computer and we found the place you must have found the pattern the first time. I've managed to 'save' it into your Patterns folder into one called Odds & Ends. That is how I know the size of needle you will need is #3. I even learned what DP means so I brought along the tube with pointed ends on both sides and that pack with lots of DP #3s".

Would all my hunting and collecting result in the thing I wanted most for my best~est friend Piper. A knitted Eggplant? I could barely breath.............and then my HC nodded her head. She said, "You are a very good friend Herzig. The kind of friend everyone would love to have and so few of us ever find. If you have done all the hard work and found all the items I need, how could I say No. Yes I will knit an Eggplant for you. Maybe...I could stand outside the pasture when you give it to Piper. And just watch to see if he likes it?"

"HC, HOW COULD HE NOT LIKE IT, he will love it because he will know its not just another knitted Eggplant. It will be knitted by his HC and you knit his lost Eggplant."

HC made no promises on when the knitted Eggplant would be finished but she knows how important this PIP is and I'm sure I'll be able to report soon.

The happiest ovine in the pasture

Herzig

DANIEL SENDS WORD via HANNAH

posted by Bobble H. Ovine

FINALLY! Word from our GFBFHD, advising the flock that our Daniel is safe in the Dennison Pasture. I have been very worried about my best friend. Oh, me? I'm Bobble H. Ovine, but Daniel calls me Bobble, which is fine by me. Guess now that Esme assigned me to post the news I will soon be tasked to post about myself on MEET THE OVINES. But in the meantime there is the really IMPORTANT NEWS. Daniel and his bed~bowl arrived safely in California. Our Hannah had been doing 'author' stuff in North Carolina but arriving home quickly informed us of Daniel. {Hope Hannah didn't return with some of that southern accent. I can't imagine what an British way of speaking accent wise combined with a southern drawl may sound like?}

We received 2 photos from Hannah to verify her news so we share one with all of you. Daniel, of course, is safe in his bed~bowl beside which the other 2 Mache Triplets stand. I couldn't tell which was Duncan and which was Dennison.

I had met the Mache Triplets when they first arrived but once I observed the way they treated Daniel I just kept my distance. And for that I am so VERY sorry. I haven't really told Daniel how horrible I feel that I didn't do the RIGHT thing. By that I mean, I didn't help Daniel. I didn't speak up when his brothers bullied him. I mean, I have never bullied ANYONE. But over the last 2 years, while Duncan and Dennison have been learning about how their behavior hurts others and worked to change their ways, I have also been learning that it is just as bad to stand by and watch as someone is bullied. When Daniel comes home I will apologize and because I have learned how wrong it was to not try to stop the bullying.......I will never stand by silent again.

Opps, think I was just suppose to announce that Daniel has arrived safely. And he has.

For my bestest friend in the world~Daniel,

 BOBBLE H. OVINE

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

SATURDAY AT MALICE

posted by Malice Flock

We are ready for schmoozing!!!!!

Some of us were ready to go and waiting for the dawdlers, so we could get going for our morning downstairs. We were heading to the 'NEW AUTHORS' breakfast where each author would stand and introduce themselves and tell of us 'their book'. So exciting as authors from all over with fresh stories and fun new characters to meet. And we also wished to meet the authors and other HCs like ours who loved to read Cozy Mysteries.

Avery Ames and Turk

Early down to breakfast, we plopped into the first table where we schmoozed with new people and the author Avery Ames, whose Cheese Shop mystery series got us off to a great start. She was a very nice lady who spoke to each of us-obviously Avery Ames 'GETS IT'. The amazing thing is after being introduced to Marty Grau and the KOO she asked one of the KOO what its name was, and of course, the KOO hadn't selected any names yet. Avery simply declared looking at him and exclaimed TURK. So now its Marty Grau and Turk, and the KOO.

Danielle and Apri Cot

A nice lady at the table took an immediate fancy to another KOO who informed the lady, Danielle, that her name was Apri Cot due to her Apricot colored fleece. {Strange she never bothered to inform us of her name. Probably jealous 'Turk' had a name first}. Anyway, together they shared the day.

Tammy and Marty Grau alongside Jenn and Ovi

After breakfast we went to a few rooms enjoying the people and attending panels to listen to the authors. In the hallway we ran into 2 wonderful ladies who told us this was their FIRST time at Malice. This was very exciting as it was Ovi and Marty Grau's FIRST time at Malice. It was so nice to know we weren't alone or the only ones who were at their first Malice. Plus, we learned these 2 fine ladies were Veterans, like our HC. We were very honored when they agreed to have a photo taken with us. Aren't they nice?

Noah took over the next portion of the day. Since he hadn't found Mr Sparkles yet, he would approach a couple of our favorite authors. The first is a favorite because she is from Maine, the home of the heart of our HC. She was so nice and plans to ride a bike across Italy in a few weeks. Noah is certain she may be tied up with this event so doesn't ask for her endorsement of his candidacy, at this time. But once her Adventure is complete he may email her and ask if she would consider endorsing his candidacy. She writes wonderful mysteries where a real estate agent is the 'sleuth'. Our HC got #1 and #2 so we will soon get bedtime stories from Vicki Doudera's books, one chapter a night. Noah poses with Vicki Doudera

Now it was coming up to the noon hour so we would return to room #420 for a rest, but before that across the room we strolled, to visit an acquaintance of our HCs, from last years Malice. Sally Goldenbaum write mysteries around a subject very dear to our hearts. KNITTING, which is one of our HCs better skills. She gladly signed our HCs book so Noah quickly asked for an endorsement. With a great smile she agreed, HLB'ing...HLB'ing...HLB'ing. Noah had his first OFFICIAL ENDORSEMENT FOR HIS ELECTION TO EASTER CREATURE 2012.

Sally Goldenbaum ENDORSES Noah for Easter Creature 2012

What a wonderful morning of schmoozing. What a wonderful group of HCs who all treated us very kindly. Who all appeared to 'get it'. The rest of the day may be Ex-traOvine busy but soon more photos from our first Malice Domestic.

The Flock

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

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

The Strange Case of the RED TEA POT

report from Sullivan

To update you on my hunt for Callopie I will now relate how my last few days have been. A bit challenging...a bit dangerous....a bit disappointing. But I am pleased to report I discovered that I am really quite good at being a DETECTIVE. Except, I didn't 'close my case', I still haven't located my sister.

When last we posted we had almost opened the RED TEA POT but were busted by Esme. Noah, Ovi, Fla'Lamb and I began to plan our next attempt to open the lid of the RED TEA POT. But before we finalized our plan, an unexpected event....Ellis the Ram announced to Noah, that in recognition of his hard work with the KOO, he was taking him on a weekend Adventure, with our HC Susan and her MPU Polly.

It happened so fast, as the next morning as I woke, they were leaving. It was then I noticed a strange occurrence, the RED TEA POT seemed to be going with them. Well, not WITH them, it seemed to be following them. Careful not to let them notice its presence, THE RED TEA slowly began rolling along, a distance behind. This RED TEA POT had become a very important object and somehow I felt it might know something of my sister, Callopie. It was then I decided to follow also. And just as this RED TEA POT was doing, I would also keep my distance and avoid being seen. I needed to know what the RED TEA POT was doing, why the RED TEA POT was doing it, and what it knew about my sister, CALLOPIE. So as Ellis and Noah moved down the sidewalk...and the RED TEA POT rolled quietly behind them...I waited for my opportunity.

It soon came as Ellis and Noah were helped into the back seat of the car, and our HC opened the trunk of the car and returned indoors for travel items. With great difficulty the RED TEA POT managed to get into the trunk. It did this by hooking its handle over a piece of luggage sitting by the car waiting for our HC to lift it into the trunk. Hmmm, why not me also. So I hurried back to the house and climbed inside a suit bag which had not yet been zipped closed, climbed in and burrowed under clothing. Next thing I knew I was being carried and put down...then I heard the trunk shut. Soon after the car was turned on and I could feel us moving. I was on my way.

A while later I awoke and realized I was being carried along on a wheeled item of some sort. Ellis and Noah didn't seem to be with us but it was then I detected a sound. A sound very much like a badly mis~shapen ball, rolling away. Quietly, I unzipped the suit bag and seeing the RED TEA POT about to leave this room full of luggage, I hopped out of the suit bag and followed.

Carefully through doors, down passageways, around columns and across floors the RED TEA POT, with me behind, traveled til we came to an elevator. This I knew was going to be tricky. If I should get into the same elevator as the RED TEA POT I no doubt would be noticed. Observing the RED TEA POT, as it seemed to be eavesdropping on several groups of HCs, he finally rolled into an elevator. Waiting, like I've seen on old movies our HC watches, I noted the elevator went right to the 15th floor. Now the problem, how to follow in another elevator going to the 15th floor and quickly. Luck was with me and the very next group of HCs were speaking of going to the same floor. I scooted around their legs and waited as they filled the elevator and pushed the button. When the door opened I had to crouch very low by the door {L: Long Range View and R: Close Up} and there right in front of me was the RED TEA POT and it was rolling away. SO I FOLLOWED......

The RED TEA POT started down the corridor {L: Long Range View and R: Close up} and carefully I followed. The the real challenge was coming next. As the RED TEA POT reach door number 25. A cart, the very cart I hopped down from to follow the RED TEA POT, was coming out of door number 25. As that happened the RED TEA POT easily rolled through it. I was a bit behind so hurrying behind, I barely managed to get in.

Actually 'getting in' wasn't exactly what happened. I was halfway in when the door closed on me. But not a bleat or a baa I uttered. {And believe me with this heavy door pinning me again the door frame this was NO small accomplishment!!!} But luck was with me again as from across the room Ellis turned and saw me. So pretending he was checking the floor along the wall along the corridor, he 'pretended' not to see the RED TEA POT and made his way down to the door where I was trapped.

With great effort he managed to pry the door off of me, allowing me to free myself and placing himself where I had been trapped. I have never been so proud to be a member of my flock. Ellis 'our' Ram was the best HEAD OF FLOCK in the world. I began to fear his fate wedged in the door but he whispered not to worry as our HC was fetching 'ice' and would soon be back and when she opened the door he would come with her into the room.

Quite soon our HC returned with the ice and as soon as she pushed the door open I heard her say..."Why Ellis, whatever are you doing stuck in this door. Hopefully not setting a bad example for Noah? Get up on the coffee table with Noah, I don't want either of you to get hurt or lost." It was then she saw me and asked Ellis why she didn't know he was bringing Sullivan. Then she saw it.....THE RED TEA POT. Asking her mother why she had brought it along this weekend instead of to Malice the next weekend.....Polly said she had not packed it at all and had no idea how it came to be packed.

But I knew how the RED TEA POT came to be sitting with us on the coffee table~~~The real question was WHY?

Sullivan

DIT {DETECTIVE IN TRAINING}

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

OVERWHELMED WITH CHOICES

posted by Ellis The Ram

As each day passes since our return from the beach, the flock has been bombarded with several issues, some of which have been written or alluded to in previous posts....from previous posters. {The author sort of poster not the paper ones of various sizes on endless subjects} Ah yes, the issues.

1. We are still debating the selection of who in the flock will get to travel to Malice Domestic which is the end of this month. Esme and I are 'old hooves' at this wonderful weekend so the fact we are actually going to take a few of the flock has created quite a bleating throughout the pasture. Which has now resulted in a missing ovine. Yes, Callopie seems to have disappeared. No we don't believe she has been lamb~napped. She had, in her usual non stop way, begun asking to go to Malice. After several times telling her we would consider it but she have to wait with the flock and would know when the others did....well she had a baaa'd tantrum. The next morning Sullivan, who is normally quite calm, woke us quite frantic. When he woke his little sister Callopie wasn't with him, they sleep side by side. Sullivan apparently searched throughout the pasture with no luck. With good fortune we will soon post of finding Callopie and the reason for her disappearance, but I suspect she is safe and simply hiding.

2. Yes, Piper seems to again be afflicted by his VDD {Vegetable Detachment Disorder}. After our session with Ellis, after which our MTF had a session with Piper, things seemed to be returning to normal. But just yesterday we woke up to find him sitting in his usual spot in the pasture in his EGGPLANT outfit. When Herzig tried to speak to him, she said he made strange noises. And wouldn't respond as normal. Apparently Herzig hadn't been aware of this, a symptom noticed during Piper's last VDD problem. Others in the flock since have told Herzig that Piper was speaking in EGGPLANT. {A language our Piper seems to have developed himself-that is our guess as we have never heard an Eggplant actually speak. Come to think of it none of us has ever heard a carrot speak, or a cabbage speak, broccoli? No, radish? No.... Come to think of it, I can't think of a vegetable we have ever heard utter a sound. Except a sizzle from the pan-Piper would be very upset if he read this so I'll leave it at that, sizzle!} So a post or several will be coming dealing with this issue.

The First Dairy Queen Blizzard

3. The KOO have been progressing quite nicely in their world of firsts. And GFBFHD, newly returned from her POO {Point of Origin-Devon, England}, has conveyed that Mr Sparkles~of the Dennison Flock in California seems to be thrilled at learning of the KOO. Which means we may be selecting them as part of the Adventure to Malice Domestic for Mr Sparkles pleasure. We may speak to Noah and Ovi about more intensive EDUCATION to prepare them for interacting with numerous HCs as well as Ovines from several flocks.

Well, those are just 3 of the issues Esme and I are juggling at the moment. Being the head of flock is most certainly a FULL TIME job. Esme and I hope to assign the reporting on these and other situations to others in the Pasture very soon, in order to keep all informed of life in our Pasture.

Stressed but undaunted,

ELLIS THE RAM