Dr. John Watson

If you could be a character from a book or film, who would you be? Why?

I am a Sherlock Holmes fan. I own the canon; the Granada series staring Jeremy Brett; the remake with Benedict Cumberbatch and a few reference books. I’ve even written two pieces fan-fiction (I might share) later in the years.

Why Dr. Watson and not Sherlock himself? Dr. Watson was not the idiot that some commentators make him out to be. He was a medical doctor; had a practice and was smart in his own right. Holme’s wheelhouse was so very different. The friendship these two had was beneficial for both friends. It wasn’t a one sided friendship. Watson’s ability to tell a story enabled Holmes business grow faster than it would have if he was solely relying on word of mouth from his clients.

Though a soldier (who had seen action), Holmes offered a different adrenaline rush. Laying wait for criminals late at night; Watson got to see a different side of humanity being a soldier and a doctor hadn’t provided up until this point in his life.

If you are on the fence or are not a fan of Holmes, watch the Granada series (read the canon first if you can). Granada took great pains in trying to make the series as accurate to the canon and the period as possible.

Once there was Darkness

Sandstorm

Part 4

“Thank you my son.”

“Forgive me sire. I meant no disrespect.”

“Forgiven this time. No, we will not go check.”

“We could be here all night.” She said with panic in her voice.

“God will let us know when it is time to leave.”

She sat back down.

Frego fell asleep.

Rajaf continued praying. Kol laid his hand on Rajaf’s shoulder, “she’s okay.”

He let out a long sigh, “thank you, my king.”

There was a pounding at the door. Everyone stood. Kol opened the door to Kessa. She was covered from head to toe in sand. The only clean spot on her was where her eye coverings had been. “May I have a word with you, my king?” He closed the door behind him stepping out into the hall. He took her by the arm, “are you okay?”

“Yes, my king. There has been extensive damage to the city. If at all possible, let these people stay here tonight. It is dangerous out there.”

He opened the door with Kessa standing beside him. “It has come to my attention that extensive damage has occurred to our city. You are welcome to stay here tonight and go home first thing in the morning.”

Emma asked, “do we have to stay?”

Kessa looked at Kol, she answered. “No. However, if you choose to go home do so with great caution.”  She walked out into the hall where Rajaf gave her a great big fatherly hug. Sand bellowed from her.

People were stopping to talk to Kol.

“Stay here tonight dad. The street to your house is impassable.”

She and Kol walked down the hall together. “Everyone that can, has been instructed to go to the temple. It has very little damage. The bell tower; however, has been destroyed.”

A voice called from behind them, “is there a safe path from here to the temple?” It was Emma.

Kessa just stared at her before answering, “as safe as any. Soldiers have lit torches to serve as a path.”

“What about the gas?” A male member of court asked.

“There is a fire next to the market that started before we could stop it. But the flow of gas to the city has been stopped.”

Everyone was following them. They stopped at the great steps leading out of the palace. Kol’s heart sank as he looked out at his city. It looked like they had been invaded. Homes had been reduced to rubble. Stones lay everywhere. Chunks of the steps were missing. Wooden beams littered the courtyard.

Once there was Darkness

Sandstorm

Part 3

Once everyone was inside the shelter, the screaming stopped. Rajaf and Frego started tending to the wounded.

As the wind ripped through the city, several people started praying to heathen gods. “That stops now. You are in my city and you will pray to our God or you will not pray at all.” Kol roared with great authority. He started a chant all Meccians knew. It was quickly taught to the new comers.

The wind continued to roar.

Kol was worried about Kessa. He knew that Rajaf was. He got up walking around the perimeter of the room.

“How long as it been?” A young female voice asked.

No one answered.

A small faction of the court gathered in one corner of the room, whispering amongst themselves. Kol asked in front of everyone, “what are you whispering about?”

They looked at each other, startled. “Well sire,” one gentleman bowed. “We are praying to God and the storm is getting stronger. Perhaps we should pray to a different god? Ours seems to have abandoned us.”

“I disagree.”

“How so?” The young lady that had asked about the duration of the storm questioned.

“God knows what he is doing. It is up to us to have faith in his plan. His storm is happening for a reason. Only time will show us what those reasons are.”

“That seems like a pretty weak answer.” She snorted.

“You are?”

“Emona.”

“The grand dukes daughter. You’ve been away for several years.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Rajaf rolled his eyes.

“Emona,” the grand duchess scolded.

“Sorry, sire.” Emona stared at the floor.  

The wind knocked something loose and it shattered close to the shelter. A singular gasp overtook the room.

Kol spoke again, “I’ve watched this court, it has started drifting away from God. And I have done nothing about it. I’ve even done a great deal to make it happen. It stops now. If you have an issue with this,” he took a deep breath before shouting. “LEAVE!”

Rajaf elbowed Frego and winked.

Some of the people in the room flinched at his elevated voice. Others still tried to make their bodies small. His mother looked shocked by the outburst.

“One hour.” Someone spoke. “We’ve been in here one hour.”

“Thank you.” Kol replied.

They all continued to set there in silence. It was a long time before anyone spoke. A female stood, “it has been a long time since we have heard the wind. Should someone go check?”

“And who are you?” Kol asked.

“Emma, my lord. I am a friend of Emona.”

“Emona has done you a great disservice.”

“I don’t understand, sire.”

“Frego.” Kol looked at his son.

“It has been a law in this kingdom that no one is to be called lord. That is a term reserved for God and God alone.”

Teal Twig

Growing up I remember watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom with Marlin Perkins and The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.

My best friend and I (mostly her. I was playing with the dogs.) were painting tomato cages in the back yard. When inspiration struck.

Teal Twig

“Here we are folks, in the wilds of the East Bernstadt jungle. We have found the ever elusive Teal Twig. Wait! What do we find here? The Teal Twigs mate? This will definitely go down in history.

The Teal Twig is a shy creature. And to see 2 in one day – better go buy a lottery ticket.”

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fHTftC3ELSk

Shot with an iPhone in my best friends back yard.

Dare to dream?

Is it okay to dream?

Is it “better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all?”*

Is it okay to dream?

About the dreams that will never come to me.

They seem just out of reach.

Just. There. Just. Those dreams.

I feel like “I’m running down a dream that never would come to me.”*

Will it? Will it ever come to me?

Can I touch it? Does it cause my skin to tingle?

Can I taste it? Does it cause me to salivate?

Can I see it? Does it cause temporary blindness?

Can I feel it? Does my body shut down from the joy of it?

Dare to dream?

Is it okay to dream?

Am I giving my mind something it can’t have?

Just because I dream it? Name it. That doesn’t make it real?

Is it okay to dream?

Do I dare to dream?

* Alfred Tennyson

*Tom Petty

Once there was Darkness

Sandstorm

Part 2

Another explosion. “Two days on horseback.” This time the message came to her. She repeated the message. “The city can see it.” Two rings from the bell. The storm in the distance was a dark cloud on the ground destroying everything in its path. Another explosion, bigger than the last. “Wow!” Kessa hissed.

“That one was louder.” Beth stopped writing.

“Two poles, day and a half on a horse.” Again, the bells rang twice.

“Why two poles.” Kol asked.

“One follows the path of the river. The other one was in the middle of the desert between us and the forest.” The messages from Mecca were coming faster and faster.

The sand cloud from their angle looked like nothing Kol had ever seen before. It was amazing and terrifying at the same time.

Another explosion. More messages. This time the bell didn’t stop ringing.

“Come, we must go.” She sounded.

Once they were at the city wall “protect our people and the city as best you can.” Rajaf hugged his daughter.

She kissed him on the cheek.

She moved to run but Kol grabbed her, kissing her. Now she was panting for a different reason. For a moment, both their minds were removed from the storm almost upon them. She was able to shake it off first.

She joined the garrison at the wall. “Move!” She shouted above the wind from behind them. They ran in every direction getting the elderly that couldn’t move fast enough and animals into shelter. For the most part, the streets were deserted. This was a blessed sight to her.

Mecca allowed all people to travel within its city walls. You could even spend a night or two. Kessa noticed a group of travelers had gathered under the city wall. This would offer little protection from raging sand. She knew first hand (being a soldier) what wind-blown sand could do to the human body. Six soldiers went to cover the group with a large piece of fabric. The soldiers acted as anchors at the corners and middle of the fabric. She prayed it would be enough.    

Then she remembered the wall people. She sent more soldiers to protect them.

When Kol entered the palace, screaming came to his ears. “Frego, take them to the shelter.” Frego took Rajaf and the Queen Mother to the shelter.

Kol ran toward the sounds. He stopped; his heart pounding. Everyone had gathered in the court room. Most everyone was kneeling or laying on the floor, with their heads covered with capes. People were screaming. Others were praying to heathen gods. In that moment, he was outraged.

He shouted above the wind and noise, “you deserve what you get! Whom are you praying too? What is this filth that comes to my ears?” People started rising up, amazed that he was standing before them. “From what I hear, you’re praying to the wrong god. I am disappointed, enraged, and deeply distressed over this. There is a shelter on the far side of the palace. This is not the place.” About that time, the shutters covering one of the great windows shattered. People were hit with the debris. The screaming started all over again. Everyone followed him to the shelter.