The alarm woke me up with this annoying sound l despised so much. Last night’s sleep didn’t feel restful. I had to think about my big sis right away which made me sad. This sadness did not last very long because I knew I had to fight my own battles. I remembered the musical meeting which made me feel excited. I actually was looking forward to seeing Madison again. I wanted to get to know her more. I remembered that she mentioned she was going through some stuff. Maybe I could help her by being a good listener.

I took some time off and started rewriting Wildcat Fall from the beginning. I got some great feedback and took the liberty of changing things up. So what you remember reading is gone and replaced by a newer version. It's still needy, but hopefully, this works.
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A Grumpy Old Man’s Tale 65 Consideration of Outside Agencies.
Continued from GOM 64 in the taproom of the Green Dragon Inn at Bearthwaite.

In the taproom, Dave said, “Well now we’re all settled again I’ll start the ball rolling, Lads, by asking a question that we could do with having an answer to some time before August. Does any one know of a sure fire way to keep wasps away from a late summer or autumn barbecue? Because I saw a good solution on my phone. Spread some jam on a small child, though I reckon that’s a waste of good jam and just giving the child a jam sandwich would do the trick.

The Pageant: Then and Now
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

Part 1 – Before the Pageant

“Is that really your hair? I can’t believe it,” said Mac, at last working the mouth that had just gaped for a full minute.

“Color highlights, curlers, backcombing and hair spray and shit. You would not believe what I have been through.” said Brad. “Like I just said, I wish I had never got Mom involved.”

“You will win the prize, Man,” said Mac. “You just have to, looking like that.

The Interview (4)
by
Angharad.

The problem with the ruling of the Supreme Court and its definition of a woman is that its effect is very personal and emotional. I felt very angry and disappointed in the decision but at the same time felt that I would carry on regardless and would treat authority with the contempt it deserved by acting as I had for umpteen years. I had survived before I received a gender certificate and would continue to do so. I looked the part, so unless they knew something about me, they shouldn't suspect I'm anything but female.

Chapter 15

Willow took her time getting ready, then strolled to the church. Reverend Russell was sweeping the porch when she arrived.

“Willow, welcome. How did your weekend go?”

“It was good, Reverend. We really made friends there. I met Cassandra, who is planning an Easter Wedding. I did suggest that she has it here. They did talk about having it at the Abbey. We went to St. Edwards for Sunday morning.”

“I know. I had a phone call telling me how pleased they were that I loaned them my organist.”

The blue glow of David's computer monitor illuminated his face as he stared at the Skype window, waiting for Morgan to accept his call. David had spent the last hour trying to focus on his physics homework, but his mind kept wandering to the town meeting tomorrow, the bizarre energy that he and Tony had witnessed in the park, and now Morgan's increasingly frantic messages about Melissa.

Chapter 6: What's New

Millie's brow furrowed as she scrunched up her nose, deep in thought. Her delicate fingers tapped rhythmically against her chin, and I could almost see the gears turning in her mind. Suddenly, her face lit up with a bright smile, her eyes gleaming with inspiration.

"I know! We can do Dancing Lights! We can do that one, right?" she asked excitedly, barely able to contain herself as she twirled on the spot.

©2025 SammyC

Chapter One.

I suppose my story started a few years ago. Let me take you back to the beginning.

Billy’s Desires
A Short Story
By Maryanne Peters

I had convinced myself that being born male was the best thing in the world. I mean, men run it – the world I mean. Men are in charge. Women have babies. Women are meant to look pretty and look at their men adoringly, but they offer nothing when it comes to leadership or innovation – that was my position, back then. Somehow it seemed that the more I said it out loud, the truer it became.

Before I go home I’ll just check the announcement board. Our principal is a traditionalist so everything important is announced on the announcement board. This time I want to confirm that I’m on the list for the school’s womanless beauty contest.

My name is there all right. Peter Dupont in big letters. The problem is the big black line through it and the additional comment “Disqualified”. How can they do that! I’ll have to talk to the Principal!

The Interview (3)
by
Angharad.

Chapter 12

Sunday morning, they were up and ready for church. Willow showed her parents the pathway across the field, and it was a pleasant stroll in the morning sun. At the church, they saw Maisie and Gina arriving, so the girls left the adults to talk and went up to prepare the organ for the morning service. Willow asked if Gina wanted to play the arrival music, and she sat at the keyboard and started doodling Bach and Beethoven piano pieces.

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Benyamin's Treasure

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Prologue - Adara's Story

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There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can't imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books. John 21:25 The Message

Chapter 13: Ashes and Embers

Chapter 11

They spent two hours working with the music. They didn’t have the numbers that the piece was written for but made do with a pruned down orchestra. There was enough percussion players to fill out that section, but the strings were thinned out a bit. There was a full complement of brass players, and Willow wondered if there was an evening brass band.