Happy (Early) Valentine’s Day
Arming the Cherubs -What Could Go Wrong?
Valentine’s Day: fuel for Dean Martin songs, elation, heartbreak, tender affection, memories of bygone loves, yearning, finding, losing, gaining, and of course, chocolate. Mmmm chocolate. That darn cupid is flying around with his bow and arrow, raining havoc from the skies. Someone should teach him basic firearm safety. If your day is short on strawberries, have a laugh instead while walking down Memory Lane. What was your silliest date?
Once, while trying to impress a young lady and her mother, I tried with all my might and main to pull the door open for them. Homer could have written admiringly about the effort. It didn’t budge. She reached out and pushed it open with a feminine ease. Oh well. I must have been shot with an arrow. Got a story? Send it along to have it featured in a future Nighthawk.
And Happy Valentine’s Day to ya!
Reader Spotlight:
Dorothy A. loves animals so much, she started a local chapter of the Humane Society. She has five children, and lives in Lynchburg.
Valentine Art:
Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a brilliant tragic love story. If you’d like something happy, try the song “My Girl” by the Temptations, or “That’s Amore” by Dean Martin.
Happy Birthday, Jack Benny! (1894)
The legendary comedian once said
“I don’t deserve this award, but I have arthritis, and I don’t deserve that either.”
Down the Rabbit Hole
St. Valentine, besides the obvious thing, is also the patron saint of beekeepers. Stories of his life conflict and are incomplete, although his martyrdom is fairly established. (Perhaps he forgot it was the 14th, and the on-sale chocolates on the 15th didn’t appease his enraged wife.)
But seriously, folks, he’s worth researching at your nearest computer or library.
Old Man Smudge is visiting for a few weeks at the Farm. He’s grumpy about
the rain, and loves apples. HAY there!
Letters from Josh
(A weekly update from Josh Urban’s adventures on the farm and in the city. #121)
Howdy, folks! Previously on Dr. Electro:
The train stops unexpectedly, and the Buckle Bunny Gang smells a rat. Walter asks for help. Charlotte begrudgingly agrees. Electro sees a following shadow as they strike out for the unknown Miss Stella’s. Back at the parlor, Lady Wilkes accuses the captured intruders of jewel theft. They deny it, glad to hear that Rutherford is en route. A crash is heard upstairs. “Oh no, they’re back! Quick!” This is:
The Return of Dr. Electro - #15: Fortune
The night seemed a blur of back alleys, fences, and tall grass rustling. Pools from the yellow street lamps swirled into inky shadows, the broken glass crunching underfoot. Charlotte and the girls knew where to find the holes in the barbed wire, and moved quickly, leading them deeper into the industrial labyrinth. Save for a muffle oath from Rutherford, the ragged crew was silent. The Jolly Ranchers must be used to the work. Electro wasn’t. And he couldn’t shake the feeling they were being tailed. Working his way to the front of the line, he cleared his throat, trying to deepen his voice to sound calm, confident, in control.
“Um...Charlotte?” Man, that’s three octaves too high. Oh well.
Dropping the picked padlock, she half turned with an exasperated sigh, holding a gate open. “What?” The atmosphere of danger seemed to make her eyes sparkle.
Electro did his best. Now’s not the time to notice how pretty she is. He even managed to knock two octaves off his whisper as he outlined the blinking signals when they first boarded, the shadow by the tracks, and the occasional footfall in the dark. He stood up straighter when Charlotte stopped scowling for a moment, and then motioned the gang ‘round.
“Listen up, y’all. This fella is smarter than he looks. There’s only one hope for it now. Hold tight. When I say GO, you run, and follow me. Miss Stella will hear the signal and be ready.” Charlotte drew her revolver, and pulled the hammer back. Click. A dog barked in the distance. Aiming skyward, two quick rounds split the night, then a third. “GO!” They followed at a mad dash, rounding a corner to see a house ablaze with light. Miss Stella’s Palm Reading: Fortunes Told. A half dozen shadows followed with a sinister yell. Electro ran.
***
Back east, Lady Wilkes lead the charge up the stairs. Guess it’s time to clean up the neighborhood. The two trespassers followed closely, then Claire, all united by a common enemy, unseen.
“The curiosity room! It’s where I keep the gems! But there’s nobody here...just the broken window.” Lady Wilkes kicked shards of glass meditatively, almost disappointedly.
“Look.” John’s face was as white as the graffiti on the wall. D.I.R.M? “It’s worse than I thought.”
...To Be Continued Next Week...