Heavens Above!

On a recent afternoon whilst strolling about Caledon Kittiwickshire I came upon a curious looking structure. From where I stood it appeared to be a globe much like those that grace many a gentleman's study, but was of gargantuan size and surmounting a dignified stone building.



Walking around to the east side I discovered that I had found the Kittiwickshire Celestial Observatory. The sign clearly stated that visitors are welcome so I went inside.



On the ground floor I found two parlors with tastefully furnished sitting areas. The seats were quite comfortable and I could easily imagine spending time here chatting with friends before and after our visit upstairs.



Utilizing a built-in transportation system, I moved to the second storey where an observation deck presented a panoramic view of Kittiwickshire. One can see the commercial district clearly from here.



But the real treat awaits the visitor just one level higher. Here the night-time sky is presented as I've never seen it before! The scene is awe-inspiring. Any description I make would be woefully inadequate so I highly recommend that you make your way there soon. Thanks are due Mr. Nuclear Slingshot for bringing this wonder to our neighborhood.

Moving

I'm moving. An opportunity recently came to my attention that would provide me with a larger site for my home and lab in a lovely area that I just couldn't pass up. It wasn't an easy decision to make. I've grown fond of my friendly neighbors in Caledon Glengarry, the region's scenic landscape and its wildlife. And so I've packed up my posessions and departed that fair land.

It was so pleasant to work in my conservatory right at the water's edge. And I never got over the thrill of seeing Caledon Air Transport's craft floating majestically above.



I felt privileged to be able to contribute to Caledon's infrastructure in my own, small way with the construction of this simple bridge. It shall, of course, remain so I hope that visitors to Glengarry enjoy the view from it.



And while I'm on the subject of views, I must mention the awe I always felt living, as I did, in the shadow of Steam Sky City. This technological marvel is truly one of the brightest jewels in Caledon's crown. Dodging the odd bit of shrapnel now and then was a small price to pay for having such a fascinating neighbor.



Some things were easier to pack than others. Perhaps, once settled in my new home I'll be able to pursue the answers to the more elusive questions of my life.



For the time being my studies and inquiries shall wait. I've got a new home to build!

Hurricane in New Toulouse!!

I awoke this morning to a dispatch from New Toulouse reporting that a hurricane was under way. The storm is called Adolphe for unknown reasons and has ravaged all the regions. As rumors of zombies and alligators were added to the mix I grabbed my trusty firearm which I usually reserve for the Poetry Slam. I then swiftly made my way to New Toulouse proper and witnessed the storm for myself.

The scene that greeted me was at once frightening and exhilarating. Dark clouds swirled overhead and the rain fell in curtains. The streets were flooded but passable by the determined.



I proceded next to New Toulouse Bourbon and found the situation there even more serious. The flooding was more extensive, even to the extent that I was able to take out my little boat and paddle about the Square as though it were a lake. By this time lightning was flashing all about. At times it struck so close that I felt my fuzz rise with the electricity!



Paddling northward I entered New Toulouse Bayou where I encountered none other than His Grace, Sir Edward Pearse poling about on a raft. We spoke briefly and he told me there had been no reports of injuries so I allowed myself a brief sigh of relief.



Still as I took in the scene I could only think it a miracle no-one was hurt or lost. It appeared the entire region was under water!




This clever beast found refuge on a rooftop!


Only the homes on the highest ground of New Toulouse Bayou appear to have been spared the devastation of this storm. Still, if the character of all the residents of these regions may be judged by the few that I personally know, I have great faith that they shall rebuild. But they will never forget this dramatic time in New Toulouse history. I know I won't.

A Poem

I wrestle with words. My aim is to have something presentable for tomorrow night's poetry slam at Der Hut Des Jaegers as it's been too long since I've participated. As is my practice when I have something to finish, I find something else to do. And so I've decided to share here an untitled work I previously presented. I hope you enjoy it.

My Dear, put down the book you hold.
Put on your coat. The night is cold.
Come! Take my hand. Let's leave our home.
Across the valley dark we'll roam.

I've gathered much for our late feast
composed of grain and fruit and beast
to show how much I care for you.
Do come! Let's trip across the dew.

Tomatoes red are nestled in
the basket tight next to a tin
of herring silver as your eyes
or all the stars now in the skies.

And also here we have some bread
as golden as your own fair head
with honey sweet as your shy smile.
Now, cross the stream log--single file.

Climb down the bank, deep in the glen.
I'm thinking of the roasted hen
with herbs as earthy as your soul
and truffles, too, as black as coal.

Here by the lake our blanket's spread
when normally we'd be abed.
Yet now we'll share this magic scene,
the sapphire sky, the lake of green.

Dessert will be a berry tart
as red and warm as your own heart.
And all throughout a glass of wine
to toast each night that you are mine.

And as our feast draws to its end
I kiss my love, my mate, my friend
and promise to return here soon
to picnic here, beneath the moon

Expedition Oregon

Recently I traveled to the coast of the specific area in the Steelhead region known as Oregon. It was my intention to make cursory explorations of different areas and gain a fuller understanding of the Natural History of this place.

No sooner had I arrived than I made an astonishing discovery. Lying in plain view adjacent to a walking path was an enormous fossil which I believe to be an ammonite. I attempted to place it in my collecting box but it was simply too heavy. On a future trip I shall have to be better prepared to move such specimens to my collection.



The dominant biome of the region is coniferous forest. The ground is carpeted primarily with large ferns and mosses and great trees rise up that would make any visitor feel Tiny.



Many years ago a disastrous forest fire destroyed much of the forest in one area. The noble citizens subsequently replanted and now towers such as this one are used to keep watch for tell-tale smoke. I enjoyed climbing this one but was "spoken to" by the staff for standing on the rail for a better view.



It was nearby that I also found the only steam engine I encountered the entire time I was there. It is used to move heavy logs in timber operations. Again I was "spoken to" by the staff for sitting on the exhibit.



Within the forests there are many dark salamanders. I began a course of research into the question of whether or not salamanders are ticklish. Results were inconclusive. Furthermore, any claims by my detractors that the experiments were conducted solely because I enjoyed poking their soft, smooth tummies are slanderous lies.



Many swift, clear streams run through the mountain valleys. They are home to various species of fish and invertebrates and provide habitat for a fascinating species of bird, the American Dipper.



The beaches of the coast vary in their compositions of cobbles or sand. Locations of one type of the other or any degree in between may be found. In many places great rocks rise from the sea just off the shore. Often they are covered with colonies of sea birds and in the case of the ones I viewed here, fat sea lions on the lower levels.



Sad as I was to depart this beautiful land, I was treated by one last, dramatic view as my airship passed the volcanic mountains responsible for so much of the region's character. I look forward to returning again some day and exploring further.

The Plant is Blooming!

It is with great excitement that I report the plant I collected on last year's expedition has come into bloom again! If you've not yet read the account of its discovery you may do so here. Should you wish to see the actual plant I have left my conservatory open for you to visit it via this SLURL. This truly is a noteworthy event!

Back to the Village and Off to Caledon!

I present here the final entry of one particular journal. You may wish to read from the beginning here.

11 May
The morning was bright but overcast and I was pleased to see that despite the small man's impromptu tumbling performance we were still tied to the bank and not unwittingly drifting with the current. On recalling the night's disruption I noted that the selfsame man was nowhere to be seen. The other men, as relaxed as ever, suggested he had gone into the jungle to obtain a special treat for our breakfast. They reminded me that among the bumping and other noises there had been no splashes and so reassured me he had not fallen overboard or been taken by a cayman. One of them climbed a bit less nimbly than our missing man onto the shore and rekindled a fire in the spot we had used for last night's supper. Soon he was roasting fish for our breakfast. We supplemented the fish with hearty portions of the gruel knowing we would be back at the village well before the end of the day and needed not to hold any in reserve. Besides, we were now down in numbers by at least one and quite possibly two and there was plenty to share. It was at this point that I wondered if the men's careless attitude about their friends' disappearances might be predicated on the belief they would be receiving the absent crew's portion of their fee!

Pushing such unkind thoughts aside I suggested the men search for their small companion. They objected, knowing as well as I that I had a ship to meet. The Boxer would only be able to stop at the village briefly and was coming no further up the river that day. My fears for our second missing man were assuaged as I reasoned that we were, from this spot, less than half a day's journey from the village and that he posessed all the craft necessary to get himself there. I was able to picture him walking into the central ceremonial area as I loaded the last of my crates on the ship and teasingly accusing us of abandoning him.

Thus reassured we made certain the fire was out and took the canoe into the current for the final time. As the sun rose in the sky it became increasingly hot but not unbearably so for the breeze off the water. Turning to look at the flower, perhaps the crowning achievement of this entire expedition, I could only gaze in wonder and its vivid markings, now glowing a deep ruby on its bulging flanks. For a moment I believed I detected an unpleasant note in its previously lovely fragrance, something reminiscent of carrion, but the breeze carried it off as I turned my attention once again to my paddling.

My reckoning of where we were on the length of the river proved to be not far from the mark and we found ourselves paddling up to the beach where the villagers' other canoes were resting only a few hours after mid-day. A troop of children came running to meet us and were soon followed by the various women. All were fascinated by our unusual cargo and I had to gently restrain a few of the children who wanted to climb on top of it. The women returned to their work, casting glances backward as they went on their way and my men had fallen into conversation with others of the village about our excursion. They were just as sanguine as my men had been regarding their two missing fellows so much so that I finally accepted their assessment of the situation.

Knowing my ship was expected to arrive at any time I set the men to one last task. I instructed them to use their skills normally employed in the making of canoes to construct a more proper pot for the large flower. I described a tray-shaped vessel befitting its wide girth but shallow roots and asked if it could be constructed. They responded that such a thing would take some time, but when I reminded them that it need not be watertight and seaworthy they assured me they could assemble it in only a couple of hours. Several of the men set off into the forest where they knew a tree of suitable characteristics had fallen recently.

I turned my attention to moving my crates, collecting boxes, equipment and personal items to the beach in order that the captain and crew of the Boxer would not need to wait for me once the ship had arrived. Some sorting of specimens, topping up jars with spirits and making sure everything was properly packed for the long sea journey kept me occupied for as long as it took the men to construct the pot. When completed it resembled a boat nearly circular in shape but for angled pieces at the bow and stern. It would be perfect for its purpose and what was more, I now had an example of their boatbuilding craft in my possession.

As I stood with the villagers admiring the boat-pot we were startled by a sharp yelp. We turned in time to see one of the young boys tumble from the top of the flower, having climbed it while our attention was elsewhere. A woman, perhaps his mother or an aunt or a sister or any of his father's wives, I still haven't puzzled it all out, rushed to comfort him. He showed her his bloody hand and told us through his tears that the plant had bitten him! No doubt in reaching for the lid of the mammoth flower he had caught his hand on one of the fierce spikes surmounting it. The woman led him away to tend his wound and several of the men joined me in depositing the huge plant in its new home. We settled it in snugly with additional soil some of the women carried from the forest in baskets. Then, with many hands to lift it, carrying it to the beach was light work indeed.

With everything in readiness for my departure I turned to the task of settling my accounts. The remaining rowers who had accompanied me on the excursion and worked so well each received a good sized packet of fishhooks. The rest of these I divided up among the other men present who appeared to greatly appreciate the gifts. Happy to see that the bolts of calico I had brought for trading had remained dry and clean in their box I took them out and passed them to the three very elderly women that everyone appeared to pay special deference to. They accepted the bright cloth with toothless smiles and shuffled away, returning to the endless work the women of this region do regardless of their age. Once they were out of sight, for I knew they wouldn't approve, I took aside my three companions and presented them with the last of my spirits amounting to three full bottles. I was counting on the captain of the Boxer to have an adequate supply of libations as he was reputed to be a good host.

Everyone was well back to their daily tasks an hour later when the sails of the Boxer came around the downstream bend in the river. Soon she was anchored as closely as she could come to the shore and the able-bodied men of the village were ferrying my belongings to her side. I myself waited for the last canoe to go which also happened to be the one bearing my botanical wonder. The crew watched in amazement as it was hoisted onto the deck. As the Captain welcomed me aboard he cast several disbelieving glances back and forth between the flower and me. I assured him I would explain all in good time, but for now I required a proper cup of tea, not having had one in well over a year.

The tide was due to turn so the crew wasted no time in turning the stout ship back downstream. With the current and tide in our favor and a light breeze to help we would be on the open sea by nightfall and I would be settling in my new home in Caledon by Midsummer.