There are Times

By Carrie Fleharty

There are times,

That a day matters more than others.

Some choose this very day to celebrate,

While others simply do not.

For some, it’s a day glorified

Filled with tokens

Well thought out or not.

But, some of us know,

That deep within the red heart of love

Lies the color of melancholic blue.

For we know as we pass:

Each chocolate or caramel kiss,

Bouquet of flowers, or a smiley cute animal.

They are not ours to be.

If they were,

We would say what is the motive?

Real or make believe?

If asked dare I say not!

This day is not for everyone

But love encompasses us all

You celebrate today or not

The choice is yours

There are those that don’t.

Happy Un-Valentine’s Day 2012

Wherever the councils of Elders took place with the Spiritual Leaders it seemed the questions were the same, and somehow the Spiritual Leaders answered the questions the same all over the world in those specific pockets that were spared the worst damage. The answers that seemed to be brought forth were these:

“There will come a time in history when Man will lose sight of all things spiritual. Man will forget his civility among his fellow man, and diplomacy will be thrown out the window. Man will have forgotten how to take care of himself, his family, and his community through natural means, and almost forget how to grow food, and survive. Man will have forgotten that people are connections of each other and of
themselves. That body, mind and soul are one, and that all bodies, minds and souls are also connected to the Source of All; The Supreme Being. 

                Through the past several hundred years; teachings have been passed down from spiritual leaders to spiritual leaders knowing that someday these things will come to pass. In these teachings are the ways of old. The way of the Medicine Men, and Women, the way of farmers, and ranchers and the way of diplomacy, civility and spirituality, and these ways will need to be taught when the time of man has
been destroyed. In this destruction a new type of world will need to be awaken and built. This will be a new world that must incorporate the ancient world of myth.

At each small Round Table the Elders gave the same look to their own Spiritual Leader and questioned the use of the world of myth. “What does the ancient world of myth mean?” “What are you saying by the world of myth?” “What type of myth?”

The Spiritual Leaders stopped and quieted down each group, and told them something almost foreign to them. The time has
come to bring back the Elves. The time has come to send forth from the group to meet others from their group at a place named Hvalsey in what was known in our recent past as Greenland. When you arrive you will find the ruins of one of the first original Christian Churches. This is where “The Gathering” will convene.

The Spiritual Leaders informed the different round tables that at this “Gathering” will be others that will be there the same reason. Each council of Elders will either pick one or two individuals to travel to Hvalsey. Upon arriving they are to immediately go and find this church ruins and find a Druid of prominent stature, and will meet their every need. Druids are not to be feared, they are spiritual, mysterious, loners, historians, scholars, and has many connections among the masses. The Druid you seek will know the way or the means in which to find the Elves. That is the purpose for going to Hvalsey, Greenland.

The people that are chosen from each of the groups would be ones who were somewhat knowledgeable about History, and were respectful and could move quietly about the lands. The world was not safe at this moment. Radiation, contamination,
pollution, rubble, and transportation were just a few of the obstacles in the way. There was no way to know if distorted humans or half-humans would be lurking around. Each council would decide their means and way of getting to Hvalsey. 

So each Council of Elders began the process of choosing their subjects to send to Hvalsey. All they had to go on was the trust of their
Spiritual Leader, and the ancient texts that were shown to the Council of Elders. In each council, the same phrases of questions showed up: “What people do we choose, and how do we choose, and what if this isn’t real? What if we’re just doing this for nothing? How do we know we are doing what is right” 

In each of the Council of Elders they each debated and voted on what to do, and what the plan would be for this that had been sat before them. Each Council the vote was the same. They would forge ahead. They didn’t have the resources to fix their little community without help, and the ancient texts were written long ago, and the stated what had happened would happen which did happen. They had to rely on Trust, and they had to rely on their Spiritual Leaders. They knew that because the world hadn’t before the world was nearly destroyed. The choice was made, and the journey to find the Elves began, but first the Gathering must take place. In this Gathering much would be revealed and learned. Who is this Druid?

The Earth, the Earth, the Earth…its change has been devastating in the past few centuries. Living beings of all kinds have nearly been destroyed and that includes mankind. All things beautiful, wonderful have seemed to disappear. The fall was inevitable, but as with any downfall preventable. Before the fall; many lives, countries, men, country leaders attempted diplomatic means to no avail. The domino effect took over with accusations of truth, lies and indifferences sprang across all continents toward a bitter disgraceful unnerving end. The Earth suffered the damage and became a pile of rubble in every direction from every angle leaving nothing undisturbed except…pockets of people, places specific places and sacred places scattered among the vast rubble. These places were the minute physical areas unscathed by man. The areas are few, and they are far between.

The most unusual aspect of these undisturbed areas was the fact that leaders would emerge in a most unusual way. Gone were elected leaders. Gone were the military factions whose leaders rose from those very military ranks. Kings, Queens, Presidents, Dictators have all been replaced. It’s as if the new Earth realized that somehow they didn’t work before, and they weren’t going to work in these trying times. The perception is that those very leaders caused the destruction of mankind and Earth. Now was the time to bring about a new kind of leader, a leader of necessity. The needs of the many must outweigh the corruption of the few or the one.

The strangest aspect of each pocket of the many pockets of people in each area is that they all seemed to mirror each other from continent to continent. They differed somewhat by demographics, geographic location, ethnicity and culturally, but they were very similar in their governing. They each resembled something from the past…long past. Yes, there was a military leader a spiritual leader, a cultural leader, a leader for infrastructure, a leader for the people, a leader for the young and even a leader for complaints. There just didn’t seem to be
one specific head leader. They resembled the “Knights of the Roundtable,” except there were no knights. They were a council of elders, the meeting of the minds, the gathering of souls, or they could be called the circle of supervisors or whatever seemed appropriate for their culture, and their needs, but no heads of state.

Communication was primitive, as primitive as it can get, for time had turned backwards, the Earth was dark, and the power to run electricity and fuel every kind of transportation vehicle has been destroyed. The human race is barely alive. These pockets of people that have developed seemed to be the biggest difference between the Earth before and now. There were no heads of state, and the pockets of people seemed to have a connection to other pockets of people without knowledge. The Earth, the powers that once powered a many great nations were gone. Everyone knew that the destruction of the Earth was caused by man. They weren’t going to let that happen again.

Across the Earth the sacred places remain intact and spared much of the destruction of mankind. Places such as Stonehenge, Machu Picchu, Athens, Alexandria, Rome, Chaco Canyon in North America, Brattahlid, Gardar, and Hvalsey, in Greenland as well as a few places in Tibet, epal, Japan, Russia. There are several places along the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers as well as the Santo Domingo Road in Spain. There are many others, but they aren’t as well known, but it seems that every continent and every country has sacred places and they remain sacred through all wars, and all wars that end all wars. The destruction of the Earth was to be no different, was proven. They are still standing and still being held sacred.

Time does heal all wounds, but the time that will take for the Earth to heal will be an exurbanite amount, and longer if the Earth doesn’t have help from mankind. Mankind will have to rise to the occasion instead of destroying mankind will have to seek out truths that have long been forgotten. Those are the sacred truths, the truths that have been buried for thousands of years. In each Council of Elders or Roundtable of Elders that seems to be the discussions of the moments at hand.

 The time has come for each of the councils to set out to rebuild a better Earth, but in order for them to do that, they need the ancient history: The far ancient history--the history before mankind. Somehow, someway each council had come to this decision, and in each of the councils the spiritual leader seemed to have stated something like the following: “It is time. We are to send someone to The Gathering.” In each Council they looked at the Spiritual Leader and said, “What? What Gathering?”

The Spiritual Leader would then say something like, “The message has been passed down from generation to generation for nearly 200 years. There would be a time, when mankind would destroy the Earth. There will be a time when a Gathering will be called. Learn what you can and be ready. You will know the time.”

The Councils all across the Earth would look upon their Spiritual Leader and think they’ve lost their minds. The time was getting close, but not this second the spiritual leaders would have much explaining to do, and much questioning to undergo. That was the next step. Question and answering sessions. 

That's all for now....

Directionally Challenged
By Carrie Fleharty

The Leader is among us.
But we are living in the belly of
Darkness, gloom and doom.
As we are led
Through the maze;
In search for cheese and bread.
Circling seems to be:
The means to an end.
A map has been seen,
But only the leader knows.
I saw a glance of it.
Looked upside down to me.
Maybe it was mirrored imaged.
Who knows?
Not me!
No matter what or who,
Enlightenment must happen!
Our group is lost in the belly.
Gasping for air!
Aimlessly wandering and flailing
Searching for…?
Oh for Pete’s sake!
Will our true leader show up?
We can’t stand it anymore!
Let in the light,
Bring out the lamps,
Enlightenment and chaos must end.
The directionally challenged;
Must not lead anymore!

Some of Us

By Carrie Fleharty

This day for some of us
Is just like any other
Not special, with absolutely no meaning
Some of us yearn
For even a hug,
A box of chocolates,
Or even a card.
Most often we go about our day
With nothing more than
A day like most others.
Grinding out the work that’s due,
Run of the mill average day.
That’s what it’s like for some of us.
When you receive and give;
The gifts of love and adoration,
Remember, there are some of us;
Who think this is a worthless holiday.
We go about celebrating
A Happy Un-Valentine’s Day.
But, some of us have learned
To think and believe in ourselves.
We have learned we are valuable and loving.
We don’t need outward approval
Some of us, do believe deep down;
That it would be nice
To at least receive a special smile.
Spread a smile around
Maybe, just maybe,
You’ll touch some of us.

February 14, 2011

Part 5

Basil and Officer Mack couldn’t believe their eyes. Their little friend Vic was leading the bigger guy and heading for a landing down below the big pecan tree. Basil immediately took flight and landed next to them with Officer Mack following. Vic spoke up immediately and said, “We’ll have to work quick, they’ll be right behind us. I picked the lock as quietly and quickly as possible, but they saw us before we had a chance to leave. They should be right behind us. I don’t think that Sty can fly very fast.”

“We’ll take it from here.” Officer Mack said. “Vic take Sty and get into that thicket over there, and hide. Basil and I will create a scene that none of the Grackles will want to come near us. Go, now. Here they come.” 

Vic and Sty left as Officer Mack and Basil called out to the neighbors of the park for help, and they proceeded to stir up a make believe fight. There is nothing worse sounding than a bunch of blue jays and mocking birds making noise. Then add in the sound of grackles coming in from the other direction, and the park sounded as if it were an exotic bird fair gone awry. The blue jays dove at the mocking birds, and the mocking birds dove back, and the World War I flying aces were in full swing each doing their best air dog fighting. The grackles seemed to have gotten lost in the air fighting. 

Soon the air fighting turned toward the grackles. The Mocking birds and the blue jays were both diving at the grackles. The grackles were taken by surprise. They didn’t know what was happening and they soon gathered together and then departed to their own trees, and left the park to the blue jays and mocking birds. The ruse had worked the way in which Basil and Officer Mack had hoped it would. Both the jays and the mocking birds gathered under the shade of the pecan tree and began laughing. The grackles are always bragging about how they are the bigger of us, and how they can make other birds do what they want. Basil and Officer Mack each thanked them, and shook wings.

Shortly thereafter Vic and Sty slowly crawled out from under the thicket. Officer Mack met up with him. “How are you kid? We’ve been very worried about you.”

“I’m pretty beat up, I can still fly, but I’m slow. They nearly starved me, and they tried to break my spirit, but I didn’t let them. I think I’ve got a broken rib, but I’m OK. How’d you know to find me?”

“That’s kind of a long story, but I want you to meet Basil Blue Jay. He’s a friend of mine, and he came to me looking for you. It seems that you have a young lady friend who has missed you, and was worried sick. She had a friend who knew Basil. Basil is a private eye and a good one too. That’s how we knew to look for you my young bird.”

“Wow, I guess I owe you some thanks. Thanks Mr. Basil.”

“You’re welcome, but we’re not out of harm’s way. We need to get you out of here, and back to a safer place. Can you fly to the place where you usually meet Penny?” Basil asked with concern. “We don’t want the Grackles to come back anytime soon.”

“Sir, I think I can. I will do my best.” Sty said looking sort of cross-eyed at Basil. 

“Let’s go. Mack you and Vic follow behind Sty. Need something or need to stop holler at me.” Basil said and off he flew up into the sky looking back to see if they were all following. He did a little circle in the sky to look around the area, and then he took the best course to the Sty and Penny meeting place. He hoped that everyone was still there including Sty’s mom. Sty’s mom needed to tell her story, and needed to tell it to Sty’s face.

Basil and company arrived in the shade of the oak tree. Everyone was still there. Basil nodded and told them to wait that Sty would be here soon. Sure enough as soon as those words escaped from his mouth the others arrived. Penny nearly knocked over everyone getting to Sty. They hugged each other for what seemed like hours. She held his head and beak in her wings and looked at him with her beady eyes and said something that caused Sty to blush a little, but no other bird could hear.

Basil spoke up and broke the bond of the two love birds. “Sty, I need you to come here for a minute. “Sty, your mother is here, and she has something to say. I want you to listen very carefully, and I want you to hear her. What she has to say is very important.” He said and then looked at Marge. “Go ahead Marge tell him. This is a good time.”

Sty walked over to Basil and stood and Marge began to speak slowly. “Sty…ahem… there is something you need to know and understand. Your father was a Grackle. I thought your father was going to marry me, and we were going to live happily ever after. Your other brothers and sisters looked too much like me, and you didn’t look like him. He left us. I did the best I could for all of you, but you were a challenge. You had a chip on your shoulder, and I could never help you get rid of it. I think I helped make it worse by not telling you the truth about your father.

Sty interrupted. “My father was a Grackle? Really?”

“Yes, he was. He was a dark, handsome, fun, interesting, and a con-artist. He coned me into believing lots of things. I really; believed him. I shouldn’t have. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t trade you for him. I would be more truthful with you. I love you, and I have been really worried about you. I let that worry turn into a type of depression. I imploded and didn’t take care of you in the ways I should have.” Marge said looking into Sty’s eyes.

Sty looked back, and then did something uncharacteristic, and hugged his mom for the first time in years. “Mom, it’s ok. Do you suppose that I knew that I was part Grackle and that’s why I wanted to join their gang?”

“Sty, I don’t know. I don’t know much.” Marge said.

Officer Mack said, “I bet it’s the reason. Something within you knew that you wanted to belong to the Grackles for as many times as you tried to get into their gangs. You knew in your subconscious.”

Penny spoke up next. “You know Sty; do you know why we fit together so well?”

“Besides that we care for each other, and like each other.” Sty responded.

“We are very much alike. My mother was a grackle and my father was a starling. I’ve been away from both of them for years. I’ve been here most of my life. I’m what they call a new breed. I’ve been called the parking lot bird breed.”

“Really?”

“Yes! That’s what everyone around here calls me: The parking lot bird. I’m not dark like the grackles, or the starlings, I am smaller than the grackles but bigger than the starlings. I’ve got the markings like some starlings, but not all. I’m a breed of my own. Except, I look like you. Have you noticed?” Penny said.

“Not until now. Hey, I think I’m a parking lot bird. Hey folks I’m a Parking Lot Bird and this is my girlfriend, Penny, also a Parking Lot Bird.” 

Everyone laughed and they all stayed around and chatted for a moment, and had an impromptu party. The others mingled around getting to know each other Steve, Susie, Grace, Vic, Marge, Officer Mack, Basil, Penny, and Sty each introduced each other and became acquainted with each other. Mack, Vic and Basil soon left the group to go either do paper work, head to the Fly Inn or head to the Fly Inn and then do paperwork. Their work was finished, and they were glad things had turned out on such a good note. All was well. Truth mattered even when it came to who you were, and your origins.

THE END

Thanks again for reading the Parking Lot Bird Story. I do hope you enjoyed it. I had a nice time writing the story. Let me know what you think the title should be. I will be appreciative of your suggestions. Take care.

That’s all for now….

When Officer Mack arrived at Basil office, Basil recounted what he had learned from Marge Starling. They discussed options and plans over and over before they found one that might work. They had two main objectives; 1) to determine if Sty was alive, and 2) where Sty was being held and if there was a way to get him out of his situation. No matter how each of them looked at it, this wasn’t going to be pretty nor was it going to be easy. However, Officer Mack had an idea at the last minute.

Officer Mack slapped his wing down upon Basil’s desk with a thud. “By jove, I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before. I know someone who could help us. My cousin Vic Wren could help. He’s small enough, and the Grackles don’t bother them for some reason. Must be that loud nagging voice they have. Anyway, he could fly into places that neither one of us could get into without being noticed or being bothered with. What do you think?”

“Well, yeah, I guess it’s ok, but isn’t that a little dangerous for a civilian?” Basil asked with concern written in his eyes.

“He works in the department. Let me call and get clearance for him, and I’ll arrange everything. When and where do you want to meet up? We know that there membership meetings are held at the big sycamore tree several blocks from here. Do you want to meet at the park just before there?” Officer Mack asked.

Basil thought for a moment scratching his beak with his wing. Then he said, “Ok, let’s meet at the tallest pecan tree at the park. You bring Vic, and we’ll meet when the sun is directly overhead. We’ll proceed according to our plan. I’m going to meet up with Grace and Penny. I’ll tell them something and hopefully keep them from hysterics. Young females in love can be such dramatists.”

“OK, I’ll see you there. I’ll bring Vic. Happy flight.” Mack said, and flew out the door. Shortly thereafter, Basil closed up his office and flew off to meet Penny and Grace. He hoped that they were at the big oak tree under the shade. He really hoped they weren’t in dire straits. He hated immature youngsters in love. You never knew how they were going to react.

Basil found the oak and underneath in the shade crouched in the tall blades of grass were Grace, and he guessed Penny, but he wasn’t sure of the other two. As he approached he realized that one of them was Marge Starling. He guessed that something he had said yesterday to Marge must have hit a nerve, otherwise she wouldn’t be here. He hoped and trusted it was for the right reasons.

Basil landed in the sunshine so that they could see who it was that approached the group. He didn’t want to startle them too much. Grace approached him first. “Mr. Basil, you came. Thank you.” She said as she hugged him. “Come and meet Penny and everyone else. Guess what? Sty’s mom is here. Can you believe that? Sty has a mom.”

Basil and Grace approached the gathering. “Hi Marge, good to see you.” Basil said to Marge and winked at her. 

Grace responded. “You already knew that Sty had a mom. Well, anyway, this is Penny, Sty’s girlfriend. This is Susie a friend of both of us, and this is Steve a friend too. We are all here support each other, and waiting on you. So, what can you tell us?”

“Well, you guys are sure anxious.” Basil said staring at each one of them with a kind eye. “This is what I know. The police and I have a plan. We think we know where Sty is located. I’m going to be brutally honest with all of you. He may or may not be dead. We think that the Grackles have him as a hostage. We think he tried to become a member of the Grackle Gang. Most of this is speculation, and we’ll know more later this afternoon. I want all of you to promise to stay here, and await my return. Hopefully we will be returning with Sty. Do you hear me?” Basil added with a stern voice.

“Yes, they all said in unison.”

“I’m putting Marge in charge of all of you. She will take care of your basic needs, and she will be a good care taker if you need her to be.  She can be quite understanding of your needs and desires. She might even tell you about her, Sty’s father, and mistakes she’s made. She has an interesting story to tell. I think each of you need to hear her; even you Steve.” With that said, Basil flew off to meet up with Officer Mack and Vic at the Park.

Once the three gathered they made their plans and began their quest to search and rescue Sty. The first thing was for Vic to gather out if Sty was being held, where he was being held and in what condition he was in while being held. The hope was that he would still be able to fly. A bird not being able to fly was the worst case scenario. Vic took off for his duty, and said he’d be back as quick as he possibly could. 

Moments of time left, shadows changed, and time moved onward. Finally Vic came back with the information. He told that he had seen Sty, and more importantly Sty had seen him. They kind of communicated as best they could. Vic told them that he had a chain and lock on his leg in which was wrapped around a tree limb. They would need to either figure out how to pick the lock, break the chain or find the key. They had two Grackles at least guarding him at all times. There may have been more, but that’s all that Vic could see from that angle. He didn’t want to jeopardize anything, or cause any trouble. 

Officer Mack spoke up first; “If there’s two then maybe Basil and I could distract them, and Vic you could find the key. Or we could cause a ruckus outside of where they are holding Sty, and cause them to come out, but we’d still need to figure out how to get the chain off his leg.”

Basil asked, “What was Sty’s condition? Did he look like he could fly?”

“Oh yes, he can fly. He’s got lots of contusions and a bloody eye, and a few scratches, and pokes, but he gestured that he was A-OK. He wants to get out. I can try to go back and see if I can find out where the key is or if Sty has any idea where it might be. What do you think of that idea?”

Officer and Mack looked at each other and nodded. “Go ahead and go back.” Suggested Officer Mack; “just be very careful. I want you back in one piece. Find out what you can about the keys, and we’ll put forth a plan. Then when you get back we’ll go get him out of there.”

“Sure thing Mack. I’ll be right back.” Off Vic flew to find the whereabouts of the key.

Vic Wren, was a shrewd little bird. He was always quiet when he needed to be, and when he felt that you were intruding on his territory he had a voice bigger than a lion’s roar. He flew up to the branch one up higher than Sty, and looked down. The two Grackles were talking to each other, and Sty was sitting there looking at his wounds. Vic looked around for something to drop onto Sty to get him to look up. He picked up a twig, and dropped it. He had missed. The Grackles didn’t hear it, and that was good. Then he found another one and did the same this time he grazed Sty’s shoulder, and Sty looked upwards.

Vic quickly moved his wing to his beak as if to say shhh…be quiet, don’t say a word. Sty nodded his head up and down. They had to be extra quiet. Vic suddenly had an idea. Vic hopped from limb to limb silently as possible. He finally reached Vic. He whispered something in Sty’s ear. Sty replied back to Vic’s ear. Evidently the Grackles who were guarding Sty were too busy chattering about nothing that they heard absolutely nothing. This made Vic very pleased. 

From under Vic’s wing he withdrew a fine lock pick tool, and went to work upon the lock that held the chain around Sty’s leg. He had told Sty to keep a watch out for the Grackles in case they saw, heard, or were coming toward them. For someone who knew how to pick locks this would have been no time flat, but for Vic, this was going to take some time. He was novice. This was his first lock. Sty finally said, “Will you hurry up!”

“I’m trying. Be quiet, or we both will be in chains.” Vic said. Vic heard the click of the lock.

Sty said, “They’re coming”

Vic said, “We’re going.” Off the two flew towards the Pecan tree to meet up with Officer Mack and Basil.

To be Continued…

Well, this has turned out to be a rather good story. Don’t you think? I hope you come back soon for the conclusion. I think I need to change the title of this story back to the original “Parking Lot Bird.” Anyone have a title suggestion?” Thanks for stopping by.

That’s all for now folks…

Part 3

Basil found himself in the alley behind the Fly Inn just as the sun was rising up through the trees. He carefully looked around trying to ascertain which nest housed Ms. Marge Starling. He thought that was her name if his memory served him well. Then he saw old Ruth Robin out crippling around gathering some insects in the early morning. His mouth turned upwards in a slight grin, as he thought about ol’ Ms. Ruth. She was quite a woman. She had been in the neighborhood as long as he could remember. 

“Good morning Ms. Ruth. How are you today?”

“I’m good. I seem to be the only one out here on this fine morning gathering the insects and worms of the day. I don’t know what’s wrong with these young whippersnappers these days. They don’t know nothing about the early bird gets the worm.”

“I think your right. You seem to be doing well.” Responded Basil.

“Oh, I have my aches and pains like everyone else, but I’m doing alright. What brings you up and out in these parts Basil?”

“Well, I’m looking for someone. I’m trying to find out if Marge Starling still lives in the area. Do you know her? Do you know where she lives?”

“Oh that woozy. Yeah, she’s still around. I don’t know why. She should pack her bags and fly on out of here. Nobody likes her, and that son of hers is of no good to anybody. The way I hear it is that he’s been in and out of jail many times. His father was a no good one night stand. Came in on a wing had a brood, and left the second everyone was born. He wasn’t even her kind. You’d think she would’ve stuck with her own kind, but no she had to go after a two bit sweet talkin’ dressed in black bird. She’d been better off with a crow.”

“Really,” said Basil, “A crow? You don’t mean that. Can you tell me where she lives?”

“Well, anyway fly two trees down and on the left you’ll find a white building with a messy nest above a door. I believe that’s hers. Don’t you dare tell her I sent you. I want nothing to do with her.” Ruth added. “You be careful, that boy might be nearby.”

“Thanks Ruth. You are a blessing to the neighborhood. May you catch a big worm.” Basil said, and calked his head to the right and flew up the lane to find the white building. He circled it twice, and landed in the Sycamore across from it, and watched and waited a few minutes. Then he flew up to her nest.

Basil knocked a quiet sort of gentleman’s knock on the side of the gutter where her nest strung down. He looked around and waited, and then knocked again. He could hear some rustling of the grass and leaves and whatever and someone shouting. “Who in the blazes could be knocking at my door now? I don’t want nothing, and I don’t need nothing, and I don’t know where that no good for nothin’ son of mine is.”

“Who are you, and what do you want?” A straggly speckled feathery bird asked as she came upon the door.

“Hi, my name is Basil Blue Jay, and I’m a private detective. Are you the mother of a young crossbird named Sty?”

“Depends.” She responded.

“Well, let me try again. I think Sty is in some big trouble, and not with the law. I think he’s in danger. I’m looking for his mom. I think maybe she can help him or at least help me to help him.” Basil said in the kindest and most sincere voice he could manage.

“Yes, I’m Marge Starling, and I’m Sty’s mom. Come on in. Let me find you a place to perch yourself. Do you want some coffee?”

“No, but thanks ma’am.” Basil said as he looked around at the worn out nest, and found stuff thrown from hither to yond and back. He watched her try to tidy up a bit, and then she sat down to face him.

“I don’t know what to tell you Basil. I haven’t seen him in days. He does that you know. Comes home checks on me, and then disappears for days. I keep thinking that he’s found someone nice and has found a respectable job, and then I find he’s been in some sort of trouble. My other kids turned out great. He’s the troubled one. He’s the one that felt left out, abandoned. I’ve done everything I can think for him, but it’s just not enough.” Marge quickly turned her head to the side away from Basil.

“Why do you think he feels abandoned?” he asked.

“His Dad left them all. He stayed until they were born, and when he saw that they didn’t look a bit like him he left. He accused me of seeing someone else on the side. He didn’t believe that they were his chicks. He and I went round and round about that. He didn’t believe me, and he certainly didn’t believe them because of what they looked like.”

Basil thought about that for a minute or two, and then asked, “Did Sty know anything about his father?”

“I never told him much. I just told him and the other kids that I fell in love with a dark handsome stranger, and we had a fling. I thought it was going to last forever, and we were going to raise a family, and live happily ever after. Then all of a sudden that dark stranger left us all to fend for ourselves.”

“Do all of your children look like Sty? Or did some of them take on your DNA characteristics?” Basil asked as he thought about what nationality the father was.

“The rest of them look like a Starling. He’s the only one that turned into a crossbird. He’s the one that everyone calls the Parking Lot Bird. He’s lived with that most of his life. He hates it too. He was always bullied at school, and he never fit in with any of the other kids. He developed a chip on his shoulder, and has worn it ever since. It’s that chip that keeps him getting in trouble.” Marge stated looking down at the woven round rug in the center of the nest.

“Was his father a Grackle?”

“Yes…” she said almost so quietly as if it were a whisper. “Ahem…excuse me, yes, he was a Grackle. Does that matter?”

“Could be Marge.” Basil said. “There has been some excitement at the Grackle gang headquarters. Someone snuck into their meeting and they have him, we think, held hostage. I know that Penny, Sty’s girl friend says that Sty’s been missing for at least two days. From what you tell me, he could be the one that tried to sneak into the gang meeting.”

“Why would he do such a thing as that? Why would he want to get involved in such low creatures as the Grackles? They are nothing.” She said as she began to sob.

“Marge, be calm. We will be checking on this. The police and I will be making some inquiries to find out if it is Sty, and if they still have him, and where they have him. From what I understand he’s been trying to become a member of their gang for several months. That’s why he’s been in trouble with the police.”

“I never knew. I just never knew. He won’t talk to me. He won’t ask questions, and he is so closed about what he’s thinking that I just don’t know him anymore. I guess I was a bad mom. It’s my entire fault.”

“Marge blame won’t solve anything. Hindsight is always perfect and you know that. If he’s there and is alive, we’ll get him out. If he’s not there, we’ll find him. When we do, then we’ll find some help for the two of you.” Basil hoped over to Marge and took his wing and lifted up her head. “Okay?”

“Ok. Do you think they could have killed him?” She asked.

“Don’t know. Let’s pray not. You stay here. Call over some of the ladies if you want, but I want you to stay here. I’ll be in touch.” With that Basil let himself out of the nest and flew back to his office to meet up Officer Mack.  Much information was flying around in his brain as he continued his journey. He arrived at the office and noticed that Officer Mack wasn’t there, but would be there in any given minute. Basil took time sat at his desk and took down some notes on what he knew, what he needed to know, and what he surmised he knew.

To be continued…

Well, the streets are filled with 15 inches of snow, and 3-5 feet of drifts. I’m spending my time writing my parking lot bird story. It’s turning out to be a little longer than I expected. I like it so far. What about you?

That’s all for now…

PART II

Meanwhile…Several days had passed, and Penny became worried. This wasn’t at all like Sty to stay gone so long. He said he was going to check on a job, but he didn’t say with whom, nor did he say where. She wishes she would have asked more questions. She wanted to avoid an argument. She hated conflicts. They tended to turn into arguments, and words were said out of hurt feelings, and they were meant, and then that was turned into more hurt feelings. She wished she had asked anyway. An argument might have meant more information.

Susie and grace sparrow ventured over to where Penny was hopping around the blades of grass. They asked her what was wrong, for they could tell that something was troubling their friend. She told them the story of Sty being gone, and told of him saying something about getting a job, but she knew nothing else.

Susie and grace asked all the pertinent questions and they kind of told Penny in a nice way that it might be for the best because they knew some things about Sty. Like what kind of things inquired Penny. They told her about the petty larceny and the assault charges, and him trying to hang around and become a member of the Grackle gang.

Penny said that she had heard all of that before, and as far as she knew none of it was true. That it was all hear say, but she would try to keep an open mind. Then she stated something that they didn’t know. She told them that Sty loved her, and that he wanted to be with her. That’s why she felt that they were wrong that Sty wanted to become a member of the Grackle gang. He just couldn’t. He cared about her. She said that and tears burst forth from her eyes. Susie and Grace weren’t sure what to do, so they each went to her side and patted her on the back with their wings.

Grace spoke up this time and asked if Penny knew who his parents were, and if she knew where they lived. No she didn’t because Sty had always told her that he was kind of an orphan. He would never show her his nest. They had always met here, and in fact this was the first place they had met.

Grace had an idea, but decided not to tell Penny, but she did suggest this one thing. Hey, I have some friends that know Sty, let me ask around and see what they can tell me. Meanwhile we’ll stay here with for a while longer. Then we’ll meet you here tomorrow around mid-morning and wait. Maybe he’ll show tomorrow, or maybe one of my friends will find out something. Each thought it was a good idea, and they waited more time, and Grace left first then Susie, and Penny waited until the last ray of sun drifted beyond leaving only dull light.

Grace didn’t just go see her friends; she went to see the best know it all in the area, Basil Blue Jay. Basil was a detective in the area. He had a small office in the silver maple across from the busiest place in town, the Fly Inn. Grace knew about Basil from some of her cousin sparrows when one day their Dad sparrow had been missing, and Basil had to out to find him. 

Anyway, Grace flew nervously up to his office perch and gently rattled the nest. Basil squawked something that sounded like come in, but Grace hesitated. He squawked again. She crept into the office space and meekly called his name. He bellowed back something about speaking up so that he could hear her, and at the same time made a quick 180 degree turn and apologized for being so ill-mannered. 

“What can I do for you, young miss?” Asked Basil.

“Uh, Mr. Basil, I know that you help us all, but I don’t know whether or not you would help us young folks. I wanted to ask if you would find a friend of mine’s bird boyfriend.” Grace asked timidly.

“I don’t usually, but you were bold enough to come to my office and put up with my squawking without flying off. I just might. Have a seat, and tell me what you know.”

Grace began to weave the tale of Sty, but before she began she suggested that she thought he might be or may have become involved in the Grackle gang. Basil listened intently and with earnest. He was very interested in hearing about the Grackles and what they had been up to as of late. He hoped too, that Sty hadn’t become involved, but he could see why they would be alluring to a youngster. Sty was just the type to be allured toward their gang.

Basil spoke up and said. “Tell me where you are to meet Penny, and Susie, and I will meet you there tomorrow around noon or earlier. I will do some work from this end, and see what I can find out, and I will meet up with you and talk with Penny. Will you tell them to stay put there until I get there?” 

Grace cleared her throat. “I will Mr. Basil and I knew that if anyone would help us you would. Thanks again.” Grace turned and flew out of Basil’s office as if she were just one feather in flight. 

Basil watched her fly off, and then went over to his desk turned on the computer to find the file on the Grackle gang. He pecked at the keyboard and searched and searched. He called in favors and searched the social networks. He gleaned and gathered as much information as he could from that source. Then he sent a text to his buddy officer Mack to meet him at the Fly Inn.

Basil arrived first and loaded up on seeds and had a nice tall boy sitting in front of him at the far end of the bar so he could watch the door. Officer Mack Mockingbird came in and sashayed toward him and hoped up on the bar stool next to him. “What do you need Basil?”

“I hear that the Grackle gang had an intruder the other evening at their membership meeting. Do you know anything about it?” Basil asked.

“The word in the trees and the parking lots is that some stray bird wanted to join the gang, and crashed their meeting. They didn’t like it, and they have him somewhere.” Officer Mack said.

“Do you know what kind of bird or who?” Basil asked.

“I’m not sure, but we haven’t heard of anyone missing in the area. In other words no one has put out a missing bird report. But, one of my informants said that it was a crossbreed bird. That he was an orphan or something like that.” Officer Mack said and took a swig from his beer. “Are you interested or do you know him?”

“I may know something, and that’s different than actually knowing. Do you know of a young bird, a crossbird, named Sty?” Asked Basil.

“Yeah, he’s been in and out of trouble with the law many times; assault, petty larceny, and a few other minor infraction. Do you think he’s the kid?”

“It’s quite possible. I had a young female in earlier telling me a story about a bird who can’t find her boyfriend. He’s been missing for a few days, and I know that the bird’s name was Sty. It’s quite possible he’s been trying to get the Grackle’s to take him in as a member. I’m wondering if this is just a coincidence or did he actually break into their meeting.” Basil popped in a few seeds and drank from his pilsner.

“You could be right. The word in the trees is that Sty wants to join the Grackle gang. What are we going to do Basil?” Officer Mack said with a wink.

“You and I are going to go have a chat with our friends the Grackles sometime mid-morning. In the meantime, I’m going to see if I can find his mother. I think I know her. His mother is a starling, and I think she lives on the alley off the road that goes to what is often called the gossip pool.” Basil replied.

“He has a mom?” Officer Mack said with a start.

“I think so. I’ll find out. Shall we meet at my office at mid-morning?” Basil and Officer Mack agreed. They each finished their beers and chatted briefly and flew off their separate ways. Basil went back to his Office nest, The Bird’s Eye View Detective Agency reflected in the door as he flicked on the light. 

To be continued...

Thanks again for stopping by.  It's turning out to be longer than I expected.  Then again it's a work in progress.  I have no idea when, where or how it will end yet.  You'll just have to read to find out...

That's all for now...

To Join or Not to Join
By Carrie Fleharty

Sty stood under the shade of the oak tree kicking each blade of grass as he thought about how he could obtain membership in the exclusive Grackle Gang.  He had tried about everything from assault, to petty larceny.  Each time he thought he had taken a step to be included into the gang he was either beaten up more, or was asked to do one more thing.  Sty was tired of being heckled, and made a spectacle of in front of everyone in the neighborhood.  The more the gang worked him over the angrier he became.  The angrier he became the more persistent and determined to become a member.  

As the shadows changed forms, Sty heard a familiar feathered sound land next to him.  Looking up out of the corner of his beady eye was the most kind hearted girl bird he ever knew.  Penny had floated in right next to him and as his heart felt lighter and the shadows seemed to disappear.  With Penny near his side, nothing mattered, not even the Grackle Gang.  Penny was the only one in the world who ever understood him, or who ever tried to understand him.  She was a jewel among feathers.

Penny stared at him momentarily and asked the usual questions such as; how he was feeling, what he was thinking, what was he up to at the moment.  Sty answered in his usual tone as to say; everything was fine.  He wasn't doing anything in particular.  He was just hanging around.  He was thinking about her and how nice and wonderful she was, and that she was the best thing in his world.  Penny blushed when he said this and tucked her head down and almost buried her beak underneath her left grayish wing.  Sty wished that he was worthy of such a wonderful girl, but he just didn't feel like he amounted to the feathers that made him fly.  He wanted to be someone.  He wanted to be bold and to be a bird that Penny could look to for comfort and shelter.  Right now he didn't feel that he was anything.

Soon after they hopped over and through the shaded grasses Sty told Penny that he had to go meet some guys about a job.  She told him that she hoped he would be safe, and that they would meet again around this oak tree soon.  He said sure that would be great.  He would love to meet her here again, but didn't know when that would be, because if this job worked out it would take him out of the area, and he didn't know when he would be back again. 

Penny looked at him awkwardly and stated the she hoped it wasn't something with the Grackle gang and that if it was she wasn't sure she would want to see him again.  All she had heard was that Grackle gang was that they were trouble with a capital "T". They harassed folks for no reason, and caused harm among the bird citizens. She even had known them to have beaten up a respectable Mr. Sparrow who lived in the next neighborhood. Sty then told her that he had heard some of that, and she should trust him more. After all she was more important to him than a gang of birds who wrecked havoc; all the while keeping his breath and heart in check so as not to give any indication to Penny that he was telling a lie.

A tad more talking and relating to each other, Sty felt as if he had settled down Penny’s fears and flew off in the opposite direction as to throw off Penny’s sight. She too flew off in search of her girlfriends to go have a fling at the local drive-in to socialize and grab food.

Meanwhile, Sty flew towards the membership meeting of the Grackle gang and dropped down and landed on the roof next to the trees where the meeting was being held. He thought about flying in and busting up the meeting. He also thought about sneaking into the meeting. One of the two ways would certainly gain recognition and allow him to become a member of that gang. Who couldn’t refuse a worthy opponent? That would certainly show some skill, and finesse. He made his decision.

He flew off and circled the trees, and landed in the shadows. He landed as if he was a stealthy hawk after his prey. From the bottom of the tree he would creep forward bit by bit and then branch by branch. As he mingled in and amongst the very loud chatter of the meeting he wasn’t noticed, and he drew closer and closer towards the leaders.

To be continued…

Thanks for stopping by...I hope you are enjoying To Join or Not to join…There are only two parts to this story. I am sure that tomorrow the second half will be posted. Today February 1, 2011 we have snow be a blizzard. Wow. So, I will be sitting pretty much be sitting next to the computer; writing.

That’s all for now…