Therapy for the TMoOD and Skeet Ulrich addicted fans

Fan Fiction

2008-03-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovely People,

I've had a few requests recently for my TMoOD fan fiction. If you think some of it comes from devastated Jericho Fans looking to reconnect with Ray, I mean Mr. Skeet Ulrich, the answer is you bet.

I'm having touble

I'm having trouble reading the drop down menus above to get it all re-added. So, I created a TMoOD fandom on a really great fan fic website. Since then, lgl has also added her excellent stories to the mix.

Looking for a little Singleton Farm back in your life? Or do you have a Ray & Livy story to share?

Please visit:

http://www.fanlib.com/fandom/Magic_of_Ordinary_Days__The/74gna?sort=OLDEST&propertyId=74gna

Let's keep Ray & Livy alive....

ScriptGirl
xo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SKEET!

2008-01-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

On this, your 38th birthday, all of your fans celebrate with you, hoping you have a wonderful day!

Over the years, you've given the tmoodaddicts, skeetulrich.proboards.com, and capturingskeet.com participants ''screams'' of terror, laughter, tears and ''chills'' with your "miracle"-ulous performances. We are happily anticipating all of your future projects. Best of luck each and every day as you continue providing ''magic'' through your "craft'' and know that we wish you all the best!

A Skeet Birthday Present for US!!!

2008-01-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

Ulrich joins Sony's 'Armored' By Leslie Simmons

Jan 8, 2008

Hollywood reporter link

Skeet Ulrich is returning to the big screen in Sony's Screen Gems drama "Armored."Ulrich ("Jericho") will play Dobbs, a scruffy member of an armored truck company team who plans to empty a truck of its $10 million.

Matt Dillon and Columbus Short star. Laurence Fishburne, Jean Reno and Fred Ward co-star.Nimrod Antal ("Vacancy") is directing from a screenplay by James V. Simpson. Sam Raimi, Josh Donen and Dan Farah are producing, with Chris Lemos and Luis Guerrero co-executive producing. Filming began this week in Los Angeles.

Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper and senior vp production Eric Paquette will oversee for the studio.Ulrich has worked mostly on TV for the past few years, starring on CBS' "Jericho."

After being resurrected from cancellation following a fan campaign at the network, the series returns Feb. 12.His film credits include "As Good as It Gets," "Ride With the Devil" and "Scream." He's repped by the Gersh Agency and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

From Tracy - a.k.a. Bombwatcher

2008-01-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

Ray sat at the table, elbows resting on the hard wood and head resting on his folded hands. He had never felt so helpless. Livy lay upstairs in his parent's bedroom, covered with blankets to try to ward away the chill that had taken over her body. The doctor was now with her.

Glancing to the window, Ray tried to take his mind away from his wife. The snow was falling slower now and the wind was far less fierce. He was thankful that he had been able to find the house and call for help. The rest had happened like a blur.

The hardest part now was waiting.

"Mr. Singleton?"

Ray immediately stood. "Yes, doctor?"

Doctor Williams placed his cloth bag on the kitchen table and looked to the anxious man. He had seen the look of fear mingled with hope before, and he always hated this part of the job the most; taking away the hope, and replacing it with sadness.

"Mr. Singleton ... you're wife is very lucky. Thank God you found her when you did."

Ray nodded slowly and cleared his throat before beginning with a whisper, "I've been doing plenty of that."

"Yes, I'm sure you have."

Taking a deep breath, the Doctor continued.

"Mr. Singleton, I'm afraid I have some very bad news."

Seeing the tears well in the young mans eyes, he motioned to the chair.

"You may want to sit down."

The two did so and the Doctor began relaying to Ray what he knew about Livy's condition.

"You're wife is very lucky to be alive. In fact, if you hadn't found her when you did, there is a very good chance that she would have died. The amount of poison that I found in her system was ... well, horrible."

Ray closed his eyes and placed his folded hands on the table again, his lips moving in silent prayer.

"I was able to remove the majority of the poison and give her several bouts of antiboiotics which will hopefully get rid of the rest on it's own."

Slowly, the young mans eyes opened and he looked to Doctor Williams.

"What about ... what about the baby." His voice was hoarse with emotion.

"I ... I'm afraid your wife ... lost the baby."

Ray gasped for a breath and looked away, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Why? How?

"I'm so very sorry for your loss, Mr. Singleton. But ... but at least your wife is alive."

Ray couldn't speak. He simply nodded and looked at his clasped hands, trying desperately to find a lie to the Doctor's words.

It couldn't be ... "I ... I want to see her."

Doctor Williams nodded.

"You may. Just ... try not to wake her. She is fighting the poison and she'll need all the rest she can get."

Ray stood slowly, unsure of the strength in his legs.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"Mr. Singleton, if anything happens - anything at all, I want you to call me. Immediately."

"Yes, Sir, I will."

Shaking the man's hand, Ray nodded and watched as the Doctor tipped his hat, grabbed his bag from the table and walked to the door.

After hearing it close, Ray turned and walked to the stairs, feeling as though nothing could penetrate the shock that stood around him like the air he breathed.

He wondered what Livy would do when he told her.

Wishing you...

2008-01-01T03:02:00.000-08:00

... a very Healthy & Happy New Year with love from ScriptGirl.

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part 13

Hanks strains his eyes to see something ~ anything ~ that looks familiar in the road ahead. The lights of his vehicle are dimming by the moment as the thick, wet snow sticks like plaster of Paris. He growls in frustration, stopping for what feels like the tenth time already to scrape them and restore visibility.

***

“Hang on. Hang on, my girl. Don’t push yet. I said don’t push.”

“Mwaaaaaaa.” Livy shouts at her husband in frustration.

“It’s time. I can feel it. I know it is. It’s time.”

Ray pushes down on her leg, squeezing her knee with his hand, gently but firmly making his point.

“Olivia Dunn Singleton, I want you to listen to me now and listen good. I know you feel ready. But I can tell you from where I’m sitting here, it’s not time yet, my girl.

She scoffs in utter exasperation.

“What do you know?”

He rubbs her leg soothingly.

“I’ve been in this seat, in one way or another, every spring and fall since I was not much older than this little one. I know what I’m talking about. You have to just trust me now.”

“Mwaaaaaaaaa.”

***

“Hello?”

A roar of boisterous party-goers can be heard through the receiver. Danny holds it back from his ear.

“Hi. Where’s your dad?”

“Stewie, he’s with -”

“Can you hear me, boy?”

Dan sighs. Taking a long breath, he bellows from somewhere down deep in his diaphragm.

“They’re not here. They’re LOST.”

“I need you Dad to settle a – what – how’s that now?”

“I said they’re lost. Mama was – the baby started acting up and Doc said they should head into town. The snow started and they never made it. Uncle Hank’s out looking for them now.”

Stewie’s tone obviously had an affect on his fellow partygoers as things were suddenly coming through the phone line crystal clear. He shouts something at his friends who begin rallying in the background.

“We’re heading out from this end to comb the roads. We’ll find ‘em.”

Daniel thanks him, but it’s been so long now that he’s past being consolled.

***

“Mwwaaaaaa.”

“Names? How about some names? Let’s do that, again.”

Ray clutches the brim of his hat, pleased with this temporary distraction.

“Okay. Good, yes. Okay.” Livy blows air through her pursed lips. “Girl.”

“Priscilla?”

Livy shakes her head. “Too many S’s.”

“Constance?”

She shakes again. “Too – mature. More like your bridge partner than your baby.”

Ray laughs openly, welcoming this moment of much needed levity.

“Christina?”

“Too long. Chris-ti-na-sing-le-ton. That’s about two syllables past a mouthful.”

Ray sits on a highly varnished tree stump stool, wondering how long he can stretch out this game.

***

“Hey there.”

Daniel turns his face, forgetting his hood is up. Lowering the bulky fabric, he glances sideways at Ruth. She drives slowly alongside her young cousin.

“Where are you going?”

He thrusts his hands into his pea coat pockets.

“Going to find ‘em. Can’t wait around anymore.”

“Stewie’s out there with his buddies. They’ll find them. Now, hop in and we’ll head back to the farm.”

“No. Sorry but I’ve go to do this.”

“What if they try to phone? And Franklin’s probably worried sick by now.”

He shakes his head no.

“Besides, I really need to use the wc.”

He stops in his tracks. That was enough of that talk. He hops in and they head down the road.

The snow falls thicker than ever.

***

“Bridget?”

“Huhm.” Livy’s chin puckers slightly. “Not bad. You’re getting closer.”

“What are we looking for, here? I mean, what’s the benchmark?”

Livy sighs.

“Well, not too long. Not too modern. Not too precocious.”

“English, please.”

“Um, adorable but bratty about it.”

Ray nods, still playing along. The truth is that he would be happy with any name she picked. He could see it was important to her, but as he had once pointed out, there was a fellow working at the grain elevator named Thackmorton who was surviving just fine.

The humour of this was lost on his swollen, volatile wife and since that day he’d learned to let her take the helm on his issue.

He had only one demand.

Ray made it clear that he wanted the baby to have a fresh start with a name that was new to the family. Bearing a name that reminds all those who knew him of his brother’s passing had been an honour, but it was also his son’s cross to bear. Every time Danny dug into his creamed peas on toast, he saw his father give his head a shake. His brother had always hated them.

“Mwaaaaa. Rayyyy.”

Scooching the stool over beside the cot, Ray takes Livy’s hand in own.

***

“Shut up you idiots. What’s that? Is that a light?”

The loud chatter in the car ceases instantly as Stewie turns down the radio.

“Oh ~ you turn down the radio to see better and we’re the idiots?”

Laughter booms out from the back seat.

“I said SHUT IT. Do you guys hear that?”

All four windows are lowered and the passengers remain quiet, straining to hear. The heavy white snow cover muffles all sound.

Stewie pulls his foot off the brake slowly, picking up speed.

“Whoa, what’s that?” Derek’s bony finger points out from the back seat. Squinting, Stewie tries to see through the front window. A small light grows dimmer and dimmer, shrinking finally to nothing.

From what like the sky above, a tune can be heard faintly.

“Let me call you sweetheart, I’m in looooooove with youuuuuu.”

BAM.

The guys are slammed forward as Stewie’s truck hits something. Hard.

***

Ray shoves the logs around with an ancient looking andiron. They’re almost out of wood. A few sparks shoot up. He steps back, stomping out the two orange embers that land on the horsehair rug.

“What was that?”

“Sorry.”

“No, outside. I heard something.”

“It was me, honest. Uh, how about boys? Should we do boys now?”

“I need to push. PLEASE, is it time?”

Moving the lantern over closer, he holds her knees and leans in. His heart starts
pounding so hard. He’s sure she can hear it.

Livy starts whimpering quietly, but catches it in her throat.

“You’re doing fine, Ray. I’m sure you’re right. Let’s do boys now.”

Ray’s eyes well up. His wife is a miracle. Here she is with all this on her plate and yet she’s trying to make him feel better. Things must look pretty bleak.

He chews his cheek, ponderng their situation. The snow is too heavy for people to see smoke from the ground level chimney. He’d left the truck lights on and the engine running. Hopefully someone will spot the Beet Box on their way back from the pageant.

Ray glances out the small window at the snow. It seems like it will never end. He figures it must be after midnight by now. If worse comes to worse, the gas can is full. He decides he’ll slip out in a bit and top her up. They’ve got more that enough to keep it running until morning. By daylight they could make it to town.

He closes his eyes silently and prays it won’t come to that.

***

“Are you guys hurt?”

“Uggggg.”

“Derek? Everyone okay?”

“I’m fine. The others are okay I think. You?”

“Can’t see anything. Must have hit my head. I taste blood. Can you get out?”

“The door’s crushed in on my side. I can’t move.”

“Uggg. Krikey!”

“Mike?”

“Are you okay?”

“I’ll live.”

“Can you crawl to the front, pal?”

“I can do better than that.”

Mike opens the door and gets out.

“What the? – “

Ray grabs the side of the Stewie’s DeSoto, bracing himself. Mike comes around from the other side, almost colliding with Ray.

“How is she?”

“Stewie, you’re bleeding from the head!”

“I’m fine. How’s your wife?”

“Rayyyy – where are you?” Livy calls from the dugout.

Ray turns quickly to face the boys.

“Could be better. Now give us a few minutes and you can come inside.”

***

Hank barrels down the road at a decent clip. He’s been down here twice already but nothing – and the snow’s only getting worse.

He stops suddenly, snorting at his own stupidity. Of course! He’s coming from town. They’d be on the other side.

Pulling out again, he veers over across where the white line would be if he could see it in this snow. Struggling to see in front of his truck, he skids to a stop when a figure appears in the road ahead. Hank rolls down his window.

“Stewie? Mike? That you?”

***

“Mwwaaaa. Ray….oh, I can feel it. The baby’s coming. I can’t stop it. Can I push? Can I push?

Ray dries his freshly washed hands. Holding her knees, he sees the baby’s head crowning.

“It’s time. Okay, now PUSH.”

“Awwwwmwaaaaaa.”

***

“Derek, take my truck back to town and pick up Doc McCutcheon. Stewie, Mike, you come with me.”

Approaching the small door of the dugout, they hear Livy screaming. Hank lowers his chin into his coat collar.

“Let’s give it a minute or two.”

***

“Oh my Lord – we have a daughter. She’s a girl!”

Ray scoops her up and carries her over to her mother. Livy cries unabashedly as Ray places her in the fold of Livy’s arm.

“Look at her. Just look at her. Look what we did!”

Livy grabs Ray as he goes to stand. She pulls him close again.

“You are my hero, my best friend and the love of my life. And to have you for a father, well, this is just the luckiest little girl in the world.”

Ray kisses his wife and leans over, planting one on his daughter’s forehead too.

Standing, he turns towards the door. Just then a pounding comes from outside. Ray opens the door.

“Come on in and meet my new daughter.”

“How did all you boys find us? Stewie is that ~ are you bleeding?” Livy starts to sit up Ray motions to stop her.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

Hank, Stewie and Mike stand across the small room in a straight line. They each have their arms crossed tightly.

“What time is it?” Livy asks.

Mike looks at his watch.

“It’s just after two am.”

Ray chuckles comically.

“You boys look like the Three Stooges standing there. Get in here and see her.”

“Ray, its Christmas Eve.” She says to him.

Ray shrugs, looking at her for a hint.

“They’re our Three Wise Men.”

***

“Come in, come in! Happy New Year!”

Ray holds the door open for Martha. Inside, Danny collects coats, taking them upstairs to be spread out on his bed. Each time he steals a few moments to read another page of his Davey Crockett book.

Livy sits in the corner, her new baby swaddled in her arms. Rocking gently, she leans forward every now and then as guests approach to admire the new addition to the family.

Martha leans over to her sister-in-law.

“And so?”

Livy looks up at her.

“And so?”

“Does our little one have a name yet?”

Livy looks back down, adjusting the blankets. Ray steps up as people tune in for the answer.

“We’re taking our time. We want to get it right. It’s not as if she starts school tomorrow, folks.”

A few small bursts of laughter across the room make Ray feel momentarily foolish for his little outburst. Martha smiles knowingly at Livy, whose face beams back in appreciation. Conversations resume around the room as Ray approaches his sister.

“Truth is, we’re not making this any easier on her.”

Martha glances up at her brother, curious.

“How do you figure?”

“Singleton. It’s a bit of a clunker. Hard to pair up with anything, really.”

Livy looks up at Ray, somewhat surprised.

“Raymond Singleton. I will have you know that you, we rather, have one of
The most distinguished surnames in Otero County. Not only can Singletons be traced far back here, but I have found compelling evidence which shows that your people arrived to America in the mid sixteen hundreds, first settling in Virginia.”

Ray flips his wrists, displaying his open palms to his sister as if to say “I told you so.”

Livy stands, handing the baby to Martha. Turning to her husband, she takes his hand.

“Do you know what the name Singleton means? A farm in a burnt clearing. Back in old England someone had a fire and was then able to rise above that tragedy and make a farm. Renew life where it was destroyed. So, you see, I wasn’t having trouble with the name Singleton, I was trying to find a first name that would do it justice.”

Ray envelopes his wife in his arms. She tilts her head up, her chin resting on his chest. “And, I think I have.”

“You think you have what?”

She laughs, her eyebrows doing that confused little half frown.

“I think I’ve finally found a name.”

Ray tugs her gently into the kitchen. Martha follows, the baby in her arms. Danny’s gulping water down at the sink. He turns to face his family.

“What?”

“You mother thinks she’s found the right name.”

“What is it?”

“Beth.” Livy answers, her chin pointing slightly in punctuation.

Martha’s face registers polite surprise. Danny looks puzzled.

“You mean, for the Coronation? For Queen Elizabeth?”

Ray looks over at his wife in anticipation.

“No, Beth for the night she came into this world. That cold, scary, heart wrenching night.”

They all stare at her, waiting, hoping she’ll elaborate.

“Bethlehem. Beth as in Bethlehem.”

***

Livy rinses the bread and butter plates at the sink as Ray gently rocks Beth to sleep. He coos at her quietly, humming a tune under his breath.

“Hey, what every happened with the Metcalfes?”

“You mean you still want bananas? I’m shocked. I thought you’d had enough to last you the rest of your life.”

She pretends to swat him with the tea towel.

“No, didn’t you say he came to see Danny?”

“Oh.”

“Well?”

“He caught Sherry and Danny kissing in the shed behind the store.”

“Kissing?”

“Uh-huh.”

“He’s not even nine years old.”

“There’s more.”

“Okay.”

“They weren’t wearing their -”

“Their what?”

Ray clears his throat. Laying Beth gently in the bassinet, he walks over to Livy and places his hands on her shoulders. Turning her to him, he looks her square in the face.

“Their what?”

“They weren’t wearing their shoes.”

He breaks out in laughter. She swats him on the arm, relieved but still slightly frazzled. Wrapping her up in his arms, Ray kisses her fondly. Livy squeals, wriggling free of him and runs over to her daughter.

She gazes down at those pink little cheeks.

“I’ve been on this Boy Island since the day I got here, little one. And it sounds like things are about to get worse. I’m so glad you showed up when you did.”

Ray chuckles behind her as he picks up where she left off with the dishes.

Bending down, Livy scoops up her girl, unable to resist that sweet, sleepy face.

***

Merry Christmas Dear Friends!

2007-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Part 12 – Just This side of Tomorrow - By SG

Ray’s rocking his body from foot to foot, nodding his head at the voice on the other end of the phone.

“Yes, I understand. We will.”

Franklin barks loudly out back.

Placing the receiver gently on the cradle, he turns to face Livy on the davenport where he’d carried her just moments ago.

“He says with the baby being early and all, he’d feel better if we headed into the office. Says he’s got a proper surgery there and everything he needs. He thinks we’ve got more than enough time.”

Livy looks down at the rug under foot, examining the scalloped edge. Franklin’s bark continues outside.

“Well, all right then, let’s get a move on.”

Danny removes his coat from the hook. Ray shakes his head at his son.

“But Dad, I want to come too …?”

Ray looks at his son sternly at first but then realizes.

“Just forget about that, now. You’re not being punished, here. You’ve got an important job to do for us.”

Dan’s face perks up. He’s being trusted once again.

“We need you to stay here, by the phone, so you can let people know what’s going on. I’ve tried your Aunt Ruth and Abby but no one’s around.

Danny nods his head, placing his coat back on the hook. He picks up his Mama’s instead and carries it over to her. Placing it on her lap, he leans in close. She bends slightly forward. There faces are just inches apart.

“If it gets real bad, just holler. That’s what I do when I jump my go-cart down the bluffs. Just let out a good one, Mama. It does the trick. For real. “

Livy laughs and hugs her son. Pulling him back so she can look at his face, she holds his shoulders.

“Don’t you worry, now. I’m going to be fine. Just fine.”

Ray points to the kitchen.

“Would you go out back and check on Franklin, son. Sounds like he might have found himself a rabbit or two.”

Danny nods, yanking his coat and sticking his feet into his galoshes.

“Son, I want you to keep trying your Aunts until you get a hold of someone.”

“Yes, Sir. But I bet they’re all at the Pageant.”

Ray and Livy lock eyes. Of course. The Pageant. How had the day gotten away from them like that? Danny was right. It’s December 23rd, the day before Christmas Eve. The Pageant would be in full swing back in town.

Turning towards Livy, Ray’s eyebrows go up in question.

“It’s all right. I can make it. I’m awake now.”

“I’ll get some blankets and we can lay you out in the back, nice and flat.”

Livy winces in a combination of regret and worry.

“The thing is, I lent the car to Abby to go pick up those remnants in La Junta.”

Ray’s face flashes annoyance at his wife’s unrelenting generosity, but only for a second.

“The Beet Box, it is.”

***

Ray glances above his strong hands on steering wheel, craning his neck to see the night sky.

“Snow’s coming.”

Livy lays her head back in the corner between the headrest and the window.

“So, what did he say exactly?”

“He said it wasn’t your water breaking. There would have been a lot more. He said a fitful sleep was the cause.”

Livy’s neck tightens in that way she gets when she’s doing some serious reasoning.

“He figures you – you were startle in your sleep – you know. He says it happens all the time.”

What Ray didn’t add was the part about the pains staying he same.

“Pull over. If he pains stay the same time apart for too long or slow down, pull over, Ray. That’ll mean it’s time to get little one out of her, for both their sakes.”

The snow starts dumping suddenly; flakes the size of crab apples, as though a huge white blanket was being draped over the front hood of the truck.

They drive on in silence, other than the occasional sound of Livy hissing air through her tightly gnashed teeth. Ray was sorry for her pain, but glad of its steady pace.

“You’re doing just fine, my girl. Don’t worry – we’ll be there soon.

***

“Hello?”

“Uncle Hank!”

“Danny m’boy. How are you?

“I’ve been calling there but no answer.”

Hank picks up on the slight panic in his voice.

“I got a touch of fever so I’m lyin’ low tonight. Just got up for some water.
What about you guys?”

“Mama and dad already left, but they’re not going to the Pageant.”
“Where are they going?”

“To Dr. McCutcheon’s office. Mama’s ready to let that baby out.”

Hank clears his throat, trying to hide his concern. The heavy snow started over an hour ago.

“When did they leave?”

“The thing is, it’s snowing pretty bad out here now.”

“Don’t you worry, Danny Boy. I’ll phone the doc’s office and see that they made it.”

After a few words between the two of them, Danny hangs up. He slumps down on the davenport, relieved that he wasn’t carrying this alone anymore.

***

“Are you all right?”

Livy’s mouth purses in deep concern. They had to pull over every few minutes so he could climb out and scrape off the windshield. At first he used his sleeve but once his hands grew numb it didn’t matter anyway. His hands look red and angry.

He chuckles at her concern.

“You’re a caution, Livy.”

Ray had been timing her contractions to the volume of snowfall on the glass. He’s worried now. The windshield was completely covered again and she hadn’t had another bout of the pains.

“The snow’s getting bad. I think we should stop.”

“What?” Livy seems panicked at idea of such a personal event happening in a strange place. Her face gives it all away.

“We know everyone on this stretch of road by name. Any one of them would be pleased to help us out. “

“But, I just…”

“There’s no time. We have to find somewhere.”

***

Danny saunters over to the Christmas tree, admiring the first few small packages placed underneath. He gets down on his knees and leans over the colourful bundles, trying to guess if they were for him. That was Mama’s trick – she never labelled them so there was no way to know.

Feeling selfish suddenly, he returns to his spot on the davenport and sits with his back very straight.

***

The windshield is fighting a losing battle. As their breathing grows heavier with each passing house, Ray rubs, keeping the steam away long enough to make out the sharp twists and bends in the road ahead. No lights on at the Garrity’s. Probably at the Pagean too, he thinks.

The Hollis place is next. They’re away; something about visiting family in Tacoma. He knows he could break the side window. Heck, he could have the glass replaced before they even made it back. They had no telephone, though. He wanted a place where he could call the Doc, have the man talk him through it if need be.

They keep plodding along, Livy’s glances growing wilder by the minute.

Perspiration drips into Ray’s eyes, stinging them and making him feel more and more lost as they pass each fencepost.

***

“Hello?”

“It’s Hank, son. Listen, they haven’t reached town yet. I’m going to head out and see
if I come across them pulled over somewhere along the way. Keep calling your Aunt Abby and try your Granddad at the church too.”

Danny lets out a whimper, but quickly slaps his hand over his mouth.

“Your Dad’s been out driving in much worse than this,” Hank lies.

After thanking him, Danny places the receiver back on the cradle.

Hank stands in his front room. As he hangs up the telephone, nothing but the lantern he's holding lights his way as he climbs the stairs to change out of his pyjamas.

The power went out just over eleven minutes ago.

***

“STOP!”

Ray’s foot goes to break peddle but he instinctively holds himself from stomping down, knowing such a hard stop on an icy road would surely send them into a fishtail spin with nowhere to end but the ditch.

Composing himself and stopping calmly, he turns to Livy. Alarm flashes on his face but just for a second. He waits.

“The dugout!”

He looks ahead, biting his cheek a moment. The snow is getting heavier. It would take all they’ve got just to get them up the next hill.

“It’s fine. Danny and I have done a lot of work in there. It’ll be fine.”

Ray looks dubious but her pleading face and the sky ahead show him there’s no other way.

Leaving the engine running he gets out and runs around to her side. Opening the door, he slides her gingerly off the seat and hoists her up into his arms. Planting each step deeply into the sticky snow he makes his way to the shallow front door.

“I’m all right. I can walk. Let me walk.”

Ray lowers his left arm until her feet are just inches from the ground. She pushes open the door and they walk in. Waddling right over to the corner, she stops a few times to brace herself on furniture. Striking the long minor’s match, she lights the kerosene lantern. Holding it out to Ray, the light reveals his awe.

“You did this? You and Danny did this?”

They had looked at an old photograph she found of Ray’s mother as a young married woman. In the background, a pencil drawing of a room which must surely be this one was visible, leaned on a small stack of books. Someone’s homework? A hobby? She would never know but she had realized the moment she saw it that the room in the drawing depicted life in this dugout home.

Danny had helped her recreate the room as it once was. It was going to be a surprise.

Ray pivots around the room, arms outstretched slightly.

“This is just how I remember it. This is how they had it. How did you do it? Livy, I’ve got a lump in my throat, here.”

Livy laughs. Bracing herself suddenly, she points to the cot in the corner.

“My lump takes precedent over yours, right now.”

Ray helps her to the bed. She lays down, so grateful for that fresh pillow. Her hand tightens around Ray’s wrist as another bout of pains engulfs her. She breaths her way through it.

As her grip on his slackens a little, Ray stands. Rubbing his arms, he looks around a bit more. A robust but neat stack of firewood sits right at the small hearth. He smiles at the thought of his son. And now they would be four.

“Ray?”

He turns, hearing the edge of panic in her voice. He raises his eyebrows.

“What are we going to do?”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he brushes her hair back from her face and gives her a kiss on the mouth. Looking deeply into her eyes, their faces only inches apart, he responds in almost a whisper.

“We’re going to do what we always do. We’re going to be here for each other.”

***

Skeet Sighting: Pole Position Raceway

2007-12-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was another fun filled day with Skeet, probably at a past time he truly enjoys, racing. He was at the Pole Position Raceway in Corona, California. Did any of you Skeet fans happen to go and see him there?

Here are a couple of pics from the event. He's got a new military cap...

source: moonlight-detective.com

Part Eleven

2007-11-24T23:06:00.000-08:00

Just This Side of Tomorrow by SG

***

“Oh Livy! I met your sister this morning – what lovely girl!”

Livy’s walk continues at the same pace, even though Mrs. Jarvis’ has slowed.

“Yes, she is, um, thank you.”

Livy adds a quick nod at the end afraid that her tone was not exactly convincing. Opening the car door, she slides into the passenger seat and slams it quickly. Huffing out a long sigh, she leans her head back and closes her eyes for a moment.

“Had ‘nuff?” Ray’s hand rubs her leg soothingly.

Livy nods quietly, keeping her eyes closed. He starts the ignition and they roll off down Main Street.

***

Danny meanders slowly up the hill, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He can still feel the burn of embarrassment radiating on the back of his neck. The sting of Mr. Metcalfe’s words, hissed at him through clenched teeth, are fresh in his mind too.

As he reaches the top of the small hill, Danny looks out over the land his father works so hard. He knows it’s all for him someday. Dad had never said in so many words but his patient coaching through any and all farm chores, no matter how small, let Danny know. This would all be his responsibility one day.

Sighing, he takes off his hat and looks down at the house below. Scratching his head, he places his hat back on. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he steels himself and starts forebodingly down the hill.

***

As Ray and Livy pull up out in front of the house, Daniel over hears them and scurries up the stairs to his room. He shuts his door quietly.

Ray holds the front door open for Livy. Sliding her coat off her shoulders, Ray hangs it carefully on the hook. Placing his hands on her shoulders her guides her into the living room. Turning her, he pushes until she slumps down onto the davenport.

Ray sits down beside her, stretching his arms out and placing his hands on his knees. She stares straight ahead, in a daze. They sit in silence for a few moments. Livy’s hand comes up to her cheek, resting their in an almost puzzled manner.

“I mean, she did say this was her calling, right?”

“Right.”

“So, I didn’t just dream it?”

“Nope.”

“I just... I mean… Abby’s always been a little pre-occupied, but this is…”

“Surprising?”

“To say the least.”

Ray’s glance indicates he’s not quite as caught off guard.

The telephone in the hall rings loudly, interrupting their conversation. Ray gets up, answering on the second ring.

“Hello?” He rolls his eyes in his wife’s direction.

“Yes. She was there all day. From Kresge. No, I didn’t pick it, I gave her 3 choices. Blue. Uh-huh. I don’t know, light blue? I’m not sure, Abby. I see. I don’t know about that. Yellow. Yes, it was pale. All right. Yes, I’m sure. No, she’s resting. I’d really rather not. She’s exhausted after the day she put in. Yes, I’ll tell her. Yes, Abby, I will. Yes, okay. Goodnight.

Livy’s busy picking green paint out of her fingers nails. Her brows pinch tightly in annoyance.

“She doesn’t like the green?”

Ray sighs deeply, frustrated for his wife.

“She says yellow is cheerful and more conducive to selling.”

Ray rolls his eyes again, his voice going up a few octaves in a fairly decent imitation of his sister-in-law.

“Oh, and besides, the yellow will be the perfect background for the new spring dresses, just in time for your Grand Opening.”

Livy’s palm slaps her forehead, exasperated.

“Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”

“What about supper?”

“I’ll make something. How about a grilled cheese?”

Livy’s stomach lurches. She looks up at him, giving him a small, hopeful smile.

“Did you get over to Metcalfe’s?”

Ray’s mouth forms a small frown.

“I did. He says he’s sorry. No bananas until Monday. What about an apple?”

“I’m not hungry, really.”

Ray marches her upstairs.

***

The slit of light coming from the hallway shrinks away as Ray tugs on the bedroom door.

“Get some rest, my girl.”

Livy murmurs back as darkness descends on the still, quiet sanctuary of their bedroom.

***

Ray meets Danny at the bottom of the stairs.

“Your Mama’s asleep. Let’s keep it down.”

Danny nods his head. Proceeding to the kitchen, Dan starts setting the table.

“Should I set a place for her?”

Ray bites his cheek for a moment, then nods his head.

“Better go ahead. Just encase she does come down. We don’t want her to think we forgot about her.”

Daniel nods, laying the plates down at each spot. Ray reaches into the breadbox and pulls six slices out of the bag.

“Grilled cheese?”

Ray nods, his eyes laughing. Danny was so easy to please sometimes. He rests his top of his son’s head. His small shoulders tense up. After a moment he looks up at his dad. His eyes are tormented.

Ray tries not to laugh. The boy is seven years old. How bad could whatever was troubling him actually be?

Ray pretends not to notice and goes back to his sandwich making. He would be out with it soon. Secrets for Danny were like hot potatoes – he couldn’t hold onto one for long.

Danny lets out a huge sigh behind him. Ray smiles in the corner, cutting the slices of cheese. Any second now…

“Dad?”

“Uh-huh.”

“When did you first love Mom?”

Ray’s head comes up and he catches a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the kitchen window. It’s the first time an older man has looked back.

“Dad?”

Ray clears his throat.

“Well, I guess I’m going to need you to go ahead and repeat that question, son.”

“When did you first love Mom?”

Ray turns to his son, wiping his hands on the tea towel a little more vigorously than normal.

“You mean when did I first feel like I loved your Mother?”

“No, you already told me that a hundred times. It was when you first met… I know…”

Ray laughs a little, but stops himself when he sees his son growing frustrated.

“No, I mean when did first show her?”

Ray’s throat closes slightly. He pulls on a kitchen chair, pointing for Daniel to sit.

“Show her what?”

“Dad, I need to tell you something.”

Ray’s hand white knuckles the back of the wooden chair.

“Well, spit it -

A sudden hammering at the front or causes them both to jump out of their skin. Ray’s eyebrows knit themselves together in a frustrated line.

“Who the - ?”

Stomping towards the front door, he turns to Danny.

“We’re not finished here, right?”

“No, Sir.”

Ray walks back to the door. Pushing open the screen, he looks out at Joshua Metcalfe with a sceptical smile.

“Well, its one thing to have the town plumber AND grocer come when you call him. It’s another thing entirely to have you show up on instinct. It seems I need you on both counts these days.”

Ray and the man share a friendly handshake.

“I don’t see any bananas for my very pregnant wife, so plummer it is. I expect we’ll be needing you soon for the powder room at the dress shop. Come on in.”

As Ray backs up, he nearly trips on Danny, wide eyed and tucked in closely beside him.

“Danny - what are you – I said we would continue our talk later.”

Danny’s feet stay planted in place.

Turning to close the door behind Joshua, Ray glances over at the man’s serious face.

“I think the boy had better hear what I have to say.”

***

Livy extends her arms up to the sky. Hooking the corner of the diaper to the clothesline with a wooden peg, she tugs on the bottom. Allowing her neck to relax, her head falls back. She closes her eyes as the warmth of the sun envelopes her face.

Reaching down for another wet diaper she feels a slight pinching in her side. Better take it easy, she thinks to herself. Humming along with Bing Crosby to Mountain Greenery from the radio on the other side of the open kitchen window, she slows her pace.

A crackling comes from the radio startling her as the familiar voice of William Shirer breaks the calm.

“We interrupt this musical event to bring you news from the Front - ”

Livy gasps. Collecting her laundry she decides to head back inside and find Ray, to tell him what she's just heard.

She stops, suddenly sensing that she’s not alone. Pivoting on one heal, spins around.

A man in a wrinkled, khaki military uniform stands just a fifty feet away from her. His face is full of rage.

Walter.

She drops the clothes pins from her hand and starts running. As she looks back, she sees Walter gaining on her. She clasps her hands under her round belly to absorb some of the impact of each pounding step.

“RAYYYYY.” She screams at the top of her lungs.

His long legs take one to every three of her small, waddling steps.

“RAYYYY” she continues screaming with all her breath.

Reaching the barn, she runs inside and grabs the large wooden door. Pushing behind it with all her might, she cries out as a sharp pain tears across her middle.

Walter stands before her, breathing heavily, his hands planted on the other side of the door.

“You promised me a coffee.”

“WHAT?”

“I SAID - You promised me a COFFEE.”

Backing up slowly, her heel thumps against a water bucket, tipping it over. She falls backwards, landing on her backside in a pile of soaking wet hay.

“RAYYYY.”

“Livy!!”

Livy looks up at Ray’s beaming face. He seems so pleased with himself.

“Where is he?”

“He’s right here, Livy Honey. He’s right here.”

Ray brings his hands from behind him and proudly shows her the biggest banana she has ever seen.

“Oh, I –“

“Livy!”

Livy squeezes her eyes closed.

“Wake up.” Ray says, more firmly now. Holding her hand, he shakes it lightly.

Livy opens her eyes. Ray and Danny are standing above her.

“It’s time to go, my girl.”

“Go where. Where are we going?”

“Your water broke.”

“No. Not yet.”

Livy’s eyes fall closed.

Ray chuckles, amused by how sleepy she is.

“Come on. Get up for me, now.”

A car door slams outside.

“Who’s that?” she moans.

“Josh Metcalfe.”

Livy’s eyes spring open.

“Did he find me some bananas?”

Ray chuckles for a moment.

“No, sorry. He was just here to talk.”

Livy props herself up on one elbow, awake now. She motions for Danny to pass her the glass of water on the nightstand.

“Talk about what?”

Ray’s eyes dart over to Danny, just for a second.

“That’s for another time. Right now we’ve got bigger fish to fry. Let’s GO.”

Livy laughs at his enthusiasm, trying to plant her feet on the floor. Another pain sears across her front.

“You’d better call Martha and Doc McCutcheon. I don’t think I’m going anywhere.”

***

Vintage Skeet Gallery Update: SS (98)

2007-11-08T11:33:00.001-08:00

Thanks to roro of the Singleton Forum >> I have added over 200 screen captures to the gallery from Skeet's 1998 movie Soldier's Sweetheart! Thank you and great job capturing skeet, roro! Here is a sneak peek.

You can see all the additions here >> If you haven't had a chance to see this movie, I highly recommend it! Skeet gives an outstanding performance.. but then when doesn't he?!

Hey! Nielsen

2007-10-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hey! Nielsen, an online social network site for a diverse range of pop
culture enthusiasts who are eager to make their voices heard to Nielsen clients
and other decision-makers in the entertainment industry.

"Hey! Nielsen gives lovers of pop culture an opportunity to sound off
online and to make their voice heard by decision-makers," said Karen Watson,
Senior Vice President of Communications at The Nielsen Company, and Executive
Sponsor of Hey! Nielsen. "If you're passionate about any aspect of the
entertainment world, you will find like-minded consumers on Hey! Nielsen. We
hope this will be a fun place to share opinions and discuss your favorite shows,
movies and music. And because we will be providing our clients with insights
from Hey! Nielsen members, joining the network is a way to let the entertainment
industry know what you think."
source: www.nielsenmedia.com
This will be a great way to get our opinions heard directly for Jericho.
Check these sites:
http://www.heynielsen.com/blog/
http://jerichomonster.blogspot.com/

Gallery Update: Jericho DVD Launch Party

2007-10-31T06:23:00.000-07:00

I have added 13 high quality pictures to the capturing skeet gallery from the Jericho first season DVD launch party back on October 2, 2007. Here is a sneak peek.

You can see all the additions here >> Please remember to keep clicking on the picture until it's full size or choose "original." Warning, they are super huge! When your heart skips a beat, don't forget I warned you! ;-)

TV Guide: Exclusive First Look! Jericho

2007-10-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

Next week's tv guide has a one page blurb on Jericho in their Top 10 Stories. I have scanned the page and added it to the capturing skeet gallery.

You can see the original size here « Just click on the scan until it is the size you want it to be!

From Tracy (a.k.a. Bombwatcher)

2007-10-22T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ray lifted his eyes to the inside of the barn. Everything was untouched by the storm that roared outside. Turning to look through a small crack in the wooden door, he searched for the house he knew was there, though it seemed as if the building had been completely oblitereated in the snow storm.

His shoulders rose and fell as he exhaled a deep sigh. He slowly stood, managing his weight against the door, then walked to the ladder. He would be able to watch the storm progress from the safety, and warmth of the hayloft.Slowly, he pulled himself onto the first rung, then the next, balancing his weight against the wooden frame. As he reached the top rung, he paused, glancing behind him. Again, he could have sworn he heard Franklin's bark, but it was so distant, so quiet, it was almost unheard.

"Silly dog," Ray muttered under his breath, fighting a smile at the thought of Franklin somewhere in the snow storm. He had no worries for the mutt because he had been in worse storms and come back alive and well.

He quickly pulled himself above the hayloft's wall, then stopped short. Livy's body was limp against the hay. When he whispered her name, she made no movement. "Livy?" He asked quietly, unsure of what to do. The first instinct that shot through him told him that he should be happy that she was not out in the snow storm, but the second held the most momentum. What in the world was she doing in the barn, in the hayloft, asleep?

"Livy?" He asked again, gently rubbing a hand over her loosened hair. It had been at the oddest times when he had noticed her beauty, and now as one of those times. His hand moved down, slowly, from her hair down to her neck, where he paused. A dull beating throbbed against his finger - though he wasn't sure if it was his own or hers. Hearing a loud gust of wind from the story outside, Ray tried to come up with a reasonable explenation for Livy's appearance.

Suddenly, his eyes jerked down to her leg. He had seen the slight redness before, but he hadn't questioned as to what it was. He was about to touch it, then quickly pulled his hand back. Even though Livy was his wife, he felt as if he were violating her by touching her leg. Pulling in a deep breath, he ignored the thought and touched the area. "Oh no," he whispered, lifting his finger to see a crimson stain. "No!"

When the pieces finally came together, the realization hit him like a swift punch to the chest. Hank had told him just the other day that a few rattlesnakes had been spotted around the area, but Ray hadn't even considered that they would seek shelter from the cold in his barn.
Ray's eyes slowly moved from her leg to her chest. The slow, yet steady rise and fall gave him a small amount of peace. He gently placed a hand on her forehead. She was burning with fever. His mind raced with questions. He couldn't leave her, yet he knew she needed a Doctor.
Running a hand through his hair then down to his jaw, he could feel the tears burning his eyes. He couldn't lose Livy - not yet.

Suddenly, he heard the door to the barn being banged with something. Was it his imagination? Glancing quickly to Livy, he stood and walked to the edge of the loft. The door began to open.

"Hey!" he called.

When the door opened fully, someone stepped in.

"Hank! Thank God!"

Hank looked around, then to the loft. "Ray! What in the world are you doing out here in the middle of a -"

"Hank, you have to help me!"

"What? What's wrong?"

"It's Livy," he said, motioning behind him. "I need to get her down from here."

Hank smiled as he crossed his muscled arms over his chest. "Ray, what in the world are you doing?"

"Hank ... I'm serious. She's up here and she's asleep. I don't know what's wrong." He neglected to share his fears about the snake with his brother-in-law because Hank knew just how serious that would be - and Ray didn't want to know. Not now, at least. "Please, hurry up and help me get her down."

Immediately, Hank grabbed the wooden rings of the ladder and pulled himself up. After jumping into the hayloft, he surveyed Livy for a few seconds, then turned to Ray.

"I need you to go in the house, and call Doctor Morten."

"But -"

"Now, Ray!"

Capturing Skeet

2007-10-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

Kelly,

I know you prefer not to be in the limelight, but I couldn't just let it slip away without any kind of acknowledgement...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=885dqHtbUbI

SG

Gallery Update

2007-10-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have added 31 pictures to the capturing skeet gallery from the Jericho DVD launch event held on October 2nd. You can see them all here «

Hope everyone is enjoying Autumn!

Skeet Sighting: DVD Launch Party

2007-10-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

The hat lives!

there's something in those lips to love this best...

Jericho DVD Launch Party - October 2

source: WI

Target a Jericho set

2007-10-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

TMoODers, Rangers and Skeet fans, the day has come - no commercials, crystal clear pictures and behind the scenes extras one can't wait to see - the Jericho DVD is finally here!

Make sure to stop by the store and pick up your copy if you hadn't reserved online. October 2 (Tuesday) is your day.

TIP: Head to Target to get a special DVD (so I was told) with your Jericho 1st Season Set.

Get it online here to get your copy (or an extra one just in case) JERICHO DVD SET

Let's do it again and show our support for the Jericho team, show them we are still here.

Thursday, July 20, 1944

2007-09-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

Sleep was fitful and I naturally woke up with the dawn. There was no sense staying in bed if I am already wide awake. I figured Livy would like to sleep in after a long trip and eventful yesterday. I said my morning prayers and headed for the bathroom. I stopped at Livy’s door and pressed my ear on the surface for any signs of breathing. There was no sound coming from her room. Doubt somehow threatened my resolve from checking the other side of the door.

Did all that really happen yesterday?

As I brushed my teeth I kept reasoning to the image staring at me in the mirror.

Might she have gone in the middle of the night and returned to Denver?

Head on to Ray's diary and read his latest entry...

A Candle in the Darkness

2007-09-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

By Tracy (Bombwatcher)

"Thanks, Matt," Ray said as he grabbed a pile of letters from the Mail Personnel's desk. Matthew Beck, the elderly gentleman who worked at the mail office smiled and nodded..

"Oh, Ray, I almost forgot. . ." Ray turned back to the gray haired man, who was holding another letter. "Here's a letter to Livy Dunne."

Ray's lips curved into a smile. "No, Matt, that's Singleton - Livy Singleton." He couldn't hide the edge of pride from his voice when he thought of her.

"No, no, I seen it myself. It's addressed to a Livy Dunne."

Ray felt his heart hammer to a stop when a dreaded thought entered his mind. No, it couldn't be. He slowly took the letter from Matthew and read over Livy's maiden name, then the return address. "No," he breathed, seeing the name; 'Lt. Edward Brown'.

"Are you okay Mr. Singleton? You've gone all white."

Ray looked to Matt, forced a smile, and nodded. "Y-yes, I'm fine. Thanks. . . thanks for the letters." Matthew eyed him suspiciously, but asked no more questions, much to Ray's thankfulness. Tipping his hat, Ray quickly left the mail office, eager to get out of the stuffy area.

Taking in a deep breath of the winter air, he closed his eyes and told himself to calm down - but feeling the envelope between his fingers only fueled his anger. He wanted nothing more than to rip the letter and it's contents to shreds then throw it into a fire, but he knew that wouldn't be fair to Livy. She deserved to read it.

Opening his eyes, Ray looked around to the small patches of snow that lay on the sidewalks and the road, then above him to where soft snowflakes were falling from the sky. He guessed a storm was moving in and it would no doubt be snowing heavily by the time he got home. Ray quickly walked to his truck, keeping his eyes away from any of the small town's people. He wanted to get home immediately.

Slamming the door after he got in, Ray started the truck and threw it into reverse. Careful to avoid the few people that were busy on their Monday evening chores, he moved swiftly through the bustling group and gassed the truck, anxious to be home.

In one moment, all of his hopes, dreams, and desires had come crashing into a pile of rubble. Just when he thought he had broken down Livy's last wall, he found himself faced with another - the biggest, and worst one yet. The thought that pierced his tender heart the most was that Livy had most likely been sending Edward letters throughout their marriage. She was probably praying that she would get a letter from him soon so she could leave.

The confusion in his heart and mind seemed to grow deeper with each mile that separated himself from the town and brought him closer to his house. He had never dreaded coming home this much.

Just as he had assumed, snow now lined the road, making it slightly more difficult to drive back to the house than it had been to leave earlier in the day. As Ray steered "The Beet-box" up the driveway, he glanced to the front window of his two-story home.

Though he never told her, he had often seen Livy peeking through the curtain to him, but on this day, she wasn't there.

After parking the truck in the designated spot, he pushed the door open and stepped out. A strange sensation that may have been qualified as a warning shot through him. Where was Franklin? Why hadn't he come to greet him as he always did? He looked around from the house to the barn, scanning both the objects and everything in between.

Shrugging it off as the simple fact that Franklin had most likely gone for a walk, Ray grabbed only one letter from the passenger seat of the truck, along with his Bible, which he had left from the day before. Sliding the envelope, and it's contents, into the blackk covered book, he closed the door and walked towards the porch. Pulling his coat tighter to him, he tried to ward off the chill that was beginning to press into him. The snow was falling with much more vengeance than before.

Walking up the icy steps, he glanced behind him. He could have sworn he heard Franklin's bark, but as he strained to hear it again, nothing came. He stood for a moment longer, than turned and finished the trek from the steps to the front door. Unexpected tears burned his eyes at the thought of Livy leaving, which would be almost inevitable after she read the letter that had been safely tucked away in his Bible.

He whispered a silent prayer before pulling the screen door open, then proceeded to push the second door to a large enough entry way for him to get through. Immediately upon entering the farmhouse, he realized how cold it was. A shiver coursed through his body as he quickly walked to the small living room. The fire that looked as though it could use a lot of stoking sat idle, the small flames dieing away quickly. Turning to the kitchen, the same was true for the fireplace opposite the first. Something was not right. Glancing to the table, Ray was stunned to see two plates filled with food and candles lining the table - candles that had been used to the bottom of the wax and were now burnt out.

The familiar warning sensation moved through him again, and this time, he payed more heed to it. Quickly walking to the fire in the kitchen, Ray picked up the fire stoker and hit the burnt logs gently, trying to coax more heat from them. "Livy?" He finally asked after the warmth that came from the fire was enough to temporarily warm his body. He turned to the hallway and slowly walked up the stairs, calling her name every few steps.

"Livy?"

When no response came, he entered all the bedrooms, knocking quietly before doing so, only to find that his wife was not in them. "Livy?" He called louder, desperation lacing his tone. "Where are you?"

After pushing the bathroom door open and not finding her, Ray jogged back down the stairs, threw a jacket over his arm for Livy, just in case she had gone outside and didn't have one, then hurried outside, pulling the front door tightly closed behind him. He stared out at the area surrounding his farm and wondered where he would look first. Deciding to check everywhere close by first, he walked to his truck, trying to see through the whirling snow that seemed to be coming from heaven and earth.

"Livy?" He cried, knowing his voice only carried a few feet in the storm. "Livy, where are you!" He demanded, as if his anger would somehow bring her to him.

Then, if it were possible, the snow began to fall harder, blinding him completely. He pulled the other jacket over his hat, attempting to shield his face from the whipping snowfall. "Livy!" He tried again, pushing through the snow to where he thought the truck was. But when something came into view, it wasn't the truck.

He quickly walked to the wall of the barn, falling against it from both exhaustion and fear - fear that Livy was somewhere out in the snow, and was lost. "LIVY!" He yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth and calling out with all his strength. But still, the sound was lost not five feet away from him. A cry of fear escaped his lips before he could stop it.

Moaning in desperation, he felt his way along the outer wall, trying to find the latch that signified the door. After a moment, he found it. Pushing it to the side, the door swung open and he stepped inside.

Pulling it closed immediately after entering, he fell to the ground, his legs unable to hold him anymore.

"God, please let me find her," he whispered repeatedly. "Just ... just let me find her."

A TMoOD Story

2007-09-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

From Tracy (Bombwatcher)

Livy crossed the kitchen after hearing Franklin's urgent barks. She didn't bother to hide the smile that lifted her lips. There were only a few times when Franklin would bark like that, and one of them was when Ray arrived home from a hard day's work. She found it amazing how quickly she had grown to love the tall, handsome man. His kindness had broken down every barrier and consumed each fear she had.

She made her way to the front window and looked out. But when Ray's truck was not seen in the driveway and Franklin's barks continued, Livy walked to the front door, her hands resting on her swollen belly. It was then that she realized how lonely she was when Ray was not home; she anxiously awaited his company.

Suddenly, Franklin's warnings stopped. Pulling the door open, Livy stepped onto the front porch. The dog was no where to be seen. "Franklin," she called, pulling her sweater closer to her shoulders. The cold chill that hung in the air added to the shudder that started somewhere in her back and rose until her body shoo. She called the dog's name louder, walking down to the front steps.

Glancing down the long, winding driveway, she silently prayed that Ray was coming. He wasn't.

Livy made her way to the barn, knowing that Franklin would stay in the musty building whenever it was cold outside. She stepped inside, stopping to allow her eyes to adjust to the dim light. When they did, she saw Franklin seated by one of the stalls, his head lowered as if watching something close to the ground.

"Franklin, what are you doing? You scared me, you silly. . ." She turned to walk out but stopped when Franklin yelped loudly. Just as she was about to tell him to stop, she heard a quiet rattling. Her heart began to pound. She slowly turned back. A gasp rose in her throat when she saw it.

A rattlesnake.

While it was true that she had only read about rattlesnakes and had never actually seen one, the fear that shot through her body told her she needed to do something instead of stand and watch as it neared Franklin. "Franklin, get back," She yelled. The dog took a step back, his eyes keenly watching the long snake. But, every step the dog stepped back, the reptile would slither forward.

Livy watched in horror as the snake suddenly turned and began the slow trek towards her, all the while, his tail flicking back and forth. She stood in stunned silence as it came within a few feet of her. Her eyes stayed trained on the long, slithering beast as it inched forward, but out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Franklin slowly walking towards her. She longed to call out to Ray, but instead she stayed silent.

With a quick motion, the snake's neck snapped forward, showing his true power. Everything in Livy told her to run, but the closed door behind her lent no support. Again, the snake snapped, not even a foot from her legs. Her body tensed as she slowly moved her hands to her pocket, pulling out a bandana. Rolling it into a ball, she quickly threw it close to the snake. As she suspected, the motion caught it's attention and with it temporarily replaced, Livy quickly moved away from the door, towards the ladder.

Franklin's eyes were keenly trained on the slithering animal as he walked forward, ignoring Livy's desperate whispers to make him stay in place. When the snake suddenly struck forward close to her legs, Livy screamed and jumped to the ladder, miraculously grabbing on and staying in place. She immediately pulled her self higher and higher until she was in the loft. "Thank goodness," she whispered, placing a hand protectively over her abdomen.

Glancing down to her leg, Livy's eyes widened when she saw speck of deep red blood on her ankle. "Oh God, no." She gently grazed her index finger over the area, removing the blood, then inhaled deeply when she saw fresh blood oozing from a small wound. "Oh no. . . please no!" From below her, she heard Franklin's sharp barks. She removed her stare from the blood on her leg and slowly looked over the edge of the loft, fighting the sudden wave of dizziness. "It's probably just from the height," she said to herself, praying that the latitude was indeed the cause. Looking down to where Franklin stood, barking angerly at the snake who now seemed very interested in the gray dog. "Franklin, run!" Livy called desperately. "Get out of here!" An idea quickly formed in her mind. "Franklin, go get Ray! Go, Franklin, go find Ray!" As if understanding, the dog looked up to her. "Yes, that's right! Go get Ray, Franklin! Now!"

Immediately, the dog dodged the snake and ran to the door, then pushed it open with his small bodies weight. And just as quickly, he was gone, barking urgently for his master.

"Please, God. . . just let him find. . ." Before she could form her husband's name, Livy fainted.

From Bombwatcher

2007-09-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

A sharp gust of wind rustled the trees around the camp sending a shiver through Kathryn's body. The feeling of calm that had finally begun to enter her senses vanished when she heard the familiar footsteps of the guard. Every night he would walk by each tent, sporting a long handled rifle, giving everyone a feeling of security, but Kathryn never found it comforting.

Each time she heard the footsteps, she would lie on her cot, praying that he would pass by her tent without incident. In the weeks she had been at the refugee camp, every imaginable horror had happened. Seeing people gunned down right in front of her and watching her friends die of illnesses had done little to ease her fears.

When the footsteps died away, she pushed aside the thin blanket she had been using, then slowly crawled off the cot to the end of the tent. Kathryn then stepped onto the concrete pavement and glanced around. Seeing no one, she pulled her jacket tightly around her to ward off the cold wind and ran toward the clump of trees that stood nearby.

Using the specks of moonlight to light her path, she walked as quickly as she could, going in no specific direction. Knowing that there was no one around for miles gave her little comfort.

Kathryn walked hour after hour without rest. Exhaustion began to set in by the time the morning sun lit the eastern sky. Moments later, the sun rose above the horizon, sending glorious rays of bright sunlight in every direction. Kathryn stopped to admire the sunrise, suddenly feeling a pain in her chest when she remembered the last time she had watched a sunrise with her husband, Randy. She remembered everything about that morning, especially how loud the birds had been.

It was then that Kathryn realized how quiet it was. There were no birds or bugs celebrating the new day. It was completely silent.

After giving the sun a final glance, Kathryn continued walking. She was just about to stop and rest her aching legs when she came upon a small cabin nestled in the woods. Slowly, she walked toward it, hoping that no one was currently occupying it. When she reached the front porch, she noticed the pile of freshly cut wood that sat nearby.

As if that didn't give her enough reason to believe that somebody was living there, the cock of a gun behind her did.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" The male's voice resonated through the silence sending a shot of panic through Kathryn's body.

"Um." She slowly raised her hands when she felt the head of the gun on her back. "My name is Kathryn. I-I came from the refugee camp in. . . in. . ." She stopped. For all the weeks she had been at the camp, she hadn't even thought to ask anyone about their location. "From a few miles back."

"You're a refugee?"

She nodded and sighed with relief when the gun fell. She slowly turned. "I, uh, I'm really sorry about that, Ma'am," he said, tipping the hat that sat on his head. "I don't get many visitors out here and I, uh. . ." He stopped as his eyes looked her up and down. "You look like you could use a good meal," he said, looking back to her with a perfect smile, his chocolate colored eyes watching hers for an answer.

She slowly nodded, her auburn hair falling over her shoulders. She couldn't even imagine how she must have looked. She had hardly eaten in days and hadn't used a hairbrush in weeks. "Yes, Sir. I would appreciate something to eat."

With a quick nod of his head, the black haired man turned and walked up the stairs and into the cabin, motioning for her to follow. Upon entering the home, she smelled the smoke that came from the wood stove in the corner. "My name is Alec, by the way," the man said as he walked into the kitchen that sat directly to the right.

She nodded then paused, taking in the warmth that enveloped the cabin. "Um, where am I?"

He looked back to her, his eyebrows raised. "You don't know?"

"No. I've been at a refugee camp for a long time."

"The one back in Kansas City?"

Her eyes locked with his. "Is that where it was?"

He shrugged then turned to the fridge. "That's where the nearest refugee camp is. It's about fifteen miles back, though. Uh, listen." Again, he turned to her, this time holding a can of brown beans. "I have lots of food and I've got an extra bedroom. If you'd like to stay with me. . . you'll be safe here."

Kathryn glanced to the door that she suspected was to the bedroom then back to him. "Thank you, but. . . I think I'll keep going. I want to go home."

"And where is that?"

"Little Brooke. It's a small town near Denver. My husband and I lived there before the bombs."

"Where is your husband now?"

"He was in Denver when the bomb went off." She was surprised by how easily the words came.

Alec stepped out of the kitchen and towards her. "Kathryn, I feel I should warn you. It is very dangerous out there and food is scarce."

She nodded. "I know, but. . . I need to go home."

His eyes searched hers for a moment before he nodded. "Alright. Well, I'll give you as much food as I can spare and then you can go."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

After a few moments, Alec held a cloth bag out to her which was filled with several cans of beans and water bottles. "Be careful out there. And there's a map in the bag."

Kathryn thanked Alec for his assistance, then began her long and arduous journey home.

Just This Side of Tomorrow - Part Ten

2007-09-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

By SG

Livy sings along with the radio as Patti Page’s voice oozes over the airwaves in velvety tones.

“Allegheny Moon, I need your light, to help me find romance tonight.”

Livy squeals as pair of hands grabs her backside unexpectedly.

“Hank?”

“Ha-Ha. You’re a real laugh riot, you know that?” Ray wraps his arms around her, his palms laying across her belly, flat and possessive.

Livy reaches her arms up, running her fingers through his hair. They stand for a moment, staring out the kitchen window. Suddenly, they see Hettie the Hen running by at top speed.

“Nuts!” Ray’s arms drop, his hands clenched.

“Just wait, now. Give him a minute.”

Danny runs, his body twisting towards the window to face them.

“It’s okay. I’ll get her. It’s gonna…I’m gonna…It’s okay.”

His face looks less sure than his voice is putting out there. Livy stifles a giggle, hearing Ray growl under his breath behind her.

“Just give him a minute.”

They stand in silence, waiting. After a moment they hear the barn door slam.

“I GOT HER. It’s okay. I got her. I got her.” As Danny’s volume lowers, he continues to repeat the same words, more for his own benefit now.

Livy turns, facing Ray now. “See?”

Ray rolls his eyes and brings his hands up to her shoulders. He pulls her closer and slides his open palms up her neck. Putting his thumbs on her chin, he pulls her close, kissing her deeply.

Her shoulders to drop as she goes limp under the weight of his arms.

“Dad! Dad! I need help getting the coop door open. But I got ‘er. DAD!”

Ray’s arms drop again. Livy’s eyes dance with laughter. He stuffs his hands in his pockets and walks towards the door. Shoving it open with his elbow, he answers his son gruffly at first.

“I’m coming!” Hearing the harshness of his tone, he repeats himself but with less of an edge now. Livy watches from the window as he joins his son. Squeezing out the dishcloth, she rinses it under the hot water.

Livy glances up just in time to see Hettie run past again. Ray’s face flashes sheepishly by the window, Danny in tow. Livy breaks out into giggles. A moment later a man-call of triumph reigns from the yard.

Smiling still, Livy returns to her sink full of suds. She sings along with the radio some more, taking on Georgia Gibbs bubbly sound as she belts out her latest tune.

“I got it bad…… and that ain’t good!”

***

“Before we conclude today’s sermon, I would just like to take a moment and acknowledge those of you who have gone out of your way to make me feel welcome. In the short time that I have made this Parish my home, I have known the people of this County to be fine and true.

Reverend Case was indeed a man of God. I have some large shoes to fill. I only hope that you will remain patient while I learn all your names. Oh and I must add, your kindness with the stews and baking is much appreciated. I fear if this bounty continues, my waistcoat seams will be parted wider than the Red Sea!”

A tittering of laughter travels across the crowd as Reverend Dunn closes his catechism and makes his way to the doors. Livy watches as he bids adieu to each of the families, shaking hands and patting young heads.

“He seems to have made his way.” Ray’s voice lilts up at the end, pleasantly.

“I barely recognize him. It’s like he’s a different person.” Livy seems almost suspicious, as though waiting for a ball to drop.

They both stand still, watching.

“Maybe you’re a different person.” Ray says, slipping her jacket over her shoulders.

***

Livy stares out the car window, watching the green beet tops fan softly to the side as a breeze blows across their field.

“What is it?” Ray glances over, putting a hand on her thigh. She turns her face from the window and looks at him. The open concern in his eyes jolts her back to the present.

“Oh, no. Ray, no it’s nothing like that. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” She takes his hand from her leg and places it on her bulging belly.

“I’m feeling right. I just… I can’t explain it. I’m worried, I guess.”

Ray takes off his hat with his left hand and places it on his lap. He scratches his scalp vigorously with that same hand, and then places his hat back on his head.

“Well, I’d say that’s pretty normal right about now. Wouldn’t you? I mean, seven months is nearly there.”

“No it’s not that. That’s what’s so crazy. It’s not about the baby. It’s not even about us. I just keep getting this feeling of… of…”

“Of what?”

“Of dread.”

“Dread? You mean like someone’s going to die?”

“No, I…”

“Locusts?”

“NO, come on, I just….”

Ray chuckles light-heartedly. “I’m telling you, this is natural. Now just put your mind at ease.”

“It’s like I’ve got ants in my pants. Something’s not right. I can just feel it in my bones.” She seems as frustrated about having these thoughts in the first place as she does about not knowing the whole story.

Ray shakes his head, a half smile on his face at her impromptu irrationality. He rarely sees his wife flustered and he’s enjoying it. But only just a little.

As they pull up in front of the house, Ray pauses before getting out.

“I hear the circus is coming to Wilson. We could set you up with a proper tent and all. Madame Livy’s House of Doom and Gloom.”

She remains silent. Ray gets out, jogging around to open her door. His face looks sheepish as he takes her by the arm, leading her towards the steps. He worries for a moment that he may have gone too far.

As they come to the top of the steps, Livy sees a pamphlet sticking out of the mailbox. Lifting the lid, she slides it out and glances down at the glossy paper. A small grin lifts just the corners of her mouth. Handing it to Ray, she steps inside quietly.

Ray looks down at it.

Do you Love Your Family? Don’t let the RED TERROR keep you up at night.
Invest in piece of mind with our Family Fallout Shelter Kit. It’s easily assembled and covered by our manufacturers warranty. And best of all, its made in Racine, Wisconsin - right here in the Good Old USA! For More Information, Call you Local Representative.
Stewie Long - Phone# Pacific 512

“Oh cripes, Stewie.” Ray mutters, sighing as he opens the door.

***

Ray lays quietly, his arms tucked up under his head. The covers are folded across his chest in a perfect line. Livy scoots back and forth, to and from the bathroom.

“I decided to set my hair tonight, instead of worrying about it tomorrow. I’ll have so much to do by then and I want to look nice. Ray do you realize? It’s been almost a decade. Well, actually it’s been forever, hasn’t it? Oh, blast!”

“What?”

“I can’t find the new package of bobby pins I bought.”

“If they’re in a small paper bag, I saw them on top of the icebox.”

Before she can say anything, Ray leaps out of bed and jogs downstairs. Returning as quickly as he left, Ray hands her the bag. He plops back onto the bed and scurries his way under the covers.

Livy stands at the dresser, opening the package. Separating bits of hair with her brown tortoiseshell comb, she twists and rolls several sections from the front and top into loose circles. She fastens each one in place with a new pin.

“How about down?” Ray’s chin juts out as though he’s using his jaw to point at something.

“Huh?”

“Will you wear it down? I like it down.” Ray nods his head once as he says it.

“This is just to give it some wave.”

“Oh.”

“Meet you half way?”

“How’s that?” Ray answers, in learning-mode now.

“I’ll wear the front up but the back down.”

“Sounds good.” He looks pleased.

Ray watches as she finishes her set. Taking a spray bottle, she lightly spritzes her hair with a mist of water and puts on her hairnet. He laughs, shaking his head.

“I know. I look like something right off of Queen for a Day.”

Ray gives her a look of pity. Flipping back the covers, he pats the smooth sheet beside him. “Come here.”

Livy shuffles over to the bed. Sitting on the edge, she pivots her body slightly and rolls into her spot. Her round belly forms a mountain on top of her as she lies on her back. Ray leans up on one elbow. He looks at the bump with affection. Then he glances up, staring deep into her eyes.

“So…?”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Oh, I know that.”

Livy smiles widely, her nose twitching up like a rabbit. Rubbing her cheek with his hand, Ray guides her chin gently upwards until their mouths meet. Livy feels the nervous tension of earlier today leave her body, one cell at a time. She lets out a long moan.

“Still okay?” She opens her eyes. Ray’s face is just inches from hers. She nods her head and cranes her neck up, pulling him back into the kiss.

This is all Ray needs to hear. He presses himself up against her. Taking her arm, he folds it across her body and pulls, turning her onto her side in a single, lithe movement. One of her legs instinctively goes up, bending at the knee. He bends his own, tucking his leg right in behind hers.
Ray brushes some of the hair that escaped the pincurls off her neck. Burying his face there, in the soft spot behind her ear, he takes a deep breath and drinks her in.

“You smell so good.”

Livy reaches behind her. Sliding her hand down under the covers, she leans back and rests her head against Ray’s chest. Ray groans at her touch. After a few moments he leans forward and pulls her hand it up to his mouth, kissing it.

Letting go, he slides his arm down, lifting her nightgown; searching. She closes her eyes.

***

Livy stops, bracing her hand on the edge of the counter as a sharp pain cuts through her midsection. It's the third or fourth one in the last 2 weeks. She turns, wondering if she can make it to a chair and sit for a short spell.

Danny enters, his face looking bright with fresh autumn air. Livy forgets her pains and fills a pot with water to boil.

“Mama, Dad says I should come and see if you any help?”

“Oh, did he? Well, where is he?”

“He said to tell you he’s working hard out there.”

“At what?”

Danny shuffles his feet, looking down.

“Daniel, I said what is he working hard at?”

“He didn’t say.”

“Well, what was he doing?”

Daniel mutters something under his breath, his body turned away from her.

“What was that?” Livy tries with no luck to use her elbow to flick away an escaped curl. Removing her arm from deep inside the turkey, she washes it under the hot water.

“I said…. he’s whittling.”

Liv lets out a small snort as the door opens and Ray steps inside.

“Oh my goodness Ray, are you all right? You must be so tired. Can I get you a drink?”

Ray chews his cheek quietly. He turns, looking at his son. Danny bows his head in defeat. Ray scruffles his hair.

"This is our first Thanksgiving Dinner and I want it to be perfect. Will you boys please make yourself useful and set the table? And I just finished ironing the tablecloth so it might still be a little damp.”

"It's weird having these doors up. I don't think my Mama ever used them." Ray runs his hands up the smooth door frame.

"I know, it does seem odd. But I had to do something to separate us from the kitchen. I don't want a room full of people staring at me while I cook. " Ray nods his head in agreement.

Ray and Danny head into the diningroom and start to put plates down at each place setting. Ray pops his head back through the doorway. “I thought the boys couldn’t make it.”

“They can’t.” Livy answers.

“There are nine plates here.”

“I invited Mack and May. She was so sad about not being able to go home to California for Thanksgiving.”

“Huh.” Ray answers, surprised but not unpleasantly so.

Livy stirs the cranberry sauce that’s burbling away in the saucepan. Crossing the kitchen for the six hundredth time today she removes a turnip from the basket by the windowsill and begins to peel it for carrot and turnip mash; Ray’s favourite.

“We’re going to help Hank tune up the thresher. Be back in an hour,” Ray calls out from the front door.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she heads into the dining room to see what they made of their task. Her hand goes up to her mouth as she stifles back a belly laugh.

The Indian corn cobs she left out are now featured prominently at each guest’s place setting, but protruding comically from up out of each water goblet. She approaches the table to place them on the centre of the dinner plates as she’d originally intended, but thinks better of it and returns to the kitchen with a serene smile on her face.

***

“Ray!”

As the guests pour their various drinks and the chatters grows louder, Ray answers Livy’s call for help in the kitchen.

“I’m here.”

“Could you please take the turkey in? I just can't lift it.”

“Sure. Uh...”

Livy turns, removing her apron and smoothing her hair.

“What is it?”

“Well, I was just thinking about your father. I mean, do you think he’ll want to carve?”

Livy approaches Ray, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“This isn’t just my first Thanksgiving dinner in our home, it’s yours too. You should carve.”

Ray nods. Looking over at the counter, he spots a brown crockery dish.

“Who brought that?”

Livy glances over. “May did. She says it’s a tradition - something her family has every year.”

Ray peels back the tin foil, looking down at it dubiously. “It’s green. What do you think it is? Seaweed? I hear they eat seaweed.”

Livy peeks down at the dish. Taking a spoon, she dabs one moist corner and licks it off slowly. She smiles.

Ray raises his eyebrows. “Well?” His face is caught in a half grimace.

“Its green bean casserole.” She laughs, pointing at the turkey on his mother's bone china platter.
Picking it up proudly, Ray enters the dining room ahead of Livy. Oohs and ahhs can be heard from those seated around the table at their first sight of the turkey.

Livy follows, carrying May’s casserole.

***

“I’m grateful to have been invited to such a delicious looking meal with wonderful friends, old and new.” May holds her glass up. Mack holds his up, clinking with hers.

“Here, here.” He adds, his face red with happiness.

Ray glances over at Livy, who gives him a look that says, “Don’t.” He stifles a laugh. Livy often jokes that May managed to meet a man of fewer words than Ray, even.

Livy glances down the table at her father. His shiny face is smiling, but frozen in an unnatural look of bewilderment as he listens politely to Stewie chattering away beside him.

“….. I mean, you just never can tell. One minute you’re sweeping your porch, the next your family is in peril and Communism is at your door. That’s why the Blockade 40 is the perfect unit for someone such as yourself, who…”

Ray sees a momentary flash of panic in his wife's eyes. He stands quickly, sliding his chair back. He clears his throat. Martha gazes up at her brother with pride.

“Thank you all for sharing your thoughts with us. And now Reverend Dunn, will you please say the blessing?” Ray sits quickly as his father-in-law's face shows relief at having been rescued. He stands. The guests bow their heads as he begins.

“And so, we giveth great thanks on this day. Blessed be our forefathers who came before us and forged the way, so that we….”

***

Ray and Livy wave from the porch. Standing for a few moments, they watch as the last set of taillights disappears down the road.

“It was perfect.” Ray stands behind Livy, his arms wrapped across her shoulders.

Livy smiles, nodding her head. “I hate to say it, but I think you might be right.” They turn and walk into the house.

Entering the kitchen they take one look at the counter, piled high with dishes, and both let out a huge groan. It wasn’t that everyone hadn’t offered, they had just wanted the evening of good conversation and the a few rounds of charades to last forever.

Ray begins stacking plates while Livy empties the sink. As Danny reaches over to turn on the radio, the sound of a car comes from out front.

Ray shakes his head. “Ruth probably forgot her handbag again.” He goes to the front room and starts looking around for it. Livy turns on the hot water.

“Uh, Livy. You’d better come here.”

Wiping her hands on a tea towel, Livy joins Ray by the front window.

“OH MY LORD.” Livy shoves the door open and runs down the steps.

“Are you all right? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve left Kent.”

Livy wraps an arm around Abby's shoulders, guiding her up the steps and into the house.

***

Making the Trek

2007-09-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

This new (?) interview appeared via a Google Alert. It's from a Malaysian site--"Into The West" is making it's premiere broadcast in that country.

*Courtesy Star TV and The New Straits Times Online

Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich talk about their part in the Steven Spielberg miniseries on America’s expansion into the west.

AFTER taking a break from the spotlight, Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich return in Steven Spielberg’s epic saga, Into the West. The six-part series, which begins today, airs every night at 7.15pm.

Russel and Ulrich were Hollywood’s hot young stars in the mid-1990s.

After Scream became a box-office smash in 1996, Ulrich was pegged as Gen X’s answer to Johnny Depp. At the same time, Russell had gone from one-time Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club to TV’s darling, thanks to her college drama, Felicity.

After she bagged the Best Actress Golden Globe in 1999, the curly-headed actress seemed poised for major stardom.

Then they disappeared from view.

In 2001, Ulrich decided to leave Hollywood to live on a farm with his wife and newborn twins.

Russell, meanwhile, wanted time away from the spotlight after Felicity ended its four-year run in 2002. While Ulrich returned to Los Angeles to star in the short-lived series Miracles, Russell landed supporting roles in the films The Upside of Anger and Mission Impossible III.

Now the pair returns to the public eye with the Spielberg-produced miniseries Into the West, a six-part saga about America’s early pioneers; Ulrich and Russell play cousins who leave Virginia in the mid 1800s and trek Westward in the hope of finding new land. Their treacherous journey results in clashes with Native American Indians and has them fighting for their lives.
In this interview, two stars open up on the challenges of making this sweeping saga and their time away from the spotlight.

You were filming in very isolated places. What were the conditions like?

Keri Russell: We shot in Calgary and would wake up at 5.30am, be driven in the dark up to the mountains and be dropped off to shoot all day. We were nowhere near trailers.
Normally on a movie you do your hard scenes, then go back to your trailer, rest and make phone calls.
There wasn’t a lot of that with this. We sat outside in these harsh conditions with this huge group of people, played cards and told stories. There were kids crying and adults crying, and people fighting. It was definitely a physical process, which, yes, makes you closer.

Skeet Ulrich: It was tough. When we started, it was around 27°C that first day when we did the river crossings, and then it got progressively colder and we dealt with the elements a lot. But I think it lent a lot to the performances in that we got a glimpse of what these people had to deal with in the migration.

What did you learn from this experience?

KR: I did a lot of reading for my character because [her story takes place on] the wagon train – this group of people who actually made the westward journey. My biggest question was: knowing the trip would be so hard, why did anyone agree to do it? So many people died.
There are all these interesting journals from women who made that journey with stories about their pregnancies, the babies who died along the way and the lives of their family members. You were lucky if half your wagon train made it there alive, so I think it’s amazing that anyone decided to do it.
I think it speaks a lot to the American spirit of adventure and reinvention because it takes someone either very naïve or with a lot of chutzpah to undertake such a journey.

SU: What these people went through, this pioneer spirit they exhibited, has defined the American work ethic.
As Americans, we’re known for our work ethic and that mentality was set at the time when all the toil went into the migration west. Obviously, we’re a very young country but, I think we defined ourselves really quickly.

What prompted you to take this journey?

KR: The biggest thing for me was that Steven Spielberg chose to make it. The coolest thing about it is that half of it is the Native American story and the other half is about these Virginian settlers. It’s not a typical Western but I think it’s great having the Native American cast.

SU: We were essentially making three independent films. Working with [different directors], everybody has such completely different styles but you all understand what the context is and what the story is you’re trying to tell.
It’s great to have a fresh perspective [from a new director] every five or six weeks and it also brings a lot to the character.

What’s your impression of Spielberg?

[KR:]I really think it’s great that he has a history of using his name to make projects like this. Once the audience sees that Steven Spielberg is involved, they think, “I want to watch that!”

SU: I think he’s just an unbelievable storyteller. You trust that these are going to be amazing stories that you want to be a part of. When you hear [Spielberg’s] name, you trust that he will hire the best.
I knew that it would tell an emotionally provocative story and it was going to be truthful.

Skeet, after Scream and As Good As it Gets, you were pegged to be Hollywood’s Next Big Thing. Did you make a conscious decision to shy away from the spotlight and focus on your passion for carpentry?

SU: No, it’s really just a matter of whether or not I’m drawn to a story. It’s got to be something that really resonates so deeply that you can last six or eight months with.
I took two years off when my kids were born and I really have always been interested in building furniture.
I’ve built stuff throughout my life, but I met this great furniture maker in California and was really inspired by his art. When you see it, you want to touch it or sit on it. It’s really inviting and sumptuous.
Then I really started to get hungry to [return to acting]. I enjoy it because it really does inspire me continuously.

At its heart, Into the West is about family values, protecting families and sticking up for each other. What does family mean to you?

KR: Family is everything, especially on an adventure like this. They’re your best friend, but they’re also your worst enemy. They’re all you have.
What I also think is interesting about this project is how things continue every generation.
You have people playing characters that happened a few generations after the one I was in and yet the same problems or issues keep cropping up.

SU: Unfortunately, I can’t talk about being a husband anymore [Ulrich divorced his wife, actress Georgina Cates, in 2005].
Being a single father [to six-year-old twins] now brings even more to bear. Shaping their hopes and dreams, their mentality and their morality is the most important thing I’ve done in my life.
As I go to bed, I want to wake up the next day and be a better dad. It’s a constant striving towards bettering their future.
The hardest thing to stomach as you watch them grow up is seeing that slow loss of innocence.
I think we’ve continuously developed a better sense of how to keep that innocence and to raise families in a better way.

Wake up, CBS!

2007-08-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

From Knox News, Tele-buddy's Tinseltown Tales:
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/archives/2007/08/high_school_mus.shtml

"High School Musical 2" set a cable record on Friday. More than 17 million viewers tuned to the Disney Channel sequel, setting a record for the all-time biggest basic cable audience . It was also the all-time biggest made-for-basic-cable telepicture, the Disney Channel said.
To compare: "The Sopranos" finale on HBO had 11.9 million.

Also per the Disney Channel: it was the most-watched TV-movie anywhere since the 2005 premiere of the Keri Russell-Skeet Ulrich period drama, The Magic of Ordinary Days (with 18.7 million viewers) on CBS.

Why doesn't CBS broadcast an encore of this wonderful Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that earned more viewers than the much-hyped HSM2? Not only would it attract an audience familiar with the Hallmark reputation for quality, but Skeet Ulrich's incredible performance would draw viewers interested in seeing his work on "Jericho".

Skeet on Good v Bad roles

2007-08-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

One great question posed by one of the fans (I can tell she's a Scream fan) at the Comic Con to Skeet was his playing more good roles vs bad roles - as in Scream. He plays it very well and effectively that his fans are missing him playing the bad guy on film. Hear what he says --

Also taking this opportunity to welcome these new members to the blog!

*Effie
*jwdcreations (yes, we know her too well at the forum!)

Welcome home! Glad you could join us wherever we are!