Riddler

Furwaggle Chapter 34

2008-07-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

Chapter 34

Retirement

In the real world there are many goals and milestones. One of the most common is retirement. It comes in many different forms and for many different reasons. But in the fictitious dreamland called Furwaggle, where animals talk to each other, retirement is a personal choice and taken whenever it is desired. All that is required to retire is to say, “I retire”.
Fluffy was limping across the barnyard when he encounters Zorba and Wiggles. Zorba calls out to Fluffy, “Good morning Fluffy, why are you limping?” Wiggles added, “you got another burr in your paw”? Sheepishly, Fluffy answers back, “No, I don’t have a burr, if you must know, I twisted my ankle coming down the chuck house steps”. “You what?”, said Wiggles. Fluffy snapped back, “I just misjudged the number of steps and so I fell”. “Oh, that explains it, you only walk down those steps four or five times a day. It’s an easy mistake to make by someone with a bad memory”, Zorba, mockingly said, Wiggles just had to add, “He does'nt have a bad memory, he just does'nt use it all the time”. “Ok you guys, stop it all ready. What are you two up to”, said Fluffy. “Well, if you must know, we are going to Annie Owl’s retirement party”, answers Wiggles. “Why do you want to do a dumb thing like that for? Didn’t she just retire about four months ago?”, said Fluffy. “Yes, this is the third time she retired this year. But there will be food for everyone”, informed Zorba. Fluffy’s eyes lit up and he began to hop on three legs while asking, “Can I come, can I, can I”. “Food always gets Fluffys' attention”, remarked Wiggles, as two of them walked and one limped off toward the fowl yard.
Just as the trio reaches their goal, Fluffy jumps up on three legs and shouts out, “Rat, look there is a rat”. Off to on side comes a growling voice, “I’m no rat, I’m a cat, and I go by the name of Slinky”. “Well you look like a rat to me”, responses Fluffy. “Wait a minute, I know you. You are Fluffy the one that got flunked out of cooking school for eating all of the cooking vittles”, said Slinky. Humble Fluffy replies, “It was all a mistake, I was just hunger”. In an attempt to restore some peace Wiggles asked Slinky, “Were you a student of Annie Owl”? “Yes, I was in the class of ninety nine”, replied Slinky. And then with a smirk toward Fluffy, he continued with, “I graduated at the top of my class”. Fluffy gave a little growl but before he could say anything Zorba jumped in with, “and what have you been up to since then”? With a smile of pride Slinky said, “Well I sleep in the warm sun, prowl at night and generally sneak up on things, you know the normal cat things”. Slinky then added, “Speaking of sneaking, I see Jelly Belly Porky over there, think I will sneak up on him like I did in school”. With that Slinky dropped down to his sneaking possession and began to sneak off toward his unsuspecting prey.
“Well that was interesting”, remarked Wiggles. All of a sudden Fluffy sniffed the air, made a quick turn and struck a hunting dog pose. Wiggles saw that Fluffy was acting a little more weird than normal so he asked, “What are you doing Fluffy, what ever it is, cut it out, you’re embarrassing and it’s making me uncomfortable”. Without moving a hair Fluffy said in a whisper, “Shush, you’ll scare the food away”. Zorba joined in with, “You should have known, when Fluffy goes weird it has something to do with food”. Fluffy didn’t say a word; he dropped down to a three-legged sneaking position and began to creep toward the table where the food was laid out. Seeing Fluffy sneaking up on the food, Wiggles remarked, “Well that will keep Fluffy busy for awhile”. Then Wiggles seen Annie Owl across the fowl yard he turned to Zorba and said, “Come on Zorba I will introduce you to Annie”. The two friends made their way thru the crowd to where Annie was standing. Wiggles said to Annie, “Annie I would like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Zorba”. Annie shook Zorba’s hand and asked, “Were you in one of the school class’s that I taught”? “No”, Zorba replied, “I went to circus school in a land far, far away”. “Oh”, Annie said with a shock. “You were one of those that rather play than learn”, Annie continued. With that Annie turned on her heel and walked away. Zorba just stood there with his mouth open. Wiggles reached over and patted Zorba on the shoulder and said, “It’s ok, remember she is retired”.
Just then Fluffy walked up with potato salad dripping from his jowls. He asked, “Are you two about ready to go back home”? With a smile Wiggles ask, “What is the matter, have they run out of food”? Fluffy replied, “How did you guess. Come on, let's go”. Zorba said, “I think I have had about all of the retirement that I can stand for one day. Lets go”. With that the trio started off toward the chuck house, two were walking and one was limping.
My tiny mind thinks that retirement can be a good thing and sometimes not.
Continued… (Maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Card Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 33

2008-06-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

Chapter 33
A leap of faith

While trust and bravery are rare noble qualities, there are many other traits that are not so rare, such as confusion and misunderstanding. These errors can happen even when the same language is spoken between animals such as in the fictitious dreamland called Furwaggle
Fluffy has finished his breakfast and decided to go out into the barnyard to chase some butterflies.
He just gets started playing this game of snap and fly when Zorba comes walking by. He calls out to Fluffy, “Good morning Fluffy, what are you up to this fine morning?” Fluffy calls back as he spins around and snaps at a fleeting Butterfly, “I’m playing catch with some friends of mine.” With a puzzled look Zorba said, “Fluffy I don’t think that is the kind of catch that is normally played. Usually it is played with a ball and….” Fluffy interrupts with, “Look you play catch your way and I will play it my way.” Then Fluffy notices something about Zorba that is new. He asked, “What is that you got tied around your neck? It looks like a rope, you planning on making a swing or something?” It is true Zorba did have something wrapped around his neck and draped over one shoulder. With a chuckle Zorba said, “It’s not a rope, it’s a bungee cord.” Smugly Fluffy asked, “You going to tie up a bungee. Don’t think you’re going to have much luck, there aren’t any bungee around here.” Zorba replied, “No, no it’s not for tying up anything it’s for bungee-jumping.” “Oh I see, you’re going to play jump rope”, said Fluffy. “No”, replied Zorba, “It’s for jumping off of things.” With a shocked look Fluffy blurted out, “Sure, that doesn’t sound quite right to me.” “It is.”, protested Zorba. “Come on lets find Wiggles and he will tell you that I’m right.”

The two of them started off toward the barn where they knew Wiggles normally hangs out. And sure enough there was Wiggles sitting in his favorite rocking chair. Wiggles knew it was too good to be true, that he would have a peaceful morning when he heard Zorba and Fluffy coming in his direction. Sure enough in a few moments Fluffy calls out, “Wiggles wake up, we need you to explain something.” Wiggles slowly opened his eyes and said, “I’m not asleep, I was just resting my eyes. Now what is the problem this time?” Both Fluffy and Zorba started talking at once, one was barking and the other squealing. All that Wiggles could make out was something about jumping rope with a bungee and a few other words that made no sense at all. Wiggles fluffed his feathers and interrupted the two with, “Ok, one at a time. What is it you want to know?” Zorba spurted out before Fluffy could say a word. “Would you please explain to Fluffy what bungee-jumping is?” Wiggles was sure that this was going to lead to no good but he cleared his beak and said, “Bungee jumping is a really dumb sport that involves jumping off of something high while connected to a long, thick, elastic rubber bungee cord.” Then Fluffy asked, “You mean jumping out of the top of a tree or maybe the roof of the barn?” It was Zorba's turn to add something to the explanation, “No Fluffy, something like a real high platform or bridge.” “Well that puts a kink into it.” Remarked Fluffy, “There isn’t anything like that around here.” There was a period of silence then Zorba perked up and with a twinkle in his eye said, “There may not be any tall bridges but there sure are some mountains and they have some very tall cliffs. Come on it's just a short little walk to a Bungee jump.” Wiggles was right, no good would come of this. So he said, “Just so you are clear about this. I will walk along with you but I’m not doing any jumping. I fly but I don’t jump. What about you Fluffy?” Not to be out done by Zorba and a rare chance to show up Wiggles, with gusto Fluffy said, “Not only will I walk along, I’ll Bungee as well.” With that the threesome start the trek to the nearest mountain.
The first mile was easy walking because the ground was pretty level and flat but from there on, it was an up hill climb. By midmorning there was a lot of huffing and puffing coming from the group as they slowly made their way up the mountain. Between wheezes, Fluffy remarked, “There must be a better way. Isn’t there a road or trail or something?” Zorba who was in the lead called back, “Keep you eye out for Hillbillie the Goat, he can put us on the right path.” No sooner had the words got out of Zorba's mouth than Hillbillie stepped from behind a large bolder chomping on something. He stopped in mid chew and said, “Well, hello boys. Aren’t you a little lost? I don’t normally see valley types this far up on the mountain.” Wiggles flopped down on a rock to get his breath and then said, “You must be Hillbillie the Goat.” Still munching on some grass the goat replied, “Yep, but I prefer to be called Billie. Now just what is it I can do for you lost kids?” By now Fluffy had got enough wind back in his lungs and he starts blurting out, “Well we come up the mountain to do some Bungeeing and we need an easy path to the very top.” With a look of disbelief, Billie said to Fluffy, “I don’t know what a Bungee is, but I’m sure I’ve never seen one up here and as far as going to the top of the mountain, good luck. No one, not even us goats go any higher than we are right now. It’s too steep and you would most likely fall off.” With a tone of self-importance Fluffy barks back, “Oh no, we won’t fall, we are going to jump.” Billie took a step backwards in shock and said, “You mean you’re going to… But you will be… Oh my.” Fluffy butted in with, “Look just tell us how to get to the top.” Billie then realized that no amount of logic or words were going to do any good on these valley types. So he just shook his head and said, “You want to get to the top, well just climb up and when there is no more up then you’re at the top.” With that Billie turned and started down the mountain.
After another hour of climbing and many huffs and puffs the threesome found that there was no more up. In fact they were standing at the very top of the mountain, it was all down from here. Zorba walked over to the edge and looked over. “Yes, this will do just fine”, he remarked. Wiggles and Fluffy joined him and all they could see was a whole lot of straight down. Wiggles took a sharp breath and said, “It sure is a long way down.” But Fluffy didn’t say a word; just a little whimper or two as he flopped down on his belly and began to crawl backwards. Zorba then asked, “Ok, who is going to be the first to Bungee?” Wiggles replied, “Remember, I said I would walk but not jump.” Fluffy could only whine while his paws covered his eyes. “Looks like it’s up to me”, Zorba said as he began to tie one end of the Bungee cord around his waist and the other end to a large rock. He then bravely walked to the edge of the cliff. Wiggles figured he would try to bring some sense to all this madness, but before he could say anything, Zorba had taken a big leap off the cliff. All was silent for a moment then Zorba could be heard, “Yahoooooo”. Wiggles rushed to the cliffs edge and peeked over. By this time the Bungee cord had stretched out to its maximum and had started to bounce Zorba back up toward the mountaintop. All that Wiggles could say was, “Wow”. Fluffy was still rolled up in a ball with his paws over his eyes but he called out, “What’s happening?” Wiggles couldn’t take his eyes off of Zorba as he bounced up and down on the Bungee cord like a Yo-Yo. So Wiggles just called over his shoulder to Fluffy, “Come take a look.” Fluffy whimpered back, “I can’t, tell me what is happening, no don’t tell me.” By now Zorba had stopped his Yo-Yoing and had started climbing up the Bungee cord. This was an easy task for a circus-performing Monkey. When he reached the top where Wiggles and Fluffy were, he said, “What a trip. Anyone else want to give it a go?” There was dead silence. So after a few moments Zorba added, “Ok, might as well pack it up and head back to the barnyard.” Both Wiggles and Fluffy nodded their heads and the threesome started down the mountain. Zorba said, “That was something else.” Then Wiggles chimed in with, “It could have been a disaster.” And Fluffy added, “It was a disaster I missed lunch.”
My tiny mind thinks that bungee jumping belongs in that special group of things like Skydiving, hiccups and running with scissors.

Continued… (Maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Demon Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 32

2008-04-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

Chapter 32

Learning

It is said with great authority that the earth is round and I believe it more or less. It wouldn’t be so hard to except if it were not for the fact that there are large sharp mountain peaks, deep craggy valleys and ever so flat deserts. But it doesn’t matter much in the fictitious dreamland called Furwaggle, there like most things, it is what it is. Roundness of the earth, or even animals talking to animals, is all accepted as normal.
Breakfast is over, the pots, pans and dishes are all washed and stacked away ready for lunch. On the chuck house porch Fluffy has his nose buried in a newspaper when Mr. Wooly the Sheep comes walking by. He calls out to Fluffy, “Good morning Fluffy, how is this round world treating you?”. Fluffy looks up from his paper and replies, “Not bad if it wasn’t for that guy that comes by on a pogo stick ever now and then. What are you up to this morning?” But Wooly doesn’t stop to talk, he is on a mission, but calls out over his shoulder, “I’m off to the barbers for my spring trim. But if I see that pogo rider I will tell him that you’re looking for him and would like a twirl.” Still engrossed in his paper Fluffy says, “Aw Ok…, No wait I don’t want to ride a pogo, I just want him to stop. The noise that the pogo makes disturbs my reading.” But it is too late, for Wooly is already out of sight.
Fluffy goes back to reading his newspaper when he hears, “THUMP, THUMP, THUMP”. He quickly looks up from his paper but doesn’t see where the noise is coming from. Fluffy figures who ever is riding that pogo stick must already be around the corner of the chuck house by now. This time Fluffy doesn’t go back to reading, he just raises the paper up but his eyes are peaking over the top edge. Then the sound comes again, “THUMP, THUMP, THUMP”. And what does Fluffy see but a strange looking something bouncing by. He yells out, “I gotcha. Stop that pogoing right now”. The stranger stops and turns to Fluffy and said, “Sorry, didn’t see you there”. Fluffy snaps back, “Well, you see me now, and stop that pogo stick noise making”. The stranger comes closer to Fluffy and said, “You are going to have to speak up. I don’t hear so good”. In a very loud voice Fluffy yells back, “I said stop riding that pogo stick around here. The noise distracts my reading”. The stranger replies, “Sorry about the racket mate but you see I don’t hear so good ever since my circus days. My act was that I was shot out of a canon two times a day and three times on Saturday and the boom kind of got to my hearing. And by the way I’m not riding a pogo stick. I’m a Roo and it’s hopping that I do”. Fluffy yells back, “I don’t care if you are a Roo or a blue tail raccoon, I want you to stop pogoing or hopping so loud that I can’t read my newspaper”. The stranger replies, “Mate I’m not a raccoon of any color. I’m a Roo as in Kangaroo from down under, Australia don’t you know”. With curiosity Fluffy asked, “Well Mr. Roo if you’re from down under, what are you doing up here besides interrupting my morning reading?”. Roo answered, “I’m looking for my old mate Zorba from my circus days. Do you happen to know where I can find him?” With a little grumpiness in his voice Fluffy said, “Sure, any thing to get rid of you. You most likely can find Zorba down at that old oak tree at the edge of the barnyard doing flips, swings and stuff”. With that, Roo turned and hopped off toward the oak tree.
About half an hour later, Fluffy is back at his newspaper when he hears, “Hay there Fluffy. Thanks for sending Roo over to find me. And what is that you’re doing”. Fluffy looks up and sees Zorba and Roo. With a look of annoyance Fluffy replies, “I would have done anything for a little peace and quit. And if you must know I’m trying to read the newspaper”. With a look of surprise Zorba spouts out, “Gee Fluffy I didn’t even know you could read”. Sheepishly Fluffy said. “I’m learning, been taken a class from Mrs. Turkey the retired school teacher. She gave me a home work assignment to read a newspaper ever day”. Zorba remarks, “So that’s the reason you’re reading the paper. But Fluffy, that newspaper you have is over a week old”. Awkwardly Fluffy remarks, “Well she didn’t say it had to be a new paper. Besides it will take me about a week to get through it all”. “A week”, comments Zorba. “Sure”, said Fluffy, “Ever day I start from page one and work my way through as far as I can get between breakfast and lunch”. With a shock Zorba said, “You mean that you read the same thing over and over each day?” With a smirk Fluffy replies, “That’s what it means to read the newspaper. Now if you two will leave me alone I have to get ready for my reading class”. Zorba and Roo start to walk away when Zorba turns and asked, how often do you have a class”? With pride Fluffy announces, “I have a half an hour class once a week”. Zorba and Roo walk away and Fluffy goes back to his newspaper.

My tiny mind knows that an education is good, even if it is hard.

Continued… (Maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Pyramid Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 31

2008-03-23T02:18:00.000-07:00

Chapter 31
Spring Time

The best thing about winter is when it's over and is replaced by spring. When the season’s switch from winter to spring, that is when we trade-in frostbite for hay fever. In the real world this swap is celebrated with great feelings of joy. But in the fictitious dreamland called Furwaggle it is never too hot or too cold, it’s always just right. But there is still gladness for the new crop of flowers and newness to the land.
It is early morning and Wiggles is still cuddled in his straw nest up in the hayloft of the barn. He is not really asleep nor is he awake. He is just jelling, with his eyes closed and his brain randomly wondering over good thoughts. But then, there is an interruption to his tranquility. Wiggles is doing his best to not pay any attention to his name being called from the barn door. It is like a buzz saw in his brain and he can’t ignore it any longer. He slowly opens one eye but all he sees is a blur. He then opens his other eye and it’s a double blur. Wiggles then puts on his glasses and things clear up a little but the name-calling is still there and so is his poor eyesight. Wiggles stands up, ruffles his feathers as he calls out, “Who is it that’s bringing noise to my morning”. There comes a reply, “Its me, Zorba”, “and its me Fluffy. Come on its daylight and its breakfast time”. Wiggles figures he might as well get up because these two aren’t going to go away and anyway, he had lost his jell. So he climbs down the ladder to the barn floor and joins his two friends on the short walk to the chuck house.
Breakfast goes on as normal with a lot of munching and slurping sounds, mostly from Fluffy. At one point Fluffy asked, “Zorba, what is it that you’re eating”. “Well if you must know”, answered Zorba, “it’s a banana with cream, and a big dash of hot sauce”. With a puzzled look Fluffy asked, “do all circus monkeys eat that for breakfast”. Zorba shot back, “I don’t know about that but this circus performer does”. Fluffy ignored Zorbas sarcasm and asked. “Do you want to know what I ate for breakfast”? With disdain Zorba replied, “No, I really don’t want to know”. By now Fluffy had finished his breakfast and was licking the bowl clean. He noticed that Wiggles plate was still about half full, so he asked, “What’s the matter Wiggles, don’t you like your corn this morning”. With a scornful look Wiggles said, “Naw, it’s a little tough, I don’t think it’s been cooked enough”. With that they got up and went out on to the chuck house porch.
Once on the porch Fluffy immediately lays down with his head resting on his paws and Wiggles heads for his favorite chair for some peaceful rocking. These two are getting set for a little after breakfast relaxation but not Zorba; he does a double black flip off the porch. After landing with a flourish, he calls out, “Come on you two, up and at them, you’re burning daylight and there are things to be done”. Fluffy's eyes are at about half-mast and Wiggles is just getting comfortable in his rocking chair. “Not me”, mumbles Fluffy, “I got spring fever”. Mockingly Zorba shoots back, “Looks more like gold-bricking to me”. Wiggles inquires to Fluffy, “What is it with him this morning”. Fluffy lifts up his head and says, “I think it’s that hot sauce he had for breakfast, that is doing it”. Wiggles realized that there is no way that Zorba is going to let him do any jelling, so he asked him, “Just what is it that you want to do”. With glee Zorba answers, “It’s about time you woke up to what is going on. It’s springtime and there is a new crop of flowers over in the valley just waiting for us to enjoy. Come on with me and see what Mother Nature has made for all to see”. Reluctantly Wiggles and Fluffy get up and start following behind Zorba as he skips down the dirt road toward the valley of the flowers.
At about the halfway point to the valley, Fluffy suddenly stops and barks out, “Say, do you two smell what I smell”. Holding his nose Wiggles says, “I don’t know, but it sure isn’t the perfume of flowers that I’m smelling”. As the odor gets stronger, Zorba has his tail rapped around his nose and he points down the road and says, “I don’t know what it is but it’s coming toward us”. Sure enough, coming down the road, walking in the direction of the trio is Baby Skunk. As he gets closer, Baby calls out, “Hi there fellows. Are you going to the valley of the flowers? If you are then you’re in for a treat because they smell fantastic”. With that Baby Skunk passed by the threesome and their only responses are a wave and some coughing but each has a private opinion. Wiggles was, “How would he know”, Fluffy's mind could only come up with, “That’s sure no recommendation” and Zorba's thought was, “I hope he didn’t leave anything behind”. With that they hurried on down the road where the air was fresher.
After a little more walking they crest a little hill and there it is, the valley of flowers. It is a sea of yellow cornflowers, all aglow as far as the eye can see. With a hoop and a yell Zorba immediately runs out into the field of flowers, while Fluffy and Wiggles stand on the road enjoying the magnificent view. Then Zorba’s yelling takes on a whole different tone. It has more a tone of pain than joy. “What is the matter”, calls out Wiggles. Fluffy adds, “Did you step on a thorn”. While holding one foot and hopping on the other, Zorba shouts back, “No, something bit me”. Then there came a squeaky high-pitched little voice, “and it serves you right, stepping on me the way you did”. Fluffy is the first to realize whom it was talking to Zorba. “Gee”, said Fluffy, “I didn’t know flowers could talk”. Then the flower said, “Well let me tell you something, my name is Sunny and I’m of the sunflower clan and we take it very personal when some big footed dummy steps on us. And yes, we can talk, all you have to do is clean out your ears and listen”. By now Zorba had hopped back onto the road. Still holding one foot he blurts out, “Well I don’t know about the flower talking thing but he sure can bite”. With an apologetic tone Wiggles says, “Look Sunny we are sorry about the stepping on you thing and we will be more careful”. This seemed to calm Sunny some and he said, “I know it shouldn’t need to be said but have you ever been told that it is ok to look but don’t touch and definitely no stepping on anything”. Wiggles then turned to Zorba and Fluffy and said, “I think it’s about time we started back to the barnyard”. “Sure is”, said Fluffy, it’s getting close to lunch and we sure don’t want to miss that”.
With a wave goodby to Sunny, the three start back up the road toward home. Fluffy is out in front mumbling, “I didn’t know flowers could talk”, he is followed by Wiggles who is helping the limping Zorba.
My tiny mind thinks that it is a good thing to look but don’t touch, most of the time.

Continued… (Maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Block Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 30

2008-03-15T15:27:00.000-07:00

Chapter 30
Game Day

Through-out the real world sports is a treasured pastime. Depending where you are, the national sport may be baseball, football, soccer, or even car racing. In the fictitious dreamland, called Furwaggle, most of the commonly known sports are played. Today is soccer day and tomorrow it may well be something else.
It is the semifinals match of Dog River High school versus Cat Fur High. It will be an interesting match up, speed against agility, a real fur raising game. This will surely bring out a crowd, instead of the normal 5 or 6 spectators there will be at least 11 or 12, this includes the relatives of both teams.
Wiggles doesn’t attend any of these games due to his poor eyesight. He never can tell who has the ball or even where the playing field is. Zorba did play one game early in the season, but was banned from playing because he would pick up the ball and run with it. Seems that the idea of how to make a score was somewhat different than the official rules of soccer. But Fluffy on the other hand was an avid sports fan.
Fluffy never really played the game; in fact he didn’t even go onto the playing field. He would run up and down the sidelines and bark at the ball. But if the ball did go out of the playing field then he considered it to be fair for him to chase it and do his best to bite or otherwise render it out of action. Tearing the ball into little pieces was Fluffy’s favorite part of the game. This was one of the reasons many spare balls were on hand. Another oddity was that the umpire had lost his whistle and would use a duck call to officiate the game. This worked pretty well but from time to time the playing field had to be cleared of the wild ducks that responded and used the field for a landing place.
The game was about half over when someone kicked the soccer ball out of bounds. To Fluffy that was a call for action. He took off after the ball as it bounced off into the tall grass. After a few bounces Fluffy had almost caught up to it and he lowered his nose for a final leap upon his victim. There was a mighty leap but not at the ball, it was straight up into the air and was punctuated with a howl that could be heard for miles. When Fluffy landed he began to run in a small circle and the howl got even louder. This of course brought the spectators to see what all the ruckus was about. One of these spectators was Doctor Chicken and he knew Fluffy well enough to know that that howling was his normal hurting yowl. When the good Doctor got to where the hubbub was at, he noticed Porgy Porcupine was in the center of the circle that Fluffy was making. Porgy’s cried out, “Get that crazy pup away from me”. “What happened”, asked Doctor Chicken. Timidly Porgy replied, “I was just setting there minding my own business watching the game and all of a sudden I felt this cool nose run into me”. Doctor Chicken said, “Ok I get the picture. Now we have to see if we can put a stop to all this howling”. After a little coaxing and the help of 5 others holding on to Fluffy he was penned down. There was Fluffy lying on his back with 4 porcupine quills sticking in his nose. With the help of pliers the doctor was able to pull out each quill one at a time. As each quill was removed Fluffy let out another ear splitting yelp. When the last quill was extracted everyone let go of Fluffy and jumped back so as not to be within biting range. Fluffy jumped up and put both paws to his nose and let out another yap as tears ran from his eyes. He turned to Doctor Chicken and said with a cry, “Doc my nose still hurts”. With a very professional tone Doctor Chicken said, “Well Fluffy I suggest you put something cold on that runny nose of yours. And I will be sending you my bill tomorrow”. With a little whimper Fluffy started off toward the chuck house.
Wiggles was sitting on the chuck house porch as Fluffy arrived. With a little chuckle Wiggles called out, “Seems that you have a little problem. Have you been sticking you nose into other peoples business”? Fluffy didn’t stop to chat, he just went on into the chuck house and as the door closed behind him Wiggles said to himself, “Yep, been putting his nose where it doesn’t belong”.
My tiny mind thinks that it is OK to be curious but not to be nosey
Continued… (Maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Spider Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 29

2008-03-09T01:02:00.000-08:00

Chapter 29

Blue Snow

There are many wonders in the world, some man made and some made by nature. There are Pyramids, Grand Canyons, and deserts; there is even a Stonehenge. These and many more are found in special places in the real world. Even in the fictitious dreamland, called Furwaggle, there are the Boarder Mountains that bounds this amazing paradise. These majestic mountain peaks are covered with snow the year around and are a sight to behold.
It is early morning, right after breakfast and Fluffy is standing engrossed on the porch of the chuck house staring far off into the rising sun as it comes over the snow covered peaks. He is soon joined by a few others to watch the coming of the morning sun. One of the new arrivals is Wiggles; he has a toothpick in his beak to clean the breakfast corn out of his teeth.
After standing and looking at the view for a while and picking his teeth, Wiggles removed the toothpick from his beak and turning to Fluffy said, “What do you see Fluffy”? Fluffy knew that all Wiggles most likely could see was a fuzzy haze. A bright fuzzy haze, but a fuzzy haze none the less because of his poor eyesight. Fluffy answered,” Well it is a wonderful morning, the sun is coming up over the blue snow on the peaks of the Boarder Mountains and….”. Wiggles interrupted with, “Woe, hold your flapping tong there a minute, snow is white not blue. I thing you are in the need of some glasses?”. Fluffy snapped back with, “What do you know Wiggles, you can't see past the end of your beak. I guess I know what I see, and I see blue snow”. Again Wiggles said, “Snow is white not blue”. With a sigh Fluffy added, “Well if you’re so smart, where does the white go when snow melts?”.
Just then, there came a booming voice, “You two don’t know what you’re talking about”. Both Fluffy and Wiggles looked down at their feet and saw Mr. Gabby Snail. Wiggles was always amazed at the resonant sound that came from such a small creature as Mr. Gabby Snail. Fluffy spoke first, “Ok, Mr. Snail know it all. Don’t you see the blue snow on the peaks of the Boarder Mountains or are you the one that needs glasses?”. Wiggles then joined in with, “Are you trying to tell me that Snow isn’t white?”. With that, Gabby started in with, “Ok, you two listen up. Snow can be white, blue, green, or most any color. It all depends on the sunlight and the reflection, refraction and absorption of the snow. Also…. Blab, blab, and then there is the effect of…. Blab, blab… and so on. So now do you understand?”. Fluffy couldn’t take it anymore and he shouts out, “Ok, Ok, already. That’s enough. You are raining on my parade and my mind is soaked”. Wiggles whispered to him-self, “You’re not the only one Fluffy, my mind is over loaded and about to pop”. With a humph and a grump Mr. Snail said,” Well, if you two don’t want the facts of the matter then I will just go on my way”. “Well you don’t have to be so grumpy about it”, replied Wiggles. But the Snail didn’t hear, he had already slid off into the grass and didn’t even look back.
Wiggles turned to Fluffy and said,” I’m going to the water trough and soak my head to see if I can wash my mind clear”. With a shocked look Fluffy said,” Well I’m not going to do anything as radical as that, but all this has made my stomach hungry. I’m going to see if there are any leftovers from breakfast”. With that he turned and went back into the chuck house. Wiggles wattled off toward the nearest water while shaking his head from side to side.
My tiny mind thinks that too much of anything is not necessarily a good thing.
Continued… (Maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Diamond Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 28

2008-03-02T16:13:00.000-08:00

Chapter 28
Shoo Fly

There is always something that is annoying. Sometimes it is a person or sometimes it’s just a thing, even a place can be irritating. It is common for this to happen in the real world. But even as uncommon that it is, it does happen some times in the fictitious dreamland, called Furwaggle.
Today we find Wiggles leisurely rocking in his rocking chair. He has picked an out of the way place in the shade on the far side of the barn. This is so he will not be disturbed by the everyday hassles of the barnyard. (Good luck…)
Even when Wiggles had his glasses on, anything that was more than a few feet away was a fuzzy haze. Most would not like such poor eyesight, but Wiggles found it to be very comforting not to be bothered by the need for rubbernecking. He figured that what he couldn’t see couldn’t hurt him. Anyway, what he lacked in sight he more than made up in hearing. It was well known that his hearing was the sharpest in all of Furwaggle. It has been said that he could hear a pin drop before it hit the ground.
It wasn’t long before Wiggles' tranquility was broken by a yapping sound coming from the far side of the barnyard. He couldn’t see anything but a blurred figure running toward him. But there was no question in Wiggles mind as to who it was. No one could make a sound like that, but Fluffy. His bark was a tell-tail signature of his furry little friend. This time there was something a little different; sort of a buzzing sound was added to the normal yap.
Out of breath Fluffy came to a sliding halt right in front of Wiggles. With a gasp Fluffy blurted out, “Wiggles, save me… pant, wheeze”. With a dubious look Wiggles asked, “And just what seems to be your problem now”? Fluffy was still out of breath but he was able to come out with, “Flies, flies, they is after me… huff puff… “. Wiggles looked around and then with a smile he told Fluffy, “I don’t see a fly anywhere. But I can spray some of magical fairy dust on you if it will make you feel better”. By now Fluffy has got his breath and with a look of despair he said, “I don't know when the last time you've seen anything, but I know that there was a swarm of flies all over me. Also I know there isn’t any such thing as fairy dust, magical or not”. Even with the fact that everyone knew about Wiggles poor eyesight, Fluffy’s referring to it made Wiggles cringe a little. So with a somber look Wiggles said, “I was just trying to pop some sense in the oven. Fluffy there really aren't any flies around now”. “Well”, snorted Fluffy. “They must of seen you and that scared them away. They didn’t know that you are a corn eating vegetarian”.
With a squeak the barn door opened just enough for Don Quixote Donkey to stick his head out and ask, “Are the flies really gone. I can’t stand to have flies on me. They make me a little crazy”. With a chuckle Wiggles said, “Clearly you’re not the only one”. With assurance Fluffy proclaimed, “Yep, Mr. Shoo Fly Wiggles got them to go off some place else”.
From the nearby grass came a croaking sound, as Mr. Hopping Fog jumped into view and landed at Fluffy’s feet. With a questioning croak he asked, “Are they really gone. I was looking forward to a nice lunch”. “Yes, you are a little late”, answered Wiggles. With a sad croak Mr. Hopping Fog asked, “Any idea where they are at now”. Pointing with his beak Wiggles said, “Well I can’t be sure but it sounded like they were headed toward the apple trees over in the orchard. If you hurry you still might be able to have lunch”. Without even a croak Mr. Hopping Fog started off toward the apple orchard.
Fluffy’s face lit up, this happens whenever he gets an idea. He turned to Wiggles an asked, “If they are off hunting apples then they won’t see me if I make a dash for the safety of the chuck house. Will you come along and protect me Wiggles”. Wiggles was already rocking in his rocking chair, but he answered Fluffy with, “Look old buddy, this is something between the flies and you, so you’re just going to have deal with it”. “Ok, here I go”, announced
Fluffy as he started off toward the chuck house on a dead run.
My tiny mind thinks that each one of us must make our own peace in the world we live.
Continued… (maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Circle Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 27

2008-02-23T16:20:00.000-08:00

Chapter 27

Water Wet

In the rest of the world it either snows or rains too little or too much. But there is a place where the weather is always just right, and that is in the fictitious dreamland, called Furwaggle.
It is just mid-day, the sun is high in the sky and most everyone is taking their mid-day siesta. That is everyone but Fluffy. He is out at the edge of the barnyard running in circles, chasing his tail and barking. This is not a normal practice for Fluffy, but nothing is ever normal for him. There is one thing for sure he isn’t exercising, Fluffy just doesn’t do that. But just as he was about to catch his tail there came a very loud “Squawk”, and this brought Fluffy to a sudden stop. Fluffy started to look around for the source of the interruption. While looking over his shoulder he sees Zorba walking off toward the shade of the barn. Fluffy yells out to Zorba, “Is that you Zorba making that squawking noise?”. Zorba stops, turns toward Fluffy and with one eye closed says, “I don’t ever squawk and I don’t talk when its my nap time”. With that Zorba continued toward the shady spot he had picked for his little snooze.
Fluffy thought that maybe a little nap might be just the thing to settle his nerves down, because chasing his tail is hard work. So he starts toward the shade of that big tree that he had been near to, while doing his little circle pursuit. Just as he got to the shade he turned his head and gave a final loud bark at his tail. And just as quick, came another very loud “Squawk” in reply. That was all Fluffy could take, he yelled out, “Ok, who is doing all that squawking”. From high in the big oak tree came a reply, “Up here dummy”. Fluffy jerked his head up to see a big bird sitting on a branch up near the top of the oak tree. Fluffy was never one for the social amenities so he yelled out, “Hay, big bird what is your problem”. “Harrumph,” answered back the bird. “First off, my name isn’t big bird. I go by the name of Jaybird. And second I wouldn’t be squawking if you wouldn’t be barking and keeping me from my noonday nap”. “Ok, Mr. Jaybird, I guess I can bark whenever I want to”. “Well, bark if you must, just do it some place else. I know I’m going to be sorry, but I just have to ask, why are you barking anyway? Fluffy shot back, “At lunch a little while ago someone spilled a glass of water on the tip of my tail and got it all wet”. “So what”, snapped Jaybird. Fluffy straighten himself up to his full height and with all the self-confidence he could muster said, “Well Mr. Know it all Jaybird, you don’t know much about water. Water in a river is bad, water in a lake is bad, water on Fluffy is bad, and just any water wet is bad in general. So there….”. “Hmm, Mr. Whippersnapper, you are full of malarkey. Water wet isn’t bad. It’s good to drink, its good to play in and it’s good to clean”, snapped back Jaybird.
Just then Wiggles walked up and said, “Shush, you two. You’re making so much noise no one can get a decent daytime nap. I could hear you all the way to my nest in the barn”. Fluffy started with, “Well he started it….”. But was interrupted by Jaybird with, “No, he was barking and….”. With a stamp of his foot Wiggles snapped, “Both of you are in for big trouble if you can’t settle down and be quit making so much noise”. With a soft sniffle Fluffy whispered, “He wants me to get all water wet”. Then Jaybird whispered back, “He was saying water wet is bad”. “Ok Jaybird you go back to sleep and Fluffy you go to the chuck hall porch and wait for dinner, and I’m going back to my nest for a few winks of sleep”.
This seemed to satisfy everyone. Jaybird closed his eyes and right away started to snore. Fluffy wagged his tail as he started off toward the chuck house.

My tiny mind thinks that water is ok if used in the right way.
Continued… (maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
9 Number Sudoku

Furwaggle Chapter 26

2008-02-03T21:50:00.000-08:00

Chapter 26

Bug Day

The rest of the world celebrates many different holidays and events but in this fictitious dreamland, called Furwaggle, there are also some special ones. Today is one of those out of the ordinary events, it’s Bug Day.
We find Wiggles and Fluffy standing on the chuck house porch after finishing lunch. Fluffy is going thru his normal after meal routine of rubbing his belly. He then remarks, “You know, I haven’t seen Zorba lately. Any idea where he has gone off to?”. “Oh, didn’t you know, he is off on one of his circus tours. He will be traveling around for the next couple of weeks doing his act for different charity functions”, answers Wiggles. With a far off look, Fluffy says, “I would like to do something like that”. Wiggles smiles and says, “I don’t think there is much interest in a act where spectators sit around and watching someone eat”.
With that the two friends step down off the porch and walk out into the barnyard. Fluffy stops for a moment to scratch behind his ear and asked, “Have you noticed that there are a lot more creepy bugs around lately”. “Sure”, replied Wiggles, “It’s a special event day, all the insects are meeting here to celebrate Bug Day”. “Well I sure hope they don't get on me, they make me itch. Those crawly little critters seem to like me too much ”, remarked Fluffy. “Well Fluffy, they aren’t all crawly, some of them fly too”, added Wiggles. With that Fluffy jerked his head up and started looking around in the air. Wiggles saw this and said, “You won’t see many around here, they are mainly out in the north forty where the celebrations are being held. Come on let's go watch the festivities”. With a sorrowful look Fluffy asked, “Do we have too?”.
With a quick waddle, Wiggles starts off across the fields toward the north forty with Flurry reluctantly tagging along behind. Before long they could hear many little high-pitched sounds coming from up ahead. After a few more steps there came a very deep voice, “And just where do you two think you’re going?”. This brought Wiggles and Fluffy to a sudden stop. Looking around Fluffy sees an ant standing in the pathway and tells Wiggles, “There seems to be a road block ahead”. Wiggles looks down at the ant and said, “We are going to the celebration to watch the fun”. The little ant barked back, “Well you can’t go in, so beat it”. Just then two flying bugs swooped down from the sky and hovered in front of the little ant. He took one look at them and said, “It’s ok you two can pass”. And with that the two flyers took off toward the celebration. With a puzzled look Fluffy asked, “How come they get to go see the fun but we can’t?” With a somber look the ant explained, “It’s ok for you to pass. Cats, dogs, and any thing with hair or fur are welcome. But your friend there has to stay out. We don’t let birds or anything with beaks or feathers to mess things up”. “How come”, quizzed Wiggles. With a sigh the little ant explained, “Last year when the celebration was held at Never, Never Land, two Penguin got in and nearly wiped out a whole tribe of beetles before we chased them away”. With a huff Wiggles strighten himself up to his full height and said, “Look mister ant, border guard or what ever you are, I will have you know that I was the chief specimen at the Harvard School of Medical for two years running. And besides that, I was awarded the Silver Star for my flight training above and beyond the call of duty. Also….”. Before he could continue the ant interrupted him with, “Say, you must be Wiggles, that quacky friend of Zorba who performed here this morning. He told us all about you and there can’t be two whackos waddling around like that. Just put on this muzzle and go on in”. “Muzzle, MUZZLE”, yelled Wiggles. “I’m not wearing any muzzle”. “Me either”, barked Fluffy. “Look feathers, either muzzle up, or shut up. You’re not getting in without it”, barked back the ant. With that Wiggles turned on his heels and in a huff started stomping off, with Fluffy right behind him.
“Harrumph”, exclaimed Wiggles. “I have never been so insulted in my life. I’m going to the water pond and wash off all this verbal abuse”. Hearing the words, water and wash, brought Fluffy to a sudden stop. “Now wait a minute, I’m not doing any water washing”, exclaimed Fluffy. Without stopping his stomping waddle Wiggles called back to Fluffy, “Well you do what you want, but I’m off to the pond”. “Well, I think I will just go over to the barnyard and roll around in the dirt until dinner”, replied Fluffy.With that the two friends part, one stomping and the other skipping.
My tiny mind thinks that muzzles are not right to stop ideas or talking.
Continued… (maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you
Maze

Furwaggle Chapter 25

2008-01-12T23:19:00.000-08:00

Chapter 25

Little Red Wagon

Now that it’s a New Year, things will surly change in the real world. But not here, it is always the same in this fictitious dreamland, called, Furwaggle.
The weather is nice and warm, the sky is clear and blue and we find Wiggles and Zorba lazing around in the rays of the sun. “This is the life, just laying, here with no troubles, no hassles, just peace and quiet” Remarks Wiggles.
“I know what you mean, but you may have over looked something”, replies Zorba. “I don’t know what you mean, there are no taxes, no little tin gods”, answered Wiggles. “You are right, we don’t have any politicians here in Furwaggle, so there are no taxes, but there is something that you forgot”, added Zorba. “And just what did I forget”, asked Wiggles. With just one word Zorba answered, “Fluffy”. Wiggles mumbled to himself, “I must be getting old”. At that point Fluffy walked up with a big grin, patted his belly and with a twinkle in his eye said, “Boy oh boy was breakfast good this morning. They had three helpings for everyone and I sure got my fair share”. Zorba couldn’t help himself, he blurted out, “We had no doubt that when it comes to food you would get your fair share and maybe just a little bit more”.
At about that time they all heard something coming up the road, “Beep, Beep, squeak”. It was Squeaky Mouse pulling something. Everyone stopped talking and all eyes were on Squeaky. Especially Fluffy, he had that, deer in the headlights stare. After a few moments Zorba broke the silence, “Hi Squeaky, what is that you are pulling” ? With pride Squeaky answered, “It’s my brand new, one of a kind little red wagon. There is not another one like it in all of Furwaggle”. Squeaky then looked from one to the other for that look of envy, but when he came to Fluffy, he was baffled. “What is wrong with Fluffy”, asked Squeaky? “He looks like he’s turned to stone“. Wiggles turned to give Fluffy the once over and concluded, “I think he’s ok, he blinked and now his lips are beginning to quiver. I think he is trying to say something”. “Hummm a hum, it’s a beautiful red wagon”, finally came out of Fluffy. Then with a jerk, Fluffy began to jump up and down. After 5 or 6 jumps, he began running circles around Squeaky and his red wagon, all the while chanting, “It’s a red wagon, it’s a red wagon”. Wiggles turned to Zorba and with a cough said, “I think you had better flag him down before he starts a major dust storm”. So Zorba steped into the path of Fluffy, held up his hand and in a very loud commanding voice shouted, “HALT”. This brought Fluffy to a screeching stop, but he was still babbling, “It’s a red wagon, it’s a red wagon”. Wiggles said, “Yes, we know it’s a red wagon. I may have very poor eyesight but I can see it, so what”? “I wan, I wanna, drive it”, stuttered Fluffy. “Whoa there, hang on a minute. Do you have a red wagon driving license”? “A what”, asked Fluffy? Squeaky explained, “Yes, you have to have a license from the RWDMV before you can drive my red wagon”. With a puzzled look Fluffy asked, “What is a RWDMV”? With a wink, Wiggles said, “Everyone knows RWDMV stands for Red Wagon Dept of Motor Vehicles”. With a sheepish look Fluffy asked, “Okay, I'm not above begging, couldn’t I just take it for a little spin around the barnyard and….”. Squeaky interrupted with, “No license, no driving”. “Ok, how do I get me one of those license things”, asked Fluffy. Wiggles cleared his throat and begin, “You have go to the RWDMV, take an eye test, a written test and beings you’re a first time driver, you may have to take a driving test, too”.
“Wow”, exclaimed Fluffy. “I’m going off to the RWDMV and get tested so I can drive a little Red Wagon”. All the rest nodded their heads while hiding their smiles and chuckles as they started off toward the barnyard.
My tiny mind thinks we all should be on the lookout for little Red Wagons.
Continued… (maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you.
5 Numbers Sudoku Puzzle

Furwaggle Chapter 24

2007-12-03T12:14:00.000-08:00

Chapter 24

Christmas

The air is getting colder and the leaves are falling off the trees. It's a sure sign that winter is coming to the rest of the world. But it is always warm here in this fictitious dreamland, called, Furwaggle.
Today we find Wiggles and Slithering Sam chewing the fat over how bad it will be if the weather turns chilly. “Whenever it gets cold my beak locks up and I can’t talk, let alone eat. I just wna run away and hide from it all.” Remarks Wiggles. “I know what you mean”, replies Sam. “I'm speechless and can’t even hiss whenever the temperature drops below a normal slithering point”. At that point Fluffy walked up and said, “I'm not sure what's going on, but, I would like to join in on some important talk”. With sarcasm, Sam asked, “why, are you bilingual"? With confidence, Fluffy looks up at him and says, "Meow!" With a chuckle, Wiggles said to Fluffy, “we are discussing how good it is to have nice warm weather and what happens when it get cold in winter”.
“Well, I don’t know about you guys, but there is one good thing about winter”, said Fluffy. “Yea, and just what would that be” asked Sam? With a twinkle in his eye Fluffy said, “Well, Christmas of course”. With a shock both Sam and Wiggles said together, “Of course”. Then Fluffy continued with, “and the best part is when Santa comes with goodies for everyone”. Just then, Zorba walks up and asks, “for everyone”? With a surprise Fluffy said, “sure, why not”? Then Zorba explained, “Santa Claus listens all year to hear who has been naughty or nice, and you can guess who gets the goodies”. “Oh”, said Fluffy with a sad look. “I think I’m in trouble”. “Oh, Fluffy don’t worry”, said Wiggles. “You’re not naughty, youthfully naive maybe, but not naughty”. “You guys are confusing me. I don’t know much about Christmas, but is Santa Claus and Santa the same guy that is giving out all these Christmas presents”, asked Sam? “Sure”, said Zorba. “He is called many names besides Santa Claus and Santa, such as, Saint Nick, Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and possible a few more depending where you come from or live”. Tell me more about this Santa guy that gives out gifts on Christmas”, asked Sam. It was Wiggles turn to answer, “Santa lives at the North Pole, where his Christmas-gift workshop is also located”. Then Zorba interrupts with, “Santa Claus has a white beard, and puts on his red jacket and pompom-topped cap, goes out on the night before Christmas in his sleigh, pulled by eight reindeer, and climbs down chimneys to leave his gifts to those who have been nice”, and for Fluffys' benefit he added, “or naïve”. “Well, if you’re so smart, can you name all of Santa’s reindeer”, ask Wiggles? “Sure can”, replied Zorba. “The original eight reindeer are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen. And if it is a snowy over-cast, zero visibility night, then Rudolph is added because he is a red-nosed reindeer that can light up the path for the rest”. With admiration Wiggles said to Zorba, “you sure do know your reindeer stuff, I’m impressed”.
“Well, if you really want to know about Santa and the night before Christmas, give a listen to this”, came a voice down at Fluffys' feet. It was Charlie Book Worm. He didn’t wait for an answer but began to read from one of his ever-present books. “This is a poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas"
By Clement Clarke Moore” started Charlie.
'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night."
“Wow”, exclaimed Fluffy. “I think I’m going off and start trying to be nice so that I can get some goodies come Christmas”. All the rest nodded their heads as they started off toward the barnyard.
My tiny mind wants to express to you all, “Merry Christmas”.
Continued… (maybe).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a simple little teaser for you.
Maze Puzzle

Furwaggle Chapter 23

2007-10-29T11:36:00.000-07:00

Chapter 23
Dance

Today, there are happy feet in this fictitious dreamland, called, Furwaggle. Everyone has polished up their dancing shoes and out in the barnyard showing off their snappy steps. That is, everyone except Fluffy. He is sitting on the chuck house porch munching on an apple. He had heard that vigorous dancing is a good way to blow off steam. Fluffy figured that it must be some kind of therapy but he already had his daily growl at the cook for serving him too small of a breakfast and that is all the healing power he needed for today. Anyway, dogs don’t dance when they can sit on the sidelines and laugh at others that try to shake a leg.
A good example of odd-looking dancers is Wiggles. Yes, even Wiggles is putting on a show for all to see. He is all dressed up in his hippie garb and doing a popular sixties fowl step. This kind of suggests that he may have had a much different kind of lifestyle when he was younger. In any case, he was pretty good for an old duck with arthritis and being half blind. But Fluffy knew, come tomorrow, Wiggles would be back to his old normal self. Maybe have a few stiff joints and a little bit of a limp, but none the less normal.
Over in the corral there is Old Joe Baker, kicking up his heels to show the others how it’s done. It could be that the one reason he is so active is that Busy Bee is performing a ballet over his head. He always did his boogieing inside the corral because if he got carried away and stepped on someone it was a really big ouch. Outside of the occasional visit of an elephant or dragon, he weights more than any ten other dancers put together. Horses aren’t light you know and also they have big feet.
There wasn’t much of a band for the dancers to dance to. As a matter of fact there wasn’t any band at all. It would be kind of hard to play music that would be good for all of the different kind of dance steps that was going on. For example, there was the triple ants doing their stick dance. It was kind of like western line dancing except they carried a long pole to help keep then in line. Then there was Zorba, doing his Greek soft shoe routine. There just wasn’t any music that would go with both, let alone all the other dancing styles that were going on at the same time.
All of a sudden the dinner bell rang, and it was a good thing too, because the dancers were just about wore out and couldn’t go on much longer. That is, all but Fluffy; he jumped up and was the first one in the chow line. You can’t keep a good dog down.
My tiny mind thinks that dancing is a good way to express yourself. Talking is good too.
Continued… (maybe).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is a simple little teaser for you.
Maze Puzzle

Furwaggle Chapter 22

2007-10-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

Chapter 22
Practice, Practice

It is good to know your limitation even in a place like this fictitious dreamland, called, Furwaggle. You never know when something will come up that will test your skill or knowledge, just like in the real world. One should always strive for improvement.
Wiggles is on one of his daily walks, when he comes upon the tree where Zorba hangs out. And sure enough, there is Zorba hanging by his tail. Wiggles calls out, “Hello Zorba. What are you up to?” Zorba calls back, “I’m up a tree, can’t you see?” Wiggles snaps back, “Ok, don’t be smart with me. I know you're up in that tree. The question is why?” “Sorry Wiggles, I’m trying to improve my act for the up coming festival”, replies Zorba. With a shock, Wiggles remembers that about this time each year there is a fair where everyone does something to entertain everyone else. Then Zorba asked, “What kind of an act are you planning to do Wiggles?” With a sad look Wiggles said, “Well, it’s not going to be like last year. With a sly grin Zorba asked, “And what was that”. Wiggles sleeplessly replied, “I took a long run, flapped my wings and flew upside down around the barnyard while whistling a snappy tune”. With awh Zorba said, “That sounds cool. How did it work out?” “You see my bent beak don’t you”, snapped Wiggles.
Just then a loud flaying of wings could be heard overhead and a large shadow was cast over the landscape. “What is that”, yelled Zorba, as he tried to climb even higher in the tree. Wiggles looks over his shoulder and saw a huge creature looking down at him. It was so tall, even Timmy the Giraffe would have had to look up to see the top of this thing. Then a booming voice came from this giant, “HELLO”. “Hello there, is that you Puff”, said Fluffy as he came walking up to this little gathering. “Do you know this…this gigantic err… Puff”, stuttered Wiggles. “Sure, Puff provided the fire at last months' BBQ. And it was a tasty affair too”, replied Fluffy. Then Fluffy turned to Puff and asked, “What you doing here Puff”? With a sheepish grin and a much lower voice Puff said, “Well you see I had a flameout coming over the mountains and had to make an emergency landing”. Fluffy asked, “Is there anything we can do to help you”? This time with a big grin Puff boomed, “Sure, my boiler is out and I need to get the flame started. Do you happen to have some gasoline or kerosene or even a lump of coal would do”. “Sure”, proclaimed Fluffy. “Come on over to the chuck house and we can fix you right up”. Then Puff said, “Come on jump on my back and I will give you a ride”. With a little hesitation Fluffy asked, “Can you fly without fire”? With pride Puff assured Fluffy by saying, “Sure, I’ve been practicing flameless low level stuff and there will be no problem. As a matter of fact, I’m getting pretty good at this stealth flying”. As the two took off Wiggles and Zorba could hear Fluffy yell, “Wheeee…”
As Zorba swung down from the tree he proclaimed, “Now wasn’t that something. You know I think I’ve had enough practice for one day. Let's go back to the barnyard”. “Sounds good to me”, replied Wiggles. “Who knows what we will run into next, a flying whale”?
My tiny mind thinks that it is good to understand what you know and what you don’t know. Then fix what you can.
Continued… (maybe).
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Here is a simple little teaser for you.
Sudoku Letter Puzzle