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The Land Beyond the Forest 6

Márta and Andrei bonded with Mirosi quickly. He spent his time with both and knew the route between the two homes. Mirosi also knew that Shelly and George were welcome at the house. He had also learned the sound of Sue and Jim's automobile coming up the highway before it turned into the drive.

Andrei made him a sturdy leather harness then taught him safety walks along the road.

Márta taught him how to act around the chickens and Miau her gray…

The Land Beyond the Forest 5

Mirosi was introduced to Márta a few weeks later. She was inside making coffee for herself and Andrei. He was quietly reading the newspaper. Márta heard a noise outside the window. She had slightly cracked the window to allow fresh air inside after baking Charred Chili Sauce using pungent Romanian Red Garlic. Andrei and George were going to barb q a lamb. This sauce would be used to marinate the meat.

She heard a sniffing sound come through the window.…

The Land Beyond the Forest 4

The six horses were packed with food, blankets very early next morning before dawn. A hearty breakfast eaten and the riders dressed appropriately for hiking in a cold wet cave.

They mounted the horses and took off as soon as the sun was barely rising. Cioclovina Cave was their destination. It was in the heart of a remote mountain area near the origin of the Cioclovina River. Luckily it was early autumn because the water in the cave would be low or…

The Land Beyond the Forest 3

Andrei was in his shed when Jim entered the driveway calling him.

“Hello Jim. I'm in the shed testing my Pálinka. It has finished fermenting for the second time.”

“Will you put it into barrels?”: asked Jim. “Not this batch. I have another batch using black cherries. Here have a taste.” said Andrei as he handed Jim a small glass of his Apricot Brandy.

Jim took a taste and his cheeks reddened. Then a light sweat ran across his brow. “Whoa that…

The Land Beyond the Forest 2

MaMa went home after three days after Sue agreed that MaMa's wounds were healing nicely. Márta enjoyed her time with Sue but she was yearning to get back into her own kitchen. There were things to be done and places to go. She missed her own routine. Miau her gray tabby would be missing her very much. Miau was quite independent but really loved her little saucer of cream every morning. MaMa also missed Andrei. He was her beau. Andrei lived down the road…

The Land Beyond the Forest

The cottage was painted a Mediterranean Blue with white accents. The roof was deep gray flat slate. Foundation was from local rocks cemented together. Four small windows on the side wall with only one window on the top floor set directly in the center. A well used wide brimmed old straw hat hung on the gate waiting for the owner to return.

Inside in one corner was a wall to floor well used fireplace. The outside covered in white with blue print…

I'm so happy, I've just got to tell somebody--and all the IRL people I know very well are conservative--so I'm going to share it here: I'm going to be published on a elderly liberals site! OMG! It's not for $$, but I'm so happy my article got picked, yay! (If interested in checking it out, it will go up next Tues., Sept. 18 on timegoesby.net; the title is "The Grapes Aren't Sour; They're Just Not On the Menu Often Enough" and I'm not sure if she's going to use my username for her site…