Posts : 878 Join date : 2012-04-22 Age : 59 Location : Birmingham
Subject: Septemger 2023 - Blue Moon Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:15 am
Hello to one and all
Apparently this Wednesday we had both a blue moon AND a super moon... AND I was out having a nice glass of something and a barbeque in a friends garden ... AND I forgot to take special notice of said moon. Duh (It was a lovely evening though)
Anyhow, all the BBC 'don't forget its a special moon' has given me a challenge topic
Put away your telescopes and think about
"Once in a ... BLUE MOON"
Kat
Posts : 6 Join date : 2021-06-03
Subject: Blue Moon September Challenge Sun Sep 17, 2023 5:50 am
Lying on his bunk, hands laced behind his head, he stared up at the ceiling, thinking. He ought to be sleeping like his comrades, given that they had a big job planned for the next day. But he was too busy mentally weighing the pros and cons of that future enterprise to allow sleep to claim him.
On the one hand, there was no denying that it was the opportunity of a lifetime.The chance of scoring a haul worth over a quarter of a million dollars was something that only came along once in a blue moon. So, they'd be fools not to make a try for it, right? On the other hand, with that much reward at stake, the risks were also bound to be equally as high.
Of course, there was an element of danger with any heist, big or small, when you got right down to it. Outlawing was an inherently risky business and it wasn't like he was new to the profession since he'd been riding with the Devil's Hole boys for a while now. But never before had he been plagued with such doubts about an upcoming job and he couldn't help wondering what was making him so hestitant this time around.
Maybe it had something to to do with the fact that there'd recently been a change of management at the Hole. Their current leader was a little too cocksure and full of himself, to his way of thinking, and he didn't have the same level of confidence in him that he'd had in his predecessor. Or maybe he was simply losing his nerve. It happened to some men, and maybe he was one of them. Whatever the reason, perhaps it was time he thought about getting out of the robbing business altogether.
But to do so now, when he'd be turning his back on all that money, could he really do that? After all, if he was serious about starting a new life, it would certainly help to have cash and plenty of it. And with his share of a haul like that he would be able to do pretty much anything he wanted. It was something to take into consideration. Then again, money wouldn't do a man much good if he was in jail or, worse yet, not alive to spend it, now would it?
After more pondering he finally reached a compromise between his greed and his better judgement. He would go along this one last time, but after that he was through. No matter how things turned out...win, lose or draw...after tomorrow he would leave the outlaw life behind him. Decision made, he finally rolled over and went to sleep.
The next morning he saddled up and rode out with the rest of the gang. They reached Harris Crossing in good time and set about sabotaging the tracks. That done, they retreated to the cover of the tree line to await the train.
Before long he heard it chugging away in the distance. Soon it was in sight. He could see smoke belching from the stack. Then he heard the screech of metal against metal as the engineer slammed on the brakes, bringing it to a halt just short of where they'd pulled up the rails.
“Alright, men...let's get rich.” Wheat Carlson smugly instructed.
Carslon and the rest of the gang started down the hill. And, hoping that he wasn't making the biggest mistake of his life, Henry Maxwell Jenkins followed.
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rachel741
Posts : 188 Join date : 2020-06-29 Age : 50 Location : United Kingdom
Subject: Re: Septemger 2023 - Blue Moon Sun Sep 24, 2023 8:59 am
Kid sat on the fence surrounding the small cabin he and Heyes owned and stared out at the large moon with a dejected sigh, the words of the latest girl he'd lost, running through his head.
“You're a sweet man Jed, but I don't want to live in constant fear of being left a widow. I know you're fast enough to win now, but there's going to come a time when you won't be. So I'm sorry, I won't be seeing you again.”
Emily had tried to soften the blow with a goodbye kiss, but that had only made it worse. She was the third girl who'd been scared away in the past year since he and Heyes had received their amnesty, by witnessing the cold reality of what his reputation brought with it: Some joker calling him out, just because he was Kid Curry and they fancied themselves a fast gun and wanted to prove it.
He turned when he heard footsteps behind him, recognising them as Heyes, who looked at him in some sympathy even as he said. “You're making that moon blue with all your moping and sighing.”
The Kid didn't reply but merely continued to stare out at the starlit sky, thinking almost wistfully of the days when they'd been Thaddeus Jones and Joshua Smith and he'd been free from the reputation that he was simultaneously proud of and dogged by. But Heyes obviously following his train of thought, chuckled and came up to stand directly behind him, laying a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it gently as he said laughingly. “Oh come on Kid, you can't be hankering after our Smith and Jones days already, how many times did you complain that we were broke, always running and how tired you were? Not to mention all those jobs hard on the back we were forced into taking.”
The Kid laughed and shook his head, suddenly amused at how quickly he'd started to remember those tough exhausting days with rose tinted nostalgia. Heyes was right, they'd never been able to settle. And no matter how much he might have wanted to, there had been no way he'd could have started a life with any girl while they were still wanted. He still occasionally wondered how things might have worked out with Michelle, had he been free to court her. Not to mention the posses, the bounty hunters, the times they'd had to get themselves out of bind just because some idiot had decided to blame Heyes and Curry for their own dishonesty. No their life was much much better now, all he needed was to convince a girl that he was worth the risk, and then it'd be just perfect. He fervently hoped it wouldn't take a genuine blue moon for that to happen.
With a final glance up at the moon, making sure Heyes couldn't see him, a little embarrassed by his fancy, he made his wish, then slipped off the fence to stand on the slightly damp grass, before turning to face Heyes, when after a brief exchange of looks, they walked side by side back towards their cozy home.
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Penski Moderator
Posts : 1808 Join date : 2012-04-22 Age : 63 Location : Northern California
Subject: Re: Septemger 2023 - Blue Moon Sat Sep 30, 2023 10:30 pm
Year of Blue Moons
Heyes ran up the stairs at the saloon and hissed loudly, “Thaddeus!” in the hallway. A moment later, a door opened and a gal in a thin robe motioned him inside a room, his partner putting on his pants.
“What’s goin’ on?” the Kid asked, as he buttoned his jeans and began cinching his belt.
Heyes moved the lace curtain to the side and looked out into the street. “A guy downstairs noticed me and left to get the sheriff.”
Curry put on his shirt and tucked it into his pants. “Darlin’, is there a back stair?”
The saloon gal, leaning against the door watching, commented, “No, but I’ve gone out the window before and shimmied down to the back of the saloon.”
Heyes opened the window, looked down, and nodded. He was halfway out the window when he tipped his hat. “Much obliged. If you would hold them off for a while, we’d appreciate it.”
“Sure,” she replied, handing the Kid his hat. “Not the first time I’ve helped someone to escaped, but usually it’s an angry wife after her husband.”
Kid Curry kissed her while placing all the bills he had in her hand. “Thanks, darlin’!” A moment later, he was out the window behind Heyes.
Someone knocked hard on the door. “Lucy, you got someone in there with you?”
Lucy glanced out the window to see two men galloping out of town. She closed the window and turned. “I sure don’t. Thought I’d come up for a few minutes to refresh myself before the evening.” She opened the door. “Well, Sheriff, you don’t usually come up to see me.”
The sheriff walked into the room, checking any hidden spaces. “Hank thought you had a customer up here.”
Lucy smiled and shook her head. “I sure don’t, but if you’re willing, Sheriff…”
He blushed. “Maybe next time. I hafta check out a report now.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry rode fast and hard from Pleasanton, heading away from roads and civilization. They urged the horses to climb a hill and dismounted, cautiously making their way to the top.
Peering over an edge, Heyes stared into the distance. “See anything?”
“Not yet.”
“Good thing we got our supplies before going to the saloon.”
“Yeah, a real good thing.” Curry squinted and pointed. “Dust cloud?”
Heyes looked in the direction. “Dust cloud. Let’s go!”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A few days later, a tired Curry made his way in front of Heyes to glance in the saloon before entering. He did a quick scan, turned and bumped into his partner.
“Is that necessary?” grumbled Heyes.
“Yep! Gus Stevens is in there.”
“The famous bounty hunter?” Heyes turned around and hurried to his horse.
“The one and the same.”
“Think he saw you?”
“Do you wanna take a chance?”
“Not with his reputation of killing and then bringing the body in.”
Curry mounted his horse. “Let’s go!”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After riding hard and fast, the two former outlaws stood just inside a grove of trees.
“Think he’s after us?”
Heyes shrugged his shoulders. “Haven’t seen evidence he is.”
“But would he make himself known?”
“Probably not. Let’s ride further.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
That evening as the sun set, Heyes and Curry leaned against their saddles, stretched out on the ground, and chewing jerky.
“A fire would’ve been nice. Some coffee, too,” Heyes commented.
“Not with the possibility of Gus Stevens somewhere out there.” Curry took a sip of water from his canteen. “Looks like there’s a fire to the west.”
Heyes quickly looked up from getting a can of peaches in his bag. “Fire? Think that’s the sunset.”
“Sure is more colorful than usual.”
“It sure is. I wonder why?”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A few hours later, they were laying on their bedrolls looking up into the sky at the stars.
“Guess we should do watches,” Heyes commented.
“Yep.”
“I’ll do the first.” Heyes furrowed his brow. “Kid?”
“Yeah.”
“Does the moon look blue to you?”
“I was noticin’ that and about to ask you the same thing.”
“That’s strange. I wonder why.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Very early before the sun rose, the Kid gently kicked his partner. “Time to go. I seen a low campfire in the distance.”
Heyes nodded, yawned, and got out of his bedroll.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After several day, Heyes and Curry were sure they had lost the famous “kill ‘em first” bounty hunter and rode cautiously into River Bend.
“I don’t know if I want a drink or a bath or a meal first.” The Kid meticulous checked out the town. “Do we know Sheriff Barrett?”
“Don’t believe we do. But with our luck lately, Thaddeus, I think we should get supplies first, just in case.”
“Probably should.”
They reined their horses to a water trough and Curry waited until they drank while Heyes made his way into the mercantile. Once they finished drinking, the Kid tied them in front of the store’s hitching post and went inside.
The grocer wrapped up an item for an older lady while Heyes waited at the counter to pay for their items.
“Yep, it’s too bad about ol’ Sheriff Barrett.” The woman pulled out some coins to pay.
The grocer nodded. “Good thing he brought in Deputy Harris a few months ago.”
Heyes and the Kid made eye contact.
“Deputy Harris, huh?” Heyes joined in on the conversation. “Now that wouldn’t be Ben Harris, would it?”
The grocer looked surprised. “Do you know him?”
“Just heard of him.” Heyes gave the Kid a look. “Seems we have everything we need. Can you ring us up quickly so we can get back on the trail to Sweetwater?”
“Sure thing.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Heyes and the Kid watched another vibrant sunset from the trail.
“Heyes, we gotta get outta this area.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more. Seems like everywhere we go, there’s someone we know who wants us.”
“Where do you wanna go?”
“I was thinking we could go visit Soapy.”
“Think that’s a good idea. Silky probably still isn’t talkin’ to us after bein’ Grandma Curry in Montana.”
Heyes chuckled.
Curry sipped his coffee. “Another sunset. Sure seem brighter than normal, don’t you think?”
“Yep. And, did you notice the moon was kinda blue or green again last night?”
“I did. It’s kinda eerie.”
“Wonder why…”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Heyes and the Kid gazed out of the train’s window.
“Beautiful sunset here, too, Joshua.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Same sun.”
“Well, just sayin’ the same thing that’s makin’ them colors is here, too,” Curry said defensively.
An hour later, Heyes commented. “Another blue moon.”
“Why wouldn’t it be? Same moon,” the Kid said sarcastically.
“I wonder why.”
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The door opened. “Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones! Mr. Saunders didn’t tell me you were coming.” The butler ushered them inside.
“It was a last-minute trip. Is he home?” Heyes asked.
“He is. One moment, please.” The butler left and entered the den. “Sir, Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones are here.”
An older gentleman put down the newspaper he was reading. “They are? Show them in, James.”
“Very well, sir.” He turned and addressed the visitors. “You may go in.”
Soapy stood to greet his guests. “Heyes. Kid. What are you doing here? I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Sorry to drop in like this, Soapy.” Curry shook the host’s hand.
Heyes also shook hands. “It was getting too hot for us and we needed a rest. Do you mind?”
“Please tell cook that we’ll have two guests for at least a few days. Also, air out the two extra rooms upstairs.”
“As you wish,” James said with a slight bow as he closed the door.
“I bet you can use a drink.” Soapy went to a small bar area.
“We wouldn’t refuse one, that’s for sure.” Heyes stretched.
Kid Curry smiled. “We sure appreciate you takin’ us in.”
“Why, we’re like family.” Soapy handed them both a brandy. “To family!”
The three men clinked their glasses together.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~
That evening after an early dinner, the host and his guests shared another brandy in the den. Curry was drawn to the window and looked out. “Think this sunset is even more colorful than last night’s.”
Heyes joined him. “I wonder why all the different color sunsets. Soapy, the moon even seems blue. I wonder why?”
“Oh, I bet you boys don’t know.” Soapy got up and retrieved the discarded newspaper. “There was a volcano eruption somewhere on the other side of the Pacific Ocean and, according to the paper, ash went high in the sky. It’s like it blanketed the earth. Here…”
Heyes took the proffered paper and began to read the article aloud…
THE ERUPTION OF KRAKATOA.
DISAPPEARANCE OF TOWNS.
GREAT LOSS OF LIFE AMOUNG EUROPEANS AND NATIVES
(REUTER’S TELEGRAMS)
On August 26th 1883, Krakatoa erupted. Not, of course, out of a clear blue sky; ash columns and steam plumes had been filling the sky over the island and its archipelago for days, the area had been experiencing tremors and earthquakes for years, and smaller explosions had been throwing up ash, changing the tides and, presumably, worrying the locals for months. There were four major explosions between August 26 - 27. The loudest of these could be heard on Madagascar, in Alice Springs, Australia and as far as the Island of Rodriguez, 3000 miles away in the Indian Ocean. It is now widely accepted as the loudest sound in modern history. The volcano was obliterated, destroying two-thirds of the island along with it. The death toll is estimated at over 36,000, with nearby inhabitants representing only a portion of the victims as a tsunami, over 100 ft tall, swept across the world’s oceans. The shockwave from the event is thought to have circled the world seven times. The amount of ash and sulfur released high into the atmosphere is producing a global drop in temperatures of a volcanic winter as well as brilliant red sunsets, purple twilights, and blue moons.
Heyes looked puzzled. “Where’s Krakatoa?”
Soapy went to a globe and pointed to islands between Australia and South East Asia. “Right about here.”
“And where are we?” the Kid asked.
Soapy turned the globe to the right. “San Francisco is here.”
“And this volcano is affecting how we see the sun and moon this far away,” Heyes commented, as he took a closer look.
“Not only here, but other news reports say they are seeing vibrant sunsets and blue moons in New York…” He pointed to the state on the globe. “… and England. In fact, some people reported it looked like there was a fire in New York when it was just the sunset.”
“England’s on the other side of the world from the volcano!” Curry exclaimed.
“I can’t even imagine hearing something from over a thousand miles away.” Heyes shook his head in disbelief.
“Ah, yes, the wonders of nature!” Soapy commented as the three friends sat in companionable silence and sipped their brandy, thinking over what they had just learned.
Fri Sep 01, 2023 6:15 am
