ERIC'S BEDTIME STORY

Hiya MODS! Well, we finally made it up to base camp and what a trek it's been! My thighs
itch so bad from perching atop Eric's pack (he climbs like a mountain goat!) that I had to
apply Ladies' Anti Monkey Butt Powder to put an end to my chafing. (Note to self: ask
mom what SHE uses it for...)


Thing is, Eric invited me along so we could "bond" but he's been calling me "Hamster" the
entire time and now that he's built our fire, Blehmster is staring into it like a mystic in a
trance. (NOTE TO SELF: Must put an end to his self-introspection so he pays
attention to ME!)

"WHEEeeeeK! I CAN'T STOP OBSTREFICATING! WheeeEEEEK!"

Eric is startled. In a shaky voice, his reverie (politely) disturbed, he looks at me: "Hamster, wha the?!"

"Will you tell me a bedtime story? Mom always does."

"What? Why did you scream like that?"

"Oh, must be the Tourette's...a side effect of Ladies' Anti Monkey Butt Powder. Want some?"

"You're a sicko."

"Thanks, but we're supposed to be bonding, Blehm, so tell me what's on your mind. You've
been staring into that fire having Deep Thoughts. Spill 'em, surfer dude. You know I am a
philosophical little guinea pig and will treat them with respect." (NOTE TO SELF: good one!)

"As it got dark, remember my friend, retired ranger Alden Nash, pointing out an owl flying
overhead?"

"Oh, Bloody Hork, Blehm, the owls, AGAIN? Always about the owls...geez!"

"No, you're gonna like this, Hamster. It was likely a great horned owl considering where we
were, but it got me thinking about Molly and the OTHER books I have brewing in my mind
for The Owl's Realm series..."

"O.K. so we're still talking about owls here. Where's the part you said I'd like?"

"As I sat by the campfire I worked out the whole first book in my mind, and then began
writing it out in my journal last night. The story is about the great escape from the first
clutch. It is the story of the mouse that escaped from the owl box that night a few
months back...The little mouse, who had a family and a burrow, not far from the Royals,
has an amazing story in its own right, and begins the setting for the whole Owl's Realm
series, which is about balance in the world, community, Karma, and doing what's right,
even when nobody is watching. This little mouse's name is Moon Shadow, and his
adventure will knock your socks off...the title of the book will be: "Moon Shadow,
The Great Escape..."

The books to follow will tell the story of all the original four owlets' adventures in the
Owl's Realm...Max, Pattison, Austin, and Wesley...they will each be debuted in
Moon Shadow's story..."

"Blehm, you mean to tell me you also think the mouse that escaped is a hero? And it's
not all about the owls, but also we tender, courageous rodents who have paid the
ultimate sacrifice so that the owlets could grow up all strong and fly away?
Hmmm...you might be O.K. after all. How'd THAT happen?"

"During this sojourn away from computers and civilization, I got back in touch with
my creative side, and can't wait to share it with all the Molly fans...and all the readers
who have been so kind to read all my books."

(Wow! Surfer Dude is "deep" gets how awesome we rodents really are: Who Knew?)

"Hey, Eric?"

"What do you think, little Hamster?"

"I think we could become good friends. And, I am a guinea pig, not a hamster. I want to read
about Moon Shadow. Could he have guinea pig friends who are as brave as he is?"

"Thanks, Hamster, we'll see...O.K. we'll see."

"Hey, Blehmster, since you shared with me, can I share with you?"

"Sure, buddy, go ahead."

"Well, I've been getting in touch with my creative side, too. You know that Gershwin song,
'Summertime?' It's been running through my head now that the Carrie and Ashley are so
close to fledging. I changed the words a little but can I sing it to you, like, for Eric's lullaby?"

"Take it away, HamsterDude."

"O.K. my version goes a little something like this:

"Sum-mer - time----
an' the liv-in' is eas-y,
Little Owl-lets---
they's just waitin' to fly---
Oh yo momma's good lookin'
and yo Daddy's a hunter,
So squawk, little ba-bies,
Do-on't...you...cry....

One of these evenin's
You goin' to rise - up - singin'------
Then you'll spread yo' wings -
an' you'll take to the sky.

But till that evenin' ---
there's a noth-in can harm you -----
With Molly and McGee... Staaaan'din by."

"Eric, is that a tear in your eye?"



{Thank you Wyo, Kestra, and DommyDom'sMom}

WHO LOVES YA, BABY?
YUM-YUM LOVES YA!
STAY TUNED FOR OUR NEXT ADVENTURE: COMING SOON!