Morning darlings..

I'd better give the bear a morning off and do some work behind the bar for a change.

Right change the filter, the dryads can have the silt since Carl hasn't been drinking it in so long it's starting to gain sentience.

Put fresh filter in...then the coffee beans.

Oh yes, dear Goddess I'm using that awful cheap stuff. Who keeps leaving this behind the bar?

Goddess give me patience when I find them.

Right add the beans, Kenyan mild roast this time. Gives a slight cereal hint to the brew.

Right water..water...dear Goddess I'm not using the stuff from the dumpster hot tub. I've seen the things that swim in that when you come in early. Will have to use some from my own little lake.

So filter in...check..beans in ...check..water in..check.

Time to switch it on so.

Come on BB be a Mensch, I got thirsty people out here.

Oh that's a happy boiler, good girl.

Right...coffee is brewing..what else..what else..oooh biccies.

A plate of maple sandwiched cookies because I heard from a lovely Canuck Bunny. So these are to remind me of her.

And a plate of biscuit cake, I love that stuff. My waistline doesn't but fuck it.

Have a wonderful day my darlings.

Just because you don't always see me behind the bar, doesn't mean I'm not peeping in from time to time. They dryads keep me informed..not as often as they should. Lazy buggers.

Good morning my loves...has that coffee machine been prepped yet?

My brain is full of mush..the joys of being blonde.

Hope you're all doing well lately.

Oh We have a new arrival, her Helen. Welcome to Casa Rumps, there's supposed to be a regulation free small beer on the house for a first timer.

**Staggers through the door, bits of twigs stick in my hair. Yawns loudly and trudges behind the bar.

Sleepy fingers mechanically remove the filter, tip the remains in a nearby bucket for the serious coffee addicts.

Beeps and pings as the system resets. A random bag of coffee beans rattles into the hopper.

A new filter drops into machine and the lid clunks shut. A loud rumble and a hiss of steam.

An absent minded little pat on the nozzle, and a double espresso pours into the mug under the spouts.

**

Good morning my darlings.

Golly it's been hectic for us all lately, hopefully in the enjoyable sense and not the wild race round the house when your in-laws give you 30 minutes notice they're popping round and the house is a mess.

Not that I'm ever caught like that, noooo.

Happy birthday Donna, I hope you had a fun day. Don't count the years, pick a number you like and celebrate the anniversary of that instead. I haven't aged beyond 27 it was a good year and I remember it well.

Scott, thank you for helping James keep the bar in order. It's a busy time for bears lately and he can't do everything.

I get to make the dryads and squirrels do a lot of the messy work, but he can't.

Lovely to see you with us again, we even kept your special bar stool just how you like it.

Angel, lovely to see such a smiling, cheerful Aussie with us. I can almost feel the warm breeze of summer, the scent of flowers and the sound of the sea gently lapping. You're a star, never let anyone tell you otherwise.

James, good heavens you've done loads lately. Put your big bear paws up and let someone fuss over you for a change.

Elyse, that is some amazing bedding. You can have extra large helpings of Alan now.

Kimmi, I know you're a busy girl but here's a little something for you. Oh Goddess hold your Aegis before Your daughter Kimmi. Protect her from wickedness, pain, and hardship. Grant her strength to overcome any obstacle, courage to face any challenge, and a joyful heart to make a mockery of those who would corrupt her soul.

Most Blessed Be.

Vee, lovely to have you with us.

Kistin and Miss Pixel, may the Goddess bless you both, keep you safe from harm and if possible dispel all furballs. Nothing impugns the dignity of the Feline Queen quite like having to cough up a furball.

One more sleep till I get to open my prezzies and make enough squeeling to make the neighbourhood crows take flight in shock.

Much love, many blessings, and oddles of hugs to you all.

Now who needs a drink, my head is full of cotton wool and I badly need caffeine.

**Skips into the bar, punching the air and dancing across the floor. Boots knocking bottles and debris out of the way, Skirt twirling in the air as she crosses the floor. Bouncing behind the bar, swift fingers checking everything is properly in its place, moving things around on autopilot until it's all in order. Slides across to Big Bertha, pops the lid open to check the state of the coffee machine. Twists the filter out and empties Big Bertha, keeping the sludge for Carl and the caffeine junkies. Refills with some Italian Medium roast beans, and lots of mountain fresh water. Places a soft kiss on BB, and polishes her nozzle for being a good girl. Cleans out the big kettle and refills it, setting it to boil. Switches the sign from The Witch is OUT to IN. Puts two fingers in her mouth and gives a long high pitched whistle. A dozen squirrels run into the room, through the front door, the back door, down the chimney. Where did they all come from. A single snap of her fingers sends them racing all round the room. Bottles are rolled out the back door,neatly put in rows. Trash is picked up and carried out the back door. Slowly the floor becomes visible and a few snoring bar flies are sprawled on the floor. A second short whistle results in the tinkling sound of a cascade of bottles being thrown into a recycle bin. The waste bin is being filled with a torrent of trash. In a few moments everything is cleaned up, the bins slam shut and the squirrels return to the bar. Excitedly chirping and looking at the bartender, who reaches into her smock and scatters handfuls of nuts to the squeaking squirrels. Who gather up every crumb and retreat to the top of the bins to soak up the sun and nibble on their feast.**

Hello my dears, the Solstice is here and what a lovely evening it was.

I hope you're all doing well, and the bar hasn't run out of booze again.

I see there's a new competition open, I don't think I have anything that fits the theme but I'm sure some of you do.

I brought some goodies to keep you all from falling down with hunger.

Hello darlings,

I thought I'd leave a little blessing for you all.

Well my dears the Long Nights moon is with us. Luna is strong and bright, reminding us always that there is always Hope. That Light endures even in the darkest part of the year.

The Solstice is almost with us also, a time of reflection and coming together. The Circle turns and changes to a new leader our Northern Tower.

Oh Goddess, be with Your children now and always. For those who grieve, shine Your Light upon them so they know that Death is not the end of all things. They will see the ones they love again when it is their time to cross the Veil and be called Home.

For those who are lonely, enfold them in Your arms that they may feel the power of Your Love and Compassion for all Your children.

Protect us from Harm, rekindle our joyful spirit, and renew the ties that bind us to those we Love.

We are all Your children, and ever need Your Light , Love and Protection. Though we sing Your name or not, we are all dear to You.

For all things were, are and ever will be according to Your Will. Most Blessed Be.

Skips into the bar, punching the air and dancing across the floor. Boots knocking bottles and debris out of the way, Skirt twirling in the air as she crosses the floor. Bouncing behind the bar, swift fingers checking everything is properly in its place, moving things around on autopilot until it's all in order. Slides across to Big Bertha, pops the lid open to check the state of the coffee machine. Twists the filter out and empties Big Bertha, keeping the sludge for Carl and the caffeine junkies. Refills with some Italian Medium roast beans, and lots of mountain fresh water. Places a soft kiss on BB, and polishes her nozzle for being a good girl. Cleans out the big kettle and refills it, setting it to boil. Switches the sign from The Witch is OUT to IN. Puts two fingers in her mouth and gives a long high pitched whistle. A dozen squirrels run into the room, through the front door, the back door, down the chimney. Where did they all come from. A single snap of her fingers sends them racing all round the room. Bottles are rolled out the back door,neatly put in rows. Trash is picked up and carried out the back door. Slowly the floor becomes visible and a few snoring bar flies are sprawled on the floor. A second short whistle results in the tinkling sound of a cascade of bottles being thrown into a recycle bin. The waste bin is being filled with a torrent of trash. In a few moments everything is cleaned up, the bins slam shut and the squirrels return to the bar. Excitedly chirping and looking at the bartender, who reaches into her smock and scatters handfuls of nuts to the squeaking squirrels. Who gather up every crumb and retreat to the top of the bins to soak up the sun and nibble on their feast.

-----------------

Good morning my darlings, yes the Witch is back and better than ever. Hopefully the windbag that was Storm Barra didn't disturb you too much. All it did for me was howl like a jealous lover and slink off across the channel to sulk.

I see there's a new competition open too, though I'm not sure the Muse is up for that level of strain at the moment. The lazy woman hasn't whispered a word in my ear in months. Still one can never tell with artistic inspiration, it can strike at any time.

I bring a tray or two of Yule cookies in the shape of the crescent moon, they're yummy with something mulled or just a good cuppa.

So my darlings, tell me did I miss any juicy gossip?

Has a certain dragonfly returned with scandalous tales? Has Kimmi found someone with just the right technique with the paddle? I'm simply starved for filthy antics.

Happy birthday Roger. Many blessings to you on this special day.

Well my darlings I've been batting down the hatches to get through this storm, and learn a little Python coding too.

Do be extra kind to each other, we can all be a little fragile at times and we all need a little minding.

I'm hoping to get my witchy ass behind the bar tomorrow and give James a rest. The poor bear does so much for us all.

Kimmi, The broom seems a little crude, I prefer to use one of the retractable harnesses to keep him on his feet if the booze makes them a little wobbly. If you whisper nicely to the dryads they can bring you goodies from my toy box.

I'm always willing to lend things to a good Sister.

Kis, I hope you and Miss Pixel have been doing well. A dryad tells me she's heard Miss Pixel purring like a diesel engine so perhaps the furry majesty is content for now.

Elyse, Goodness you have been going through a time of change. From Jane, to Josh to Alan. You certainly have a good eye for people to squee over. Keep being your wonderful gorgeous self and remember I'm super proud of you.

James, my heavens they have been keeping you buys lately. I've been a very naughty Witch and left you with far too much to take care of. Will whistle up some squirrels and get the bar tidied up properly. It's no life for a handsome bear to be cleaning up all this mess every day.

Yule is drawing closer, and by custom I'm putting together a little Rite to bless us all. It isn't much but in these times who doesn't need a little Light in their lives.

Quote by Grace

coffee, please

Umm I'm barely awake but I think this is how to make coffee.

☕

Hello my darlings.

I hope you've all been well and life hasn't been treating you like its personal litter tray.

I've been a busy bee lately, doing my famous beauty pagent runway ( some people call it job hunting but it sure feels like I need to get an awfully saucy bikini) and doing some home renovation.

We had a little leak in the attic and after a lot of chasing people around finally got an expert out to have a look and patch it.

Seems we have a small sagging gap in the internal waterproof lining, the addition of some wood propped it up and seems to have dine the trick.

Spent the weekend painting a sitting room. 3 coats of paint by hand with a brush before we got fed up with streaks and got the roller to it. Fabulous smooth walls (steady vicar) but it sure drank a lot of paint. Spent the time having a good laugh with my wife, singing silly songs and bonding. Who knew DIY could be so good for improving a relationship.

I'm hoping to throw a few words on the page again soon and see if anything comes together with an idea I have.

A dryad tells me that James has been a very busy bear indeed and this silly witch needs to get her pert butt back behind the bar to help out.

Big hugs to you all, I come with a cauldron of delightfully spiced non boozy beverages and some apple cake.

I missed you all so much.

Well my dears, I thought I'd take a moment to pop by and say hello.

I'm still alive, and I'm not going away, just taking care of a few personal issues.

Things are slowly improving, so that's something positive.

Situations like this don't happen overnight and don't get resolved overnight, but if we both work on it it does get resolved.

Hope you're all doing well, the current competition certainly got a lot of entries.

Big hugs, and much love to you all.

May the Goddess shine Her Light on you all, keep you safe from harm, grant you inspiration to great your finest work and fill your hearts with Love. We are all Her children, and She wishes us all to be Good. All things were, are and will be according to Her Will. Most Blessed be.

I'm returning from not writing myself and I found some things that worked for me.

Firstly I feel more creative when I'm in an Up mood.

When I tried to just write cold, I ended up procrastinating too much and just getting annoyed with how little I'd committed to the page.

When I started doing a workout in the morning, having a good breakfast and listening to some music helped.

When I could feel my pulse getting faster it tended to fire images in my head.

If what I was listening to also fired images in my head, the two sometimes merged and words flowed through my fingers.

Granted what I wrote was mostly rubbish, but I'd conquered the blank page.

Showed myself that I can still find my muse even though my previous rhythm was gone, and that somewhere in that head of mine a story teller was waiting to be fed ideas to spin into stories.

I can't swear it will work for you, but it did wonders for my creativity and let me get back into the rhythm without feeling so much frustration.

Be kind to yourself, don't expect to write a classic in one draft, and always reward yourself when you finish something.

That can be a paragraph, a page, a chapter or a complete tale.

If you don't reward yourself for pushing forward, you're not giving yourself much of a reason to keep working at it and keep growing.

As always YMMV, but it might help you too.

A child of the oceans who always reminds me that there is more beauty in this world then we often see.

Keep floating in the tides, being your wonderful priceless self.

Good morning folks. It's been far too long since I've been here.

Spent the weekend painting the wooden door frames and the skirting boards before we get the carpets changed.

My that does sound very filthy when I put it like that.

Hope you're all taking care of yourselves, that life is being kind to you and you're still putting one foot in front of the other.

Elyse my dear, you've gone back to Josh I see. Maybe the Fates will let you meet him, just once.

Good morning my darlings.

What turbulent waters life can contain, still there's always a chance they turn for the better.

I@d better get this bar ready, before James thinks I've been off slacking somewhere.

Goodness that's some thick sludge left in the filter, what have they been brewing in it.

Empty the sludge for Carl, wonder where ole Fuzzy is these days.

Replace the filter, better use up whatever James put in it last time, finish up the bag and all that.

Refill the tank, and switch her on. Gives BB a loving pat on the nozzle.

Checks the teas are all nicely laid out, and that Terance hasn't eaten all the mini mallows.

Well my darlings, that looks to be in order. Being blonde it's not impossible I forgot something small like , checking the dryads haven't started eating sleeping peoples hair again. Seems our hair looks a lot like moss, and they get peckish at times. So if you fall asleep and wake up missing patches of hair, it's the dryads getting peckish.

Hope you're all doing well and having a fab time.

I've missed seeing your lovely faces so much while I was bobbing along, lovely to be back where I belong.

Now anyone need anything to get their morning going?

I'm genuinely touched by all the warm support, thank you all so much.

You're wonderful, kind, lovely people.

I'm blessed to have you in my life.

I've sent a test message and it shows as sent. The others did too but didn't show up when I checked later. So will leave it for an hour, clear my browser and see if it vanishes.

Maybe it's just me but the last 3 messages I've sent to someone show in my sent items, but if I check it a few hours later it's gone.

Am I having a blonde moment or is anyone else seeing this?

Thank you Harley, lovely to have such kind support. It means a lot.

Ahh I think I might have worked out why the stories aren't appearing in the timeline or activity feed.

Some people needed to make a new profile when they migrated so they appear with a different invisible account number , so if they post a story they're not on your follow list so you don't see them.

The other option is that people got migrated across as "Friend" but the "Follow" option didn't apply properly, so when they publish something you don't get the pop up.

I'm going to try unfollowing a bunch of people who post a lot, and following them again  to see if that triggers anything.

There's so much changing behind the scenes it's not impossible the flags didn't stay on profiles, after a change.

Well my darlings life has been a little rocky of late. So do forgive me if I'm not at my best.  Big rounds of applause for those of you who have submitted tales. I haven't been brave enough to send one in since the migration. I really should.

Elyse..have you changed to a new love? Goodness you can find a handsome one.

Kimmi, you are a wonderful woman and I hope life is being much kinder to you. If not I'm having a word with the Furies. You deserve a whole lot of wonderful luck in your life.

James, oh my furry friend. What a treat to see you minding the bar and being so kind to new arrivals. You've still got that Midas...umm paw??

Big hugs to you all and I hope life is being kind to you all. We're all a little fragile at the moment with life being so turbulent,  so do be patient with each other. Even the kindest of us can have a bad day, even the strongest   can need a hug.

So take  care my dears and stay safe.

After 17 years of marriage, I think the string that binds mine together is getting very frayed indeed.

There just doesn't seem to be as many things that bring us together anymore.

There is no physical attraction left, our communication is rocky and can be adversarial.

I looked through my journal and found so many things I'd put on the back burner because I needed to be alone to do them. I'd put them there so long I'd forgotten what they were.

We had a bit of a fight on Saturday and sharp words were thrown by both sides. Since then a wounded silence hangs over things.

I was in a hurt place after that and half went looking to see how hard it would be for me to move out.

My current contract is up so will get another one, put some cash away and see if things change by the new year.

So do bear with me if I get overly emotional or go off on a rant at times. I'm just doing my best to manage a surge of emotions and being uncertain about my next step in life.

A full system reboot and clearing the browser worked.  No idea why I could post a fault but not in the other sections. That's tech for ya. Bloody gremlins.

Test test

I can't post in Rumps anymore it says I need to upgrade my membership to be able to post on the forums. Anyone else seeing this?

Quote by JustAnotherSapphic

Just when I think I can't possibly miss Jane more than I already do, I'm proven wrong despite having plenty of options  when it gets to be too much.

Crawl into Grace's loving arms my darling, and let her hold you close. So you feel loved, because you are.

Goodness, I've been away a while longer than I expected.

As some of you have no doubt heard I found out on Monday that my contract won't be extended or converted.

So I figured I'd throw the CV around while I got on with the hand over process.

Either I'm shit hot or the world really needs techies with my skillset I've got three supposedly interested parties, and one interview. Sheesh, I didn't know it would be this east to land something fresh after lockdown.

So I'm going to be popping in and out over the next few days while I get stuff sorted, next week I'm going to bloody well finish a story or scream.

Just goes to show being a good girl isn't always a bad thing.

Now my darlings, be extra kind to each other.

Elyse, I need big squishy hugs, I'm starved of them.

Grace, is Elyse being good and spending lots of time curled up in your arms? If not I may have to resort to tickles and hair ruffling. That's fighting talk in some circles.

Kimmi, Sending lots of loving energy to you and yours. You're a remarkable woman and a little less drama in your life would be so appreciated. Remember that Casa Rumps adores you, and if you need a second or a third for a duel, there's no shortage of volunteers.

James, You're handsome, dashing, and ummmm furry...as always. A delight to see you. This humble Witch sends a few blessings to make your journey softer, kinder and all the sweeter.

Lucky, won't be here to read this but she's away for a funeral. So let's all take a moment to send our sympathies and compassion to anyone who grieves. It can be oh so easy to forget some have lost people dear to them.

May their crossing of the Veil be swift and painless, may they wake on the other side to see friendly faces. May they journey to Her presence, under an endless perfect summer, with those they loved and who love them.

Oh Goddess it suited You to call Your children Home, watch over those who remain on this side of the Veil. Spread Your arms around us and remind us of Your Love. Be with us Always dear Mother. All things Were, Are , and ever Will be according to Your Will. Most Blessed Be.

Harley, Jeff, and Lilly,  There's a lot of naughtiness involving raisins going on here. If I have to unblock a sink because you've fired a few in there again I'm going to make you unblock a sink with your toothbrush. AND make you use it for a week to teach you to be careful. If you insist on flicking them about, take them outside so the birds can tidy up.

Kistin, you've been having a triumph of late, the stall is doing brisk business I hear. It's doing so good the dryads are  volunteering for extra shifts to clean up. That's a novelty I can tell you. Sending you lots of love my darling. Here's hoping you're a truly happy woman and Miss Pixel isn't sulking too much. She's a cat so she's a champion sulker anyway.

Verity, must be jet propelled these days, that pencil of hers hasn't stopped scribbling once. Golly I envy her pencil and it's rapidity. I'm damn proud of you my dear, you're a remarkable woman and I'm so glad I know you.

If I've forgotten anyone, blame it on me being a scatterbrained blonde, and not nearly as clever as she thinks she is.

You're all part of my community, and my online family. I'd be much the poorer without my glorious Rumps family.

So never forget the impact you can have on someone's life, the little extra nudge to keep them moving forward, that oh so needed hug when they need it, that joke that makes them laugh when the clouds are gathering.

Each and every one of you, at some point has changed someone's life for the better just by being yourselves.

Don't forget that.

Now time I pretended to be a good worker bee and got some work done.

Toodles.

164

I have a yeast infection.

Quote by kistinspencil

My micro of precisely 100 words was rejected as too long with the suggestion that I review the submission rules.

Hate to say it, but I'm pretty close to done here.  

Kis, you're a talented wonderful writer.

Don't let a system gremlin spoil your mono.

You create bijoux worlds with breathtaking beauty and hardly any words.

Be proud,  be loud and have a hug