Therapy for the TMoOD and Skeet Ulrich addicted fans

Fan Fiction

2008-03-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Lovely People,

I've had a few requests recently for my TMoOD fan fiction. If you think some of it comes from devastated Jericho Fans looking to reconnect with Ray, I mean Mr. Skeet Ulrich, the answer is you bet.

I'm having touble

I'm having trouble reading the drop down menus above to get it all re-added. So, I created a TMoOD fandom on a really great fan fic website. Since then, lgl has also added her excellent stories to the mix.

Looking for a little Singleton Farm back in your life? Or do you have a Ray & Livy story to share?

Please visit:

http://www.fanlib.com/fandom/Magic_of_Ordinary_Days__The/74gna?sort=OLDEST&propertyId=74gna

Let's keep Ray & Livy alive....

ScriptGirl
xo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SKEET!

2008-01-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

On this, your 38th birthday, all of your fans celebrate with you, hoping you have a wonderful day!

Over the years, you've given the tmoodaddicts, skeetulrich.proboards.com, and capturingskeet.com participants ''screams'' of terror, laughter, tears and ''chills'' with your "miracle"-ulous performances. We are happily anticipating all of your future projects. Best of luck each and every day as you continue providing ''magic'' through your "craft'' and know that we wish you all the best!

A Skeet Birthday Present for US!!!

2008-01-08T06:14:00.000-08:00

Ulrich joins Sony's 'Armored' By Leslie Simmons

Jan 8, 2008

Hollywood reporter link

Skeet Ulrich is returning to the big screen in Sony's Screen Gems drama "Armored."Ulrich ("Jericho") will play Dobbs, a scruffy member of an armored truck company team who plans to empty a truck of its $10 million.

Matt Dillon and Columbus Short star. Laurence Fishburne, Jean Reno and Fred Ward co-star.Nimrod Antal ("Vacancy") is directing from a screenplay by James V. Simpson. Sam Raimi, Josh Donen and Dan Farah are producing, with Chris Lemos and Luis Guerrero co-executive producing. Filming began this week in Los Angeles.

Screen Gems president Clint Culpepper and senior vp production Eric Paquette will oversee for the studio.Ulrich has worked mostly on TV for the past few years, starring on CBS' "Jericho."

After being resurrected from cancellation following a fan campaign at the network, the series returns Feb. 12.His film credits include "As Good as It Gets," "Ride With the Devil" and "Scream." He's repped by the Gersh Agency and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.

From Tracy - a.k.a. Bombwatcher

2008-01-03T22:33:00.000-08:00

Ray sat at the table, elbows resting on the hard wood and head resting on his folded hands. He had never felt so helpless. Livy lay upstairs in his parent's bedroom, covered with blankets to try to ward away the chill that had taken over her body. The doctor was now with her.

Glancing to the window, Ray tried to take his mind away from his wife. The snow was falling slower now and the wind was far less fierce. He was thankful that he had been able to find the house and call for help. The rest had happened like a blur.

The hardest part now was waiting.

"Mr. Singleton?"

Ray immediately stood. "Yes, doctor?"

Doctor Williams placed his cloth bag on the kitchen table and looked to the anxious man. He had seen the look of fear mingled with hope before, and he always hated this part of the job the most; taking away the hope, and replacing it with sadness.

"Mr. Singleton ... you're wife is very lucky. Thank God you found her when you did."

Ray nodded slowly and cleared his throat before beginning with a whisper, "I've been doing plenty of that."

"Yes, I'm sure you have."

Taking a deep breath, the Doctor continued.

"Mr. Singleton, I'm afraid I have some very bad news."

Seeing the tears well in the young mans eyes, he motioned to the chair.

"You may want to sit down."

The two did so and the Doctor began relaying to Ray what he knew about Livy's condition.

"You're wife is very lucky to be alive. In fact, if you hadn't found her when you did, there is a very good chance that she would have died. The amount of poison that I found in her system was ... well, horrible."

Ray closed his eyes and placed his folded hands on the table again, his lips moving in silent prayer.

"I was able to remove the majority of the poison and give her several bouts of antiboiotics which will hopefully get rid of the rest on it's own."

Slowly, the young mans eyes opened and he looked to Doctor Williams.

"What about ... what about the baby." His voice was hoarse with emotion.

"I ... I'm afraid your wife ... lost the baby."

Ray gasped for a breath and looked away, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Why? How?

"I'm so very sorry for your loss, Mr. Singleton. But ... but at least your wife is alive."

Ray couldn't speak. He simply nodded and looked at his clasped hands, trying desperately to find a lie to the Doctor's words.

It couldn't be ... "I ... I want to see her."

Doctor Williams nodded.

"You may. Just ... try not to wake her. She is fighting the poison and she'll need all the rest she can get."

Ray stood slowly, unsure of the strength in his legs.

"Thank you, Doctor."

"Mr. Singleton, if anything happens - anything at all, I want you to call me. Immediately."

"Yes, Sir, I will."

Shaking the man's hand, Ray nodded and watched as the Doctor tipped his hat, grabbed his bag from the table and walked to the door.

After hearing it close, Ray turned and walked to the stairs, feeling as though nothing could penetrate the shock that stood around him like the air he breathed.

He wondered what Livy would do when he told her.

Wishing you...

2008-01-01T03:02:00.000-08:00

... a very Healthy & Happy New Year with love from ScriptGirl.

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part 13

Hanks strains his eyes to see something ~ anything ~ that looks familiar in the road ahead. The lights of his vehicle are dimming by the moment as the thick, wet snow sticks like plaster of Paris. He growls in frustration, stopping for what feels like the tenth time already to scrape them and restore visibility.

***

“Hang on. Hang on, my girl. Don’t push yet. I said don’t push.”

“Mwaaaaaaa.” Livy shouts at her husband in frustration.

“It’s time. I can feel it. I know it is. It’s time.”

Ray pushes down on her leg, squeezing her knee with his hand, gently but firmly making his point.

“Olivia Dunn Singleton, I want you to listen to me now and listen good. I know you feel ready. But I can tell you from where I’m sitting here, it’s not time yet, my girl.

She scoffs in utter exasperation.

“What do you know?”

He rubbs her leg soothingly.

“I’ve been in this seat, in one way or another, every spring and fall since I was not much older than this little one. I know what I’m talking about. You have to just trust me now.”

“Mwaaaaaaaaa.”

***

“Hello?”

A roar of boisterous party-goers can be heard through the receiver. Danny holds it back from his ear.

“Hi. Where’s your dad?”

“Stewie, he’s with -”

“Can you hear me, boy?”

Dan sighs. Taking a long breath, he bellows from somewhere down deep in his diaphragm.

“They’re not here. They’re LOST.”

“I need you Dad to settle a – what – how’s that now?”

“I said they’re lost. Mama was – the baby started acting up and Doc said they should head into town. The snow started and they never made it. Uncle Hank’s out looking for them now.”

Stewie’s tone obviously had an affect on his fellow partygoers as things were suddenly coming through the phone line crystal clear. He shouts something at his friends who begin rallying in the background.

“We’re heading out from this end to comb the roads. We’ll find ‘em.”

Daniel thanks him, but it’s been so long now that he’s past being consolled.

***

“Mwwaaaaaa.”

“Names? How about some names? Let’s do that, again.”

Ray clutches the brim of his hat, pleased with this temporary distraction.

“Okay. Good, yes. Okay.” Livy blows air through her pursed lips. “Girl.”

“Priscilla?”

Livy shakes her head. “Too many S’s.”

“Constance?”

She shakes again. “Too – mature. More like your bridge partner than your baby.”

Ray laughs openly, welcoming this moment of much needed levity.

“Christina?”

“Too long. Chris-ti-na-sing-le-ton. That’s about two syllables past a mouthful.”

Ray sits on a highly varnished tree stump stool, wondering how long he can stretch out this game.

***

“Hey there.”

Daniel turns his face, forgetting his hood is up. Lowering the bulky fabric, he glances sideways at Ruth. She drives slowly alongside her young cousin.

“Where are you going?”

He thrusts his hands into his pea coat pockets.

“Going to find ‘em. Can’t wait around anymore.”

“Stewie’s out there with his buddies. They’ll find them. Now, hop in and we’ll head back to the farm.”

“No. Sorry but I’ve go to do this.”

“What if they try to phone? And Franklin’s probably worried sick by now.”

He shakes his head no.

“Besides, I really need to use the wc.”

He stops in his tracks. That was enough of that talk. He hops in and they head down the road.

The snow falls thicker than ever.

***

“Bridget?”

“Huhm.” Livy’s chin puckers slightly. “Not bad. You’re getting closer.”

“What are we looking for, here? I mean, what’s the benchmark?”

Livy sighs.

“Well, not too long. Not too modern. Not too precocious.”

“English, please.”

“Um, adorable but bratty about it.”

Ray nods, still playing along. The truth is that he would be happy with any name she picked. He could see it was important to her, but as he had once pointed out, there was a fellow working at the grain elevator named Thackmorton who was surviving just fine.

The humour of this was lost on his swollen, volatile wife and since that day he’d learned to let her take the helm on his issue.

He had only one demand.

Ray made it clear that he wanted the baby to have a fresh start with a name that was new to the family. Bearing a name that reminds all those who knew him of his brother’s passing had been an honour, but it was also his son’s cross to bear. Every time Danny dug into his creamed peas on toast, he saw his father give his head a shake. His brother had always hated them.

“Mwaaaaa. Rayyyy.”

Scooching the stool over beside the cot, Ray takes Livy’s hand in own.

***

“Shut up you idiots. What’s that? Is that a light?”

The loud chatter in the car ceases instantly as Stewie turns down the radio.

“Oh ~ you turn down the radio to see better and we’re the idiots?”

Laughter booms out from the back seat.

“I said SHUT IT. Do you guys hear that?”

All four windows are lowered and the passengers remain quiet, straining to hear. The heavy white snow cover muffles all sound.

Stewie pulls his foot off the brake slowly, picking up speed.

“Whoa, what’s that?” Derek’s bony finger points out from the back seat. Squinting, Stewie tries to see through the front window. A small light grows dimmer and dimmer, shrinking finally to nothing.

From what like the sky above, a tune can be heard faintly.

“Let me call you sweetheart, I’m in looooooove with youuuuuu.”

BAM.

The guys are slammed forward as Stewie’s truck hits something. Hard.

***

Ray shoves the logs around with an ancient looking andiron. They’re almost out of wood. A few sparks shoot up. He steps back, stomping out the two orange embers that land on the horsehair rug.

“What was that?”

“Sorry.”

“No, outside. I heard something.”

“It was me, honest. Uh, how about boys? Should we do boys now?”

“I need to push. PLEASE, is it time?”

Moving the lantern over closer, he holds her knees and leans in. His heart starts
pounding so hard. He’s sure she can hear it.

Livy starts whimpering quietly, but catches it in her throat.

“You’re doing fine, Ray. I’m sure you’re right. Let’s do boys now.”

Ray’s eyes well up. His wife is a miracle. Here she is with all this on her plate and yet she’s trying to make him feel better. Things must look pretty bleak.

He chews his cheek, ponderng their situation. The snow is too heavy for people to see smoke from the ground level chimney. He’d left the truck lights on and the engine running. Hopefully someone will spot the Beet Box on their way back from the pageant.

Ray glances out the small window at the snow. It seems like it will never end. He figures it must be after midnight by now. If worse comes to worse, the gas can is full. He decides he’ll slip out in a bit and top her up. They’ve got more that enough to keep it running until morning. By daylight they could make it to town.

He closes his eyes silently and prays it won’t come to that.

***

“Are you guys hurt?”

“Uggggg.”

“Derek? Everyone okay?”

“I’m fine. The others are okay I think. You?”

“Can’t see anything. Must have hit my head. I taste blood. Can you get out?”

“The door’s crushed in on my side. I can’t move.”

“Uggg. Krikey!”

“Mike?”

“Are you okay?”

“I’ll live.”

“Can you crawl to the front, pal?”

“I can do better than that.”

Mike opens the door and gets out.

“What the? – “

Ray grabs the side of the Stewie’s DeSoto, bracing himself. Mike comes around from the other side, almost colliding with Ray.

“How is she?”

“Stewie, you’re bleeding from the head!”

“I’m fine. How’s your wife?”

“Rayyyy – where are you?” Livy calls from the dugout.

Ray turns quickly to face the boys.

“Could be better. Now give us a few minutes and you can come inside.”

***

Hank barrels down the road at a decent clip. He’s been down here twice already but nothing – and the snow’s only getting worse.

He stops suddenly, snorting at his own stupidity. Of course! He’s coming from town. They’d be on the other side.

Pulling out again, he veers over across where the white line would be if he could see it in this snow. Struggling to see in front of his truck, he skids to a stop when a figure appears in the road ahead. Hank rolls down his window.

“Stewie? Mike? That you?”

***

“Mwwaaaa. Ray….oh, I can feel it. The baby’s coming. I can’t stop it. Can I push? Can I push?

Ray dries his freshly washed hands. Holding her knees, he sees the baby’s head crowning.

“It’s time. Okay, now PUSH.”

“Awwwwmwaaaaaa.”

***

“Derek, take my truck back to town and pick up Doc McCutcheon. Stewie, Mike, you come with me.”

Approaching the small door of the dugout, they hear Livy screaming. Hank lowers his chin into his coat collar.

“Let’s give it a minute or two.”

***

“Oh my Lord – we have a daughter. She’s a girl!”

Ray scoops her up and carries her over to her mother. Livy cries unabashedly as Ray places her in the fold of Livy’s arm.

“Look at her. Just look at her. Look what we did!”

Livy grabs Ray as he goes to stand. She pulls him close again.

“You are my hero, my best friend and the love of my life. And to have you for a father, well, this is just the luckiest little girl in the world.”

Ray kisses his wife and leans over, planting one on his daughter’s forehead too.

Standing, he turns towards the door. Just then a pounding comes from outside. Ray opens the door.

“Come on in and meet my new daughter.”

“How did all you boys find us? Stewie is that ~ are you bleeding?” Livy starts to sit up Ray motions to stop her.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

Hank, Stewie and Mike stand across the small room in a straight line. They each have their arms crossed tightly.

“What time is it?” Livy asks.

Mike looks at his watch.

“It’s just after two am.”

Ray chuckles comically.

“You boys look like the Three Stooges standing there. Get in here and see her.”

“Ray, its Christmas Eve.” She says to him.

Ray shrugs, looking at her for a hint.

“They’re our Three Wise Men.”

***

“Come in, come in! Happy New Year!”

Ray holds the door open for Martha. Inside, Danny collects coats, taking them upstairs to be spread out on his bed. Each time he steals a few moments to read another page of his Davey Crockett book.

Livy sits in the corner, her new baby swaddled in her arms. Rocking gently, she leans forward every now and then as guests approach to admire the new addition to the family.

Martha leans over to her sister-in-law.

“And so?”

Livy looks up at her.

“And so?”

“Does our little one have a name yet?”

Livy looks back down, adjusting the blankets. Ray steps up as people tune in for the answer.

“We’re taking our time. We want to get it right. It’s not as if she starts school tomorrow, folks.”

A few small bursts of laughter across the room make Ray feel momentarily foolish for his little outburst. Martha smiles knowingly at Livy, whose face beams back in appreciation. Conversations resume around the room as Ray approaches his sister.

“Truth is, we’re not making this any easier on her.”

Martha glances up at her brother, curious.

“How do you figure?”

“Singleton. It’s a bit of a clunker. Hard to pair up with anything, really.”

Livy looks up at Ray, somewhat surprised.

“Raymond Singleton. I will have you know that you, we rather, have one of
The most distinguished surnames in Otero County. Not only can Singletons be traced far back here, but I have found compelling evidence which shows that your people arrived to America in the mid sixteen hundreds, first settling in Virginia.”

Ray flips his wrists, displaying his open palms to his sister as if to say “I told you so.”

Livy stands, handing the baby to Martha. Turning to her husband, she takes his hand.

“Do you know what the name Singleton means? A farm in a burnt clearing. Back in old England someone had a fire and was then able to rise above that tragedy and make a farm. Renew life where it was destroyed. So, you see, I wasn’t having trouble with the name Singleton, I was trying to find a first name that would do it justice.”

Ray envelopes his wife in his arms. She tilts her head up, her chin resting on his chest. “And, I think I have.”

“You think you have what?”

She laughs, her eyebrows doing that confused little half frown.

“I think I’ve finally found a name.”

Ray tugs her gently into the kitchen. Martha follows, the baby in her arms. Danny’s gulping water down at the sink. He turns to face his family.

“What?”

“You mother thinks she’s found the right name.”

“What is it?”

“Beth.” Livy answers, her chin pointing slightly in punctuation.

Martha’s face registers polite surprise. Danny looks puzzled.

“You mean, for the Coronation? For Queen Elizabeth?”

Ray looks over at his wife in anticipation.

“No, Beth for the night she came into this world. That cold, scary, heart wrenching night.”

They all stare at her, waiting, hoping she’ll elaborate.

“Bethlehem. Beth as in Bethlehem.”

***

Livy rinses the bread and butter plates at the sink as Ray gently rocks Beth to sleep. He coos at her quietly, humming a tune under his breath.

“Hey, what every happened with the Metcalfes?”

“You mean you still want bananas? I’m shocked. I thought you’d had enough to last you the rest of your life.”

She pretends to swat him with the tea towel.

“No, didn’t you say he came to see Danny?”

“Oh.”

“Well?”

“He caught Sherry and Danny kissing in the shed behind the store.”

“Kissing?”

“Uh-huh.”

“He’s not even nine years old.”

“There’s more.”

“Okay.”

“They weren’t wearing their -”

“Their what?”

Ray clears his throat. Laying Beth gently in the bassinet, he walks over to Livy and places his hands on her shoulders. Turning her to him, he looks her square in the face.

“Their what?”

“They weren’t wearing their shoes.”

He breaks out in laughter. She swats him on the arm, relieved but still slightly frazzled. Wrapping her up in his arms, Ray kisses her fondly. Livy squeals, wriggling free of him and runs over to her daughter.

She gazes down at those pink little cheeks.

“I’ve been on this Boy Island since the day I got here, little one. And it sounds like things are about to get worse. I’m so glad you showed up when you did.”

Ray chuckles behind her as he picks up where she left off with the dishes.

Bending down, Livy scoops up her girl, unable to resist that sweet, sleepy face.

***

Merry Christmas Dear Friends!

2007-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

Part 12 – Just This side of Tomorrow - By SG

Ray’s rocking his body from foot to foot, nodding his head at the voice on the other end of the phone.

“Yes, I understand. We will.”

Franklin barks loudly out back.

Placing the receiver gently on the cradle, he turns to face Livy on the davenport where he’d carried her just moments ago.

“He says with the baby being early and all, he’d feel better if we headed into the office. Says he’s got a proper surgery there and everything he needs. He thinks we’ve got more than enough time.”

Livy looks down at the rug under foot, examining the scalloped edge. Franklin’s bark continues outside.

“Well, all right then, let’s get a move on.”

Danny removes his coat from the hook. Ray shakes his head at his son.

“But Dad, I want to come too …?”

Ray looks at his son sternly at first but then realizes.

“Just forget about that, now. You’re not being punished, here. You’ve got an important job to do for us.”

Dan’s face perks up. He’s being trusted once again.

“We need you to stay here, by the phone, so you can let people know what’s going on. I’ve tried your Aunt Ruth and Abby but no one’s around.

Danny nods his head, placing his coat back on the hook. He picks up his Mama’s instead and carries it over to her. Placing it on her lap, he leans in close. She bends slightly forward. There faces are just inches apart.

“If it gets real bad, just holler. That’s what I do when I jump my go-cart down the bluffs. Just let out a good one, Mama. It does the trick. For real. “

Livy laughs and hugs her son. Pulling him back so she can look at his face, she holds his shoulders.

“Don’t you worry, now. I’m going to be fine. Just fine.”

Ray points to the kitchen.

“Would you go out back and check on Franklin, son. Sounds like he might have found himself a rabbit or two.”

Danny nods, yanking his coat and sticking his feet into his galoshes.

“Son, I want you to keep trying your Aunts until you get a hold of someone.”

“Yes, Sir. But I bet they’re all at the Pageant.”

Ray and Livy lock eyes. Of course. The Pageant. How had the day gotten away from them like that? Danny was right. It’s December 23rd, the day before Christmas Eve. The Pageant would be in full swing back in town.

Turning towards Livy, Ray’s eyebrows go up in question.

“It’s all right. I can make it. I’m awake now.”

“I’ll get some blankets and we can lay you out in the back, nice and flat.”

Livy winces in a combination of regret and worry.

“The thing is, I lent the car to Abby to go pick up those remnants in La Junta.”

Ray’s face flashes annoyance at his wife’s unrelenting generosity, but only for a second.

“The Beet Box, it is.”

***

Ray glances above his strong hands on steering wheel, craning his neck to see the night sky.

“Snow’s coming.”

Livy lays her head back in the corner between the headrest and the window.

“So, what did he say exactly?”

“He said it wasn’t your water breaking. There would have been a lot more. He said a fitful sleep was the cause.”

Livy’s neck tightens in that way she gets when she’s doing some serious reasoning.

“He figures you – you were startle in your sleep – you know. He says it happens all the time.”

What Ray didn’t add was the part about the pains staying he same.

“Pull over. If he pains stay the same time apart for too long or slow down, pull over, Ray. That’ll mean it’s time to get little one out of her, for both their sakes.”

The snow starts dumping suddenly; flakes the size of crab apples, as though a huge white blanket was being draped over the front hood of the truck.

They drive on in silence, other than the occasional sound of Livy hissing air through her tightly gnashed teeth. Ray was sorry for her pain, but glad of its steady pace.

“You’re doing just fine, my girl. Don’t worry – we’ll be there soon.

***

“Hello?”

“Uncle Hank!”

“Danny m’boy. How are you?

“I’ve been calling there but no answer.”

Hank picks up on the slight panic in his voice.

“I got a touch of fever so I’m lyin’ low tonight. Just got up for some water.
What about you guys?”

“Mama and dad already left, but they’re not going to the Pageant.”
“Where are they going?”

“To Dr. McCutcheon’s office. Mama’s ready to let that baby out.”

Hank clears his throat, trying to hide his concern. The heavy snow started over an hour ago.

“When did they leave?”

“The thing is, it’s snowing pretty bad out here now.”

“Don’t you worry, Danny Boy. I’ll phone the doc’s office and see that they made it.”

After a few words between the two of them, Danny hangs up. He slumps down on the davenport, relieved that he wasn’t carrying this alone anymore.

***

“Are you all right?”

Livy’s mouth purses in deep concern. They had to pull over every few minutes so he could climb out and scrape off the windshield. At first he used his sleeve but once his hands grew numb it didn’t matter anyway. His hands look red and angry.

He chuckles at her concern.

“You’re a caution, Livy.”

Ray had been timing her contractions to the volume of snowfall on the glass. He’s worried now. The windshield was completely covered again and she hadn’t had another bout of the pains.

“The snow’s getting bad. I think we should stop.”

“What?” Livy seems panicked at idea of such a personal event happening in a strange place. Her face gives it all away.

“We know everyone on this stretch of road by name. Any one of them would be pleased to help us out. “

“But, I just…”

“There’s no time. We have to find somewhere.”

***

Danny saunters over to the Christmas tree, admiring the first few small packages placed underneath. He gets down on his knees and leans over the colourful bundles, trying to guess if they were for him. That was Mama’s trick – she never labelled them so there was no way to know.

Feeling selfish suddenly, he returns to his spot on the davenport and sits with his back very straight.

***

The windshield is fighting a losing battle. As their breathing grows heavier with each passing house, Ray rubs, keeping the steam away long enough to make out the sharp twists and bends in the road ahead. No lights on at the Garrity’s. Probably at the Pagean too, he thinks.

The Hollis place is next. They’re away; something about visiting family in Tacoma. He knows he could break the side window. Heck, he could have the glass replaced before they even made it back. They had no telephone, though. He wanted a place where he could call the Doc, have the man talk him through it if need be.

They keep plodding along, Livy’s glances growing wilder by the minute.

Perspiration drips into Ray’s eyes, stinging them and making him feel more and more lost as they pass each fencepost.

***

“Hello?”

“It’s Hank, son. Listen, they haven’t reached town yet. I’m going to head out and see
if I come across them pulled over somewhere along the way. Keep calling your Aunt Abby and try your Granddad at the church too.”

Danny lets out a whimper, but quickly slaps his hand over his mouth.

“Your Dad’s been out driving in much worse than this,” Hank lies.

After thanking him, Danny places the receiver back on the cradle.

Hank stands in his front room. As he hangs up the telephone, nothing but the lantern he's holding lights his way as he climbs the stairs to change out of his pyjamas.

The power went out just over eleven minutes ago.

***

“STOP!”

Ray’s foot goes to break peddle but he instinctively holds himself from stomping down, knowing such a hard stop on an icy road would surely send them into a fishtail spin with nowhere to end but the ditch.

Composing himself and stopping calmly, he turns to Livy. Alarm flashes on his face but just for a second. He waits.

“The dugout!”

He looks ahead, biting his cheek a moment. The snow is getting heavier. It would take all they’ve got just to get them up the next hill.

“It’s fine. Danny and I have done a lot of work in there. It’ll be fine.”

Ray looks dubious but her pleading face and the sky ahead show him there’s no other way.

Leaving the engine running he gets out and runs around to her side. Opening the door, he slides her gingerly off the seat and hoists her up into his arms. Planting each step deeply into the sticky snow he makes his way to the shallow front door.

“I’m all right. I can walk. Let me walk.”

Ray lowers his left arm until her feet are just inches from the ground. She pushes open the door and they walk in. Waddling right over to the corner, she stops a few times to brace herself on furniture. Striking the long minor’s match, she lights the kerosene lantern. Holding it out to Ray, the light reveals his awe.

“You did this? You and Danny did this?”

They had looked at an old photograph she found of Ray’s mother as a young married woman. In the background, a pencil drawing of a room which must surely be this one was visible, leaned on a small stack of books. Someone’s homework? A hobby? She would never know but she had realized the moment she saw it that the room in the drawing depicted life in this dugout home.

Danny had helped her recreate the room as it once was. It was going to be a surprise.

Ray pivots around the room, arms outstretched slightly.

“This is just how I remember it. This is how they had it. How did you do it? Livy, I’ve got a lump in my throat, here.”

Livy laughs. Bracing herself suddenly, she points to the cot in the corner.

“My lump takes precedent over yours, right now.”

Ray helps her to the bed. She lays down, so grateful for that fresh pillow. Her hand tightens around Ray’s wrist as another bout of pains engulfs her. She breaths her way through it.

As her grip on his slackens a little, Ray stands. Rubbing his arms, he looks around a bit more. A robust but neat stack of firewood sits right at the small hearth. He smiles at the thought of his son. And now they would be four.

“Ray?”

He turns, hearing the edge of panic in her voice. He raises his eyebrows.

“What are we going to do?”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he brushes her hair back from her face and gives her a kiss on the mouth. Looking deeply into her eyes, their faces only inches apart, he responds in almost a whisper.

“We’re going to do what we always do. We’re going to be here for each other.”

***

Skeet Sighting: Pole Position Raceway

2007-12-03T09:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was another fun filled day with Skeet, probably at a past time he truly enjoys, racing. He was at the Pole Position Raceway in Corona, California. Did any of you Skeet fans happen to go and see him there?

Here are a couple of pics from the event. He's got a new military cap...

source: moonlight-detective.com

Part Eleven

2007-11-24T23:06:00.000-08:00

Just This Side of Tomorrow by SG

***

“Oh Livy! I met your sister this morning – what lovely girl!”

Livy’s walk continues at the same pace, even though Mrs. Jarvis’ has slowed.

“Yes, she is, um, thank you.”

Livy adds a quick nod at the end afraid that her tone was not exactly convincing. Opening the car door, she slides into the passenger seat and slams it quickly. Huffing out a long sigh, she leans her head back and closes her eyes for a moment.

“Had ‘nuff?” Ray’s hand rubs her leg soothingly.

Livy nods quietly, keeping her eyes closed. He starts the ignition and they roll off down Main Street.

***

Danny meanders slowly up the hill, his hands stuffed in his pockets. He can still feel the burn of embarrassment radiating on the back of his neck. The sting of Mr. Metcalfe’s words, hissed at him through clenched teeth, are fresh in his mind too.

As he reaches the top of the small hill, Danny looks out over the land his father works so hard. He knows it’s all for him someday. Dad had never said in so many words but his patient coaching through any and all farm chores, no matter how small, let Danny know. This would all be his responsibility one day.

Sighing, he takes off his hat and looks down at the house below. Scratching his head, he places his hat back on. Stuffing his hands in his pockets, he steels himself and starts forebodingly down the hill.

***

As Ray and Livy pull up out in front of the house, Daniel over hears them and scurries up the stairs to his room. He shuts his door quietly.

Ray holds the front door open for Livy. Sliding her coat off her shoulders, Ray hangs it carefully on the hook. Placing his hands on her shoulders her guides her into the living room. Turning her, he pushes until she slumps down onto the davenport.

Ray sits down beside her, stretching his arms out and placing his hands on his knees. She stares straight ahead, in a daze. They sit in silence for a few moments. Livy’s hand comes up to her cheek, resting their in an almost puzzled manner.

“I mean, she did say this was her calling, right?”

“Right.”

“So, I didn’t just dream it?”

“Nope.”

“I just... I mean… Abby’s always been a little pre-occupied, but this is…”

“Surprising?”

“To say the least.”

Ray’s glance indicates he’s not quite as caught off guard.

The telephone in the hall rings loudly, interrupting their conversation. Ray gets up, answering on the second ring.

“Hello?” He rolls his eyes in his wife’s direction.

“Yes. She was there all day. From Kresge. No, I didn’t pick it, I gave her 3 choices. Blue. Uh-huh. I don’t know, light blue? I’m not sure, Abby. I see. I don’t know about that. Yellow. Yes, it was pale. All right. Yes, I’m sure. No, she’s resting. I’d really rather not. She’s exhausted after the day she put in. Yes, I’ll tell her. Yes, Abby, I will. Yes, okay. Goodnight.

Livy’s busy picking green paint out of her fingers nails. Her brows pinch tightly in annoyance.

“She doesn’t like the green?”

Ray sighs deeply, frustrated for his wife.

“She says yellow is cheerful and more conducive to selling.”

Ray rolls his eyes again, his voice going up a few octaves in a fairly decent imitation of his sister-in-law.

“Oh, and besides, the yellow will be the perfect background for the new spring dresses, just in time for your Grand Opening.”

Livy’s palm slaps her forehead, exasperated.

“Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”

“What about supper?”

“I’ll make something. How about a grilled cheese?”

Livy’s stomach lurches. She looks up at him, giving him a small, hopeful smile.

“Did you get over to Metcalfe’s?”

Ray’s mouth forms a small frown.

“I did. He says he’s sorry. No bananas until Monday. What about an apple?”

“I’m not hungry, really.”

Ray marches her upstairs.

***

The slit of light coming from the hallway shrinks away as Ray tugs on the bedroom door.

“Get some rest, my girl.”

Livy murmurs back as darkness descends on the still, quiet sanctuary of their bedroom.

***

Ray meets Danny at the bottom of the stairs.

“Your Mama’s asleep. Let’s keep it down.”

Danny nods his head. Proceeding to the kitchen, Dan starts setting the table.

“Should I set a place for her?”

Ray bites his cheek for a moment, then nods his head.

“Better go ahead. Just encase she does come down. We don’t want her to think we forgot about her.”

Daniel nods, laying the plates down at each spot. Ray reaches into the breadbox and pulls six slices out of the bag.

“Grilled cheese?”

Ray nods, his eyes laughing. Danny was so easy to please sometimes. He rests his top of his son’s head. His small shoulders tense up. After a moment he looks up at his dad. His eyes are tormented.

Ray tries not to laugh. The boy is seven years old. How bad could whatever was troubling him actually be?

Ray pretends not to notice and goes back to his sandwich making. He would be out with it soon. Secrets for Danny were like hot potatoes – he couldn’t hold onto one for long.

Danny lets out a huge sigh behind him. Ray smiles in the corner, cutting the slices of cheese. Any second now…

“Dad?”

“Uh-huh.”

“When did you first love Mom?”

Ray’s head comes up and he catches a glimpse of himself in the reflection of the kitchen window. It’s the first time an older man has looked back.

“Dad?”

Ray clears his throat.

“Well, I guess I’m going to need you to go ahead and repeat that question, son.”

“When did you first love Mom?”

Ray turns to his son, wiping his hands on the tea towel a little more vigorously than normal.

“You mean when did I first feel like I loved your Mother?”

“No, you already told me that a hundred times. It was when you first met… I know…”

Ray laughs a little, but stops himself when he sees his son growing frustrated.

“No, I mean when did first show her?”

Ray’s throat closes slightly. He pulls on a kitchen chair, pointing for Daniel to sit.

“Show her what?”

“Dad, I need to tell you something.”

Ray’s hand white knuckles the back of the wooden chair.

“Well, spit it -

A sudden hammering at the front or causes them both to jump out of their skin. Ray’s eyebrows knit themselves together in a frustrated line.

“Who the - ?”

Stomping towards the front door, he turns to Danny.

“We’re not finished here, right?”

“No, Sir.”

Ray walks back to the door. Pushing open the screen, he looks out at Joshua Metcalfe with a sceptical smile.

“Well, its one thing to have the town plumber AND grocer come when you call him. It’s another thing entirely to have you show up on instinct. It seems I need you on both counts these days.”

Ray and the man share a friendly handshake.

“I don’t see any bananas for my very pregnant wife, so plummer it is. I expect we’ll be needing you soon for the powder room at the dress shop. Come on in.”

As Ray backs up, he nearly trips on Danny, wide eyed and tucked in closely beside him.

“Danny - what are you – I said we would continue our talk later.”

Danny’s feet stay planted in place.

Turning to close the door behind Joshua, Ray glances over at the man’s serious face.

“I think the boy had better hear what I have to say.”

***

Livy extends her arms up to the sky. Hooking the corner of the diaper to the clothesline with a wooden peg, she tugs on the bottom. Allowing her neck to relax, her head falls back. She closes her eyes as the warmth of the sun envelopes her face.

Reaching down for another wet diaper she feels a slight pinching in her side. Better take it easy, she thinks to herself. Humming along with Bing Crosby to Mountain Greenery from the radio on the other side of the open kitchen window, she slows her pace.

A crackling comes from the radio startling her as the familiar voice of William Shirer breaks the calm.

“We interrupt this musical event to bring you news from the Front - ”

Livy gasps. Collecting her laundry she decides to head back inside and find Ray, to tell him what she's just heard.

She stops, suddenly sensing that she’s not alone. Pivoting on one heal, spins around.

A man in a wrinkled, khaki military uniform stands just a fifty feet away from her. His face is full of rage.

Walter.

She drops the clothes pins from her hand and starts running. As she looks back, she sees Walter gaining on her. She clasps her hands under her round belly to absorb some of the impact of each pounding step.

“RAYYYYY.” She screams at the top of her lungs.

His long legs take one to every three of her small, waddling steps.

“RAYYYY” she continues screaming with all her breath.

Reaching the barn, she runs inside and grabs the large wooden door. Pushing behind it with all her might, she cries out as a sharp pain tears across her middle.

Walter stands before her, breathing heavily, his hands planted on the other side of the door.

“You promised me a coffee.”

“WHAT?”

“I SAID - You promised me a COFFEE.”

Backing up slowly, her heel thumps against a water bucket, tipping it over. She falls backwards, landing on her backside in a pile of soaking wet hay.

“RAYYYY.”

“Livy!!”

Livy looks up at Ray’s beaming face. He seems so pleased with himself.

“Where is he?”

“He’s right here, Livy Honey. He’s right here.”

Ray brings his hands from behind him and proudly shows her the biggest banana she has ever seen.

“Oh, I –“

“Livy!”

Livy squeezes her eyes closed.

“Wake up.” Ray says, more firmly now. Holding her hand, he shakes it lightly.

Livy opens her eyes. Ray and Danny are standing above her.

“It’s time to go, my girl.”

“Go where. Where are we going?”

“Your water broke.”

“No. Not yet.”

Livy’s eyes fall closed.

Ray chuckles, amused by how sleepy she is.

“Come on. Get up for me, now.”

A car door slams outside.

“Who’s that?” she moans.

“Josh Metcalfe.”

Livy’s eyes spring open.

“Did he find me some bananas?”

Ray chuckles for a moment.

“No, sorry. He was just here to talk.”

Livy props herself up on one elbow, awake now. She motions for Danny to pass her the glass of water on the nightstand.

“Talk about what?”

Ray’s eyes dart over to Danny, just for a second.

“That’s for another time. Right now we’ve got bigger fish to fry. Let’s GO.”

Livy laughs at his enthusiasm, trying to plant her feet on the floor. Another pain sears across her front.

“You’d better call Martha and Doc McCutcheon. I don’t think I’m going anywhere.”

***

Vintage Skeet Gallery Update: SS (98)

2007-11-08T11:33:00.001-08:00

Thanks to roro of the Singleton Forum >> I have added over 200 screen captures to the gallery from Skeet's 1998 movie Soldier's Sweetheart! Thank you and great job capturing skeet, roro! Here is a sneak peek.

You can see all the additions here >> If you haven't had a chance to see this movie, I highly recommend it! Skeet gives an outstanding performance.. but then when doesn't he?!

Hey! Nielsen

2007-10-31T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hey! Nielsen, an online social network site for a diverse range of pop
culture enthusiasts who are eager to make their voices heard to Nielsen clients
and other decision-makers in the entertainment industry.

"Hey! Nielsen gives lovers of pop culture an opportunity to sound off
online and to make their voice heard by decision-makers," said Karen Watson,
Senior Vice President of Communications at The Nielsen Company, and Executive
Sponsor of Hey! Nielsen. "If you're passionate about any aspect of the
entertainment world, you will find like-minded consumers on Hey! Nielsen. We
hope this will be a fun place to share opinions and discuss your favorite shows,
movies and music. And because we will be providing our clients with insights
from Hey! Nielsen members, joining the network is a way to let the entertainment
industry know what you think."
source: www.nielsenmedia.com
This will be a great way to get our opinions heard directly for Jericho.
Check these sites:
http://www.heynielsen.com/blog/
http://jerichomonster.blogspot.com/

Gallery Update: Jericho DVD Launch Party

2007-10-31T06:23:00.000-07:00

I have added 13 high quality pictures to the capturing skeet gallery from the Jericho first season DVD launch party back on October 2, 2007. Here is a sneak peek.

You can see all the additions here >> Please remember to keep clicking on the picture until it's full size or choose "original." Warning, they are super huge! When your heart skips a beat, don't forget I warned you! ;-)

TV Guide: Exclusive First Look! Jericho

2007-10-23T19:40:00.000-07:00

Next week's tv guide has a one page blurb on Jericho in their Top 10 Stories. I have scanned the page and added it to the capturing skeet gallery.

You can see the original size here « Just click on the scan until it is the size you want it to be!

From Tracy (a.k.a. Bombwatcher)

2007-10-22T18:53:00.000-07:00

Ray lifted his eyes to the inside of the barn. Everything was untouched by the storm that roared outside. Turning to look through a small crack in the wooden door, he searched for the house he knew was there, though it seemed as if the building had been completely oblitereated in the snow storm.

His shoulders rose and fell as he exhaled a deep sigh. He slowly stood, managing his weight against the door, then walked to the ladder. He would be able to watch the storm progress from the safety, and warmth of the hayloft.Slowly, he pulled himself onto the first rung, then the next, balancing his weight against the wooden frame. As he reached the top rung, he paused, glancing behind him. Again, he could have sworn he heard Franklin's bark, but it was so distant, so quiet, it was almost unheard.

"Silly dog," Ray muttered under his breath, fighting a smile at the thought of Franklin somewhere in the snow storm. He had no worries for the mutt because he had been in worse storms and come back alive and well.

He quickly pulled himself above the hayloft's wall, then stopped short. Livy's body was limp against the hay. When he whispered her name, she made no movement. "Livy?" He asked quietly, unsure of what to do. The first instinct that shot through him told him that he should be happy that she was not out in the snow storm, but the second held the most momentum. What in the world was she doing in the barn, in the hayloft, asleep?

"Livy?" He asked again, gently rubbing a hand over her loosened hair. It had been at the oddest times when he had noticed her beauty, and now as one of those times. His hand moved down, slowly, from her hair down to her neck, where he paused. A dull beating throbbed against his finger - though he wasn't sure if it was his own or hers. Hearing a loud gust of wind from the story outside, Ray tried to come up with a reasonable explenation for Livy's appearance.

Suddenly, his eyes jerked down to her leg. He had seen the slight redness before, but he hadn't questioned as to what it was. He was about to touch it, then quickly pulled his hand back. Even though Livy was his wife, he felt as if he were violating her by touching her leg. Pulling in a deep breath, he ignored the thought and touched the area. "Oh no," he whispered, lifting his finger to see a crimson stain. "No!"

When the pieces finally came together, the realization hit him like a swift punch to the chest. Hank had told him just the other day that a few rattlesnakes had been spotted around the area, but Ray hadn't even considered that they would seek shelter from the cold in his barn.
Ray's eyes slowly moved from her leg to her chest. The slow, yet steady rise and fall gave him a small amount of peace. He gently placed a hand on her forehead. She was burning with fever. His mind raced with questions. He couldn't leave her, yet he knew she needed a Doctor.
Running a hand through his hair then down to his jaw, he could feel the tears burning his eyes. He couldn't lose Livy - not yet.

Suddenly, he heard the door to the barn being banged with something. Was it his imagination? Glancing quickly to Livy, he stood and walked to the edge of the loft. The door began to open.

"Hey!" he called.

When the door opened fully, someone stepped in.

"Hank! Thank God!"

Hank looked around, then to the loft. "Ray! What in the world are you doing out here in the middle of a -"

"Hank, you have to help me!"

"What? What's wrong?"

"It's Livy," he said, motioning behind him. "I need to get her down from here."

Hank smiled as he crossed his muscled arms over his chest. "Ray, what in the world are you doing?"

"Hank ... I'm serious. She's up here and she's asleep. I don't know what's wrong." He neglected to share his fears about the snake with his brother-in-law because Hank knew just how serious that would be - and Ray didn't want to know. Not now, at least. "Please, hurry up and help me get her down."

Immediately, Hank grabbed the wooden rings of the ladder and pulled himself up. After jumping into the hayloft, he surveyed Livy for a few seconds, then turned to Ray.

"I need you to go in the house, and call Doctor Morten."

"But -"

"Now, Ray!"

Capturing Skeet

2007-10-08T23:09:00.000-07:00

Kelly,

I know you prefer not to be in the limelight, but I couldn't just let it slip away without any kind of acknowledgement...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=885dqHtbUbI

SG

Gallery Update

2007-10-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

I have added 31 pictures to the capturing skeet gallery from the Jericho DVD launch event held on October 2nd. You can see them all here «

Hope everyone is enjoying Autumn!

Skeet Sighting: DVD Launch Party

2007-10-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

The hat lives!

there's something in those lips to love this best...

Jericho DVD Launch Party - October 2

source: WI

Target a Jericho set

2007-10-01T22:26:00.000-07:00

TMoODers, Rangers and Skeet fans, the day has come - no commercials, crystal clear pictures and behind the scenes extras one can't wait to see - the Jericho DVD is finally here!

Make sure to stop by the store and pick up your copy if you hadn't reserved online. October 2 (Tuesday) is your day.

TIP: Head to Target to get a special DVD (so I was told) with your Jericho 1st Season Set.

Get it online here to get your copy (or an extra one just in case) JERICHO DVD SET

Let's do it again and show our support for the Jericho team, show them we are still here.

Thursday, July 20, 1944

2007-09-30T23:07:00.000-07:00

Sleep was fitful and I naturally woke up with the dawn. There was no sense staying in bed if I am already wide awake. I figured Livy would like to sleep in after a long trip and eventful yesterday. I said my morning prayers and headed for the bathroom. I stopped at Livy’s door and pressed my ear on the surface for any signs of breathing. There was no sound coming from her room. Doubt somehow threatened my resolve from checking the other side of the door.

Did all that really happen yesterday?

As I brushed my teeth I kept reasoning to the image staring at me in the mirror.

Might she have gone in the middle of the night and returned to Denver?

Head on to Ray's diary and read his latest entry...

A Candle in the Darkness

2007-09-21T22:09:00.000-07:00

By Tracy (Bombwatcher)

"Thanks, Matt," Ray said as he grabbed a pile of letters from the Mail Personnel's desk. Matthew Beck, the elderly gentleman who worked at the mail office smiled and nodded..

"Oh, Ray, I almost forgot. . ." Ray turned back to the gray haired man, who was holding another letter. "Here's a letter to Livy Dunne."

Ray's lips curved into a smile. "No, Matt, that's Singleton - Livy Singleton." He couldn't hide the edge of pride from his voice when he thought of her.

"No, no, I seen it myself. It's addressed to a Livy Dunne."

Ray felt his heart hammer to a stop when a dreaded thought entered his mind. No, it couldn't be. He slowly took the letter from Matthew and read over Livy's maiden name, then the return address. "No," he breathed, seeing the name; 'Lt. Edward Brown'.

"Are you okay Mr. Singleton? You've gone all white."

Ray looked to Matt, forced a smile, and nodded. "Y-yes, I'm fine. Thanks. . . thanks for the letters." Matthew eyed him suspiciously, but asked no more questions, much to Ray's thankfulness. Tipping his hat, Ray quickly left the mail office, eager to get out of the stuffy area.

Taking in a deep breath of the winter air, he closed his eyes and told himself to calm down - but feeling the envelope between his fingers only fueled his anger. He wanted nothing more than to rip the letter and it's contents to shreds then throw it into a fire, but he knew that wouldn't be fair to Livy. She deserved to read it.

Opening his eyes, Ray looked around to the small patches of snow that lay on the sidewalks and the road, then above him to where soft snowflakes were falling from the sky. He guessed a storm was moving in and it would no doubt be snowing heavily by the time he got home. Ray quickly walked to his truck, keeping his eyes away from any of the small town's people. He wanted to get home immediately.

Slamming the door after he got in, Ray started the truck and threw it into reverse. Careful to avoid the few people that were busy on their Monday evening chores, he moved swiftly through the bustling group and gassed the truck, anxious to be home.

In one moment, all of his hopes, dreams, and desires had come crashing into a pile of rubble. Just when he thought he had broken down Livy's last wall, he found himself faced with another - the biggest, and worst one yet. The thought that pierced his tender heart the most was that Livy had most likely been sending Edward letters throughout their marriage. She was probably praying that she would get a letter from him soon so she could leave.

The confusion in his heart and mind seemed to grow deeper with each mile that separated himself from the town and brought him closer to his house. He had never dreaded coming home this much.

Just as he had assumed, snow now lined the road, making it slightly more difficult to drive back to the house than it had been to leave earlier in the day. As Ray steered "The Beet-box" up the driveway, he glanced to the front window of his two-story home.

Though he never told her, he had often seen Livy peeking through the curtain to him, but on this day, she wasn't there.

After parking the truck in the designated spot, he pushed the door open and stepped out. A strange sensation that may have been qualified as a warning shot through him. Where was Franklin? Why hadn't he come to greet him as he always did? He looked around from the house to the barn, scanning both the objects and everything in between.

Shrugging it off as the simple fact that Franklin had most likely gone for a walk, Ray grabbed only one letter from the passenger seat of the truck, along with his Bible, which he had left from the day before. Sliding the envelope, and it's contents, into the blackk covered book, he closed the door and walked towards the porch. Pulling his coat tighter to him, he tried to ward off the chill that was beginning to press into him. The snow was falling with much more vengeance than before.

Walking up the icy steps, he glanced behind him. He could have sworn he heard Franklin's bark, but as he strained to hear it again, nothing came. He stood for a moment longer, than turned and finished the trek from the steps to the front door. Unexpected tears burned his eyes at the thought of Livy leaving, which would be almost inevitable after she read the letter that had been safely tucked away in his Bible.

He whispered a silent prayer before pulling the screen door open, then proceeded to push the second door to a large enough entry way for him to get through. Immediately upon entering the farmhouse, he realized how cold it was. A shiver coursed through his body as he quickly walked to the small living room. The fire that looked as though it could use a lot of stoking sat idle, the small flames dieing away quickly. Turning to the kitchen, the same was true for the fireplace opposite the first. Something was not right. Glancing to the table, Ray was stunned to see two plates filled with food and candles lining the table - candles that had been used to the bottom of the wax and were now burnt out.

The familiar warning sensation moved through him again, and this time, he payed more heed to it. Quickly walking to the fire in the kitchen, Ray picked up the fire stoker and hit the burnt logs gently, trying to coax more heat from them. "Livy?" He finally asked after the warmth that came from the fire was enough to temporarily warm his body. He turned to the hallway and slowly walked up the stairs, calling her name every few steps.

"Livy?"

When no response came, he entered all the bedrooms, knocking quietly before doing so, only to find that his wife was not in them. "Livy?" He called louder, desperation lacing his tone. "Where are you?"

After pushing the bathroom door open and not finding her, Ray jogged back down the stairs, threw a jacket over his arm for Livy, just in case she had gone outside and didn't have one, then hurried outside, pulling the front door tightly closed behind him. He stared out at the area surrounding his farm and wondered where he would look first. Deciding to check everywhere close by first, he walked to his truck, trying to see through the whirling snow that seemed to be coming from heaven and earth.

"Livy?" He cried, knowing his voice only carried a few feet in the storm. "Livy, where are you!" He demanded, as if his anger would somehow bring her to him.

Then, if it were possible, the snow began to fall harder, blinding him completely. He pulled the other jacket over his hat, attempting to shield his face from the whipping snowfall. "Livy!" He tried again, pushing through the snow to where he thought the truck was. But when something came into view, it wasn't the truck.

He quickly walked to the wall of the barn, falling against it from both exhaustion and fear - fear that Livy was somewhere out in the snow, and was lost. "LIVY!" He yelled, cupping his hands around his mouth and calling out with all his strength. But still, the sound was lost not five feet away from him. A cry of fear escaped his lips before he could stop it.

Moaning in desperation, he felt his way along the outer wall, trying to find the latch that signified the door. After a moment, he found it. Pushing it to the side, the door swung open and he stepped inside.

Pulling it closed immediately after entering, he fell to the ground, his legs unable to hold him anymore.

"God, please let me find her," he whispered repeatedly. "Just ... just let me find her."

A TMoOD Story

2007-09-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

From Tracy (Bombwatcher)

Livy crossed the kitchen after hearing Franklin's urgent barks. She didn't bother to hide the smile that lifted her lips. There were only a few times when Franklin would bark like that, and one of them was when Ray arrived home from a hard day's work. She found it amazing how quickly she had grown to love the tall, handsome man. His kindness had broken down every barrier and consumed each fear she had.

She made her way to the front window and looked out. But when Ray's truck was not seen in the driveway and Franklin's barks continued, Livy walked to the front door, her hands resting on her swollen belly. It was then that she realized how lonely she was when Ray was not home; she anxiously awaited his company.

Suddenly, Franklin's warnings stopped. Pulling the door open, Livy stepped onto the front porch. The dog was no where to be seen. "Franklin," she called, pulling her sweater closer to her shoulders. The cold chill that hung in the air added to the shudder that started somewhere in her back and rose until her body shoo. She called the dog's name louder, walking down to the front steps.

Glancing down the long, winding driveway, she silently prayed that Ray was coming. He wasn't.

Livy made her way to the barn, knowing that Franklin would stay in the musty building whenever it was cold outside. She stepped inside, stopping to allow her eyes to adjust to the dim light. When they did, she saw Franklin seated by one of the stalls, his head lowered as if watching something close to the ground.

"Franklin, what are you doing? You scared me, you silly. . ." She turned to walk out but stopped when Franklin yelped loudly. Just as she was about to tell him to stop, she heard a quiet rattling. Her heart began to pound. She slowly turned back. A gasp rose in her throat when she saw it.

A rattlesnake.

While it was true that she had only read about rattlesnakes and had never actually seen one, the fear that shot through her body told her she needed to do something instead of stand and watch as it neared Franklin. "Franklin, get back," She yelled. The dog took a step back, his eyes keenly watching the long snake. But, every step the dog stepped back, the reptile would slither forward.

Livy watched in horror as the snake suddenly turned and began the slow trek towards her, all the while, his tail flicking back and forth. She stood in stunned silence as it came within a few feet of her. Her eyes stayed trained on the long, slithering beast as it inched forward, but out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Franklin slowly walking towards her. She longed to call out to Ray, but instead she stayed silent.

With a quick motion, the snake's neck snapped forward, showing his true power. Everything in Livy told her to run, but the closed door behind her lent no support. Again, the snake snapped, not even a foot from her legs. Her body tensed as she slowly moved her hands to her pocket, pulling out a bandana. Rolling it into a ball, she quickly threw it close to the snake. As she suspected, the motion caught it's attention and with it temporarily replaced, Livy quickly moved away from the door, towards the ladder.

Franklin's eyes were keenly trained on the slithering animal as he walked forward, ignoring Livy's desperate whispers to make him stay in place. When the snake suddenly struck forward close to her legs, Livy screamed and jumped to the ladder, miraculously grabbing on and staying in place. She immediately pulled her self higher and higher until she was in the loft. "Thank goodness," she whispered, placing a hand protectively over her abdomen.

Glancing down to her leg, Livy's eyes widened when she saw speck of deep red blood on her ankle. "Oh God, no." She gently grazed her index finger over the area, removing the blood, then inhaled deeply when she saw fresh blood oozing from a small wound. "Oh no. . . please no!" From below her, she heard Franklin's sharp barks. She removed her stare from the blood on her leg and slowly looked over the edge of the loft, fighting the sudden wave of dizziness. "It's probably just from the height," she said to herself, praying that the latitude was indeed the cause. Looking down to where Franklin stood, barking angerly at the snake who now seemed very interested in the gray dog. "Franklin, run!" Livy called desperately. "Get out of here!" An idea quickly formed in her mind. "Franklin, go get Ray! Go, Franklin, go find Ray!" As if understanding, the dog looked up to her. "Yes, that's right! Go get Ray, Franklin! Now!"

Immediately, the dog dodged the snake and ran to the door, then pushed it open with his small bodies weight. And just as quickly, he was gone, barking urgently for his master.

"Please, God. . . just let him find. . ." Before she could form her husband's name, Livy fainted.

From Bombwatcher

2007-09-18T17:46:00.000-07:00

A sharp gust of wind rustled the trees around the camp sending a shiver through Kathryn's body. The feeling of calm that had finally begun to enter her senses vanished when she heard the familiar footsteps of the guard. Every night he would walk by each tent, sporting a long handled rifle, giving everyone a feeling of security, but Kathryn never found it comforting.

Each time she heard the footsteps, she would lie on her cot, praying that he would pass by her tent without incident. In the weeks she had been at the refugee camp, every imaginable horror had happened. Seeing people gunned down right in front of her and watching her friends die of illnesses had done little to ease her fears.

When the footsteps died away, she pushed aside the thin blanket she had been using, then slowly crawled off the cot to the end of the tent. Kathryn then stepped onto the concrete pavement and glanced around. Seeing no one, she pulled her jacket tightly around her to ward off the cold wind and ran toward the clump of trees that stood nearby.

Using the specks of moonlight to light her path, she walked as quickly as she could, going in no specific direction. Knowing that there was no one around for miles gave her little comfort.

Kathryn walked hour after hour without rest. Exhaustion began to set in by the time the morning sun lit the eastern sky. Moments later, the sun rose above the horizon, sending glorious rays of bright sunlight in every direction. Kathryn stopped to admire the sunrise, suddenly feeling a pain in her chest when she remembered the last time she had watched a sunrise with her husband, Randy. She remembered everything about that morning, especially how loud the birds had been.

It was then that Kathryn realized how quiet it was. There were no birds or bugs celebrating the new day. It was completely silent.

After giving the sun a final glance, Kathryn continued walking. She was just about to stop and rest her aching legs when she came upon a small cabin nestled in the woods. Slowly, she walked toward it, hoping that no one was currently occupying it. When she reached the front porch, she noticed the pile of freshly cut wood that sat nearby.

As if that didn't give her enough reason to believe that somebody was living there, the cock of a gun behind her did.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" The male's voice resonated through the silence sending a shot of panic through Kathryn's body.

"Um." She slowly raised her hands when she felt the head of the gun on her back. "My name is Kathryn. I-I came from the refugee camp in. . . in. . ." She stopped. For all the weeks she had been at the camp, she hadn't even thought to ask anyone about their location. "From a few miles back."

"You're a refugee?"

She nodded and sighed with relief when the gun fell. She slowly turned. "I, uh, I'm really sorry about that, Ma'am," he said, tipping the hat that sat on his head. "I don't get many visitors out here and I, uh. . ." He stopped as his eyes looked her up and down. "You look like you could use a good meal," he said, looking back to her with a perfect smile, his chocolate colored eyes watching hers for an answer.

She slowly nodded, her auburn hair falling over her shoulders. She couldn't even imagine how she must have looked. She had hardly eaten in days and hadn't used a hairbrush in weeks. "Yes, Sir. I would appreciate something to eat."

With a quick nod of his head, the black haired man turned and walked up the stairs and into the cabin, motioning for her to follow. Upon entering the home, she smelled the smoke that came from the wood stove in the corner. "My name is Alec, by the way," the man said as he walked into the kitchen that sat directly to the right.

She nodded then paused, taking in the warmth that enveloped the cabin. "Um, where am I?"

He looked back to her, his eyebrows raised. "You don't know?"

"No. I've been at a refugee camp for a long time."

"The one back in Kansas City?"

Her eyes locked with his. "Is that where it was?"

He shrugged then turned to the fridge. "That's where the nearest refugee camp is. It's about fifteen miles back, though. Uh, listen." Again, he turned to her, this time holding a can of brown beans. "I have lots of food and I've got an extra bedroom. If you'd like to stay with me. . . you'll be safe here."

Kathryn glanced to the door that she suspected was to the bedroom then back to him. "Thank you, but. . . I think I'll keep going. I want to go home."

"And where is that?"

"Little Brooke. It's a small town near Denver. My husband and I lived there before the bombs."

"Where is your husband now?"

"He was in Denver when the bomb went off." She was surprised by how easily the words came.

Alec stepped out of the kitchen and towards her. "Kathryn, I feel I should warn you. It is very dangerous out there and food is scarce."

She nodded. "I know, but. . . I need to go home."

His eyes searched hers for a moment before he nodded. "Alright. Well, I'll give you as much food as I can spare and then you can go."

"Thank you. I appreciate it."

After a few moments, Alec held a cloth bag out to her which was filled with several cans of beans and water bottles. "Be careful out there. And there's a map in the bag."

Kathryn thanked Alec for his assistance, then began her long and arduous journey home.

Just This Side of Tomorrow - Part Ten

2007-09-10T19:22:00.000-07:00

By SG

Livy sings along with the radio as Patti Page’s voice oozes over the airwaves in velvety tones.

“Allegheny Moon, I need your light, to help me find romance tonight.”

Livy squeals as pair of hands grabs her backside unexpectedly.

“Hank?”

“Ha-Ha. You’re a real laugh riot, you know that?” Ray wraps his arms around her, his palms laying across her belly, flat and possessive.

Livy reaches her arms up, running her fingers through his hair. They stand for a moment, staring out the kitchen window. Suddenly, they see Hettie the Hen running by at top speed.

“Nuts!” Ray’s arms drop, his hands clenched.

“Just wait, now. Give him a minute.”

Danny runs, his body twisting towards the window to face them.

“It’s okay. I’ll get her. It’s gonna…I’m gonna…It’s okay.”

His face looks less sure than his voice is putting out there. Livy stifles a giggle, hearing Ray growl under his breath behind her.

“Just give him a minute.”

They stand in silence, waiting. After a moment they hear the barn door slam.

“I GOT HER. It’s okay. I got her. I got her.” As Danny’s volume lowers, he continues to repeat the same words, more for his own benefit now.

Livy turns, facing Ray now. “See?”

Ray rolls his eyes and brings his hands up to her shoulders. He pulls her closer and slides his open palms up her neck. Putting his thumbs on her chin, he pulls her close, kissing her deeply.

Her shoulders to drop as she goes limp under the weight of his arms.

“Dad! Dad! I need help getting the coop door open. But I got ‘er. DAD!”

Ray’s arms drop again. Livy’s eyes dance with laughter. He stuffs his hands in his pockets and walks towards the door. Shoving it open with his elbow, he answers his son gruffly at first.

“I’m coming!” Hearing the harshness of his tone, he repeats himself but with less of an edge now. Livy watches from the window as he joins his son. Squeezing out the dishcloth, she rinses it under the hot water.

Livy glances up just in time to see Hettie run past again. Ray’s face flashes sheepishly by the window, Danny in tow. Livy breaks out into giggles. A moment later a man-call of triumph reigns from the yard.

Smiling still, Livy returns to her sink full of suds. She sings along with the radio some more, taking on Georgia Gibbs bubbly sound as she belts out her latest tune.

“I got it bad…… and that ain’t good!”

***

“Before we conclude today’s sermon, I would just like to take a moment and acknowledge those of you who have gone out of your way to make me feel welcome. In the short time that I have made this Parish my home, I have known the people of this County to be fine and true.

Reverend Case was indeed a man of God. I have some large shoes to fill. I only hope that you will remain patient while I learn all your names. Oh and I must add, your kindness with the stews and baking is much appreciated. I fear if this bounty continues, my waistcoat seams will be parted wider than the Red Sea!”

A tittering of laughter travels across the crowd as Reverend Dunn closes his catechism and makes his way to the doors. Livy watches as he bids adieu to each of the families, shaking hands and patting young heads.

“He seems to have made his way.” Ray’s voice lilts up at the end, pleasantly.

“I barely recognize him. It’s like he’s a different person.” Livy seems almost suspicious, as though waiting for a ball to drop.

They both stand still, watching.

“Maybe you’re a different person.” Ray says, slipping her jacket over her shoulders.

***

Livy stares out the car window, watching the green beet tops fan softly to the side as a breeze blows across their field.

“What is it?” Ray glances over, putting a hand on her thigh. She turns her face from the window and looks at him. The open concern in his eyes jolts her back to the present.

“Oh, no. Ray, no it’s nothing like that. I’m fine. Everything’s fine.” She takes his hand from her leg and places it on her bulging belly.

“I’m feeling right. I just… I can’t explain it. I’m worried, I guess.”

Ray takes off his hat with his left hand and places it on his lap. He scratches his scalp vigorously with that same hand, and then places his hat back on his head.

“Well, I’d say that’s pretty normal right about now. Wouldn’t you? I mean, seven months is nearly there.”

“No it’s not that. That’s what’s so crazy. It’s not about the baby. It’s not even about us. I just keep getting this feeling of… of…”

“Of what?”

“Of dread.”

“Dread? You mean like someone’s going to die?”

“No, I…”

“Locusts?”

“NO, come on, I just….”

Ray chuckles light-heartedly. “I’m telling you, this is natural. Now just put your mind at ease.”

“It’s like I’ve got ants in my pants. Something’s not right. I can just feel it in my bones.” She seems as frustrated about having these thoughts in the first place as she does about not knowing the whole story.

Ray shakes his head, a half smile on his face at her impromptu irrationality. He rarely sees his wife flustered and he’s enjoying it. But only just a little.

As they pull up in front of the house, Ray pauses before getting out.

“I hear the circus is coming to Wilson. We could set you up with a proper tent and all. Madame Livy’s House of Doom and Gloom.”

She remains silent. Ray gets out, jogging around to open her door. His face looks sheepish as he takes her by the arm, leading her towards the steps. He worries for a moment that he may have gone too far.

As they come to the top of the steps, Livy sees a pamphlet sticking out of the mailbox. Lifting the lid, she slides it out and glances down at the glossy paper. A small grin lifts just the corners of her mouth. Handing it to Ray, she steps inside quietly.

Ray looks down at it.

Do you Love Your Family? Don’t let the RED TERROR keep you up at night.
Invest in piece of mind with our Family Fallout Shelter Kit. It’s easily assembled and covered by our manufacturers warranty. And best of all, its made in Racine, Wisconsin - right here in the Good Old USA! For More Information, Call you Local Representative.
Stewie Long - Phone# Pacific 512

“Oh cripes, Stewie.” Ray mutters, sighing as he opens the door.

***

Ray lays quietly, his arms tucked up under his head. The covers are folded across his chest in a perfect line. Livy scoots back and forth, to and from the bathroom.

“I decided to set my hair tonight, instead of worrying about it tomorrow. I’ll have so much to do by then and I want to look nice. Ray do you realize? It’s been almost a decade. Well, actually it’s been forever, hasn’t it? Oh, blast!”

“What?”

“I can’t find the new package of bobby pins I bought.”

“If they’re in a small paper bag, I saw them on top of the icebox.”

Before she can say anything, Ray leaps out of bed and jogs downstairs. Returning as quickly as he left, Ray hands her the bag. He plops back onto the bed and scurries his way under the covers.

Livy stands at the dresser, opening the package. Separating bits of hair with her brown tortoiseshell comb, she twists and rolls several sections from the front and top into loose circles. She fastens each one in place with a new pin.

“How about down?” Ray’s chin juts out as though he’s using his jaw to point at something.

“Huh?”

“Will you wear it down? I like it down.” Ray nods his head once as he says it.

“This is just to give it some wave.”

“Oh.”

“Meet you half way?”

“How’s that?” Ray answers, in learning-mode now.

“I’ll wear the front up but the back down.”

“Sounds good.” He looks pleased.

Ray watches as she finishes her set. Taking a spray bottle, she lightly spritzes her hair with a mist of water and puts on her hairnet. He laughs, shaking his head.

“I know. I look like something right off of Queen for a Day.”

Ray gives her a look of pity. Flipping back the covers, he pats the smooth sheet beside him. “Come here.”

Livy shuffles over to the bed. Sitting on the edge, she pivots her body slightly and rolls into her spot. Her round belly forms a mountain on top of her as she lies on her back. Ray leans up on one elbow. He looks at the bump with affection. Then he glances up, staring deep into her eyes.

“So…?”

“It’ll be fine.”

“Oh, I know that.”

Livy smiles widely, her nose twitching up like a rabbit. Rubbing her cheek with his hand, Ray guides her chin gently upwards until their mouths meet. Livy feels the nervous tension of earlier today leave her body, one cell at a time. She lets out a long moan.

“Still okay?” She opens her eyes. Ray’s face is just inches from hers. She nods her head and cranes her neck up, pulling him back into the kiss.

This is all Ray needs to hear. He presses himself up against her. Taking her arm, he folds it across her body and pulls, turning her onto her side in a single, lithe movement. One of her legs instinctively goes up, bending at the knee. He bends his own, tucking his leg right in behind hers.
Ray brushes some of the hair that escaped the pincurls off her neck. Burying his face there, in the soft spot behind her ear, he takes a deep breath and drinks her in.

“You smell so good.”

Livy reaches behind her. Sliding her hand down under the covers, she leans back and rests her head against Ray’s chest. Ray groans at her touch. After a few moments he leans forward and pulls her hand it up to his mouth, kissing it.

Letting go, he slides his arm down, lifting her nightgown; searching. She closes her eyes.

***

Livy stops, bracing her hand on the edge of the counter as a sharp pain cuts through her midsection. It's the third or fourth one in the last 2 weeks. She turns, wondering if she can make it to a chair and sit for a short spell.

Danny enters, his face looking bright with fresh autumn air. Livy forgets her pains and fills a pot with water to boil.

“Mama, Dad says I should come and see if you any help?”

“Oh, did he? Well, where is he?”

“He said to tell you he’s working hard out there.”

“At what?”

Danny shuffles his feet, looking down.

“Daniel, I said what is he working hard at?”

“He didn’t say.”

“Well, what was he doing?”

Daniel mutters something under his breath, his body turned away from her.

“What was that?” Livy tries with no luck to use her elbow to flick away an escaped curl. Removing her arm from deep inside the turkey, she washes it under the hot water.

“I said…. he’s whittling.”

Liv lets out a small snort as the door opens and Ray steps inside.

“Oh my goodness Ray, are you all right? You must be so tired. Can I get you a drink?”

Ray chews his cheek quietly. He turns, looking at his son. Danny bows his head in defeat. Ray scruffles his hair.

"This is our first Thanksgiving Dinner and I want it to be perfect. Will you boys please make yourself useful and set the table? And I just finished ironing the tablecloth so it might still be a little damp.”

"It's weird having these doors up. I don't think my Mama ever used them." Ray runs his hands up the smooth door frame.

"I know, it does seem odd. But I had to do something to separate us from the kitchen. I don't want a room full of people staring at me while I cook. " Ray nods his head in agreement.

Ray and Danny head into the diningroom and start to put plates down at each place setting. Ray pops his head back through the doorway. “I thought the boys couldn’t make it.”

“They can’t.” Livy answers.

“There are nine plates here.”

“I invited Mack and May. She was so sad about not being able to go home to California for Thanksgiving.”

“Huh.” Ray answers, surprised but not unpleasantly so.

Livy stirs the cranberry sauce that’s burbling away in the saucepan. Crossing the kitchen for the six hundredth time today she removes a turnip from the basket by the windowsill and begins to peel it for carrot and turnip mash; Ray’s favourite.

“We’re going to help Hank tune up the thresher. Be back in an hour,” Ray calls out from the front door.

Wiping her hands on her apron, she heads into the dining room to see what they made of their task. Her hand goes up to her mouth as she stifles back a belly laugh.

The Indian corn cobs she left out are now featured prominently at each guest’s place setting, but protruding comically from up out of each water goblet. She approaches the table to place them on the centre of the dinner plates as she’d originally intended, but thinks better of it and returns to the kitchen with a serene smile on her face.

***

“Ray!”

As the guests pour their various drinks and the chatters grows louder, Ray answers Livy’s call for help in the kitchen.

“I’m here.”

“Could you please take the turkey in? I just can't lift it.”

“Sure. Uh...”

Livy turns, removing her apron and smoothing her hair.

“What is it?”

“Well, I was just thinking about your father. I mean, do you think he’ll want to carve?”

Livy approaches Ray, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“This isn’t just my first Thanksgiving dinner in our home, it’s yours too. You should carve.”

Ray nods. Looking over at the counter, he spots a brown crockery dish.

“Who brought that?”

Livy glances over. “May did. She says it’s a tradition - something her family has every year.”

Ray peels back the tin foil, looking down at it dubiously. “It’s green. What do you think it is? Seaweed? I hear they eat seaweed.”

Livy peeks down at the dish. Taking a spoon, she dabs one moist corner and licks it off slowly. She smiles.

Ray raises his eyebrows. “Well?” His face is caught in a half grimace.

“Its green bean casserole.” She laughs, pointing at the turkey on his mother's bone china platter.
Picking it up proudly, Ray enters the dining room ahead of Livy. Oohs and ahhs can be heard from those seated around the table at their first sight of the turkey.

Livy follows, carrying May’s casserole.

***

“I’m grateful to have been invited to such a delicious looking meal with wonderful friends, old and new.” May holds her glass up. Mack holds his up, clinking with hers.

“Here, here.” He adds, his face red with happiness.

Ray glances over at Livy, who gives him a look that says, “Don’t.” He stifles a laugh. Livy often jokes that May managed to meet a man of fewer words than Ray, even.

Livy glances down the table at her father. His shiny face is smiling, but frozen in an unnatural look of bewilderment as he listens politely to Stewie chattering away beside him.

“….. I mean, you just never can tell. One minute you’re sweeping your porch, the next your family is in peril and Communism is at your door. That’s why the Blockade 40 is the perfect unit for someone such as yourself, who…”

Ray sees a momentary flash of panic in his wife's eyes. He stands quickly, sliding his chair back. He clears his throat. Martha gazes up at her brother with pride.

“Thank you all for sharing your thoughts with us. And now Reverend Dunn, will you please say the blessing?” Ray sits quickly as his father-in-law's face shows relief at having been rescued. He stands. The guests bow their heads as he begins.

“And so, we giveth great thanks on this day. Blessed be our forefathers who came before us and forged the way, so that we….”

***

Ray and Livy wave from the porch. Standing for a few moments, they watch as the last set of taillights disappears down the road.

“It was perfect.” Ray stands behind Livy, his arms wrapped across her shoulders.

Livy smiles, nodding her head. “I hate to say it, but I think you might be right.” They turn and walk into the house.

Entering the kitchen they take one look at the counter, piled high with dishes, and both let out a huge groan. It wasn’t that everyone hadn’t offered, they had just wanted the evening of good conversation and the a few rounds of charades to last forever.

Ray begins stacking plates while Livy empties the sink. As Danny reaches over to turn on the radio, the sound of a car comes from out front.

Ray shakes his head. “Ruth probably forgot her handbag again.” He goes to the front room and starts looking around for it. Livy turns on the hot water.

“Uh, Livy. You’d better come here.”

Wiping her hands on a tea towel, Livy joins Ray by the front window.

“OH MY LORD.” Livy shoves the door open and runs down the steps.

“Are you all right? What are you doing here?”

“I’ve left Kent.”

Livy wraps an arm around Abby's shoulders, guiding her up the steps and into the house.

***

Making the Trek

2007-09-03T07:15:00.000-07:00

This new (?) interview appeared via a Google Alert. It's from a Malaysian site--"Into The West" is making it's premiere broadcast in that country.

*Courtesy Star TV and The New Straits Times Online

Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich talk about their part in the Steven Spielberg miniseries on America’s expansion into the west.

AFTER taking a break from the spotlight, Keri Russell and Skeet Ulrich return in Steven Spielberg’s epic saga, Into the West. The six-part series, which begins today, airs every night at 7.15pm.

Russel and Ulrich were Hollywood’s hot young stars in the mid-1990s.

After Scream became a box-office smash in 1996, Ulrich was pegged as Gen X’s answer to Johnny Depp. At the same time, Russell had gone from one-time Mouseketeer on the Mickey Mouse Club to TV’s darling, thanks to her college drama, Felicity.

After she bagged the Best Actress Golden Globe in 1999, the curly-headed actress seemed poised for major stardom.

Then they disappeared from view.

In 2001, Ulrich decided to leave Hollywood to live on a farm with his wife and newborn twins.

Russell, meanwhile, wanted time away from the spotlight after Felicity ended its four-year run in 2002. While Ulrich returned to Los Angeles to star in the short-lived series Miracles, Russell landed supporting roles in the films The Upside of Anger and Mission Impossible III.

Now the pair returns to the public eye with the Spielberg-produced miniseries Into the West, a six-part saga about America’s early pioneers; Ulrich and Russell play cousins who leave Virginia in the mid 1800s and trek Westward in the hope of finding new land. Their treacherous journey results in clashes with Native American Indians and has them fighting for their lives.
In this interview, two stars open up on the challenges of making this sweeping saga and their time away from the spotlight.

You were filming in very isolated places. What were the conditions like?

Keri Russell: We shot in Calgary and would wake up at 5.30am, be driven in the dark up to the mountains and be dropped off to shoot all day. We were nowhere near trailers.
Normally on a movie you do your hard scenes, then go back to your trailer, rest and make phone calls.
There wasn’t a lot of that with this. We sat outside in these harsh conditions with this huge group of people, played cards and told stories. There were kids crying and adults crying, and people fighting. It was definitely a physical process, which, yes, makes you closer.

Skeet Ulrich: It was tough. When we started, it was around 27°C that first day when we did the river crossings, and then it got progressively colder and we dealt with the elements a lot. But I think it lent a lot to the performances in that we got a glimpse of what these people had to deal with in the migration.

What did you learn from this experience?

KR: I did a lot of reading for my character because [her story takes place on] the wagon train – this group of people who actually made the westward journey. My biggest question was: knowing the trip would be so hard, why did anyone agree to do it? So many people died.
There are all these interesting journals from women who made that journey with stories about their pregnancies, the babies who died along the way and the lives of their family members. You were lucky if half your wagon train made it there alive, so I think it’s amazing that anyone decided to do it.
I think it speaks a lot to the American spirit of adventure and reinvention because it takes someone either very naïve or with a lot of chutzpah to undertake such a journey.

SU: What these people went through, this pioneer spirit they exhibited, has defined the American work ethic.
As Americans, we’re known for our work ethic and that mentality was set at the time when all the toil went into the migration west. Obviously, we’re a very young country but, I think we defined ourselves really quickly.

What prompted you to take this journey?

KR: The biggest thing for me was that Steven Spielberg chose to make it. The coolest thing about it is that half of it is the Native American story and the other half is about these Virginian settlers. It’s not a typical Western but I think it’s great having the Native American cast.

SU: We were essentially making three independent films. Working with [different directors], everybody has such completely different styles but you all understand what the context is and what the story is you’re trying to tell.
It’s great to have a fresh perspective [from a new director] every five or six weeks and it also brings a lot to the character.

What’s your impression of Spielberg?

[KR:]I really think it’s great that he has a history of using his name to make projects like this. Once the audience sees that Steven Spielberg is involved, they think, “I want to watch that!”

SU: I think he’s just an unbelievable storyteller. You trust that these are going to be amazing stories that you want to be a part of. When you hear [Spielberg’s] name, you trust that he will hire the best.
I knew that it would tell an emotionally provocative story and it was going to be truthful.

Skeet, after Scream and As Good As it Gets, you were pegged to be Hollywood’s Next Big Thing. Did you make a conscious decision to shy away from the spotlight and focus on your passion for carpentry?

SU: No, it’s really just a matter of whether or not I’m drawn to a story. It’s got to be something that really resonates so deeply that you can last six or eight months with.
I took two years off when my kids were born and I really have always been interested in building furniture.
I’ve built stuff throughout my life, but I met this great furniture maker in California and was really inspired by his art. When you see it, you want to touch it or sit on it. It’s really inviting and sumptuous.
Then I really started to get hungry to [return to acting]. I enjoy it because it really does inspire me continuously.

At its heart, Into the West is about family values, protecting families and sticking up for each other. What does family mean to you?

KR: Family is everything, especially on an adventure like this. They’re your best friend, but they’re also your worst enemy. They’re all you have.
What I also think is interesting about this project is how things continue every generation.
You have people playing characters that happened a few generations after the one I was in and yet the same problems or issues keep cropping up.

SU: Unfortunately, I can’t talk about being a husband anymore [Ulrich divorced his wife, actress Georgina Cates, in 2005].
Being a single father [to six-year-old twins] now brings even more to bear. Shaping their hopes and dreams, their mentality and their morality is the most important thing I’ve done in my life.
As I go to bed, I want to wake up the next day and be a better dad. It’s a constant striving towards bettering their future.
The hardest thing to stomach as you watch them grow up is seeing that slow loss of innocence.
I think we’ve continuously developed a better sense of how to keep that innocence and to raise families in a better way.

Wake up, CBS!

2007-08-19T06:54:00.000-07:00

From Knox News, Tele-buddy's Tinseltown Tales:
http://blogs.knoxnews.com/knx/telebuddy/archives/2007/08/high_school_mus.shtml

"High School Musical 2" set a cable record on Friday. More than 17 million viewers tuned to the Disney Channel sequel, setting a record for the all-time biggest basic cable audience . It was also the all-time biggest made-for-basic-cable telepicture, the Disney Channel said.
To compare: "The Sopranos" finale on HBO had 11.9 million.

Also per the Disney Channel: it was the most-watched TV-movie anywhere since the 2005 premiere of the Keri Russell-Skeet Ulrich period drama, The Magic of Ordinary Days (with 18.7 million viewers) on CBS.

Why doesn't CBS broadcast an encore of this wonderful Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that earned more viewers than the much-hyped HSM2? Not only would it attract an audience familiar with the Hallmark reputation for quality, but Skeet Ulrich's incredible performance would draw viewers interested in seeing his work on "Jericho".

Skeet on Good v Bad roles

2007-08-06T00:02:00.000-07:00

One great question posed by one of the fans (I can tell she's a Scream fan) at the Comic Con to Skeet was his playing more good roles vs bad roles - as in Scream. He plays it very well and effectively that his fans are missing him playing the bad guy on film. Hear what he says --

Also taking this opportunity to welcome these new members to the blog!

*Effie
*jwdcreations (yes, we know her too well at the forum!)

Welcome home! Glad you could join us wherever we are!

Jericho Thank You Fans Reel

2007-08-03T09:28:00.000-07:00

This was played at the comic con at the end of the Jericho panel. When they played this, the cast quietly piled out to leave and it was hard to watch it at the same time keep an eye on them LOL.

Warning: Lots of Skeet delicious moments!

source: youtube by jerichoranger

Shining through

2007-08-02T14:23:00.000-07:00

This picture must be a good sign with the way the lights shines through Skeet. His boat has arrived and he will definitely shine.

The blog over at CBS is really helpful in telling us what they are up to these days. Production for episode one on the 31st. Boy - Skeet is just a work horse and I am glad he's working and getting busy.

So this picture is on the CBS blog as well, I encourage you all to visit it as many time often to show our support and to keep us abreast of what's going on.

Do you think they allow fans to watch them film? maybe even be extras??? Too bad they've disabled commenting on the blog.

Back view

2007-08-01T10:15:00.000-07:00

A true fan would know this by heart.....

The natural hair -- shoulders -- somewhat crooked right arm.....

source: CBS BLOG

More Pictures!

2007-07-31T07:11:00.000-07:00

SF's pictures from Sunday have been uploaded to the capturing skeet gallery. You can see them all here «

I have also added three from Skeet's appearance on Friday at the convention. You can see those here «

Whomever put that sign in front of 'the gorgeous' should be whipped! Keep checking back for more additions. :)

Comic Con 2007

2007-07-31T01:26:00.000-07:00

What a weekend!

I've been to the Wondercon in SF earlier this year but San Diego was something else! The Jericho panel was amazing, the jam-packed hall was incredible. It was an awesome experience.

As usual, I knew the best spot would be front and center and to get the spot was to get there early and grab a seat when it becomes empty -- anything for Skeet huh?!

So I heard that ScriptGirl was there too! Where were you seated?!

One hour was not enough and there was so much to talk about the time flew by so quickly and next thing you know it was over! In March, they had the time to show almost a half hour clip, this time they had more time to answer fan questions.

Each cast member was wearing a promotional tshirt that was made especially for the ComicCon Event (see the pictures below). It has the Chayenne flag on it. If you are interested in getting one here's the link http://www.wetcementclothing.com/.

Skeet was welcomed with a lot a big SCREAM by his fans. Wearing a hat and Jericho t-shirt and his sunglasses hanging on his shirt collar. Unlike the day before, you can tell his hair was not made up but he was still oozing so much charm, you try not to swoon and make an embarrassment of yourself from the crowd.

One significant thing -- they showed their sincere gratitude to the fans who helped them come back. The Jericho blog is updated for the fans because they say we are now part of the production and the show itself , wow, we are practically insiders.

Lenny was very funny and I can't get over that great accent! Emily has flawless skin and was a happy camper sitting next to Skeet.

Here are some highlights:

An Australian girl requested if they can do something about the horrible time schedule of Jericho in Australia.
A real CBS phone operator who shared her experience handling the numerous calls CBS received. She was amazed at how majority of the callers were actually civilized leaving their sentiments about the cancellation. Karim mentioned that CBS actually was touched by how organized and determined the fans were and that they were truly thankful at the spirit at which the mission was accomplished (in three short weeks!)
They showed a Thank You clip that they put together especially the fans.
Also a clip showing a preview of the DVD extras - yeah! Skeet behind the scenes -sweet!
Extras also include how they planned and built the Jericho set.
The cast talking about the loss of Gerald MacRaney's character.
A fan asked Skeet why he's been doing mostly good roles as opposed to a villain such as his Scream character (which we can't deny he is very good at portraying). Skeet did admit he loves playing the bad guy and enjoys playing it. Oh and this fan got to ask for his name card and received a hand shake from Skeet -- lucky gal!
A fan voiced his concerns about cancellations and unfinished story lines. Carol assured the fans that they will find a way to get the answers and endings if such an event happens but assured us that they do not anticipate this from happening and that they plan on staying for a long time.
The panel shared their experience about how they found out about the cancellation-- what were they doing and where they were at the moment. Also if they had begun the dismantling of the set upon hearing the news. We were told that it had begun but they immediately put a stop to it as soon as they heard the news. Good thing, success happened before it was too far along.
Skeet was asked about how he prepares for a scene that calls for heavy drama and emotions.
What was the hardest scene they had to do-- Skeet: I think he admitted the father and son scene, Lenny: the time his son asked him if he was staying or not (toothpaste scene).
Cast signing of Jericho poster downstairs amidst security and the world wide public. Only limited number of tickets were given.

The next one will be in San Francisco in February -- you all better start planning!

Welcome wagon

2007-07-31T01:18:00.000-07:00

Two new members who are joining in the fun!

Ann

Jennie >3

Glad you found us. Welcome and feel at home here!

Thank you very much!

2007-07-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

Comic Con - San Diego

Jericho says Thanks to all their supporters.

"Thank you to you all" - Skeet

more to come....

Hot Chocolate...

2007-07-29T19:14:00.000-07:00

Need we say anything more than "enjoy"?

*Thanks to Jan1425 for bringing these to our attention via: Google Alerts

**credit: first kiss productions photography by trevor stolebarger http://firstkissproductions.wordpress.com/2007/07/29/comic-con-part-2-save-the-cheerleader-save-the-world/

Caption this picture

2007-07-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

"Talk to this beautiful hand"

"I am camera shy"

Caption the picture ... your turn

Thanks to lgl for the link!

More pics

2007-07-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

Love this picture...

more pics here: Jericho final episode shoot

Check out Jericho blog updates here: The Salty Scoop

What a tease

2007-07-24T09:14:00.000-07:00

I am posting lgl's link on the comment about Skeet's new pic here.

What a tease -- I am sure he knows we swoon over those hands and those sultry eyes!

Friday Eye Candy

2007-07-20T08:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks P&P5

Source: Pittsburg Post-Gazette.

2007-07-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

Just This Side of Tomorrow - Part Nine - By SG

Ray’s jaw rests in his hand as he leans on his elbow, watching Livy sleep. Sounds of Danny moving about in the kitchen below cause her to stir, but only slightly. Pursing his lips, he cranes his neck forward and blows lightly in her ear.

Livy twitches her nose. Ray laughs, falling onto his back again. Her arm comes up, lifting his and propping it under her head.

“Sorry. Once I’m awake I can’t fall back to sleep. You know that.”

Livy pretends to be annoyed.

“The whole point was that he learns the early morning chores and you get a lie in on the weekend, remember?”

“I said I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t say I was getting out of bed.”

Ray leans in, kissing her softly on the mouth. He pulls her even closer to him. Running his hand from her face to her shoulder and down, he lets it rest in the small of her back. Pulling her towards him, he lets out a long, satisfied sigh. His lips cover her mouth in warm kisses.

Leaning back again, he smoothes the hair from her forehead.

“What?”

Ray keeps smiling at her.

“What is it?”

“Happy Anniversary, Livy.”

*****

Livy picks up Danny’s rucksack from the back of the chair where it’s hanging and places it on the hook. The front flap is slightly open and a white envelope peeks out. She pulls on it, seeing the words Mrs. Singleton written across the front in perfect penmanship.

Danny runs in the house, letting the screen door slam behind him.

“Dad says can we have something to drink?”

“Of course.” Danny opens the icebox and pulls out two bottles of cola. Tipping them one at a time he uses the bottle cap remover on the side of the counter to open them. Turning, he rushes for the door.

“Danny, I was putting your bag away and I saw this letter.”

“Sorry Mama, I forgot. It’s from Miss Borden.”

Livy nods and he scurries out to the back to work by Ray’s side some more.

Opening the drawer, Livy removes a butter knife and slices open the envelope. It’s only one page, very short. It’s dated Tuesday. Today is Saturday. Livy scoffs, saying her son’s name under her breath.

Dear Mrs. Singleton,

I would like to thank you very much for your kind invitation to Sunday lunch. As Daniel may have mentioned, I’m new to the area (in a manner of speaking). As such, I do find myself somewhat idle on weekends.

There is, however, a matter of some delicacy, which I would like to discuss with you before I sit at your table with friends and family.

Daniel mentioned that you’re often home on Saturday afternoons. Would if be convenient if I stop by for a few minutes, say around two o’clock? If that is not a good time for you, please telephone me at Cannestoga 219. That’s the Fielding Apartments, and I’m in room eleven.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Miss May Borden

Livy glances at the clock on the wall. It reads one forty eight.

“Blast!” Livy gets up and fills the kettle with water. Putting it on the stove, she reaches up for her teapot off the top shelf of the cupboard. Her fingertips strain but she just can’t reach.

She slides a wooden chair from by the table and starts to climb up. The door opens and Ray enters. As he turns to her his face looks frustrated.

“What are you doing? You can’t be climbing - I told you to call me if –

She steps back. Ray moves the chair out of his way.

“I know. Sorry. Miss Borden’s going to be here any minute. I was just trying to get something ready.”

He hands her down the teapot. She points at the tin of Swee-Touch-Nee tea. He gets that too.

“Miss Borden, why?”

“You tell me.” Livy hands him the note. Looking at her reflection in the window, she smoothes her hair.

Ray reads the note in silence, raising his eyebrows as he hands it back to her.

“Sounds serious.”

Livy nods.

“Something with Danny?”

“Surely not. He would have said.”

Ray opens the back door and hollers.

“Son, get in here.” Danny comes running through the door that Ray is still holding open.

“Miss Borden’s coming over to speak with your mother. Is there something we need to know?”

Danny’s eyes grow large. “No, Sir.”

“You sure?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Ray squeezes Danny’s shoulder and gives him a reassuring nod. Danny runs back outside.

“We’ll give you some space.” Ray goes to leave also.

“Ray?”

He turns, facing her.

“You don’t think it's a question of loyalty, do you?”

“How’s that?”

“Well, I’ve been working with Mack for three weeks now. And they certainly didn’t get on well. You don’t think she’d be upset by that do you?”

Ray walks over to Livy, taking her hands and pulling them around his waist. Then he wraps his arms around her.

“Well if she is, she’s a fool. You’re making progress with that boy. Don’t let her tell you any different.”

Livy smiles up at him.

“You think you can have her out of here by five?”

“Good Lord, I should think so. Why?”

“Danny’s going to Jeremy’s. It’s all arranged.”

“What’s all arranged?”

“I got us a table for two at The Landing. Six thirty.”

Livy looks amazed. Ray laughs at her expression.

Just then a bicycle bell dings out front. Ray kisses quickly and exits out the back door.

Livy steps out onto the front porch, her hand shading her face from the sun. A young girl with black hair pushes her kickstand down with her foot. Her smart, red pedal pushers look crisp and new. Livy smoothes the front of her dress, taking off her apron and balling it up in her hand.

As May Borden comes closer Livy is surprised to notice that she is obviously of Asian descent. Her black, almond shaped eyes are beautifully set off by her white and red polka dot blouse.

May walks up the steps, her hand outstretched. As Livy shakes her hand, she feels an instant connection to this smiley, young girl.

“I’m so pleased to meet you, Miss Borden. Danny has such wonderful things to say about you and your classes.”

“Please, call me May.”

“And I’m Livy.”

May nods, smiling.

“I had no idea you were coming by bicycle! It’s such an awfully long way. Would you like to use the bathroom?”

“Oh, yes, please. That would be lovely.”

Livy opens the door for her and points up the stairs.

“It’s the door opposite the banister.”

May nods, padding upstairs in her jaunty shoes. Livy hears the kettle whistling in the kitchen. She jogs in, pouring the water in the tea and opening a tin of cookies she’d just made the day before. Arranging them on a plate, she puts them on the table. Rinsing her hands in the sink, she looks out the window. Ray spots her from outside and gives her a small wave.

Just then a honk comes from out front. They glance at each other. Ray shrugs and runs around the side of the house. She waits. A moment later Ray enters the front door. His face wears a strained look.

“Wha-?”

Suddenly the sound of a second pair of boots behind him silences Livy. She glances over and sees Mack in tow. Ray laughs awkwardly.

“Look who’s here. I completely forgot I told Mack he could come over and help us with the engine on the motorbike.”

Mack’s face brims with excitement.

“Yes Ma’am! It’s not every day a person gets their hands on a 1918 Cleveland.”

Livy smiles brightly as the sound of shoes crossing the floor upstairs echoes into the room.

“That’s just wonderful. You’d better get started, then.”

Ray hides a smile, watching her panic. She frowns at him behind Mack’s back as she ushers them out the door.

May comes down the hall and enters the kitchen.

“Oh, let’s sit in the parlour, shall we?” Livy picks up the teapot and cookies, placing them on the tray with the cups and saucers. They go into the living room. Livy sits on the chesterfield, while May chooses the powder blue davenport Ray bought them for Christmas last year.

It’s awkward for a moment. Both women take a sip of tea in silence, smiling at each other.

“I’m sure you’re wondering what I was referring to in my letter.”

“I must admit, you did have me somewhat concerned. He tries hard but he’s so enthusiastic, sometimes he goes over -”

“Oh, Mrs. Singl - Livy – I do apologize. Daniel is a bright, wonderful boy. He’s one of my best students. This has absolutely nothing to do with him, you can be sure. It was unfair to keep you guessing like that.”

Livy holds back a small sigh of relief.

May takes another sip of her tea. Clearing her throat she continues.

“The thing is, I know you.”

“You do?”

“Well, I know of you. And you know me. Well, we’ve met. ”

Livy shrugs slightly, putting a hand up to her cheek.

“I’m so sorry, I can’t recall -”

“Oh, no, please – I was only ten years old. I expect I look very different from the last time you saw me.”

Livy stays silent, hoping she’ll continue.

“I – I – Livy, I’m Rose and Flory Umahara’s cousin. We met at Camp Amache. We were making origami flowers for the Spring Dance. I sat on your lap. You let me feel your baby kicking and you told me I had beautiful eyes. ”

Livy feels her pulse rush slightly at the mention of her old friends. She had thought of them often, but hadn’t heard their names uttered aloud in years.

“Oh, oh my goodness. Yes, of course. Well how are they? Where are they?”

The second question was uttered quickly and Livy regretted it instantly, seeing the discomfort it caused May.

“You were so good to them. When the war ended and the exclusion order was rescinded, so many things happened at once. My family was divided. Rose and Flory lost touch with you and after a point it seemed too late, too awkward, to try again.”

“Well, that’s nonsense. I would love to - ”

“They felt ashamed. They still do. They don’t even know I’m here.”

“But it’s completely understandable. Your lives were turned upside down in a matter of days, I’m sure.”

May breathed a sigh of relief, nodding slightly.

“The government offered each family $25 and a train ticket back to where we came from.”

“Land sakes.” Livy looks at her, stunned.

“Many of the elders were of the “Shikata ga nai” mindset.”

“I’m sorry?”

“That which cannot be helped.”

Livy nods her head solemnly.

“At Camp Amache many were aware of Flory’s plot to hide her boyfriend. It was a difficult place to keep a secret.”

“I can imagine. But it seemed like it was all solved.”

“It’s the Japanese way. We are proud people. We deal with our problems in private.”

“Yes, I understand. So, what happened?”

“When the orders to evacuate came in, we were given half a day to decide where to go. My Uncle took his family back to California. But my father decided he could not accept the paltry offering they were doling out. He returned to Japan; alone.”

“But what of your mother?”

“My mother was shamed. She took the tickets and we returned to California. We had nowhere to go and no way to earn a living as my mother had to look after my sister and I. Rose and Flory’s father was my father’s brother. So, they took us in.”

Livy takes another sip of her tea.

“This is all so, so shocking. And yet the story seems to have ended well; I mean, here you are.”

“Yes. My mother remarried after a few years. A white man from the south. When you knew me, my last name was Kasagawa.”

Livy nods, holding out the plate of cookies.

May takes one, more relaxed now.

“How are your cousins? Are they well?”

May nods, swallowing her bite.

“Rose is married, a japanese american man; a member of the 442nd Regiment. They have four children.”

“Aww, how nice. She was always so patient and kind. I bet she’s a terrific mother.”

“She is. Her children are perfect.”

Livy chuckles. “And Flory?”

“Flory has had her ups and downs. She was engaged to be married to an Italian-American man for about four years. They broke it off. Six months later she married the man who delivers their milk. A white man. His family came from Poland, I think. She’s expecting their first child. She’s hoping it’s a boy – she wants to name him Clarke Gable. Clarke Gable Wozniak.”

Both women look at each other expectantly. May finally explodes into giggles. Livy follows suit.

“She certainly hasn’t changed a bit..”

“That’s my cousin.”

May and Livy carry on lighthearted conversation for some time. Livy’s face grows serious again; she unconciously leans in before saying what she wants to say.

“May, I would really like to write to them. Would you feel comfortable giving me their addresses?’

May giggles.

“Oh, I hoped you would say that. In fact I’m going home for Thanksgiving – why don’t I hand deliver your note? It would be such a marvelous surprise!”

“Even better.” Livy’s face beams.

The sound of an engine revving out back, followed by cheering, breaks the moment. May rises out of her chair as though she’s going to go see what it is.

Livy stays seated.

“Uh, oh that’s just my husband, puttering with an old motorcycle he bought.”

May stays standing.

“Would it be allright if I used the telephone? I made plans to meet a friend and I’m afraid I was having such a lovely chat with you that I stayed much longer than I anticipated. I’d like to let her know I might be late.”

“Of course, it’s just there on the wall. But my husband will be happy to run you back to town.”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t ask him to do that. I’ll be fine.”

Just then more hollering comes from the back as the engine revs again. Livy, seeing May on the telephone, walks hastily to the back door. Ray looks over at her, elated at first but then realizing when he sees the look on her face.

He takes a step forward but is forced to stop in his tracks as Mack comes bombing around the corner on the Cleveland, Danny gripping him tightly about the middle.

“Who-hoo Mama , look at meeeeeee!”

They tear around to the front of the house.

“Well, what was the big secret? Is Danny in trouble?”

“No, nothing like that. May wanted to tell me that she’s actually Rose and Flory’s cousin! Can you believe it?”

“So, you’re not I trouble either?”

“Me? Why would I be in trouble?

Just then a truck starts up on the other side of the propoerty. Livy smacks her hands together and runs around to the front of the house.

“Why are we running?” Ray jogs after her.

“May’s still inside! If I can keep her on the phone until he leaves we can avoid the whole - ”

As they turn the corner, they see Danny propping the Cleveland up against the stoop as Mack lifts May’s bicycle into the back of his truck. He walks to the side and opens the door for her. She jumps in and rolls down the window. Livy and Ray approach the vehicle.

“Thank you so much for the wonderful chat Livy. I’ll see you tomorrow!”

Ray flops an arm over Livy shoulders as she waves at them. Mack toots the horn at the bottom of the drive.

They stand in silence. Ray’s face looks fit to crack, he’s holding back a smile with such difficulty.

“Allright, I overreacted. Just say it. I know you want to say it.”

Ray laughs now, shaking his head. He wraps his arm around her neck and pulls her face close to his chest, kissing the top of her head.

“Woman, I’ve got nothing to say to you except this: Never a dull moment. In all these years we’ve been together, there’s never been a dull moment.”

*****

Livy stands in front of the mirror, primping her hair. She opens the vanity and looks at her two bottles of perfume. Trying to chose between Radio Girl and Youth Dew was sometimes a tough call but not tonight. It would be Radio Girl, the fragrance Ray had bought her their first Christmas. She had balked inside at the name, wondering if it would be more suited to someone Ruth’s age. But she has been surprised when she sniffed it. The scent was fresh and floral. It smells just like you, Ray had said.

Livy dabs some behind each ear and on her wrists. Closing the vanity she gives her hair one last look. After staring at herself for a moment, she re-opens the vanity and applies another dab to her decolettage.

Ray enters the bathroom, wrapping his arms around her thickening waist. Resting his chin on her shoulder they gaze at themselves staring back in the mirror.

“You smell so good.”

Ray starts kissing her neck. Livy reaches up behind, running her fingers through his hair.

The clock behind them dings on the hour. Ray groans.

“The table. We’ve got to go.”

Livy laughs shaking her head. She helps Ray staighten his hair.

“So, the Landing.”

“Yup.”

“Pretty fancy.”

“Yup.”

“Am I dressed well enough?”

Ray looks her up and down, taking a bit too long.

“Ray!”

“I’m kidding! Of course you are. You’re going to be the most beautiful woman there.”

She laughs, shaking her head.

“How do you know?”

“Because, you’re the most beautiful woman wherever we go.”

****

Ray drives along, a faint smile resting comfortably across his face. Livy watches the fireflies in the fields as dusk washes over.

“Oh, I forgot, there was a letter for you today. I think I put it in the glovebox.”

Livy opens the box and takes out a small white envelope. Slashing the envelope with her index finger, she opens the single page and begins to read aloud.

Dear Olivia,

It is with much joy that I open my letter box today and find a response from you. How wonderful! To begin anew! You have filled your old fool of a father with such happiness, I almost cannot bear it. I’m dedicating a section of my sermon on Sunday to this very thing.

Please pardon my abruptness, but in the spirit of new beginnings I would like to propose that my next leave be spent with a trip out your way. Of course, I will stay at the local hotel so as to not be of any burden to you. I am considering asking for my relacement for the last week of November. This would of course put us together on the weekend of Thanksgiving.

If this is agreeable to you, please advise me so that I can have Mrs. Standish make my travel and hotel arrangements. Also, would you please advise Willard Case of my intentions. We are long overdue for a game of rummy and a chat.

I am elated, daughter, at the thought of escaping this fetid air and meeting the people with whom you share your life in such pastoral and peaceful surroundings. I’ve grown tired of city life. And I’m too old to be alone.

In anticipation,

Father.

Olivia folds the paper gingerly and places it back in the envelope. She opens the glove box and puts it inside, snapping the lid shut.

“So, the Bunk room then? Do you think he’d be comfortable there? Or would Martha’s room be better. I mean, the bed’s bigger of course.” Ray wait for an answer.

Livy laughs loudly now, her face full of joy.

*****

“Good evening, Sir.”

“Good evening. Uh, we have a reservation. Mr. and Mrs. Singelton.”

Ray tugs on his tie, feeling out of his element. Livy rubs his arm, reassuring him.

“Right this way, please.”

As the Maitre D’ leads the way to their table, he reaches to pull a chair out for Livy. Ray grabs another chair at the same time, looking at her. Livy utters a quiet thank to the man and sits in the chair Ray held out. The Maitre D' nods his head and takes his leave.

Ray picks up his menu. Livy opens hers, carefully reading each item.

“Wow, look at this - walleye, bass, trout, they really have it all.”

“The man said they bring it in fresh from Twin Lakes twice a week.”

“You asked them that? If it was fresh?”

“Didn’t want to bring you all this way for nothing.”

****

Ray picks his napkin off his lap, wiping his mouth. Livy puts down her fork.

“That was absolutely delicious. Thank you for bringing me here.”

Ray lowers his eyes, in a way that means he’s pleased with himself.

Placing the bills inside the small folder the waiter has left, Ray helps Livy with her chair. They both utter their thanks to the Maitre D’ who bows graciously as they leave out the main doors.

They both stop just outside and breath in the fresh air.

Ray takes Livy’s hand as they walk towards the car. Spinning her around, he presses her against the red door and puts one hand behind her head, pulling her mouth to him. His long, deep kiss causes her to feel whoozy. Her knees buckle. Ray holds her steady, laughing.

“It’s not proper, anyway. Out here in public.”

“Ray, take me home.”

He opens her door and helps her in. Closing it behind her he jogs around to the other side. They roar out of the parking area.

****

As the family car pulls into Wilson, the air is palpable. Ray slows down. They round the corner by the church. A police car, ambulance and many local cars are parked haphazardly about the street.

Ray slows down as a police officer waves them through. He rolls down his window.

‘What’s happening, Don?” The officer shakes his head.

“It’s a terrible thing. Reverand Case. He was walking back to the church and collapsed right in the middle of the street - heart attack."

Livy reaches onto Ray's lap, squeezing his hand.

"Sorry folks, I’m afraid he’s dead.”

*****

The Missing Part Seven

2007-07-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all those who've written asking me about Part Seven. I *did* have a literary brain fart and skipped it altogether. Sorry about that people.

My next posting (tonight, I think) will be entitled Part Nine just to avoid further confusion.

Thanks!

ScriptGirl

2007-07-06T23:12:00.000-07:00

The "doozy" storyline I mentioned is still swimming around inside my brain, trying to iron itself out. So this one's a bit of a "filler" until then. Thanks. SG

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part 8

Livy wipes the flour from her hands, letting small dry crumbs of pastry dough fall into the sink. It’s taken her years but she’s finally feeling worthy enough to bake a pie. It wasn’t long ago she was still burning eggs and turning potatoes to mush.

She laughs, shaking her head. She had been such an academic when she’d first arrived - thought it was all as simple as reading a book. Now she understands. And the look on Ray’s face over the years has gone from relief to pride as her skills have improved.

She brushes egg whites over her basket weave crust and sprinkles salt and pepper on top.

“What time’s supper? I really need a bath before we eat.” Ray calls out from the front door.

Livy walks into the hall.

“Oh my.”

Ray’s soaked from head to toe. His face is so grimy, two holes peek through where he’s rubbed his eyes. His hands are raised as though he’s being held at gunpoint.

She laughs, covering her mouth with her hand.

“I haven’t seen this much autumn rain since, well since before you came anyway.”

Livy takes off his hat and hangs it on the hook for drying.

“The pie’ll be an hour.”

He raises his eyebrows.

“Chicken.”

Livy walks up to him, turning his shoulders with her hands and marching him towards the stairs.

He smiles at her.

“Sounds good. “

******

Danny takes a drink of his milk, wiping his face with his napkin.

“ – then when Miss Borden told him to sit again, he just stood there and told her to SHUT IT. That’s what he said Mama. He said SHUT IT. Just like that.”

Ray takes a bite of potato as Livy listens intently.

“That’s shocking. What did Miss Borden do?”

Danny swallows and takes a deep breath before continuing.

“That’s the worst part. She cried. Here we are shaking in our boots since school started – and she just goes and cries.”

Ray looks up at Danny, concerned now.

“How old is this boy?”

Danny slams his hands on his thighs.

“That’s the thing! He’s one year older than her - and a foot taller. What do you think of that?”

Livy looks at Ray, concerned.

“Danny, is Miss Borden married?”

“Nope. She lives alone in an apartment in Wilson.”

“How did she come to work here?”

Danny goes back to his food, shrugging.

“I guess she lived her for awhile when she was a kid is all.”

“Do you remember a family called Borden?” Livy glances at Ray.

“Can’t say for sure. Don’t think so.”

“Danny, I’m going to write a note to Miss Borden and invite her for Sunday lunch next week. She must be terribly lonely. I – yes, it’s the right thing to do.”

Ray stands, pushing back his chair.

“Speaking of a note, that reminds me. You had a letter today.”

Ray goes to the hook on the wall and digs around his inside jacket pockets.

“You were in town? Did you pick up the cotton batten?”

“I did. It’s on the front seat.”

Livy smiles, pleased and excited. She’s making her first quilt ever, for the baby.

Finding the envelope he hands it to her. A slight frown flickers across her brow.

“Doesn’t look like Abby. What address is that?” Ray wonders.

“It’s from my father.”

Danny comes running into the hall.

“Can I go meet Jeremy for an hour before homework?”

Ray nods his head. Danny runs out the door.

Livy walks over to the chesterfield. Ray sits beside her. She hands him the envelope.

“Would you read it to me?”

Ray tears it open gently, removing the folded paper. Another small but thicker envelope falls out. He picks it up, resting it on his lap for the moment. Clearing his throat, he begins as Livy stares at him, hanging on every word.

Dear Olivia,

Four months ago, your sister made me aware of your condition. Since that time I have been struggling with what to do. I understand that you’re living a wonderful and joyous life. I’ve hesitated to contact you and perhaps spoil things in an effort to selfishly carve out my own place in it. I cannot believe how the years have gone by. I’ve continued to pray for guidance.

My sermon last Sunday began with one of your mother’s favorites, from Proverbs:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him
and he will direct your path.

Though I have delivered these words to parishioners more times than I can count, their sentiments echoed through my mind for days afterwards.

Then, an exhaustive search for an old address lead me to some boxes in the attic and I came across a letter your mother was working on but never finished. The letter was meant for you. Your mother fussed over it for more than a week. It was right before you came to stay.

I have to confess to you, daughter, it was difficult not to read these pages. My heart aches for your mother every hour of every day. I only wish I had spoken as many words to her in life as she does to me in death. She is always with me.

Still, they were meant for your eyes and so I have put them in an envelope and sealed it shut to avoid the temptation. What you do with it now is up to you. I hope that it brings you some comfort.

It is my sincere hope that you and your family are happy and well.

Best,
Your Father

Ray folds the page delicately and puts it back in the envelope. Looking at Livy, he hands her the second envelope. As she blinks hard, tears pour down her cheeks.

Taking it in her hands, she sees her father’s handwriting across the front.

“For Olivia, from your Mother.”

Livy hands the letter back to Ray.

“I can’t. Not yet.”

He stands and puts it up high on the mantel, a place of importance next to a portrait of his parents.

“It’ll keep, till your ready. We’ll leave it right here.”

Livy nods, blinking back tears as she laughs. Ray looks puzzled.

“My father – he wants to know me again.”

She dabs at her eyes as Ray wraps her up in his arms.

*****

Ray swerves the beet box up the path to Martha’s house. Martha opens the screen door and steps out onto the porch.

“You left that beautiful shiny red thing at home and came in the farm truck?”

Livy chuckles. “I still love it. So many good memories.”

Ray looks down at his boots, a secret smile fading as quickly as it appeared.

Livy jogs up the stairs as Ray heads around back to join the men.

Stewie looks up from chopping kindling.

“Well, well. Racer Ray. How’s tricks?’

Ray shoots him an annoyed look and turns his back to him, shaking hands with Hank.

*****

Livy stands in the kitchen as Ruth hands her a glass of lemonade. Tilting back the curtain, Livy leans over, looking out.

“Is that Stewie?”

Ruth beams back, nodding her head.

“It’s Reading Week so he’ll be here for nine whole days. Can you believe it?”

Livy takes a small sip.

“How fun. That’s going to be so great for both of you.”

Ruth nods her head again and pours glasses for the men. Lining them up on a small tin tray covered in transfers of bright red apples, she motions for Livy to get the door. Turning for the plate of Fig Newton’s, she balances the tray and heads out back.

Agreeable noises can be heard from outside.

Martha comes in the kitchen and runs her hands under the cool water. Livy stands by the window, watching Ruth chat with the boys.

“How are those two doing, anyway?”

Martha smiles, confidently.

“Good. They seem real good.”

“You know what I mean. “

“Oh Livy, she’s fine. It’s Ray who’ll never live that one down.”

*****

Livy sits at the desk in the front room. The sky outside the window is as black as coal. Light from the amber coloured lamp casts a yellow glow over everything. She smoothes her nighty and picks up her pen. Holding it in her right hand, she starts chewing on the end. In the wastebasket below her are four or five bunched up sheets of stationary. She sighs and puts her hands down to the blank page.

Dear Father,

Pausing, she turns in the chair and glances at her mother’s letter, still unopened and sitting propped on the mantel.

She turns back to the page in front of her.

Thank you so much for your kind….

*****

Danny comes in the front door, letting it slam behind him. Walking into the kitchen, he sees Livy moulding two hunks of ground beef into meatloaves. He washes his hands and picks up the thin slices of onion and red pepper she’s chopped on the board. He starts arranging them on top of the loaves and then sprinkles it all with salt and pepper.

She watches him from her peripheral vision. loving the fact that he still considers this his job. He doesn’t know that they deliberately eat late when meatloaf’s on the menu just so he can be a part of it.

“How did today go?”

“Okay. I Guess.”

“What happened?”

“Mack’s gone. He’s not going to school with us anymore!”

“Well, that’s good. An education is a privilege. Anyway, he’s too old. He should have been gone two years ago.”

“But Mama he can’t even read good. He talks all bad and –“

“WELL. He can’t read well.”

“But – “

“Danny, it was up to his parents to spend the time with him. Your father and I started very young with you. And how do you think I got interested in archaeology? Mama read to me from Odysseus before I went to school.”

Danny looks down, stricken by the injustice of it all.

Livy takes his chin between her finger and thumb, tilting his head up to face her.

“He’ll be fine. Once he’s mature enough to take in interest in his own future, he’ll be all right. If he finds the right person to help him, he’ll do well. Trust me.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

*****

Ray rubs his knuckle across his nose, one elbow crooked under his head. Livy enters the room, still rubbing lotion into her hands. He looks up at her appreciatively. She laughs softly at that face she knows so well.

Tapping his arms at his sides he gestures for her to come over. She unties her robe. He grabs the bottom corner and tugs, pulling the whole issue away. It slides from his fingers and falls to the floor.

She sits on the side of the bed and scooches over. She pulls her hands up under her chin.

“Are you cold”

“A little.”

Ray get s up and pulls the window down all but a crack. Turning, he looks at her lying across the bed.

“Do you know how pretty you are, lying there like that?”

Ray walks around to her side of the bed and leans over her. Kneeling, he bends down and slides one arm under her. Turning her over on her side he lies down behind her and pulls her close. She can feel him on every inch of her body.

His hands reach over the front and rest, open and possessive on her growing belly. He buries his face in her neck. He takes a deep breath and then sighs, allowing the day to come to an end.

“You smell good, Livy.”

Reaching, she squeezes his hand. Pulling it up to her face, she kisses the tips of his fingers.

“So do you.”

Ray lifts her nighty, rubbing her legs. Suddenly he stops.

“OH – uh – you okay? I mean, are you… uh… tired?”

“No Ray, I’m not tired.”

Livy reaches behind and takes his hand, putting it back where it should be.

*****

Livy waves to Ray as he pulls out of the driveway. Coming up the porch she hears the phone ringing.

“Hello?”

“Livy?”

“Oh Abby. It’s so funny – I was just thinking of you.”

“You were?”

“Yes I was writing a letter to Father and – “

“You were? But how – “

“He wrote me. A lovely letter, really. Oh Abby, it was so nice. He said you told him about the baby and I think he wants to – to be in our life.”

“Oh, Liv, I’m SO thrilled. That’s wonderful.”

“Thank you for telling him. It’s all because of you.”

They continue chatting for some time. Eventually she pulls up a chair and sits, eager for it not to end.

The dull wurring of a truck engine comes from out front.

“Oh so sorry, can you hold on? Someone’s here.”

Placingthe receiber on the chair, Livy walks out to the porch as Stewie climbs out of the driver’s seat of Hank’s truck.

“They decided to build a new shed. I’m supposed to get the see saw. “

Livy gestures to the back of the property.

“I’m just on the phone but you go on back and help yourself to whatever you need. Is Ray over there with you?”

Stewie nods, walking around the house.

Livy goes inside, picking up the receiver.

“Sorry, Stewie just came to borrow something.”

“How are those two doing anyway? You never finished telling me what happened that morning.”

“Oh, that’s right. Well it was terrible at the time but we’re starting to be able to laugh at it now. We’ll, except for Ray.”

“Why?”

“Well, after Martha called to say he was missing, we just jumped in the car to head over there. What we didn’t know was that they found Stewie about five minutes later. They tried phoning but we’d already left.”

“Where was he.”

“In the hole.”

“THE HOLE? What do you mean THE HOLE?”

Livy chuckles.

“When I moved out here, I mentioned to Ray that I liked to swim. So he decided we needed a watering hole. Anyway, they tried digging one but it just wouldn’t work. There was always a problem with the water turning foul or something or other. It always bothered Ray. Then when Danny turned 3 they decided enough was enough and they finally figured it out. They did ours first and then Hank and Martha’s.”

“So he was in the hole.”

“Yes. He said he woke up and Ruth was sleeping so soundly and he didn’t want to wake the whole house by running a bath so we went out to the hole.”

“Then what?”

“So we pulled up in the truck and before I was even out, Ray ran around to the back of the house to find Hank and cook a a plan to find the missing groom. Except when he got back there he didn’t see Hank, he saw Stewie. Lying on his back. Floating, eyes closed, in the hole.”

“Uh-oh.”

“That’s right. Taking him for drowned, Ray sprinted over and jumped in. He grabbed Stewie up in his arms and tried to carry him to the edge.”

Abby cannot stop laughing.

“When Stewie struggled free Ray could see he was fine. Then before anyoe knew what was happening, Ray let out this huge yell and Stewie started running. Ruth stepped out the back porch just in time to see her new husband sprinting around the yard, naked as a jaybird, her Uncle Ray one step behind all the way. By the time I got back there she was in tow behind Ray.”

Abby’s laughter coming through the phone fills Livy with happiness.

“Oh, Liv. I just love your stories. And we worried that things would get boring for you out there!”

Just then a vehicle door slams in the driveway again.

“Oh Abby, I’m so sorry. I should go and make sure Stewie got what he needed. I can hear him leaving. Can I call you back tonight?”

After uttering their goodbyes for now, Livy walks over to the screen door. Opening it she steps out onto the porch.

“Stewie, would you like - ?”

Standing before her is a tall, dark haired boy about eighteen years old. He removes his baseball cap and plays with it in his hands.

“Mrs. Singleton?”

“Yes. Can I help you?”

“I’m Mack.”

Her face freezes politely as she struggles to place the name.

“Mack from school.”

He continues fussing with his hat.

“Danny said… Danny sent me. He said you were just the person.”

“I’m sorry, just the person for what?”

“Ma’am, Danny said you’d be willing to help me. To read.”

Livy brings her hand up to her mouth.

Part 8 by ScriptGirl

2007-07-06T23:11:00.000-07:00

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part 8

Livy wipes the flour from her hands, letting small dry crumbs of pastry dough fall into the sink. It’s taken her years but she’s finally feeling worthy enough to bake a pie. It wasn’t long ago she was still burning eggs and turning potatoes to mush.

She laughs, shaking her head at her cockiness. She had been such an academic when she’d first arrived - thought it was all as simple as reading a book. Now she understands. And the look on Ray’s face over the years has gone from relief to pride as her skills have improved.

She brushes egg whites over her basket weave crust and sprinkles salt and pepper on top.

“What time’s supper? I really need a bath before we eat.” Ray calls from the front door.

Livy walks into the hall.

“Oh my.”

Ray’s soaked from head to toe. His face is so grimy; two holes peek through where he’s rubbed his eyes. His hands are raised as though he’s being held at gunpoint.

She laughs, covering her mouth with her hand.

“I haven’t seen this much autumn rain since, well since before you came anyway.”

Livy takes off his hat and hangs it on the hook for drying.

“The pie’ll be an hour.”

He raises his eyebrows.

“Chicken.”

Livy walks up to him, turning his shoulders with her hands and marching him towards the stairs.

He smiles at her.

“Sounds good. “

******

Danny takes a drink of his milk, wiping his face with his napkin.

“ – then when Miss Borden told him to sit again, he just stood there and told her to SHUT IT. That’s what he said Mama. He said SHUT IT. Just like that.”

Ray takes a bite of potato as Livy listens intently.

“That’s shocking. What did Miss Borden do?”

Danny swallows and takes a deep breath before continuing.

“That’s the worst part. She cried. Here we are shaking in our boots since school started – and she just goes and cries.”

Ray looks up at Danny, concerned now.

“How old is this boy?”

Danny slams his hands on his thighs.

“That’s the thing! He’s one year older than her - and a foot taller. What do you think of that?”

Livy looks at Ray, concerned.

“Danny, is Miss Borden married?”

“Nope. She lives alone in an apartment in Wilson.”

Livy looks intrigued now.

“How did she come to work here?”

Danny goes back to his food, shrugging.

“I guess she lived her for awhile when she was a kid is all.”

“Do you remember a family called Borden?” Livy glances at Ray.

“Can’t say for sure. Don’t think so.”

“Danny, I’m going to write a note to Miss Borden and invite her for Sunday lunch next week. She must be terribly lonely. I – yes, it’s the right thing to do.”

Ray stands, pushing back his chair.

“Speaking of a note, that reminds me. You had a letter today.”

Ray goes to the hook on the wall and digs around his inside jacket pockets.

“You were in town? Did you pick up the cotton batten?”

“I did. It’s on the front seat.”

Livy smiles, pleased and excited. She’s making her first quilt ever, for the baby.

Finding the envelope he hands it to her. A slight frown flickers across her brow.

“Doesn’t look like Abby. What address is that?” Ray wonders.

“It’s from my father.”

Danny comes running into the hall.

“Can I go meet Jeremy for an hour before homework?”

Ray nods his head. Danny runs out the door.

Livy walks over to the chesterfield. Ray sits beside her. She hands him the envelope.

“Would you read it to me?”

Ray tears it open gently, removing the folded paper. Another small but thicker envelope falls out. He picks that up and rests it on his lap for the moment. Clearing his throat, he begins as Livy stares at him, hanging on every word.

Dear Olivia,

Four months ago, your sister made me aware of your condition. Since that time I have been struggling with what to do. I understand that you’re living a wonderful and joyous life. I’ve hesitated to contact you and perhaps spoil things in an effort to selfishly carve out my own place in it. I cannot believe how the years have gone by. I’ve continued to pray for guidance.

My sermon last Sunday began with one of your mother’s favorites, from Proverbs:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him
and he will direct your path.

Though I have delivered these words to parishioners more times than I can count, their sentiments echoed through my mind for days afterwards.

Then, an exhaustive search for an old address lead me to some boxes in the attic and I came across a letter your mother was working on but never finished. The letter was meant for you. Your mother fussed over it for more than a week. It was right before you came to stay.

I have to confess to you, daughter, it was difficult not to read these pages. My heart aches for your mother every hour of every day. I only wish I had spoken as many words to her in life as she does to me in death. She is always with me.

Still, they were meant for your eyes and so I have put them in an envelope and sealed it shut to avoid the temptation. What you do with it now is up to you. I hope that it brings you some comfort.

It is my sincere hope that you and your family are happy and well.

Best,
Your Father

Ray folds the page delicately and puts it back in the envelope. Looking at Livy, he hands her the second envelope. As she blinks hard, tears pour down her cheeks.

Taking it in her hands, she sees her father’s handwriting across the front.

“For Olivia, from your Mother.”

Livy hands the letter back to Ray.

“I can’t. Not yet.”

He stands and puts it up high on the mantel, a place of importance next to a portrait of his parents.

“It’ll keep, till your ready. We’ll leave it right here.”

Livy nods, blinking back tears as she laughs. Ray looks puzzled.

“My father – he wants to know me again.”

She dabs at her eyes as Ray wraps her up in his arms.

*****

Ray swerves the beet box up the path to Martha’s house. Martha opens the screen door and steps out onto the porch.

“You left that beautiful shiny red thing at home and came in the farm truck?”

Livy chuckles. “I still love it. So many good memories.”

Ray looks down at his boots, a secret smile fading as quickly as it appeared.

Livy jogs up the stairs as Ray heads around back to join the men.

Stewie looks up from chopping kindling.

“Well, well. Racer Ray. How’s it going?’

Ray shoots him an annoyed look and turns his back to him, shaking hands with Hank.

*****

Livy stands in the kitchen as Ruth hands her a glass of lemonade. Tilting back the curtain, Livy leans over, looking out.

“Is that Stewie?”

Ruth beams back, nodding her head.

“It’s Reading Week so he’ll be here for nine whole days. Can you believe it?”

Livy takes a small sip.

“How fun. That’s going to be so great for both of you, Ruth.”

Ruth nods her head again and pours glasses for the men. Lining them up on a small tin tray covered in transfers of bright red apples, she motions for Livy to get the door. Turning back for a tube of Fig Newton’s, she balances the tray and heads out back.

Agreeable noises can be heard from outside.

Martha comes in the kitchen and runs her hands under the cool water. Livy stands by the window, watching Ruth chat with the boys.

“How are those two doing, anyway?”

Martha smiles, confidently.

“Good. They seem real good.”

“You know what I mean. “

“Oh Livy, she’s fine. It’s Ray who’ll never live that one down.”

*****

Livy sits at the desk in the front room. Light from the amber coloured lamp casts a yellow glow over everything. She smoothes her nighty and picks up her pen. Holding it in her right hand, she starts chewing on the end. In the wastebasket below her are four or five bunched up sheets of stationary. She sighs and puts her hands down to the blank page.

Dear Father,

Pausing, she turns in the chair and glances at her mother’s letter, still unopened and sitting propped on the mantel.

She turns back to the page in front of her.

Thank you so much for your kind….

*****

Danny comes in the front door, letting it slam behind him. Walking into the kitchen, he sees Livy moulding two hunks of ground beef into meatloaves. He washes his hands and picks up the thin slices of onion and red pepper she’s chopped on the board. He starts arranging them on top of the loaves and then sprinkles it all with salt and pepper.

She watches him from her peripheral vision, not wanting him to know. She loves the fact that he still considers this his job. He doesn’t know that they deliberately eat late when meatloaf’s on the menu just so he can be a part of it.

“Well, Danny, how did today go?”

“Okay. I Guess.”

“What happened?”

“Mack’s gone. He’s not going to school with us anymore!”

“Well, that’s good. An education is a privilege. Anyway, he’s too old. He should have been gone two years ago.”

“But Mama he can’t even read good. He talks all bad and –“

“WELL. He can’t read well.”

“But – “

“Danny, it was up to his parents to spend the time with him. Your father and I started very young with you. And how do you think I got interested in archaeology? Mama read to me from Odysseus before I went to school.”

Danny looks down, stricken by the injustice of it all.

Livy takes his chin between her finger and thumb, tilting his head up to face her.

“He’ll be fine. Once he’s mature enough to realize he wants to do well and he takes in interest in his own future, he’ll be all right. If he finds the right person to help him, he’ll do well. Trust me.”

“Yes Ma’am.”

Danny nods his head and runs upstairs.

*****

Ray rubs his knuckle across his nose, one elbow crooked under his head. Livy enters the room, still rubbing lotion into her hands. He looks up at her appreciatively. She laughs softly at that face she knows so well.

Tapping his arms at his sides he gestures for her to come over. She unties her robe. He grabs the bottom corner and tugs, pulling the whole issue away. It slides from his fingers and falls to the floor.

She sits on the side of the bed and scooches over. She pulls her hands up under her chin.

“Are you cold”

“A little.”

Ray get s up and pulls the window down all but a crack. Turning, he looks at her lying across the bed.

“Do you know how pretty you are, lying there like that?”

Ray walks around to her side of the bed and leans over her. Kneeling, he bends down and slides one arm under her head. Turning her over on her side he lies down behind her and pulls her close. She can feel him on every inch of her body.

His hands reach over the front and rest open and possessive on her growing belly. He buries his face in her neck. He takes a deep breath and then sighs, allowing the day to come to an end.

“You smell good, Livy.”

Reaching over, she squeezes his hand. Pulling it up to her face, she kisses the tips of his fingers.

“So do you.”

Ray lifts her nighty, rubbing her legs. Suddenly he stops.

“OH – uh – you okay? I mean, are you… uh… tired?”

“No Ray, I’m not tired.”

Livy reaches behind and takes his hand, putting it back where it should be.

*****

Livy waves to Ray as he pulls out of the driveway. Coming up the porch she hears the phone ringing.

“Hello?”

“Livy?”

“Oh Abby. It’s so funny – I was just thinking of you.”

“You were?”

“Yes I was writing a letter to Father and – “

“You were? But how – “

“He wrote me. A lovely letter really. Oh Abby, it was so nice. He said you told him about the baby and I think he wants to – to be in our life.”

“Oh, Liv, I’m SO thrilled. That’s wonderful.”

“Thank you for telling him. It’s all because of you.”

They continue chatting for some time. Eventually she pulls up a chair and sits, eager for it not to end.

The dull wurring of a truck engine comes fro out front.

“Oh sorry Abby, can you hold on? Someone’s here.”

Livy walks out to the porch as Stewie’s climbing out of the driver’s seat of Hank’s truck.

“They decided to build a new shed. I’m supposed to get the see saw. “

Livy gestures to the back of the property.

“I’m just on the phone but you go on back and help yourself to whatever you need. Is Ray over there with you?”

Stewie nods, heading on back.

Livy jogs back inside, picking up the receiver.

“Sorry, Stewie just came to borrow something.”

“How are those two doing anyway? You never finished telling me what happened that morning.”

“Oh, that’s right. Well it was terrible at the time but we’re starting to be able to laugh at it now. We’ll, except for Ray.”

“Why?”

“Well, after Martha called to say he was missing, we just jumped in the car to head over there. What we didn’t know was that they found Stewie about five minutes later. They tried phoning but we’d already left.”

“Where was he.”

“In the hole.”

“THE HOLE? What do you mean THE HOLE?”

Livy chuckles.

“When I moved out here, I mentioned to Ray that I liked to swim. So he decided we needed a watering hole. Anyway, they tried digging one but it just wouldn’t work. There was always a problem with the water turning foul or something. It always bothered Ray. The when Danny turned 3 they decided enough was enough and they finally figured it out. They did ours first and then Hank and Martha’s.”

“So he was in the hole.”

“Yes. He said he woke up and Ruth was sleeping so soundly and he didn’t want to wake the whole house by running a bath so we went out to the hole.”

“Then what?”

“So we pulled up in the truck and before I was even out, Ray ran around to the back of the house to find Hank and figure out what they were going to do. Except when he got back there he didn’t see Hank, he saw Stewie. Lying on his back. Floating, eyes closed, in the hole.”

“Uh-oh.”

“That’s right. So Ray sprinted over and jumped into the hole. Taking him for drowned, Ray grabbed Hank up in his arms and tried to carry him to the edge.”

Abby cannot stop laughing.

“When Stewie struggled free Ray could see he was fine. Then before I knew it, Ray let out this huge yell and Stewie started running. Ruth stepped out the back porch just in time to see her new husband sprinting around the yard, naked as a jaybird, her Uncle Ray one step behind all the way. By the time I got back there she was in tow behind Ray.”

Abby’s laughter coming through the phone fills Livy with happiness.

“Oh, Liv. I just love your stories. And we worried that things would get boring for you out there!”

Just then a vehicle door slams in the driveway again.

“Oh Abby, I’m so sorry. I should go and make sure Stewie got what he needed. I can hear him leaving. Can I call you back tonight?”

After uttering their goodbyes for now, Livy walks over to the screen door. Opening it she steps out onto the porch.

“Stewie, would you like - ?”

Standing before her is a tall, dark haired boy about eighteen years old. He removes his baseball cap and plays with it in his hands.

“Mrs. Singleton?”

“Yes. Can I help you?”

“I’m Mack.”

Her face freezes politely as she struggles to place the name.

“Mack from school.”

He continues fussing with his hat.

“Danny said… Danny sent me. He said you were just the person.”

“I’m sorry, just the person for what?”

“Ma’am, Danny said you’d be willing to help me. To read.”

Livy brings her hand up to her mouth.

Reminder: It's a Jericho night tonight!

2007-07-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

Can't figure out what to do on a Friday night? Why not spend it with Skeet Ulrich?

They are showing Season One episodes starting tonight --Don't forget to watch and be heard. After all we fought for this, let's show our continued support.

JERICHO Fridays at 9pm (click to watch a cool video)

Bring on the nuts!

Wednesday, July 19, 1944

2007-07-01T03:33:00.000-07:00

I have finally met Olivia.

She walked in the room as the Reverend introduced us to each other. Our eyes met and she looked down. I felt my face grow hot and I instinctively gripped the brim of my hat tighter as if that gesture alone would keep me from falling over.

It had been a hot day. I worked all morning around the farm and hadn’t the appetite to take any food. I had wondered if I had caught the sun when I reached out and shook her hand for I cannot believe the sight standing before me.

She was incredibly beautiful. I cannot believe my eyes. Certainly Reverent Case must have been mistaken and picked the wrong girl from the station. Not one single thought, save probably the eyes, of what I have imagined her to be had matched the Olivia in my mind.

Read Ray's entire entry here.

Part Six by SG

2007-06-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part Six

Livy rolls over. The room is still dark. She glances at the alarm clock on the dresser. Lit only by the pale moonlight that gleams through the window, its mother-of-pearl face reads 4:12 am.

Her stomach suddenly lurching, Livy gets up carefully. Taking her pink chenille robe from the bed knob where she had draped it the night before, she wraps it around herself. She tiptoes down the hall and enters the bathroom. Carefully shutting the door in the dark, she flicks the switch on only after it’s completely closed.

Approaching the sink, she braces her two hands on the white porcelain. She turns on the cold water and splashes her face.

The wave of nausea passes.

She pulls her hair back and takes the facecloth off the small hook. Her cheeks are flushed. Running the cloth under cold water, she presses it to the back of her neck with one hand, holding her hair up with the other.

From behind she hears a quiet tapping on the door.

“Livy?”

Ray stands in the hall, his forehead almost touching the doorframe. He raises is eyebrows at her. She brings one finger up to her mouth, indicating he should keep quiet, and steps aside. He enters and closes the door behind himself.

“Are you all right?” Ray takes one of her hands, pressing it between his two.

“I’m fine, just a bit of fever I think. Go back to bed. I’ll be there soon.”

“It’s almost sun up. We’ll be at the church before you know it.”

“I just want to sit for a bit and let a cold compress do the trick.”

Ray takes the cloth from her hand and runs it under the spout.

“Sit.” He pulls her one shoulder down so she’s propped on the edge of the tub. She gathers all her hair up in her hands as he wipes down the back of her neck, sweeping around and cooling under her chin. She sighs.

“That feels good.”

He puts the cloth back on the hook and takes her by the hand. They shut the light off before opening the door. He tugs her towards the bedroom. On the way, they peek at Danny in his bed. He’s lying on his side with his back to the window. His face wears a contented half-smile. The blankets are kicked to the floor except for one corner, which he is gripping with all his might.

“Little beggar.” Ray says, smiling as he shakes his head.

Livy stands in the doorway, watching as he picks the blanket up off the floor and gives it a shake. He drapes it over his son, tucking him in. Bending down, he kisses his forehead.

They take one last glance, then close the door and return to bed.

******

Livy rubs her eyes as the sun makes its way around, gently bringing in the day. Ray dozes beside her, on his back with one wrist propped up against his forehead.

Livy stands, slinking her robe from the end of the bed slowly. Feeling a lurch in her stomach she hurries a bit now, tightening her sash and running on her tiptoes to the bathroom.

She shuts the door and runs a bath to cover up the sounds she’s about to make. This isn’t her first time. Leaning over the toilet, she lifts the lid and holds her hair back.

Immediately after she feels a sense of relief.

Reaching into the medicine cabinet, she takes out what she needs and brushes her teeth.

Sliding her robe off, she hangs it on the hook on the back of the door. Swinging one leg high over the edge of the deep tub, she sticks her foot in to test the temperature. It’s just warm, a perfect start to what promises to be a hot day. She swirls her foot around, allowing some of the cold water still coming from the spout to mix in and form refreshing cool pockets.

Stepping in, she sits and leans her head on the back lip of the tub edge. Sighing, she closes her eyes and allows the water to lap up over the tops of her knees.

She picks up the bar of Lux soap from the wire basket. Lathering her hands, she brings the bar up to her nose.

Mama. It gets her every time.

She brings her left leg out of the water and soaps her foot. Then, the other. Diving under, she hums, blowing bubbles out her nose. Her hair is smooth and slippery, spread out and flowing under the water like silky ribbons. Coming up now she rubs the drops from her face.

“Watcha doin’?”

Livy opens her eyes. Ray’s leaning against the bathroom sink in his brown bathrobe.

“I’m shucking corn. What does it look like I’m doing?”

“Hoooh. Fiesty today.”

Ray slides off his bathrobe and hangs it on the hook over top of Livy’s.

Livy giggles at the site of his arms and face, toasty brown next to the whiteness of everywhere else.

“You look like a gingerbread man.”

Ray glances down at himself, as though he’s never given it a second thought. He shrugs.

“You want me to start ploughing in my birthday suit? Even things out?”

“It certainly would give you an edge when it comes time to hire pickers. We’d be the most popular farm in Otero County.”

Ray smiles, warmed by her comment.

Walking over to the tub, he swings on leg up and over as she moves forward. Getting in behind her, he pulls her back so her head rests on his chest.

“It’s niiiice.”

“Uh huh.” Livy sighs, completely relaxed.

Picking up the bar of soap again, she lathers up and washes his legs and feet, which are sticking out in front of her.

Ray picks up the small metal pitcher on the side of the tub and plunges it under the water. He pours it gently over her hair.

Picking up the bottle of Prell, he squeezes a dollop into his hand and rubs it into Livy’s scalp. She loses her focus on his legs now. She moans a bit as he uses his fingers to work the creamy lather through all her hair.

Picking up the pitcher again, he fills it.

“Tilt your head back.”

She does as she’s told.

The water pours luxuriously down. He repeats several times until she’s all rinsed.

Squeezing the ends, she twists out the water. Pulling her hair up in a knot, She leans back against him.

Ray takes the bar of soap and rubs it in his hands. He slides them over her hips and around to her abdomen. She begins to feel warm as his hands cover her front.

He stops, dropping the soap. Palms open now, his hands clasp her hard belly.

“I... are …?”

Livy gets up on her knees and pivots her body around. Sitting back down, she pulls her knees up in front of her.

She looks him square in the eye.

“Yes.”

*****

Danny stands at the kitchen table, staring at the box of cereal. It hasn’t been opened yet. He sighs, glancing down at the eleven Hop-along Cassidy trading cards spread out methodically before him.

There are at least two more cards inside that box - but he won’t know which two until it’s open.

Mama always opens the box.

Danny picks it up, looking at the top to see if there’s any way to get in without it looking obvious. The dumb thing’s closed up tighter than a drum. He sighs.

A loud “Whoo-hoo!” sound comes from upstairs, followed by a low growling laughter and the sounds of Mama whispering.

Placing the box back on the table gingerly, he rests his face in his hands.

*****

Ray leans over the sink, scrutinizing his tie knot in the mirror. He pulls the smaller flap out and redoes it.

Livy tugs her stockings gently up over her leg, clipping the top to her beige garter fasten.

Ray stops what he’s doing, watching her reflection in the mirror.

She stands suddenly, peeling them off, frustrated.

“What?”

“Nothing. Just a stupid ladder.”

He goes back to his tie. He’s smiling so much he looks as though his face might split open.

“Ray?”

He turns, facing her.

“Let’s not… can we not tell anybody about this yet?”

He clears his throat, tugging at his collar. “Why?”

“It’s Ruth’s day. She should be the centre of everything. I want people to know this day is all about her.”

“I think the individual, hand-written place cards thingies spell it out for everyone, don’t you?

She looks at him, her lips pursing tightly.

“You know what I mean. I want things to be just ginchy for her.”

He looks more serious now.

“Martha’s going to know something’s up as soon as she gets one look at me..”

Ray turns back to the issue of his tie.

“I never could lie to her.”

“All I’m saying is, I don’t want any surprises. Please. We’ve got lots of time to tell them.”

Ray’s face looks crestfallen.

“No surprises?”

“No.”

He recovers, shrugging slightly.

“If that’s what you want.”

Livy comes up behind him, wrapping her arms around his middle. She stands on her tiptoes, peeking around the side of his shoulders and glancing at their reflection in the mirror.

“Thank you.”

****

Ray revs the engine on the Beet Box as Livy looks towards the front door.

“There he is.” She gestures at Danny to hurry along. Opening the door, she holds her hand out to him. Tugging on her forearm, he jumps up and throws himself across her lap.

“Ooof.” Livy exhales as he wriggles around, finally slumping down on the seat in between them.

“Danny, watch your mother there. Don’t be roughhousing her like that, now. ”

Danny looks up at her slightly alarmed. She lowers her eyes and smiles at him, indicating she’s fine.

Livy puts her hand out, gently rubbing the dashboard. “I guess some things won’t stay the same, will they?”

Ray looks out the window in silence.

*****

The sound of chatter in the church borders on deafening. It seems the whole town is there. As they walk down to the section reserved for family, Ray indicates for Danny and Livy to scoot in. He sits in the aisle seat.

Suddenly, he turns to Livy, leaning in.

“Can you see?”

She smiles, still deeply moved by his never-ending concern for her comfort and well being.

“I can. Thank you.” She takes Ray’s hand.

As the organ music continues, she stares straight ahead. Stewie stands alone at the alter. His hair looks freshly cut. His face is frozen.

Livy leans in.

“Who’s his best man?”

“Patrick. You know, from the Livery.”

“Why?”

“His dad’s second cousin or something.”

“Well, good Lord, where is he? That boy looks scared enough to –

“ – I could go up there and just have a real quick word”

“Would you?”

Ray walks over to the altar. Stewie looks relieved to have someone to talk to. He leans his head in. Ray utters about ten words. Stewie nods. His face is set sternly now. Ray walks back to join his family.

“What did you say?”

“I told him what his best man would if he was here.”

She waits in anticipation. Ray stares straight ahead.

“Well?”

He tilts his head towards her, speaking out of one corner of his mouth.

“I told him he was looking a bit skittish up there and that if he didn’t buck up, his wife would find someone else.”

Livy opens her mouths in protest, only to be drown out by the sudden rise in volume as the back doors fling open. Ruth stands at the bottom of the aisle, beaming in her cream coloured gown and Alençon lace veil.

Livy tries to stifle a gasp of happiness as she catches a glimpse of Hank, so proud with his daughter on is arm. His eyes are locked on Martha, just up the aisle from them.

Overwhelmed, Livy turns away, looking ahead at Stewie instead.

Every ounce of fear and trepidation has melted away now as he stares in complete awe at the approach of his beautiful bride.

Livy looks down at her shoes, trying to hold it together.

Ray slides his arm over her shoulder and pulls her close. She looks up at him, her eyes full of tears. He reaches his hand down, brushing her cheek.

The Reverend Case steps forward, clearing his throat. All heads bow.

“Lord, hear our prayer.”

*****

Danny chomps a huge bite out of his buttered roll. Setting it on the side plate, he reaches for his glass of milk.

“Use your napkin, please.”

“Yes M’aam.”

Ray returns from the men’s room, taking a sip from his bottle of beer.

“The place is jumping. I don’t think I’ve seen it this full since VE Day.”

Livy smiles, nodding her head at the memories of that wonderful time.

“What’s VE Day?” Danny holds out his corn-on-the-cob, waiting for an answer.

“That was the day the war ended.” Ray places his napkin in his lap.

Danny nods, distracted now by the corn feast that awaits him.

“Eat up.” Ray beams at his son.

Danny doesn’t need to be asked twice. He munches his way down the cob, offering them both a big yellow smile.

“Thank you both SO much. Everything looks BEAUTIFUL. You two must have been here all night. And the candles – Livy, they’re the prettiest things I’ve ever seen.”

Ruth’s words come fast, her face flushed with excitement.

“I had nothing to do with it. Livy did all the work.”

Livy frowns playfully. “You were busy - the factory.”

Ray glances down at his lap.

“Anyway, Aunt Livy, I can’t thank you enough.”

Livy clasps her two hands.

“You’re so welcome.”

Ruth hugs her warmly and runs off to the next table.

Ray takes a bite of his potato salad. Still staring down at his plate, he pretends to look a little put off.

“What?”

“Oh – just, you were right.”

“About what?”

“When you said three nights in a row of canned soup would be worth it when I saw how happy it would make her. You were right.”

Livy nods, smiling as she takes a sip of tea.

*****

Danny lies draped across Livy’s lap. She runs her fingers over his strawberry blond curls. Ray stares straight ahead, keeping an eye on the road. The sky is dark tonight.

“It was a great wedding.” Livy brushes a curl out of her eyes.

“It was.”

They pull up in front of the house and stop. Ray gets out and comes around to her side. Opening the door he picks up Danny and carries him up the porch. Livy grabs the front door.

He flops Danny down gently on the chesterfield. Standing, he puts his hands on the small of his back and grunts. Livy smiles at him.

“I hope you’re not getting too old. There’s plenty more where that came from.”

Ray laughs, looking excited again. “Don’t I know it.”

“You must be so tired. You came to bed long after me. When did you get in anyway?”

Ray walks towards the stairs. “After three, I think.”

“Goodness, why so late?”

“Problem with one of the conveyer belts.”

Livy yawns, nodding her head. Ray picks up Danny and the three of them head upstairs.

As Ray flops him gently down on the bed, Livy turns to him.

“You’ve been a better father to him than I could have hoped for. I can’t tell you what- ”

“- Liv, you’ve made me the happiest man alive.”

*****

Livy hears Danny tramping around downstairs, getting ready to start the milking. She turns over and looks at Ray. He’s fast asleep. Good.

She decides to give herself a few more minutes as well and flips her pillow over, pressing her face down to the coolness.

Livy wakes suddenly as she hears Danny calling from the bottom of the stairs.

“DAD. THE BARN.”

Ray sits up, rubbing his face. Livy jumps out of bed, pulling on her robe. Ray groans. Livy flings the door open and runs to the top of the landing.

“What’s wrong Danny?”

“I can’t get into the barn.”

“What do you mean you ca- ”

“ - it’s locked!”

“Locked?”

“There’s a big lock on it.”

“Ray do you- ”

Ray stands, scratching his behind and yawns.

“Well, we’d best go take a look.” He pulls on his brown robe.

As the three of them walk out to the barn, Livy is the first to approach the door. Taking the large metal lock in her hand, she turns to Ray alarmed.

“But, who would-”

Ray smiles. She looks at him, eyebrows pinched together.

Ray reaches into his robe pocket and pulls out a key. Holding it out to her, he grins like a Cheshire Cat.

“Ray what are you-”

“Just open it.”

Livy looks down at Danny.

“Open it Mama!”

Livy grabs hold of the lock and sticks in the key, turning slowly. She tugs on it until it pops open. Removing the lock from the latch, she takes hold of the handle and pulls on the wide door, swinging it open.

Sunshine floods the barn. A glimpse of deep red and chrome reflects brightly back at her. She gasps in awe.

“Holy Mackeral!” Danny screams in excitement, running towards the machine.

“Wha – what is it?”

Ray crosses his arms, full of pride. He’s grinning from ear to ear.

“It’s a Dodge. A Dodge Coronet Wagon.”

Livy runs her hand across the front fender.

“Do you like it?”

Livy turns to him, her eyes bulging.

“I just - I don’t know what to say. It’s – it’s absolutely beautiful.”

Ray nods his head, satisfied. “I know.”

Danny opens the door to the back seat and crawls inside.

“Wow, it’s so big I can lie down back here. Mama you gotta see this!”

Smiling at his enthusiasm, she turns to Ray.

“How did you get it here, without me knowing?

“I brought it the night before last when you were decorating the hall.”

“You mean you had it here two whole days and you kept it a secret?”

Ray nods.

“You said. No surprises.”

Livy scowls a little, ashamed at herself for impacting his surprise so much.

“Oh, Ray, I’m so sorry. Can we go for a ride?”

“We sure can.”

Livy laughs with excitement.

“Let me just throw on some clothes.” She tugs at her robe.

They all hurry to the house to get dressed.

*****

Ray pulls the wagon up front as Danny comes bounding out of the house.

“Where’s your mother?”

“She said she’d be right along. She had to answer the telephone.”

Ray groans, slapping his open palm on his forehead.

“We could be here forever.”

Danny nods, one knee jittering in anticipation.

A few moments later, Livy opens the door and walks slowly out onto the porch. She’s chewing the skin on one thumb.

“Uh-oh.” Danny sighs, recognizing a sign of imminent trouble.

Ray leans over, calling out through the open window.

“What is it?”

Livy walks up to the car, clutching the doorframe in her two hands.

“It’s Ruth. She woke up this morning and- ”

“ - is she okay? Is the baby okay?”

“It’s Stewie. He’s gone. She woke up alone. No note. No nothing. He’s just gone.”

Ray slams his hands down on the steering wheel. He looks off in the distance for a moment, chewing his cheek.

“Get in.”

Livy opens the door and slides onto the white leather seats.

They pull out and coast up the road in silence.

New Skeet Interview from www.tvguide.com !!!!!

2007-06-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Thursday, June 14, 2007
Jericho's Surprise Resurrection
Skeet Ulrich on the show's return and the changes ahead

What’s it like to have your show brought back from the dead? Skeet Ulrich, star of the CBS drama Jericho, will tell TV Guide just that in next week’s issue. But since we know you nutty Jericho fans can’t get enough, here’s some of what the actor, who plays bad boy turned local hero Jake Green, had to say about the resurrection. (For those who want to discover or catch up on the show about a small Kansas town struggling to survive after the nation has suffered a nuclear attack, CBS will air the pilot and the second half of the first season starting July 6.)

TVGuide.com: After the show was canceled, when did you first get word of this groundswell from the fans?

Skeet Ulrich: I had heard pretty early on from my mom that there was a petition going around and there were like 40,000 signatures on it. They were just starting to send nuts (to CBS).

TVGuide.com: Which was inspired by the line in the season finale in which you say "nuts" to New Bern’s demands that Jericho give up in the war for food.

Ulrich: Which to me is just bizarre because that line was the toughest one I had to deliver all season. It’s such a non sequitur. To see it turn into this rallying cry of petitioning and fighting for the show is really interesting. It was insane following it and then for it to have an effect.

TVGuide.com: Were you reading any of the fan reaction online?

Ulrich: I was hearing most of it word of mouth, but I would check in periodically and see what was going on on the message boards. I saw the cast start thanking everybody and that’s when I jumped in. I don’t know how to describe it all. I find myself giggling alone in corners every once and a while.

TVGuide.com: Did you have to make a new deal to return to the show after CBS changed its mind about the cancellation?

Ulrich: The only thing we had to change about the deal that was in place was that typically on the second season you make a 13 [-episode] guarantee. So you get paid for 13 episodes regardless of what happens. We had to cut that to seven.

TVGuide.com: Why only seven episodes?

Ulrich: It’s really about studio space and budget and the amount (CBS) is already putting forth toward its other shows. So we had to make some concessions and we were more than willing to do it. Our hope is to make these seven, [have them] do well and we make the next six for the season and then move forward and get a full Season 3. But I’ve learned not to get ahead of myself in this game…. I think we’re going to be working under tighter circumstances than we were.

TVGuide.com: In terms of money?

Ulrich: In terms of money, and I had heard we might be working seven days [per episode]. We were struggling [to do a couple of last season’s episodes] in eight days. But we’ll make it work.

TVGuide.com: How did Gerald McRaney feel about his character, Johnston Green, getting killed off in the finale?

Ulrich: I think he was ready. My sense was he was frustrated through the season and wanted a little bit more out of it from the beginning. But he’s really gracious and obviously incredibly talented, and so much fun to do scenes with. I was sad to see it happen because I loved working with him.

TVGuide.com: Anything you want to say to the fans who worked to bring the show back?

Ulrich: Eternal thanks. They’ve provided me with a lot of smiles and laughter. Even my kids are happy it's back, which I didn’t quite expect. I was dreading telling them more than anybody, but they were actually very excited. I thank the fans for their efforts. It’s their show now, it’s the people’s show. They asked for it, and they got it. Hopefully we’ll make their efforts pay off

The Campaign Should Continue...

2007-06-12T23:47:00.001-07:00

Well folks, I know we've all been fatigued from all that had happened the past weeks. It's just rightfully so that we try to take a breather for we have won -- indeed we have! But we must remember that the fight goes on even in victory. We can't let them say to us later "I told you so" if Jericho fails to pick up to their standards again.

And so Skeet Ulrich fans we have to start now and help in the cause -- to get more viewers and fans to watch this show! How are we to do this? No more shelling out of moolah for now, we have to use other means, in our own way, contribute to this responsibility of fulfilling our part of the bargain. So, having said this I plan to revive the Jericho discussion so it can be picked up by the crawlers and keep it active in search engine results. Please, any suggestions to make this discussion more interesting and the content easier to understand for the sake of new fans out there, do shout it out.

I don't want to give the execs the satisfaction of axing this show again for I have already detected a note that their expectation and prediction are quite bleak for the future. Jericho will climb a tough mountain come October -- lower budget (oh we'd better brace for more cheap cinematography here), to a comeback peppered with a not so enthusiastic ok from the network (we are only bringing you back because your fans said so but this time you have to prove it with more numbers), and I am sure the anxiety will be there for the actors for there is now even heavier weight on their shoulders to carry on.

Once a week -- I think that will keep the episodes fresh in our minds in time for the next new episode in the fall.

Other updates:

*For the TMoOders out there, Ray's diary has been updated, check it out here.

*The history by month has been updated for those of you who want to take a look at what went on here before you found us.

*The forum has a new banner temporarily as of now, it's still a work in progress but it will differentiate it from the blog.

Jericho Success!

2007-06-06T15:33:00.001-07:00

June 6, 2007

To the Fans of Jericho:

Wow!

Over the past few weeks you have put forth an impressive and probably unprecedented display of passion in support of a prime time television series. You got our attention; your emails and collective voice have been heard.

As a result, CBS has ordered seven episodes of “Jericho” for mid-season next year. In success, there is the potential for more. But, for there to be more “Jericho,” we will need more viewers.

A loyal and passionate community has clearly formed around the show. But that community needs to grow. It needs to grow on the CBS Television Network, as well as on the many digital platforms where we make the show available.

We will count on you to rally around the show, to recruit new viewers with the same grass-roots energy, intensity and volume you have displayed in recent weeks.

At this time, I cannot tell you the specific date or time period that “Jericho” will return to our schedule. However, in the interim, we are working on several initiatives to help introduce the show to new audiences. This includes re-broadcasting “Jericho” on CBS this summer, streaming episodes and clips from these episodes across the CBS Audience Network (online), releasing the first season DVD on September 25 and continuing the story of Jericho in the digital world until the new episodes return. We will let you know specifics when we have them so you can pass them on.

On behalf of everyone at CBS, thank you for expressing your support of “Jericho” in such an extraordinary manner. Your protest was creative, sustained and very thoughtful and respectful in tone. You made a difference.

Sincerely,

Nina Tassler

President, CBS Entertainment

P.S. Please stop sending us nuts

YEAH US!

Skeet In Primetime Special Emmy Magazine

2007-06-05T06:26:00.000-07:00

Skeet is featured in this month's issue of Primetime Special Emmy Magazine under Ten for Ten. "In blogs, on BlackBerrys - and even face to face people are talking about these actors: America Ferrera, Forest Whitaker, Ellen Pompeo, David Boreanaz, Mary McDonnell, Kyle Chandler, Anne Heche, Ian McShane, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Skeet Ulrich." It is an awesome article and reveals a bit more of Skeet than we know. I really hope he gets an Emmy nomination (and win). I have added scans to the gallery view all here >>.

Just this Side of Tomorrow - Part 5

2007-05-30T09:22:00.000-07:00

This was posted on the forum a few days ago. SG was reluctant to push the other stuff down here, so I am posting it here where it rightfully belongs. Thanks SG for another great chapter!

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part Five
By SG

Livy stands in the kitchen, carefully ironing lace bordered dinner napkins.

“I can’t believe your sister. She’s only met me the one time, at Danny’s christening - but she’s gone to so much trouble for me.” Ruth shakes her head, folding each warm square neatly as Livy passes them to her.

“Abby loves a fuss. She always has. She wasn’t at my wedding so she knows this is the next best thing. And anyway, you’ve given her a reason to peruse the shops on Wynkoop Street. She’s yours forever, for that reason alone.” Livy chuckles.

Ruth sits suddenly, gripping the arms of the brown leather chair. The colour has drained from her face.

“Are you alright?” Livy asks.

Ruth nods, putting on a weak smile. “Just tired.”

Livy rests the iron back in the rack and goes to the kitchen. Pouring a cold glass of water from the tap, she brings it to Ruth. Livy sits for a moment on the armrest, looking down at her niece.

“Thanks” Ruth says, before taking a few big gulps.

“Drink it slowly, it’s pretty cold.” Livy answers, concerned.

“I’ve just been so thirsty.” Ruth frowns, shaking her head. She takes small sips.

“It’s a good thing my dress goes to the floor, have you seen my ankles?”

Ruth tugs on one of her pant legs. Her ankle is twice the size of normal and the skin is white, pulled tight. Alarmed, Livy tries to disguise her shock.

“You’re really holding your water.” Ruth nods her head, taking more sips. “I know. Did you ever have it like this?” Livy pretends to think for a moment, knowing the answer full well.

“Have you been to see Dr. McCutcheon?”

“I have an appointment the day after tomorrow - last one before the wedding.”

“Good.” Livy’s relieved, but makes a mental note to discuss it with Martha later just to be sure.

“Aunt Livy, were you scared when you had Danny?”

Livy smiles at her, returning to her ironing.

“My circumstance was a pretty unusual one. There was so much going on in my own life at that time; I had barely allowed myself to consider it. I think that bodes well for some women. There was no time to get all worked up about things.”

Realizing she may have spoken out of turn, she continues:

“Of course, being prepared is always better. The more advice you get, the less likely you are to be caught off guard. I didn’t really have that, with Mama gone and all.”

Ruth nods, sympathetic now. “I just hope my labour’s as short as yours was.”

“Yes, I’ve had many great blessings in my life and it might be selfish but that one’s near the top of the list.”

Ruth and Livy laugh together.

“Was Uncle Ray scared?”

Livy raises her head for a moment, squinting in thought.

“Do you know, if I think about it now, I’d have to say no. Not at all.”

Ruth looks surprised.

“I mean, he was worried about the big concepts. You know, would he be a good father, providing for us, and whether or not Danny would take to him.”

Ruth takes another sip of water.

“But I have to say, when the time came, Ray handled himself as thought he’s been preparing for that day all his life.”

Ruth raises her eyebrows. “You’re lucky, I’m not sure Stewie will be able to handle it.”

“He won’t be in the room, will he?”

“Gosh no, but even just the waiting part makes me nervous for him.”

Livy and Ruth laugh again together. The telephone rings. Livy enters the hall and answers.

“Mama, can I eat supper here at Robbie’s tonight?’

“Did Robbie’s mother say it was okay?”

“Sure, she’s the one who invited me.”

“Put her on the line please, Danny.”

A female voice laughs on the other end. “Hi Livy, be a pal and let him stay would you? We’ve had such lovely day painting the front fence. It’s be a shame to break up the fun now.”

Livy smiles at this. “Of course. Thanks for inviting him, Wanda.”

Livy walks back into the living room.

“I swear, those boys are like two – RUTH, what’s the MATTER?”

Ruth is looking down at her pants, her eyes huge and round. Livy runs over. Her lap is entirely soaked. She looks up at Livy, unable to speak. Suddenly, her face crumbles as she winces in pain, doubling over.

Livy runs to the back door. Almost ripping it off the hinges, she roars outside and stands in the middle of the yard. Her head whips around in every direction, looking for some sign as to what to do.

“RAYYYYYYYYYYY!” She screams at the top of her lungs.

A metal clank is heard as Ray drops what he’s doing and comes running from the barn. He makes it to her in seconds. He grips her extended forearms. She sobs as he grabs her face, panicked because there appears to be nothing wrong with her.

“Wh-wh- what’s wrong? Where is it? Wha?”

Livy’s sobbing so hard now she can barely speak.

“It’s Ruth – the baby – I think she’s losing the baby.”

Ray looks confused.

“She’s in the livingroom – THE BABY!”

Rays runs inside the house and to the living room. He drops to his knees on the floor in front of Ruth. She looks at him, her eyes brimming with terror.

Ray turns to Livy in a calmer voice now.

“Get a blanket.”

Livy runs upstairs grabbing the store bought coverlet they keep folded over the end of their bed.

Sprinting back downstairs, she hands it to Ray.

“Call Martha. Tell her to phone Dr. McCutcheon and have him on his way to their place. We’ll leave right away, here.”

As Livy runs for the phone, she hears Ray speaking gently to his niece.

“Okay Ruthie, That’s it. Put your arm around my neck. Okay good now I’m going to pull but don’t you pull. Don’t pull. That’s it. That’s good.”

Livy’s thoughts are yanked back to the telephone call as Martha answers.

“Hello?”

“Martha – Ray and I are on our way over with Ruth. Ray says you need to call Dr. McCutcheon right away and tell him to get there as soon as he can.”

“WHAT - What’s happened? Oh my Lord what’s wrong?”

“It’s Ruth - she’s lost some fluid.” There’s silence on the other end, for just a beat.

“Livy, please, get her here as soon as you can.” She hears a click as Martha hangs up.

“LIVY, LET’S GO.” Ray shouts from the doorway.

Livy turns. Ray’s carrying Ruth, her midsection wrapped in the coverlet. Livy runs to get the doors for them. As Ray slides Ruth into the passenger seat, Livy closes the door. He looks at Livy. There’s no room for her on the cab.

“Oh, Ray, don’t be silly, now.” She runs to the back of the truck. “Give me a boost” she says. He lifts her over in one motion. Wedging herself into a corner, she sits on a piece of canvas, her arms up over the sides to brace her when the turns come. Ray burns out of the yard as they frantically make their way to Martha’s.

******

Hank stands outside the bedroom door, wringing his hands. Ray and Livy huddle together on the opposite wall. Martha speaks softly to Ruth on the other side of the door.

A vehicle screeches up out front. Ray and Livy sprint down the stairs, meeting Stewie and Dr. McCutcheon, already at the landing. Each takes a side as the men run up the middle of the staircase.

They walk into the living room and sit on the davenport, side by side. Livy leans her head back, looking up at the ceiling. Ray tugs on one of her arms so she’ll move forward slightly. Putting an arm around her, he pulls her back, tucking her head in under his chin. Neither speaks for a few moments.

“Ray, I’m – I’m so sorry.”

Ray’s taken aback.

“For what?”

“I was no help to you at all.. I was completely useless; as dumb as a stump.”

She brings her hand up to her forehead, looking worried. “What have happened if you hadn’t been there?”

Ray kisses the top of her head, rubbing her hair with his hand.

“It’s different, growing up on a farm. A mother only has to look at you once with those life or death eyes, and I don’t care what species she is, you hop to.”

Martha comes downstairs. Entering the living room she sits on the chair across from them. She picks up the edge of her seersucker apron and uses it to mop her forehead. Ray and Livy are sitting forward in their seats now, waiting to hear.

“There was some bleeding but it’s stopped. It’s just the baby now. We’re waiting to hear on the little one.”

Livy moves over to the chair and wraps her arms around Martha’s shoulders. Martha takes several deep breaths, exhaling like an athlete, trying to keep it all together. She gets up and moves towards the kitchen. Hesitating, she turns to the stairs.

“I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Martha, can I – how about I get everyone something to drink?” Livy stands.

“Just the thing.” Martha nods at her kindly. She turns and goes up the stairs.

****

Livy rubs her eyes, turning her face into Ray’s shirt to shade them from the lamp light. Waking slowly, she sits up. Ray rubs her hair out of her eyes. The sky is pitch black outside.

“Ug. How long have I been sleeping?”

“A couple of hours or so. It’s about 9:30.”

“How’s the baby? How’s Ruth?”

“Ruth’s fine, she’s resting. There’s a heart beat but it’s faint yet.”

Livy sits up, taking a drink of the lukewarm lemonade still sitting in her glass on the table.

“You want me to grab some more from the ice box?”

“No, this is good. Thanks.”

Ray goes back to the pocketbook in his hand. Livy moves the book forward so she can see the cover. He’s reading A Time to Be Born by Dawn Powell. Livy raises her eyebrows at him, bemused.

“Did you think it was a book about childbirth?”

“I did. It was the only thing I could find.” He says matter-of-factly.

“But it’s not about childbirth.”

“I know, it’s about – Ray open the front and reads from the book jacket

- Amanda Keeler Evans, a recently arrived Manhattan-ite achieves monumental success as a romance novelist after her new husband’s paper prints rave reviews, only to find –“

“Yes, all right, I get it. I get it.”

“Have you read it?” Ray asks in a comically studious way.

“Yes, I have.” She answers with mock impatience.

“Well then, what happens to Vicky?”

“She –

“No don’t tell me, you’ll spoil it.” He says with mock dramatics as he reaches over, pulling her close to him.

They sit, hugging for a moment. Ray relaxes his arms, letting her go. She turns, facing him.

“Liv, I don’t remember it being like this when Danny was born.”

“It’s wasn’t. It was so quick and perfect. I was just telling Ruth this afternoon how blessed we were.”

Ray takes her face in his hands and looks her in the eyes.

“It makes me wonder if things didn’t turn out for the best, it being just the three of us and all. Going through something like tonight, but you being the one, I’m not sure I could…”

He allows his thoughts to trail off. They both sit and stare straight ahead, but for very different reasons.

Hanks comes down the stairs slowly, the depletion of adrenaline filling his limbs with lead.

“The heartbeat’s come back full bore. Doc says she’s on bed rest for awhile, but they’re okay.”

Hank jumps to his feet, shaking Ray’s hand happily, grabbing his forearm with his left hand also. Livy wraps him up in a warm hug.

NEW Forum Home

2007-05-25T23:07:00.000-07:00

If you have not been to the forum lately, there had been an announcement posted there regarding moving to a new forum address. We have started to migrate the posts over to the new forum this weekend.

I've locked some of the threads in the old forum in order to control the migration of posted items to the new one. If you are interested in discussing a thread that had been locked, please go to the new forum here:

http://skeetulrich.proboards80.com/index.cgi?

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO:

1) Register, Register, Register! Sorry, but it has to be done. It is recommended you use the same screen name from this forum for continuity.

2) Your rank will follow you only after you have registered. This is the only time we can credit you with the number of posts from this old forum.

The features are almost the same. It will still go through some kind transformation in the next few weeks, so please be patient.

AS ALL TMOODERS DO, ENJOY AND HAVE FUN!!!

I'd like to thank Kelly for her valuable help and insight on her recommendations and assistance for our new forum home. She's an angel and the energy behind all the speed in this otherwise long transition. I hope you all agree and thank her as well.

Skeet Speaks on Jericho Forum

2007-05-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

This was posted on the Jericho forum from Skeet!!

To the most incredible fans ANY show has ever known:

From Skeet Ulrich

I am overwhelmed and quite honestly rendered speechless at the good will created by this show and its fans! By you, by us!
I think it speaks volumes regardless of the outcome.

A week ago our show was cancelled and it feels like time has stood still ever since. We loved bringing you this story. We loved waking up at 2:30 in the morning to drive an hour and a half and work 16 hours then drive home, eager and willing to do it all again the next day. Truly we did. Because when we got there we felt like a family. I miss that the most. Lennie constantly sang as he cooked up the mystery that is Robert Hawkins. Brad's incredible comic ability! The almost constant laughter and smiles. The kindness and generosity of spirit of everyone and I mean everyone (with the exception of one extra). I could go on and on.... trust me you don't want to hear it all! And as a family we never wanted to disappoint you. We tried desperately to stay one step ahead of you and you are a clever lot! Thanks for being there for us. I will never forget this experience and it is very hard to walk away from.

I have been fortunate to tell many different stories in my career but none has created the kind of discussions that this story has. Whether it was us in the lunchroom or people we would meet at events or people at the grocery store, invariably the discussion would turn to things much larger than the show, much more pertinent. And to me that is a success!

More to the point, however, is your generosity of spirit. I really don't know what to say....thank you doesn't suffice and my deck would collapse if we had a party so I am left somewhere in between. Your support is incredible and means more to all of us than you will ever know!

Be well. If we can all be as good to each other as you have been to us, what an incredible world we would have.

Skeet

CBS Watch June 2007

2007-05-22T17:27:00.000-07:00

Just another example of how "nuts" CBS is, the June 2007 issue of CBS Watch features an article entitled: Jericho's 5 Biggest Secrets and quotes such as:

"It's the unlikeliest of hit shows..."

"Jericho, one of the riskiest dramas to come to TV in years, has emerged as one of the season's strongest new shows, thanks to a shocking premise that surprised even the critics."

CBS do you read your OWN magazine? I think it's time you woke up and realized the mistake you made and fix it. Bring back our Jericho!

The entire article can be seen Here. Thanks so much Kay for the scan!!

Just This Side of Tomorrow - Part 4

2007-05-20T13:09:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
This is my first time posting on my own so please be patient with me. I'm going to click Publish Post now and I don't even know where this will show up - hope I did this right.
Here goes! AHHH

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part Four
By Script Girl

Livy stands in the queue, waiting for her turn at the counter. The man in front of her is taking forever. Squinting slightly, she tries to read the postmark on the corner of the large package sitting directly behind the Postmaster. That’s got to be it.

Finally, it’s her turn.

“Hello, can I help you?”

“Yes, I’m Livy Singleton. I believe you have a package for me.” She points at the only large box on the back table.

The postmaster grabs hold of the arm of his glasses and squints at her, his face moving in closer.

“Ah, yes yes yes Mrs. Singleton.” Wagging his finger, he lifts envelopes, bends down below his counter and starts heading towards the back room.

“Um – Sir – I..”

“Singelton, Singleton, Singleton…let’s see, now I know I…”

Livy points again at the box right behind him. He turns and spots it on the table. Bending over, he reads the label, enunciating loudly to the room at large.

“O-LIV-ia? Olivia Singleton?”

Livy nods. “Yes, that’s me.”

“From Denver?”

“Yes, it’s from Denver.”

The postmaster holds out a clipboard. “Please sign here.”

He winks at the lady in the line behind Livy. “First Class.” he half-whispers, feeling the need to elaborate to all. Livy signs and picks up the box.

Stepping out onto the sidewalk, she sees Ray coming down the street towards the truck. He jogs over.

“I got it,” He takes the box from her. “Why didn’t you wait?” He puts it in the back.

“It’s not heavy.”

Livy lets herself into the passenger door, closing it behind her. A thought suddenly occurs to her.

“Oh, Ray, should have it up front? Don’t you think - just encase?”

Picking it back up, he jogs around to her side again. He passes it through her open window, placing it squarely on her lap.

He crosses his arms on the inside edge of the window, one on top of the other. Resting his chin on his wrist, his face is about six inches from hers.

“Hi.” He says, smiling.

“Hi.” She giggles.

Her hand squeezes his. After a moment he walks back around the truck and gets in.

“Did you get the order in before the deadline?”

Ray shakes his head no. Livy looks alarmed.

“I’m not sure what they’re up to over there.”

“What do you mean?”

“See, they don’t have the actual packets. They have a seed catalogue. You have to order the seeds and they come all the way from California. It’s not like planting cabbage or beets. I guess they keep that stuff on hand all the time.”

“Oh.” Livy answers, disappointed.

Ruth has chosen shades of purple as her accent colour for the wedding. Giving out party favours is all the rage with young brides nowadays, but finding something purple makes it challenging. Handing out a bag of magenta jelly beans to each guest just wouldn’t do, after all. Ruth’s in a tizzy over it. Livy came up with the idea of giving packets of French lavender seeds and wanted it to be a surprise.

“Sorry. I didn’t know.” Ray’s chin flinches.

“Thank you for trying. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be,” She stares straight ahead, her eyebrows pinched in thought. “Oh well, we’ll think of something.”

Ray glances over, confident that she will.

*******

Danny clears the supper plates as Livy brings a pan of blondies to the table. Ray cuts them into squares. Dishing out a plate for Danny, he raises his eyebrows at Livy. She shakes her head no.

“I’m not feeling well. I might just excuse myself if no one minds.”

“Are you okay, Mama?”

She smiles at Danny “Yes, baby, of course. Just a bit tired is all.”

“You sure?” Ray asks. Livy nods at him.

“We’ll take care of the clean-up tonight, right Sport?”

Danny wags his head, his mouth already full of golden goop.

Livy heads upstairs to the bathroom. She stands with her hands on the edge of the sink, supporting herself. Taking a few deep breaths, she runs the cold water and splashes it on her face.

There hadn’t been any nausea with Daniel at all. Maybe she wasn’t pregnant; could it be that she’s just ill? Her heart sinks at the thought. They had been trying since Danny was two, figuring it was smart to space things out like that. Two years wasted, as it turned out. Splashing her face again, Livy dries off with a towel.

She’s been living with this for almost seven weeks, afraid to go and have her hopes dashed yet again. After so many trips to the doctor, Ray waiting patiently, his face falling when he could see in her eyes that it was no - this time she’d made the appointment without telling him.

*****

Ray slips into bed beside her. She opens her eyes, turning towards the window. The sky outside is dark. Slices of moonlight beam through the partially closed shutters.

“It’s late. You’re going to be exhausted tomorrow.”

“I was reading downstairs. I fell asleep.”

“You could have read up here.”

“I wanted you to doze off first. (Sighing) A lot of good that did.”

“I can’t really sleep without you, Ray. You know that.”

Ray puts his arm around her, pulling her close to him. He scratches his chin on the top of her head. Pulling the covers up to his shoulder, her face is almost completely covered.

“Sorry.” He scooches down in the bed, kissing the base of her neck.

“Mmmmm.” Her voice is gravelly, far away.

“You’ve been working so hard on this wedding.”

“Mm, hum.”

“Are you overdoing it?”

She lifts her head, worried.

“You think I’m trying to take over?”

“No, gosh no - nothing like that. You seem tired is all. You’re doing so much. The fancy handwriting on the invitations, the tablecloths… I’m worried.”

“I’m fine. I’m enjoying myself.”

Ray snuggles back down. After a moment Livy’s breathing deepens again.

“Livy?”

“Mmmm?”

“Sorry, I just…”

“It’s okay.”

“I was just wondering. Do you ever wish we’d, you know, we were normal?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean our story. Us. Do you wish you’d had a big ol’ regular wedding?”

Livy chuckles at the thought. “Nope”

“You sure?”

“I’m sure.”

“How come?”

Livy sighs, turning onto her back. He leans up on his elbow, supporting his head in his hand. He waits for her to answer. Pale moonlight illuminates her face.

“Mama, Denver, Abby. So many things, really.”

She turns her face towards him.

“I wasn’t ready. I could never have...”

“What?”

“I always pictured it... Father’s church – flowers in my hair – and a tea social after in Mama’s garden - with Tommy Dorsey on the gramophone.” Livy laughs.

Ray lies back on the pillow, his fist on his forehead.

“But, you had none of that.”

“Thank goodness. Can you see the Reverend and Mrs. Case cutting a rug to Tangerine?”

She laughs but Ray stays quiet. He stares at the ceiling, unconvinced. Livy props her head on her elbow now, her face just inches from his.

“I think you’re forgetting something.”

Ray looks over at her, waiting.

“It wasn’t the wedding I’d dreamed of, but the marriage is so much more than I would ever have let myself hope for.”

Ray wraps his arms around her back, pulling her over, on top of him.

“I thank God every day for bringing me here, to you, Ray.”

She looks down into his eyes, kissing his lips.

Rolling over, he’s on top of her now. He lifts her arms up over her head, gently taking hold of her wrists with one hand. Lowering his other arm, he wipes her hair from her face with his thumb. Looking into her eyes, he presses his mouth down onto hers.

****

Livy sits in the office, her feet dangling from the gurney. Dr. McCutcheon enters. He slides the stool on wheels over, sitting in front of her.

“Livy, what can I say? It’s good news this time.”

Livy’s face crumbles as she bows her head. It’s bittersweet without Ray here to share it.

Dr. McCutcheon looks alarmed for a second.

“Oh, no. I’m thrilled. It’s just, I wish… Ray, you know.”

He nods his head at her, fully comprehending. It hits her suddenly and she laughs. Excited, she realized this gives her time to tell him herself, in her own special way.

“You won’t say anything until I have?”

“Of course not.” His trustworthy eyebrows reassure her.

“Come back in two weeks for a check up,” He gives his desk calendar a quick once over.
“How about Friday the 23rd?”

Livy laughs. “This is going to sound crazy, after all this time, but the next day is our neice’s wedding. I’d like to wait until after.”

“I understand.” He answers.

They bid each other goodbye and Livy heads back out to the beet box. Starting the engine, she taps on the gas gauge. There’s almost a full tank - lots for the ride home. She checks her wristwatch. Even with the one stop she has to make, she still has plenty of daylight left.

****

Livy pulls the truck in on a slant, parking in front of the Dry Goods Mercantile. Picking up her pocketbook from the seat beside her, she steps out and walks into the shop.

“Livy, how are you my dear?”

“I’m well, Kitty, and you?”

“Right as rain. What can I get you today?”

“I’d like to try making candles. Have you got what I need?”

“Sure do.” Kitty begins assembling all the necessities on the counter. Blocks of paraffin, bee’s wax, a jug of lye, and a spool of string.

“Have you got a cauldron?”

“I do - a copper one - will that work?”

“Let’s find out.” Kitty picks a book off the spinning rack; Candle Making for Beginners. Flipping to the index, she turns to the page on pots.

“There’s nothing about the type of pot. It does say, though, to be sure you do this outside. The paraffin is flammable.”

“Will do.” Livy nods, taking her change purse from her pocketbook. “I guess I’d better have the book too.”

“Of course.” Kitty smiles, bagging her items for her.

****

Ray enters through the kitchen door. Looking around the room, he sees cookie sheets laid out everywhere with small, interesting looking blobs on them. Rubbing his hands together excitedly, he bends down to pick up a cookie or whatever sweet confection lies there. Sighing, he realizes the trays are covered in flowers.

Livy enters from the living room, carrying the candle book. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Ray answers, his eyebrows raised as his flips his hand up, his palm facing the ceiling, in question.

“They’re Johnny Jump-Ups.”

“I can see that. So, I take it they’re not for eating?”

Livy laughs, a small frown between her eyebrows.

“Oh, no, sorry Ray. I’m drying them. Oh, I didn’t tell you - it’s my solution to the party favour problem. I’m making candles with dried flowers in them. See, they’re purple.”

Ray nods his head, suitably impressed.

“Where’s Danny?”

“In the barn. Did Ruth come get her dress?”

“I’m running it over there tomorrow morning. That’s why I was in a hurry to get these candles going - see if she likes them.” Livy’s hand goes up to her mouth in concern.

Ray laughs, shaking his head in disbelief. “Livy, how could she not?”

Danny comes in from outside. Glancing around at the trays, he looks confused.

“So, is this what vegetarian means?”

****

Ray stirs the soup as Livy carries the trays gingerly outside, one at a time.

Bending over the fire she looks inside the cauldron. The sticky mixture burbles away inside. She gives it all a stir with the giant wooden ladel and jogs back inside.

“I need some kind of table, near the fire, where I can work.”

Looking up, Ray chews his cheek as he thinks what they can use. Snapping his fingers, he turns the gas off under the soup.

Ray heads out the kitchen door to the barn, Livy following. Prying the giant door slightly, he gets in behind and pulls out a sawhorse that’s standing up against the wall. He leans it against the stable and goes back for the other one. Livy picks the first one up and starts walking out towards the fire pit. He picks up the back end of Livy’s with one hand, so she’s not carrying it alone, and brings the other under his arm.

He sets them up about ten feet from the cauldron, right beside a tree stump where Livy can sit for a break. Going back to the barn, he comes out again with an old door, which he rests on top.

“There.” Satisfied, he rubs his hands on his dungarees. Livy shoots him an appreciate grin.

“Are you eating with us?”

“No, I have to get this done in one batch before I start losing light. They say the wax changes colour if you try reheating it. I want them all to match.”

Ray frowns. “You should eat something.”

“I’ll have some tea and toast, later. Really.”

“I’m going to head back in.”

“I’m right behind you. I have one more thing to get.”

Ray holds out his hand to her. They walk back to the house together. Inside, Ray gets the flame going under the soup again. Livy takes the flashlight from on top of the icebox and heads down to the cellar. Pointing the light around, she looks in the tops of boxes.

The cellar has always been a place of wonder for her - so much to take in. At first she had tried to savour it slowly, only peeking through one shelf at a time, the way you stretch out a favourite book because you don’t want it to end. Of course after six years and many long winter days, she had eventually learned every nook and cranny. Now she visits it as you would a favourite museum, moving and re-arranging things occasionally; Curator to the Singleton Family History.

The beam of light falls upon small wooden crate full of evaporated milk cans. “Eureka,” she smiles to herself.

Carrying the box upstairs, she lays it down on the kitchen counter. She turns on the hot water and starts rinsing them out.

“Where’d you find those?”

“In the cellar.”

“What for?”

“For the candles. They’ll make the perfect sized moulds.”

Ray nods his head, impressed.

“Ray, did you always have a dairy cow on the farm?”

“No, but even when we didn’t there was usually one nearby.”

“I was just wondering why a family with access to fresh milk would buy it in a can?”

Ray chuckles.

“Anything in a can seemed like a treat when we were kids. Funny, isn’t it? Mama liked it in her tea.” He glances over at the crate. “That’s probably five years worth.” Livy smiles, charmed at the thought.

Shaking the water droplets off each can, she loads them back in the crate and takes them outside. Arranging them in rows on the makeshift table, she gives the hot mixture a stir - another ten minutes or so, according to the book. She sits on the tree stump. Extending her legs out in front of her she leans back on one hand, tipping her face up to the sun.

Hearing a slight rustling sound, she spots a white mouse scurrying by. Pulling her legs up under her, she shudders. Her eyes follow it until she sees it disappear in the tall grass. A glint of shiny metal on the ground catches her eye. She gets up, walking over. Its half buried under some scrub. Bending down, she picks up a small black lump with a gold edge. She rubs her thumb over the surface, knowing it instantly. It’s her old locket. She tries forcing the melted clasp. It creaks open.

The photo inside is gone, swallowed by flames years earlier. But she can still see the picture of him in her mind, as though it were just yesterday. She closes her eyes and remembers the pain of a young girl, broken hearted and alone. Her arms wrap themselves protectively across her midsection. She tosses the locket into the fire.

The kitchen door closes behind Ray and he comes out with a plate of toast and a mug of tea for her.

“Oh, Ray, thank you. That’s so sweet.”

Ray lowers his eyes, nodding his head and walks back into the house, smiling.

****

This Side of Tomorrow - Part Three

2007-05-18T23:27:00.000-07:00

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part Three
By ScriptGirl

As Ray grips the steering wheel, his white knuckles catch the light of an oncoming car. He’s had a lot of time to think on the drive. Deep down he knows his feelings haven’t changed and they never will. It’s the way he was raised, like his father before him. We all know the difference between right and wrong. Livy refers to it as the Social Compact. Ray calls it simple common sense.

“Potatoes, potawtoes,” he murmurs to himself.

Entering the town of Wilson, he hangs a left at the four way stop. Coming to the corner he recognizes the white gabled home instantly. It’s a large house. It looks pleasant enough from the road, but up close you can tell it’s seen better days. The trim needs paint and the eaves trough dangles precariously over the garden path. Jim Knox passed away just over two years ago, leaving his wife with a mortgage, no savings and a son who’s never worked a day in his life.

He parks the truck on the road instead of pulling into the driveway. No sense in disturbing Alice, it’s already after ten. He’s got no beef with her anyhow. It’s Stewie who needs waking up at this point in time. Stewie - suddenly the name strikes him as odd. For a man of twenty one, it sounds an awful lot like something you'd call a five-year old. Ray shakes his head in disgust.

Walking up the long driveway, he glances at the second floor window. His mind suddenly forms the image of Stewie outside Ruth’s bedroom, throwing rocks to rouse her late at night. He picks up a stone and lobs it up at the glass. Missing, he hits the tin window box. A plonk sounds echoes down the quiet street.

Ray is suddenly lit up from behind as a truck pulls into the driveway. He turns, using his hand to shadow his eyes from the blast of brightness.

“Uncle Ray?”

Ruth slams the truck door shut and runs up the driveway.

“What are you doing here?”

Ray drops the rock he was holding in his other hand. Sighing, he waits for her to walk up closer to him. No need to broadcast their family business to the whole of Wilson, for crying out loud.

“I came to set things right.”

“You’re as bad as Mama!”

“Hey, you could have done a lot worse.”

Ruth shrugs, conceding.

“What about you?”

“I thought about what Aunt Livy said. I should tell him”

She juts her chin out suddenly, a defensive move she picked up from her father.

“And what he does with this information is his business.”

Ray stuffs his hands in his pockets.

“He does the right thing or it becomes my business.”

Ruth rolls her eyes at her uncle. Picking up a rock, she approaches the house and swings her pitching arm back. It’s not the first time she’s done this. Lamp light illuminates Stewie’s outline in the upstairs window.

“Ruth? Is that you?”

Ray scoffs loudly.

“Who else is it going to be, Stewie?”

Stewie’s confused now. “Mr. Singelton? What the…?”

Ruth turns to Ray desperately, her eyes begging him.

“Uncle Ray, please.”

Ray tugs on his suspenders and turns his back to the house. Just then, another vehicle approaches, lights blaring. Ray recognizes the truck. It’s Hank’s small hauler. As Ray walks up to greet him, Hank veers slightly, running over his foot.

“Jesus, Mary and Joseph!” Ray shouts out, folding over in half.

Hank shuts of the engine and leaps from the truck.

“Oh Ray, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there. Are you all right?”

As Ray tries to walk, he loses his balance. Toppling over, he dings his face on the edge of Hank’s open door. His nose gushes blood. He slumps over and sits on the ground, groaning. Ray squats beside him, awkwardly.

“Cad I get a clod?”

Ray grabs a piece of cloth from Martha’s sewing basket in the middle of the front seat.

Stewie comes out the front door. Ruth is standing on the front porch, waiting for him. He gives her a long hug and short kiss. They sit down beside each other on the top step, obvlivious to what's going on in the yard.

“Why are you here?” Hank’s eyebrows are raised.

After mopping his nose a bit, Ray leans his head back, pinching the bridge.

“The same reason you are, I suspect. To make sure it’s put right.”

Hank nods his head. “Thanks.” Ray lets a small growl escape his throat. Hank swings Ray’s arm up and over his shoulder.

“With that foot, I’ll drive you home. We can come back for the beet box tomorrow.”

Ray’s not fighting it. He holds his flattened foot out to the front as Hank boosts him up into the truck. Ray can’t help but wonder if three vehicles may be the most action this driveway’s seen in awhile.

“Should you tell her we’re going?”

The two men look up at the porch. The young couple’s deep in the middle of it now. They’re sitting so close their foreheads are almost touching. This was going to take awhile.

“I doubt she’d even hear me, Ray.”

Ray nods his head as they drive off.

***

Livy sits on the porch. Seeing a set of lights curl its way up the road, she stands and runs down their front path. Hank pulls the truck up as close as possible. Running around, he helps Ray out the passenger side door. Livy runs over to them. Ray's shirt is covered in blood.

“Oh my God, Ray, you’re hurt?”

Panic stricken, she puts his free arm over her shoulder and helps Hank to get him in the house. They plop him down as gently as possible into the brown leather chair.

“He’s a real sport, this guy - always there when you need him.” Hank winks at Ray.

Livy fusses over her husband. Her voice is two octaves higher than normal.

“Well, well my goodness, I mean what happened? You had a fight? Was there a fight?”

Hank bids them both good night. Livy’s too worried to notice. She runs into the kitchen, grabbing a chunk of ice from the icebox and wrapping it in a tea towel. She applies it gently to Ray’s face, picking up his hand and pressing it there so he’ll support it himself. Stepping back her foot grazes his.

“OW, oh.” Ray groans.

“Your foot? You hurt your foot too?

Bending down, she rolls up his pant leg. She peels off his sock gingerly and rests his foot down on his heel, frowning at what she sees.
She stands up, putting her two hands on either side of his face. A purple half moon is making its way across his left cheek, right under the eye. It’s going to be a real shiner.

“I’m okay. I’ll be okay.”

She continues holdings his face. He wraps his hands around her middle, letting them slide down over her backside. His hands stop there.

“Ray, what happened? Where’s Stewie?”

“Still sitting on his front porch, taking with Ruthie, I’m guessing.”

“Ruth was there? Was she hurt?”

“No, of course not. Livy, she’s fine.”

“Raymond Singleton, for the love of all that is good, tell me what happened.”

Ray starts to chuckle, stopping himself as the pain in his nose brings stream of tears to his eyes.

“We all showed up around the same time. It was dark. I had a little run in with Hank’s truck is all. They were talking it out when we left. ”

Livy stands back. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

She helps him up the stairs to the bathroom. She sits him on the commode, and runs a facecloth under cold water. Laying it slightly over Ray’s nose, he pulls the soiled piece of cloth Hank gave him away from underneath.

“Ow. Ug.

“Do you think it’s broken? Should we call the doctor?”

“No, it’s just a bad blow. I’ll have to sleep sitting up tonight.”

He rinses the facecloth with one hand as Livy runs downstairs. She grabs the cushions off the chesterfield and jogs back up again. Pulling back the bedcovers, she props the cushions up at the head of the bed. She fetches a clean sheet from the closet and drapes it over the mountain of padding.

Returning to the bathroom, she helps Ray up. They stumble towards the bed. She’s calmer now.

“What about your foot?”

“Hank ran over it.”

Livy rolls her eyes, stifling a laugh.

“Must have been some night.”

Ray laughs too, his eyes welling up again. “Ug, oh, ow.”

“Shhhh. Tell me tomorrow. I want to hear the whole thing tomorrow.”

Lifting Ray’s feet for him, she props him back. His eyes close as soon his head hits the pillows. Kissing him on the mouth, she shuts out the light.

******

Ray sits at the table, his foot propped up on the blue hassock from the living room.

“Ray, you are not going to run a combine with that foot. I can’t even get a bedroom slipper over it. Look how it’s swelled since last night.”

“I’ve had worse.” Ray answers nonchalantly.

“When?”

“Okay, I’ve seen worse.” Ray laughs, sheepishly.

Livy laughs, shaking her head. Finishing up the breakfast dishes, she glances out the window. Dark grey cloud rolls by, low and heavy.

“It’s going to rain anyway. “

Ray sighs, beckoning her to come to him. She puts down the dishcloth and goes over. He puts his arms around her waist and pulls her onto his lap. She slings her arms around his neck.

“Livy, the work doesn’t just do itself.”

Livy lowers her eyes. “I know. I just hate the though of you out there in pain all day.”

Ray kisses her. Pulling back he holds her face in his hands. His eyes dart around, checking out all her features as if for the first time again.

“Can we at least give Hank a call - see what he says? He might not even want to work today.”

Ray smacks her on the backside.

“Yes, that we can do. He’s got to take me back to Wilson anyway for the truck.”

Livy picks up the telephone, putting her ear to the receiver.

“Uh, hello?” Ruth’s voice on the other end of the phone booms out at her.

“Aunt Livy?”

“Oh that’s so funny, it didn’t even ring. I was just going to call over there.”

“Aunt Livy? I have something to tell you. I’M GETTING MARRIED.”

“Ruth! That’s wonderful. What good news!”

Livy covers the received with her hand and whispers the news to Ray. Ruth’s voice rambles on excitedly on the other end of the line as Livy listens, nodding her head. Ray grins.

********

Livy sips on her noon-time coffee as Ray munches a sandwich. Outside its pouring so hard the raindrops are bouncing off the ground and making their way back up to the sky. Thunder roars loudly in the not-so-far-off distance.

They each read their own section of the Denver Times newspaper. It took Ray awhile to get into it as crop reports and weather takes a backseat to the goings on in the capital. It wasn’t until a six part series called “Soldiers – Life In Peace Time” caught his interest that he was willing to give this newspaper a shot. Now it was a part of their routine, although usually they read in the evenings as he would be long gone by now.

Livy’s getting her way. No one’s going anywhere today.

Ray’s right eyebrow goes up slightly as he tips the top corner of his paper down, glancing over at her. She reads intently, brushing the same curl off her face three times. Her eyes freeze suddenly as she senses she’s being watched. She looks up. Her cheeks flush slightly as she smiles back at him.

The door opens and Danny bursts in wearing an oilskin coat and his Dad’s hat. The hat is too large, bobbling on his head and almost covering his eyes.

“Everyone’s fed.” Danny’s looking satisfied with himself. He gets to be the man of the house on this fine Saturday morning. Livy and Ray can barely contain themselves; their son’s genuine lust for life is one of their greatest joys.

“How about a sandwich?” Livy asks, helping him remove the coat and hanging it on the hook.

“Yah. Yes, thank you.” Livy cuts him two slices of bread and removes the bowl of egg salad from the icebox. She pours him a glass of milk and brings his plate to him at the table, across from his father.

“Supper’s getting bigger. She was up walking around last night.”

Ray nods his head. “Better double her feed come Monday.”

Danny nods back.

Their peaceful lull is interrupted by the sound of a vehicle outside. Livy’s a little disappointed. After Danny started school she had trouble re-adjusting to the quiet of being in the house alone. It’s a real treat for her to spend the day with just her boys.

She goes to the front door. Hank pulls up in his truck. Chester comes up behind him, driving the beet box. Chester gets out, running to the porch, holding his hat down against the wind and rain. He hands Livy the keys.

“Dad figured Uncle Ray’s in no shape to drive.”

Livy waves at Hank in the truck, shouting over the tumultuous weather.

“I hear congratulations are in order!”

Hank gives her the thumbs up, a huge grin on his face. Chester gets in the passenger side.

“Tell Martha I’ll call her tonight.”

Hank nods. Livy waves frantically as they pull out, waving back.

Entering the house she takes a stab at the fire with the brass poker. Throwing on another log, she walks back to the kitchen. She hangs the truck keys on the hook.

“Chester and Hank just dropped off the beet box.”

“Great.” Ray answers, his eyes still focused on the paper.

Danny sits at the table, looking up at her in anticipation. The Scrabble board has been unpacked and is all set up, ready to go. Livy shakes her head, laughing.

“Okay.”

“Yessss.” Danny answers, already arranging his tiles.

**********

Martha hands Livy a mug of tea. The weather hasn’t let up yet and anything warm will really hit the spot right now. Ruth sits at the dining room table with paper and a pencil in her hand. A sewing pattern book is spread open for all to see.

“You could always just wear my dress, you know?” Martha winks at Livy, knowing what Ruth’s reaction will be.

“MAMA, please - your dress has leg-of-mutton sleeves. That’s just….” She continues flipping through the pages of the pattern book, distracted.

“Ruth, have you got a certain style in mind?” Livy asks.

“Sort of - there are two I really like.”

Livy gets up and walks towards the table. Ruth shows her what she has marked. Livy puts her hand on the book and stands over Ruth. Turning to address Martha also, she smiles.

“Your Uncle Ray and I would like to make your dress a gift from us. If you find the style you like, I’ll tell Abby. She’s going to find it in the City.”

Ruth gasps in total awe.

“My goodness, that’s very generous Livy. Ruth, what a lucky girl you are.”

Martha wears a slight frown but her smile indicates it’s nothing beyond concern for a possibly over-indulged daughter.

Ruth gets up, throwing her arms around Livy.

“Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.”

“Six years ago I gave you my wedding dress, so it seems fitting now that I be a part of finding the one you wear on your special day.”

Ruth raises her eyebrows. “The lilacs? That was your wedding dress?”

“It sure was. And it made me happy every time I saw you in it.”

Of course styles are changing, skirts becoming fuller now. But the dress still hangs in Ruth’s closet, neatly pressed and clean.

Martha starts turning the pages of the pattern book.

“Well, you’d better get a move on picking. If we’re waiting for a package to come from Denver and then a fitting I’m sure, that means we have to set the date for at least three weeks from now -”

Ruth’s face radiates joy and excitement. She claps her hands together.

“- and we all know a baby can’t stay a secret for that long.”

Livy takes a second cupcake off the plate. Looking down at the floor, she smiles to herself.

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part Two

2007-05-17T16:34:00.000-07:00

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part Two
By ScriptGirl

Ray rolls over, searching for Livy. Not finding her at first he opens his eyes. She’s curled up in a ball at the far edge of the bed. He scoots over to her, wrapping her up in his arms. She sighs. Her eyes are closed but he senses that she’s awake and has been that way for awhile. She just wants to hold onto these few moments of quiet before the day begins. Resting his chin in the spot where her neck and shoulder meet, he whispers in her ear.

“Don’t worry. It’ll get sorted. Things always do, somehow.”

Livy turns to face him, about to say something. She changes her mind.

Ray thought about this long into the night. It would be an awkward day for his wife. There would be talk of compromised morals, poor judgment and regret.

She had found herself in trouble also, not that long ago. While the players were different, elements would ring true for any woman, he supposed.

“It could turn out for the better. Just take a look at us, now.”

Livy scoffs. Ray looks hurt for a moment.

“No, Ray, I meant, what are the chances?”

Ray waits for her to continue.

“…that she’d be as fortunate as me.”

Standing now, Ray pretends it’s an effort to drag her out of bed by her arm.

“Come on. We’ve got a whole day ahead of us. When are we going over there, anyway?

Livy looks slightly relieved. He’s taking it all pretty well, considering Ruth’s his only God daughter - and he is, after all, a God fearing man.

“After supper. Ruth’s baking pies today.” She shakes her head at the sheer determination of her sister-in-law. Food seems to solve everything in these parts.

“Sounds good.”

Ray hugs his wife, twirling her once and slaps her on the behind.

“Want me to start the coffee?”

“I’m up.” Ruth groans, tying her bathrobe sash and walking towards the bathroom.
Standing at the sink, she splashes cool water on her face. She wipes off with a hand towel and dabs some cold cream around her eyes.

Ray appears in the mirror behind her, putting his hands on her hips and pulling her back so she’s resting against his chest. His chin sits on top of her head. They look at their image reflecting back in the mirror.

“See, you’re not the only who hit the jackpot around here.”

***

Ray watches the road steadily, steering the beet box along in silence.

“Looks like rain,” he mutters to no one in particular.

“Did you close your bedroom window, Danny?”

His son nods in response.

“You’re sure? I’d rather turn back then have the floor all soaked again.”

“I’m sure.”

Livy sits by the window, her long, wavy hair catching small puffs of breeze from the window being open just a crack. She’s deep in thought.

Danny sits in between them, his short legs sticking out in front of him. Ray glances over at her a few times, assessing.

“Why are we going to Uncle Hank’s?”

Livy’s eyes dart over to Ray.

“Aunt Martha baked pies.”

“Well, hot dog!” Danny slaps his knee.

Ray and Livy laugh at his enthusiasm.

***

Martha ushers everyone into the front room. Ray and Danny join Hank at the table.

“Where are the boys?” Livy asks, trying to fill the void.

Hank clears his throat.

“They’re up on the back eight. Broccoli’s looking good.”

Ray nods at Hank.

This is just the segway Martha was looking for. She plunks some forks down on the table beside a stack of plates, purposefully.

“Hank, why don’t you get some milk?”

Turning to Livy, she indicates it’s time to go upstairs.

***

Martha taps on Ruth’s bedroom door with her fingertips. Silence.

“Ruth, honey, Aunt Livy’s here to see you.”

Without waiting for an invitation, Martha opens the door. Ruth is sitting on the edge of her precisely made bed. She looks up at Livy, relieved for a moment to find an ally there. Then she sees her mother, standing back tentatively.

“Hi Ruth.”

Ruth looks down at the ground.

“It sounds like things… like you’ve had a bit of a shock.”

Ruth nodds her head.

“How far along?”

“About two months,” Martha cuts in. Ruth looks at her mother with a combination of amazement and frustration.

“Well, that’s the last time you did a hand washing.” Martha says, almost defensively.

Ruth rolls her eyes.

“I guess when you’re trying to hide something big, you tend to let smaller things slide.”

Martha’s voice is angry now. Ruth starts to cry softly.

“What were you thinking? Anyone with half a brain knows that a decent woman doesn’t just...”

Catching herself before finishing, Martha chokes her words back bitterly.

“I’m sorry.”

Livy averts her eyes, nodding her head in understanding.

It’s obvious they’ve been dealing with the shroud of all for a few days. There have been long stretches of silence. They’re sad, exhausted and scared, each in their own way.

Martha sighs; she’s reached an impasse with her daughter.

“At this point I’m just doing more harm than good.” Martha raises her eyebrows at Livy, who nodds her head. Martha exits, leaving the two of them alone.

Livy sits on the bed beside her niece. She puts her hand on top of Ruth’s.

“Stewie?”

Ruth nods.

“What does he say?”

Ruth shakes her head vehemently.

“I haven’t told him.”

“Why not?”

Ruth looks up, her eyes flashing anger as though the answer should be obvious.

“He’s two years into that scholarship. They don’t just let people take time off like that. He could lose everything. (whispering to herself) I’m not going to ruin it for him.”

“Ruth, the University of Denver has married student housing.”

Ruth looks up at Livy absolutely wide eyed.

“How do you know?”

Livy sighs. She stands and picks up the desk chair, placing it right in front of Ruth. She sits on it, grasping Ruth’s knees.

“Because I know.”

Ruth waits.

“Did your mother ever tell you how I met Ray?”

Ruth shakes her head no. Not only is she fascinated but there’s also a relief in not having to deal with her own acute situation for a few moments. Her face is youthful; eager.

“After my Mama passed away, I was somewhat lost. I had left school to take care of her and now suddenly I had to decide what I was going to do with the rest of my life. I started seeing friends again, getting out. (pause) I met an airman who was in town on furlough.

Ruth looks puzzled.

“Only there for a week.”

Ruth nodds, willing her to continue.

“I thought I was in love – I just knew it. When the week was over, he was gone. It’s a common story - except for the fact that a month later I found myself pregnant and alone.”

Ruth’s eyes bulge out of her head.

“But I thought - ”

“- your mother told you what we thought you needed to know.”

Ruth sits still, waiting for more.

“My father knew Reverend Case from a way back.

Livy smiles now.

“And I was married to Ray on the day we first met.”

Ruth gasps, not being able to fathom such a circumstance. She’s been dating Stewie Knox for almost four years. Livy laughs at Ruth’s reaction.

“I know, it sounds archaic doesn’t it? Like something right out of The Alrich Family Radio Hour.”

Ruth smiles humbly.

“The things is, I have to believe that while I came upon a fork in what was supposed to be my road, it led me in a better direction. It was kismet.”

Ruth looks puzzled.

“It’s a Turkish word. It…it means something that was meant to be.”

“So, how come you know about married student housing at the University?”

Livy winces, but it’s too late turn back now.

“After Daniel was born, I went through a real rough patch. I had gone very far in my own education only to have it cut short. That winter was a tedious one and I found myself longing for my city life again.

“So, what happened?”

“I decided to wait and see what the spring would bring. (pause) The farm is Ray’s whole life, and I realized how selfish it would be to drag everyone along on my little flight of fancy.”

Ruth shrugs.

“I got over it.”

“So, what you’re saying is you sacrificed your education.”

Livy could see where she was going with this.

“Different situation, my girl. Stewie is on a geological scholarship with the promise of a job the second he graduates. My degree would be respected, but I would need a different life to actually take it anywhere. And I have lots of time if I ever wanted to get back to that.”

“You mean, on your own?”

“No, Ruth. If I wanted it badly enough, I could go and do that and your uncle would be with me. He would be a part of it. When you’re in love, you want what’s best for the other person. You make decisions based on more than just yourself.”

“But that’s all I’m trying to do.”

“Let me ask you something - what about Stewie?”

“What about him?”

“Does he love you?”

“He tells me so all the time.”

“Then, don’t you think he’d want what’s best for you, too?”

***

Livy enters the front room. All eyes are on her. Martha’s eyebrows are furrowed but she looks hopeful. Hank puts his hand over his wife’s. Ray stares down at the table.

“I gave her a lot to think about. Let her sit with it for awhile.”

Martha nods gratefully; her eyes are still shell shocked.

“Ray, let’s go.”

Ray gets up without saying a word and tips his hat as they head out the front door. Danny lounges lazily on the porch swing. Ray wags his arm at him. Danny gets up, jogging towards the beet box.

They ride home in silence.

***

“Danny, go upstairs and get ready for bed please.”

“Dad, can I just - ?”

“We’ll be tilling the north field with Hank tomorrow. I need you at your best.”

“Yes, sir.” Dan answers solemnly, aware that something transpired this evening which he would not be made a part of.

Livy runs her fingers through her son’s mop top.

“I’ll be up in a minute for one chapter, okay?”

His spirits picking up a bit, Danny heads upstairs.

Ray stands, leaning against the wall. Livy takes off his hat, hanging it on the hook. She wraps her arms around him. She can see that his optimism from this morning has been chipped away. Sitting with Hank all that time forced reality to slowly set in. Livy sits at the table. Still too wired, he continues standing. She looks up at him.

“So. What’s the story?”

“It’s Stewie.”

Ray lowers his head in relief. At least there’s no surprise there.

“What’s he got to say?”

“She won’t tell him. She’s worried he’ll leave school.”

Ray chews the inside of his cheek for moment.

“Is that really what she’s worried about?”

Livy knows what Ray means. She wonders if he’s tapped into something; if there could be a chance Stewie wouldn’t step and up do what’s right.

“He ought to know.” He says, decidedly.

Danny calls out from upstairs.

“Mama, I’m ready with my book up here.”

Livy points to the stairs. Ray nodds his head. She goes up to see to her son.

Standing at in the hall, Ray watches until she’s no longer visible on the landing. Yanking his hat off the hook, he stomps quickly out the front door.

An Ode to Skeet

2007-05-16T06:35:00.000-07:00

Hysterical Hair
An Ode to Skeet
By ScriptGirl

The network execs, with their graphs and their charts
Have no idea what lurks in our hearts
They seem to reduce you to some kind of stat
I might not know much, but I do know that

For those of us who derive great pleasure
From watching you in our times of leisure
This whole thing screams of a major mistake
Do they realize what’s at stake?

The network whose last big success was MASH
Is looking for someone to bring in some cash
A ghost talking, pageant winning, nasal voiced twig?
A mathematician who can be a prig?

What about this cast full of talent and heart?
Good luck CBS with another new start
We want to see Jake and Eric and Stanley
Guys who are real, men who are manly.

Cop shows and Cop shows and Cop shows more
The fans should TUNE OUT and even the score
Skeet you should know that this fansite’s for you
In good times and rough, you can always turn to

The people here who’ve taken the ride
As you journey'd from Takedown to Miracles, in stride
Don’t let those execs with their cohebas and smarm
Try to tell you how to keep warm

Keep your eye on the ball and the wind in your sails
We’re here for you, through all your travails
Keep on rocking that hysterical hair
As long as you do, your fans will be there.

Jericho Discussion: Episode 1 - Pilot

2007-05-16T01:23:00.000-07:00

You’ve both been born on third base, quit pretending you’d get
a triple….” Spoken by Jake to his father and brother.

Before the bombs…

Denver, Colorado

It seems just like yesterday it was September and we were at the edge of our seats waiting in sweet anticipation of this show’s first episode. We were rewarded with our first shot of Jake Green (Johnston Jake Green Jr., 32) enjoying the passing scenery from the window of the train car. Dressed handsomely in his khaki jacket and a sling bag, he also sports short curly hair and his face looks less gaunt than in future episodes. He heads to the garage to uncover his vintage car and heads to his hometown Jericho.

Jericho, Kansas

The prodigal son apparently had missed his grandfather’s funeral and is home for a day to collect his inheritance. He brings with him a sketchy past that baffled everyone he meets in town. At the home front the family is divided, our Jake is obviously a mama’s boy. Intelligently conveyed to us by their seating arrangements and on opposite sides of the coffee table. His father and brother (Johnston, Eric) were unconvinced that he’s been reformed. They both feel threatened by his presence especially because Daddy’s running for re-election. His mother (Gail) seems to be the only person who knows what he’s been up to and who holds the key to his enigmatic life. He leaves town on a sour note after visiting grandpa’s grave.

Characters introduced to us:

Stanley, Bonnie and Mimi - Jake’s apparent best childhood friend and his deaf sister Bonnie. They own the Richmond farm. Also we get a glimpse of Mimi, the high-nosed IRS agent auditing the farm. Jake claims he was in the Army when asked where he’s been the last five years.

Gracie the owner of the general store in town. Then there is the brooding and frail looking Dale who is her right handy person and who is tormented by the rich spoiled girl in town. To Gracie, Jake tells her he’s been playing minor league baseball since he left town.

Jake finds Emily, the newly engaged teacher to Roger and who had a past with Jake. She knows when not to believe Jake especially after he tells her he’s been in the Navy.

Then there are the Sheriff’s deputies watching the President’s state of the union address on TV.

Last but not least, sweet and strong Heather with a bus full of kids. They are on their way back from a field trip.

The residents of Jericho are living their normal lives no matter how complicated and simple they may be. It’s an ideal town to follow through this catastrophic event. Let’s see how they cope, adjust and survive the times ahead.

Discussion:

1) Gracie imparted some local gossip when Jake visited her at the store, who were these people she was talking about?

2) What was the name of that rich girl we all love to hate. Her family, we later find out, owns the salt mines

3) What does the quote by Jake above mean?

------------------------
We’ve got 22 full episodes – 22! That’s almost double of what we had with Miracles. So we did get a treat even if we now see an end to this promising series. We’ll get by and we’ll find our own closure. By now we are so good at filling in the blanks, this should be painless compared to the cancellation that CBS had tactlessly gifted its devoted viewers.

We will rehash the story and keep our senses delighted with Skeet scenes, memorable quotes, find hidden or missed innuendos from each episode and yes – of course – Skeet close ups and screen captures. Forget CBS.

Coming up--- The bombings and aftermath….

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part One

2007-05-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

We have a wonderful new member in the forum, ScriptGirl, who has given me permission to post her TMoOD fanfic on the blog. Thanks ScriptGirl, you are a great addition to the group! Welcome home! :)

____________________________________________________________

Just This Side of Tomorrow – Part One (by: ScriptGirl)

Livy sits in her rocking chair, the creak of each push lulling her further into a state of relaxation. There was a time when this house filled her with such a crippling idleness that it seemed there was nothing to do but relax. Now, here she is, grabbing a few minutes while her sweet dough rises to do just that. It’s been six years, and yet she still chuckles at the thought of it.

Ray enters through the kitchen door, hollering:

“Liv! Livy, Honey. We need you!”

Livy shuffles into the kitchen and spots her two men, covered in blood and slime, grinning from ear to ear. Both Ray and Danny hold their arms out like scarecrows. Livy laughs at the sight of them.

“Outside, Boys. Come on. Let’s rinse you down outside.”

They step out to the lean-to where Livy pumps water into the bucket. Ray holds out his hands as she rinses off the thick rubber gloves. Removing them, he hangs the soiled apron on the hook and splashes it off as well. Then he turns, helping with his son, whose happy being administered to by both his parents.

“I did it, Mama. Dad had to hold her still but I did it.”

Livy glances at Ray for confirmation. Ray nods back in response.

“He did real fine. That calf was born without a care in the world. I tell ya, Liv - it was a sight to see.

Ray shakes his head, almost in disbelief. His face beams.

“I had my arm in there right up to my elbow, right Dad?”

Livy sticks her tongue out a little in disgust. Danny laughs at this. Even from a very young age he’s always been aware that his mother’s part city girl.

“Do you want to come and see her Mama? She’s so small…”

Livy nods her head at him, playfully tugging his cap down over his eyebrows. Danny leads the way towards the barn. Climbing the two posts, he rests his knees on the top if the gate.

“See, there she is. Isn’t she a beaut?”

Livy gazes at the soft, brown lump that moves up and down with each new breath.

“She sure is.”

They stand silently for a bit, taking in the presence of a brand new life in the room. Ray, unable to help himself, starts mucking out the stall next door.

“What should we call her, Mama?”

“Supper.” Ray answers.

Livy frowns playfully at him. He’s acutely aware of the dangers of growing attached. That whole thing with Martha and the horses had been enough to sour anyone on the idea of keeping animals. And she had been eleven at the time, still five years older than Danny is now.

This is the third calf born to their farm so far. Ray hadn’t wanted to take this on with the crops as busy as they are. But Hank had been persuasive enough that in the end he’d decided to give it a try. With the world slowly getting back to normal now, the government money and workers they’ve grown accustomed to have petered off. Time to try something new.

Of course, he's seen animals born in his time but now he’s starting to enjoy the idea of learning things alongside of his son. It made the idea of passing the farm down to Danny just that much more meaningful - and important.

Livy takes Danny by the shoulder and guides him towards the house. She turns back to Ray.

“There’s fresh coffee. Want some?”

Ray wipes his brow with his shirtsleeve. Leaning the rake against the post, he catches up to them. He takes hold of her hand.

“You bet.”

Stepping onto the threshold of the kitchen doorway, they hear telephone’s three rings echoing from the hall. Livy turns to Ray, excitedly.

“That’ll be Martha. She was going to call me about the four of us going to the pictures on Saturday. The new Lana Turner show’s playing in La Junta!”

Ray shakes his head, grinning in mock disapproval.

Danny runs past them.

“I’ll get it. Hello?”

Saying nothing into the phone, he holds the phone out to Livy.

“I think its Aunt Martha.”

“You think?”

Livy chuckles as she speaks into the receiver.

“Hi, I - ”

Ray stands next to her, waiting to hear what was in store for this weekend.

“Martha, what’s the matter? Are you all right?”

Martha’s voice, different from her usual gentle self, comes through the phone in strident, high-pitched tones. Ray clutches his hands behind his back and leans against the wall. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees that Danny’s taking in every word.

“Go water your mother’s garden.”

Danny sighs, his shoulders slouching in disappointment. He lingers a little longer.

“Now.” Ray speaks more sternly.

Danny runs outside.

“Of course you do. I know. Yes, it is. I know she’s not. Yes, I will. All right. I’ll speak with you tomorrow.”

Ray, panicked at first, can now read from Livy that this is not a life or death situation. He takes a deep breath, almost afraid to ask. He raises his eyebrows at Livy, waiting. Livy sighs and tightens the apron around her waist.

“It’s Ruth.”

Ray hesitates, never one to appreciate high drama. Livy takes his hands. He switches it up, and grasps hers inside his own. Her fingers are small and cold. He can see she’s concerned, but traces of something more linger in the small lines pinching a frown between her eyebrows.

“Well then, what is it?”

“She’s expecting.”

Finale

2007-05-09T08:48:00.000-07:00

This day brings anticipation and dread for most of us. I think we'd enjoy this season finale episode if we only knew what will become of it after the summer. I think we all are having attachment issues, it's hard to fall in love with a series (and character --you-know-who!) and let the network execs pull the rug under us after one season.

Message to the CBS execs: The plot thickens, the story can grow in so many ways. Unlike some of the other series that sprouted this season along with Jericho, the episodes do not drag because it had to stretch to its final week with a grand finale. Case in point, Heroes, it suffers the same fate as Lost, the story is showing signs of being stretched to its full capability as a story line. As the story in Heroes would like to end with the prevention of a catastrophic explosion, Jericho has gone through that and from the start has shown promise. We see all types of real human personalities, good or bad, come out of a desperate attempt for survival and inspite of the adversity the audience still get to see lighter moments/scenes that are bordering on comedic at times. What more can you expect from a quality series than Jericho?

I know everyone's crossing their fingers and praying for a positive outcome. Let's keep our hopes up and give good vibes now. For the summer, we will entertain ourselves with the Jericho episodes this season. And for those of you who basically drooled and got distracted on Jake and neglected the other parts -- er- I mean, other characters -- what say you? Watch out next week...

Outstanding performance by Skeet in this scene.

Inside the Walls of Jericho

2007-05-02T20:14:00.000-07:00

I encoded the clip from E! Daily 10 for those who do not get the channel. Skeet was absolutely adorable as usual.

The show tonight was amazing! I will have caps in the gallery tomorrow! Kay also scanned in her copy of the TV Guide article for the gallery and you can see that here >>!

SF once again it is sooooo good to have you back! Thanks again for bringing everyone together! *hugs*

Belated Celebration

2007-04-30T23:57:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time ladies and I've been revived - yes I am back from oblivion. First of all, thank you to you who have been taking care of making this blog buzzing all these time I was gone (yes, you Kelly) as well as all the commenters and regular and devoted SU fans here, I've missed you all.

I have shamelessly neglected to welcome our anniversary and now barely missed the 70k mark. I hope to make it up. I apologize even though I know you gals are capable of entertaining yourselves here, in the forum or at Kelly's site.

Got some plans ahead while the first season of Jericho comes to an end. We are doing a Miracles-like discussion where you all will be subjected to watching Jericho re-runs during this summer, indeed a lovely prospect for us all Skeet Ulrich fans. We can't possibly let the public at large forget Jericho and Skeet Ulric while it goes on hiatus for we want this series back for another season. We certainly can't follow CBS's mistake of putting it on break when it was clearly running on full steam in the beginning of the first season. So, don't you agree and don't I have your support on this?

Now to make up for my neglect, I've somewhat ripped this off Ray Singleton's diary while you all were busy discussing Jericho and Skeet sightings the last few months. It starts that fateful day when he got proposed...

Tuesday, June 20, 1944

Today had been a strange day.
Reverend Case came to see me today at the farm. I was in the
barn and I heard a sound coming up the driveway. I walked out and saw him
getting out of his car. The look and the sight signaled some feelings I
have been trying to forget but now it hit me full force and reminded me of the
time he came over and delivered to me Daniel’s terrible news.

Read on.....

News on Skeet's Latest Project

2007-04-27T07:32:00.000-07:00

This is from the Shreveport Times and the link to the original article follows.

The blogger posting format would not allow me to break this into the original paragraphs.

NEAR CLOUTIERVILLE — Louisiana's movie industry literally buzzed April 20. Filmmakers were shooting "For Sale by Owner" outdoors at Magnolia Plantation near Cloutierville. The sound of bees hummed from a nearby live oak tree and the weathered plantation home's second floor. "I caught at least 200,000 yesterday," said beekeeper John Melder. "That's five to six pounds of them."

Director and line producer Bob Wilson didn't mind the bees, or the white paint flaking off the home's exterior walls, or the pungent smell of freshly cut grass enveloping the grounds.

"We needed something that was distressed enough to allow for restoration," Wilson said. "I looked everywhere in Shreveport."He was finally led 20 miles south of Natchitoches to Magnolia Plantation. The site will serve as the mystery-thriller's main set.

"For Sale by Owner" is about an architect who is restoring the home of America's early colonist, John Smith. In the movie, the home is set in Virginia and was burned down and reconstructed in the 1800s. The low-budget independent feature is the first project for Shreveport-based Port Pictures. It is being co-produced by Robert Duvall's Butcher's Run Films.Wilson is a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who has worked on "Ruffian," "The Year Without a Santa Claus," "Snow Wonder," and "The Madam's Family" in Louisiana. The time was right for him to become part of a Louisiana-based venture.

"It was something I have been wanting to do for a long time, to do films without any kind of studio involvement," Wilson said. "My movie is small and doesn't have the pressure of the big studio movies." The project has not secured a distributor yet, but Port Pictures hopes "For Sale by Owner" will earn a theatrical release.

The architect is played by Scott Cooper, who also wrote the script. Rounding out the cast are Kris Kristofferson, Tom Skerritt, Frankie Faison ("The Wire") and Skeet Ulrich ("Jericho").

Cooper will be on set every day. The young actor works closely with Duvall. He acted with Duvall in "Broken Trail" (2006), a western that aired on AMC, and "Gods and Generals" (2003).Duvall will produce three of Cooper's screenplays, Cooper said. "For Sale by Owner" is the first.

"To a lot of people and me, he's considered America's finest screen actor," Cooper said. "For me as his protégé, it's a dream come true."Cooper speaks to Duvall daily by phone. "We talk about the craft of acting. We talk about movies we like or dislike," Cooper said. They even talk about political and geopolitical affairs. "I count him as one of my best friends."

In shooting "For Sale by Owner," Cooper said he keeps his roles as actor and screenwriter separate."I try not to really know the text so well," Cooper said. "You want a certain sense of spontaneity. It's about learning the dialogue and then throwing it away. As the master Robert Duvall said, you start at zero and you end at zero."

"For Sale by Owner" is just the first project planned by Port Pictures."Our goal is to shoot eight movies within the next three years," said Executive Producer Rudy Hines. "This is our first movie, and we want to come out of the gate extremely strong."

Port Pictures consists of Hines, Wilson and Executive Producers Bob Vazquez and Rich Hobaica.Hines is a Benton-based real estate developer, general contractor and business entrepreneur. He declined to specify the budget of "For Sale by Owner" but agreed it was a low-budget feature film. He is one of six financial investors from Shreveport and Bossier City funding the project.

"I'm very well invested in this movie," Hines said, "but I feel very strongly about it. I feel people don't understand how profitable investing in movies can be."

Vazquez, who also is coordinating special effects for the movie, said working in northwest Louisiana is easy. He and other producers said the city of Natchitoches has been extremely helpful in getting them the services they need. When they shot a rain scene on the plantation, the city and the Fire Department had the wherewithal to bring water to their rural location, Vazquez said.

Ninety to 95 percent of the "For Sale by Owner" crew is from Louisiana. By maximizing in-state spending, the production can take advantage of the state's tax incentive program for the film industry. Production companies can claim a 25 percent tax credit by buying goods and services in Louisiana. They also can claim a 10 percent tax credit by hiring Louisiana residents.

"There really has been no greater incentive than what we have found in Louisiana," Vazquez said. "It just works."

* http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070427/LIVING/704270388/1004/LIVING

The Magic of Being Extraordinarily Dazed

2007-04-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Guess what I finally watched tonight.

I had every intention of coming here and writing an intelligent review, a guy's perspective on the movie, but I find that, having been blessed (or cursed) with the "sensitive male" gene, and these Hallmark productions never failing to move me, I've been reduced to a puddle by this achingly lovely film.

So I'll make a few observations, jot down the moments that moved me, while I gather my wits.

Coming to this movie fresh, as I did, knowing only that it starred Skeet Ulrich and Keri Russell and that she was somehow his wife without having planned to be, I wondered from the start just what sort of "mean supper" she'd been coerced into consuming, and why.

"You're so fine, I can't believe no man ... I can't believe any man would ever do this to you."

Having seen him primarily in "Jericho," Skeet was a revelation in this movie, having a strength of a quiet sort, but not at all like the action-hero Jake Green. And I thought Jake was awkward with women! For much of this movie, Ray can hardly look Livy in the eye.

Livy's cynicism about people ("People judge, people gossip"), quickly countered by Ray's honest reaction ("They won't say a thing ... They want the best for us").

The dance, where Livy says she won't, and then she does, and the walls between Ray and Livy begin to come down, and despite how awkward they are at first, they start to enjoy themselves, and each other.

Ray, sitting at the dinner table, suddenly and unexpectedly saying "I've been thinking about Troy." I wanted to reach into the TV screen and bear-hug him. The smile Livy gives him at the end of that scene melted me. And then, the kiss that almost was.

Ray changing his mind about the dog staying indoors.

"I'd do anything to make you happy."

(No wonder you love this movie!)

The awful moment when Ray hands her the envelope from Edward, and we know what he must be feeling.

"Ray, I made a mistake."

"Which mistake would that be?"

And the two moments of revelation, where Livy tells Martha what has really happened, and Ray finally says what he must say to Livy, the things I wish Jake would have said to Heather before she headed off to New Bern on "Jericho."

"I can't let you go without telling you how I feel. I've fallen in love with you ... For me, you're the best thing that's ever happened."

Ray wasn't the only one trying to hold back his tears at this point.

I liked the "B" story with the Japanese women workers, the tragedy of their interrupted lives, Livy's support of them in the store, and the subtext, not thrown in our faces, but enough to show us that in this place and time they were not truly considered Americans, even though they were.

Some lovely light moments with Livy learning to drive the "beet box" and Ray trying to figure out how to operate the claw, and just the right amount of tension at the end with Florie's foolish decision and the imminent birth of Livy's child converging at the climax of the story.

And there were some parallels to "Jericho" as we went along. Livy, the minister's daughter, as Heather is supposed to be, arriving in La Junta by train, as Jake did in Denver in the opening scenes of the pilot (and the "main street" of La Junta looking just a little like downtown Jericho).

Livy writing letters to Edward that (until the end) go unanswered, looking for love in the past and not finding it, while the future is standing right in front of her and she doesn't see it at first. I thought of Jake, and Emily (his past), and Heather (hopefully, his future).

Ray, carrying the guilt of his brother's death at Pearl Harbor just as Jake bears his burden over the little girl in Iraq (and who knows what else), standing at his brother's tombstone, echoing the scene of Jake at his grandfather's grave in the "Jericho" pilot.

And the key moment of dialogue, the one that brought me to tears.

"I don't know if I deserve you. How do you know this can work?"

"Because, someday ... you're going to forgive yourself."

That could just as easily be Jake's question and Heather's answer.

Beautifully shot (in Alberta, if I read correctly), magnificently scored, and might I add, Keri Russell is a lovely actress and has matured nicely since the girl who followed what's-his-name off to college in "Felicity." Like Heather, Livy shows a woman's heart.

Well, I guess I've written my review after all.

Ladies, I am with you.

Jericho Screen Caps, Skeet Audio Clips

2007-04-12T13:34:00.000-07:00

Skeet caps from yesterday's episode, AKA, have been added to the gallery. It was an excellent episode and it sounds like the last four are going to be just as action packed! We are getting down to the wire and I hope we hear soon that Jericho gets a green light for a second season!

See all >>

Also Skeet was busy yesterday doing a lot of different radio interviews around the country. I have managed to hear about three of them thanks to lgl, Kay and my alerts. I have added an audio page to capturingskeet to try and keep track of all the audio clips. You can find the three new ones, along with some others all here >> I love when the radio personality ask him new questions and don't recycle the same old ones. There are some great moments in the clips. I have no idea how many interviews he did all together but if anyone comes across more please let us know!

Skeet on ET Canada

2007-04-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Geesh, now I am double posting... I had been out all day and just opened my mail and there was a package from lgl with Skeet's appearance from ET Canada!! I encoded same and here it is for everyone to view. Thank you so much lgl for sending that to me so we could share with everyone!!

I will upload it to capturingskeet in the next couple days for anyone who wants to have a savable copy!

Is it just me or is that not him in the Into the West clip? I think that is Tyler Christopher who plays his nephew.

Jericho Screen Captures, Save Jericho

2007-04-07T18:05:00.000-07:00

Well since no one else is posting at the moment... Hello my name is Kelly, and I am a Skeet Ulrich addict... ;-)

Skeet caps from last Wednesday's episode have been added to the gallery.

See all >>

There are lots of articles out there about Jericho being down again in the ratings. I really wish there was more we could do. I ran across a site for Friday Night Lights in my Jericho searches, I have never watched the show but it is always mentioned in the same articles as Jericho regard the cancellation possibilities both shows seem to be facing. Anyway, FNL fans are doing a campaign, a very original and brilliant one see here, to show their support for their fav show. I feel like we should be doing more for Jericho but I just don't know what. I have been emailing CBS and getting everyone I can think of to email them and watch. If anyone has any ideas at all beyond that please share!

One last thing, an article came through my alerts yesterday but unfortunately you have to be registered and pay to read it. This is as much as it shows:

Still Time to Save "Jericho" and "Lights."
(Author: Column by Susan Young|Date: April 6, 2007|Publication: Oakland Tribune)

NOT TOO LONG ago, Skeet Ulrich came to the Bay Area to pump up some interest in his faltering series "Jericho." Sitting in Grumpy's down by the Embarcadero, eating runny eggs and sausage, Ulrich says he doesn't hold out much hope that his series will get a second season. This despite the fact that the show was an early favorite. "I think when we went into that long hiatus, we lost momentum," Ulrich says. Source Link. If anyone comes across this article, could you please post it or a link. Thanks!

Skeet Wallpaper

2007-04-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share a couple backgrounds/wallpapers with you that my wonderful friend Leezadee made for me and is letting me share! Click the picture for full size and then right click and save as background!

Leezadee is the one that also made the gallery banner. Her work is gorgeous!

2007-03-22T16:29:00.000-07:00

Skeet has a feature in the April issues of SciFi magazine and I scanned my copy today! Ironically he is quoted talking about the same entertainment type shows that we were all unhappy with yesterday and today.

"This show succeeded without the Entertainment Todays and the Access Hollywoods, which typically cover the new shows that are doing well. They really haven't paid attention to us. I think that says a lot about our show and the public." Skeet

You can see the enlarged versions in the gallery by |clicking here|

Skeet in TVGuide's Sexy Issue!!!!

2007-03-20T16:19:00.000-07:00

I am posting this from Kay who was lucky enough to get her issue of TVGuide already! Here is a scan of Skeet's sexy page!

He is enough to leave you breathless... To see the full scan |click here|. Thanks Kay!

Kay, and I see Kim also, alerted the group to the video over at TVGuide which you can see by |clicking here|. You can also access caps from the clip |Here|.

Is it wrong to be in a love with a magazine? TVGuide is definitely the bomb this week. Now if we can just convince them to put Skeet on the cover!

Skeet Article Archive

2007-03-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

I hope it is ok that I announce it here, but I have added a |press archive| to capturingskeet to house a collection of online articles, interviews, reviews, etc., pertaining to Skeet's projects. The archive presently includes about 60 articles, but I still have quite a few to get in. If you know of a good one that you don't see please email me with the link! I would really appreciate it! There is nothing more I hate than reading a great article and then not being able to find it again. I hope others will enjoy the archive too.

More Skeet Photos!

2007-03-16T20:47:00.000-07:00

I added more pictures to the gallery from the William S. Paley Television Festival and also replaced some with HQs (bigger Skeet is always better) and you can see them Here and Here! Also the web admin from Ashley Scott Haven was kind enough to share with us some of their pictures they had of Skeet and I have added those to our gallery too! Very nice!

The caps from Wednesday's episode have been uploaded into the gallery and you can see them all Here. Sorry about the quality, the episode was quite dark.

There are a few more updates at http://www.capturingskeet.com. Sorry I get a bit carried away when it comes to Skeet. :)

Skeet Ulrich at the The 24th Annual William S. Paley Television Festival

2007-03-14T04:15:00.000-07:00

Skeet attended the The 24th Annual William S. Paley Television Festival - An Evening with "Jericho" in West Hollywood, California last night! I have added pictures to the gallery and you can see them all Here!

There will be more goodies tonight with Skeet being on the CBS Early Show and of course the new episode of Jericho!! Luvin' it!!

Heart of Winter, Jericho

2007-03-07T20:05:00.000-08:00

Caps from tonight's episode have been loaded. To anyone who has not seen the episode the caps may be a spoiler so please be warned! :)

I am not sure about anyone else but I absolutely adore Gerald McRaney and the episode tonight just solidified that adoration even more. I am so glad that Jake chose his Dad to confide in because I just love the scenes between Skeet and Gerald. What a tear jerker tonight was. I can't wait until season one's DVDs come out so I can make proper caps. The rest of the caps are Here.

I scanned in next week's copy of the TVGuide, "Jericho's Bad Boys" and you can see those Here.

I also added four more HQs production stills from Jericho that my friend sent me and you can see those Here.

Just so it doesn't get lost, Kim found a great new interview Skeet did... there is that ball cap *lol*. Link: Click here.

Skeet a/k/a "cutie-patootie" on The View!

2007-03-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

I encoded and uploaded Skeet's appearance on The View today for anyone who did not see it.

For anyone who wants to save it, I uploaded it to capturingskeet and you can |Download it here|.

I capped the appearance and you can see all the caps |Here|.

Also for any new fans that might not have been around in 2003 or saw Skeet's L'uomo Vogue spread I scanned that in for the gallery today. You can see the entire shoot |Here|.

Wondercon San Francisco

2007-03-05T00:15:00.000-08:00

Wondercon saw Skeet wearing a red hat, white short sleeve tshirt over a gray long one.

Absolute must: the next Jericho episode. Emotions run raw and all their acting superb (especially Skeet with his SPOILER: crying scene). Seeing it on the big screen without commercial was a plus. The plot thickens and some very important questions answered. Fun times with Mimi and Stanley inspite of their predicament. You finally get to look at ex Mayor Green in a new light. Hawkins in his own set of trust issues. Just an idea of what's to come. YOU MUST WATCH IT.

Kelly will have all the pictures in the gallery, here's to tide you over for now. There's plenty of pictures but they are huge ones, so please be patient. Also see wireimage for pictures of the event.

Presenting his absolute hotness -- Skeet Ulrich-->

Skeet Centric "Black Jack" Screen Caps

2007-02-28T20:07:00.000-08:00

Great episode tonight especially for Team Heather! Jake finally shows he cares. Just a word of warning caps can be spoilers so if you haven't watched the episode yet you might not want to look any further... but I know when it's Skeet it is impossible to look away.

Here are some of my favorites.

"I kissed you, a month ago. We haven't spoken since. Generally people speak after something like that... Look I want to go because I think I can help get this place back up on it's feet. That's it, it's not a date"

Negotiations

"You know why things didn't work out between us? I am not dangerous, I am crossword puzzles and flannel pajamas and the occasional light beer. I was never going to be hazardous to you. That is how you tick.... so I am taking a page out of your book and I am throwing caution to the wind."
"Come back in one piece."

You can see all the caps in the gallery |Here|. Sorry again about the quality.

Inside Jericho: Live Talk Show Caps

2007-02-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

I capped the live talk shows for the capturing skeet gallery. There were some very cute moments, including the following random highlights.

On Tuesday's live show Raven informed Skeet that there were a bunch of fans drawn to Jericho because of him! You could tell Skeet appreciated hearing that! Click on the pics to enlarge them!

You can see all the caps |Here| for Tuesday's show.

On Thursday's live show there was a wonderful TMoOD moment where Trixie (hopefully she knows of the blog) mentioned how much she loved Skeet's performance in the hallmark movie and how she would never look at beet farmers the same way. So cute! You could tell he got a kick out of hearing that!

Then there was cute Lola who brought up "Gary" and gave all three guys a fit of the man giggles. So adorable!

Skeet has some wonderful fans and this was a great opportunity to interact with him and show him how important he is! It is always nice to be able to show your support to your favorite actor, especially one as awesome as Skeet!! I just want to say thank you to the ladies above if they see this and to all the callers who showed Skeet how admired he is by all his fans! They made up for a chicken like me who would choke at the sound of his voice! :)

You can see all the caps |Here| for Thursday's show.

Another TMoOD exclusive, I have added the two new HQ production stills from Jericho to the gallery!

You can see the supersized versions (even bigger than the clickables above) |Here| and |Here|.

Don't forget Kay's awesome idea for the weekly thread dedicated to the discussion of Jericho in the forum! She started one so hopefully you will join us!

Jericho's Back!

2007-02-21T21:38:00.000-08:00

Yes we're watching Jericho! I made caps for the Skeet gallery already, I couldn't help it! For anyone who has not seen the episode the caps may be a spoiler so please be warned! :)

36 hours before the bomb hit

30 hours before the bomb hit

24 hours before the bomb hit

12 hours before the bomb hit

8 weeks after

You can see all the caps in the gallery |Here|. The quality of them is not the greatest, sorry. I need HDTv... soon! LOL.

The show was so good!! It is so good to have Jake and Jericho back!

Skeet on Kimmel Live!

2007-02-21T06:07:00.000-08:00

Skeet appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night and for those who were not able to see it or missed it, I encoded a clip. Please click on the video below and choose 'save as.' If anyone has problems bringing the clip up, please let me know!

I also made screen captures (got a bit carried away but he's just too gorgeous) that you can see |Here|. He was wonderful and it was a great interview!