Primrose Evergreen's Winter Forecast

Hello! It's Darcy again. Back at work and quite happy how business has been handled during my extended Christmas break. I hadn't decided what to write for you but inspiration came after a visit from Primrose Evergreen.

Primrose Evergreen in Upper Mellowdene

Primrose Evergreen is Mellowdene's weather forecaster. I understand she's always had an affinity for meteorological predictions but that has been honed over her life so that her accuracy is uncanny. She regularly travels to Upper Mellowdene to observe Coldmount Peak and records movements of ice particles whirling about the pinnacle. She says this helps her long-range forecasts. I've no reason to dispute that. 

 

Anyway, Primrose had visited to bring me a forecast for the next week, ready for inclusion in the Mellowdene Examiner.

"We're going to get some winter snow, Darcy," she had said. "I'm going to see HHG after I've left here. They'll need the heads up to clear the county roads."

"That bad?"

She nodded as she handed over the forecast report.

"Only a smattering of snow in the village - and that is likely to melt within a couple of hours. But further into the county the snowfall will last longer - two to three days - and as a result it will be deeper and take longer to clear. I'll update you in a few days."

She remained briefly as I went to key the report details into the newspaper's typesetting system.

With Primrose gone my thoughts turned to HHG.

HHG Enterprises' workshops and stores

HHG Enterprises are the brainchild of Magnus Hamilton. Upon moving to Mellowdene this enterprising hamster saw the need for a better organised plan for maintaining the village infrastructure. He also wanted something for his son Huckleberry to take forward should he eventually come to the village; a decision he'd have to make with his fiancée. In the meantime he took on two young partners - Perkin Harvey and Richard Grunt (hence HHG) - and created the company. Whilst these three families form the core of the organisation they have a flexible workforce to service the needs of the village, working closely with the council. Despite the growth of the company, Huck, Perkin and Ritchie were determined that they would not become purely administrators. Their time management ensures they still do plenty paws-on work! At the newspaper, my right-paw critter is Harry Hawthorn and, as Huckleberry Hamilton's brother-in-law, he keeps me updated with HHG's plans.

HHG out on a job

Winter weather provides particular challenges and HHG are prepared to meet them. Although crittizens in the village don't tend to suffer from a cold climate, those living further afield in the county can be affected. Snow cannot be allowed to isolate them. Most live within reach of the three main roads, Mellowdene Road, County Road and Rivercourse Road, so HHG consider it a primary need to keep those roads clear.

HHG clearing some snow

Of course, roads aren't the only routes through the county. Recently, Jackson highlighted our rail connection to the rest of Sylvania. You can be assured that the tracks are always kept clear. Fireglass channels run parallel to the railway lines. The Hunter-Smyth family process this resource in inventive ways and the interaction of rain or snow on a fireglass derivative within those channels keeps the tracks clean, warm and free from ice or snow. The channels are regularly maintained so that the Maple Town Express can keep running to schedule.

 

Reilly Hunter-Smyth takes Formula 4 Fireglass to the rail track

With the main routes clear, we still need to ensure that provisions are accessible to the county dwellers. Fireglass is again used to keep wells from freezing but what about food?

Timbertop Farm, Blackberry Orchards, Buttercup Dairies (with their farming of lactolia plants) all have longstanding plans to combat poor weather. Again, Primrose Evergreen's forecasts give them sufficient notice. 

Bud Timbertop takes out the tractor

Bud shifts some snow

 

Zeb, Taylor and Tyler go shoveling

Tyler Timbertop and Zebediah Cody carry some fireglass

But what about shopping for everyone else?

 

Rocky Babblebrook to the rescue. Rocky is a descendent of our first mayor of Mellowdene, his lineage extending to one of the four founding families of our village. He doesn't share his ancestors' political ambitions. Long ago the Babblebrooks became more concerned about providing food for our villagers. Not everyone can spend their time on farming, fishing and other food production tasks. Babblebrook's Store was born. A few years ago, the store was expanded and rebranded as the Village Supermarket with new managers running the day-to-day business, these being Bert, Joyes and Macey Harvey. Rocky, his father Cliff and uncle Gerald decided that their traditional smaller stores should continue in the form of branches, still bearing the Babblebrook name, peppered about the expanding village. There are three branches in Mellowdene, and one conveniently positioned in the county.

Babblebrook's county store

In bad weather, Rocky not only takes extra care to ensure the county branch of Babblebrook's is well stocked, he is known to take his four-wheel-drive car and personally deliver food to the less accessible homesteads.

 

Rocky and Cliff driving into the county

Rocky on deliveries

 

Actually, Rocky is not alone. There is the community convention where all villagers choose to pile in when there is need. The worst of winter may pose challenges for the county but we are Sylvanians through and through.

o 0 O 0 o

Speaking of the "worst of winter" I had a conversation with Ricardo Porcini about how such conditions affect Chunglewood.

"We don't get snow," he said. "It doesn't get through."

I remembered what Jackson had said about the weird spatial effects above the forest. Rain didn't have a direct path downwards to the clearing, resulting in patchy but predictable irrigated areas and even one sky cascade. There were sky pools too.

"Right," I replied. "The barrier thing. But don't the sky pools ever freeze over? Snow settling and blocking out light?"

Ricardo laughed. "I'd never thought of that. It does sound reasonable now that you mention it. But no, we don't see that happening. The sky lightens a bit from time to time and we get cold rain, that's all."

"Could the barrier be melting it?"

 

"Darcy, you do ask some crazy questions. Maybe it does. We don't think about it. In fact I don't remember snow ever coming up in conversation. Nobody's seen it since they left the Woodzeez realm. Except me, of course. With me able to leave Chunglewood and travel around Sylvania, I've witnessed my fair share of snowy landscapes. Saw a blizzard once."

Ricardo's words made me think. The Chunglewood villagers were still reticent to leave the clearing - for whatever reason, and I have my suspicions - so how would they react seeing a blanket of winter snow after well over a decade of being sheltered from the excess of weather?

Maybe they'd better stay cloistered until Primrose Evergreen gives a favourable weather forecast!

o 0 O 0 o

I Need a Holiday!

Story to follow. I'm having a break over the Christmas period.

Darcy Fielding.

o 0 O 0 o

So, What's Been Happening?

Hello my friends - and apologies for our silence over the last month. It's Darcy Fielding, in case you were wondering. And if you were also wondering about the reason for my particular absence, read on!

o 0 O 0 o

In summary, I needed a holiday.  That in itself may surprise you, workaholic that I am, but one can reach a point when the amount of work becomes too much. In fact I had reached the point where, when I was leaving home for work, I found myself looking back and longing to remain with my family.

I have always managed to balance my home and working life - until recently. The population growth in Mellowdene - including crittizens in both the village and the county - has steadily been eroding that balance. You may remember how busy I was last Christmas and my family time was going to suffer. Fortunately, my good friend and work colleague Harry Hawthorne stepped in to share the load. Everything worked well but it made me think. I needed to make changes.

That became essential following the opening of Chunglewood. Now, even though we haven't mentioned the people of that village much this year, their influence has been felt, particularly in some quarters. Granted that most of their residents still haven't left their home in Tall Tree Forest, but - possibly because of that - there is an official policy to ensure they will feel welcome when they do. The Mellowdene Examiner has been publishing a small weekly magazine specifically for the Chunglewoodians, gently giving them an insight into Mellowdene. We've taken selected articles from back issues of my newspaper, suitably edited, with a view to acclimatising them to our nature. As you might imagine, this has significantly added to our workload.

It became clear that a holiday was needed to give me a break. It was also clear we'd need help to keep the paper running in my absence but we had to acknowledge that would only be a temporary respite. A long term plan was needed. I would need a permanent increase to my staff numbers.

And that's what I did. For the past six months we have had three additional employees at the Mellowdene Examiner. And wow. They are good.

o 0 O 0 o

I'll get to the three additions shortly but first I'll remind you of my current colleagues.

Harry Hawthorne may be my lead reporter but he does so much more. I decided to make him deputy editor but that was only when we'd agreed on the balance of his duties; he does like reporting and interacting with the public.

Antonia Petite does a little news reporting but she concentrates on community articles including her popular "People" column where she interviews villagers about their lives.

Although a freelance travel writer on paper, Ricardo Porcini goes beyond his syndicated travel column to help Mellowdenians learn about other Sylvanian communities.

I must include my friend Jackson Butterglove as he plays a small role in my newspaper. Of course he writes the majority of this blog, but as far as Mellowdene is concerned he writes occasional articles for the Mellowdene Examiner. It helps explain our association here at the office. I've not mentioned it before; it's not really relevant to the blog. His articles involve short interviews with villagers to discuss their musical tastes, asking for examples of songs they like and why that might be. He's rather efficient at it now and can pile up a number of articles that I can publish periodically. He says he quite enjoys it. There's the social aspect and it also helps as market research for his songwriting.

My three eldest children like to help out with small tasks for their daddy. Una, as previously indicated, goes way beyond that. She wants to be a top reporter and I think she will take over the family business one day.

So that's the current mob. And with the workload increasing, I can now introduce you yo my new gang.

o 0 O 0 o

I needed someone to handle the administrative tasks that I had traditionally addressed without assistance. Some of the necessary work was tedious but it was increasingly taking too much of my time. For a couple of weeks Edith Snow-Warren looked to be a candidate but that wasn't to be. She had missed much in the years she was absent from the village, and was spending time both at the library reading our archives and here at the office delving into the recent back issues, trying to catch up on events. She wasn't interested in being employed personally but her research prompted her to suggest someone she had met when reintroducing herself to the village. 

The Faraday sisters are well-educated twins and when they came to the village it was no surprise that one sister - Felicia - would become part of the school teaching staff. The other - Fenella - had not found her niche, spending most of her time in the library. It was there she met Edith and this led to her coming to meet me. Discovering what I needed, Fenella became interested and agreed to help.

She has proved to be a whizz at administration. That included the essential tasks I found both tedious and time consuming. And she likes doing them!

Calbert Porridge is the second new employee. He has always been interested both in electronics and in machinery but hadn't found the right place to utilise his skills. Since Newton Butterglove upgraded our print room a few years ago we have increased our output but it's fair to say none of the Mellowdene Examiner staff were techies. We were tinkering around the edges. Calbert, on the other paw, is technically brilliant and the print room now runs at optimal efficiency. 

That brings us to reporting. Harry Hawthorne remains our best reporter but he was also faced with doing some of the editing when I was pushed. As already mentioned, that role is now official. We are more organised now that Fenella is saving me time, but my analysis highlighted that we needed more reporters. Edmund Tailbury was engaged as another reporter and he's an astute investigator snd a good writer. 

In addition, my daughter Una has formally become an apprentice with the newspaper. This is part time because of her school work, but prior to this change she was like my other children Daniel and Helen - willing gophers but not deeply involved. Now, Una is shadowing Harry or Antonia Petite on their assignments.

The newbies settled in better than I could have hoped. They were happy to do their work over Christmas and Harry agreed to be on call as deputy editor - if needed. That meant - for the first time in many years - I could take a break from my family newspaper and actually dedicate all my time to my family.

o 0 O 0 o

So that's how it became possible for me to take a winter break. I gathered the family and made an announcement to that effect.

My wife Bridget said she'd have a break too, and that meant an adjustment to the proportion of household chores. Fair enough.

We didn't go away, limiting ourselves to day trips. My suggestion to take a vacation beyond the village was tactfully refused. Well, I say 'tactfully' but Bŕidget prefers clarity.

"I'll miss my programme," she said. I didn't need to ask which one. Of the television entertainment she enjoys, her 'programme' is a domestic drama series called 'Meece Tenders'. She is highly invested in the convoluted fictional lives of its characters and our home life is suspended whilst she avidly watches the show.

Outside the family, I again helped Spencer Maces organise the traditional Mouse Run. Together, we interview all the rodent families to determine availability and then Spencer does an amazing job with his tables of names, workflow diagrams, risk analyses and flexible alternatives. We then notify each family of the plans for the festive visits.  Even when more families are brought into the tradition, Spencer always delivers and, as with previous years, the event was a complete success.   

The children had a post-Christmas visit to Santa's Grotto.  For each of his "elves" (each semi-adopted into Mellowdene families) Lennox Murr-Grand invited their new siblings to see toys being made.

Bridget and I went out for a couple of meals - just the two of us. We arranged for my cousin Alonso to babysit our children. Una wasn't keen on the term "babysit" but when she was told there would be pizza she decided to live with the term.

None of this was exceptionally exciting but it definitely served its purpose. For me that was a break from work. Time with the family. When I eventually returned to the paper (two week's longer than originally planned) I was fully refreshed!

Watch out!

o 0 O 0 o

 

 

Finding a Way (9) - Chunglewood

We had an unexpected caller last week. Well, two callers really. Ricardo Porcini had brought one of the birds from Chunglewood (Owen Quiller) to Butterglove House but this large owl was not here to see me. My brother was the reason for the visit.  

"Is Merlin available?" asked Ricardo. "Owen is the Chunglewood archivist and he wants to see if there are any older records of our people in Sylvania."

"Oh, right," I said and escorted them to Merlin's living room where he was entertaining Brendan and Orton with some historical tales. 

 

After I'd made introductions the boys accompanied me back to my living room, bringing Snorker.

Once there, Brendan came straight to the point. 

"Are these Chunglewoody people not Sylvanians, then?"

I blinked. "I haven't thought about it. Why do you ask?"

"He said 'our people'. Like they were different. Why would they do that?"

Orton looked at both of us as we pondered the question and then he made a suggestion. "It doesn't follow that they're not Sylvanians. Maybe they were travellers like the Cornflowers. Weren't they separated from the rest of the Buttergloves for years and years?"

"And these Chunglies were trapped in the forest whilst the others were lost in the depths of Sylvania?" said Brendan, taking up the theory and adding some drama. 

True or not, the boys seemed satisfied with this explanation. Maybe Merlin could provide more information. In any case, the discussions must have been fruitful as Owen Quiller was absent when the next stage of the Chunglewood project commenced. Apparently he wanted to stay a while, delaying his return to Tall Tree Forest.

o 0 O 0 o

I won't bother with any lengthy preamble regarding our journey. We returned to the spot in the forest where we'd made the last attempt to forge a path through the trees and I saw there had already been significant preparatory work done.

Delvin McBurrows had dug a hole for a clay-built structure (courtesy of Rolf Billabong) that had established the foundations with a steady platform. The targeting equipment had fitted securely into custom slots on this platform and a new proto-crystal was in place awaiting my attention.

Xenophon Treefellow indicated the equipment. "I have taken detailed readings of all the proto-crystals we retrieved and this one will have a significantly greater range than the flawed one you used before."

"Is that one going back to Morwenna Deerheart?" I said. "It was on loan, wasn't it? 

"Already done, dear Jackson. As for this one, I think you'll hear the difference when you start the adjustments."

He wasn't wrong. I could hear more notes - because of its range it was detecting more distortion from all the trees - but the clarity of those notes was pronounced. I hoped this would compensate for the extra notes and the time taken to complete my task would not take much longer than my last attempt. In fact, with all the experience I'd had recently manipulating proto-crystals I was hopeful that I'd find a path even quicker.

 

I won't keep you in suspense. I was successful and in a shorter time. At the end of the path I could see a clearing.

The elation on Xenophon's face was a joy to see. Ricardo was jumping up and down and his fellow Chunglewood citizens - Redd Treefeather and Quincy Goldbill - nodded at each other in satisfaction. Rolf Billabong shook my paw vigorously.

"Well done, mate. Bonzer job."  

Quincy was about to walk down the path when Xenophon called out, "Not yet, Mister Goldbill. There's just a bit more to do."

 

I frowned. What could that be? There was no need to ask as a running commentary followed.

Xenophon took readings from the proto-crystal. "I first need to record how it's positioned so that it can be easily replaced without relying on Jackson's skill."

We waited patiently until he had done. He then nodded at Bruno Redbear who came forward and lifted the proto-crystal. The path disappeared.

 

Quincy's expression changed but before he could object Bruno held out the proto-crystal to him.

 

"Please hold that," his deep voice rumbled. He then unslid the targeting apparatus and put it to one side. 

Xenophon explained. "We can't leave this device here open to the elements. We'll need it again. Besides, it's too delicate when all we need is a sturdy pedestal to hold the proto-crystal. Rolf has made one from clay, custom built to both fit the platform and securely hold a crystal in place."

As Bruno slid the pedestal in place I could see markings on its top surface. Once positioned, Bruno retrieved the proto-crystal from Quincy and placed it in the concave cradle. Xenophon made adjustments based upon the markings.

I needn't have been concerned about my time having been wasted. In minutes the pathway reappeared. 

Xenophon extended a wing, pointing the way. "Shall we?"

o 0 O 0 o

 

Upon my first view of Chunglewood my impression was, "Where are the houses? Where are the people?" The clearing seemed devoid of structures or activity. It wasn't wilderness, though. I could see areas devoted to agriculture and there were paths leading here and there. At the far end of the clearing there was a body of water that had been surrounded by a raised stone path. A spring or small reservoir, I assumed.

 

We were about to step beyond the trees when we were confronted by what I took to be a family of foxes.

"Who are you?" said the young boy amongst them.

Redd Treefeather stepped forward. "It's alright, Howie. These outsiders are expected." He introduced the foxes as the Tippytail family, explaining, "It's their job to scout the edge of the trees and do a little foraging."

The father was called Tom Tippytail and his eyes flicked over us giving us a cursory examination. "The King will want to see you."

"That's where we're going, Tom," said Redd. 

 

"We'd better let the King know," said the mother, Suzy Tippytail, and they left us, rapidly crossing the rough ground towards the nearest path. I looked at Redd but he offered no explanation. 

 

All I could think was, "King? They have a king?"  

We walked towards the path and followed it towards one end of the clearing. I then noticed that it led to one of many stone houses partially obscured by the trees.

"Do you all live in the forest itself?" I asked.

Redd nodded. "At the very edge. We need the open land for farming and such. We may only be a small community but we need to be efficient with our resources. We don't have all the space like you have in Mellowdene. We need to be self sufficient. "

Ricardo chuckled. "Things will be better now we've found a usable way in and out of here. Wait till they see Timbertop Farm."

o 0 O 0 o

Redd led us to a building constructed of stone blocks. He went up to the wide doors and knocked.

 

A deep voice drawled. "Come."

We went in. It was a stark room, the stone walls and paved floor suggested a sort of meeting room or maybe a chapel. Not a palace and certainly not a home.

At one end a lion stood, regarding us with an unreadable expression. To his side a young owl watched our approach.

  

Quincy Goldbill stretched out his arm in an impressive gesture. "This is the King of Chunglewood."

"Thank you Quincy," the lion said, going on to explain to us, "They call me the king because they have chosen me to be the final arbiter on the rules we follow. That and because my family name is Kingsberry."

"What should we call you?" said Rolf. "Majesty, king or what?"

The king looked at him. "You are a koala, aren't you? We have a koala family here. But I digress." He turned his head in a sweeping movement, regard each of us in turn. "I prefer to be less formal. I am Roy Kingsberry. Call me Roy." 

Ricardo performed the introductions although he omitted Xenophon. Although unspoken, it was clear that the King of Chunglewood was already familiar with this particular Treefellow and not just from his recent visit via the Skyrider. The young owl was Pete Quiller, identified as a scribe present to document our meeting.

 

Roy Kingsberry fixed his leonine gaze upon me.

"I understand that we have you to thank for bringing our brother Ricardo back to us," he said in his resonant voice.

"It was a team effort, really," I said.  

Xenophon shook his head. "This is just rabbit modesty, sir. We may have provided the tools but it was Jackson's skill that allowed us to get here."

"And we are grateful," said the lion. "Although most of our Chunglewood residents considered the original path too long to follow, it was our only link to Sylvania. Which brings me to ask - how long is this new path?"

"Part of it winds through the trees," said Xenophon. "This is what we call the Cornflower route - that would take fifteen minutes without rushing. We named it after the young boy who mapped it - Brady Cornflower. The remaining straight part established by Jackson adds another five minutes at most. "

"Twenty minutes instead of over four hours? That is incredible!"

Ricardo piped up. "In the future, maybe it won't just be me who ventures beyond the forest."

"Perhaps," said Roy. He paused and looked past us. "Speaking of those who ventured beyond, where is Owen?"

Quincy Goldbill explained how the Chunglewood archivist was consulting with Mellowdene's head librarian. 

"I see," said Roy. "Understandable."

He looked at the scribe. "It appears you were right, Pete. Your father is looking beyond Ricardo's investigations. A good idea. The people will be interested to hear what he discovers."

I felt I had to say something despite not being aware of Chunglewood protocol. Maybe we would need someone like John Silk to iron out cultural differences but I couldn't wait.

"Where are your people, sir? It seemed deserted when we arrived."

"Hmm. First of all, you need not call me 'sir'. I realise it is intended as a term of respect but it is not necessary despite Xenophon's insistence on addressing me that way. No, Jackson. You found a way to Chunglewood. Perhaps you don't appreciate the significance of that deed. I am touched that you did this for the people of Chunglewood. Yes, I know that the Treefellows value access to our clearstones but Xenophon told me how that in itself wouldn't have persuaded you to pierce the forest."

If I could have, I would have blushed. It was true, though. Both my attitude and Cecile's  had changed when we learned Ricardo was blocked from the rest of the Porcini family. I lifted my eyes to look at the King of Chunglewood. He was smiling.

"To answer your question, Jackson - most of my people rushed indoors when the pathway opened. Not from fear, I hasten to add. From respect. They had already agreed that I should properly greet you all on their behalf.

"That said, we are not used to outsiders. We are familiar with the Treefellows and a pawful of scientific types... what are they called again, Xenophon?"

"The Sylvanian Research Group, sir."

"Yes, yes. Them. Not many Sylvanians, you see. Just a few who were prepared to travel that intolerable distance through the forest in order to trade for clearstones. A deal that was most satisfactory as the equipment we received in trade has made our lives less arduous. And yet, there have been so few outsiders that it takes time for my people to acclimatise."

"It is quite overwhelming out there,' said Quincy.

"But a wonder," said Redd.

 

"I don't doubt that Mellowdene will receive some Chunglewood visitors in time. That said, it must not be at the expense of our small community here."

"Excuse me," said Bruin Redbear, "but how did your community get here in the first place?"

Roy Kingsberry laughed. "Now that is a small question with a big answer. You will forgive me if I postpone my reply to another time. Information about the Woodzeez and Honeysuckle Hollow must wait. Now, I should offer you refreshments..."

o 0 O 0 o

 

We remained in Chunglewood a while longer before we agreed it was time for us to leave. Roy Kingsberry, the King of Chunglewood, did not expand on the origins of his closed community. It seemed that some things would remain a mystery, at least for now.

Perhaps Merlin had gleaned some information from Owen Quiller or from records in the library.

In any case, I would be happy to tell Cecile of our success in finding a way to Chunglewood. And show her the little wooden disc that Roy Kingsberry had given me. A disc engraved with three words.

 

Friend of Chunglewood.

Now I really do feel like I'm blushing.

o 0 O 0 o

(The End of 'Finding a Way')