Quito. Chapter Eight. Miss Villain's First Form Of Revenge.

     Page Two Hundred Thirty-Eight.
     "ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR COTTEN-PICKIN' MIND?" scream-arfed Quito. "Are you trying to burn down the house? Why would you set off fireworks so close to people? Don't you realize how dangerous that is? You're nothing but a crazy fool!"
     The four kids were huddled behind Quito, with baby Jordan wrapping herself in his bushy, black and white tail. As much as the fireworks really were beautiful, the kids were scared by the unexpected noise, black burn marks on the ground and closeness of the sparks. They realized that there really is a reason why adults consider fireworks and firecrackers dangerous.They could smell the smokey, burning gunpowder and decaying scorched grass; and it was difficult to see through the hazy fog of muddy, swirling clouds. The fireworks continued still.
     "Let me tell you something, Mister Quito", woofed Wanda. "I want what I want, when I want, where I want and how I want. And you can't stop me." Now are you going to come and be my spokesdog or aren't you. And before you answer,  just know this: if you say no, these fireworks will seem like child's play compared to some of the things I'll do to you and you family. So you think long and hard. Now, what's your answer. Tell me immediately."
     "NO! And if you know what's good for you, you'll forget about this whole idea before it's too late. You can't threaten me." Quito was strangely calm. He could feel the kids shaking with fear. But he didn't even raise his bark this time. He wasn't the least bit scared of his foe. He believed she was just a spoiled brat collie who's never learned how to receive a "no you can't" with grace when she was a child. Now as an adult collie she was mean to anybody who didn't do what she wanted. And she probably didn't have any friends as a result.
     But Quito knew how to handle a dog like this. She needed to be put in her place with no compromise. He knew that she'd do many mean things to him too. But he didn't care. He knew that he had the power and strength to fight back and protect his family.
     All of a sudden a flying ash flew down and landed squarely on Thomas's arm and started sizzling. He started crying because the pain was so severe. The other three kids soothed him and ran and got some ice to put on the small blister. Wanda just smiled with smug satisfaction. She hated children and was happy whenever one was harmed or injured. 
     Quito growled and bared his teeth. He was drooling with anger. He lunged toward Wanda and clamped his teeth around her front right leg and bit down hard. "Don't you ever show your fur around here ever again" he barked after letting go. Wanda was stunned. She was bleeding, but not badly.
     "Oh, now you'll really be sorry", Wanda barked while glaring at him. She limped back to her Duesenberg and her chauffeur drove off.
     Quito tended to Thomas's wound and put everybody to sleep.
Continued next week... Chapter 9. Watch Out.  

Quito. Chapter 7. The Fireworks Begin.

     Page Two Hundred Thirty-Four.
     It was all the five of them could do all that day was talk about the nut-job which was Miss Wanda Villain. "I think she's a real narcissist", declared Jordan at approximately 11.42 & 77 seconds that night. "And those bracelets. They were too flashy and there were far too many for my taste."
     "I don't think she was wearing too many bracelets. But it may have looked better if she'd gone with just one large, heavy bangle on only one leg", responded Jackson. "Sometimes less is more."
     "Will you two please talk about the bigger problem here?" Arfed Quito. Honestly, the way you both are always talking fashion, I'd think I was working in the offices of Vogue Magazine."
     Just that second, the song Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by the Andrews Sisters came on the radio and they all loved it so much they started singing and dancing. In fact, they looked a little bit like the kids dancing around in the Charlie Brown Christmas Special. Then when that song ended, they hit the jackpot: Glenn Miller's In The Mood came on, followed by Don't Fear The Reaper by Blue Oyster Cult and then the radio DJ played the ENTIRE soundtrack from Grease. Thomas popped some popcorn, poured on the melted, hot butter and sprinkled it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, paprika, sea salt and just a touch of sugar. Then Quito made cranberry cream spritzers with cranberry juice and cream soda. It was real party. The weight of the day was melting off everybody's shoulders.
     POW! ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!! BAM!!! Suddenly, there was such a clatter of light and sound outside, you would've thought that every tree within 100 feet had fallen over, and pulled down every electrical line with it. They rushed to the front picture window, pushed aside the red, satin drapes and the golden sheer curtains and peered out. They saw Independence Day style fireworks going off on their front lawn. There were enormous, glittery, red flowers in the sky. There were twinkling, yellow sparkles flashing and falling to the ground. There were dazzling, bright, green and blue bursts of glossy buds blooming over their house. And there was the husky, dusty gray smell of smoky gunpowder.
     "WHAT IN THE...?!?!", exclaimed William in the loudest voice he could muster at this late hour.
     "Get used to it you kids and Quito", woofed a voice they'd heard earlier that day.
Continued next week... Chapter 8. Miss Villain's First Form Of Revenge.

Dieting While Attending The Feast Of The Assumption - How I Did

     Page One Hundred Twenty-Six.
     Per one of my blogs last week, I was determined to attend the feast and still remain on my weight reduction diet. So... how did I do?
     Okay. I attended three times: Thursday mid-late afternoon; Saturday evening and late Sunday night for the fireworks. 
     Thursday: I deeply soul-enjoyed the one slice of sausage pizza which I purchased. However, afterwards I was still hungry and didn't have the defenses in place to protect myself from the Devil's wares. I purchased a small order of fries (which was huge) but was only able to eat about 1/3 or so before I was full. Then just prior to leaving I bought a pound of cinnamon pralines, but ate none while walking. Later that night, I ate about 1/2 ounce.
     Friday: ate about 1 more ounce of the pralines.
     Saturday: no pralines that day. At the feast had one more slice of pizza. An hour later purchased one single meatball. Then got a lemonade.
     Sunday: no pralines at all. At the feast had one more slice of pizza. An hour later purchased one single meatball. Then got a lemonade. Enjoyed the stunning fireworks.
     So, I'm moderately pleased with my performance. (But, I'm stuck with almost a pound of the Devil's pralines on my kitchen shelf. Do you want them? I'll mail them to you. Seriously.)
     On Saturday, in the middle of this whole thing, I got some good news. At my gym they tested my percentage of body fat. The preferred fat content of gentlemen my age should be 22% or below. I'm at 21.6%. This is with a loss of ten pounds, ten to go. If you ever hear me complaining about my fat, tell me to be quiet.