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They spread a blanket out on the ground in the shade and Kelli pulled out two bundles wrapped in paper. She handed one to Cecelia, who looked at it curiously and unwrapped it. It was a kind of pastry, folded over and crimped along one edge.
"What is this?" she asked.
"These are pasties. Mom makes these for when you can't get back for lunch. Try it!"
Cecelia took a bite. It was full of meat and cubes of some kinds of vegetables.
"Are these beef?"
"Yep. With potatoes and rutabagas." (2/4) #wss366

Cecelia and Kelli walked along the margins of the Ploughman's agricultural fields in Southbury. Cecelia took notes and explained to Kelli what the different plants were — weeds mostly — that lived in the uncultivated areas between the fields. Occasionally, they found interesting specimens that Cecelia would collect in her bag to press later.
It was nearly noon, and growing hot, when they arrived at a huge maple tree that stood alone among the fields.
"Time for lunch!" Kelli said. (1/4) #wss366

I received my NO AI pin from Duck Dock Go.

If anyone's curious what the flowers mean, I've written a post about the Language of Flowers to clarify: https://stevendbrewer.com/the-language-of-flowers/

"Would you like me to cut and arrange them for you?" Cecelia asked, getting out her clippers.
"No," Serena said. "For this, I'd like to do it myself. But would you keep me company?"
Cecelia smiled and nodded. (4/4) #wss366

"Evening Primrose? Saint John's Wort? Tansy?"
Cecelia sucked air through her teeth.
"My… Yes, I have those."
Serena thought for a moment.
"Any colt's foot?" she asked.
Cecelia shook her head. "No, those are out of season."
"A pity," Serena said. (3/4) #wss366

"We have a lot of nice blossoms," Cecelia replied. "Some roses are blooming, as well as nasturtiums and mallows."
"Oh, no," Serena said. "No. Do you have any #rue?"
"Ah," Cecelia said. "So this is *that* kind of bouquet. Yes, I have some #rue. And what else would you like?" (2/4) #wss366

Serena entered the botanical garden in Ravensbelth.
Cecelia was taking notes in her notebook. She looked up and smiled.
"And how is my sister this morning?" she asked.
"I am well," Serena replied. "But I need to send a bouquet to… an acquaintance." (1/4) #wss366

"Are you suffering from an insufficiency of drama? Do you WANT something?" #DogsOfMastodon

Lambda locked eyes with Totemo and barked.
They stared at one another in silence.
"Alright!" she snapped, finally. "You win. We can go."
Lambda, tongue lolling, preceded Totemo out of the office.
"You sure know how to fight dirty," Totemo grumbled, as she turned out the lights. (3/3) #wss366

Finally, Lambda quietly growled.
"It hasn't been that long," Totemo muttered, eyes focused on her screen.
Lambda growled again, not so quietly.
Totemo looked up, narrowing her eyes.
"And what would that #entail, precisely?" she asked, her voice ominously going up at the end. (2/3) #wss366

Totemo Isogashii and Lambda returned to the office after hours. Totemo had said she wanted just a few minutes to finish one thing. Lambda laid on the floor, eyes closed, while Totemo reviewed figures for a report and then crosschecked the results.
Minutes passed, then turned into hours. (1/3) #wss366

"I'm the one in charge of your security! How do you think it would make me look if something happened to you?"
"Oh. I guess you're right. I'm sorry, Lieutenant."
"Now, get in," he said, with a smile. "I'll escort you back." (3/3) #wss366 from Campshire!

"Oh," Revin said, embarrassed. "I guess I forgot to notify them because this was a spur-of-the-moment thing."
The Lieutenant flicked his forehead.
"Ow! What was that for?" (2/3) #wss366

Crow gave Lidja a hand into the coach, but then stopped Revin with a hand on his chest. His expression grew deadly serious.
"And just what are you doing out here without your security #detail?" he growled. (1/3) #wss366

Tonight, I'm hosting a Straw Dog Writers Guild workshop about Scrivener (and other software for writing). It's being held in the North Amherst Library Community Room at 7pm: https://strawdogwriters.org/event/writers-tools-scrivener-ms-word-and-google-docs #WesternMass

"You've to help me!" Cecelia heard a man pleading with Kasseh. "I forgot it was my anniversary. I need something good. Fast!"
Fifteen minutes later, Kasseh came upstairs with a heavy pouch of coins in her hand.
"Grab your coat," she said. "Let's go out for dinner." (4/4) #wss366

They sat across the table from one another, locked eyes, and were about to dip their spoons in when there was a loud knock on the door. Then again. Kasseh sighed and pushed back from the table. She went downstairs to answer the door. (3/4) #wss366

Sales hadn't been good, recently. Things weren't yet desperate, but she was trying to cut grocery costs. And Kasseh was working long hours to make her shop profitable.
"I got a hambone to season it with," Cecelia said. "That's probably what you smell." (2/4) #wss366

"Something smells really good!" Kasseh said, entering the apartment. "What's for dinner?"
"I made #bean soup," Cecelia said. She began to ladle some into bowls.
"It smells delicious!" Kasseh said, taking her seat.
She knew that Kasseh was just trying to humor her. (1/4) #wss366