Sunday is when we do beginnings, taking a look at the start of a Peter Abrahams novel, including those written under the Spencer Quinn moniker™ (a strange word we like and now own thanks to some blockchain maneuvers). How about It’s A Wonderful Woof, 1 of 2 #ChetandBernie #Christmas novels with a touch of #Hanukkah, the other being Up on the Woof Top? (For newcomers, the series can be read in any order.)
The Muertos throw the best Christmas party in the whole Valley. The Valley’s where we live, me and Bernie. It goes on forever in all directions, and is almost certainly in Arizona, based on things I hear from time to time. That’s not important. Is it important that the Muertos are the roughest, toughest biker gang around? Maybe to you, but not to us. The Little Detective Agency deals with the roughest and toughest every day. Little is Bernie’s last name, I’m Chet, pure and simple, and the agency’s just the two of us. Why would we need anyone else? That’s the important part.
3 Comments on “Beginnings”
Right on, Chet!
Good day to all.
Greetings!
Rereading the last three lines of this beginning made me think of the song by The Beatles called “Two of Us.” :^)
Good afternoon to all!
The Valley goes on forever in all directions. So very Chet, even though he has been to Mexico and Louisiana and apparently Southern California but we haven’t had a book or even an e-story regarding those adventures.
Still waiting for Chet to discover his legal name is Chet Little. I’ll bet his joy will be as endless as The Valley.
After a brief break, my work on the fence commences today. I am going to be working on a new skill. I am going to be using the saw to take off about a half inch of wood on two pieces, then overlapping them at a 90 degree angle to make a more solid joint which I hope will make my gate stronger (and less tendency to sag.) I have never done this before and measurements have to be a bit fussier than normal. I have to do this six times as there are three cross pieces so an overlap on each end to the uprights. Since each piece will be treated separately with termite prevention and a stain/sealer to protect from water I can’t glue them so I am going to try the overlap and then screws for a tighter assembly than nails.
I’ve got all day and all day tomorrow, plus Tuesday if necessary to get the frame assembled and mounted on the post with hinges. This is the tricky piece. Then it’s off to the regular section of the fence which is easy. I’ve built both fence sections and gates before but this gate design is a bit different than my previous ones. I’m hoping with all of the improved construction and prevention this gate will last 20 years or more.
It’s National Regifting day. Important as according to the USPS we need to get our gifts mailed by December 18th to ensure their arrival prior to Christmas.
It is also International Tea day, for those needing a break from cocoa and eggnog. My favorites are Earl Grey Supreme loose leaf, Celestial Seasonings Bengal Spice and Yogi Honey Lavender (with lavender honey to sweeten.) But I can have them any time of year so I think I am going to have some eggnog with a sprinkle of nutmeg.