RUMPLATIONS: Awesome Honky Tonk and Cyber Bar How Y'all Are?

I'll start today's tunes with something appropriate to the season, dedicated to Kimmi, Kat, Kistin, Annie, and all the rest of you magic women…

Santana, with … Black Magic Woman …

.

And I'll leave you with a chocolate croissant, some chocolate cake, and some jammie donuts for Scott & the goddesses!

Take care out there, 'K?

Wow! I get back from the market with arms full of stuff, and it's empty in here!

Well, it's a cold, rainy day here, so maybe that's putting a damper on folks. Let's get coffee going – that should attract some folks.

Lights on, Lady Dryad has cleaned up the empty bottles and the overfull drunks, so we're good to go.

Tea Kettle is refilled and steaming away. There are pots of Red Rose and Macha teas available on the sideboard, plus all the other fine teas in the box. Sachets of Swiss Miss are available, along with the usual mound of mini marshmallows.

Big Bertha has been desludged, rinsed, and refilled, and sits ready to serve.

Today we're using Loon Call Breakfast Blend coffee beans from Muskoka Coffee Roasters, particularly appropriate given the loonies around this joint!

I've put out donuts for the dozens, with Sara's sprinklies set aside with her sports section.

Plus I've got some Boston Cream donuts for Scott and anyone else who wants 'em.

I'll do some cleanup, and then see if I can't find some more goodies, plus a tune or two.

For those who might be in a Halloween mood and want something dark and spooky to read (presumably at midnight by a roaring fire), I have a new horror story up on StoriesSpace. For those who are members there, comments are welcome. For those who are not, why not give it a try?

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/horror/down-in-the-well

Drink, please! Something stout. Yes, I’m drinking on the job. Installing huge software upgrade this weekend. I find I work better buzzed. 😎

Quote by Seeker4

For those who might be in a Halloween mood and want something dark and spooky to read (presumably at midnight by a roaring fire), I have a new horror story up on StoriesSpace. For those who are members there, comments are welcome. For those who are not, why not give it a try?

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/horror/down-in-the-well

Sweet Jesus! Just read and I highly recommend. Just make sure your teddy bear is firmly in hand…

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Sweet Jesus! Just read and I highly recommend. Just make sure your teddy bear is firmly in hand…

I think my job here is done, then. 😜

Quote by KimmiBeGood

Drink, please! Something stout. Yes, I’m drinking on the job. Installing huge software upgrade this weekend. I find I work better buzzed. 😎

Oh, and here I thought you wanted some – other – thing stout.

Or just thick.

You know – something to help with your, um, install…

Is that Stall Three, by any chance?

Well, good morning, campers. Has anyone seen a Lion around somewhere? Hope he and the rest of the animals on his ranch are OK.

Meanwhile, let's get the morning started.

Tea Kettle is refilled and ready. There are pots of Red Rose and Lasang salchow available on the sideboard, plus fine teas in the box. Sachets of Swiss Miss are available, along with the usual mound of mini marshmallows.

Big Bertha has been desludged, rinsed, and refilled, and available to serve.

Today we're using Mexcian Dark Chiapas French-Roast coffee from Plant Bean Coffee Roasters. It's dark, smokey, and rich – like me! Except for the dark, smokey, and rich part…

I've put out some fancy-schmancy donuts for y'all, with Sara's sprinklies set aside with her sports section.

Plus I've got some equally fancy cuppycakes for Kat & Company.

And I'm wonderin' where the Lion are…

Quote by JamesLlewellyn
And I'm wonderin' where the Lion are…

Some kind of ecstasy got a hold on you, eh?😉😁

Good morning. How's things? Need a strong black cup of Red Rose, please.

No plans today. Still thinking about our winter vacay. Had been thinking about Egypt and the Holy Land but global geopolitics got in the way. Just not sure what other options I am interested in.

Just popping in for a quick wave and a cuppycake. And to give a shameless plug for my Comp story for anyone who may have missed it (not hard to do with that plethora of entries.)

Please read my entry for the Halloweenie story competition: Be Careful What You Witch For

Tomorrow we board the ship for a Halloween-themed cruise and as a redhead, I'm sure no one is surprised my costume is Wilma Flintstone.

I will catch up on any stories I miss upon my return.

Looks like I need to get over to SS SOON to read Scott’s story. It's on my to-do list for later when we spend some time poolside.

So, I'm thinking of a Rumps-Own contest around music: The World's Worst Song.

I don't mean a badly constructed mess of noise, but rather something that is a recognizable song, but so dreadful that it creates a haunting earworm in your head.

Appropriate for Hallowe'en, don't you think?

You can offer as many entries as you can stomach.

So, my first "offering" is… Honey, by Bobby Goldsboro…

.

Winner gets their tab erased for the month of October!

Quote by techgoddess
Looks like I need to get over to SS SOON to read Scott’s story.

Read Molly's (Mollydoll here) new piece, too. You can thank (or spank) me later.

https://www.storiesspace.com/stories/horror/never-go-woods

Good evening everybody!

Or at least it is evening where I am at right now, which is Germany!

Hope you are having a good one.

I might watch a little Rugby match soon...

Quote by Fanny89

Good evening everybody!

Or at least it is evening where I am at right now, which is Germany!

Hope you are having a good one.

I might watch a little Rugby match soon...

.

Ladies, gentlemen, and all the rest of you lot – this here is Fanny, my newfound friend. She writes better in English than most of you all, even though her first language is German. She is open and friendly, and has decided to cast caution to the wind and drop in here for a drink. Please make her welcome!

Fanny girl – what can I get you? First drink is on the house.

Oh, and the Bear-tender (that's me) and resident Lion (he's around here somewhere, probably watching American rules football) are particularly partial to Jameson's Irish Whiskey – but don't let that influence your choice of tipple.

Whaddalya have?

Aw thanks for the invite!

Oh I am a gin girl. I'll enjoy it neat or as a Martini with vermouth, if you have that? 😊

Quote by Fanny89

Aw thanks for the invite!

Oh I am a gin girl. I'll enjoy it neat or as a Martini with vermouth, if you have that? 😊

I'm a summertime gin 'n tonic kind of Bear, but if it's wet and miserable, a gin martini hits the spot for me and Lady Jay, my wife.

Beefeater gin and Martini & Rossi white vermouth OK? With olives, of course.

Or do you want something more exotic?

Quote by Fanny89

Aw thanks for the invite!

Oh I am a gin girl. I'll enjoy it neat or as a Martini with vermouth, if you have that? 😊

Nice to have you here Fanny!

Quote by JamesLlewellyn

I'm a summertime gin 'n tonic kind of Bear, but if it's wet and miserable, a gin martini hits the spot for me and Lady Jay, my wife.

Beefeater gin and Martini & Rossi white vermouth OK? With olives, of course.

Or do you want something more exotic?

Just what the lady ordered! 😊

Helloooooooooooooooooo Fanny! Welcome to the bar. I actually grew up in a city with a big German population and German neighbours. Of course, that means I learned absolutely nothing and my German is only marginally better than my Tagalog. Meaning I know a few words vs. nothing at all. 🙄😊

So, with my new SS story out and an entry in the comp, I am back to my religious friends Lisa and Alan. And, to be honest, their third and probably final tale is looking pretty good. I thought I had pulled a bit of a deus ex machina on the ending but I think I've now set it up well enough that isn't an issue anymore. Maybe this week.

Like our friend Kat, I am going to be hitting the big ships again. Booked a cruise today for my January vacation (since the original plan to visit the Middle East go scuttled by current events there). Mostly ports in Central and South America but there's also one Caribbean stop. Changed cruise lines for this one so could be interesting. We have always gone with Carnival but this one is Celebrity.

A Chardonnay, please.

Quote by Seeker4

Helloooooooooooooooooo Fanny! Welcome to the bar. I actually grew up in a city with a big German population and German neighbours. Of course, that means I learned absolutely nothing and my German is only marginally better than my Tagalog. Meaning I know a few words vs. nothing at all. 🙄😊

So, with my new SS story out and an entry in the comp, I am back to my religious friends Lisa and Alan. And, to be honest, their third and probably final tale is looking pretty good. I thought I had pulled a bit of a deus ex machina on the ending but I think I've now set it up well enough that isn't an issue anymore. Maybe this week.

Like our friend Kat, I am going to be hitting the big ships again. Booked a cruise today for my January vacation (since the original plan to visit the Middle East go scuttled by current events there). Mostly ports in Central and South America but there's also one Caribbean stop. Changed cruise lines for this one so could be interesting. We have always gone with Carnival but this one is Celebrity.

A Chardonnay, please.

We had a couple of friends who came close to circumnavigating South America, eventually ending up in Florida, and they sailed on Celebrity. Quite liked it, too. You should have a ball – and warm weather to boot!

One Chardonnay coming up!

Quote by JamesLlewellyn
warm weather

Well, that's kind of the point of taking a Caribbean cruise out of Florida in the winter, eh. 😉 Though I must say, my cruise last January (Bahamas out of New Orleans) got rather windy and cool as we went back up the Gulf to NOLA.

Quote by Seeker4

Helloooooooooooooooooo Fanny! Welcome to the bar. I actually grew up in a city with a big German population and German neighbours. Of course, that means I learned absolutely nothing and my German is only marginally better than my Tagalog. Meaning I know a few words vs. nothing at all. 🙄😊

So, with my new SS story out and an entry in the comp, I am back to my religious friends Lisa and Alan. And, to be honest, their third and probably final tale is looking pretty good. I thought I had pulled a bit of a deus ex machina on the ending but I think I've now set it up well enough that isn't an issue anymore. Maybe this week.

Like our friend Kat, I am going to be hitting the big ships again. Booked a cruise today for my January vacation (since the original plan to visit the Middle East go scuttled by current events there). Mostly ports in Central and South America but there's also one Caribbean stop. Changed cruise lines for this one so could be interesting. We have always gone with Carnival but this one is Celebrity.

A Chardonnay, please.

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Quote by Fanny89

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Just read and commented on your comp entry. Nice job, Fanny.

Morning all, weekend is done and dusted in this part of the world. Welcome, Fanny, the rugby was certainly worth watching though I didn't see the first game which started at about 2am our time. SA and France, like NZ and Ireland yesterday, was a fabulous game. If you see Susie around, her drinks are on me and don't go mentioning the rugby.

The competition entries top 100, I am barely keeping up with reading, have done about 3/4 up to James entry and none after. A good showing as always from the Rump regulars. In case you haven't read and commented on mine here's the link:

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/double-double-toil-and-trouble-fire-burn-and-cauldron-bubble

and, to whet your appetite, here's what Sprite said about it:

i love this. love love love this. it's somehow got everything in it. humor, sex, poetry, magic... most of all it has you. haven't read a lot of the others, but i think that they will pale (mine included) next to this. oh, and the cover image rocks. not saying this because your a friend. even if i hated you, i'd have loved this. just wow. lol and no, i am NOT high (yet - that's later ).

Mind you I can neither confirm nor deny whether Rachel was high.

Quote by CuriousAnnie

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/double-double-toil-and-trouble-fire-burn-and-cauldron-bubble

and, to whet your appetite, here's what Sprite said about it:

i love this. love love love this. it's somehow got everything in it. humor, sex, poetry, magic... most of all it has you. haven't read a lot of the others, but i think that they will pale (mine included) next to this. oh, and the cover image rocks. not saying this because your a friend. even if i hated you, i'd have loved this. just wow. lol and no, i am NOT high (yet - that's later ).

Absolutely, every word. And even when she isn't, she is.

As for my blundering about, the blame is all to you, Missy Magick

❤️

Good morning folks.

Is there any coffee around here?

I accomplished to read all stories for the competition last night...loved the reading, although it was easier with the length of a micro.

definitely some great ones in there!

Maybe you want to have a read of mine if you haven't already 😉

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/black-cats-curse

Anyway, have a wonderful start into your week!

Fanny!

Quote by CuriousAnnie

Morning all, weekend is done and dusted in this part of the world. Welcome, Fanny, the rugby was certainly worth watching though I didn't see the first game which started at about 2am our time. SA and France, like NZ and Ireland yesterday, was a fabulous game. If you see Susie around, her drinks are on me and don't go mentioning the rugby.

The competition entries top 100, I am barely keeping up with reading, have done about 3/4 up to James entry and none after. A good showing as always from the Rump regulars. In case you haven't read and commented on mine here's the link:

https://www.lushstories.com/stories/microfiction/double-double-toil-and-trouble-fire-burn-and-cauldron-bubble

and, to whet your appetite, here's what Sprite said about it:

i love this. love love love this. it's somehow got everything in it. humor, sex, poetry, magic... most of all it has you. haven't read a lot of the others, but i think that they will pale (mine included) next to this. oh, and the cover image rocks. not saying this because your a friend. even if i hated you, i'd have loved this. just wow. lol and no, i am NOT high (yet - that's later ).

Mind you I can neither confirm nor deny whether Rachel was high.

Quote by kistinspencil

Absolutely, every word. And even when she isn't, she is.

As for my blundering about, the blame is all to you, Missy Magick

❤️

I agree that Annie's micro entry is brilliant – but so is Kistin's!

If you haven't read hers, then treat yourself!

My Jack O'Lantern

Pleased that Rumps is well represented.

Now, lemme get things going as Jay and I are traveling to see friends today and like to get an early-ish start.

And yes, I have friends, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

hunh

Tea Kettle is refilled and steaming away. There are pots of Red Rose and Earl Grey teas are available on the sideboard, plus the other fine teas in the box. Sachets of Swiss Miss are available, along with the usual mound of mini marshmallows.

Big Bertha has been desludged, rinsed, and refilled, and is now perkin' away.

Today we're using Kick Ass dark roast coffee from Kicking Horse Coffee Roasters, because it's Moan-Day, right?

I've put out donuts for the dozens, with Sara's sprinklies set aside with her sports section.

Plus I've got some chocolate biscotti for y'all.

Take care out there, 'K?

Quote by Fanny89

Coffee? In this joint??

Absolutely. Fanny, meet Big Bertha. She is the only person that everyone here worships and adores. Bertha, this is Fanny.

I even wrote a paean of praise to her, approved by sprite herself – when she's not too high, she can actually be a decent human being.

Sometimes.

Morning Glory: The Morning After at Rumps

Quote by JamesLlewellyn
She is the only person that everyone here worships and adores.

Coughs

ALMOST everyone. Some of us worship and adore her sisters the teapots. And with that, I would like a Red Rose, please.

Ever had a story you thought was finished and then you started second-guessing the ending? Yeah, this is me.

Quote by Fanny89

Just what the lady ordered! 😊

Welcome, Fanny! 😊