Easter - Spring 2025

 It's a wonderful spring day today and Geri Applewood is cycling through the blooming countryside!

Geri is filling her basket with beautiful flowers of all kinds! So many colors and wonderful scents! Spring is such a magical season! 🌼🌷🌻

-Look! I found a yellow one! What about you?
-I found a green one... and a ladybug too!

HAPPY  EASTER!!

A Christmas Carol (part 3)

 -What place is this spirit?
-It's the house of your only living relative!
-My nephew Fred?
-That's right! Your late sister's only child! He is having a Christmas party! Let's listen to what they're talking about...!

-Fred, have you seen your uncle Scrooge recently?

-Actually I stopped by his office today to invite him for dinner but as always he came out with a couple of nasty words about Christmas and bah-humbugged me out of the door!

-He sounds so mean!

- No he's not...He's just a lonely man! And his wealth only makes him more unhappy! But my mother loved him! So for the shake of her I will continue inviting him every Christmas! I feel sorry for him and I could never be angry with him...

-Now in honor of my mother, my dear wife Millie will perform a song that her and her brother Ebenezer used to sing when they were children! It's a cheerful tune! Let's have fun my friends!

-Enjoying yourself Scrooge?

-Ahh, this song brings back nice memories!

-Well I'm afraid I have to leave you. My time on earth is not long!

-Oh no! Don't leave me spirit! You've been a nice friend to me!

-No, I'm done! Remember...you will be visited by one more ghost...

-...I believe... you...are the ghost of Christmas yet to come...

-...

-Ι...fear you greatly, but...I know your purpose is to do me good,...isn't that right?

-...

-Ok then... show me shadows of things that will happen in the future!...

-...When did he die?

-Last night I believe.

-All that money! I thought he'd live for ever!

-But so miserly, he'd never give a penny to the poor...

-I think it's going to be a cheap funeral, nobody will go.

-I might go if there's a free meal!

...

-Spirit, who died and why are they acting so coldly?

‐Oh, no! This can't be true!...Please spirit, I beg you, have mercy on me!...Tell me this isn't happening! Will you not speak to me?

-...

-Spirit hear me! I'm not anymore the man I was. I have changed after all these I have seen tonight!...Tell me it's not too late! From now on I will honor Christmas in my heart and I will be a better man all year...Please good spirit....please!...

-Oh! Yes! My bed is still here, my blanket is still here... and I am still here! I knew it! The shadows of the future can still be changed!... I don't know what to do!... I am as light as a feather, as happy as an angel! And it's still Christmas day! I must hurry, I have so much to do before another day passes!

-Hello my friends! How are you this beautiful Christmas morning?

-Mr. Scrooge?...

-Yes, it's me! How did your kind work with charity go yesterday?

-Actually we fell a bit short of our goal...Times is hard for everyone you see...

-Well, let me help you succeed with your goal!

-Oh, ...thank you Mr. Scrooge! This is so generous of you!

-Fred! Merry Christmas dear nephew!

-Uncle Scrooge!...Merry Christmas!...Are you feeling alright?

-Oh yes! I'm feeling tremendously well! Actually I've never felt better! So I would really like to join you and your lovely wife to your Christmas dinner if the offer still stands!

-Of course uncle! You are most welcome!

Mr. Scrooge? Merry Christmas sir...!

-Well Cratchit...I came here to tell you... that you leave me no alternative...but to give you... a raise!

-What did you say?

-Merry Christmas Bob! Merry Christmas Mrs. Cratchit! And to you Tiny Tim! And yes! These are all for you my friends! And not only! I'm sorry for being so tough on you! I promise that from now on I will do my best to help your loving family and especially this fine little fellow to get well!

-Oh Mr. Scrooge, I'm lost for words sir... how can I thank you! Do come in!

-Thank you Mr. Scrooge for making this Christmas so special!

- The pleasure is all mine children! You filled my soul with pure happiness!

-From now on you will be a member of our family! We'd love to be our grandfather!

-What a sweet thought Tim! That would be a real blessing! Merry Christmas everyone! May always love warms our hearts!

* * * * * * THE   END * * * * * * 

A Christmas Carol (part 2)

 -What is that noise? Is anybody there?...

-Ebenezer Scrooooge!...

-Who...who are you?...

-In life I was your partner, Jacob Marley!

-But...you died seven years ago...

-Don't you believe me?

-I...I believe you...but what are these chains on you?

-I wear the chain I forged in life! I made it link by link with my greed! But this is nothing compared to the chain you are making Ebenezer! It is a monstrous one!

-Oh no!...speak comfort to me Jacob...

-I am here to warn you that you have yet a chance of escaping my fate!

-Tell me, what must I do?...

-You will be haunted by three spirits!

-More ghosts? I think I'd rather not...!

-Without their visits you cannot hope for a better path than mine! Expect the first when the bell tolls one!...

-It's one o'clock... nothing... maybe I was only dreaming... but wait... I think something or ....someone is over there!...

-Who are you?

-I am the ghost of the Christmas past!

-And what reason brings you here to me spirit?

-Your welfare! Now come along, we have much to see!

-Help! Spirit! I don't know how to fly! I'm falling!

-Don't worry, just hold my hand!

-Where are you taking me?

‐We are going to visit some moments of your past!

-Do you know this place?

‐Yes! My old school, dark and empty!

-Not quite empty...A single child is left there, neglected by his friends and family!

-That boy is me... I could never join in those Christmas parties...Poor boy, so alone, no one really loved him...

-Do you remember her?

-...It's...Belle!...

-You loved her very much, didn't you?

-Leave me alone...it doesn't matter...

-You were about to get married but she couldn't stand it anymore!

-What?

-Your greater love for money and wealth! She felt so lonely. That's why she left you.

-So sad memories.. please spirit take me away from this place!

-Scrooge...come closer!

‐Who or what are you?

-I am the ghost of Christmas present! Look upon me! You've never seen the like of me before?

- I...don't think so! Where did all these come from!

-It's the food of generosity which you have long denied your fellow men.

-Generosity...Nobody has ever shown me generosity!

-You've never given them reason to! And yet, there are some who still like you! Come with me and you will see for yourself!

-This is the home of your faithful clerk Bob Cratchit. There's not plenty of food on their Christmas table but at least they seem quite happy at the moment. Although the health of their little one is fragile...

‐Let's have some juice and raise our glasses for a toast! Tiny Tim go on and make one!

-Ok dad! I want to thank Mr. Scrooge for this lovely dinner! He is the one who pays you for your work right?

-Mr....Scrooge...??

-Well...I suppose it's alright dear! It's Christmas after all! Let's drink to Mr. Scrooge then! Long life to him!

-Spirit, tell me... what will happen to Tiny Tim?

-Although this knowledge belongs to the future, I can only tell you that I see a vacant seat near the chimney corner and a carefully preserved crutch...without an owner...

-Oh no no, kind spirit, is there a way to avoid this?

-Unless the shadows of the future are changed this will be his poor fate... but enough of this let me take you somewhere else!

... to be continued