Excerpt from The Inventor's Diary: "I Saw Her Standing There" -

"Weeping Willow"

digital collage by Mick Mather

"...the strings of my heart began to sing at the sight of her. She was standing there on a lovely rise of old stone steps. Framed by a shadowed alcove tinged in chocolate and black cherry, I was hard pressed to look away when caught staring. She looked away instead so I persisted, the scrutiny of a fool I was to learn soon enough. Tall she was, long and lanky, hair to the shoulders playing hide 'n seek with a delicious neck. Her outfit was draped perfectly, suggestive of the flesh beneath, while telling a tale of the willows of which she reminded me so much. Limber, flowing, easy with the wind, every movement a gentle rushing, rustling and murmuring. I turned away, finally, to go about my business. When I looked back to see if her shrouded gaze followed me, she was gone..."

The Inventor -

"Lake of Tears"
digital collage by Mick Mather

There's a story here. I've decided not to tell it. If you're out there and found your way in here, study this evening's post and write a story for me. Not a long story, a short, short, short one. About a paragraph at the longest length, any shorter tale to tell will be just fine. You can email it to me or leave it in the comments box; either way, I'll put it here, with this image as soon as possible after receiving it. If more than one? None? Gee, I really hadn't thunked over it that fur! Let's see what happens.

Excerpt from The Inventor's Diary: "The Note" -

"A Billet Doux For Her Lovers Greatcoat"
digital collage by Mick Mather

..."I remember watching you fold a small piece of paper. Studious in the effort, keeping each edge trim, every crease clean and smart. Beyond was that old, doddering coat rack, a deep purple shadow of its contents cast upon the wall by cheap incandescents. I returned quickly to my own work, an image of fuzzy edges melding, one into the other, clear in my mind if not in that room. You had left by the time I returned and, donning the last remaining greatcoat, my own, I slipped a hand into the left pocket, finding the note. My heart beat a little faster and a warm flush came over me as I did carefully unfold. Then, that sinking feeling that foolish hearts find forever surprising. The name of the one you confess your love to isn't mine"...