Where in the World is Cupid

Concluding the story began on this post Lost-and-found-and-fortune-teller.

Madame Fortune Teller had decided to accompany Rag Tag man on his search for Cupid. The gods of the netherworld wanted Cupid back, especially for Valentine's Day, where he was needed most.

The two in search of Cupid morphed through the magical mirror to the underworld. Who else could be holding Cupid hostage? There were the usual suspects, Lucifer and his legion of demons, but what could they possibly want with a little nymph man armed only with love tinged arrows? 

Maybe Cupid decided to go on a bender. He had been at this love business since eternity began. Maybe Cupid was looking for Ms. Cupid? It is possible he accidentally fell onto one of his own love arrows. Did he take out a personal ad or post an online profile?

Cupid - avoids walks on the beach and direct sunlight, is constantly armed, prefers punctures over bites and is clothing optional.

Back to the business at hand, Madame and Rag Tag were now in the depths of the underworld. They were using invisibility cloaks to move past the nefarious sorts, the evil ones who continued their bad deeds in the afterlife.

They came upon a gatekeeper so they put their cloaks aside for a moment. Madame spoke first, "Gatekeeper, can you direct us to the Teller of All? We are in search of Cupid, we fear he has been abducted."

Gatekeeper pointed to a dark abyss and chorkled, "Take your chances there."

Madame and Rag Tag exchanged fear-tinged glances and proceeded toward the abyss. Madame whispered to Rag Tag, "When I say 'now' we will veer off to the left, down the corridor of hate and self loathing." Rag Tag didn't question, he merely followed in silence. 

They found themselves in a large circular room at the end of the corridor and there they burst into a song by Captain and Tenille, Love Will Keep Us Together.




In the midst of their song, they heard a sound, a voice joining them in the chorus ... the voice of a male other than Rag Tag man. Madame yelled out, "Cupid, is it you?"

Cupid cried from behind one of the doors, "It's me, it's me! Help. It is Valentine's Day and I need to work my magic."

Madame and Rag Tag hollered back, "We are here! Let's spring you out of this place!" So they busted down the door, grabbed Cupid and put on one of the invisibility cloaks. They made their way back through the underworld to the Earth's surface and the day was saved for lovers everywhere.

Wilton Valentine Cake

On to other news - I finished the Corn Crib quilt for my mom's birthday this month. I'm not sure if I was a success at free motion quilting (an example in this quilt), as I severely injured my left index finger in a sewing machine accident.

My online Computer Information Science class continues but there is nothing of note to post. It is a class that I can work ahead, which came in handy when I was laid up with the bum hand.

I am busy composing AtoZ Blogging Challenge posts, a mere month and half away beginning April 1. There is still time to sign up as a participant A-z-challenge-sign-up-list-2016. As of this post, there are over 700 bloggers in the mix. 

Lost and Found and the Fortune Teller

One of my favorite activities is to combine blog hops, the more diverse the better, but my search was in vain this year, lost in the ether that is the blogosphere.

I dug down in the Tami archive to revive a character that could and should make an appearance in this Lost-and-found-blog-hop.

The Fortune Teller appeared a couple of years ago in another blog hop. Her story continues ...

Madame Fortune Teller, as she preferred to be known in the traveling circus, didn't intend to make a career of reading Tarot cards but she came to enjoy the camaraderie of clan. They were the last of the modern day gypsies. She could come and go as she pleased, no one need tell her when to take a break, or how to wear her hair. There was a freedom in not being corporate. Besides, she was still young, plenty of time to plan for retirement.

Her day was proceeding along with the usual readings and common questions, "Will I meet someone?" or "Is there money in my future?" when a small, oddly-dressed man entered her tent.

"What is it you seek today? Answers to love, money or career?"

He answered, "None of those." He reached into his coat that was threadbare with more patches holding it together than original material. 

"I need to find someone but not in the usual way that one would think. I need to employ a different method for a person not of this world."

Madame blinked not once but twice. Did she hear him right? Was he "all there?" "Did you say 'not of this world?'"

"Yes," he replied. "We fear in the netherworld that Cupid has been abducted. Love has been languishing. There are less and less marriages. I have been sent down by the Gods to restore human faith in love."

"Shut up!" Madame exclaimed in a way that meant she didn't believe him, rather than don't say any more. "This has got to be a joke!"

"If only it were not true. I have no where else to turn. Your turn at the cards could reveal clues to where he is or who is detaining him."

She pondered this turn of events. She did have one deck of cards different from the traditional Rider-Waite. Perhaps they held the clues for this rag tag gentleman. She retrieved her Steampunk Tarot deck and collected her fee from him. The three cards she drew confirmed what the man had told her. 

The first card, the Wheel of Fortune mean that something had happened that made no sense and could not have been foreseen. The Nine of Pentacles represented Cupid as an accomplished and self-made forest nymph. The Five of Wands meant the gods were looking to regain what was taken from them.

"Let's try again. If we could know which direction to look, I will draw three more cards at no additional charge."  

The next set of three was the Eight of Cups, first card drawn. The meaning that there will be something left behind to search for something else.

"The gods mean for you to join me in my search!" Rag tag man exclaimed. Madame frowned and pondered this. "Let's move on to the second card of Judgement." Her heart jumped when she realized what that card meant, a core meaning of hearing and heeding a call. 

The third and last card was the Four of Swords, her interpretation was to take time out for a divine message or solution, still the swords, still the mind. The problem continues to exist but can be seen from a different perspective.

"I will help you. We still lack the clues to find Cupid. You can stay at the tent down the way, just tell them I sent you. We can start our quest in the morning." He smiled faintly, "Do you believe we will find Cupid in time for Valentine's Day?"

Madame Fortune Teller replied, "We can sure try!"

To be continued, check back on February 14th for the conclusion of Where in the World is Cupid? 

Zoiks it is back to college

Spring college classes are in full swing now. I am taking online Introduction to Computer Information Science this semester. 

Thrifting continues to supplement my T-shirt stash. I had culled through ones I had grown tired of or were too big. For less than $8, I picked up this lot at hospice, couple of yards of maroon Christmas themed fabric, red Dr. Peeper glasses, gray pair of lounge pants and a Blair red and white polyester shirt.

I couldn't leave behind the Scooby Doo tie.  This types of items usually don't catch my eye but these three might have resell possibility.

My second attempt at free motion quilting went a little better after I purchased these gripper gloves in the garden center at a discount retailer. I also buy replacement rotary cutter blades at a discounter rather than a fabric/craft specialty store, you can save a ton on a necessary quilting item. 



Found a desk for the Mr. at half off day for MLK at the thrift shop. It is in great condition, tongue in groove drawers, original hardware, all wood five drawer desk for $100. I adore buying furniture, so many pieces and so little room. 

I have been intrigued by art quilts. The latest addition to my hardcover book collection bound in pure white coffee table edition of a Barnes & Noble 2001 edition Quilts by Marie Salazar. 

Pattern of the Day is 50-year old survivor, 1966 Simplicity 6549.

I will be participating in 

Over at eseckman.blogspot.com, posting a two-part story titled "Where in the World is Cupid?"