Happy Howlidays!

HEY!!

We're coming back, soon. Promise!!!

Still Innocent!

I am telling you, I have NO idea where all the mud in the kitchen came from!

It wasn't me!

I dunno HOW all this mud got inside - maybe it was the cats!

Were you ready?

Here I come!

Ready or not!

Mrrple grrgle

I know there is something in there!!

Not going out

Just gonna stay here wrapped up in my blankie!

Ummm... Mom?

It's a little damp out here!

Bleeech

I dunno why Alti eats this stuff!

Phooey

Monday again.

Confession

She's back - with a little confession to make!

Guest Star: Alti

Alti showing off her playful side.

Guest Star: Ricochet

Dori is still demanding more belly rubs. Since she won't allow pics today you get to see her buddy Ricochet contemplating the great outdoors.

On Strike!

Dori has decided to go on strike as far as being cute for photos. She is demanding more belly rubs and cookies.

Blognapped!!

Dori says she never gets any attention at home. In fact she thinks all the other animals steal her spotlight!

 

This is Sug checking out her temporary home. She comes to visit a couple of times a year. It is always fun to have another small one around!

Duckie and the Beanstalk: Finale!

DON'T CRY PRINCESS! IT'S OK, REALLY! I KINDA LIKE BEING TALLER - I CAN SEE MORE FROM HERE! Ducklin was sincere in his words. As an adventurer this opened a lot more possibilities for him - and he was a lot less likely to get eaten while he was out and about!
The princess lifted her head and looked at her subject. Slowly she began to grin. If you ever come back down to the castle, I have just the task for you, too!
Tynee and Ducklin both looked at her in question.
Nope, not saying. Lets just leave it that there is something I think you would be uniquely suited for.  Her smile grew as she began plotting in her mind. I think you will be happy here - and maybe we will come back for a visit as well! Just don't try on any more strange clothing!
The trio's laughter filled the hall and the others joined in. Everything was ok again in Dori's realm - at least for now...

THE END!

Gotta Try the Tie!

TAKE IT OFF? OF COURSE I TRIED! IT SEEMS A BIT STUCK THOUGH. The indignation in Ducklin's quack quickly turned to chagrin.
Well then! Let's all give it a try and see if we can get it unstuck and you ungianted! Dori hoped maybe if everyone worked together it would help.

 

Everyone took a place and grabbed on.

The puullleed. And the tuggggeedd. And Ducklin held his breath and thought small thoughts with all his might.

But the bowtie refused to be removed.

Oh, Ducklin! Princess Dori cried. It just isn't moving! You... you may have to stay a giant forever!

Bowtie!!?

A bowtie. You grew when you put on a bowtie.
Dori couldn't hold back the giggle. After traveling so far and seeing so much the cause of the journey was a BOWTIE?!
She snickered. Then giggled again. And finally just gave in and rolled on the ground with a good old belly laugh.
Have you even thought of taking the darn thing off?

Ducklin and the Beanstalk: What??!

But that doesn't explain how you changed size like this! C'mon, what exactly happened? Dori was wanting to make sure she avoided the same fate!
AFTER THE OTHERS WOKE UP WE EXPLORED SOME MORE. WE FINALLY CAME TO A ROOM FILLED WITH TABLES OF FOOD!
It was the food, wasn't it! Tynee blurted out. He was quite proud of thinking of the answer.
UMM....NO, THE FOOD WAS GOOD. BUT THERE WAS A GLOWING PUDDLE BY THE WINDOW THAT I SLIPPED IN...
And that turned you big? Dori asked.
NOT REALLY. WHEN I SLIPPED I LANDED IN A SPIDERWEB.
And it bit you!?
NOPE. I JUST GOT WEB ALL OVER ME. I WENT TO CLEAN UP AND SAW THIS NIFTY BOWTIE. I TRIED IT ON AND SUDDENLY FOUND MYSELF THIS SIZE!

Duckie and the Beanstalk: Ducklin's Tale

WELL, I CLIMBED THE VINE...
Ducklin went on to relate his adventures. He had worked his way through the halls and tunnels to the room with the strange instrument. There he had found the other ducks asleep and the music began to lull him to slumber as well.
What happened? Dori asked. Obviously you woke up somehow!
ACTUALLY, I NEVER SLEPT. I TRIPPED AND LANDED ON THE STRINGS - STOPPING THE MUSIC ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE TO GET OUT.
Dori and Tynee chuckled at that. Ducklin was known for tripping over his own webbed feet.

Fee, Fi, Foe... Ducklin?

HERE I AM!! I AM SO GLAD YOU FOUND ME!!
Princess Dori watched as a new duck arrived. This was the largest duck she had ever seen! And he was so loud! She flattened her ears a little at the booming quacks as he greeted the other ducks that had proceeded him.
Glad to meet you, as well. Princesses were almost always polite, especially when meeting the supposed Lord of this strange place. Would you perhaps know of the whereabouts of our friend Ducklin? He would be about the size of half your foot I believe.
PRINCESS, DON'T YOU RECOGNIZE ME? I AM DUCKLIN!
You? But... but.... Tynee pushed his way forward. If you are Ducklin - prove it! What is the one thing you are afraid of?
The large duck looked around to see if any of the others were near. He attempted to whisper - an attempt which did not quite work, however.
BALLOONS. THEY JUST FREAK ME OUT.
It's him! I mean it's you!! But what on earth happened!?

Duckie Parade!

The sound of many webbed feet filled the room. Dori looked over to see that the strange instrument had settled itself back in the corner where they had found it. The steps grew closer and suddenly she could see them.
Ducks!! But what kind of ducks were these? There were tall ones, thin ones, some with odd colors, and even one that looked like it had fur instead of feathers!
Tynee waddled over to them. Ducklin isn't here, Princess, he called over to her.
I AM ON THE WAY! a voice thundered in response.

Duckie and the Beanstalk: Who is that!?

DO NOT SLEEP! MOVE!!
I know that voice! Tynee wake up!
Princess Dori started to look around. Who was that hidden speaker?

Awake!

That voice! It sounded somewhat familiar!
Dori opened her eyes and looked around for the source...

Duckie and the Beanstalk:Naptime!

It was very odd. When Princess Dori moved to another part of the room, the strange contraption followed her! Soft music began playing. A rhythmical lulling tune that seemed just slightly familiar - like hearing a song you haven't heard since childhood and aren't quite sure if it is the same.
She found herself nodding, her eyes seeming to close on their own.
Jus' a lil' nap, she yawned. Tynee didn't hear her - he was already curled up in a little snoring ball of feathers.
Just as Dori was about to close her eyes completely a voice broke through the song.
STOP!!

What is this??

The duo continued onward. Room after room, hall after hall. It was a veritable maze of a building! Eventually they came to a room with an odd wooden contraption laying on the floor.
What is this? asked Tynee as he hopped up on it.
Dori looked at it closely, circling around it carefully. I am not sure - be careful, Tynee!

Tynee to the rescue!

Perhaps I can help, Princess? came a familiar voice from behind her.
Tynee!! she exclaimed. I am so glad to see you!
Well, after seeing you deal with those snakes I knew I could as well! They aren't as bad as I thought! They don't eat ducks, at least that is what they told me!
Tynee then squeezed through the bars and dragged the key over to Dori. Together they managed to get the gate open.

You are one amazing duckie! Princess Dori said once they moved on.

Can't it EVER be easy?

After solving the riddle Princess Dori went through the new passageway. It was gloomy but she could see light at the end. Unfortunately, when she got there it was barred by a gate - and the key was on the other side!
Try as she might she could not squeeze through the bars. I have got to cut back on the bacon treats when I get home! she thought wryly. HOW am I gonna get those keys?

That's it!

Princess Dori thought and thought and thought some more.
A soft breeze blew down the stairwell, ruffling her soft fur like a caress.
"Have you ssolved it?" The little snake asked.  "We hassn't got all day, you know"
The breeze grew stronger as if it too were hurrying her along.
Wingless flutters,Mouthless mutters Dori recited to herself. Wait a minute! I have it!!
It's the wind!! 
YESSSSSS! the little snake cried. The word was picked up by the other snakes Yessss, yessss, yessss It echoed around the pit blending into the sound of a stone doorway opening on the other side. 

Ssstill at the sssnakes!

 

YOU SHALL NOT PASS! one snake thundered in his slithery voice. 

Well, at least you shall not pass until you answer the riddle, that is. 

Riddle? I like riddles! Bring it on, snake! Princess Dori was eager to move onward and find her Ducklin!

The snake pulled himself up and asked:

Voiceless it cries,
Wingless flutters,
Toothless bites,
Mouthless mutters.

Of course!

Slowly the duo crept down the stairway. They could see something moving at the bottom. What could be down there?

SNAKES!! squeaked Tynee as he scurried back up the stairs.
Why'd it have to be snakes? Princess Dori said as she found a friendly looking one. Anything else Tynee could have handled - but not snakes!

Down we go!

I wonder where these blasted stairs will lead us?? Maybe there is something nice at the bottom!

Recap

(tech issues worked around and the story continues tomorrow!)
A brief recap of the story thus far....

 Princess Dori had an emergency meeting with her duck subjects. It appeared one of them had gone wandering and was missing! She went with Tynee to the place where Ducklin disappeared and found a mysterious vine which took her to a strange new place.

When we left her she was beginning her decent into the unknown, still in search of her missing duck!

Paws for Tech Issues

We'll be back hopefully this afternoon!

Duckie & the Beanstalk: Down, down, down

After a moment to build up her courage, Princess Dori hopped up and began her decent.
What lay at the bottom of the stairs? A dungeon? Treasure? CATS??!?

Duckie and the Beanstalk: Travel onward!

The odd doorway led them to a fenced in tunnel. There was only one way to go - forward! (well, unless they wanted to leave again but that wouldn't help Duckie would it!!?)

At last the tunnel ended - right at the edge of a set of stairs!
I hate these things! the Princess muttered. But I must find Ducklin!

Duckie & the Beanstalk: Where are we?

The vines gently lifted Princess Dori up. Up up up they went until at last they came to a odd path with a doorway at the end. As soon as her paws hit the path the vines withdrew, leaving the two alone.
Well, I guess we go through there then! Dori said with a shake of her head.

Duckie & the Beanstalk: Beam me up!

What a battle it was! First the vine would be wrapped around the Princess and then she would have the vine trapped beneath her. Poor Tynee just stood by and quacked encouragement to his Princess - he was definitely no warrior like she was! Fur and leaves flew everywhere!

Finally, the vine seemed to give up. It withdrew all its tendrils except for one. That one small appendage approached Princess Dori and made a bobbing motion - almost like a bow.

That's better, said the Princess. Now take me to my missing duck!

Tynee thought it better not to mention that the vine had done a rather nice trim on the Princess' generally unruly hair.

Duckie and the Beanstalk: What!?

Tynee, you are going on a diet when we get back! I need a break before we go any further! Princess Dori threw herself on to some cool grass to catch her breath. How much further is it from here?
The chubby duckling looked around carefully. He checked the size of the castle in the distance and nibbled a bit of greenery for the taste.
I do believe we are near, he finally said. That vine on your back looks awfully similar to the one Ducklin climbed.

Vine? What vine? There is no vine one my OH MY GOODNESS IT IS MOVING!!

Duckie and the Beanstalk: Journey Begins

 

Of course it is Ducklin! the Princess cried. His little webbed feet always marched him into trouble!

Tynee, you must show me where this vine is!

The little pudgy duck took a deep breath. Me? Are... are you sure you need me? It was obvious that this was not a duck who liked adventure - not at all!
Yes, you! I will carry you, of course! Now let's go!

And they were off!

The Title Revealed!

What do you mean 'someone is missing?' the Princess asked. You are ducks! You're suppose to stay together in a flock!
The duck quacked softly. We do! Well, most of us at least. It's just Duclin. He's a bit of an adventurer... and-he-went-in-the-gardens-an-didn't-come-out. He finished in a rush.
Fairies, muttered the Princess. I bet it was the Fairies again.
Oh no! It wasn't them! He... well he climbed a vine and disappeared! The duck (whose name was Tynee) was quick to defend the fairies.

And so begins the story of... The Duckling and the Beanstalk!