Working has rather taken over my life over the last few days. The carefree days of summer seem to have gone,only to be instantly replaced by rollercoaster journeys to and fro,and deadlines to meet.
My used parchment business has started to speed up somewhat,meaning more orders,more parcelling,and more trips further afield to find new sources of parchments in superb condition. I have to keep my inventory high,and awash with newly exciting purchases for those discerning buyers out there in Dingley Dell and far beyond.
They have been keeping me on my toes lately with telephone requests,and electronic box requests.so my day has been largely driven by the needs of my parchment customers.
I have been doing everything I normally do as well,of course. My Radio show at Dingley Dell Community Network has also been eventful. I have had a spate of musical visitors recently who have all been appearing at the Metropolis August Festival. A jazz pianist,a player of Early Music on the clavichord, and an actor from a stunning piece of theatre called The Lost Wood of Arrimonda ,which sent Pendragon and myself out into the dark Metropolis Streets one Saturday Night,clucking with delight and talking about it into the early hours.
He was rather a good looking fellow,on stage and off,and very pleasant to look at, and to listen to ,across the radio desk.
His name is Arnolo Tiramellow,and he stood tall in his dark green hunting boots,and leather cotte.
He had the deep Mediterranean glow that comes from many afternoons spent basking in a sunny environment,so he clearly did not come from Dngley Dell. I detected a slight accent in his dusky tones but could not determine from whence he had originated.
He was a rather witty fellow when he started to open up to my questions,and pictured for my listeners an early career littered with auditions and rejections before he made his mark in the theatre world.
He talked of the roles he had played,the films he had made and his future projects. I have to admit to not having to prompt him too much,as he had clearly been vaccinated with a gramophonic needle,and talked himself in,out,back and forward of every thing he was asked.
But he was a delight,and I just sat mesmerised by his youth and jollity,and made sure that everything went out perfectly to our audience,through the audio desk which we presenters have to control. I wound up the interview after fifteen minutes,and was captivated to hear him say how much he had enjoyed "his luuvvelly time of talking to ze beeyouteefool Amarantha".
None of my listeners saw me smile back at him,but I can assure you I wore that grin for the rest of the day.
Anyway,work,work,work, and more work. I have also now prepared 4 issues of my column for the Daily Scandal with my Team. It seems to be popular on a Friday,and Portamus,the editor, tells me that circulation on Fridays has risen. Some readers have also written in suggesting ideas for items for me to follow up, or just saying how much they have enjoyed a feature or the look of the column. We have centred it on Dingley Dell's comings and goings,and local residents seem to be enjoying that .The local grapevine has also taken to submitting notes for Amarantha about certain rumours which might be worth following up. Portamus has said he does not mind me indulging in a little printed scandal,but it must not break the bounds of public decency,or land the Scandal in the lawcourts.
That means much more fact finding before anything gets a headline.
Tomorrow I have to attend a fundraiser for the Radio Network in the morning and have my regular Team meeting at the Scandal in the afternoon, so I am going to be busy again. Next week I hope to have more time for myself ,as I really need to be able to cut loose and have a fun day. Maybe Wednesday. I'll diary that date and cross my fingers.
The treadmill we like to call our cosy life draws me now to go off and prepare a hearty supper for Pendi. We thrive here in Lobelia Drive,in our tiny haven,our Toadstool Cottage paradise.
Amarantha wishes you a thrifty Thursday, my dear friends ,and asks that you all remember the benefits of early nights and hot potage this cool September day. One will bring you a bright eye on the morrow,the other will bring a warm glow to your heart.
Love and clean plates every time please,from Amarantha Willow,the Rainbow Faery.
