I saw Jerona Middleswatch this morning,with her wee sprite Ballyweana. They were sitting in the refectory area of Dingley Dell Community Hospital. I was downing a very tasty cup of acorn decaff. when I saw Ballyweana running round the tables,while Jerona sat with sleepy eyes at one of the tables near the door. I remember them both from Dingley Dell Nursery, as Ballyweana was one of my little charges. I remember one or two rather tense conversations with Jerona as Ballyweana's social skills with other sprites were somewhat missing. Jerona looked far from well. Her hair was dragged back in a skimpy pony tail,and she had pinned a myriad of clips across her forehead to keep the stray locks from falling into her sad eyes. She looked very down-at-heel,wrapped up tightly in an old anorak with a fur collar. With so many layers she reminded me of Heggie Doorsludge,bag woman of Dingley. She looked really tired ,and as she kept watch over Ballymeana, her eyes kept closing as she drifted off to somewhere where no one else could follow.
Ballymeana seemed to be thriving though, but she was everywhere. Eating off every one's plate,and running amok between people's feet, she had a merry laugh and had found her speaking voice. She caught sight of me,stopped in her tracks, and made a slightly shy wave over to me. She was a sweet little sprite,if a bit rough and ready. Jerona made sure Ballymeana was well-looked after,as well as her other children. She was truly proud of them all. Seeing them reminded me of all the dear families I had met in my time at Dingley Dell Academy. Families who had little, enjoyed what they had, worked hard, and wanted so much for the future of their sprites. Seeing them reminded me of my own dear family,my mother and father who worked so hard: my brothers and sister,and our growing up together in somewhat straightened circumstances, but always surrounded by love.
I was feling rather wistful as I stepped into the Faery Physio's domain,but, she didn't ask where my thoughts were,and just went into her usual merry banter, while checking the strength of my left hand and asking me how the exercises were going. Well,I said. And she went through her programme of therapy while I let my mind wander back to happy times as a sister and daughter,in our little toadstool two up and two down in the backstreets of Brigantia. My father Jiminy, was a seaman,who had roamed the Seven Seas, and seen the world. When he was done with that,he returned to the harbours of Brigantia,to man the tugs and dredgers there, and settle down with the prettiest elven lady in Brigantia- my mother Janesca.
Money was thin,but we managed. We had everything sprites really need,with two loving parents,who spent time with us and did all they could to inspire us to do well,work hard and make good lives for ourselves. So we did.

Today was definitely my day for seeing people. On my return to Dingley Dell,I whiled away an hour or two
in the supermercantile . I had one eye on the breaded mushroom burgers and the other on a rail of salebound jumpers,and could not resist lurching forward for a closer look. Imagine my embarrassment ,when my lurch was met by another body colliding into me. I looked up with a sincere "sorry" tripping off my lips to find the ballfaced arrogance of Gravelpounce Whimperstrand looking down at me. "My fault",he replied, "not to worry",and he charged on beyond me.He stopped however, and looked back,clearly wondering where we had met before. I kept my eyeline down. I knew where we had met before only a few weeks before,in his office at the Town House, as I interviewed him for the Daily Scandal. I was anxious that he did not recall either me or the interview,or any previous encounters,so I busied myself with the frozen veggies and hoped he would not return for another squint at me.
Phew !! I lived to fight another day.

Pendragon is working tonight in Metropolis, doing night duty at the hospital. He will call me on the woodland telephone later,and tell me how his"new bathroom" plans are going. We have chosen a slinky white suite,but still have to find a suitable flooring to accompany it. No doubt we will find something soon,from the wealth of catalogues lying on the oaken coffee table.

Best wishes to you all,my dear companions,as you tread the weary path towards October. Dark nights , fallen conifers, and the nut brown gold of torn-off leaves will soon herald the autumnal dawn. We have had a lovely day today,one of the last warmths of summer,but soon the light will fall at six,and the frost be there at dawn. Wrap up those weary bones,and search your cupboards for the warmer underpinnings which will keep the cold at bay.
Love and gossamer fur- belows from the Rainbow Faery, sweet Amarantha Willow at number five.