Monthly Archives: November 2013

A Nice Ring To It. — The Gnomestead Tapestry – part 7

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The third of The Gnomestead Tapestry stories — A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

They were glad to have the team of horses helping hold back the wagon. Crack! Perhaps the trail even felt rougher with the weight of the ice.

They were glad to have the team of horses helping hold back the wagon.
Crack!
Perhaps the trail even felt rougher with the weight of the ice.

The rough trail had taken a toll on the large chunk or ice already. (maybe we can fix it with some glue...) Or perhaps Brother Jacque might be able to mend it with water?

The rough trail had taken a toll on the large chunk or ice already.
(maybe we can fix it with some glue…)
Or perhaps Brother Jacque might be able to mend it with water?

Sir Biff made a command decision. Sir Peanut, a fast rider and sound of mind, he sent ahead. Sir Peanut, ride ahead and get another wagon. We'll want more ice and snow to patch this. They would follow at a slower safer pace.

Sir Biff made a command decision. Sir Peanut, a fast rider and sound of mind, he sent ahead.
Sir Peanut, ride ahead and get another wagon. We’ll want more ice and snow to patch this.
They would follow at a slower safer pace.

Swiftly Sir Peanut rode to the castle!

Swiftly Sir Peanut rode to the castle!

Many knights speculated on Sir Peanut's return, but Brother Jacque asked...

Many knights speculated on Sir Peanut’s return, but Brother Jacque asked…

...and so he joined Sir Peanut as they headed back to the mountains.

…and so he joined Sir Peanut as they headed back to the mountains.

When Sir Peanut returned and caught up with the others There had been some developments.

When Sir Peanut returned and caught up with the others
There had been some developments.

Brother Jacque saw the ice had broken into chunks on the rough road. I think this beyond my skills Sir Knights. The knights needed a new plan, for they would not give up!

Brother Jacque saw the ice had broken into chunks on the rough road.
I think this beyond my skills Sir Knights.
The knights needed a new plan, for they would not give up!

“A Nice Ring To It.” will be continued! Watch for it!

“A Nice Ring To It” is a longer story than “The Hunt!” but it’s a fun story. It is a half hour cartoon compared to a  5-10 minute short — or something like that. It’s all about a birthday — but read on…

The holiday season is here and with the season comes thoughts of charity. I urge you to follow through with those thoughts and give to the charity of your choice. I also hope you remember the spirit of giving through the rest of the year.

If you are interested, check out We’ll Make Cents’ “Standing With Courage” project and their “50-Cents – a Jar of Change” drive.

DWPenner

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A Nice Ring To It. — The Gnomestead Tapestry – part 6

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The third of The Gnomestead Tapestry stories — A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

Reaching the mountains, they switched to a team of 12 sturdy oxen. This is feeling more like a cattle drive than quest! The going was easy at first and they joked at the precautions.

Reaching the mountains, they switched to a team of 12 sturdy oxen.
This is feeling more like a cattle drive than quest!
The going was easy at first and they joked at the precautions.

...but at Sir Peanut's urging they brought their team of horses along as well. (or a circus!)

…but at Sir Peanut’s urging they brought their team of horses along as well.
(or a circus!)

As promised the going got a lot tougher.

As promised the going got a lot tougher.

The road indeed was rough! But they pushed on with their quest!

The road indeed was rough!
But they pushed on with their quest!

bump!

bump!

Eventually they made it to the glacier. Somewhat in one piece.

Eventually they made it to the glacier.
Somewhat in one piece.

They found a piece of ice about the right size, and using their axes shaped another piece into a ramp and dragged their cargo onto the wagon with the oxen.

They found a piece of ice about the right size, and using their axes shaped another piece
into a ramp and dragged their cargo onto the wagon with the oxen.

The oxen might be slower, but Sir Peanut hoped the shorter trek would get them to the castle before the ice melted.

The oxen might be slower, but Sir Peanut hoped the shorter trek
would get them to the castle before the ice melted.

The road home was as rough as it was going to the glacier.

The road home was as rough as it was going to the glacier.

“A Nice Ring To It.” will be continued! Watch for it!

“A Nice Ring To It” is a longer story than “The Hunt!” but it’s a fun story. It is a half hour cartoon compared to a  5-10 minute short — or something like that. It’s all about a birthday — but read on…

The holiday season is here and with the season comes thoughts of charity. I urge you to follow through with those thoughts and give to the charity of your choice. I also hope you remember the spirit of giving through the rest of the year.

If you are interested, check out We’ll Make Cents’ “Standing With Courage” project and their “50-Cents – a Jar of Change” drive.

DWPenner

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Inter-What? — Wheel Tales of Willow City

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Inter-What? by DWPenner

Inter-What?
by DWPenner

Hello Mrs Little!

Hello Mrs Little!

Hello Willy! Do you have a few minutes to give me a hand?

Hello Willy! Do you have a few minutes to give me a hand?

Sure I have some time for you.

Sure I have some time for you.

What can I do for you?

What can I do for you?

Can you come in and help me out, reading my telephone bill?

Can you come in and help me out, reading my telephone bill?

Why do you need help with that? You have good eyes.

Why do you need help with that? You have good eyes.

They've put my bill on the Internet and I don't know how to use it.

They’ve put my bill on the Internet and I don’t know how to use it.

I'm sure I can help you with that...

I’m sure I can help you with that…

...and I'll try teach you about the Internet too.

…and I’ll try teach you about the Internet too.

That would be great! Everyone is going onto the Net and they just assume we know.

That would be great! Everyone is going onto the Net and they just assume we know.

I hope you enjoy these and I would really appreciate your spreading the word. My stories are spread by word-of-mouth so this is the way that others might also see them.

It seems that many people and organizations are making assumptions about people and technology. They assume that “everyone” has a Cell phone or a Fax machine or a computer and the Internet.

Not everyone has access to every gadget. It isn’t just people who despise change or technology — many people don’t normally have a need for some things. For example not everyone feels a need to be on the Internet and don’t want the added expense. For another example not everyone has a need for a Cell phone — their normal land-line works just fine in their lives.

The only time they miss some forms of technology is when someone makes another assumption that “everybody” has it.

This strip* was published before as “Wheel Tales of We’ll Make Cents” but we thought it would be better to publish more independently — hence the change in venue and name to “Wheel Tales of Willow City”.

We'll Make Cents“We’ll Make Cents” is an organization that helps support a number of not-for-profit causes which might get overlooked. Why not pop over and give them a visit.

Donations are actually hard to come by for Charities and other not-for-profit organizations. Consider what you might be able to donate. It might be a good time to clean that closet, attic, cellar, shed, or garage! You might have someone else’s next treasured possession. Perhaps you don’t live near Auckland and We’ll Make Cents, but there are people in need everywhere!

DWPenner

* Only the first stories were on We’ll Make cents. The more recent stories are being published here first.

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A Nice Ring To It. — The Gnomestead Tapestry – part 5

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The third of The Gnomestead Tapestry stories — A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

Sir Biff and the others sought out Brother Jacquef (Jacque) on the castle parapets. Brother Jack, if some knights needed a huge block of ice, where could they get one? Sir Biff, I gather these good knights could not wait until the winter snows had once more returned to these parts... Sometimes Brother Jack.. Jacque could be a bit long winded...

Sir Biff and the others sought out Brother Jacquef (Jacque) on the castle parapets.
Brother Jack, if some knights needed a huge block of ice, where could they get one?
Sir Biff, I gather these good knights could not wait until the winter snows had once more returned to these parts…
Sometimes Brother Jack.. Jacque could be a bit long winded…

...after a bit of a pause, Sir Peanut steps up to translate for Sir Biff... He means, do we want it now. Yes Frere Jacque, we need it as soon as possible!

…after a bit of a pause, Sir Peanut steps up to translate for Sir Biff…
He means, do we want it now.
Yes Frere Jacque, we need it as soon as possible!

Umm, well, I hear the rivers up north at St. Frostberg are still clogged with ice... (and it melted long before it got here!) Wouldn't blocks of ice from that far north melt long before it reached here? Brother Jacque admitted that it could be a large problem.

Umm, well, I hear the rivers up north at St. Frostberg are still clogged with ice…
(and it melted long before it got here!)
Wouldn’t blocks of ice from that far north melt long before it reached here?
Brother Jacque admitted that it could be a large problem.

Umm... Well, when the King doth desire sherbet in summer, we doth send servants with a large wagon... Where to, Frere Jacque! This is important to us! Patience was not one of Sir Biff's virtues.

Umm… Well, when the King doth desire sherbet in summer, we doth send servants with a large wagon…
Where to, Frere Jacque! This is important to us!
Patience was not one of Sir Biff’s virtues.

Truly could Brother Jacque be long winded and try even Sir Peanut's patience. ...there are mountains to the west where-within you will ind glaciers of the Alpine variety as opposed to the Arctic variety, and it is there-in from those self same glaciers... (Aren't Alpine roads dangerous?) ...that we shall find ice even unto the months of June, July, August, and September. But the answer would ring out in the end.

Truly could Brother Jacque be long winded and try even Sir Peanut’s patience.
…there are mountains to the west where-within you will ind glaciers of the Alpine variety as opposed to the Arctic variety, and it is there-in from those self same glaciers…
(Aren’t Alpine roads dangerous?)
…that we shall find ice even unto the months of June, July, August, and September.
But the answer would ring out in the end.

Somehow more knights heard of the quest and all wished to join. (and all that was left was enough for the King's sherbet!) But in the end it was decided only three knights would go.

Somehow more knights heard of the quest and all wished to join.
(and all that was left was enough for the King’s sherbet!)
But in the end it was decided only three knights would go.

As they left, Sir Hills had some sage advice. B'fore thee get to yon mountains, switch thee to oxen. A'fore yon path be vara steep and rough with wagon setch. Sir Hills was more than a bit rustic and archaic.

As they left, Sir Hills had some sage advice.
B’fore thee get to yon mountains, switch thee to oxen. A’fore yon path be vara steep and rough with wagon setch.
Sir Hills was more than a bit rustic and archaic.

“A Nice Ring To It.” is to be continued! Watch for it!

“A Nice Ring To It” is a longer story than “The Hunt!” but it’s a fun story. It is a half hour cartoon compared to a  5-10 minute short — or something like that. It’s all about a birthday — but read on…

DWPenner

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A Nice Ring To It. — The Gnomestead Tapestry – part 4

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The third of The Gnomestead Tapestry stories — A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

And so began the log (long) trek south - and home.

And so began the log (long) trek south – and home.

The trek south seemed even slower than the one north.

The trek south seemed even slower than the one north.

The trip did seem to speed up as they got further south...

The trip did seem to speed up as they got further south…

It took a while to realize the true reason for the easier travel.

It took a while to realize the true reason for the easier travel.

This was not a part of the plan.

This was not a part of the plan.

Sadly Sir Peanut had to admit defeat. I have failed at mine quest.

Sadly Sir Peanut had to admit defeat.
I have failed at mine quest.

Again the good knights pondered... Then it's agreed! ...and finally decided to consult with brother Jacque directly.

Again the good knights pondered…
Then it’s agreed!
…and finally decided to consult with brother Jacque directly.

“A Nice Ring To It.” is to be continued! Watch for it!

“A Nice Ring To It” is a longer story than “The Hunt!” but it’s a fun story. It is a half hour cartoon compared to a  5-10 minute short — or something like that. It’s all about a birthday — but read on…

DWPenner

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A Nice Ring To It. — The Gnomestead Tapestry – part 3

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The third of The Gnomestead Tapestry stories — A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

First for our quest, we get a large and sturdy wagon. ...and teamsters.

First for our quest, we get a large and sturdy wagon.
…and teamsters.

Then we leave the castle and head north! As it was Sir Peanut's plan, he took on this part of the quest.

Then we leave the castle and head north!
As it was Sir Peanut’s plan, he took on this part of the quest.

It was a long way north...

It was a long way north…

A very long way!

A very long way!

North is a very very long way away.

North is a very very long way away.

The northern forest is dark.

The northern forest is dark.

Not so, the open areas in June!

Not so, the open areas in June!

Brother Cedric was rather pleased with the woolens Sir Peanut thoughtfully brought. ...he arranged a large block o ice to be dragged from the river and loaded on the wagon.

Brother Cedric was rather pleased with the woolens Sir Peanut thoughtfully brought.
…he arranged a large block o ice to be dragged from the river and loaded on the wagon.

“A Nice Ring To It.” is to be continued! Watch for it!

“A Nice Ring To It” is a longer story than “The Hunt!” but it’s a fun story. It is a half hour cartoon compared to a  5-10 minute short — or something like that. It’s all about a birthday — but read on…

DWPenner

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A Nice Ring To It. — The Gnomestead Tapestry – part 2

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The third of The Gnomestead Tapestry stories — A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

I received a message from him just last week. He is in St. Frostberg.

I received a message from him just last week. He is in St. Frostberg.

That's very far up north, isn't it?

That’s very far up north, isn’t it?

Yea, indeed. So far north he doth say...

Yea, indeed. So far north he doth say…

Most of the rivers are still frozen 'til this day!

Most of the rivers are still frozen ’til this day!

Good-Day Sir Knights! Good-Day Sir Knights!

Good-Day Sir Knights!
Good-Day Sir Knights!

Remind me to never cross the Bishop.

Remind me to never cross the Bishop.

I think I have a plan! Sir Peanut has come up with a plan at last!

I think I have a plan!
Sir Peanut has come up with a plan at last!

“A Nice Ring To It.” is to be continued! Watch for it!

“A Nice Ring To It” is a longer story than “The Hunt!” but it’s a fun story. It is a half hour cartoon compared to a  5-10 minute short — or something like that. It’s all about a birthday — but read on…

DWPenner

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My Eyes are Down Here! — Wheel Tales of Willow City

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My Eyes are Down Here!

My Eyes are Down Here!

Betty, my chair has been playing up. I'm waiting for the service man.

Betty, my chair has been playing up. I’m waiting for the service man.

Willow City Wheelchair Service

Willow City Wheelchair Service

Now I don't have my electric wheelchair for a while. I'll need help.

Now I don’t have my electric wheelchair for a while. I’ll need help.

Let's go get some ice cream! I'll push, you pay!

Let’s go get some ice cream! I’ll push, you pay!

Hi Willy, Betty! Did you just have an ice cream?

Hi Willy, Betty! Did you just have an ice cream?

Yes Hank, we just had some. If you were here earlier I would have bought you one too.

Yes Hank, we just had some. If you were here earlier I would have bought you one too.

Why is Betty pushing you in the manual chair?

Why is Betty pushing you in the manual chair?

My electric wheelchair is in the shop for a day.

My electric wheelchair is in the shop for a day.

Willy, why do the clerks keep asking me what you want?

Willy, why do the clerks keep asking me what you want?

They always are looking at me and ignoring you.

They always are looking at me and ignoring you.

It's always like that Betty, they always talk to the care giver.

It’s always like that Betty, they always talk to the care giver.

Sometimes it makes me want to say: "Talk to me, my eyes are down here!"

Sometimes it makes me want to say:
“Talk to me, my eyes are down here!”

I hope you enjoy these and I would really appreciate your spreading the word. My stories are spread by word-of-mouth so this is the way that others might also see them.

When many people come across a care giver with a person with a disability, they will talk to the care giver ignoring their client as if they weren’t there. Remember to address the disabled person and not the helper if you should be talking to their client.

This strip was published before as “Wheel Tales of We’ll Make Cents” but we thought it would be better to publish more independently — hence the change in venue and name to “Wheel Tales of Willow City”.

We'll Make Cents“We’ll Make Cents” is an organization that helps support a number of not-for-profit causes which might get overlooked. Why not pop over and give them a visit.

Donations are actually hard to come by for Charities and other not-for-profit organizations. Consider what you might be able to donate. It might be a good time to clean that closet, attic, cellar, shed, or garage! You might have someone else’s next treasured possession. Perhaps you don’t live near Auckland and We’ll Make Cents, but there are people in need everywhere!

DWPenner

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A Nice Ring To It. — The Gnomestead Tapestry – part 1

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The third of The Gnomestead Tapestry stories — A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

A Nice Ring To It.

So Princess thy birthday doth approach and we know not what thy wish for a gift. Let me whisper my wishes to thee Sister.

So Princess thy birthday doth approach and we know not what thy wish for a gift. Let me whisper my wishes to thee Sister.

So these are my daughter's birthday wishes. It is such terribly short notice. I don't know...

So these are my daughter’s birthday wishes. It is such terribly short notice. I don’t know…

And so Sir Biff meets with other good knights in the stables to discuss the Princess' birthday present. The Princess wants a carriage made of what? She wants a carriage made of ice!

And so Sir Biff meets with other good knights in the stables to discuss the Princess’ birthday present. The Princess wants a carriage made of what? She wants a carriage made of ice!

...and they planned...

…and they planned…

...and they planned...

…and they planned…

But they could not come up with any plan to get ice in June.

But they could not come up with any plan to get ice in June.

Brother Jacque, whatever became of Brother Cedric?

Brother Jacque, whatever became of Brother Cedric?

He just sort of disappeared after the incident with the Bishop.

He just sort of disappeared after the incident with the Bishop.

“A Nice Ring To It.” is to be continued! Watch for it!

“A Nice Ring To It” is a longer story than “The Hunt!” but it’s a fun story. It is a half hour cartoon compared to a  5-10 minute short — or something like that. It’s all about a birthday — but read on…

DWPenner

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Ding-Dong! Nobody Calling! — Wheel Tales of Willow City

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Ding-Dong! Nobody Calling!

Ding-Dong! Nobody Calling!

Ding Dong!

Ding Dong!

Ding-Dong! Nobody Calling!

Ding-Dong! Nobody Calling!

Hello!?

Hello!?

Hello!?

Hello!?

Hello!?

Hello!?

Oh! A note from the postman. "Called, but no answer. You may pick up your pac..."

Oh! A note from the postman. “Called, but no answer. You may pick up your pac…”

Hello Hank! Could you do me a favour?

Hello Hank! Could you do me a favour?

Sure Willy! What can I do for you?

Sure Willy! What can I do for you?

When you go to work tomorrow could you pick up a package...

When you go to work tomorrow could you pick up a package…

...for me? The postman didn't wait long enough for me to answer the door... Again.

…for me? The postman didn’t wait long enough for me to answer the door… Again.

I hope you enjoy these and I would really appreciate your spreading the word. My stories are spread by word-of-mouth so this is the way that others might also see them.

Have you ever discovered a note from the postal service, delivery service, or a courier telling you that you weren’t home when they came to deliver something. You know you were home all day… or perhaps there was a ring at the doorbell and nobody there. Consider what it is like when you are mobility impaired or have some other issue that keeps you from flying to the door in a blink of the eye.

Just those who need a home delivery the most end up missing them and having to arrange to pick things up at a post office or depot. Your regular postman or delivery person might understand and know to wait that bit extra. But with deliveries often it isn’t anyone that knows your situation doing the delivery. You sure don’t want to advertise the fact on the front door that you have any sort of disability — to invite stray prowlers in to prey on you.

All it needs is patience on the part of people working to deliver as quick as possible to as many people as possible… sort of a conflict of interest there…

This strip was published before as “Wheel Tales of We’ll Make Cents” but we thought it would be better to publish more independently — hence the change in venue and name to “Wheel Tales of Willow City”.

We'll Make Cents“We’ll Make Cents” is an organization that helps support a number of not-for-profit causes which might get overlooked. Why not pop over and give them a visit.

Donations are actually hard to come by for Charities and other not-for-profit organizations. Consider what you might be able to donate. It might be a good time to clean that closet, attic, cellar, shed, or garage! You might have someone else’s next treasured possession. Perhaps you don’t live near Auckland and We’ll Make Cents, but there are people in need everywhere!

DWPenner

Related articles