Quintin O'Dillmotte has been working very hard to bring our town to complete readiness in anticipation of the Maple Valley Independence Day Celebration. Erasing all potential reminders of the crape paper disaster of last year is more important to him than planning for this year. So far, talk about a repeat has been minimal. Everyone …
The folks in Maple Valley are working in preparation for the start of tourist season one week from Friday. The last few repairs on the railroad line are finished and inspections led to full certification for passengers on the General. Officials from the National Railroad Safety Association left town this morning and everyone is breathing …
Even though Maple Valley is a tourist destination for thousands of people each year, it is a real town where people live and it does not escape the characteristics of small town life. People know things about their neighbors they probably shouldn't know. Things the neighbors would rather keep quiet. Some people make it their …
It is a terrible shame the word "scandal" connects to Maple Valley in any way. The citizens of this small town, completely happy to continue in the ways we know, are now, through no fault of our own, tossed together into a chopper yearning to leave nothing recognizable in its wake. The very name, Maple …
Continue reading Scandal at Maple Valley – Episode 5: Father’s Day
O’Dillmotte Funeral Parlor “Where We Lay You Down Easy” is buzzing with activity. Quintin O’Dillmotte, the proud provider of burial services for the citizens of Maple Valley and all of Kertok County, has been on the phone for hours. No, Sylvia Meisner’s body has not been found, dead or alive. Quintin O’Dillmotte is chair of …
"It was your fault!! You shoved me first!" Veronia screamed. "Liar! You're always lying!! You never stop lying! You pushed my hand away! Liar!" spewed Vernita. "Ladies, ladies, please" said the sheriff. "Oh shut up, Pete, who asked you?!" Veronia and Vernita hollered in unison. "Actually, it was Gil and Nona Merthon next door who …
Obviously, the nature of scandal is to grow. In the history of mankind, not a single scandal germinated lacking ravenous hunger for more flesh. Think about it for a moment. What is scandal if not the fodder for gums to flap over, giving each gum owner the satisfaction of being the one with the latest …
Sylvia Meisner has been missing for two weeks. She lives alone in Maple Valley. Alone, but not alone. As it is with so many small towns, everyone knows everyone in Maple Valley, and there are plenty of folks who make it their business to know the business of everyone else. It is challenging enough living …
Before you get upset and say something you might regret later, let me explain. I’m making progress on my model railroad and I’m excited about it. It’s been a long time since I spent more than an hour with my layout. In the last few days I’ve probably spent fifteen hours with The Maple Valley …
Continue reading A Messy Model Railroad is a Happy Model Railroad
I’ve been struggling with a couple of things on my model railroad. I love my scratch-built basswood and balsa bridges. I used dark brown spray paint and I had to decide how to apply weathering finishes. I used a mixture of Ceramcoat acrylic paint, light gray, dark brown, a little yellow, a little red, and …
A Coffee State of Mind 