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Another wonderful event at the Wild Canid Research Center. Jonathon and I arrived a little late because I spent too much time sitting on the couch watching a video with Trinity. Her father was picking her up, and we curled up on the couch and watched THE THREE MUSKETEERS, the new Disney version with Mickey Mouse, Goofy, and Donald Duck. The beginning is very slow, and predictable doesn’t cover it, but it picks up in the second half. Frankly, the entire video is worth watching for me for just two scenes. First Clara Bell, the cow, is a villain, and does a great job at it. Second, she and Goofy have a wonderful scene together on a bridge where she’s come to kill Goofy. I don’t want to give anything away, but let’s just say that I just never new Goofy swung that way. The scene with Mickey in the dungeon where there is a sign on the wall that says you must be this tall to survive this dungeon will have anyone that’s ever been to Disney, or any amusement park laughing.
Jonathon and I arrived after almost everyone else was already at the Wild Canid Center. We parked and walked to the bonfire they had made for us in a clearing. They had carved some very cool pumpkins to act as a back drop. It was our second wolf howl event, and the second where that night was a lunar eclipse, and I believe the second where the moon is what is called a blood moon. Where the moon turns red, or orange like a sunset from reflected light. And it was the second time it was too cloudy to see much of the moon, eclipsed or otherwise. It was also great weather, light jacket weather. I read the first two chapters of the next Merry book, A STROKE OF MIDNIGHT. It’s release date is spring, I believe April. We did some questions and answers, then I got to see if any of my stage training was still hanging around because I read for half an hour, or so, with no mike. Apparently, everyone could still hear me. Mr. Huber, my drama teacher, would be so pleased.
Then off to walk the half mile, or so, to see if the wolves would talk to us. We stood in the dark, surrounded by autumn woods, and the first long, lonely howl cut the darkness. Then a second howl answered, and suddenly the night was filled with wolf song, and the African wild dogs joined in, so that we stood in the dark and were surrounded by the sounds. The volunteers at the Center had feared the wolves wouldn’t sing for us, because they’d been silent for weeks, but they simply outdid themselves last night. I stood in the dark, holding Jonathon’s hand, and thought I’m so glad I’m here at this moment. It was magical. The wolves were as generous last time with their beautiful singing. Maybe it’s the eclipse?
Then we all walked to the building that looks like a giant igloo, for hot chocolate and cookies, and the book signing. We did a few more questions and answers, then we signed books. Thanks to everyone who came out. We had 110 people, because they limit the number of tickets, so the wolves don’t get nervous. We raised 1,600 dollars. Yea! More people wanted tickets, but you just can’t get too many more people around the wolves, if we want them to howl for us. So thanks again to everyone that helped make it a great event. Gotta go make pages.