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Kate Henry's avatar

She got her wish. That's what adventure is like. I'm not up for adventure, but one fell on me yesterday. Excellent visit with Elizabeth...discussing/dissecting/comparing two pieces of lace made in 1500. She has money for big european lace auctions. So we "play lace" when they come in the mail. On the way home, top of second bridge from her house.... CAT trying not to get run over. Heavy traffic. HAD to park and run up the bridge to rescue. I mewed at cat, cat mewed at me. Details in email. Vet today. I am NOT ready for another "not well" cat. More later. Didn't have to go to Italy for this one.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Wow! Now that is the true meaning of "rescue cat". Things happen for a reason. Send details, my friend.

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Wade Terry's avatar

You make me look forward to Wednesday. I love the easy pace of discovery in the adventures you describe so elegantly. Bravo!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you so much, Wade!

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

There's always that delicious question at the end of your stories, the anticipation of more to come. Stories never really end, do they? I love your stories and the mysteries they lead to.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Not many tidy endings in real life either, right? I always prefer an open end. I think the reader can divine what happens on their own. Thanks, Sue!

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Sue Cauhape's avatar

That's what makes your stories so much fun. Just enough information for a really good daydream.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I would hope others agree, but I do often have readers who comment they want more! What happens next? Where is part 2? My next story, I fear, will need a part 2, but it hasn't come to me yet... I loved your cat poem this morning. Raymond salutes Howard.

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Switter’s World's avatar

I’ve ridden on a few funicular railways and always wondered if the cars were but on a flat fact or if they are built on ramps that matches the slope they are designed to ascend.

As always, Sharron, I enjoy your micro adventures into the great, mysterious world.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I don't know about gondolas or funiculars. I just hang on tight! Thanks, Switter

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Jim Cummings's avatar

Beautiful Sharron. I remember it from the first time around but I think you did some editing? A unique and multi-sensory romance complete with some fine art work!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yes, I cut out quite a bit. I think my writing has changed a lot since beginning on Substack in 12/22. Working a lot with 50-word stories has caused me to make things leaner. Now I am waiting for a new Cummings tale. I'd love to see a book of your longer stories!

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James Ron's avatar

You are very good with details, Sharron. I like the whisper to yourself what you see to better remember. What a woman wonders about a man while in conversation with him is similar to what a man wonders about her. I think, I'm never sure of what wavelength a woman is on. : ) Curious how they met up again at the cafe. Happenstance, or planned. I've heard some movie stars, like George Clooney, live near Lake Como. It looks beautiful.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

It is a smallish lake and all the villages are small too. A beautiful place to spend a few quiet days! Thank you, Ron

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Richard Blaisdell's avatar

Two characters whisper natural observations to record in ways each will remember. The finer details that can only result in secret thoughts later to be exposed in a notebook and a wash of pen and ink pastels. Priceless sketch of two meeting with a romantic twist on the shores of Lake Como, each lapping up the possible expectations. Love your writing style.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

You are so kind, Richard, Thank you for reading my little stories. There are so many writers on Substack. I really appreciate your choosing 🌿Leaves.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Adventures?

My thoughts today center on every breath as an adventure.

At 6 AM, with windows open, only screens, for the first time since last fall, the fresh air carried the life melting indoors with outdoors, reality of dreams mixed with dreams of sur-reality.

The birds caroled their presence with so many harmonizing choruses that my closed horizontal eyes visualized every one.

When the motorized sounds on the far-off highway joined in...the adventure in the details noticed began in earnest.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oooh! That sounds like such a lovely place to wake up. Jill. Pure heaven.

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Jill CampbellMason's avatar

Ahhh Sharron❣️ isn’t heaven waking up to your creative imagination?

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

👍🏻

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Sharon Hudson's avatar

I was completely engaged in this piece, from beginning to end, Sharron! So richly detailed…and a great story line! A little other-worldly, but close enough to reality, to be true. And leaving us all with a question. Brilliant!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, sister! When I was young and on the road, this is the kind of fantasy I had. Never happened, but I guess some things are better left to the imagination.

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just mud by Ron's avatar

". . .brooms sticking up out of the earth, about to sweep the clouds from the sky." Lovely words, all day long, Sharron! Always appreciate you tagging us along!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I wasn't sure how to categorize this little story - romance? yes. Travel? yes. Sci-fi? Hmmm, maybe...

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just mud by Ron's avatar

I was happy just imagining the view from the photo. Adventures are the besst!

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K.C. Knouse's avatar

Of course Julian was special; he was out of this world.:) Excellent work of slipping in hints of Julian's otherworldlyness. Even the name fits. I enjoyed the easy pace of the narrative. Another winner, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Ken - and thanks for the restack! That was very kind!

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Parker McCoy's avatar

That was a cool little trip. I think Roselyn and Julian may have many more adventures and deep conversations. I think he helped her writing as well. Great story, Sharron.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Parker, for dropping in over here at Leaves to read. I appreciate so much your taking the time to comment. Welcome!

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Katherine Mansfield's avatar

What a charming story! I don't typically read romance, but figured if TiF recommended the title, I may as well give it a go, and I'm so glad I did. I love Roselyn's whispered descriptions of her surroundings, and I genuinely would like to know more about Julian and where their chance (is it a chance?!) encounter leads...!!!

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

I feel Part 2 is in me… I am just waiting for it to come. Thanks so much Katherine for reading my stories. And for taking the time for this thoughtful comment. If you’re not seeking romances, you might take a look at my Travel Tales section. They are similar in feel to this story of Lake Como. Here is a short example https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/hitching-a-ride-in-tuscany-77d?

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Linda Cardillo's avatar

I don't think it was your intention but could easily be a visitor from someone outside our world. Even more romantic

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha! You got my intention, Linda. I love the hint that he was not of this planet. I have written a few stories on that theme. Not sure why I find it so compelling ( maybe because I had little success with men of THIS planet?). Here is another one about that

https://sharronbassano.substack.com/p/taken?

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Tim Connolly's avatar

Just wonderful Sharron. The dialogue is beautiful.

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Sharron Bassano's avatar

Oh, thank you, Tim. As old as I am ( very old) I still have a romantic heart. I liked Julian. I like to think he was a visitor from another world... I have written several short pieces about inter-species relationships. Why? Who knows?

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