29 Comments
User's avatar
User's avatar
Comment deleted
Oct 5, 2023
Comment deleted
Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Phew! Saved by the last paragraph again! Thank you Mitchell.

Expand full comment
Rebecca Holden's avatar

Gorgeously goosepimpling, Sharron! And what a stunning, stunning ending! Another terrific read. 🍂

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Rebecca. I am going to have to get serious one of these days...

Expand full comment
Rebecca Holden's avatar

You're perfect, Sharron! Don't change a thing! 😘

Expand full comment
Kate Henry's avatar

Freedom is the theme of the day. I don't know that I'd like to turn into a bird. I love cats so that would be a problem. I was pilot for a while. Best memory was turning left wing straight to the ground, slowing just enough.....gliding down to the double row of lights, one line in front of the wing, one line behind. hold that line and glide down, last moment snapping to nose along those lights. Smooth as cream. I'd miss the cats up there, but that glide......

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ooooooo. Yes. Lovely.

Expand full comment
Scott Ocamb's avatar

Great story, excellent start to the Halloween season

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Scott.

Expand full comment
T. D. Wolf's avatar

A bird! I did not see that coming.🐣

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Yeah... Duncan MacLean didn't either. I imagine he will be happier away from the cemetery work, but may miss his ale...

Expand full comment
Jim Cummings's avatar

Excellent Sharron. A joyful surprise at the end.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thank you, Jim

Expand full comment
James Ron's avatar

Good one, Sharron! At first I thought he had died and gone to Heaven. Maybe he did.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Ha ha ha! Maybe so! Those rowan berries may be toxic...

Expand full comment
Justin Deming's avatar

This is a great story, Sharron. Wasn’t expecting the ending at all, but I absolutely loved it!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

I started out a bit cliché, but I hope I pulled it out in the ending. I loved the idea of the transformed grave-digger sitting on a branch singing.

Expand full comment
Penny's avatar

Wow. Just, wow!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Glad you liked it, Penny. I liked those lady-birds

Expand full comment
Kate Henry's avatar

Ground crew clapped when I got out. Cherry on top of the whipped cream )))

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

What a life you have had, Kate. But your bucket list must have a few things on it still!

Expand full comment
Kate Henry's avatar

There's been a bunch of fun stuff ON it alright )). Still want to catalog the collection, thin the random clutter, publish the next book, understand the non-english texts in my refernce books, see bobbins in your hands, see my grandkids married and happy. Signed up for 30 yrs more.. might take that long. ))

Expand full comment
Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

Oohhhh, love me some creepy witchy lore-loaded story! Wonderful and transformative!

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

You are so kind, Alexander. I loved your cup of coffee Tramvaj this morning. I am thinking of a 50 word comment... might take a day to work it out. Happy week end to you across there!

Expand full comment
Alexander Ipfelkofer's avatar

My pleasure! Happy weekend to you, too! Off fishing now. Cheerio.

Expand full comment
Heather Brebaugh's avatar

Enchanting. I love that you chose a sparrow and the mythical rowan tree.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

Thanks, Heather.

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

So that's where birds come from. Who knew? I learn so much on Substack. 😉

Well done, fine lady.

Expand full comment
Sharron Bassano's avatar

I have a feeling he will be happier now - lots of companionship, lovely birds- eye views, no grave digging.... but alas, no ale. A trade off.

Expand full comment
Mark Starlin's avatar

Indeed. There is always a trade-off.

Expand full comment