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Second reply - got myself confused and initially offers plaudits against your teaser ... This is a wonderful imagining of the story behind the painting. Intriguing and engaging and such things clearly offer inspiration and play to your literary talent. Well done and there's definitely a rich seam to exploit here. There's another Hopper that might inspire you. Will share in a couple of days and let's see if it offers a spark ...

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Very kind ... thank you so much for the nudge to look at the possibilities behind the 'moments' captured for posterity. As I like the anti-heroes, so too do I delight, it seems, it the quirky twists of life ... I like an unexpected change of direction, a 'twist in the tale' ... that might be a small anthology of self-published tales of the unexpected. I enjoyed writing it. Thanks for your encouragement, Harry. Have a great weekend. B

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And you - not sure Storm Oscar is due to scorch the northeast as much as the rest of the UK but even here we are in for some sunny days. Off to watch the Blaydon Race this evening. These days a road race around Blaydon rather than a horse race but the start is signalled by the bell once rung by Jackie Broon who gets a mention in the famous anthem. Then the weekend brings some gardening (I read Mrs Feasts offerings with interest). I haven't a clue what I'm doing but do have some yellow and red roses in bloom, contrasting nicely with my purple hydrangea. Not quite Monet's garden and I can claim little credit. Nature did all the hard work.

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Nature is good like that. We're relying on her experience in these matters!

An event and some gardening sounds like the makings of an excellent weekend. We have thunderstorm warnings here ... hoping against hope for a downpour!

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I like those unexpected changes too! Keep them coming

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I'm all about the twists and turns! Thanks so much

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This was lovely! I love Vermeer’s art and will think of this story when I see this picture.

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That’s so lovely to know. Thank you so much. Made my day

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Simply delightful and a great ending! And what a brilliant idea to write, prompted by a piece of art! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

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There seems to be so much evocative art and so many intriguing photos it feels as though the possibilities are endless. And because they're moments caught in time, imagination can run wild about the time they were painted, what else might be happening, unseen characters ... so much inspiration. And Harry Watson or George Bothamley (Art Every Day) are just brilliant at sharing them.

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Yet again you have packed so much in with a fabulous twist at the end. I found myself trying to guess the twist!😊

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I do like the twists and turns ... I guess it's the reading I enjoy so it is fun to try it out. I'd surprise myself if it all went along without a surprise! Thanks so much for reading, Tracey

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Nov 22, 2023Liked by Feasts and Fables

Thanks for sharing this with me today. Evocative and a good twist at the end.

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Aw, that’s so kind, thank you so much for reading it.

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Nov 22, 2023Liked by Feasts and Fables

I could read these all day long but then I would get nothing done ha. I had a thought last night about this series. On some of them, it might be interesting to have an approach similar to what Terry Freedman does on his. He rewrites posts in a varied writing styles which is very entertaining. You could do something sort of like that. Write two short stories about one painting that are widely different interpretations. It would be just like a real life situation. Ever watched a movie or read something then someone else had a completely different point of view?

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Ah, funny you should say that. And excellent idea. I wrote a two-hander inspired by a photograph. From two different perspectives. And I scribbled a piece called Nine Lives. One event, 9 viewpoints. Great fun!

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Nov 22, 2023Liked by Feasts and Fables

You're already doing it! Plus we're on the same wavelength which made me happy.

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This place is so much about sharing ideas and finding the ones that chime. Love that.

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Dec 18, 2023Liked by Feasts and Fables

Does she or doesn’t she? I’m not sure how much is the maid’s imaginings or her reality! Finally starting my catch up on Substack! I love this, there’s a deeper story unfolding waiting to be told, so much contained in the painting and this cameo!

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So glad you're finding these - it's giving me a second peek at bits I was quite pleased with at the time. I like the notion that there's more going on just off stage

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