3rd September 1950

3rd September 1950

I lay on the riverbank gazing up at the sky.   Alternate waves of hot and cool air gently caress my skin, dashing hither and thither causing the long dry meadow grasses to hiss and sing of other memorable autumn days long past.  Life was much simpler back then in the 1950's.  The nightmare war in Europe was fast receding from our minds like a bad dream.  The King was on his throne, Dad was back home with us, and all was well with my world. 

  Earlier in the week, I'd followed Kenneth and his Dad to the river Rom, to watch them fly the model aircraft Kenneth had received as his birthday present.

.-...-.

" Dad said, ""Mr Davis is a private man, he can't abide noise."

Can't  stand children, I thought, or rather the noise we made?  We often played round at Kenneth's house; It was larger than mine and he had toys his dad owned when he was a child before the war.   Mecano, a Hornby Double-O train set, model cars, board games, a magic set, books and many other things all still in their original boxes, always handled with great care.  The contents of his bedroom were treasure trove to me.  

So when Mrs Davis said, "You will have to play in your room today Kenneth, Daddy is swotting."  I was delighted.

Mr Davis was studying to become a solicitor, his studies had been curtailed when he volunteered for the RAF at the start of the war, in 1939.

 Most of us post-war kids had to make do with cast-offs or what we could make for ourselves.  Imagination is a wonderful tool, so an old palling with a bent nail for a trigger was a rifle, a curved tree branch tensioned with parcel string served as a bow and strait pea sticks tipped with tar, from the road, made effective arrows.  I'm talking about a different world, 67 years ago.  We appreciated what we had, and for being reunited with our loved ones meant everything to us.

Mr Davis was invalided out early in 1944, he had a flying accident and lost a leg and had some hearing loss.  He was 28, his hair was thinning and prematurely grey.  He bore a thin pale scar on his left cheek from his ear lobe to his mouth, so he disguised his injuries by wearing a suit tie and a trilby hat when he went out even on the hottest days.

.-...-.

 I'd never seen a radio-controlled plane fly, so I followed them keeping a wary distance because Mr Davis only ever took Kenneth out on his own.  And I would not be welcome.  I watched as the model was filled with Aero Spirit and fired up, the loud whine sounded, to me, like a real aircraft.  Puffs of smoke blew from the exhaust as Kenneth held it tail fin as instructed. 

Mr Davis manipulated the controls, "let go, Now!" he yelled to Kenneth and it took to the air, looped the loop, did a role and looped into a tight circle.  The controls changed hands, and the small craft levelled out, heading for the old oak tree.  As if drawn by a magnet.  the controls changed hands again but the plane flew into the upper branches and the motor abruptly cut out, it was stuck!

They spent some time trying to shake the branches to get the plane down, without success.  Mr Davis tried to climb up the trunk, but only his good leg could gain purchase.  H gave up and tried to boost Kenneth into the lower branches, but he was unable to reach it.

"You'd better come down, and we'll get you something else for your birthday."

At that moment Kenneth froze, "I, I can't move!"  He began to cry.

Without thinking, I left my hiding place to help my friend.  The oak held no fear for me, I could climb like a monkey!

"Turn around and hang on," I yelled climbing into the lower branches.  I reached Kenneth in no time, Guided and coaxed him to a place where his Dad could reach him.

"You'd better come down too," said Mr Davis.

"What about your plane?" I asked.

"Leave it, it's far too high up," he said.

I laughed and scurried up retrieving it with ease.

.-...-.

I was invited to tea, Mrs Davis plied me with salmon sandwiches, fresh cream cakes, homemade jam scones and lemonade.  I almost burst with pride when Mr Davis regaled his wife with the rescue and my climbing prowess.

Then he totally surprised me. "We're going fishing at the weekend Lenny, would you like to come along?"

We had a great day.  I learned to fish with a rod, reel, gut line, and propper hooks (not a stick, twine and a bent pin) it was a day I will never forget!

818 words

Out of Character

Out of Character

In the locker room of the eleventh precinct, Officer Clyde Kowalski badge #D6593 hung his uniform at the end of a long twelve-hour shift. He was unconsciously whistling a tune from his mothers favourite musical. 

Tough cop indeed he thought and he smiled self-consciously at his fellow officers, none of whom looked the least bit cheerful.

"Hey Kowalski, what's with the Mary Poppins, you goin soft on us?"

"Nah! It's Thursday night, and I gotta long-standing date."

"Well I hope she is worthy of dat cheery dispo-zishun."

"Oh she is Harv," he smiled again thinking of Martha Swan and her flower arranging classes. 

He could just turn up with a bunch of in-season blooms, some leaves, fern and a rock or tree bark and, with her help, create a beautiful arrangement for the local Hospice that had helped his mother through her final days.

Celby, Guardian of the Portal.

Celby, Guardian of the Portal.

I am Celby, I'm eight, but kinda small for my age. I have a yella comb on my head, bright and fluffy. Moma says that means I have a special talent. My little sister Souli is only five but is far ahead of me at writin an sums, that's her talent because she has a purple comb.  I am a mind speaka like Ganpa.  Moma is purple like Souli, Popa has a black comb his talent is for building stuff.  Ganpa now has a fuzzy white comb with no fur on it. Moma says that's because he's old and wise, and should always be heeded.

On my seventh birthday, I received my speaka's medal when Ganpa tested my talent.

Ganpa took me through the portal, "now young Celby, I want you to tell me what that snail is thinking."

"You mean the funny shellikie thing with horns?"

"That's the one."

"She's looking at the leaves on the wild lettuce, they looked so tasty, but the plant is so far away, and she moves so slowly.  She wishes she had legs like the field mouse or wings like a bird."

"And what is the field mouse thinking?"

"He wishes he had a fine shiny shell to live in, like the snail, then he wouldn't have to build a nest."

"Very good.  You have shown me you are a true mind speaka, now I would like you to plant an idea in the mind of miss snail."

I thought very hard, then told her there are lots of tasty leaves much closer if you just look for them. She stopped and sampled a daisy leaf. "Did I do good Ganpa?"

"Excellent!  There are two rules you must promise to obey before you will be allowed to stand guard on the Portal to our world.

One, never look into the eyes of a Slowgie, If you do you'll let them into our World, then all kindsa mischief will follow. 

Two, never venture beyond the walls on either side!  If you do you will be trapped in the Slogie world and may never be able to return.  Do you hear my words boy?" 
I nodded, "yes Ganpa."
"Heed my words!" He was real serious.

My life changed forever when I disobeyed one of those rules.

.-...-.

Emily was nine years old and went to St Winifred's Infants School. Each day Janice, her minder, took her along the same route to school: along the A13, passing under the viaduct between Stamford Hill and Tilberry. The A13 is a dual carriageway, the two concrete walls supporting the viaduct protected a hidden garden, unlike any existing outside. There were shrubs, grasses, flowering plants,  and ferns even in winter. Each day as they drove past, the wind would bounce off the walls, bringing a sweet-scented balmy perfume into the car, but they would whizz by so fast. They went past in a fraction of a second, so Emily always wound the window down before they reached the viaduct, just to enjoy it. Then, one day they were caught in traffic and crawled slowly past that tiny hidden place. Emily saw dragonflies, shrews, and a feral cat lounging on a rock by a small pool, it was waiting for small creatures and birds it could pounce on. She thought it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. 

.-...-.

Ganpa was the guardian of the Portal.  It was his job to see that nothing disturbed the peace beyond the entry point.  I had been assisting him for a few weeks.  I went to call him at home one morning and found him still abed.

"Celby, I am feeling unwell, you will have to stand guard alone today."

"Of course Ganpa," I felt proud to be asked.  It is a ceremonial office but I was still looking forward to my first duty alone, as guardian of the portal between the Paece and the Slowgie worlds.  I had assisted Ganpa, as part of my training, but never before stood guard alone.  But, as I entered the Slowgie world I sensed something had changed, something was wrong.  I had been on duty for thirty minutes. Usually, the cars would pass from right to left in that time.  Cars are silly slow-moving boxes with Slowgies sitting like statues inside them. We can see them but, they are in another time slice, and we move too fast to register on their senses. They don't even know that we exist. But, today the cars were not moving at all. 'It can't harm' I thought, 'just a quick peek' so I looked into the open window of the nearest car.

It was dark inside, and it took a while for my eyes to adjust. Then I saw them.  A pair of bright blue eyes. 'No,' I thought and looked away. But it was too late! Our eyes met and our minds synched. Her memories and experiences flooded into my mind... 

.-...-.

"Oh my goodness," said Emily seeing a shock of stark yellow hair. The tawny eyes gazing back at hers held a look of foreboding. The small creature looked like an elf from one of her school books. 

"I'm not an elf, I'm Celby, guardian of the portal." I backed away from the door as she opened it and stepped out.  She was real tall, about four feet, twice my height, and her hands head and body were all larger than mine.

"My name is Emily." 

"Yes, I know you, Emily Rushmore." 

"You know?" she said.  "How do you know, and how can you talk without moving your lips?  What are you?" 

"I'm a Paece, and you're a Slowgie!"

"No, I am not!  I'm human." 

"We call you Slowgies..." 

"Why?  That sounds rather rude." 

"Look!" I pointed to the statue-like figure in the front seat of her car. 

Emily opened the passenger door expecting Janice to turn and scold her for getting out on the dual carriageway. But, she sat silent and stiff. Emily reached out to touch her face, it was cold and hard. "Janice, are you ok?" 

"See!" I said in triumph. "She's okay but time goes slower for her, and would have for you if I hadn't broke Ganpa's first rule. I'm sure gonna get it for that!" 

"Don't tell him about it, how would he know anyway?" 

"Oh! he will know, he always does, he was once a yella like me." 

"It's so nice here, would you show me around your garden Celby, please?" 

She took my hand in hers and squeezed it gently, "then I'll return to the car, and drive off to school.  What harm would it do?" She walked over to the pool, made to stroke the cat, it didn't move, it felt like stone. Then she turned to the tiny shrew and picked it up, it was like a plastic model, she looked into its eyes, they were glazed, she placed it back where the grass still bore its imprint.  Then seeing the cat, ready to spring, she moved it to safety.

"Were not supposed to interfere like that," I said. 

"It's only one meal, and that tiny shrew may have a family to feed."

"The cars are moving again," I said. 

"Does that mean I'll have to go back to the car?" 

I nodded, "our time doesn't extend beyond that wall, if you let the car go you may never get back inside." 

"Will I be able to visit you again?" 

"If you leave your window open, and I am the guardian on that day, I could let you back in." 

"Do we still have a little time?" 

I nodded, "we have about ten minutes." 

She gazed at the dark patch in the centre of the glade and moved towards it. "Is this the portal to your world?"

"You can't go there!" I said. 

"Why not?" she asked, moving closer. "It seems to be a pale misty space, then it changes into a tunnel of light, but I can't see through it."

"Please!" I threw my arms up in front of her pushing on her waist. "They will know I broke the rules if you enter. I'll talk with Ganpa and maybe on another visit..." 

"When I leave here it will seem like a dream. How will I know your world truly exists?" 

I took my Speaka's medallion from around my neck and slid it onto her wrist, it was a perfect fit. "Look upon this and you will remember." 

Emily bent down and kissed me on the cheek, so I smiled and gave her a hug. A small tear formed in her eye. "It's been so nice visiting Celby."

"We'll meet again Emily, I promise." I helped her into the car, and closed the door.

"Don't forget your promise Celby." 

 "Just time for one more thing," I said opening the front passenger side door.  Right at the top of Janice's purse was a bright red lipstick. "I've done this before," I said, painting a bright red blob on the tip of Janice's nose.  I closed the car door, and smiled when I heard Emily's giggling in the rear, she'd seen my trick through the rearview mirror. 

I gazed deep into her eyes, blinked, and looked away.  The link was broken; she froze. 

But, I could see she was still a gigglin.  "heh heh!"

The Assist.

The Assist.

A quarrel of starlings fight noisily, over scraps, outside their window. Another microcosm of life; two worlds existing in parallel, yet neither is aware of the other exists.

“I’m dying,” he chokes, his body spasms.

I know, she thinks, tears welling in her eyes. Liquid emotions, puddling in her mind.

"What thoughts you harbour husband,” she smiles, disguising her anguish while hugging him close.

As one, the starlings take to the wing, at the instant of his passing; leaving behind an empty silent yard and an empty bittersweet heart.

She kisses his forehead, the taste is sour. Her cheeks moisten again as she pictures him smiling once more, in her mind's eye, no longer in pain.

She pictures their grave no flowers laid there, yet it’s easy to say goodbye. 

Placing the still smoking barrel beneath her chin she depresses the trigger a second time… 

The echoes die away, and for an instant there is silence. Then the starlings return.

Words 165

Imaging Extrasolar Planets: with the European Extremely Large Telescope

Imaging Extrasolar Planets:  with the European Extremely Large Telescope

There is, in the pipeline, a new and even larger ground-based optical telescope known as the E-ELT, (European Extra Large Telescope), for short.   It is to be built in Cerro Armazones, Chile near the Paranal Observatory; just 20Km from the existing VLT (Very Large Telescope).   The planned completion date of the E-ELT, if all goes to plan, is sometime in 2022.  The E-ELT general specifications are as follows:

Organisation: European Southern Observatory (ESO)

Altitude:  3,060 metres

Weather: 89% clear fraction 0.67"median seeing @ 500nm

Wavelength: Visible light ~ Near Infrared range.

Instrument type: Optical Reflector

Mirror Diameter: 39.3 m (segmented primary) a new unique 5 mirror design; each mirror can distort its shape 1000 times per second to correct the image for atmospheric distortions, a system known as adaptive optics.

Angle of arc:  0.0001 to 0.65 arcseconds

Collecting area: 978 m2

Focal Length:  420-840m (f/10 ~ f/20)

Dome:  86 metres in diameter, half the size of a football stadium.

Website:  ESO E-ELT

The initial designs had planned to create a mirror with a 42-metre mirror area.  But, because of inherent design problems, this was reduced to 39.3 metres, which saved 220 million euros, reduced the cost to 1.055 billion euros, and shortened the project time to just 10years.

The E-ELT will be the worlds largest eye on the sky. Its light-gathering potential will be 15 times greater than that of any existing telescope.  It will produce images 15 times sharper than those provided by the Hubble space telescope and is planned to enable astronomers to probe the planetary systems around local stars in the Milky Way galaxy, and in addition, stars still in their formative stages.   It will be a giant leap forward in space exploration that will help astrobiologists detect water,   organic molecules, and possibly atmosphere on extrasolar planets orbiting other stars.  Other targets will be proto-planetary disks circling young stars, with planets in the making.  In addition, it will allow us to study distant gas giants like Jupiter and Saturn in greater detail. 

Ultimately E-ELT will probe deeper into the universe, looking at even more distant objects, chasing answers to the big questions.  This will include detailed studies of the most distant objects, and possibly measure the speed at which the universe is still expanding.

    Comparison with other large Earthbound telescopes:

                                  Name              Aperture Diameter  Collecting Area    State of Play

    Gran Telescopio Canarias  (GTC)            10.4m              74 m2    Largest currently in service 

    Keck Telescopes                                  10.0m              76 m2    Currently in service

    South'n African Large Telescope (SALT) 11.1 x 9.8m     79 m2   Due at end of the decade 

    Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT)            24.5m           368 m2    Due at end of the decade

    Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)                 30.0m           655 m2    Due at end of the decade

    European Extremely Large Telescope  (E-ELT)

                                                             39.3m           978 m2    Due 2022  

 E-ELT's suite of instruments will help with investigating how objects form and evolve.   Identifying variations in physical constants with time.   The unambiguous detection of variations will advance the understanding of the laws of physics as we know them.

There are additional scientific instruments, adjuncts to the E-ELT, the aim is to switch from one instrument to another in moments, and move the dome rapidly to start a new observation in minutes

 Eight different instruments are planned:

CODEX:  A narrow field optical spectrograph (it separates incoming waves into a frequency spectrum ~ generated via a Fournier transform).

EAGLE:  A wide-field multi-channel integral-field near-infrared (NIR) spectrograph with multi-objective adaptive optics.

EPICS:  An optical/NIR planet imager and spectrograph with extreme adaptive optics.

HARMONI:  A single field, wide-band integral field spectrograph.

METIS:  A mid-infrared imager & spectrograph.

MICADO:  A diffraction-limited near-infrared camera (An optical system with the ability to produce images with angular resolution).

OPTIMOS:  A wide-field visual multi-object spectrograph.

SIMPLE:  A high-spectral-resolution NIR spectrograph.

The two post-focal adaptive optics modules currently being studied are:

ATLAS:  a laser tomography adaptive optics module.

MAORY: A multi-conjugate adaptive optics module.

The inception of the E-ELT project was rooted in the first decade of the 2000's. At that time a number of similar projects were on the drawing board.   The GTC, SALT, GMT, TMT, they are all due to come online before the end of this current decade.   You may wonder if the E-ELT is overkill?   But, the Astronomical community are close-knit and plan ahead with a lot of international cooperation.   Each project is planned to fill a niche in the search for further knowledge about the universe.   Each complex fulfils a need in that scientific community.   Science is a truly multinational fraternity, why else would a consortium of nations invest 1.055 billion euros setting up a telescope array in another country, such as Chile and call it a European telescope?   Surely this should point out the path to be followed by the Nations of this world.   That working together is the only logical way for humanity to progress.

The visible universe is no more than 5% of what is out there, the rest is made up of Dark Energy 72%, and Dark Matter 23%:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHium3r7qco

The time of discovery is not at an end, it is just beginning...

The Io Observer is a New Frontiers Class mission

The Io Observer is a New Frontiers Class mission

Io is Jupiter's  5th moon (3rd largest and slightly larger than our moon) orbiting at around 422,000 Km.   The significance of Io is that it is the most geologically active body in the solar system, with over 400 active volcano's many the height of Everest.  The highest recorded magma temperatures ~ 1800 degrees Celsius, far higher than that recorded on the earth, suggesting the magma is more primitive and that there is a magma ocean beneath the surface. Possibly duplicating conditions that existed on earth before life began.

The Io Observer mission is designed to determine the internal structure of Io and to learn about its volcanic activity which could have real applications to the nature of volcanoes here on earth.  The mission will be funded by NASA, including the cost of the launch.   None of the four proposed options require new technology and, two of the proposals fall within the new frontiers cost cap, the other two are marginally higher.

Because Io is situated within Jupiter's radiation belt it presents significant challenges to the engineers involved, but the benefits from solving these problems now will result in payback, in the near future, when even more challenging missions are contemplated.  The Io Observer is, as its name implies to be a remote observation mission, under the guidance of the National Research Council's (NRC's) Satellites Panel.   They have four suggested study options using similar equipment to investigate variations in payload, power systems, and mission duration.  Those options are as follows:

1. An advanced Stirling radioisotope generator (ASRG)-powered remote sensing spacecraft.  This will involve ten flybys.
2. A solar-powered remote sensing spacecraft.  This will involve ten flybys.
3. A Solar-powered remote sensing spacecraft with one less instrument and a shorter observational period compared to option 2.   This will involve six flybys.
4. A Solar-powered remote sensing spacecraft with one more instrument compared to option 2.   This will involve ten flybys.

For all options the spacecraft will enter into a highly elliptical orbit of Jupiter, to minimise radiation exposure, while performing periodic Io flybys; this will allow for multiple viewing of Io's polar regions.  A series of close flybys would enable higher resolution mapping and details of the magnetic field, species in the atmosphere and plume to be analysed and allow greater understanding of the internal stresses, strains, put on Io's internal structure by the gravitational pull of Jupiter.   This phase would last approximately 60 days, and would include:

• A redundant 3-axis stabilized spacecraft carrying a narrow-angle camera (NAC), to measure peak lava temperatures with near-simultaneous colour imaging to tightly constrain peak lava temperatures.
• A thermal mapper, to map & monitor temperatures & heat flow patterns related to the internal structure and tidal heating mechanisms.
• A pair of fluxgate magnetometers (FMG's), to detect magnetic induction and an internal field (if the latter is present).
• In addition, options 1, 2, & 4 will carry an ion and neutral mass spectrometer (INMS), to determine composition and spatial distribution neutrals, that control energy input into the Io plasma torus; determine the composition of Io's atmosphere, volcanic plumes and a whole host of other things.
• Option 4 will also carry a fast-imaging plasma spectrometer (FIPS), to measure the energy, angular, and compositional distributions of the low-energy components of the ion distribution.  The solar-powered versions will require an instrument scan platform that will enable the solar arrays to continually face towards the sun while data collection is in progress. 

Previous missions to the Jupiter system were:

1.     Pioneer 1 & 2 1973/74

2.     Voyager 1 ~ 1979  first reported volcanic eruption.

3.     Voyager 2 ~ 1990  confirmed volcanic activity.

4.     Galileo      ~ 2000  confirmed the volcanic nature of Io.

5.     New Horizons ~ 2007 due to flyby 2016

There is a high Electrical current set up between Io and Jupiter in a cylinder of highly concentrated magnetic flux known as the Io flux tube, of two trillion watts output.  This is comparable to the total power produced on earth. 

The Short Version:

Most of the above technical data goes way over my head.  I understand that there have been six missions that have visited the Jupiter system.   They obtained a lot of information about the Jovian moons some of it was about the anomaly that is Io.  One of the sixty-seven moons (last count), It appears to be a double for earth 4.5 billion years ago.  It's unlikely that it will ever spawn life as we know it, but given enough time anything is possible.   It would be interesting to watch it and draw parallels between the geological activity on Io & Earth.   There are a lot of forces in action between Io & Jupiter, sometime in the future that awesome energy in the Io flux tube (two trillion watts) might be harnessed; anything is possible.   It may sound like science fiction, but if we don't study it we won't learn anything, and Homo sapiens are a curious species.

Jane’s Travels

Jane’s Travels

When I became a Vegetarian, Eric went the way of all flesh.   When marriage enters the conversation after lovemaking, it usually marks the beginning of the end.   So, I became celibate.   That period in my life lasted about ten months.   Then, on the first day of my vacation in Thailand I met a particularly delectable young Thai.  

Ahlbaan was seventeen, experienced and wonderfully athletic.   He had an awesome drive, and the ability to sustain and suspend the moment indefinitely.   It resulted in a truly memorable three weeks.   Admittedly, I saw nothing of the country but, it was money well spent. 

 He escorted me to the airport, and I gave him my London address and offered him a place to stay, should he ever decide to visit England.   It was only then I realised he didn’t speak English.   I bade him a  fond farewell, and boarded the plane; I had to smile as I watched him pick up another horny female visitor to paradise.   It struck me then, that whatever he received for his services wasn’t enough.   I realized at that moment that no matter how much I enjoy sex I could never be a prostitute.

On the long haul home I was entertained by an elegant and sophisticated knight of a bygone age.   He wined and dined me in first class.   At precisely the right moment he rose to the occasion, adorning me with a natural pearl drop necklace.  

However, it was confiscated at Heathrow airport with a smile and an apology!   They are such brutes, those customs officers.   He pointed to the sign above the exit gate – ‘Nothing to declare’.

Well I declare...

.-…-.

Most of my female acquaintances rave about the Spanish resorts.   They dance to garage and house, swallowing pills, and drinking the night away.   Putting it crudely they get pissed, get laid, sleep, eat, and rave again.   They meet and mate with girls and guys from all over.   They engage in carnal sports then lay in the sun for two weeks, returning to regale us with their conquests and to save up for their next holiday, or work to pay for the one they’ve just had.   Very clinical, very lavatorial, like shitting and pissing.   Well, I have to say it's not for me, it leaves me cold.

So inevitable, so obsessive, and unnecessary.   But, if it’s what turns you on if   Following the herd is what gives you a buzz then go for it!   If popping ‘E’s, drinking gallons of booze and mindlessly jerking like an automaton to tuneless rhythms, is where it's at, then jerk away!   I just prefer to do my own thing.

I prefer a uniquely personal experience.   I don’t mind not being the first, just so long as I’m not one of the crowd.  It has to feel fresh and spontaneous.   All I can say to the morons on the beach is “Wake-up and smell the Chanel.”  

Life is nevermore vital than when danger is present.   When death is imminent, life is more intense.   Sky diving, bungee jumping, base jumping, white water rafting, driving a formula one car around Silverstone at full throttle; all give me a bigger buzz than Snow fights, chasing the dragon, or freebasing.   They are healthier and far more satisfying – if you survive!!

That’s living!

.-…-.

“Jane darling.   Such a lovely party, so glad you invited me.”

“Aunt Loosee, how could I not invite my favourite aunt!”   We touched lips "Mwah!"

“You were eyeballing that male eye-candy on the barstool; is that the correct expression?”

“Have you watched how he never takes his eyes off me?” I asked.

“Mmm.   Are his pants too tight or is he having trouble controlling something, are you sure he isn't looking at me?”  She giggled as thoughts played through her mind.

I had to smile.   I could practically read her thoughts.

“You can’t take offence when a man expresses his feelings in so obvious and honest-a-way,” said Loosee.

I guffawed and nearly choked on a cocktail cherry. “He’s got a stiffie!”

“Precisely,” said Loosee.   “My goodness, Jane dear, you certainly have a lot to learn about men.

“For instance?”

“Why firstly, you have to realize that pretty much the only thing on their minds awake or sleeping is sex.”

"Loosee!" I gasped.   But, she was already standing too close to him, talking, with her arm on his knee, her hand drooping...  "Loosee No!"