Imagine a land filled with trees - trees of all shapes and sizes. Trees you might have seen with your own eyes, and trees you would only see in fantasy. Now, picture the open fields in between clusters of woods dotted with cottages and farmhouses. This is the delightful community known as Calico Pumpkin Ridge. There are orchards filled with delicious fruits. There are fields full of mouth watering berries. Farms full of corn, carrots, potatoes and every kind of wonderful vegetable. There are fields of wheat, rye, barley and oats. Narrow dirt roads connect the farms and cottages and lead to a wide cobblestone road. If you take this cobblestone road, pretty soon you will come upon a low hanging road sign, which reads "Welcome to Calico Pumpkin Village." This large wooden sign is made out of a dark wood, turned grey by countless days in the weather. The letters, which are once again in need of a touch up, are painted in white. It hangs to the the right of the road, connected by chains to a wrought iron sign holder, which is secured carefully into the ground. (It had once been blown straight out of the ground one unfortunate year in which torrential rains and ghastly strong winds had blown right through the Ridge and straight into the village. The farmhouse that once stood to the left of the sign was pretty much destroyed when it, dislodged by the unnaturally strong winds, blew right through the house - going in the front of the house, and right out the back of it. I still shudder to this day when I think back on that time.) The sign is said to have an eerie creak even when there is no breeze to speak of.
Right next to this wrought iron sign holder is a stack of 3 fat, comfy hay bales. And on this stack of hale bales sits a tall pumpkin headed scarecrow. His face is carved into a smile. It's a friendly but also cautious smile. He wears a plaid shirt and black pants with orange suspenders. His hands are skeletal, with bird like talons. If you look closely enough, you just might spy a pair of yellow pupils moving slyly inside the black carved triangle eyes. Those yellow pupils see everything. You see, I am the town guardian. The locals call me _______. Most of the time, I sit and watch the comings and goings of townsfolk that live in Calico Pumpkin Village and those that live in the surrounding Calico Pumpkin Ridge. I take note of things that I find of interest. At night though, after growing restless from a day of sitting and watching, I just might take a stroll through the sleeping village, or roam through the darkened woods and hills of the Ridge. I like to move in secret. Though there are whispers through the area that I do move, and I do speak, I don't prefer to be seen moving or interacting with anyone. It isn't my job to be a participating member of the county. After all, I am the guardian. Doing so would diminish my powers, which are essential in keeping my village and Ridge full of care free and happy little citizens. After all, there is a great evil that lurks in those hills and valleys that those living here do not fully understand.
In times that I find it essential to convey a message, to warn of danger, I will leave a rolled parchment outside of the mayor's door. When the mayor sees this scroll, he knows exactly what is needed, and the citizens gather together to protect themselves when my own magic cannot do it alone. Most of the time, though, things are peaceful and happy. That's the way that we all like it. In these uneventful times, I like to record the stories of what goes down around me. Here you will read the tales of Calico Pumpkin Ridge and meet the townsfolk that I have come to care so much about.
The village is quaint and kept very clean. All who live here are very proud of the village. You will find 2 streets that intersect, dividing the village, though unevenly, into 4 quarters. These streets are, quite predictably, known as Main and Center Streets. The first of which is known as Pumpkin Quarter and is the second largest quarter. It boasts the Rolling Pumpkin Inn - a place that not only offers over night lodging, but also a mighty fine pub and restaurant. In this quarter you will find most food related businesses. A pizzeria, a bakery, a patisserie, a general store, a fresh market, and a few other eateries.
Banshee quarter is the smallest quarter and also the strangest. It is far darker there than anywhere else in the village, and so named due to the shrill and sudden wails that come seemingly out of nowhere and from seemingly no one at random times during the night and day. I can safely say that no one has become entirely immune to the startling sound, even after living around it as long as we have. It is in this part of the village that you will find the impressive Magic Emporium. There are also fortune readers, a curiosity shop or two, a crystal and gemstone store, and a spell and charm shop, where you can have magic done special for you.
In Skeleton quarter, you will find the looming library. The library is the pride of the village. It houses many, many books and ledgers filled with all sorts of things - the history of the village and ridge, works of fiction, information on anything from lace making to gardening to DIY decorating. There are spell books and even cursed books, if you are unlucky enough to stumble onto one. And believe me, there is never a warning to alert you to the trouble you will bring upon yourself upon opening one of these ill fated covers. In this Quarter are also book stores, the post office, a music shop and a print shop.
The final Quarter is the largest and known as Cauldron Quarter. This is where everything else is. The splattering of shops such as a fabric store, clothing boutiques, the apothecary and any other store that would be needed in a charming little village such as this, find themselves gathered here. Every shop in the village is neat and tidy, and all walkways and side walks are kept pristine, and the cobblestone roads round out the charm. Proud row houses and the occasional detached home line the sides of Main street and Center street that go through all of the quarters except Banshee quarter. No one would want to live there.
In our bustling little village there are only 4 stop lights conveniently placed right at the intersection of Main and Center. All other streets are directed by stop signs. Not everyone has a vehicle to drive, so there isn't much traffic that flows through the town. And while most folk follow driving etiquette, we are not without our minor traffic inflictions. Also conveniently placed is the village Care and Health Clinic which sits right off the intersection.
The weather in Calico Pumpkin Village and Ridge is unique to here. Most of the weather year round is the perfect glistening Autumnal side of Summer that is flirting with just the beginning of Fall. Temperatures in the day time can reach as high as the mid 70's and as low as the upper 50's, those days that cool or that warm aren't common. The days mostly sit at a comfortable mid 60's. The nights can be as warm as the upper 50's and as low as the mid 40's. Some evenings are crisp enough for a light jacket, though most are comfortable in short sleeves. The leaves on the trees all throughout the year are a mix of green, orange, fiery red and gold. Then, in the first week of December, the leaves all suddenly fall, which seems to invite in a dreadful cold. Snow can fall any where from an inch or two, or up to a foot in one night, and can last up to 4 weeks. And then, just as suddenly, it all melts, taking every trace of winter with it. On January 2nd, the townsfolk awake to the most delicious warm spring weather. In a matter of days, the land is covered in flowers, new leaves bust into life, and the farmers and growers get busy with planting. In a month after that, our regular sweet weather settles in. Our weather is indeed perfect. But not all perfection is without its down side. Our down side - aside from that dreadful 4 weeks of cold - would come in the form of storms. Many storms we have are quite pleasant. You can feel the humidity rising, smell the damp in the air. You look up and see the grey clouds coming in, as thunder gently rolls in the distance. Its a beautiful sight to behold, and we are all quite fond of this. Once the storm hits, it can be gentle, or quite violent. One thing that our storms do have is a prolific amount of lightening. Houses are frequently hit. And so are townsfolk. I would say that lightening strikes are one of the most common ailments that are brought to the clinic. Fortunately, things such as flooding are rare, but bouts of torrential rains can occur. Tornados are also seen on occasion.
Another thing to say about our wonderful village and ridge is that everyone is, for the most part, a delightful character. Everyone knows everyone, and most are on friendly terms with everyone else. In times of trouble, everyone bands together to overcome whatever peril that there is. Everyone helps everyone else, and no one is left wanting. Our holiday celebrations are the best of times. Full of food, games, gifts and fun. Laughter and happiness abound. And that is something worth fighting for. And why I spend my time watching. Always watching. For there might be a time when one of Them slips through the cracks again....And I will not allow my townsfolk to suffer for it.
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