Operation White Birch I & II had me on the edge of my Amazon Basics office chair. A ripping yarn in the true tradition of Dornford Yates and Dashiell Hammett.
What is the significance of the Toby jug?
Will it pose a threat to the current world order?
Will our come-lately Mata Hari, the Dutch exotic dancer who was herself convicted of being a spy, convince Baranov?
Or will chic and elegance win the day.
Do they have agent.?
We anxiously look forward to some of the answers to some of these vital questions in the next episode. . .
OK Portia, how'd you get onto this Toby Jug thing? It took me a minute to realize the hat is a spout, and the whole figure is the jug, not that little mug. And they're British but sounds like they're related to similar jugs in Delft. There's a Toby Jug museum in Evanston , Illinois. https://www.tobyjugmuseum.com . Thanks for introducing me to Toby Jugs. I'd never heard to them before.
I found out about the Evanston museum, while searching for a picture online, it's a delightful place! I like to watch TV antique shows on the BBC, that's how I discovered the weird and wonderful world of Toby Jugs. Thanks, Tod!
HA! I dare say there are a few upper crust lefties around ... or at least people with lots and lots of money more than breeding. Consider the lineup of tech moguls at the Inauguration.
Well, Michael, we Italians don't have a reputation for being brave. Although, if those soldiers had to choose between dying for Mussolini or running away, I can totally support and cheer them for running away. Thank God we lost the war, and a bigger thank to the US, the UK, and the USSR for winning it! Come to think of it, all the 3 countries have "Union/United" in their names, so it's true that unity is strength.
My bad, Portia. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. When I think about people and wars, I immediately think of real people. I think fear and courage don't have nationality; they're something everyone has inside. Then, unfortunately, those in charge decide the rules and force cultural patterns on many people... but not everyone.
You don't have to apologize, Michael. You are right, in that there had been also acts of courage and dignity by Italian soldiers, after Badoglio and the king decided to "betray" the Germans and go with the Allied Forces on September 8, 1943. The joke about the Italian tanks was popular soon after the war in the UK. On the other hand, some of them Britons still think they won it single-handedly, which is so obviously not true.
Hi Sam, I didn't come up with it, apparently it's an American racial slur, although I personally don't find it that offensive. On the other hand, your girlfriend can retort that "Italians do it better", whatever that "it" is. ;-)
Hi Portia, well, in that case, great research. It doesn’t sound offensive , but who knows. Maybe a spaghetti-snipper would hit home more. I’m still yet to try it out
Thanks Jeffrey, I didn't want to give a stereotypical representation of the British people, whom I greatly admire. I tried to convey their humour, the good-natured banter.
Love it. Can't wait for part 3!
Operation White Birch I & II had me on the edge of my Amazon Basics office chair. A ripping yarn in the true tradition of Dornford Yates and Dashiell Hammett.
What is the significance of the Toby jug?
Will it pose a threat to the current world order?
Will our come-lately Mata Hari, the Dutch exotic dancer who was herself convicted of being a spy, convince Baranov?
Or will chic and elegance win the day.
Do they have agent.?
We anxiously look forward to some of the answers to some of these vital questions in the next episode. . .
Thank you so much, Tim! I'm actually making it up as I go along, so I hope this whole "literary" enterprise won't turn out to be a damp squib.
Judging by all the comments it will run and run! Yay!
Hey Portia, enjoying this very much. Good length, with the brevity belying the way you take us straight into your action. Really cool. Auguri!
Grazie Nicolas, what a great compliment!
Figurati.
“Comrade smarty-pants” would sell well as a t-shirt, in case you’re thinking about merch!
Now that's an idea... Thank you, sweetheart! <3
OK Portia, how'd you get onto this Toby Jug thing? It took me a minute to realize the hat is a spout, and the whole figure is the jug, not that little mug. And they're British but sounds like they're related to similar jugs in Delft. There's a Toby Jug museum in Evanston , Illinois. https://www.tobyjugmuseum.com . Thanks for introducing me to Toby Jugs. I'd never heard to them before.
I found out about the Evanston museum, while searching for a picture online, it's a delightful place! I like to watch TV antique shows on the BBC, that's how I discovered the weird and wonderful world of Toby Jugs. Thanks, Tod!
HA! I dare say there are a few upper crust lefties around ... or at least people with lots and lots of money more than breeding. Consider the lineup of tech moguls at the Inauguration.
Money more than breeding – you tell it like it is, Sue! Thanks for your comment.
"The Italian tanks have 6 gears, five go in reverse and one forward." He'd like.... I think he'd better stop pouring all that brandy into his tea :D
Trust me, I can hardly wait until the end of May to read more.
Well, Michael, we Italians don't have a reputation for being brave. Although, if those soldiers had to choose between dying for Mussolini or running away, I can totally support and cheer them for running away. Thank God we lost the war, and a bigger thank to the US, the UK, and the USSR for winning it! Come to think of it, all the 3 countries have "Union/United" in their names, so it's true that unity is strength.
My bad, Portia. I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way. When I think about people and wars, I immediately think of real people. I think fear and courage don't have nationality; they're something everyone has inside. Then, unfortunately, those in charge decide the rules and force cultural patterns on many people... but not everyone.
You don't have to apologize, Michael. You are right, in that there had been also acts of courage and dignity by Italian soldiers, after Badoglio and the king decided to "betray" the Germans and go with the Allied Forces on September 8, 1943. The joke about the Italian tanks was popular soon after the war in the UK. On the other hand, some of them Britons still think they won it single-handedly, which is so obviously not true.
Lol, yeah, I know. Just like how Americans are always sure they can fix anything, but that's not always the case... ;-)
I wonder who you're talking about ... ;-)
Haha a spaghetti-bender! I can’t wait to call my girlfriend that. Is that a real good natured slur or did you come up with it?
Hi Sam, I didn't come up with it, apparently it's an American racial slur, although I personally don't find it that offensive. On the other hand, your girlfriend can retort that "Italians do it better", whatever that "it" is. ;-)
Hi Portia, well, in that case, great research. It doesn’t sound offensive , but who knows. Maybe a spaghetti-snipper would hit home more. I’m still yet to try it out
At last! I was looking forward to part 2.
I like it when authors keep their cards close to their chests.
Now, spaghetti-bender?! Never heard of it, but it's funny.
Arigato, Gianni-san! It's an American racial slur, but I find it funny too.
Portia, it's excellent. I couldn't even think that it was written by a woman if I didn't know who the author is. And a big attribution to two photos.
Thanks, Larisa, what an endorsement!
So funny!!! Thank you, Portia
Thank you, my lovely Chen!
💕💫
Gordon Bennett, is this what we Brits really sound like? 😊
But seriously, Portia, this is so much fun.
Thanks Jeffrey, I didn't want to give a stereotypical representation of the British people, whom I greatly admire. I tried to convey their humour, the good-natured banter.
Your affection comes across very clearly, Portia!