Sunday, June 20, 2010

Lulu Lamb in LaLa-Land

The thumping and banging on the top of the package surprised me. I had just picked up the mail from the mailbox and was carrying it in to the house.  Then I heard the groaning.  What was this?  The noise was coming from the package.  Then I heard the bangs, scrapes, and thumps.

Slitting the tape and peeking in to the square See's Candy box carefully, I jumped at least two feet when a throaty, gravelly voice croaked, "Ack! Eww! Awwk!  I thought I'd never survive the flight!"  Two brown eyes squinted at me from a seaweed green face.  "Have you ever been airsick?  It ain't pretty!"  Quickly, I opened the white package, pulled away the tissue paper and stared.

It was a green sheep.  I mean, it was a sort of white lamb dressed in a pink apron. But it was obviously a very nauseated, dizzy, greenish ewe lamb.


"Hello.  Are you alright?"  I was a little worried.

"No, I'm not alright!  You wouldn't be either if you had been traveling in a jet cargo bin for hours and hours.  How long does it take to get to Hollywood from Alaska?"

I thought a minute.  "Several hours, I guess.  Five or six, at least."

She opened one eye a little and surveyed the room.

"You have any lamb tonic?"

I considered and answered. "Well, I have lettuce, parsley and carrots in the garden.  How about if I cook up a little soup?"

Lulu Lamb looked surprised.  "Do movie stars and celebrities have gardens?"

"I don't know about celebrities. I have a garden.  My name is Willow."

Gazing around her, Lulu sat up and immediately flopped over on her side.  The groaning, moaning and hacking resumed.  Obviously, Lulu was still a little jet lagged.

I ran to the kitchen and pulled some lettuce leaves, newly picked carrots and a few pieces of parsley from the colander, washed them, and offered them to Lulu on a tray.

"Ya got any champagne?" she asked.  "I thought every movie star drank the bubbly all day long."

As she nibbled at the lettuce, I sat down and thought.  I recalled an email I had received a few weeks before from a friend up north, mentioning that she had gone to Australia and met up with some interesting characters Down Under.  One of them, a Lamb named Lulu, had sneaked into her luggage and stowed away on the flight back from Aussie-Land.  Thinking about that communication, I remembered that Lulu had a reputation for wanderlust and wild living. My friend had wondered if I was willing to host Lulu for a few days since she was in the US, had somehow obtained an almost authentic looking visitor's visa, most likely in some seedy side street in Canberra, and wanted to see Southern California. As I sat there, staring at this crazy, ear pierced, white (and greenish) wooly sheep, I realized this was Lulu Lamb, and I just might be getting more than I had bargained for.

"Water. I have water. Or tea. Are you feeling better now, dear?"

"Right, mate!  I'm feeling just fine now.  Ready for some fun!  Let's hit The Strip, Baby! I love Hollywood!"

The Strip?  Hollywood?  Yeah, I was not prepared for this...

I was just a quiet teacher married to an even quieter professor, and we didn't live in Hollywood.  What was I going to do with a wild Lulu Lamb in LaLa-Land?

17 comments:

Tracy said...

Sounds like champagne every day now! What a sweet lamb... I'm sure once the jet lag has worn off she'll know most don't drink champagne every day... Or do they? ;o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

roxie said...

I was wondering what Miss Lulu was up to. She was quite the handfull when she was visiting me. She will flirt with anyone, and remember, she LOVES jewelry! She left me with a jingly bellydance belt but heaven only knows what she has done with it. I can't wait for the photos!

Heidi said...

Heehee. Love Lulu. Nice story...

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

Well, I can hardly wait to find out how this visit goes! Your guest sounds like a real character...

and the word verification is befuri...though bewooly would have been more appropriate...it's close!

ellen b. said...

Hmmm, hope Lulu behaves and wears her seat belt while you take her sight seeing. If she gets to be too much in the evening just make her a Kensington Dream to put her to sleep!

snoopydogknits said...

That's such a cute little lamb you have visiting. Think she might need some firm handling though, especially her drinking habits. Ros

Denise said...

Goodness me, so THAT'S where she's got to! Do look out, she is a very naughty lamb. I tried to teach her good manners at home, but alas, she took no notice.

Do give her a hug from all of us at home in Canberra, and tell her that Mummy says to behave WELL!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh...I'm laughing with delight!!! You are soooo creative!!! This is simply wonderful!! I shall look forward to hearing all the details of Lulu's escapades!!! Such fun!!! You are a terrific writer! Love, Janine XO

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

Oh this is going to be fun!

Mama Mia said...

Ah, yes, the wild Lulu. So glad you can share the tale of your adventures with everyone! Take care for that one. Though she can be quite fun if you embrace her spunky side. :o)

Anonymous said...

Oh, you had me smiling widely, Willow. Reminds me of my mom's friend's 17 year old son who was visiting (from France) and wanted to go to clubbing. And where's the night life around here? Hey, maybe he and Lulu can hang out together!

Knitting Linguist said...

Time to stock up on the bubbly! Maybe she needs to go to the beach? She could work on her SoCal tan...

Mr Puffy's Knitting Blog: said...

Looking forward to hearing lulu's adventures in Lala land! It'll be good fun for you to take her about and show her the town :)

BTW, is that a knit lamb? I love it!!!!

Anonymous said...

This is such great fun!
At first I thought it was a REAL creature....!
So charming

Sharon Lynne said...

One never knows what they may get in the mail! Hope Miss Lulu enjoys her visit to Southern California. She is in good hands!

Denise said...

If anyone wants to read more of Lulu's 'back story' hop on over and have a read :)

Barbara said...

Be careful that Bunny doesn't get jealous.