Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

The flying monkeys are in rebellion and playing hardball over a new contract with the Ministry's wicked witches, threatening a fly-off if their demands are not met. Among their demands: full healthcare and retirement benefits, lunch breaks, along with a five-day work week. And no more silly hats.

The Martian, Minister of Mayhem, took a conciliatory tone until an unnamed flying monkey in the crowd of picketers flung some monkey poo at him.

That put an end to any attempt at negotiations. With Madame P still indisposed, the Martian had only two alternatives: knuckle under, or bring in an enforcer. And the Martian never knuckles under. He placed a call for help to the WWoNA (Wicked Witches of North America) headquarters in Salem. A bit of haggling over the price (the Martian gives the WWoNA a lot of business, and expects a hefty discount for their services), and a Dark Lady known for her ruthlessness was dispatched.

And thus the Ministry today welcomes Dark Lady Kimberly ('Call me Kim and see what happens!') P, who knows all about monkey business, and takes a dim view of it.

Sorry, monkeys, as of today, it's no soup for you!

(Download)

Brasspounder001 Loc: Erewhon

Are you writing a sci-fi novel by any chance?

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Fantastic Portrait!!!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Lol, no, but thanks for the thought, Brasspounder. This is but another episode in our continuing story here of 'Tales of the Ministry of Mayhem.' Populated with megalomaniac cats and wicked witches, it's been running a couple of years now on UHH, with the occasional break for a serious photo. Just to give us a little comedy relief from the straight stuff.

The stories accompany my photos to add a bit of fun to what I do here, and other folks here will often join in with humorous comments related to the current chapter and will add photos and posts of their own (UHH member 'Geezer' is notorious for adding to the laughs).

I've regrettably been out of action for a couple of months here, as one of my 'wicked witches' has been very ill and needed my help, and I've not had time to be online.

I hope you'll enjoy the stories as they progress, and welcome to UHH!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Manglesphoto. Glad you enjoyed seeing another of the Ministry's gorgeous Dark Ladies! Don't know how the Martian manages to gather so many beautiful wicked witches under one roof, but I'm not at all sorry he's so good at it, lol!

Is this one over processed? Absolutely. But I like painting my Dark Ladies, adds that little something extra to their beauty. And they claim to like the painted versions better than the straight photos I do of them.

And we don't dare disappoint a Dark Lady, do we? So I paint them. Makes them smile, and there's nothing better than that.

Thanks for your kind comment and visit, always very much appreciated!

Photog8 Loc: Morriston, FL

From the look in her beautiful eyes, I can tell Dark Lady Kimberly will be worth every penny. ;-)

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

A beautiful addition to the Ministry Randy. The lesson for today is never say Kim and watch out for flying monkey poo!
Best regards, Phil

angler Loc: StHelens England

Dark lady Kimberly is a real beauty Randy and i can her sorting the Rebelious monkeys out no trouble.Eccellent portrait of her as well Randy.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Photog8. I suspect she'll send those monkeys scurrying for cover in short order. One simply doesn't mess with Dark Ladies! Even pretty ones! LOL

Glad you enjoyed the image, and thanks for your kind comments and visit, always much appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Phil. The upside of getting older is that I can talk to women like this without making a complete fool of myself. Actually kept my composure and didn't stutter when I asked her to sit for me, lol. But it wasn't easy--she's gorgeous!

And yes, one learns to watch out for monkey poo. I'm pretty good at stepping in it, lol!

Thanks for your kind words for Dark Lady Kimberly, and thanks as always for your visit, it's much appreciated!

Geezer Loc: Capreol, Ontario, Canada

WOW to the sparkling catch-lights!!

Beautiful portrait!!

After Dark Lady Kimberly is done with the flying monkeys, do me a favour and ask her if she can alter our Northern climate. It was -20C this morning
when Tippit asked Boomer to head outside and collect some "clear ice cubes". I think they're for an upcoming bash that Martian might be planning. He didn't
return for many hours, so Tippit went looking for him. She found him, alas, frozen solid in a block of ice. We have him parked in front of the fire place to thaw out, and he's leaving lots of puddles on the floor. I'll post some "cool" pictures of him later this afternoon.

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Angler. Hard to describe this Dark Lady except to say, 'Wow!!!' A dazzling beauty. But very outgoing and personable, and we had a lot of fun with the shoot.

As for those flying monkeys, it's game over, I'm afraid. They don't stand a chance. And I'm sure we all feel bad for them, lol. But don't fling poo at the Martian--it's just asking for trouble...

Thanks for your kind comments and visit, always much appreciated, and glad you enjoyed the image of my latest Dark Lady!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

A little known fact about flying monkeys. They can approach the speed of sound as they reach top speed. They can't break the sound barrier so sonic booms are not a concern. However when they get angry FMP (flying monkey poop) can be a potential cause of impact injury. There is a rare medical speciality with a board certification- FMpology which specializes in such injuries. It's a joint speciality among both MD's as well as Veterinarians. Please no snide remarks about a $hity subject. I'm sure Dark Lady Kimberly will be a welcome addition to the ministry. Another terrific photo. The saga continues

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

Thanks, Ron. There's no getting around it--Dark Lady Kimberly is drop dead gorgeous! I'm sure just having her visit up your way would get those temperature rising, lol. She may even be one of the proximate causes of global warming, lol! Did our session in a room with three sunlit windows, hence all the catchlights.

And poor poor Tippet--the shock of seeing Boomer all ice-bound must have been dreadful! She'll undoubtedly need a tall glass of Martian's Plutonium Joy Juice to calm herself. Maybe two...

I await your photos, and thanks for your kind comments for Dark Lady Kimberly (she deserves them) and glad you enjoyed the shot. Thanks as always for your visit, it's greatly appreciated!

Treepusher Loc: Kingston, Massachusetts

LOL! Thanks, Bob. Glad you enjoyed this one. I nearly became a FMPologist, but couldn't afford the extra schooling and residency. So I settled. *Sigh*

Live and learn.

As it is, I'm delighted to have Dark Lady Kimberly joining the Ministry. I'm told she brooks no monkeying around, but this is, after all, the Ministry of Mayhem we're talking about here, where monkey business is just 'business.'

And perhaps with Madame P still out of action for the most part, we'll be seeing Dark Lady Kimberly leading a new adventure!

Thanks for the smile and your enlightenment on the subject of FMP, lol. Always very much appreciated!