Happy Halloween from the Land of Oz!

Excuse me, friends, could someone tell me where we are? I have a feeling we’re not in Indiana anymore.

It was a normal day, just like any other. Until the storm rolled through.

In an instant, without warning, the house was spinning and rumbling, all kinds of debris flying past the windows – it felt like we were flying – and suddenly, we were plopped down in this strange land.

When I looked down, I was surprised to see, beyond the layers and layers of fluffy petticoat, that I was sporting a pair of glittery red shoes.

After I snapped out of my daze, I realized that I was alone. Where were Jeremy and Rosie?

After calling for them both and frantically looking about, I spotted Rosie, confusedly peeping out of a basket.

I scooped her up and slowly made my way through the house.

Then, from around the corner, Jeremy emerged looking a little extra furry – and more jumpy and (forgive me, J) cowardly than usual.

Suddenly, we heard a cackle and a frightening voice exclaim, “I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!”

Jeremy turned in circles, punching the air all around him, unconvincingly shouting, “Put ‘em up, put ‘em up!” in between little yelps and screams.

Rosie yapped and growled.

Then, the most terrifying sound… that of screeches – from monkeys, perhaps? – and the beat of a hundred flapping wings!

I tried to determine where the noises were coming from, but Jeremy was screaming about how scared he was and about how I was stepping on his tail. I let him know what fuss he was being, and he agreed that he had lost any and all courage he may have had – that he even scared himself!

What were we going to do?

But then! Rosie began barking with all her might and, just as quickly as they began, the noises stopped. The skies cleared. And a golden light began to shine through the windows, gradually turning into the colors of the rainbow.

It was all so unreal. We just wanted to go back home.

As we considered our next steps, deep in thought, I began clicking my heels together – a nervous habit – and thought about how much I missed the comforts of home. About how there’s no place like home. No place like home, no place like home…

And then I opened my eyes. I shot up quickly from my pillow on the couch, and saw Jeremy snoozing at the other end. I pulled up the blanket, and Rosie, who was cozied up underneath, opened one eye, then yawned and promptly shut it again.

I slowly, carefully scanned the living room. All was calm. It was all just a horrible dream.

I began to doze off again, too, hoping the second half of my afternoon nap would be a bit more relaxing…

…but I was kept awake by the faintest sound of a chorus singing something that sounded like…