Ink Interrupted

WW: Farewell Summer.... and Blogger

2018-02-14T02:57:00.003-05:00

As all seasons must end...

even if you are not timely in uploading your vacation photos...

a new one is sure to follow...

You are formally invited to come join me at my new home!!

InkInterrupted - Original Writings and Photography

There will be some changes, but don't worry: the coffee is still always on.

This will be my final post here on Blogger - in a month or two this blog will be deleted.
I hope to see many of you that I have missed continue to join me on my creative journey.

Remember Me?

2018-02-05T14:57:00.001-05:00

I know it's been awhile...

... and despite repeated efforts, many things on this platform/blog now appear completely broken. (sorry if you still cannot comment.)

However.
After many long and complicated searches for a new home... I think I've finally settled in.
Almost.

BUT SOON.

A few more tweaks and transferred posts and it will be ready.

Things will be new. Different. Simplified - hopefully.

I'll let you know when the house warming begins xx

Tuesday Coffee Chat - Summer To Do

2017-06-26T23:23:00.003-04:00

Good morning and welcome to coffee chat!

I am sorta on time today.
Which I rather think will be the story of the rest of my life, so we should all just get used to that right now.

That coffee photo is my easy like Sunday morning shot -- except I'm quite honestly feeling that mode every day to be honest. Can we make No Pants Required a thing?

Although on rare Saturdays, I do have another mode.

That is actually not a very accurate shot of me baking.    Everything is neatly arranged and nothing has spilled on the page, and you can't smell the aroma of Burnt.    Also I don't think I've ever used fairy dust.   Not sure what filter I applied and why.

But my kids love muffins in the morning. Specifically my chocolate chip banana muffins, which really are just flour, sugar, egg and an entire bag of chocolate chips.   So sometimes against my better judgement and risk to the clean state of my kitchen and their glucose levels, I bake them a batch.
Cause I'm a good mom.

And who doesn't like chocolate chips for breakfast?

Since in only three short days they will be home All The Hours on summer break, I feel a lot of baking is in my future.   If I can drink coffee while they bake, than I declare it a win-win.

Tuesday, June 27th, 2017

Three things on your Summer To Do List.

Right now it seems like the entire Summer is stretching forth and I have to come up with like a ginormous list of What We Will Do Each Day, in order to keep everyone happy. Boredom sets in easily, unless I let them have the 11 hours straight on the computer or their various gadgets.
Honestly, we are not vampires - get outside!

However, my kids seem to take after their dear mom in that they are pretty much slow - and by that I mean sloth like - during the daylight hours; and just as the sun starts to droop they want to go outside. No kidding.
I'm kinda proud, but also:

So number one thing I will try to do is make our mornings - or at least some of them - a little more "together."
Everyone needs a good start to the day, right?
Ugh.

Normally I do a small Summer Bucket List, but I realized this year we only have about three weeks actually at home, and then three weeks on the road for our vacation. So I don't actually have to plan a lot for us to do. I suspect we will spend as many days as we can in this place.

Because why the hell not, right?    This beach is just beautiful. Clean. And they have actual bathrooms so you're not swimming in pee. That's what I tell myself, don't wreck the dream.

Yes, more of the Nature please.    Always.

The last thing I really need to add to my Summer Do List is my Camera.   Over the Winter months is easy to fall in the habit of not bringing my camera everywhere I go. Because who wants to see another snow picture, right?
But now the world is green and lush and colourful and I want to capture THAT.

Especially our trip to the East Coast.
So I have pick up my camera bag when I leave the house from now on.

Photos will probably dominate this blog over the summer months, as I enjoy a wee break. As most long time readers know, the Coffee Chat takes a break until September.   Mostly because I am usually gone at least one entire month on vacation anyway, and since we camp: there's no wifi in the woods friends.

This will give me time to sort out what I am going to do with this little blog. The move to Wordpress just to get rid of my old comment system and have a secure site is very tempting. So I might not be HERE exactly come September, but in a brand new location and ready to Chat.

And there will be writing.
There will always be writing.

I wrote this sweet and romantic little fiction today at request. It does have a Not Safe For Work Paragraph at the end, FYI.

Have a great summer everyone - Do all the things that bring you joy!!
And I will see you here from time to time, and definitely be back with more interesting Chat Topics in September.

Next Week: Summer Break - no topic.

Tuesday Coffee Chat - I Must Confess

2017-06-20T10:14:00.000-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

Also, Hello my name is Leslie and sometimes I get so absorbed in a good story that I forget time, place, basic hygiene.... and my own coffee chat.

I mean, have you ever become soooo invested in a story that you alternated between joy, happy, furious and then back to joy again? The main character does something stupid and you literally yell at the book, or your screen if you are Kindle app user like me? Normally I throw the book across the room when a character does something stupid and frustrates me... thank goodness my sense prevailed or I would be shopping for a new laptop today.

Literally me getting way to emotional over the marriage troubles of a couple.... who are not even freaking real!! Seriously this story is that amazing of a roller coaster ride.

So apologies for arriving late this week, but I rather suspect some of you get exactly what I am saying.

Please tell me I am not the only one so intent on indulging on their guilty pleasures to the point of utter distraction?

Tuesday, June 20th, 2017

Shameful!!! Come on, fess up!

We all have a book, movie, or song...

maybe a celebrity crush that makes us blush?

I'm listening.

Well I think my love of super heroes is well documented on this blog.
So I will not go into detail about that. Detail, meaning apology.
Honestly, I am not even sorry or ashamed at this point.

I also do have a ready to go Freebie List. I even considered getting it laminated, I am that loyal to my celebrity husbands. Maybe even proprietary. Tom Hardy is incredibly talented and handsome as hell, with that bit of bad boy vibe, and that IS my jam.

I know tattoos are not for everyone, but it's fantasy people - take a leap! LOL

But seriously, the man can play any role.   Fight me on that.
I must also have substance with my fantasy or it just won't work.

No, you can't have him on your Freebie List.   He's mine.

Mostly, I really appreciate it when my faves, such as Mr. Hardy, have a knack for picking really great stories. And that is ALWAYS my vibe.

GREAT STORIES will always be my guilty pleasure above all.

I'm not opposed to a bit of smut within the tale --- not quite 50 Shades, not quite as sappy as a Harelquin: middle is good.
The other confession is, I also write that stuff.

Getting lost in my own characters is just as dangerous and time loss inducing these days. I can glance up from my laptop and suddenly realize it is dark and the children need to be fed.
No no, I am not that bad. Don't call anyone.
And there is always frozen pizza in the freezer ---- which gives me about another 20 minutes of writing time while it cooks.
Win.

Here is the tricky part: it gets a little smutty.    Okay, sometimes a lot smutty. Oh there's lots of fluffy romance feels in there too. Also violence and language because the main character of the piece is a gangster after all.    However, I feel like sometimes we are okay with a bit of bad language and some mild violence... but writing about SEX??

Good girls don't do that.

Except, this one does.
And believe me, I had a hard time with that... because I am a Girl Guide Leader and a Sunday School teacher, so why I am writing about people doing the horizontal? (actually Alfie prefers his desk often, just a warning)

Simple. I write about people.   And people have sex.
It's really that simple and I think it's nigh time we stop making women feel ashamed, or dirty about it. It's normal human behaviour and if I am going to write about them taking a walk in the park, attending a play, or going to dinner ... then I see no reason why you cannot also write about them doing it in the car behind the theatre. Personally, I don't necessarily enjoy the completely "vulgar" - not really my preference; but I will tell you what is going on in that car.   Sometimes I push my own limits and then sit back and think: yep, that was too far - don't go there again. Lesson learned.

My motivation will always be to ensure it's a complete story.   The scenes don't exist solely to propel you towards the hot and steamy scenes. They are not what is important in the overall telling of the tale; but they are there.

I rather feel at this point, in my mid 40s, I should have not have to explain or justify to anyone that "yes, sex happens in my stories."

Also, it's not as easy to write it as one might think.   It's a fine line to make sure it doesn't become the focus of the piece.   That the story doesn't just exist so I can get someone all twitterpated: that's not why I write.

But I do want to make you FEEL -- everything.

I think I've already proven on this blog I can write the sentimental, the rant, the poetic, the fluffy good feels ---- this was simple the last taboo to cross.

If you want to cross the divide: HERE'S THE MASTERLIST TO ALL OF IT

Yes, I have been busy while not here.
The Still Waters fan fic based on the show Taboo is over 100,000 words now!    And it's not even finished.
That's novel length --- which is truly the main point of it all folks.

I CAN write a full length novel story. I proved it to myself, and it feels really good.
Almost better than sex. ;)

So yes stories are my guilty pleasure. Fantasy. Fan Fiction. Classical. Poetry.   You create a world and I'll come running to jump in it.

If you don't know how to create the world and the muse strikes, I'll create it for you.

Next Week: Three things on your Summer To Do List.   (LAST CHAT before Summer Break!)

Tuesday Coffee Chat: It Was The Weekend

2017-06-12T21:30:00.001-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

image source

That is not one of my coffee images posted above, but it is one of my favourite image combinations: coffee and a bonfire.    Also that view!!!

Imagine waking up to this in the morning?   The next time someone asks me why I like camping, this is the image I will show them.   There is just something about sitting by a warm fire with a warm mug in your hands during the early morning chill.

If I could wake up to this every day, I'd think I was in paradise.

Instead, this week I woke up to no coffee in the house and a dead laptop battery. Which wouldn't be too much of a problem because you can plug them in, right?
Yes, unless that cord also fails.
What to do, AND how to write??!!

Maybe you should sit down and have a coffee while you figure out a solution?

Anyway, apologies for not getting to your comments and posts last week until very late today, but I am back up and running today. I even have an external hard drive now so that I can back up my laptop every night.

Because can you imagine if I lost all those photos I've been acquiring the past couple of years, OR the stories that have been pouring out of me?

Sometimes I think the cave drawers had a better system.
I mean, those pictures and words are still with us and no one had to make an emergency order from Amazon.

Unless of course, that is how you like to spend your weekend time?

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Tuesday, June 13th, 2017

What is your favourite way to spend the weekend?

As already noted, every day should start with coffee.   That's just a given.   The where is what can make it extra special.   I have mentioned being particularly fond of Left Brain's bedside delivery practice.

Since I cannot get the camping and bonfire experience every day, when the summer months arrive, my backdeck with a view of my gardens is the next best thing.    Just tune out the noise of suburbia in the background.

I don't have a picture of coffee on my back deck - yet, because we are currently invested by these red and black bugs crawling over every single thing they can crawl upon.   And I don't mean of the lady like variety -- these things are ugly.    I think they only last at the beginning of the warm weather and them mostly die off, so hopefully we can soon be enjoying the lovely weather.

I did however have to get those nasty creepies out of my garden before they ate all my plants.    Thus, my weekend was definitely spent doing one of my favourite things. In my Happy Place.   Even though bugs are happy here too.

After a very late Spring, that gave us snow in May, followed by weeks of constant cloudy skies and downpours, the sun finally shone.   And my garden was most grateful.

I have more garden shots for WW this week, all kinds of colour popping up all over the place.    I especially like that shock of blue with my newly painted birdbath. The birds love it too.

Working in the garden always gives me a huge appetite. I could eat an entire cow, I swear it.   I settled for one fantastic grilled steak instead.

Honestly, I do not know why I own a stove.   BBQ is the way to go.   I think I could live just fine without electricity.    Well, except for that I need to do some writing on my computer today Right Now before the idea leaves me thing.   Although, I could buy more pretty journals that way!!

And as if life was not beautiful enough, I did get that bonfire closing of the day after all.
Thanks to an invitation from friends --- it had looked like rain all day, but thankfully it held off and we had a lovely time of smores and watching the kids play Manhunt in the woods.

Tis the season. The first bonfire of the season is always something special. Whenever you have good friends and warm flames ; you're having a good end to the day. #bonfire #surrendertotheflame #summervibes #smores #theremaybebeer 🔥
A post shared by Ink Interrupted (@rorybore) on Jun 10, 2017 at 5:10pm PDT

If the weather was just a bit warmer -- meaning our water still not glacial temperature - all I would add to this weekend is a trip to the beach. Perfection.

You know, I just realized I have celebrated all the wondrous Four Elements of Nature in my weekend pursuits:

Outdoors - Air
Garden - Earth
Bonfire/BBQ - Fire
Beach - Water

That's it folks; I've achieved Perfect Harmony and Balance w
That's the secret to life right there; y'all can stop searching now.

Have any perfect weekend secrets you want to share?
Coffee's on.

Next Week: Shameful!!! Come on, fess up! We all have a book, movie, or song... maybe even celebrity crush that we are a bit ashamed to say we love! I'm listening.

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Thank Ya Kindly

2017-06-05T22:53:00.000-04:00

Good morning and welcome to Coffee Chat.

Yes, I do remember that I have a Blog.
Yes, I realize only posting once a week rather challenges that statement.
No, I cannot apologize for that truth just yet.

I seem to be in a different season right now.   I'm writing every day; often the words just flowing and I realize suddenly a couple of hours have gone by.   And it feels amazing!!!

The wonderful thing is, I am LEARNING so much with all this writing.   Whereas I feel my regular blogging has grown rather stale. I needed to stretch my wings for a season. Not just pushing my creativity, ability, comfort zones and discipline, but the amount of RESEARCH y'all --- it's staggering.

Go ahead, ask me about Tidal Times and Flows in the Caribbean Sea.
Specifically on the island of Montserrat.
Go on, I'll wait.

HA!!!   It's a trick question: there are none!!
This particular island, and others in the Caribbean Sea are amphidromic points: which is a point of zero tide basically.   The ocean level remains basically the same.

Why is this important?
It's important because if you were writing a story in which your characters are sailing into port and almost an entire chapter focuses on an older sailor teaching a younger sailor about tidal times...... when there are in fact NONE...

... well, you'd have to delete and re-write the entire chapter.
And that would suck. Trust.

So, I'm an expert researcher now, which adds as much as an hour to my writing time some days. You can ask me about the streets of Camden Town another time.

Maybe I can make a blog post about it? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Tuesday, June 6th, 2017

What is the best compliment you've received lately?

You know what?   I don't usually toot my horn.   In fact, I am not even sure where it is....?
But for the purposes of this chat post, I will force myself to find it and give it a little beep beep.
Maybe even a HONK.

Because we should do that for ourselves.   If people take the time to pay you a compliment, you should at least give it worthy time to acknowledge.

It's taken me years to be brave enough to put my writing out there for people to read. YEARS people.   I'm in my 40s and it's just the past couple of years I have begun to share stories with folks.
I don't count talking about being a wife, a mom, a sometimes poet here on this little blog as my actual writing; even though it too has been invaluable.    But it's the appetizer, ya know?
I've finally graduated to the buffet.... and it's feels delicious!

Why didn't I share?
You know the answer already, don't you.   Because I bet it's the same reason you don't share something of yourself.   Something so deeply personal and creative.

What. If. People. Don't. Like. It??!!

Well, tell you what: some won't.
But some will.
And you'll listen to both, and you'll be better for it.

But do pay attention to those golden little offerings more than the negative, okay?
That being said, here are some comments on the fictions that I have shared on my Tumblr lately.

Really enjoyed reading this wonderful story, hope there will be more Alfie and Alyona soon! 🤗

Oh, i love this one! 😍 Beautiful story, thank you.

I don’t think I should be reading your stuff at work anymore. Holy mother of God…

The morning on the island- beautiful. While i was reading the first thunderstorm of spring started, but I do think the goosebumps where only from your writing.

Yet again; another brilliantly written piece; so much depth with the beautiful love he has let himself have & feel for her it’s fantastic 😁😁

Love love love this chapter!! So many interactions between different characters, love them all. No man is an island - indeed! I love how you have brought them all together.

“he knew what a difference it meant when someone shared their heart, as easily as they shared their body.” I LOVE this part! The ease of their intimacy is so beautiful ❤️ and coupled with their minor awkwardness in the kitchen is too adorable. And the bread thieving puppy!!! 🤗

That feels good and a bit awkward sharing.   Which is stupid because we should not feel awkward sharing good things said about us, or our talents.    The truth is, I need comments like these because some days I feel like giving up.   That writing is silly.   No one is reading, why bother?!!

And then I get compliments like this and it reminds me that some people are in fact enjoying the story. It's not silly.    I created something!!!

Also, you will notice the variety I have chosen to share here, and there are very specific reasons for the ones I selected.   Some are quite simple - which is great. Others are very specific.   I love getting a humorous one. And then the gold standard: when someone actually quotes a line from the story that affected them strongly.   LOVE.

So if you do happen to read fan fictions on the internet, or buy other bloggers books, it is really helpful to us writers when we receive some kind of comment.   Even if you don't like the story, but can offer constructive comments on why; it is so helpful in teaching us how to write better.   I will still take it as a compliment that you took the time to say anything. As long as you are not rude of course.

I encourage you to take the time to respond to the writers you enjoy!   Even if it is simple and sincere.   Remember, most of us are not Stephen King or JK Rowling, we are are providing you with stories for low cost, or most of us FREE.   So a comment goes a long way to encouraging us to continue to bring you stories. :)

I'm sure everyone can understand this concept because even us bloggers, I know we all love to receive comments on our posts. It's a universal sign "hey, thanks for being one of my people. I enjoy it here."

And that always feels pretty darn good.
So hey, you're all awesome and I enjoy you all being here!! :)

Next Week: What is your favourite way to spend the weekend?

Coffee Chat: Get it off and Let it Out

2017-05-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

Good morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

Well I've just realized that's another blog title for the creepers.
I can't help it you know; they just come to me and I write them down.

And the truth is, we all have things we need get off and let out.

Like when your kids take 3.6 hours to get ready for bed and you've got to write a blog post. Not to mention you haven't sat down since dinner 3 hours ago.
And oh yeah, you were brewing some tea, remember?

Now I love having those last moments of the day with my beautiful children, but sometimes?
Yeah, I am chanting the Go The F*ck To Sleep book in my head.

When you're done; you're just done.
And there's no use looking down your nose at me, because I know we've all been there.
There are things that finish you too. So let's give one another a pass, hhmm?

So this is a safe place. Got something to say?
Here's your chance --- just let it go.

Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Get something off your chest.
No, don't throw your bra at me:
unless it's after 7 pm and you're home for the evening, because Yes!

Well, first off I'm going to straight up confess: My bra is off.
There. That felt good.
because, Yes!

Although, I did recently buy new bras and I will also confess this: I was wearing the wrong size!!!
Duh.
Ladies, get measured. Trust.
I am very happy to be the owner of several pretty new and lacy and properly fitted bras.

But still I am in pj's, with my tea, and it just seemed to be over dressing to keep the push up bra on, ya know?

Other than that, I am not sure I have anything to get off my chest???
It's actually been a pretty calm day... I didn't even leave the house because I was writing and doing spring cleaning.

So I guess that's the secret to avoiding stress, or conflict or like.... people.
Don't leave the house! LOL

OH! I did notice one thing though when I am home all day: the amount of times my phone rings and it's a 1-800 number!!
Which means? Telemarketers.
Ugh.

I don't answer.
Because that way I can't say a bad word into the phone. Because honestly, it's 2017 and is this really a necessary practice anymore? To disturb me in my home - not to mention how in the holy hell did you get my unlisted home number in the first place??!

Dear callers, I know you are just doing your job, but we have internet and Google and my husband has about a billion apps on his phone: if we want something, we KNOW how to find it.
We don't need a call.

And due to my husbands profession, I happen to also know a lot of these are scams, which really irks me. Not only are you disturbing people in the safety of their home uninvited, you also compromise that safety.
RUDE.

Worse of all is when you do happen to pick up, because they also have these handy little number blockers, so you have no idea if it's the school calling again to say one of your children has fallen off the monkey bars - again, and please come check for head injury.

Which totally reminds me of another issue recently irking me: why am I coming to the school to check my child for head injury??!! I have no Phd.
Also, I did drop one of them once, so perhaps I'm not the best medical expert? In my defense they are slippery little buggers when getting out of a bath.

But back to my phone and how it rings.... is there a way to stop that?

Well yes, there is a mute. Except I do need to know if the school does call. Because children fall.
And sometimes, it's not even my fault.

Basically I'm making another confession: I am a Call Screener and proud of it.
Same with texts. You either get an immediate reply, or three days later; like there is no in between.

Whew. Glad I got that off my chest. Feels much better.

Why do I have a feeling at least one person is going to write about how annoying it is when people screen their calls?
It's alright, I can take it.

Remember, Safe Place. :)

NEXT WEEK: What is the best compliment you've received lately?

Coffee Chat: Sing Us A Song

2017-05-22T21:52:00.003-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!!

Above is an image from a real live coffee chat I enjoyed with my two girl friends to celebrate my birthday. A good time - not to mention a delicious lemon poppy-seed loaf was enjoyed by all.

I am glad I thought to snap a photo, much to the disapproving frown of the elderly lady across the cafe, so that I could return to using my own photos for the chat post. Something I have missed of late and feel truly slacking. So see there Judging Older Person with your Judgy Eyes - I was living up to a goal I had set for myself which is entirely responsible and good!

I digress.

It was a long weekend here in Canada, thus it was cold and rainy the entire weekend. After having weather in the 30s all week.
Because of course.
So no new photos to show you how we lounged around the house and watched movies and played Xbox. (Well, mama wrote while others did -- but I was there!)
I'm sure you're disappointed greatly. 😏

Anyway, I am getting back into the swing of blogging again, although I will probably be absent this week because I will be sorting through that 200 plus blogroll of all your April posts. And high on caffeine.

So if my comments are a little cray cray, forgive me.

Since I cannot think of a half decent segue today, let's just get to the chat topic.

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

What song reflects your mood right now?

Oh that's an easy one for me!!

Mostly because I have been in writing mode for a few hours daily and I have a playlist that I often listen to for inspiration. Since the latest story is a LOVE story, I do apologize for the extreme lovey dovely sappiness that is about to come your way.

If the audio file doesn't appear for you, you can Find The Song Here (How Long Will I Love You - Cover)

I find having some sappy angst music can really help inspire your writing, and this song in particular just seemed to fit the two characters. There is so much trauma in his past, how can he accept a love from such a source of light as her? How could she possibly love him if she glimpsed the real him? Hell... how do you WRITE that?

Pick a song and pick up your quill and just let it go!

~

STILL WATERS (excerpt from fiction based on Taboo - TV/2017)

Three days they remained in the cabin exploring and discovering one another in this new way. Though James would sneak out while she slept, returning with food and wine; not a soul aboard daring to knock upon their door after that first day. Finally having the full knowledge and security of her love surrounding him, his dark past began to unravel. His heart in his hands when he spoke of the horrors he had done. Terrible acts for which there will be no redemption. Breaking down within her arms, wracked with guilt and pain over the blood he can never wash from his hands. Every moment wondering if this is the one where she will turn from him and flee his darkness. This irredeemable soul of his now caught and bound with her own. But she never does. No lies pass her lips, but above all she never lets him forget the tender years that came before the terrible trauma. That once upon a time -- he was whole. Her strength allows her to absorb it all and still walk in love. It was a mystery to him how she just took it all in, every sin and crime, and returned it back to him – molded into something new. After so many years of carrying this pain as his most trusted companion and guilt his bedfellow, it was this truth that finally set him free. That was what her love allowed, and what it freely gave; the gift of his true self. A wholeness of spirit and unfettered heart that he had forgotten. And now he wasn’t afraid to pick it back up again and carry it forward.

A woman searching for a home, a man trying to find his way home, and somehow they met at the crossroads. Or maybe that Delaney madness held a little magic after all. Either way, it was a meeting perfectly timed to ensure two lonely hearts were perfectly tuned to one another. With a deep exhale surrendered, he cast his tortured thoughts upon the sea and the brokenness that had bound him began to loosen. Pain no longer a humming in the recess of his mind. Stained fingers traced the ink whorl that branded her his talisman, while he inhaled the bright promise of tomorrow. He slept the deep sleep of the unburdened; their breath mingling upon the soft pillows. Beyond the darkened windows the ship cruised upon the eternal tides and the evening star faded away.

Often she was unaware of how her fingers traced the inked markings upon his arms and chest. Though James definitely took notice when they were want to drift downward to the ones that encircled his thighs. The habit had become so frequent as they lay next to one another, she could probably trace each mark unerring with her eyes closed. Fingers automatically moving even while she drifted into slumber. She didn’t even know why they fascinated her so, except that they were a part of him. Each time she could feel the release from within as her fingertips passed softly over the firm skin. As though she cut each mark open and all the poison leaked out in a great oozing black void of pain; surrendering a little more of his numbness with each cutting. She imagined she could leach this poison from inside a hundred times, but with James there would always be more. While the world met the eyes of the dangerous man, she knew the depths of the well where he hid the guilt and hurt and shame and regret. In the quiet moments between sleep and awake, her hands reached for him and her fingers traced, and she had to believe that these years of kindness would one day over shadow the ones of cruelty. Comfort would over-rule scorn. This is what she believed in, these pure moments of tender care where she could pour out her love upon his scars. There was no magic cure; true healing took time. Lorna was patient.

It used to be the floating sensation of water that held James deep in the recesses of sleep. As long as he could hold the awareness of drifting upon the surface with the warmth of the sun on his back and the cool deep below, he would remain asleep. Never lulled too deep; one part of his mind always alert and firing pulses. As soon as anything threatened that sense of calm, like cold clawing hands or the singing of the dead, he would be brought to the surface abruptly. Waking up rarely a gentle thing. Now it was the sense of warmth beside him that kept him deep in slumber. How it wrapped around his limbs, cradling him in softness. Often the gentle touch that traced all the tension and stress from his body, replacing it with a soothing tenderness that leaked into his bones and lingered during the day, lending a lightness to his steps. He pulled that warmth closer; felt it cover him like a blanket knitted solely for his form. Shielding all his lines and curves; the sad hollows and the brittle points that made up the burdened jointed walk of his life. His knotted thoughts unraveling while he slept. Once he believed if his thoughts were visible, they would be revealed as chaotic turns and twists of light never converging to a single point. Now he thought it might just be possible that he could learn to spin them into a dance that both celebrated and protected what it was he held dearest.

The light touch finally registering his brain to wakefulness, James eyes blinked slowly open. A slight tilt of his head and he half expected to find her quietly watching him sleep; but her eyes were closed. The faint brush of her fingertips dancing over his skin, a simple touch that reached deep; his muscles sagging as they loosed their aching burdens. The irony of someone such as he who had courted touch avoidance for so long, to love one so compelled to touch, that she reached for him in her sleep. He couldn’t surrender to another. Allow such dreamlike ministrations that wove the connective web between them even tighter. Sometimes, he can feel the fear rising in his chest, threatening to take over. It wants to protect him from a danger, but he knows now none exists. Not with her.

Just in case you thought I was sitting home idle instead of reading all your blog posts, proof of my very busy quill!

That's the power of music and words. Transporting us to other worlds full of emotions we dare not explore here in our rightly ordered busy reality. Sweeping away all the boring dust that has settled while our minds are busing sorting laundry, making grocery lists and balancing our chequing account. Just like that we are smack dab in the middle of a great story singing of the virtue and power of a love so powerful it crossed an ocean just to find a home.

How long will I love words and music?
As long as I can.
And longer if I may.

Got a tune that helps you get through the daily dust of life?

Next Week: Get something off your chest. No, don't throw your bra at me: unless it's after 7 pm and you're home for the evening, because Yes!

PS! > For those having any trouble with my site (curse this commenting system too!!), I am currently pondering a change - in fact I did create a WordPress blog site today, reserving my InkInterrupted name! I don't know exactly how and when all the changes will be activated -- just know I appreciate everyone's patience while non-tech me figures it all out. 😀

WW: Get the Stink Off Ya

2017-05-17T19:39:00.001-04:00

We finally broke the twenties today in weather today!!
This is huge - for Canada anyway.
I think by the end of the day we were actually over 30 C. (86 degrees in American)

What's a girl with freshly painted toes to do?

Buy new shoes!!

Oh hello!!! Nothing like a new pair of beautiful shoes to kick off the season. And with a discount too. Perfection. Shout to @theartfulgallery for being awesome. #shoe #shoegameisstrong #shoeporn #getonmyfeet #arnprior #shoplocal
A post shared by Ink Interrupted (@rorybore) on May 17, 2017 at 12:25pm PDT

And I got a great discount as well.

My toes feel soooo free!
And less stinky after being in boots for 6 months.

Totally meant to match with my polish, because of course.

Tuesday Coffee Chat: My Coffee Ain't Green

2017-05-15T23:55:00.001-04:00

Good morning and welcome to coffee chat!!

Image source

I survived the camp!! Woot.
And thus closes another season of Girl Guides -- which hopefully now leaves me more time to open that "Blogs To Read" file I have saved in my email.

Current tally: 222

I'm gonna need a ginormous batch of coffee.
And a comfy place to sit. Which rather leads nicely to our topic today.

Because while my coffee ain't green, my backyard coveting definitely comes in various shades of envy.

Tuesday, May 16, 2017 I'm not jealous! What gets you turning green?

I don't get truly jealous.
I am quite happy with my gifts and talents and I can continue working on the size of my behind (thanks for all the birthday chocolate folks! ugh).   My motto has always been comparison is the thief of Joy.
And that is one thing I cannot allow anyone to steal.

We should all stand proud and be who we are!

Now, that is not to say that I am not envious at times.
Like every single time I watch one of Claudia's drawing videos and she makes it look so darn easy??!
Why can't I do that?   Why is her dot an actual dot .... and I get a blob!??
Drawing, or painting is one thing I really wish I could do.

At the end of the day though, I am thrilled to be a Word Wrangler.   Nothing pleases me more than one someone enjoys a story I have written.   Especially if they comment that they can SEE the story in their mind -- the action unfolding like a movie. In fact, it should be a movie!!
Call me Steven Spielberg! Christopher Nolan! Anyone??

At this time of year, I suffer from a very serious case of Backyard Envy.
It's a thing y'all.

Here in Canada, we only get maybe four good months of lovely outdoor time. Meaning you can wear one layer of clothing for most of the day.
Thus, we really want to take advantage of that time and Get Out!!
And it is really nice to have a great space to do Get Out Into.

Which I don't. Not really. My gardens make it enjoyable, but it's smack dab in the middle of a suburban subdivision - even though a cow field is across the highway behind us - and that means too many people. And noise. And cows.

My Garden, My Happy Place

I also have a very bad habit of being a Backyard Peeper.
Also a thing.

Seriously, I'm gonna get arrested one day because I can't stop peeking into someone's yard and see what kind of set up they have.
Gardens?
Gazebo?
Jacuzzi or pool?
Firepit?
All??!!! Hello new friend!

I would love a firepit. There is nothing better than ending a summer day with a bonfire. I could sit forever.

Some fine examples I found courtesy of Google.

The Ultimate Bonfire Pit!

Image Source

Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen

Image Source

Having It All

Honestly, who lives like this?
Pool. Hot tub. Outdoor kitchen. Firepit.
Oh and a big ass house you don't even really need to enter.
I'd seriously just pitch a tent on their lawn and live happily ever after.

My needs are not quite so grand.
Just a cozy place to have my coffee. A little shelter from the sun, or rain. A place to indulge my only green thing: my thumb.

My dream:

A place in the shade to relax.
A place to dine.
A place to roast marshmallows.
Lots of gardening potential and a water feature instead of a pool.
(because pools are too much work when you can only swim 2-3 months out of the year.)

Perfection.
Now, if someone could come build this for me, that would be swell.

Oi, it's not easy being green, that's for sure.

Next Week: What song reflects your mood right now?

Coffee Chat: A Flaky Day

2017-05-08T22:05:00.000-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

You notice I've got my Ice Coffee photo this week.
There's a reason for that.
We got snow y'all.   SNOW.
Like actual flakes came floating down. I had to turn the windshield wipers on while driving the kids to school.
Because I said um no to a snow day IN FREAKIN MAY!

It's like being caught in a strange new world. A world where people believe that Climate Change is a Real Thing. Because I've Got SnowFlakes In May.
One day we have flood warnings, the next day you wake up and then neighbour kids made a small snowman in the very yard that was flooded 24 hours earlier.
So. Bizarre.

I can remember going to my aunts cottage for my birthday when I was younger.   I assume since we were at the cottage, we must have swam in the lake. In May.
I wouldn't dip a toe in the lake today, I assure you.

Well, not to worry about it because I will be busy at Girl Guide Camp on my birthday this weekend.   Also, Mother's Day!
Those of you who are frequent fliers here, know that is the exact same way I spent my birthday last year!
Minus the snowflakes.

So, yeah me!
I'm getting 17 girls aged five to seven for 36 hours in a cabin in the middle of the woods for my birthday. And then for Mother's Day, I get to clean that cabin after they've all left to go home to their mommies.

*groans inwardly for a hundred years*

Tuesday, May 9th, 2017

It's my birthday and Mother's Day soon...
what should I do?

Well, I've told you what I WILL be doing? And yes, I do hope that you are playing tiny violins for me, because to lose both special days, two years in a row, is quite frankly - sucky!

So, if you were the Birthday Wish Granting Genie; what alternate plan would you dream up for me. Or yourself. The more the merrier, right?

As long as you are older than 7 years of age. :)

Angel Girl felt bad that they would not see me all weekend and miss saying Happy Birthday or Happy Mother's Day. I will see them on Sunday night - hopefully late afternoon if Mr. Clean is on my side; but as she said "but it's all over by then mommy."

So she wrote a very nice little story for me. She's seen me writing a lot over the past couple of months (I finished a story this weekend!!! Yay!!) and wanted to bond with me over words.

Yes, she is my favourite now. ;)

So here's her little spot of cheer, created just for me. And because she is Angel Girl, she wanted to share it with all of you too.

HAMSTER SCHOOL

"Yay," hollered Fluffy.

"First day of hamster school," shouted Nibbles.

It was Monday, the first day of hamster school. Fluffy and Nibbles are very excited!

"I can't wait to meet everyone," yelled Fluffy.

"I hope they are nice little hamsters," added Nibbles.

"Me too," agreed Fluffy.

When they got to school, they saw lots of little and big hamsters running around and playing!

"This is going to be better than I thought it was!" Fluffy yelled, running through a plastic tube. When the bell rang, Fluffy, Nibbles and everyone else went inside.

"Hello there little hamsters, I am your teacher, Mrs. Ham," said the teacher.

They learned how to spell, how to write, how to read, and how to add and subtract. When the bell rang again for recess, everyone went outside. Fluffy and Nibbles talked and talked about what they had learned

"I learned how to write fast," said Fluffy.

"I learned how to read fast," said Nibbles.

When it was time for gym, they lined up at the door to leave the classroom. They had to run three laps of the gym! Then they played tag. By the time it was last recess, they said "school was the best!" They spent the rest of recess running around and playing. When recess ended they were still playing tag, but it was time to go inside for math.

"I love math," said Fluffy.

"Me too," replied Nibbles.

"Okay hamsters, here are your math sheets, now get to work," said Mrs. Ham.

"Fluffy... what did you get?" asked Nibbles.

"Ten out of ten!" replied Fluffy.

"Me too!" hollered Nibbles.

Fluffy, Nibbles and their class were outside waiting for the last bell to ring.

"Fluffy's it!!" yelled Nibbles.

Them and ten other hamsters were playing tag. When they finished that they went to the tunnel tubes and ran through a bunch of times. When the bell rang, Fluffy said, "That was fun!"

"Agreed!" replied Nibbles.

That was the end of the very best day ever!

I freaking LOVE her imagination.

And of course no story is complete without a handdrawn personal illustration.

Which is on her wall, so you will just have to trust me on that point.

So, moral of the story??

Screw you snow; I don't care about the cold weather in May... I got the warm fuzzies now!

There's simply nothing better than a gift from a warm and loving, pure heart to brighten your day.

But you know, I also accept coffee, chocolate and wine. :)

NEXT WEEK: I'm not jealous! What gets you turning green?

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Where Am I Going?

2017-05-02T00:10:00.000-04:00

Good morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

I am on the go today!!
Our Girl Guide year is coming to a close and with our year end Advancement and Camping trips, it's very busy time.
Apologies for my absence last week -- but there's just been so much to do!! I am looking forward to a breather in two weeks.
Volunteering is a LOT of work.

The kids school also had an Open House today, so I was dashing over there and into all their classrooms, the library, the BBQ outside in the rain; and then when it was over?
This one to this place for Ju Jitsou, that one here for Brownies, this one home to do homework, forgot to drop off movies so dash back out, then go pick up everyone.

Whew.
Monday's are hard.
Don't you just want to skip them some days?

I spent a lot of time today day dreaming about where I'd skip off to.

Tuesday, May 2, 1017

Finish the sentence:
If I could go anywhere today....

I will give you a hint as to how I would finish that sentence.

I'm on the ground.
Even better, sand.
I have a view out my door.... that's not really a door.
I am breathing fresh air all around me.
There's plenty of water near.
I probably smell of fire.

Can you guess?

That's exactly where I would love to wake up tomorrow morning.
Except, not here -- because I might have some frost on my toes in my neck of the woods. Maybe that is why she has slippers on, and he has bare feet?
Left Brain's feet never seem to get cold.
But other than that, as long as it's warm and dry - - that's where I am headed.

If you've never woken up on a beach before and within a few steps can touch the surf; boy you have have missed out on something. Falling asleep to the sound of the waves. Sunbeams prying your eyelids open come dawn.

Okay, that part sucks actually. I'm not a morning person; I'm a sunset person. I recommend packing a good eye mask if you are the same.
But everything else is perfection.

If I can't have the tent on the beach, I am not picky. This would be just as nice.

I believe that is one of those converted vans. Or maybe they just threw a mattress in the back and set off. Doesn't matter, it looks fun!! Left Brain and I often talk about doing this once the kids have moved out.

Then we realize we will be well into our sixties. I'm not very good at math, okay? I didn't think about wanting to trek around the country in my retirement years and how it would also coexist with my not wanting to get married and have children until my thirties.

I think we can do it.
He want's an upgrade to a full size RV.

But we both agree on this as the rainy day alternate to tent camping.
Or empty nesters sitting in a house way too big for us.

Heck I would totally go there right now!

I am trying to wrap this all up into some kind of neat and tidy conclusion that offers some nugget of insight into my character. My true nature.
Do I suffer from wanderlust?
Do I long to get back to Nature? Free and in the wild.
Do I need a change of scenery to spark some creativity.

Hmmm, I think I just don't want to clean my house.

Maybe it's simple that it's Spring, and I just want to get Sprung.
I am not sure what that means.

It's definitely the dirty house thing.

So, where are you going to?

Next week: It's my birthday and Mother's Day soon... what should I do?

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Spring Chicken

2017-04-25T01:23:00.000-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

I may have mine on the back deck with my latest read this morning, if the sun is hitting it just right. Because it's still a wee bit chilly here in the mornings and I'm fighting a wee bit of a cold again.

Or maybe it's allergies. I don't know. It's harder when you get older to know exactly what is wrong some times. My ears hurt and my throat is sore; but I am not coughing. And I think only one eye works. It's too many symptoms, none of which seem related??

I'm no spring chicken anymore it seems.

Tuesday, April 25th, 2017

Describe your perfect Spring day.

Well, that is a bit of a tough one.
Basically I would just settle for Spring to fully arrive at this point.     It's rather like we have 3 seasons in one day right now.   The mornings are cold - even saw frost still the other day.   By mid-afternoon it's pretty warm out and you can lose that light jacket.    Then around supper time, you're gonna want to put that jacket back on. Finally when the sun goes down you might even need your darn hat and mitts again.

Crazy, like how can one dress for the day?   You need to bring a carry on suitcase with you.

However, I can report that we were blessed with a rather lovely Spring-ish day on Sunday.    The wind still had a bite to it, but if you were in the sun, it actually was quite nice.   And we were in the sun, so - nice!

We spent the day at a friends farm because they had new chickens!    I mean, we like them and would have gone to see them anyway - it wasn't just for the baby chicks.
But you know, baby chicks!!

(and you thought that "spring chicken" mention above wasn't a segue! ha.)

Also, I am a complete idiot who took neither her cell phone out of her purse, or her big girl camera to this beautiful pastoral landscape complete with baby chicks, fat cats, and one friendly dog who I am pretty sure adopted me while I was there.

Thus, the stock photos.
They do say the mind is the first to go. *eyeroll*

Anyway, you'll just have to trust me that it was quite the perfect Spring Day.
The kids - all eight of them since they have 4 and we have 3 - all ran about in green fields, and climbed haylofts, and crossed bridges over creeks, and yes... chased a few escaped chickens.

Myself and the other mom drank tea on the porch and chatted. Sorta keeping an eye on both young broods.
Can I tell you the kids got into more trouble than the baby chicks?
Of course they did.

There was sunshine, fresh air, the odd rooster crow, and even two hawks circling above in majestic flight.
Really kicking myself that I did not have a camera.

Wait. What?!
TWO hawks? Circling? Above?
Brood of baby chicks!!!

Catch them!! Catch them all kids!!!
And that's pretty much what you do for fun on the farm.

And watch incredible sunsets. Of which I have no photo to demonstrate.
Here's an archive shot:

It's in the country, so it still counts.

When the sun went down, we had planned on a bonfire, but then discovered that there currently was a fire ban. Despite all the rain and cold temperatures? Okay. Seems legit??

Thus inside the house we went because as I said, dark equals hat and mitts -- which we had none. That did not keep us from sending the men out to BBQ burgers and hot dogs though.
So we had a lovely little supper to close out a rather perfect day in the country.

Maybe it's not what I thought I might plan for the "perfect day," but honestly?
Fresh air, animals, sunshine, good company and good food.

What more do you really need?
Besides your camera. Of course.

What would you do on a perfect Spring day?

Next Week: Finish the sentence. If I could go anywhere today....

Fill in Fun: Four in One

2017-04-21T19:17:00.000-04:00

I just realized I totally forget about Wordless Wednesday again this week!
I did another Moodboard though!

This is my Coffee and Create version.

The worst part of that is I was actually outside taking pictures.... it just seems I forgot the next step of getting those pictures off my camera, and over here.

Doh.

I did take another picture this week - a very important picture for a very important matter. (and you know it HAS to be for me to take a Selfie!)

#1in4 Of us will experience mental health issues. It's okay to ask for help. End the stigma!! Part of the BBC's Minds Matter Mental Heath Season - join them and post your own #1in4 #selfie to help raise awareness and make it easier to talk about our mental health. #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealth #endthestigma #askforhelp
A post shared by Ink Interrupted (@rorybore) on Apr 20, 2017 at 4:47pm PDT

Did you post your #1in4 selfie? Let's end the stigma regarding mental health issues!

The Friendly Fill-Ins are four fun and easy statements to complete. Each Thursday, Ellen of 15andmeowing provides the first two statements and I suggest the latter two statements. We try to make the fill-ins fun to answer and to share. On Friday, the linky will be posted at or about 12:00 AM. Please come back, link up, and share your thoughts! Everyone is welcome!

Here are this week's statements with the blanks:

Week 50: April 21, 2017

1. The most interesting museum I have been to is Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto, Canada.

Okay, I know what you are saying - is that a museum?? Well yes, The American Association of Museums considers it so, so I am including it. Honestly, it was simply too amazing to be excluded!!

Stingrays, jelly fish and shark fins - Oh My!

2. The most interesting historical place I have been to is: in high school I took a class trip to New York City and during a tour of the city, we were in the World Trade Center buildings -- I have pictures. I also got an amazing shot of the NYC skyline from the ferry to Staten Island, with the Trades Centres included. Every time I look at that, such a bittersweet sadness comes over me. That I once stood there - on a place that would later become such a horrific moment in our history.

The pictures are in a photo album and maybe one day I will scan them so that I can have a digital copy to share.

3. Rain is back!

Whoops - sorry, my bad. It seems it never actually left. :(

4. I was surprised   that my Girl Guide Sparks troop last night actually got into the spirit of Earth Day and picked up TWO bags full of garbage from our local park!!!

I cannot share pictures of them due to privacy reasons, but just know: I am SO stinking proud of them.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Spring Has Sprung, and I Have Nothing To Wear

2017-04-17T17:52:00.000-04:00

Good morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!
Also, Happy Easter!

Yes, I realized about an hour ago that I still had planned a Coffee Chat post on a holiday weekend. Apologies.
I am peeling potatoes and baking pies while typing this post.

Thus, I will not keep you long, as I know you probably have to sneak into a corner of the house to eat that mini chocolate egg you pilfered from your child's basket.

That may just be me.

Let's let pictures do the talking for this chat because I am all about making it easy today.
And there is chocolate waiting.

Hopefully this week's assignment is fun, as it rather involves shopping.
Or Googling as I suppose is the new "window shopping."
I certainly had fun.

Also, I need all the spring boots and trench coats.

Tuesday, April 18th, 2017

I don't know why, but Spring always makes me feel
like I need a new outfit.
What would you buy to welcome the new Season?

The temperature varies greatly here in Canada, thus layering clothing is often still the mode of the day. Until we get into the actual heat of summer.
Which sees Fall like weather come when the sun goes down.

Basically, we are always layered.

I covered it all here:    Toes to hair.
I'm all about the ensemble apparently.   Despite the fact I've been in tights and a plain, black t-shirt the entire day.
I promise to get dressed real smart like when the cooking is done.

So here is my Spring Looks, via my newest obsession: The Moodboard

What's your favourite look?

Feel free to share your own in picture style!

Happy Easter!

Next Week: Describe your perfect Spring day.

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Write Me a Letter

2017-04-10T20:20:00.001-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

Today is a very special day - Angel Girl is ten years old today!!
Here we are having fun with Snapchat.
Because she's 10 y'all and the siren call of social media is a deafening roar.

I'll be honest in saying it feels more like she's turning 13 already, because it truly seems like we are smack dab in the midst of teen drama, angst, backtalk, emotional upheaval one minute, joyous bursting the next. Like I'm so confused.

Yeah that might also represent myself having a mini tantrum.
Because sometimes when dealing with an emotional ten year old, you actually become an emotional ten year old yourself.

I'd also like to apologize to my own mother. I don't know exactly what... just, sorry mom.

Anyway, before the tide turns and sweeps in the 400th emotion for the last hour, let's get straight to the topic.

Tuesday, April 11th,2017

It's Angel Girl's birthday today.

What advice would you go back and

give your 10 year old self?

When I was ten years old, we moved to a new city.
I had a new step father.   A new school.   A new church.
And not a single friend.
And no family close by either.

Everything was new. Besides my mother, not a single thing was known, or even familiar to me.   Even the channels on the TV listing were completely different. Like it took forever to find Scooby Doo and the X-Men.   Discovering Three's Company was a pretty cool accident though. Until the parental unit caught me watching. Jack Tripper was not kid friendly I guess.   Funny how it seems so harmless now.

I am sure it must have been a hard adjustment, in particular suddenly having a father.   Which didn't turn out well in the end at all -- but I wouldn't learn that for another 4 years.   I am sure there must have been moments of panic, heartache, confusion, doubt -- even anger.    All of this newness timed with the onslaught of puberty.

Fabulous.    *that was in my sarcasm font in case you missed it*

I am sure it must have been very difficult walking into the new school for the first time. Not knowing a single friendly face.   Let alone any of the teachers.   Since we lived close to the school, I walked -- but I must have walked alone.   And there not likely any one to talk new outfits with on the phone before that usually exciting first day of school.

Nothing was familiar. Not the faces, nor the landscape.   There was nothing to cast an anchor against in case I felt like sinking.   I am sure I felt adrift much of the time.

Except, I say "I am sure," but the truth is, I don't really know.   I mean it seems a certain probability; because of course I had moved. Yet, I don't really remember any of that in vivid detail.

What I do remember is how all the kids in our neighborhood block would gather in the park every night and play. Until either we were called to supper, or the lights turned on.   I remember us girls all walking to school in a big group, rolling our eyes at the comments made by the group of boys following behind. I remember the recesses spent playing sports, or hopscotch, or just sitting talking. And laughing. I remember lots of laughing. I remember crawling along the townhouse roof-line to my best friends bedroom window 3 houses down, and climbing through to have an impromptu sleepover. Or her quietly knocking on my own bedroom window in the middle of the night. Difficult fathers a common theme shared, and how our mothers oddly did not discipline us for this odd behaviour.   Although please stop eating potato chips in the bed please!

I remember my favourite teacher and how he was also the coach who inspired me to bravely just keep trying!   His strong but calm voice talking my nerves down before a race or a game. How he taught me lessons of toughness, but always fair play. His absolute confidence in me when our team was down a goal, and he'd put me in with the instruction, "get her the ball."   And they did, and I did. And no one was surprised.   And 30 odd years later how much that still means to a girls confidence. Because sometimes, we do still have that small voice in our head.

I remember the teacher who inspired the creative side in me - allowing me to read poetry and stories in front of my class. Once even a play that my class performed. I remember how both teacher coach and creative coach stood by the sidelines when with shaking knees I gave the Valedictorian Speech at my Grade 8 graduation. Looking almost as proud as my own parents.

The difference in remember the good and letting go of what was surely bad, at least for awhile; is the same now as it was then.   You just gotta open your heart to new possibilities and allow it to see all the beauty that waits.   I could have kept my head down each lonely walk to school, not seeing the smile offered as another girl passed by.   In lifting my head high and focusing my gaze - it landed on a potential friend.   And all it took was a shared smile.

Maybe things were easier back then, but I still think the basic principle remains. You can either face what's ahead with a seeking heart and give it your best; or you can keep walking alone and fearful.    New city, new school, new faces - it doesn't matter. If you take the chance, I can promise you it's the good feeling you will remember. And the bad feelings will fade as surely as the old memories moving over to make room for all the new ones you will be making.

But, you gotta make room for them.

This is the nugget of wisdom I leave for you Angel Girl. That the new always seems a bit scary and resistance to change the natural course. And I know confusion and frustration make terrible communication partners. Just remember: keep trying, be strong, play fair and dare to be different every now and then. And when it's your turn on the field - just go get that ball and kick the crap out of it.   It's only the missed chances you'll truly regret.

And never forget, you'll never be alone --- you've always got one cheerleader on the sidelines cheering you on.

But yeah, the potato chips in bed thing; I'm with grandma on that one.
Don't do that.

Next Week: I don't know why, but Spring always makes me feel like I need a new outfit. What would you buy to welcome the new Season?

Fill Ins and Forgetfulness

2017-04-07T19:00:00.001-04:00

Happy Friday!!

I have been so remiss of late. Neglecting this poor little blog and all of my favourite bloggers. I can only beg forgiveness as there is no real excuse. Perhaps blogging is becoming a bit stale for me at this point. A platform I have outgrown as the stories in my head become too large for the space they are held within. I did assure you that I have been writing up a storm.   My two current stories have grown to over 30,000 words - EACH.

That's over 60,000 words in the just under two months since I started writing them! Unfortunately that has also seemed to cause my brain to be less interesting regarding leaving comments on blog posts. It's like I've forgotten how to write only one or two sentences.   So, I probably have read your posts, but not left a comment lately.   You would probably be grateful about that, given the state of my mind.

However, I am finding that once you get into the habit of writing - even the often boring and rigorous task of editing, it becomes easier and easier. I am actually beginning to feel as though writing an original story is possible. There are so many ideas rolling around in my head, and I cannot seem to focus on which one I should cultivate.   They all seem to be missing that extra little something that peaks my interest and sparks the inspiration necessary for completion.

And I worry if I cannot commit to writing them, then it is unlikely anyone will want to read them.   Although, I do return to sunset beaches where I last left Mike and Callie quite often. Fragments of their story come infrequently, but I still write it all down. One day all the pieces of that puzzle might fall into place.

In my fiction based upon the TV Drama Taboo, I have been teasing my readers regarding the main character James Delaney and the woman he has taken sailing with him, Lorna Bow. I think I have received daily messages about when they will finally realize their feelings and get together. I've kept a very slow burn chapter to chapter; the circle of trust and intimacy weaving ever tighter about these two. Then in a recent chapter, I finally took mercy and rewarded their patience.   It definitely helps to have some knowledge about the first season of the show, but if you just like good old fashioned romance...

A snippet:

Uncertain as to his mood, she waited for him to expand upon his thoughts. Hesitant to close the space between them as the idea of the night leading in a direction they might regret on the morrow flirted about the edges of her mind. But as she stood there, that invisible thread pulled taut, and with the heat in his gaze it was impossible for her to feign indifference. Emotions swirled about the small room and anticipation settled like dust upon their skin. Tonight there would be no sweeping it away. His booted steps a drum beat in time with the hammering of her heart as he crossed the distance between them and stood before her, his gaze never wavering. Leaning close, he took one hand in his own; felt her pulse quicken under his thumb as it lightly traced the inside of her wrist. Eyes dipping briefly to the rise of her chest when her breath caught, then lifting to discover the searching and wanting within her own. His fingers wrapped around her slender ones as he stepped closer, pressing his forehead to hers and squeezed his eyes shut tight. Willing his mind to remain quiet and still, while he felt the tremble course through her body.

Her hands traveled the length of his arms and came to rest on either side of his head, holding him fast. One hand pressed upon his cheek, a finger briefly touching the scar below his eye. A shallow breath. Slanting his head to the side, he saw it in her eyes.   That this heat was always coming; casting its light through the vapours of his mind.   She had stroked her own sacred spells upon him; igniting the flames that danced above his numbness. Now the moment had arrived, tender and fervent, and he had never felt more locked in the present. His lips trailed across the curve of her cheek, savouring the moment before crossing this hallowed bridge between them. His thoughts tumbling as he searched for words, contrasted with the stillness of his heart and the potency of their gaze. If the eyes were the windows to the soul, then the lips were the same for the body.   This urge to feel hers no longer a passing thing. This seed of love had always been written in their gaze.

“Tell me one thing that is not just a matter of time.”

Lorna’s lips parted and the barest whisper of his name almost slipped between them when his mouth claimed hers and stole the words before she could speak them. Her entire body flushed with heat. Liquid warmth traveling through her veins as his mouth slanted across her own. Slowly and softly ghosting upon her lips, keeping the fireworks from bursting out of control.

A kiss is but a prologue to a play.

It’s a beginning, and a promise of more to come and somehow deeper than anything he’s ever felt. This wave of warmth that spreads and invades every cell in his body. Spilling from his heart and coiling in every corner until he is saturated in the taste and feel of her. His hands tangled in her hair, pressing lightly into the back of her head, deepening the kiss. Every sense flooded with the feel of her lips opening up and responding to him in full measure. Pulling back to search her gaze, the sounds of yelling from above reached them, but they tuned out the world and turned back to one another.

A smoldering heat grew as he deepened the kiss, capturing her mouth this time with no teasing play but a fiery takeover that finally ignited the sparks to bursting. James yanked her into his arms, his mouth greedily devouring her own, swallowing a moan while her hands clutched his short hair, tugging him closer. Pressing her back against the door, while she arched fully into him, and his hands traveled up her spine coaxing more shivers. Lorna savoured the flavor of the rum on his tongue and drank deeply of all he gave. The kiss all raw intensity and rapid pulses, James crushing her so close there’s no air in her lungs. Instead she breathed him in and the world above fell away.

Is it getting hot in here, or is it just me?
Maybe a good time to use another part of our brain, yes? 😏

The Friendly Fill-Ins are four fun and easy statements to complete. Each Thursday, Ellen of 15andmeowing provides the first two statements and I offer the last two statements. We hope the fill-ins will be fun for you to answer and share. On Friday, the linky will be posted at or about 12:00 AM (CST). Please come back to link up and share your thoughts. Everyone is welcome!

Here are this week's statements with the fill-in blanks:

Week 48: April 7, 2017

1. I don't understand why - going to agree with our host here, Video Games are (is) so popular. I mean, I don't mind playing a game every now and then, but literally everyone else in this family can spend hours inside the gaming world.

Now, I suppose since I can spend hours inside the world of the characters in my head, that might seen hypocritical. However... I don't tend to throw my laptop across the room, or be rude to another, or whine incessantly when my characters don't act the way I want them.

Although, I will concede that it is probably not wise to interrupt me in the middle of a really good stream of wrangled words.

2. My in-case-of-emergency person is the Left Brain'd one. However given his occupation and the likelihood of him not being available, my second is still my mom.

3. There is so much negativity!! I cannot handle it. I just don't want my world saturated in those feelings. Whether it comes in the form of pessimism, indifference, intolerance, or just plan loss of hope; I choose to cling to something better.

I've been making Moodboards lately with my photography. They are lovely little photo reminders of all the good things in life. Just pick a theme, and create! I'll show mine in a future WW post.

4. I would be lost without laughter, love and life. Three things you should always do with complete abandon!

I think it's safe to say that I will continue to post once or twice a week, until my current stories are completed. Then someone remind me NEVER to try and do TWO at the same time again. I am not ready, or even willing to quit at this point, but perhaps a change in direction is on the horizon. In the meantime, the creating never ends - whether words or images, it all flows eventually.

Tuesday Coffee Chat - Foolish Me

2017-04-03T23:48:00.002-04:00

Good morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!

I trust that everyone survived April Fool's Day with no lasting or harmful effects?
Monkey Boy got Left Brain pretty good. He came running into our bedroom early in the morning, holding his hand and shouting "Dad! DAD! I cut myself.. ooowwwwn.... I really cut myself."

Left Brain being a sleepy dad, but still a good dad, or course opened his eyes to check. Because you know kids tend to over dramatize stuff every now and then. And also, what exactly were you cutting at 6 am child?

Well, that's when he noticed the red dripping down onto the floor from non-dramatic child's hand, and Left Brain did the very rare non left brain thing of cursing and leaping from the bed.
Whoops!

Actually, nope - Psych!! April Fool's. It's just red food colouring!!!
ha hahaha ha a haha haa

Mother's voice from still prone position on her side of the bed because I knew what day it was: You'd better get that red dye off my new wood floors or imma cut you boy for real.

Yeah, mama don't get played.

Tuesday, April 4th, 2017

Foolish Me --

What's the silliest or craziest thing you've ever done?

Oh dear.
How much time have you got?

Because there are three years of university life that could probably be made into a book series. I'd sell them for the film rights of course.

We would hitchhike back then.
Or just get into cars and go off with people we barely knew.
Dumb. Dumb and Dumber.

I tried to stop a knife fight once in a biker bar.
Not many people can start a sentence like that!!!
I ended up with some cracked ribs as thanks for trying to save a stupider friend that night.

Really this whole section can probably be understood when you consider the location is "biker bar," because.....um, why??   Ever??
I mean, someone was literally stabbed there the previous weekend.

Great live bands tho.   Just sayin.

Moving On.

This one time when my friend came to visit me at university, we went out with a whole lot of people and had a really great time.
And woke up in another country.
Literally woke up in Detroit, USA.
Not sure if that was silly, crazy, or we just legit took a wrong turn somewhere?
Probably helps to remind you that I am Canadian.

It might also help to check out this visual aid.

How, even?
Like it's NOT a short drive.... ????

The army cadets with us couldn't remember how they had met us either.
They were pretty sure we still owed them money for the pizza though.
Well, sure.
I had nothing in my pockets but stacks of stickers for a local radio station.
Because of course.

I'm also fairly certain that most of these silly, crazy and just plain unwise events share the common denominator of tequila.
Which I must warn you is a very tricky, sneaky substance.   You think you only do one, maybe two shots... but it somehow sneaks about 5 more in a back door or something.

That's why I stick to wine now.
And rarely.

I don't think Left Brain would find it a very amusing joke if I called him one ~~night~~ morning to come get me.
And to bring his passport.

Listen, I know NONE of this was smart, or even cool and I definitely worked my guardian angel overtime.   Pretty sure the poor thing had to seek retirement when I finally grew up.

Although all my stories would definitely make for interesting reading; and also I think Kristen Stewart should play the movie version of me ---- but the more important thing is that I did eventually grow up.   I'm glad I had my fun and a little bit of recklessness when I was young.
ONE thing I will note is that my girls and I ALWAYS kept a close eye on each other. We had a pact we never let anyone leave a bar with a stranger, or anything like that.   We made sure to keep an eye on anyone (me) who was a little too tipsy.   So, we were not totally irresponsible and crazy; someone was always the designated sober and ever watchful protector.

Well, except that time we all wanted to ride motor bikes with the bikers.
I mean, you hang at a biker bar and it's bound to happen, right?
But yeah, that one was just plain stupid.    Don't do that.

Especially because it will be really, really awkward a couple of years later when you are working in a male prison, and several of them are actual "guests."
Like that's a very awkward second impression, ya know?

Seriously, I should write a book.
It will of course be free of charge to all mothers of daughters.

Done anything crazy lately?

Next Week: It's Angel Girl's birthday today. What advice would you go back and give your 10 year old self?

WW: Snow Goose

2017-03-29T18:04:00.001-04:00

If you thought they all flew South for the Winter, think again!

Excuse the snowy nature of the pictures, but it was hella snowy.

And one raven in a tree.
Wonder what he is telling me?

Probably wondering if I finally got that new tattoo yet.
Why yes Mr Raven, I did!

It's a little bigger than I had originally planned, but worth it for the amazing detail the artist was able to include. LOVE. I know they are not for everyone, but I have been thinking a LONG time about getting one. The only thing that had been holding me back, was worrying what people might think or say. Well, I decided being the ripe age of almost 46 -- that was ridiculous. So I did it!

There will be fallout, I am certain.
I'll try to find a care to give. :)

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Do What Feels Good

2017-03-27T21:48:00.001-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!!

I have a hoot of a treat to go with your coffee today.

Oh my gosh isn't it adorable!!   An Owl cake, shut up.

One of the reasons why I have been a bit scarce and more than a little scatter brained of late, is that I assumed the responsibility for a second Girl Guide unit in the new year.   Which meant I have ages 7- 8 on Monday nights, and then ages 5 - 6 on Thursday nights. My daughters had their respective groups on Tuesday nights. GAH!!!

So yeah, it's been a bit busy around here the last couple of months, but tonight was my last night filling in for the Brownie Leader on Monday nights.   It was a lovely time and I had a lot of fun with the girls!!   Sleepovers and nature walks and .... yeah, I even eventually learned to appreciate some crafts.

Fairy houses are fun!

It was very simple to make: just cut a plastic bottle in half, cut a door in the side, then cut two round pieces of wood, drilling a hole in each one, attach the top and bottom with the "house" in the middle using a wooden dowel. And then decorate accordingly. Easy.

The fairy was made with pipe cleaner (body, yarn (hair), Styrofoam ball (head) and the flowers from a lei for the skirt. Add other details as you like.

I'm not really a fairy person and we had some leftover modeling clay from another project, so I made a little something for myself...

A garden troll!!
The girls named him Donald.
(honestly, I had no part in that.)

Anyway, it was nice to have the opportunity to invest in the lives of these young girls the past couple of months. When you take the time to show people that they matter, you contribute to their sense of self.

And that's a very important matter to young girls!

Tuesday, March 28th, 2017

What is your go to Confidence Booster?

I know I said sewing into the fabric of the lives of these girls goes a long way to determining who they become. And that is both true and important.

However, the side effect is, I receive a kind of blessing too.   It simply feels good to be a part of something.    In answering the call to serve them in such a manner, it rather confirms my own purpose in life too. That I can make a difference. I can impact another.   Quite simply: there IS something I can do in this world that is worthwhile!!

I called this post "Do What Feels Good," and that sounds rather libertine when you first voice it. That is because people supply the unheard "whatever."
As in: Do WHATEVER feels good.

No. That's not the point. Because we all know some things feel good in the moment, and then the next moment is you with your head in the toilet while someone holds back your hair and laughs as they also tell the story of how you danced on the speaker onto you fell off into the crowd of dancers.
Not that this happened, of course. Hypothetical.

No, this is all about doing things which have a LASTING kind of good. Not the kind that might bring a blush to your face or a paternity suit gentlemen.

Even though I have been busy with crafts up to my butt, I have been doing a lot of writing. The stories just keep coming. And I have to write them down: They Will Out. Otherwise the characters nag me inside my brain and then I tend to walk around telling them to be quiet and getting funny looks from strangers. Not Good.
I received such a good response to the fan fiction story I wrote, that readers begged me to do another one. And then another one on a different theme.

I've discovered that I've enjoyed meeting the challenge. It used to be a terrifying thing to released my words into the world. Now I find the more I do it, not only do I enjoy it more, but my confidence grows each time I face that fear.   Each time I sit down, the words arrive when I require them, and it gets easier each time.
Until, it isn't.

But that's okay. I've learned that they will return.

An excerpt from a recent story:

The fire had died down to embers casting an ethereal glow upon her features. Watching her silently a truth dawned upon him: she seemed to naturally understand the significance of things.

See into the life of things.

The thought came to him that if she were a book, he’d devour the pages in a single sitting. His fingers returning to trace the inked words every now and then. Kindness would be its language and he imagined he would feel the coldness slowly leaving his heart as the warmth of her words sunk into his being. In giving her his trunk of truth, had his father foreseen these moments? Surely he must have known that his death would inevitably cast them together. Tonight he was glad for a respite from the angry tension he’d carried within him. Though he still harbored the resentment towards his father; perhaps it was slowly melting away.
James shook his head, the memory of his youthful times with his father bittersweet. The happy memory felt like an intruder inside the vault of his less pleasant recollections. The angry thoughts he had nursed for so many years. They pressed against the door of his mind, unwilling to be made homeless. She could see the inner struggle waging war in the way his hand rubbed his forehead alongside the temple, as though he could wish the sorting of his mind into fruition.

In the context of this particular story, the character James returns to old and familiar patterns of behaviour when he is stressed, frustrated, fearful, or simply lost. It was the wrong path in his past, and it's still the wrong path in his present; the future hangs in the balance. More confusing is that he doesn't return to those things because they feel good - in fact; they are destroying him. But it is what he knows. Not until he sees the possibilities of something better, will he have a chance for a happier future.

I used to struggle in the flow of words from mind to page. It did not feel good. It was scary and a doubting needy thing. But the creation of the piece? That indeed felt good. And I had to find my own healthy pattern of choice that fostered that creative atmosphere. And then the hardest part: stick to it. Even when others tell me it's useless, silly, trivial. I stick to my creative process not just because it feels good; but because It Is Mine. Now I find the words just rather tumble forth. And it feels good! To knit them together so that they bind true to the piece.

At the end of the day, do you honour what it is that feels good? I mean really good for you in a lasting improvement kind of way; and maybe even those around you. Or do you settle for something a little less in your precious unstructured pieces of time?

You see the bottom line to all of this is that you are not simply doing what feels good.

You are actually DOING GOOD to your feelings.

And that my friends is a very important distinction because it means that you are not only finding what feels good, but also finding YOU.

And nothing is a better confidence booster than discovering you are worth it.

Next Week: Foolish Me -- What's the silliest or craziest thing you've ever done?

Fill Ins and Snow Falls

2017-03-24T21:45:00.000-04:00

Good evening and TGIF to those currently not nursing a headache.
Oye, this "Spring" weather in Canada is murder on the noggin.

Today we had snow, than rain, then freezing rain, and now it's snowing again.
I shoveled the driveway twice, and then gave up.
It's March y'all!

These shifting temperatures always tend to give me migraines, but I'm actually quite lucky in that it's not as bad as they have been in the past.
I think that really is a testament to yoga routine.. my body is just less tense and tight.

Also, I'm very bendy now :)

Although not very punctual - clearly.

Here are this week's statements with the blanks:

Week 46: March 24, 2017

1. In the Spring, I look forward to - gonna go with Spring on this one. As in, yeah.... give me actual Spring! It feels like we kinda skip right to Summer here.

2. I would love to have a costume ball party. I just think it would be so much fun. A real masquerade ball.

We used to have a Charity one each year at my University that was hosted by our Sorority and some Fraternities and it was always amazing. And of course raised a lot of money too.

3. Few know this about me, but I can have a real dark side. Not in the sense of my doing anything bad or really twisted myself; but I seem to have this weird ability to understand that nature in others. Which, the danger is, you can always be drawn to it yourself.

I suppose that's why I like shows like The Walking Dead, or the more recent Taboo, that are not conventional and explore some of the more complex aspects of the human condition.

4. No one tell me what to do. Seriously, it won't go well for you. At all. It will be ugly, and I still won't do what you want at the end anyway. Although, I may just walk away and let you think I will. But then... nope.

Now, to clarify, this is meant in the sense of someone attempting to boss me around, or rule my life choices. It's not referring to a relationship where a good and trusted friend is giving me loving advice. Or you know, if you are my actual boss and I get money for doing what I'm told. I'm not THAT stubborn.

Mostly.

Have a good weekend everyone!

WW: Ice Falls

2017-03-22T20:08:00.001-04:00

When I was on my recent getaway, Mother Nature decided to send a late season blizzard to wreak havoc with my photography plans.

Well nice try Mother Nature, but I still think I won.

Thanks to the falls located nearby which proved a very chilly setting.
Like I mean it was FREAKING cold out folks. I had about 5 minutes before the camera stopped working.

But it's so beautiful in it's own frozen way.

Just look at that ice that has formed. All the trees nearby are just coated in thick ice. I really didn't do it justice. It's truly like a frozen wonderland.

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Indulge A Little

2017-03-21T02:45:00.001-04:00

Good Morning and welcome to Coffee Chat!
And it truly is morning - like almost 2 am Tuesday morning because guess who is still on March Break time and almost forgot her own chat!!

I'm raising my hand in case you were wondering.
Someone room deliver fresh pressed coffee to me stat!

Like I said, still on March Break pampering I guess.
Because that was how I rolled while warm and cozy in that bed and breakfast, while out my window was.... well, see if you can see?!

Yeah, it's just a lot of white stuff. Icy, blowing and cold white stuff. Still.
It's the Forever Winter my friends. Or what we like to call it, Canada.

Having a few things you love to see you through the season of ice and winds is a very good thing indeed.

Tuesday, March 21st, 2017

What is your favourite indulgence?

Oh, that is probably a tough one to narrow down for most of us.

I don't know about you, but I can think about more than a few and am hard pressed to choose just one favourite.

I do like my coffee bedside.
And sometimes actually on the bed.

A soft warm blanket and catching up on the latest TV show I've fallen behind in?
Pure luxury.

Or a cozy spot to journal the day away is not bad either.

Bubbles baths are a cheap indulgence, and I might have a lovely shot depicting that also, except I am the girl who forgets her own chat post... and just happens to pick the one room in the Inn that does not have a bath tub.

But I can tell you that waterfall shower heads are very, very nice.

Having your animal muse just outside your window while you are writing is rather nice too.

Definitely helps set the mood and if you are really lucky you will be able to write 5 Chapters of one story, and 7 of another in 2 days.

Indulgence indeed.

Breakfast made every morning is nothing to turn your nose up of course. Especially French Toast with real fresh maple syrup because it is that time of year in Canada. There's nothing like a good breakfast to start your day off right.
Mine is usually a cup of coffee.
Fine, three.
So yes, I indulged a little. The Inn gave me an entire carafe with my French Toast and if that is not pure straight up Love in Action, I don't know what is.

When country meets contemporary. #almonteriversideinn #breakfast #kitchencreation #almonte #ottawa2017 #ottawagetaway #ottawalife #mississippimills #boutiqueinn #boutiquehotel #bedandbreakfast #getaway
A post shared by Almonte Riverside Boutique Inn (@almontehotel) on Mar 15, 2017 at 6:58am PDT

Yes, that is actually my breakfast the Inn posted on their Instagram.
At least my breakfast is famous.

So you can see how it's hard to pick just ONE thing as a favourite indulgence. Normally i have music playing, and I actually did not turn my iPod on once the entire trip. The only time I heard any was in the Irish Pub where I enjoyed a very taste pulled pork sandwich and a stout ale. Now that I could over indulge on easily!

I am going to have to conclude that indulgences are simple those things that are not just You.... but the better you.
The little extra things that come along every now and then, or often if we are really blessed, to remind you:

Hey - you're worth it!!
Go on and enjoy life a little. Make some memories to carry you over the harder days when all life is going to give you is a cup of cold coffee and some stale toast.

What would you choose as your indulgence?

Next Week: What is your go to Confidence Booster?

WW: Wine and City Lights

2017-03-15T17:32:00.001-04:00

I just returned from my brief mama vacation!
A snowstorm interrupted my photography opportunities considerably, but I may have some decent shots when I get a chance to preview.

For now, how I spent the snowy evening, tucked into the cozy bed and breakfast Almonte Riverside Inn, while the flurries flew.

The view really is spectacular during the day. A sunny day preferably.
Sadly what you cannot see in this shot is all the sleeping geese down at the shore.
And thankfully they DO sleep, because they make quite the racket during the day!

Now Left Brain and I are off for an actual date night with some other parents seeking escape from all their respective minions this week!

Tuesday Coffee Chat: Celtic Charm

2017-03-13T19:55:00.001-04:00

Good day and top of the mornin' to ya - it be tea time!

Okay, so technically it's past 5 pm and I have wine, but we can still chat, right?
I'm tucked away in a cozy and lovely Bed and Breakfast enjoying a few days of R and R, while Left Brain wrangles the minions.

That was a shot I took last Fall when my mother and I enjoyed a lovely day of shopping and tea. You can just see the coloured tiles of the Inn, surrounded by the gorgeous Autumn foliage. Currently, I have the most incredible views of the river.... and about 1000 Canadian geese outside my windows. And I am okay with both. Yes, I did bring my camera... hope you like geese!!

There is also one magnificent raven in the tree, but I have not got a shot of him yet. Thus I will have to go to my archives, because ravens are absolutely on topic today too.

Lucky you!

“There is wisdom in a raven’s head.” – Gaelic Proverb

“To have a raven’s knowledge” is an Irish proverb meaning to have a seer’s supernatural powers. The raven is considered to be one of the oldest and wisest of all animals.
Ravens were the favorite bird of the god Lludd, the Celtic god of artists and artisans. He was said to have two ravens to attend to all of his needs (similar to Odin and his ravens).

Now naturally I do not imagine myself able to see into the future, or have any other supernatural powers. Otherwise I would have known that there was no bath tub in this room. A King size bed though, so that's good. I do however, like the idea of the raven as messenger; my muse bringing my words to the reader. In Norse mythology, the two raven of Odin were called Huginn (from Old Norse "thought") and Muninn (Old Norse "memory" or "mind"), I also rather like the notion of Thought and Memory being my guides.

I wish my tattoo that was created using the raven's feather as a quill, and with a raven flying behind it was finished! The appointment is still a couple of week's away -- but the artist did a great job and I cannot wait!

Tuesday, March 14th, 2017

Where are your Lucky Charms?

It's St. Patricks Day this week, whether you are Irish or not,

do you have any special totems or symbols of your culture?

Even though I do have Irish in my ancestry, the days of celebrating St Paddy's day with green beer and very late nights has long since past.    Although I do not deny that there were good times.

I find I am more in touch with those roots now, then when I used to take that day and simply party up a storm.... as any proud Irish would I suppose.   However, now I prefer to let other aspects of the culture take centre stage, and on a more daily basis.   The music. The literature. Art. Food.   Although cannot quite bring myself to indulge in lamb or mutton just yet. But I do love a good Irish stew or Shepherd's Pie!

It's something I try to bring into my world as a daily aesthetic.   And yes, I do wear symbols representing, such as earrings or the shamrock charm on a necklace that is often around my neck.   Today I happen to be wearing my Celtic Tree of Life pendant instead.

The Celtic tree of Life is often drawn showing the branches reaching skyward and the roots spreading out into the earth below symbolising the Druid belief in the link between heaven and earth.

Trees are very important to Celtic culture: they provide so much from the warmth of a fire, to shelter, to those that produce food.   Trees symbolized strength, wisdom and long life. Of course, Trees have become very important in our own time of Global Warming as well.

I don't subscribe or wear these symbols due to any great superstition, or belief that they hold great power.   They simply have meaning, or at least a history, that I can respect and appreciate.   Some aspect of why they are ancient symbols, adopted by many cultures, speaks to me on a level I cannot quite identify: I just know it's there.

I guess it just affirms for me that we humans - no matter or differences - have always searched for great meaning in Life.   Which tells me that perhaps we haven't changed that much at all over the milleniums.

Although it does make me rather wonder why so many still haven't found what they are looking for??

However, the longevity of such charms, symbols and totems speaks to the enduring quality of the human spirit, that never gives up the quest.

Do you have any special totems that are meaningful in your life?

Next Week: What is your favourite indulgence?