#Curtis Paper Company

[uwmspeccoll]

Wood Engraving Wednesday

THÉO SCHMIED

The French painter and illustrator Pierre Brissaud (1885-1964) was commissioned to produce watercolor illustrations for the 1950 Limited Edition Club (LEC) production of Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary. The watercolors were turned over to the workshop of master French wood engraver Théo Schmied (1900-1985) to be reproduced for the edition as these remarkable, multi-block color wood engravings.

Schmied's Swiss-born father François-Louis Schmied (1873-1941), also a wood engraver and formally trained in the book arts, established his Paris workshop in 1910 to produce deluxe, illustrated limited editions. Théo Schmied took over the management of his father's workshop beginning in 1924 and inherited the business after his father's death.

This edition was designed by Francis Meynell of the Nonesuch Press in London, with the text composed in Monotype Ehrhardt at the Curwen Press under the supervision of Ernest Ingham and printed letterpress at the Marchbanks Press in New York on specially-made paper bearing the title of the book as watermark by the Curtis Paper Company of Newark, Delaware. The edition is limited to 1500 copies signed by Pierre Brissaud.

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[sunflowersandsapphires]

Injured HCs

The lovely @mattkinsella asked me to write more HCs about how the boys react when you’re injured! (And I included small thing about them being injured too tee hee)

Frank:

When he’s injured, he will hide it. Same with being sick. He’s worked through worse, there’s no reason to get upset about it. 

He trusts you to stitch him up tho, and that means a lot. 

Matt

Doesn’t necessarily try to hide it, but will not stop to rest. Might ask you for help meditating. Accepts coddling, but will get defensive if you ask him to rest. 

Mikey

Not a drama queen, but much less averse to resting than the other two. Like in my illness HCs, I think he would be perfectly content letting you take the reigns and leaning into his time off. Adores that he has someone there to help him. 

Frank

If you’re injured? Oh boy. 

Very demanding. Leaves no room for argument. (Just hands you stuff, doesn’t even ask.)

“Frank, I’m—“ “Take the damn pills, doll.” 

Trusts himself and Curtis ONLY to stitch you up, 

Definitely not happy that you’re injured/comfortable with it, but he’s the most chill of the 3. (This is not saying much.)

If someone intentionally harmed you, they’ve sealed their fate. He will wait until you’re sleeping peacefully to take care of the problem tho. 

If your injury is because of an accident (clumsiness, general misfortune, etc) rather than a person intentionally hurting you, he’s a bit less intense. 

Once the initial shock of your injury has worn off, he will tease you about it, if it makes you laugh. 

“Careful, babygirl. Ya sure you’re ready to handle those evil stairs again?”

Relatively realistic about the severity of injuries, depending on the reaction of his partner. 

Like he won’t freak out over a paper cut if you don’t want him to. He’s perfectly willing to kiss it better if you ask tho. 

Matt:

The LEAST chill of the three. 

Treats a paper cut with the same severity as a broken limb. 

Though, I can’t imagine how scary it would be to smell your partner bleeding or hurt. Like that has to set off alarm bells regardless. 

Soooooo protective. Glued to your side immediately, practically snarling at anyone who gets too close. 

Won't let you lift so much as a FINGER if you don’t have to. 

Panics a little and offers you all of the options until you help him calm down. 

“Do you need painkillers? Or an ice pack? Or something to eat? Why don’t we take a nap or—“ “Matty, breathe. It’s just a pulled muscle.  I’m ok, love.” 

Will absolutely kiss it better and would prefer to do so. 

Tries to teach you to meditate to heal faster, but you keep giggling and turning to press kisses to his cheeks and neck, so he gives up. 

I think he would want to take time off from both his day job and deviling, but would ultimately compromise by splitting his time between all three of you, unless you really needed his company. 

Mikey:

So soft, the softest guy. 

More concerned with what you want than what he thinks you need. 

“How can I help ya, pet? Tell me whatcha need me to do.” 

Unlike Frank, he does NOT trust himself to assist and would much rather take you to a medical professional. 

Asks so many follow up questions after the doctor examines you to make sure to get everything right. 

I feel like he’d take notes on his phone or in a physical notebook even. He’s SO worried he’s going to fuck it up. 

Very hesitant to leave you alone, in case you need something. 

Regularly checks in on how you’re feeling, willing to help however he can. If you need cuddles, he’s wrapped around you before you can even finish the request. Looking for company on your walk to work or while running errands? He’s there with a smile on his face. 

Tbh this doesn’t only happen when you’re injured, I think he would take every available opportunity to spend time with you, but he will prioritize you to a higher degree when you’re sick or injured. 

Will tease you if you ask him to kiss something better, but only because he thinks it’s adorable to make you squirm. 🥹

[sweater-daddiesdumbdork]

Life Is Short So Make It Sweet

Chapter Six: Will You Be Mine?

Summary- 8.7k Curtis Everett x Plus!Sized Reader. You ask if Curtis would like to do one of your favorite things- go pick out some pumpkins to start really embracing the Halloween season. Curtis and You get to enjoy being in one another's company which helps Curtis realize that he himself is ready for taking the next step in this relationship.

Warnings- Reader having personal internal debates about herself. Sexual activities. This is an 18+ Only Blog

A/N- Well there is no hiding that Curtis and Reader are going to be intimate in this chapter and frankly I'm excited for them to have reached this far in their growing relationship. It's been a journey already writing for these two. Thank you so much to everyone reading, commenting, and reblogging. Just reading your thoughts gives me so much joy, especially when someone just finds something they relate to. Thank you so much @what-is-your-plan-today for editing my work and dropping your thoughts before posting. Moodboard at the end was made by @xxindiglow. (Which I love so much, thank you!) Dividers made by @firefly-graphics.

Chapter Five / Masterlist

“Okay scarf, check. Jacket. Mhm. Papers…” Doing a mental checklist at your desk while gathering your stuff, Claude popped in your classroom with a loud sigh of relief. 

“Listen, TGIF, am I right?!” She perched on one of the students desks while you grabbed your kids' latest homework assignments and put them in your bag. “What are your big plans this weekend?” 

You closed your bag and took one last scan to make sure you had everything. “Well Curtis and I are going out Saturday for the day, so tonight I’m just at home with netflix and grading papers. What about you?” 

Claude gave a smirk and wiggled her brows. “How about Y/N, you come out with us tonight and Sunday you can grade those? Please? It’s been much too long.” She pleaded with a flutter of her lashes and clasped her hands together like in a prayer. “It sounds like Curtis isn't stealing you away tonight.” 

“No, he is doing a dart tournament tonight, his friend signed him up without knowing about it.” You chuckled as you shouldered your bag, considering Claude's offer. “Sure, just text me where you want to meet up.” 

“Sounds like a girls' night to me.” Claude got up to follow you out. This time you were sure you would have a way to properly get yourself home. Last time you had gotten lucky that Curtis happened to be at the bar that night, but you didn’t want to be unprepared again. 

Curtis bustled into Paulie’s with a muttered ‘Hey’ to his old friend at the bar. Edgar saw him from across the room and waved him over. Paul immediately handed a cold beer over to Curtis with a tip of his head towards the darts. 

“Kid has been yammering for the past hour about this.” 

Curtis chose this moment to take a long drink, get himself started on that buzz he was probably gonna need for this sudden tournament Edgar signed him up for. “Keep these coming Paul.” He motioned to his beer before approaching his friends. Curtis eyed the other team, who were indeed wearing matching shirts. A glance at Edgar showed he had not gone that far yet, but it was only a matter of time until he made some. 

“Are you ready Buddy?” Edgar said excitedly as he gathered the three of them around a small table. “We are going to kick ass.” 

Grey, in an effort to reel Edgar back in, responded with a gentle reminder. “In a good sportsman-like way.” 

“Yeah of course. But… I got some money on this, so we gotta give it our best shot.” Edgar shot a look at the group they were going up against. Curtis shrugged out of his coat and pulled off his beanie to hang them off the back of a chair.  

“Do I even wanna know how much you put on this game?” Grey questioned. 

“Or who you even got to bet with you?” Curtis countered while Edgar pulled out a box and popped it open to find a brand new set of darts. 

“A little incentive present to do your best, because we are the best. And Paul is taking bets if you guys wanna place some. Good chance to earn a few extra bucks.” 

Curtis gave it some thought, they were pretty good at this game. “I could use some extra cash.” He left the table to wander over to Paul, pulling out his wallet and handing him some bills. The barkeeper promptly tucked it away and marked the total in a notebook he had on him. 

“If you guys win, you are looking to make a good profit.” 

“That's the plan.” Curtis slipped his wallet away and Paul leaned against the bar having a lull moment. 

“You know, we have a big back yard behind this bar. This summer I’m thinking of doing an axe throwing stand if there is enough interest. You look like someone who can chuck an axe.” 

“I don't know, never tried, but I would be willing.” Curtis gave a nod, Paulie grinned wide with enthusiasm. 

“Good! Spread the word, I want this to be the summer hangout this year. With you guys willing to play in competition, I already have the darts on lockdown in downtown.” 

Curtis flashed him a thumbs up while pulling away from the bar, digging out his phone on his way back to the table to see Honey highlighted. 

Kick ass and take names tonight. 

He paused at the table, sitting on one of the high stools while typing out. You sound like Edgar now. 

Edgar and I could be on a team then. We would win it for ya 💪

Hmm, that's an idea. You all do the work, I can reap the benefits. I did put money on this game. 

See, more incentive to win then. 

Edgar came over, pushing the brand new darts towards Curtis. “You ready?” 

“Sure, give me a second. Just texting my girl.” 

Edgar got a sly grin hearing Curtis. “Oooh, now it's ‘my girl’. Wait till I tell Tanya.” 

“You’re a fucking idiot.” Curtis muttered while finishing up. See you in the morning, be safe out tonight. Need anything give me a call. 

I should be fine, I was sure to have my own car this time and not get stranded like last time… although it seemed to work out pretty good for me. Got myself a dart throwing, truck driving, steady job boyfriend… 

Curtis laughed reading your message. No complaints here Honey. How else was I gonna get me a Pretty Girl on my arm, all respectable and shit being a teacher? Have fun. Putting his phone away, he grabbed the darts. “Are we playing or what?” 

Saturday morning had you up excitedly, thankful for not suffering a hangover that you were sure Claude would be nursing. This time she stuck around with you for the night although she got rather drunk and kept promising she wasn’t leaving you again. During that rant, you assured her that it was okay, and last time you were perfectly fine. You were able to get her back home all in one piece and inside to bed. Before leaving, you raided her medicine shelf in the bathroom for aspirin and a tall glass of water to leave on her nightstand. You had yet to get a text from her, not really expecting one for a few hours still. 

But for you, you had plans that a hangover would have ruined. Curtis had been sure to inform you that he would be picking you up in the morning as soon as you had told him how you wanted to start properly getting ready for Halloween. While you were dressing, you kept an eye out the window for his truck as well as your phone for a message from him. As soon as he pulled into the apartments’ lot, you grabbed your coat and headed down the stairs, your mood turning giddy.  

You exited the apartment complex sporting a scarf around your neck and tying the front of your coat closed. You looked so enthusiastic that Curtis couldn't help but break out in a smile of his own. “Well someone is excited.” He made it around the truck fast enough to pop open the door for you and you pressed a kiss to his bristled cheek, his hand fell on your waist to guide you into the truck so you could settle in the seat. 

“I missed out doing this the last couple of years.” You bubbled with excitement, which was infectious as Curtis leaned against your open door, basking in it. “I’m just happy you agreed to go with me.” It had been the right call seeing just how genuinely happy doing this made you, he would have agreed to anything at that moment just to see that smile of yours. “I said I wanted to get pumpkins and you were all for it.”

“Well, there is a first for everything.”

In the middle of buckling in, you twisted in your seat to face him just before he could get the door closed. “You never did all this?” Your brows arched up high, your quizzical look making him hide a laugh, although you could see the way his eyes crinkled in the corners, unable to hide that away. 

“Well a first for me in many years, Honey. I did always make sure to have some candy on the porch steps for the kids though.” 

Your hand reached out to brush against his cheek, giving a sigh as your palm cupped against his bristled cheek. You put on a sympathetic smile as if he didn’t know what he was getting into with you. “Oh Curtis, well that is about to change.” 

Now that made him laugh out loud. “I’m looking forward to it Y/N.”  

You had googled the best place to go, which took the two of you out of the city area and a few towns over. The drive was quick, with you both admiring the scenery, the road leading you along the great lakes’ shore line, passing little lakeside camps and docks that you took note of for the future explorations. When you arrived, the GPS took you right through the town’s mainstreet, which you admired the quaint little town with a wistful desire. “I always wanted to live in a little place like this. I don't know, it always just feels like a family kind of place, you know.” 

“It’s so much smaller than Duluth.” Curtis admitted as they bypassed what looked like a mom and pop gas station, an old church in the center of town, a town garage with junk cars scattered around it, and lots of homes in various stages. “I wouldn’t mind living in a place like this.” The GPS had the truck turn up some old dirt road outside of the town, requiring them to slow down and really admire the landscape. 

You thought about what he said, considering where he was living now. “Would you want to sell your grandparents?” 

Curtis was quiet for a moment thinking about your question. “I know the place needs a lot of work and its just outside of the city but no. It was my family home, basically Ella’s. We have all our memories there, I’m not ready to let all that go. Maybe, if I had my own family- wife and kids, I would feel different?” He shrugged a shoulder and then glanced at you with some concern. “God I didn’t freak you out did I?” 

Anything but, you found all that sentimental feeling really endearing. “Not at all. I think it’s really nice that you get to live there. As you said, that’s where you grew up, it’s always been your home. One of the few things I still appreciate about going back to New York is that my parents’ house feels like going home.” You admitted and he reached over to take your hand, giving a slight squeeze. 

“Was it a big deal for you, coming all the way out here?” 

You glanced down at his hand wrapped around yours, it was large, swallowing yours. Callouses were rough against your softer skin, but not in a biting way that made you want to retreat. In the past much softer, but equally strong hands made you pull back all the time. No, you wanted to feel his touch trail against your sensitive parts, making you chase after him with a plea for more. The flutters in your chest made you feel light and airy in the moment. You've had held his hand plenty of times now, but it still made you feel excitement and overall safe. “Yeah, it was. I had never moved this far before. But it was time, I was just kind of drifting in life at that point having just split up and when I was offered the teaching job at Mason’s I took it.” You tilted your head back against the seat, thinking about that time, hard to think of it as less than a year ago now, but it felt like a lifetime. “Jade was so proud of me, been telling me I needed to leave. Kept offering me to come live with her and her boyfriend, Frank, in Florida but they didn’t need me imposing on them.” 

Curtis offered another glance at you, a crease in his brow with concern. “Don’t get me wrong Honey, I’m glad you came this way. But how would you be imposing?” 

You fought the urge to wipe away that worried line in his brow. His focus going back to manoeuvring the truck along the dirt road. “Jade likes to play mother hen. She feels the need to fix things. It can be overbearing at times.” 

“Ahh, okay I get that. Ella feels sometimes she can run my life better than I can. Before meeting you, she was always trying to set me up on dates.” 

You smirked in response. “Well good thing I came around then, that just sounds… so awful for you.” 

Curtis rolled his eyes, huffing at your cheeky answer. “It was when she basically threatened to put me on a dating app after the last few failed dates she set me up on.” He narrowed his eyes at you. “Don’t get me wrong Honey, all the ladies were lovely people. It just wasn’t something I wanted.” 

You let that sink in, just as you had suspected, Curtis had no problem finding himself dates. Apparently Ella had basically been setting him up with perfectly nice eligible women. But he bypassed all of them. Until he met you. 

He chose you. 

The GPS on your phone chimed, making you glance down at it and breaking you out of your thoughts, an excited grin breaking out. “It should be-” You glanced around out the windshield trying to catch some sight of this farm you had seen online. “-around this corner.” You said as he bypassed a barn and sure enough once you turned the corner, there was a stand all set up with fields of orange, white and green pumpkins stretching around it. At the stand it appeared to be loaded with baked goods, jars of canned goods and a hot drink station. You shut off the GPS system to keep it from announcing that you had arrived at your destination. 

You had that same expression on your face of pure joy as before. Earlier in the week you said that this is where your “dorkiness” is going to be bad, but Curtis wouldn't have changed a thing about how happy you were. For him it was another part of you he got to enjoy.  “So how many pumpkins are we bringing back with us?” Curtis asked you as you two left the truck and started to wander into the field.  

“Mmmh, I want at least three. One for my apartment, I'm carving one for your porch because you have the most perfect porch to decorate and it's a shame to let it go to waste.” You weaved your fingers with his and he shook his head at you. 

“What am I gonna do with a pumpkin?” he gave your hand a slight squeeze in return.

“You light it up Curtis. It looks nice, Halloween- like.” You paused to check out one particularly orange one. “Then I want a small one for my desk at school.” 

“You really do love all this.” He observed, which had you nodding while leaning over to half roll one over, looking it over. To him it looked perfect, which seemed to have no interest for you.  

“Absolutely, its my favorite time of year.” Bypassing that one, you two moved onto another. When you rolled it, you deemed it perfectly imperfect with its mishappen body and varying coloring of orange making it look speckled. “I want this one.”

Curtis took out a small blade from a pouch on his belt and flicked it open to cut the stem, gathering it up in his arm to carry back to the front. You kept looking around, picking out a few more of varying sizes. The longer you stayed, the more people came with their families. While you were wandering the field, Curtis having brought a couple more to the front with your first choice, you started helping others pick out the perfect ones for them as well. 

Curtis got to see you just enjoying yourself without any inhibitions. You started helping some kids pick some out and talking animatedly with the parents. You seemed to notice Curtis was no longer at your side and paused halfway through the field, turning to look over your shoulder to see where he was, and as soon as you saw him, you smiled. Just for him.  

When your eyes locked onto his, it was just like he was once more seeing you get off that bus, a warm energy that made him crave to bask in your presence, wanted to spend all his time wrapped up in you. 

So that's exactly what he went to do. 

You two finished with a final stop at the stand. Curtis stood behind you with his arms wrapped around you while you chose a few things to bring home as well as the pumpkins you chose- bags of frosted sugar cookies in the shapes of autumn leaves and pumpkins, fresh cider donuts and a couple jars of jam and apple butter. You also got to go cups to make yourselves something hot to drink before heading back home. 

Settling with making both of you coffee while Curtis loaded up the back of the truck with the pumpkins you chose, he even relented and got a few extra so you could decorate his porch how you wanted, you two started for home once more. Curtis was grateful for the hot coffee and on the ride home you shared a donut with him, offering him sugared bites from your fingers that he was sure to suck the sugar off your fingertips a time or two,  teasing the sugar off your fingertips with the tip of his tongue. 

Opting to stop at Paulie’s before going back to your apartment to unwind, you two were able to get seats at the bar where Paul was sure to wave at the two of them, signalling Curtis to come around. “Come make yourself useful Everett.” 

“I'm here on a date?” Curtis countered as he yanked off his jacket. “You don't even pay me to do this.” 

“I give you plenty of free beers. My help comes in twenty minutes. Just cut me some slack. Y/N doesn't care, do ya?” Paul asked with a desperate note in his tone, like having Curtis on the other side of the bar would save him. 

You gave a shake of your head and Curtis glared at you, making you grin at him and nudge him. “Go get me a beer stud.” 

“Right away Ma’am.” He huffed and playfully squeezed at your hip before making his way around to the other side of the bar. “What can I get ya?” 

“Hmmm, anything you recommend.” You gathered his coat and hat off his old seat and pulled them across your lap to free up the bar since it was getting busier. Curtis turned around to glance at the shelf of stuff Paul had on hand. Picking up a bottle of Jack Daniels, he poured you both a shot. “That’s certainly not a beer Curtis. You trying to get me drunk?” You grabbed yours and held it up, clinking it with his and tipped it back all to once that left you licking your lips afterward, your face scrunching just a bit from the burn. 

Curtis saw you take that challenge without any hesitation and damn it was hot how you tilted your head back to shoot the liquor between your sweet tempting lips. He didn't take his eyes off you the whole time he took his own. “Better then beer Honey, hits just right.” He winked while he set the bottle near you. “Keep the bottle, Paul said it was on the house.” 

“Not the whole bottle Curtis!” Paul shouted from across the bar and you poured yourself another, not nearly as full but enough to burn still in the best way while it was going down. Curtis winked at you as he moved away, starting to take drink orders. 

This was the first time you saw him behind the bar. He had a knack for it, pulling out bottles and unscrewing the tops to flick them into a bucket nearby. Curtis easily chatted with customers, and you started to see him yet another side of him. These were regulars you assumed, he knew their names, asking about theirspouses, how the kids were doing or how work was going for them. Often his eyes would dart from where he was making drinks to check in that you were all okay amongst all that was going on, 

You thoughts wandered to how you once thought his eyes were icy blue when you first met? You were so wrong. They were vibrant and made your heart skip a beat whenever he made eye contact. 

Not for the first time you were getting turned on just watching him. The longer you did the more you wanted to bring him home and explore what was under that black tee shirt he was wearing and run your hands on his bare chest and feel him fuck you right into your mattress. Or couch, whichever you two ended up making it to first. The thought alone made you squeeze your thighs together as your panties started to stick to you, selfishly wishing for yourself that maybe tonight was the night you both would be ready. 

Curtis wandered back down to where you were squirming in your seat, moving to lean on his elbows and hover closer to you. His eyes had a playful look to them, the corner of his mouth uplifted looking at you. “Can’t believe you are all alone down here. Let this lonely fellow buy you a drink?” 

You leaned forward, whispering in a conspiracy. “My date will be back any second. He is six’ four and intimidating as hell. You better watch yourself mister.” 

Curtis huffed, his chest puffing out slightly. “I can take him, his punk ass aint got nothing on me.” 

You let your eyes rake over him suggestively, warmth shooting straight to your core. “You're really confident and that is sexy as fuck. I will let you buy me a drink.” 

He didn't know if it was the couple shots of Jacks you took or something else, but the suggestive tug of your bottom lip between your teeth and the sultry glances you have been giving had him on edge. But it was just the start on top of so many other things that made Curtis want more with you. In the time he had known you, you’d become part of his happiness and he wanted to explore what that could mean for him and for you as well. He had seen glimmers of sadness from you in passing, when you seemed to recall something from before and it struck him in a way no one else had ever done so. Overall, he wanted to be the one to replace those memories with better ones. Ones with him.  

So he was ready he decided to see where the next step in this relationship would take the two of you. As he picked out a beer for you and you brushed your hands against his, your sweet lips wrapping around that bottle, well a man can only handle so damn much. “Once you finish that, wanna head out?” 

You enthusiastically nodded and tilted your head back, the beer going down a lot quicker. “Fuck.” Curtis muttered to himself in awe at the way you were downing that bottle. He looked over at Paul. “A'ight headed out.” 

Paul gave him a thumbs up and then Curtis came out from behind the bar and wrapped an arm around your waist, pulling you beside him. “Wait, wait…” You juggled his coat in your arms and twisted back to your seat, grabbing the bottle of Jack. “Thanks Paul!” You shouted out, waving the mostly full bottle for him to see. 

“Hey! I told you guys can’t have the whole bottle!” 

“Consider it my payment Paul.” Curtis held the door open and you ducked out with your prize, laughing. 

Back at your apartment doorway, Curtis had you pinned against it, hands to your hips, his body flush against yours as he kissed you feverishly, tilting his head to nip at your jaw and you giggled out at the sensation. The door was nice, but tonight you wanted more. And hoped Curtis would too. 

“Curtis, wait…” You whimpered out as he was working a particular sensitive spot near your ear that was making you rub against him. Your hand cupped the back of his head as he lifted away from you, pupils blown almost black in his own arousal. “Do you want to stay the night?” Your eyes searched his, hoping for that yes and fearful of the rejection you always were half expecting, even when you knew better that voice still taunted you.

He will never want you Y/N.

Curtis knew his answer, known it basically all damn day he has been with you. He let his hands travel up your body and cup your face, kissing you once more, leaving you breathless. “Yes, I'm not ready for today to end Honey.” 

Your hand fell along the door behind you and with a twist of the doorknob, you both fell into your apartment, the door slamming heavily behind the two of you. 

Once inside Curtis pulled you in close, backing you into the nearest wall as his mouth went back to flushing kisses up your neck, your jawline to the corner of your mouth. “Bedroom?” He asked and you nodded, pulling on his t shirt that you admired so much earlier to pull it off over his head. You had been daydreaming about his big broad chest since you met in the freight yard, wanting nothing more than to rub your hands against him and explore him. That night at his place when you got to see him in his tank, you caught a glimpse of what was underneath, muscled pecs, a dark scattering of hair leading to his belly when his shirt was ridden up, some tattoos that you desperately want to explore.

What you weren't expecting was how intricate some of these tattoos covering his chest were as you dropped the offending tee on the floor of your living room. Your eyes went wide as you pulled back to see how far down he went with that ink, your hands spanning over his chest, giving a small breathy ‘Oh.’ Intricate designs scattered across him, some of them forming symbols that you had seen in his books that he read. Your fingers splayed over them, sliding up to where his medallion rested against the center of his chest. The chain was long, your fingers curling in the metal as you look up at him wide eyed. 

“You like?” He arched a brow curiously, his hands settling on your hips, fingers flexing against your curves like they were all that was keeping him in check right now. 

“Very Curtis, I plan on exploring them very thoroughly. Later.” You gave a tug on that chain, dragging him back to you and your tongue licking into his mouth. Curtis groaned into it, shifting his hands to clasp your ass and further down to the back of your thighs. It completely caught you by surprise when he lifted you, your legs being pulled around his waist and you were sure your thick thighs were crushing his slim waist. “Curtis!” He smirked as he pulled you off the wall and you clung to him. “You can’t just carry me!” 

“I can, and I will, easily.” He went into your bedroom and lowered you to your bed, crawling over the top of you and continuing once again where he left off with you. Nipping at your neck while pulling your top up and over your head to drop beside the bed, your hands went to his belt to start to unbuckle it. “I don’t wanna be hearing I can’t carry around my girl when I want to.” 

Your hands worked his belt and button open before grabbing at the waist of his jeans to push them down, digging your nails into his taunt ass and pressing down to grind him against you. “What did you just call me?” 

His fingers skated down your sides almost teasingly while he dragged his beard against your collarbone, the soft moments his lips touched your skin a soothing balm against the burn he left behind. The coolness of his chain dragging against your made you shiver with the anticipation. Curtis spread loving kisses across the tops of your breasts spilling out the top of your bra, fingers dipping into the band of the pants you were wearing. “My girl.” He lifted his head to look at you. Blue eyes imploring. 

My girl, did you want to be his? His hands felt like he was worshiping you, his mouth exploring the taste of your skin, trying to draw out your moans as his own personal hymn. There was a hopeful look in his eyes, that your next answer could make him a blessed man. Curtis made it so fucking easy to want to be his and it was something you actually desperately wanted. So saying yes… 

Well that would be easy. 

“I want to be that Curtis.” 

He broke in a grin, his whole face lightening up as he surged forward to catch a kiss. You arched up to reach him while his hand dipped against your back and a twist of his fingers had the clasp of your bra releasing. Pulling away from you, he sat back on his heels. Curtis hooked a finger under your bra straps to pull them down, letting your bra fall away. “You're so beautiful Honey.” 

You scrunch your nose up at him, heated doubt tickling in the back of your mind, and making you twist your mouth. Although your bedroom was dark, he was able to see you enough still and that made you nervous of exactly how much he really was able to see of you. Your hands suddenly didn't know where to go, or what to do. You suddenly wished your bra was still there, covering you in a way that made you pleasing to look at. Your body was being exposed layer by layer and you didn’t quite have a place to hide your imperfections anymore. Your rolls would show, the flab on your arms would jiggle when you lifted them to reach for Curtis, your thighs cellulite would dimple in a way that you dreaded Curtis even noticing, your breasts not having support wouldn’t stay the perfect round shape that the bras support could give, how your stomach drooped lower then it should. Why did you agree to this? Especially with Curtis looking like a god above you. Even in his small imperfections he looked like some kind of rugged model while you couldn’t even offer him sexy imperfections. 

You were soft everywhere and your body carried the scars littering across your skin in stretch marks.

Weakly you covered yourself, shaking your head a bit. You weren’t beautiful, you just weren't and he was going to look at you and see that truth any second now. 

Curtis witnessed the way his words just struck you, a whiplash of some kind. He reached for your wrists, circling his fingers around to tug gently. “Y/N, look at me.” He shifted upwards a bit, pressing your hands back to his chest, his arm holding him up while hovering over you. “You are up in your head right now, I need you here with me.” 

Imploring eyes made you look at him and you took a breath to help shut the thoughts up. You were so tense under him that when you relaxed, you sunk a little further into the mattress. Your hands started exploring him again, brushing through the thick mat of dark hair sprinkled on his chest to twirl a finger around a pink nipple. Glided over a softer belly that had a line of dark hair leading down into his now loosened pants. “I’m with you Curtis.” You said loud enough for the both of you, an assurance for both of you perhaps.

The ghosting of your fingers was a blessed tease to say the least, but Curtis held himself in check as you loosened back up, just as he thought, you had started thinking too much about unsaid fears when all he wanted was for you to touch him, to start taking what you wanted and not concern yourself with what he was thinking. Your thumb pressed against the lines cutting against his pelvis, leading down till your fingers curled over the bulge at the front of his pants. “Fuck Honey, see what you do to me? Drive a man crazy.” 

You squeezed him, all wide eyed wonders gazing up at him as he groaned with a dip of his head back to you to tease your lips all while rocking his hips enough to press his hard on against you. “No one’s ever told me that before.” 

“Well I'm never gonna shut up about it.” A hand curved around your hip and slid up to cup one of your breasts, squeezing his palm against you as he pressed his mouth open to the top of it, sucking on the supple flesh, press of teeth leaving a bit of a mark and then a soothing caress of tongue, you let your head fall back with closed eyes to let the feeling of him over take you. 

He glanced up from where he had his mouth lay claim to your nipple, quick flicks soon had you hard and sensitive, clutching at his shoulders while your back arched to give him more of you, which fed his greediness. He didn't just want more, he wanted all. A rush of kisses across heated skin left you shivering when the air chilled your now thoroughly loved breasts. Between his hands and his mouth, you never felt so consumed by a man. “I could just love on you all fucking day.” He growled as he pulled back further, his chin dragging down the center of your body, even as his hand still massaged against your breast, rubbing your pebbled nipple to escape between his fingers till he dragged a massive palm back over them, making you whine. “You fit in my hands so good Y/N.” 

Here was where you were grateful for the darkness in the room, as much as you would love to see how blown his vibrant expressive eyes were or the swollen bottom lip peeking from the dark beard covering half his face, you weren’t ready to sacrifice him being able to view you to closely. Maybe he wouldn’t notice the stretch marks covering your belly, the overhang of your lower belly or the pudge of your mound that you always felt was unattractive. In the dark of your bedroom you might be able to hide this from to close inspection. 

A touch to your hip, a slight squeeze that dragged you out of your thoughts. Causing you to lift your head, you could see enough of Curtis to tell that he was close to you, listening to the catch in your breaths. His fingers curved into the band of your pants and panties to start easing them down, his breaths hot as he got closer to your more intimate areas. “Curtis…” Your voice hitched with uncertainty while he eased your pants off, first one leg, then the other. He pressed his touch in your softer inner thighs, seeming to appreciate the plushness and heat that was there, the way he had to press against them to spread them apart as they quivered in anticipation. You felt your pussy ache, a wet rush making you practically drip your essence because of this man. 

He kissed the fleshy part of your hip, humming in question to you. “Do you want me to stop?” He was willing to, if you were not okay with this. But Curtis ached for you, wanted to feel every inch of you in his hold. Curtis was patient, and he kept his touch away from your core till you told him that you were ready. 

���No, I'm just… god I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm like this.” You stammered out. Your hands going to the back of his head and scratching lightly at his scalp. 

Curtis wasn't upset by any means, it was understandable to be nervous for your first time together and he lifted himself enough so you could meet his eyes. “Deep breath Honey and you tell me what you like as I do it.” Gripping your chin, he pulled you up enough to kiss you, his tongue stroking yours till you melted into him, going breathless. 

“I liked that.” You teased him which made him give a chuckle while he moved to a stand and reaching in his pocket pulled out a couple condoms to place nearby on the bed. 

“In case we need them. And that is good to know you like to be kissed. I have to say it makes me feel fucking mindless wanting you when you kiss me.” He shucked his pants down, along with his boxers. You wished you could see his erection, having felt how thick he was through his sweats when you two grinded together on his couch. You could see enough to tell that it was curling up towards his belly as he stroked it a couple of times, settling back on the bed and moving back over you. You let your thighs spread for him to settle in close to you, his thumb now stroking that soft pudgy spot of your mound, dragging the pad of his thumb down to your slit. 

Here you gasped, tugging your bottom lip in between your teeth when his fingers found that spot. That bundle of nerves that make your toes curl and your core ache with need. Your slick pooling just for his calloused touch. His thick fingers felt so much better than yours just stroking you. “Keep talkin’ to me Honey.” A voice rumbled against your belly, once more the drag of his beard set you alight. 

“Right there Curtis, I need-” Now that you were slick, aching for more, he let a finger press against your opening, pulling him in with a tight clamp. Velvet walls kept tightening around him. You didn’t expect him to be like this, make you this aching for him but here you were squirming on the bed, trying to keep a straight line of thought. 

Curtis knew what you needed, driving the words right from your mind as he stretched you, adding another to stroke your velvet walls. “- Oh you are so thick.” You moaned out, grabbing onto his biceps to keep yourself grounded while you started squirming underneath him, building up to your crashing moment. 

The cold of his chain bounced off your thighs, deep praises falling from him. “Just like that Sweet Girl, fuck look at you just opening for me.” Fingers buried deep in you started spreading you, scissoring in and out. He wanted to taste, drive his tongue through you but when he bit lightly on your mound, preparing to press his mouth to you, you tensed, your voice going in that panicked choked squeak. 

“No wait…” You tugged on his arms till he rose back up, tilting his head in question. “Um- I can’t-” You panted and Curtis slowed his touch, letting the aching sensations dull in your belly. 

“We don’t have to do that Y/N.” He assured you. You moved to your elbows and grabbed a condom to peel it open. 

“Can we do this instead?” You offered and Curtis sucked his fingers clean once he left your clenching core, making you hear him clearly as he sucked your essence right off his fingers. You couldn't recall ever hearing anything hotter in your life as his drenched fingers slipped into his mouth and he gave a deep hungry sounding groan at the taste of your slick. Another rush escaped you at that moment. 

“Fuck, I’m all for that.” He said as you pulled yourself up a bit more to slide the condom on him. He was built, more than you were expecting, but yet you shouldn't be too surprised- this man did just lift you up and carry you, something you were still trying to wrap your mind around. 

Right now it was about watching what little you could see of Curtis’s reaction to your touch, the sweep of your hand up and down his shaft, the sudden way he tensed right before your eyes and then rocked into you for the friction your palm made. His hand closed around yours, showing you how he liked to be squeezed around slightly, easing your thumb to circle around his red thick tip and tightening his hold when the thick vein throbbed under your fingers. “Honey, you gotta get that condom on me, I need to be inside of you.” His tone was deep and edging on desperate now. Just maybe you had similar effects on him that he had on you. “I promise you can explore all you want, however you want later.” 

“Oh, yes, of course.” You squeaked, having been distracted momentarily in your exploring, Curtis just felt so good in your hands. You pinched the tip of the condom and started to roll and stretch the rubber around him before laying back. He dropped himself over you, reaching between the two of you to slide his thick head between your folds, sure to tap against your clit and make you jolt at the excited anticipation racing through you, spreading your legs wider for him. Once more his necklace bounced against your chest, making you grab it and pull him down to meet your mouth, sliding your tongue to meet his while he started to press himself into you, stretching you to fit. 

Your legs pulled up and pressed against his side, Curtis could have blown a load just feeling you pull him into you, squeezing so tightly around him that he actually gave a choked grunt against your lips. He shared air with you, panting slightly as he grunted, flexing his ass and pushing in just a little deeper, just a little more as you rolled your eyes up to flutter a bit, your nails tightening in pleasure against his shoulders at how good just the drag of his cock into your slick core felt to you. “Fuck, you are gripping me so good Honey.” He reached for a hand, weaving his fingers with your and pining it back above your head. 

You immediately let go of his shoulders and returned the gesture, this time reaching for his hold. “You feel so good. Curtis you gotta move, I need you.” 

It was a slow movement at first, Curtis pulling out and easing back in. But each time, you were slick and fit around him like you were made just for him, and he started to move faster, determined to find your sweet spot to hear one of those moans you were holding inside. Sex, well sex always felt good. But this, it was edging on something more than sex, he wasn’t trying to get the two of you to end for the feel good moment that was satisfying. 

With you, he wanted you to just feel good and that possessive part of him got to know he was the one that gave it to you, over and over and over. He didn’t even care at this point if he finished.

It was when Curtis angled slightly that he slid himself just right and you cried out his name in just the way he had been looking for. A cry that was just for him, his name sounded sweet and desperate right now. “There you go Sweetheart, fuck- shit you just keep squeezing me like that.” He assured you when a tremble of ecstasy vibrated you. Your fingers clenched at his hand while legs lifted to cross your ankles at the small of his back to push him back into you. 

“Good Girl.” He groaned against your neck as he pushed back into you, pumping faster and harder, aiming for just that spot that made you gasp and repeat his name like a manta. “You're perfect for me.” He nudged at you till you twisted your mouth to meet his, shuddering as you kissed him with an air of desperation that pleaded him to shatter you just so he could drag your frayed pieces back together, maybe someone you desired to be. 

“Curtis, I need to, please.” You stuttered out and Curtis felt his balls tighten hearing you plead with him to finish you. He let go of one hand, squeezing a breast and tilting his head to suck on your soft suppleness, dragging a hot tongue to send pleasure through your body when he sucked on your nipple, immediately your free hand went to the back of his neck to keep him pressed close. Tingle of anticipation went up Curtis' spine, you were close and he was too now, but you had to come first.  

Dropping his hand to where he fucked into you, a finger twisted against your sensitive swollen bud to have you clamping down hard on him, your thighs quivering in a strain and that release flooded you with so much pleasure that you locked around him, biting on his shoulder to muffle yourself, causing a satisfied hiss to escape him. 

Chasing his own ending turned sloppy now that you came for him, tendons popped from his neck and his shoulders bunched together as he hunched over you, gathering you in close to him as he crashed into you several times till he shuddered in your arms He pitched forward to bury his face in the crook of your neck, gasping out the last air in his lungs to a deep groan that seem to come from the very pit of his stomach. You felt it shudder through you as you were still floating in a daze. 

Your hand that was still free from his grasp loosened from the back of his neck to scratch lightly at the back of his head and down to the knots in his shoulder from his release, he was still hunched over you, cocooning you to him like he refused to let there be space between the two of you. Refusing to let you go or push away from him. Not that you wanted to, your relished feeling him press you under him, like he couldn’t bear the thought of you pulling away from him just yet. . 

But slowly he loosened with a groan, his weight sinking on you to keep you pinned beneath him. You could hear him catching his breath, heated huffs against the shell of your ear. You valued the feeling of him around you, the intimacy of sharing each other left you unwilling to give it up just yet. Curtis sighed as he let his hold on your hand above your head loosen, shifting it down to wrap around you, hugging you tighter to his chest while he burrowed in against your neck, giving another groan. “I wanted to hold out, but fuck you were just too good to be with.” He admitted as he started to shift. 

“You don't have to move Curtis.” A small panic rose in your chest at the loss of contact, uncalled for at the moment but you couldn’t stop. It had him shushing you softly while he pulled out, pressing a reassuring kiss to your forehead. 

“I will be back.” He moved away to peel the rubber off, trying to be as quick as possible so you weren’t left alone for long. You heard running water for a few moments in your bathroom down the hallway before he came back to sit on the edge of the bed. “Is this okay?” He let the warm washcloth brush against your thigh, asking permission before he continued to clean you up. 

How in the hell was he possibly real and in your bed?

You spread your thighs open in invitation and he was careful in his touch, whispering a sorry whenever he felt you wince slightly. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?” 

“No, no not at all Curtis.” You assured him as he finished. Sure you might have been a little sore, but all of it had been quite welcome. Your ex, nor your toys quite had what Curtis had.

It wasn’t long before Curtis joined you back in your bed, flopping to his back and patting his belly. “Co’mere.” You shifted over to his side, assuming he wanted to spoon but soon found that wasn't what he meant. Curtis literally wanted you on him, pulling against the curve of your ass and down to your thigh, he easily maneuverered you to straddle him. 

You did your best to hover over him, reluctant to relax on him. “Y/N, relax. I promise it's okay.” He stroked your hips and pulled you down to rest on him, your hands sliding up and down his chest with a light scrape of your nails, marvelling at the sensation of his muscles under you “Just wasn't ready to let you go just yet.” You eased down to lay yourself on his chest, going to trace what you guessed were wings on his chest, thanks to the dim light he had left on in the bathroom. “Thank you Y/N.” 

You lifted your head curiously, tilting your head in question. “For what Curtis?” 

“For letting me be with you.” A finger traced the side of your face to gently grasp your chin and pull you back up to him to give a kiss to your lips. “I got the feeling it’s not always easy for you to trust like that.” 

You smiled at his words and pulled up to a sit in order to inspect some of the tattoos scattered across his chest. “Not always easy, but I like you Curtis, really like you. You made it so…” You stalled, your mouth twisting in how you wanted to say it. How he pulled you from your doubts and worries, how you never had to guess what he was thinking, just from his touch like he couldn't get enough, his eyes that never wavered or looked away from you, and his constant words saying what he was thinking. “Different. Not like anything I’ve ever experienced before. I felt like you kept me with you in the moment.” 

You went fiddling with his chain, lifting it up to look at the small medallion hanging off the end of it. “Yeah well when I got a woman like you giving me such a gift…” He gave a sigh and broke in an almost boyish grin. You rolled your eyes at him as he clicked his tongue at you. “I only say what I mean Honey.” 

You rolled the pendant in your fingers. “What's the pendant?” 

He dropped his chin to look down towards your fingers. “That is a St Joseph medallion. It belonged to my father, passed down from my grandpa. He is the patron saint of workers, expectant mothers, families, engineers and other things.” You were gentle as you let it rest back against his chest, dropping back down further to start placing kisses on his chest, and biting lightly on his nipples, your eyes lifting enough with suggestion. “Fuck Honey, you keep doing that with your mouth.” His hip rocked upwards, feeling him grow hard again as it pressed against your ass. “I'm going to need you again.” 

“That's the plan Curtis.” You ran your tongue over a tattoo that rested along the underside of his pec, rubbing yourself against him. Again in a show of strength that had you squealing in surprise, he flipped you to your back so he could kiss you senseless once again, his entire body hard and hot against yours.

“It’s a pretty good plan, Honey.”

[dontmeantobepoliticalbut]

Vivek Ramaswamy has described himself as an “outsider”, accusing rivals for the Republican presidential nomination of being “bought and paid for” by donors and special interests.

But the 38-year-old Ohio-based venture capitalist, whose sharp-elbowed and angry display stood out in the first Republican debate this week, has his own close ties to influential figures from both sides of the political aisle.

Prominent among such connections are Peter Thiel, the co-founder of tech giants PayPal and Palantir and a rightwing mega-donor, and Leonard Leo, the activist who has marshaled unprecedented sums in his push to stock federal courts with conservative judges.

Ramaswamy is a Yale Law School friend of JD Vance, the author of the bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy who enjoyed success in finance before entering politics. At Yale, Vance and Ramaswamy attended what the New Yorker called an “intimate lunch seminar for select students” that was hosted by Thiel. Last year, backed by Thiel and espousing hard-right Trumpist views, Vance won a US Senate seat in Ohio.

Thiel has since said he has stepped back from political donations. But he has backed Ramaswamy’s business career, supporting what the New Yorker called “a venture helping senior citizens access Medicare” and, last year, backing Strive Asset Management, a fund launched by Ramaswamy to attack environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies among corporate investors. Vance was also a backer.

Ramaswamy’s primary vehicle to success has been Roivant, an investment company focused on the pharmaceuticals industry founded in 2014.

The Roivant advisory board includes figures from both the Republican and Democratic establishments: Kathleen Sebelius, US health secretary under Barack Obama; Tom Daschle of South Dakota, formerly Democratic leader in the US Senate; and Olympia Snowe, formerly a Republican senator from Maine.

Ramaswamy’s links to Leo – recently the recipient of a $1.6BN donation from the industrialist Barre Seid, believed to be the biggest ever such gift, but now reportedly the subject an investigation by the attorney general of Washington DC – are many.

As reported by ProPublica and Documented, Ramaswamy has spoken at retreats staged by Teneo, a group Leo chairs and which aims to connect high-powered conservatives, to “crush liberal dominance” in American life.

Other Teneo speakers have reportedly included Ron DeSantis, the Florida Governor polling ahead of Ramaswamy in the Republican primary, and the former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who trails Ramaswamy and clashed with him on stage in Milwaukee.

ProPublica also linked Thiel to the genesis of the Teneo group. According to a document seen by The Guardian, Ramaswamy became a Teneo member in 2021.

Elsewhere, Ramaswamy is a board member of the Philanthropy Roundtable, a group with ties to Leo, and a member of the Federalist Society, the Leo-driven group which works to stock the courts with conservatives.

Ramaswamy has also spoken to and received an award from the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), a group of Republican state treasurers.

In June, in South Carolina, the Post and Courier newspaper reported that last year, before launching his presidential bid, Ramaswamy attempted “to leverage his [Republican] connections to gain access [for Strive] to lucrative contracts to manage pension funds … [with] total assets of $39.6BN”.

Similar pushes were mounted in Missouri and Indiana, the paper said. Curtis Loftis, the South Carolina state treasurer, told the Post and Courier there was “nothing improper” about such approaches.

Asked about Ramaswamy’s claims to be an outsider in light of his links to rightwing donors, activists and establishment figures, a campaign spokesperson told The Guardian: “Vivek has lived the American dream and has had tremendous success in business.”

“There’s a colossal difference between someone who has friendships and business relationships with wealthy individuals and politicians who change their policies and positions to please their Super Pac donors,” they added.

In the Wisconsin debate, Ramaswamy flourished in the absence of Donald Trump, the former US president who faces 91 criminal charges but nonetheless leads Republican polling by huge margins.

Amid speculation that Ramaswamy might end up Trump’s running mate, Reed Galen, a Republican operative turned co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, called Ramaswamy “a classic 2020s America tech bro bullshit artist … Trump for the 21st century”.

Ramaswamy’s claim to be an outsider, Galen said, was part of his “fundamental understanding … that MAGA [the pro-Trump Republican base] wants him to show that the rest of these people [in the primary] are politicians. He’s willing to be the showman … the outsider. Anti-establishment. ‘If anything is there, I dislike it because it’s there.’ You know, ‘I’m going to have fun with this. I’m not going to take it seriously because you’re a bunch of hacks and goons.’”

But in another sense, regarding Ramaswamy’s ties to the likes of Leo and Thiel, Galen said: “I think that he’s an insider.”

“He walks into a room with Leonard Leo and says, ‘What do you need me to do?’ … And they’re like, ‘Here’s what we want you to do. Here’s what we need you to do.’ Right?”

“Do I think [Ramaswamy] cares about [issues like restricting] abortion? No, not particularly. I don’t think he has a firmly held belief on it. But if he thinks that it will help him, and in exchange for that Leonard Leo will throw a little chicken feed of the $1.6BN that old man gave him, to help him? Sure, what the hell?”

“He didn’t ever think he’d get this far. So now he’s just gonna push it as far as he can.”

Ramaswamy, Galen said, was closely tied to a world of donors and non-profits in which Leo is “certainly at the center. And this movement only moves in one direction, and it’s toward the darkness. It’s towards authoritarianism. And it’s because it finds people like Ramaswamy. And the more that all these other candidates will now attack him, they will drive him further and further into the arms of those people.”

[jojoblessed365]

5 Things I Loved (and 5 Things I Hated) of Milo Ventimiglia's "The Company You Keep"

Okay, so I'll say this: while I was first excited for Milo's new show, I was kind of turned off by the premiere, and I have watched all the episodes, but the story failed to impress me. So, I'll start with what I liked about the show and what I hated about the show, and all who read this can either DM, reblog, or comment your thoughts, whether you agree or disagree, so here goes:

Likes

1. Milo's character Charlie Nicoletti

Charlie, for me, resonated as a character- he was a guy living a life and wanted more. The fact that he isn't a mid-30s, but rather 40 year old, and wasn't the traditional hero that you'd find, that was extremely neat. The way Milo portrays him is off the charts- I could feel the pain that he felt when he got conned by his fiancee, when he got blindsided by Emma's profession, when he took a big risk and got the expected answer of rejection, having to take snubs from Emma and being wrung to full extent as an asset. So if anything, congrats Milo- your character won a place in my heart.

2. Daphne being a three-dimensional character than just a femme fatale/ Bond villain

Daphne is complicated - but she isn't the cantankerous villain you'd find in most con films, she's a little of Jamie Lee Curtis's Wanda, Lauren Bacall's Slim and Sophie Marceau's Elektra. And that speaks volumes.

3. Leo and Fran Nicoletti/Birdie and Ollie/Sibling dynamics between Emma-David and Charlie-Birdie

The romantic relationship between Leo and Fran, the single mom and daughter dynamic between Birdie and Ollie, and the sibling pairs of Emma-David and Charlie-Birdie were top notch. Knowing and seeing these kinds of relationships in my family onscreen was refreshing and if the show focused on that, it would've been a hit.

The con planning/ avatars

Milo slipping into different characters, hairstyles, costumes and accents- this was a bigger step in comparison to Jack Pearson and this also includes Fran, Leo and Birdie (especially Birdie). So Nicolettis, you've entered the pop culture lexicon (at least for me).

The Nicolettis and the Hills and their respective family dynamics

This had an essence borrowed from This Is Us- it was refreshing two very different families, albeit cut from the same cloth (metaphorically)- a strong marital relationship between the parents (Leo-Fran, Joseph-Grace), supportive and honest older siblings (David and Birdie), and two younger siblings shaped by their respective families (Charlie and Emma).

Hates:

1. #Hilleti (as a relationship)

I have to admit that I wasn't too jazzed up with Charlie and Emma- sure, they were the perfect example of different on paper, but compatible as hell, but the moments between this couple was too little and too fast- episode 1 was fun, episode 2 was the whole "rebound" situation, episode 3 was Emma "fitting in" with the Nicolettis and having that honeymoon phase, episode 4 was Charlie being whammed with Emma's profession but still taking it in stride which shows the peak of his love and episode 5 was the whole "I Love You" debacle which reminded me so painfully of Dean and Rory's first I Love You and the cliffhanger of Charlie coming clean and ending it with an "I Love You too".

2. David and Jennifer

David and Jennifer felt like the epitome of a perfect "killer" (pun intended) relationship- if you take couples like Ella and Pete from Lucifer, Van Pelt and Craig from The Mentalist, David and Jennifer would join the roster.

3. The whole Claire Fox storyline

I'll admit that this was something that disappointed me; it would've been fun to see a more layered red herring than this - 'Nuff said.

4. #Hilleti (as a handler-asset relationship)

This was by far, the most disappointing in the back half of the season- Emma became more unlikable as in episode 6, was Emma starting to become unbearable with her branding the Nicolettis as common criminals and then blatantly telling Charlie that she doesn't like him in the ending, episode 7 was Emma having that double standard of being jealous when Charlie gets close to Daphne, and then pretending that what she and Charlie had was nothing (Last week, you said you loved me - Last week, you were a bartender); episode 8 was again another dose of backhanded comments from Emma that at the point, nothing she could do was redeemable in my eyes, sure bending her rules to release Leo was a great point but that was it, episode 9 was Emma again snidely referring to Charlie protecting Daphne and Charlie finally snapping, episode 10 was them getting (momentarily) together, and having a Varchie moment which made me rolling my eyes, and the ending was like forcing something down my throat- we all know Charlie and Emma will get together, if it had been subtle like Jack and Rebecca's ending in the first season of This is Us, then that would've been more interesting and leaving a little thread that maybe Charlie would be pursuing Daphne.

5. The Maguires

They made me uncomfortable - especially Connor. But the fact that they tied it in a neat ribbon with Patrick's death, made me disappointed.

So what do you think? @kimberly-stocks I would love to know yours. I'm not saying that these are my final thoughts, this is just me with my thoughts on what made TCYK so great but also where it could've improved.

[sorreleater]

hi! would you still happen to have that horror movie analysis citation list? i plan on reading a glossary of haunting soon and would love some additional readings if possible

hey i do! so not exactly horror movie analysis - my paper was specifically on aliens and the American frontier and how the American colonial project informs how we conceptualize extraterrestrial lifeforms and our alleged interactions with them, as well as our film history surrounding it. weird i know, it wasn't a well-formatted paper because i changed tack halfway through so i just picked through my bibliography and chose what was most relevant. my favorites are in bold and i would love more similar writings if anyone has them - it was truly fascinating research!

Abbott, Carl (2005). Homesteading on the extraterrestrial frontier. Science Fiction Studies, 32(2), 240–264. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241346

Blaine, Marcia S. (2009). The Johnsons’ plight: The role of captivity on Anglo-American identity. History 94, no. 313 (January): 53–73.

Bullard, Thomas E. (1989). UFO abduction reports: The supernatural kidnap narrative returns in technological guise. The Journal of American Folklore, 102(404), 147–170. https://doi.org/10.2307/540677

Dewan, William J. (2006). “A saucerful of secrets”: An interdisciplinary analysis of UFO experiences. The Journal of American Folklore, 119(472), 184–202. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4137923

Ebersole, Gary (2009). Captured by texts: Puritan to postmodern images of Indian captivity. Charlottesville and London: University Press of Virginia.

Kelly, Fanny (1871). Narrative of my captivity among the Sioux Indians. Hartford, Conn. Mutual Publishing Company.

Lauria, Rita & White, Harold M. (1995). Mythic analogues: Space and cyberspace: A critical analysis of US policy for the space and information age. Journal of Communication Inquiry, 19: 2, pp. 64–87. https://ssrn.com/abstract=1872313

Lepselter, Susan (2016). The resonance of unseen things: Poetics, power, captivity, and UFOs in the American uncanny. University of Michigan Press.

Lowell, Percival (1908). Mars as the abode of life. The Macmillan Company.

Newman, Leonard S., & Baumeister, Roy F. (1996). Toward an explanation of the UFO abduction phenomenon: Hypnotic elaboration, extraterrestrial sadomasochism, and spurious memories. Psychological Inquiry, 7(2), 99–126. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1449001

Panay, Andrew (2004). From Little Big Man to little green men: The captivity scenario in American culture. European Journal of American Culture 23, no. 3 (October 2004): 201–16.

Peebles, Curtis (1994). Watch the skies! A chronicle of the flying saucer myth. Smithsonian.

Pfitzer, G. M. (1995). The only good alien is a dead alien: Science fiction and the metaphysics of Indian-hating on the high frontier. Journal of American Culture 18, no. 1 (Spring, 1995): 51.

Sanarov, Valerii I. (1981). On the nature and origin of flying saucers and little green men. Current Anthropology, 22(2), 163–167. http://www.jstor.org/stable/2742701

Slotkin, Richard (1973). Regeneration through violence: The mythology of the American frontier, 1600-1860. Wesleyan University Press.

Sturma, Michael (2002). Aliens and Indians: A comparison of abduction and captivity narratives. Journal of Popular Culture 36, no. 2 (Fall 2002): 318–34.

[bor0wik]

Rewriting scenarios part 2

------------------------------------------------------------

How you two became friends

Henry Stickmin

After you two escaped the prison, he proposed you to live with him, which you gladly accepted. You two were robbing banks, some small or sometimes bigger shops. You two even raided a muzeum and stealed the Tunisian diamond! That was hard, but was worth it. You basically became partners in crime, literally.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Charles Calvin

Charles became your first friend in the goverment. He likes to call you two "The Pilot Duo", which is kinda sweet. You two often fly together, joke from anything, sing together and he sometimes even mocks General, but not in a bad way, he just mimic him, once he almost caught him on doing that.

------------------------------------------------------------

Dave Panpa

After you returned home, you ploped on your couch and tried to fall asleep, but of course you can't. You grumbled and walked out of your house, locking the door behind you and went to the park. You saw some bench and you sit on it. Then you heard a familiar voice.

"Oh, hello again, how are you?" you heard beside you. You looked at the same black haired boy, looking at you with small smile.

Goddamit, not him again...

"And why do you care?" you asked sarcastically.

"Because... Because... Because i don't want you to be alone." he said. You could saw a small blush on his cheeks.

"Whatever..." you murmured and sat in silence, with Dave on your side. After few minutes, you two started chatting and it turned out that he's not that annoying as you thought...

------------------------------------------------------------

Burt Curtis

You and Burt are good friends just from the day you two met. You two always stay by each other side, joke, vent about everything, even cuddle. You often brings him coffee whrn he have to work late, you sit beside him and chat with him, keepin him company, and when he accidentally fall asleep, you cover him with a blanket and sometimes bring him to his room, and try to do his work.

------------------------------------------------------------

Sven Svensson

A week passed since that "incident" with Sven, and you still think about it. Something is wrong, and he don't want to talk about it, so you have to act detective and find out yourself what's going on with him.

You quietly "stalked" him through the corridors of the airship, and when he walked into his office and closed the door, you quickly and really quietly sneaked into his office behind him, and hided behind some papers that formed a little mountain, but big just for you to hide behind it. He sat at his desk and started doing some paperwork, when he suddenly started to sob a little. He hided hid face in his hands and started to cry harder. You couldn't stand seeing him like this and don't do anything. You knew that you probably be punished for this, but you had to. You walked to him quietly, and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He flinched and looked at you with wide eyes.

"v-vad gör du här?!" he yelled/asked.

"I knew that something is wrong. What happened that you cry? Did someone hurt you? Something other happened? Please, tell me." you demanded softly, but with a stern face.

He just stared at you, still sniffling.

"I-i will t-tell you lat-er, i-i promise!" he said. You just sighed and stood up.

"Ok, but you better do it, or i will not leave you alone, understood?" you asked sternly. He nodded sheepishly and you left.

------------------------------------------------------------

That was long.

[saleintothe90s]

464. The Create a Card Machine

This is something I only remember seeing in stores for about a year, and that was it. It was definitely one of those we flew too close to the Sun ideas from the 90s. We were throwing our money away back then.

My WalMart in Hampton, Virginia had one of these, in the card section. I only ever remember kids, like myself and my niece and nephew playing with it, making our own cards, and stepping around the paper from cards nobody paid for.

I can't find the source on this image-any help would be great.

You already know the reason why these machines captured my attention -- there were Simpsons custom cards. My niece and nephew actually made me a Bart one for my 12th or 13th birthday. I just remembered he was at a hot dog stand and there was a joke about Weiners.

I've only found one example of a card online, on Reddit Here's an archive of the funny story behind it. Like I said, these machines were not in stores for very long in the mid 90s.

I'm looking at this photo from the article, and I now remember how flimsy these cards felt. It was very thin cardstock. It definitely felt like something you would just print at home. Also, they were nearly $4, which back then was a lot of money for a card.

Here is a photo of one at an abandoned mall. Another image where I can't find the source.

It seems like the machines were a runaway hit .... at first (1994):

``When we launched Creatacard, we had no real business plan you could follow,'' John Barker [company spokesperson] says. ``We started from scratch and planned to set up 3,000 [electronic] kiosks in retail stores. The demand was so strong, we ended up placing 9,000.'' 1

At Hills Department Stores, Canton, Mass., a one-unit test started before Christmas and has produced outstanding results, said Gary DeMarchis, general manager of the chain’s Robinson Town Centre store in the Pittsburg market. Use of the machine is so high that DeMarchis had his store associates learn how to service the machine themselves rather than use American Greetings’ field service organization. 3

Two years later:

American Greetings now expects the number of its CreataCard machines to drop from about 10,000 in 1995 to about 7,500 this year. Hallmark anticipates that the number of its Touch-Screens will decline from 2,700 to about 1,500.

[...]

“What maybe this is proving is people just don’t have the time,” said Marianne McDermott, executive vice president of the Greeting Card Assn., a trade group.

“Time is such an important factor now. With the basic, traditional card, someone has already designed a message. Probably that’s the way people want to go. But people also want choices.”

Curtis Nelson, 43, of Cleveland, spent about 30 minutes at a CreataCard machine recently at a suburban mall to make a card for his girlfriend after a spat.

“My only real complaint was it seemed to lack enough of a selection and detail in the graphics. Too much of it is too cute. It needs to me more serious and still more creative,” Nelson said.

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Christian Science Monitor. ‘Greetings Made Easy: Card Company Goes On-Line’, 16 August 1994. https://www.csmonitor.com/1994/0816/16092.html.

‘Sales Rush Wasn’t in the Cards for Personalized Greetings’. Los Angeles Times, 27 June 1996. https://web.archive.org/web/20220730005443/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-06-27-fi-18966-story.html

IndexArticles. ‘CreataCard Personalizes Greetings; New Computerized Card Designing Kiosk Is Catching on at Discounters’, 1993. https://indexarticles.com/business/discount-store-news/creatacard-personalizes-greetings-new-computerized-card-designing-kiosk-is-catching-on-at-discounters/.

Blackwell, Roger D., and Kristina Stephan. Customers Rule! Why the e-Commerce Honeymoon Is over and Where Winning Businesses Go from Here. 1st ed. New York: Crown Business, 2001.

[byneddiedingo]

Orson Welles and Jeanette Nolan in Macbeth (Orson Welles, 1948)

Cast: Orson Welles, Jeanette Nolan, Dan O’Herlihy, Roddy McDowall, Edgar Barrier, Alan Napier, Erskine Sanford, John Dierkes, Keene Curtis, Peggy Webber, Lionel Braham. Screenplay: Orson Welles, based on a play by William Shakespeare. Cinematography: John L. Russell. Art direction: Fred A. Ritter. Film editing: Louis Lindsay. Music: Jacques Ibert. 

Orson Welles may have taken the old theatrical superstition of referring to the play not by its title but as "the Scottish play" a little too seriously. The decision to have actors deliver Shakespeare's lines with a Scottish accent was met with derision by critics, and Republic Pictures, the poverty-row studio that released the film, eventually had it redubbed without the accents after the initial release flopped. The original soundtrack has been restored, however, and it's hard to see what set the critics' teeth on edge: For the most part, the occasional flavoring of the dialogue with Scottish vowel sounds and diphthongs is unobtrusive. The one exception, to my ear, is Roddy McDowall as Malcolm, who carries the accent a bit too far -- though that may be because McDowall's conception of the character is something of a callow noodge, especially in the scene in which he's trying to persuade Macduff (Dan O'Herlihy) to cease grieving for his murdered family and take action. I must have seen the old redubbed and cut version at one point, because I remembered the film as rather glum and murky, when in fact, although it's not wholly successful, it's filled with Wellesian visual touches and some very solid performances. Welles makes remarkable use of the Celtic cross as a visual motif, for example, having the troops advancing on Dunsinane carry impossibly long staffs surmounted with the cross, a touch that dazzles the eye. His own performance is somewhat uneven -- Welles was seldom the strongest actor in his productions -- and he fails to provide Macbeth with the character arc that makes the character a tragic figure, moving from mere ambition to blind bloodthirstiness. Jeanette Nolan is a good Lady Macbeth and O'Herlihy a suitably strong adversary for Macbeth. As usual, Welles drew many performers from his Mercury Theater company, including Erskine Sanford as a dignified Duncan, something of an about-face from his broadly comic performance as the flustered newspaper editor Herbert Carter, huffing and puffing when he's ousted by the paper's new owner, Charles Foster Kane, in Citizen Kane (Welles, 1941). The low budget for the film shows, especially in the sets -- Dunsinane seems to be more cave than castle, its walls made out of Plasticine -- cobbled together on the Republic soundstage by art director Fred A. Ritter. And although Welles's keen eye served John L. Russell well, as Alfred Hitchcock's would later when he shot Psycho (1960), Russell was never a distinguished cinematographer. Still, this is a fairly distinguished effort at putting Shakespeare on film.

[yatescountyhistorycenter]

Not just run-of-the-mill operations: A look at Fox's and Shutts'

By Jonathan Monfiletto

By my count, according to a map of the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail, there are 13 mill sites along the approximate 7 miles of trail from Penn Yan – heading toward Seneca Lake – to Dresden. Perhaps there have been other sites than those 13 throughout the history of white European settlement along the outlet, and of course, the mill sites have had various owners and managers over time – thus multiplying the number of different mill companies over time as well.

In addition to the mill sites themselves, a series of pamphlets produced at one time by the Yates County Historian’s Office includes the history of the Crooked Lake Canal – a series of 28 locks that lowered boats 270 feet from Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake – and the Fall Brook Railroad, which eventually replaced the canal and used the towpath for its tracks. Indeed, what the Seneca in the area called the Minnesetah River – and what white European settlers renamed the Crooked Lake Outlet and we know nowadays as the Keuka Lake Outlet – has had a vibrant industrial history.

In fact, witnessing the rushing waters of the outlet and realizing this was a good location for mills, homes, and a community – as I once read in one source – is what drew the Society of Universal Friends to desire to establish the New Jerusalem here. Nowadays, Birkett Mills may be the only mill site still in active operation – though it no longer uses waterpower, so it might not be a true mill – but the memories are alive and well thanks to the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail.

The Friends of the Outlet – the nonprofit organization tasked with preserving and maintaining the trail that winds its way along the outlet – have been particularly interested in a couple of mill sites along the trail. Since I have assisted group members in researching the mill sites – learning more about their history and locating contemporary photographs of them – I have wanted to capture the history of both of these mill sites for myself by writing an article about them, as I am doing now.

Among the 13 mill sites the Keuka Lake Outlet Trail identifies on its map, Fox’s Mill and Shutts’ Mill have recently gained the attention of the Friends of the Outlet. Both modern-day sites are accessible from the Fox’s Mill trailhead, not too far from the intersection of East Elm Street/Outlet Road with Cornwell Street. Fox’s Mill sits just west of the trailhead, while Shutts’ Mill is located a few mill sites to the east.

Both are named for the men who eventually took over the respective sites, though both sites have extensive histories long before these men owned the property. In the interest of time and space – and to encourage you to visit the sites for yourself along the outlet trail – I will cover the histories of the mill sites from the periods of the ownerships of their namesakes.

The Fox chapter of the Fox’s Mill story began in 1865, when brothers Lewis and William Fox, of Schoharie, signed an agreement to build a paper mill on the site. They bought the property, which consisted of a gristmill and sawmill, and the water rights. By 1870, the paper mill was up and running with two wheels and a steam engine, and it operated year-round with a workforce of nine men and two women. Straw, coal, and lime were used to make wrapping paper.

In 1882, William Fox – known as Harry – took Perley Curtis as a partner, and they operated the business as Fox & Curtis for the next 23 years. During this time, the mill made various grades of wrapping paper, producing six to nine tons each day on two machines. The plant became known as Keuka Mills. Both wheat and rye straw could be used in the process, but rye was considered essential since it strengthened the finished product.

Curtis retired in 1905, but Fox’s eldest son, William, had become a partner in 1900. His third son, Harry, entered the business in 1911, the year before Fox’s death. Around that time, rye wrapping and corrugating paper remained the mill’s product. Production increased to between 15 and 17 tons a day, and water and steam were still the power sources. About 30 men were employed; when the mill underwent its annual overhaul and the papermaking machinery was shut down, the men were kept on to clean and make repairs.

In 1915, a spectacular fire erupted and destroyed the straw barn and 600 tons of straw, resulting in an estimated loss of $8,000. During the 1920s, hydroelectric interests acquired the property along with much of the reset of the water rights along the outlet. After John Fox acquired his brothers’ interest, he sold the mill to E.L. Phillips in November 1926 and included all of the real estate and water rights owned by W.H. Fox & Sons. John Fox remained with the company as mill manager, and in 1939 the firm bought the property back without the water rights.

By that point, Fox’s Mill was the only straw paper mill remaining east of the Mississippi River; the manufacture of wrapping paper had been discontinued, and the mill was producing corrugated cardboard. However, a flood in 1943 caused by the dam washing out and a fire in 1946 that swept through the mill building provided the final straws for the mill. Though there were plans to rebuild the plant as soon as the proper papermaking machinery could be found, those plans never came to fruition. The story of Fox’s Mill as an active mill site ended there.

Shutts’ Mill, when it took on that name in the 1870s, became known as Yates County’s first true industrial sites. At that time, there were at least four separate milling enterprises on one site, and John A. Shutts began to assemble the various properties into one. In April 1875, he bought the gristmill and its eight-acre parcel from Robert Halsey. The following year, he bought the land occupied by the spoke factory from Frederick Woodhull.

In 1882, Peter Parshall sold his triphammer and the right to operate the spoke machine on the premises to Shutts. Two years later, Shutts erected his own spoke factory on the premises. Throughout the decade, he continued to buy small parcels adjoining his factory until the property totaled 11 acres. In a partnership with George A. Wilson, the spoke manufacturing operation ceased and the factory was converted to making straw board.

Shutts formed a corporation called the Shutts Manufacturing Co. and signed all of the property over to it. Shutts himself retired in 1906, but the mill property remained operating for 25 more years under various ownerships. High water destroyed the dam in December 1930, and the dam was never rebuilt. A fire destroyed the mill for good on Halloween night in 1933.

Former Yates County Historian Frances Dumas’ extensive research and writing about the various mill sites provided the history captured in this article. And these are just two of the 13 mill sites indicated on the outlet trail map. You can go for a walk along the Keuka Lake Outlet and explore these sites and engage in our history.

[uwmspeccoll]

It’s Fine Press Friday! 

This week, in honor of Ramadan, we’re taking a peek at a 1958 Limited Editions Club (LEC) publication of The Koran: Selected Suras from our collection. This modern, handsomely bound and illustrated collection of texts from the Qu‘ran was translated into English by Australian American scholar of Asian studies Arthur Jeffery (1892-1959), and features decorations in grayed blue and red ink from Italian American printmaker, illustrator, and author Valenti Angelo (1897-1982). The title page and the page opposite the opening sura were also hand-illuminated in gold by Angelo. The text, which features Bembo type and Civilité headings, is printed in black ink on custom made tan Arak paper from Curtis Paper Company, a paper mill in Newark, Delaware known for its manufacture of high-quality rag papers using 19th-century Fourdrinier machinery. The work was printed by Abraham Colish (1882–1963, otherwise known as A. Colish) and bound in cloth covered boards which were hand stamped with decorations in blue, red, and gold. It was released in an edition of 1500 copies, all of which were signed by the illustrator.  

رمضان مبارك (Ramadan Mubarak) 

Find more materials related to the Quran (including original manuscripts and alternate translations in Latin, French, and German) in UWM’s Special Collections 

View more Fine Press Friday posts 

View another Ramadan post 

View more Bembo and Civilité posts 

View more Valenti Angelo posts 

View more A. Colish posts 

View more Limited Editions Club posts 

-- Ana, Special Collections Graduate Intern

[revolutionarywarhistory]

"A young man with some property": the story of a former Maryland captain [Part 7]

Continued from Part 6

Reprinted from my History Hermann WordPress blog.

Notes

[1] Samuel seemingly resigned his rank on September 1, 1780, which is interesting since he "requested to a captain in the regiment in July" of the same year. Still, this resignation seems to be meaningless (perhaps because he was re-promoted again) as indicated above. On October 24, 1780, the Council paid "Capt. Samuel Cock for stores" and paid him generally the same day as Maryland State Papers indicate. In January 1782, he was paid "three hundred and twenty pounds and nine pence" for his service as a captain in the regiment during which time he had been appointed captain, along with Murdock, Bailey, Gillispie within "in the Regiment Extraordinary" after applying to Colonel Alexander Lawson Smith for recruits raised, then marching them as needed.

[2] Age of 29 comes from his presumed birthdate in 1754.

[3] "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission County Register Nomination Form by Mark Lynch of Walkersville, MD and approved by the property's owner, May 2015, p. 13-41 of PDF and pages 1-25 of the application form and within this document. The latter document also says she was born on Oct. 30, 1763. It also says she was married to man with the last name of "Cook" although his last name is clearly Cock. Hence, this is a typographical error.

[4] Journal and Correspondence of the Council of Maryland, 1781-1784, Archives of Maryland Online Vol. 48, 290, 291, 494. The Ogle family were huge landowners in Anne Arundel County, as Papenfuse's biographies of Benjamin and Samuel Ogle attest. Buthe is not a part of that family or another with the same last name from Pennsylvania.  The Alexander Ogle of that family would go on to serve as a U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania, and would die in Pennsylvania's Somerset County in 1832, many years after our Alexander Ogle died.

[5] "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission County Register Nomination Form by Mark Lynch of Walkersville, MD and approved by the property's owner, May 2015, p. 13-41 of PDF and pages 1-25 of the application form; Grace L. Tracey and John Philip Dern, Pioneers of Old Monocacy: The Early Settlement of Frederick County, Maryland 1721-1743 (Baltimore: Geneaological Publishing Co., 1989, second printing), 331-332, 347.

[6] Curtis Older, "230. Documentation for Alexander Ogle (May 21, 1730 to Bef Mar 21, 1783) father of Jane Ogle (Sept 23, 1761 to Oct 07, 1836)," "The Documented Genealogy of Curtis Lynn Older," 2010.  Since this the original document can only be found directly at the Maryland State Archives within their stacks, this will suffice for now. In this PDF, a number of sources are cited: (1) Maryland State Papers, Series A, MdHR 6636-23-29/71/7/5 (in this record undoubtedly) which has some of the records showing "Alexander Ogle providing wheat and flour from his mills to the Maryland Militia during the American Revolution; (2) Index to Marriage Licenses, Frederick County, 1778-1810; (3) Wills, Frederick County, Maryland, GM-2-25, signed February 20, 1783, and probated March 21, 1783, with the 25 referring to page 25 within this book either in paper or in microfilm; (4) Paxson Link, The Link Family (Paris, Illinois: [s.l.], 1951), p. 79, 80; (5) Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 62, page 203n and Vol. 60, page 343; (7) Francis Hamilton Hibbard, assisted by Stephen Parks, The English origin of John Ogle, first of the name in Delaware (Pittsburgh: n.p., 1967); (8) Sir Henry Asgill Ogle, Ogle and Bothal (Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Andrew Reid & Company, 1902); (9) Curtis L. Older, The Braddock Expedition and Fox's Gap in Maryland (Westminster, Md.: Family Line Publications, 1995), p. 98. It is worth noting that most of these sources, apart from (1)-(3) are genealogical books which should only be used if no other source is available and/or as secondary sources to backup primary sources. Also see this collection of transcribed wills and this page for reference ONLY.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Deed between Samuel Cock and Ezekial Beatty, June 21, 1783, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 4, p. 111-113 [MSA CE 108-24]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[8] Deed between Samuel Cock and Ezekial Beatty, June 21, 1783, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 4, p. 113-115 [MSA CE 108-24]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[9] "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission County Register Nomination Form by Mark Lynch of Walkersville, MD and approved by the property's owner, May 2015, p. 13-41 of PDF and pages 1-25 of the application form. The pages of the PDF beyond this (p. 42-54) just have overall pictures and overlays along with documents about approval through the rules process.

[10] The Maryland State Archives claims, relying on Papenfuse for information, that within that year, they both "patented 1,950 acres in Frederick County in individual tracts of between 50 and 200 acres each" serving as part of "the acreage for which their father had received warrants, but which he had not patented." However, actual information shows that this estimate is not correct.

[11] Almost half (3,350) of the acres were patented in 1753, another quarter patented  from 1760 to 1764 (1,700), with the majority patented in 1765.

[12] Part of Dulaneys Lott, William Beatty, 6 Acres; Rail Trap, Unpatented Certificate 185A, Apr. 13, 1787, Frederick County Circuit Court, Certificates, Unpatented, FR [MSA S1220-195].

[13] Deed between Samuel Cock and Walter Funderberg/Funderbergh, Nov. 23, 1790, Frederick County Court, Liber WR 9, p. 532-535 [MSA CE 108-29]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[14] Neighbours Agreed, Samuel Cock, 280 Acres, Patented Certificate 2807, May 23, 1789, Frederick County Circuit Court, Certificates, Patented, FR [MSA S1197-3334]. Courtesy of http://plato.mdarchives.state.md.us/pages/index.aspx.

[15] Deed between Samuel Cock and the State of Maryland (John Rogers on behalf of the state), Sept. 15, 1789, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 8, 629-630 [MSA CE 108-28]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net. Confirmed again by the state on pages 620-631 of the same land records. Hence, as J. Thomas Scarf noted in pages 374-377 of History of Western Maryland Volume 1, Samuel was the owner of 51 acre tract known as Chestnut Hill, 56 acre tract known as Long Spring, and 280 acre tract known as Neighbors Agreed, all in 1788 and within Frederick County. Scarf is not always a great researcher so his source is only mentioned as secondary backing.

[16] Chestnut Hill, Daniel and Walter Dulany, 50 Acres, Patented Certificate 826, Sept. 29, 1765, Frederick County Circuit Court, Certificates, Patented, FR [MSA S1197-890]. Courtesy of http://plato.mdarchives.state.md.us/pages/index.aspx; Long Spring, Daniel and Walter Dulany, 50 Acres, Patented Certificate 2502LL, Sept. 29, 1765, Frederick County Circuit Court, Certificates, Patented, FR [MSA S1197-2602]. Courtesy of http://plato.mdarchives.state.md.us/pages/index.aspx.

[17] Bill of Sale between Samuel Cock and John Miller, Dec. 11, 1788, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 8, p. 294-295 [MSA CE 108-28]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[18] Mr. Horn tells the County Council of Frederick County that the original portion of the house was likely constructed in the 1790s with a significant addition in the 1980s. He goes on to say that three 19th century farm buildings are clustered near the house while the addition is differentiated and distinct. Source is: "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Staff Report Concurrence Form from Denis Superczynski to Steven C. Horn, Frederick County, Maryland, December 2015, p. 1-11 of PDF. This mostly concerns the approval process of the property on the historic register throughout the year of 2015, from the Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission to the Frederick County Council.

[19] First Census of the United States, Frederick, Maryland, 1790, National Archives, NARA M637, Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29, Roll 3, Page 165. Courtesy of Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest; "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission County Register Nomination Form by Mark Lynch of Walkersville, MD and approved by the property's owner, May 2015, p. 13-41 of PDF and pages 1-25 of the application form.

[20] Deed between Samuel Cock and John Devilbiss, Nov. 23, 1790, Frederick County Court, Liber WR 9, p. 533-535 [MSA CE 108-29]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[21] Grace L. Tracey and John Philip Dern, Pioneers of Old Monocacy: The Early Settlement of Frederick County, Maryland 1721-1743 (Baltimore: Geneaological Publishing Co., 1989, second printing), 319, 332. The children Alexander Ogle had with his wife included: Elizabeth who married into the Devilbiss family of Frederick County (specifically George Devilbiss), while his other daughter, Rebecca lived along the Monocacy River marrying John Devilbiss, Alexander Ogle, Jr. marrying Mary Beatty, and Mary, who would mary Samuel Cook. This document  lists Alexander as marrying Mary Beatty but it notes the connection with the Devilbiss family yet again with the family that Elizabeth and Rebecca married into by 1783.

[22] Deed between Samuel Cock and Thomas Johnson, Roger Johnson, James Johnson, and Baker Johnson, Feb. 8, 1791, Frederick County Court, Liber WR 9, p. 614 [MSA CE 108-29]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[23] R. Winder Johnson, The ancestry of Rosalie Morris Johnson: daughter of George Calvert Morris and Elizabeth Kuhn, his wife (Wisconsin: Ferris & Leach, 1905, printed for private circulation only), 27; Provincial Court Land Records, 1765-1770, Volume 725, Page 550 as transcribed on Darrin Lythgoe's website, "Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties"; PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MARYLAND WILLS; Liber T No. #1; 1784-1789; Folio 258 BENEDICT CALVERT 12/01/1779 02/18/1788 as transcribed on the Lythgoe's website as well. Also, there are reports that the land grant, in 1764, for area known as "Lost Tomahawk" was "seized in fee from Henry Cock, now of George Frazier Hawkins," which means it must have have given to him before 1770.

[24] Deed between Samuel Cock and Thomas Beatty, Feb. 17, 1795, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 16, p. 222-224 [MSA CE 108-36]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[25] Final, James Beatty, 264 3/4 Acres, Patented Certificate 1369, March 18, 1790, Frederick County Circuit Court, Certificates, Patented, FR [MSA S1197-1432].

[26] "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission County Register Nomination Form by Mark Lynch of Walkersville, MD and approved by the property's owner, May 2015, p. 13-41 of PDF and pages 1-25 of the application form. The pages of the PDF beyond this (p. 42-54) just have overall pictures and overlays along with documents about approval through the rules process.

[27] Samuel Cock's hogs, cattle, and sheep, Apr. 6, 1795, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 13, p. 192 [MSA CE 108-33]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[28] Deed between Samuel Cock and Samuel DuVall, July 30, 1795, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 17, p. 136-137 [MSA CE 108-37]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[29] Second Census of the United States, Liberty, Frederick, Maryland, 1800, National Archives, NARA M32, Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29, Roll 10, Page 214. Courtesy of Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest. He is called "Samuel Cax" in the census but this is undoubtedly him.

[30] Deed between Samuel Cock and Abraham Eader, May 20, 1800, Frederick County Court, Land Records, Liber WR 19, p. 519 [MSA CE 108-39]. Courtesy of mdlandrec.net.

[31] Frank Allaben, The Ancestry of Leander Howard Crall (New York City: The Grafton Press, 1908), 67-68, 334-335.

[32] Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh, Maryland Records: Colonial, Revolutionary, County and Church from Original Sources, Vol. 1 (Baltimore: Clearfield Publishing, 1993), 276, 281.

[33] Fourth Census of the United States, 1820, Election District 8, Frederick, Maryland, National Archives, NARA M33, Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29, Roll M33_43, Page 230. Courtesy of Ancestry.com and HeritageQuest.

[34] "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission County Register Nomination Form by Mark Lynch of Walkersville, MD and approved by the property's owner, May 2015, p. 13-41 of PDF and pages 1-25 of the application form. The pages of the PDF beyond this (p. 42-54) just have overall pictures and overlays along with documents about approval through the rules process.

[35] Ibid. Their deaths are also noted in page 218 of The Diary of Jacob Engelbrecht, 1818-1878, assembled by the Historical Society of Frederick County.

[36] "Public Hearing - County Register designation of Capt. Samuel Cock's Homestead; CR-15-03," Staff Report Concurrence Form from Denis Superczynski to Steven C. Horn, Frederick County, Maryland, December 2015, p. 1-11 of PDF. This mostly concerns the approval process of the property on the historic register throughout the year of 2015, from the Frederick County Historic Preservation Commission to the Frederick County Council.

[37] The document reprints a map of the current property, shows a 1790 census with him owning seven enslaved blacks and living in Frederick County, notes that land called Neighbours Agreed (why?) was surveyed for Samuel in 1788, patented in 1789, reprints his will (not great copy), reprints part of his father Henry's will in 1777 (he died in 1779) saying that he gains two different land tracts (Turky which is part of many other areas at the time and The Lost Tomahawk), reprints genealogical index, and a number of other records.

[38] There is another Samuel Cock, a Quaker, a Cock family in New York, this person, a "Samuel Cork" who gave a deed of manumission on March 22, 1825, which liberated a "negro woman named Milly and her children, Ann and William Bowen," which was "confirmed and ratified" in March 17, 1835 (see here, here, and here). Also he is not this person (any of the Samuels within).

© 2016-2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

[bockbachmann]

Coronavirus Forces Americans to find Easter Fun at A Minimum 6 Feet Apart

New York, NY Easter is a very special holiday for 6-year-old Nora Heddendorf. It's a day that she loves to dress up in fancy shoes and fancy dresses and go on a hunt with her family and friends for colorful eggs.

This year the coronavirus pandemic has forced her to adapt. She'll finish her Easter outfit by adding a white mask, disposable gloves in blue and disinfectant wipes. After hearing that her New Jersey town's annual egg hunt might be cancelled, she came up with the idea of the idea of a "rock hunt."

Content of the article Nora's hunt replaces eggs by colorful stones and lets her neighbors walk with her to hunt.

Article content "I was disappointed that it was going to be canceled because of the virus" the child told Reuters in a phone interview. "I want people to be content."

The pandemic has affected everyone from the White House to small towns parks. It has also led to the suspension of traditional Easter egg hunts across the United States. Closed churches and plans for scotched Easter dinners with extended families have been cancelled.

But many Americans are still looking for ways to have fun during the holidays for the holidays, from an Oregon candy maker making chocolate bunnies that wear masks to a Texas church organizing a virtual egg hunt with the game Minecraft.

Article content A few weeks ago, Nora and her mother began organizing her hunt in their town of Medford Lakes. She put together a number of DIY kits, each with five rocks, four paint colors, and instructions and all of it wrapped in plastic bags. Of course, she was wearing disposable gloves and spraying the contents with disinfectant.

The kits were tucked away outside her house for anyone who would like to take them home. On her Facebook page, Nora's Rocks, the young artist urged her followers to return the decorated rocks to her for her to hide.

"Thank you for helping Nora's Rocks bring our town closer but also keep us separated," said the instruction letter she included in the kits.

Her mother, Samantha Heddendorf, president of an environmental cleanup company that has been cleaning up buildings that have been affected by the coronavirus epidemic, said the hunt will begin on Good Friday and will continue through Easter Sunday, with new batches of painted rocks hidden each day.

Article content The goal is to put 500 stone "eggs" in every nook and cranny of the 1 square mile (2.6 square km) town.

"People can look for Easter eggs or rocks while walking with their friends." Samantha Heddendorf stated that they can find something to hunt for, then collect them, and have at least an emoji to commemorate Easter.

In Central Point, Oregon, chocolatier Jeff Shepherd had a brainstorm to save his Lillie Belle Farms from shutdown due to the coronavirus. He shared with his Facebook fans that he'd make "Covid Bunnies" - milk and dark chocolate ones with white face masks and white chocolate ones with blue face masks.

It was an incredible success. Shepherd was able to rehire seven of his full-time employees. He also sold 5,000 bunnies and is currently scrambling to fulfill back orders.

Article content Safe distancing to stop the spread of viruses is what convinced the Tate Springs Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, to go digital with its Easter Egg hunt, using Minecraft but disabling potentially scary game elements such as monsters.

"Our main goal is to preach the gospel, but we want the kids to still enjoy Easter," said Reverend Curtis James.

Nora was delighted to discover that her concept was well-received in New Jersey. The mayor stopped by to see her pack the kits, and the Lions Club invited her to lunch "when the entire thing is done."

Her most loved "thanks" was gift-wrapped roll of toilet paper. This was one of the staples that people panic-shopped during the pandemic. Beware of greeks bearing gifts

"My mom smiled when the toilet paper arrived," Nora said. (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg, New York; Additional reporting by Rich McKay, Atlanta; Editing done by Rosalba Obrien

[stantondyer]

Coronavirus Forces Americans to find Easter Fun at least 6 Feet Apart

New York Easter is a memorable holiday for 6-year-old Nora Heddendorf. It's a day that she is a fan of dressing up with fancy shoes and dresses and go on a hunt with her family and friends to find brightly colored eggs.

The coronavirus pandemic forced her to change her clothes this year. She'll finish her Easter outfit by adding a white paper mask, disposable gloves in blue, and disinfectant wipes. After learning that the annual egg hunt in her New Jersey town might be cancelled she came up with an "rock hunt".

The hunt of Nora's article does not only replace brightly colored stones for eggs, which are in short supply at some stores, but also lets her neighbors hunt while they are on their walks with friends.

Article content "I was devastated that the school was going to end up being cancelled due to the virus" the child told Reuters in a telephone interview. "I would like to make people feel happy."

From the White House to small town parks The pandemic has prompted the elimination of traditional Easter egg hunts and "rolls" across the United States, closed churches and scotched plans for Easter meals with extended families.

However, many Americans are still finding ways to have fun during the holidays, from an Oregon candymaker making chocolate bunnies with face masks to an Texas church organising an egg hunt that is virtual with the game Minecraft.

Article content A few weeks ago, Nora and her mother started organizing her hunt in their town of Medford Lakes. She gathered a plethora of DIY kits, each with five rocks and four paint colors, instructions and all packaged in plastic bags. She put on disposable gloves and sprayed all the contents with disinfectant.

The kits were then placed outside her house to be picked up by those who wish to take part. The young artist, Nora's Rocks requested her friends return the rocks she left to her to keep for herself.

"Thank you for helping Nora's Rocks bring our town closer but remain separated," said the instruction letter she included in the kits.

Her mother, Samantha Heddendorf, president of an environmental cleanup company that has been decontaminating structures affected by the coronavirus crisis The hunt will begin on Good Friday and continue until Easter Sunday, when fresh batch of painted rocks to be found each day.

Article content The goal is to place 500 stone "eggs" in every nook and cranny of the 1 square mile (2.6 square km) town.

"When people are taking their walks with friends, they can look for rocks, or what are known as Easter Eggs. They could have something to look for and then grab them and at least have a smile to share the joy of Easter with," Samantha Heddendorf said.

Central Point chocolatier Jeff Shepherd has come up with a solution to save his Lillie Belle Farms in Oregon from being shut down by the coronavirus. He informed his Facebook followers that he was going to create "Covid Bunnies" which are dark and milk chocolate with white face masks , and white chocolate ones with blue masks for faces.

It was an instant hit. Shepherd was able to hire back the seven full-time staff who he had let go and has sold 5,000 bunnies and is scurrying to fill back orders. He is now restricting purchases to six per customer.

Article content Safe distancing to stop the spread of viruses is what convinced the Tate Springs Baptist Church in Arlington, Texas, to go digital with its Easter Egg hunt, using Minecraft but disabling potentially scary game elements like monsters.

Reverend Curtis James stated, "Our primary goal in life is to spread the gospel. We also want children to still enjoy Easter."

Nora was delighted to discover that her concept was well received in New Jersey. The mayor came to visit her to fill the kits, and the Lions Club invited her to lunch "when the whole thing is finished." MINECRAFT SERVERS

Her favorite "thanks" was gift-wrapped roll of toilet paper. This was among the most popular items that people shopped for in the panic of the pandemic.

Nora said, "My mom smiled when toilet paper arrived." (Reporting by Barbara Goldberg in New York; Additional reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

[dhruvchokhani]

Carbon Steel Market Overview, Segments, Key Leaders, Industry Demand, Supply Chain Analysis And Forecast 2027

Carbon Steel market size was valued at US$ 922.67 Billion in 2020 and the Carbon Steel Market revenue is expected to grow at 3.76% through 2021 to 2027, reaching nearly US$ 1151.50 Billion.

Carbon Steel Market Overview: 

A Carbon Steel market study is a comprehensive examination of the Carbon Steel market in terms of global industry trends and data. The goal of this report is to provide a basic overview of the Carbon Steel market, as well as detailed market segmentation by type, end-use, and geography. The Carbon Steel market is expected to increase considerably throughout the forecast period. The study provides critical information on the established markets of the leading Carbon Steel firms, as well as noteworthy industry changes and prospects.

Get Report Sample: https://www.stellarmr.com/report/req_sample/Carbon-Steel-Market/161 

Market Scope:

The research use PORTER analysis to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the market's leading competitors. The researchers thoroughly examine the Carbon Steel Market size, position, trends, gross revenue, sales profits, and return on capital in order to properly forecast the market and provide expert insights to stakeholders in order to keep them informed of market changes.

The report also covers company profiles, brand pictures, and descriptions, production, output, price, budget, income, and contact information for the Global Carbon Steel market's top industry players. This research looks at industry trends, size, and the price at the international, provincial, and company levels. This study examines the whole Carbon Steel Market Size from a worldwide standpoint, evaluating historical data and forecasts.

Key Players:

The paper examines important industry trends as well as organic and inorganic growth approaches. A lot of businesses are prioritizing business development strategies such as new launches, product approvals, and other features such as trademarks and conventions. Inorganic growth strategies in the sector included mergers, collaborations, and partnerships. Because of increased demand, industry stakeholders in the Carbon Steel market are likely to profit from excellent future growth opportunities. A few firms in the Carbon Steel industry are listed below:

JFE Steel Corporation

Nippon Steel Corporation

Baosteel Group

Curtis Steel Co., Inc

Bushwick Metals LLC

ArcelorMittal SA,

Omega Steel Company

Afarak Group

HBIS Group

POSCO

AK Steel Corporation

NLMK Evraz plc

United States Steel

Tata Steel Ltd.

JSW Steel Ltd.

Steel Authority of India Ltd.

Essar Steel India Ltd.

Get Report Details: https://www.stellarmr.com/report/Carbon-Steel-Market/161 

Regional Analysis:

The Carbon Steel study examines the market area, which is then divided into sub-regions and nations. This component of the report includes profit estimations and market share figures for each nation. This section of the research assesses the proportion and growth rate of each territory, country, and province throughout the predicted time period.

The research includes an in-depth PESTLE analysis for each of the five regions, including America, Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, after evaluating the geopolitical, socioeconomic, cultural, and technical elements influencing the Carbon Steel market in these areas.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Carbon Steel Market:

 The COVID-19 pandemic has altered consumer perception in many spheres of life. Businesses, on the other hand, will need to adjust their plans to account for fluctuating market supplies. This research will aid you in aligning your organization with the new industry benchmarks by providing an outline of the COVID-19's impact on the Carbon Steel market.

The COVID-19 split is examined from every perspective in the Carbon Steel Market Report, from the dynamic supply chain to trade and tariff control to regional government laws and the corporation's future influence. The mentioned study has covered the market position (2021-2027), enterprise competition depiction, benefits and drawbacks of huge business items, industry growth trends (2021-2027), regional presence, socio-economic methods, technical layout, and all of this.

Key Questions Answered in the Carbon Steel Market Report are: 

What is the market potential for Carbon Steel?

Which regional market will emerge as a major player at the end of the forecast period?

Which category is expected to witness rapid growth?

Who are the market leaders in the Carbon Steel segment?

What are the primary trends that are positively affecting market growth?

About Us:

Established in 2018, Stellar Market Research is India Based consulting and advisory firm focused on helping clients to reach their business transformation objectives with advisory services and strategic business. The company’s vision is to be an integral part of the client’s business as a strategic knowledge partner. Stellar Market Research provides end-to-end solutions that go beyond key research technologies to help executives in any organization achieve their mission-critical goals.  

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