#kirsty murray

[jaynedolluk]

Got the latest issue of Vive Le Rock (& it was just as well as I did or I would never have found out about the new Inger Lorre album). It had a feature on goth and a big interview with Ian Astbury/Billy Duffy on The Death Cult (precursor to The Cult) as well as interviews with Pauline Murray and Jen from The Priscillas. There were also reviews of Mutiny in Heaven (the Birthday Party doc that I'm dying to see) and a new book on the glam punk scene of London in the 1980s that I've just got + I'm dying to read.

Also reviews of new boxsets of The Runaways, Kirsty Maccoll, and Dead or Alive as well as the Women in Revolt compilation to tie in with the Tate exhibition of the same name (which I'm hoping I'll get to). Plus reviews of new albums by Duff McKagan (Lighthouse) + Inger Lorre (Gloryland).

[musicaltheatreturtle]

BOOTLEG TRADING

Here’s my list!

&Juliet

AUDIOS

Toronto - June 22nd, 2022 (First Preview)

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - November 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - November 26th, 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Joe Moeller (u/s William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Brandon Antonio (u/s Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - November 30th, 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - December 17th, 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Nicholas Edwards (u/s Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - February 1st, 2023

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Phillippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - April 19th, 2023

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Phillippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - June 14th, 2023

CAST: Rachel Webb (u/s Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Joomin Hwang (u/s Francois DuBois)

Broadway - June 17th, 2023

CAST: Rachel Webb (u/s Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Nicholas Edwards (u/s Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Micheal Ivan Carrier (u/s Francois DuBois)

Broadway - August 2nd, 2023

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Phillippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - August 6th, 2023

(Stark Sands Final Performance)

CAST: Veronica Otim (u/s Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Matt Raffy (u/s May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Brittany Nicholas (u/s Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

VIDEOS

West End - January 2020

CAST: Grace Mouat (u/s Juliet), Cassidy Janson (Anne Hathaway), Oliver Tompsett (William Shakespeare), Jordan Luke Gage (Romeo), Tim Mahendran (Francois), Arun Blair-Mangat (May), Melanie La Barrie (Nurse "Angelique"), Ivan de Freitas (u/s Lance), Jocasta Almgill (Lady Capulet/Nell), Christopher Parkinson (s/w Lord Capulet/Sly), Kirstie Skivington (Eleanor/Benvolio), Antoine Murray-Straughan (Augustine), Sophie Usher (s/w Gwynne), Alex Tranter (Henry), Rhian Duncan (Imogen), Kieran Lai (Kempe), Danielle Fiamanya (Lucy), Dillon Scott-Lewis (Richard), Kerri Norville (Susanna), Josh Baker (s/w Thomas)

West End - January 4th, 2022

Broadway - October 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - November 22nd, 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Betsy Wolfe (Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - December 22nd, 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Tiernan Tunnicliffe (u/s Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Broadway - December 23rd, 2022

CAST: Lorna Courtney (Juliet Capulet), Tiernan Tunnicliffe (u/s Anne Hathaway/April), Stark Sands (William Shakespeare), Paulo Szot (Lance DuBois), Justin David Sullivan (May), Ben Jackson Walker (Romeo Montague), Melanie La Barrie (Angelique), Philippe Arroyo (Francois DuBois)

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

AUDIOS

West End - Date Unknown

RENT

VIDEOS

Broadway OBC - Opening Night

BEETLEJUICE

VIDEO

Broadway OBC - Date Unknown

COME FROM AWAY

VIDEO

Broadway - March 10th, 2017

ONCE UPON A ONE MORE TIME

AUDIOS

Broadway - September 3rd, 2023

Cast: Briga Heelan (Cinderella), Justin Guarini (Prince Charming), Jennifer Simard (Stepmother), Adam Godley (Narrator), Brooke Dillman (O.F.G.), Aisha Jackson (Snow White), Ryann Redmond (Belinda), Tess Soltau (Betany), Mila Weir (Little Girl), Gabrielle Beckford (Rapunzel), Ashley Chiu (Sleeping Beauty), Nathan Levy (Clumsy/Prince Ebullient), Ryan Steele (Prince Erudite), Morgan Whitley (Princess Pea), Lauren Zakrin (Little Mermaid), Liv Battista (Belle), Pauline Casiño (Esmeralda), Selena Haro (Gretel), Joshua Daniel Johnson (Prince Brawny), **Amy Hillner Larsen (u/s Goldilocks)**, Justice Moore (Red Riding Hood), Kevin Trinio Perdido (Prince Mischievous), Mikey Ruiz (Prince Gregarious), Josh Tolle (Prince Suave), **Matt Allen (u/s Prince Affable)**

HADESTOWN

VIDEO

Broadway - July 30th Act 1 Only

Cast: Reeve Carney (Orpheus), Eva Noblezada (Eurydice), Tom Hewitt (Hades), Jewelle Blackman (Persephone), Lillias White (Hermes)

AUDIOS

Broadway - September 9th, 2023

CAST:

Lilas White (Hermes) Reece Carney (Orpheus) Grace Yoo (u/s Eurydice) Phillip Boykin (Hades) Betty Who (Persephone)

MOULIN ROUGE

AUDIO

Broadway - August 9th, 2023

CAST: Casey Cott (Christian), Courtney Reed (Satine), David Harris (The Duke), **Patrick Clanton (u/s Harold Zidler)**, Sophie-Carmen Jones (Nini), Ricky Rojas (Santiago), Andre Ward (Toulouse-Lautrec), Jacqueline B Arnold (La Chocolat), Tasia Jungbauer (Arabia), David Merino (Baby Doll), Patrick Clanton, Alexander Gil Cruz, Taurean Everett, Aaron C. Finley, E.J. Hamilton, Bahiyah Hibah, Heather Makalani, Nick Martinez, Kaitlin Mesh, Clay Rice-Thomson, Jenn Stafford, Alex Varcas, Cole Wachman

West End - August 10, 2023

CAST: Robson Broad (u/s Christian), Melissa James (Satine), Matt Rixon (Harold Zidler), Ian Carlyle (Toulouse-Lautrec), Jon Tsouras (s/b Santiago), Ben Richards (The Duke), Amy Thornton (Nini), Siobhan James (u/s La Chocolat), Melissa Nettleford (u/s Arabia), Tiago Dhondt Bamberger (Baby Doll)

VIDEO

Broadway - June 2022

CAST: Derek Klena (Christian), Ashley Loren (Satine), Eric Anderson (Harold Zidler), Sahr Ngaujah (Toulouse-Lautrec), Caleb Marshall-Villarreal (Santiago), Declan Bennett (The Duke), Kaitlin Mesh (Nini)

SWEENEY TODD

AUDIOS

Broadway - August 23rd, 2023

Cast: **Nicholas Christopher (s/b Sweeney Todd)**, **Jeanna De Waal (s/b Mrs. Lovett)**, **Nathan Salstone (u/s Anthony)**, Gaten Matarazzo (Tobias), Ruthie Ann Miles (Beggar Woman), Maria Bilbao (Johanna), Jamie Jackson (Judge Turpin), John Rapson (Beadle Bamford), **Daniel Torres (u/s Adolfo Pirelli)**, Galyana Castillo, Jonathan Christopher, Taeler Cyrus, **Hennessy Winkler (s/w Timothy Hughes's track)**, Paul-Jordan Jansen, Alicia Kaori, **Michael Kuhn (s/w Raymond J. Lee's track)**, Patricia Phillips, Samantha Pollino, Lexi Rabadi, **Dwayne Cooper (s/w Nathan Salstone's track)**, **Tug Watson (s/w Daniel Torres' track)**, Kristie Dale Sanders, Stephen Tewksbury, Felix Torrez-Ponce, **Megan Ort (s/w DeLaney Westfall's track)**

Broadway - September 13th, 2023

Cast: **Paul Jordan-Jansen (u/s Sweeney Todd)**, Annaleigh Ashford (Mrs. Lovett), Gaten Matarazzo (Tobias), Daniel Yearwood (Anthony), **Jeanna De Waal (s/b Beggar Woman)**, Maria Bilbao (Johanna), Jamie Jackson (Judge Turpin), John Rapson (Beadle Bamford), Nicholas Christopher (Pirelli), **Michael Kuhn (u/s Bird Seller)**, Patricia Phillips (Passerby), Stephen Tewksbury (Jonas Fogg), Galyana Castillo, **Kyrie Courter (s/w Taeler Elyse Cyrus's track)**, Timothy Hughes, **Dwayne Cooper (s/w Paul-Jordan Jansen's track)**, Alicia Kaori, Raymond J. Lee, Samantha Pollino, Lexi Rabadi, Nathan Salstone, Kristie Dale Sanders, Daniel Torres, Felix Torrez-Ponce, DeLaney Westfall

CABARET

AUDIOS

West End - August 31st 2023

CAST: Mason Alexander Park (Emcee), Sally Frith (u/s Sally Bowles), Nathan Ives-Mobia (Clifford Bradshaw), Beverley Klein (Fraulein Schneider), Teddy Kempner (Herr Shultz), Toby Turpin (u/s Ernst Ludwig), Michelle Bishop (Fraulein Kost/Fritzie), Ela Lisondra (s/w Frenchie), Matthew Gent (Hans), Hicaro Nicolai (Lulu), Charles Croysdill (Victor), Grant Neal (Max), Adam Taylor (Bobby), Laura Delaney (s/w Helga), Gabriela Benedetti (Texas), Sophie Maria Wojna (Rosie)

SOME LIKE IT HOT

AUDIOS

Broadway - August 26th, 2023

Cast: Christian Borle (Joe/Josephine), *DeMarius R. Copes (u/s Jerry/Daphne), Adrianna Hicks (Sugar), K. J. Hippensteel (u/s Osgood), NaTasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue), Adam Heller (Mulligan), Mark Lotito (Spats), Devon Hadsell (u/s Minnie), TyNina Rene Brandon, Julius Williams (s/w DeMarius R. Copes' track), Casey Garvin, Elizabeth Earley (s/w Devon Hadsell's track), Jenny Hill, Ian Campayno (s/w K. J. Hippensteel's track), Jarvis B. Manning, Brian Martin, Abby Matsusaka, Amber Owens, Dan Horn (s/w Charles South's track), Brendon Stimson, Raena White, Richard Riaz Yoder

KIMBERLY AKIMBO

AUDIOS

Broadway - September 16th, 2023

Cast: Colleen Fitzpatrick (s/b Kimberly), Justin Cooley (Seth), Jim Hogan (s/b Buddy), Alli Mauzey (Pattie), Bonnie Milligan (Debra), Olivia Elease Hardy (Delia), Alex Vinh (u/s Aaron), Fernell Hogan II (Martin), Skye Alyssa Friedman (u/s Teresa)

Looking For:

I’m open to pretty much anything but I love anything & Juliet, Moulin Rouge, Rent or Cabaret

If anything on this list interests you, feel free to DM me!! ♥︎

[andronetalks]

Chupacabra goat-sucker 'shot dead by hunters' who find it has 'human-like' hands

Mirror UK By Graeme Murray – News Reporter, Kirsty Card – Video News Reporter 22:07, 5 Oct 2023 Hunters claim to have shot dead a Chupacabra goat-sucker in a rainforest before discovering it had ‘human-like’ hands. The mythical demon-like creature is believed to have terrorised farmers and farm workers by sucking the blood of livestock. It has become known as ‘Goat Sucker’ – but there has never…

[byneddiedingo]

Picnic at Hanging Rock (Peter Weir, 1975)t

Cast: Rachel Roberts, Vivean Gray, Helen Morse, Kirsty Child, Tony Llewellyn-Jones, Jackie Weaver, Frank Gunnell, Anne-Louise Lambert, Karen Robson, Jane Vallis, Christine Schuler, Margaret Nelson, Ingrid Mason, Jenny Lovell, Janet Murray. Screenplay: Cliff Green, based on a novel by Joan Lindsay. Cinematography: Russell Boyd. Art direction: David Copping. Film editing: Max Lemon. 

Picnic at Hanging Rock is an unstable mix of a film, playing on, among other things, themes of sexual repression, homoerotic attraction, colonialism, and the curious draw of geological anomalies: Hanging Rock is to the characters in the film as Devil's Tower is to Roy Neary in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Steven Spielberg, 1977) or Sedona is to contemporary New Agers. We never learn how two schoolgirls and a teacher disappeared on their visit to the volcanic outcropping, but it doesn't much matter. What's clear is that the characters are misfits in both place and time, Australia in 1900. As one of the disappeared girls, Miranda (Anne-Louise Lambert), says, "Everything begins and ends in the right time and place." Like the hoopskirted women and top-hatted men in the wilds of New Zealand in Jane Campion's The Piano (1993), these schoolgirls are uncomfortably muffled against the reality of an Australian summer, to the point that, when they set out for the picnic, they are prevented from even removing their gloves until they have left the village of Woodend, their outpost of civilization. So the three girls who set out on their rebellious adventure shock a fourth, the whining, conventional Edith (Christine Schuler), when they dare to remove their shoes and stockings and proceed barefoot. Edith, who decides to leave the group, will later report that when she met Miss McCraw (Vivean Gray), who followed the girls' path, the teacher was not wearing a skirt. And when one of the girls, Irma (Karen Robson), is found alive but with no memory of what happened, she has mysteriously lost her corset. Several other stories, including the persecution by the headmistress (Rachel Roberts) of the misfit student Sara (Margaret Nelson), are interwoven with the principal incident. But for all its inconclusive narrative and sometimes clashing themes, the movie works by creating a complex symbolic texture. Peter Weir and screenwriter Cliff Green, adapting Joan Lindsay's novel (which was initially thought to be non-fiction), craft a story that tantalizes without frustrating. (Lindsay drafted but didn't publish a chapter with a sci-fi solution involving time warps; her editor was smart to excise it, and Weir and Green were wise to ignore it.)

[newagesispage]

                                                               JANUARY        2023

THE  RIB  PAGE

Happy New Year babies!!!!  

*****

Billy Porter has been added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

*****

Predictors are saying that book stores are making a comeback and that mocktails will be big in 2023. The reasoning is that people drank way too much during Covid and also discovered they like REAL books. High -end dive bars and jello shots are also trending.   It also seems that we have a bit of a 70’s revival going on.

*****

The new USPS stamps for 2023 have been revealed: Look for John Lewis, Tomie dePaula, the Everglades, skateboard art, life magnified, bridges and the Northern Cardinal.

*****

Days alert: I am miserable about Xander and Sarah. And nobody knows what to think of this shady Eric. Is it Eric? Has he just plain had enough of the good guy image? Samantha needs to come to town and be an angel. I mean it would be great cuz you could never trust it. So glad that Roman and Kate are together but let’s give them a real story!! Let’s not push Abe and Paulina too far in the background. We all love them!!!!!!

*****

Sexual assault news: Steven Tyler has been accused of sexual assault of a minor.** Andrew Tate, an influencer, kickboxer, reality show dude and his brother, Tristan were arrested for human trafficking. They are suspected of recruiting, housing and exploiting women by forcing them to create porn to sell.

*****

A new test can detect 20 different kinds of cancer with 1 blood sample.

*****

With so many movies making it seem like everybody wants a ride in Santa’s sleigh, I guess there should be more amusement rides like that.

*****

Word is that Election is back in Tracy Flick can’t win.

*****

Variety named Psycho the best movie of all time. I have been saying that for years. I realize there are many important films but I can think of nothing that changed the game like this one.  

*****

The DNC has replaced Iowa with South Carolina as the first primary State.** The new DNC chair in the house is Hakeem Jeffries.

*****

Dolly’s Magic Mountain Christmas. Bless her heart.

*****

I guess Q-Elon just wanted an all -out already popular site to spread their propaganda. He loves diet coke too. What is in that shit? ** Musk is no longer the world’s richest man.

*****

The singers from the Charlie Brown Christmas show were finally given credit and paid some back pay!! It’s about time.

*****

Warnock won in Georgia.

*****

Trump’s company was found guilty on 17 counts of fraud. ** Trump is selling virtual cards with his  picture for $99 a pop.  

*****

Look for Donald Glover as Hypno- Hustler, Antoine Desloin with a script written by Myles Murphy.

*****

Sometimes I am astonished at how big the Hallmark movies have become. I don’t think I get it.

*****

The owner of Thomas Murray woodworking has been arrested for multiple counts of fraud for services never performed.  

*****

Time’s person of the year is Volodymyr Zelensky and the spirit of Ukraine. Zelensky came to Washington and visited Biden. The Ukraine Pres gave a speech which was mostly well received. Pelosi looked like she was going to eat him alive. Republicans in the house will probably try to stop money from going to the cause.

*****

Leslie Jones, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler, Jordan Klepper and Roy Wood Jr. Will fill in as Trevor Noah leaves the Daily Show. Who will finally be the next host?

*****

I really miss the show Stumptown!!

*****

Some cheap rags are reporting that the Idaho murders are part of some new Manson loving family. In fact Bryan Kohberger was arrested for the murder of 4 in Idaho.

*****

The numbers are coming out and about twice as many republicans died from Covid than Democrats.

*****

R.I.P. Brad William Henke, Pope Benedict, Maureen Arthur, Kirstie Alley, Gary Friedkin, Ronnie Turner, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, Georgia Holt, Dorothy Pitman- Hughes, Helen Slayton-Hughes, Lee Lorenz, June Blair, Bob Mcgrath, Sonya Eddy, Dino Danelli, Daniel Brush, Leonard Mancini, Cecelia Marshall, Gaylord Perry, Thom Bell, Elayne Jones, Stephen Greif, Jo Mersa Marley, Franco Harris, John Aniston, Neal Jimenez, Tony Vaccaro, Bob Penny, Ian Tyson, Robert J. Dowling, Barara Walters, Pele, Vivienne Westwood, Shirley Watts, Brandon Royer and Justin Royer.

[chrancecriber]

Radio NET Bulgaria (December 13, 2022)

23:58 DR. SAXLOVE - It Came Upon A Midnight Clear 23:53 JOE MCBRIDE, THE TEXAS RHYTHM CLUB - Morning In A Distant Land 23:48 MARCUS ANDERSON - Addictive Love 23:43 RAGAN WHITESIDE - Gonna Fly 23:39 DEE LUCAS - Through It All 23:33 SHIN GIWON CHRISTMAS CAROL COLLECTION - The First Noel 23:29 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Chica Timida 23:25 MARK JAIMES - Miel's Song 23:21 JAZZ FUNK SOUL - Forecast 23:16 KIM WATERS - Heart Seeker 23:11 PETER WHITE - Silent Night 23:07 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Flowin' with It 23:03 BRIAN CULBERTSON - Waiting For You 22:57 CHRISTIAN HORNBOSTEL - Waiting At Potsdamer Chaussee 22:51 SYNTHETICSAX - Beach (DJ Rostej Remix) 22:47 SMOOTH DELUXE - Dream Of Insomnia 22:42 LOUNGE GROOVE AVENUE - Don't Be So Shy 22:39 ZARA, SNATT & VIX - No Angel (Zetandel Chill Out Mix) 22:36 DASH BERLIN, EMMA HEWITT - Waiting (Acoustic Version) 22:32 LE VITA, FAB - Apologize 22:29 SAMANTHA JADE - Everytime 22:23 WAY OUT WEST - One Bright Night (Original Mix) 22:19 SILENCE OF SEPTEMBER - Sleep Of Reason 22:14 PETE MURRAY - So Beautiful (Acoustic Version) 22:10 MICHAEL E - People Watching (Rubber Neck Mix) 22:04 GUENTER HAAS - Alone but Never Lonely 22:00 HOUSE MASSIVE - Children (Lounge Mix, Cover R. Miles) 21:57 SIRENS OF LESBOS - I Got New Feelings (Pablo Nouvelle Remix) 21:52 THE THRILLSEEKERS - Synaesthesia (Solarsoul Chilled Remix) 21:48 SKYE - Feel Good Inc 21:45 TOUCH & GO - Straight To...Number One (Dreamcatcher Mix) 21:41 KIRSTY HAWKSHAW, TENISHIA - Reason To Forgive (Piano Mix) 21:37 KENNY G, BRIAN MCKNIGHT - Careless Whisper 21:32 KUBA - Kailash 21:27 30 SECONDS TO MARS - Bad Romance (Lady Gaga's Cover) 21:24 CNBK - Burning Skies (Acoustic Version) 21:20 JENS BUCHERT - Polaris (feat. Shine) 21:17 JOHN DAHLBACK - Walking With Shadows (Acoustic Version) 21:13 LA CAINA - Mona 21:09 LEO ROJAS - Farewell 21:06 SUSANA - A Million Memories (Acoustic Rework) 21:01 JEROME ISMA-AE - Underwater Love 20:59 PABLO NOUVELLE - You Don't Understand (feat. ALX) 20:52 VIV DE LA ROSA - Agua Caliente 20:44 LAB OF MUSIC - Angel Vibes (Original Mix) 20:40 MICHAEL ANGELO, MELISSA LORETTA - Hearts Unspoken (Christopher Breeze Chillout Mix) 20:35 VELVET DREAMER - Your Game My Love (Five Seasons Remix) 20:31 DJ GROOVE - So Late 20:25 JES - Like A Waterfall (Flipside Ambient Remix) 20:20 LANA DEL REY - Born To Die 20:15 RUSLAN-SET, V.RAY - The Voice Of Star (Union Sense Remix) 20:11 SAGI REI - Missing 20:06 SOLARIC INC - Children (Chill Mix) 19:59 GAZEEBO - Shiny Lust 19:54 ANN GRACE - Moon In Love 19:49 ADELE - Lovesong 19:45 KENNY G - My Heart Will Go On 19:39 RED - Pieces 19:34 KITARO - Caravansary Original 19:28 GUENTER HAAS - Secret Diary 19:23 JEAN HONEYMOON - Bang Bang (Lazy Hammock Chillout Remix) 19:20 C.CIL - Sunset 19:17 MAXIGROOVE - Alone (Wellski) 19:13 DJ CHART, DOBA, PRINCESS LARISSA - Danger Games 19:09 BLANK & JONES, ELLES - Mind Of The Wonderful (Acoustic Version) 19:05 NOMOSK, ROMAN MESSER, CHRISTINA NOVELLI - Lost Soul (Zetandel Chillout Remix) 19:02 JAMES BUTLER - Dinner For Two 18:57 SUNLOUNGER, ZARA TAYLOR - Lost (Chill Version) 18:52 MIGUEL LARA - Oblivion 18:49 CLAES ROSEN, NATALIE PERIS - Stay (Original Mix) 18:45 ROBERT NICKSON - Spiral (Chillout Mix) 18:41 LOUNGE GROOVE AVENUE - Silk And Smooth 18:35 ROAN PORTMAN - In Faith We Trust 18:31 SARAH MENESCAL - Don't Speak 18:26 LEO ROJAS - Friendship 18:21 SINOPTIK MUSIC - Black Islands 18:15 ANGELO CRESCERI - Harmony 18:11 IGOR PUMPHONIA - Air (Original Mix) 18:06 SUPERLOOP - Be 18:03 BENYA, PENNY NIXON - Serendipity (After Meridian & Dave Costa Remix) 17:58 RIHANNA - We Found Love (DJ Fernandez Chillout Remix) 17:54 AURORA - Where Would You Go When It Starts To Rain (Original Mix) 17:50 KENNY FONTANA - Wonderful Life (Cafe Buddha Del Mar Bar Mix As Made Famous By Hurts) 17:46 SMOOTH STAB, AELYN - These Words Between Us (Incognet Chill Out Version) 17:44 INNA - Hot (Chill Out Remix) 17:40 YURI KANE - Right Back (Chillout Mix) 17:35 SUNLOUNGER, SEIS CUERDAS - A Balearic Dinner (Chill Mix) 17:32 DIANA KRALL - California Dreamin' 17:26 FARUK SABANCI - As Faces Fade (Domenico Cascarino & Luca Lombardi Chill Out Remix) 17:21 RAZ NITZAN, MOYA BRENNAN - Find The Sun (Original Mix) 17:15 PREMASARA COUNCIL - Sensual Ecstasy 17:11 MEHMET CEMAL YESILCAY - You And I 17:04 EDWARD MAYA - Stereo Love (Yonta Chillout Remix) 16:59 JIM ADKINS - No Ordinary Love 16:55 JAREZ - If You Don't Mind 16:52 DAVE KOZ - Summertime in NYC 16:48 MARC ANTOINE - For A Smile 16:44 CAROL NETHEN - What Child Is This 16:39 DAVID PETROSYAN - This Is My Way 16:34 LUKAS LEUTHOLD - Longing For The Bride 16:30 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Oh Come All Ye Faithful 16:27 RICK HABANA - RH Lounge 16:23 KIM WATERS - Voyage To Atlantis 16:18 CHRIS GODBER - Butterfly 16:15 BE'NE MUSIC - Just You Just Me 16:11 BRIAN BROMBERG - Celebrate Me Home 16:08 ROB TARDIK - East Meets Wes (feat. Paul Brown) 16:04 PETER WHITE - Confidential 15:59 NILS - Call Me 15:54 BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Moonlight Drive 15:50 PAUL BROWN, DAVE KOZ - Avalon Nights 15:46 PEGGY DUQUESNEL - Light of Christmas 15:42 BYRON MILLER - Just a Feeling 15:38 EUGE GROOVE - Belle Mania 15:34 CHRISTMAS CAROLS - Stille Nacht 15:29 RYAN LA VALETTE - Closer To You 15:25 BOBBY LYLE - Nujazzy (feat. Nathan East) 15:21 BRENDAN ROTHWELL - Solitude 15:17 DEE BROWN - Make Up Your Mind 15:12 STEVE OLIVER - Silent Night 15:08 DARRIUS JAMAR - My Everything 15:04 ANDRE CAVOR - Say Somethin' 15:00 BLAKE AARON - Harmonious Funk 14:55 PHIL DENNY, NILS - Suite Party 14:50 JOYCE COOLING - The Wizard 14:45 BRIAN CULBERTSON - All Through The Christmas Night 14:41 TIM BOWMAN - Smile 14:36 EVERETTE HARP - I Just Can't Stop Thinking About You 14:31 CHIELI MINUCCI - Little Drummer Boy's Dream 14:26 DANIEL DOMENGE - Cool 14:22 JONATHAN FRITZEN - Celebration 14:16 CHRIS STANDRING - Liquid Soul 14:12 BENNETT B - Selfie 14:09 SHARMOND SMITH - Joy To the World 14:05 GABRIEL MARK HASSELBACH - Chill@Will 14:01 VANN BURCHFIELD - Ain't No Body 13:56 OLI SILK - Steppin' Out 13:52 PATRICK YANDALL - Back In The Day 13:47 DAN SIEGEL - Treasure Hunt 13:42 RAINFOREST BAND - My Mellow Ways 13:38 JUSTIN YOUNG - The Christmas Song 13:35 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - You Look Good 13:30 AMANDUS - Enjoy 13:28 DR. SAXLOVE - Frost The Snowman 13:24 KIM WATERS - Heaven's Gate 13:20 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Ridin' High 13:16 PAUL BROWN, DAREN RAHN - Ya Dig 13:12 BIRDS OF A FEATHER - City Life 13:09 NICK DUKAS - Rockin Around the Christmas Tree 13:04 WAYMAN TISDALE - Conversation Piece (feat. Bob James) 13:00 NILS - Life is What You Make It 12:56 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Davy's Byrne 12:52 MARION MEADOWS - Step to This 12:48 WILL DONATO - Show And Tell 12:44 SMOOTH SOUL HOLIDAY - Carol of the Bells 12:39 THE SAX PACK - Are You Ready 12:35 TONY SAUNDERS - Speak to My Heart 12:32 YOLANDA RABUN - The Greatest Gift 12:28 DARRIUS JAMAR - Back To Love 12:22 JEFFERY SMITH - Visions of Love 12:18 NATE WHITE - Sweet Summer Nights 12:14 PETER WHITE - Just My Imagination 12:09 U-NAM - This Christmas 12:06 ZOLBERT - Frappe 12:01 TIM BOWMAN - Table for Two 11:57 RICHARD ELIOT - Chill Factor 11:52 KIM SCOTT - Laelia (feat. Jonathan Butler) 11:48 HERB ALPERT - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 11:43 EARL KLUGH - Doin' It 11:38 THE SMOOTH JAZZ ALLEY - C-Funk 11:35 TON SMITH - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (feat. Preston Smith and Oliver Scott) 11:31 CAROL ALBERT - Mas Que Nada 11:26 REZA KHAN - Seven Mile Road 11:22 RANDY MULLER BOOM CHANG BANG - Sunnyside Up 11:17 JEFF KASHIWA - Back In The Day 11:12 MARCUS ANDERSON - White Christmas 11:07 RYAN LA VALETTE - New Beginnings 11:02 KAYLA WATERS - Lil' Mustard Seed 10:57 J. WHITE - Listen Up 10:52 EUGE GROOVE - Silhouette 10:47 ROBERT HARRIS - Life's Journey 10:44 NICHOLAS COLE - Let It Snow 10:39 MARCUS JOHNSON - Table For 2 10:36 TERENCE YOUNG - Sweet Thing 10:32 CAROL NETHEN - Peace 10:27 PATRICK YANDALL - Dawn Patrol 10:23 DARRYL WILLIAMS - Reflections 10:18 BRIAN CULBERTSON - The House Of Music 10:16 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - Silver Street 10:12 RONNY SMITH - Deck the Halls 10:08 RICHARD ELLIOT - Summer Madness 10:04 ANDRE CAVOR - Road Trip 09:59 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Drive Me Home 09:55 JACKIEM JOYNER - Evolve 09:51 CHRIS STANDRING - Hypnotize 09:47 SHIN GIWON CHRISTMAS CAROL COLLECTION - Feliz Navidad 09:42 DARREN MOTAMEDY - 50 Shades of Cool 09:38 PETER WHITE - Lost In Your Eyes 09:34 DAVE KOZ - Do You Hear What I Hear (feat. Gloria Estefan) 09:30 BENNETT B - Muriesque 09:26 JOYCE COOLING - Before Dawn 09:20 GREGG KARUKAS - I Mean What I Said 09:16 DARRON COOKIE - 32 Days 09:12 LEE RITENOUR - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas 09:08 MEKIEL REUBEN - It's 420 Time 09:03 INCOGNITO - Selfishly 08:59 MARCUS JOHNSON - The Journey 08:55 ADAM HAWLEY - Dance With Me (Feat. Gerald Albright) 08:51 BLUEY - You Are the One 08:47 U-NAM - West Indeed 08:41 MARCUS ANDERSON - Mary Did You Know 08:37 PAUL BROWN - Food For The Moon 08:33 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Forever In Love 08:29 JOYCE COOLING - Christmas, Christmas 08:25 BE'NE MUSIC - 120 East 08:22 ALEX FALDIN - Throwback Vacations 08:17 DREW DAVIDSEN - Double or Nothin' 08:13 MARION MEADOWS - Don't Wait Up 08:10 STEPHEN ROTHHAAR - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 08:06 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Jammin' After School 08:01 JAREZ - One Take 07:56 MARCOS ARIEL - Green Eyes 07:51 GABRIEL MARK HASSELBACH - Litmus Test 07:48 HERB ALPERT - I'll Be Home For Christmas 07:43 KEN NAVARRO - Time And Love 07:40 STEVE OLIVER - One Big Smile 07:35 DAVE KOZ - O Holy Night (feat. Jonathan Butler) 07:30 WALTER BEASLEY - Expressway 07:25 TONY LINDSAY - Soul Soldier 07:21 NILS - Waiting on Hold 07:17 CHRIS GODBER - Can't Help Believin 07:13 SHAKATAK - Merry Christmas In Summer 07:07 MADOCA - Surrender 07:03 CHUCK LOEB - Springs 07:00 NICHOLAS COLE - Date Night (feat. Sreve Cole) 06:56 JOE MCBRIDE, THE TEXAS RHYTHM CLUB - Gentle Rain 06:52 PAUL BROWN - Wes' Coast Swing 06:45 BRUCE MCKENZIE - Silent Night 06:40 LOUIE FITZGERALD - Plantation Key 06:37 VINCENT INGALA - In Deep 06:32 LISA MCCLOWRY - Brand New Hallelujah 06:27 LARRY CARLTON, PAUL BROWN - Soul Searchin' 06:24 HERB PARTLOW - Drop It! 06:19 JIM ADKINS - Highway 12 06:14 GREGG KARUKAS - Speakeasy 06:10 DANIEL D. - Let It Snow 06:05 ANDREW NICHOLS - I Love the Way You Love Me 06:01 MARION MEADOWS - Mother Earth 05:56 PATRICK YANDALL - I See You 05:52 DANNY LERMAN - Meow Baby 05:48 PAUL BROWN - Toast And Jam 05:44 DAVE KOZ - All The Love In The World 05:40 DEAN GRECH - What Do You Want This Year For Christmas 05:36 ZOLBERT - Ocean Breeze 05:32 VINCENT INGALA - Vintage Vibe 05:29 KENNEY POLSON - This Christmas 05:25 GARY PALMER - Misunderstanding 05:20 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - You Make Me Smile 05:16 H ALLAN - All Along the Watchtower, Stairway to Heaven 05:09 JOHNNY JOHNSON - O Come All Ye Faithful 05:04 EUGE GROOVE - All For You 05:00 WAYMAN TISDALE - Get Down On It 04:57 NICK COLIONNE - The Journey 04:53 VINCENT INGALA - Ready Or Not 04:49 NILS - Trip Me 04:43 JUSTIN YOUNG - Merry Christmas 04:38 DARRYL WILLIAMS - Do You Remember (feat. Michael Lington) 04:34 EUGE GROOVE - Romeo & Juliet 04:30 PEGGY DUQUESNEL - Christmas Is Here 04:26 GARY MEGGS - Autumn Leaves 04:22 MARCUS ANDERSON - Latte In The Rain 04:17 GREGG KARUKAS - Our Love Is On The Faultline 04:13 PETER WHITE - Bright 04:08 SHIN GIWON CHRISTMAS CAROL COLLECTION - Santa Clause Is Coming To Town 04:04 R.L. WALKER - Only Have Eyes 04:00 GAIL JHONSON, CLIFF BROWN - Groovin' in Philly 03:56 DEMETRIUS NABORS - Perseverance 03:52 ROBERTO RESTUCCIA - Love Crazy 03:48 VINCENT IOIA - Steppin in from the Outside 03:44 BONEY JAMES - Hand In Hand 03:40 BERNIE MARTINI - Falling for You Like Snow 03:36 RAINFOREST BAND - Gumbo Groove 03:31 KIM WATERS - Sumthin' Sumthin' 03:28 ARIEL B - Candy Cane Love 03:24 KEN NAVARRO - Language Of Peace 03:20 ERIC DARIUS - Love Not War 03:16 CHRIS 'BIG DOG' DAVIS - Whatcha Gonna Do For Me 03:12 SKINNY HIGHTOWER - Spanish Harlem 03:08 SHAKATAK - Good King Wenceslas 03:03 DREAMING IN COLOUR - Waiting in Texas 03:00 EUGE GROOVE - Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight 02:56 2UNES - Find Your Way 02:51 FREDDIE FOX - From The Heart 02:46 EVERETTE HARP - Don't Look Any Further 02:42 TONY G COPELAND, CORY JAMES - Winter Wonderland (feat. Cory James) 02:36 TONY SAUNDERS - Alaya 02:32 BK JACKSON - Wait For You 02:30 HERB ALPERT - All I Want For Christmas 02:25 ZOLBERT - Back Home 02:21 GREG MANNING - Grateful (feat. Judah Sealy) 02:16 BAKERS DOZEN - No Doubt 02:12 NILS - Jump Start 02:09 VINCENT INGALA - It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year 02:05 JODY MAYFIELD - Summer Rain (feat. Michael Tarpley) 02:00 BLUE SIX - Aquarian Angel 01:55 BRAD ALEXANDER - You Are My Lady 01:52 NICK COLIONNE - The Closer I Get To You 01:49 JAY ROWE - Joy to the World 01:45 MARCUS ANDERSON - Vanilla Mocha 01:40 GREGG KARUKAS - Simone 01:36 PETER WHITE - Peeto Bandito 01:31 ROBERT CHRISTA - Let It Go 01:27 BEN TANKARD - Angels We Have Heard On High 01:23 STEVE OLIVER - Wings Of Spring 01:19 JEFF LORBER FUSION - Mind Reader 01:15 TERENCE YOUNG - Come With Me 01:11 MEKIEL REUBEN - Summer Breezin 01:08 SHARMOND SMITH - Deck The Halls 01:04 BONEY JAMES - Futuresoul 01:00 JONATHAN FRITZEN - Turn Back Time 00:56 SAM BASSMAN JENKINS - Movin 00:53 NATHAN WOODWARD - Jingle Bells 00:49 NORMAN BROWN - Unconditional 00:45 RICK HABANA - All That I Need 00:41 KONSTANTIN KLASHTORNI - Lovely Day 00:37 DEAN JAMES - Neon Skies 00:33 HANK BILAL - O Come All Ye Faithful 00:29 NORTH 2UNES WOODALL - On the Move 00:24 DARRYL WILLIAMS - Harveston Way (feat. Euge Groove) 00:19 MARCIN NOWAKOWSKI - Nobody But You (Feat. Billy Mondragon Of DW3) 00:15 BRENDAN ROTHWELL - Destiny 00:08 JON GIBSON - Everybody Sing A Christmas Song 00:04 OLI SILK - Hats Off 00:00 PHILLIP DOC MARTIN - Black Shoebox

[odetofrnk]

Fission. Fraught weather. F-Word machines. Bloody Jessica Fletchers. Flim-flam. We face (alternative) facts of the future, fatigue, feminism, feces, f*%king fancy dress, ferocity and, finally, farewells through fiction, non-fiction, poetry and comics. We also chat to FRANK IERO of My Chemical Romance, FOR BOOKS' SAKE, and SALLY BOND and KRISTY MILLER of Kickstarter sensation FEMME MAGNIFIQUE, and MORE! Full list of Issue 2 authors and artists: Chris Beausang, Chris Boyland, Paul Bristow & Mhairi Robertson, Rex Bromfield, Ricky Monahan Brown, Jen Burrows, Ria Cagampang, Eva Carson, Celeste W. Clark, Siobhan Dunlop, Alan Fielden, Fameron Foster, Lucy Holden, Suzey Ingold, Nadine Aisha Jassat, Veronique Kootstra, Hannah Lavery, Katy Lennon, Jenny Lindsay, Kirsty Logan, Calum MacLeod, Colm MacQueen, Stevie McEwan, Helen Victoria Murray, Tom Paul-Smith, Heather Parry, Errol Rivera, Jeffrey G. Roberts, Claire Squires, Michael Stephenson, Rhiannon Tate, L.A. Traynor, Simon Ward, Thomas Welsh.

[theghostslibrary]

So today I was lucky enough to meet Michael Pryor at a writing program run for high schools in my local area. I brought these two books (mum doesn't know oops) and have The Laws of Magic signed!!

[junkyard-gifs]

Brian O’Muiri / Murray, a swing on the 2019 International tour, in six of his seven tracks.

1. As Tugger, with Kirsty Ingram’s Rumpelteazer.

2. Admetus/Macavity (the babyest Macavity).

3. Alonzo, with Lee Nicholson as Skimbleshanks.

4. Skimbleshanks, which somehow makes his eyes even bluer.

5. Carbuckety, with Cian Hughes as Mistoffelees.

6. Coricopat, with ?Amy Whittle as Jennyanydots.

[cathy-parrs-gold-star]

Have I mentioned I would die for the & juliet cast.

[paradise-bi-the-dashboard-lightt]

Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a heartache Tell me why Ain't nothin' but a mistake Tell me why I never want to hear you say I want it that way

[theroleofimagination]

Scotland’s ‘Chicken Run’ warm up in action! 

[phoenixflames12]

Epilogue: Remembrance Sunday, 1947

A/N: This takes place in my WW2 AU that began with An Endless Night and takes place seven months after Dancing by Moonlight 

11th November 1947

The Frasers along with their extended family and friends gather in Broch Mordha’s village square to pay their respect to the dead and look to the future for those who have been left behind 

Catch up on all of Vergangenheit on AO3 here

I am going to do a proper acknowledgements post later on, but here is a quick one. This story and this AU would not have been possible without the help, guidance and unfailing support of some very special people, without whom this epilogue would not be here today. 

@momwendy, @abbydebeaupreposts, @gotham-ruaidh, @sassy-sassenach, @missclairebelle , @sassenachwaffles, @lady-o-ren, @mo-nighean-rouge, @whiskynottea and @thatsoccercoach have given this story more than they know- putting words in my head when I had none and breathing such life into this story and its’ characters that I don’t know where I would be without them all. 

This story is also a tribute and a memorial to the men of the 51st Highlander Division who fought at the battle for France in May 1940 and I hope will be a fitting one to all those who have fought and died over the conflicts since. 

11th November 1947

The sky is a cool, crisp grey that hangs over the moor like a cloak, almost shielding the two figures that are making their way over the hill and down the long, winding road that snakes across the softly muted carpet of dead heather and broon completely from view.  

There has been a haw frost in the night, hardening the ground until the mud comes up in thick, rough sods flecked with silver under the treads of their boots, biting against the wind, the winter light thick and low against the shadow of the hills.

The sky is quiet, the songs of the larks and the thrushes held tight in a reverent hush, the black skeletons of a thorn tree copse reaching like spiders across the slate coloured sky.

Jamie’s right hand is heavy on Claire’s arm, the weight of cold skin hard against her own.

The other one is clasped heavily against the horn crook of a walking stick, his fingers stiff and still and cold in their grip.

His face is impassive, the mask of careful blankness that she wishes that she could tear down and smash into a thousand tiny pieces, firmly in place. Only the tremble of the third and fourth fingers of his right hand tell her that anything is amiss, their tattoo slow and aching against the thick fabric of her coat.

‘What is it?’

Her voice is little more than a whisper, watching a muscle in his jaw twitch, the slow throb of his throat as he swallows, trying to find words enough to answer her.

‘It’s…’ He tries to speak and then pauses, holding her gaze with wide eyes that glimmer with ghosts.

His face is pale in the wane light, his lower lids smudged dark with bruising, the crows’ feet that crease the skin around his eyes more pronounced than she has ever seen them.

He has not been sleeping well of late, she knows that.

Has never slept well during the winter since his return, the chill of the wind baring his defences to the elements, lost and frozen as he struggled once more along the bitter death march of memory.

Has felt his body tense against her own in the laird’s room that for so long had hosted his ghost, a body that now moved stubbornly against the aches of flesh and bone on cold mornings.

A body stiffened not just from the physical damages that the war had wrought on him but aggravated to the extreme by the damp of the camps and the frozen wasteland of the march.

Has felt the knot of panic pulsing through suddenly clenched fists return as it had done in those terrifying nights when he had first come home, the tendons in his neck as taut as wire beneath her touch, jumping out against the crumpled linen of the pillowcase.

Has heard his breathing coming out in short, sharp gasps as he struggled against her touch, the names of the dead, breaking against his lips, their memories rising to invade their bed as her words of comfort were lost in the folds of his pyjama shirt.

‘It’s all right, Jamie. It’s just a dream, love. It’s over. I’m here. You’re home. Come back to me. Come back to us.’

‘I know,’ she replies slowly, her voice caught, her hand reaching to clasp his own, drawing their joined fist up so that her lips can brush against his knuckles, holding the wide, fearful gaze with her own.

‘I know.’

The war memorial rises tall and black against the crisp, slate sky when they reach the square.

The figure of an infantry man leaning on his rifle gazes out over the glen from the top of the great, dark obelisk, the cast of his kilt cut so fine that there is a moment in which Claire believes that she can see the thick tartan catch against the ripple of the breeze. His is a young face, a face of so many of the young men, mere boys really, who had come through the doors of the recruiting office, drunk on the promise of doing their bit for King and Country, never to come home again.

The granite that sweeps over his cheek is unlined and hopeful, the dark, sightless eyes bright as he stares out over the square and over the wet-stoned houses of Broch Mordha, looking past the slowly gathering crowd and into a great beyond.

Far out over the moor and onto the deep, purple rimmed hills beyond, the first crisp hints of snow lie soft and undisturbed, bringing with them the first white silences of winter.

Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Faith shiver and turn away to Albert, pulling the dark blue nurses’ cape more tightly around her. Even in the cold, her eldest daughter’s skin seems to glow with an internal warmth, the wane, cool sun lighting up the escaped curls that fluttered from her nurses’ cap so that they blaze in a burnished crown of auburn, cinnabar, russet and roan.  

A slight swell tugs at the cut of the grey-blue nurses’ dress, the promise of new life blooming through her cheeks that sparks a fire in Claire’s heart.  

‘Notre petite flocon de neige’, Jamie had called her when Claire had returned with Faith from the hospital to their rented rooms that the RMA had set aside for married couples. 

His eyes had been wide and bright with wonder, sparked through with hope as he had carefully taken the bundle from her, face softening into a smile as the weight of his first-born bairn had settled comfortably into his arms; the softly slanted eyes that Claire will never tire of blinking up into sleepy wakefulness; a soft, mewing cry falling from the virgin lips. 

Those eyes that had blinked once and then fixed themselves on her father’s, surrendering herself completely to his utter adoration.

‘Mo cholom geal ye are,’ he’d whispered, eyes shining as he had caught Claire’s gaze, a large, rough finger softly tracing the barely there line of their daughter’s cheek, the crown of his curls catching at the flickering light of the oil lamp that had hung by the door.

Albert stands tall beside her, feather dark hair hidden under a tweed cap, hazel eyes soft and loving as he bends his head to press a soft kiss against the crown of his wife’s curls, one arm pressed against the slow swell of her waist.

There will be grandchildren soon,she thinks, tightening her grip on Jamie’s hand as the thought spikes against her synapses; a sudden sob catching in her throat.

Grandchildren racing through the rooms of the gatehouse that Jamie has given to Albert and Faith, free of rent, until they find a place to strike out onto and call their own.

Grandchildren with her daughter’s shining eyes and her son-in-law’s soft smile, feather dark heads and blazing blue eyes brimming out of indistinguishable faces.

Grandchildren with lisping voices that would stick out chubby hands for her to hold and call her ‘granny Claire’ as they told her to close her eyes and follow them to the witches’ cauldron or up into the tree house to exclaim over their treasures.

‘Sassenach? Are ye well, mo Sorcha?’

Her husband’s eyes are narrowed with concern as he turns to face her and she nods, a small smile quirking painfully at the corners of her lips.

‘I’m fine, my love,’ the words are a murmur, lost against the warmth and weight of his chest.  

‘Just thinking about all this…’

She turns in his arms, spreading hers wide to encompass the scene; seeing Brianna, who had taken an early train to join them, deep in conversation with Hector Fraser. The toss of her curls is long and loose down her back, the long fingers flying like quicksilver through the cold, crisp air.

Their middle daughter had come home two nights ago, cheeks flushed with the thimbleful of sherry that she had accepted from Claire, eyes burning with stories of being invited to nights at the King’s Theatre with artist friends who spoke of the future as if they owned it as they had gathered into the drawing room after supper, the wireless a low, comforting, background hum that had made Jamie cough out a derisive Scottish noise deep in his throat.

‘She’s not a child anymore,’ she’d murmured as they had got ready for bed that night, the curve of his skull glowing in the flickering lamplight.

A moment of silence, his back turned to her, his shoulders hunching briefly as he had gathered himself, staring out into the night, his unspoken retort hanging thick in the air between them.

‘She’s no’ grown either!’

With a pang to her heart, she had watched him struggle before moving to him, wanting nothing more than to gather him into her arms and banish away all of his hurts.

A sliver of silver moonlight had caught against his curls when she had reached him, picking out the brilliant strands of roan and copper, highlighting the silver threads that linger at his temples.  Tucking her arms about his waist and pressing a soft, unseen kiss against the sweep of his cheek, she had, for the umpteenth time, thanked whatever God was listening, for returning him to her. Aged and battered and bruised he may be but still hers and still, remarkably whole.

She had felt his exhale then, the tightening of his lungs against her hands, the rush of air breathed out in a slow, pained breath.

‘Aye,’ he’d replied after a long moment, turning in her arms to face her; his eyes that are shared by both his daughters wide and shining.

She had nodded and reached out a thumb to press away the crinkle of an age line that had pressed against his forehead, reaching to cup his cheek.

‘Aye, I ken that, mo ghraidh. It… It’s just… Seeing her, all grown up an’ talking about men an’… I fear that she’s growing old before her time, ye ken?’

‘I know,’ she had murmured back, holding his gaze, his eyes very deep and very blue in the dim light, memories of the little girl with the unravelled mane of auburn plaits and grass stains splattered against the hem of her frock who had run amok, claiming every inch of the estate as her own, rising up in the silence before them.

From the passageway, the patter of feet had broken the silence for a moment, the click of the bathroom door opening, the thud of it being pulled to, the air full of the hushed rasp of her husband’s breathing.  

‘But we have to trust her judgement. Trust that she’ll come to us if anything goes wrong. D’you think you can do that?’

It had been a moment before he had replied, the look in his eyes deep and unreadable.

‘Aye’, he had said quietly, a slow smile catching at the corners of his mouth as he had bent his head to kiss her.

She sees William, who has shot through an unexpected growth spurt so that he is now all arms and legs with tawny eyes blazing out of a freckled face pulled taut over growing bones. His hair is a burnished crown of auburn curls against the pale, grey sky as he gazes up into the youthful face that is hewn forever in stone, looking far older than nine.  

‘He’s a braw lad, a nighean.’

Jamie’s voice is a murmured smile that is brimming with pride against her cheek as he follows her gaze and she nods, not looking at him.

‘Minds me a bit o’ me when I was that age,’ he continues, watching the lad talk quietly to Jimmy Atkinson who is staying at the Old Lion with Morag and his bairns, pale faces lost in the crowd.

‘Does he?’

‘Aye,’ he murmurs in reply, eyes turning away from his son to fall on Mhairi Bruce, who is standing a little way apart from the crowd, her long, dark skirt catching in the breeze, hugging herself against the chill.

She still knows so little about this girl whom Brianna had invited home, a girl who looks far older than eighteen with her long, straight skirts and starched white blouses; a girl who wears her past like a cloak, her emerald eyes shuttered with secrets.

Overhead, the thunderheads are rolling over the hills, the last of the sun’s storm-tossed light gleaming against the shadows of the main street.

In the slowly growing crowd, she can just make out Jenny and Ian followed by the brood of younger Murray children, Jenny’s dark eyes softening as she catches Claire’s gaze, shifting their youngest, Caitlin, further up her hip and raising a hand in greeting.

From the clock tower, the bell tolls the quarter hour, hushing the crowd as if a whistle had been blown to silence them and she hears the quick, marching step of Jimmy coming up to greet Jamie, his salute sharp against the sky.  

The poppy wreath is looped over his arm, jewels of scarlet pinned against the black backdrop, the light from Jamie’s medals pinned to his lapel glinting in the light.

His dark eyes shine with shared memories, the depths of his pupils glistening with names that Claire has heard her husband cry out in the dark of his nightmares, whimpered desperately like a catechism as he struggled through the worst of his memories.

Out of the corner of her eye, she catches Faith’s gaze, a soft smile catching at her eldest daughter’s lips, the names of the dead soft and unspoken between them.

‘Tiang gu, mo chariad,’ Jamie replies quietly, returning the salute and accepting the wreath.

Somewhere at the edge of the crowd, the wail of Aonghas’s Lindsay’s pipes cry out in the silence, the strains of Flowers of the Forest rising soft and eerie through the dying light.

The pipes melody rises and weeps and cries for the men that had been lost as Father Cameron steps up to address the silent crowd.

His voice is low and carrying, ringing over the square so that cloth caps are removed and heads bent, speaking of the young men who had gone so bravely and quietly from the lands that they loved, but rarely spoke of.

It had not been in them to speak of that love, but they had held it in their hearts regardless, held like a lit lamp whose flame burnt quiet and strong and true in their quest to fight and die in the defence of their country.

A shiver ripples down Claire’s spine at that, an unbidden sob catching in her throat as she sees Kirsty and Mhairi Fraser weeping quietly in Hector’s arms, his handsome face white and strained as he holds onto his Mam and sister watching Aonghas slowly step around the memorial, his pipes singing out in the stillness, the tune dancing through the village and leaping up over the moor. Joe’s ghost waits quietly beside them, the quirk of his quick, dark smile shivering in the silence as he slips away to join the others that had fallen with him.

Others that were little more than names now, but whose memories would live on in those that loved them, in those who had lost pieces of their hearts to the dark shadows of the German hills.

She sees Mhairi Bruce hug herself a little tighter against the chill, her pale face that is flushed with cold turned skywards, her eyes shining with the glimmer of unshed tears, lips pursed together, not looking at Brianna who moves towards her, a tentative hand reaching out to hold her own before slipping away.

Sees Albert nod quietly to Faith and bend to kiss her gently, dark eyes gleaming as they watch her disappear into the crowd before turning back to the memorial, face set and dark with memories.

‘Mam?’

The weight of William and Brianna’s hands clasping into her own takes her by surprise.

Faith comes quietly up beside them, the warmth of a calloused, work worn hand reaching gently to rest against Claire’s arm, her head burying itself against the pit of her shoulder blade; a soft, sad smile playing at the corner of her lips.

And then, out of nowhere, the bell begins to toll in the hour and Faith’s hand tightens against her shoulder.  

Brianna and William’s eyes are fixed on the figure of their father, his crown of curls glowing with burnished fire against the grey, November light as he steps up to lay the wreath against the cold, dark foot of the stone.

His face is set and white in the stillness, eyes blazing with quiet dignity, the ghosts of his men rising for the last time around him.

And in the stillness, a lone voice rings out, letting the brave, quiet words of Binyon’s poem fill the air, tearing Claire’s heart open afresh.

As she stands there, the weight of her children’s hands clasped in her own, listening to the old, proud words as they ring out over the square, she watches Jamie step back and raise his head to the soldier who guarded the silent names of those who had been lost and give a silent nod.

They went with songs to the battle, they were young,

Straight of limb, true of eye and aglow,

They were staunch until the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old,

Age shall not weary them, nor shall the years condemn,

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

                                                                                                           Fin

[billherbert23]

The Great Slowing Down versus Poet MacDiarmid (3)

The Great Slowing Down versus Poet MacDiarmid (3)

3 The interiorising impulse is a normal part of most writers’ cycle of composition and publication, but it became stronger for me with my father’s death, after which I spent a couple of years darting off to any far-off place that invited me, blogging re the Dundee Makarship but not editing the posts into anything, and stringing tweets into absurd Informationist tales, which, probably sensibly,…

[milliondollarbaby87]

& Juliet (West End) Review

& Juliet (West End) Review

CastMiriam-Teak Lee – JulietCassidy Janson – Anne Oliver Tompsett – William ShakespeareDavid Bedella – LanceJordan Luke Gage – RomeoMelanie La Barrie – NurseTim Mahendran – FrancoisAlex Thomas-Smith – MayRoshani Abbey – LucyJocasta Almgill – Lady CapuletIvan De Freitas – Lord Capulet Date: Wednesday 22nd December 2021 (7:30pm) Venue: Shaftesbury Theatre ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (more…)

[howwelldoyouknowyourmoon]

When God Was a Woman

Merlin Stone spent approximately ten years engaged in research of the lesser-known, sometimes hidden depictions of the Sacred Feminine, from European and Middle Eastern societies, in preparation to complete this work. In the book, she describes these archetypal reflections of women as leaders, sacred entities and benevolent matriarchs, and also weaves them into a larger picture of how our modern societies grew to the present imbalanced state. … The book is now seen as having been instrumental in the modern rise of feminist theology in the 1970s to 1980s, along with authors such as Elizabeth Gould Davis, Riane Eisler and Marija Gimbutas. Some have related it as well to the work of authors Margaret Murray and Robert Graves.    LINK

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In this 1976 book the sculptor and art historian, Merlin Stone, discusses the history behind the religion(s) of the Goddess. Various religions in the past held that “God” was a female deity, as only females are the creators of life. There is anthropological and archaeological evidence which suggest that the earliest religions were those with a female deity.

She reminds us of Innin, Inanna, Nana, Nut, Anat, Anahita, Istar, Isis, Au Set, Ishara, Asherah, Ashtart, Attoret, Attar and Hathor, amongst others. She takes us on an ambitious journey, travelling from the dawn of the Neolithic, through the Sumerian myths and writing, over to Crete, and then she goes through the Bible with a fine-toothed comb, ferreting out the Goddess is mentioned in its pages.

It wasn’t until Indo-European religions (which eventually developed the Judeo-Christian cultures) came through with their male-dominator culture, that the Goddess was first suppressed. With this suppression of the Goddess came the suppression of women’s rights. This is also demonstrated when we look at the Judeo-Christian (Abrahamic) religions, and we see the subjugation of women (double standards, rape, slavery, etc.).

On top of this, we see women blamed for the fall of man (as in the Old Testament of the Bible), and this is believed to be an artifact of the patriarchal religions’ suppression of the Goddess. The fig tree was a symbol for the Goddess in many areas around the Fertile Crescent, as well as the serpent. If we look at the book of Genesis in the Bible, we can “coincidentally” see these symbols (namely the serpent) as something representing “evil” or “deceit”.

It was “Eve” who ate the fruit first, so not only is the serpent symbol demonized, but also women in general. Ironically, even if we read the fable of Adam and Eve straight out of Genesis, we see that Eve was actually deceived by a trained deceiver (the serpent), where Adam was deceived by his wife (not a trained deceiver). So Adam was coerced into “sin” by someone he trusted that was apparently just ignorant, and Eve was coerced into “sin” by a trained deceiver — yet it is Eve that takes the bulk of the blame? This is further evidence of how ridiculous the fable is, and how there were so many political reasons behind the religions that suppressed women’s rights. Stone does a decent job presenting the evidence and findings and basically summarizing what happened to women as a result of these patriarchal religious shifts.

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Greece was invaded by northern peoples several times. Robert Graves, in his introduction to The Greek Myths, wrote in 1955, “Achaean invasions of the thirteenth century BC seriously weakened the matrilineal tradition… when the Dorians arrived, towards the close of the second millenium, patrilineal succession became the rule.” With these northern people came the worship of the Indo-European Dyaus Pitar, literally God Father, eventually known in Greece as Zeus and later in Rome as Jupiter. This transition period of the change from the worship of the Goddess to the male deity, the change most intensively brought about by the Dorian invasions, was the subject of E. Butterworth’s Some Traces of the Pre-Olympian World, written in 1966.                    — Chapter 3 page 51

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Sun Myung Moon warned America that we must have sex the way he told us, in the positions he designated, or else we would forfeit our “love organs” to the dark lord Satan. Moon has long spoken about his desire to see gays and “free sex” banished from America. Moon said “Satan is clinging to our sexual organs.” Women are a “line of prostitutes” who should be punished for their selfishness. “The concave organ {vagina} should be sealed with concrete”. “Woman’s sexual organ is like the open mouth of a snake filled with poison,” he said. Men do not get off any easier. Keep pliers in your pocket, he says, “and when you go to the bathroom, once a day, pinch your love organ. Cut the skin a little bit as a warning.”

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Jim Goad: “If the cult leader wants to control members completely, he aims to control their sexual life. Sex reaches all the way to the core of one’s being, until the unconscious level. It is hard to imagine anything more intrusive than dictating what someone does with their genitals. When a person hands over their sex drive to the cult leader, he does not need to worry about the members’ car keys and bank accounts. They are already his. Sex is only one wrench in the cult leader’s toolbox, but it is the most important one. The aim lies in altering the followers’ sexuality until it is no longer their own. Sex is used to demolish personal identity in favor of the hive mentality. The cult leaders cannibalize their followers’ libidinal energy.” LINK

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Kirsti Nevalainen:

The Fall story in Genesis 3 was an attack against the high priestess/queen as the representative of the Godhead. 

The Fall account in Genesis 3 was authored by a Yahwist theologian and it represents a theological and political attack against the Sacred Marriage Rites of Canaanite people. LINK

A History Of God – The 4,000-year quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

If Adam and Eve didn’t exist, then there was no fall and therefore no need for a savior.

The concept of original sin seems to have been developed about 200 years after Jesus by Irenaeus and later by St Augustine.