#the ordeal of desi mothers

[heartofanenigma]

I'm so jealous of people who have a good relationship with their mothers. Like what does it feel like to find peace in her hugs? What does it feel like to get advice whenever you're too perplexed about something? To get head pats? I miss her hugs, I miss her smell and I miss laying down on her lap. But I'm far from all that, not because she's not here or anything. She's two centimetres away while I write this. I'm busy being the angry, stormy child she made me into, the ruthless kid she's unknowingly given shape to, i'm the perfect babushka doll of her anger and sadness and all that she feels. I love you, mumma, but all that comes out of my throat is the sound of broken strings and broken glass. I want to hug you and hold onto you, mumma, but all my hands are doing is breaking your heart and this home.

[scorpsik]

Last batch of fics.

Linked in this thread

NOT ALIKE : The last person Emily wants to see after Colorado is her mom.

FATHER'S DAY : Dave isn't himself and Emily tries to find out why. CW; child loss.

WE SANG HIM A SONG : While helping Clyde on a case, Emily runs into a familiar face.

DON'T YOU KNOW IT'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT : When Emily finds out she's pregnant at 15, security chief Hotch tries to help

TRICKS OF THE TRADE : Aftermath of Em's abduction at Scratch's hands. PTSD. Rossi + Alvez.

THE GAME : Emily travels to interview a killer on death row.

I KNOW YOU TOO WELL : Aaron knows more about Emily than she thinks. Post ML.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE : Em begins her tenure as SC

IMAGE : Em's high school photo rears it's ugly head. cw; mention of drugs.

TRIAL BY ORDEAL : CM17 Em and Dave - focus on Em's trauma

POWER : After recovering from being shot, Penelope asks Em for help

MARCH 7TH : When the date rolls around the first time, Em can't cope. (depression, angst, grief) Hotch.

SENSE : When Em finds out Penelope bedded Tyler, she loses it. Em; Derek; Penelope.

37 MINUTES TOO LATE : AU from ep 7 Seconds. TW ref child abuse/child death. Em cannot process her anger when things go wrong.

KNOTS : Dave offers Em comfort after Colorado.

SPECTRE : After Bailey's death, Emily has nightmares

I'M MORTAL : JJ confronts Emily after her heroics in saving Will

HURTS : Derek feels guilty about the events in ML

FANGURL : Humour short: Derek and Em acting like kids.

ANISEED : An old Interpol case comes back to bite Emily. 5 chapters. cw: sexual violence ch3 and canon violence. Whole BAU team. Season 4/5

BREAK AWAY : Feeling unloved at home, 9 yr old Emily runs away

STILL I CLING : An alternative version of S7 'I had a bad day' scene.

GROUNDED : Two moments where Spencer is Emily's world

EYE FOR AN EYE : Doyle arc AU. Ian's revenge involves hurting her friends. . Whole BAU team involved. tw: kidnap

WRINGER : S7E03 Emily is back and trying her best to fit in again - but Derek has a little something to ruin her day.

MELODY : Dave discovers another of Emily's secrets. Cute fic.

SETTLED DUST : s13e07; Em tries to get through to Desi - but some things can't be changed.

PUTTING BACK THE PIECES : Em and Spencer talk following Maeve's death. cw; grief.

MATERIAL GIRL : Doyle arc. Em is alone and bleeding in the basement.

BABIES AND BRUISES : JJ and Em talk after the events in Minimal Loss

POUNDING : Em has the headache from Hell and needs some TLC

A LONG TIME TO HEAL : When Jack calls Emily out of the blue, she never could have dreamed how badly he and Aaron would need her help.

NEVER ENOUGH : 12yo Em tries to get er mother's love.

Forget-Me-Not : Teen Em's parents have forgotten her birthday. Hotch hasn't. Angst and fluffiness.

Layers Of A Lie ; 3 chapters. Em's death, rebuilding and recreation. Angsty, injuries. JJ, Doyle.

[our-flag-means-death-ao3feed]

the days of our delights are poison in my veins

by vespaaurinkos

“God, you really never shut up, do you?” Ed groaned, turning to face Bonnet properly.

“Well, no!” Bonnet snapped, “When one tends to be kidnapped and held for ransom, one tends to be a bit loud about the ordeal!”

“You’re not being held for ransom, you-!” Ed took a deep breath, steadying himself. He was Blackbeard, for fuck’s sake. It wouldn’t do to lose his temper for no good reason. “You’re not being held for ransom, you’re being executed. There’s a difference.”

“Oh, that’s so reassuring!” Bonnet laughed, “For a moment, I thought I was in real danger!”

--

or: stede bonnet gets engaged, kidnapped by pirates, falls in love, dies, and talks to some seagulls. more or less in that order.

Words: 6604, Chapters: 1/6, Language: English

Fandoms: Our Flag Means Death (TV)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence

Categories: M/M

Characters: Blackbeard | Edward Teach, Stede Bonnet, Jim Jimenez, Lucius Spriggs, Frenchie (Our Flag Means Death), Mother Teach (Our Flag Means Death), Buttons (Our Flag Means Death), Israel Hands, Oluwande Boodhari, Fang (Our Flag Means Death), Ivan (Our Flag Means Death), Nigel Badminton, Mary Allamby Bonnet, Chauncey Badminton, "Calico" Jack Rackham

Relationships: Blackbeard | Edward Teach/Stede Bonnet, Minor or Background Relationship(s), Oluwande Boodhari/Jim Jimenez, Blackbeard | Edward Teach & Mother Teach (Our Flag Means Death), Stede Bonnet & Mother Teach (Our Flag Means Death), Nigel Badminton & Stede Bonnet, Crew of the Revenge - Relationship

Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Raavanan (2010) Fusion, making that a tag, when I told the ofmd poc gc I was working on a desi film inspired fic, I think they assumed I meant Bollywood rom coms, and from the bottom of my heart, my bad - Freeform, this is not that, Anyways, Hurt/Comfort, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, shoutout to Veera and Ragini for inventing enemies to lovers they're so real for that, Period-Typical Racism, Period-Typical Homophobia, oh yeah this gets FUN, uhm what else, Oh, Kidnapping, Attempted Murder, technically infidelity but like, it's ofmd, who gives a shit, no beta we die like izzy hands insha'allah, anyways enjoy the sacreligion, featuring enough magical realism to make Salman Rushdie cry

source https://archiveofourown.org/works/42219771

[papermoonloveslucy]

INDOMINATABLE LIFESTYLE

July 16, 1972

HOLLYWOOD - Indomitable funny girl Lucille Ball, with a messy scoop hair the color of an orange popsicle, flashes on the scene in a sad predicament. 

She's got a lame leg.  

Lucy hobbled from her sleek silver Rolls Royce and into the yellow cubbyhole dressing room which is a sunny retreat near the Lucy set which Is crawling with rehearsal activity. 

On the surface, everything's ha-ha-ha. But the fact is that surgeons have inserted pins into the shattered leg bone suffered last year in a Snowmass Peak, Colo., skiing accident. The leg brace is a semi-intolerable ball and chain. But, as always, crippling situations must be mastered. Lucy's inextinguishable spirit pulsates despite the physical handicap. 

Lucy Is showing a smiling color photograph of herself in a flowing white hooded cape coat rimmed in fluffy fox. The picture, radiating exterior happiness, doesn't reflect the inner pain. Lucy's leg, in a hip cast, is disguised under a blanket. 

You know the familiar Lucy grin? She's grinning it and saying hell no, baby, she's not ever going to ski again. She couldn't stomach another goddam ordeal like that. Besides, on the immediate horizon is an operation to remove the pins.

Lucy, being Lucy, bears the cross with humor: "Honey," she says, "skiing is just getting into those nice winter clothes and being a show off." The burdensome subject of broken bones is dismissed with frivolity. 

Brainy Lucy, now 60 and president of a $30 million corporation, is an American institution. 

But, like all super-successful females, she vibrates complex contradictions. The fashion plate - who initiated her career as a Hattie Carnegie hat model - is a winsome dumb broad on the tube. In reality she's tough executive who barks orders left and right. Staffers instantly do like the lady says. God has spoken. Lucy runs a tight ship, but she is more respected than feared. 

Yet Lucy is softie with a heart of spun sugar. Trappings, which she has in predictable abundance, aren't a psychic crutch. 

"Success is knowing that if everything were wiped away tomorrow, it wouldn't really matter. I wouldn't die if I lost my things," she says. Then the awesome simplicity: "Dear, I still go home and let the cat out" 

Lucy has always run her home life with a liberal hand.

Desi Arnaz, Jr. is currently Involved in well-publicized liaison with Liza Minnelli. There was a previous Desi scandal regarding Patty Duke. People gossip a lot here because they live in a city where the major industry is make-believe and fact and fiction become blurred. 

Lucy isn't deaf to the talk about her son's romances: 

"What the hell, they're having a fine spree. I just hope it lasts for Desi and Liza. They don't have time to get married. Their scene is the world and they're swinging in there. I'm the one who talked marriage to them. One night I said: Look, kids, don't get married too soon. They were upset. Desi countered with the observation that you don't have to settle down when you get married. So I go -  well, that's true son! The subject of marriage just never came up again. They're a nice couple. They present themselves well without becoming asses. I've told the kids to do as they wish." 

Lucy, who was a good friend to Judy Garland, makes no bones about her affection for Liza. And once Lucy loves, the feeling lasts. After 20 years of marriage to Desi Arnaz, there was the divorce. Still Lucy looks people straight in the eyes and says the present Mrs. Desi Arnaz is a "wonderful woman." And she can see it in her heart to rent ex-husband Desi studio space on her lot so that he can work in the shadow of a success they initiated together. 

When Liza Minnelli was a child, Lucy kept a scrapbook of Liza's activities at play, in ballet school, attending birthday parties. There, in a battered old photo album, are the precious pictures. Liza didn't know about the book until recently. Desi brought Liza home and Lucy accidentally-on-purpose left the book on a coffee table. "Oh! Wow!" exclaimed Liza through a flow of uncontrollable tears. 

Lucy; "And I said to Liza, honey-baby, I told you I've known you for a long time. Didn't you believe me?" Lucille Ball speaks in an affectionate aside about Liza and the loyalty is simultaneously visible and audible: 

"That kid is liable to explode any minute. I just hope I'm around to pick up the pieces. No one knows why she works so hard. She's made it her objective to clear her mother financially. Those b--- lawyers took her --- really took her. But she's paying back every damn cent herself." 

Life is, of course, an inexplicable mixture of tears and laughter. Buoyant Lucy can see the funnies in everything. Love, she says, is looking beyond someone's minor faults and caring passionately despite the irritations. Lucy's 80-year-old mom, Dede (Desiree Ball) lives near Lucy's sprawling colonial house in Beverly Hills. Dede has a longstanding idiosyncrasy which used to drive Lucy wild but is now an amusement. 

In that familiar screechy scratchy soprano voice oozing feigned stupidity, Lucy sing-songs the dialogue; 

"I say to Dede: Hey Dede, I've got a pain in my elbow. Dede always says: 'stupid, it's because you're not eating right!" Honest to God, if you've got a pain in your big toe, it's not because someone stepped on it it's the food. Drives you nuts! Dede really has a thing about food. The other day I went home and cooked a batch of chicken. 'Chicken!!" says Dede, 'you know it's gonna make me sick.' Of course Dede eats more chicken than anybody. Next day I say: Dede you been up all night throwin', huh? Naw," says Dede, the chicken wasn't half bad.'"

The ridiculous story illustrates two things Dede taught Lucy early in life. One: That without good health you've got nothing. Two; That without a non-pliant, thoroughly independent attitude, you've got less than nothing because show business kills the weak. 

Lucy is in constant awe of Dede. When Lucy built the five-story ski chalet 9,800 feet on the side of a Colorado mountain she was certain Dede couldn't take either the long trip or the altitude. Besides, once you get to Lucy's place, there are a million icy steps to climb before you make the front door. "Even the dogs stop to get their breath," says Lucy. "But when I start huffing, Dede looks over her shoulder and sorta snaps: Aw, Lucy, you're a sissy!' That woman is my challenge." 

Does Lucy ever get down? Do the burdens of crushing disappointments halt her enthusiasm even temporarily? "Jesus," she says, "I cry. I cry a lot. Then anger sets in. When I'm angry, I become a fighter. And I always fight to win." 

When Lucy talks to you, she taps your knee in a natural gesture of intimacy. Her gaze is through black fringed x-ray eyes that sear through trivia. She smokes her cigarette twirled ceremoniously between her thumb and forefinger. Lucy always spews gut honesty: 

"Love is a great peace of mind. There's no panic in the relationship. It's never having to prove yourself. Love is not playing games. Baby, some women have to put up with mysterious absenteeism. That's always a sign of hanky panky-ism. Christ, I never have to worry where Gary is." 

Gary is Gary Morton, Lucy's husband and executive producer. Suddenly he bursts into the dressing room and asks for the afternoon off. Lucy's going to work the full day. Her answer is affirmative, but she doesn't use the word "yes"; "Just don't forget to tell the cook to get out the steaks and have a big salad ready." 

The show is all in the family. Lucy's sister, Cleo Smith, is another producer. Lucy is having the talk-about twosome of Desi Jr. and Liza written into a script. Little Lucy, who has been Mrs. Phil Vandervort for a year, is a regular. She, too, bursts into the dressing room to use the john. The jeans are already embarrassingly unzipped. As she whizzes by she comments only to her famous mama: "Jeez, I though you were alone!" 

But an emergency is an emergency. Lucy, quick to seize the humor, quips: "Our togetherness is only occasionally splintered." 

In retrospect, Lucy is pleased with her real-life mother role. "I've been one hell of a mom," she says. "I always knew where they were every minute." Lucille Ball is a profound woman who often uses great simplicities to get her points across.

Once, when the kids were small, a nurse observed to Lucy that Little Lucy was calling Desi Jr., "fatso," and jabbing him in the stomach-when no one was looking. Desi didn't hit back because mama had said never to hit defenseless little girls. Lucy relives the old conversation with her daughter, first announcing each "part" and changing voices to portray the back-and-forth swing of conversation: 

Big Lucy: "Got a problem, Little Lucy?" 

Little Lucy: "Me? No." 

Big Lucy: "Let's talk. Whose fault is it? No, actually it doesn't matter whose fault it is. Next time one of you is hurt, I'm going to hit the one who is hurt." 

Little Lucy: "What does that mean, ma?" 

Big Lucy: "You'll see." 

Soon there was another battle. As usual, Little Lucy elbowed Desi in the stomach and he howled, Lucy illogically whacked Desi hard on the rear and his screams got louder. Little Lucy immediately became hysterical: "Mom, don't hit him! For God's sake, why are you hitting HIM?" 

Lucy delivered the punch line which is the credo of their life: "I hit Desi because you let things go too far. Never let things go too far. Someone innocent always suffers. Do you understand?" 

That was the end of sibling squabbling. Forever. 

Once, before her chorus girl days, New York-born Lucy worked as a fashion mannequin for various Seventh Ave. houses. She's still got a clotheshorse figure but she won't splurge on couture: "I'm just one of those normal working women who doesn't go in for hifalutin’ fashion." 

Lucy haunts three fabric shops in Beverly Hills and has local movie set seamstresses make all her clothes. "I'm not the type who dresses and goes out," says Lucy who long ago graduated from the silly-but-necessary movie star game of being seen in the right places. 

"Once when I was in Paris, I bought a designer dress grey flannel, I think and wore it out from the salon to my car.  When I sat down the damn thing was so strictly constructed that the neckline popped up to my nose. I was on my way to Switzerland and I mumbled to my driver, God, did that designer expect me to stand up on the plane?" Lucy can afford emergencies. When she got to Orly, she bought a dress from an airport boutique and changed in the ladies room. 

And, so, the sweet saga of Lucy continues, there are no plans to quit. The word - retirement - isn't in her vocabulary. "I can't imagine doing nothing," she says. "If you don't keep moving, you're buried." 

The beauty is still there. The complexion is like alabaster. Lucy confesses that she washes her face with Ivory soap, colors her own hair and occasionally gives herself offbeat facials." 

"Honey, the idiot who said to put honey on your face never explained that it has to be mixed with cream," she says. The face melts into that wonderful famous grin. "I put honey on straight from the goddamn jar and it closed my pores for a month." 

That's lovable Lucy. 

[Ed. Note: The original photographs were degraded by copying so similar shots were substituted as close to the originals as possible.]

#   #   #

[psifitopia]

finale reaction

I loved this season.  And this was a really good wrap up! 

Okay, I’m going to get the MacDesi thing out of the way.   I don’t ship them.  I”m still hoping for MacRiley.   Mac and Desi just do not WORK together.   It’s not that Desi’s the “bad guy.”  But, she has some unrealistic expectations and it’s obvious that no matter how much they care about each other, they are just plain, old incompatible.   And, frankly, I’m a bit tired of everything being Mac’s fault and him apologizing for things that aren’t actually wrong.

Desi complained in the episode that he shut her out.  Well, sorry, but different people process grief in different ways.  He not only lost his dad, he lost his mom again, too!   He lost his belief that she was an innocent, kind woman.  He had his entire  worldview shaken to the core!   Mac deserved to be given time to process and get his own thoughts straightened out! 

Mac was not obligated to process his grief in a way that catered to Desi!   It’s hard to open up to someone who is constantly angry at you.  The best way for her to help at that point would have been to give him space and let him know that she was there and ready, when he was ready to talk about it.   Instead, she automatically thought the worst of him and turned on him.  Okay, I get she doesn’t trust easily, but that’s not Mac’s fault!  If he owes her any apology, she owes him an equal one as well.  

Instead, the end seems to suggest that Mac is backing down (he shouldn’t) and trying to piece things back together (something they both should contribute to).  And, I just hope one of them has the sense to realize that it just can’t work.   The strongest test of a relationship is what happens, during hard times.   What happened is he shut down a bit, she got angry, he shut down even more, and she turned on him.   

Because the thing is, Mac may have temporarily left the Phoenix behind, but he never left Desi...not until after she made it clear that she didn’t believe in him anymore.   She’s the one who made his reactions to Codex and the Phoenix a  personal thing between them.  It didn’t have to be.  If co-workers are going to date, the  work has to be work, and their relationship separate.  

As for everything else!   WOWZA!!   

First, I really, really hope we see Scarlett again!   She escaped!   I want her to rescue Ella and join the Phoenix...or at least be a close ally.  :D  

I’m heartbroken over the death of Gwen.   I’m astounded, but they did a tremendously awesome job with her redemption arc and I am RELIEVED that Ellen never approved of Codex!   She wanted to go to Washington and file 47 was theoretical, YES!  :D  Mac lost his aunt, but he got his mother back!   

Mac needs all the hugs.   He deserves all the hugs and all the hugs deserve him (sorry, I couldn’t resist lol).   

And, Russ!  :D  I love his reasons for buying the Phoenix.  He lost his family and unknowingly bought a found family!  Welcome to the fam, Russ!   I love that Mac is such a good influence and just drags people kicking and screaming into the light!   Save the world, Mac!   

I love Mac so much!  He came through this ordeal like steel tempered by fire!   All the darkness, all the pain, all the doubt, and he just stood firm and blew it away!!   SO MUCH LOVE!  Because, it was about love for him.  Love for his parents, love for his friends, love Aunt Gwen, love for humanity!!   He’s a hero and the bad guys are in for it now.   :D  

Watch out, Leland.  You and your council are going down!  :D 

I can’t wait for season five!!  <3  <3 <3 

[riverguided]

desi’s father had been part of the valais militia and he was raised to want the same thing.  it was expected of him to continue on that legacy despite all of his artistic inclinations.  on more than one occasion it caused an argument between his parents.  seeing his mother cry and seeing the ferocity in his father’s eyes forced desiderius to come to terms with his future.  when his training started he put everything in it because he was determined to make his father proud.  every now and then he’d catch that glimmer of sadness in his mother’s eyes but at least the arguing stopped.  though a pike was his main weapon he was also trained to be ruthless and strategic with daggers in case he lost everything else.

on that first day he died, he completely forgot to pick up his pike.  even if he had it’s an incredibly inconvenient weapon to travel with long term.  some of his wounds were still healing as he hauled himself off the battlefield.  had he not witnessed his own abdomen slowly closing back up he would’ve thought the whole ordeal a nightmare.

by the time he made it home to sion desi discovered his family already received the news.  as much as he wanted to return home, he didn’t want to put his family through the emotional turmoil as he’d have to return to the battlefield eventually.  what if everything happened again?  how much strain would that put on their hearts?

so, he wandered west into france.

[urdu1official-blog]

Baaghi Drama on Urdu1: Fauzia Finally Gets her Big Break into Showbiz

Baaghi drama on Urdu1 has really raised the bar this time with its latest episode. The story based on Qandeel Baloch’s life has finally picked its much-awaited pace and shown us a glimpse into the later life of the social media sensation.Fauzia’s soul is on fire as she just can not digest the news of Abid’s fling with another woman. She questions her mother about what keeps men hooked to their wives in a marriage. To her utter shock, Fauzia discovers that her amma remains nonplussed by the idea of her husband’s affair with someone else. What is more, she advises her daughter to move on and compromise with the tragedy in her marital life. But Fauzia just can not be at peace. She threatens Ruby to keep her hands off Abid, only to be warned back that her husband is soon going to divorce her.The best part of the drama remains the divorce scene between Abid and Fauzia. Our heroine packs her bags and takes her son. But Abid deprives her of the right to raise him and orders her to leave the house. As expected, her parents blame Fauzia for the ordeal. His father forces her to go back as she was responsible for the disastrous marriage.Heartbroken, Fauzia realizes she has no one to look up to. Resigned, she returns back to her susral, while Abid continues his fling with Ruby.But then her Kismet takes a turn! Fauzia gets a call from a modeling agency and gets invited to work in an ad in the city. Elated and excited, she shares the good news with her husband but he crushes her dreams in a jiffy. The promo of the next episode shows Fauzia fulfilling her desie and finally stepping into the world of showbiz.Kudos to both Saba Qamar and Ali Kazmi for nailing their characters so beautifully in this episode. Their chemistry is on-point and expressions so perfectly conveyed.They made the audience live every scene, experience the joy and heartbreak. This week, Baaghi proved that the world will continue to stifle women, suffocate their talent and hush their voice.However, only those who dare to defy the wrong an break the norms can rise to prove themselves.For those who don’t know, Baaghi airs on Urdu1 every Thursday at 8 PM.

[weddingwade3]

Windsor Travel: Hospitality at the Argyle Manor Bed and Breakfast in Windsor

Check out more on our website Private Homes For Rent For Weddings

Finally it was time for another excursion. As a true architecture buff, Detroit had been on my radar for a long time, and I definitely wanted to explore this unique city in detail. So for the last few weeks I had been working with Visitdetroit, the city's visitor and convention office, to map out a detailed itinerary of the city that would expose me to all sorts of unique facets of the Motor City.

After a hectic day at the office on October 16, 2009 I finally got going at about 2:30 pm and arrived in Windsor, on the Canadian side of the Detroit River, shortly before 7 pm. I drove straight to the waterfront to catch the last few rays of sunshine that still lit up the skyline. Orange and purple hues formed the backdrop of the Ambassador Bridge that connects Canada and the United States. A stunning night-time skyline of Detroit was taking shape. Surrounded by various historic and contemporary skyscrapers, the impressive multi-tower headquarters of General Motors were glittering on the other side of the river. The squeeling of the wheels of the Detroit People Mover, an elevated light rapid transit system, could be heard wafting across the water.

I checked in at the Argyle Manor Bed and Breakfast, a historic Edwardian mansion built in 1923, actually the former rectory of St. Anne's Church, in the Walkerville area of Windsor. My hosts Dr. Paul and Kerri Thomas welcomed me and showed me the entire mansion. Dr. Thomas filled me in on many of the historic and architectural details. My accommodation was in a beautiful suite that featured a private bathroom, a bedroom and a spacious living room with fireplace.

My stomach was growling by now and my local experts gave me a few ideas for dinner. Based on their suggestions I drove to Erie Street, Windsor's Little Italy, but it was very quiet there this Thursday evening. Instead I made my way to the waterfront where I had a relaxing meal at the Keg, a large casual restaurant that was packed with people. My table was right in front of the panorama windows that featured an impressively illuminated skyline of Detroit.

After a good night's sleep I sat down to interview my hosts and learn a bit more about them and their business. But first I had breakfast, one of those really hearty breakfasts that you only get at a bed and breakfast. My first course was a fruit salad that was accompanied by freshly baked muffins made from self-rising flour and ice cream (today's flavour was double-churned strawberry) as well as a "garbage bag omelette". Naturally I had to inquire about the unique name of this dish, and Dr. Thomas explained that to produce a true "garbage bag omelette" all the ingredients are placed in a clear plastic bag and boiled in hot water. Accompanying the egg dish were different types of toast: seven-grain, brown and white.

Dr. Thomas went on to say that he prepares a wide variety of egg dishes for his guests, including different types of omelettes and Eggs Benedict. In his dry humour, he explained that, with the help of his guests, he has done a double-blind study and scientifically determined that brown eggs do indeed have a better taste. He also uses Uncle Richards' Maple Syrup and Barbecue Sauce, made by a farmer from Priceville, Ontario, who arguably makes the best Maple Syrup in the world (according to his own assessement anyway).

Running a bed and breakfast always involves interesting guest stories, and one of Argyle Manor's most interesting stories unfolded one day when a French couple came to stay in April a few years ago. Then the couple returned in July and asked if it was okay if they could bring a newborn. Dr. Thomas and his wife were surprised since the woman had not been pregnant during the couple's stay three months earlier. Finally it turned out that the couple had found a surrogate mother in Windsor who gave birth to a baby in July, six weeks prematurely. The couple stayed with the Thomas's for three weeks after the arrival of their newborn baby, much longer than the average leisure traveler.

Quite frequently business travelers will also stay for extended periods at Argyle Manor. Windsor, due to its location right next to Detroit, is a big automotive manufacturing centre, and many business travelers come into town for professional reasons. One time a couple from Minnesota stayed with the Thomas' for five months. The husband was a millwright working in the automotive industry and was here to install robots. His wife helped Kerri decorate the house, and the two couples are still in touch. Sometimes guests turn into friends in a bed and breakfast.

Another celebrity, an artist by the name of Blake Richardson, also stayed at Argyle Manor B&B. Dr. Thomas explained that he is the type of artist who sees hidden objects in everyday images. To demonstrate this he showed me a calendar by the artist entitled "Images found in nature". Dozens of hidden objects were painted on an image of Niagara Falls, all hidden images that the artist had seen in the seemingly random patterns of the waterfall.

One time a European couple, the husband was from Germany and his wife from Poland, stayed at Argyle Manor, and neither one of them spoke good English. As a result, the conversations were very limited. But apparently these European travelers liked their abode since the couple stayed for nine days. Due to language restrictions, the interaction was essentially restricted to "thank you - bye bye". Nevertheless, a good time was had by all.

Of course, running a bed and breakfast is no easy task. Especially when you buy an empty church rectory that still needs to be converted into a functional hospitality establishment. Dr. Thomas explained that even getting insurance for his building was initially a tough challenge. The old house still had outdated knob and tube wiring and galvanized plumbing. The insurance company would not cover the property until the knob and tube wiring was replaced.

Severing the rectory building from the rest of the church property was another ordeal that took three to four months. Add to that three to four more months for rezoning to make it an official bed and breakfast property. The Thomas' have a good friend, Wayne Strong, the owner of the nearby Ye Olde Walkerville Bed and Breakfast, who was already running a bed and breakfast in Windsor and provided extremely helpful advice to the couple.

The fire code required that the entire property be hardwired with a smoke alarm. Some of the building regulations contradicted one another, causing additional delays in sorting them out. The back stairway needed to be a second exit, otherwise the couple would have had to install special metal self-closing doors. One of the rooms by the back stairway is not allowed to have any furniture in it for fire safety reasons. Dr. Paul and Kerri Thomas had to deal with a lot of red tape to get this property converted into a bed and breakfast.

Now that I knew more about the property I also wanted to find out more about my hosts. I learned that Dr. Paul Thomas was a professor and basketball coach at the University of Saskatchewan, San Fernando Valley State College in California, and the University of Windsor. He also coached Canada's basketball team at the Olympic Games and the World University Games, and is in several Halls of Fame. As an expert in human kinetics and ergonomics, Dr. Thomas offered consulting services for many years to large corporate clients such as General Motors and General Electric to implement more ergonomic work processes. For a time he also had his own sports medicine clinic.

Although he is officially retired, Dr. Thomas is now the athletic director at a private school. He still coaches basketball and also coached Canada's Olympic basketball team. His daughter Misty is also an Olympian, having played on Canada's Olympic Team in the Los Angeles Olympics. Now, because of countless knee surgeries, she is eligible to play wheelchair basketball and is on Canada's national team and played in the Bejing Olympics. Misty is the first athlete to have played in the regular olympics and the para-olympics. His other children are actively involved in high level sports as well. Athletics definitely run in the family: Dr. Thomas's older son Scott played basketball on his dad's teams and also played pro-ball in Australia. His other son Brett is a volleyball coach. Kerri Thomas herself is also an accomplished athlete. She is a human kinetics graduate and plays elite level basketball, slo-pitch, floor hockey and volleyball. She works as a sports medicine therapist and loves her profession.

After I finished breakfast I was ready to embark on some brief discoveries of Windsor. Just before I headed out the couple gave me some special tips on how to get rid of my plantar fasciitis that I had acquired in one of this summer's tennis games. Dr. Thomas also explained various different pieces of physiotherapy equipment that are located at the couple's house. There was no doubt that I was dealing with two experts of human kinetics here.

I had a couple of hours before my planned border crossing to Detroit, so I took a walk in the surrounding Walkerville area, a historic neighbourhood that was developed by Hiram Walker, the distillery owner of Canadian Club Whiskey fame. The distillery started in 1856 and Walkerville was originally a housing development for workers at his distillery. It also featured a number of upscale mansions for managers at Hiram Walker. The workers' townhouses were built from 1858 onwards and are still in great shape today. The entire neighbourhood features leafy historic streets with attractive houses dating back to the Victorian times.

My stroll in the neighbourhood continued to Willistead Manor, the original mansion of the Walker family that today is a city park. The 36-room mansion was built between 1904 and 1906 and was designed by renowned Detroit architect Albert Kahn. It is surrounded by coachhouses and a large estate that is offen used for weddings, receptions and special events. The parkland surrounding the mansion is a popular destination for local joggers and dogwalkers.

After my brief neighbourhood walk I picked up my suitcase and said goodbye to my gracious hosts at the Argyle Manor Bed & Breakfast. To indulge in a few more local explorations, I briefly stopped at the Hiram Walker & Sons Distillery on the banks of the Detroit River, east of downtown Windsor. The company offers guided factory tours, but I did not have enough time to sample one. Today Canadian Club Whisky Company is part of the Pernod Ricard beverage empire and still going strong. Part of the expansive Hiram Walker complex, the Heritage Centre is a gorgeous early 19th century red brick Italianate building. This is also the starting point for the guided tours of the Canadian Club facility.

With my tight schedule of course I had to move on since I still wanted to see the waterfront and the Odette Sculpture Park which features more than 31 large, internationally renowned contemporary sculptures. On this gorgeous fall day, the views of the Ambassador Bridge and of downtown Detroit from the Windsor waterfront were simply astounding and made me curious to explore Detroit, the metropolis on the other side of the river.

Well, it was time to cross the border now. Punctually at noon I rolled through the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel to start my Detroit adventures.

http://travelandtransitions.com

See More Here: Windsor Travel: Hospitality at the Argyle Manor Bed and Breakfast in Windsor

[desimedicos]

New Post has been published on Desi Medicos

New Post has been published on https://www.desimedicos.com/permission-for-termination-of-the-hiv-pregnancy-23-24-weeks-denied-by-supreme-court/

Permission for Termination of the HIV Pregnancy @ 23-24 Weeks denied by Supreme Court

Permission for Termination of the HIV Pregnancy @ 23-24 Weeks denied by Supreme Court

Case details : Courtesy www.livelaw.in https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzXilfcxe7yubUliZjdCRlM5dDA/view

Judgment of Hon. Patna High Court. http://patnahighcourt.bih.nic.in/JudgementByCaseNo.aspx

Indu Devi V/s. State of Bihar (SLA C no. 14327/2017)

Facts in short : The judgment of Patna High Court reveals all the facts in details.

1. The petitioner ( „victim‟), 35 years of age, claiming to be a destitute, was rescued on 25.01.2017 by a Field Coordinator of Shanti Kutir‟, a Woman Rehabilitation Centre situated at Patliputra, Patna. 2. During routine tests, USG was conducted on 08.02.2017, it was found that the victim was carrying pregnancy of 13 weeks and 6 days and she was later on found to be HIV+ and that time she was 17 weeks pregnant. it was argued on her part that due to inaction of hospital authorities, the MTP could not be carried out prior to 20 weeks, the permitted period under MTP Act. Allegations of rape were made by the Petitioner at late stage and she could not reveal the identity. 3. As the Victim though desirous of terminating her pregnancy, could not prove her identity, the Writ Petition was filed before Hon. Patna High Court. 4.The Director, IGIMS, Patna was directed to constitute Multi Disciplinary Medical Board to give the report, and the committee, after examining the victim opined that it would be hazardous to the life of the victim if the MTP is done @ 24 weeks. The Medical Board has suggested in its report for continuation of pregnancy according to NACO guidelines. The Report further stated that there is likelihood that foetus may be HIV+ve. But definite diagnosis can only be made when the child attains the age of 18 months. 5. The Hon. Patna High Court rejected the permission to carryout MTP and thus the PEtitioner approached Hon. Apex Court. 6. The Apex Court considering the importance of “time”, directed Medical Board of AIIMS to give ti s report. THE AIIMS Board also opined that it would be risky to the life of both mother and the child if the MTP is done. Moreover she was advised to continue HAART Therapy to reduce the risks of HIV. 7. The Apex Court considering all the ordeal through which the victim, a destitute went, directed State of Bihar to provide all the medical facilities to the victim in addition to Rs.3 lakhs towards compensation for delay..

This case again emphasises to suitably amend the MTP Act, as its not possible for every victim or needy woman to approach the Apex Court of Land. e.g. It’s a matter of record that some anomalies of foetus can be found only after 20 weeks scan or the present case senario where the victim was subjected to forceful physical relations and a destitute. If in all the previous cases also, the opinion of Medical Board was taken, why not to make provisions for such board in the Act itself ?

Adv. Rohit Erande Pune.

[heartofanenigma]

I'm so jealous of people who have a good relationship with their mothers. Like what does it feel like to find peace in her hugs? What does it feel like to get advice whenever you're too perplexed about something? To get head pats? I miss her hugs, I miss her smell and I miss laying down on her lap. But I'm far from all that, not because she's not here or anything. She's two centimetres away while I write this. I'm busy being the angry, stormy child she made me into, the ruthless kid she's unknowingly given shape to, i'm the perfect babushka doll of her anger and sadness and all that she feels. I love you, mumma, but all that comes out of my throat is the sound of broken strings and broken glass. I want to hug you and hold onto you, mumma, but all my hands are doing is breaking your heart and this home.

[desimedicos]

New Post has been published on Desi Medicos

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MTP @ 24 Weeks - Thanks to the Apex Court and Kudos to Medicos

MTP @ 24 Weeks – Thanks to the Apex Court and Kudos to Medicos

In the 2nd case of its kind, the Hon. Apex Court has interpreted the Law beyond the textbook and set the ordeal of the young couple to an end. MTP @ 24 Weeks – Thanks to the Apex Court and Kudos to Medicos Facts in Shorts : 1. The Petitioner No.1 approached the hon. Apex Court as a last resort for getting permission to undergo MTP @ 24 weeks, as as per current law, MTP cannot be done after 20 weeks.

2.She apprehended danger to her life, having discovered that her fetus was diagnosed with Anencephaly i.e. a defect that leaves foetal skull bones unformed and is both untreatable and certain to cause the infant’s death during or shortly after birth. This condition is also known to endanger the mother’s life.

3. Initially she was not allowed to undergo MTP after it was found that the fetus is with anomalies. Hence she had no other alternative but to approach Hon. Apex Court.(W.P. (Civil) No.17/2017) http://courtnic.nic.in/supremecourt/qrydisp.asp

Held : 1. Their Lordships considering the need of an hour gave a direction on 11/01/2017 for examination of the petitioner no.1 by a Medical Board consisting of the seven expert Doctors from different fields. 2. The Board physically examined the petitioner on 12/01/2017 and gave its report mentioning inter alia there in that the fetus is without a skull and would, therefore, not be in a position to survive and it was also brought to the notice of their lordships that the Petitioner- Mother is in sound state of mind and understands the abnormality of fetus and the Support of HUSBAND Was also recorded and the Board concluded that the fetus would not be able to survive outside the uterus. 3. The Court further held that the continuation of pregnancy will be dangerous to the life and limb ofthe the petitioner -mother. 4. it relied upon the observations of its previous judgment in the case of Suchita Srivastava and Anr. vs. Chandigarh Administration [(2009) 9 SCC 1] that right of women to give birth includes right not to give birth. But ironically, in Suchia’s case, the MTP was not allowed, even though the rape victim was mentally challenged and this judgment was criticised heavily.Be that it is. 5. The Apex Court directed that MTP to be performed by the Doctors of the hospital where the Petitioner has undergone medical check-up.

This is indeed a very important judgment and again emphasises the dire need to suitably amend the MTP Act. It is not that every such person will get an opportunity to approach the Apex Court. Every parents want their children to be fit and healthy.If now a days, due to technology it is learnt in advance about the deformities / anomalies of the unborn, then why should not such parents be given an option of MTP ? Of course, role of Doctors will be of great importance in such cases. Slowly, the Courts are taking out of the box approach in MTP cases. Recently the division Bench of bombay High Court ruled that right of MTP is also available to women living in “live-in-relationship”

Last but not the least.. Proper advice is the condition precedent for getting expected reliefs. In present case Dr. Sangeeta Pikale (from Thane) and her Colleagues Doctors and other Team members are instrumental in helping the Petitioner to approach the Apex Court for necessary relief. So kudos to them and kudos to the Medical fraternity.

MTP @ 24 Weeks – Thanks to the Apex Court and Kudos to Medicos

An article by Adv. Rohit Erande,Pune