#walnuts go everywhere. it's not pretty

[bonestrouslingbones]

btw big shoutout to that woodworking class i took in my final semester of high school for allowing me to 1. not constantly sound like i'm talking entirely out of my ass and 2. hide some very niche secrets because of the like 2 full months of paperwork & osha training before i got to actually build anything

[headspace-hotel]

So growing up I heard these kinds of statements: "X number of species goes extinct every year" and "Most species that go extinct are undescribed/undiscovered"

And I could never really picture what that looked like. What species were going extinct? Where? Why? If they're undiscovered, how do we know about it? It's only recently that I've been able to understand.

This is an example:

Since European colonization, 99% of old growth forest in the eastern United States was cut down.

In Eastern Kentucky, the coal industry led to waste and rubble being dumped in valleys, literally burying countless mountain streams in gravel and toxic sludge.

Colonialism and exploitation moved faster than leaf-sketching and bug-collecting European naturalists did. It's very simple, and very sad. When the coal mines polluted the streams, many species of fish that only lived in one specific stream must have gone extinct. When Native Americans were forced off their lands, we can presume that rare plant species found in meadows, canebrakes and oaks savannas dependent on particular anthropogenic disturbances went extinct. When old-growth tracts were logged, God only knows how many lichens, mosses, ferns and plants went extinct because the trees they lived on were chopped.

We can extrapolate from the diversity in the fragments that remain, and the number of rare endemic species in especially isolated areas, and guess what probably existed in areas that were obliterated early on.

Keep in mind: All is not lost. New species are still being discovered.

The Bluegrass region of Kentucky was once called one of the most peculiar plant communities of the South—an eastern island of oak savanna with an understory of Arundinaria bamboo and legumes. Early European settlers reported that the ground was incredibly rich and covered with knee-high clover and dense thickets of "cane" (bamboo) that made navigation next to impossible.

Some people say the Bluegrass was always a forest and the savanna theory is wrong. Bullshit! I know this because of several reasons:

The earliest records don't mention any sycamores at all in the Bluegrass, whereas river cane (bamboo) was everywhere. Arundinaria bamboos are fire dependent species, whereas sycamore is HIGHLY intolerant of fire. From this we can infer that the area had a history of frequent burning.

Everyone in the Bluegrass knows about the Old Trees. In horse and cattle pastures in the Bluegrass region, you will sometimes see gigantic, twisted old oaks, with great spreading crowns. Nowadays you hardly see an oak that properly merits the term "gnarled," but the gnarl of the Old Trees is crazy. Just look up google images for Kentucky tourism and you'll see one of those huge trees in the background of several of the photos, I bet. Hardly anyone consciously thinks about it, but these are pre-colonization trees. And they are all obviously open-grown—their growth habit over the centuries has spread out, rather than grown straight up as in a forest.

Early colonizers' records report big walnut and cherry trees in the area. Most of the old houses in the area are made of walnut wood. Those are mid-successional species—you wouldn't find them dominating in an area that was heavily disturbed regularly and recently, they're trees, but you wouldn't find them in a forest that had been minimally disturbed forest for centuries either. The fact that they got huge suggests that a regular disturbance pattern of the Bluegrass region was abruptly interrupted and mostly ceased.

It was a pretty special place, a savanna environment with a mix of giant twisted oaks, rolling prairie hills and bamboo thickets, with deep sinkholes connecting the surface to subterranean cave ecosystems. In places the limestone bedrock reached the surface, creating limestone glades—unique desert-like habitats with many rare plants including Opuntia cactus.

It was also one of the first ecosystems west of the Appalachians to be destroyed by settlers.

BUT! Just a few years ago, we discovered Trifolium kentuckiense—Kentucky clover. A unique species of clover that has only been found in two spots in Central Kentucky.

This means the Bluegrass species that probably went extinct because their habitat was ignorantly logged, plowed and grazed before they were studied by European science may not be entirely gone.

We have been able to fund exhaustive inventories of potential holdouts for big flashy animals like the ivory-billed woodpecker, but so many people view the place they live as "boring" and thoroughly explored, when there could be surviving plants hanging out just about anywhere.

But...I don't think most people realize how much of the Holocene extinction has already happened. Most of the losses are plants and bugs that you never knew existed in the first place.

I feel like lots of people are anxiously waiting for the mass extinction to "start" hitting, but that's not quite right. European colonization of the globe WAS and *is* the mass extinction (combined with climate change which is very related). It's actively ongoing in the Global South. In eastern North America, the major wave of extinctions hit between 100 and 300 years ago.

I feel so much grief for all that was almost certainly lost forever, but I also recognize that I live in a unique period of time where the future can still be changed, and in particular, the heavily damaged ecosystems of the Southeast can be restored and used to absorb carbon from the atmosphere and provide resilience to the entire globe. And I strongly suspect at least a few mysterious new plants will start popping up once that happens...because a lot of plants stick around in the soil seed bank for a long, long time, and seeds can happen to be preserved by freak accident and then sprout later.

we (researchers, scientists, people who work in this field) will desperately need to consult tribal nations for this though because from my reading into it, we don't know what the fuck we're doing. The most basic things like controlled burns are still struggling to catch on and in some places just, spraying herbicides willy-nilly on invasive plants without understanding what makes them invasive.

[sometimesanalice]

Leave a Light On {vol. i}

Summary: When Bradley had given you a key to his place, what he probably didn’t expect was to find you there at 2 am sitting at the piano you’d helped him find.

Pairing: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female Reader

Length: 7k

Warnings: lots of pining and yearning (Minors DNI)

(this was the story I was working on back in January, before the 'Like I Can' series and anything else on my masterlist. I'm so excited to share it with you all! This will be a 2-part series.)

When Bradley had given you a key to his place, you imagine he probably thought you’d check on his plants every now and then. That you’d pop by to give them a quick water and then be on your way.

Maybe that you’d take the Bronco out for a quick spin, so that his baby it didn’t sit there too long going unused. You were one of a very small handful of people he trusted to drive his most prized possession. There was something special about being behind the vintage wheel with the sun on your face as you cruised along the highway, even if it wasn’t the same without him sitting there smiling next to you.

He’d already put his mail on hold with the USPS, but you knew that he knew he could count on you to rescue any stray package that might slip through the cracks and make its way to the front door of his charming craftsman bungalow.

What he probably didn’t expect was for you to be there sometime past 2 AM sitting on the creaky bench of the old, but well-loved, piano that you had helped him to find.

You should be tucked away under the comforter of your own bed, in your own room, at your own place.

Instead, your fingers are navigating over the black and ivory keys trying, yet again, to make it through a tricky passage on a song that you’ve spent the better part of the last three months trying to perfect.

He was coming home soon and you couldn’t wait to hold him, to love him, to surprise him.

Each time he leaves, it gets a little easier to miss him. You wear your longing like a locket rather than an albatross around your neck, always there but easier to bear.

Rooster had a way of filling a space in a way you’ve never experienced before. His larger than life charisma was one of the first things that had caught your attention, followed by that damn smile of his.

He was always humming in the kitchen.

Or whistling in the car.

Or playing the piano to decompress after a long day.

Or listening to something on his mom’s refurbished record player.

His presence always so tangible and warm, like a blanket pulled fresh from the dryer. With Bradley around, you could wrap yourself up in the sheer comfort of him.

And when he was gone, it was the quiet that you struggled with the most. A constant reminder of just how far away he was. No texts or calls or voice memos throughout the day. No little everyday sweet somethings that let you know he was thinking of you.

The sound of silence followed you everywhere. Its heavy companionship making itself known regardless of how loudly you sang along to his favorite songs on the playlist he had made you or how many times you played through the song you were learning just for him.

You had grown up in the silence, you knew it well.

Parents who stayed together because it was easier than splitting the house and sharing the kid. And on the rare occasions it wasn’t quiet, it was loud. The kind that was inescapable regardless of how much you buried under the covers or how far you tucked yourself away in the corner of the backyard.

Until one day the glossy, satin walnut upright piano appeared along the wall in your barely used dining room. And then it soon became your favorite way to cover the quiet and to mask the loud.

Looking back on it now, maybe your parents had wanted something to fill the silence too.

The hours and hours of lessons you and Bradley had both been forced to sit through as children was something that the two of you had bonded over pretty early on. And while he had kept up with playing, it was something that had fallen to the wayside in your life. First with school, then with a career, and now with purposeful avoidance.

There was once a time when reading sheet music had come as easily to you as reading a book. And then one day, they were just a bunch of random dots scattered in between and across five lines on a piece of paper.

There was once a time when you didn’t even need to look down to know where your fingertips were flying to. And then one day, all your fingers could do was stumble and trip over the keys as you winced at the dissonance it created.

And when Rooster had learned about your mutual musical upbringing, he had made it his personal mission to try and get you to play something for him. He was so sweet, so sincere in the way he’d ask you, all big brown eyes and hopeful smiles.

It had always made your chest tight to brush him off. It was something he clearly wanted to share with you, but that part of you ached like a phantom limb. You didn’t know what would be worse embarrassing yourself or disappointing him with your lack of skill when it was something that you used to be so proud about.

It was easy to dodge him at first during nights out at the Hard Deck with your understandable Not with all these people here’s to your practical Mozart would just bring the vibes down’s to your evasive Maybe next time’s. 

And when his polite requests were met with empty answers, he took it a step further.

One night in his bed, the curtains fluttering as the sea breeze mingled with his sandalwood scent, he’d whispered into your heated skin, “I’ll get you to play something for me one of these days. Maybe I just need to find the right form of bribery.”

His teasing innuendo juxtaposed deliciously with the deliberate touch of his fingers and tongue as he’d played your body to a perfect crescendo.

It reached a point where you couldn’t stomach to see the dejection in his eyes, the hurt he tried so hard to hide when you’d deny him yet again, that you had to own up to your closely guarded secret.

The confession had whooshed out of you in one breath, leaving you feeling deflated and defeated afterwards.

When you eventually mustered the courage to look at him, he’d been wearing the softest look of understanding on his face, as if he could sense the toll it took to admit the loss of that part of yourself. Then he gathered you in his lap and held you, all while the tears of frustration simmered behind your tightly squeezed eyes.

And when he offered to help remind how to read that language without words, to help you remember the letters of the keys beneath your fingers, it had made your heart hurt a little less.

You weren’t ready then, not like you are now.

But nothing gave you as much pleasure as it did to watch Rooster seated in front of the well-worn and well-played upright piano of Penny’s at the Hard Deck. There was nothing more exhilarating than seeing him in his element so at home on the bench, scuffed and scratched from performers of the past, as he shared that part of himself with everyone in the bar.

He made it look so easy. So damn effortless. His thick fingers flying purposefully over the keys as he played from memory. His joyous enthusiasm electrifying and substantial enough to get the whole bar singing along with him.

It always drew him a lot of attention.

How could it not? He was magnetic on a bad day and captivating the rest of the time. And entirely too handsome for his own good.

Interested eyes, curious eyes, hungry eyes followed him around more often than not after an impromptu performance.

However, those brown eyes of his were always set on you.

Never wavering, never straying from you as he’d weave his way poco a poco, little by little, back through the packed bar. Handing out high-fives to people on autopilot as he passed by to return back to your side. Glistening with the sweat he worked up and grinning widely as he’d greet you with a How’d I do, sweetheart?. Those big, capable hands sliding around your waist, in the back pocket of your jeans, under your top to rest on your low back.

The two of you never stuck around for long after he wrapped up. You didn’t mind helping him find ways to put that excess adrenaline to good use. Usually in the backseat of the Bronco.

You’ll never forget the first time Bradley serenaded you. The song meant for you and you alone.

If someone were to cut into that soft, pink part of your brain, you’re pretty sure they would find that memory pressed there like flowers between the pages of a book. Forever apart of you.

It was the song that always took you right back to that little vinyl shop along the pier. And back to that date that had almost derailed it all.

When Rooster had picked you up to take you to dinner all those months ago, he had seemed a bit antsy and absentminded.

Sure, he had gotten out of the Bronco to come fetch you like a gentleman, instead of sending some half-assed Here text like your ex had been fond of doing. You thought for sure he’d be hustling you back inside after he caught a glimpse of what you were wearing once you opened your front door to greet him.

So you were surprised when he’d simply pressed a dry kiss to your cheek and escorted you to his car with a hand placed respectfully between your shoulder blades instead of cheekily in that space between your low back and ass.

That spot that toed the line between decent and indecent. That spot that made him smirk when you’d give him a pointed lift of the eyebrow, because the two of you knew exactly what he was doing. And better yet, liked it.

However, that night it was almost like he was going through the motions, like he was already somewhere else.

The car ride to the restaurant was silent except for the white noise of the highway as he drove. The circular knob for the radio set to the left.

Off.

Which in hindsight should have been your first warning, since Bradley was never not listening to the Oldies station. A vintage vibe for your vintage boy. 

When you were finally seated across from him at that new trendy Thai place you had been dying to go to, his fingers wouldn’t stop tapping out some unheard tune. On the tops his thighs. On the top of the table.

His eyes were landing everywhere else other than on you. On the large leaves of the potted palms, on the ornate pattern on the gold silk that was swathed across the ceiling, on the intricate hand-painted tiles on the floor.

You’d been trying to carry on a conversation for the past fifteen minutes and were feeling completely on edge when you had to repeat yet another question for him.

The anxious feeling growing in the pit of your stomach had been getting more and more difficult to ignore. You could tell he wasn’t really there, what you were trying to figure out was whether or not he just didn’t want to be there with you.

And god, the drinks hadn’t even come out yet. There wasn’t anything for you to distract yourself with other than your water glass, and even that was already empty except for a few melting ice cubes.

His half answers and noncommittal noises were rapidly clearing things up for you.

He’s breaking up with me.

It was at that crushing realization that the waitress had returned with your drink orders. The bright orange concoction that she set in front of you had been topped with a lovely purple orchid and glittery swizzle stick.

A happy looking cocktail for the girl who thought she was going to have another great date with the guy who was saved in her phone as “Golden Boy”.

“Have you two decided on what you want to eat? Or would you like to hear the chef’s specials again?” the waitress had asked, her gaze bouncing back and forth between you and Bradley.

You could tell that she was sensing the brewing tension between the two of you.

“I don’t think we’ll here much longer, maybe just the check--”

“Sorry, if we could have a few more minutes to decide--”

You’d both started speaking at the same time only to turn to the other wearing matching faces of absolute confusion. He’d gone ramrod straight in his chair, his fingers finally still on the tabletop. The shock in his eyes was apparent, and you could only assume it was there because you beat him to the punch.

The waitress had looked at you sympathetically before saying she’d come back in check in a few minutes and then quickly spun on her heel to take her hasty leave.

It was the look that she’d given you that had really sealed the deal for you, and wasn’t that just great? You wouldn’t have been surprised if the rest of the waitstaff was already hearing about the couple fighting at Table 12 and taking bets about whether or not they’d break up.

Lucky them, dinner and a show.

You’d reached the fruity drink in front of you, the condensation from the glass leaving a ring on the table and took a large sip for moral support. Feeling the weight his stare on you the whole time as you savored the tart taste of passionfruit as it burst across your tongue.

He’d just have to wait. It was your turn to ignore him.

As you’d swallowed it down, it had left you feeling more than a little angry that it tasted so good when you were feeling so shitty. He knew how much you liked an over the top cocktail, why couldn’t he have picked some dingy hole-in-the-wall to do this at rather than ruin this place for you? The hot prickling sensation of righteous indignation filled your chest.

You really didn’t want it to drag out any longer, setting your liquid courage back down you’d met his stare and got right down to it, “If you’re going to break up with me, Rooster, can you just do it now? I’d like to still be able to order Pad See Ew in the future without thinking about you and this moment.”

You removed the napkin from your lap, folding it up primly before placing it back upon the table as you waited for the final nail in the coffin to be pounded in on the remains of the happiest-and-easiest-and-clearly-too-good-to-be-true relationship you’ve ever had.

“Wait, what? I don’t want to break up.” His eyes were wide and searching, the hurt in his voice had been evident. And it was the first time all evening that he seemed to be present with you, like your Golden Boy had finally showed up to the date. “I thought things were going well. More than well, actually.”

“Yeah. I mean, I did too. Until tonight,” you’d agreed, defeatedly. “I’m really confused here. You’ve been completely distant tonight. Not to be vain, but look at me,” you gestured to the sexy lowcut dress you’d worn for the evening. It was something you’d been saving in your closet for the right occasion. And you’d thought it was going to drive him wild, but he hadn’t even given it a second glance.

You’d leaned in a bit, lowering your voice, “It’s a boob and leg dress, Bradley. I look really fucking hot, and frankly, I didn’t even think we were going to make it here once you saw this. It wouldn’t have been the first time we’ve missed a dinner reservation. And you haven’t said a single thing about it.”

It felt like a silly thing to be upset about in the grand scheme of things, but his inattentiveness that evening had stung more than you’d wanted to admit to.

“Trust me, sweetheart, I noticed,” he’d retorted hotly. His eyes had been heated as he’d matched your movement and leaned in further across the table. “Half the men in here noticed it too the second you walked in.”

You didn’t bother trying to hold back your scoff of frustration, the man was infuriating.

“Then I don’t understand why you’re making me feel like being here- with me- is the last place you want to be right now?” You’d given up on trying to sound unaffected, this was not the evening you had envisioned. It felt like being blindfolded on a rollercoaster, unable to see what exactly you were hurtling towards.

“I got my new orders today,” he’d blurted out, his eyes trying to read yours for the reaction. “I’m being send as aerial escort for a diplomatic mission. I ship out next Monday for six weeks.”

He’d told you later that he was grateful it wasn’t a longer one, he knew he was lucky because he could have just as easily been sent away for a deployment longer than you’d actually been together.

“Oh.”

You’d known that that moment would have happened eventually with his job, so you shouldn’t have been surprised. However, it was one thing thinking about it theoretically rather than looking at a ticking clock with a deadline.

“Cards on the table, sweetheart?” He’d waited for you to nod before continuing on, “I am really fucking into you. I’m trying not to put pressure on this, because I’m pretty sure you’re my dream girl. I wanted to take you out for a nice meal, get you a couple of those complicated fun drinks you like. I even looked at the menu in advance, they have one here that they light on fire and it seems like something you would love.”

He was right, it was something that you’d love. You had even eyed it when you first got the menu, but you hadn’t wanted to get anything that would draw you more attention when you already felt like you had too many pairs of eyes on you.

“Then I wanted to take you home with me and tell you after we had a great time out. I wanted to ask you to save that Sunday before I leave for me, so that we could spend the whole day together.” His fingers had started playing that unheard tune on the table again. “I wanted to show my girl the best time, to keep her wanting to come back and to stick around. So that someone else doesn’t catch her eye, so that I don’t lose her to someone better than me while I’m away.”

His confession had your heart taking up residence in your throat. Having him lay it out for you so clearly and knowing that he’d felt as serious about you as you did about him was everything you had wanted to hear. However, one thing nagged at you.

“Bradley, you make me happy. Like really, really happy. I’ve only got eyes for you. If I’m being honest, this stopped being casual to me around our third date. And I trust you enough to know you’d tell me if this”, you’d gestured between the two of you, “wasn’t what you wanted anymore before starting up with someone else. I hope I have that same trust in return, because if you’re worried about me stepping out on you while you’re away, I don’t know how this is going to work. And I really want it to work.”

“Shit, I’m really striking out here. Batting 0 for two,” he’d sighed out more to himself than to you, leaning back in his chair and running his hands through his hair. “Our third? Really? I thought for sure after that disaster that you were going to block my number.” He huffs a laugh, cheeks turning the same shade of pink that they had that chaotic evening on the beach.

“Bradley, it was comically bad.” You couldn’t help but crack a smile at the memory of it. “You were trying so hard and you were so flustered. It was so endearing.”

“Who would have guessed getting attacked by seagulls and coming home covered in sand flea bites could have been so appealing?” He joked self-deprecatingly.

“Me, I could have. Since I was with you,” you said sincerely, “No one I’ve dated has ever put half as much effort into trying to make me happy as you have.”

The two of you exchanged a soft, tentative smiles.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply you had a wandering eye or anything, I promise.” His eyes pleaded with you as he reached for your hands and threaded his fingers through yours, his palms slightly sweaty. “This deployment is different for me. I’ve never had to ask someone to wait for me before, never had anyone who wanted to. And I’ve been really in my head because I was trying to find the right way to tell you, to ask you.”

You were still getting to know all of the expressions of his face, but the look of open insecurity he was wearing was new to you. And you’d felt something deep in your chest release and unlock.

For how easily he owned a room, for how confident he could be, getting to see these tender parts of him because he trusted you with them had made you ache in the most bittersweet of ways for the man who was in front of you.

You held his gaze, taking in his anxious expression. How anyone couldn’t want this man or didn’t think he was worth the wait was incomprehensible to you.

“So Sunday the seventeenth, huh?” you’d said with a grin.

His relief was palpable as he’d squeezed your hand a bit tighter, “Yeah, baby, you up for it?”

“A perfect day with my dream guy?” you mused, squeezing his hand back, “Yeah, I think I’d be up for that. I’m up for all of it.”

Not just the date. Not just the deployment. You already knew. With him, you wanted it all.

When the waitress returned a few moments later, Bradley ordered a green curry for himself and the Pad See Ew for you. Along with one of those complicated, fun drinks that arrived with fanfare and flames, all while he played with your fingers.

And after you were finished, she’d dropped off a fluffy looking coconut covered dessert that she’d stated was on the house as walked away with a wink.

You’d totally called it, dinner and a show.

As you’d left the restaurant, he tucked you in close under his arm pressing kiss after kiss to your temple as you made your way back to the Bronco.

And later, when he had taken you back to his place for the night, your boob-and-leg dress forgotten somewhere on the floor, he’d apologized again. This time with his mouth on your body.

Twice.

It had been a fluke, really, finding that record tucked away in that small, but well-kept shop on that Sunday before his deployment.

You’d surprised him with a certificate for a haircut and hot towel shave at an upscale barber for a little pre-deployment pampering. He’d gotten his hair trimmed the day before and he was somehow looking even more sunkissed than usual. His patterned shirt was mostly buttoned up and he had on your favorite pair of jeans- the ones that might have been a bit too snug, but did devastating things for his ass.

It was the outfit he’d been wearing when you had first met.

You and Bradley had spent a lazy, perfect morning at the beach reading and lounging and trading sea salt kisses before changing and to grab a bite to eat. He’d held up a towel up around you to slip into your sun warmed dress, behaving himself for the most part. But you’d still caught him sneaking a peek from over the top of the terry cloth.

After eating a late lunch at his favorite little café that served the best cioppino, you’d popped in and out of the various shops that dotted the boardwalk near the pier. It might have been the bottle of wine you shared, but he made sure to stop at every photobooth you passed along the way, collecting strip after strip of snapshots and tucking them into his shirt pocket.

His hand staying in yours the whole time.

When he’d spotted the tiny record store, he’d cheerily pulled you along with him wanting to look for new additions for his ever-growing collection. It was his newest hobby after getting his mom’s old record player restored. You had even helped him build the sideboard he had specially ordered for it to display his prized collection in the living room of his home.

You could hear him talking excitedly to an associate about some Jerry Lee Lewis albums, who offered to take a look in the backroom for him. You never had good luck when you tried to search for specific things, so you were happy to meander around a bit aimlessly and see what spoke to you.

Casually flipping through the stacks, you’d gasped when you landed on what appeared to be the holy grail of all vinyl records ever made.

“Bradley, look!” You’d held out the record for him like a prize. And he abandoned his own search to come join you on the other side of the store.

“Soldiers’ Sweethearts, huh?” He grinned at your find, his eyes crinkling around the edges. The navy colored jacket highlighted a trio of glamourous looking women, each of the three records featured a different performer and their covers of songs popularized during WWII.

“Mm-hmm,” you’d preened, feeling entirely too pleased with yourself. “You’re a soldier, I’m a sweetheart. I’ve never seen anything more perfect in my life. I have to get it.”

“Well I’m not a soldier, technically,” he’d chuckled, as you’d rolled your eyes at him. The joke had you scrunching your nose, and his mustache grazed you as he leaned in close to press a quick kiss to it. “But you’re definitely a sweetheart, sweetheart.”

You were still trying to learn the ins and outs of that part of his life. But you’d liked how he never made you feel stupid when you had questions. More often than not he seemed excited to answer them for you, that you were interested in what he did.

Rooster gently took your newest most prized possession into his big hands, “Let’s see what we’ve got here.” Flipping the album over, he’d scanned the tracks listed on the back for the three records. “Some classics, but a lot I don’t think I know. Definitely some intriguing titles, like ‘Daddy’,” he read aloud with a raised eyebrow and a grin that could only be described as lewd.

The man was a menace and had no problem finding new ways to make you blush. You were grateful that the shop was empty except for the two of you, as you felt the heat rise in your cheeks.

“What about ‘Who’s Taking You Home Tonight’? Have you heard that one before, sweetheart?” His large body moving in and crowding yours, the smell of his cologne making your thoughts go a bit fuzzy around the edges. Your heartbeat kicked up in tempo as he brushed a piece of hair off your forehead.

That find was definitely a jackpot.

Him and those records.

“Mm, or how about ‘Make Love To Me’?” He’d murmured into your ear, his free arm slid slowly against your waist, making a home for itself low on your back. The warmth from his hand seeping through your dress and into your skin.

It was heady being the target of all his heated words and teasing tone. The pull in your low stomach getting more intense with every moment you’d stayed pressed against his hard body. You could see how his pulse was pounding arditamente con forza, boldly with force, from how close your face was to that thick throat of his. And you had wanted to--

“I knew we had it somewhere!”

The associate’s cheery announcement as he returned from the backroom startled you back into yourself. Feeling flustered you’d tried to pull away, but Bradley just kept his arm locked around you as he’d made his way to the counter.

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. We’ll take this one too,” he stated as he’d smoothly placed your Soldiers’ Sweethearts album on the top of the pile he had accumulated. Only letting go of you to pay.

Naturally, you’d wanted to play the record the second you made it back to Bradley’s place.

He set it up for you before giving you a lingering, deep kiss leaving you to your own devices as he worked on the final few things left on his to-do list before his deployment early the next morning.

You were happy to make yourself comfortable on his wide seat couch with an Old Fashioned listening to Jo Stafford’s soothing voice with your eyes closed, wanting to luxuriate in the moment.

One where Bradley was less than twenty feet away puttering around in his kitchen and humming and murmuring to himself.

One where you could call out to him and he would be in front of you in a few long strides.

You wanted to avoid thinking about the next day and the beginning of your new normal.

One where you couldn’t expect text messages from him throughout the day.

One where concern and uncertainty would follow you around like a dark cloud until he came back home to you.

But he was here for now. And you wanted to savor it all, to soak up all of its sweet, syrupy goodness like the expensive cherry in your glass.

He must have sensed the turn in your thoughts because his sandalwood scent gave his closeness away before his voice did, “What do you say, Miss Soldiers’ Sweetheart? Can you spare a dance for me?”

You opened your eyes to see him standing before you with his hand outreached for you. The smile so gentle and open on his face, made it impossible for you to do anything other than wordlessly nod your head in agreement as you’d let him pull you up from your comfy perch.

“Apologies in advance for any injuries caused by my two left feet,” you joked a bit bashfully as he wrapped his arm around you.

“Lucky for us, I was gifted with two right feet. Don’t worry, we’ll even out each other,” he murmured.

He pulled you into his gravity, pressing your joined hands against his chest where you could feel the steady beat of his heart. The hand on your lower back urging closer, closer until there wasn’t an inch of space between your bodies. His chin rested lightly on the top of your head where you had tucked it into that safe space where his neck meets his shoulder.

take me in your arms, and never let me go whisper to me softly while the moon is low

True to his word, he’d guided you in a smooth, easy rhythm. The confidence in his steps as you were held within his sturdy arms was enough to make you feel secure in your own movement. With him you were completely taken care of.

hold me close and tell me what I wanna know say it to me gently, let the sweet talk flow

Your other hand slid up slowly from where it was resting on his shoulder to wrap around his neck, fingers threading through the fine hairs at the nape of his neck as your thumb traced the thick column of his throat.

Come a little closer, make love to me

He held you tighter, held you closer, as the song came to an end. The easy rhythm turning into a gentle sway that continued as the next song began. And the one after that.

That night in his bed he moved against you with such purpose, such tenderness. The sex with Bradley was always stunningly good, he was never content to let himself come until he’d rendered you thoroughly boneless and breathless. He was easily the best you’ve ever had, but that night it was different between you two.

The mood weighty and intense, both of you exposed in a way you hadn’t been before. But there was no mistaking the deliberate way he touched you, the unwavering way he rolled his hips against yours, the unguarded way he held your gaze as if he was committing that moment to memory as he made love to you.

He’d held you close to his warm body, his fingertips leaving trails of goosebumps, as you shivered through your orgasm. His mouth pressed against your ear as he whispered soothing sweet somethings until he followed you over the edge.

For Bradley, you were up for it. For him, you’d be up for all of it.

yesyesyes

Things were a bit too quiet for you.

You heart clenched in a different way when you looked at Penny’s piano on those evenings you spent with the Dagger Squad without him. The ache was still there, but so was a new kind of longing. Part for him, but also for yourself.

But you’d made it through that deployment with the help of your three favorite sweethearts: Jo, Vera and Anne. Although you always queued up one song in particular anytime you found yourself missing him a bit more than normal.

And when Bradley returned back home to you six weeks later, it was easy to fall right back into him. That quiet period was almost too easily forgotten when he was around to fill a space.

That night at the Hard Deck when he serenaded you for the first time, it was normal for him to strut over to the old jukebox to unplug it. His timing impeccable as always, silencing whatever country song Jake had queued up.  

What wasn’t normal was the way he took you by the hand leading you directly to the old upright and pulled you right onto the bench next to him.

There was already some sheet music spread across the shelf, you’d noted as he’d wiped his hands on the outside of his jeans before settling his hands on the keys. It only took you a couple bars of the intro to realize what song he was playing, already completely enamored before he’d even opened his mouth to sing.

It was your song.

Nothing in the world could ever compete with Bradley Bradshaw’s deep, raspy voice singing just for you. The significance of the song meant for you and him alone.

You heart had swelled in your chest until you thought it might burst from happiness. Never in your life had you been so thoroughly swept off your feet. It was a gesture came from his heart that made a home in yours.

Ever the showman Rooster put on a full performance, his aviator sunglasses sliding down his nose as he really leaned into it.

Your wide grin had turned to laughter when a few members of the Dagger Squad jumped in as back-up vocals, singing into their beer bottles in a way that obviously had been rehearsed. You didn’t know how he managed to keep it a secret. While Rooster was a vault in his professional life, when it came to his personal life Bradley couldn’t keep a secret to save his life.

The whole bar was having fun with the jaunty tune, some couples dancing along in smooth circles on the sticky wood floor as he crooned. He’d leaned over to place a kiss on your cheek every now and then in between verses, and you’d felt yourself fall for him even harder.

He’d pulled you into his lap once he was done playing, as the din of the resumed chatter softly cocooned you. You’d seen all you needed to know reflected in his eyes as you wrapped your arms around his neck to pull him down for a kiss.

“Will you play it again?” you’d asked against his lips.

“Yes, ma’am.” And you rested your head on his shoulder watching his fingers get into position on the keys once more as he played the few opening notes.

Somewhere you heard a groan followed by a grumbled, “Not again.”

“Shut it, Bagman,” you bossed at him, not even bothering to look in his direction. You only had eyes for Bradley.

“You heard the lady,” he chuckled. “Shut it, Bagman.”

And then he played it again.

take me in your arms, and never let me go

You should be asleep in your own bed and not at his place with only the soft light of the lamp above his piano and a now cold cup of tea to keep you company.

Tired of tossing and turning, you’d given up on the idea of getting any sleep at your own place after the second hour of trying. Throwing on your slippers, you’d grabbed your keys and then drove over to his place, still in the oversized t-shirt you’d put on before bed, in hopes that scent of his sheets would help lull you to sleep.

But all it did was make you miss him more.

It was too quiet without his soft breathing next to you as he held you close and tucked against his chest.

Too quiet without his records.

Too quiet without his happy humming.

Too quiet without him.

The sound of the tea kettle on his gas range had helped fill the silence, but it was his piano that had called you as you had waited for the water to boil. The sheet music you had left there from the last time you were over beckoning like a siren’s song.

It was your secret.

Only for a few more days, only until he came home.

You wanted to surprise him, to sweep him off his feet the way that he always did with you when he played for you.

During that first deployment, for the first time in years, your fingers yearned for the feel of cool, smooth keys beneath your fingers.

You hadn’t even told Bradley, the one person who would understand it the most, that you’d been thinking about it. Let alone that you were actually taking classes again. Making up excuses about manicures or errands or spin classes for why you were busy for an hour every Tuesday at five PM.

The thing that had once hurt your heart the most, was now the only thing that helped soothe the ache of missing him. The only thing that made you feel close to him when you were thousands of miles apart.

You wanted that familiar comfort of making music. You wanted it because you missed him, but you also wanted it for yourself.

A co-worker had given you the name and number for her kids’ instructor, Mrs. McMullen, an elderly woman who started teaching after her husband passed away. It took you couple weeks to work up the courage to make the call, the sticky note burning a hole in the pocket of your purse you had tucked it into.

You had been an anxious mess the day of your first lesson, hands shaking like you’d had one too many shots of espresso. It felt strange, a little surreal sitting there in the body you’d grown into on the padded bench in her cozy living room. One of the walls filled with shelves and shelves of sheet music, her own personal library.

And for a brief moment, you were transported to a different year on a different bench in a different room. Now and Then. Older and Younger. Both versions of you there to learn. All too familiar, yet entirely new.

You started with the basics. A reintroduction to those lines on the page and the notes that spoke their own language for those who knew how to read it.

Your fingers wanting to move quicker than your sluggish mind, like an echo of a memory of how it used to be. You winced and apologized after every wrong note, until she put her hand on yours, her skin looked as delicate as her fingers did, and said gently, “We learn by doing, mistakes only mean that you are trying. Once more, once again.”

After that first lesson, you’d gone back to your car and promptly burst into tears. Overwhelmed tears, happy tears. That tender part of you still soft, however no longer aching.

You’d left feeling lighter as you pulled away from her house to go meet up with everyone at the Hard Deck, but also with a packet of sheet music to practice for your next lesson.

When Rooster had told you about getting his new orders, when he had asked you again if you were still up for it. You’d told him the same thing you had at that date, you were up for it all.

You would take the sadness with the sweet any day of the week for as long as he was yours.

You’d known how you would fill the space he left behind. And exactly how you wanted to welcome him home. You’d been excited to put that certain song just for him in your cart, and then tacking on one more song to your order, a song that would be just for you.

Both you and Mrs. McMullen had be surprised at how you’d been able to pick things back up over the months, you still weren’t anywhere as good as you were when you were younger, but it wasn’t nearly as daunting as it used to be. And when you showed up to your next lesson after your songs had been delivered, she was more than happy to help you figure out ways to simplify the songs a bit so that you’d be ready when he returned.

And now you’re bent over Bradley’s piano with a pencil tucked behind your ear as you played through the hardest bit of the song, you’ve lost track of how many times you’ve gone over it tonight. This morning? You were in that liminal space between yesterday and today. Where the time on the clock was just a suggestion because it felt neither here nor there.

You had practiced and practiced the song you had wanted to play for him once got home. You’re pretty sure Mav wasn’t supposed to tell you the significance of that particular song, but it had made your heart flutter wildly in your chest when he’d told you. And every time you’ve heard it since then.

It was polished, it was perfect, it was ready. All you needed was him.

The one you’re playing now con amore, with love, is the piece you pull out when you long for him the most.

The cover of the song had made you think of him from the moment you’d heard it. It was more lyrical and delicate than the original, and captured just how you felt about him. Just how much he meant to you. Sometimes you sing along with it, sometimes you just let the keys and pedals express the things you otherwise could not.  

It was the song of your heart.

Your fingers trip over one of the notes yet again, probably from the lack of sleep, but you weren’t ready to crawl back into Bradley’s comfy bed. Not just yet.

Sighing, you pull the pencil from behind your ear, muttering to yourself out loud as you note the spot on the page. It was already filled with little pencil marks, some older and some newer. All made because you were trying.

Once more, once again.

Breathing out slowly, you settle your hand back on the keys-

“Can you play it from the beginning this time, sweetheart?"

Read {vol. ii} here!

He's a sneaky one, friends! I have Part 2 in the works, not to worry! We have to see how it all plays out! (put intended)

Thank you for reading! Let me know if you would like to be added to my taglist for the grand finale!

Here's a link to the Soldiers' Sweethearts Album, if you're curious!

But this is their song, the one Bradley serenaded her with! Jo Stafford's version of 'Make Love to Me'

I ended up making two moodboards for this part!

Here's the more colorful one! And here's the more yearn-y one!

You can check out my other stories here!

And a big thank you to Jordan (@gretagerwigsmuse) for letting me spam you about this one!

Taglist:

@gretagerwigsmuse @sehnsuchts-trunken @notroosterbradshaw @tongue-like-a-razor @laracrofted @bradshawsbitch @starryeyedstories @top-hhun-main @startrekfangirl2233 @callsign-viper @teacupsandtopgun @shanimallina87 @angelbabyange @oneelleandaneye @mizzzpink @cornishkat @alana4610 @20th-centu-fairy-girl @pono-pura-vida @donttouchmycarrots @eg-dr3amer3 @whaledots-blog @a-beaverhausen @hangmanscoming @mandolin22 @theweekndhistorybook @lilpeekabooze @high-bi-imgonnacry @ahintofkiwistrawberry @ruewrote @spiderman-stilinski @jayniebop @my-soulmate-is-mycroft @imaginecrushes @keyrani @chicomonks @artemissunn @mayempress @eddiemunsonreader

[igotanidea]

Nutcracker: Dick Grayson x reader

christmas bingo day 5: nutcracker

***

“You know when you said nutcracker this is definitely not what I was expecting….” Y/N muttered looking at Dick, who, grinning like a madman was standing in the middle of the Wayne manor kitchen, dressed in an apron and holding – well, the literal nutcracker.  As in – a kitchen tool.

“Should have known better.” He smiled even wider, causing Y/N to start worrying about his mental health.

“Yeah, I guess I should have known better.” She muttered rubbing her forehead.

“Cas is the fan of ballet, me – not so much” Dick shrugged “besides, if I wanted to spend a few hours with you in a dark room then-“

“Shut up!” she rushed towards him putting a hand on his mouth to stop his babbling “there are kids in this house!”

“Tim is hardly a kid, and Damian-“

“Damian catches up way too fast for a boy his age. And I’m pretty sure you want to avoid the awkward older brother talk with him?”

“Oh sunshine, believe me I’m more than ready for an awkward older brother conversation.” He grabbed her waist and pecked her cheek and before she realised what was happening, she had another white apron tied around her waist.

“Dare I ask-?” she sighed, bracing herself for any crazy idea that might be forming in her boyfriend’s mind

“walnuts. gingerbread.”

“gingerbread?” she repeated, frowning in confusion before it finally hit her “oh no! no! damn it! No way in hell!” instinctively she moved towards the kitchen door, before Dick grabbed her from behind and prevented from escaping his arms.

“It’s a couple bonding exercise!”

“It’s a couple killing practise! Remember what happened last year?! “

“It’s not like I burnt those cookies on purpose! You were extremely distracting with that pout on your face.”

“Can’t remember signing up for a cooking experience with Dick Grayson!!”

“You know that’s actually a nice idea. Maybe I should start my own TV show…”

““you wouldn’t even be able to run a youtube channel-“

“maybe I could juggle oranges while doing a somersault?”

“Oh my god…”

“come on, I am an acrobat, after all.”

“Not the word I would use in this context-“ she rolled her eyes “I’m not baking with you! When Alfred finds out I let you in the kitchen despite my better judgement I’ll -“

“I’ll protect you from Alfred’s wrath” Dick laughed not letting her go. “you’re safe with me baby.”

“He will ban us from the kitchen forever! It’s the only person left in this household that believes I’m sane despite going out with you!”

“Which you are obviously not.” Dick laughed spinning her in his arms and looking at her with the puppy eyes. The expression he worked to perfection during the years. “come on, please… pleeeeaaaassssseeeeeee…….”

“Stop it Grayson! I’m serious… stop it” please stop it, before I give in to your five-year-old antics.     

“Pretty please. Come on, Y/N…. Just say yes.. .It’s gonna be fun I promise…”

 “It’s really not too late to buy the ballet tickets Dick…” she muttered, feeling her resistance breaking despite knowing well enough how the baking experience with Dick Grayson will end.

“That’s for another occasion.”

***

Two hours later, as predicted, kitchen looked like batterfield. Nut shells splattered everywhere, including Y/N’s hair, flour on her clothes that happened to not be covered by the apron and a sticky smudge of spice on her forehead made her similar to a gingerbread man (woman). While she was huffing and puffing making the dough, shaping cookies and decorating them, Dick just sit on the counter watching her with a loving eyes, making a mess and not helping at all. He didn’t even bother to open the over for her, at least not until she almost burned herself trying to balance the quite heavy baking tray in one hand. It was a miracle she survived this.

“couple bonding exercise, my ass.” She hissed, brushing her hair away with a wrist, fairly annoyed that she had to do  all the work.

“I definitely feel bound to you.” He smiled at her, jumping off the counter.

“you didn’t even move a finger-“ before she could finish he cut off her off with the kiss.

“can’t you be original, once?” she scoffed pulling back “cutting off with a kiss is just so predictable, man-like gesture.”

“Can’t blame me. You taste the sweetest.” Dick only laughed in response, wiping off the streak of honey which she was stained with in the corner of her mouth. “Better than the cookies.”

[cipheramnesia]

My cat is not a himbo.

He's pretty smart, he investigates things and tests his little cat theories multiple times to reach a conclusion. He's playful and wants everyone to play. He loves to go around everywhere and make sure everyone is okay, he can't sit still too long just in case something is going on. I love how inquisitive and social he is, even though sometimes he checks on the other cats and they don't need or want him to investigate, so it's kind of goofy watching him make a concerned face from the doorway at a cat who is clearly bothered. He's staring intensely wondering what is bothering her while she stares death at him because he won't leave her alone.

Anyway, my cat is not a himbo in cat terms because a himbo cat is chill and not very smart but very sweet, and my cat is not chill and smart.

However his brain is the size of a walnut so from my perspective he is very much a himbo.

[balkanradfem]

So, since the gardening season was unsuccessful, and really sad, I've been dreaming of starting new seeds. I've decided, this time, I'm going to plant so many tomatoes that nothing will be able to prevent the tomato harvest. It's gonna be all tomato garden, 40+ tomato plants, I'll build shelters for them in case of hail, weave nets, I'm ready, let's do this.

However, it's October, and there's precious little I can do in October to start plants; if I germinate anything right now, there won't be enough sun for it to grow, and it will pout and die </3. It happens every year when I stubbornly plant basil and it checks out the daylight levels and decides to nope out of that situation.

So, instead, what I'm doing, is still learning about mushrooms! I'm going to the forest regularly and collecting anything that could possibly be edible, and trying it out. I've been lucky to find so many edible boletes, I've been drying them in the summer and I have a great dried mushroom stash, which will prove very valuable during the winter.

Now there's a mushroom that grows when nothing else is really available, the latin name is 'Neoboletus luridiformis' and it looks like this:

Cool, right? A red bolete mushroom. She's called Scarletina Bolete. Looks poisonous. However, sources claim that this mushroom is edible, granted it's cooked first. I've been sheepish to try it because it's so red, and there are red boletes that are 100% poisonous, so this is just a health risk. You can check if the mushroom is this one because it stains blue and black when you cut it, and mine do. This is how it looks like cut:

I mean that does look extremely unappetizing but it says right there on wikipedia that it's edible:

hmm so anyway, I've finally decided to stop being a coward, and I cooked the mushroom and had some yesterday! It's still not been a full 24 hours, but I'm faring well for now. If this turns to be a good food source, I'll be set for the entire year because this baby grows at all times in the forest.

Another cool thing I'm trying out is acorn pancakes. I discovered some people on youtube who are making acorn flour and then baking pancakes out of it, and I've been curious about acorns before, but now I'm set with instructions and knowledge on how to process it. Acorns were used as a source of flour before wheat was in use, and it was pretty great, because they didn't need to cut down forests, or plow the fields, or turn bunch of soil to dust; people can just collect acorns because oak trees are everywhere here. The only issue is that the acorns are filled with tannins, which is a chemical that produces a very bitter taste, which makes them not very tasty. However, people have also figured out how to ''wash the tannins out', and there's a process of boiling and throwing water away, or leaving them buried next to a riverbank for a year, in order to get them to taste good.

I haven't yet decided what route I'm going to take, but I collected some acorns last time I was in the forest:

I have to admit they feel very good to hold in hand. They're so nicely brown, almost chestnut in color, they're shiny, pleasant oval shape, and very heavy. It felt like I was holding something valuable, rich. Since they're a wild food, I know they have more nutrients in them than anything we developed ourselves, wild food generally has 3 times more nutrition than anything growing in a human-made garden.

I've also stumbled on a few acorns that have sprouted roots! I've collected them as well, and put them in a soil-filled container on my balcony, let's see if I can grow an oak tree. That would feel extremely cool to grow.

I'm also collecting and curing walnuts (apparently you can make a walnut butter out of them I did not know that), conkers (for the laundry detergent, I love them), nettle (drying into powder, using as a calcium supplement) and I've also found some violets growing at this time, so I collected the leaves for tea; they're medicinal for colds, flus and fevers.

I'm going to the forest again tomorrow, and hopefully I'll write another update about fun things I've found and trying out! Stay safe and don't follow my lead to eat weird things, unless you research them yourself.

[jasminebutintaiwansojiemin]

July 22nd, 2024 星期一 - NCCU tour, Taipei Zoo, Teahouse in the Mountains

This morning I was so extremely tired so I woke up around 8:45 am and got ready to go to a nearby bakery for breakfast. I sped over there and ended up buying a ham and Swiss croissant and a walnut cinnamon bun thingy. They were pretty tasty and fairly cheap. I then met up with my class and we headed out on a (non-party) bus to visit NCCU, our professor’s alma matter hehe. It was definitely a long drive there but I just ate my pastries on the way. I carried my new water bottle with me all day but quite literally never filled it up 😭

Our first stop at the university was the international dorm, where we were greeted by some of the buildings staff. I lived in the international dorm back when I was a freshman so it was interesting to see what theirs looked like. It was a seven floor building that included both single and double rooms. The size of the single room we toured was at least twice that of the ones at UF. The rooms also had a balcony, its own bedding, and a fairly large mini fridge.

Next we toured the common area which was pretty large BUT lacked a real stove or oven. It was also pretty interesting that there were little cards everywhere with the Chinese name and pinyin of random items such as the fridge and fire extinguisher. The NCCU representative told us that the building is 90% international students and 10% Taiwanese students, which is definitely more than the 60% American students to 40% international students at UF. But I guess having less Taiwanese students gives more space for international students to have housing. The representative also mentioned that a lot of the visiting students are finance majors.

After this, we headed to view the different study spaces around the building before hopping in the bus off to our next tour stop. We ended up at the Dah Hsien Seetoo library, which was donated in 2018 by the former MBA students of NCCU professor Dah Hsien Seetoo. The library was very nice and modern inside, although the temperature was abnormally warm. We toured around the different floors and viewed spaces such as the study rooms and the maker space. Something I found interesting about the study rooms (for undergrads) is that instead of having individual spaces in a room, it was different cubicles you could reserve. For example, one room would have spots ABCDEF, and you would reserve seat D to study. For graduate students, however, there were also designated study spaces that they had the key to for whatever period of time. There is also something like that at UF in Library West, though less modern of course. In the maker space, there were multiple types of 3D printers, an engraver, and a heat press. All machines are free to use and long as you bring your own graphic or AI file to send to the machines.

At the end we visited a famous cafe in the bottom floor of the library. Some students got coffee and deserts but I was more interested in watching the ducks that lived in a little house outside by the nearby pond. There weren’t out when we first got there but later they came out and swam around. I went to the shore of the pond a few times to look at them better and they came onto the bank to play in the bushes. After the coffee shop, we headed out to NCCU’s version of University Blvd, a street with a lot of restaurants and boba shops. Some classmates and I decided on a dumpling shop down the street. I got pork and veggie potstickers, Korean style potstickers, and a pork and veggie wonton noddle soup. After lunch, we walked around for a bit and our professor bought us ice cream (<3) since it was so hot. I also ended up buying a passion fruit tea with coconut jelly.

We then headed to the zoo. It was a very very large zoo, it had a tram to take from one side to the other. We first viewed the kolas and pandas as a group. The kolas were so cute and fully. They looked very sleepy which I resonate with HEAVY. At first we couldn’t see much of the pandas, but after the zookeepers brought out their lunch, they were visible. They were so cute and large and fluffy. They almost looked fake haha. I visited the upstairs gift shop of the panda exhibit and bought a fairly good quality canvas tote bag with a drawn map of Taipei on it. Next, we took the tram to the reptile exhibit. There were more turtles and tortoises in this zoo than I think I’ve ever seen in my life. We explored several other exhibits afterwards— including the penguins, giraffes, elephants, sun bears, zebras, mandarin ducks, and Pygmy hippos. Something interesting about this zoo was the insane amount of food options. I feel like zoos in the U.S. barely have food places, and if they do, it’s super overpriced. At the end, we met with the rest of the class at the main gift shop. I folded last minute a bought a cute turtle keychain and a capybara with a turtle backpack (I might like turtles idk).

Next we took some group pictures outside before heading in the bus up a mountain to go to a famous teahouse. We got to experience the tea ceremony with jasmine tea (hehe) and I ordered some soy sauce braised chicken wings and a bowl of rice as a snack. After eating, I walked around outside and watched my classmates search for a large stick to beat up a spider so they could go down a path to cross a bridge to get closer to the nearby waterfall. There were some crazy mosquitos out there but thankfully our professor lent us mosquito spray when we had first got off the bus. I pet a very talkative orange cat while I was walking around outside (the cats in Taiwan so far tend got be so talkative). Eventually we did the drive home, where I showered, and then met with some of my classmates to get Indian food.

Academic Reflection

Taiwan Zoo was originally just the privately owned zoo of a Japanese man in the northern part of Taipei City. After just a year, the then Japanese government of Taiwan bought the land and turned it into a public park called the Maruyama Zoo (Maruyama is now called Yuanshan). After World War 2, the park was taken over by the ROC Taipei City government. One of the most popular animals was Lin Wang, an Asian elephant that worked during the second Sino-Japanese and relocated with the Kuomintang. He was the most popular animal until the zoo received 2 pandas from Mainland China.

In 1973 they made plans to build a modern zoo and after thirteen years, the original zoo in Yuanshan was closed and a new zoo in the southern part of Taipei was opened on New Year’s Day. The location was moved to accommodate more animals and give more space for the both the recreation and research sides to function. The new Taiwan Zoo is now one of the largest zoos in Asia, and focuses on the conservation and research of animals and insects. Something unique about this zoo is the Formosa animal area, where zoo visitors can see native Taiwanese animals such as Eurasian otters, Pangolins, and sika deer.

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #79

It's very late here, so today's letter will likely be shorter than normal. But even though I'm very tired, I still wanted to make sure you knew that someone out here is thinking good things about you and wishing for nice things upon you.

My mind is still fairly empty today. I feel pretty tired for a variety of reasons. Some of it is the simple fact that we are going through the second part of your story, and I'm VERY worried about how things might turn out for you; I really don't want to see you get hurt, but at the same time, if you don't stop making choices that harm others, you will need to be stopped. And that's unfortunate, because I would much rather see you turn yourself around and try to become strong in the real way, instead of parroting the definition of it that was taught to you by people who didn't care about you.

The bulk of my reasons for being tired, though, is other stuff going on in my world that I can do absolutely nothing about. And a small amount of it is still me trying to recover from our long trip, and some of it is the recent changes in the social dynamics of my immediate circle. Maybe I'll try not to worry about it. Maybe instead I'll show you the most recent cups of tea I made, since… y'know… I can't actually pour any for you, much to my immense dismay.

…To give you the pictures of the tea at its most beautiful and interesting is the best I can do. And the fact that it is the best I can do is… sad, really. I'm sorry.

I had intended to go to the grocery today to get the supplies to make stuffed cabbage casserole; I was sent a beautiful-looking recipe by an awesome human being from the internet, and I wanted to give it a try. But my energy was very low today. Br offered to be a body double, and she visited, and it was wonderful. We talked a lot about various things, but I still didn't have the energy to go out before going to see R, and for various reasons, I think neither did she. I'm glad we decided to spend time at home though; it was peaceful.

Br went with J and I to go see R today though, and it was a good time. We stopped somewhere to pick up a couple of snacks, and we did some catching up with R. R is an astounding baker; I wish that you could try the things that he creates. He made bonbons for us, and peanut-butter-banana bars with chocolate chips and walnuts, and they were absolutely wonderful. And we also went out to a Thai place for food. I can't help but wonder if your world has some equivalent of Thai food somewhere. I'll show you what we got:

Have you ever had crab rangoon? Pork belly? Rice pudding? Pad Thai? Did you like them? I wonder what you think. I wonder what you think about a lot of things, actually…

There's so much I wish I could show to you. There's so much I wish I could give to you. So many things I wish you could do and see and try. I wish that you could see the world through my eyes for just a moment… just for a moment. And then maybe you'd see that although the world is broken and has a lot of pain and a lot of problems, it's still not so bad. It's really not so bad. Not everyone is mean like the people you met. And even though a lot of things might seem really weird right now, it's never hopeless. There are good things everywhere, if only you have the courage and strength to look around hard enough.

It's for this reason that I hope you'll try to become strong in the real way. Please try. Please try so that you can come back home to us. We miss you.

I'm exhausted, so I'm going to stop writing here, because if I don't, I'm going to ramble even more than I have already.

Hey, Sephiroth? Don't forget that there are people who love you out here. People who don't care about your status, fame, or whatever else, but rather… people who will make you a new locket if you lose your old one. People who will make you pumpkin soup if you're sad about missing out. People who will make you things like garlic bread and pasta. People who will make you little trinkets like music boxes and trees made of gems and songs made only of human voices. People who will write you letters just to try to show you that you're cared for. I can't be the only one out here who is like me… if only because you are a little bit like me, and you exist, even if it's only in an abstract way.

…Is any of what I can do enough though, I wonder? Enough to reach you? Enough to move you? If you don't turn around… will it be because I didn't try hard enough…?

…Maybe these questions are ridiculous. Maybe I really am just tired. There's so much that I don't know… and sometimes that scares me.

I can't wish you were here in good conscience, because things where I am are looking pretty bleak sometimes. But I can instead wish that you could be somewhere safe, wholesome, and happy.

I'll write again. Though I'm not sure what about.

Your friend, Lumine

[endlessnightlock]

Hello there 😊

Can I tell you a story? I promise it's not weird.

I read your drabble yesterday about Buttercup and Peeta where Peet was making pancakes for Katniss. Coincidentally enough I also made pancakes last night 🥞 Sourdough and yeast ones like always, and it reminded me of your sweet ❤️ drabble. Peeta was so adorable with his nervous energy and Buttercup was the right kind of comic relief. I just love them together.

This morning (I did an overnight rise), disaster strikes because the batter grew into a monster in the fridge and seeped its way out of the air tight container! It was ALIVE and there was pancake batter everywhere! 😂😭🤣 Thank goodness I didn't add eggs because that's extra clean up! I had a feeling it would happen when I said good night to it. Lo and behold, I had to clean the fridge before I even made breakfast 😭 What a Monday morning!

On the up side, the pancakes turned out pretty good. Because I had to clean the fridge, I saw some apples and added them to the batter. I also had some walnuts, so I crumbled them into the bowl. It was an experiment that didn't look so good but I think Peeta would be proud of me for its taste and texture. It was fluffy and moist. Just the right sweetness and freshness from the apples. I love walnuts so that's just 👌.

I was tempted to write this into an Everlark baking drabble with toastbabies but thought better to tell you instead. I hope my pancake adventure made you smile! 🥰 🥞🌞

You're a girl after my own heart @dandelionlovesyou .

Very cute story :).

Those pancakes sound delicious, although different from how I make them. I don't use yeast in them (I do bake bread, pizza crust, and cinnamon rolls with yeast). Mine are more like I described Peeta's: flour, a little sugar, baking powder, eggs, salt, and baking soda, with buttermilk that reacts with the baking powder to make them fluffy.

Cooking and baking are some of my favorite things to do, and many happy accidents happen in my kitchen, which results in dishes like your apple and walnut pancakes. Yum (I'm going to have to try that sometime)!!!

[nancypullen]

Fiona

We're back! We're home and I'm sorting through hundreds of photos, trying to choose how I can share the highlights of the trip without burying you in vacation pictures and boring you to death. Ireland was wonderful. What a beautiful country and what incredibly kind and friendly people! I think small talk is the national sport. You will not meet a stranger in Ireland. The weather during our trip was about what we expected it. Ireland is a rainy country, and even when it's not raining, it's rarely sunny. A year has 8760 hours and Ireland averages 1100 to 1500 sunny hours per year. I don't mind that a bit, I love a moody sky. We had two rainy days, both cleared by mid-afternoon. We had several days that started with fog and just a barely there misty rain, again clearing by afternoon. And we even had three days of actual partly sunny or outright sunny weather. The hottest, sunniest day was luckily when we took a ferry out to Inisheer (Aran Islands), so that worked out perfectly.

The point of all that weather talk is to introduce Fiona. That's what I named my Irish hair. I tried to control her, but she was wild and free. There was no amount of product that could tame her and no tool in my arsenal was strong enough to break her spirit. You guys, I walked around looking like a clown. Not exaggerating. You know that in the 15 years that I've posted on this blog, a healthy portion of the content has been ruining/fixing/complaining about/laughing at my hair. The universe gave me the gift of blarney, but not the blessing of good hair. If a picture is worth a thousand words, allow me to illustrate.

American hair...

Irish hair...

My husband was unaware that he was vacationing with Diana Ross. Does anyone remember that episode of friends where they all went somewhere in the Caribbean and Monica's hair exploded?

Yep.

I thought I was prepared. I expected the rain and packed my anti-curl and anti-frizz products. They were no match for the constant misting and wet fog.

Yes, I did wear a lot of black on this trip. Perhaps I knew there'd be a funeral for my dignity. I swear, I started each day with a plan to subdue her, but Fiona roared back and refused to be vanquished. You have to respect a spirit like that. She was a worthy opponent, stronger and more determined, and I feel no shame in admitting defeat. Okay, now that we have all of that nonsense out of the way, I'll get down to the business of sharing beautiful Ireland with you. My favorite spot was Dingle. I could have stayed a week there. I've got too many pictures so I'll sift through them and try to hit just the highlights. I have so much to tell you, from scary cliffside driving and interpreting the Irish language, to my search for a green vegetable. Ten days of beef, potatoes, and bread made Mickey very happy. My body was craving greens. I did find some beautiful salads - a smoked salmon salad in Dingle, and this beauty in Galway.

I wanted to marry that salad. Rocket greens, beet root, crispy crown of goat cheese, walnuts, a drizzle of honey....it was perfection on a plate.

But enough about food, I'll leave you with a view of yet another castle. They were everywhere. We'd be buzzing along toward the next village and just on the roadside, beyond a field of sheep or sitting in a cove - a castle! This is Dunguaire Castle, located in Kinvara. It had closed for the season on September 30th so we didn't go inside, just roamed the grounds. I'd planned to add pretty music to the video, but decided to leave in the original audio. There we were, not a car in sight, so we pulled over to explore the castle. Across the road was a field of sheep and donkeys. Peaceful, bucolic...until I took my phone out.

That donkey had a lot to say. I couldn't understand him though, it was all in Irish. Alright, back later with more. I promise it will be prettier and more interesting. SO MUCH to share! Stay safe, stay well, stay tuned! XOXO, Nancy

[cheeryconspiracy]

I wanna know things about cutie Hestia 💗

3. Which city state would they most like to visit, and why?

4. Who are they closest with in Sandrock? What’s their relationship with that person?

7. What’s their opinion on the Research Centre?

18. What’s their favourite holiday?

23. What song do you associate most with their time in Sandrock?

(also bonus one How did you find her name ? I adore the sound of it ! ♡)

Tysm for the ask! <3 And thank you for loving Hestia so much :’)

3. Which city state would they most like to visit, and why?

Hestia has pretty much been everywhere at this point, due to her childhood, but if he had to choose he’d either like to go back to his hometown of Portia or Walnut Groove.

4. Who are they closest with in Sandrock? What’s their relationship with that person?

Hestia is closest with Fang, who she’s in a romantic relationship with! She’s been pretty insistent on getting to know Fang ever since he first moved to Sandrock, and it seems his efforts all paid off in the end. She also has a little bit of romantic history with Owen from their teenage years, and considers him to be her best friend.

7. What’s their opinion on the research centre?

As a builder, Hestia works in close tandem with the research centre! Without them he wouldn’t be able to have a lot of the things that he has now, plus her general interest in old world machinery means that she spends a lot of time in the research centre, mulling over new diagrams with Qi. In the church vs research debate, Hestia tends to lean towards the research side.

18. What’s their favourite holiday?

Hestia is incredibly fond of the Day of Memories. He’ll always take a day off of doing commissions when it rolls around - it gives her time to honor her late father, as well as the sacrifices that were made to get the world where it is today.

23. What song do you associate most with their time in Sandrock?

I have a whole playlist dedicated to Hestia, but if I have to pick one song, it would have to be Horses are Faster by Ian Munsick!

I could pull up some specific lyrics, but I won’t do that to keep this post short!

As for the final question, how Hestia got his name! I have a habit of naming all of my insert characters after Greek gods/goddesses! For example my Portia builder is called Cupid! Hestia is the Goddess of Home and the Hearth, which I thought suited a builder type role quite well ^^

[bisluthq]

https://www.tumblr.com/bisluthq/761261493208645633/ohhh-yeah-im-not-like-anti-carb-or-anything-its

For hungry vegetarian - eat more at meals. I don’t count calories, but if you’re eating a plate of vegetables, you can typically eat twice the serving size of if you were having vegetables with a piece of meat.

There are a lot of u healthy vegetarian and vegan things, so be careful - like if you eat JUST french fries, or peanut butter sandwiches, you’re gonna be hungry and eventually probably deficient in nutrients.

With soy and tofu - this is where you want to really read the label. Where I live you can only get organic tofu, which makes it sound fancy and premium, but no, a lot of tofu and soy (especially in the USA is GMO and that’s the type of soy that fucks with your hormones and has been linked to certain breast cancer and other shit because it increases your estrogen levels). So check out the food laws in your country because what is written on the labels is different everywhere, so just be informed and make the choice you want.

Same with the fake meat - you can get some AMAZING fake meat that’s made from rice, mushrooms, eggplants and nuts. You can also get some that they don’t sell in the food aisles because it’s not considered food and all the ingredients are just numbers and science words and nothing recognisable.

I used to be mostly vegan or pescatarian for about 6 years. Add nuts to every meal. Nuts are expensive (at least here they are), but you don’t need to eat many to have a serve of nuts, so they last a while. Brazil nuts and walnuts are the ones I find most filling and they’re really nutrient dense. So if I have a salad for dinner I’ll always have a few nuts and I’m completely full.

If you’re looking for recipes, and depending on what season you’re into - soup is so good for vegan/ veg! Like hell yeah pumpkin soup, vegetable soup, tomato soup 😋 but I could honestly live off soup in winter, it’s one of my fave things to eat lol.

If you’re still eating eggs, frittata and quiche are pretty easy to make, you can put anything in them and like I said earlier, you can have a bigger serving size because you need that big a portion but it’s not like you’re gonna feel stuffed unless you stuff yourself. It’s kind of like how if you’re drinking coke you’ll have one can, but if you’re having water you will drink 8 times as much… you don’t need 8 times as much food, but just that attitude of ‘this is nourishing it’s ok to eat more, because my body literally needs it’ and most people are used to eating a side serve of salad of vegetables, but you need to have a full meal sized serve of it now.

With protein, a lot of it can be found in grains - I love risotto and fried rice style things, or like Nat and others have said, quinoa, beans and lentils and other stuff you like can really thicken up a meal.

We couldn’t afford to eat meat every day when I was a kid, so I grew up sort of vegetarian based anyway. But even when we had things like lasagna we would put a can of lentils and beans into the meat mix because it made the meat go further. If you do meals like a stew, soup - anything with a runny consistency or a sauce/ gravy type thing, you can blend lentils or beans into it and it’ll make the sauce thicker but is like a hidden way of eating them lol.

If you’re someone who wants to count calories and macros to know you’re getting enough of all those nutrients, you can probably use an app like My Fitness pal, or also just google things like “protein in green beans” and it comes up as the result. So you can build a list of the things you like and then make recipes around it to get an idea how much protein, carbs, calories etc are in your food - not to be a “you need to count calories” but if you’re changing your diet, it’s just good to know what you’re eating you know.

very good advice!

[travelena]

Morocco 🇲🇦 

Resurrecting this account to start documenting my trip itineraries & tips

Our Itinerary:

Day 1 - Tangier

We arrived in the evening and took a taxi to our apartment that we rented in the medina (in 2024 this taxt cost 200 MAD which was $20 USD). Our accommodation had a fantastic view and we could see Spain across the water! The inside of the place was gorgeous with so many beautiful details. We walked around the medina and made sure to stop in petit socco, grand socco, walked around the Kasbah, had a fantastic dinner at Chez Hassan (loved the fish mixed grill, the fresh juices & the moroccan cakes for dessert). Overall the dates, walnuts, fruits that we found being sold in small shops along the street near Grand Socco were the best quality and price out of all the cities we visited. I found the people of Tangier to be very kind and honest, not aggressive or pushy at all compared to other cities. Things don't get going until later in the morning around 11 AM but stay open until about 12:30 at night.

Things to do in Tangier: walk around the medina making sure to go to petit socco and grand socco (can relax at cinema rif and watch the square, look at the grand mosque), Grand Socco market & Berber market, Phoenecian Tombs (between cafe Hafa and Old Kasbah), Old Kasbah, Kasbah museum, American Legation Museum looks very beautiful and I wish I had been there during open hours, if summer or warm months then definitely consider the beach

Places to eat in Tangier: Chez Hassan (a highlight!, not fancy but so fresh and amazing), Cafe Hafa (great view of the sea and supposed to have nice tea), Palais Zahia Hotel has dinner with live music in a nice space that was the first bank in Morocco and also a nice rooftop, Le Sauver du Poisson (fancy fish), The Morocco Club (fancy), Restaurant Bachir

Day 2 - Fez

We took the train from Tangier to Fez which was easy (and cost $17, we had a really nice host for our apartment who drove us to the train station for 80MAD or $8USD), clean with good infrastructure and the trip gave us a great view of the countryside. Make sure to take the fast train with 1 transfer. We left in the morning since things take a while to open in the morning in Tangier. We arranged a taxi ride from the train station and a porter met the taxi to take our bags to the hotel since cars cannot enter the Medina to our Fez hotel through our accommodation (taxi was 100 MAD or $10USD but can likely get for less if negotiating with a taxi driver yourself at the station). Our hotel Riad Jardin des Biehn was really beautiful and owned by a French family and thus was one of few places to serve alcohol in the Medina. The whole center courtyard was filled with plants. Overall, this hotel was a feast for the eyes - there were interesting focal points to enjoy everywhere you looked. It was definitely on the pricey side relative to other Riads in the area but we really enjoyed the property and ended up spending a lot of time enjoying, also great service. We then walked around the medina however most shops and stalls were closed since it was Friday afternoon which is traditionally reserved for prayer and family time in Islam. However, there were some stalls open. We had lunch at The Ruined Garden where we had good lamb tagine and orange blossom date milk that I still think about. We ended up having a late dinner at Cafe Clock - a chain of restaurants in all major cities in Morocco that is also a cultural hub where they have live music every night around 7:30, they also host cooking classes and arts programs. The famous dish there is the camel burger which was pretty good. If you go to this location ask for table 22 on the roof for the best view of the nearby minaret.

Where to eat in Fez based on my research: Dar Hatim (best home cooked dishes), Dar Roumana, Restaurant Ouliya, The Ruined Garden (best for tapas), Darori Resto, Cafe Clock (camel burger, lemon tea, date milkshake), Made in M cafe in medina (orange blossom drink, couscous, tomato salad)

Day 3 - Fez

We got a half day guide on Viator to take us around the Medina and show us the main sights: Funduq al-Najjarin, Zaouia of Moulay Idriss II, Chouara Tannery, Place R'cif, Place Seffarine. Hicham was amazing and spent 6 hours with us when the tour was only supposed to be 4hrs. He even offered to come back and take us around to finish the tour after our Hammam since we didn't get to finish everything. We then did a massage + Hammam at Palais Amani. There was a tea man there who kept serving us fresh mint tea in the beautiful courtyard it was so lovely. We enjoyed live music with dinner at our riad.

Overall, an extra day in Fez to explore some other Riads would have been nice and also to visit the ceramic cooperative outside the medina which is the ceramic capital of the country

Other things listed in the tour that we didn't get time to go to: Al-Attarine Madrasa, The Blue Gate Bab Boujloud (we went on our own the day before), Quaraouiyine Mosque (entry only for Muslims), Cherratine Madrasa,

Day 4 - Tour Day 1, drive to the Sahara

We had an early start out of Fez to the Sahar through a 3 day, 2 night tour. This day's itinerary was: Fes→Ifrane→Ziz Valley → Merzouga Desert with a camel ride at sunset to get to our desert camp. We stayed in the standard tent option which was fine for me, but my more high maintenance companions were not happy with it so I would say if you are over age 30 and want a private bathroom then book the luxury option however it is double the price when you are really only getting about 5-6 hours of sleep there since you have to wake up at 5:30 for breakfast the next day before the sunrise camel ride.

Day 5 - Tour Day 2, Sahara to Ourzazate

We started our day with a sunrise camel ride which was amazing. Then we went to Todra Canyon and Dades Gorge and then spent the night in Ouarzazate. We had a walking tour with a local guide through Todra Canyon and he took us through the townspeople's garden plots which was really cool to see; they were growing pomegranate, almonds, soy, corn, potatoes, This night everyone was in the same hotel no matter if you booked the standard or luxury option. We got lucky and there was a craft fair going on down the street and got lots of wholesale beauty products.

Day 6 - High Atlas Mountains to Marrakech

We woke up and hit the road, our group decided to skip Atlas Studios, but this is a film studio where lots of movies are shot including Gladiator. Then we went to Ait Ben Haddou, the oldest and largest Kasbah in Morocco and a UNESCO world heritage site. Beautiful views from the top and overall was really nice to walk through. Next, we went to the High Atlas Mountains, beware if you get carsick like me, bring some zofran or try to sleep through all the windy roads. There are stops along the way with beautiful vista points of the atlas and anti-atlas mountains. We were then dropped in Marrakech where we stayed at Riad Zeitoun Palace which was gorgeous and cute and even better than the pictures. We went for lunch at Naranj, a Lebanese restaurant close to our riad, which was great. Then we walked around the souks and the main square Jemaa El-Fna full of juice stands, meat grills, and even snake charmers.

Day 7 - Marrakech

We started our day by having a wonderful fresh breakfast at our riad and then we went shopping in the Souks with the owner of our riad - she really went above and beyond and we spent about 6 hours out with her. Then we went to Medersa Ben Youssef, an old quranic school that had an amazing courtyard and many side small center squares for clusters of dorms with nice plaster and tiling. They even developed a plumbing system using gravity and this place started in the 800s! Incredible! Then we went to The Secret Garden which was a really nice oasis right off a busy street, the restaurant across the alley Cafe Arabe has a nice rooftop as well. The Secret Garden had a really nice first garden with exotic plants and then a second one with a more french style garden. The entry fee was a bit high $10 USD per person to enter. Then we went back to our hotel to, rested on the roof and then had a late dinner at Mandala Society which was mid.

Day 8 - Marrakech

We woke up had a nice breakfast on our riad's roof, then went right around the corner to Palace Bahia which was so impressive. The details everywhere were gorgeous. Then we went to Jardin Marjorelle, the Berber Museum and the YSL Museum. The tickets were pretty pricey at $33USD per person but the Jardin Marjorelle was really lovely and impressive. Then we went back to the hotel, had to buy a suitcase and repack all of the things we bought at the souks. Then we went to dinner at FOLK MARRAKECH which was an absolute highlight of the whole trip. Tuesday through Sundays they have live music and performances starting at 8:30. We arrived at 8pm stayed until 12:30am and only left because we had to leave early for our flight the next morning but I wish we could've stayed for many more hours. There was traditional Berber music followed by a DJ set then a drummer and live band then belly dancers and there were many times that lots of the dinner crowd got up and danced. I had sore feet the next day from dancing so much. I definitely recommend making a reservation ahead of time for 8 or 8:30. There is also happy hour with some good cocktails until 9PM. The food was mid in my opinion but the vibes were immaculate.

I could've spent much more time in Marrakech as there was so much more to do. Here's a list of main Marrakech activities:

Medersa ben Youssef, Souk Semmarine, YSL museum & Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace (landmark/ruins), Maison de la Photographie - photo history museum of morocco with nice rooftop cafe, Hammam (some fancy options La Mamounia looks amazing, Tarabel, Es Saadi, Riad BE marrakech), Jemaa el-Fna square with lots of food stalls, snake charmers, Musée de confluences (attached to Bacha coffee so get coffee first then go through palace, get to Bacha coffee at 8:30/9AM to get in), The Mellah - jewish qunlarter, Le Jardin Secret, Street food tour

Where to eat in Marrakech:

Coffee at Bacha Coffee (arrive at 9:30AM, go straight to coffee and do the palace tour after), Les jardins du lotus, Pétanque Social Club - nice garden, fusion foods, cocktails, Maison Reine near Bab Doukkala mosque, Plus61 (in the new Gueliz area), Dar Yacout - fixed price menu in nice riad with terrace come very hungry $70pp but cool experience, rly great reviews, Naranj- Lebanese , Nomad - rooftop good for sunset in medina - make res, Amal Centre- very good home cooked, La Famille- vegetarian, Café Clock - camel burgers & date milkshake, Folk Marrakech in very gorgeous space with live music @8:30 (an absolute highlight, GO HERE)

Chefchaouen

Note: We were supposed to go to Chefchaouen but our hotel overbooked us and we ended up going to Fez early instead. However, here is my research for things to do in there. I would recommend going from Tangier since it is only 2 hours instead of 4 hours from Fez.

Things to do in Chefchaouen: The main thing is walking around and taking in the beauty of the blue city. If you have extra time you could do a cooking class at Cafe Clock.

Where to eat in Chefchaouen: Restaurant Bab Ssour (eat on balcony and catch sunset), Restaurant Al Wiam, Casa Hassan, Lala Mesouda, Cafe clock (camel burger), Sofia’s (good veggie tagine), El Kasbah (nice setting)

Tips:

streets with a rectangular border in Fez medina have an outlet to another street, but those with a circular or octagon/hexagon are dead ends

If taking the train between tangier and fez make sure to take the fast train which takes 3 hours and requires a transfer (but for us it was just walking from one side of the platform to the other), there is a slower train that does not require a transfer but takes about 6 hours and not worth it since the transfer is so easy to do

If you go to Cafe Clock in Tangier ask for table 22 on the roof for a great view of the adjacent minaret

Bargain for everything in markets (I would start by offering 30-50% of what they propose) except for dates and produce that have fixed prices labeled

Try to haggle for taxi prices and confirm the price before getting in the car, smaller taxis will cost less and they will be ~20% more at night after 7PM. If there is a taxi stand attendant or a restaurant host that helps you get a taxi then your taxi driver will have to pay them commission if they open the door for you so if you just go to the taxi driver yourself you could save some money

If you go to Fez book a hammam + massage or some sort of hammam experience at Riad Laaroussa.

Lots of places will call themselves a 'cooperative' which traditionally was started for widows to start selling handicrafts and make a living once their husbands died, now many things call themselves cooperatives to dupe everyone

Buying rugs and things at cooperatives and setting up shipping through them is much cheaper than trying to ship things yourself because they get discounts by being 'cooperatives'

You will always be served bread at meals, you don't have to ask for it and it will be free - moroccan custom

Traveling as a woman: you will get lots of stares wherever you walk from men but it felt very safe to me. No need to excessively cover up but you might feel a bit more comfortable if you cover shoulders. I would avoid low cut tops but I had no issues wearing dresses above the knee and short sleeved tops. It was definitely a bit colder than expected in some places, especially the desert so pack a sweatshirt/layers!

Overall Impression:

Morocco was such an amazing country. The people were so warm, there was such a great energy and familiar feeling. I felt very safe there.

[maddieonthemovee]

May 16 - Mount Takao

Today was dedicated to going to the top of Mount Takao! At 8:30, we took the train to Takao Station. We got round-trip tickets for a chair lift from the bottom to a point of the mountain between the bottom and the top. I was expecting the chair lift to be like a ski lift and have a safety bar, but there was no safety bar. Going up was a little nerve wracking to be honest, but we made it to our midway point (462 m) safely! We walked uphill for a bit and reached a torii. We also came across a tree that used to be rubbed for good luck. Instead, there are round statues, one being an octopus, that people can rub for good luck. We rubbed the statue and then continued onward! Our next “landmark” on our journey upward was a stone ring that you walk through to “open up” your luck or fortune. There was a small line to do so, and I saw that once you pass through the ring, there are metal rings hanging from a pillar. After you donate a coin, you hit the rings with a long wooden stick. I had to learn by watching the people who went before me, so I’m not sure if I did it completely right. Next, we hiked up to the top of the mountain! It was very foggy and misty outside, so we didn’t get much of a view.

There were several trails to take down, either back to the midway point, connecting to another trail, or straight to the bottom. My friends and I took Trail 3, which led us back to our midway point. The trail wasn’t super difficult, but at some points it got pretty muddy (I’m at the laundromat washing my pants as I write this). For the entirety of the trail, we were basically walking along the side of the mountain, and there were no guardrails. The only thing separating us from the trees and the ground kilometers below us were a couple of inches of the ground. It made me super anxious, but I just focused on my friend’s feet in front of me and was able to make it to the midway point safely!! The view was really pretty (when it wasn’t terrifying), and there were a couple of wooden bridges and a small waterfall along the way. At the midway point, I bought a skewer with three rice dumplings with a walnut miso glaze on top. It was a very satisfying reward for our intense hike. We were then able to get a better view from above because the fog had cleared more.

We took the trains back to the hotel, where I had the best shower of this trip so far!! Now, I’m at the laundromat doing my laundry to prepare for our journey to Kyoto in a couple of days. This trip is already going by so fast; I need time to slow down!!! I think I’m getting sushi with my friends later tonight. We only had sushi on the first night, so I’ve been looking forward to getting some before the second leg of our trip.

Academic Reflection:

I feel like Japan has the perfect balance between a big city feel and a lush natural environment. In almost every area of Tokyo that we have been in so far, I have seen trees and nature everywhere! In the reading “The Green Archipelago: Forestry in Preindustrial Japan”, I learned how this balance has been achieved: through decades of strategic, detailed forest planning and a widespread knowledge of the importance of environmental preservation.

I learned how environmental preservation was instilled in farmers. Trees offered economic growth, protection from natural disaster and crime, and health benefits. I also learned how certain areas of the forests were used by specific groups of people. Villagers mainly used areas with broadleaf trees and bamboo while the government sought hillsides with construction timber. I found it interesting how these different groups of people were able to share land and accommodate each other’s needs/wants.

[milady-pink]

Waitress AU

Warnings: Food/baking, domestic abuse, unplanned pregnancy, cheating

Summary: Working at a dead end job, waitress Christine soon finds herself with a new problem: an unplanned pregnancy. Life is all about trying to find the sweet spots and luckily this pie genius has a new (and pretty adorkably sexy) OBGYN, who isn’t too happy at home either.

TL;DR Quirky cute and sexy Erik as a doctor, lab coat and all.

Word Count: 1874 || Graphics: @firefly-graphics

"A Soft Place To Fall "

Recipe Book

AO3

It’s been days since Christine spilled the beans and told Raoul that she was expecting. Currently, Meg, Carlotta and herself were restocking the pantry in the back of the diner. The day was a long one, customer after customer, and now was a good time to rest and relax even if she was still on the clock. They had left the back exit door slightly ajar, letting a warm breeze blow in from outside, carrying with it the smell of cut grass and rain. Once they had finished wiping down the tables for the day, the sun had started to set, casting the diner’s interior in a glow of soft pinks and oranges.

It was always a magical time for the three waitresses; enjoying their safe space before heading home to their regular dreary lives.

Carlotta was going on about how one of her breasts is so much lower than the other she’s starting to look like a Picasso painting. Unfortunately for her, Christine was too busy counting her extra tips from the day, the total number never giving her much happiness.

Taking notice that she’s lost her audience, the voluptuous woman questions her friend, “So, how’d ya do today?”

Without looking she continues to restock the flour container from the large paper bag. “Well, between table five’s Mr. Frugalman and table seven’s ‘I’ll Get You Next Time’, not great.” She lets out a small sigh. “Actually thinkin’ of asking Piangi for some extra shifts.”

This caught Carlotta’s attention, knowing how hard working her friend already was she was astounded when Christine revealed her ideas for taking on more work load. “Girl are you crazy? You work hard enough as it is.” She pulls out a familiar blue book from the pantry, looking at her pregnant coworker in confusion. “Why was this next to the cinnamon?”

Christine looks over her shoulder from where she’s crouched on the ground, putting the flour sack away. “Oh…” she stated, raising back up, “I was looking around for that…” she trailed off with little enthusiasm.

Holding the photo album between her thumb and four manicured fingers, with the other planted on her full hip, Carlotta states the obvious. “Doll, ya can’t write a letter to your baby from the pantry’s spice rack.” She sassed.

“Well, ‘m not really a writer, so…” Christine responded, too tired to fight about how she should start caring for her unborn child. The one she didn’t even want.

Thankfully for her the redhead drops the subject, simply putting the baby book on the counter. Instead, Carlotta focuses her attention on the abnormally quiet blonde waitress, who was looking quite red in the face. “Are you alright, blonde?”

Her smaller frame was a jittering mess, barely able to keep the walnuts from spilling everywhere. “Oh, nothin’,” she feigned, “just havin’ a small anxiety attack that’s all.” Christine and Carlotta shared a look at this news. They didn’t have to pry from her though, disclosing to her friends, “I got a message on my dating profile.”

Both older women had their jaws wide open, unsure if they heard the quirky girl correctly. 

Christine is the first to break the surprised silence. “And you’ve been keepin’ this information from us all day?”

Meg must have been pretty pleased with herself, regardless if she knew it or not, because her face betrayed her; a small smile appeared on her lips. “His name is NKBrigade, he’s 32 years old, has all of his hair, a kind smile, loves cooking, puzzles, and classical music.” Her smile only grew as she described her potential beau.

Her friends could not contain their happiness for the blonde, secretly hoping she gets the perfect ending both of them so desperately wanted when they were young.

Placing a friendly hand on her shoulder, Christine tells her friend truthfully, “He sounds perfect, Meg!”

“Look at you,” jumped in Carlotta, “already got the boys lining the block. Start tellin’ ‘em to take a number!” She joked.

The nerves starting to crack through her happy mood, Meg starts to bite her thumbnail. “Yeah, it's really happening. We even agreed to meet up for a 5-minute date tonight!”

“5 minutes?” Both Christine and Carlotta asked simultaneously.

Rolling her eyes, Meg puts the lid back on the container she just refilled. “That way if things go horribly, I’ll be home in time for ‘History’s Mysteries’.” She answered as if the answer was obvious.

Christine shrugged her shoulders, resigning herself to continue restocking the sugar container, but Carlotta used the opportunity to approach her.

“Meg, you already know that you are such a natural beauty,” she started, her words brightening the blonde’s already happy mood, “so because this is such a special occasion, would you let me put a bit of makeup on you? And, let your hair down out of that ponytail— just this once?” The redhead was practically begging, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.

She thought for a moment before answering. “Well, first impressions are important, especially first dates.” She relented, not so afraid of stepping out of her comfort zone a bit more with the help of her friends. “And Christine,” she asked, catching her attention, “could I ask you to bake ‘Meet Your Dream Chocolate Cream Pie’? A man’s heart is through my stomach.” She laughed.

Smiling, saying that she would be more than happy to make it for her. “In fact, I’ll even make it more special than the one my mama and I used to make.” 

Sugar

Butter

Flour

Suddenly, inspiration overtook Christine with an incoming gust of wam evening air. “I’ll put together ingredients you wouldn’t think go together, but make something truly unique.”

Meg was the only one who dared ask what she was thinking. “What’s gonna be in it?” Asking as she sat on a work stool, getting her makeup done by Carlotta.

“I’ll switch the regular bittersweet chocolate to creamy milk, even add a touch of passion fruit.” She responded as she started to busy herself around the kitchen grabbing all the ingredients she’ll need.

“Then,” she continued, “I’ll mix in somethin’ that could make things feel possible. Like, an exotic spice that makes you see everything before it’s too late—maybe—“

While she was applying mascara to Meg, Carlotta asked the baker, “What’s goin’ on with you? Like a woman possessed…by pie.”

Deciding out of everyone in her life, these two who have been there for her through thick and thin, are deserving of her plan. “You know about that pie contest comin’ to Springfield in a few months?” Both girls nod their heads. “I’m gonna do it. I’ll figure out a way to save enough money, go there, and enter.” She takes a break from kneading the chocolate pie dough to look back at her friends, hoping they think its a good idea.

“That sounds like the first thing that’s made sense to come outta your mouth in forever.” She teased, packing up her small toiletry bag of cosmetics.

Christine continues disclosing her plan, “If by some miracle that I win, I’m takin’ that prize money and I’m gonna…” Trailing off, letting her head get too excited with the possibility.

“You’ll leave Raoul is what you’ll do,” filled in Carlotta who places a comforting hand on Christine’s shoulder.

She simply nods her head in agreement, “And just run away from all this.”

“Wow…” responds Meg, complete with a new do.

The hand on Christine’s shoulder squeezes, “Doll, you can leave Raoul without running away” she countered.

“It’s not that easy…never is…”

Sensing there was more than she was letting on, Carlotta dropped trying to make her stay. She knew from experience it wasn’t easy to get out of this rundown town, but she wanted nothing more than to see Christine succeed in her endeavors. 

“Okay, then get yourself a nice little pie shop somewhere. A place people could really use a pie shop. Like Europe—or Canada.” That caused her to huff out a laugh, mixing the pie filling while the dough chilled in the fridge.

“Christine’s Pie Palace,” Meg offered as a shop name.

“Christine’s Pastry Heaven,” tried Carlotta.

“Christine’s Pie In The Sky.”

The girls continued to nurture their various dreams, knowing that at the end of even the worst of days, you can always dream of a better tomorrow. Maybe it was the pie, but Christine felt like she was back in the kitchen with her mom as a young girl again. The woman who taught her to dream big, and follow through with the real life attributes that will help accomplish that dream. Even after years of baking and growing up, some dreams have changed but not all of them. No, she never thought she’d end up waiting tables at a diner, pregnant with her awful husband’s baby. But she did get to bake everyday, make pies for the folks that she’s grown up with, and new faces that remind her exactly why she puts in the extra effort when baking.

Sometimes, Christine reasoned, the dream may change but the root want of that dream stays the same. 

“Look what you did, you almost made me pretty!” Meg told Carlotta as she stared at her reflection in a compact mirror.

“Almost?” Christine asked, “You’re beautiful.”

The happy moment was broken when Piangi claimed that he was going to die from ‘Estrogen Asphyxiation’.

As she cleaned up with a wet rag, Christine noticed from the corner of her eye that Carlotta was putting on some red lipstick. 

“And who are you puttin’ that on for? Tryna spice up a diaper change?” She teased.

Looking pleasantly smug about herself the redhead responded, “Well, maybe I got myself a little secret. Been doin’ my own dreamin’ too.”

“What!?” Meg practically squealed out loud.

“‘M not tellin’ you yet.”

“Why not,” asked Christine.

“Goodbye, Meg— don’t do somethin’ I haven’t done. Do you need a five-minute condom?”

Christine laughed at her audacity, whereas Meg gasped and replied no. With an, ‘Adios, me amigas’, Carlotta made her exit. Just the two of them alone, Meg approached Christine and startled her with a very sweet hug.

She told her, “You are the queen of kindness and goodness”, as she released Christine, making her feel utterly grateful for the friendships she has with her coworkers.

Christine is the last to leave, locking up the diner as usual. No one accompanies her on the bus ride home, which she’s thankful for because she likes the time to think.

Back at her home, Christine calls out to her husband, only to find the house completely empty. Instead of worrying where Raoul was, instead she takes the extra earnings she made that day in tips, and stuffs it into the couch’s cushions. There was a small tear in the fabric at the bottom, making a pocket between the cover and foam, and that is where Christine arranges the various dollars to keep hidden from Raoul. All she had to do was keep doing this for the next few months, moving the cash to a better spot as it gets bigger, and she will be home free to get to Springfield and enter that contest.

I’m doin’ it mama, for both of us.

[rothjuje]

I am tired, so tired. But also so happy.

I met a friend from Tumblr! It was my 4th time meeting someone from here, and everyone I’ve met has been wonderful. This is actually the first tumblr I’ve met that lives (relatively) close to me which is nice. We have plans to hang again in September, we’re going to visit goats and get ice cream haha.

We unpacked the kitchen!!! I had my first homemade meal after exactly two months in MA (last homemade meal was in TX on June 18th). It was nothing fancy, but it felt SO GOOD and so *normal* to cook again. I made one-pot pasta and why have I not done this before?! So easy and so creamy. I sautéed some onion, garlic, and carrots, put the pasta in, covered it in water, then added some tomato and parm at the end and it was so simple and good (the only thing it was missing was walnuts). I made a bunch of random things tonight (purple potatoes, sweet potatoes, quinoa, and peach cobbler from peaches the girls picked with Justin) and it just felt so homey and nice. Yesss.

Some leaves are starting to turn yellow here. I usually would think it was so pretty, except that I hate Fall so much they just annoy me. Ever since kindergarten I have associated Fall with dying leaves and plant death. Winter equals rest, Spring life, Summer fun, but Fall equals death. I feel like I just got to my house and now I’m going to have to watch everything shrivel up. Jess said that when all of our trees are naked we can wave to each other from our living rooms.

I am excited for winter though. I am excited to slow down. The way the world feels when it’s covered in snow, I can’t explain it. It feels quiet. Maybe not here though, maybe it will be alive with snow plows, adults going to work, kids going to school. But maybe it will be slow during that delicious last week of December. Justin thinks I will make it a week before going stir crazy. Maybe. I’m sure the first winter here will have some novelty factor. Probably not enough to last me 4 months though.

For a while I was thinking we probably couldn’t stay here long term because there’s just not enough usable land. But now I’m in love with our little town. I love our dentist, the shop owners, the neighbors of course. And I realized that living on a hill here is actually beneficial, because there are a lot of marshes here (and everywhere around here) and a lot of the land is water conservation land. We are not on conservation land, so we have more options. We have a good-sized area with a very small slope that we could level. We could take out maybe 5 trees and have a rather large space for a garden, the magical playhouse I have mentioned before, and chickens. There is a part above there that is more sloped, but I think we could get another good-sized area with a 4 ft retaining wall (max allowed). So. Options. I love to plan.

I must be feeling better mentally because I’ve decided I need two goats. And a pig. I’ve been watching way too many farming reels on Insta. And apparently you can raise pigs on hilly terrain.

I was thinking about making a walking path throughout our property, and clearing brush etc, maybe lining it with logs (we have sooo many branches and logs) and making it nice, maybe do a fairy tree at the very top of the hill so there is a fun destination for the kids to reach. I went to a Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, and they had this magical exhibit. It was an epoxied tree stump, with pieces of paper next to it to write prayer notes like you would at the Kotel. And people slid little notes into the cracks of this stump and of course it wasn’t the same as the Kotel but it still felt pretty spiritual. Such a great idea.

Now to find time to do all the things..