#we have a pile of rocks in our back yard

[thedemonastrophel]

Sorry for my incessant reblogging, I just like showing you things.

Like a child that found a cool rock and held it out to you going "Look! I found a cool rock!" and I need you to see and appreciate what I have to contribute.

[inbabylontheywept]

my grandpa was a good man. and it really wasnt his fault - recreationally lying to kids is a proud family tradition - but he told me, once, that cutting a worm in half resulted in two worms.

i think he said it so i'd be more morally okay with fishing? i actually dont remember the context.

point was, he told me this, and he understimated (by a very large margin) how much i liked worms. i was a worm boy. very wormy. and after hearing that, i went home, and i dug through the garden, flipped over every rock, did everything i could to gather as many worms as i could, and then i uh.

i cut them all in half. every worm i could find. all of them. with scissors.

i then took this pile of split worms, and i put them in a box with a bit of lettuce and some water and stuff and went to bed expecting to double my worms overnight. i have math autism, so i had a vague understanding that if i did this just a few times in a row, i would eventually have a completely unreasonable amount of worms.

i was very excited to become this plane's worm emperor.

(i think i was...six?)

anyway, i did not become the inheritor of the worm crown. i instead woke up to a box of dead worms and cried. a lot. i got diagnosed with panic attacks as a teenager, but i think i had them as a kid, i just had no idea what they were. i was kind of processing that a.) i had killed what i had assumed was every single worm in my yard, and thus would have no more worms, and b). i was going to like, worm hell.

(six year babylon spent a lot of time worrying about god.)

so i kind of freaked out, and i climbed a tree, because god can only smite you if you're touching the ground (?) and i sat up there mostly inconsolable until my mom came out and asked, hey, what's up? what happened?

so i explained to her that i had killed all of the worms, forever, and was also Damned, and she took me to the compost pile, and we dug for all of five seconds and found like twenty more worms.

the compost pile was full of worms.

she then told me that a). there were more worms, and we could put them back under rocks and stuff and recolonize our yard and b). that one day, i would die, and go to heaven, and be able to talk to the worms face to face. that i'd be able to tell them all that i was very sorry, and that i killed them on accident, driven only by excessive Love, and that she was positive they would forgive me because worms have six hearts and no malice.

at that point, i think i was sixty percent tear-snot by weight, and i had no choice but to gather enough worms that i could hug them. which my mom helped with. and then after that she helped me put some worms back under each rock.

and for my epilogue: i spent a significant portion of my childhood in trees. and for many years after, even when my mom didnt know i was watching, i would catch her giving the space under the rocks a light spritz with the hose. not because she loved worms.

but because she loved me.

[kisakis-boyfriend]

Idk if it's fit the theme but m reader x fremi? Where's fremi moved in reader's place and he experienced winter for the first time? Like he's used to the depth of the sea and now all he sees are snows, wanna take him to watch movies but his focus are always landed on the snows so I offer him to play w the snow mybe make a snowman:0

Pairings: Freminet x male reader

Warnings: SFW, male!reader, fluff, teasing, shoving snow under someone's clothes

The first time that the diver experienced heavy snowfall was rather cute. Freminet's rosy cheeks peeked from underneath his scarf as he tipped his head up, staring at the descending snowflakes in awe

It was like he couldn't even hear you; lost in the moment entirely. You stood just a few steps ahead, staring at your partner — the angel that he was as he became gradually covered in powdery snow. Freminet's eyes blinked slowly and his hands opened up, palms facing the sky while the cold flurries kissed his skin, melting after a second on the warm surface

“We're gonna be late, babe. Your siblings are going to wonder where we've been if we don't leave like right now.” You half shouted to your partner who was standing in the middle of your front yard, kicking around a chunk of icy snow

When you turned around to hurry him along again, he was muttering under his breath. Something about playing in the snow? It was hard to hear him, soft-spoken as he is, but especially so under multiple layers of clothing

Upon further questioning, you were able to get him to confess his thoughts. Freminet really wanted to experience all of those fun activities you mentioned before, when you talked about the snow and your childhood. “We'll have a snow day tomorrow, Frem. I'll clear our schedules and we can do whatever you want, promise.” You offered, though the sad expression on your partner's face caused you to cave rather quickly...

-

“Hmm...I think this one needs to be bigger.” Freminet said, eyeballing the ball of snow that would serve as the base of your snowman. He does have a point... As of right now, the torso is far larger than the bottom snowball. If you leave him like this he'd probably collapse and become a snow-pile-man...

Using both of your arms, you scooped up a pile of snow, carrying it over to your snowman base and packing it in together. “Much better!” You said in unison, giving each other a confident nod

Freminet has the honor of decorating the head. Using some pretty rocks and seashells to create a smile and purple eyes out of two gorgeous shells, and of course using a large carrot as the nose! It was also Freminet's idea to gift the snowy fellow a cozy scarf and one of Lyney's old top hats; giving the snowman quite a dapper appearance

While he was focused on carefully embedding the items in the snowman's head, you subtly grabbed a small handful of snow and snuck up behind your partner–

“Waaahh!!” Freminet screamed, jumping a bit when the icy substance came into contact with the small of his back. “H-hey! Why did y-you–?”

You laughed so hard that your sides began to ache, bending forward and grasping at your ribs. Freminet wasn't entirely amused, whining and jokingly calling you a ‘mean boyfriend’ 🥺

“Sorry, love. I just wanted to see your reactions,” you said between laughs, “you're too cute when you get flustered like that!”

Flustered?! Him?!

Freminet froze — feeling uncomfortably warm despite the freezing temperature outside

“Aw, there's those pretty red cheeks that I love so much!” Freminet's hands immediately flew to his face, covering his freckled (and apparently beet red!!) cheeks and turning on his heel swiftly

“You're so mean...” He whined under his breath, yet smiling when he felt familiar arms wrap around his torso, pulling him into a tight hug

[vitaminseetarot]

Full Blue Supermoon PAC Pick a Flower: How Are You Blooming? 🧡🌸🌹💜

Hello folks and welcome back to the next chapter of my moon series, all about growing your intention over the month! I had some crazy weather and managed to get both moonrain and moonwater. The moon was SO BRIGHT outside I even attempted (poorly) to read a book underneath it. If there's collective advice I can give for all four piles, it's to get some extra sleep lol especially when full moons this bright can disrupt our schedules.

As a ritual option, if you do gather moonwater, you can consecrate it to your intent via drinking or bathing. Imagine that you're watering that which is now ready to come into full bloom. The water energy will be particularly potent since it's in the tropical sign of Pisces. It's an energy that can receive powerful insights from dreams and visions so long as one's channels are properly cleansed and cleared. If you're an artist this is a great full moon for finding a good creative idea to work with throughout the rest of the year.

Pick one of the three flowers below to find out how your seed is now flowering to its full potential during this Superbloom! Pictures provided from flowers growing in my own house and yard. Divider from @animatedglittergraphics-n-more.

1, Orange Daylily - 2, Mauve Musk Mallow

3, Scarlet Bee Balm - 4, African Violet

Pile 1: Orange Daylily

Five of Swords, Eight of Pentacles, Two of Cups, IX Hermit, King of Cups New Moon Eclipse - Expect Powerful Change, Virgo Moon - Trust, Everlasting Daisy - Fortitude

This tarot deck, I swear! Almost every time I use it, this frightening five of swords pops out. I used to gasp, but now I'm like "really, again?" Maybe that's a metaphor for your reading, pile 1. Big changes are on the horizon and you're shocked and overwhelmed and don't know what you're doing--relax, it's all going to be fine.

You are blooming through persistence. No matter what silly, inane situation or conflict you find yourself in, you have shown that it pays to stick to your vision and keep pushing through no matter what. It's become like a personal compass for you, leading you where you need to go when things on the outside become too confusing to mess with. You know scenes in shows where a bunch of people are fighting over something like a coveted treasure, then you see that one person in the background is quietly making their getaway with the treasure. If the others fighting could stop and think for a second, they'd realize that you're already several steps ahead of them.

I felt the Hermit card long before I even pulled it, so the general advice here is as simple as: keep doing what you're doing! You may not see where you want to be right now but you're success will be guaranteed once you've made it. You're being asked to trust in the process for now. If you need to hide yourself away in order to focus, then keep doing it. You need to be mindful with how you spend your energy, and petty quarrels are the biggest energy drains. Getting too many other minds involved in the process is only going to bog you down, and not with cranberries. There's already a lot going on, so give yourself chances to disconnect.

Eventually, you'll be able to reconnect again, from a healthier place. Isolation is meant to help you, not remain a staple feature in your life. Sometimes we have to step away from people in order to enjoy the time spent with them again. Absence makes the heart fonder and all that. Your sense of light and joy is the key here. Does being alone make you feel more at ease, or does spending time with someone you care about? Daylily is named for their flowers which only bloom for one day before falling away. Orange Daylily is especially optimistic. It's asking you to take it one day at a time. A day for this, a day for that.

Soon, you will come to a place where you can feel more emotionally centered and your boat won't get rocked so easily. King of Cups isn't a rock, he lets himself feel tenderly and passionately, he lets others feel before him, but he doesn't let those feelings consume or overwhelm him. Don't be in a pressure to be that kind of person at the moment. You don't have to act emotionally above it all, or like you're only there to absorb the conflict. You can be King of Cups for your own sake, when you're ready to handle it. For now, quiet persistence is one way you can create emotional boundaries while you're undergoing shifts in your life.

Pile 2: Mauve Musk Mallow

Six of Wands, X Wheel of Fortune, I Magician, Eight of Cups, XIII Death Full Moon Aquarius - Show the World the Real You, Libra Moon - Sympathise, Gardenia - Awareness

I really liked the initial energy of this pile. You must have done something right! Because of your particular talents, and staying true to yourself as well, you were able to accomplish something that would have seemed impossible ages ago. It's like you're striking lucky somewhere in your life. I sense whatever this luck was varies so much because I'm not getting details as to what. The focus seems to be more on your sudden boost of confidence. It may begin to feel like things are finally starting to work out in your favor.

You are blooming through serendipity. This chance will spark a light in you to have more fun with your life. The Musk Mallow can represent playfulness, but mallow plants are notorious for their soothing capabilities. It's offering relief on the pressure valve a little so you can come back into balance with yourself again. However, this luck is not intended to last. It's there just enough to support and push you into a more positive direction, but it's not something to fall back on hoping there will no longer be worries. Allow yourself to enjoy the success but don't let it get to your head.

I think in order to receive this opportunity, you'll need to let go of something, maybe just for a little while like a break. It could be other opportunities that are tempting you or some blockage getting in the way. I get a sense for many of you that you may need to spend less time with certain people even if temporarily. This is in order to focus and allow the best possible outcome. The people you would be distancing will likely be people who don't support you or have the best intentions for your future. Don't entertain those who try to put you down for your successes. It may suck if this is a close friend or family member, but a true friend will stick around for you even if you suddenly get swept up in something good, even if you have to undergo radical change to make it possible.

Either way, I see you taking on this opportunity with a high chance for further success if you can keep your head in the game. Stay vigilant and don't rest now while the iron is still hot--strike! Take a moment to feel good about yourself without shame. It's okay to feel bad if some can't necessarily share with you in that success. It doesn't mean you have to let them drag you down with negative attitudes. You're doing your own thing, here.

Pile 3: Red Bee Balm

Ten of Pentacles (Rv), VI Lovers, Nine of Swords, XIV Temperance, Ten of Swords Third Quarter Moon - Adjustments Are Required, Aries Sun - Assert, Orange Blossom - Enthusiasm

This might be a specific message for some: are you planning to come out of the closet to anyone close to you, like family members? Or you could be disclosing a delicate secret to them about something like a choice you've recently made? Whatever it is, it has you feeling in a bit of a tangle. This is something that's been bugging you for a while and you're at the point where you're willing to step it up and change.

You are blooming through authenticity. You're coming into a place where you feel more real with yourself, and more aligned with your decisions. You're seeing yourself for who you are, with all the cultural and religious baggage at the side for now. Through that, you're able to expand your awareness on what it is you want out of life. Maybe you'd rather move than stay where you are, or change college majors, maybe you'd rather get a pet fish than a pet hamster. You have to know who you are to know what it is you want. Funny how it doesn't always work the other way around. Wants can be fickle but you're learning to balance the different perspectives.

If this choice means leaving behind values that have been passed down to you for ages, it may not necessarily be easy. It may not always involve stripping away it all. You don't have to throw the baby out with the bathwater, if you're just looking to give the child better soap. You can leave behind that which is only pulling you away from your authentic self. The rest is fluff. Tropical Aries Sun starts off spring season, reminding you that for every end you have the ability to create a new and better beginning with enthusiasm.

Be gentle with how you address this information to the outside. You may likely encounter opposition with your choices, especially those who would rather treat you like a child. Assertion is not the same as aggression, remember. We sometimes get caught up in our heads, believing everyone who's against us will always be fervently against us, which isn't always so. People can always change their minds and open up. It's not in your power to push them through that door, you can only keep the door open and point the signs in that direction. If they sting you, Bee Balm's medicine will be there with you, easing the pain and cheering you on for your commitment to yourself.

Pile 4: African Violet

Knight of Pentacles, Five of Cups, Queen of Pentacles, Eight of Cups (Rv.), Nine of Pentacles New Moon Cancer - You and Your Loved Ones Are Safe, Leo Sun - Create, Azalea - Temperance

Wherever it is in life you're focused on most, you've been diligently chipping away at it for some time. It feels like the right strike to hit gold is close. You're hoping that once you do, things will smooth out again and you can breathe. Every now and then, though, there comes a time where you have to stop where you are at in the present and breathe. As you do, notice everything going on around you and the amazing things currently at your table.

You are blooming through gratitude. It's not a typical message you get with the sad five of cups, but sometimes we have to look closely. The girl depicted clearly feels close to the seal, and they're able to bond over good times together even when dark uncertain times have crossed them. They're able to remember what was special, which any sadness on the surface can't erase. The two cups standing represent gratitude and hope. You're able to see that you've come a long way, and though there's much to still do, you can take the time to enjoy what you've accomplished so far. There's a bittersweet feeling to it, though, like you're not sure if you want to stop and mull for too much or you might feel too hard about what's been missed or left behind long ago.

Is there a worry over how loved ones around you might be reacting to your growth? This spread is signalling that you've already come so far, so there's no fret in slowing down and making time to spend with others. Family doesn't have to mean literal family, it refers to whomever you call "home". It could be your one dog and a studio apartment and I'd say "yes, take your dog on an extra walk today, not just cause they're a good dog but because you need this time to decompress and your dog wants to help you." Whether people in your life are under or over reacting, it doesn't have to affect your sense of gratitude for your progress. Maybe they're giving you no support for your efforts, or they're being overbearing to where you feel like they're actually pushing you away from what you're doing, but you're the Queen of Pentacles here, happily receiving from the Nine of Pentacles. The gratitude is in your mindset and how you approach it.

There's also one more separate advice, pile 4. Don't let your family discourage you from what you're making. Please don't toss away whatever it is you're working on now. Leo Sun wants you to be bold, open, and creatively expressive. Find a way to balance between working on it and getting feedback from everyone else. African Violets love that you care for family, but feels you could do without the smothering effect neglecting your growth. There's a time and a place for everything. Just make sure you're taking care of yourself in the meanwhile.

This reading has not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or infection. Please ask your physician before going online.

2023, @VitaminseeTarot ™

[pagan-stitches]

The Tain is an EP by The Decemberists released in 2004 by Acuarela Discos and in 2005 by Kill Rock Stars. The single 18-plus minute track, in five parts, is named after the Irish mythological epic Táin Bó Cúailnge, often simply called The Táin.

The Táin or less commonly as The Cattle Raid of Cooley, is an epic from Irish mythology. It is often called "the Irish Iliad", although like most other early Irish literature, the Táin is written in prosimetrum, i.e. prose with periodic additions of verse composed by the characters. The Táin tells of a war against Ulster by Queen Medb of Connacht and her husband King Ailill, who intend to steal the stud bull Donn Cuailnge.

Video directed by Andy Smetanka

Lyrics:

[part 1]

[Crone]

Here upon this pillow

Made of reed and willow

You're a fickle little twister

Are you sweet on your sister?

Your fallow won't leave you alone

And granted for their pleasure

Possessions laid to measure

She's a salty little pisser

With your cock in her kisser

But now she's a will of her own

[PART II]

[Husband]

Damn your ankles and eyes wide

From you fingernails to your ponytails too

King of the insects and the m-5

Over Charlemagne in a motorcade too

And baby needs a new prize

Baby needs a new and shiny prize

[Captain]

In this place called heavenly

You were born here

This place called heavenly

You were born here

You were born here

[Husband]

And now all the marchers descend from high

I will dedicate all of my awakenings to this

And damn all the angles that oppress my sight

I will bleed your heart through a samovar soon

Baby needs a new prize

Baby needs a new and shiny prize

[Captain]

In this place called heavenly

You were born here

This place called heavenly

You were born here

You were born here

You were born here

[PART III]

[Soldier]

They settled dust in your hair

To watch you shake and shout it out

With our armaments bared

We shed our bags and travel-alls

From the lee of the wall

He comes in the chang and chariot

And all his eunuchs in thrall

Can scarce lift his line and lariat

Here come loose the hounds

To blow me down

[Chorus Of Waifs]

Blow me down

[Soldier]

On this stretch of ground

I'll lay me down

[Chorus Of Waifs]

Lay me down

[Soldier]

To sleep

[Chaplain]

And now stricken with pangs

That tear at our backs like thistle down

The mirror's soft silver tain

Reflects our last and birthing hour

[Soldier]

Here come loose the hounds

To blow me down

[Chorus Of Waifs]

Blow me down

[Soldier]

On this stretch of ground

I'll lay me down

[Chorus Of Waifs]

Lay me down

[Soldier]

Here come loose the hounds

To blow me down

[Chorus Of Waifs]

Blow me down

[Soldier]

On this stretch of ground

I'll lay me down

[Chorus Of Waifs]

Lay me down

[Soldier]

To sleep

[PART IV]

[Widow]

O the wind is blowing, it hurts your skin

As you climb up hillside, forest and fen

Your arms full of lullabies, orchids and wine

Your memories wrapped within paper and twine

The room that you lie in is dusty and hard

Sleeping soft babies on piles of yards

Of gingham, taffeta, cotton and silk

Your dry hungry mouths cry for your mother's milk

When the dawn comes to greet you, you'll rise with clothes on

And advance with the others, singing old songs

Of cattle and maidens and withered old queens

Let the music carry you on

The room that you lie in is dusty and hard

Sleeping soft babies on piles of yards

Of gingham, taffeta, cotton and silk

Your dry hungry mouths cry for your mother's milk

[PART V]

[Woman]

Darling dear what have you done?

Your clothes are torn, your make-up runs

[Daughter]

I ran through brambles, blooming thistle

I washed my face in the river when you whistled me on

[Woman]

Darling dear, what have you done?

Your hands and face are smeared with blood

[Daughter]

The chaplain came and called me out

To beat and to butcher his mother's sow

[Woman]

But darling dear, they found him dead

This morning on the riverbed

But hush now darling, don't you cry

Your reward's in the sweet by-and-by

Hush now baby, don't you cry

Your reward's in the sweet by-and-by

[Crone]

And now we've seen your powers

Softly stretch the hours

You're a fickle little twister

Are you sweet on your sister?

As now you go wandering home

[dahliarosebud]

- Love Is A War Series - Aemond x Reader

• Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6

Part 7 Part 8 Part 9

• MAIN-MASTER-LIST

• HOTD-MASTER-LIST

Warnings: gore, death, kissing, fighting/violence

Synopsis: You have just arrived from your morning outing only to be told by your father you have to go back to King’s Landing for court. There you see your secret lover, but more pressing matters arise - the true heir of Driftmark and when the Jace and Luke’s legitimacy is questioned tension suffocates the room.

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

As I landed on the courtyard and jumped from Selene’s saddle my father stomped towards me. ”Come Y/n we are going to court.” He grabbed my wrist gently and dragged me behind him.

“What father why? I have only just gotten back surely I should change?” I rushed exasperatedly behind him as we continued onto the docks. We stopped as people were finishing up loading the ship. 

The boys, Rhaena and the nurse stood with Rhaenyra as they waited patiently. My father pulled me over and stood next to his wife. She leaned over and smiled at me in a motherly sense. She has tried to take over the role of my mother and provide me that comfort, but it wasn’t the same.

We boarded the boat the waves already softly swaying us. The wind was harsh and bitter. I stood on the deck and let my hand skim the breeze over the rails. Humming softly at the occasional splashing spray of water, fresh and awakening.

I pulled my hand back over as I heard the familiar footsteps of my cousin Jacerys. We had gotten closer over the years, forgiveness is a virtue. His hand met my shoulder with a gentle squeeze. 

I turned and smiled at him, which he returned. “I heard you’re learning the old tongue.” He looked down and I laughed. 

“Hardly. I keep forgetting or can’t get my words out fast enough,” he confessed with a frustrated sigh. “Where were you this morning, you missed breakfast and you usually join me for my lessons with the maester?”

“I just went for a ride with Selene, to get away from Dragonstone for while,” my voice was quiet as I turned back around. The boy behind me hummed and walked away back to his brothers.

I did feel guilty for keeping secrets. I mean my stomach drops every time my father catches me returning or asks where I have been. I looked down back to watching the sloshing sea. Skimming my fingers over the scar that remains on my forehead.

The boat jostled as it came to a stop and we all piled off. I stood and watched amidst the chaos of people unloading the ship, the bustle of the red keep, the chatter of King’s Landing. 

The carriage rocked as we arrived at the dreaded place. “All hail Rhaenyra of house Targaryen. Princess of Dragonstone and heir to the Iron Throne and her royal consort, Prince Daemon Targaryen.” Rhaenyra pushed open the carriage door. We all filed out after her and my father awaiting to be received. 

My father and Rhaenyra walked away with baby Aegon and Viserys to go meet the king. Suddenly I felt myself being pulled along again. I walked in tow with my two cousins as we ventured down to the training yard. 

I giggled as we raced down the steps. Our feet slapped down onto the all to familiar gravel ground. I remember how my day was a constant beige and grey when my father sent me here to live: I was separated from those I loved , but my heart grew to love another in the end.

People turned and looked - their burning eyes trailed the path where our feet once were. Luke and I stopped at the weapons table as Jace laughed aloud seeing the dent where Luke had once injured him self. 

He sauntered back over, shoulders still shaking from reminiscent giggles, “See? I told you this would still be here. And you thought you could swing Criston’s morning star. And you almost took your own head off,” he spoke boisterously as he ruffled his younger brother’s hair.

My eyes followed the way my finger dragged across the rusted blade. Inhaling the permeated air deeply as I remembered how we would all have to spar each other. I looked up my gaze catching the way Lucerys’s eyes lingered on the people bustling in the yard.

“What is wrong,” I spoke gently resting my hand onto the younger boys shoulder. I chewed the inside of my cheek as I felt him tense under my touch. Jace’s head popped into the corner of my eye, my concern catching his attention.

“People keep staring at us,” he whispered lowering his head in un-hidden shame. He turned to look at his brother who had jumped into a mocking fighting stance, a sword in hand. I covered my mouth as I laughed at his antics. 

I turned away from them as the peering people began making a crowd. I squinted trying to get my eyes to focus, I smiled once I saw that blonde hair. I quickly walked forward, pushing my way through the crowd. My hands clasped in front of me, a feverish smile painted on my face.

The crack of wood from his shield made me jump, my heart racing in excitement. I felt the boys join my side. Their gasps and gawking faces made me chuckle inwardly. 

He had finally swung around so we could see his face. The eye patch stuck out as a sickening reminder. I could basically feel their anxiety, the way their chest squeezed as they realised it was Aemond.

I felt pride as he dodged every blow and the way he pressed his sword into the prick’s collar bone. “Well done my prince. You will be winning tourneys in no time,” Ser Criston panted. Aemond pressed the tip of his blade further into his clothed collar bone.

“I don’t give a shit about tourneys,” he spoke clear and loud, “Nephews...have you come to train?” He lowered his sword allowing the handle to spin in his hand. I felt Jace shift uncomfortably next to me. Aemond’s eye imprinting itself into his fear.

“Open the gate!” A guard called. The old creaking wood was heaved open. The whole yard stood and watched as Lord Vaemond Velaryon walked in cockily, banner men surrounding him in a nod of his immense pride. My eyes followed him, not missing the way he stared down Luke.

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

I giggled as he pulled me through the large doors. His chambers were a warm orange from the glowing fire. He gently pushed me into the wall staring deeply into my eyes as I looked at him under my lashes. 

A love sick smile on both of our faces. He leaned in closer to my faces, hesitating for a second, drinking in my presence. Finally he planted his lips onto mine feverishly, heavy and lustful. His arms bracing him, hands either side of my head. My mind swimming with the imagination of how the muscles of his back contorted at this lude position. 

His lips left mine to kiss under jaw. Continuing to trail kisses down my neck till he reached my slightly exposed collar bone, “Aemond.” I whsiperd as I threaded my fingers into the silver hair at the back of his head. He pulled away, reaching forward and pulled my necklace from under my garments. 

The cold sun pendent, dainty between his finger tips. He smiled softly as he admired the jewellery. Dropping the small golden sun, now opting to twirl a piece of my hair around his finger, enjoying the way my soft hair wrapped around him.

“I missed you,” he whispered sweetly. His breath fanning across my face. I observed the way his glowing skin passionately received the glowing orange of the warming fire . I watched the way he focused on playing with the section of my hair, to savour the moment.

“You only just saw me this morning,” I sighed contently. Brushing my thumb gingerly across the soft supple skin of his cool cheek. If you looked closely they were still splattered with freckles, not as prominent as when we were younger, but still just as breathtakingly beautiful. 

He pulled away leaning back in. This kiss was slow, something so unspoken about this kiss like if we questioned it fully we would be entering dangerous water. The loving mystery behind it was so enamouring why would I want to question it? 

We pulled apart, hardly any room left between us. My body yearning for more. His slim fingers lifted my chin, thumb pulling down my bottom lip ever so slightly. So teasing, but so good. It has me swooning.

“Come on my love, time to go to court.”

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

The room was stuffy as we entered the great hall. All sides of the room cramped with nobles, and those with high blood status. I ground my teeth in a slow burning annoyance seeing Otto Hightower sat on my uncle’s throne.

“Though it is the great hope of this court that Lord Corlys Velaryon survive his wounds, we gather here with the grim task of dealing with the succession of Driftmark. As hand I speak with the King’s voice on this and all other matters. The crown will now hear the petitions. Ser Vaemond of House Valaryon.”

The man’s heavy steps vibrated the room. HIs mean gaze ghosted across my family and I. I ground my teeth harder as vile words came to mind. Oh so many to describe him with, such a shame I must hold my tongue. 

“My Queen. My Lord Hand. The history of our noble houses extends beyond the Seven Kingdoms to Old Valaryia. For as long as House Targaryen has ruled the skies, House Valaryon has ruled the seas. When the Doom fell on Valyria, our houses became last of their kind. Our forbearers came to this new land, knowing that were they to fail, it would mean the end to their blood lines and their name. I have spent-”

I rolled my eyes as he began promoting his claim to Driftmark as if we have all never heard it before. I tilted my neck awaiting that delicious pop. “AS it does in my sons, the offspring of Laenor Velaryon. If you cared so much about your house’s blood, Ser Vaemond. you would be so bold to supplant its rightful heir. No, you only speak for yourself and for your own ambition,” Rhaenyra cut in, through Vaemond’s ever so ‘reverting’ speech of claim.

“You will have chance to make your own petition, Princess Rhaenyra. Do Ser Vaemond the courtesy of allowing his to be heard.” The Queen cut-in in turn. There was such thick tension it was unbearable.  I felt my eye twitch in annoyance as I saw Aegon’s patronising smirk form across the room, and suddenly we’re eleven again and he is being cruel - like the vile cunt he is and will always be.

“What do you know of Velaryon blood, Princess?” I observed the way Rhaenyra turned her head in disgusted humility. “I could cut my veins and show it to you and you still wouldn’t recognise it. This is about the future and survival of my house not yours. My Queen, my lord hand. This is a matter of blood, not ambition. I place the continuation of the survival of my house and my line above all. I humbly put myself before you as my brother’s successor...the Lord of Driftmark and Lord of the Tides.” 

The room was filled with a mixture of satisfied and snarky faces. My family and I stood cold and firm, yet wavering in the cold wind that brushed past us in appending realisation of who Otto will choose. “Thank you Ser Vaemond,” Hightower’s poison dripping words slipped form his lips. “Princess Rhaenyra, you may now speak for your son, Lucerys Velaryon.”

“If I am to grace this farce with some answer, I will start by reminding the court that nearly twenty-years-ago, in this very...” The doors squealed open, wailing in ancient misery. We all turned to look at the disruption. 

Two metal men adorned with white cloaks accompanied the dead man walking, pausing just outside the large double doors. The right one bellowed, “King Viserys of House Targrayen, the First of His Name, King of the Andals and the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and the Protector of the Realm.” The room grew silent, but the echo of the rotting man’s cane haunted it falling on deaf ears. 

Otto Hightower stood from the throne in pure shock. Rhaenyra was teary eyed watching as her father descended the steps. Overall it was Alicent’s worry that painted her face that caught  my attention. She seemed scared, fearing for the King, her husband. The candles seemed to flicker more, painting sickly and ghostly shadows over the large expanse of the walls. The fires grew brighter with everyone’s impending shock, drinking it, taking it in like liquor. 

You could feel how each and everyone of us held our breaths as the crown came clattering to the floor. Only now did I notice that my father followed behind my uncle. I chewed the inside of my cheek as I watched him pick up his brother’s crown, proceeding to steadily follow behind Viserys’s haggard steps. 

With a groaning wail the king fell to his throne, mouth agape with heavy breath as my father placed the crown back onto the rightful head. Finally, everyone can breathe again. Cold air flooding back into my lungs as the intoxicated fire dimmed back down to its mellow orange. 

“I must...admit...my confusion. I do not understand why petitions are being heard over a settled succession. The only one present...who might offer keener insight into Lord Corlys’s wishes is the Princess Rhaenys.” The gathering all turned to look at my grandmother. Her held was held high, her back straight. The gracious lady I’ve always known stood tall and strong.

“Indeed your Grace,” she walked out to the front, head still held high. “It was forever my husband’s will that Driftmark, pass through Ser Laenor to his true born son...Lucerys Velaryon. His mind never changed. Nor did my support of him. As a matter of fact, the Princess Rhaenyra has just informed me of her desire to marry her sons Jace and Luke to Lord Corlys’s granddaughters, Baela and Rhaena. A proposal to which I heartily agree.” I smiled at both of my sisters with pride and happinesss at their good fortune. 

“Well...the matter is settled. Again. I hereby reaffirm Prince Lucerys of House Velaryon as heir to Driftmark, the Driftwood Throne and next Lord of the Tides.” My uncle wheezed and rasped out. My grandmother nodded to my step-mother quickly smiling at me as she walked back to stand next to Baela once again.

“You break law...” Vaemond piped back up, anger building and fists balling and un-balling. “and centuries of tradition to install your daughter as heir. Yet you dare tell me...who deserves to inherit the name Velareyon. No. I will not allow it.” I could tell my father was growing bored and agitated by Vaemond’s speech as he shifter from one foot to another. His fingers drumming an unheard beat on the pummel of ‘Dark Sister’. 

“‘Allow it’? Do not forget yourself, Vaemond.” Viserys warned a mighty sneer on his lips. Ready to gut the man in front of him if her dare sully his family’s name, drag his beloved daughter’s name through the mud.

Vaemond turned towards us rapidly. Pointing an accusatory finger in Luke’s face, “That is no true Velaryon, and certainly no nephew of mine!” He turned back to the King, rage bubbling in his voice ready to spill over at any moment.

“Go to your chambers. You have said enough.” Rhaenyra defended.

“Lucerys is my true-born grandson. And you...are no more than the second son of Driftmark,” Viserys panted back, that same calm sneer still on him pale thin lips.

“You...may run your house as you see fit...but you will, not decide the future of mine. My house survived the Doom and a thousand tribulations besides. And Gods be dammed,” he turned back to Lucerys, “I will not see it ended on the account of this...” he stopped him self a wicked smile growing on his lips.

“Say it,” my father practically teased, tempting fate. 

Vaemond’s gazed scanned the two young boys until finally his eyes met their mother’s, “Her children... are bastards!” he called out like a mad man, the insult echoing in  my ears, rattling in my skull. “And she is...a whore.” The court gasps as my family and I bore holes into the mad man’s impertinent head.

“I...” the ‘shing’ of the King’s blade caught our attention, “will have your tongue for that.” The King struggled, but my father had beat him to it. I felt him move quickly from my side, his mighty sword in hand.

He cleanly sliced Vaemond’s head off (at an ugly angle might I add). I covered my mouth with my hand, looking down as I tried to suppress a satisfied chuckle. The court mirrored its earlier action of their horrified gasps. I rolled my eyes lifting my head. My eyes catching Aemond’s who stood across from me, the knowing and admiring smirk on his face as he continued to stare into my eyes before flickering back to my father.

I winced at the squelch the body made as it hit the floor, not missing how Haelena covered her ears and her mother comforted her  daughter. “He can keep his tongue.” my fathers calm and collected voice filled the void. 

“Disarm him!” the guard commanded the sound of their own swords followed in pursuit.

“No need,” my father practically whispered as he walked back to his spot next to me, using his clothes to clean the blade. I looked up at his face offering a smile. His mischievous smirk returned my affections. We all turned back to the king as he groaned in pain people rushing to help him. 

I zoned out as my I watched the way the velvet crimson seeped to the floor. Tainting and staining. A mark shall always be imprinted in the ground and the people present. Always remembered as the man who dared to cross the Targaryens. Fear always following my fathers name a warning always given if it is dared muttered. 

“Y/n,” I was pulled out of my trance as Jace gently grabbed my wrist. “Are you alright?” I turned towards him, my mind clouded by death. I nodded only now noticing how dry my mouth has gotten.

“I feel as if I need to go for a ride with Selene, clear my mind of all...this. Would you care to accompany me?” I questioned smiling over to the young man. He nodded back a caring smile on his face.

[hrefna-the-raven]

Star Born

Masterlist

Chapter 1 - Knowhere

Words: 1967

Warnings: Back to the Future reference because those movies fucking rock! Great Scott!

A woman popped up from behind one of the machines, the sight of her made Peter weak, sending him straight back to a part of his mind he'd almost forgotten. She was wearing a black leather jacket crested with studs on the shoulder parts, the same torn light grey long-sleeve like Peter's, ripped from the collar downwards, revealing a small part of her cleavage, messily tugged into a pair of tight black jeans, the earth style finished off in a knee high pair of Doc Martin boots. While shaved off on one side, the shoulder long strains of her wavy amber hair fell down, covering one side of her face. Peter's eyes were glued on her frame, she looked like she emerged from one of his many dreams about home. He couldn't believe he was seeing someone so beautiful and so strangely familiar in a place like this. His heart raced in his chest, and he didn't want to but couldn't help but stare at her.

"Hi, what brings you guys here?" you asked the Guardians, a mischievous glint in your eyes at the sight of this weird bunch of strangers, especially the human.

Rocket stepped passed Peter, kicking him chuckling as he addressed you directly.

"We need parts for our ship, M class spacecraft," he said, trying to keep a straight face at Quill's drooling love struck expression. You nodded, a smirk playing at the corners of your lips.

"I might have just what you need or even more," you said, walking towards a shelf full of mechanical parts.

As you bent down to push a piece of machinery aside, Peter couldn't help but stare at your well formed butt, the outlines perfectly highlighted by the tight fabric of your jeans. He felt ridiculous, staring at you like a hormonal teenager but he felt like he was falling in love with, not just your behind, but also you right then and there. You had this special something, a weird spell engulfing Peter's mind completely, rendering him completely defenseless. He still wasn't sure if you could be the earthling the Ravagers had mistaken him for earlier but everything about your outfit and the music coming from that old radio just screamed Earth to Peter and he would know, he was born there which technically made him the sole expert on this matter. You led them to your little junk yard behind the workshop, sifting through the pile when the two Ravagers emerged from behind a pile of spare parts.

“Earthling who names herself Star Born, you come with us!”, they yelled at you, merely earning a chuckle as you tapped on a device wrapped around your wrist.

“Oh this is gonna be good, watch this”, you cackled as you poked Peter, looking up to the intruders, “hey! Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here?”

The song from inside the workshop echoed louder now as the Ravagers ran towards you.

Every time I think that I'm

The only one who's lonely someone calls on me

And every now and then I spend

My time at rhyme and verse and curse those faults in me

As they were almost close enough to fight you, what looked like a glowing pink skateboard flew towards them and hit one of them in the head, before gracefully turning around midair to collide brutally with the other Ravager's face, knocking him out coldly.

And then along comes

MaryMary,

MaryThen along comes Mary

Mary, Mary

You leaped over, activating the rocket attached to your left boot, swinging around in the air, your right foot hitting the last standing Ravager's face hard, throwing him flat on the ground.

“And does she wanna give me kicks”, you sang along to the song as you landed back on your feet, grinning at the Guardians, your hips moving to the tunes.

“Why does this woman remind me of Quill, just with the skills”, Rocket asked, mouth agape in astonished confusion.

“Was that...is that...”, Peter stuttered, walking past you to grab the skateboard, “a flarking hoverboard?!” You laughed, bathing in the glorious moment that someone finally recognised the device you built.

“Yes, I tried to build the exact same as in Back to the Future II”, you beamed, “see it even has the Mattel logo on top. It's just a prototype for now though.”

“Oh my...hang on! There is a second movie?!”, Peter looked up at you, his eyes glowing.

“Oh no... here we go”, Gamora rolled her eyes.

“There are three movies, dude”, you laughed, “have you been living under a rock?”

“I-I-I was abducted when I was eight years old, 88, I-I didn't know”, Quill stammered, nervously fiddling on the edges of the skateboard before handing it back to you.

"Ooooh you missed the best. Sweet 90s baby, hell yeah”, you winked at him, throwing the board on the ground where it hovered a few centimeters above the floor before shoving it away.

You had been a space drifter for years after leaving Earth, trying to make ends meet before you eventually landed on Knowhere. It was a tough life, but it was what felt closest to a home, clinging to what would make it all worthwhile, your earthly treasures, the simple stupid gadgets that reminded you of a more calm time of your life. Neither Peter nor you knew at this very moment how important that connection would be, but the delicate foundations of a very important and fond friendship were laid on the day of this fateful random encounter. You whispered your name into Peter's ears.

“But you can call me Star Born”, your hand playfully tapped his shoulder.

“Peter Quill, also called Star Lord”, he grabbed your hand, swiftly kissing the backside of it.

“Nobody calls him that”, Gamora walked into the workshop, waving her hands dismissively.

“Yeah, nobody even knows his real name”, Rocket cackled, sitting on Groot's shoulder, “we need these wires and relays”, he held up a small box, “how much?”

“You know what?”, a finger moved to your lips, your brows furrowing in a thoughtful expression, “if I can borrow your Earth boy here for the rest of the day, I'll give you the parts for free”, you proposed hesitantly, almost sure that they would never agree to such an offer.

“Yeah alright, you can even keep him forever if you want to”, Gamora laughed, leaving the workshop without even glimpsing at Quill.

“I am Groot”, the tree shrugged and followed them, Rocket still sitting on his shoulder, turning his head to wave a middle finger at Peter.

“The vicious vermin speaks the truth”, Drax patted Quill's shoulder, “I'm sorry Peter Quill, but you will have to stay with the weird lady.”

A chuckle escaped your lips at the sound of Peter's annoyed huff, your fingers wrapping around his wrist, directing him to the desk in the corner of the workshop. You rummaged through a drawer and pulled out a small square electronic device. It somehow reminded Peter of his tape player, but instead of a cassette, a tiny floppy disc stuck inside.

"Check this out," you said proudly, pressing a button on the device, handing the headphones over to him, “waaaay better than your prehistoric device.”

To his amazement, he immediately recognised the track that started playing.

“Footloose?!”, his eyes darted to yours.

“Of course! Best dance movie of all times!”, a smile spread across your lips, “during my years moving from one planet to another, I kept telling others that we have this legend on my home planet where the great hero Kevin Bacon teaches an entire city full of people with sticks up their butts that, dancing, well, is the greatest thing there is.”

Peter stood in the middle of this messy workshop on Knowhere, feeling utterly abandoned by his crewmates and friends, leaving him behind, without a second thought, to get the parts to repair his ship for free while he was left to fend for himself. And yet he felt ecstatic, finding someone, not only from his home planet, but also someone with a weird humour that matched his own perfectly, you even twisted the plot of his favourite movie into the same silly tale. As the two of you chatted, he couldn't shake off the feeling that this encounter might have been more than mere coincidence. He never wasted any thoughts on the concept of fate or destiny, but this simply seemed too perfect to be a mere chance. As you continued sharing your memories of Earth, realising that, even though you experienced the planet during two completely different yet similar decades, Peter found himself more and more drawn to you. You were smart, obviously smarter than him, although he'd never admit that in front of the racoon, and definitely funny enough to keep up with his jokes, and by the end of the day, he couldn't shake the feeling that he had known you his entire life. He had scoffed at the ridiculous thought of love at first sight before, yet now he couldn't deny the way his heart raced as he looked into your eyes, that seemed like liquid pools of indigo threatening to drown him. As the day wore on, the two of you found yourselves wandering through the many shops and stalls on Knowhere, your giggles mixing into the steady noise of the bustling marketplace. Finally, as the evening grew late and the two of you reached the Milano, you turned to him, your hand resting on his chest, your mind loosing track for a moment as you felt the warmth radiating through the fabric of his long-sleeve. "I have to go now, Star Lord. But I think we should do this again...sometime." Peter's mind to screamed at him, to do something, kiss you, grab you and hold you back, asking you to join the Guardians, traveling through space with them but his body seemed detached, sabotaging every single wish whirling around his busy brain by simply standing there watching you walk away, his heart feeling the heavy crush of an unfair reality. With every other woman he randomly met during his adventures, he managed to hold up his smooth flirty demeanour which not only ended in him waking up in bed next to said woman but very often also in a lot of trouble. But you rendered him defenseless, all his careless flirts suddenly dissolved into thin air around you. You were more to him, his heart already clinging to you for dear life, leaving no room for anything else. He knew he had to see you again. As he made his way back to the Milano, he frowned at the image of you taking up every little space in his mind, ignoring Rocket's taunting as he went straight to his bunk, slumping down on the bed. Days turned into weeks, and Peter asked around in every port they landed at, hoping to find you after Cosmo told him that you left Knowhere one week after him. But it felt all in vain, it was as if you had vanished into thin air. Finally, as he sat alone on the bridge of his ship while the others roamed the local market, his fingers instinctively went into one of the bottom pockets of his jacket where they found a small piece of paper tucked and neatly folded. He unfolded the paper, not remembering when he ever would have put it there, let alone when he ever held real paper in his hands after he was abducted from Earth.

Meet me at the Quarantine zone in the Andromeda galaxy. See you soon Earthling.

Chapter 3

[densi-mber]

What Happens in Tokyo

“Just as a warning, Nell is extremely excited to see you again,” Deeks informed Rosa as they walked towards their airport terminal.

“Yes, I remember last time,” Rosa said with a wry grin. During Nell and Eric’s last, and very brief, visit to the states, Nell had nearly knocked Rosa down with her overly enthusiastic hug. “I’m prepared.”

They found Eric and Nell at the very front of the line, holding up a handmade sign that read “Welcome to Tokyo Deeks-Blye Family” in sparkly letters.

Nell caught sight of them when they were a few yards away and ran to meet them, making a beeline for Rosa. She enveloped her in a tight, albeit less aggressive, hug.

“Rosa, I’m so happy to see you again!” she said, pulling back with a smile.

“I see how we rank these days,” Deeks joked, accepting a hug from Eric.

“Oh you know that I miss you guys like crazy,” Nell told him, finally releasing Rosa. She moved to Kensi next, rocking back and forth slightly. Deeks heard her say “Love you, Lady,” the rest unintelligible.

When she got to Deeks, she wore a slightly wistful expression.

“Deeks.” She held out her arms, waiting for him to enfold her first. She tucked herself into his chest with a sigh. “I really missed these big brother hugs,” she murmured, her smaller arms wrapping tight around his torso. “And these muscles,” she added, giving his bicep a playful squeeze.

Deeks laughed breathily, not having realized just how much he’d needed this.

“Good to see you too, Nellosaurus,” Deeks told her, earning a grin from both her and Eric.

“I think I missed that most of all, Shaggy.”

“Now there’s something I haven’t heard in forever,” Eric commented. “There’s a severe lack of nicknames in our company. And novelty pajama pants.”

“Well, I can help you with the first one, but sadly we did not pack any pants with pandas or cacti on them.”

“But we did bring presents,” Kensi assured them.

“Oh, you shouldn’t have,” Nell said, linking arms with Deeks and Kensi, leading then towards the exit. “What do you get us?”

Rosa snorted at Nell’s childlike excitement.

“Nope, you’ll have to wait,” Deeks teased.

“It’s tradition,” Kensi objected reasonably. “If you open them at any other time, they’re no longer Christmas presents.

“You can have mine whenever you want, but Marty and Kensi will probably insist on waiting until it’s closer to Christmas,” she informed Nell in a stage whisper.

“And now I like you even more,” Nell decided, switching over to walk next to Rosa instead.

“So where do you want to go first?” Eric asked once they had piled into a blue SUV.

“Well, I’m kind of hungry,” Kensi said, and Deeks grinned, squeezing her knee. If there was one thing that was always consistent, it was Kensi Blye’s appetite.

“So we should stop at a cafe as soon as we drop your luggage off,” Nell finished. “Ooh, there’s a place just down the street from us that has the most amazing Japanese pastries. You guys will love it.”

“And then maybe we can visit some place like Inokashira Onshi Park,” Rosa suggested. Eric raised an eyebrow, looking impressed.

“Wow, your pronunciation is really good.”

“I’ve been practicing.”

“And researching ever since she found out we were coming to Japan,” Kensi added with a proud smile.

“It was interesting,” Rosa said with a shrug.

“Alright, food for Kensi so she doesn’t turn into a wildebeest, and the garden for Rosa,” Deeks summed up.

“Sounds good. Then later this evening, we can do something a little more adventurous.”

“Nell, we totally need to take them cosplay go-karting,” Eric said, sharing a look with Nell that Deeks found fairly terrifying.

“Uh, I’m not sure that’s really our thing,” he said uncertainly.

“Oh, you guys will love it. Then we’ll do something really crazy.”

“This is going to be amazing,” Rosa decided happily while Kensi and Deeks shared dubious looks.

***

A/N: I always imagine that Nell and Eric are up to crazy hijinks in between running their company.

[headstrongblake]

☃ — [sender] and [receiver] attempt to make a snowman together / kass, alec & o? c: / @thewholecrew

octavia was the first to suggest rushing out into the snow, with a bright grin lighting her face. but alec quickly agreed with her that creating a snowman out in the yard would be fun, and it was exactly what the everheart lodge needed. both turned to kassy, octavia staring at her best friend with the biggest sad eyes she could muster before kassy rolled her eyes, giving in to the pair. "yes!" octavia squealed happily, swiftly turning to high five alec before they all bundled up to brave the winter wonderland that had fallen over night.

"c'mon kass! you have to put your back into it!" octavia called from across the yard, pushing on the large snowball that was nearly over half octavia's size by now. "it's gotta be waaaay bigger to fit this sucker, kass!" octavia beamed brightly despite the resistance the snowball was giving her. cold hands dug into the giant snow ball, but as she gave it another push, it refused to move. "alec! help me push this one!" she called him away from collecting the most perfect rocks and sticks that would bring their snowman to life with a face and some buttons.

by the time alec joined her, octavia had turned to use her back against the snowball, trying to push it further. octavia, it's big enough! octavia shook her head, waving her hand off at kassy, who insisted that they simply build the snowman there. she was determined to push it just a little bit further. even if only because she refused to be beaten by a pile of snow. "we've got it! right aleeec!" as octavia spoke, the snow ball pushed forward with alec, but her boots slid along the slushy trail of grass left behind, leaving octavia landing in the wet slush.

hitting the ground with a thud, octavia could only laugh as both kassy and alec came rushing towards her. "see, i told you we had it, now everyone will see our snowman from the window." she smirked, reaching out her wet hand to kassy.

[starfishface]

Just for shits and giggles, here’s a tale I call the Stupid Sprinkler Saga, a string of events that happened over the last few weeks

So I bought a house back in spring. I’m still learning the ins and outs of home ownership, because I’ve only ever had apartments, and when something goes wrong in an apartment, it’s someone else’s job to fix it. I do not have this benefit anymore. And it is much more stressful, come to find out

So as this is the first winter I’ve lived in the house, and a few weeks ago my dad told me that, before the weather gets too cold, I should shut off the water to my sprinkler system and drain the pipes so they don’t freeze and potentially explode when the weather dips below freezing. He comes over to help me locate the valve that will cut off water to the sprinklers, and that it’s probably buried in the yard with a plastic lid covering it. We just have to figure out which one it is. 

He comes over. We search the yard. We cannot find the sprinkler valve. 

He comes over a second time for an errand and we search the yard again. Still can’t find it. But this was in November, we live in Texas, and we probably had a few weeks to months before it gets cold enough to freeze. 

In early December, the city sends me a letter saying I have to get my backflow preventer inspected. I find a guy on Google and he comes to do the inspection while I’m away for a con. 

A few weeks later, while I’m out of state for another con, I hear that we’re getting a crazy-big cold front in a few days and the temps will be dropping into the teens for a few days. I still haven’t figured out what to do about my sprinklers. Commence panik

By the time I get back from my trip I have about 48 hours before freezing temps set in. I call the sprinkler inspection guy and ask if he happened to see the sprinkler cutoff valve while he was doing the inspection. He said no. 

I spend several hours digging through Google and YouTube. “How to locate sprinkler cutoff valve”. “Where is my sprinkler cutoff valve?”. “How to drain sprinkler system”. “What if I can’t find my sprinkler shutoff?” etc. During my research I go out and search the yard and my house several times, following the advice of the videos and articles I was seeing. No dice. 

One article I saw suggested that, most of the time, a permit and blueprint for an in-ground sprinkler system has to be submitted to the city for approval before it’s installed. So the city might know where the valve would be. My house was built a while ago but it was the only light of hope I had at this point. I call the city. They tell me they don’t know where the valve is, but they can send a tech out to help me find it within the next few hours. Perks of living in a small town. 

A few hours later the water tech from the city arrives. He spends about 15 minutes searching my yard and asking me questions. He cannot locate the shutoff. He even tells me I might not have one. We find a valve that will shut off the water supply to my house hidden in the bushes, which would cut off the water to my sprinklers, but would also shut off the water inside my house. This was less than ideal. 

He spends another 10 minutes searching, and even talks to my neighbors who pull up while he’s digging around. The neighbors confirm that they have a sprinkler shutoff valve, and I should have one too, since our houses were built around the same time. The tech calls another tech in to help. The other tech arrives and there are now two city workers in my yard, plus me, all trying to figure out where the hell this valve is. 

And then we find it. In the stupidest place imaginable

A bit of backstory: My house has some very stupid quirks left from the previous owner that I’ve just.... put out of my mind in an “I do not percieve it” kind of way. There’s some random piles of rocks in the backyard from a half-finished landscaping project, the remnants of what I think was supposed to be a fire pit in the middle of the backyard, and, notably, a weird plastic canvas bag sitting on the fence line. The bag is old and gross and looks like it’s filled with some sort of white cotton stuff, and it’s been sitting and leaning against my fence since I moved in. I always thought it was either A) something gross I just didn’t want to mess with, and/or B) belonged to my neighbors, since it sat right against their fence line. And when the second tech got there, he went to mess with the bag.

The bag that turned out to be an insulated bag that was covering the damn sprinkler shutoff valve/backflow preventer. 

This piece of shit bag has been sitting at the edge of my yard since I moved in and no one knew what it was until a city worker realized it was perfectly in-line with the water meter on the street and must be covering something important. 

It took 4 people to figure this out

Sprinklers are stupid the end

[hamishpetersen]

Belly full of green

Text commissioned for the exhibition Belly full of green by Caitlin Clarke at Hot Lunch Gallery, Ōtautahi Christchurch, 18 June–3 July 2021

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Dear C,

A greasy seam is sewn in the dewed yard. Hedgehog Way. It’s 7:18am and I’m greeting the hens. I wiggle the feeding bucket’s nipple and lodge a chickweed bundle under a brick. This is my time with the past before today begins. I stare at the wet mulch. I see soil-ordinary nothing. I see all the pits people have dug in this soil: midden, kiln, kumara... Maybe if it had never been drained to build roads it would have one day resembled a peat bog: mattressed with moss and heather. So I listen to the stories you tell with your hands to braid yourself back; Neolithic memory humming; immigrant weeds singing in the pot; a shadowed need for old relations; a gift of new language.

*** The ground itself is kind, black butter. [1] 

***

“Could you conjure a church?”

Yarrow asks, in reply to the woman now rolling about on top of them. Weeks ago, she asked Yarrow about the stories in the ground around these lowlands, and how to hear them: the chorus of navigators who’d each found their way up this estuary at different points in the double spiral of its memory. She introduced herself as C. A weird name.

“Well, we need somewhere to gather and listen together.” Says Yarrow, “So maybe make something of hay and mud, or wattle and daub? Maybe we just find the five biggest rocks within rolling distance of this old swamp, bury a third of each in the sandier soils, backfill, and put the biggest on top. Call it a dolmen.”

“Or” C adds, “should we go cottage-core and reassemble that falling-down worker’s hut in a sunny spot and scatter-sow hollyhocks, and foxgloves, and batchelors’ buttons? Or, I know, I’ve got an architect friend. How ‘bout we ask them to draw up something modular with an outdoor kitchen and a bunk house for friends to stay in. We could start a vlog about it and run a PatreonTM to pay the engineers, and pile-drivers, and bristly electricians...”

Some of the geese have gathered and are shaking their heads, sharing glances and knowing brows. A moment passes. Others join.

C brushes her palms across the tops of her tarpaulin thighs, getting the picture. She leans forward on two tree knots and stands, putting one wet leaf palm against her lower back, and then the other. Schlup. Schuup.

“Alright, yeah, good point.” Yarrow breathes out, thinking, “That was close, almost lost another one.” And puts on an encouraging look: five tiny white petals around a domed arrangement of pollen receptors and nectar teeth.

C turns back around to the small assembly.

“Right then, it’s agreed: our church will swallow us and be made of us, house and require us, ingest and digest us. Finally, a place to be together in some mycorrhizal chorus of sensation and story. But it’ll be no bigger than you, y’hear!”

Hedgehog nods, smiling a pine needle grin.

“It should be just big enough to fit the congregation of clovers,” C continues, “So we’ll use those 110ft scots pines over there, let them sit in the river till soft as black pulp, pack them into woven willow, and clear these old pioneer trees to make ash for the potato drills and to glaze the goblets. I don’t think the market will ever recover this time, so let’s not worry about the depreciation of attached dwellings like these. We’ll insulate it with ryegrass in April and wash its walls in kelp slime to keep the rain out. That sounds better eh?”

Walnut drops from the canopy in affirmation. The assembly has grown.

“But where?” C asks.

On an incoming wind, the Harakeke raise their precise voices to the group,

“We know how these soils slip around here. If you can help us keep our rito safe from those steel predators, we’ll send the kōmako out to sing you to the sound places for your structure. There are only a few spots down here where we would all have enough soil around our roots and be woven tightly enough by those last kahikatea to hold us all together, to sing at once under a single roof. Just ask, and we’ll tell you what’s needed.”

A sweet old peach rustles a round of applause and mumbles underleaf to its neighbour,

“I wish that rumply old couple had listened to those folks when they planted us in this slump in 1949. My boots have barely had a breath of fresh air in all those 130-something years!”

C thanks the stand of harakeke and takes another plotting pace in algal galoshes, then back again in sappy clogs, plan crystalising while turning a chestnut and two acorns over in her paw.

There’s an urge to begin in pricked ears and cocked beaks held around the yard. Piwakawaka winks and does a kickflip. The assembly seems to be in agreement. Convivial chatter and planning rises amongst the stray cats and buried family dogs, budgies, and chinchillas. C gets to work drawing up plans with the ants.

“Engage bug mind,” they say. And C sinks in. 

***

Then he is standing very still, concentrating, rocking on the breeze, and he wriggles his fingers and there are hazelnuts. [2]

***

She gives me slushy tiles and bursting stones. Overflowing geology. Extrasensory archaeology. Blinded by the city, we look for miner’s lettuce and ploughman’s luck. But it’s too early. Or all gone. All I can do today is sit near and watch your back. You cast the space between your fingertip and nail in earthenware and ironsands to record who happened there. What was left and what you made from that. It’s warm to the touch now: bleating, bloated, bleeding, beating. Stained grass windows in the last light of the day.

*** My body is the tent of my body And dwells here on earth 

Among us [3]

* * *

1. Seamus Heaney, “Bogland,” Opened Ground (London: Faber & Faber, 1998), 41.

2. Max Porter, Lanny (London: Faber & Faber, 2019), 202.

3. Tusiata Avia, “Apology,” Fale Aitu (Wellington: Victoria University Press, 2016), 59.

[casspurrjoybell-25]

The Healer of Shakkara -

*Warning Adult Content*

Chapter 23 - Snowstorm - Part 1

Galen ducked his head against the freezing wind and struggled to hear the others' shouts above the gale.

"This way," Sev yelled, tugging on his hand.

"We will shelter by the rocks."

They had passed a large outcrop of stone right before they chose a place to camp.

"Good idea," Rea shouted in reply.

"They'll have stored some heat from the day and should keep the snow off for a while."

"Everyone gather whatever fuel you can. We'll need to get a fire going," Sev hollered and Galen slipped his hand free and dropped back a bit to help Behn scoop up armloads of the firewood they'd already collected.

Laden with their burdens, they followed the others as the icy wind stung their ears.

Within minutes, the few flakes had increased and fell so thickly they could hardly see more than a few yards ahead through the swirling sheets of white.

"Damn it," Sev swore loudly several minutes later.

"We've gone too far east. We need to double back."

"Sev, we're losing light fast," Obi warned.

"I know. Stay calm."

They turned back, retracing footsteps that were already vanishing beneath thickly falling snow.

Galen shivered.

He'd been wondering what they would do when they reached the mountains.

Their clothes and blankets were warm enough for most weather but from Harrald's tales he knew the snow was another matter.

Despite the warmth of exertion, he already felt the bite of cold through his clothes, cold never seemed to bother Thrynians like Triss and Behn but Galen hated winter.

Moreover, despite the rush of triumph he'd felt after healing Obi's hand, he couldn't deny it had left him drained.

He wasn't sure how much trudging through blizzards he was up for.

Meanwhile, Obi was right.

The light was fading, dimming from pale gray to blue and within an hour would be gone entirely.

Then, if they did not have a fire and with the moon and stars behind thick clouds, they would be as blind as Zenír and in all likelihood they would freeze to death long before dawn.

"There it is," Triss yelled, pointing ahead to a dark shape just visible through the snowy gloom.

"The rocks."

Galen's heart lifted as Rea gave a whoop of excitement.

Obi chimed in but Sev remained silent and as they approached and the shape resolved itself, their hopes dimmed.

It was an outcrop of rocks but not the ones Sev had in mind.

Those were a jumble of upthrust slabs, some of which leaned together or canted at angles that would have made good shelter... these were little more than a cluster of rounded boulders.

Still, the largest was the size of a small shed and offered at least some measure of protection from the wind.

"We must make do," he said, as they all huddled against its leeward side, heads close together.

"We can't risk getting even more lost and being left with no shelter at all."

He picked up a stone the size of a loaf of bread, with flattened surfaces.

"Look around for more rocks like this but don't stray beyond sight of one another."

Without question, everyone obeyed and soon they had a pile of such stones.

Then Obi and Rea began laying them in a half circle, with the boulder forming its flat side, building a firepit with high, curved walls, like a beehive with the top cut off.

To everyone's great relief, they soon had a fire going strong and while the wind still licked at the flames, it burned steady and bright.

"We must conserve our fuel," Sev warned.

"And as soon as we are able we must gather more. The first snow will have left everything wet and it will need to dry before it burns."

"Agreed," Rea said.

"What we've gathered should last us through the night but barely and while we may not freeze, neither shall we be particularly warm."

"We must hope the snow stops and the clouds lift by morning," said Sev.

"If we are fortunate, the storm will depart as quickly as it came."

No one said so but Galen suspected they were all thinking something similar... they had not been particularly fortunate... so far.

They sat in a semi-circle around the firepit, with their bedrolls around their shoulders and their backs to the cold.

Rea and Obi had left gaps between the stones, letting the heat escape while keeping the wind out but the heat felt weak compared to the chill of the driving snow.

Despite the fire and the warmth of Sev and Behn on either side of him, Galen soon shivered uncontrollably.

"Come here," Sev said, as Galen shook so hard his teeth chattered.

"Sit in my lap."

"W-W-What?" Galen stammered, sure he had not heard the man right.

Sev reached an arm around him and pulled him closer, shifting so Galen sat with his back to Sev's chest.

"It's a survival technique. Our bodies produce warmth... why waste it? The rest of you do the same," he added to the group at large.

"Pair up."

"We're oddly numbered," Rea remarked.

"We can rotate with Zen," Obi said.

"I've got a better idea," to Galen's surprise, this last came from Behn.

"I might not be good for much but I'm good at keeping warm. I'm hardly ever cold... even now. And I'm big. Triss and Rea can sit with me and I'm happy to stay on the outside."

"Keeping two girls warm at once, eh?" Triss teased, even as she moved to sit in front of him.

"There's something to brag about."

"Shut up, Triss," Behn grumbled.

"Besides, this is probably the closest to any girl I'll ever get."

"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure about that," Rea said, winking at Triss as she leaned back against Behn's other shoulder.

"I bet you have a sweetheart at home."

Even in the firelight's dim glow, Galen saw Behn's round cheeks, less round than they were some weeks ago, flush red.

"I don't," he mumbled.

"Oh? Are you a 'man's man' then, like Sev?"

"N-No," Behn exclaimed.

"I like... I mean... I like girls."

"Ah... well, don't go getting too warm on us, then."

"Rea, enough," Sev chided.

"He's only a boy."

"That's not stopping you, is it, Omalan Sevhalim," she said, with something almost like a sneer.

At his back, Galen felt Sev stiffen and he spoke just to break the sudden and unexpected tension in the air.

"What does that mean?" he asked.

"'Omalan' that is. Obi called you that before."

Sev relaxed.

"It means 'honored' or 'most dutiful.' It's a title among Hands."

"Hands who have taken certain vows," Rea added pointedly.

In a voice Galen hadn't heard before, Sev said...

"I am well aware of my vows, Sei Re'annith. Perhaps you ought to mind your own."

Galen held his breath, seeing his uncertainty mirrored in Triss and Behn.

The sudden tension seemed to come out of nowhere and nothing like it had surfaced on the journey so far.

Sev and Rea continued to stare at one another but after a moment, Rea looked away first.

"Forgive me. I think the strain of travel has affected me," she said.

Sev huffed an incredulous laugh.

"The 'strain of travel?' We've lost a friend, Rea. And we're allowed to lose our tempers, now and then."

She shook her head.

"No. We're not. We're supposed to be above that."

A hard edge returned to Sev's voice.

"Not above, Rea. Apart. There's a difference. Now enough talk. Everyone sleep or at least rest, if you can. We will rotate a watch for the fire."

[boondockerblog]

Day 51 (Cabeza Prieta)

Desire deeper involvement with society and culture to some degree; it is a basic component of their motivation to travel.

What a day! New paths, and lots of them so I have Cairns at every turn. At one point I saw below me a colorfully dressed mountain biker. I usually don't see anyone when I'm far away from the 2 roads. We had a great convo - she lives in Ajo and works at the bank and started Bike Ajo (FB to get more bikes to come here for the trails) and gave me the map that they made.

Wow - so many paths (and they only marked ones that would be big fun for mountain bikers, so this map shows half or less) - looking forward to going on some of the ones we've never been to. We also talked about the electric outage issue (see Day 49) - there's only one line that comes here and it's from Gila Bend so if it goes out that's it. Remember we're talking a town of 200 so they're unlikely to get any more. So interesting to talk to a business person.

I followed the path the way she said would loop me around Locomotive Rock and after a lot of miles that I could see were going further and further away I finally just left the path picking around the cactus for 30 minutes toward the Rock and then back onto a path.

Then, yards from the motorhome, I met people from British Columbia and had another great convo about running and hiking.

By the time I got back it was super late for breakfast, and Bill thought we were going into Ajo to our wonderful coffee play anyway. So we did.

We were sitting outside at the coffee shop talking about the glass box office saying this must have been a movie theater. Later when taking our cups inside we asked and the woman said yes until about the 1970s (like almost everything else in Ajo). She asked if we wanted to see it. Of course!!!

Where the freestanding chairs are, and 20 mir rows back you could see in the floor the marks from rows of seats that had been removed (likely to put up the walls that became the seating area for the sandwich shop - what she told us it was before the coffee shop - what we didn't take a picture of are all the booths piled up from another restaurant). She also told us that the other box office window a couple doors down had been a performance hall). We of course matched right down there to see if we could get in and it is now the office of the ISDA and behind their office is the stage and a large hall still used today for meetings, bar mitzvah, quinceañeras, etc. Hearing all the ISDA does for the community - added to what the wonderful woman at the coffee shop told us, we love Ajo even more than all the other years.

What we learned today about the currently small population of Ajo was just how much is going on here - something we'd never have suspected given how few of the commercial buildings (except the Plaza) are open. Such a sense of community. Met a woman walking her dog who said she came to visit Ajo and fell in love with it so moved here from Boston.

Love this sign painted into a building.

We walked past the little Visitors Center and who did we see but the people from BC I'd met in the morning.  They had said they were going to ride into to town but such a surprise for them to be on the plaza when we were. We continued our conversation and learned about their brewery/distillery business and healthcare in Canada including how it works when you're in the US. They need to add on to the number of days they'd be covered in the US, which means a phone call with a long health interview of both of them. There's no cell service in town for us unless we use Wi-Fi calling and their phone doesn't work for calls period so they used ours. So interesting to learn all this. Just a delightful conversation.

[whereareroo]

LAST DAY IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS









WF UPDATE (2/4/24).

Today will be a milestone day for me. I’ll cross the equator twice in the same day! All in all, we’ll cross the equator four times during our sea adventure. When our sea leg ends tomorrow, we will have traveled 286 miles in the waters surrounding the Galápagos Islands.

Our trusty boat is about 150 feet long. She’s 30 feet wide. She can operate in water as shallow as 9 feet. She’s not fast. She’s capable of 10 mph, but we usually travel at about 8 mph. The slow speed makes for a smooth ride.

We traveled overnight, and when we woke up today we were anchored off the island of Isabella near an area called Punta Vincente Roca. We were anchored about 40 yards from cliffs that reached heights of 150-200 feet. At 8:00 a.m. our guides had us in the zodiacs for an amphibious tour of the cliffs.

The most famous bird in the Galapagos is the Blue-footed Boobie. It looks like a skinny seagull with big blue feet. Everyone is always talking about Blue-footed Boobies. Folks with perverted minds make sexual jokes about them.

During our other stops, we’ve seen a handful of Blue-footed Boobies. The goal today was to see a ton of them. There’s a large population on Punta Vincente Roca. We saw a ton of them from our zodiacs. They sit on little rock outcroppings all over the cliffs. We also saw fur seals at the base of the cliffs, and iguanas climbing the rocks.

At 9:30 a.m. we jumped back onto the big boat to put on our wet suits and grab our snorkeling gear. By 10:00 a.m. we were snorkeling. The goal was to see sea turtles. We saw 10 or 12 of them. We also saw a wide variety of fish. The highlight was a pair of big sea lions. They were swimming about 10 yards from the cliffs. They’re beautiful and graceful creatures. I was able to swim within inches of them. I don’t swim with sea lions every day.

After lunch and some rest, we were back in the zodiacs at 2:30 p.m. We zipped across the water to a famous island called Fernandina. It’s famous for marine iguanas. No other island has a larger population of marine iguanas. These critters look prehistoric. They look like a combination of a dinosaur, a dragon, and an alligator. The babies are about six inches long. The big ones are three feet long. We walked all over the island looking at these strange animals. From a distance, it looks like you’re approaching a pile of rocks. When you get closer, you see that it’s a pile of iguanas. We saw thousands of them. It’s a strange scene.

The island was also crawling with red crabs. We’ve seen them elsewhere too. They look like regular crabs, except they’re bright red. Because of their color, it’s very easy to spot them. I asked one of the guides why, for purposes of protection, these crabs hadn’t evolved towards a more neutral color. Isn’t that what evolution is all about? Wouldn’t the crabs have a higher survival rate if it wasn’t so easy to see them? The guide said that, unlike most other crabs, there was no reason for these crabs to evolve towards a neutral color. In the Galapagos, the only predators are iguanas and hawks. They don’t eat crabs. This crabs survive very well even though they can be seen from a mile away. Evolution works in strange ways.

We just got back from dinner. In the dining room, our table has become known as the “laughing table.” We’ve enjoyed great meals with our friends, and our meals have been filled with wonderful and loud laughter.

Our trip ends tomorrow. Overnight, we sail back to our starting point near the small Galapagos airport. By tomorrow afternoon, we’ll be at a hotel near the big Quito airport. The next day we fly home. All good things must come to an end.

I don’t know if I’ll be in touch with you during our trip home. If not, let me thank you for joining us on this adventure. I hope you had fun. We did.

[self-loathing-angel-of-thursday2]

Beautiful Spouse’s Rewatch Thoughts SPN 09x15 #thinman

“Duck face” “Is that a Chihuahua on her shirt?” Probably back when the Taco Bell dog was popular

“Oh I forgot about that” “You’re going to fkn die” “Ope. We’re calling 911 now.” “Close the one side but not the other!” “just stay on the line; it’ll be fine. The cops will save you” “to protect and to serve…donuts” “what a bitchy thing to say” “might want to get those rear bushings looked at” “Is this some Ghostfacers shit?” pounding his fist in the air

“Son of a bitch. Such a dean thing to say” “what’s the dickens?” it’s a saying “I know” “Who the fuck names their kid Tray? One of my cousins named their kid Tray” “Are they dead?” They didn’t just hire them back for the episode

“Oh” laughter

“The web design is hilariously Hollywood” “Is there a specific band of EMF they’re looking for? They mention power lines but wifi is still a thing. Bluetooth and fkn cell phones. Goddamn everything has a radio in it, even my cock has a SIM card installed” “What is this fkn carving? He’s got like a jock strap. Is this Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox?” “Need to talk to his tailor. Those pants fit real good” “Why do people like to stalk other people that they don’t like on the internet? It’s just dumb and complicated. Just get over it” “See! He agrees with me!!” “Are the bereaved parents home for this? They’re just making a film about how the girl died in the closet. Idk if the family would be ok with it” “It’s probably just your pits bro” “That’s just creepy” “pussy” “What do you think about that backsplash?” “All you gotta do is take a pano shot on an iPhone and you’ve got thinman” “Talking about a case here. Why are we mixing that with whatever” “I believe this is our Mr. Tray again” “At least he drives a wagon. Brings him up a few notches” “autistic boy’s goldfish? Or the goldfish is autistic? I think it’s the boy’s goldfish” “Are they leaving because they’re scared or something?” “really?” “The woods is where trees hang out” “Wouldn’t you blind yourself in oncoming traffic?” “I was going to say the same thing - good times man” “so the park bench is deep in the woods?” “oopsie” “Is he trying to say that they’re the guys without the cream filling?” “Pile shapes. That’s good” “Might want to charge that camera battery too” “How can you say it’s not real when he just got stabbed by it?” “Did he staple his gut together?” “some space bitch” “It went” “the fuck?” “Do they not have enough money to put a roof on this set?” “Just fkn swallows every time Sam is trying to be serious” “Is that a Jaegermeister fridge thing?” “My parents let me have a blimp in my room when I was a kid. I’d fill it up and hang it off the ceiling. Wanna know what it said? Jaegermeister” “Doesn’t even have a bolt. You didn’t need to pick it in the first place” “huh” “what the fuck is that?” “what the fuck” “That’s not adhered very well” “Good reason to have a beard. Can’t tape your mouth down properly” “really?” “that whole meme thing did not age” “Thanks Dean. Oh never mind” “sound design is good” “that hollow reverb like they’re outside near a bunch of metal things. Old shipping yard or something. It’s nice” “Kinda fucked your friend over there bud” “He doesn’t look too happy” “Isn’t the show usually over by now?” “Why would you be in a rocking chair when you’re old with your old college roommate?”

[lindsaywesker]

Good morning! I hope you slept well and feel rested? Currently sitting at my desk, in my study, attired only in my blue towelling robe, enjoying my first cuppa of the day. Welcome to Throwback Thursday!

Many thanks to everyone that contributed to WEDNESDAY WORDS yesterday. Every week, it just gets better! An amazing selection of lyrics, poems, words of wisdom and great lines from films. One of The Trouble’s top friends is making a special 60th birthday present for her. I’m not totally sure what it is but I look forward to seeing it. The friend asked me to ask The Trouble what her favourite Paulette and Claudette song was, and The Trouble said, ‘Watching You’, which is a song on the second album, written by me! The Trouble’s friend wanted the lyrics, so I think my words are about to be part of that birthday present.

On this page, ‘Throwback Thursday’ is about memories. So, what do you remember? If I was to say the word RUN, what immediately comes to mind?

My mind immediately goes back to my final sports day at primary school. I had just had a major growth spurt and I was a foot taller than all my classmates. I was entered for the 100 yard dash (on a stretch of grass sloping slightly downwards) at our sports ground on Aylmer Road. The race begins, I’m galloping down the field and there is no one around me. Maybe there’s been a false start? I look to the left, no one, I look to the right, no one, I veer into another lane and the kid in that lane runs into me. I fly arse-over-tit and lie, motionless, on the ground, wondering what the hell has just happened? I just lay there, half-dazed, half-embarrassed, until a teacher shouted down the course and told me to get up quickly because the next race was starting! Oh, the shame! If only I’d kept focused on the finish line.

The word RUN also reminds me of this cool period in my life when I was running from our house in Highgate up to the pond at Hampstead Heath and back. I think it’s the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. It enabled me to do cross country running at my secondary school and even deliver a respectable time. For a fat boy, this was a major achievement. If I could run 200 yards now, I’d be a happy bunny!

So, on this Throwback Thursday, what kind of memories does the word RUN conjure up for you?

Our nephew Jonatan (Yung Lean) is in London to film a new promotional video, so we had a major family dinner at our house last night. He lives your normal rock star life (writing, recording, touring, playing live gigs, filming videos and repeat) but, when he’s in London, he wants his Auntie Claudette’s home cooking and just to shoot the breeze with his cousins. When he was a kid and I was working at MTV, I used to give him piles of CDs by US and UK rappers and, just like his clever parents, he has forged a solid career for himself.

In amongst all the prepping, teaching and marking, in coming weeks, we’ve got lots to look forward to. ‘The A-Z Of Mi-Soul Music’ is coming live from Summer Soulstice this Saturday (June 24), there’s a jazzy, live music birthday party on June 25th, we have a yummy BBQ on July 1st, I’ll be doing Mi-Soul’s ‘Concert At The Castle’ event in Windsor on July 9th, it’s the Margate Soul Festival on the weekend of August 4th, then I’m looking forward to going back to Stevenage on Bank Holiday Sunday, August 27th for ‘Let The Music Play’. And, of course, we’ll be back and forth to Hove regularly to see Lady Wesker.

Have a throbbing and thrusting Thursday (with hopefully a few thrills through your thoroughfare?) I love you all.