Nov 29, 2013

Plans for the weekend

I wish you all a wonderful, warm and happy weekend!


I'll be reading


 (a very serious candidate to my always growing top 10 :))
(and before you ask: that's my nightstand... I was pilling re-readings while waiting for DW :))


 while listening to: 


*** Young Magic "Sparkly" *** 




Nov 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving

"So what's to eat?" 
Too much, Spence decided as the family gathered around the table late that afternoon.
The huge turkey in the center of the hand-crocheted tablecloth was only the beginning. Faithful to her adopted country's holiday, Nadia had prepared a meal that was an American tradition from the chestnut dressing to the pumpkin pies. 
Wide-eyed, Freddie gawked, staring at platter after platter. The room was full of noise as everyone talked over and around everyone else. The china was mismatched. Old Sasha lay sprawled under the table near her feet, hoping for a few unobtrusive handouts.
She was sitting on a wobbly chair and the New York Yellow Pages.

As far as she was concerned, it was the best day of her life.

Nadia, her cheeks rosy with the pleasure of having her family together, slipped a hand into Yuri's as he lifted his glass. 
"Enough," he said, and effectively silenced the table.
"You can argue later about who let white mice loose in science lab. Now we toast. We are thankful for this food that Nadia and my girls have fixed for us. And more thankful for the friends and family who are here together to enjoy it. We give thanks, as we did on our first Thanksgiving in our country, that we are free."
"To freedom," Mikhail said as he lifted his glass.
"To freedom," Yuri agreed. His eyes misted and he looked around the table. 
"And to family."


Taming Natasha





Nov 19, 2013

What’s in your fridge?

But what was she doing with her head in his refrigerator?
"What are you doing?"
"Fixing you breakfast. You have one egg. How would you like it?"
"Cooked." He drained the cup and hobbled back for another dose.
"Your bologna's green, and there's something in here that might be
alive." She took out the egg, a hunk of cheese, and a heel of bread.
"I've never seen things move in a refrigerator before. Got a skillet?"

Public Secrets

_________________



Photographer Mark Menjivar wants to know. The 33-year-old San Antonio, Texas, native has spent the past four years snapping the insides of people’s refrigerators for “You Are What You Eat,” a photo series that recently inspired his first book, simply titled "Refrigerators," to be published in December.

“I was hoping to learn about people through their food — refrigerators are a private space — but more importantly to shine light on how people take care of their bodies and our food supply,”

 

SHINE


_________________

 “Me too. Then what do you say we flip to see who cooks dinner?”
“Buzzing up sissy frozen dinners isn’t worthy of a flip.”
“I was thinking of the steaks we have in the meat drawer of the fridge.”
“We have steaks?” The day got brighter. “We have a meat drawer?” She smiled and got to her feet.
“Yes, we do.”
“Okay, the meat drawer probably came with the fridge. How did we get steaks? Do you have a magic cow somewhere?”
“No, I have a fairy stepmother, who delivers. I asked Syl if she’d pick us up a couple steaks, Idahos, some staples I needed. She dropped them off today, including a bunch of fresh vegetables and fruit because she thinks we need those, too. That’s why there are fresh vegetables in the crisper. And yes, we have a crisper.”
He decided there was no point in telling her he’d looked in the fridge and seen none of those things.
There’d just be some variation of his mother’s standard crack about Male Refrigerator Blindness
Syndrome.

 The Search

Nov 18, 2013

So Happy! Magick arrived!!!

Today I got the best phone call of the week...  calling from work's reception to say I had a delivery... Christmas is near and my mind flies "A Gift?"... Yes, definitely.  
MY DARK WITCH!!!!

Today kids might have to go without Dinner ahahaha - can't wait to get started... 





Might not return here soon...

Nov 4, 2013

Couch Potato Dogs



Mitch had named him Taz, after the Tasmanian Devil from the old Warner Brothers cartoons, but Taz was hardly a whirlwind of energy. 
He yawned now and rubbed his back lazily on the rug. 
He liked Mitch. Mitch never expected him to do anything that he didn't care to, and hardly ever complained about dog hair on the furniture or an- occasional forage into the trash. Mitch had a nice voice, too, low and patient. Taz liked it best when Mitch sat on the floor with him and stroked his heavy brown fur, talking out one of his ideas. Taz could look up into the lean face as if he understood every word.
Taz liked Mitch's face, too. It was kind and strong, and the mouth rarely firmed into a disapproving line. His eyes were pale and dreamy. Mitch's wide, strong hands knew the right places to scratch. 
Taz was a very contented dog. He yawned and went back to sleep.
When the knock came to the door, the dog stirred enough to thump his tail and make a series of low noises in his throat.
"No, I'm not expecting anyone. You?" Mitch responded.

Local Hero

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Prefer a canine pal who will be satisfied to watch the big game with you on the sofa instead of running interference on your neighborhood touch football team? All dogs need some daily exercise, but we showcase a dozen couch-loving canines whose exercise needs can be satisfied with a short stroll or brief indoor playtime. 




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"Taz is a firm believer in conserving energy. Why run if strolling gets you to the same place?" Mitch went back into his office, rooted around and came up with Taz's leash. "He doesn't chase cars, other dogs or park police. He will, however, stop at every tree."

Local Hero

Oct 30, 2013

things Parents need to teach Sons about masculinity


It's okay to cry and show a full range of emotions


Girls aren't the worst thing 

There is no need to constantly prove your masculinity 




It's okay to suck at sports

You can talk about your feelings 

 


 

 Your sexual conquests don't define you

Violence is not the answer when conflicts arise

 


 

 

 



Oct 24, 2013

what her eating habits say about her bedroom's

"Why do you eat like that?" he asked.
"Like what?"
"In microscopic bites."
"Well." She worked her way through a single noodle as he topped off her wineglass. "It started as a way to needle my brothers, and became a habit. Whenever we'd get a treat, ice cream or candy, whatever, they'd just scarf theirs down. It drove them crazy that I'd have some of mine left. So I started eating even slower so I'd have more left and make them crazier. Anyway, I eat less and enjoy it more this way."
"I bet." Jack purposely shoveled a huge forkful of noodles into his mouth.

Bed of Roses


___________________






Want to know what a woman’s like in bed? Pay attention to these clues at the dinner table
 
You've just met a great new girl, and think she could be the one. So it's natural you're a little nervous about breaking bread with your potential mate. 
Chances are, if she's into you, she's got a similar case of the butterflies – even if she appears to be calm, cool and collected. 
Instead of wondering if this date could lead to the two of you walking down the aisle together, or getting physical after dinner, experts suggest paying attention to the following signs and signals women throw out while sharing a meal.


MSN


___________________



"Did I thank you for dinner?"
"You did."
"Well…" She scraped her teeth over his bottom lip—lightly, lightly—before the kiss. 
"Thanks again. And the champagne? Did I thank you for that?"
"As I recall."
"Just in case." On a sigh her mouth met his. 
"And the candlelight, the rose, the long walk, the view."
Her body moved against his, leading him into a slow, circling dance.
"You're welcome."
He drew her in, closer still, so her body pressed to his. Time spun out as they circled, as mouth clung to mouth, as heart beat to heart.
She drew in his scent, his flavor. So familiar and still so new. Her fingers trailed up into hair bronzed
and gilded by the sun, then curled, tugged to bring him just a little closer.
They slid down together onto smooth white sheets, and into the perfume of a single red rose.

Bed of Roses

Oct 14, 2013

Advice to aspiring Writers

"True enough. What're you looking for there?"
"Success," she said immediately. "Security."
"One doesn't always equal the other."
Her voice was as defiant as the look she aimed at him. "You have both."
"A writer's never secure," Hunter disagreed. "Only a foolish one expects to be. I've read all of the manuscript you brought."
Lee said nothing. She'd known he'd bring it up before the two weeks were over, but she'd hoped to put it off a bit longer. The faintest of breezes played with the ends of her hair while she sat, staring at the moving waters of the creek. Some of the pebbles looked like gems. Such were illusions.
"You know you have to finish it," he told her calmly. "You can't make me believe you're content to leave your characters in limbo, when you've drawn them so carefully. Your story's two-thirds told, Lenore."
"I don't have time," she began.
"Not good enough."
Frustrated, she turned to him again. "Easy for you to say from your little pinnacle of fame. I have a demanding full-time job. If I give it my time and my talent, there's no place I can go but up at Celebrity." 

"Your novel needs your time and talent." 


Second Nature

________________







“You have to finish things — that’s what you learn from, you learn by finishing things.”





 ________________


 It was as Hunter had once said. The characters absorbed her, drove her, frustrated and
delighted her. As time passed, Lee discovered she wanted to finish the story, not only for
her sake but for theirs. She wanted, as she'd never wanted before, for these words to be
read. The excitement of that, and the dread, kept her going.

She felt a queer little thrill when the last word was typed, a euphoria mixed with an odd
depression. She'd finished. She'd poured her heart into her story. Lee wanted to celebrate.
She wanted to weep. It was over. As she pressed her fingers against her tired eyes, she
realized abruptly that she didn't even know what day it was.

Second Nature
 

Oct 10, 2013

Nora's Birthday,This Magical Moment

“Happy birthday!"

Ryan‟s eyes widened in surprise. Bess, still in costume, opened a bottle of champagne while Link did his best to catch the spurt of wine in a glass. Speechless, Ryan stared at them.
“Happy birthday, Ryan.” Pierce kissed her lightly.
“But how …” She broke off to look up at him. “How did you know?”
“Here you go.” Bess stuck a glass of champagne in Ryan‟s hand, then gave her a quick squeeze. “Drink up, sweetie. You only get one birthday a year. Thank God. The champagne‟s from me—a bottle for now and one for later.” She winked at Pierce.
“Thank you.” Ryan looked helplessly into her glass. “I don‟t know what to say.”
“Link‟s got something for you, too,” Bess told her.
The big man shifted uncomfortably as all eyes turned to him. “I got you a cake,” he mumbled, then cleared his throat. “You have to have a birthday cake.”
Ryan walked over to see a sheet cake decorated in delicate pinks and yellows. “Oh, Link! It‟s lovely.”
“You have to cut the first piece,” he instructed.
“Yes, I will in a minute.” Reaching up, Ryan drew his head down until she could reach it on tiptoe. She pressed a kiss on his mouth. “Thank you, Link.”
He turned pink, grinned, then sent Bess an agonized look. “Welcome.”
“I have something for you.” Still smiling, Ryan turned to Pierce. “Will you kiss me, too?” he demanded.
“After I get my present.”
“Greedy,” he decided and handed her a small wooden box.
It was old and carved. Ryan ran her finger over it to feel the places that had worn smooth with age and handling. “It‟s beautiful,” she murmured. She opened it and saw a tiny silver symbol on a chain. “Oh!”
“An ankh,” Pierce told her, slipping it out to fasten it around her neck. “An Egyptian symbol of life. Not a superstition,” he said gravely. “It‟s for luck.”

This Magic Moment


_______________








Happy Birthday, Nora!!





Oct 9, 2013

10 things Dogs can teach us about Relationships



"I'm going to keep Mongo."
"I know it, honey."
"His leg's doing all right. It'll take a while to heal yet, but he'll be fine. A little gimpy maybe. I was going to find him a good home, but .. . I can't." He looked up, puzzled. "What do you mean you know it? I never keep dogs."
"You hadn't found the right one yet, is all." 

Carolina Moon



_____________



I also have to say that I think I became a much better husband and partner after becoming a veterinarian.


Here are 10 lessons dogs have taught me about making marriage-or any kind of committed relationship-work. 

(Meet Fluky! One of the kindest souls I've met!!!)



A little extra work and attention goes a long way toward making a relationship stronger. So thanks to all the dogs out there for setting a great example and helping us humans be better partners!











_________________


“You know the secrets,” he said to Bert. “Too bad you can’t talk.”


The Witness