Apr 30, 2016

Cheap Thrills

“Breath, makeup, hair,” Emma announced as she flipped out a pocket mirror. 
Mini Altoids were passed, lipstick freshened. 
Four pairs of shoes were slipped onto four pairs of feet. 
And Parker finally hung up the phone.


Vision in White


____________________




(up with it girl)
(rock with it girl)
(show dem it girl)

(bounce with it girl)
(dance with it girl)
(get with it girl)

Come on, come on, turn the radio on
It's Friday night and it won't be long
Gotta do my hair, put my makeup on
It's Friday night and it won't be long









____________________



 At two A.M. Mac crawled back into the limo, and sprawled. 
“I came to have fun with my best pals in the land, and said mission was accomplished. God, do we have any water in here?” 
Laurel passed her a bottle, then groaned. 
“My feet. My feet are screaming like voices of the damned.” 
“I had the best time.” Emma slid onto the limo’s side bench and pillowed her head on her hands. “We should do this once a month.” Parker yawned, but tapped her purse. 
“I have two new contacts for vendors, and a potential client.” 
And so, Mac thought as the limo streamed north, we each define ourselves. 
She toed off her now very painful shoes, shut her eyes, and slept the rest of the way home.


Vision in White 

Apr 29, 2016

Motherly embrace

Deep in the boggy soil the bones lay, almost perfectly articulated from sternum to skull.

She would continue to excavate the rest.

The remains told a story without words. The larger skeleton with the smaller turned close
to its side, tucked there in the crook of the elbow.

“They buried them together,” Callie said at length. “From the size of the remains, the
infant died in childbirth or shortly after. The mother, most likely the same. The lab should
be able to confirm that. 
They buried them together,” she said again. 

“That’s more intimate than tribal. That’s family.”


Birthright


__________________




It is a fitting discovery as Mother's Day approaches.
Archaeologists have uncovered the ancient remains of a young mother and an infant child locked in a 4,800-year-old embrace.




__________________


And here was proof that the love could last
thousands of years.


Birthright

Apr 28, 2016

Pets and happiness go paw in hand

He remembered Dumbo, the sweet-faced retriever he'd fallen madly in love with when he'd come to the Quinns.

He'd been the first dog to play with, to be comforted by, in Ethan's life. From Dumbo he'd learned the meaning of unconditional love, had certainly trusted the dog long before he'd trusted Ray and Stella Quinn or the boys who would become his brothers.

He imagined Seth felt much the same. You could always depend on your dog.

When he'd come here all those years ago, damaged in body and soul, he had no hope that his life would really change. Promises, reassurances, decent meals and decent people meant nothing to him. So he'd considered ending that life.

The water had drawn him even then. He imagined himself walking out into it, drifting out until it was over his head. He didn't know how to swim then, so it would have been simple. Just sinking down and down and down until there was nothing.

But the night he'd slipped out to do it, the dog had come with him. Licking his hand, pressing that warm, furry body against his legs. And Dumbo had brought him a stick, tail wagging, big brown eyes hopeful.

The first time, Ethan threw the stick high and far and in fury. But Dumbo chased it happily and brought it back. Tail wagging.

He threw it again, then again, then dozens of times. Then he simply sat down on the grass, and in the moonlight cried his heart out, clutching the dog like a lifeline.

The need to end it had passed.

A dog, Ethan thought now as he rubbed a hand over Simon's head, could be a glorious thing.



Sea Swept



_______________________


Dogs are full of unconditional love and affection and are greatly aware of our emotions as people.



By Tam Tam from Shizuoka, JAPAN - dachshund, CC BY-SA 2.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2134998



A pet can bring a lot of excitement and affection to your life. But were you aware of the powerful mental and physical health benefits that accompany pet ownership?
Not only do animals encourage us to be active, but they can also reduce stress and depression, ease loneliness and bring unconditional love to our lives.

_______________________



Apr 27, 2016

Trรจs Chic

Monique surveyed the suite and nodded. The flowers were a nice touch—not too many, just a few buds here and there to give the rooms a whiff of a garden. 
A touch—only a touch of romance. 
The wine was chilling, the glasses sparkling in the subdued lighting. 
And Max had outdone himself with the hors d'ouvres, she decided. A little caviar, a little pate, some miniature quiches—very elegant. She must remember to pay a visit to the kitchen.

As for herself—Monique touched a hand to the chignon at the base of her neck. Not her usual style, but she wanted to add the air of dignity. 

She felt the evening might call for it. But the black silk pants and off-the-shoulder blouse were sexy and chic. She simply couldn't resist the urge to dress with a bit of flair for the part.

The scene was set, she decided. Now it was only a matter for the players…


Summer Desserts


____________________



By © Traumrune / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12886974


The French Girl's Guide to Entertaining




With summer entertaining season just around the corner, we want to know the secret to hosting a party like the perfect French woman. Our inspiration? Gorgeous chef and author Mimi Thorisson of Manger, who lives with her photographer husband and six children in a rambling farmhouse in the South of France and has that perfectly imperfect look down to a fine art: at once a little bit rustic and refined. Ready to impress your friends with your own French-inspired culinary fiesta? We’ve got you covered.





Apr 26, 2016

Surviving a Mountain Lion Encounter

He broke off as a movement behind her caught his eye. He shifted his gaze, focused and felt the blood drain out of his head. “Jesus Christ. Don’t move.”
She smelled it now—the wild and dangerous scent. Her heart slammed once against her ribs, and before she could get to her feet, Noah was springing up to put himself between her and the cougar.
It was a full-grown male, perched on the rocks just above with his eyes glinting in the sunlight. Now he shifted, let out a low, guttural growl and flashed teeth.
“Keep your eyes on his,” Olivia instructed as she rose. “Don’t run.”
Noah already had his hand on the hilt of his knife. He had no intention of running. “Go.” He bared his own teeth and shifted when Olivia tried to step out from behind him. “Start moving back down the trail.”
“That’s exactly right.” She kept her voice calm. “No sudden moves, no fleeing motions. We just ease back, give him room. He’s got the advantage. Higher ground. And he’s showing aggressive behavior. Don’t take your eyes off him, don’t turn your back.”
“I said, ‘Go.’ “ It took every ounce of willpower not to turn around and shove her down the trail. One thin stream of sweat trickled down his back.
“He must have a kill near here. He’s just trying to protect it.” She bent, keeping her eyes on the cat’s, and scooped up two rocks. “Back away, we just back away.”
The cat hissed again, and his ears went back flat. “Yell!” Olivia ordered, continuing the backward motion even as she winged the first rock. It struck the cougar sharply on the side.
She continued to shout, heaved the second rock. The cat spat furiously, swiped at the air. And as Noah drew the knife from his belt, the cat slunk away.


River's End

__________________


By Olivia Danielle Ruiz - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35452417


Stumbling upon a mountain lion is pretty rare, but if you happen to do a lot of stuff outdoors, it’s good to be prepared just in case. Here’s what you should do if you encounter a mountain lion in the wild.
This infographic from The Art Manliness explains what you should do if you come across a mountain lion, cougar, Florida panther, or puma while you’re out hiking. It might seem counter-intuitive, but resist the urge to run. 



Apr 25, 2016

Make the Mood Magical At Your Wedding

Miranda was right, she thought as she keyed in all the details. She was going to have the most amazing wedding. 

An abundance of flowers, a contemporary look with romantic touches.

Candles and the sheen and shimmer of ribbons and gauze. Pinks and whites with pops of bold blues and greens for contrast and interest. Sleek silver and clear glass for accents. Long lines, and the whimsy of fairy lights.


Bed of Roses






____________________





By domdomegg (Own work) [CC BY 4.0 
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons





When it comes to designing your wedding, it’s just as important to discuss how your event designer or florist will light the ceremony and reception as it is to talk about what flowers will adorn each dinner table. 

Celebrity planner Colin Cowie tells Yahoo Style that lighting can totally transform the space. 

“This year, brides are paying extra attention to this dรฉcor element, and the results are illuminating,” he says.
So what are your options? 



____________________



“Fairy lights. Acres and miles and rivers of tiny white fairy lights, all through the gardens, in the willows, on the arbors, the pergola.” 

Laurel blinked, yawned. “Huh?” 

“Your wedding. Romantic, elegant, abundance without fuss.”


Happy Ever After

Apr 24, 2016

One Call Away

She curled on the couch, dragged the throw over her. 
She’d sleep it off, she promised herself. Sleep off the misery. 
When the phone rang again, she tucked into a defensive ball. 
“Oh God, oh God, leave me alone, please leave me alone. Give me some peace.” 
“Ah, hello. It’s Carter. You must be working, or you needed to go out. Or, ha, you’re just not in the mood to talk.” 
“Can’t talk,” she murmured from the couch. “Can’t. You talk. You just talk to me.” 

She closed her eyes and let his voice soothe her.


Vision in White



_________________________

I'm only one call away
I'll be there to save the day
Superman got nothing on me

I'm only one call away







Apr 22, 2016

Rekindling

“You brought me flowers again.”

“My daddy brings my mama flowers once or twice a week, 
and I figured out it’s because they make her smile, just like you are now.”


The Witness


_____________________





By Pierre Auguste Cot - Art Renewal Center – description, Public Domain, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1597861




Rekindling the Spark in a Long-Term Marriage



People tend to work very hard to get into that “once-in-a-lifetime” relationship. The honeymoon phase of courting and dating requires great effort to let the other know that she is special, that he is “the one.”
Falling in love with your partner for the first time is all-consuming. Maintaining the love and affection once a relationship is well-established also requires effort. 







_____________________



He heard the click of heels on wood—quick, brisk, female. And when he turned, nearly bobbled the second cup of coffee.
“Wow,” he managed. “What’s up with you?”
“Oh. Well. Just . . . nothing really.”
She blushed. He didn’t know mothers could blush. And apparently he’d forgotten how beautiful his own mother was.
Her hair was swept around her face, and her lips and cheeks were attractively rosy. But the dress was the killer. Midnight blue and sleek, it was short enough to show off terrific legs, scooped low enough at the bodice to give more than a hint of cleavage, and snug enough in between to show off curves he wasn’t entirely comfortable thinking about his mother having.
“You hang around the house like this very often?”
Her color still high, she tugged self-consciously at the skirt. “I’m going out shortly. Is that coffee for me? Let me get you some cookies.”
She hurried to the counter to pick up a clear glass jar.
“Where are you going?”
“I have a date.”
“A what?”
“A date.” Flustered, she circled cookies on a plate, just as she had when he’d come home from school. “I’m going out to dinner.”
“Oh.” A date? Going out to dinner with some guy? Dressed like . . . barely dressed at all.
She set the plate down, lifted her chin. “With your father.”
“Excuse me?”
“I said I have a dinner date with your father.”
He sat down. “You and Dad are . . .dating ?”
“I didn’t say we were dating, I said we had a date for dinner. Just dinner. Just a casual dinner.”
“There’s nothing casual about that dress.” Shock was slowly making room for amusement, and trailing just behind was a nice warm pleasure. “His eyes are going to pop right out of his head when he gets a load of you.”


Birthright

Apr 21, 2016

How to Throw a Literary Party

Being Nora Bound throws its first Literary Party for World Book Night.

For more times than I could count I dreamed of a Nora Roberts' themed Party... who I would invite... what I would serve and enjoy... options are as endless as Novels Nora Roberts' published... here is the first one.

You're all invited! 

Let's party!!!








My book suggestion for this night:






____________________


How to Throw a Literary Party

Party like you're in a book

 

The Reading Room



Apr 20, 2016

Classic Cars

"So, you're into classic cars."
He settled behind the wheel. The minute he turned the key the radio exploded with Marvin Gaye. Byron turned it down to a murmur before cruising through the lot.
"Sixty-five Mustang with a 289 V-8. A car like this isn't just a mode of transportation. It's a
commitment."
"Really?" She liked the creamy white bucket seats, the trained-panther ride, but couldn't think of anything more impractical than owning a car older than she was. "Don't you have to spend a lot of time babying it, finding parts?''
"That's the commitment. Runs like a dream," he added with an affectionate stroke to the dash as he merged into traffic. "She was my first."
"First what? First car?"
"That's right." He grinned at her baffled stare. "Bought her when I was seventeen. She's got over two hundred thousand miles on her and still purrs like a kitten."
Kate would have said it was more "roars like a lion," but that wasn't her problem. "Nobody keeps their first car. It's like your first lover."
"Exactly." He downshifted, eased around a turn. "As it happens, I had my first lover in the backseat, one sweet summer night. Pretty Lisa Montgomery." He sighed reminiscently. "She opened a window to paradise for me, God bless her."
"A window to paradise." Unable to resist, Kate craned her neck and studied the pristine backseat. It wasn't very difficult to imagine two young bodies groping. "All that in the back of an old Mustang."
"Classic Mustang," he corrected.


Holding the Dream

___________________






Nine Unreliable Classic Cars We Can't Help but Want


Some bad decisions are still worth making.




___________________



She spotted the car now, a low-slung beast in shining black. “That's quite a car.” 
“It's heading toward cold tonight. I didn't think you'd want the bike.” 
She walked off the portico and had to admire the lines. Del had been right. It was very slick. 
“It looks new, but it's not.” 
“Older than I am, but it's a nice ride.” He opened the door for her. She slid in. It smelled of leather and man, a combination that only made her more aware of being female.
When he got in beside her, turned the ignition, the engine made her think of a fist, coiled and ready to strike.
“So, tell me about the car.” 
“Sixty-six Corvette.” 
“And?” He glanced at her, then shot up the drive. 
“She moves.” 
“I can see that.” 
“Four-speed close-ratio trans, 427 CID with high-lift camshaft, dual side-mount exhausts.” 
“What's the reason for a close-ratio transmission? I assume that was transmission, and the close ratio means there's not much difference between the gears.” 
“You got it. It's for engines tuned for max power—sports cars—so the operating speeds have a narrow range. It puts the driver in charge.” 
“There wouldn't be any point having a car like this if you weren't.”


Happy Ever After

Apr 19, 2016

General Stores

When she walked into the mercantile, Mac was ringing up a sale at a short counter opposite the door.

The place was what she'd expected: a little bit of everything—coolers for produce and meat, shelves of dry goods, a section for hardware, for housewares, fishing gear, ammo.

Need a gallon of milk and a box of bullets? 

This was the spot.


Angels Fall


______________





America's 13 Most Charming General Stores


You need to add these rural gems to your road-trip bucket list. ​






______________



She pushed her cart to the counter. "That should do it, Mr. Drubber."

"I'll ring you up. No charge on the teakettle. It's a housewarming gift."

"Oh, you don't have to do that."

"My store, my rules." He wagged a finger at her.


Angels Fall

Apr 18, 2016

What We Say to Our Dogs Matters

Simon took Jaws on the second round, stretching the space between them on the “Stay.” 
Then, at Fiona’s instructions, a third time until dog and man were a good twenty-five feet apart.
“Don’t frown at the dog when he’s doing what he’s told.”
“I’m not frowning.”
“Let’s call it your default expression. You’re confusing him. Call him in.”
Jaws responded and took the last couple of feet on his belly before rolling over to expose it.
“You did good, you did fine. Show-off,” Simon muttered as he bent down to rub.
“He switched to submissive mode because he wasn’t sure what you were after. You asked him for
something, he gave it, and you stand there scowling at him. He gets an A.” Fiona knelt down to stroke Jaws into delirium. “You get a C minus.”
“Hey.”
“My class is coming back. Hold him. Give him the stay command and keep him still for a few seconds. Then you can give him the release, let him go greet.”
“How?”
“Sit and stay—holding him as he’s going to want to run and see who’s coming.” As she spoke she
checked her watch for the log. “Then give him the go—use simple phrasing, something natural to you. Say hi, go ahead, greet. Whatever. Then let him loose.”
She rose, walked away to meet the first of her returning students.
“You wanted me to look bad, didn’t you? You think I’m not on to you?” Simon held the puppy in
place while rubbing his ears. “Not as dumb as you look, are you? Just wanted to impress the pretty girl.”


The Search



___________________





By MurielW - Own work, CC0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20498880




Have you ever noticed that there are several things we say to our dogs, repeatedly?  
Well animal behavioral researchers Alexandra Horowitz and Julie Hecht have, and they’ve published their research showing that what we say and how we say it elicits particular responses in them, and why they are key to the dog/human relationship.









___________________




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


The Witness 

Apr 17, 2016

Catch & Release

He drove out of the Fist. He wanted the flats, the bloom of them. 
The quiet and the space. He figured itwas a major shift in place that he didn't want all that alone. 
He wanted her with him. He was surprised by his own sentiment when he stopped where they'd had their first kiss. 
She stared out the window, saying nothing. 
Still silent, she reached out, touched her hand to his beforeclimbing out. 
She stood where the world was a carpet of color guarded by the silver and blue peaks or the Tetons,gilded by the sun that sat low in the west. 
Pinks and blues, vibrant reds and purples, sunny yellows spiked and spread among the soft green ofsage. 
And where the flats blurred into marsh was a dreamy green ribbon of cottonwood and willow.


Angels Fall



____________________



Let it wash over me
I'm ready to lose my feet
Take me off to the place where one reveals life's mystery
Steady on down the line
Lose every sense of time
Day to day I'm blind to see
Take it all in and wake up that small part of me
And find how far to go




Matt Simons 
Catch & Release



Apr 16, 2016

"I am enough."

Pilar let out a moaning laugh. "I hate where I am, and I don't know how to get someplace else. I didn't even fight back, Helen."
"So you're not a warrior." Helen rose to sit on the arm of the chair, wrapped an arm around Pilar's shoulder. "You're a beautiful, intelligent, kind woman who got a raw deal. And damn, honey, if this door finally closing isn't the best thing for you."
"God, now you sound like Tony."
"No need to be insulting. Besides, he didn't mean that, and I do."
"Maybe, maybe. I can't see clearly now. I can't see through the next hour much less the next year. God, I didn't even make him pay. Didn't have the guts to make him pay."
"Don't worry, she will." Helen leaned over, kissed the top of Pilar's head. 
No man like Tony should slip through life without paying, she thought.
"And if you want to scald him a bit, I'll help you outline a divorce settlement that will leave him with permanent scars and one shriveled testicle."
Pilar smiled a little. She could always count on Helen. "As entertaining as that might be, it'd just drag things out, and make it more difficult for Sophie. Helen, what the hell am I going to do with the new life that's been dumped in my lap?"
"We'll think of something."


The Villa


_____________________



By SebCon (Own work) [CC BY 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

The Life-Changing Lesson I Learned Through the Pain of Infidelity


Then one night, in the midst of a late night conversation, a friend finally said just the thing I needed to hear to shatter my feelings of inadequacy. No flattery or comparison this time. He simply told me that in a relationship “Whatever issues that other person has, they have no bearing on your own validity. You eventually just realize it’s not all about you.”




_____________________



"I suppose. In any case, you're all but living with the family, so you'll hear things. My husband and I have been separated for a number of years. He informed me recently, very recently, that we are getting divorced. His bride-to-be is very young. Beautiful, sharp-edged. And… very young," she said again with a half-laugh. 

"It's ridiculous, I suppose, how much that part bothers me. In any case, it's an awkward and difficult situation."

"It'll be more awkward and difficult for him if he ever takes a good look at what he let go."

It took her a moment to adjust to the compliment. "That's very kind of you."

"No, it's not. You're beautiful, elegant and interesting."

And not used to hearing it, he realized as she simply stared at him. That, too, was interesting. "That's a lot for a man to let go. Divorce is tough," he added. "A kind of death, especially if you took it seriously to begin with. Even when all you've got left of it is the illusion, it's a hell of a shock to watch it shatter."

"Yes." She felt comforted.


The Villa