Lay Down Sally

 

Cybil leaned over to Layla. “Why are guitar players so sexy?”

“I think it’s the hands.”

His certainly seemed to know what they were doing as he turned, 

tapped out the time, then led with a complex riff.

The Hollow

_________________________

Feliciano Guimarães from Guimarães, Portugal, CC BY 2.0

<https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Hey, it's not just me! 

A new survey found that women find a guy 90% sexier when he can play guitar!

WBLM

_________________________

The music pumped out again as he leaned close to her. 

“I resisted the more obvious Clapton. How many guys have hit you with ‘Layla’ over the years?”

“Pretty much all of them.”

“That’s what I figured. I’ve got this individualist streak. Never go for the obvious.”

Oh yeah, she thought when he grinned at her. She was definitely in trouble.

The Hollow

RIP Dolly Parton

 

Pandora resigned herself to a solo and decided the effort of cooking would keep her mind off fresh trouble. Needing company, she switched on the tuner on the kitchen wall unit and fiddled with the dial until she found a country-music station. Dolly Parton bubbled out brightly.

A Will and a Way

_____________________

In Memoriam

RCA Records, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Dolly Parton, music star, actor and beloved figure who spanned generations

_____________________

In just over an hour, Mac's predictions proved on target. The wind tapered down to an irritable mutter. Before another hour had passed, the juke—which Joanie refused to run on her generator— whined back on, hiccuped, then offered up Dolly Parton.

Angels Fall

Why do people color their hair

 

Average brown hair her mother wouldn’t let her have highlighted.

 Just wait until she hit eighteen and could do

 whatever she wanted with her own hair.

Shelter in Place

___________________________

Alex Sheldon slavewire, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Some people stick with the same hairstyle and hair color for years, while others seem to reinvent themselves every few months.

Economic Times

___________________________

There she'd be, this gorgeous woman—looked like a queen. Never

knew what color her hair would be from one week to the next.”

“She's a brunette today,” Megan said, and made him laugh.

Megan’s Mate

“Theories of embodied perception suggest that nonvisual factors impact what we actually see”

 

The parody of a smile became a snarl. His face flushed dark and ugly.

River's End

__________________

MissLunaRose12, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

When you learn someone you trusted did something bad, fear affects how you perceive their appearance too. 

YAHOO!

Stonehenge 🗿

 

There the path ended, and there stood the stones, a perfect circle, graduated in size from one on each side no higher than Riley’s waist to the king stone, taller than two men.

They stood, quiet gray, under the strong afternoon sun, swimming in a shallow sea of mist.

“Not as massive as Stonehenge, but more symmetrical,” Riley observed. “I bet when I measure them, each set is precisely the same in height and width, and an exact ratio.”

The archaeologist led the way, moved straight up, laid a hand on a stone. Pulled it back. “Did you hear that?”

“It . . . grumbled,” Sawyer said.

“No, it sang!”

Island of Glass

______________

© Cody Logan / Wikimedia Commons / "Stonehenge, August 2014 02"

“…the only certainty about Stonehenge is that the ancient secret it conceals is a formidable one.”

Voices from the Dawn

______________

“Last year I went to Ireland for the solstice,” he told her.

“There’s a small stone dance there, in County Cork. It’s more intimate than Stonehenge. The sky stays light until nearly ten, and when it begins to fade, toward the end of the longest day, the stones sing.”

 

Face The Fire

Most and Least Ticketed Types, Makes and Colors of Cars 🚗

 

Royce Cameron parked his Jeep behind a spiffy little classic Spitfire convertible in flaming red.

The kind of car and color, he mused, that screamed out: “Officer, another speeding ticket here, please!”

Laura @ The MacGregor Brides

_______________________

Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net)., CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

It’s time to put some of the more persistent myths about car colors and models to the test.

CJ Pony Parts

_______________________

"And watch your speed. The traffic cops just love to nail pretty boys like you in their hot cars."

Night Shield

Quoting Nora

 

Time for... "Night Moves" 📚

 I don't know about you but I have "just the right time" with some (re) readings of Nora Roberts' Books.

At this time of the year - I find myself tired of people (hence wanting to move to the country; to that almost off-the-grid country), wishful of Summer days (while enjoying these first hints of Spring), craving gardening like crazy (but in that creator-like role) - I see myself pulled for "Night Moves". And Dream...

📚

If she stood very still, if she closed her eyes and didn’t move, she could hear the music all around her. Not birdsong but the ruffle of air through branches and tiny leaves. If she concentrated, she could hear the faint trickle of the narrow creek that ran along the other side of the lane. The quality of silence was rich, flowing over her like a symphony.

🍃

There was just enough breeze to carry a hint of spring to her. Far back in the woods a bird she couldn’t see sang out as though it would never stop.

🍃

Louella ran a hand over the front of her purse as if she were wiping something away. “I used to have a rock garden. Sweet William and azure Adams. There was wisteria beneath my bedroom window, and roses, red roses, climbing on a trellis.”

Night Moves

🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃🍃

Garden Overhaul: Which Plants Should Stay, Which Should Go?

Photo by Richard Clayton Barrett - Search landscaping pictures

HOUZZ

A Gift that keeps on giving

 My Best Friend Ola gifted me this book for Christmas:

She says that The Louvre Heist inspired her purchase:

And inspired me to re-read Three Fates:

Couldn't wait for everyone to go to bed so I could spend time with Nora Roberts' most amazing characters ever created.

I hope you had a Glorious Christmas filled with Joy and Love!

Yours,

Teresa

Wishing you all: "Merry Christmas" 🎄... 🦌... 🌟... 🎁... 🕯️... 💝

 I wish you a Lovely Time Celebrating!

It's ok if you don't... you can always count on Nora to "have you"!

Yours,

Teresa

______________________________

The house was lovely. In the big bay window that faced the street was a

Christmas tree, cluttered and green in the daylight. 

At night it would glitter like magic.

Home for Christmas

Wonderlane, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

“Do you have a tree in your room?”

“No.”

She gave him a wide-eyed look. “Well, where do you put your presents? It’s not Christmas without a tree, is it, Mom?”

Faith thought of the years Jason had grown up without one. She remembered how hard he’d tried to pretend it didn’t matter. “A tree’s only so that we can show other people it’s Christmas.”

Home for Christmas

🍪

Ho Ho Holidays

🍪

In memoriam

what to expect when your pet is getting spayed or neutered 🐱🐶

 

“YOU’LL still be a guy,” Gabe assured the cocker-terrier mix as he prepared for surgery. “Balls don’t make the man.”

He imagined if his current patient could talk, the response would be: Yeah? Hand me that scalpel, doc, and let’s try that theory out on you.

“Might seem a little barbaric from your standpoint, but believe me, it’s all for the best.”

 

 Wolf Moon

_______________________

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Eric C. Tretter, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

It can be scary to think about your pet undergoing surgery, but spay and neuter procedures are common and generally low risk. A veterinarian with the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine demystifies the process and lays out what to expect.

News VIRGINIA TECH

_______________________

"Me? Of course not. I just finished neutering a dachshund. Another day in paradise."

"Oh. What exactly do you—no, never mind, I don't think I want to know. How's my baby?"

 

 

Carolina Moon

"They" don't make it easy 😉

 Here I was reading a Carrie Ann Ryan's novel and what do I read?!:

And Kindle tells me it's a popular emphasis among people that are reading, or read, this book.

The Importance of Storytelling

 

“There were six,” he said, still watching the fire while the children’s whispers silenced and their squirming stilled in anticipation. “And each had the choice to accept or refuse. For even when worlds are held in your hands, you must choose to face what would destroy them, or to turn away. And with this choice,” he continued, “there are many other choices to be made.”

“They were brave and true,” one of the children called out. “They chose to fight!”

The old man smiled a little.

Valley of Silence

___________________________

Airman 1st Class Preston Cherry, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The importance of storytelling for preschool children - why it’s not just about keeping them entertained

LINK

Die with a Smile...and...Face the Fire

The first time I listened to this song it took me back to the final big scene of "Face the Fire". What a perfect soundtrack it would make...

___________________

 “I’m working on that, Mia, but this wasn’t your fight. It was ours.”

“I wasn’t sure of that. I wanted to be, but I wasn’t sure, until you stepped out of the circle in front of me. And what you felt for me . . . telling me you love me, paled with the feeling it burst out of you in that one moment. I knew you’d come after me. I knew then, without question, that we had to finish it together.”

Face the Fire

___________________

If the world was ending, I'd wanna be next to you

Long time no see 📖

Today I went to take blood for a check-up. Here I was, seated, thinking which arm they would take the blood from. 

Turn my head slightly to the side and what do I SEE?

A Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb Novel that the Doctor is reading. Ensued a conversation about whom is better - Nora Roberts or J. D. Robb.

It's a tie Ladies and Gentlemen. She thinks it's J. D. Robb and I am a 100% NR fan. I don't care for the last books - too much thriller for me. And she doesn't care for the oldies... gasp gasp gasp 😒 I am not trusting the blood work's results now 😛 (a person who says a thing like that, is capable of anything 😉)

But I was so happy to bring back the #peoplereadingNora!!!

(isn't the cover awesome? ALMOST enough to convince me...)

Whatever you are reading whenever I see you reading Nora Roberts or J. D. Robb we will instantly become Besties. We are the GOOD ones 💕

Pink flame retardants - what do we know about them?

 “Yeah. They’ve got a couple water sources, so she might be on the hose. I know they dropped mud on her earlier.” 

 “Why would they drop mud on Rowan?” 

 His laugh broke out, long, delighted. 

“Sorry. I meant the fire. Mud’s what we call the retardant the tanker drops. 

Believe me, no smoke jumper wants to be under that.”

Chasing Fire

____________________

Glenn Beltz, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Aircraft battling fires raging through the Los Angeles area are dropping more than water: Hundreds of thousands of gallons of hot-pink fire suppressant ahead of the flames in a desperate effort to stop them before they destroy more neighborhoods.

CNN

____________________

 “It’s thick pink goo, and burns if it hits your skin.” 

 “Why pink? It’s kind of girlie.” 

 He grinned as she got out a skillet. 

“They add ferric oxide to make it red, but it looks like pink rain when it’s coming down. 

The color marks the drop area.”

Chasing Fire 

Remodeling ‘Uh-Oh’ Moments

“Is there a problem over there?” Ford asked as he led the way to the kitchen.

“Something about the hot water heater, 

a protracted debate over drawers versus doors on some sort of cabinetry 

and Buddy bitching about O rings. 

Otherwise, it looks to me as if the work over there is going very well.”

Tribute

 

________________________

Photo by Deirdre Doherty Interiors - Search powder room pictures

A benefit of working with a designer is having someone who will ensure every detail in a space is exactly as requested. In other words, when things go wrong, it’s good to have an advocate on your side determined to make things right no matter what. Here, seven designers share an “uh-oh” moment they encountered and how they went above and beyond to solve it and make the homeowner happy.

HOUZZ

Happy Birthday Nora 🎂

 

"Every year on my birthday I give myself a gift. It's very simple, really.

One day to do whatever I choose. 

Whatever feels right to me."

Entranced

______________________

unbekannt, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

How do you feel about celebrating your birthday?

As my birthday rolls around this year, I’ve been thinking about how people feel about their birthday arriving and whether they treat it like a celebration or not.

 

I have friends who feel it’s nothing special and prefer to ignore it, others who acknowledge it but don’t like being made a fuss of, and then others who love an excuse to take the day off work and enjoy being spoilt.

Start With You

______________________

“We’ll have to save room for it and the ice cream,” John said. “After the birthday dinner. We were going to get pizza, but you started those meatballs, so we adjusted.”

Everything went bright, as if the sun burst through the pounding rain. “You’re going to stay.”

“I repeat, it’s your birthday. No way I’m missing out on ice cream and cake. We’ll wait for the others for eats, but I think you should open your gifts now.”

“Really? It’s all right?”

“Obviously, the genius doesn’t comprehend the power of birthday. Here.”

The Witness

World Animal Day 2024

 

He was waiting for her, pacing, watching, calling. At her approach,  the cat rubbed its body against the fencing, then stood, bracing his forepaws against it. And purred.

Six months since he’d seen her—scented her, Lil thought. But he hadn’t forgotten her. “Hello, Baby.”

She reached through to stroke the tawny fur, and he bumped his head affectionately to hers.

“I missed you, too.”

Black Hills

________________

MathKnight, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

World Animal Day: History, significance, theme, quotes and more

World Animal Day is observed every year on October 4 to highlight the importance of animals and spread awareness for their welfare to maintain ecological balance

Business Standard

________________

Connor slipped through the employees’ gate for the falconry school. 

As always,  he felt a little flutter—a bit like beating wings—in his heart, along his skin. 

It had always been the hawk for him. That connection, like his power, came down through the blood.

Shadow Spell

3 a.m.

 

"My favorite's the three o'clock hour. For most people, that's the hard time. If they don't sleep through it, that's the time the mind wakes up and starts worrying about what they did or didn't do that day, or what they'll do or not do the next. And the next, and right up until life's over."

Night Shield

___________________________

Ellin Beltz, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Now wide awake from a once peaceful slumber, you roll over to check the clock and find it’s 3 a.m. That’s the same time you woke up last night. And the night before.

 

If that sounds familiar, it’s because nocturnal awakenings happen to a lot of people. Waking up several times throughout the night is a natural occurrence often due to sleep architecture, which are the stages of sleep that one cycles through every night.

CNN