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Sedona Rain
Chapter 14
A tapping sound jolted the lovers from a sound sleep. Alex loosened her hold on Samantha and reached for the table light switch. The room was unusually dark.
"Um . . . who's there?" she croaked before stretching to read the clock in the kitchen area.
"Ah, excuse me, Ms. Dorian," an apologetic male voice filtered through the door. "It's Jeff, from the kitchen. Mr. Black asked that I bring you up a pizza."
By the time Jeff was finished with his sentence, Samantha had her hand on the knob and was opening the door.
"Thanks," she smiled at the young man. "It smells marvelous!"
"Mr. Black said it was getting kind of late, and he hadn't heard from either of you. He didn't want you to miss dinner, so here I am." He handed the large covered tray to Samantha and turned to go.
"Tell Gary, um, Mr. Black, we said thanks, and that we really appreciate the delivery," Samantha called after him as he started down the hallway.
"Will do. Enjoy!" He waved at her without turning around.
Samantha sniffed at the pizza, while carrying it into the kitchen. She grabbed two plates and some extra napkins and proceeded into the living room. "I guess we were more tired than we thought. I don't think I saw 15 minutes of the second movie before I was out like a light."
"Ditto. But I'm awake now and that pizza will not last long; I guarantee." Alex took the plate Samantha had filled for her and placed it on her lap.
True to her words, it didn't take long for them to devour their dinner. Samantha rewound the movie, and they actually watched it the second time.
"Why don't you try doing what you did on my head before to my wrist and ankle? Would you mind? It would be good practice." The brunette smiled at her lover who turned away from the television when the credits started to flood the screen.
"You know, I'm not sure exactly what it was I did in the cave, Alex. I just kind of placed my hands on your head and could feel where the throbbing came from."
"No time like the present for an encore performance."
A pensive look crossed the freckled face as she helped Alex remove the sling Gary had insisted she wear during the day. The ice had definitely kept the swelling to a minimum, but the skin circling the tall woman's wrist was a deep purple.
"Damn, that looks painful." Samantha could feel the tears welling in her eyes as she inspected the damaged area. "You have some bruising on the shoulder, too."
"It looks worse than it feels, honey," Alex reassured her. "It was inevitable that the shoulder would discolor a little, after the shock it received in the fall. In a few days, I'll be as good as new, promise."
"If that were the case, Alex, Gary wouldn't have suggested you call Kelley to come fly the plane."
"I didn't say the ankle would be as good as new," the brunette retorted. "Besides with a few days rest, I could have probably flown home."
"Uh huh." Samantha nodded her head and smiled. "I'm just as glad you decided to call your folks."
Positioning one hand on either side and slightly above the bruised wrist, Samantha could feel a difference in the temperature of the skin as she slowly moved her hands around the area. Her palms began to emit what felt like a surge of warmth as she concentrated on relieving the pain in her lover's wrist.
"I can feel the heat coming from your hands, Samantha."
"I think I can feel the area of the most damage," the blonde replied as she worked on the injury.
They agreed that putting a movie on might be distracting to the healing they were trying to accomplish, so instead the two women sat and rehashed all that had happened to them the past few days. The entire time they talked, Samantha worked on Alex's wrist and ankle. When she looked like she was beginning to tire, Alex insisted that she stop and that they get ready for bed.
"One more day of relaxation is my limit," Alex commented as they turned down the bedspread and climbed onto the bed.
"We'll see what your parents have to say about that." Green eyes twinkled as the blonde teased and then waited for a reaction.
When she didn't receive the expected answer, Samantha lifted her head to spot a tear trickling down Alex's face.
The tip of her finger caught the moistness as it rolled down her lover's chin.
"Alex, what's the matter, honey?"
The dark-haired woman turned her head, only to have a small hand turn it back, forcing her to look into the concerned verdant eyes.
"I feel so helpless and vulnerable. I haven't felt like this since I was a child, and I hate it!"
"No one likes to feel powerless, Alex."
"You don't understand, Samantha . . . "
"No! You don't understand, Alex. You're not Superwoman, even though you've made yourself out to be one for all these years. You're flesh and bones like everyone else, and you can even break. I don't know why you feel you have to hold onto this fa¡ade, but it really is time to let it go. You could have been killed trying to keep me from getting hurt; how do you think it makes me feel to look at your injuries and know that all I have is a small limp because you took the brunt of the fall? I love you, but sometimes you can be a real pain in the ass, Alexis Dorian."
Alex placed two slender fingers across the pouting lips of her lover and shook her head, a smile brightening her sapphire eyes. "You're absolutely rightçI'm not SuperwomançI think this little escapade shows that quite clearly. But," and her voice took on a deeper more serious tone, "don't you ever think that I wouldn't react exactly the same way again. You're the most precious thing in my life, Samanthaçyour safety will always be my responsibility."
Samantha began to interrupt but was quickly stifled.
"Remember when we first met and I told you I would be there for you if you fell?"
The blonde gently shook her head in affirmation.
"I will always be there if you stumble or fall, Samantha." She hugged the smaller woman closer and kissed her on the top of her head. "By the way, my wrist and ankle feel much better after your treatment tonight, thank you."
Samantha mumbled, "I'm glad, and you're more than welcome."
"I don't know about you, but I'm tired again," Alex confessed. "Must be all the resting we did today." She giggled and pulled the smaller woman closer. "Sweet dreams, my Destiny."
"Sweet dreams, Alex."
Although they were both more tired than either of them would have thought, the lovers lay in each other's arms without sleeping for the longest period of time. Each was lost in a world of her own where thoughts of "what if" and "why" floated aimlessly around in circles. Visions of the Indian maiden and brave graced the mind of each of the women as they closed their eyes to sleep. Alex thought she could feel Samantha's heart beating faster as she gently squeezed her in a soft embrace.
It was the experience of a lifetime, actually coming face-to-face with a former self; at least that is what the two had to believe the Indians were. The situation set Samantha off on a new course in her life and gave her something to strive for that had never been there before.
For Alex it was an epiphany that all she had been taught through her childhood had, indeed, been true. In her heart of hearts, she was always afraid that perhaps her mother merely had a highly intelligent but overactive imagination. Now she knew there was more truth than fiction in her mother's philosophy.
The evening grew late before the two lovers became dreamers, and even then, they shared a common bond as each relieved her own special memory of the Indians' visitation.
Again the sun was well above the horizon when sapphire blues batted their way into wakefulness. The weekend was over, and by all rights Alex had planned on having the two of them back in California and headed toward Alternative Paradise by this time. Of course, life had decided a different route would be taken by the women, causing them to stop for a day or two and merely enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Alex had no problem with enjoyment. What she did have a problem with was not having the ability to move around as usual.
Her body still rebelled to movement as she began to unwind from the small woman snuggled up against her. No sense in making her get out of bed because I can't sleep.
But it seemed that Samantha was tuned in to Alex's every move.
"You okay, Alex?" Sleep-filled eyes peered up into her lover's face.
"Sure, honey. I'm just getting cramped being in this one position, and I can't force myself to sleep any more this morning. I'm going to get up; you can go back to sleep, okay?"
The answer took Alex totally by surprise and she stopped inching toward the edge of the bed. "What do you mean, no?"
"I mean if you're getting up, I am, too."
"That's silly. I know how much you like to sleep in."
"I slept most of yesterday away. I even slept through a movie. I think I can manage to see the sun before she reaches her noon position today." Green eyes now sparkled as the blonde rubbed the remainder of sleep from them before scooting up and planting a kiss on the full lips of her lover. "Hum, you taste great! You want to . . ."
"Samantha, I'd love to but . . ."
"I know," the smaller woman pouted. "It's just that you look so . . ."
"If you say helpless . . . "
The blonde wore an impish grin as she kissed Alex on the cheek. "I wouldn't think of insulting you like that." She giggled, slid off the bed, and hobbled into the bathroom.
The rest of the morning cruised by. Alex used the laptop to catch up on her e-mail, and Samantha sat pensively on the porch doing some writing. They met Gary for lunch, watched another movie, and played a game they had borrowed from the recreation room.
By the end of the evening both of the women were feeling immensely better and anticipating that by tomorrow doing a little shopping with the Moms would not be too difficult a task for either of them.
Wrapped contentedly in each other's arms, they bid the evening adieu with no more than a final good night to each other. The day had been long, even though it had been uneventful, and their bodies were still in a recuperative mode, allowing sleep to find them easily.
Being driven to the airport while sitting in the passenger's seat was not the way the independent Alexis Dorian had intended on greeting her mother the next time she saw her. But Alex was not a fool and realized that calling her parents to come and fly her and Samantha home was probably the least selfish and most practical thing she could have done.
She knew headstrong and independent were duplicate middle names of hers. She had tried her damnedest in the past to be totally self-sufficient and not rely on her folks for help to resolve minor and even some major setbacks in her life. She was aware that she hurt her mother's feelings when she didn't include the older woman in some of her daily activities, but that had been the way their relationship played out, and she had always expected her mother to simply deal with it. Now things were slowly changing, and she was being drawn closer to her family, probably because she realized how much Samantha relied on family influence. Alex was even beginning to realize just how selfish she had been these past years by shutting her parents out of important events in her life. Since Samantha's mother was no longer the main figure in her life, it seemed like Aurora had the fortune to fill a much-needed void. Samantha loved being with Aurora, and the feeling was obviously mutual.
The brunette laughed to herself as they turned the corner and came in sight of the airport. Her final thought before spying the plane carrying her parents to her aid was that this must be what "married" life was all about.
"Well, are you ready to greet your saviors?" Alex kidded as she turned and faced an unsmiling Samantha.
"I wouldn't go that far, but do you realize how lucky you are that your parents can put their lives on hold to come and help us, or that they'd even want to, for that matter?"
Putting her hands up in surrender, Alex quickly tried to change the subject. "Hey, girl, I didn't mean to start World War III here; I was just kidding."
The blonde's features softened, and she placed a hand on Alex's cheek. "I know you were only kidding, honey, but I don't think your realize just how great your parents are."
"Sure I do." The brunette shrugged her shoulders. She grasped the small hand on her cheek and continued, "I just don't like feeling like a child, and right now I am feeling rather juvenile having to have the Moms come and take me home."
"At least they're around to do it, Alex. Think what it would be like if you didn't have them to rely on when you really needed help." She looked into brimming sapphire eyes and smiled warmly. "I really can see both sides, honey, and I know you could have "bought" us out of this, but isn't nice you have family who come to help when you need them?"
Without waiting for an answer Samantha brought the car to a halt. She faced her companion. "I love you, Alex. Thanks for stepping down into the child's position and calling your folks; everyone needs to be needed occasionally, even Moms."
Samantha leaned over and kissed away a small tear, as it trickled down Alex's face. "Now, get rid of that wet stuff, or Mom's going to think you're in pain. She'll really go into 'mother mode' then, and you'll find yourself being pampered a whole lot more than you bargained for." Receiving the smile that the comment called for, Samantha directed her attention to the runway where a small jet was coming down for a landing.
Even though the gasp was small, Samantha heard Alex's reaction as she spied the plane that was now grinding to a halt on the tarmac.
"What is it, Alex? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"It's nothing." Alex started to stutter, losing her normal poise and control. "I just . . . um . . . I wasn't expecting them to ask . . . oh . . . Uncle Al to fly them here."
"Uncle Al? Great, I get to meet another relative. You don't talk much about your relatives, honey. Whose brother is this?"'
"Kelley's," she answered without taking her eyes off the plane. "Before we go any further, I need to tell you that he's gay, too. So, we're all just one happy family!" She shook her head and she grabbed her lover's hand. "Bear with me, darlin', you're about to embark on an unforgettable adventure."
The questioning look on Samantha's face made the taller woman smile. Then Alex tried to quickly explain the enigma.
"Uncle Al is the black sheep of the family, even though there are so many of us on the gray side that he barely stands out anymore. He's Kelley's older brother, and I think he came out to Gram when he was about five." She couldn't help but grin at the incredulous look on her lover's face. "That's just to say that Gram was not at all surprised when Al blurted out a week before the male equivalent to the debutante ball that the only girl he would even consider appearing with would be Kelley. He refused to escort the debutante his father had picked out for him and announced that either his sister would be at his side or his date would be wearing a tux like he was. My grandfather knew there was no arguing with him. Consequently, Kelley was Uncle Al's date for his 'societal coming out' party. Listen, honey, I don't have time to go into all this before they come tripping off that plane. Let me just say that if you like the Auntie Mame character, you're gonna love my Uncle Al. He's as close to a free spirit as you are ever going to meet and . . ."
The plane had completed its landing and the passenger door was opening. Alex sped up her conversation with a promise to fill Samantha in on all the details later that evening when they were alone. The blonde smiled broadly at her partner's uneasiness.
"This is definitely going to be fun," Samantha chortled. She grinned even broader when a hint of red began to paint Alex's cheeks.
As the three relatives approached the Jeep, baggage in hand, Alex whispered, "Samantha, please don't be surprised if Uncle Al is extremely doting."
That final confession only heightened the enthusiasm that had been building ever since the blonde saw the jet on the airfield. "Oh, this is absolutely going to be an evening to remember!" It was the last remark made before the Moms and Uncle Al reached the car.
Just as Samantha was about to open her door, it was graciously opened for her by an extremely handsome, white-haired man. The blonde looked up into piercing gray eyes that were the exact color of Kelley's, and there was no doubt that this gorgeous man was a Dorian.
A rich tenor voice greeted her ears. "You must be the new addition to our little family?" Sparkling gray eyes glanced in her direction before lighting on Alex's face. "I'm Uncle Al, and by the look of the expression on little Al's face, this is the first you've heard about me."
Samantha did a double take on the mention of Alex being called "Little Al." She didn't know whether to laugh or hide the giggle and did a very poor job of concealing her surprise at the pet name.
"Okay, Uncle Al, you don't have to embarrass me before you even get properly introduced." Alex was quick at redeeming her composure. "This is Samantha. Samantha, this, as he has already introduced himself, is Uncle Al."
By this time the man was over on the other side of the car and getting as much of a hug as the wounded Alex could muster.
"It's been quite a while, munchkin." The large man enveloped the woman sitting in the front seat of the car.
"Al, how about letting someone else get in a hello, instead of hogging the entire conversation?" Kelley was standing on Samantha's side of the vehicle and Aurora was behind Al on Alex's. "Let Aurora in to say hi to Alex."
With the look of a wounded animal, the tall man stepped back to let his sister-in-law take his place at her daughter's side.
"Hi, sweetie." Aurora leaned in and kissed her daughter tenderly. "How are you feeling?"
At the same time, Kelley greeted Samantha, and for a few seconds, the conversations became a hodge podge of hellos and informal greetings. In the middle of the cacophony, Uncle Al interrupted with the suggestion that he drive them all to wherever it was they were going to eat before his stomach embarrassed him, and that perhaps they could then get a singular conversation going so everyone could be involved.
He loaded all the suitcases in the back of the Jeep and helped Samantha from the car. She stepped out from the behind the wheel and joined Kelley and Aurora in the back seat, and Uncle Al took her place in the driver's seat.
"Good, now we can get this little party headed in the right direction. So . . . seafood or pasta?" Not waiting for an answer, he put the car in gear and started for the highway.
Sandwiched between the two women in the back seat, Samantha occasionally would glance at Al and then Alex, at Aurora and then Kelley. The resemblance between Alex and her uncle was uncanny, but then she guessed it was not any more so than that between Alex and Kelley. She kept thinking that Alex was certainly a combination of looks between both of her parents. If Samantha hadn't known better, she would have sworn that they were all blood relatives. Her mind doted for a second on artificial insemination, and she marveled at the accomplishments of science. That thought led to one concerning her and Alex discussing the possibility of starting a family of their own some day.
When they reached their destination, Al got out of the car and walked around to the passenger side. He opened the door, picked Alex up off the front seat, and proceeded to carry her into the building.
Samantha received a warning look from her lover not to laugh, and Aurora reinforced the look with a whisper into Samantha's ear. "It would be best for your relationship to play down what Al just did as much as possible." She giggled and hugged the small blonde close. "He never could get over the fact that she's all grown up. This is just an excuse for him to pamper her like he used to when she was little."
Samantha did her best to keep a straight face as she walked into the restaurant between Aurora and Kelley. She had never seen Alex look so childlike; it warmed her heart.
The conversation never paled the entire evening. It ran the gamut of everything that had happened to the two campers, interspersed with the adventure that Uncle Al had just finished experiencing on a safari over in Africa. Samantha was interested in hearing all about his escapades, and he was far from shy when it came to being the center of attraction. On the other hand, Aurora was interested in the experience the girls had had with their former selves, and Kelley was concerned with their physical well-being and whether or not they should be out gallivanting around the countryside.
Alex assured Kelley that they had rested for the past few days and were both well on their way to recovery. She mentioned that they had wanted to stop at the trading post, but the request was put aside when early evening turned late and the group was still in the midst of after dinner conversation.
Whenever Aurora could get Samantha alone for a few minutes, the dialogue trickled back to the spirit encounter. Samantha loved being the center of attention with her mentor and was more than happy to fill the author in on all the details of the adventure.
On the way back to the clinic Kelley, Al, and Alex discussed the anticipated weather conditions for takeoff on Thursday. Al had to leave for an appointment in New York the following night, and Kelley wanted to get back to California before the weekend. While the pilots were busy discussing flight plans, the two writers had a little more time to chat about a more intriguing subject.
"I know I've been writing about past life regression, dealing with your past lives, and meditating into them, but Samantha, an encounter such as the one you and Alex experienced proves how blurred the line is between one life and the next." Aurora's sapphire eyes twinkled as she spoke of helping Samantha gather all her thoughts together to put them into book form.
Samantha was sitting on top of the world, imagining her first novel hitting the bestseller charts, when a deep contralto voice knocked her back into reality.
"Does the fact that the two of them could have been seriously injured and not be around to tell this marvelous story ever enter your little mind, Aurora?" Steel gray eyes narrowed on her partner's enthusiasm.
"Of course I was concerned about that, Kelley, but that's all after the fact now, isn't it? They weren't mortally harmed, and in fact, it seems the entire motivation behind the visitation was to help get Alex out of that situation where she might have suffered more damage."
"There's no calming that vivid imagination of yours, Aurora, even for a second."
"You wouldn't know me if it were tamed; admit it," Aurora retorted. "Besides, why should it be? They're both fine, with only a few bruises and scrapes. Alex did more damage to her body in the first few years of martial arts training than during the fall in the cave. She's just older now and doesn't heal as quickly."
"Thanks for talking about me like I'm an old woman, Mom." Alex leaned over the front seat and sent her mother a sarcastic glance. "And for acting like I'm not even in the car!"
"Alexis, I wasn't . . ."
"Sure you were, but that's okay." This time the smile was genuine. "I realize what an important revelation this is for you, and I'm doubly thrilled that Samantha is here to do most of the story telling. I guess I'm still waiting for the I told you so."
"That's no way to talk to your mom, Alex," Al interjected with as solemn a look in Alex's direction as he could muster. "She has been telling you about past lives and the interactions of spirits with present incarnations since you could reason. It's not her fault you had to realize, the hard way, that she was right, again." His demeanor softened as he reached out and touched the ebony locks of his favorite relative. "I guess it's the way of the warrior, now isn't it munchkin? You always have been hard headed and in need of finding the truth for yourself. Now you know you truly were a warrior; I'm sure you've brought a lot of that young brave's essence through with you again this time."
"Well, we can all tell you've just returned from a spiritual journey. Out too long in the jungle with no one to talk to but the apes, Uncle Al?"
"Hey, don't start ragging on me, little miss. I'll have to pull this car over and . . ." The twinkle in the gray eyes was unmistakably jovial.
"Okay, okay, enough." Kelley intercepted from the rear seat. "Samantha already knows we're a bunch of kooks; this is just giving her more fuel."
Al pulled the car into the driveway of the clinic and up close to the front door to let everyone out. Gary had offered to put everybody up for the next few days and told Kelley when she had phoned him earlier that he would leave the front door open until they arrived. He added that the room keys would be on the main desk in the lobby.
The lobby was empty, save for the envelope with their names on it lying on the desk. After they managed to get the luggage inside, Kelley locked up the front door, and the little entourage began their trek as quietly as possible in the direction of their rooms. They were all on the same floor and within shouting distance of each other.
Al suggested that they pile into his room and have a nightcap. Kelley squelched the idea and said she felt the girls had been out quite long enough for one day and needed to rest up if they wanted to venture out again in the morning. For once, she got no argument from either Aurora or Alex. Big Al pouted for a second or two but realized his little sis was right and agreed that he was just being selfish and wanted to spend all the time he possibly could with everyone before he had to leave tomorrow.
Breakfast was promised, and kisses were given all around at Alex and Samantha's door.
Alex gave Kelley a particularly affectionate embrace. She pulled the woman close with her good arm and whispered in her ear. "I just wanted to thank you and Mom for coming; it really means a lot to me."
"Alex, we've always told you we were never farther than a phone call away. You never doubted that, did you?"
"No, it's just that I felt like such a . . . "
"Yeah, like maybe I was twelve again and locked myself out of the house."
"Honey, you'll always be twelve to us, even when your hair is as white as Uncle Al's."
The two women switched partners as Kelley and Samantha said their goodnights, and Alex said goodnight to her mother.
Just as Alex was about to close the door, Kelley motioned her outside. "I'll be right there, Samantha," she yelled across the room to Samantha, who was already headed for the bathroom.
"Okay, I'm gonna start a bath."
"Is something wrong, Kelley?"
"Not exactly," the older woman looked intently at her daughter. "We saw how you kept looking at Samantha this evening, Alex, and we know what's been running through your mind."
Trying her damnedest not to look like a child who had gotten her hand caught in the cookie jar, Alex knew precisely what her mom was talking about.
"And? Don't tell me, let me guessççyou all think I should continue to keep my big mouth shut and keep the family secret, secret, right?"
"Actually, wrong! If there's ever going to be the right person in your life to confide in, we believe Samantha is the one. We just wanted you to know that we're all in agreement with you on this, Alex. We just wanted you to know that once you've talked to her, you don't have to be afraid of keeping your disclosure a secret from us."
A sigh of relief escaped from the younger woman's lips and brought a smile to Kelley's face. The older woman could see the tension flow from her daughter's body.
Once again, Kelley reached out and embraced the younger version of herself. "I'm sorry we saddled you with so many secrets, honey; we just wanted your life to run as smoothly as possible."
"I know Kelley, and I love you and Mom for ... "
"We know, Alex. You'd better get inside; Samantha's waiting." Kelley turned and walked down the hall toward her own room.
Alex watched until Kelley disappeared into her room, and then she reopened the door to her own suite, stepped inside, and locked up. She leaned back against the door and sighed. It felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from her shoulders. She smiled to herself and slowly started toward the bathroom.
"You haven't used up all the bubbles, I hope," Alex chided, as she neared the bedroom door.
"What makes you think I put bubbles in the bath?" There was a watery echo to the question as it trickled through the half-open bathroom door.
"Number one, I know you, and number two, I can smell the scent of vanilla," Alex answered as she began to undress in the bedroom.
"What makes you think that's not just the candles you smell?"
"Is it?"
"Well . . . "
"I'm right, aren't I?" the brunette snickered. She finished taking off her clothes and headed for the bathroom.
"Yeah, you're right. But you had better hurry and get in here before the water gets cool; it doesn't have a heater like ours at home."
Alex opened the door and drank in the vision of Samantha sitting in the swirling water, the glow from the candles flickering off her golden locks, casting an ethereal halo around the blonde head. The tall woman stopped and grinned. She allowed her eyes to drink in the living fantasy sitting before her, clothed only in the fragile bubbles that bounced aimlessly, while being tossed in all directions by the swirling jets, allowing only minute glimpses of the unadorned skin beneath the water. My world was truly empty before you cast your magic on it, Samantha. Again, the words of her mother echoed in her mind, "Like everything else, Alex, when you're ready to accept it, love will find you." I must have been ready, Mom, because I can't imagine my world without Samantha.
"Penny for your thoughts? You look like they're pretty deep."
"Nah, I was just thinking how lucky I was to have you."
"Ah." The smaller woman could not keep from smiling. She lowered her eyes and played with some of the bubbles. "So, naked lady, are you going to just stand there, tempting me to leave this warm liquid, or are you going to come join me?"
Without another word, Alex slowly stepped over to the Jacuzzi and lowered her statuesque form into the bubbles, seating herself on the opposite side of the tub from Samantha.
Samantha let the water carry her over to her lover's side; she then lifted one of the goblets off the edge of the tub. "It was a lovely day, Alex, and here's to an even more lovely evening."
"It was a good day, wasn't it?" the brunette acknowledged.
"Yes, but you have some explaining to do, 'Little Al'," Samantha smiled. She watched Alex cringe at her use of the ancient nickname. "Yes, you have some explaining about this mysterious uncle of yours who travels the world and appears like magic to come to your aid when you're in need. He appeared out of the blue, like a white knight on a winged steed." She giggled as she handed Alex the glass of the warm red liquid she had poured before starting the bath. "How come I haven't heard of him before now?"
"Samantha, we're still getting to know each other; you can't expect me to have touched on all the facets of my life in these few short months."
"Why not? You know absolutely everything there is to know about me and my life."
"I doubt that I know everything," Alex countered. "I'm sure somewhere along the line we'll be having a conversation and something I don't already know will rear its ugly head. It will be at that point that I'll turn to you and say, 'Why, Samantha, you haven't told me everything!'"
The blonde laughed as she edged even closer to Alex and sipped on her wine. "Nope; I don't think so, at least not anything of any importance. And certainly nothing with an 'ugly head.' I lead a rather dull life before hooking up with you Dorians."
"Well, then you'll just have to be patient with me, and I will eventually fill you in on all the lurid details of my family life, okay?"
"Sure, you have the rest of this lifetime to fill me in, but you can start right now with good old Uncle Al."
"Okay," Alex agreed. She took another sip of her wine and put her good arm around Samantha, drawing the smaller woman close until their bodies were touching.
Samantha decided that the best position to listen to a story was on Alex's lap, so she continued to move until she was straddling the dark-haired beauty, and they were sitting face-to-face.
"There, that's better, now I can really concentrate."
"Well that's good because this is the kind of thing you need to concentrate on. As I said earlier, Uncle Al is the blackest of the Dorian sheep. He was the middle child and refused to be stunted by his place in the family. I guess we really haven't talked much about the Dorian side, but there is, of course, Kelley, who's the youngest, Uncle Al and Uncle Darian . . ."
"Darian Dorian, what an unusual name," Samantha interjected.
"It's a family name all the way around, and Uncle Al has made mention more than once that he was glad he didn't get saddled with it, as he believes the name made Uncle Darian an old stick in the mud."
"And were you named after Uncle Al?"
"Not really. We were both named after a great-great-great, like five or six times great grandmother, Alexis Llewellyn. I think Gram was working on having an Alexis when Uncle Al showed up instead. He laughs that he thinks he should have been me but there was a mix up in the cosmos, and he came out instead. He's been trying to make it up to Gram ever since. But Gram really didn't care; she always felt that homosexuals had it all over the rest of the world anyway when it came to inspiration, artistic abilities, and flare. Of course she was always a little prejudiced," Alex admitted.
"That's the most original reasoning behind being gay I've ever heard," Samantha laughed. "So, tell me something, Alex." The blonde's smile began to fade slightly. "Why would your uncle have thought he was supposed to be you?"
"Because Gram was trying for a girl and because our birthdays are just two days apart."
"Well, why didn't she wait and call Kelley Alexis?"
"Kelley was a change of life baby; Gram hadn't planned on having any more kids. Besides, Kelley wasn't born in the right month."
"Oh, so the name Alexis has a special month?" Now the verdant eyes were spinning with questions. "Alex this web is getting thicker and thicker as you weave it."
Alex took another sip of her wine and sighedççsomething she seemed to be doing a lot of this evening. "What do you say we finish with this bath, reload these goblets, and I finish telling you the Dorian saga in the nice comfortable bed?"
"It's that long, huh?"
"Let's just say it has a few twists and turns."
Thoughts of seduction were put aside in anticipation of knowing more about Alex and her interesting family. Samantha's own family history paled in reference to the stories Alex had to tell. They finished washing up and dried quickly. Samantha insisted that she be the one to get the wine and told Alex to settle herself on the bed and wait. Alex was in no mood for confrontation and agreed, figuring she would have a few extra minutes to gather her thoughts and put the family dynamics into some semblance of order.
"Okay, Alex, I hope you're ready to talk because I'm certainly in the mood for listening," Samantha chuckled as she reentered the bedroom to find her lover propped up on pillows and waiting.
"I guess the best way to start is to go back to the beginning, at least to the beginning as I know it." She held out her glass and let Samantha fill it up, then took a sip and waited while the smaller woman climbed in bed beside her.
"The grandmother I spoke aboutççthe one I'm named afterççwas a gold miner back in the 1800's, and she struck a mother lode. Sometime when we're home, I can go into more detail about her life, but the important thing about the two of us is that she was the one who started the Dorian Dynasty."
"Wouldn't she have had to had all male children to start a dynasty?"
"Not really. The money is handed down through blood line, not necessarily the name."
"But you said the name was important . . . "
"I said the name Alexis Llewellyn was important, Samantha, not the Dorian part. But we're getting off the subject. It seems that one of my grandmothers got it into her head that the majority of the inheritance should go to a relative with the same name as our benefactor, then she further elaborated that the child needed to also have the same birth date. Whoever it was she had draw up the will made it ironclad, and no one has been able to break it to this day. The extra funds that had been set aside for this lucky distant relative were to increase in value until ten generations had passed. If, by that time, no female child had been born to stake the claim, then the monies would be put into a fund to help needy women. Up until my birth, it was very hard to exactly match a birthday. But my folks did the arithmetic, and mom decided on a Caesarian birth so she could pick the exact date. Needless to say, my Uncle Darian was less than thrilled when I came along to claim the bounty. By the time I was born, he had three sons but no daughters."
"And so you've received all the money?"
"Okayççno." She smiled at her lover. "The last of the stipulations is that I do not get the extra money until my 31st birthday, and I have to still be single at that time. A woman after my own heart!"
"Alright, but I'm still confused," Samantha admitted. "If this lawyer was so good at his job and this will with its prerequisites is so stringent, how can you get the money if it goes by bloodline. I mean I know you're a Dorian by birth, but Alex, don't you think they would have taken that into consideration at some point? If your relative had made sure of all the other provisions, I would think she would have insisted that the girl child be of the same bloodline, also."
Samantha looked at Alex and watched in wonder as a light rose tint appeared on her lover's cheeks. She gave a questioning look and began to speak, but two long fingers silenced her voice. The taller woman shook her head and continued her explanation.
"I told you we were a bit of an eccentric family, Samantha. There's also an enormous amount of love between my parentsççbetween all my parents."
A light went on in Samantha's head. She immediately realized what Alex was saying. It was no coincidence that Alex and Kelley looked so much alike, it wasn't environmental; it was biological.
"Uncle Al is you dad?" Samantha whispered.
"Yeah. It was kind of a rotten trick for the two of them to play on Uncle Darian. He thought with them both being gay that his kids would have a greater chance of getting the inheritance. But Uncle Al knew how much Kelley loved Mom. It was his way of allowing his little sis to actually be blood kin to her lover's baby."
"How beautifully romantic."
"It turned out to be more than just romantic for me."
"I'll say, including the fact that you ended up with three parents."
"Actually, no. After I was born, Uncle Al took off on one of his overseas adventures and was gone for the first five years of my life. He and my moms had an agreement that he would always be my Uncle Al, and I wasn't told that he was my father until I was old enough to understand all the implications. But he does spoil me, Samantha. He has since the day I was born. Even though he wasn't a part of my everyday life, he was always there in the background. The Three Musketeers were not going to inform anyone in the family as to what they had done, but when I was born, they figured Grams had a right to know. Grams figured Uncle Darian did too, so he wouldn't keep trying to have a daughter, at least not for all the wrong reasons."
"I'm sure he said that Kelley and Aurora and Al had you for 'all the wrong reasons.'"
"He tried, but no one really paid much attention to his paranoid ramblings. Grams knew the reason I had been conceived; fixing the date was merely a plus."
"So, Alex, exactly how much money are we talking about?"
Alex swallowed hard and continued, "Over all the years, the money has been handled by an investment firm and a group of lawyers. Mom said she talked to one of the attorneys on my last birthday, and with all the stocks and bonds, as well as the real estate holdings, the accumulated total is a little over seventy million dollars, plus a 500-acre spread in northern California."
Samantha was so unprepared for the astronomical number that when she tried to swallow her last mouthful of wine, she ended up choking, with the majority of the red liquid spraying the taller woman's nightshirt.
"Oh, shit! I'm so sorry, Alex." She started to jump up from the bed but was caught by a strong right hand.
"Calm down, Samantha; it's okay."
"Damn, I knew you had money Alex, but that's . . . that's . . . "
"Amoralççludicrousççinconceivable?" The brunette pulled her lover close. "You'll never want for anything, Samantha."
"Alex, people are going to think I got with you for your money."
"But we know better." She kissed the smaller woman on the forehead. "We were destined to meet. Our little adventure out in the wilderness only further proved the fact that we were meant to be together."
Trying to take her mind off the family secret that she had just been privy to, Samantha focused on the soiled nightshirt. "Take that off, and let me put it in some water to soak. I'll get you a clean one."
"It's fine, Samantha."
"No, come on, Alex, let me get the wine off of it before it stains."
Knowing that Samantha wouldn't be happy until the shirt was off, she let the blonde help her out of the soiled garment. Then she tried distracting her lover by pulling her close and nibbling on her neck.
"Stop that, Alex, you know you can't finish what you're trying to start." The blonde giggled softly as she pulled away ever so slightly, feeling the hardness of her lover's nipples against her own and unable to resist bending down and kissing one of the pink tips before sliding off the bed and walking into the bathroom.
"No fair getting me all excited and then leaving the room, you know." Alex mumbled. She glanced over on the nightstand and spied a piece of paper covered with Samantha's printing. "Is this the poem you were working on the other day?"
"Yeah," came the answer from the next room. "I was going to read it to you before you started talking about dynasties and ... rich people."
"Can I read it while you're playing Dorothy Domestic?"
Alex unfolded the sheet and began to read:
Out of a primal and distant past, beyond the frame of time
An Indian maid and brave appeared to mingle souls divine.
The ancient emerged to those now here ~ they met on common ground.
Then with the help of mystical means, a healing way was found.
The present incarnations viewed reflections of long ago,
The essence of who they used to be, the new selves came to know.
A link with their eternal souls brought old and new together,
Then generations mingled in the moist Sedona weather.
A clap of thunder, a lightening bolt, Indian Summer rain ~
Hence, Shamanistic knowledge worked its spell on Earth again.
A final glimpse of who they'd been ~ then a poignant fare thee well.
Ancients left their modern selves with a fabulous tale to tell.
Now, I'll tell you all the story of the maiden and the brave,
Of love that brought their spirits back to an age-old, hidden cave.
Just because you have not seen them, don't negate this tale is true
For I talked with them as surely as I stand and talk to you.
My challenge now will be to let the world know natural truths
They taught me love surpasses time, those ancient Indian youths.
Though it may take me years to weave the tale for all to see,
The memory of the two of them will live inside of me.
"This is beautiful, Samantha." Alex was holding the poem in her hand when Samantha walked back into the room, carrying one of the still lit candles that had been stationed around the edge of the tub.
"It's okay. I'm not sure it's really finished yet."
"Sounds great to me."
"Yes," Samantha chortled, "But you're easy to please."
"I wouldn't be so sure of that."
With that, the blonde gently took the paper from her lover's hand and placed it back on the nightstand, along with the candle. She reached over and ran a small hand over Alex's chest, smiling as nipples that had gone back to their natural state, again stood at attention at the gentleness of her caress. "See how easy you are?" she whispered into Alex's ear.
"We weren't talking about that," Alex whispered back.
"I was," Samantha confessed, leaning over to extinguish the candlelight.
"I don't think I can wait until your body is back in excellent condition to touch you."
"All this talk of money turn you on, Samantha?"
Evil flashed in emerald green eyes as Samantha pinched one of Alex's erect nipples.
"Ouch! That hurt!"
"It was meant to hurt; that statement was totally uncalled for!" the blonde retorted.
"You're right. I'm sorry. I thought I was being funny, but I wasn't," Alex apologized.
"Apology accepted. Now . . . where was I before I was so rudely interrupted?"
"I think you were . . . "
Alex's statement was cut off as soft lips covered her own, allowing only the involuntary moans of pleasure to escape, while small hands began traveling down her body.
"On second thought, you don't need a clean shirt, and you don't need this underwear on either." With unexpected swiftness Samantha ran her hands down around Alex's hips and slid the panties around the tall woman's ankles. She gently maneuvered them off the still swollen ankle, off the uninjured foot, and onto the floor.
"You might be a little slow tonight, but there's no reason for me to suffer withdrawal symptoms along with you." Starting at the ankles, the blonde nibbled her way up the long, sinewy legs of her lover, smiling as she noticed the love bumps trailing wherever her lips touched.
Alex jumped slightly and let out a moan of delight when Samantha's lips buried themselves in the soft curls beneath her abdomen before inching her hands up the muscular thighs and allowing her fingers to eagerly find their way to part the moist nether lips beneath the dark ringlets.
"You taste sweet, my love," the blonde confessed, as her tongue darted between the folds to lap contentedly on the nectar within. "I've got you in my clutches now, Alex. I have no intention of letting you go." She parted the lips again and languidly traced the opening from top to bottom, stopping ever so shortly at the pool of moistness, before allowing her tongue to travel the length again. She could feel the bud of pleasure as it became harder, and the blonde grinned. She knew what Alex wanted yet purposely avoided landing on the vulnerable spot, until she knew the dark-haired beauty was ready to scream with desire.
"So, what is it that you want, my love? Tell me and I'll do your bidding." The angelic face glanced up from her perch to gaze on sparkling, half-lidded sapphire eyes; the brunette smiled down at her.
"Those are my lines," she half breathed in short, metered breaths.
"And how do they feel bouncing back into your ears?" Samantha whispered. "Doesn't matter, you need to answer, my love. What is it you want?"
"You know what I want, Samantha."
The blonde head swayed to and fro. "Nope, not good enough." She took one small finger and entered her lover slowly, watching Alex's abdomen tighten and her chest expand, as her lungs filled with air. "This? Is this what you want?"
"Not yet."
"I didn't think so." Samantha removed her finger and replaced it again with her tongue. The bud was still swollen, and she knew Alex preferred to come on the outside before climaxing within.
"So, tell me, Alex; it's not difficult. Just let me know what to do and I'll do it." She ran her hands up the shapely sides of the taller woman, a sea of bumps following hands that reached up to engulf two firm breasts.
Hot breath blew on dark curls as Samantha continued to tease, unrelenting in her quest to receive a verbal answer.
"Please, Samantha." The plea came from lips moistened with desire.
"What, Alex?" She was not going to give in; she wanted to hear Alex beg.
"I ache for you, Samantha."
"For me to do what?"
"God damn it, Samantha."
The blonde kept teasing, placing her tongue on the eager bud only to move it slowly, causing an ache that would not be satisfied until a quick cadence was established and continued.
"Harder, Samantha. Faster."
"What?" Samantha was still not satisfied; she wanted to hear Alex ask.
"Samantha, lick me, hard, fastççplease. Stop teasing."
With that, the tongue, that had been reticent to continue in one place, found the spot she knew would take her lover over the edge and concentrated on bringing the bud to bloom. She continued in the same area until Alex's knuckles turned white, and she begged for Samantha to get off the love-saturated area. It was at that point that Samantha once again entered her lover, but this time with a hard upward thrust eliciting a moan of pleasure from Alex that caused the smaller woman's heart to pound faster.
Samantha situated herself between the muscular thighs. She enjoyed making love to Alex as much as she enjoyed being made love to, and it was beyond assumption that the old adage about giving being as great a gift as receiving was most assuredly a truth.
Alex, on the other hand, was not satisfied being a passive participant. "Come here, you," the brunette moaned as she stretched her right arm down to feel the moistness that trickled onto the inner sides of the blonde's thighs. She reached further and inserted two, then three fingers into the slick wetness of her lover's treasure. "I want you to come at the same time I do, Samantha. It's better for me that way."
The smaller woman resituated so she could continue making love to Alex, while being made love to in return. The buildup had been slow, but the anticipation heightened threefold with both of the women becoming involved in the lovemaking. During the heat of the moment, Alex forgot she had a wounded wrist and sore shoulder until an involuntary moan of agony instead of ecstasy escaped from her throat when she turned too quickly and grabbed at the smaller woman's waist.
Samantha started to stop, but was immediately threatened by a throaty utterance. Alex's dark locks were dripping with perspiration. She grunted, and then from deep within growled that if Samantha knew what was best she would not miss a beat, the pain be damned; it was worth the rapture.
Minutes passed and the two sated lovers lay quiet and content in each other's arms. Their breathing was no longer labored, and they found themselves bathed in the sweet after sweat that allowed them to cool, following the heat of inner explosions.
"It's been quite an interesting evening, my love," Samantha announced, breaking the silence and curling into her sleeping position on her lover's chest. "Are there still more secrets to be told of the Dorian tribe?"
"You've pretty much gotten an outline of all the major ones, that's for sure. Are you certain you want to remain in the family? You haven't taken the blood oath yet, so you could still escape."
"Could I really?"
"No! In actuality, you've been accepted and taken in; you now belong to us body and soul." Alex kissed the top of the still damp head and breathed in the odor of contentment. "I love you, Samantha."
"I believe my soul was intertwined with yours long before I even met you Alexis Llewellyn Dorianççand I love you, too."
"Even though I'm going to be obscenely wealthy in a matter of months?"
"Aren't you already?"
"Well, yes, but . . ."
"So what's a few more million here or there?" Samantha giggled and squeezed Alex carefully, trying to remember that there were still some bruises on the body she loved to be cuddled next to. "I suppose we'll just have a completely different set of problems from couples who have a lack of money. It doesn't mean our life is going to be without situations, I'm sure. They will just be different."
"I'm glad that's the way you think, my Destiny. The last thing I want is for money to be an obstacle in our relationship."
"So, do I have to sign a pre-nuptial agreement?"
"I'm serious."
Alex sighed deeply. She thought she had breathed the last of the sighs of exasperation when she began to tell the story of Al and the money. "Honey, I guess there are still some things we need to talk about, but not tonight, okay? I feel marvelous, and all I want to do is curl up with you and go to sleep."
"Sounds like a plan," Samantha agreed. "We don't need to go into the terms of the commitment until closer to the ceremony."
"Thanks, Samantha. One serious discussion and disclosure a night is sufficient." Placing her hand under the smaller woman's chin, she tilted the face she adored until she was staring into deep green eyes that radiated nothing but love. "Sweet dreams, my love," she whispered, as she gently kissed Samantha's parted lips.
"Hmm," Samantha moaned and then answered with a countered, "Sweet dreams to you, too, Alex. See you in the morning."


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TOKYO, Oct 9 (Reuters) - Japanese shares fell on Wednesday as escalating U.S.-China tensions dimmed hopes for a deal in high-level trade talks this week and soured the mood of investors.
The Nikkei share average fell 0.86% to 21,401.98 while the broader Topix lost 0.62% to 1,576.74.
Washington on Tuesday imposed visa restrictions on Chinese officials for the detention or abuse of Muslim minorities, a move Beijing denounced as interference in its internal affairs.
The U.S. decision cast a pall over high-level trade talks set for Thursday and Friday in the U.S. capital.
Growth-sensitive technology shares led Tokyo's decline, with robot maker Fanuc down 1.7% and Keyence off 1.4%.
Chip-related shares were hit the hardest, with Sumco , a maker of silicon wafers, down 3.7% and Advantest falling 3.6%.
AGC dropped 3.3% after the glass maker said it expected a 36% drop in annual net profit due to an impairment in its auto glass business.
Nissan Motor fell 0.7%, in line with the overall market, after automaker said its new CEO is an executive known for close ties to top shareholder Renault.
Defensive stocks bucked the weak trend. Kao, a manufacturer of toiletries, rose 1.1%, while retailer Seven&I Holdings gained 0.7%.
Kansai Electric Power rose 2.4% after media reported its chairman has decided to resign amid a graft scandal that has rocked public trust in Japan's second-largest utility. (Reporting by Hideyuki Sano; editing by Darren Schuettler)

subset: commoncrawl


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Heather's Dill Pickle Recipe
Start with FRESH cucumbers. If you want them to be crisp even after you can them it is important you pick them and can them the same day. If you are just putting them in the fridge (not processing them) then it is okay to use older ones. Soak the cucumbers in an ice bath for a few hours to make sure they are nice and crisp before you slice them. You can slice them in spears, in rounds, or if you have a big enough jar and they are small enough you can keep them whole.
In a large pot combine the following and simmer it on a low heat.
6 cups of white vinegar
3/4 cup pickling or natural sea salt (if you use iodized salt it turns your pickle water cloudy)
1/4 cup sugar
9 cups water (turns out best if you use distilled water)
2 Tbsp pickling spices (tie it up inside cheese cloth)
You want to simmer it long enough that the flavor of the pickling spices comes out into the mixture. Usually you can tell that the pickling spices have released their flavor because the mixture turns a little darker and it smells REALLY good! While that is boiling prepare your jars by adding the following to the bottom each jar:
2 tsp whole mustard seed
1-2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp dill
1 grape leaf or oak tree leaf (they contain alum which keeps your pickles from going mushy, this is a must! You can also use powdered alum if you can't find oak or grape leaves. )
Add your washed and sliced cumbers to your jars. Then take the pickling spices out of the water mixture and pour the boiling mixture over your cucumbers, leaving a 1/2 inch of headroom. You can keep them just like that in your fridge or if you want you can process them for 20 minutes in a water bath or a steam caner. It makes about 7 quarts. It takes them about 2 weeks to pickle well. So even though it is tempting to open them right away and try one, make sure you wait about 2 weeks before you try them!
I've noticed that one of the Beauty Redefined billboards (that I mentioned in this post) is up along the main street in my city! Every time I drive to my friend's house I pass it and it makes me smile. I sure hope that this campaign spreads! Our society needs these messages so badly.
Here is what the Beauty Redefined website said about their campaign:
"You'll notice there are no bodies on these billboards. We decided to take bodies completely out of the equation. For women, bodies tend to hog a lot of the attention not only in media but in our lives. We need to expand the conversation about women, about beauty, about health and about happiness AWAY from sizes, weights, shapes and looks. In a media landscape that regularly cuts women's faces/heads/eyes completely out of images, we're doing just the opposite! We're making eye contact, asking for attention to the truthfulness of these messages — not the looks of the girls/women holding the signs."I am curious if other people in Utah have noticed billboards up where they live?
I really am NOT very crafty but I am sort of proud of this twin-sized quilt that I made for my son's bed. It is an "inside out" jean quilt that I made out of all our old denim jeans.
So I guess I am wondering how other bloggers have made the decision to accept advertising or not. I'd also be curious to know from my readers if having ads on my blog (they would certainly NOT be in high profile places) would change or cheapen the feel or message of my blog. I realize that my blog is sort of unique-- it doesn't really fit into any of the "normal" blog genres-- but I'd love to hear how others have reconciled this question for themselves or what your opinions about ads are.
Have a beautiful weekend!
If you want to link to your own "Five Things for Friday" post you can use the tool below to add your link. 1) Please link to the URL of your blog post and not your main blog and 2) Please include a link back here.


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I usually like to keep our apartment stocked with at least something home-baked, whether it be breakfast goodies or dessert. But since moving, I haven't really done any baking.
Because Nate likes to have dessert after dinner every night, we always have an assortment of cookies in the house. He runs 4 days a week (5 when he's training for a marathon), and I feel like he doesn't eat enough to support all the exercise he gets. So I encourage his dessert habit nightly. However, he hasn't really been in the "mood" for the cookies lately, so I knew I had to bake him something good so he doesn't whither away to nothing. I only wish I had to eat dessert every night to maintain my figure!
Anyway, it's been so hot out that I wanted to give him something refreshing. That's when i decided on ice cream sandwiches. I asked him some flavor cookie/ice cream combos he likes and he said chocolate cookies with mint chocolate chip ice cream, so that's what i gave him!
You wouldn't think it would be so hard to find a chocolate cookie recipe, but it was. I ended up just looking for chocolate chip cookie recipes and figured i could just add cocoa powder.
However, because this was a last-minute idea, I needed one that didn't require softening the butter ahead of time. I searched for ones with oil instead of butter. The only one I could find that didn't need softened butter used melted butter instead.
So I guessed how much cocoa powder to flour I'd need. The batter was really wet and I crossed my fingers as I slid the first batch into the oven. But you know what? They were PERFECT! I shoved a couple in the freezer to cool them off and made Nate one tasty ice cream sandwich. Nate certainly didn't refuse dessert that night 🙂
Chocolate Cookies with White and Dark Chocolate Chips
Recipe by Me
Makes about 18 large cookies
1.75 cups all purpose flour
.5 cups dutch processed cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
12 tbl (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter – melt & cool it until warm
1 cup packed lt or dk brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 lg egg + 1 egg yolk
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
Heat oven to 325 degrees and have racks on upper & lower middle positions. Put parchment paper on 2 oversized cookie sheets (or do it in batches with smaller cookie sheets).
Whisk together flour, salt & baking soda in medium size bowl. Set aside.
Mix butter & sugars until thoroughly blended by hand or with electric mixer. Beat in egg, egg yolk and vanilla until combined.
Add flour, cocoa powder, salt & baking soda mixture to butter, sugar, egg & vanilla mixture and beat at low speed until just combined. Stir in chips to taste.
Roll scant 1/4 cup dough into ball. Put ball on cookie sheet leaving 2.5 inches between each ball.
Bake about 15 – 18 minutes, switching sheets halfway through reversing sheets front to back and top to bottom. cookies should be light golden brown and outer edges should start to harden, but centers are soft & puffy. Cool cookies on cookie sheets. When cool, peel from parchment.
Make into an ice cream sandwich!


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Absinthe is manufactured from Medicinal and culinary herbs which we use in our daily food. it should be taken in small quantity only as it also contains Warmwood and being considered as hallucinogenic. If taken in large quantity it can affect your vision for quite a long time. But whatever it is, if your drink contains absinthe like this one, you are going to love it because of essence of different herbs it contains in itself. It is so strong that even you will not feel that there is egg mixed in your drink.
- 1/2 oz Deva absinthe
- 1/2 oz Cointreau orange liqueur
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp sugar
- nutmeg
Shake ingredients well with ice. Strain into a prechilled Delmonico glass. Sprinkle nutmeg on top.


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Austin Eats Round-Up (ed. 13)
New year, new round-ups! This year, I'm going to focus on posting one round-up a month that contains all the new, fun places I visited that month. Think of them like little glimpses into what I'm loving right now. Links to all the locations are included in the post. None of the meals or drinks … More Austin Eats Round-Up (ed. 13)


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My Whirlpool (VERY expensive) washer broke down the day after Thanksgiving. The repair man said it could cost up to $700 to repair!!! The machine was only 4yrs old! Needless to say I began looking for a new one and was going to buy as cheap a machine as I could find since I was so disgusted with how much they cost to repair. I was going to treat them as a disposable appliance. My husband found a customer review about the Staber washer in one of his equipment magazines and looked it up on the internet. I wasn't willing to spend the money at first, but he talked me into it by convincing me it made sense to try a machine made in the USA that he could probably fix. My machine was delivered two days ago and I'm amazed. At first glance I didn't think there was anyway it would hold as much as my old washer, but it did. I started washing at 7AM and stopped at 10PM. I thought my laundry was clean before, but I was wrong! I could see the difference in the jeans as soon as I pulled them from the machine. We live on a ranch and I usually had to wash jeans twice to get them clean. Not with the Staber! Washing bedding is easier too. I fit a full size mattress pad, fitted and flat sheet and two pillowcases in the machine. I was worried it was to big a load, but decided to try. They came out great. Laundry dries faster too. The clothes are spun out better and take less time to dry. This is one time I'm glad I listened to my husband! I plan to have this machine a long, long time. It may have cost almost twice as much as my fancy Maytag, but if it lasts like they say it will, and continues to wash this well the cost will be well worth it.
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Sunday, January 16, 2011 5:00pm ET
Prophets of War: Lockheed Martin and the Making of the Military-Industrial Complex
Chat with William Hartung about his new book. Hosted by Sharon Weinberger.
Corporate clout, military innovation, and political influence make an uneasy mix in this smart and thorough corporate history of Lockheed Martin's emergence as the nation's largest weapons contractor. Hartung (And Weapons for All) traces the company's rise from unimpressive military aircraft manufacturer in WWI through its emergence as a major supplier of fighters and bombers for the Allies in WWII to corporate behemoth and power player in setting American foreign policy. The author explores how deeply Lockheed's tentacles have penetrated American economic and political life, pulling the curtain back on decades of unsavory dealings: Lockheed's decision to sell airplanes to Japan in the late 1930s (they were later converted to military use); reports of widespread bribery of foreign executives and politicians; and vengeful retribution against Pentagon whistleblowers. Hartung reveals how the company's adaptability has helped it survive–and expand–even as its reputation became tarnished, and echoes President Eisenhower's argument that the only way to ensure against "military-industrial" abuses is to have "an alert and engaged citizenry." This book is a fine step in that direction.
William Hartung is the director of the Arms and Security Initiative at the New America Foundation and has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, and Los Angeles Times. He lives in New York City. (Barnes & Noble)


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In a general, Obama won't be running against Clinton, he'll be running against McCain, a politician that has actually taken political risks and endured the wrath of party hacks in order to make progress on real issues: "What has Obama done? Show me a single issue or piece of legislation where Obama has done something politically unpopular in order to move forward toward a greater goal." I pointed out that this argument hasn't made much of a difference so far. Ah, replied the adviser, "That's because Clinton can't show that she's done it, either." What's more, he said, the press will stop giving Obama a free ride in the general. McCain will be out there, holding court on his bus or his plane, providing unfettered access to both reporters and voters, and journalists will no longer be able to ignore Obama's lack of access and lack of interaction with real people. In fact, it'll be the only thing they talk about.
Both Ezra Klein and Ross Douthat seem to me to be unduly impressed by this argument. It's true that the press corps will jizz all over itself for John McCain, but that kind of thing will only take him so far. In terms of getting things done, what's John McCain ever accomplished? Beyond a minor, years-old procedural reform to the campaign finance system — nothing. And he's had much more time in Washington in which to get something done. But in McCain's past 25 years in congress he's managed to author not a single piece of legislation that's been signed into law that helps any real people with any real problems. He's spent a lot of time posturing on the Sunday shows, and affiliated himself with a few pieces of modestly progressive legislation that didn't get passed, and then disavowed all those bills.
More broadly, though McCain is a formidable candidate in some respects, "experience" is the time-honored election argument of losers. If voters really valued experience, then veteran senators would be getting elected president all the time. Instead, it almost never happens because normal people don't think that long duration in congress — an institution that's invariably incredibly unpopular — is an appealing character trait.


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ALMA, Mich. - Calvin exploded for a school record 19 three-pointers in racing to a 112-74 victory at Alma Monday night.
The Knights finished the game 19 of 28 from three-point range for a sizzling 67.9 percent clip. The 19 three-point field goals made, breaks the previous record of 18 set in a win over Malone on November 24, 1990, when the Knights were 18 of 24 from beyond the long line.
Calvin's final point total marked its highest scoring output since a 115-65 win over Alma on February 12, 2011.
Calvin (11-10 overall, 6-4 MIAA) raced out ot a 50-30 halftime lead as the Knights shot 50 percent from the floor but 63.6 percent (7 of 11) from three-point range with junior Derrick DeVries (Grand Rapids, Mich./Covenant Christian HS) popping in 14 points.
The Knights continued to widen their lead in the second half despite and hit the century mark with 2:49 left to play as 10 different Calvin players received at least 10 minutes of playing time.
Five different Knights hit double-digits in scoring led by DeVries who pumped in 25 points to go with six rebounds. Senior Carlos Amoros-Gutierrez (Wyoming, Mich./Wyoming HS) had a career-high 19 points off the bench while hitting all five of his three-point field goal attempts. Junior Tony DeWitte (Grandville, Mich./Calvin Christian HS) and sophomore Thad Shymanski (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) had 18 points apiece with DeWitte matching a new career high in points while Shymanski established a new career high-water mark.
Senior Jason Walter (Coloma, Mich./Coloma HS) scored 10 points off the bench to notch his fifth double-figure scoring effort in the last six games.
Calvin held a 40-28 rebounding advantage with junior Alex Bos (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian HS) corralling seven boards.
The victory keeps Calvin within a game of third place Olivet and just two games behind league co-leaders Albion and Trine with four league contests left to play.
Calvin will host Trine on Wednesday night at Van Noord Arena with opening tip set for 7:30 p.m.


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Silvermine is a word used in numerous place names around the world.
Coordinates: 41°09′05″N 73°26′42″W / 41.15139°N 73.44500°W / 41.15139; -73.44500
Silvermine is a neighborhood in Fairfield County, Connecticut extending into three southwestern Connecticut municipalities -- Norwalk, New Canaan and Wilton.
The name "Silvermine" comes from old legends of a silver mine in the area, although no silver has ever been found. Silvermine was long an art colony and remains the home of the Silvermine Guild Arts Center. The Silvermine Tavern, an inn occupying several historic buildings, also remains in the neighborhood. Silver Hill Hospital is just beyond the northern end of the neighborhood, in New Canaan near the Wilton border. There are two community groups specific to Silvermine: The Silvermine Community Association and the Norwalk Association of Silvermine Homeowners (NASH).
The area has been settled since at least the late seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century, the Silvermine River was used for 12 or 13 mills in the neighborhood because it fell steeply enough for the water power to be profitably harnessed. The mills included a leather tanning works, sawmill, and spool works.
Old or OLD may refer to:
Too-Rye-Ay is the second album by Dexys Midnight Runners, released in July 1982. The album is best known for the hit single "Come On Eileen", which included the lyrics "too-rye-ay" that inspired the album's title.
Shortly before recording this album, Dexys' bandleader Kevin Rowland had decided to add a violin section to the band's existing horn section, which had contributed strings (viola and cello) to the band's latest single, "Liars A to E". However, after violinists Helen O'Hara and Steve Brennan joined the band, the three members of the horn section, including Dexys' co-leader and album co-composer "Big" Jim Paterson, decided to leave Dexys and become an independent horn band (ultimately known as The TKO Horns). Rowland was able to convince them to stay with the band long enough to record the album and to do a kick-off concert debuting the album on BBC Radio One in June 1982.
All the songs on the album were rearranged to add strings, which caused Dexys to re-record the 1981 singles "Plan B", "Liars A to E", and "Soon". During the rearrangement process, "Soon" was revised into the opening section of "Plan B"; since both songs were written by Rowland and Paterson, the merged songs are just credited on the album as "Plan B".
Old vine (French: vieilles vignes, German: alte Reben), a common description on wine labels, indicates that a wine is the product of grape vines that are notably old. There is a general belief that older vines, when properly handled, will give a better wine. There is no legal or generally agreed definition for old.
Grape vines can grow for over 120 years. After about 20 years vines start to produce smaller crops, and average yields decrease, leading to more concentrated, intense wines. Diseases such as "dead arm" can also afflict old vines, in some cases further concentrating the juice. "Old vines" might apply to an entire estate, or it might mean only a certain parcel planted before others. In the U.S., the most common use is on Zinfandel, because in California vineyards up to 125 years old are still bearing small amounts of prized Zinfandel fruit.
In a place where wine production is longstanding, it often means a wine whose vines are thirty to forty years old. Some wine makers insist the vines should be older than this. In newly established wine regions, twenty years might be old. The definition is further complicated by the fact that certain varieties simply do not have economically viable yields when they get truly ancient.
Silvermine is a word used in numerous place names around the world.
WorldNews.com | 25 May 2020
WorldNews.com | 24 May 2020
The Observer | 25 May 2020
DNA India | 25 May 2020
The Independent | 24 May 2020
Deccan Herald | 25 May 2020


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S105 S120 S125 S160 S166 S166W AND OTHERS check size. SIZE STANDARD 30 SCREW ON BACK OF YOUR UNIT. MOST OF MODEL ALREADY HAVE SCREW HOLE BUT YOU MAY NEED TO FIT. PLEASE REFER TO PICTURES TO COMPARE AS IT'S ITEM YOU WILL RECEIVE.Back splash is used condition with some scratches and or marks from use/cleaning. THANKS, HOPE TO HELP SOMEONE OUT THERE WITH THIS PART.
WILL BE WELL PACK WITH BUBBLE! The item "JENN-AIR OEM BACK SPLASH WITH LIGHT FOR DOWNDRAFT STOVE OVEN RANGE FLUORESCENT" is in sale since Saturday, February 13, 2016. This item is in the category "Maison & jardin\Gros électroménagers\Cuisinières & fours\Pièces & accessoires".07" and is located in Québec. This item can be shipped to Canada, to United States.


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LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The LA County Sheriff's Department has arrested a serial bank robber they dubbed the "Tiger Bandit."
Winston Damian Evans, who was arrested Tuesday, is described as a 32-year-old drifter from Compton.
The suspect was nicknamed "Tiger Bandit" because in several of his alleged robberies he wore a Detroit Tigers baseball cap.
Tiger Bandit is accused of robbing at least five banks in Santa Monica, Long Beach, Lomita, Huntington Beach and Marina del Rey.
Officials said they located Evans Tuesday staying at a relative's house where they served a search warrant.
Detectives said they recovered clothing used in the robberies as well as a quantity of cash. Authorities also seized a silver Nissan Altima believed to be used in the commission of the Santa Monica heist.
Officials said Evans admitted to all five of the robberies.
Anyone with more information in this case is asked to call Detectives Mark Martinovich or Gina Kolowski of the LASD Major Crimes Detail at (562) 946-7893.


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You've already met Franzi. But I wanted to share some of the rest of our session together.
Franzi came to me knowing what she wanted: she wanted an image that could work on a holiday card, with a recognizable San Francisco icon in the background, and enough space for a poem or a quote (she's a poetry fiend!). I love it when my clients know what they want, and it's really satisfying when we can work together to completely nail it.
Here's the front of the card that we ended up designing together. I just love that quote, and obviously it's so appropriate for the photo!
And here are a few more from the session.
Thanks so much Franzi! Hope you're enjoying the next adventures on your sabbatical!


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During my trip home to WA (just a week or so ago) my Mom kept raving about this cinnamon bear popcorn she had tried at my aunts house during spring break. I was a little skeptical about it but after she made up a batch I realized she was right (why are Mom's always right?)
I'm pretty sure I became addicted to it, because every time I walked past the kitchen, I couldn't help but take another heaping handful of the popcorn. I was glad there were a lot of people around who shared my same addiction...otherwise I may have devoured the whole bowl all by myself.
Click below to get the recipe and tutorial!
Cinnamon Bear Popcorn
6 quarts popcorn (popped)
3 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups cinnamon bears (can find in bulk at Winco)
1 1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup light karo syrup
1 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 drops red food coloring
(optional - 2 cups chopped walnuts)
Step 1. Unwrap cinnamon bears and cut each bear into 3 pieces with kitchen scissors or a knife.
Step 2. Pop your popcorn (in a microwave or popcorn popper) and place in a LARGE bowl.
Step 3. Make the topping by placing the butter and karo syrup in a pan over medium-high heat
Step 4, Then add in the sugar and stir occasionally, until butter
has completely melted and syrup begins to bubble slightly.
Turn the heat down to medium and continue stirring over a slow boil for 5 minutes.
Step 5. Remove from heat. Add vanilla and red food coloring to syrup, mix well.
(The red food coloring just gives the syrup a pretty pink hue!)
Step 6. While the syrup slightly cools, add the cut bears and marshmallows to the popcorn bowl. (You can add the optional 2 cups of chopped walnuts here if you choose).
Step 7. Pour warm syrup over the popcorn mixture and stir to coat.
Step 8. Enjoy! You may have to hide the bowl from yourself
after you have had your fare share...because it is addicting!


text: National Geographic has collaborated with Coors Light for a six-part branded content micro-series, 'My Next'. The films see two accomplished explorers completely removed from their comfort zones as they set off on separate adventures to opposite ends of the world. Multi-award-winning content studio Evolve Studio produced the series and provided end-to-end post production.


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"Ano ba itong mga Kastila? Espanya? Kristiyanismo? Bakit tayo ang kailangang magbigay-alay sa kanila? Wala silang karapatan dito sa ating isla dahil atin ito. Itinayo pa ng ating mga ninuno para sa atin at hindi para sa mga dayuhan."
Any kind of history is revisionist; with winners dictating how they are colored, with how they are preserved. How does that line from that one Wicked song go? "It's all in which label is able to persist." So if you think about it, historical fiction as a genre actually applies to the history lessons they teach at school. They just drop the 'fiction' part.
Well, in Tepai Pascual's Maktan 1521, the artist does not pretend that this version of history is completely accurate–even though it has historical data to back it up. That's because she has already added elements to the story that is based on speculation–and in trying to make logical sense of what had happened, and how things played out. And I'm glad that artist Pascual didn't attempt a blow-by-blow account of what had happened. I liked that she gave the story her own spin–Maktan 1521 works because she made the characters relatable. She made them into people–and not just names on the pages of a history book.
This being a graphic novel, I feel like I should write about the art as well. But I'm not an artist, and I won't pretend to know the first thing about art. For me, as a reader, the art did its job. It got the story's points across, and that's all that matters.
I do, however, want to point out that some of the colors are too dark. I don't know if it's because of the printing, or if the panels were painted that way. What I do know is that there were sequences that I had to go over a few times to understand what was happening, because the colors were too dark and I didn't really know what I was supposed to be on the look out for. But hey, maybe it was the printing. Maybe Visprint made the colors too dark and the colors bled.
Whatever the reason, I hope that in future reprints, the art is made a little sharper.
Yes, future reprints. I did say that. Because Maktan 1521 is something I want to succeed. I want it to sell all of its copies, requiring Visprint to have a second printing, and a third one, and a fourth one. Because these are the types of Filipino books that I want to become popular, to become bestsellers, to have more kinds of.
Let's make Maktan 1521 successful so we can have more books like this… Books with substance.
So, if you're reading this and you don't have a copy yet, please go out and buy yourself one.
Support local books with quality and value.


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This is a guest post from the author of cultfit.wordpress.com.
Random workouts. Random results.
Sometimes it's nice when you wake up and find that something you know has changed…
Atten-HUT! Listen up, you squishy globs of mule excrement! All of you reading today have been asked here to perform your sacred duty for your country, and I'd sooner give Che Guevara a lap dance than let you pimple-butted pinworms fumble this mission under my watch! Am I clear?
Right now, right at this very moment…you are nothing! You are the rubbish that rubbish throws in the tired old bin! You are less than a single aromatic molecule in one of Satan's farts! Is that understood maggots?
When I am finished with you, each one of you will be a mindless, deadly human weapon of randomness! You will be a social miscreant! You will seize the emotional core of your each and every breath and rip its heart out with your teeth! You will do this or by God as my witness…I will impale your limp asparagus frame on a spire in the latrine and use you as my personal toilet paper until Gabriel sounds the trumpets! Comprehend?
Now get out there and do your duty before I personally polish your empty skulls with the rough side of my…Hold on a second?!? What is Ricky Oh doing here?!?


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Huong Hai Sealife
The cruise was uniquely designed where the breath of the ocean is flavored and different stories of the sea were told and found in every corner on Hương Hải Sealife Cruise. She includes 26 cabins with all the private balconies, all the facilities are modernly-equipped. The ship is highly rated in government marine safety standards and promises to be the best choice for your stunning tour to Halong Bay and further off-beaten track area of Bai Tu Long Bay. Tourists try the world standard services and facilities such as sundeck bar, spa, library, Jacuzzi, lounge and bar and more. Let the cruise lead you through the infinitely vast of ocean discovery the hidden charm of the emerald.
|Number of cruises
|26 Suites with all balcony
|22m2 to 26m2
|Maximum 52 guests on ship
|Classic Style with Sails
|4 decks + Sundecks
|Launched on 2013
|Not available
In a steel-made at high safety standard cruise, so you will never be worried about the noise from the engine, seasick or safety issues. The bed setting is also flexible by 2 spacious single beds which can be convertible to a big double bed. The cabin was equipped with elegant furniture that bring the highest level of standard to our guests. Especially, every room is furnished with famous Bat Trang ceramic and pottery products which you can only find in a famous traditional village on the outskirts of Hanoi.
This is perfect getaway for those who want to escape from the bustle of the city life and discover the spectacular beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay. The executive cabin suite are 26 m2 with private balcony, standing shower & jacuzzi, offered free a wine bottle. Each executive cabin is highly- standardized set blending with the traditional Vietnamese style.


text: Warning, Poems may be longer than they appear: an anthology of Longish Poems is looking for poems between 3 to 6 pages or 100 to 200 lines on any theme or subject. Please submit 1 longish poem or a series of strongly linked poems (not linked merely by theme) to the editors at email@example.com between now and September 15, 2014. Include a brief 150 words or less bio and attach poems in Word or RTF. We will consider previously published poems so long as you acknowledge it was previously published in the cover letter and let us know if the anthology can obtain reprint rights for free or low cost. If you are submitting a previously published poem, you may submit a second longish poem that is unpublished. At this time, we do not have a press. Editors: Andrew McFadyen-Ketchum and M. E. Silverman, foreword by T. R. Hummer.


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– Architecture Review and Landscape
– Audit
– Clubhouse Operations
– Common Property
– Deed Restrictions and By-Laws
– Medical Equipment Lending
– Land Development
– Neighborhood Watch
– Social
Architecture Review and Landscape Committee
The Architecture Review and Landscape Committee works to preserve the appearance, ambiance, quality of life and property values of all lot owners in Little Falls Village. To achieve this, the Committee reviews all requests for changes in landscaping or to the exterior of the house, and makes sure the Covenants and Deed Restrictions are followed.
Residents must request permission before undertaking any changes such as fences, decks, porches, driveways, walks, walls, landscaping, bushes and trees. Necessary changes must, to the extent practical, be performed such that the condition and appearance is equal to and identical to the original as constructed. Any exterior changes to a home including but not limited to the replacement of trees, bush-es, driveways, etc.… need to be sent to Ginny Schiavelli; Architecture Review and Landscape Committee prior to the start of the work. The e-mail address is firstname.lastname@example.com, who will then forward the request to the A & L Committee members for review and approval. In the subject line of the email, please indicate the property address and type of request (meaning Architecture vs. Landscape). The owner will receive written notice of the acceptance or denial of the request.
Ginny Schiavelli, Chair
Jane Steele
Donna Hemphill
Linda Rudnick, Board Adviser
Audit Committee
Annually, the Board of Directors appoints an Audit Committee (AC) comprised of 3 members, at least one of whom is a Director (other than the President or Treasurer). The Mission of the AC is to assist the Board in carrying out its financial oversight and due diligence responsibilities by periodically verifying and testing the procedures which have been established to control and report Little Falls Village Maintenance Corporation's cash receipts and disbursements . Adequate results of the limited tests performed by the AC are intended to provide the Board with reasonable assurances with regard to the accuracy of the transactions reported in the monthly and annual statements of cash receipts and disbursements.
Dan Tavani, Chair
John Willey Board Adviser
Clubhouse Operations Committee
To provide a clean, secure, and well-maintained facility for LFV homeowners for community business meetings, social functions, and private party rentals.
Linda Rudnick – Scheduling
Ernie Castagia – Maintenance
Common Property Committee
To ensure that the community's grounds are maintained at the highest standards of appearance and safety. To be the recipient of homeowners' concerns with regard to landscape maintenance issues and be the principal communicator of such concerns to the community's designated landscape contractor. To make recommendations to the Board for projects to improve landscape maintenance and request related funding. To periodically inspect retention ponds to insure continued compliance with New Castle County codes.
Linda Rudnick, Board Adviser — Homeowner contact for Regis Falls Avenue
Jane Steele— Homeowner contact for Niagara Falls Drive and Beaver Falls Place
Ginny Schiavelli — Homeowner contact for Victoria Falls Lane
Deed Restrictions and By-Laws Committee
The Committee reviews existing governing documents. It recommends updates or changes deemed appropriate to the Board for consideration.
Linda Rudnick
Mike O'Neill
Bob Krajeski, Board Adviser
Medical Equipment Lending
The Committee's primary mission is the compilation and maintenance of an inventory of medical and related equipment and the coordination and operation of a program to loan that equipment to residents of Little Falls Village. In addition, the Committee also has residents that would provide transportation to medical appointments or pick up medications at the pharmacy. For information about borrowing/donating equipment, transportation needs, or assisting with this community program, please contact Ann Dively.
The following is a "brief" list of the types of medical equipment available: crutches, walkers, a collapsible wheelchair, shower chairs, various surgery and shower boots and bedside toilets (which can also be used over the commode to provide arm support for standing/sitting).
Ann Dively, Chair
Linda Rudnick, Board Adviser
Land Development Committee
The Land Development Committee strives to promote and preserve the health, safety, convenience, general welfare and quality of life for all residents of Little Falls Village. That vision is accomplished by reviewing and publicizing views about proposed development plans and rezoning applications to ensure the interests of Little Falls Village are protected from the potential adverse impacts of land uses.
Mike O'Neill, Chair;
Dave Edson
Mark Huber
Tom Fidance
Bob Krajeski, Board Adviser
Neighborhood Watch Committee
To provide an information forum for all LFV residents that will highlight safety concerns and topics for the wellbeing of the community.
Lou DeYenno, Chair
Marty Woitko
Ernie Castagna, Board Adviser
Social Committee
The Little Falls Village Social Committee arranges 6 – 8 social gatherings a year to be held at the Clubhouse where residents can meet to socialize. The activities include covered dish dinners and happy hours where all the food and beverages are provided by those that attend the events.
Linda Rudnick, Chair, Board Adviser
Carmen Casanova
Anna Calaceto
Shirley Deaver
Ann Dively
Marie Fidance
Ethel Foley
Florence Gregg
Pat Grimes
Arline Gulli
Esther Hughes
Sharon Meyer
Carol O'Neill
Lois Parke
Annette Rabasca
Carol Ritter
Judy VanTrump


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Auto Publishers Price Starting at
*Based on model year EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your atual mileage will vary, depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions, battery pack age/condition (hybrid only) and other factors.VIEW OUR INVENTORY
Lightweight, all-aluminum body; ample interior room; luxurious appointments; athletic yet elegant styling; optional all-wheel drive; powerful supercharged V6 engines
After a complete redesign for 2017, the Jaguar XF carries over into 2016 with only one major difference, the introduction of a diesel engine into the lineup. The new diesel is available in both front and all-wheel drive versions and fuel economy promises to be much improved over the bigger and more powerful supercharged V6 options.


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Wonderous Word Wednesday
a. A small mass of material often folded or rolled.
b. A roll or lump, as of tobacco or chewing.
2. gaggle
a. A flock
b. A cluster lacking organization
From the book Releasing Gillian's Wolves
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wonderous Word Wednesday
Posted by Tribute Books Mama at 12:11 PM
4 comments:
A cluster lacking organiztion is an apt discription of most of my closet, LOL!ReplyDelete
~Kimberlee, www.TheSpunkyDiva.com
Kimberlee- lol, mine too, thanks for coming by.ReplyDelete
Well, I knew the tobacco term since I've lived in the Deep South!ReplyDelete
Bermudaonion- a familiar term, thanks! for stopping.ReplyDelete
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