Auld Lang Syne (as Gaeilge / in Irish)

"Mutiny on the Brawny" by Jennifer Russ

Mutiny on the Brawny by Jennifer Russ

One of the WriteOn Joliet's T'was the Night Before Christmas spoof

It was the day of the New Year and all through the gym... Sat numbers of dieters working on every limb...
They pushed and they pulled...
Lifted and strained.
To make Jello into six packs: No Pain no Gain! 

 Meanwhile, in the locker room, the rats — they do scheme....
While sucking on Muscle Milk and stretching in teams...
Protected with Under Armour...
And $300 kicks...
They plot their revenge on the pluses and sticks...

Ellipticals are mounted —it’s time to take a stand....
To the guy in Joe Boxers- “Unhand that resistance band!”
Disinfectant blinds.
IPOD headphones form knots...
Until every last resolution is brought to a stop... 

 Hog-tied and gagged- they are stacked to the side...
While the rats take the bikes on a gleeful joyride...
It’s back to the dumbbells...
And flexing in mirrors...
While the others look on through sweat beads and tears... 

 In the end it is said that the rats saved the day...
And stood their ground in the face of foray...
Though, the weights they were stacked....
In their favor it would appear...
With their Eggnog flavored protein and eight shiny varieties of workout gear...

 

Tomorrow...

...three alternate versions of T'was the Night Before Christmas, compliments of WriteOn Joliet, because that's when Timothy will FINALLY have time to scan them in as Word documents (my scanner keeps turning them in to PDFs, which won't copy and paste).

Tonight, I'm too sleepy to write anything spectacular. I think the freezing rain and dull gray skies are zapping my brain power, although I did manage to write one feature story this afternoon, after returning home from liturgy and then stopping to feed (and play with) Frances, Midnight, Faith, and Hope.

Timothy's been feeding the kittens while he's on Christmas break, so I've been spared the hassle of packing up and unpacking my office several times a day. Sure do miss those furry footed friends and my "poor man's massages" when I stretch out on Christopher's couch for a power nap.

'Night, all.

Wexford Carol — Traditional Irish Christmas Hymn (+playlist)

"Christmas Bells" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Story Round Up

Christmas Bells by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

The time draws near the birth of Christ:

The moon is hid, the night is still;

The Christmas bells from hill to hill

Answer each other in the mist.


Four voices of four hamlets round,

From far and near, on mead and moor,

Swell out and fail, as if a door

Were shut between me and the sound;

Each voice four changes on the wind,

That now dilate, and now decrease;

Peace and good will, good will and peace;

Peace and good will, to all mankind


No stopping generosity

What would induce a young cancer patient to donate his family's vacation money to the local housing authority? Why, the example of his father.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24485323-423/no-stopping-generosity.html


An Extraordinary Life: Channahon man was best at giving of himself

Jimi Feeney gave to his family, his church, his community, the homeless, and anyone that asked him for a couple of bucks.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/24503133-418/an-extraordinary-life-channahon-man-was-best-at-giving-of-himself.html


Deaf dog helps pet owner heal

Only a special dog could follow Schroeder in Michael and Jaime Foster's hearts. Linus is not just "special;" he's "special needs," but that makes him perfect for the Fosters.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24505313-423/deaf-dog-helps-pet-owner-heal.html


For Joliet West toy drive, the joy of giving is present

No kid likes to stay in the hospital, much less close to Christmas, but a group of very special Santas put smiles back on young faces.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24570083-423/for-joliet-west-toy-drive-the-joy-of-giving-is-present.html


Lemont teen's tale involves a "wicked" wish and a former "Bear"

Intrigued? You should be. Read on!

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24600361-423/lemont-teens-tale-involves-wicked-wish-and-a-former-bear.html


Picture this: a helping hand for a stroke victim

Only someone down and out can truly understand how someone down and out feels. What's amazing is how one person in need changed the circumstances of one even more in need.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24600509-423/picture-this-a-helping-hand-for-stroke-victim.html

More Change

It's coming.

Not sure yet if I like it, but there's nothing I can do about that either.

And that part, I know I don't like.

Sigh. :(

 

Jane Austen Xmas

Christmas Eve, Baran-Unland Style

When I was a little girl, I wished to live in a large house full of siblings and have a large extended family, even more full of generational customs and traditions, beyond that.

Instead, I grew up in a small family. So I grew my own village.

My first husband was Ukranian and like many Slavic families, they served a Christmas Eve "feast within a fast" (a traditional Orthodox Nativity fast is six weeks long; abstinence from meat starting from November 15--at the very least--as well as dairy and eggs. The Nativity Fast is also known as St. Philip's Fast because it begins on his feast day).

So Christmas Eve, the night before the feast day (although the Eastern church counts the beginning of the new day at sundown) would feature a variety of festive, peasanty dishes (as the Slavs were, on the whole, not wealthy people), all of them meatless.

Generally, the family would serve twelve different items (one for each apostle), and dinner would begin at the sign of the first star, as spotted by the youngest member of the household.

Well, since we're homeless, the moved the cooking to Joshua's third floor apartment. His son Ezekiel is only a year and a half old, and although he is waaaaaay to young to be running outside to check the sky, well...let's just say he tried his best.

Tonight's menu (An asterik beside it indicates a recipe that is both traditional and generational in the Baran family):

* Fish
* Mushroom soup (with sauerkraut and barley)
* Cabbage, onions and kraut
* Bobalki
* Homemade Christmas Eve bread
* Homemade pirohi with homemade potato cheese filling (We made a couple hundred, actually. The recipe is mine. My ex-husband's family bought their pirohi.)
Vegetable tray and homemade dip
Fruit tray with caramel dip
Homemade apple-oat crisp (my recipe, a three-decade family favorite)
Homemade pumpkin pie (ditto, except Rebekah now makes it)
Assorted cheeses
Sparkling non-alcoholic beverages

Praise God my kids grew up cooking, which makes them something of Ninjas in the kitchen. We never made it to Joshua's until noon, as I had work to finish. Amber had to work, so Rebekah slept over the previous night with a shopping list; she and Joshua got most of the groceries (the boys and I still had to stop for a few items that I forgot to add to the list, oops!).

That morning, Joshua and Rebekah fabricated some of the ingredients, so we could get a few items going before Timothy and I left (I had to meet a group of teen boys at a restaurant for an interview at one-thirty).

Culinary festivities didn't officially begin until three o'clock. Tomorrow, we will celebrate Christmas with my parents, sister, and her family. The children and I will not celebrate our official family Christmas until December seventh, which is also Rebekah's twentieth birthday.

Ezekiel did open a few presents my mother sent along for him. Below, a few photos from the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dubstep Cat Christmas

Santa Claus is a Vampire (Original)

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara, Explains His Prolonged Silence

Dear MOMI,

 

 

    The truck hath arrived none too soon

    The fault of the thoughtless --une.

    So heed my advice

    With the traffic and ice,

    I'll finish my route around noon.

 

    Take that you big bullies! I hope it follows you, and the limerick stains you legacy!

   Anyway, why you haven't heard from me is actually your own doing, many years ago. You see, I've been working on your daughter's genealogy, which should seem easy enough given that I've already written yours. One would think that all I had to do was write her father's, tack it to yours, and call it another chapter in Irish domination.

    All would have worked that way except for finding that the man on Sarah Stegall's  birth certificate is NOT her father. This sent me down a very dark, twisted path of trying to sort the long trail of broken hearts, shattered dreams, and nondisclosure contracts.

 

   Wow!

 

   The most depressing of the lot is musing over all your secret admirers who never got close enough to proclaim their love and all the countless spurred advances that avalanched authors into tragic life choices to avoid facing your disinterest in them.

   I might add here, Momi, that your rejection of my marriage proposal last year did give me some insight as to how they feel.

   Anyway that long twisted trail turned out to be false. Sarah's conception was completely accidental; her father was a man you've never met.

   This information came in a IVA envelope marked way more top secret then usual.

   That started my ruthless search of public pools, toilets, and places of miracles ...anywhere where such a thing might be possible. Since it's impossible to find the informant, unthinkable to disbelieve his/her information, and so unEd Calkinsish to abandon the search in favor of less time consuming and more practical matters, I had to find a clue as to how such a thing could happen.

   I could have saved myself a lot of time if I had looked for answers were answers are revealed. Yes, the truth was buried in a shallow grave within the original and unedited  text of Bryony.

   This is gonna be the cliffhanger of the day.

   Denise, I have a Santa Claus gig to run to, but I'm having fun imagining you mentally rifling through your own book to find the lover that loved you and never bothered to even say, "Hi."

   Ruthlessly yours,

   Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

                                                                                                                                       have

                                                                                                                                                            Ruthlessly

"Hang Up The Baby's Stocking" by Emily Huntington Miller and Story Round Up

Hang Up The Baby's Stocking

By Emily Huntington Miller

Little girl in stocking

Hang up the baby's stocking

Be sure you don't forget!

The dear little dimpled darling,

She never saw Christmas yet!

But I've told her all about it,

And she opened her big blue eyes;

And I'm sure she understood it-

She looked so funny and wise.

Dear, what a tiny stocking!

It doesn't take much to hold

Such little pink toe's as baby's

Away from the frost and the cold

But then, for the baby's Christmas,

It will never do at all.

Why! Santa wouldn't be looking

For anything half so small.

Little boy in stocking

I know what I will do for the baby.

I've thought of the very best plan.

I'll borrow a stocking of Grandma's,

The longest that ever I can

And you'll hang it by mine, dear mother,

Right here in the corner so!

And leave a letter to Santa,

And fasten it in the toe.

Write-this is the baby's stocking,

That hangs in the corner here.

You never have seen her, Santa,

For she only came this year

But she's just the blessed'st baby.

And now before you go,

Just cram her stocking with goodies,

From the top clean down to the toe!



A host of holiday entertaining tips

A Joliet Junior College hospitality professor gives her best suggestions for enjoying holiday hosting without the stress.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24351938-423/a-host-of-holiday-entertaining-tips.html


Authors vampire series officially has a legacy

Sue Midlock writes, illustrates and publishes supernatural short stories and series. Like vampires? Read on.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24353527-423/authors-vampire-series-officially-has-a-legacy.html


An Extraordinary Life: Inner strength was former Plainfield woman's trademark

Nothing in life brought Helen Houle down, absolutely nothing. Helen experienced no challenge she could not look in the face.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/24359001-418/an-extraordinary-life-inner-strength-was-former-plainfield-womans-trademark.html


Some tips for handling holiday grieving over pets

Solid dvice from pet owners--and a bereavement counselor--that have been there.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24358627-423/some-tips-for-handling-holiday-grieving-over-pets.html


Lessons beyond the stage: Joliet native helps kids learn new skills

Erick Deshaun Dorris loved theater as a boy. Now as an educator and as an actor, Dorris is bringing that passion to students in Chicago classrooms and then sharing their creativity on Chicago stages.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24438394-423/lessons-beyond-the-stage-joliet-native-helps-kids-learn-new-skills.html


Coats for homeless veterans being collected in Joliet, New Lenox

Disabled veteran and senior citizen Lou Vargas is actively involved in three veterans organizations. He wants veterans to get their due...starting with, at the very least, a coat to keep them warm this winter.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24438569-423/coats-for-homeless-veterans-being-collected-in-joliet-new-lenox.html

 

 

 

Christmas Kitty Song

Jelly, Victorian-style

Earlier today, a BryonySeries fan--by the name of Rose (what else?) posted a link on my personal Facebook page to a Pennsylvania Victorian house for sale, complete with a ghost.

We wound up in a fun little conversation about how she would buy it for me if she had the money, and then I insisted if she did, a visit would be in order. Rose suggested tea and crumpets, and I countered with stuffed pigeons and boiled calves head. She much preferred something sweet.

So, Rose, here it is!

 

CALF'S FOOT JELLY

 

 First published in Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy. (1850).

 

You can find this recipe, along with the others mentioned in Bryony, in the fundraising cookbook, Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

 

All cookbook proceeds are donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (www.bbbswillgrundhy.org).

 

Order Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony" http://www.bryonyseries.com/Dalton_s_Dry_Goods.html

 

4 nicely cleaned calf’s feet

4 quarts water

3 lemons, peel only

1 pint wine

4 egg whites

3 sticks cinnamon

Sugar, to taste

 
Put feet in water, then let it simmer gently until reduced to 2 quarts, then strain it, and let it stand all night. Then take off all the fat and sediment, melt it, add the juice, lemon peel, wine, eggs, cinnamon, and sugar to your taste. Boil 10 minutes, then skim out the spice and lemon peel, and strain it.

The Golden Shadow Hawks - Vampire Christmas

Grumpy Cat Stars in "Hard To Be a Cat at Christmas" Music Video

Rebekah and Daniel Decorating the Tree at Church

 

 

Celtic Harp for Christmas - O Come, O Come Emmanuel (+playlist)

"St. Nicholas" and Story Round Up

New York Evening Mail
December 16,1910

When the old saint comes again
down the path we Knew of yore,
We who are women and men,
Let us be glad as before,
Let yule boughs hang at the door,
Let the lights of yule burn high,
Let the wide world ring with our welcoming
When the good old saint comes by.

When the old saint comes again
Down holiday paths of old,
We who are women and men,
Can we give a greeting cold?
May the child heart only hold
The love that his grace should win?
Nay; let him be sure our hearts endure
When the good old saint comes in.

When the old saint comes again
Down the dear remembered way,
We who are women and men,
Let us laugh as children may.
Let our home and hearts be gay
With revel and mirth and cheer,
Let the old joy wake for the old love's sake,
When the good old saint is here.


Teen author helps grant own wish

Just as cystic fibrosis patient Ravina Fakkhar turned fourteen, she became a traditionally published author.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24211507-423/teen-author-helps-grant-her-own-wish.html


Homeless veterans find help in Joliet.

After receiving that help, many are able to live independent lives, thanks to the mother of a veteran running a homeless program in Washington D.C.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24212765-423/homeless-veterans-find-help-in-joliet.html


An Extraordinary Life: Family still misses master tinkerer

Cars, computers, constructin, cooking, creativity: That was Christopher Bannon

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24220097-423/an-extraordinary-life-family-still-misses-master-tinkerer.html


It's bazaar time for Will County Humane Society

Shelter volunteer coordinators sales of poinsettias and new and used Christmas decorations to benefit homeless animals.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24217830-423/its-bazaar-time-for-will-county-humane-society.html


Cop takes up fight vs cyberbullying

Officer Jeff Bean does more than talk about cyberbullying. He inhabits today's kids' social networking universe.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24312517-423/cop-takes-up-fight-vs-cyberbullying.html


New People reunite for benefit concert

Will County's former choral group takes center stage to raise money for a local foot pantry through Christmas music.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24317178-423/new-people-reunite-for-benefit-concert.html

Jingle Cats - Silent night (Original Clip)

Random Act of Kindess

Stop reading this blog, and go do something nice for someone. The act doesn't have to be large. The recipient can be a stranger or someone sitting next to you. Just do it. Because.

Go. Now.

Still an Art Gitch...

...on Staked! Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, and Bertrand and the Lucky Clover.

For the three BryonySeries books already released--Bryony, Visage and Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony"--I've been blessed with the talents of several different artists helping to enliven the stories with their skills.

The same is also true with the above yet-to-be-released books. For now, their publication is moving at a snail's pace, and that is due to the outside obligations of those visual artists invloled with the projects.

I will continue to post updates as soon as we move forward. Thank you for your readership and your patience.

Especially as your impatience is such a huge compliment to the series! :)

 

Like A Vampire - Catrien Maxwell (Original Song - Lyric Video!)

The Male Rite of Passage at our Church

One of my sons, dressed as St.Nicholas at our parish's 60th anniversary celebration and St. Nicholas banquet.

 

Now here's a game for loyal followers.

 

Message me at bryonyseries@gmail.com with the name of the correct son.If you guess correctly, we will send you a Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony" cookbook.

 

You already have one? Cookbooks make terrific Christmas gifts. ;)

 

 

Family St. Nicholas Party and Tree Decorating

We celebrate the feast day of St. Nicholas on December 6 as a family by drawing names and setting a $20 limit for stuffing stockings, with everyone buying one item each for the grandchildren.

Stock traditional items include candy canes (the bishop's staff) and gold coins (from a story about the dowry St. Nicholas left three sisters about to be sold into slavery).

Ever since receiving my first copy of Prayers for the Domestic Church in 1985, we have used the St. Nicholas Blessing Prayer for Candy Canes. The book is long since tattered, but no worries. Timothy found the prayer online and read it from his phone.

With everyone grown and juggling school and work schedules, we gathered at Joshua's a day late for pizza, cake, fun and decorating his tree with our traditional ornaments, since we won't have a tree of our own this year.

Actually, this is the first year I've decorated a tree since college. My first husband wouldn't allow anyone except him to touch the tree. Since he left in 1998, I've always worked so many hours, the kids happily assumed the responsiblity.

And, yes, I totally had fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Festival of St. Nicholas" by Mary Mapes Dodge and Story Round Up

The Festival of St. Nicholas by Mary Mapes Dodge from Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates (1865)

Welcome, friend! St. Nicholas, welcome!
     Bring no rod for us to-night!
While our voices bid thee welcome,
     Every heart with joy is light.

     "Tell us every fault and failing;
     We will bear thy keenest railing
     So we sing, so we sing:
     Thou shalt tell us everything!

"Welcome, friend! St. Nicholas, welcome!
     Welcome to this merry band!
Happy children greet thee, welcome!
     Thou art gladdening all the land.

     "Fill each empty hand and basket;
     'Tis thy little ones who ask it.
     So we sing, so we sing:
     Thou wilt bring us everything!"



Tours of Cronin School at JJC like a Step Back in Time

The community not only can enjoy the experience of a local one room schoolhouse of Joliet's past, the volunteer tour guides are intimately connected with that school. One attended it; another's mother taught at it.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/photos/galleries/24015573-417/tours-of-cronin-school-at-jjc-like-a-step-back-in-time.html


Minooka woman with rare cancer relies on faith

It took Sandy Mckean several years to receive an accurate diagnosis, but she is at total peace with her fate.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24016167-423/minooka-woman-with-rare-cancer-relies-on-faith.html


Family remembers easygoing hobbyist

George McLearen battled a genetic heart disorder that would eventually cut short his life. So when McLearen had to quit the job he loved, he found a similiar hobby to replace it.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/24073428-418/an-extraordinary-life-family-remember-easygoing-hobbyist.html


Dog survives being stuck behind vehicle grille

Spencer, an indoor dog, took quite the cold and wild ride one night and lived to tell the "tale."

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24073687-423/dog-survives-being-stuck-behind-vehicle-grille.html


Model trains just keep rolling

Technology has improved the enjoyment of this hobby and continues attracting young enthusiasts.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24167986-423/model-trains-just-keep-rolling.html


"Star" leads Faint back home for book signing

From working as a personal assistant to Matt Damon to self-publishing her fiction and more, Trinette Faint has amassed more accomplishments than any three women could hope to attain.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24189304-423/star-leads-faint-back-home-for-book-signing.html

 

Twas The Night After Christmas (Vampire Style)

Feeling Like a Word Ninja

The volume of work I accomplished today has flattened my brain, but it had to be accomplished as I will be MIA most of tomorrow.

I'm sitting here, jaw open, eyes glazed, trying to think of something clever. It's not happening.

My muse didn't just up and leave. I think she's in a coma.

My Ambitous "Before the Blood" Homework List

Below is the list I foolishly thought I could complete four days,

Well first of all, work bled into Thursday morning, so not until that was completed, and I had attended Divine Liturgy and gathered with family friends, did I settle down to the story, circa eleven o'clock that night.

Friday was pretty productive, although learning about the unexpected and tragic death of the mother of two former youth group members (for several my ex-husband and I ran a youth ministry connected with our church) derailed composition for part of the evening (as it should).

Saturday was quite productive until the young lady whose mother had died called to talk. By the time I hung up the phone, my muse had vanished. I simply felt wretched, so I called a friend to talk.

Sunday was church, grocery shopping, and general catch up.

Anyway, here's the list:

 

   *  Break down each chapter by scene

   *  Write out research needed for each chapter

   *  Find necessary research for each chapter online and save

   *  Organize research by novella files

   *  Double check all Bryony events are in chapters

   *  Double check all notes are copied into chapters

   *  Complete character questionnaires for all major/secondary characters

   *  Name all characters with descriptions

   *  Name all places

We...Um...Have a Slight Setback

We've hit a snag with art. Release of Staked!, Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone, and Bertrand and the Lucky Clover have all been delayed.

Most of the setback is the final formatting and design. We hope to fix it soon, but not in time to have autographed of the books for Christmas. We will try to make them available for ordering through the website (www.bryonyseries.com) and Amazon by Christmas, however.

Yes, this is the downside of working with a slim budget. The benefits, on the other hand, far outweight the drawbacks. Small budgets mean more swapping of artistic services and collaborating with other artists. The relationships I've formed through developing this series are priceless.

To to take my mind off my troubles, I've made some incredible progress with Before the Blood. Tomorrow, I'll post my Thanksgiving chore list. I shook my head over it this morning, wondering what I was thinking. I couldn't have completed it if I'd been cloned.

Getting Back in the Swing of It

I did it. I actually did it.

I took almost four days off this Thanskgiving holiday, the first time I've had off in two years. That was also a Thanksgiving weekend, and I had worked on the first edits for Visage.

Now granted I did not meet my goal of spending all four days writing fiction. I had assignments from Wednesday that bled into the evening and then into Thursday morning. Most of Thursday was spent with family and friends.

Friday, however, and a good chunk of Saturday, I did go to Munsonville. I had a, what I thought, do-able homework list for Before the Blood that I hoped to complete before I returned to the "real" writing on Monday.

Ha!

Okay, the list was a bit ambitious, so I'm refining my goals for writing this thing. However, since I have definitely sunk my teeth into it, it's safe now from being forgotten on the back burner. An unexpected and tragic death Saturday cut short the writing time due to the muse packing up and going home. And that's okay because, well, life does happen.

Friday was spent on general catching up of everything else I had let go, including getting my St. Nicholas shopping done (more on that later). I tumbled into bed--late--without writing a blog. So to make up for it, today I'm writing two. Before the day is out (I hope), I'll update everyone on my progress thus far, as well as where we are at with Staked!, Cornell Dyer and the Missing Tombstone and Bertand and the Lucky Clover.

Y'all have a great day!

The Changeling - Irish Myth Project - Anais Nussaume

"A Dead Rose" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Story Round Up

A Dead Rose by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)

O Rose! who dares to name thee?
No longer roseate now, nor soft, nor sweet;
But pale, and hard, and dry, as stubble-wheat,---
Kept seven years in a drawer---thy titles shame thee.

The breeze that used to blow thee
Between the hedgerow thorns, and take away
An odour up the lane to last all day,---
If breathing now,---unsweetened would forego thee.

The sun that used to smite thee,
And mix his glory in thy gorgeous urn,
Till beam appeared to bloom, and flower to burn,---
If shining now,---with not a hue would light thee.

The dew that used to wet thee,
And, white first, grow incarnadined, because
It lay upon thee where the crimson was,---
If dropping now,---would darken where it met thee.

The fly that lit upon thee,
To stretch the tendrils of its tiny feet,
Along thy leaf's pure edges, after heat,---
If lighting now,---would coldly overrun thee.

The bee that once did suck thee,
And build thy perfumed ambers up his hive,
And swoon in thee for joy, till scarce alive,---
If passing now,---would blindly overlook thee.

The heart doth recognise thee,
Alone, alone! The heart doth smell thee sweet,
Doth view thee fair, doth judge thee most complete,---
Though seeing now those changes that disguise thee.

Yes, and the heart doth owe thee
More love, dead rose! than to such roses bold
As Julia wears at dances, smiling cold!---
Lie still upon this heart---which breaks below thee!  


Loans to needy worldwide boost cultural education at Joliet West

These teens didn't just study those living in poverty. They became part of the solution to improving lives.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23864909-423/loans-to-needy-worldwide-boost-cultural-education-at-joliet-west.html  


Seminar aims to aid veterans

Business organization helps veterans receive financial assistance

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23929352-423/seminar-aims-to-aid-veterans.html


Channahon volunteer known for helping veterans, animals

Few individuals had the "I'm here to help" air more than Bob Waters.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23938245-423/channahon-volunteer-known-for-helping-veterans-animals.html


Success is in the cards for Plainfield dog

Rufio is a winner with a heart for helping, over and over and over again

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23940835-423/success-is-in-the-cards-for-plainfield-dog.html


Harvest Bible pastor's path was not typical

And neither are his results with church planting

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/24016327-423/harvest-bible-pastors-path-was-not-typical.html

Three Great Quotes That Express My Feelings This Thanksgiving

"Thanks to those who hated me, you made me a stronger person. Thanks to those who loved me, you made my heart grow fonder. Thanks to those who envied me, you made my self esteem increase. Thanks to those who cared, you made me feel important. Thanks to those who entered my life, you made me who I am today. Thanks to those who left, you showed me that nothing lasts forever. Thanks to those who stayed, you showed me the true meaning of friendship." Ritu Ghatourey

 

Be Thankful!

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.  If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.  During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.  They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you are tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.

A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

---Author Unknown

 

Dare to Be

When a new day begins, dare to smile gratefully.

When there is darkness, dare to be the first to shine a light.

When there is injustice, dare to be the first to condemn it.

When something seems difficult, dare to do it anyway.

When life seems to beat you down, dare to fight back.

When there seems to be no hope, dare to find some.

When you’re feeling tired, dare to keep going.

When times are tough, dare to be tougher.

When love hurts you, dare to love again.

When someone is hurting, dare to help them heal.

When another is lost, dare to help them find the way.

When a friend falls, dare to be the first to extend a hand.

When you cross paths with another, dare to make them smile.

When you feel great, dare to help someone else feel great too.

When the day has ended, dare to feel as you’ve done your best.

Dare to be the best you can –

At all times, Dare to be!”
― Steve Maraboli, Life, the Truth, and Being Free

 

Buskers And Vampires At Thanksgiving

Try This for Your Thanksgiving Turkey This Year

Steve’s Roast Turkey and Stuffing

 

Turkey Brine

By Rachel Buchanan Savicz

 

7 quarts (28 cups water)

1 ½ cups coarse salt

6 bay leaves

2 tablespoons whole coriander seeds

1 tablespoon dried juniper berries

2 tablespoons whole black peppercorns

1 tablespoon fennel seeds

1 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds

1 18 to 20 pound fresh whole turkey, patted dry, neck and giblets reserved for stock, liver reserved for stuffing

1 bottle dry Riesling

2 medium onions, thinly sliced

6 garlic cloves, crushed

1 bunch fresh thyme

 

Bring 1 quart water, the salt, bay leaves, and spices to a simmer, stirring until salt has dissolved. Let cool for 5 minutes. Line a 5-gallon container with large brining or oven-roasting bag. Place turkey in bag. Add salt mixture, remaining water, and the other ingredients. Tie bag; if turkey is not submerged, weight it with a plate. Refrigerate 24 hours, flipping turkey once. Yield: Brine for an 18 to 20 pound turkey.

 

Roast Turkey

By Rachel Buchanan Savicz

 

1 18 to 20 pound turkey

Melted butter

Wine

1 teaspoon each, salt and pepper

 

Preheat oven to 425 degrees, with rack in lowest position. Stir together melted butter and wine in a medium bowl. Fold a very large piece of cheesecloth into quarters so it is large enough to cover breast and halfway down sides of turkey. Immerse cloth in butter mixture; let soak.

 

Place turkey, breast side up, on a rack set in a roasting pan. Fold wing tips under turkey. Sprinkle salt and pepper inside turkey. Loosely fill body and neck cavities with stuffing. Tie legs together with kitchen twine. Fold neck flap under; secure with toothpicks. Rub turkey all over with softened butter; season with salt and pepper. Remove cheesecloth from butter mixture, squeezing gently into bowl. Reserve butter mixture for brushing. Lay cheesecloth over turkey. Place turkey, legs first, in oven. Roast 30 minutes.

 

Brush cheesecloth and exposed turkey with butter mixture. Reduce temperature to 350 degrees. Roast, brushing every 30 minutes, 2 ½ hours more; cover with foil if browning too quickly. If making gravy, add giblets and neck to pan 1 ½ hours after reducing temperature; roast 30 minutes more and reserve.

 

Discard cheesecloth; rotate pan. Baste turkey with pan juices. Roast, rotating pan halfway through, until skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 180 degrees and stuffing reaches 165 degrees, about 1 hour. Transfer to a platter. Set pan with drippings aside for gravy. Let turkey stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes. Garnish, if desired. Yield: About 12 servings.

 

Stuffing

By Virginia Schonbachler

 

2 16 ounce packages Brownberry stuffing mix

2 16 ounce cans chicken broth

1 stick butter or margarine, melted

1 8 ounce packaged sliced button mushrooms (may substitute chopped onions and celery for the mushrooms)

 

Mix together. Add hot water if dry. Spray aluminum pan with vegetable spray, scoop stuffing in pan, and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

 

From the official BryonySeries cookbook, "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles from "Bryony."

 

Proceeds donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (www.bbbswillgrundy.org). Order the cookbook at http://www.bryonyseries.com/Dalton_s_Dry_Goods.html

 

 

A Snippet: Forward from "Staked!" by Author Tom Hernandez

Soon, my pretties, soon...

And now, the excerpt:




Generally speaking, I am not much for fantasy or science fiction.

Sure, I’ve enjoyed several Ann Rice books – who, after all cannot love Lestat? – and a few Ray Bradbury classics. I am aware of the genius of Isaac Asimov, though, I confess I have not read anything of his.

I have watched the first three of Peter Jackson’s magnificent “Lord of the Rings” saga. Still, I have not read any of Tolkien’s master works. After seeing the movies, I don’t think I ever will, though the entire collection sits right now in my attic library. Just too much…I don’t know, “complication” for my brain, already stretched, strained and stressed with reality’s many rigors.

Staked! hits many of those fantasy/science fiction notes

Yet I loved it.

Truth be told, I loved both of its predecessors, too.

The first, Bryony, told the tale of a 1970s teenager, Melissa Marchellis. Missing her recently-deceased father, Melissa falls head-over-heels in love with the idea of love – or, more precisely, the vampire who embodies it, and offers it to her. That love comes at a steep price, but the girl is more than willing to pay it, as so many teen girls are.

Visage continued Melissa’s story, now as a young adult. Melissa heads off to college, her vampire fling having ended in flames. Even there, though, Melissa cannot – or does not want to – leave her past in the past. So, when she falls for a hot music professor who bears an uncanny resemblance to her dead (un-dead?) vampire lover, well...

Complicated books, sure. Overflowing with elements that don’t usually trip my literary wire, certainly.

Yet I enjoyed them precisely because they aren’t really about what they seem to be about.

Tom Hernandez, Author

Chocolate Cows and Purple Cheese, and other tales from the homefront
http://www.amazon.com/Chocolate-Cows-And-Purple-Cheese/dp/1440137986
 

Vampire Lullaby

Evil Leprechaun Fan Art

"Phantom of the Opera" by Gaston Leroux and Two Weeks of Story Round Up

My youngest son Daniel is a huge Phantom of the Opera fan; tonight we watched the original Lon Chaney version. He had never read the original story, so I sent him this link. So far, he's enjoying it.

How about you? Have you ever read it? If not, here ya go:

http://www.gutenberg.org/files/175/175-h/175-h.htm


Support group helps parents of special needs kids

Understanding the challenges and blessings of raising a child with special needs, this mother forms a support group for other parents in similar situations.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23606225-423/support-group-helps-parents-of-special-needs-kids.html


Lemont business owner was a father first

And he ran a tight ship in both areas.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/23627329-418/an-extraordinary-life-lemont-business-owner-was-a-father-first.html


Dog's life is a real page turner

He's an author's writing companion, a character in her medical mystery series, and a therapy dog, too.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23606444-423/pet-story-dogs-life-is-a-real-page-turner.html


More than a jewelry sale: friendships also forged in class

This group of perpetual students learns and loves together.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23706267-423/more-than-a-jewelry-sale-friendships-also-forged-in-class-at-jjc.html


Book event centers on caregiving

The benefits of caregiving, in plain and simple text, perfect for children and adults.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23606072-423/book-event-center-on-caregiving.html


Joliet West teacher embraces technology positivity

English teacher Maggie Maslowski eschewed all forms of social media until she discovered the potential to her students.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23605940-423/joliet-west-teacher-embraces-technology-positivity.html


Historical footage changes Joliet West teacher's lesson plan

With his new position at a broadcast museum, this teacher hopes to change the way social studies is taught in the United States.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23605657-423/historical-footage-changes-joliet-west-teachers-lesson-plan.html


Spirituality was nun's musical accompanist

Did the angels reserve a heavenly cello for her? Read on, and decide for yourself.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/23783148-418/an-extraordinary-life-spirituality-was-nuns-musical-accompanist.html


JJC program an rx for cats, dogs

These stray pets get healthy AND find a forever home.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23782805-423/jjc-program-an-rx-for-cats-dogs.html]


Advice in store for youths at Joliet Job Corps

Straight talk about business from one that successfully owned and operated fifteen Hallmark stores.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23863470-423/advice-in-store-for-youths-at-joliet-job-corps.html


"Write" of marriage: zombie book collaboration

The pros and cons of co-authoring a book with your spouse, from a couple that worked together on a zombie novel.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23864289-423/a-write-of-marriage-zombie-book-collaboration.html


Heart attack followed by a survival surprise

She should not have survived, but she did...and thanked the off-duty firefighter that saved her at a special surprise luncheon to honor him.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/23864010-423/a-heart-attack-follwed-by-a-survival-surprise.html


Former Joliet residents turn kids' ghost stories into novel

It's a mental zombie apocalypse.

http://www.buglenewspapers.com/joliet/article_ccc2b20a-4651-11e3-af51-0019bb30f31a.html

We Are Misfit Toys...

...according to WriteOn Joliet member Tom Hernandez as he expressed his appreciation for the writing group at our first Thanksiving potluck celebration this evening hosted by Ken McGee, another member.

Much like the Marchellis family in Bryony, Tom's family has a tradition where everyone has an opportunity to offer thanks for certain blessings received in the past year.

I found Tom's comment interesting because I have privately thought similar thoughts. By the world's standards, serious writers are not gregarious social butterflies. Our society is the privacy of our thoughts and that interior world we attempt to recreate on paper for the exterior world to meet.

How ironic that, in the two years since Kristina Skaggs and I founded the group, we'd truly become a group, bound by love for the writing craft, because ages, backgrounds, and individual interests are so varied, they alone would be sufficient to separate us, again by the average clique standards.

By ours, those dynamics enhance and strengthen the very fabric of our group and foster the spirit of encouragement that is ever present at our meetings.

Right on, WriteOn!

 

Meet My Cats

I often mention my cats, so I figured you'd like to meet them.

 

 

The first is Frances, a 9 month old stray wearing a red jingle bell collar, that wandered into our yard in October, 2005. She is very clean and very aloof but very attached to us at the same time. She used to cross the line on the electric fence to roam the neighborhood and canal and then take the shock to recross it to come home, where she knew she belonged.

 

 

 

 

Second was Midnight, a 4 pound, skittish stray that my son rescued in early 2007 and persuaded us to take. She was full of ear mites and tapeworms; we did not expect her to survive. But survive she did, and before Midnight was healthy enough to be spayed, she sneaked out of the house and conceived Faith, Hope, and Charity

 

 

 

 

Like, her mother, Faith is very skittish. She has a nervous tic, and she squeaks. Faith lets me share my desk chair, and, if I'm foolish enough to leave ice water unsupervised, she will dip her paw into my glass to play with the ice. She also embellishes my stories with typewritten words of her own, again, when I'm so careless as to walk away from my computer and leave the screen open.

 

 

 

 

Hope is our "Babe Didrickson" of cats. She is very athletic, very smart, very independent, and very mellow. She likes to think she's "top dog" and advances on Frances when I recite the cats' mealtime prayer. We quickly send Hope back to her place. Frances is first, always has been and always will.

 

 

Charity, our cat that used up all nine lives, with Rebekah in the background.

http://bryonyseries.blogspot.com/2013/05/goodbye-charity.html

 



Alex belonged to my oldest son, Christopher Baran, owner of Channahon Computer Repair. Alex is the sweetest, most friendliest, most loving cat you'd ever wish to meet. He snuggled with me at bedtime and guarded me while I slept, with one paw resting gently on my forearm. Unfortunately, my cats did not accept him, and he now has a new home.