BatWorld - Lil Drac's morning treat

BatWorldSanctuary-Lil-Drac,Part II

BatWorldSanctuary - Lil' Drac

Ed Calkins Speaks Out on "Visage."

Dear MOMI:

Wow!

I'm not finished reading Visage, and I'm already rereading it. I think you may have a hit here. What's the other feedback?

 

My wife and sister-in-law think its about the same as Bryony (They liked it, but didn't put it among the best they've read). I feel differently.

 

Like I said, I'm rereading much of the front, trying to prove or dismiss some of the theories I have that you may or may not have intended. I find this a much better book then the first. I don't want to be in left field when the "book club" (my extended family) meets.

Let me know about other feedback.

 

Yours ruthlessly,

 

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

"Palm Sunday" by Christina Rosetti and Story Round Up

Palm Sunday by Christina Rosetti



I lift mine eyes, and see
Thee, tender Lord, in pain upon the tree,
Athirst for my sake and athirst for me.

"Yea, look upon Me there,
Compassed with thorns and bleeding everywhere,
For thy sake bearing all, and glad to bear."

I lift my heart to pray:
Thou Who didst love me all that darkened day,
Wilt Thou not love me to the end alway?

"Yea, thee My wandering sheep,
Yea, thee My scarlet sinner slow to weep,
Come to Me, I will love thee and will keep."

Yet am I racked with fear:
Behold the unending outer darkness drear,
Behold the gulf unbridgeable and near!

"Nay, fix thy heart, thine eyes,
Thy hope upon My boundless sacrifice:
Will I lose lightly one so dear-bought prize?"

Ah, Lord; it is not Thou,
Thou that wilt fail; yet woe is me, for how
Shall I endure who half am failing now?

"Nay, weld thy resolute will
To Mine: glance not aside for good or ill:
I love thee; trust Me still and love Me still."

Yet Thou Thyself hast said,
When Thou shalt sift the living from the dead
Some must depart shamed and uncomforted.

"Judge not before that day:
Trust Me with all thy heart, even tho' I slay:
Trust Me in love, trust on, love on, and pray."

 

 

 

Below are stories that ran in this week's Herald News

 

 

Faith all day, every day

 

An enterprising way to distribute and obtain Christian content.

 

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19417399-423/faith-all-day-every-day.html

 

 

Plainfield woman had no regrets, no sorrow

 

Few people have wrung as much enjoyment from life as Margie Fishbeck.

 

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/19588291-418/plainfield-woman-had-no-regrets-no-sorrow.html

 

 

Lockport pastor's "comfrot dog" trains for rescue

 

Rev. Mark Hein and his Golden Retriever Samuel spent this past week comforting explosion victims in Texas. But "comforting" is only one of Samuel's abilities.

 

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19666421-423/lockport-pastors-comfort-dog-trains-for-rescue.html

 

 

 

Four-Step Recipe for a Miracle

1) Take an impossible need,

2) Ask God to supply it.

3) Thankfully accept the gift.

4) Repeat as necessary.


Yes, we are having a good day today. :)

Victorian Coloring Book

A really awesome link for the young or the young at heart.

And yes, I'll be printing out and coloring a few of these.

http://missmary.com/category/printable-coloring-pages/

Art Attack - Salt Vampire

White Space

Discouraging day, sooooooooo....

I put a little space between work and me.

After my ninety minute minute power walk, I ran two errands in town on foot, the advantage of being car-less.

Have an art project that's currently absorbing more than editing Staked! (if you can believe that), so I caught up on that this evening. Heck, I even (sort of) cleaned up after it.

Finally did finish Visage. Thought about posting a review on Wednesday, but it took me so long to read it, I might try to gobble it down in a single weekend before I write that review.

Gobbledy-gook, I know. Kinda matches the art project.

'Night, all.

 

Three Great Quotes

“If you don’t take charge of shaping your own destiny, others will apply their agenda to you.” – Eric Allenbaugh

“We will receive not what we idly wish for but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service.” – Earl Nightingale

“Risk more than others think is safe.
Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.”
- Claude T. Bissell

National Geographic Vampire Skeletons Mystery 2012 HDTV

"The Rain" (author unknown) and Story Round Up

The Rain (author unknown)

First appeared in Uncle Herbert’s Speaker and Autograph-Album Verses, 1887.


Dear rain, without your help, I Know,
The trees and flowers could not grow,
My roses all would fade and die,
If you staid up behind the sky!

But lonely little girls like me
Don’t like to stay indoors, you see,
And through the long and lonesome day—
I’m tired of books, I’m tired of play.

I’m tired of listening to the sound
Of pattering drops upon the ground,
And watching through the misty pane
The clouded skies, O dreary rain!

And so I wish you’d tell me why,
Just to please me, you couldn’t try
To let the bright sun shine all day,
And in the night, when he’s away,

And all the world is dark and still.
And I’m asleep—then, if you will,
Come down and make my flowers grow,
Dear rain, and I will love you so.


Below are links to stories that ran in this week's Herald News.


Joliet man always found time to help

After Daniel Robinson shed excess pounds through weight loss surgery, he expanded the ways he could help others, from entertaining through karaoke to volunteering at a food pantry and with disabled children.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19436213-423/joliet-man-always-found-time-to-help.html


Volunteer wants tougher animal abuse laws

After seeing the severe abuse a pregnant Pit Bull sustained before she died, a Manhattan volunteer is determined to makes changes to the system.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19437561-423/volunteer-wants-tougher-animal-abuse-laws.html


The debate over hormones

For women that need hormone replacement therapy, which is better: traditional or bioidentical? For one New Lenox woman who experienced cripping menopausal symptoms following a complete hysterectomy, the choice is simple.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19208707-423/the-debate-over-hormones.html


New technology can ease burden for caregivers

Simple, affordable devices make caring for a loved one at home simpler than ever, as well as bestsow a new sense of freedom for the giver and the receiver of that care.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19438763-423/new-technology-can-ease-burden-for-caregivers.html


Local runners react to bombings

Fortunately, these competitors had long since cleared the finish line before the explosions began. Nevertheless, the bombings deeply impacted them.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19438763-423/new-technology-can-ease-burden-for-caregivers.html


Event lends a helping hand

Annual charity event gives away plenty of freebies to people in need, no questions asked. Where else can one receive a free "shepherd?"

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/19417526-418/event-lends-a-helping-hand.html


Will county model RR hosts open house

Still longing for a train set of your own? It's never too late. Here's how you can get started.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/19498681-418/will-model-rr-club-hosts-open-house.html


Forum aims to raise heroin awareness

This is a story to read. You'll be surprised at the information contained therein. I certainly was.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/19499548-418/forum-aims-to-raise-heroin-awareness.html


A youthful inspiration

What started as a series of stories to entertain and inspire this Plainfield man's young granddaughter is now a published book.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19374369-423/a-youthful-inspiration.html


Road closures, flooding abounds in Joliet area

Torrential rains have made their mark. Even my son and his family was evacuated.
I was a contributor to this story.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/news/19573029-418/road-closures-flooding-abound-in-joliet-area.html




 

Tudor Park Flooding

Darn Good Diners - Best Food Ever - TLC Documentary

Guest Post by Sir Frederick Chook: "Ramblin' Allegorical Fiction Blues"

Ramblin’ Allegorical Fiction Blues by Sir Frederick Chook
Penned upon the 10th of September, 2008
First appeared in FrillyShirt (www.frillyshirt.org).

 

I’ve been thinking about the practices of fiction. I love a good story, but I’m rather picky – and I think fiction too often gets bogged down in plot, plot, plot. A good plot can be a powerful thing, of course, but I like stories that have some character to them, and some meaning. Fiction, like all art forms, is a way of exploring the edges of our knowledge, of experimenting and learning, and I don’t mind if a story is a real-world issue manifested in another form. The more that’s the case, the more risk of something becoming shallow and preachy, of course, but when it’s done well is when classics are created.

Science fiction is one genre that, archetypally, tends to be more allegorical than most. Scifi takes some aspect of human society – past, present, or a possible future – and makes it solid in a constructed setting. Usually, the theme will be some aspect of technological or economic change, and its ramifications, but as scifi becomes evermore popular, it’s not unheard of for the science aspects to be backgrounded in favour of some other commentary which just happens to be in space. Or for plot, plot, plot! – but hey, that pops up everywhere. I’ve ruminated thoroughly before on steampunk in particular, and how, along with all the punk genres, it’s rooted in this same social commentary with an acerbic critical edge – and, naturally, how that’s kind of been lost in a lot of empty spectacle, giant monarchical robots and top-hatted aristos sipping steam-powered tea and nibbling clockwork currant buns.

Despite all this, there’s no reason why allegorical scifi, even steampunk – and without falling into endless decade-by-decade derivations, clockpunk and waterwheelpunk and transatlantictelegraphpunk – can’t still make an excellent, fresh, engaging story. Leave the spectacle behind and ponder – what developments might we see in the next hundred years or so? How about gravity boots? It’s tempting to give them to a wall-hopping laser pirate, but considering the energy costs of such things, it would probably be more efficient to keep them to industrial usage – perhaps in construction! Interplanetary colonisation would surely mean a new boom in the construction industry, which is interesting, considering the current divide between scientific powers and manufacturing powers.

Already we’ve got a story of class going, and the strong motif of a construction crew, working on a beam high above a budding city, like in an early 20th century photograph. We can wax speculative about the practicalities of their gravity boots – they’d need safety features, like an emergency stabiliser which freezes them in place in case they slip while standing sideways, high above the ground. We could contrast this model of workplace with a more European, artisinal model, too – perhaps there are national rivalries, between the rough-hewn, efficient building crews and the artistic, painstaking crafters who cling to the ceiling for days, installing grand murals. We could even call out to artists like Diego Rivera, who combined both! And I mentioned colonisation – that’s a whole ecological background story in itself!

I’m sure there are plenty of readers who prefer the plot and grandeur – who want the hero to turn out to be the long-lost prince who leads the galaxy to victory, and who would be bored spoutless by a story about floating builders’ labourers. Still, I think the best stories let you take away more than “it’s about someone who’s really brave and saves the day” or even “someone whose qualities come to naught and who suffers tragically in an interesting way.” A little social critique, some waxing lyrical on the human condition. Look at Firefly – a scifi western with some enormously strong episodes exploring, say, the existential concept of bad faith. Joss Whedon and his crew having some of the finest aesthetic senses in modern televistion probably helps, of course – but “extremely beautiful outfits, props and sets in Joss Whedon productions” is a post for another day.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sir Frederick Chook is a foppish, transcendentalistic historian who lives variously by his wits, hand to mouth, la vie bohème, and in Melbourne with his wife, Lady Tanah Merah.

When not reading Milton and eating Stilton, he writes, ponders, models, delves into dusty archives, and gads about town. He has dabbled in student radio and in national politics, and is presently studying the ways of the shirt-sleeved archivist. He is a longhair, aspiring to one day be a greybeard. He has, once or twice, been described as “as mad as a bicycle.”

FrillyShirt is a compilation of articles, essays, reviews, photographs, artworks, question-and-answers, promotions, travelogues, diatribes, spirit journeys, cartoons, ululations and celebrations by Sir Frederick, his friends and contributing readers. Irregularly regular features include Teacup in a Storm, an etiquette column, and How to be Lovely, advanced speculations on the aesthetics of the self.

Other topics that pop up include fun things in and around Melbourne, art, nature, history, politics and schnauzers. Sir Frederick’s favorite color is all of them. Enjoy his writing? Drop him a telegram at fredchook@frillyshirt.org.

 

 

 

 

Relaxation Music - 1 Hour Meditation Candle

Luan Parle - Ghost - Official Music Video

Timothy Entertains the Cleanup Crew at Tonight's Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser

"What of the Wanderers" by Jennifer Russ and Story Round-Up

What of the Wanderers by Jennifer Russ


What of the wanderers?
You know who I'm talking about.
The ones who start as leaves upon the oaks
And ride the wind forever, refusing to hold on too tightly to their roots.
Tossed and mangled by the elements, it is a rough journey to the very last.
You see, they die quickly, those wanderers, but oh!
The sights they observe along the way.


Jennifer Russ is the author of Whitewallsville, the story of a successful middle-aged man that encounters a life crisis, attemps suicide, and becomes a patient in a mental institution, where he once again learns how to choose life.

For more information, visit www.jenniferruss.info or read Russ' blog at www.agirlandherbuddha.wordpress.com


Below are my stories that ran in this week's Herald News


Walking for the children

Raising premature twins keeps this Joliet couple's hands full...but not so full that they won't give back to help others.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19007345-423/walking-for-the-children.html


Joliet resident loved competition

Kathy Oliver Newman was a winner, whether she was engaged in sports or setting an example of generosity and excellance for others.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19289752-423/joliet-resident-loved-competition.html


All in for animal rights

Meet a woman who speaks up for creatures that can't defennd their right to quality of life.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19270750-423/all-in-for-animal-rights.html


Art as a means to help heal

Many people reached out to the Newtown victims last December, but this Joliet pastor is doing more than praying and offering support. He's creating and displaying tangile artwork to facilitate healing, and he's encouraging others to make art, too.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19290085-423/art-as-a-mean-to-help-heal.html


Be wined and dined at JJC

Looking for an outstanding dining experience next weekend? Then check out this one. You'll not only enjoy a superb meal, you'll be helping up and coming chefs with their educational expenses.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19417045-423/be-wined-and-dined-at-jjc.html

Vampire bat food sharing (explained by David Attenborough)

Fired Earth Music - Waltz With Vampires

Bluefly: Killer Vampire Fashion

Vampire Art

Dark music - Dusk

 

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara: There Will be No Trip to Rome (and my reply)

 

Dear MOMI (Mistress of My Immortality):

I'm sure you're both surprised and hurt by the fact that you were passed over in the papal election. Let me explain as few men could.

My sources tell me that once all the cardinals were secured in that ancient chapel, the word went out that the safest choice for Pope was a Orthodox female author and writer of African decent. Opposition to this breach of tradition was quickly squashed, but the word then went out that this woman (you, MOMI) was from South Africa.

Most unfortunately, it was known by the geographically savy cardinals that such a woman was likely Zulu, which even geographically ignorant cardinals would know well that Zulu women, even those who convert to Catholicism, consider it unvirtuous to cover thier breasts.

They would not think this if they only remembered that the College of Cardinals ferociously debated its acceptability within the Christian faith. In a (rare) progressive spirit, the college agreed that such omission of a top, in the climate of the culture, was neither unmodest nor unwarrantly seductive.

However in the conclave, just the notion of a female, topless Pope induced several heart attacks. The lone cardinal cardiologist went into overdrive following this rumor. Soon, just the mention of Africa was producing near fatal elevations in blood pressure among the more imaginative.

Within an hour, a consenus formed that perhaps it was more dangerous to expect such, well, easily excitable elderly men to embrace a topless Pope (so to speak) then it was to slight the will of the IVA. It was under the threat of heart attacjs that a more traditional, conservative (one not resembling a Zulu woman) was hastily elected. I'm afraid Rome is not prepared for a change in the costume of its head bishop.

If it makes you feel better, Las Vegas had a different reaction to the idea. This devolpment leaves your rejection of my marriage proposal still unresolved. Would you consider becoming a nun?

P.S. This whole thing could have been avoided had you made the trip to Rome, signed an affidavit stating you do not view wearing a top as a vice, and threatened the cardinals with a limerick if they didn't vote our way.

Yours ruthlessly,

Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara

O Steward:

The cardinals were misinformed and made a rash judgment call based on outdated information.

I was a breastfeeding mom for sixteen years. If they had observed the photographs more closely, they would have noted a child in the act of feeding. All of the children are now weaned, given the fact their age ranges are from 31 to 17, so no more public baring of breasts.

MOMI

"Their Favorite Pet" by Allie Rios and Story Round-Up

Their Favorite Pet by Allie Rios

 
She rises with the morning sun

Yet doesn’t make a sound;

She tiptoes, checking on the brood

Paws hardly touching ground.

Sometimes she feels forgotten

As they’re running out the door,

All day she’s waiting anxiously

To see them all once more.

She’s toted where the family goes—

To work, to parks, to sports;

She protects and watches over them

On duty to report.

Her hair could use a brushing

Since it’s been a week or two;

But someone’s always busy,

There’s always one more thing to do.

When it’s time to potty

She’s been holding it awhile;

Her nails are painted sloppy pink

By a toddler with a smile.

She’s dressed in fluffy clothing

Of the princess variety

By a four-year-old fashionista

Who wants her “friend” to come to tea.

She gets to eat when she’s remembered,

But more often than not

She’s scavenging what’s left behind

From plate or bowl or pot.

They use her as a pillow

As they pull and poke and tug;

Yet I’ll treasure being their favorite pet

For I get their biggest hugs.


About the author: Allie Rios is the author of The Touch, the story of a man that can take away illness with the touch of a finger...but only when he is allowed to do so. Visit Rios at www.facebook.com/HealersandGrims.


Here are my stories published this week in the Heald News.


The drive to be a collector

What started as a simple wish to own all the accesssories of his Mustang became an extensive city vehicle sticker and license plate collection.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19120763-423/the-drive-to-be-a-collector.html


Dowse would drop anything she was doing to help anyone

Before becoming that type of administrator, Sue Dowse was an elementary school science teacher with a passion for hands-on learning. Her school and community are now raising money to build an outdoor educational center in her memory.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19007132-423/dowse-would-drop-anything-she-was-doing-to-help-anyone.html


Determined to move forward

Kate Mullen can't wait to finish to her treatments for Hodgkins lymphoma so she can continue her education in Joliet Junior College's veterinary medical technology program and attain her goal of becoming a wildlife rehabilitator

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19161068-423/determined-to-move-forward.html


Kids go all in for the cause

Although they're only 11 and 9, Kalli and Tyler know firsthand the importance of helping others, especially cancer patients.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19161018-423/kids-go-all-in-for-the-cause.html


Irish sounds hitting town

An evening Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara would be proud to attend, featuring two talented young women returning to their hometown.

http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/19232063-423/irish-sounds-hitting-town.html

 

 

How Victorians Used Leftovers: Three Recipes

I can't imagine the cooking staff at Simons Mansion serving up any of these dishes, but it's totally plausible Bryony ate them as a little girl growing up in a parsonage with Mrs. Bertha Parks as housekeeper.

The following recipes are adapted from Miss Beecher’s domestic receiptbook: designed as a supplement to her Treatise on domestic economy.


Pork and Potato Balls

Take chopped ham and combine with chopped cold potatoes; mix in egg, a little salt and pepper. Shape into balls and cook in a skillet.


A Good Way to Use Cold Rice

Heat rice in milk and then add a well-beaten egg or two, a little salt, butter, and sugar. Boil it up once and then grate on nutmeg.


A Good Pudding

Line a buttered dish with slices of wheat bread, first dipped in milk. Fill the dish with sliced apple and add sugar and spice. Cover with slices of bread soaked in milk, cover, and bake on low heat for three hours.

 

Have You Seen the "Bryony" Trailer?

 

Guest Post by Sir Frederick Chook: Conversations Held From Top-Floor Windows, Part One

Conversations Held From Top-Floor Windows, Part One, By Sir Frederick Chook

Penned upon the 6th of March, 2013

First appeared in FrillyShirt (www.frillyshirt.org).

 

First Swell: I say! Noodle, is that you?

Second Swell: Eh, what? Puffin, my dear fellow, is that you up there?

First: Yes! I’m sorry, I can’t come down – I’m in a deal of bother!

Second: Y’don’t say – anything I can help you with?

First: Well, I was hoping you’d offer – y’see, we’ve just had a chap in to install the new telephone-

Second: Oh, very smart!

First: Yes, I was keen on it, and so was Millie. But the chap’s been and gone, and I can’t find where he’s put the bally thing!

Second: You’ve lost your new ‘phone? That’s a deuce of a problem, old horse. What can I do?

First: Well, I thought if you stuck your head into the post office on the corner, and asked them to put a call through to my place, I might be able to locate it by the sound of the ringing bell.

Second: Damn good idea. Alright, Puffin, stay put, I shan’t be a jiff. (A little over a jiff passes.) Alright, they’re putting the call through now! Can you hear it?

First: I can definitely hear something… it seems to be coming from downstairs. (Head disappears; reappears at a middle-floor window.) The ringing seems to be coming from the butler’s pantry.

Second: Ah, so you’ve found it, then – excellent!

First: Only problem is, I’m not quite sure how to get into the butler’s pantry – I’ve only ever glimpsed it through the serving-hatch when he’s got me a sandwich at night. There are an awful lot of doors… I think I’m going to have to try climbing down the dumbwaiter.

Second: Is that entirely wise, old sausage?

First: I fear not, but it’s the only plan I’ve got. If you don’t hear from me within a quarter of an hour, er…
Second: Shall I call for Millie?

First: Heavens, no; if she found me in the dumbwaiter, she’d probably eat me. You stand watch, and if you don’t hear from me… you use your discretion and better judgement!

Second: Right-ho; best of luck and all that. …Puffin? Are you still there? Can you hear me? …I think what I ought to do is run and ring up the fire department. That all right? Tell you what, I’ll go do that, and if you’re fine and don’t need help… give me a call.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sir Frederick Chook is a foppish, transcendentalistic historian who lives variously by his wits, hand to mouth, la vie bohème, and in Melbourne with his wife, Lady Tanah Merah.

When not reading Milton and eating Stilton, he writes, ponders, models, delves into dusty archives, and gads about town. He has dabbled in student radio and in national politics, and is presently studying the ways of the shirt-sleeved archivist. He is a longhair, aspiring to one day be a greybeard. He has, once or twice, been described as “as mad as a bicycle.”

FrillyShirt is a compilation of articles, essays, reviews, photographs, artworks, question-and-answers, promotions, travelogues, diatribes, spirit journeys, cartoons, ululations and celebrations by Sir Frederick, his friends and contributing readers. Irregularly regular features include Teacup in a Storm, an etiquette column, and How to be Lovely, advanced speculations on the aesthetics of the self.

Other topics that pop up include fun things in and around Melbourne, art, nature, history, politics and schnauzers. Sir Frederick’s favorite color is all of them. Enjoy his writing? Drop him a telegram at fredchook@frillyshirt.org.

 

The Ol' Vampire Fatigue is Sucking the Energy Out of Me Tonight

Still, I can take satisfaction in a highly productive day replete with several blessings:

   * the arrival of a small, but totally unexpected calvary check (A "calvary check" is one that saves the day, LOL).

   *  two ingenius sons (the long and the short, i.e. the oldest and youngest) who performed spring cleaning over the house in one hour flat by utilizing an air compressor. Don't ask. I wasn't home to witness it (Thank goodness).

   *  I plunged deeply into chapter fourteen of Staked! and read quite a bit ahead.

   *  Easter candy on sale (and a teen daughter willing to put up her money to acquire it). As Eastern Orthodox Christians, our Easter (Pascha) isn't until May fifth this year. Paying next to nothing for jelly beans and marshmallow eggs is just one of the advantages of belonging to this most ancient expression of faith.

I'm sure there's more, but my brain is just too soft to remember them all. Signing off and climbing into bed with Visage.