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– Bonterra Resources Inc. (TSX-V: BTR, US: BONXF, FSE: 9BR1) (the "Company" or "Bonterra") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $21,495,000 (the "Offering"). Sprott Capital Partners acted as lead agent on behalf of a syndicate of agents which included INFOR Financial Inc., Red Cloud Klondike Strike Inc., Laurentian Bank Securities Inc. and PI Financial Corp. (collectively, the "Agents").
Pursuant to the Offering, Bonterra issued 13,300,000 common shares of the Company on a flow‑through basis ("Super FT Shares") at a price of $0.75 per Super FT Share and 19,200,000 common shares of the Company on a flow-through basis ("National FT Shares") at a price of $0.60 per National FT Share. Collectively the Super FT Shares and FT Shares are the "Offered Securities".
The gross proceeds from the issuance of the Offered Securities will be used for Canadian Exploration Expenses and will qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures", as defined in subsection 127(9) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Super FT Shares will also qualify for the two 10% enhancements under section 726.4.9 and section 7126.96.36.199 of the Quebec Taxation Act, which will be renounced with an effective date no later than December 31, 2018 to the initial purchasers of the Offered Securities in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised.
In connection with the Offering, the Agents received a cash fee in an amount equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. As additional consideration, the Company granted to the Agents common share purchase warrants (the "Broker Warrants") entitling the Agents to subscribe for that number of common shares equal to 4.0% of the aggregate number of Offered Securities placed in the Offering. Each Broker Warrant is exercisable to acquire one common share at a price equal to $0.60 for a period of 24 months after the closing date. All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a four month hold period from the date of issue in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Offering is subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.
Nav Dhaliwal, President & CEO
Bonterra Resources Inc.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the use of proceeds of the Offering, the future renunciation of Canadian Exploration Expenses that are flow-through mining expenditures, the tax treatment of the Offered Securities, the future performance of our business, its operations and its financial performance and condition, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the future tax treatment of the Offered Securities, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
SOURCE Bonterra Resources Inc.
For further information: contact Investor Relations: Telephone: 1 844 233 2034, Email: firstname.lastname@example.com, Website: www.bonterraresources.com


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Slam dunk! New York Knicks player Amar'e Stoudemire married Alexis Welch, the mother of his four children on Saturday, June 29, 2013, in Miami, Fla., his rep confirms to Us Weekly exclusively.
Although the pair were legally married in their New York City apartment on 12/12/12, they wanted to throw a huge wedding reception to celebrate. "This is fairy tale amazing down to every last detail," a source tells Us of the beautiful event that took place at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, with the couple's guests staying at Fontainebleau hotel.
Indeed, guests included most of the Knicks, including Carmelo Anthony, as well as Spanx creator Sarah Blakely and her husband Jessie Itzler, among others.
"The ceremony was beautiful," another insider tells Us. "There wasn't a dry eye in the place. Amazing venue, food was awesome."
The couple's children: daughters Assata and Ar'e, and two sons, Amar'e, and their newborn boy (who was born in May), were all a part of the wedding party.
Oprah Winfrey's famed event planner, Colin Cowie, and his team planned the whole weekend for the star-studded guests. A source tells Us that the bride wore a J'Anton wedding gown and a Oscar de la Renta reception gown and was joined by six bridesmaids.
The NBA all-star player, 30, wore a Calvin Klein Collection wedding suit and a Lanvin reception suit, complete with a red jacket. He was joined by 11 groomsmen.
The couple met in 2002 after Stoudemire was drafted by the Phoenix Suns. They got engaged in Paris in June 2012.
For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on YouTube!

subset: commoncrawl


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The choice of varied shoes is essential to provide versatility to your taste in dress. Today, all kinds of wedding shoes can be found in the industry. For example, the bridal shoes need not be just white but the colors of blue bridal shoes are also very elegant and can be tried. If you search for them, you will find different types of wedding shoes in the market.
Shoes have developed into a method to express one's artistic passion. In addition, like any other, shoes should also be new. Blue shoes are ideal for a classy look and really unbearable.
High heels can be glamorous, but they are not always comfortable, especially for long clothing. Needless to say, you can choose high heels. Low or medium heeled shoes may also be glamorous if you can choose them correctly.
The important thing when choosing your wedding shoes is the style that suits your taste. In addition, you can find out whether the shoes you want to buy feels comfortable or not after wearing them. If you want to make it relatively easy, look for Renaissance style wedding shoes with an elegant blue color.
In search of your something blue? Walk down the aisle in a pair of cobalt, navy, or royal blue heels. See this inspiration to make your appearance even more amazing


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Innis Irene Bridges
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Innis Irene Bridges, 93, of Leachville, widow of John Bridges, passed from this life Friday Sept. 12, 2014, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center. Born Jan. 22, 1921, she is the daughter of the late T.C. and Mollie Leonard Owens. She was a lifelong Leachville resident and a member of the Rowe's Chapel Baptist Church near Caraway...
Emma Jo Masner Conner
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Emma Jo Masner Conner, 95, of Jonesboro passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, at Flo & Phil Jones Hospice House. She was born Nov. 17, 1918, in Poplar Ridge to the late Elmore and Meldora Masner. She was a retired teacher and a member of the Monette First Baptist Church. Mrs. Emma Jo enjoyed walking and hiking and loved her family...
Deborah Carol Sexton
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Deborah Carol Sexton, 51, of Lake City, formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Sunday Sept. 14, 2014, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro. Born Oct. 11, 1962, in Morrison, Ill., she was the daughter of the late Larry Drury and had lived much of her life in Leachville. She was a secretary for Home Oil Company and had lived in Lake City for the past 15 years...
City to seek bids for street work in several areas
(Local News ~ 09/15/14)
The Blytheville Streets and Drainage Committee agreed to solicit bids for work in several areas in town.
DAR, library celebrating Constitution Week
(Community News ~ 09/15/14)
Charlevoix Chapter DAR and the Mississippi County Library System have arranged a special exhibit honoring U.S Constitution week, Sept. 17-23.
Things all parents should teach their kids
(Letter to the Editor ~ 09/15/14)
"Parents, teach your children well." Many of you won't recognize that -- it is from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young around 1970. It's good advice -- if you want your children to know a lot of things, you have to start at home. Many things never were taught in school, or are not now. OK, here's a list of things to "teach your children well."...
Closing Osceola hospital isn't the answer
(Letter to the Editor ~ 09/15/14)
In response to Mr. William Masterson's letter, "County can't afford two hospitals." While he is doing all his research, does he know how many times Mayor Dickie Kennemore of Osceola all but got on his knees and begged for the county to let the city of Osceola take over and run our hospital? You would think that would be the solution so the Blytheville Hospital System would no longer have to support a so-called losing facility. But no! That never happened!...
A few comments on the critter twitter
(Column ~ 09/15/14)
There have been a couple of stories that have come through the various news agencies over the past couple of weeks about caterpillars.
Deborah Carol Sexton
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Deborah Carol Sexton, 51, of Lake City, formerly of Leachville, passed from this life Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro.
Gary Wayne Riggs
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Gary Wayne Riggs, 61, Blytheville, died Friday, September 12, 2014 at St. Bernard's Hospital Jonesboro.
Sandra Kay Gordy
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Mrs. Sandra Kay Gordy, 65, of Blytheville, passed away Friday night, Sept. 12, 2014, at Portageville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Innis Irene Bridges
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Innis Irene Bridges, 93, of Leachville, widow of John Bridges, passed from this life Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, at the Monette Manor Nursing Center.
Marti Shields Bearden
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Marti Shields Bearden, 46, of Blytheville, passed from this life Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, at the Conway Regional Medical Center in Conway, Arkansas.
Evelyn Isabelle Bronaugh
(Obituary ~ 09/15/14)
Evelyn Isabelle Bronaugh, 88, of Monette, died Sept. 12, 2014, at Lakeside Nursing Center in Lake City. She was born April 1926 in Leachville to the late Clyde and Martha Ramsey and raised in Monette by her grandmother, Anner Lee Ramsey. ...
Shelter Stories -- 9/16/14
(Community News ~ 09/15/14)
Bellemy came to the Blytheville Humane Society with a hurt paw and the doctor said it had been broken for a while. When the little guy realizes it no longer hurts, he will walk normally. He is at the shelter which is open Tuesday through Saturday from 1-5 p.m., and Sunday from 2-5 p.m...
Blytheville, Manila school board elections Tuesday
(Local News ~ 09/15/14)
Polls will be open in Blytheville and Manila all day Tuesday for school board election day.
City failed to pay excise taxes since 2004
(Local News ~ 09/15/14)
The city of Blytheville has self-reported a failure to pay trash and sanitation excise taxes, an issue that has been ongoing since 2004, according to Mayor James Sanders.
Local football teams off to best collective start since '08
(High School Sports ~ 09/15/14)
Prep football is in its second week and there is plenty to be excited about around this end of the county.
City may have been shorted revenue from AT&T
(Local News ~ 09/15/14)
The city of Blytheville may have been shorted revenue from AT&T over the past three years.
Armorel gets high grades on 2013-14 tests
(Local News ~ 09/15/14)
The Armorel school district received high grades on 2013-14 state assessments. Superintendent Sally Bennett showed the results of last year's test scores to the school board at Monday night's meeting.
KIPP buying vacant Central Elementary building
(Local News ~ 09/15/14)
KIPP Blytheville College Preparatory school is getting ready for some future expansions after buying the former Blytheville Central Elementary school building, which will eventually be used to house KIPP's lower grade levels.
Stories from Monday, September 15, 2014
Browse other days


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For Some Dead Brands, a Tortuous Path to Resurrection
At a time when bankruptcy auctions are filled with sad tales of beleaguered brands, snagging a well-known name for pennies on the dollar can seem like a sure bet for ambitious investors.
Yet, as Stephen F. Heese and Stephen M. Julius describe, buying the rights to a name and restarting operations requires years of dedication.
The two, who were classmates at Harvard Business School in the 1980s, manage their own capital at Stellican, an investment firm. Their goal: to seek out so-called heritage brands — those remembered for their high quality and authenticity — and rebuild a company. One project is the revival of Chris-Craft, once the largest pleasure boat manufacturer in the United States.
The notion of buying and resurrecting a beloved brand can be appealing across product categories, as reflected by the current bidding dance for Hostess or the woefully long ordeal of Saab, which was sold to Chinese and Japanese investors last year.
Chris-Craft, which Stellican now operates, was known for its meticulous design and use of wood and chrome. Its boats were widely sought after and associated with the many celebrities and public figures who owned them, including Katharine Hepburn, Frank Sinatra and Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy. That image made it appealing to Stellican's principals.
Yet, while nostalgia can be a powerful marketing tool, business school case studies are filled with would-be white knights that needed more than money to succeed. For example, Excelsior Henderson, a motorcycle maker twice rescued from bankruptcy, ultimately failed. Yet, Triumph Motorcycles was revived in 1984 and has operated since.
"Brands are not like tech start-ups where there is a template — X number of years to prototype, X number of years to harvest," said Nancy F. Koehn, a Harvard Business School marketing professor. "A big piece of it is art; there's an alchemy to it."
The death and rebirth of Chris-Craft played out over decades. The company was founded by Christopher Columbus Smith, who built his first vessel in 1874 and soon developed a reputation as a master. The Smith family sold Chris-Craft in 1960, around the time fiberglass began displacing wood as the material of choice for boats.
By 1968, Chris-Craft had been sold to the media mogul Herb Siegel. It stopped making wood boats, and expanded beyond powerboats, adding sailboats and houseboats to its offerings. Market share and profits declined.
Enter Stellican. Mr. Julius, with assistance from Mr. Heese, had previously resuscitated Riva, a premium Italian boat maker, in 1998. He sold it to the Italian yacht company Ferretti Group in 2000.
Before joining forces for the Riva deal, Mr. Julius and Mr. Heese took different paths after Harvard. Mr. Julius started his career with the Boston Consulting Group and eventually moved to London. Mr. Heese, a certified public accountant by training, headed to what was then Price Waterhouse and later to the Erico International Corporation, a privately held manufacturer of electrical and mechanical hardware.
In 1991, Mr. Julius formed Stellican as an advisory and investment vehicle for his family's assets. In 1998, while living in Italy, he called Mr. Heese, who was in the United States, to ask if he could help set up distribution in the United States for Riva. Mr. Heese officially joined Stellican in 2001, and the partners began work on the Chris-Craft deal.
Although the two would not discuss their firm's financial returns, they say they expect internal return rates higher than 35 percent on their investments.
Stellican owns no more than two companies at once, and typically has an investment ceiling of $ 10 million. "We put all our eggs in one or two baskets," Mr. Julius said.
Chris-Craft's path to revival was tortuous. In 1981, the Chris-Craft boatyard was bought by G. Dale Murray, but Mr. Siegel retained rights to the Chris-Craft name.
Mr. Murray's company went bankrupt in 1988, and was bought by the Outboard Marine Corporation, which sold several brands of boats as well as outboard engines, before going bankrupt in 2001. After Mr. Heese read about the bankruptcy, he contacted Mr. Julius.
Stellican acquired the assets of Chris-Craft (finished and unfinished boats) and the trademark for the name in separate transactions. The complicated process of acquiring the assets included a 12-hour, 20-way auction held in a conference room at the Chicago office of the law firm Skadden, Arps, Meagher, Slate & Flom.
Four hundred industry players gathered, all competing for the Chris-Craft assets. Mr. Julius, bidding on behalf of Stellican, lost out to the owner of Genmar Industries, Irwin Jacobs, who had teamed up with Bombardier to buy all of Outboard Marine's assets for $ 95 million.
As he left the room, Mr. Julius told Mr. Jacobs to call him if he ever wanted to sell Chris-Craft. That call came just days later. In March 2001, Stellican bought the Chris-Craft assets from Genmar for $ 5 million.
Acquiring the Chris-Craft name, which was still owned by Mr. Siegel, was next. But Mr. Siegel refused to sell the name rights to Stellican. So, when Mr. Julius learned Mr. Siegel was in the process of selling his media company, Chris-Craft Industries, to Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation, he approached Mr. Murdoch directly.
They reached a deal that enabled Stellican to buy the brand for $ 5 million.
Restarting operations was a bit more daunting. During the decades when Chris-Craft languished, its products had become middle market, Mr. Julius said. Scrapping the old product line was Stellican's first order of business.
"It was always, 'I remember,' followed by a smile and a positive memory," he said. Chris-Craft evoked the innocence and promise of post-World War II America — and Henry Fonda piloting a 1950s model in "On Golden Pond." Building products that fulfilled that promise became their mantra, Mr. Heese said.
Restoring Chris-Craft also required rebuilding its dealer network. Mr. Julius said that dealers were initially skeptical that the type of customer he described — one obsessed with beauty and performance, not price — existed. The company makes 20- to 36-foot boats whose prices range from about $ 50,000 to $ 550,000.
He had to sell his products to dealers and feel comfortable they could sell them to customers.
Cost control also remained important, a role falling to Mr. Heese, who signs every check as chief executive. "We're very hard-nosed when it comes to investing our own money," he said.
Chris-Craft continues to bolster its dealer network worldwide. In June, the company plans to release a line of Chris-Craft branded sports apparel for a wider market. The company just signed a deal with IMG, which will serve as its licensing agent for watches, sunglasses and toys.
After starting at zero, Chris-Craft sales were $ 32 million in 2012. Its high was $ 60 million in 2008.
In between, Stellican bought Indian Motorcycles in 2006, turned it around, and sold it to Polaris Industries in 2011.
The partners acknowledge that their efforts may not have worked at a traditional private equity firm, most of which seek companies with positive cash flows.
Product innovation separates the winners from the losers when it comes to brand revivals, said Scott Galloway, a marketing professor at the Stern School of Business at New York University. "Brands lose value because they get fat, dumb and happy," he said.
Although Stellican has received attractive offers for Chris-Craft, it plans to hold onto it for now. Mr. Heese said he was in no hurry to begin chasing deals again, a process he described as "gut-wrenching."
"When you're buying a company that's in bankruptcy, you're sitting across from people who screwed up," Mr. Heese said. "They're not dumb — they just got one thing wrong," he said.


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France has some LOVELY lamb. In these parts of the Southwest, it's quite pricey. I cook for six, so I don't cook lamb much. When we're after grass fed meat, we stick to our own beef.
Every once in awhile, the shops advertise New Zealand Lamb for 6 – 7 Euros a kilo. I'm always too late to grab some. But there they were, three lovely lamb roasts. I bought all of them.
I've never done a lamb leg roast, but I've roasted my share of meat.
Smothered in
duck fat
Cooked with garlicy friends and thyme sprigs. I did high oven for about fifteen minutes, then lowered to 200 C for another forty minutes. My oven runs high.
Served with roasted pots, buttery asparagus, smothered in gravy and washed down with a lovely Madiran.
See!? and I even managed to take an after photo. Usually I tuck in and forgo the result shot. I do and I do for you.


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Qupid Point Toe Pumps
Point-toe pumps are a classic style that's never going out of style. Treat yourself to this pair of versatile pumps that will take you from the office to happy hour.
- Picture style: Studio
- Pattern type: Solid
- Type: Heels
- Toe: Point toe
- Heel height: Mid heels
- Heel shape: Block heels
- Material:
Upper: Faux Suede leather
Lining/insole : Faux leather
Outsole : TPR
- Imported
- Product measurements:
Heel height: 3 inch


text:
Employment and Training
Employment and Training
The jobs featured on this page are especially suited to Service personnel and most soldiers and veterans from The Parachute Regiment possess the sort of skills employers find desirable. Please look through the jobs shown below – these are only a small selection. Follow the links to the employment agencies shown for further information and to see the full range of opportunities currently available.
Soldiers are able to access a range of facilities for learning and training whilst still serving and during their resettlement phase. These include Standard Learning Credits (SLC), Enhanced Learning Credits (ELC) and Individual Resettlement Training Costs (IRTC). Serving personnel should contact their Education Officer for more details.
Those who face medical discharge through WIS or RECU are able to access further support from the Regimental charities. Please speak to your unit Line Managers for further details or to arrange an appointment with the Regimental Welfare Officer – the earlier in your discharge process the better! The CTO can be contacted on email@example.com 07944558780.


text:
The McNeese State University Honors College is for students with exceptionally strong academic records. The Honors College provides unique courses taught by exemplary professors as well as opportunities to enhance the educational experience outside of the classroom. Students interested in the Honors College should contact the director: Dr. Scott Goins, McNeese Honors College, MSU Box 93430, Lake Charles, LA 70609; telephone: (337) 475-5456 or (800) 622-3352 ext. 5456; email: email@example.com
Students admitted to the program receive four-year academic scholarships covering the cost of tuition and fees (less any TOPS scholarship award) and partial room and board. Other opportunities for students include priority registration and individualized academic counseling, small class size with discussion-style format, and increased mentoring from professors. The program is supplemented by special honors events (seminars, field trips, and conferences), cultural opportunities, and social activities. Honors courses are designated on University transcripts, and recognition is given to Honors College graduates at commencement and on diplomas.
To earn the Honors College diploma, students must graduate with at least 24 honors hours and a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. The honors hours must be approved by the director of the Honors College and should include HUMN 105H; ENGL 204H or ENGL 221H; HONS 100 (2 hours); and HONS 200 (2 hours).


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It has been quite a week for me. First, thank you to everyone who left such beautiful reviews both on amazon.com and across the pond at amazon.co.uk. In fact, both At The Walls Of Galbrieth and The First Decree are doing well there. I'm not sure what happened, but I received over 300 hits on Wednesday in an hour in the early California light. So whoever sparked it – I thank you too.
I finished my own edit of Ashbar, Wycaan Master Book. 3, and sent it under the scalpel of the Master Surgeon (or Mistress Editor to be more accurate), Monica Buntin. While I wait, it is an opportunity to get back to writing Book 4. I wrote over 40,000 words during the Xmas break and I can't wait to hit that keyboard – so much easier than a treadmill. I also left a few characters hanging and I need to apologize to them and let them move on.
I discovered, and I realize that 90% of those who read this blog are about to roll their eyes, that J R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis were part of a writers critic group at Oxford. It blew my mind and I scuttled off to find a copy of The Inklings by Humphrey Carpenter, who also wrote a great biography of the Professor. More on this when I actually finish his book.
Finally, The Hobbit came out on DVD and BluRay. In case you have never heard of this movie, Yahoo Movies offered us two delightful caveats. I particularly loved their chart to differentiate between the races, but their behind-the-scenes video was cool as well.
I couldn't see how to download it, so please accept The Song Of The Misty Mountain in its place.
Alon Shalev is the author of At The Walls of Galbrieth, Wycaan Master Book 1 and The First Decree, both released by Tourmaline Books. Shalev is also the author of three social justice-themed novels including Unwanted Heroes. He swears there is a connection. More on Alon Shalev at http://www.alonshalev.com and on Twitter (@elfwriter).


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I'm Sorry but no not today.
I will not let anything or anybody rob me of my joy.
No bad news will rain on my parade.
You can try world but you won't do it today.
You see my Father is bigger and badder than my problems.
He brings me peace in the middle of the storm.
He carries me when I can't walk another step.
I'm sorry to disappoint you but nothing absolutely nothing will bring me down today.
My Father has all that I need and more.
I trust Him to come through for me.
I will hold to His hand until this rough time passes over.
Until then, I'll stand tall with my head held high.
I'm going to smile and press towards my goals.
I'm going to walk in victory.
I'm going to pray and my burdens with Jesus.
Nope sorry I don't have time to entertain anything that has been sent to steal my joy.
No not today.


text:
The Week's Most Popular Stories
In case you weren't obsessively refreshing mentalfloss.com all week, here's what you missed:
1. 10 Technologies We Stole From the Animal Kingdom, by David Goldenberg and Eric Vance
2. 6 Lost Treasures Just Waiting To Be Found, by Rob Lammle
3. 9 Things You Probably Don't Know About The Beatles, by David K. Israel
4. How Do Countries Choose Which Side They Drive On? by Linda Rodriguez
5. Do Blind People See Things in Their Dreams? by Matt Soniak
6. Strange Geographies: A Utopian Ghost Town in the California Desert, by Ransom Riggs
7. 11 Colleges That Changed Their Mascots, by Ethan Trex
8. Fire Ants Build Lifeboat Out of Ants to Save the Queen, by Chris Higgins
9. The Quick 10: Unusual Flavors of 10 Familiar Candies, by Stacy Conradt
10. 9 Spiders and the Stars They Were Named For, by Miss Cellania
This Week's Most Popular Store Item (By Far)
Daughter or son away at school? Know a soldier stationed abroad? Friend just moved to an unfamiliar city? Care packages are now available! A nice way to brighten up anyone's day.
Mail Time!
Reconnecting a Reader With Her Childhood Horse
An Adorable Baby Makes a Masterpiece
In Case You Just Discovered Our Site
Welcome! We'll catch you up slowly. Here are the highlights from last month.


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Behind the Titles: A Closer Look
at The Truck Driver's Daughter by Denise R. Weuve
Featuring ELJ Publications' April Jones and Lisa Marie Cole
I love the opening poem in this collection, "When My Mother Danced." It's a poem about the narrator's grandmother and mother dancing because the grandmother had won some chickens from playing Bingo. This sense of freedom and two women being carefree enough to move furniture and dance around the living room is such a beautiful image. It's also such a stark contrast to the following poem which is about abuse. I think that it says a lot about the collection as a whole. To open with this poem about dancing rather than the next one about abuse says to me that the narrator is going to weave us a story that may be a rollercoaster, but that the foundation of this story is freedom. What thoughts did you have on the first poem? Did it strike you the same way that it did me?
Yes, the opening poem made me feel similarly. Opening with dancing was an interesting choice, given that there is an undercurrent of such violence in this book. But, like a Lana Del Rey song, there is a kind of beauty interspersed among the bruises. The language utilized is powerful, biting, and sharp, sometimes surreal, and the humor is dark and ironic. It is well placed when it does appear, as in the poems "Jesse James 78" and "Human Anatomy Parts."
What thoughts did you have on "The Haircut?" This poem is about a photograph in which the narrator's mother captures the clock while trying to get a picture of the narrator's younger brother. The poem goes on to tell us that her brother, when he grows up, grows his hair out which doesn't seem all that discouraging until we read the last lines, "Or maybe she just/ wanted to know/ it was ten after four/the day she lost control." The tragedy is heightened when you realize that just a few lines before when we're being introduced to the poem that her brother is only two. There's so much of a story here and so much being left out. I love the balance in this poem. Each poem we learn more and more about loss, but in this particular poem the balance between what is happening, the description of a photograph, and what is actually happening, the mother losing control by some means we aren't privy to, is beautifully done. It's so easy to over tell a story, to zero in on the details that you want to highlight so that readers understand just why you feel the way you do, but that often isn't a great way to tell a story. But in this collection we learn just enough, there's no over telling of the story, that our heart breaks each time something is lost even if we aren't sure how it happens.
"The Haircut" was also an interesting poem. What struck me the most about the book were the moments— like in this poem—where a part of the story remained untold, and was left out, like in the poem "The Haircut." What is the full story here? How did the mother lose control exactly? The poems are gripping enough that I want to know more of the story. Strangely enough, the book makes references to the fact that things are left out, that there are parts missing, in poems like "Reading Carver":
Between the swigs he grumbled
Carver had it
the less said the better.
So we say nothing.
What I am learning is that what is unsaid is sometimes more powerful than what is said, and perhaps that is what makes this collection fit into the genre of poetry; I think that more of a story can be omitted in poetry, while still keeping the integrity of the story intact. I think that's what happens in The Truck Driver's Daughter. The integrity of the story remains strong throughout the text, and though their outlines may be blurry, I start to really care about the characters. In fact, the characters indeed blur into one another. I wonder about the address circuit. Who is the you? The I? The she and he? Who is the mother, the sister, the daughter, the father? Where does one person end and the other begin? Storylines blur like blood lines do in The Truck Driver's Daughter which makes it all the more riveting.
What are your thoughts on "Heredity?" This is the closing poem of the collection in which we learn about the narrator's siblings. Her three brothers have grown into their fathers, which is heartbreaking as they aren't good men, and the fear of cancer the narrator inherited from her mother's encounter with breast and uterine cancer. The poem compares not only her brothers to their fathers, but also the cancer to the abuse her mother suffered at the hands of the men she loved. I think that the lines, "and this one/ blessed female/ who too often walks/ as pigeoned as you into/ the callous hands of men" is the one that takes my breath away. This woman, this mother that we've come to know over the course of this collection has seemingly nothing to show from the live she has lived. But then I think back to the woman dancing with her mother over chickens and I smile. Sure, like has been a series of heart breaks but the woman who danced is still there for me. She loved. Maybe not always the right people, but she loved and she lived and she danced.
"Heredity" was such a dark piece, but what struck me the most here was the last few lines:
You leave her death
neatly wrapped in yearly
visits to the gynecologist,
scraped from the inside out.
Each year she reaches out,
head tilted to the doctor's whisper,
and does not breathe
long enough to hear,
you are not your mother.
I felt like the emotional center of the book was the mother figure, so to both end on the mother's death and the proclamation that "You are not your mother" was a strange kind of countering to the rest of the book. It seems like a denouncing of the family, of the mother—a kind of negation of the story. It certainly leaves the book's readers something to think about.


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Funeral flowers are a customary way to remember the deceased, however when it comes to sending flowers to a funeral, many are unsure of the proper etiquette. To provide support at what is often a difficult time, we've created a handy guide comprising tips on when to send sympathy flowers, what kind of flowers to choose, who to send them to, what to keep in mind and what messages to write.
The faith of the deceased and their relatives
Sympathy flower etiquette varies from faith to faith. What one culture does to celebrate the life of a family member or friend could be very different from that of another culture. To avoid any unintended upset, it is essential to be sensitive to the faith of the deceased and their family before ordering sympathy flowers.
- Mormon: Most flowers are appropriate but it's wise to avoid any arrangements in the shape of a cross.
- Catholic: All types of flower arrangements are welcome.
- Protestant Christian: Again, all types of flower arrangements are welcome.
- Hindu: Although most floral displays are accepted, many opt for garlands, as these are more commonly worn at a Hindu funeral.
- Muslim: It is considered a good funeral etiquette to request consent from family members before sending flowers to an Islamic funeral.
- Jewish: It is not usual to send flowers to a Jewish funeral or to the family home during Shiva (the first seven days following the funeral).
Be considerate of the family's wishes
Quite often, the deceased's family will place an announcement or obituary notice in their local newspaper, stating where the funeral will be held and whether they'd prefer a charitable donation or flowers. It's good etiquette to follow the family's wishes.
What kind of flowers to choose
Selecting a fitting funeral flower arrangement necessitates careful thought and consideration. This is when looking at your local florist can help greatly. Serenata Flowers has an entire section on their website that relates to sympathy flowers and you should be able to find something among the many arrangements that have been designed to help you express your heartfelt condolences. A bouquet of white roses, white lilies, purple freesia, gypsophila or beige gerbera all say 'I'm thinking of you' on a sad occasion.
Alternatively, you may wish to send a sympathy bouquet comprising white lilies, white roses, white freesia, white gypsophila, hot-hued chrysanthemums or gerberas. Subdued hues and simple tones are ideal choices for such an occasion unless the family of the deceased have said otherwise.
A funeral is also one event where the meaning of flowers is more significant than ever. Every flower is symbolic of something different, be it love, friendship, bereavement or new life. It's therefore important to choose a bouquet that will allow you to express your feelings and send a meaningful message. Traditional options include:
Roses represent love, happiness, hope and new beginnings.
Lilies represent innocence, majesty and purity.
These blooms represent devotion and remembrance.
These flowers represent innocence and purity.
The color of flower you choose is also important. Blooms can take on various meanings depending on their hue. Red roses, for example, symbolize ever-lasting love while pink roses are symbolic of grace and elegance. You can also think about the deceased's personality when considering a flower's color or type.
Who should you send them to?
Bereavement flowers and sympathy flowers should be sent directly to the home of the bereaved family. Such arrangements tend to come in the shape of white or muted pastel toned flowers, with the most prevalent flower varieties to express condolences being lilies and roses. It's also a good idea to send flowers at the correct time by taking advantage of next day delivery.
What messages to write?
When sending bouquets and flower arrangements to a funeral, it's important to include a card with a message, so that the family knows whom the flowers are from. Condolence messages to go with a sympathy bouquet typically express heartfelt sympathy for the loss of a loved one. From generic messages, such as "I'm so sorry for your loss" and "Please accept our heartfelt condolences", to personal notes, there are many ways to show you're thinking of those who have lost a family member.
Many find it difficult to comprise a sympathy message, especially at such a challenging time. With this in mind, all that is needed are a few kind words of commemoration that offer comfort. If you need a little help to get started, there is plenty of inspiration out there. Serenata Flowers have a number of suggestions when it comes to sympathy messages, and in many instances, keeping things simple is the preferred option.
Different types of arrangements
There are an array of flower arrangement options for funerals, with each serving a different purpose, as we've detailed here.
The wreath is symbolic of emotion and never-ending love, and comes in the shape of a traditional circular design.
Sprays and sheaves
A spray or sheaf arrangement is very similar to that of a hand-tied bouquet but instead, is arranged to sit flat. This makes it a good option for those wishing to invest in a display that they can lie next to the casket or graveside.
Posies and baskets
The delicate Posy is a popular choice for distant family members and younger children to give to the deceased family and comes in a round dome-shaped design.
Regardless of whichever floral display you choose, and provided that you follow the correct funeral etiquette, you will be able to show that you're thinking of those who have lost a loved one at a difficult time.


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LLC Partnership's Operating Agreement
A limited liability company's partnership operating agreement is an internal document that governs the company. The operating agreement establishes the roles and responsibilities of the LLC's members and managers. Because there are no specific guidelines when creating an operating agreement, an LLC can tailor its operating agreement to fit the specific needs of the business.
An operating agreement for the LLC protects the company's limited liability status. For example, a multiple-member LLC that does not have an operating agreement may look similar to a partnership. LLCs that have a written operating agreement will establish the fact that the LLC has a separate legal existence, according to the Nolo website. Also, not having an operating agreement means the LLC will be subject to the rules of the state where the LLC is organized.
Profit Allocation
An LLC's operating agreement should include information regarding how profits and losses will be split amongst the members of the company. In this way, an operating agreement helps the members of the company avoid financial disputes in terms of how profits and losses are allocated. The operating agreement will contain information regarding the regularity of company distributions, as well as the amount of money that will be retained in the company. An LLC has the ability to distribute profits and losses to the company's members without regard to their ownership interest. For example, an LLC member may own 5 percent of the company, but receive 10 percent of the company's profits and losses if the other members of the LLC agree to such a provision.
The management structure of an LLC is included in the company's operating agreement. An LLC can appoint members of the company to manage the business, or nonmembers may be hired to control the day-to-day activities of the LLC. An LLC may select a centralized management structure similar to a corporation. In this scenario, the operating agreement must describe the roles of the company's managers in relation to operating the daily affairs of the business. When LLC members choose to manage the company, a less formal management structure is involved that allows the owners of the company to run the business. The operating agreement must establish the responsibilities of the company's members, in terms of managing the LLC's day-to-day affairs.
Ownership Interest
The operating agreement must include information regarding the contributions of the company's members. An LLC member's ownership interest in the business is usually determined by contributions of property, service and cash made to the company. However, the company's members may allocate ownership in any way, as long as the manner for allocating ownership interest is included in the company's operating agreement, as explained by the FindLaw website.
An LLC agreement should provide provisions for admitting new LLC members, as well as what to do when an LLC member dies or withdraws from the company. To prevent an LLC from automatically dissolving upon the death or withdrawal of an LLC member, the operating agreement should include information regarding the procedure for buying an LLC member's ownership interest. Furthermore, a buyout scheme in the operating agreement will allow an LLC member to purchase the ownership interest of a disgruntled member of the company, without interrupting the company's business activities.
Writer Bio
Christopher Carter loves writing business, health and sports articles. He enjoys finding ways to communicate important information in a meaningful way to others. Carter earned his Bachelor of Science in accounting from Eastern Illinois University.


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Driver Hits Three Bicyclists Sunday
Three bicyclists were hospitalized after they were injured by a hit-and-run driver on U.S. 1 in St. Augustine Monday afternoon, according to an article in The Florida Times-Union. Two cyclists were taken to Shands in Jacksonville and one was transported to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine. The driver who hit the cyclists has been identified as Michael Nally, 42, who was behind the wheel of a PT Cruiser heading northbound on Ponce De Leon Boulevard when he swerved into the three cyclists just before 1 p.m., hit them, but then kept driving. Fortunately, a Good Samaritan followed Nally and then called police and told them he pulled into a bar on North Ponce De Leon. The witness also told police that he saw a beer can thrown from the car. Police tracked down Nally to Arnold's Bar where he was arrested and charged with three counts of leaving the scene of an accident with bodily injury.
As we've said here before, leaving the scene of an accident where there is an injury or possible death is the worst thing you can possibly do. The first degree felony criminal charge will be added that can bring 30 years in state prison.
Despite being seventh in population, Jacksonville is third in the state in the number of hit-and runs.
The state reports there were 349 hit –and-run driving prosecutions in 2006 in our area. By 2007 and 2008 there were 2,000. That is such a sad statement about how we fail to care.
DUI charges are possible pending the result of a blood test.
Fortunately, the bicyclists were wearing helmets and those taken to Shands had the most serious injuries. We now know the identities of the three. They all worked for the St. Johns County technology department and were out for a lunchtime ride.
They are identified as Robert Jolley and Daniel Phillips who went to Shands and were in fair condition. Derick Tillman went to Flagler Hospital as a precaution. How many more accidents of this kind do we need before we dedicate bike paths for riders? After all, the roads are there to be shared by everyone, not just those with the biggest vehicle.
If you have been hit by a drunk driver or a hit-and-run accident, a dedicated and experienced Jacksonville hit and run accident attorney can help you get the resources you need to begin the road to recovery.


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Story by Kristen Cart
My father remembers the grain elevator construction business from earliest childhood. But his childish memories did not distinguish one job from another, so until recently we did not know about the company where my grandfather William Osborn began his career as a carpenter.
Dad said they still lived on the farm when his father went to Kansas City in pursuit of a better opportunity, which dated the event to before 1944. That job was likely with the Tillotson Construction Company of Omaha. Before then, Grandpa's Mayer Osborn Construction brochure said he worked for Gaddy (sic) Construction of Omaha. It was difficult to come up with any information about them, until we located a clipping that marked a tragedy.
The newspaper account related:
Plane Crashes at Lexington, Omahan Killed
Lexington, Neb., (AP). Ralph Arden Gandy, 41, head of an Omaha construction firm, died Saturday night after the light plane he was piloting crashed near here.
Tommy Johnson, a Gandy construction company foreman, was injured in the crash.
W. H. Pfiefer, Lexington funeral director, said Gandy's plane took off from a field on the farm of Dennis O'Connor, a cattle feeder who lives six miles northeast of here.
After the takeoff, the funeral director said, the plane stalled and crashed on a road. Both men were thrown free of the wreckage.
Gandy died a short time after the crash in the Community hospital of Lexington.
Johnson received a broken jaw and chest injuries. He was removed to the Methodist Hospital in Omaha by ambulance Sunday night.
The Gandy firm had built a grain elevator on the O'Connor farm, Pfiefer said, and Gandy and Johnson had been at the farm inspecting it. The plane was taking off to return to Omaha when it crashed.
Gandy is survived by his widow, Clara, and four children.
The Nebraska State Journal, Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 1, 1949.
William Osborn worked with Loren Saunders, his brother-in-law, at a job in Omaha before he took the opportunity in Kansas City, according to my dad. It seems likely that the Gandy company was that job.


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I made it back to California just in time for Incubus's two shows at Santa Barbara Bowl and San Diego's Cricket Wireless Amphitheater.
It was the perfect day in SB for an outdoor concert: sunny, breezy, and clear. Fans climbed the steep incline into the amphitheater and debated the opening act. However, we were taken by surprise when Incubus appeared on stage at 8pm. The sold out venue squealed and sang along with every song for almost two hours. The setlist included a wide range of selections from the Incubus repertoire, including those from S.C.I.E.N.C.E, Morning View, Make Yourself, Light Grenades, and their newest, If Not Now, When?
The following evening in San Diego, Incubus was joined by several openers, incluing Hawaiian-formed Iration, Face to Face, and Bush, who sounded phenomenal and got the 90s party going. I wedged myself to the front of the pit, where several ladies were being tossed out for cat-fighting and people were throwing elbows to get up close and personal with Incubus. The band rocked through a similar set to the previous night, but from the pit, it was a whole new experience. I was lucky to retrieve some photos of the gig and a video of their encore, "The Warmth," below.
Lookin' and souding good, gentlemen!


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Category Archives: Fantasy Fiction
Discounted e-books and a new release!
To celebrate a new release of book 3 in the Carentan Series, I am offering a ONE WEEK ONLY discount on books 1&2 – available only on the Double Dragon website here for £1.33 ($1.80).
Book 1 follows the adventures of Geriente Andolin, as he grows from a boy prince into a king-to-be. Book 2 sees two new characters arrive in the Western Isles who develop to aid Gereinte in keeping his beloved Carentan from falling into a bloody battle for control of the Western Isles. Stories of love, loss and coming-of-age reverberate throughout.
If you've read the first two books, I'm delighted to announce that book 3 – The Prince and the Assassin – has now been re-released with a new cover designed by my talented nephew, Adam Laval. You may still see previous versions of the book cover at various retail outlets, but I think you'll agree, this one is a huge improvement!
Finally… a sneaky heads up that there is a book 4 in progress – currently with beta readers and if you want to know more, sign up here for my email updates and I will give you priority notice of publication dates. As a special gift, you will also receive a free fantasy e-book.
Posted in Authors, Books, Characters, Fantasy Fiction, Medieval Fantasy, Publishing, Words, Writing
Tags: Authors, Books, discounted e-books, Discounts, e-book deals, e-books, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, FG & DC Laval, FG Laval, Frances Gow, Medieval Fantasy, Words, Writing
What are your favourite epic fantasy shows?
Okay, so I'll admit up front to being a die-hard GoT fan (I'm not going to talk about the ending to the TV show, as it just makes me cross). What a perfect way to spend a bank holiday weekend, tucked up with a great book or re-watching an epic series like Games of Thrones. Actually, that might take several weekends and a few fights over the TV remote! You know already that I love The Witcher and can't wait for the next instalment. I was pleasantly surprised by Shadow and Bone, the new Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo's Grisha series – mainly because I've tried a few times to read the books but found it difficult to get hooked. However, the style of writing and the world the author has created lends itself perfectly for the screen, so it is definitely one to look out for. If you're lost for some ideas this weekend, check out this article in Paste Magazine:
Or… you could just go and sit outside in the sunshine with a good book – I'm reading The Thirteenth House, by Sharon Shinn. What are you reading?
Happy May Day!
The Witcher: season 2
Are you a fan of high/medieval fantasy? If you didn't catch season 1 of The Witcher, now is your chance, as season 2 is on its way. Personally, I am not bothered by the wait – the first season was so beautifully rich and evocative, if they can bring the same production values to season 2, it is worth the wait. No spoilers here in this article, just vague promises and a few tweets on the progress of filming. I'll take that, though and look forward to seeing the trailers soon… If you don't have Netflix or prefer reading, The Witcher is adapted from the fantasy novel series by Polish writer Andrzej Sapkowski. The protagonist, Geralt of Rivia (played by Henry Cavill), is an assassin trained to hunt and kill monsters. War hangs over a world populated by humans, dwarves, gnomes and elves (as well as monsters!), in which Geralt is bound to a prophesy to protect a child who has the power to change the world. Watch the first season or jump into the books – I promise you won't be disappointed.
Posted in Authors, Books, Characters, Fantasy Fiction, Medieval Fantasy, Words, Writing
Tags: Andrzej Sapkowski, Dwarves, Elves, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Gnomes, Henry Cavill, high fantasy, magic, Medieval Fantasy, Monsters, Netflix, sword and sorcery, sword fighting, The Wticher, Witches
Amazing e-book deals
If you love reading and you love deals, have you discovered Bookbub yet?
It is free to join and you can choose to follow all your favourite authors and get regular updates on deals and notifications on new releases for their books. I love reading as much as I love writing, and this is a great way to keep up to date with what is being published and who is new on the scene.
As well as listing my favourites, I am also discovering new authors who write the kind of fiction I want to read. What is not to love about that? As an author, I have also created my own profile so that my fans can easily find me and keep up to date with my books. It is also a great way to do market research, try out book ads and test the market.
Check out my profile here.
Posted in Authors, Books, Fantasy Fiction, online, Publishing, Words, Writing
Tags: Authors, Bookbub, Books, Deals, e-books, Epic Fantasy, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, FG & DC Laval, Laval, Medieval Fantasy, reading, Words, Writing, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Discount deal for one week!
Grab your e-copy of The Prince of Carentan at the discounted price of £1.31.
Double Dragon Books are offering this deal for one week only – expires on 12th December 2020. Discounted only on the publisher's website, please follow this link.
Enjoy this Coming-of-age story which has a young protagonist, Prince Gereinte, who goes on a journey to find meaning to his life. We follow his moral and psychological growth from youth to adulthood with all the barriers he faces along the way. He makes mistakes and faces life and death encounters, but he learns from his experience and changes, growing into the monarch that his country so desperately needs.
Read an excerpt here
Posted in Books, Fantasy Fiction, Uncategorized, Words, Writing
Tags: adventure, battles, book deal, coming-of-age, discount, e-books, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, FG Laval, fighting, heroic fantasy, Medieval Fantasy, Prince of Carentan, sea-faring adventure, ships, sword fighting, tall ships, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Fairy Tales and Fantasy Fiction
So, I have binge-read fantasy during lockdown (well, why not, eh?) and I'm halfway through writing my own next novel, what else is there to do?
I've always been fascinated by fairy tales, myths and legends. You might even have noticed a fair degree of inspiration in my stories, so when I saw a course about Fairy Tales on FutureLearn, I jumped at it. There are some great short courses, by the way, in so many different subjects and interests that I challenge anyone not to be able to find something of interest. Anyway, I digress… the course Fairy Tales, Meanings, Messages and Morals, delivered by the University of Newcastle in Australia, was a delightful dip into the world of literary analysis by exploring the meaning of fairy tales.
The course takes participants on a journey from the early origins of sixteenth century French writer, Charles Perrault, through to the more recognisable tales of the Brothers Grimm. We studied some familiar stories, starting with Little Red Riding Hood and Bluebeard, exploring the significance of cultural context and looking for meaning. It was fascinating to then delve in and discuss the relevance to a modern audience, also spreading our writerly wings with our own versions.
Analysis of my all time favourite, Beauty and the Beast, led me to revisit some more modern versions, including; Beauty by Robin McKinley – an extraordinary retelling that is close to the original, but will enchant fans and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas – a gritty and romantic Fae Fantasy that departs somewhat from the original, but still holds its own. My all time favourite, which also departs significantly from the original, but I deem to be of the same ilk, is Robin McKinley's Sunshine – a modern version with vampires and a hauntingly romantic tension that grips you from the start and just won't let go long after you've finished the book.
I am currently reading Mageborn by Jessica Thorne, which is a gripping dark fantasy with all the familiar elements that drew me to love this fairy tale inspired genre. Check it out… now I'm off to continue my binge before the workday steals me back to reality.
Posted in Authors, Books, Fantasy Fiction, Uncategorized, Words, Writing
Tags: Authors, Books, Creative Writing, e-books, Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Romance, Words, Writing, Young Adult Fantasy
New Release: The Prince of Carentan
Easy-reading fantasy adventure for all ages. Follow the exploits of Gereinte Andolin as he travels across the Western Isles, trailing mishaps and assassination attempts along the way.
I have joined a new publisher, which has taken over the Double Dragon imprint. So my books are still published under Double Dragon Books, but are now part of the Fiction4All publishing company.
Great news for wider distribution and a re-release of my titles at a reasonable price. Available now on Amazon and also in paperback.
Posted in Authors, Books, Fantasy Fiction, Publishing, Words, Writing
Tags: Books, e-books, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, FG & DC Laval, Frances Gow, Laval, Medieval Fantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Fiction
Lockdown reading
I read an interesting article in The Conversation the other day, linking the similarities of our current lockdown and the thirst for reading with book clubs in the Second World War during the blitz. Interesting parallels, although I think these days, it is much easier to get hold of books than it was in 1939. Today, bookshops on the high street might be closed, but the online book industry must be booming. Got to love your e-reader; instant libraries at the touch of a button.
Personally, books are my current choice of drug, having recently quit alcohol. I am hearing stories all around of people stockpiling booze to get through this crisis, but I have found that reading is a much more effective and safe way to get out of your head. It has the power to transport your mind to somewhere completely different, and at the same time aids reflection on your current life, situation or quandary. On the plus side, no hangover, no headaches, no tiredness or depressive thoughts. What's not to like about that?
So, what am I reading during lockdown? On the fiction side, I am chomping my way through Mark Lawrence's Book of the Ancestor trilogy, starting with Red Sister. Having read his previous two trilogies – The Broken Empire and The Red Queen's War – I like his style of writing, which is quite dark and intense, but with a subtle black humour, which is timely and uplifting. I also can't resist a good fight and a kick-ass female lead, which ticks all my boxes in Red Sister.
On the non-fiction side I am reading Chasing the Scream by Johann Hari; a fascinating look at the history of drug prohibition and addiction. This is a book that everyone should read, and deals with issues that touch all of our lives one way or another. The stories here are powerful and real; they resonate on a level we can all identify with. If you cannot or don't want to read the book, at the very least, I urge you to check out his TED talk Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong.
So, what are you reading to keep you happy and grounded in lockdown?
Posted in Authors, Books, Fantasy Fiction, Libraries, online, Words, Writing
Tags: addiction, Authors, Books, Fantasy, Fantasy Fiction, Johann Hari, Mark Lawrence, War on Drugs, Words, Writing
Surrey New Writers Festival 2019
Looking forward to attending Surrey New Writers Festival on Saturday 8thJune in Guildford. Fantastic programme of events for the day including; panel discussions, readings, masterclasses on pitching to an agent and building your career as a short story writer. There will be a wellbeing table, with the opportunity to chat about your work, a poetry stage, headline readings and an evening soiree. Phew! That's a lot to pack into one day, but well worth the price of the ticket (with lunch included). Check out the link above to find out the finer detail.
What I'm really interested in is a panel that I will be chairing on the theme of 'Female Futures'. We will be discussing the future of women's writing, as well as women writing the future in Science Fiction and Fantasy. I will be exploring this theme with Kate Potts, whose second poetry collection, Feral, sets out to explore and trouble the boundary between 'animal' and 'human'; Stephanie Saulter, who is the author of novels Gemsigns, Binary and Regeneration, a science fiction trilogy which uses the lens of an altered humanity to take a new look at the old issues of race, class, religious extremism and social conflict; and Kerry Drewery, the YA author of Cell 7, Day 7 and Final 7, a dystopian trilogy which takes a sinister look at the future of the justice system. Join us on the 8thJune for what promises to be a fascinating discussion.
During the day, we will also be launching our third print issue of the Stag Hill Literary Journal, carrying the same theme of Female Futures. My story, Shooting Stars, will appear in this issue; a time-travelling alt-history look at one hundred years since British women were given rights to vote. Copies of the issue will be available for purchase and we will also be doing readings during the day.
Look forward to seeing you there!
Posted in Authors, Books, Fantasy Fiction, Poetry, Publishing, Short stories, Uncategorized, Words, Writing
Tags: Advice, Authors, Books, Creative Writing, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Short stories, Wells Street Journal, Words, Writing, Young Adult Fiction
On Writing Groups
Very proud to have my work featured on the Newham Writers Workshop – published authors page. I was a member of the group in the early days of my writing career, when I was just working out what kind of a writer I wanted to be. It was an inspirational experience and one that I could highly recommend to any writer who is looking for a like-minded group of people to hang out with. I would also say that getting feedback on your writing progress is fundamental to the journey – wherever your writing goals may take you and is essential to the creative process. As a writer, you are often blind to failings in your own work that others with a more impartial view are able to see.This is how we improve our work.
Here are my top tips for receiving and using feedback from anyone and it is relevant to any genre of writing:
- If someone tells you that something is wrong, they are probably right. If they try to tell you how to fix it, they are probably wrong.
- Try to forget feedback at least for a couple of days. If you can't forget it, then there is probably something in it. If you can't remember the feedback, it probably wasn't useful.
I've been a member of a few different groups over the years, always seeking out the opinion and expertise of others and sometimes, it is good just to know that other people face similar challenges and setbacks along the way.
These days, due to work commitments, I mostly hang out online – the British Science Fiction Association has some very good online groups, as well as regular face-to-face meet ups. I also used to spend quite a bit of time with the wonderful folks at the Litopia Writers' Colony, which I can heartily recommend. But Newham Writers was my first experience of giving and receiving feedback in a workshop environment. So I am especially delighted to have my books listed on their website.
The Prince and the Assassin (2018)
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The Gone Gods (2017)
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The King of Carentan (2016)
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The Prince of Carentan (2015)
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The Mechanical
This item is a preorder. Your payment method will be charged immediately, and the product is expected to ship on or around March 10, 2015. This date is subject to change due to shipping delays beyond our control.
From "a major new talent" (George R. R. Martin) comes an epic speculative novel of revolution, adventure, and the struggle for free will set in a world that might have been, of mechanical men and alchemical dreams.
My name is Jax.
That is the name granted to me by my human masters.
I am a slave.
But I shall be free.
My name is Jax.
That is the name granted to me by my human masters.
I am a slave.
But I shall be free.
"There are a number of marvelous action scenes, hallucinogenic in their over-the-top big-screen violence, but the real attraction here is Tregilli's narrative ruthlessness, which manifest as willingness to take his character to the brink of hell...and then, rather than yank them back at the last second, push them in."—SciFi Magazine on The Mechanical
"A major talent."—George R.R. Martin on Bitter Seeds
"Superb alternate history filled with clockwork men and ethical questions on the nature of free will. ... Tregillis's complex setting is elegantly delivered, and the rich characters and gripping story really make this tale soar."—Publishers Weekly on The Mechanical
"The first thing readers will say after finishing this splendid book is: 'Wow.' The second thing will probably be: 'When can I read the next one?'"—Booklist on The Mechanical
"Tregillis presents a fascinating look at the nature of free will and the existence of the soul, wrapped up in an absolutely thrilling adventure story. Jax is an amazing, sympathetic character, and the world of the clockmakers and their slaves is so absorbing that readers will be dying for the next entry in this new series."—Library Journal on The Mechanical
"Thrilling philosophical clock punk."—B&N Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog on The Mechanical
"His characters are as convincing as ever, the plotting is beautifully articulated, the tone relentlessly grim and sometimes horrifying. And while the action rarely flags, Tregillis manages to pack in a good deal of philosophical probing...readers with an interest in dark, intelligent fantasy-will find much to admire here."—Kirkus on The Mechanical
"In the tradition of Isaac Asimov, Tregillis's latest novel combines classic robotics with historical fiction to riveting ends. Tregillis brings an intriguing touch to his narrative, as parts of actual Dutch history, such as colonization, the founding of New Amsterdam and reliance on slavery, are reflected in the fictionalized country's conquering of the rest of the world. Further, the story manages to posit broad questions, such as how one defines humanity and free will, without coming across as sanctimonious or treacly. It's also just plain exciting, with intense fight scenes and exhilarating narrow escapes. Readers will no doubt be rooting for the "rogue" robots."—RT Book Reviews on The Mechanical
"...By the end of the novel, the physical and emotional transformations they have enduredpromise an even more exciting sequel. This tightly wound plot yields timely conversations regarding consciousness and technology as various forms of human and machine merge."—The Washington Post on The Mechanical
"While merely the warm-up for what promises to be a uniquely compelling series, The Mechanical is as intricate and exquisite as the clockwork wonders it brings to life."—NPR Books on The Mechanical


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New York University
Option C: Television sitcoms often revolve around the interactions of a group of people with unique personalities. Write about your interaction with your friends and explain why you and your friends might become the next great sitcom, and describe your role in the show
An over-achieving comically jubilant class president, a hypochondriac vegetarian, a quietly cynical artist, a pair of environmental and social activists who use their intellect and incredible ability to convey propaganda to save the world from evil, a scatter brained business-conscious computer geek who at times needs to be saved from himself, and an assortment of mediators and devil's advocates lying somewhere between two extremes who, at times, save the rest of the group from total self destruction. Sound like the cast for the next hit TV sitcom? Well, perhaps they may be. But for now these people are just my friends.
While some personal opinions within the group restrict the actuality of starring in a TV sitcom with my friends, it is interesting to think about. I can confidently say it would be an interesting show. With such contrasting beliefs and personalities, I don't think we would even need a script. Heck, we wouldn't even need advertisements, people would drop everything and run to the TV when our show came on. Viewers would be on the edges of their seats waiting to see what the next great argument will be about; what random pranks will be pulled on parents, friends, and the general public; who is dating who...
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Summer Newsletter
Just getting back to campus and to uwm.edu?? Perhaps you've not seen our Summer Newsletter! Click here to see what our faculty and students are up to, and contact us if you'd like to share your news with us for our next installment!
Send your updates to sbenesh [at] uwm.edu.


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Our products sell well in America, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Hongkong, Thailand, Egypt, and Turkey. We have successful projects in domestic and overseas market.
(1) What's your payment term ?
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Red, blood, soil, Adam – the play on word is clear in Hebrew. Since Red is "Adom" and Soil (Dust, Earth) is "Adama", some scholars believe that in the beginning the color of the earth was red, due to its richness and fertility. Hence "Dam" (blood), and of course "Adam", who was created from this red earth.
In Leviticus 17:11, Moses makes an interesting declaration:
For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have appointed it to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, since it is the lifeblood that makes atonement. (CSB)
Apparently, our very soul is in the blood. What a mystery! After all, blood is tangible, while the soul is abstract. The word "soul" is not always accurately translated in English. For some reason it sometimes appears as "life", or "a person". I went through my entire Bible and marked all the verbs attached to this noun: the soul is the part in our being that sins, hurts, loves, being poured out in prayer, grieves, vexes, wills, and much more.
But this mystery, i.e. that the soul is in the blood, actually does make sense. After all, it was perfect blood that had to be shed in order to cover our brokenness, our sins and our hurts. It was not enough to just sacrifice a heart, or kidneys or some other organ that is usually considered to be the seat of the human soul. No, blood had to be poured out.
The Voice of Blood
Let's go back to the very first sin. Why did God curse the earth, the soil, and not just the sinners? Adam was created from the earth, and was destined to cultivate and maintain it. After the fall, that earth brought up useless plants, and Adam had to invest much work to bring forth enough harvest to sustain his household.
The second sin in human history resulted in an unusual declaration God makes: "Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground" (Gen. 4:10. NIV), He said to Cain.
The first sin brought a curse upon the earth and the destruction of harmony between it and man. The second sin, that of Cain and Abel, made things even worse, as it contaminated the soil with blood, and uprooted Cain from the soil he was born to cultivate. No more continual dwelling. Cain switched into a lifestyle of a nomad. What a punishment for a farmer, that was now compelled to change his vocation. The Bible doesn't tell us, but perhaps he became a shepherd, and started keeping the flock of the brother he did not keep? Just a thought. Much like most of this blog; different thoughts about blood, humanity, and land.
Later on Cain builds a city (Gen. 4:17). This was another step furthering the disconnect between man and land, as building a city means surrounding oneself with a wall and structures, instead of nature. The disconnect just deepened from one generation to the other, to the point that nine generations after Adam, in the days of Lamech, the earth was considered cursed (Gen. 5:28). Then came the Flood, which not only destroyed all of mankind save Noah and his family, but also demolished everything man has built and cultivated upon it.
A Soil Defiled by Bloodshed
Why is it that God cannot bear blood being shed over soil without covering it? I wonder if its the same with any type of soil around the globe, or only when it comes to the soil of the Promised Land…
He commanded Israel to let its soil rest every seven years. No other nation was commanded to do so with their land. And when we were not careful to observe this commandment, He had uprooted us, so that it can rest (Lev. 26:34-35).
So, why does a soil need to rest anyhow?
Blood Vengeance
Than there is the whole set of regulations concerning blood vengeance. How does the shedding of more blood, of another soul, cover for blood that was already shed?
Blood vengeance was not designed to remove the violent person from society in order to prevent the next murder, as is done by the modern prison systems. It was designed to take care of the murder that had already taken place, which goes against everything we esteem in our western minds.
The OT provides a solution in case the identity of the murderer was unknown. The closest town to the place where the body was found was to be determined. Then, the elders of that town were to take a heifer that has never been worked, bring it down to a flowing stream and to a field that has never been plowed or planted, and there break its neck (Deut. 21:1-9). Oy vey!
Why was it so important that the heifer's life be taken in a field that has never been plowed or planted? According to the Mishna, once the heifer's blood was shed, that soil was forever forbidden to be cultivated and used for agricultural needs.
A Destiny Connected To a Soil
So why does the earth itself need to be redeemed?
Rejoice, you nations, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants; He will take vengeance on his enemies and make atonement for His land and people (Deut. 32:43).
What is the connection between the soil of Israel and the destiny of the Israeli people? Could we have realized this destiny and fulfilled it apart from this piece of Land, without living on it? Or can that eternal destiny be awaken in us only when we walk the Land through and through, cultivate and protect it? Is that why God first brought us back here and now He is bringing us back to Him?
Toiling, Worship and Fruition
In Genesis 2, where the word Adama is first mentioned, we are commanded to work and toil it. The Hebrew word used here is the same one used to worship and serve God. The root is AVD – עב"ד.
The Bible uses the same terms to describe fertility of the earth and that of a woman. Both have a belly – a womb. A seed is sown in both of them, sprouts and grows. In Deuteronomy 28:4 and 30:9 the fruit of the earth and the fruit of the womb are mentioned side by side.
The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock – the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks (NIV).
Memorial Days
This week Israel commemorates two major events in our modern history: the Holocaust, and the casualties of wars and terror attacks. All throughout Israel, flags will be lowered to half mast, the siren will be sound and we will all stop what we are doing and focus on our national mourning. So much blood has been shed on this soil, it is saturated in blood.
As Memorial Day will end, the flags will be raised up high. We will all find a technological way to celebrate the birth of the kingdom of Israel for the third time, 72 years ago, through the bloody price of death toll.
Does Israel Have a Soul?
The Bible often refers to Israel as "she" – a woman whom God had found, washed, cleansed, than betrothed and as her dowry gave her a piece of Land for an inheritance. She later betrayed Him, and was punished. And now she is a widow, not because she does not have a Husband, but because she does not recognize Him as such.
God of course promises to restore her from her widowhood (Is. 54:4), not just spiritually but also physically, back in her land ("Adama"). This process requires so much repentance and cleansing.
The Blood of The Innocent
Since the establishment of Israel as a nation, we have killed more babies than Nazi Germany did. Can you believe it? We have so much blood on our hands, and have defiled this land with so much blood. The Corona season has led many in the local body into repentance, especially regarding abortions. For the first time, to the best of my knowledge, Arab and Jewish women met together (via zoom, of course) to address this issue.
As we cleanse our hearts and stand in the gap for our people's groups, we find the faith to see this land open her belly once more, this time not in order to swallow more blood, but to bring forth a harvest that will stem out of purity and will not thirst for more bloodshed.
I like the way my friend Briskilla describes it: "The Lover of our souls had shed His Soul into the soil. His sound echoes through it and starts replacing the cry of the other bloods that were shed. It brings forth from the belly of the soil a completely different kind of harvest – a Bread of love and obedience".
* To find our previous posts on Holocaust and Soldiers and Terror Victims Memorial Days, check out our posts index


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wikiHow is a "wiki," similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 18 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time.
This article has been viewed 67,036 times.
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Making a real sword requires years of practice and dedication. The world's few capable swordsmiths don't give away their secrets easily, and even high-quality wooden practice swords such as the bokken (solid wood aikido practice sword) and shinai (bamboo kendo practice sword) require patience and artistry to successfully complete. However, just about anyone with time and a few power tools can make a fun play sword for sparring with friends or having adventures with a son or daughter. Read the steps below to learn how to make a toy sword of your own.
Wooden Toy Sword
1Draw a sword on paper. More specifically, draw the outline of a sword. Use rulers to make it reasonably straight, and be as creative with the design as you want. It doesn't have to be perfect. This will be the master stencil for your sword.
- To make a long sword using this method, you'll need longer paper. Consider using a length of butcher paper, or buy oversized sheets of craft paper from a craft store.
2Cut and copy the stencil. Carefully cut the sword stencil out of the paper, and then lay it down on the wood you plan to use, which should be a fairly thin (no more than 1" thick) board of whichever wood you like. Copy the stencil onto the wood, and then copy the hilt (the handle and crosspiece) of the stencil twice more.
- The hilt will be thicker than the blade, so you'll cut three pieces of wood for it and glue them together.
3Cut your wood. Using a jigsaw, cut out the three pieces of wood you've outlined – two hilt pieces and one full sword design. The cuts will probably be fairly rough; that's fine. Be sure to cut a little wide rather than a little narrow: wide can be sanded down, but narrow can't be fixed so easily.
4Mix epoxy and glue the pieces. The next step is to take a strong epoxy wood glue and mix it to activate it. Mix it on a piece of paper for easy cleanup. Once the mixture is active, spread it evenly on one side of each hilt piece and glue them firmly to the center piece, one on each side.
- Once the pieces are glued, wait for the epoxy to dry fully, at least 10 minutes.
- Get the pieces as evenly lined up as you can, but don't worry if they aren't perfect yet.
5Sand your sword. Start with the hilt area. Use fine-grit sandpaper to sand down rough edges and even up all three parts. You can use a rotary tool to expedite the process, if you want. Once the hilt is even, use your sandpaper to bevel each side of the blade, making it "sharp."
6Check your hilt and make final adjustments. Check to be sure your sword's hilt isn't too thick to hold easily; if it is, sand in from each side to make it more slender. Lay your sword on a graph-lined surface and check to be sure both sides of the crosspiece are even, and the blade is reasonably even on both sides. Sand down uneven parts until your sword looks more or less symmetrical.
7Add decoration. Begin by painting your sword. At the very basic level, you should spray paint it with a gray primer coat. Once the primer has dried, you can add metallic paint for a shiny blade, or colors like blue or red to make a "lightsaber." Once the paint is dry, add a grip. Duct tape works well, as does wrapped cloth held in place with glue. You can also wrap leather cord around the grip and tie it off. Finally, using whatever decorative elements you want, add finishing touches.
- If you cover the hilt of your sword when you spray the paint and primer, you can leave it with a natural wood appearance. Alternatively, consider spraying the hilt gold and the blade silver.
- Try gluing large rhinestones to decorate the center of the crosspiece and the pommel (base of the hilt).
- Once you're done spray painting, you can use small paintbrushes and acrylic paint to add details, if you want.
Boffer Sword
1Start with a length of PVC pipe. The pipe should be firm but wobbly when shaken. 1" to 1.5" diameter pipe works well. Using a saw, cut the pipe down to the length of the combined handle and sword blade. Think about whether or not you want the sword to be usable with two hands, or one-handed only.
2Wrap with foam rubber. Cut a piece of closed-cell foam rubber (which comes in a cylindrical shape, with a hole for pipe in the center) down to the length of your sword plus a few inches. Slide the tube onto your PVC pipe.
3Add a crosspiece. If you want to, add a crosspiece by sliding a four-way pipe fitting onto the hilt end of your main PVC piece. Cut two short pieces of PVC pipe, both the same length. Slide one piece into each open side of the fitting to create a crosspiece. Once you're happy with the width and positioning, use plastic cement to secure each piece in place.
4Add more foam. If you want, to make the sword safer to use, add small pieces of closed-cell foam to each end of the crosspiece and the base of the hilt. This has the added benefit of creating a "pommel" of sorts.
5Unleash the duct tape. Start by wrapping your grip in duct tape. Cut it when you reach the base of the crosspiece and smooth it flat. Next, wrap duct tape thickly around the base of each piece of foam rubber, helping secure it to the pipe. Add straps of duct tape pulled tightly around the foam to further secure it. Finally, wrap the entire foam blade in duct tape from bottom to top.
- The last few inches of the foam should extend past the PVC tip for safety; feel free to wrap this "soft tip" as well, closing off the hole in the top.
6Wrap up and have fun. Completely wrap any other pieces of foam you added with duct tape as well. The duct tape gives them a shiny metallic look, and protects the form from the elements. Once your weapon is finished, it can be used to stage fun sword fights with your boffer-wielding friends. The weapons are soft enough to prevent any serious injury, so have at it!
Metal Ruler "Katana"
1Purchase your supplies. You'll need a metal yardstick or meter stick, a thick dowel with a diameter the same as the width of your ruler, rough steel wool, sandpaper, primer, and cloth or duct tape for wrapping the grip, as well as contact cement or metal epoxy adhesive. You'll be using a saw to cut and split your dowel; a vise clamp is also recommended, but not strictly necessary.
2Scour your ruler. Use plenty of steel wool and scour the ruler as much as you can to roughen and clean the surface. If your ruler's markings are painted onto the surface, the wool might also get rid of them; feel free to scour them away, if this is the case. When you're done, wipe the ruler clean with a dry cloth.
3Cut the dowel. Measure out a length of dowel that will work well as a handgrip, and cut that piece off the end of the dowel. Measure and mark across one end at the midway point, then carefully saw the dowel into two even, semi-cylindrical halves, using a saw guide to hold the dowel steady.
4Attach the dowel grip. Lightly sand the flat insides of each dowel half with very fine grit sandpaper. Following the instructions for your metal epoxy or contact cement, evenly glue one half of the dowel to each flat side of the base of the ruler, and let it dry completely.
- If you have a vise clamp, clamp the pieces firmly (without damaging the soft wood) and let it dry that way to improve the bond.
5Sand and prime. Once the dowel grip is secure, sand away any excess glue from the seams, and then heft it in your hand. If the grip feels awkward, try sanding down the sides a little bit at a time, alternating evenly on each side, until the grip becomes a bit more oblong and can be held more easily. When you're satisfied, cover the grip with painter's tape and spray a coat of primer onto one side of the blade, then the other. Apply another coat to completely obscure any markings on the ruler. Let both coats dry completely.
6Wrap the grip. Remove the painter's tape from the grip and sand it with ultra-fine grit sandpaper to remove potential splinters, then wrap it in adhesive medical tape, duct tape, or leather cord to make a soft grip. Your new katana is complete! The flexibility of the ruler blade will ensure that it wobbles rather than breaks or bends when you hit things with it.
- This sword may have a square tip and a flat blade, but it can still cause a lot of pain. Be very careful when you play with it. Only hit inanimate objects, like practice dummies.
Community Q&A
QuestionIs the metal ruler katana durable when the blade is sharp?Community AnswerIt most likely is durable, but it mainly depends on the width and flexibility of the metallic ruler.
- As always, treat your tools with respect and wear proper safety equipment while making these swords.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Even a toy sword can cause injury if used irresponsibly. Supervise children with toy swords, and use restraint and discretion when you use them yourself. Assault with a wooden sword is assault nonetheless.⧼thumbs_response⧽
About This Article
To make a wooden toy sword, start by drawing the stencil for the sword on a piece of paper. Next, trace the stencil onto a piece of wood board and make 2 separate copies of the hilt. Then, cut out the pieces with a jigsaw and spread epoxy wood glue on 1 side of each hilt piece. Glue the parts firmly to the hilt on the sword piece, 1 on each side, and let the epoxy dry for at least 10 minutes. Finally, use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth out rough edges and bevel each side of the blade. To learn more, including how to make a sword with foam rubber and PVC pipe, scroll down.


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|Some of Refiner's four-legged and winged friends were not too shy to have their pictures taken and shared with Refiner's internet visitors.
|When I have more photos scanned of my current feline and canine friends, I'll include them as well.
|I have almost always had lots of help from my feline friends whenever I do anything. Just check out this late Monopolizing pair. This photo won first place in a photo contest at the Lower Columbia College Library.
|I have cared for a variety of feline, canine, and feathered friends once in a while. These photos of Refiner's feathered friends were taken 1997-1999.
|Longview celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in 1998 (website moved or discontinued). You may find the Longview Chamber of Commerce helpful, and be sure to check out Longview's neighbor Kelso. And you may want to visit the local scenic National Park at Mount Saint Helens. I also have some interesting facts about Mt. St. Helens posted on this website that you may find interesting. And while you're browsing here, you may want to look up some interesting space facts. Or you may find studies of the Medicine Wheel fascinating.
Here's a postcard of the eastern entrance
("Longview Wye") as it appeared in 1934.
Postcard Courtesy Kathleen Johnson


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Some of my friends and family on Facebook think I "over share" information. I do not think I do, Well, okay, maybe I do just a little, but trust me, I hold back a lot. This post right here may be one of those post that is considered "over sharing", and that's my disclaimer.
I had a doctors appointment today. One of those appointments where I am like "Whoa, you are now in my personal space" but the Doctors prefer to call it a "cervical biopsy." Except, I did not know I was having a cervical biopsy today. I mean if I had known I was having a cervical biopsy I would have posted about it on Facebook last night "So am getting a cervical biopsy tomorrow, send prayers." and then probably make some joke that I think is funny but no one else does.
I wrongly assumed my appointment today was just suppose to be what I "thought" was a follow up checkup to my abnormal pap smear results. Boy was I wrong.
When the very nice nurse took me into a room three times larger than the size I had my pap in, I knew something was up. When I saw three weird looking machines that I had never seen before, I knew something was up. Plus, I watch Greys Anatomy. I like to think I am schooled in this whole Dr/Patient thing.
As soon as I walked into the room I said to the very nice nurse "Okay, this is the big room, what's going on?"
After she tried a little too hard to hold back a laugh, she explained to me what was going on. My pap came back abnormal. Dr wants to take a closer look at my cervic, but look, there is a camera and you can see the whole thing if you want to.
Are you freaking kidding me? Of course I do not want to see my cervix!
She explains to me "the procedure." How the Dr is going to scrape the inside of my cervix.
Oh joy.
The good news was I only had to take off my bottoms, I was allowed to keep my shirt on, This seriously made me happy,
As the very nice nurse is leaving the room so I can undress (Just from the bottom down!) She leaves me with a piece of paper. Except, she did not call it a piece of paper, she called it a "cover up."
Is she high??
What exactly does she think this is going to cover up??
As she is closing the "curtain" which is more like a sheet, I grab my purse and pull out my slipper socks. The nurse asked me "Are those your special socks? That is so cute, you brought your special socks"
I did not have the heart to tell her that my slipper socks were leftover from last time I was here. (Makes mental note to clean out purse)
Last time I was here, which was about a month ago, I brought my own socks to wear. On that particular day I was wearing tights and did not want to be barefoot in the stirrups, so I brought socks…..these socks never left my purse……apparently.
I am sitting there in all my glory, waist down, with a sheet of paper on me for FOURTY FIVE minutes, because my Dr is running late.
It's all good, I mean she was held up at the hospital, So I get it, even though I was bored out of my freaking mind……and cold. In hindsight, I should have taken pictures. How funny and uncomfortable would that have been, but there was a big, NO CELL PHONES ALLOUD sign, and well, I am a stickler for rules.
Dr. finally comes in, and explains how she is going to scrape some cells. I ask her if it will hurt, she says "Yes."
Gotta appreciate the honesty.
I am laying there, letting the Dr do her thing while I am trying hard to relax. I silently start to sing the Eminem song "Monsters" in my head.
Everything was going good until the nurse started to clap. Yes, you read that right, she started to clap.
"Look, there it is. Take a look, that's your cervix"
I mean you would have thought she was looking at an adorable puppy in a pet store window by how excited she was.
So I did it, I turned my head to look. And there it was, on the screen my cervix.
I wanted to throw up. Seriously, Gross!
"Oh my god, that's inside me?!?!"
and then the Dr instructed the nurse to turn the screen away from me.
After all that, the Dr was pleased with what she saw. "Your cervix looks great" I do not know what that means, because what I saw on the screen was anything but great, but whatever. She went to med school, so I assume she knows what she is talking about.
Now it is just a waiting game to get the results back. I am so good at waiting……..not.
I mean since I have been home I have googled "cervical cancer" god knows how may times.
Anyway, ,the moral of this way too much info story, is….ladies…..be proactive. Get your paps regularly, It sucks, It is uncomfortable, but it also could save your life.
So yeah, I kinda do overshare. But, if this post reminds one person "Oh, I need to have my yearly done" then I am okay with that.
Good news is, I have to go back in six months…..and believe you me, I will post pics.
You're welcome.