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Tag: intimate
July 16, 2019 notestowomenLeave a comment
He had set the lofty goal of becoming one of the top five wealthiest men in the world and reached it at the age of thirty-five. He bought a castle that once belonged to a Lord. He had a large staff which took care of everything. He had his privacy. He had his own beach and could take long walks along its shore anytime. The only thing missing was someone to share his life with.
He was tired of going on dates with women he had no interest in. Most of them were only interested in his wealth. He was lonely and longed for companionship. Then, he had the idea of hiring a companion. He was willing to pay for them. He preferred that the woman be between the age of thirty and fifty. She had to be attractive, well read and employed. He had his secretary place the ad in the local newspaper and screen the calls and do the interviews. Out of hundreds of applicants, only a handful were chosen for him to interview himself.
The woman he chose was a French university Art professor who moved to Brussels five years ago. She was very attractive, engaging, shared the same interest in books and a love for the Arts. She was forty but looked younger. They got along very well. She had made it very clear that she wasn't doing this for money. Most of her friends were married and her family was in France and like him, she yearned for companionship. She told him that when she saw the ad, at first she was hesitant to apply but after thinking about it, she decided to do it and was happy she did.
They spent every waking moment together, learning about each other and sharing parts of themselves they had never shared with another living soul. They swam in the ocean, went for walks, drives, went to the opera, enjoyed classical musics in his private movie theatre and enjoyed intimate dinners in the large dining-room or on the terrace facing the sea.
Then one terrible day, he got a call from her. She sounded upset. She informed him that she couldn't continue seeing him. Alarmed, he asked her why. After being evasive, she finally informed that she had been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. She didn't want to burden him with her illness. "It wouldn't be fair to you," she said. "I'll be in and out of hospital." However, he insisted that he wanted to be there for her and after they ended the call, he went over to her place.
He was there for her during the daily dialysis and several hospital stays. He took her food and helped her to get dressed. He spoke to the doctors, anxious to find out everything he could.
When he found out that she needed a transplant and after learning that her relatives couldn't be donors, he asked to be tested. Despite her protests, he was tested and it turned out that he was a match. Both of them were tearful when they got the news. They underwent the kidney transplant and on her forty-first birthday which was a couple of weeks later, he proposed to her. She happily accepted, knowing in her heart that not only had she met the man who selflessly gave his kidney so that he could save her life but she had met the man of her dreams. As they sat on the terrace gazing out at the sea one afternoon, she said to him, "I have your kidney and you have my heart."
He smiled and reached for her hand. "You have all of me."
This story was inspired by one I read today of a man who donated his kidney to save his girlfriend's life. If you would like to read their story, click Here.
This was written for the Ragtag Daily Prompt for today's prompt, Lofty. If you're interested in participating, click HERE for more information.
Source: Leicestershire Live
Led by God
April 23, 2018 June 14, 2019 notestowomen3 Comments
Roman was in the park, tying the laces on his running shoes when Janice walked up to him. He glanced up. "What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm here to see you, of course," she replied. "I missed you yesterday. We all did, especially the kids. The annual church picnic just wasn't the same without you there. As usual it was a fun-filled day of food, games and fellowship."
"I'm sorry I couldn't be there but I didn't feel up to it."
"Is everything okay with you, Roman?"
He finished tying his laces and stood up, stretching. "Yes, everything is okay with me. Is that why you're here, Janice? To check up on me?"
"I'm not checking up on you. I just wanted to come by and see how you're doing."
"Well, I'm doing fine."
"Frances is a bit worried about you…"
"Did Frances send you?"
"No, she didn't but she called me last night because she was concerned about you and I promised her that I would pop by to see you."
"Sometimes Frances acts more like my mother than my sister. She has her own family to take care of."
"You are family. And if there is something that is troubling you, you really don't have to deal with it alone–"
His mouth tightened. "I don't need a therapist."
"I'm not here professionally, Roman, but as a friend. Please, can we find a bench somewhere and talk?"
"I'd rather not talk about my personal life right now," he said.
"All right. We won't talk about you."
"What will we talk about?"
"Anything that doesn't make you uncomfortable."
"Okay. There's a bench over there."
She followed him to the bench which faced the lake and they sat down. "This is the second time in five years I have been to Hyde Park. I had forgotten how beautiful it is. Do you come here often?"
"Yes. It's where I come to relax and unwind and it's close to where I live. But, you already know that. Did you go to my flat first before coming here?"
"Yes. Frances told me that if you weren't there, chances were that you were here."
"What did you hope to accomplish by coming here?"
"Well, I hoped to see you and spend some time with you."
"What about your boyfriend? Wouldn't he have a problem with you being here with me?"
She looked down at her hands. "Roger and I aren't seeing each other anymore."
"How come, if you don't mind me asking."
"He's a non-believer. I knew that before we started dating but foolishly I believed that I was his best chance for knowing Jesus. I knew what I should do but wrestled with it for a while because I cared for Roger. I prayed about it and spoke to my pastor. He said that any emotional attachment a person had toward another person who is not on the same spiritual page or vice versa, is an unhealthy attachment. He told me to heed God's Word about being unequally yoked and end the relationship and move on. Which I did."
"When did you break up with Roger?"
"Last month."
"That's very recent."
"Yes. Sometimes it feels like it happened just yesterday. I know that it's for the best, though. I had no idea that I was doing what Pastor Brown called, missionary dating."
"What would he call being in a relationship with someone you have doubts about?"
"What sorts of doubts do you have about Jenny?"
"I have doubts that she's the woman I'm meant to be with."
"How long have the two of you been dating?"
"Four years."
"And you still have doubts about whether or not she's the one you want to spend the rest of your life with?"
"Yes." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I just can't shake the feeling that this relationship is all wrong for me and that I should get out of it."
"Any time you have doubts, you need to take notice and deal with them right away. I once read something that James T. Draper wrote which said, 'Doubt never means yes and always means no or wait a while: God does not lead through doubt. If you can't get peace, that is an answer.' Don't ignore the signs that are there. Have you shared your concerns with Jenny?"
"Yes, I have but the doubts are still there."
"Pray about it."
He sighed. "I will."
She glanced at her watch. "I'm afraid I have to go now," she said, getting up. "If you need to talk some more, call me."
"All right. Thanks." He watched her as she walked away and then he leaned back against the bench and closed his eyes. Lord, what should I do about Jenny? I don't want to hurt her but I can't ignore all of these doubts.
He waited for several minutes and then he got his answer. "Jenny is not the one for you. It is time to end your relationship with her". He opened his eyes and reaching into his pants pocket, he took out his cell phone. He paused for a moment before punching in the numbers. It rang a couple of times and then she answered.
"Hi, Roman, I've been calling you all morning. Where are you?"
"Hi, Jenny. I'm in the park." His fingers gripped the phone as he added, "May I come over? I need to see you."
"Sure. You sound a bit funny. Are you all right?"
"Yes. I just have a lot of things on my mind. I will be there in half-hour."
"All right. I'll see you then."
He ended the call. He put the cell back into his pocket and stood up. As he walked out of the park and headed home, he thought about what he was going to say.
That evening, Janice had just finished watching In Touch with Charles Stanley when her phone rang. She got up and went to answer it. It was Roman.
"I ended my relationship with Jenny this morning."
"How did she take it?"
"Not good, I'm afraid."
"That's as expected. How are you doing?"
"Not well. I feel rotten."
"It's never easy to break up with someone you love."
"Did you love Roger?"
"No. I cared for him but I wasn't in love with him."
"This experience has taught me that loving someone isn't enough to make the relationship work. I love Jenny but I can't be with her because I know that we wouldn't be happy."
"My grandmother once said that just because two people love each other it doesn't mean that they are meant for each other. The nagging doubts you had about Jenny was evidence that you aren't right for each other. I'm sorry that things didn't work out for you, though."
"So, what are you going to do now?"
"Do you remember Lisa Williams?"
Janice knitted her brow. "Vaguely."
"She's one of the mission trip organizers and she invited me to go on a mission trip to Ireland for ten days."
"Are you going to go?"
"Yes. I believe that a mission trip is what I need right now."
"When do you leave?"
"Next week Monday."
"Well, I hope you have a good trip. One of the best ways to recover from breaking up with someone you love is to do something entirely new. Going on this trip is probably what you need to do. You'll see new places and meet new people. Think of it this way, God has called you to partake in His work of transforming hearts and lives in Ireland."
"Yes, I believe He has." A pause then, "Thank you, Janice, for being there for me."
"What are friends for?"
"I'll call you when I get back."
"All right. Take care."
She hung up and stood there for several minutes then she went back over to the sofa and sat down.
The trip to Ireland provided just the catalyst Roman needed. God used the experience to take him out of his comfort zone through street ministry and to bring him closer to Him. His eyes were opened to the love of God spreading to a community of people who knew of Him but didn't know Him personally. Ireland was a beautiful place but the highlight for him was sharing the simplicity and beauty of the Gospel message with people. He hoped and prayed that their hearts would be transformed.
On the flight back to London, he thought about the trip and how thankful he was to have been a part of it. He remembered the different areas they had traveled to but Cobh stood out for him. It was a beautiful and colorful town. He learned that it was the Titanic's last port of call and visited the Titanic Memorial Garden there in Cobh. It was also where the survivors and the dead from the torpedoed RMS Lusitania were brought. A monument was erected to commemorate the tragedy.
As he stood at the Cobh harbor looking at the colorful buildings huddling together facing the water and the boats and St Colman's Cathedral, one of the tallest buildings in Ireland, looming over the town, he thought about Janice. He was sure that she would love the place and on the spur of the moment, he bought her a postcard. He wrote something on it and then dropped it in the mailbox. He had a feeling that he would be back in London before the postcard arrived.
He glanced at his watch now. In about an hour they would be arriving at London's Heathrow Airport. He was looking forward to being home. As soon as he got in he was going to relax on the sofa and watch some television. Although he still thought about her, there were no reminders of Jenny in his flat. Before leaving on the trip, he had cleaned house, removing photos of her alone, of them together, souvenirs they had brought back from trips and things she had given him. It was tough doing that but not as tough as severing all contact with her.
He deleted her from his email account, blocked her from Facebook, blocked her cell, home and work numbers. It had to be a clean and complete break. Thankfully, they didn't attend the same church or it would be really awkward and difficult running into her. He decided that it would be best to phase out her friends from his life as well. No ties with them or her family or anyone in her circle. Another clean break. He would make new friends and reconnect with old ones–have his own social circle. And as far as dating again was concerned, he wasn't ready. He was going to be single for a while. He believed that "being single is definitely better than being with the wrong person (Hassan Choughari).
Being single felt a bit strange at first after having been in a four year relationship but he got used to it after a while. He traveled more, got involved church ministry and community service. His life was busy and fulfilling. Two years had passed and Jenny was a faint memory. The last he heard of her, she had gotten married to a guy she met at a Singles' Retreat. He was happy for her but it only proved to him that the doubts he had about her were God's way of alerting him to the fact that she was not the right woman for him and he was not the right man for her. She was with the person she was meant to be with and he was going to trust God now to show him who the right woman was for him.
Lately, he and Janice were spending more time together. He enjoyed her company. They went hiking across dramatic cliff-tops and river valleys with breathtaking views of the white cliffs of Seven Sisters, Beachy Head and the Cuckmere Haven river valley. They had lunch at The Cuckmere Inn. Last Saturday they went bowling with Frances and her husband, Ken.
Tonight they were having dinner at a family run Italian restaurant. "I got your postcard from Budapest yesterday," Janice told him. "It must have been nice seeing those grand palaces, cathedrals and art."
"Yes, it was. It seems like all of my postcards got home after I did, though."
She smiled. "Well, except for the one from Montreal."
Roman reached over and covered her hand with his, his expression serious. "Janice, I've known you for a very long time and you've always been a good friend to me. When I was going through my struggles with doubts about Jenny, you were there to counsel me. Lately, we have been spending a lot of time together and during this time, I have developed romantic feelings for you. I feel such peace when I'm with you.
"There are no doubts or concerns. Our schedules don't conflict. We both have time to go to church, serve God, and enjoy spending time together. I enjoy being with you. Thinking of you excites me spiritually and emotionally. Talking to you is so easy. I feel so comfortable sharing very intimate thoughts with you. I feel that I have your undivided attention. And everyone thinks you're terrific. Janice, I want to be in a relationship with you."
Janice stared at him, her heart was pounding. She could hardly believe it. Her prayers had been answered! "I want to be in a relationship with you too, Roman," she admitted huskily.
He smiled and squeezed her hand. "Are you up for dessert?"
She nodded. "Yes. I keep thinking about that Chocolate fudge cake."
They began dating from that night and six months later, he proposed. The wedding took place the following summer. Frances was her matron of honor and Ken was the best man. It was a small and intimate wedding. They honeymooned in the Grenadines.
After a walk on the beach following dinner, they went back to their room with its stunning view of the sea. They stood facing each other, both nervous and excited at the same time. "I love you," Roman muttered thickly. "I waited for more than two years for the right woman and God led me straight to you."
"I love you too," she murmured. "A wise woman once said, wait for the man who waited on the Lord to lead him straight to you. I waited for you and God led you to me."
Roman reached out and taking her by the hands, he drew her to him, his eyes dark and stormy with desire. He bent his head and kissed her. When he felt her response, his hands released hers to cup her face as he deepened the kiss. She put her arms around his waist and pressed against him. The kisses became more passionate and soon, they were tugging at each other's clothes, wanting to be free and to feel skin against skin.
Picking her up, he carried her over to the bed where in the moon dappled light, they made love for the first time.
Sources: CBN; Heather Lindsey; Facts and Trends; Huffington Post; Bustle; World's Missions Alliance; She Knows; Huffington Post; RFWMA; Irish Central; Wikipedia; Self Growth; Pinterest; Walking Club; Belief Net; Nina Andres; Cotton House
January 6, 2018 February 26, 2018 notestowomenLeave a comment
Bethany lay there, thinking about Lysander and his winsome smile. Groaning, she turned over in the bed, burying her face in the pillow. She was mad at him yet, she missed him so much. She knew that if she weren't laid up here in bed, her body covered in hives, she would be driving up to the cabin to see him. Why on earth did she have the chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert, knowing that she was allergic to them? She blamed it on what happened between Lysander and her. Depressed, she thought having what used to be her favorite comfort food would help her to feel better. It didn't. She was still depressed. Sighing heavily, she allowed her thoughts to drift back to that last visit to the cabin…
It was a mild winter day so she decided that she would drive up to the cabin. She had a proclivity for showing up unannounced, especially after she had a row with her sister-in-law. Her teeth gritted when she thought of Cicely. Who was she to tell her that she shouldn't go about throwing herself at Lysander, a man who was so much older than her? She wished Cicely would stop telling her to date a guy at her university or trying to set her up with her friends' sons. She was old enough to know what she wanted and she wanted Lysander.
She had known him since she was a child but fell in love with him when she became a teenager. He was her brother's best friend and best man at his wedding. Lysander was always very nice to her but he treated her like a little sister which frustrated her. Sometimes she felt like they were Almonzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder from Little House on the Prairie before Almonzo noticed Laura. Would the same thing happen for her? Would there come a time when Lysander would see her as a woman instead of a little girl?
All of these thoughts were running through her mind as she made her way to the cabin which was about an hour's drive from the city. It was a cozy place in the woods and very peaceful. It was no wonder that Lysander spent so much of his time there. He was there every weekend and during the holidays. When she visited they would go for long walks and then return to sit outside for hours, talking, having lunch or playing card games. She was looking forward to seeing him and her foot pressed down a little harder on the accelerator.
Soon the cabin was in sight and her heart began to pound. As she pulled up, she saw his jeep and the door on the driver-side was open. He was either on his way out or had just arrived home. She stopped the car a little distance away and turned off the engine. After fixing her hair and checking her face in the mirror, she grabbed her handbag and got out of the car. He was still sitting in his jeep so she walked over to him. "Hello, Ly," she called out, smiling. Her smile soon faded, though, when she saw the expression on his face. He wasn't smiling at all.
"What are you doing here, Beth?" he asked. She couldn't tell if he was getting in or out of the vehicle when she showed up. She hoped that it was the latter.
"I came to see you, of course," she replied flippantly although she was wary. She had hoped that he would be pleased to see her. They hadn't seen each other in about two weeks. He had been out of town on business and got back yesterday. Didn't he miss her? She had missed him like crazy. Her gaze slipped over him as he got out of the jeep. He looked sexy in the tan colored jacket with the fur trimmed hood and collar and the leather pants. How she longed to run over and throw her arms around him but his demeanor was not forthcoming and she doubted that he would welcome such a display of emotion. "Aren't you happy to see me?"
"You can't keep dropping by unexpectedly like this," he said. "What if I had company?"
She stiffened. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Are you seeing someone?" The thought of him seeing another woman was unbearable.
He sighed. "Beth, you and I can't continue seeing each other like this."
"Why not?" she asked in a trembling voice. This couldn't be happening.
His eyes darkened as he gazed down into her face. "My feelings for you have changed."
She swallowed hard, her heart pounding. "They have?"
"Yes. I'm deeply attracted to you." His gaze lowered to her lips and his parted. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he said to her, "I think it would be best if you go now."
Shaking her head, she reached up and held his face between her hands. "Don't send me away, Ly," she pleaded huskily. "Let me stay. I want to be with you." Before he could say anything, she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him. She moaned when she felt his response and his hands go around her waist, pressing her tightly against him. They stood there in the crisp wintry air with the sun bathing them, exchanging passionate kisses. She loved and wanted him so much it ached.
Lysander continued to kiss her and then he pulled away, his face flushed. It took a moment for him to catch his breath. "We can't do this," he muttered thickly. "Please go."
"But, I don't want to go," she protested, reaching for him again but he stepped back. "I love you, Ly. I love you so much. Please let me stay."
"No!" he cried, startling her. "I'm too old for you. You should be with someone your own age."
"I wish you would stop using our age difference as an excuse," she retorted. "I'm twenty-four years old and you're forty. So, we have sixteen years between us, why is that such a big deal?"
"You should be with someone your own age," he insisted.
"So, you are willing to throw away what you and I could have because of something as stupid as our age difference?" her voice was trembling now. She was hurt and angry.
"I doing what I think is the only viable thing to do. In time you will get over me."
"Fine," she cried. "I will go away and leave you alone–" her sob rose to her throat before she could stifle it and she turned and ran back to her car, ignoring him as he called after her. She yanked open the door and got in, slamming it behind her. Her fingers shook as she put the key in the ignition and turned it.
The tears were falling now and almost blinded her. She saw him coming towards the car and she quickly reversed and raced off down the gravel. When she got back to the city, she went to a secluded spot where she broke down and cried. Her heart ached for Lysander. Her lips still felt tender from his kisses and she knew that if he were to call her on her cell then and asked her to go back, she would in a heartbeat.
That was three weeks ago. She hadn't seen nor heard from him since that awful day. And now she was stuck in the house because of a bowl of strawberries. The antihistamine she had taken seemed to be working because the headache was gone and the swelling was going away. In a matter of hours or in a day or two she should be back to normal. Until then, she didn't want to see anyone. She closed her eyes. When she opened them again, it was morning.
She sat up and stretched. It looked like another beautiful sunny day. I wonder what Lysander is doing now. Is he thinking about me? Probably not. She felt her eyes well with tears at the thought but she quickly blinked them back. I'm not going to cry. The hives on her body were fading, thank goodness. She threw back the covers. The hives on her body were fading, thank goodness. She got out of bed. After soaking in a warm, oatmeal bath, she got dressed in loose clothing and went downstairs to have breakfast. Cicely was sitting at the kitchen table having hers. "Good morning," she greeted her sister-in-law.
"Good morning," Cicely said, watching her as she helped herself to some scrambled eggs, toast and tea. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, thanks. By tomorrow, the swelling and the hives will be completely gone. Where's Derek?"
"He had to take the car to the mechanic. It has been giving trouble again. I have been telling him to get rid of it and buy a new one"
"He loves that car. He's had it for years. I can't see him buying a new one any time soon."
"Buying a new car would be better than wasting money on a beaten up old one but it's his decision, I guess. So, do you have any plans for today?"
Bethany shook her head. "I don't plan on going anywhere until my skin clears up. I'll just catch up on my reading and do some studying."
There was a pregnant pause and then, "Lysander was here last night."
Bethany stared at her. "Ly was here?" she exclaimed. "When?" It must have been when she was sleeping.
"Around eight-thirty. He stopped by to see Derek but he asked for you."
"What did you tell him?" she asked, her heart racing. How she wished she had been awake when he came by. She would have gotten out of bed, dressed and gone downstairs just to see him.
"I, um—told him that you weren't at home—"
"Why did you tell him that?" she demanded. "He must have seen my car parked in the driveway."
"Well, I told him that you were on a date—"
Bethany glared at her. "Why did you do that?" she demanded. "Are you trying to ruin my life? You know I love Lysander and that he's the only man I want to be with. Why did you make him believe that I was seeing someone? Do you dislike me that much, Cicely?"
"I don't dislike you, Bethany and I'm not out to ruin your life. I still think that Lysander is too old for you but after seeing his reaction to what I said, I realize that your feelings for him are not one-sided."
"What do you mean?" Bethany was on the edge of her chair now.
"I believe that Lysander is in love with you. I saw the look on his face when I told him that you were on a date. He looked hurt, devastated. I felt bad for lying to him and wanted to tell him the truth but he said he had to go and to give his apologies to Derek and then he left."
Bethany pushed back her chair and got up. She had lost her appetite.
Cicely looked up at her. "Where are you going?" she asked.
"Where do you think?" Bethany retorted, giving her a withering look. "To see Lysander."
"Do you think you should drive all that way now—so early in the morning?"
"When do you think I should go or do you even think I should go at all?"
"Well, I think it would be best for you to see him somewhere else rather than driving over to his place. A girl your age shouldn't be alone with a man as experienced as Lysander—"
"I'm not a girl and this isn't the 1800s. Now, you have interfered in my life for the last time, Cicely. As soon as I graduate in the summer, I will find a job and move out." She turned and marched out of the room, her expression thunderous.
In ten minutes, she was on her way to the cabin. She had no idea of what kind of reception she would get but she had to see him and clear up the misunderstanding. What he must think of her now, especially after her declaration of love. How could she say she loved him and then go out on a date just three weeks later?
She gripped the steering wheel as fresh anger toward Cicely consumed her. When Lysander asked for her, why couldn't she have told him that she was not feeling well or come and let her know that he was there? No, she decided to take it upon herself and tell him an outright lie. Oh, Ly, she cried, tears stinging her eyes. I hope Cicely is right and that you love me too.
When she got there, his jeep was parked outside. Relieved, she quickly parked her car and ran to the front door, letting herself in. It was nice and toasty in the living-room. She removed her coat and boots and then went over to the fire to warm her hands. She looked around. Why was Lysander? It was so quiet. Perhaps he was still sleeping or maybe he was outside getting more wood for the fireplace.
She went to the window and looked out. There was no sign of him. It was such a beautiful sunny day, albeit a bit nippy. Perhaps he went for a walk. Then, she heard a sound in the bedroom and she hurried to investigate. The door was ajar and she opened it wide enough to go in. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw Lysander.
He was standing in front of the bureau. His broad, bare back was toward her and she allowed her gaze to travel slowly over his muscular frame clad only in a pair of jeans. He had taken a sweater out of the drawer and was about to pull it on. She watched him, her heart pounding wildly. How she longed to go up behind him and put her arms around him while she buried her face in his smooth skin…
He turned around and started when he saw her standing there, gawking at him. Dragging on the sweater, he demanded, "What on earth are you doing here?"
"I—I came to see you."
He pulled the sweater down, covering his torso as he watched her, his expression inscrutable. "When did you get here? I didn't hear your car."
"I came about ten minutes ago. You were probably in the shower when I arrived." His hair was glistening damply in the light coming through the windows. Her fingers itched to run themselves through the silky strands. "It has been three weeks since we last saw each other, Ly. How have you been?"
"I'm fine," he said curtly. "I don't have to ask you how you've been."
Her eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"You've been dating. You don't waste any time, do you?" His face was glowering now.
"That's not true," she protested, crossing the carpet to stand a few feet away from him. "I'm not dating."
"When I stopped by last night, Cicely told me that you were out on a date."
"She lied to you, Ly. I was upstairs in my room sleeping when you stopped by. I came down with hives because I ate too many strawberries. If you don't believe me, I will show you the rashes on my arms. They are going away but you can still see them. I haven't been anywhere since I got them a couple of days ago."
"Why would she lie to me?"
"She lied to you because she thinks that I should be with someone my own age."
"Perhaps she's right—"
"No, she isn't. I don't want to be with anyone else, Ly. I love you and I want to be with you. If you don't feel the same way about me, tell me now and–and I will go away." She moved closer and her mouth went dry when she saw the expression on his face.
He reached for her and pulled her roughly against him. "I can't let you go," he told her thickly. "I love you, Beth. That's why I came to see you last night. I wanted to tell you that I was sorry about the way I acted that day at the cabin. As soon as you drove away, I was afraid that I was making a terrible mistake. I wanted to come after you but I decided that it was probably the best thing for us not to see each other for a while until I could really think things through. During the time when we didn't see each other, I nearly went out of my mind thinking about you and missing you. Finally, I couldn't take it anymore and that's why I decided to come to you. When Cicely told me that you were on a date, I was blindsided. It was the last thing I expected to hear, especially after you told me that you loved me. I realized then that in spite of what I said to you, the last thing I wanted was for you to be with someone else."
She put her arms around his neck and pressed against him, loving the feel of his firm body against hers. "The important thing is that we're together now," she told him huskily before she pulled his head down to hers. They exchanged hungry kisses and then, he picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
The following week, they got engaged and in the summer after she graduated from university, they got married in a small, intimate wedding ceremony. Derek was the best man. After they returned from their honeymoon in Nice, Lysander sold his flat in London and they moved into the cabin.
The Engagement Party
September 30, 2017 notestowomenLeave a comment
It was her friend Zoe's engagement party and it was being held at Lord's The Home of Cricket. It was a beautiful venue. Dinner was to be held in the elegantly furnished and intimate Writing Room. On the walls hung paintings of cricketing scenes such as an imaginary game between England and Australia watched by high society ladies and gentlemen. From there one could see the views of the Ground from the north end of the Pavilion. However, neither of these things held her interest. All she could see was him.
She stood against the wall watching him now. He was talking to a couple. She had noticed him the moment he walked in. He was easily the most handsome man in the entire room. Tall, slender with thick black hair dressed in an expensive looking black suit, white shirt and black tie, he looked very stylish. He probably wouldn't even notice me, she thought.
Just then, he looked up and their eyes met. Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to look away but couldn't. She saw him say something to the couple and then he was walking toward her. By now her heart was pounding heavily and her breath quickened. As he approached she saw his eyes travel over her. She was wearing a red ankle length dress which flattered her with red strappy low heel sandals and her hair was swept up in a pile of curls on top of her head.
He was standing in front of her now and this close he was even more striking. He had exquisite brown eyes which were riveted on her face. "Hello," he said, holding out his hand. "I'm Cole."
She put her hand in his and his fingers enclosed hers in a warm handshake. "Stephanie."
"Are you here alone?" he asked. He was staring at her and she could see the admiration in his eyes.
"Are you Gary's friend or Zoe's?"
"Zoe's. She and I have been the best of friends since we attended university together. I'm her maid of honor."
"I'm her uncle." He smiled when he saw her surprised look. "I get the same reaction from other people."
He looked rather young to be Zoe's uncle. He was most likely in his late thirties which meant that he was a child himself when she was born. All of her uncles were old enough to be her father. She wondered what Zoe would say if she knew that she was attracted to hers. Right now she was captivated by him. "Zoe mentioned that you're giving her away."
"Yes. Her father, my older brother died two years ago."
"It's a pity that he couldn't be here. Zoe has told me so much about him. They seemed very close."
"Yes, they were. You're very beautiful," he said suddenly, startling her. His expression was serious.
She swallowed hard, her eyes wide as they met his. His thumb was caressing the back of her hand causing all sorts of tingling sensations in her. "Th-thank you," she managed to say.
"I see you've met my dear Uncle Cole," Zoe's voice said over his shoulder and he released Stephanie's hand.
They turned to the smiling redhead who looked radiant in her gold lace maxi dress. "I was going to introduce you but I see you have beaten me to it. Isn't he handsome?" she asked Stephanie, with a twinkle in my eyes. "I think all of my girlfriends had a crush on him."
"You're exaggerating as usual," Cole said to her. "Are you having a good time?"
"I'm having a wonderful time, thanks to you and Mother. They took care of all the arrangements," she explained to Stephanie.
"It's a wonderful venue," Stephanie agreed. "After dinner I would like to take a walk in the grounds." Cole glanced at her when she said that.
"Well, now it's time to have dinner," Zoe said. "The two of you are sitting at my table." She slipped an arm in each of theirs and walked with them to the Writing Room. Stephanie sat between Cole and Zoe. Dinner was superb. Afterwards there was dancing. Stephanie watched as Zoe and Gary danced, thinking how romantic they looked. Then, she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned around. It was Cole. He bent down and said in her ear, "Do you still want to take a walk on the grounds?" She nodded. He straightened up and she got up from the table.
It was a warm evening and still bright. Cole took her first to the cricket ground where the stands were and then to see the W.G Grace Statue. "Who's this?" she asked marveling at the sculpture.
"It's W.G. Grace. He was an English amateur cricketer who was important in the development of cricket. He is considered to be one of the sport's greatest players. He played first class cricket for a 44 seasons. He came from a family of cricketers."
"Does it look like him?"
"Yes, it's a remarkable likeness."
"Are you a cricket fan?"
He shook his head. "No. I'm more partial to soccer and rugby. My father, however, was a cricket player and was a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club, owner of the Lord's Ground."
"It's really nice out here," she said. "Do you mind if we sit for a bit on one of the benches over there?" To be honest, she wanted to rest her feet for a bit. They were starting to feel sore because of the heels. She was not used to doing a lot of walking in them and they were still fairly new.
"Not at all," he said and they went over to one of the benches and sat down. She was facing forward while he was turned towards her with his arm resting along the back of the bench. "You know, it feels strange being alone with you like this," he commented after a moment of silence passed.
She turned to look at him. "What do you mean?" she asked. She enjoyed being here alone with him and wished that they could stay there for a long time.
"I'm at least ten years older than you. I'm deeply attracted to you and you're my niece's friend."
Her pulse began to race. "I'm twenty-six," she said. "How old are you?"
"Thirty-nine. I will be forty in September."
"There's not that much of an age difference between us," she said.
"It feels strange being attracted to a girl who's the same age as my niece."
She got up and looking down at him, she told him, "I'm not a girl. I'm a woman and I know what I want." She saw his expression darken and then, he was up on his feet and pulling her roughly against him.
"And I know what I want," he muttered before he kissed her passionately, his lips almost devouring hers. And her arms went up and encircled his neck. She pressed closer against him as she responded to the onslaught of his kisses.
There they stood for a long while exchanging hungry kisses before he raised his head to gaze down at her, breathing heavily, his eyes dark and stormy and his face flushed. "We'd better go back before they start to wonder where we are," he said.
Fighting to catch her breath, she could only nod and he released her. On trembling legs she walked back to the party with him. Before they went inside, he paused to look at her. "When can I see you again?" he asked huskily.
"Any time you want," she said. How she longed to kiss him again.
"Good," he said with a slight smile before he reached out and caressed her cheek with his knuckles. Before they parted company, she wrote down her phone number and address on the back of his business card and gave it to him. He thanked her as he put it in his breast pocket. He joined his mother and other guests while she joined Zoe and their other friends.
It was after mid-night when she left the party. She got a ride home with a friend. Before she left, she went over to Cole and said goodnight to him, his mother and the people with them. She tried to be discreet where he was concerned and so she could only afford to give him a brief glance before walking away. He watched her go, his expression drawn and a muscle throbbing along his jaw-line.
Weeks passed and she didn't hear from him. By the third week she was heartbroken. Zoe kept asking her what was wrong when they met to fit on the dresses for the wedding but she assured her that she was fine. She didn't want to upset her friend. Why hasn't he gotten in touch with me? The wedding was in two weeks. What was she going to do when she saw him then? Act as if nothing had happened between them? Act as if everything was all right when her heart was breaking? How she ached for him. She spent sleepless nights, thinking about him and wondering why he hadn't called or visited her.
It was the night before the wedding and she was feeling terrible. How she wished she didn't have to go but how could she not? Zoe was counting on her being there as her friend and as her maid of honor. She couldn't let her down. But how was she going to face Cole? What if he showed up with a date? That would be devastating, to say the least. She wouldn't be able to hide her distress and everyone would know that she was in love with him.
She got up from the sofa and went over to the window to look at the flickering lights of London. He was out there somewhere, she thought. Was he alone or was he with a woman? She closed her eyes as fierce jealousy tore through her. She pressed her head against the cool window pane as the tears ran down her cheeks.
Her eyes flew open when she heard the doorbell. She moved away from the window, wiping her eyes in her tee shirt. She looked through the keyhole and her breath caught in her throat. She quickly pulled back the latch and tugged open the door, her eyes eagerly slipping over Cole's tall frame. He was wearing a navy blue suit and a checkered shirt. Unable to help herself, she reached out and pulled him inside. She closed the door, locked it and leaned against it, her chest heaving.
He turned to stare at her, his expression drawn. "I couldn't stay away," he muttered thickly. "I tried to but I just couldn't stay away from you."
"But, why did you want to stay away from me?" she asked, bewildered. "I thought you wanted to see me again. You said so at the engagement party."
"Yes, I wanted to see you again so badly but our age difference kept bothering me."
"I don't care about the age difference," she told him angrily. "I want to be with you, Cole. And I know that you want to me with me. That's why you're here now. Have you any idea how miserable I've been these past weeks, wondering why I haven't heard from you?"
"Many times, I wanted to call you or stop by but I managed to convince myself it would be better if I didn't get in touch."
"Better for whom?" she was beside herself now. The emotions were just pouring out now and the hot tears were spilling down her cheeks. She was angry at him and she began to pummel at his chest. "How could breaking my heart be better for me?"
His eyes darkened and his eyes were filled with pain. "I'm sorry," he said as he caught her fists and held them firmly. "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me, Stephanie. Please forgive me for being such a fool."
She calmed down and he released her hands which fell at her sides. He reached up and cupped her face, his thumbs wiping away the tears. Her eyes met his and the emotion in them made him groan. He lowered his head and kissed her. Moaning, she closed her eyes and kissed him back, her arms wrapping themselves tightly about his waist.
After several minutes, he broke off the kiss to look into her eyes. "I love you," he muttered huskily. "I love you so much."
Fresh tears sprang to her eyes. "I love you too," she whispered.
"Will you go to the wedding with me tomorrow?" he asked.
"Yes, I would love to but everyone will know that you and I…"
"I don't care," he declared. "They will find out soon enough."
"What about Zoe?"
"It may take some time but she'll get used to her uncle dating her best friend. Do you have any more objections?"
She shook her head.
"Good," he murmured before he kissed her again.
Source: Lord's the Home of Cricket; Wikipedia; MCC;
The Match Maker
June 20, 2017 June 21, 2017 notestowomen1 Comment
Christina was sitting on the porch, enjoying a late spring
afternoon when Logan joined her.
"So how is Pemberton's self appointed matchmaker?"
"Don't you have anything else to do beside annoy me?"
He leaned against the door frame, his eyes intent on her.
"Whose life have you decided to meddle with this time?"
She glared at him. "I don't meddle," she retorted crossly. "I bring
people together."
"Oh yes, you are Pemberton's self-appointed matchmaker."
"I have had great success in this venture. Why just recently
I had the pleasure of seeing my dear friend Lucinda marry
Robert McKinley. From the moment I saw him, I knew that he
would be a perfect match for her. I have had other such
victories. You cannot deny that I am good at this."
"And you have never suffered defeat?" He sounded incredulous.
"Well," she admitted grudgingly, "There was the matter of Olivia
and Miles." She blushed as she remembered how Miles had
mistaken her solicitude toward him as romantic interest and how
angry he had become when she had intimated that she wanted
to secure him for her friend, Olivia. He was insulted, claiming
that Olivia was a nobody and unequal to him in every way. Then,
he had stormed out of the library never to be seen again. Poor
Olivia. It had taken a long time for her to get over the heartbreak.
"I must be the only unattached gentleman you have not tried to
find a match for," Logan remarked, startling her. "Why is that?"
"You exaggerate," she chided him. "There are several unattached
men and women whom I have not sought to find matches for."
"I'm curious. Why haven't you planned a match for me?"
She lowered her eyes, afraid that they might betray her
feelings. "Do you want me to?" she asked. She hoped he was
teasing her. He had a habit of doing so.
"As a matter of fact I do," he announced. "There is a particular
lady I would like to become better acquainted with."
Christina swallowed hard. "Do I know her?"
"Yes. You know her extremely well."
Who could it be? The thought of him caring for another
devastated her. She couldn't hide her agitation now.
"I'm afraid I can't help you," she said, avoiding his eyes and
getting up suddenly, she moved away and stood with her back to him.
She heard him come up behind her and then felt his hands on her
shoulders, turning her around to face him. She couldn't
look at him so she concentrated on the front of his shirt.
"Christina," he whispered. "Don't you know by now that I'm in love
with you? You have been so caught up in trying to find love for others
that you failed to see the love that has always been yours."
She looked up at him, her heart pounding wildly as she met
his gaze. "I have been in love with you since the first time we
met," she confessed, hardly able to believe that this was really
happening. "I never dreamed of finding a match for you because
I had hoped that you would feel the same way about me."
"I would not have allowed you to meddle in my life. As you
can see I am quite capable of finding love on my own."
"My match-making days are over," Christina promised him.
He smiled and taking her arm, he escorted her back to her
seat and they spent the rest of the afternoon most agreeably.
Sources: Wikipedia; Victorian Trading Co


text:
Kabinett Briand steht für folgende französische Regierungen:

 Kabinett Briand I (Juli 1909 bis November 1910)
 Kabinett Briand II (November 1910 bis März 1911)
 Kabinett Briand III (Januar bis Februar 1913)
 Kabinett Briand IV (Februar bis März 1913)
 Kabinett Briand V (Oktober 1915 bis Dezember 1916)
 Kabinett Briand VI (Dezember 1916 bis März 1917)
 Kabinett Briand VII (Januar 1921 bis Januar 1922)
 Kabinett Briand VIII (November 1925 bis März 1926)
 Kabinett Briand IX (März bis Juni 1926)
 Kabinett Briand X (Juni bis Juli 1926)
 Kabinett Briand XI (Juli bis November 1929)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Mother's deserve the world and more. So, it's hard to think of a gift or two that sums up your appreciation of her (without costing the world!) We've categorised every magnificent mother into four groups. Gintastic Mum, Snacktastic Mum, Quirktastic Mum and Glamtastic Mum.
Recently, gin is on everyone's lips. Our customer Jawbox, has been soaring up the gin ladder for locals. Check out our practical and pretty gift packaging which allows for a branded mug (we know, what a wonderful pair!) You can purchase Jawbox at your local superstores and can be inspired by suggested servings on their website.
Everyone loves a cupcake or pastry delicacy. Why not show your mum how sweet she is with a few sugary snacks? Pop down to your local bakery and whip up her favourite things in a beautifully packaged box or perhaps make your own!
Another delicious option is Foster's chocolate honeycomb. Perfect for that after-dinner sweet tooth. The packaging even looks good enough to eat too!
For the mum's who are a ray of sunshine, this Itty Bitty purchase is perfect to enhance their happiness with positive quotes – they deserve it. The Happy Box encourages reflecting on the positive things in life and all your quirks that go with it. You can even add a personal message to make her day even more special!
For the glamorous mum's, they may need some tanning products to ensure they are beautifully bronzed at all times. BPerfect Cosmetics have every tanning product she needs from organic long-lasting 10 second tan to strawberry scented self-tan eraser.
We hope our 4 types of magnificent Mother's Day gifts have inspired you to spoil your mum – she deserves it!
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Stagecoach in Hull has re-launched its express service linking Hull with Goole and Leeds. The X62 service is now operated by refurbished coaches with onboard Wi-Fi and leather seats. These coaches have replaced double deck vehicles on the route.
The LoveYourX branding is supported with a dedicated website at www.loveyourx.co.uk which was launched on Valentines Day!


4 miles north of US Highway 30 on 18th Avenue.
adjoining a 200 acre lake.
Popular for boating, water skiing, camping and fishing.
Available year round connecting Lake North and Loup Park.
Playground areas, potable water, picnic tables, grills.
a favorite place for bird watching and viewing beautiful sunsets.


text:
13 Witch Books That Will Hold You Spellbound
By the pricking of our thumbs, something badass this way comes...
By Olivia Mason
The witch has alway figured significantly in our lives, from our history classes to the popular culture we consume. Once upon a time, any woman who dared to think or act independently—and thus, "endanger" the patriarchy—was branded a witch, subjected to torture, and killed for her crimes. Luckily, things have changed, and we're no longer gathering in town squares to shout, "Burn the witch!" Instead, we're looking to our magical fore-sisters as symbols of female empowerment. Good or evil, "real" or fictional—they're always pretty badass.
The 13 witch books below draw from age-old lore to tell fantasy stories about human connection, embracing our uniqueness, and tapping into our own inherent power. From a fantasy that exposes the sexism of midcentury America to books inspired by African mythology, they put their own spin on the cauldron-stirring, broomstick-riding women that have held us spellbound for centuries.
RELATED: The Best Monthly Science Fiction and Fantasy eBook Deals
By Fritz Leiber
Imagine a world in which women practice witchcraft on the sly, and right under their husband's noses. Sounds pretty great, right? Not to Norman Saylor, a professor of sociology and staunch rationalist. When he discovers that his wife, Tansy—sweet, domestic goddess Tansy!—is waist-deep in some covert abracadabra, he persuades her to stop. But Tansy is just one witch in a badass global coven, and suddenly Norman is plagued by misfortune that turns his life upside down...
Creative and entertaining, Frtiz Leiber's novel is also a fascinating look at 1940s gender roles, as its male hero acknowledges the very real existence of female power.
RELATED: Fritz Leiber's Conjure Wife Wins the Retrospective Best Novel Hugo Award
The Witches of Wenshar
By Barbara Hambly
In the first installment of Hambly's three-part series, Sun Wolf and Starhawk—two renowned mercenaries—are recruited by a women's resistance group to free enslaved Mandrigyn men. The Witches of Wenshar continues that adventure, as Sun Wolf tries to understand his newfound magical powers. Accompanied by Starhawk, he sets out for the faraway land of Wenshar, seeking the wisdom of a famed "good" witch—only to find himself in the midst of an evil greater than he has ever known. Once again, Hambly imbibes her fantasy tale with a feminist message, redefining the notions of "male" and "female" abilities with strong characters of both sexes.
Related: 10 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books About Heroes and Heroines with Extraordinary Powers
Daughter of Witches
By Patricia C. Wrede
Ever since Renira's witch parents were burned at the stake, she's been a captive of the Empire of Chaldon. After years of thwarting her abusive master and fighting for her freedom, she encounters three endangered outsiders—a mage named Mist and two mercenaries—who are also hoping to flee the kingdom. With their assistance, Renira may finally make her escape, though her success hinges on her willingness to embrace the very thing that killed her mother and father: magic.
Daughter of Witches is the second standalone book in Wrede's five-book Lyra series, each installment of which has something to offer fantasy fans who like female-focused characters with a unique voice. Wrede is also known for her Enchanted Forest Chronicles, in which a princess runs away from home to keep house for a dragon rather than bow to the palace's patriarchal expectations for her.
RELATED: 16 Fantasy Books Featuring Teens With Magical Abilities
Want more fantasy books? Sign up for The Portalist's newsletter and get our recommended reads delivered straight to your inbox.
By Erica Jong
Erica Jong's book is an informative and gorgeously illustrated history of the witch. With the same feminist insight that informed her famous novel Fear of Flying, Jong debunks myths, examines contemporary witch culture, and uncovers the underlying motives of historic witch hunts. Pictures, poetry, and potions (plus a whole lot more!) round out the study, making Witches a visually compelling portrait of an often misunderstood but badass cultural mainstay.
RELATED: Feminism Through the Ages: Powerful Sci-Fi & Fantasy Books
Witches on the Road Tonight
By Sheri Holman
While driving through the Appalachian mountains, two lovers strike a young local boy, Eddie, with their car. Shaken and ridden with guilt, they escort him back to his home, where his charming mother, Cora, invites them to stay. The couple accepts but soon regrets their decision, as they discover the true nature of their seemingly benevolent host...
From there Witches on the Road Tonight expands to cover multiple decades, following Eddie, his adult daughter, and Cora on their separate but inextricably linked paths. Through magical realism and witchcraft lore, Holma's novel sheds light on the far-reaching consequences of fear steeped in gender and sexuality.
RELATED: 13 Books to Read If You're a Fan of American Gods
By Alexandra Grigorescu
Mother-daughter relationships can be complicated — particularly when both have strange and taboo abilities. Twenty-year-old Hannah lives alone on the edge of a swamp in Louisiana, mourning the death of her adopted mother and nursing her crush on Callum, a charming boat captain. Hannah's quiet life is set adrift with the surprise appearance of her birth mother. Rumored to be a witch who can communicate with passed-on spirits, Hannah's biological mother has been shunned by society. Hannah tried to ignore the abilities she shares in common with her mother. But now that her past has come to confront her where she lives, Hannah can't run from the living or the dead any longer. A Southern gothic novel that Publishers Weekly called "haunting," Cauchemar gives a sinister new meaning to the phrase 'like mother, like daughter.'
The Bone Witch
By Rin Chupeco
As a "bone witch," Tea can raise the dead, though her gift for necromancy is feared by the general public. At 12-years-old, she is sent to study beneath a wise "Dark asha"—a fellow necromancer—who promises to teach her the tricks of their criticized trade. But Tea's power comes with great responsibility, and an ironic catch: Her "otherness" marks her as a protector of the kingdoms, and only she can defeat the enemy that threatens the people who ostracize her. Rin Chupeco's heroine and Game of Thrones' Daenerys Targaryen are two heroines cut from the same cloth, and the series has been hailed as a "high-fantasy Memoirs of a Geisha" (Kirkus).
Related: Leigh Bardugo's The Language of Thorns Explores the Dark Side of Fairy Tales
Akata Witch
Akata Witch is another wildly imaginative tale from one of SF/F community's brightest talents, Nnedi Okorafor. It stars Sunny, an American-born albino living in Nigeria. But Sunny's appearance and birthplace aren't the only things separating her from other twelve-year-olds: She's also a nascent witch who's had terrifying visions of the future. Her friendships with three similarly gifted classmates eventually introduces her to the world of sorcery, where she discovers her true identity, the limits of her powers, and the magician who plans to incite the apocalypse she's foreseen.
RELATED: Octavia Butler's Wild Seed to Be Adapted for the Small Screen
Labyrinth Lost
By Zoraida Cordova
Some teens turn their backs on religious traditions, or the expectation to take over the family business. For teenaged Alex, it's much the same, though she's casting aside her ancient "bruja" roots. When her plot to rid herself of magic ends in tragedy—sending her entire family into a Limbo-like underworld—she must reconsider the history she's always hated in order to save the people she loves most. A powerful story of family that is steeped in Latin American culture, Labyrinth Lost is a creepy, unique cross between Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Dante's Inferno.
Related: 8 Spellbinding Fantasy Books That Will Make You Believe in Magic
The Wicked Deep
By Shea Ernshaw
On the Summer Solstice, a trio of witches returns from the grave to play a game of deadly seduction: By possessing the bodies of young girls, they charm and drown the boys of Sparrow, Oregon. This year, a new kid has come to town—but he gives no credence to what he thinks is just a silly local legend. Penny, a longtime resident, has a hunch this new arrival will be the next victim, but can she save him from the watery death so many others have suffered? The Wicked Deep's three Swan Sisters will remind readers of Hocus Pocus—though the romance will enchant fans of Practical Magic.
By Maggie Stiefvater
While Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle series isn't strictly about witches, Blue's kickass mother and aunts earn it a spot on this list. Every St. Mark's Day, Blue is dragged to the cemetery, where her psychic mom sees the future ghosts of anyone approaching death. This year is different though. For once, Blue is directly addressed by one of the spirits—a handsome boy named Gansey, who she meets in person soon thereafter. As she's drawn into his circle of eccentric and troubled friends, Blue realizes her attraction to Gansey isn't entirely platonic. There's just one problem: Blue is cursed to kill her true love with a kiss.
RELATED: Dark Fantasy Books You Won't Be Able to Put Down
How to Hang a Witch
By Adriana Mather
This New York Times bestselling supernatural novel centers around the descendants of the main players in the historical Salem witch trial. Samantha Mather recently moved to Salem from New York after her father became inexplicably ill, and already she feels like a social pariah in the insular town. Then 'The Descendants' find her. Sam's ancestor Cotton Mather was one of the men behind the Salem witch trials in 1693 which resulted in the executions of 20 people accused of practicing witchcraft. The Descendants are teenagers bent on making Sam pay for what Cotton did to their great-great-family-members. Then Sam meets the ghost—an unnervingly attractive ghost—and everything gets so much more complicated. A gripping young adult novel that is by turns spooky, romantic, and fascinating from a historical perspective, How to Hang a Witch is an ideal autumn read.
RELATED: Young Adult Fantasy Books to Cast a Spell on Readers of All Ages
The Witches of London Trilogy
By Alyxandra Harvey
Canadian author Alyxandra Harvey writes paranormal YA that's a delight to get lost in. Historical fiction fans will be particularly tickled by the Witches of London trilogy, which transplants familiar witchy tropes to the unique setting of 1814 London. Cousins Emma, Gretchen, and Penelope are preoccupied by the claustrophobic pressures that come with being eligible women during a busy London social season. But all their thoughts of courtship and chaperones are dismissed in an instant when a family heirloom is accidentally broken, unleashing a magical apocalypse on the city. Suddenly, the girls possess terrifying abilities — and someone, or something, is killing Londoners and leaving their bodies for Emma to find. Like all of Harvey's books, The Witches of London series is filled with great female characters who recognize they're stronger together than on their own.
This post is sponsored by Open Road Media. Thank you for supporting our partners, who make it possible for The Portalist to continue publishing the stellar stories you love.
Featured photo: freestocks.org / Unsplash
witch booksfantasy bookswitches

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


St Dominic Catholic Church Parish Center was dedicated on October 10, 2004. Father Joseph E. Bahr was the pastor and Sister Catherine Therese Paulie, CSJ, served as pastoral minister.
The center has fourteen rooms which include a fully equipped kitchen; Bride's and Groom's dressing rooms; handicap accessible restrooms and a nursery. The building also houses the parish offices as well as a choir room and religious formation office and work room.
The center is available to parishioners to rent for wedding receptions; celebrations; workshops and meetings. The walls are moveable thereby allowing multiple sized meeting areas. Large and small groups can be accommodated in areas designed specifically for thenumber of people attending. The kitchen may be rented out at an additional rate. There is ample parking and a separate delivery entrance adjacent to the kitchen.
The center is equipped with a fire alarm and sprinkler system for occupants' safety.
Anyone wishing to rent space at the center may call the parish office at 620-276-2024 to inquire about rates and availability.


I guess many Filipinos prepare this on a regular basis specially those ones who are on a tight budget, if you have upo growing in your backyard all you need to buy is sardines and misua which is very affordable back home, then this can feed a lot. Sardines on its own is already a food prepared by struggling families, we did this a lot when I was young, vegetables are then added like upo, patola or sayote to extend it even further, soup and misua also acts as an extender so all you need to do is pour this soup in your rice to give it some flavour.
Oh? Never had mee sua with sardines. Interesting. Maybe I can give it a try one of these days.


It was 1783. The Revolutionary War had ended 2 years ago, in 1781. It was taking years for Congress to negotiate the terms of the peace treaty with England.
In the meantime, George Washington was keeping his troops in New York. He didn't want to disband the army in case the treaty fell through. He didn't trust England and wanted to keep the army together to send a clear message to the British that America was prepared to continue the fight if they didn't come to terms and sign the treaty.
So his army was there in New York, for 2 long years, with absolutely nothing to do. Every single one of them wanted to go home. Their families wanted them to come home. To make matters worse, they weren't getting paid because Congress didn't have the money to pay them.
Imagine being away from home, away from those you love, with nothing to do, and not getting paid for 2 years.
Faith in Congress eroded with each passing day. A mutiny started to brew among the Officers. You can understand how and why. From the Officers' point of view, Congress had nothing to show for 2 years of negotiations. The Officers' had had enough, they were ready to overthrow Congress and take matters into their own hands.
As mutinous discussions erupted, the Officers became more and more riled up, passionate, impatient, fed up. Easy to get this way when you're sitting around with nothing to do and not getting paid.
George heard about it and stepped in with one well-delivered speech that not only stopped any further discussion about the mutiny in its tracks, but had the Officers in tears by the time he finished talking.
It's called the Newburgh speech because he delivered it in Newburgh, New York, on the Hudson River, 60 miles north of New York City.
One of the best speeches I've ever read or heard.
He delivered the speech slowly, with many pauses to allow what he was saying to really sink in. He spoke directly to the Officers, penetrating their emotions, their passions.
He told the Officers he fully believed in their dignity, glory, faith, sacred honor, and character.
They were in tears. No more mutiny. All on board.
I simply adore anyone who understands, lives by and talks about dignity, glory, faith, sacred honor, character and the perfection which human nature is capable of attaining.
Each one of these is a vital concept. Together, they form the core of all that matters.
My belief in your dignity, glory, faith, sacred honor, character, and the perfection which you are capable of attaining is why I write to you. I celebrate that and more on George's birthday this week.


Related: drawing eye expressions, eyes with tears sketch, anime drawing eyes, drawing eyes step by step for kids, eyes with tears black and white, tears in eyes for no reason, tears in eyes wallpapers, scary eye drawings, eye types drawing, tears in my eyes wallpapers... This is a digital print of my pencil drawing no physical items will be sent. This teary eye was originally hand drawn before being digitized. THIS LISTING INCLUDES · 3 high resolution JPG at 300 dpi · Sizes: 8x10 and 11"x14", A3 If you would like a different size please contact me.
When I show my students your eye structure video I tell them that the tear duct is actually the lacrimal caruncle and I give them a little more anatomical information about its function. I also emphasize that because it is a wet bump it still catches reflective light. My students like your videos and respond well to …... Step 6 - Last step! I added some "spokes" to the center of the eye to make it more realistic. I also added a bright hightlight to the tear duct.
This is a digital print of my pencil drawing no physical items will be sent. This teary eye was originally hand drawn before being digitized. THIS LISTING INCLUDES · 3 high resolution JPG at 300 dpi · Sizes: 8x10 and 11"x14", A3 If you would like a different size please contact me.... Step by Step Drawing tutorial on How to Draw Ultear Milkovich from Fairy Tail Ultear Milkovich is a famous character from an animated cartoon movie Fairy Tail. If you want to draw Ultear Milkovich, follow our tutorial step by step for the perfect picture.
Step 6 - Last step! I added some "spokes" to the center of the eye to make it more realistic. I also added a bright hightlight to the tear duct.


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Fort Louisbourg
When we set out on our Atlantic Canada adventure in August we had two must-see destinations in mind. One was the Viking settlement in L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland and the other was Fort Louisbourg on Nova Scotia's Cape Breton Island.
Dauphin Gate
What's fascinating about Fort Louisbourg is when the French abandoned it in the 1760s they destroyed it. The site remained a pile of rubble until the 1960s when Parks Canada began reconstruction using the original plans housed in Paris and what visitors see today is only one quarter of the original community. It must have been truly impressive when it was operational.
From the modern interpretative centre, a shuttle bus transports visitors to the first exhibit which is just outside the fortress' main gate. The man (above) greeted us, explaining he lived outside the fort's walls, but would scurry inside if threatened by an attack. The exterior of his home is shown below and its log construction is in stark contrast to the stone buildings inside the fort.
A moat surrounds the fortress that began in 1713 after the Treaty of Utrecht handed jurisdiction of mainland Nova Scotia and Newfoundland from France to Great Britain. That year about 150 settlers sailed from Placentia, Newfoundland to Cape Breton Island. The Dauphin Gate (below) was manned around the clock by an officer and thirty soldiers and at night the draw bridge would be raised and the gate locked.
Another interesting fact is the French attention to detail when it came to census taking and death records. Thanks to these lengthy records much is known about daily life in Louisbourg including the names, occupations and social status of many individuals.
The Lartique House was built by Joseph Lartique (c1683-1743). Born in the southwest of France, he came to Louisbourg with the first settlers from Placentia, Newfoundland. Originally a fisherman and trader he eventually became the town's magistrate. With his wife, twelve children and servants he lived in this house and Madame Lartique had the distinction of being one of the few people to live in Louisbourg from its foundation to its demise.
Lartique House
The Frederic Gate was a focal point of the fort. It was here on a busy summer's day a multitude of languages could be heard as fishermen and traders gathered to buy and sell, drink and eat. Languages included French, English, Portuguese, Basque, Breton, German and of course Mi'kmaw.
Frederic Gate
Row upon row of homes, shops, inns and administration buildings stretched inland from the gate and harbour.
The Engineer's Property (shown above and below) was home to military engineers, town planners, architects and construction engineers. Etienne Verrier (1683 - 1747) was chief engineer from 1725 to 1745. For most of those years his wife and daughter remained in France while his two sons accompanied him. For that reason the resident retains a masculine and professional appearance.
Based on the detailed records taken at the time these rooms have been furnished with furniture and items authentic to the time period.
These next two paintings by Lewis Parker show the harbour and fort as it may have appeared in the 1700s.
View from the Clocktower (1982) by Lewis Parker
View from a Warship (1982) by Lewis Parker
Louisbourg's inhabitants were self sufficient and as such planted and tended gardens and kept livestock and poultry.
They also had a dovecote (below) for pigeons or doves.
This next home belonged to Jean-Francois de la Perelle (c1691-1747). He was town mayor in the 1740s and in 1745 he negotiated Louisbourg's surrender to the British.
Unfortunately, because we visited after Labour Day, some of the buildings were closed to visitors as summer staffing returned to university. Still, we enjoyed what was open to the public.
The King's Bastion Barracks (below) plagued residents from the beginning of its construction. Its slate roof leaked, its mortar and beams and floors were prone to cracks and rot, its fireplaces were drafty. One governor pleaded for a new barracks, while another commandeered the engineer's house, but the barracks remained a sore spot for as long as the town flourished.
The main purpose of the fort was military in design which meant Louisbourg did not have its own church, however, the Chapel inside the barracks provided spiritual care.
Down near the Frederic Gate is a restaurant for modern day visitors. The menu is limited, as is cutlery (only a spoon is provided) and costumed wait staff provide tidbits of life in the 1700s. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience as well as the traditional beer and wine.
We stayed two nights at the charming Cranberry Cove Inn in the Captain's Den and highly recommend it. It made our visit to Fort Louisbourg not only memorable, but luxuriously comfortable!
Labels: Cape Breton Island, Cranberry Cove B&B, Fortress Louisbourg, Nova Scotia
Evergreen House
Dartmouth, NS and Murphy
Along the Cabot Trail
St. Anthony to Port aux Basques
L'Anse aux Meadows
The Long Road from Rocky Harbour to St. Anthony
Western Brook Pond Boat Tour
Rocky Harbour


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The Criminal Mind--a software problem analyzed by Machiavelli, Alinsky, & J. Edgar Hoover - American Minute with Bill Federer
May 27, 2022 • Alinsky • and FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover - American Minute with Bill Federer • Machiavelli • the Criminal Mind
President William McKinley was assassinated by an anarchist in 1901.
The next President, Theodore Roosevelt wanted the government to track anarchist groups, as well as stop sex-trafficking.
This led to the creation of the Bureau of Investigation in 1908, though some Congressmen feared it would become politicized into a deep-state secret police, like:
Greek Sparta's Krypteia;
Rome's Frumentarii;
China's Ming Dynasty's jinyiwei and Dongchang;
Russian Ivan the Terrible's Oprichnina;
Imperial Japan's Kenpeitai;
and others.
Washington Evening Star, April 21-22, 1908, reported Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-NY) warned of the dangers of a federal secret police.
Rep. Walter Smith (R-IA) declared "Nothing is more opposed to our race than a ... system of espionage ... conducted by the general government."
Rep. James Tawney (R-MN) questioned the creation of "a system of espionage in this country which is entirely inconsistent with the theory of our government."
Anarchists continued their threatening activities by shooting Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, beginning World War I.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge appointed J. Edgar Hoover as the director of the Bureau of Investigation.
In 1935, the name was changed to Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI.
For 48 years, under eight Presidents, J. Edgar Hoover oversaw the Federal Bureau of Investigation till his death, May 2, 1972.
The FBI became famous for dramatic campaigns to stop organized crime and gangsters such as "Machine Gun" Kelly and John Dillinger.
Hoover established the use of fingerprints in law enforcement and successfully tracked down well-known criminals.
Franklin D. Roosevelt gave Hoover the task of investigating foreign espionage, specifically left-wing socialist and communist activists who were infiltrating the country and recruiting followers.
For most of J. Edgar Hoover tenure, the FBI was considered a patriotic organization looking out for the best interests of America.
Hoover stated:
"The communist threat from without must not blind us to the communist threat from within.
The latter is reaching into the very heart of America through its espionage agents and a cunning, defiant, and lawless communist party, which is fanatically dedicated to the Marxist cause of world enslavement and destruction of the foundations of our republic."
J. Edgar Hoover identified the root cause of crime:
"The criminal is the product of spiritual starvation.
Someone failed miserably to bring him to know God, love Him and serve Him."
Commenting on how crime increases where people forget God, Chuck Colson stated in 1981:
"Imprisonment as a primary means of criminal punishment is a relatively modern concept.
It was turned to as a humane alternative to the older patterns of harsh physical penalties for nearly all crimes. Quakers introduced the concept in Pennsylvania ..."
Colson continued:
"The first American prison was established in Philadelphia when the Walnut Street Jail was converted into a series of solitary cells where offenders were kept in solitary confinement.
The theory was that they would become 'penitents,' confessing their crimes before God and thereby gaining a spiritual rehabilitation.
Hence, the name 'penitentiary' -- as a place for penitents."
Italian Socialist Antonio Gramsci understood America and the West could not be defeated on the battlefield, but it could rot from within through what has been termed "the long march through the institutions."
Gramsci wrote in his Prison Notebooks, 1937:
"The civilized world has been thoroughly saturated
with Christianity for 2,000 years …
Any country grounded in Judeo-Christian values cannot be overthrown until those roots are cut … Socialism is precisely the religion that must overwhelm Christianity
In the new order, socialism will triumph by first capturing the culture via infiltration of schools, universities, churches, and the media … transforming the consciousness of society."
Congressman Albert Herlong read into the Congressional Record, January 10, 1963, the 45 infiltration tactics Communists would use in to take over America, many of which focused on students and schools:
"17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.
18. Gain control of all student newspapers.
19. Use student riots to foment public protests ...
24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity ...
25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.
26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."
28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of 'separation of church and state' ..."
Students are taught in school that there is:
no right or wrong,
no morals;
no God to be accountable to;
no such thing as boys or a girls;
no borders or guidelines except their feelings which can change everyday;
that they are an accident of evolution with no purpose to their life, or worse, that they are irredeemably bad because of their skin color or ancestry;
that babies in the womb can be disposed of for convenience; and
they watch movies and play video games where life is cheap and killing is glorified.
It should come as no surprise that students taught such nihilistic thinking would commit unconscionable acts.
As schools, media, entertainment, and churches moved in a liberal direction, the population has less internal restraints, thus requiring the government exert more external restraints to maintain order.
What America is experiencing is not a hardware problem but a software problem.
It is not the weapon in a youth's hand, but the teaching in the youth's mind.
When you take the Ten Commandments off the school walls you have to put metal detectors at the school doors.
J. Edgar Hoover wrote:
"A child who has been taught the laws of God, should have little trouble respecting the laws of men."
There have been 119 school shootings since 2018.
The most dangerous place for children in America is in gun-free public schools.
Armed shooters know they can walk in unopposed and kill for nearly an hour while law enforcement inexplicably stays outside.
This is a compelling point in favor of home- schooling.
J. Edgar Hoover is quoted in the introduction to Edward L.R. Elson's book, America's Spiritual Recovery, 1954:
"We can see all too clearly the devastating effects of secularism on our Christian way of life.
The period when it was smart to 'debunk' our traditions undermined ... high standards of conduct.
A rising emphasis on materialism caused a decline of 'God-centered' deeds and thoughts."
"No amount of law enforcement can solve a problem that goes back to the family."
"The American home ... ceased to be a school of moral and spiritual education.
When spiritual guidance is at a low ebb, moral principles are in a state of deterioration. Secularism advances when men forget God."
Forgetting God results in lawlessness was the theme of Russian author Dostoevsky, who wrote The Brothers Karamazov, 1880.
In it, one of the characters, Ivan Karamazov, contended that if there is no God, "everything is permitted."
"Every man did what was right in his own eyes" was the lawless condition in ancient Israel before they begged for a king.
"Everything is permitted" not only gives license to criminals on the street, but it also to gives license to criminals in the government, deep state individuals who seek to subvert from the inside.
This was the attitude of the Jacobins, a left-wing anarchist movement during the French Revolution.
Yale President Timothy Dwight described their subversive tactics to overthrow France's government in "The Duty of Americans at the Present Crisis," July 4, 1798:
"Adultery, assassination, poisoning, and other crimes of the like infernal nature, were taught as lawful ... provided the 'end was 'good' ...
The 'good ends' proposed ... are the overthrow of religion, government, and human society, civil and domestic.
These they pronounce to be so 'good' that murder, butchery, and war, however extended and dreadful, are declared by them to be completely justifiable."
Adam Weishaupt (1748-1830), a professor of law at the University of Ingolstadt, Germany, proposed using Jacobin tactics worldwide, secretly inciting anarchist dissension within countries, and between countries, to create wars, after which power could be usurped under the pretense of restoring order, ultimately resulting in a global government.
The University of Berlin had students organize into the Young Hegelians.
Members included Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, who prescribed anarchist organizing (Marx and Engels Collected Works, Vol. 10, p. 318):
"Conspirators ... organizing the revolutionary proletariat.
Their business consists in ... spurring it in to artificial crises ... They are the alchemists of the revolution."
David Horowitz explained the communist use of anarchist tactics to mobilize followers:
"An SDS radical once wrote, 'The issue is never the issue. The issue is always the revolution.'
In other words ... civil rights or women's rights – is never the real cause; women, blacks ... are only instruments in the larger cause, which is power.
Battles over rights and other issues, according to Alinsky, should never be seen as more than occasions to advance the real agenda, which is the accumulation of power ... in radical hands."
Machiavelli advised:
"Whosoever desires constant success must change his conduct with the times."
"One change always leaves the way open for the establishment of others."
"I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it."
Friedrich Engels wrote (London: W.O. Henderson, The Life of Friedrich Engels, 1976; Outlines of a Critique of Political Economy, 1844):
"Every new crisis must be more serious and more universal than the last ... must ruin more small capitalists and increase the workers who live only by their labor.
This will increase the number of the unemployed ... Commercial crises will lead to a social revolution."
Bankrupting a country into socialist government dependency, -- called the Great Reset --- was depicted in an editorial cartoon in the Chicago Tribune, April 21, 1934, showing Leon Trotsky engaged in "psychological projection," writing on a large board:
Plan of Action for U.S.
– SPEND! SPEND! SPEND! under the guise of recovery,
– BUST the government,
– BLAME the capitalists for the failure,
– JUNK the constitution and DECLARE A DICTATORSHIP.
On the side was written: "It worked in Russia!"
Anarchist tactics are listed in Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals:
"The first step in community organization is community disorganization. The disruption of the present organization is the first step."
"The organizer must first rub raw the resentments of the people of the community; fan the latent hostilities of many of the people to the point of overt expression."
"Search out controversy and issues, rather than avoid them, for unless there is controversy people are not concerned enough to act."
"The organizer's first job is to create the issues or problems ... An organizer must stir up dissatisfaction and discontent."
"The organizer ... polarizes the issue ... The organizer helps to lead his forces into conflict ... The real arena is corrupt and bloody... In war the end justifies almost any means."
"In the arena of action a threat or a crisis becomes almost a precondition to communication."
The "ends justifies the means" and "everything is permitted" were amoral political tactics explained by Niccolo Machiavelli in his book, The Prince, 1515.
Five hundred years ago, Italy consisted of many independent city-states:
Venice, Genoa, Naples, Florence, Sienna, Amalfi, Milan, Corsica, Pisa, San Marino, Cospaia, Gaeta, Lucca, Noli, Trani and Papal States.
These were primarily noblemen's republics, each with their own armies and navies, and they continually fought.
Machiavelli thought that if one prince could control all of Italy, it would stop the in-fighting.
Machiavelli observed the ruthless tactics of Cesare Borgia (1475-1507), who reputedly used intrigue, deceit, seduction, incest, poisoning and assassination to usurp power.
He wrote that in politics, "one must consider the final result," a phrase more succinctly remembered as "the end justifies the means," an adage which dates back to Ovid's Heroides, 10 BC.
Called "consequentialism," it replaces absolute standards of right and wrong with subjective reasoning that the rightness of an action is based on whether the consequence or end result is good.
But since every criminal and ambitious politician defines "good" as benefiting themselves or advancing their agenda, it gives them license to lie under oath, deceitfully usurp freedoms, and commit the most reprehensible injustices and atrocities.
The "end," of one prince controlling all of Italy, was such a good end that any "means" necessary to get there was justified.
According to Machiavelli, if a prince wanted to conquer a city, in his quest to unify Italy, the people would hate him.
But if the prince secretly paid criminals under the table to burn barns, kill cows, smash windows and set buildings on fire, thus creating crises and terror in the streets, the people would cry out for help.
The prince would come in, get rid of the "useful idiot" criminals he paid, and nobody would know the better for it.
The naive people, unaware of his subterfuge, would praise the prince as a hero.
It is good marketing, create the need and fill it: go around the back of a house and set it on fire, then go around to the front door and sell them a fire extinguisher -- they will pay anything for it and thank you for being there.
Hitler used "Brownshirts" to create crises by disrupting the meetings of his opponents, then once in power, Hitler had the Brownshirts killed in the Night of the Long Knives, and the people praised Hitler for cracking down on crime.
Public trust has been declining for the FBI with reports that it has been co-opted and politicized, --selectively prosecuting individuals of one political party while ignoring the crimes of individuals belonging to another political party.
The Hill Magazine, 12/11/17, published USA Today columnist James Bovard's article "Yes, the FBI is America's secret police":
"A 1924 American Civil Liberties Union report warned that the FBI had become 'a secret police system of a political character.'
In the 1930s, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court feared that the FBI had bugged the conference room where justices privately wrangled over landmark cases, as Tim Weiner noted in his 'Enemies: A History of the FBI.'
In 1945, President Harry Truman noted that 'We want no Gestapo or Secret Police. FBI is tending in that direction ...'
FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover compiled a list of 20,000 'potentially or actually dangerous' Americans who could be rounded up and locked away in one of the six detention camps the federal government secretly built in the 1950s.
From 1956 through 1971, the FBI's COINTELPRO program conducted thousands of covert operations to incite street warfare between violent groups, to get people fired, to smear innocent people ... sic the IRS on people ... These operations involved vast numbers of warrantless wiretaps and illicit break-ins ...
A Senate Committee chaired by liberal Sen. Frank Church (D-Idaho) issued a damning report on FBI abuses of power that should be mandatory reading for anyone who believes the bureau deserves deference today ...
We learned five years ago that the FBI explicitly teaches its agents that "the FBI has the ability to bend or suspend the law to impinge on the freedom of others" ..."
The Hill continued:
"An FBI academy ethics course taught new agents that subjects of FBI investigations have 'forfeited their right to the truth' ...
FBI sniper Lon Horiuchi gunned down Vicki Weaver in 1992 as she stood in her Idaho cabin doorway holding her baby ... When an Idaho County sought to prosecute the FBI sniper, the Justice Department invoked the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution to torpedo the case ...
... The FBI's secrecy is profoundly skewing American politics.
More than a year after the 2016 election, Americans still have no idea the true extent of the FBI's manipulation of the presidential campaign.
Did the FBI wrongfully absolve Hillary Clinton on the email server issue? What role did the FBI have in financing or exploiting the Steele dossier? Will we ever learn the full truth?"
WND.com reported, "Sen. Grassley slams FBI's role in Trump-Russia collusion narrative" as a "political vendetta":
"Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, is accusing the FBI of having "a get-Trump-at-all-costs attitude" ...
Grassley, the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, highlighted new information that had come to light during the ongoing trial of Michael Sussmann, a lawyer for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign ...
"The Clinton campaign fabricated evidence trying to connect Trump to [Russia]," Grassley said. "They fed it to the media to start a yearslong wildfire of false allegations.
They fed it to the FBI to trigger a federal investigation into their opposing candidate."
John Whitehead wrote, 11/4/14, "The FBI: America's Secret Police":
"As journalist Brett Wilkins warns:
'If the proposed rule change is approved, the FBI would have the power to unleash "network investigative techniques" against computers anywhere in the world, allowing the agency to secretly install malware and spyware on any computer, effectively allowing it to control that computer and all its stored information.
The FBI could download all the computer's digital contents, switch its camera or microphone on or off and even control other computers in its network'"
Ambitious politicians who want power look at crises as opportunities to seize it.
Whether a crisis is coincidental or conspired, the consistent consequence is concentration of control.
Hillary Clinton considered the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to advance Democrat politics, April 28, 2020:
"This is a high-stakes time, because of the pandemic. But this is also a really high-stakes election.
And every form of health care should continue to be available, including reproductive health care ... part of a much larger system that eventually gets us to universal health care ...
So I can only say, 'Amen,' to everything you're saying, but also to, again, enlist people that this would be a terrible crisis to waste, as the old saying goes."
The old saying came from Rahm Emmanuel, November 7, 2008:
"You don't ever want a crisis to go to waste; it's an opportunity to do important things that you would otherwise avoid."
FoxNews PrimeTime Ben Domenech stated:
"Rahm Emanuel's famous dictum: never let a crisis go to waste … Normal times don't produce the outcomes that the authoritarian left wants because people are not scared enough to give them the limitless power they crave …
Crises are necessary. And so, if there aren't any on offer, they manufacture them."
Crisis can be anything from an organized spontaneous riot, to an orchestrated financial collapse; or a virus, as depicted in movies: Mission Impossible II (2000); Twelve Monkeys (1995); Outbreak (1995); The Hot Zone (2019 mini-series); Pandemic (mini-series 2020); Contagion (2011).
Journalist Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956) wrote:
"The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule."
The term "Machiavellianism" is a reference to creating or capitalizing on a crisis to consolidate control.
Machiavelli gave his maleficent counsel:
"No enterprise is more likely to succeed than one concealed from the enemy until it is ripe for execution."
"Politics have no relation to morals."
Many politicians study Machiavelli.
Washington Post reporter David Broder wrote, May 16, 1994:
"A year ago last week, President Bill Clinton gave an interview to several of us from The Washington Post ...
At the end of the interview, he stood before the fireplace in the Oval Office and recited to us a passage from Machiavelli's The Prince."
Machiavelli explained how people actually want to believe a lie:
"One who deceives will always find those who allow themselves to be deceived."
"Men are so simple and yield so readily to the desires of the moment that he who will trick will always find another who will suffer to be tricked."
"Men are so simple and so much inclined to obey immediate needs that a deceiver will never lack victims for his deceptions."
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver."
"A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests."
"A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise."
"The promise given was a necessity of the past: the word broken is a necessity of the present."
Lord Acton explained how government officials have a habit of lying to the public: "Official truth is not actual truth."
This is similar to the Talleyrand, the French Foreign Minister who demanded millions in bribes and infamously spoke out of all sides of his mouth, stating:
"We were given speech to hide our thoughts."
Machiavelli continued his baleful remarks:
"It is much more secure to be feared than to be loved."
"It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both."
"Since it is difficult to join them together, it is safer to be feared than to be loved when one of the two must be lacking."
"Men shrink less from offending one who inspires love than one who inspires fear."
Machiavelli's counsel was ruthless:
"If an injury has to be done to a man it should be so severe that his vengeance need not be feared."
"Severities should be dealt out all at once, so that their suddenness may give less offense; benefits ought to be handed out drop by drop, so that they may be relished the more."
"The new ruler must determine all the injuries that he will need to inflict. He must inflict them once and for all."
"Men ought either to be indulged or utterly destroyed, for if you merely offend them they take vengeance, but if you injure them greatly they are unable to retaliate, so that the injury done to a man ought to be such that vengeance cannot be feared."
"Men should be either treated generously or destroyed, because they take revenge for slight injuries –- for heavy ones they cannot."
"Whoever conquers a free town and does not demolish it commits a great error and may expect to be ruined himself."
Who will fall victim to Machiavelli's ungodly stratagems?
How can a community or society survive such evil intentions?
William Holmes McGuffey warned in his Newly Revised Rhetorical Guide, 1853:
"If you can induce a community to doubt the ... authenticity of the Scriptures ...
whether there be an eternal state of retribution beyond the grave; or whether there exists any such being as God, you have broken down the barriers of moral virtue, and hoisted the flood-gates of immorality and crime."
Samuel Adams stated January 17, 1794:
"A virtuous education is calculated to reach ... the heart, and to prevent crimes ...
Such an education, which leads the youth beyond mere outside show, will impress their minds with a profound reverence of the Deity."
Dr. Benjamin Rush, a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, wrote in Essays-Literary, Moral, and Philosophical:
"In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes and take so little pains to prevent them ...
We neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government, that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by the means of the Bible."
Noah Webster wrote in his History of the United States, 1832:
"All the miseries and evils which men suffer from vice, crime, ambition, injustice, oppression, slavery and war, proceed from their despising or neglecting the precepts contained in the Bible."
U.S. Senator Theodore Frelinghuysen wrote:
"The Bible ... Seal up this one Volume and in a half century all these hopes would wither and these prospects perish forever.
These sacred temples would crumble or become the receptacles of pollution and crime."
President James Buchanan proclaimed a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting, and Prayer, December 14, 1860:
"In this the hour of our calamity and peril to whom shall we resort for relief but to the God of our fathers.
His Omnipotent Arm only can save us from the awful effects of our own crimes."
The FBI's first Director J. Edgar Hoover admonished:
"What we need in America today is a vigorous return to the God of our Fathers, and a most vigorous defense against the minion of godlessness and atheism."
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