#Plastic Cosmetic Jar
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Cream Container Luxury Body Cream Plastic Cosmetic jar
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FOSHAN SHIKAI PLASTIC TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Foshan Shikai Plastic Technology Co., Ltd.Factory located at the Nanhai District Foshan City.A manufacturer of PET plastic bottles of middle and High Grade Cosmetic packaging materials and cosmetic series.
It's a set of product design, mold customization, injection molding, blow molding, screen printing, bronzing, electroplating, spray paint in one of the cosmetics packaging manufacturers.
Since its establishment in 2020, it covers an area of 15000 square meters, has more than 20 production equipment, monthly production can reach 10 million, from production to design, processing, packaging, etc. to provide one-stop service.
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plastic cosmetic bottle and jars
#cosmetic packaging#cosmetic bottle#face cream jar#lotion bottle#wholesale#skincare bottle#custom plastic bottle
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double injection plastic jar twist cover mold
China 2 component mold maker, offer multi shot cosmetic screw cap, two color cosmetics packaging lid, cream container closure bi mold, double injection plastic jar twist cover
#China mold#2 component mold#bi material mold#multi shot mold#two color cosmetic screw cap mold#2k cosmetics packaging lid mold#rotary mold cream container closure#double plastic jar twist cover mold
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hdpe jar | Dhanraj Plastics
Dhanraj Plastics is one of the most widely wide-spread names of hdpe jar producer in India. The great reply for your industrial container and bottle needs. Our clients are Kanpur, Bareri, Hapur, Kotodwar, Lucknow, Bhawana, Meerut, Himachal Pradesh, Badi, Haridwar, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, Roorkee, Uttar Pradesh, Ghaziabad, Saharanpur, Noida, Delhi It is unfold all over India alongside with These are clearly a few. Among the states granted to the plastics we manufacture for our clients are: In addition to India, we in addition have purchasers from Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
#Hdpe container manufacturer#Hdpe plastic bottle#plastic jar manufacturer#Hdpe bottle manufacturers#pet jar manufacturers#Hdpe jar manufacturer#Hdpe Jar#Cosmetic Jar#cosmetic bottle manufacturers
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The Plastic Container Market size was valued at USD 97.90 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach USD 160.10 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 6.9% from 2022-2030.
#Plastic Container Market#Polythylene Terephthalate (PET)#Polypropylene (PP)#High-density Polyethylene (HDPE)#Low density Polyethylene (LDPE)#Bottles & Jars#Cups & Bowls#Bags & Pouches#Food & Beverages#Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics#Personal Care
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Hey man just wanted to let you know that I LOVE the idea you made up for the rust section in this post (https://www.tumblr.com/tinydefector/755501675977097216/every-single-day-i-think-about-your-post-about) is there any chance you could expand on the idea more? I’m just so curious about it
Ps just did my 3 month ask box clear out. Only got a few ask left in there now. Read rules before submitting.
Oh I definitely can. There is actually quite a few different things humans consume or use cosmetically that the bots would have a lot of questions over.
Here's a list of a few human made things that Cybertronians seem to very much enjoy for cosmetic, medical or as luxurious products.
1. Coconut oil
They happen to really enjoy it for their upholstery. Especially when they weren't able to get their hands on proper car products. (Cough cough TFP bots) I can definitely see Jack using it because he's a broke teenager and just adds a nice essential oil in with it and he's got himself a large jar of leather conditioner. It's only after Miko and Ralph see him using it on his shoes at one point they are like o0o. And begin stealing it to do bulkheads and bumblebee's seats.
Another one that would work similar is the same mix I actually use for horse saddles, which is rendered down. Beef or Lambs fat with Kerosene, so it doesn't go off. It's an amazing leather conditioner, and I tend to make a lot of it and store it in old powerade powder jars. Would recommend adding scented oil into it tho.
And I can totally see Malto's doing this. After Dot has one of her cows or sheep butchered, she renders down the fat to use for all sorts of different things, hand creams, soap, and leather conditioner. I can very much see her standing there with her hands on her hips, telling her bot kids it's time to do their leather, very similar to telling her kids it's hair day.
2. Corn starch
corn starch is a cleaning genius that is effective for many different purposes. Clean your car windows with a mixture of 120g cornstarch and 1L water and then dry with newspaper. Corn starch can deodorise smells too when sprinkled and left to work its magic for about half an hour, I have used this so much after getting water in my car to get ride of the wet car smell. Bots love it almost like a facial mask and floor cleaner.
Corn starch is also good for removing excess car polish and wax. The last thing you need after giving your car a good polish is residue that will attract dirt more than it did before. This is definitely one of Knockouts' favourite things after he learns about it. And with a buff it can also help remove swirl marks on black cars.
3. Toothpaste
toothpaste can be applied to make our headlights shine brighter. When headlights start to get foggy, or get the yellow stain to them, it helps remove all the excess dirt and grime with warm soapy water and a cloth, then apply any cheap toothpaste and rub.
Don't get it on your cars paintwork!!, Apply tape or plastic around it or toy can make your paint bubble, chip or fade off.
4. Most Soda/Soft drink, Energy drinks and a few other drinks.
It's no secret humans have a large collection of flavoured drinks that many of us love. And it happens that many of them are actually very good at removing rust. Nearly every type of soda and Energy drink can be used for this purpose but so can Black tea.
Brew a Strong Cup of Black Tea: Soak a tea bag or loose tea leaves in water to create a brew, than soak what you want in it for a while then scrub it with some steal wool. So many of these things honestly scare the bots. How can a fleshy human body withstand drinking a rust removing agent.
_________________
"Jack, can I borrow some money?" Miko asked while hanging upside down on the couch as she watched him work. "No Miko I'm low on funds as it is, just brought some stuff" he calls back to her as he works over the small burner stove.
She lets out a groan before rolling off the couch to walk over to watch him. "What are you doing?, science experiment, cooking, drugs?" She shot off a collection of questions. "No I'm making some leather conditioner. Mom got given a whole lot of old bees wax and I'm using it with coconut oil and some scented oil" he hums back, not paying to much attention to her.
"Oh like that stuff you uses for your shoes and your mom uses in her car." Ralph asked peaking up from his computer. "Yea, I running low and well they had coconut oil on special so I'm making alot of it so I can store it" Jack calls back giving Ralph a smile.
"Oh that's so cool, wait do you think the bots would use it, oh. Do you think they have anyway of getting thinks like seat polish or stuff like that?" She asked before her mouth hangs open at the thought, she hadn't ever seen any of the bots do maintenance like that. Yes they had decontamination sprays and small work from Ratchet when things weren't working but they had never seen the bots really take care of themselves.
"Jack, do you think [Name] would be able to get some things for us, I have an idea, we have never seen the bots every actually look after themselves, we could do them a little spar day" she exclaims excitedly.
"Miko, maybe the bots haven't because they don't need it," Jack hisses under his breath. Before sighing. "OK, yes, they do, Arcee want admit it, but I do leave her a jar of the mix." He mumbles.
Miko punches the air in excitement. "Oh this is awesome just you wait!" She runs out of the small room to the rails as her eyes search for the person she was looking for. "[Name!] Your a mechanic Right?" She yells to get their attention.
They look up from their own car they had been doing maintenance on. "Ah I would say that but I know some stuff why?" They call back.
"Got an idea for when the bots get back but need your help." She smiles at them while skipping down the stairs.
The drive back out of Jasper towards the base is one filled with loud music and chatter from the young girl as she looks through the different items in the bags. "Wait what's all the energy drinks for?" She asked while looking up at them. "Well I remember hearing Ratchet complain able getting low on his rust removing agent and these bad boys work just as well, plus I drink them" they explain.
"OK... and the other stuff?" She questions. "It's all stuff I use normally for car maintenance, that way I don't have to spend a fortune on expensive stuff. You wanna get the bots a bit of a spa day, these are the things you need" they hum as they egt closer to base.
By the time they make it back inside the bots are chatting about and mingling with each other again, only looking over to see who had driven in. "Autobot may I please have your Attention" they call out. All of them pause their conversation as they turn to look and wait.
"Yes what can we do for you?" Optimus asked a slight rumble echoing from him. They hold up the bags of stuff. "I know you guys are undercover and technically don't exist, and I doubt Fowler gets you stuff for maintenance, so I've got some stuff to help out," they explain.
"SPA DAY!!!" Miko shouts, it catches Jack and Ralph's attention as they look over the guard rails. It earns looks form the collection of bots.
"Turst me" they hum while grabbing out a can of energy drink and cracking it. They take a large mouth fuel. "You guys haven't had a chance to really relax and have something outside of medical from Ratchet and I know you guys are now carting us around and your interior isnt as clean as you want it. So I have supplies." They state while pulling out the different things and explaining what they do.
When they get to the last two bags filled with cheap soda and energy drinks, a wicked smile crosses their face. "And these are for Ratchet and myself." They hum. "And why is that?" Arcee tilts her head slightly while her optics narrow, trying to figure out their purpose.
"They are for me because they have caffeine and Taurine in them and it keeps me awake and working for when Ratchet needs an extra hand for welding your wounds. They are for Ratchet becuase they are great rust removing agent" the moment they finish that sentence all the bots go quiet. Jack and Miko are trying not to laugh and Ralph just looks on in awe.
"Spit it out right now!" Ratchet nearly shouts as he moves to scoop them up, panic written across his face as the other autobots move out of his way. "Are you draft! Why woudl you drink Rust remover!" He nearly shouts panic over taking him.
"Easy Ratch! I ain't dying!" They shout, laughing over the panic in all their optics. "Ratchet, will they be OK?" Optimus asked, worried. Arcee shoots a glare at the kids who are now laughing so hard over the situation. Bulkhead is pacing back and forth. "This isn't good, what do we tell Fowler if they off-line!"
"Do you have any idea what that will do to your internal organs" Ratchet hisses and he begins fussing over them. "Uh yea, removes the rust" they state, trying their hardest not to laugh. They got to make the joke and they couldn't be prouder of themself.
"You don't have Fragging rust your an Organic!" He nearly snarls. "Ratchet fuck, settle down, it hasn't killed me yet and I've been drinking it longer than I've known you guys exist. Alot of our drinks can remove rust it's just something they do" they try to settle him down.
"No, absolutely no, you will not be drinking this in my presence ever. Do I make myself clear!" It has nearly the whole base stiff from how worked up he is. "Guess this would be a bad time to tell you about how everything we consume has the potential to kill us?"
_____________________
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A list of (realistic) things you can do to be more environmentally friendly
(from an earth-loving horticulture student.)
— COSMETICS
Use bar soap instead of soap bottles
Use old toothbrushes for cleaning surfaces
Try exploring and researching some homemade face/body/lip products
Use ice sleeves, sunglasses, and caps instead of sunscreen (Edit: I’ve seen people say that it is safer and even necessary to wear sunscreen at all times so try to use eco friendly sunscreen instead! In my country it’s pretty uncommon to wear sunscreen often as we usually wear ice sleeves which is why I did not know this oof)
Use coffee grinds or homemade tumeric masks instead of cosmetic products with exfoliator beads
Invest in a metal ear cleanser instead of cotton buds
Try placing more importance on skincare instead of contributing to exploitative beauty companies by buying makeup
Use cosmetic products that do not contain palm oil
— CLOTHING
Try as much as possible to rewear your outfits at least twice before washing them
Actually WEAR your clothes! I know some of y’all just wear them once for your Instagram post and let it rot in your closet forever. Stop doing that!
Thrift, stitch up holes in your clothes, and use second hand clothing instead of supporting fast fashion companies like SHEIN, H&M, Zara, etc.
Cut up your old clothing into yarn and do macramè with it
Cut patches of old clothing to turn into reusable cotton pads
Learn how to knit, crochet or stitch your clothes!
If you use tampons, try menstrual cups or discs instead. If you use pads, try reusable pads or period underwear. (Trust me, it works). Also, use reusable panty liners instead of disposable ones. They may seem expensive but you will end up saving a lot more in the long run
— GARDENING
Plant seeds/cuttings in your old bottles, jars, and containers
Propagate your plants and exchange cuttings with your friends instead of buying new plants
Make your own soil mixes instead of buying soil mixes
Better yet, don’t use soil for your indoor plants and try getting into hydroponics or semihydroponics instead. This saves so much water and doesn’t contribute to mining of soil
Fertilise plants with fruit peels, coffee grinds, and tea leaves. (DO NOT use chemical fertiliser on soil)
Plant more legume plants in your garden instead of using nitrogen fertilisers. (Look up the nitrogen cycle if you need an explanation on this)
Avoid pesticides unless really needed. Try sprinkling cinnamon powder on soil or spraying neem oil on plants and soil to keep away pests.
If you have a lawn, try looking into rain gardens and consider making one
Let the (non invasive) weeds in your lawn/garden grow! They are there for a reason!
Stop killing earthworms and millipedes in your garden. This also applies to snails native to your region. They are there for a reason.
Water used to wash fruits and rice can be used to water plants
— REDUCE, REUSE
Use the caps of jars as soap holders
Use recycled paper/notebooks
Wash and dry your glass/plastic items before throwing them in the recycling bin
Keep any plastic bags for future use
Use eco friendly or reusable dish sponges
Use reusable straws and cups
Invest in a fabric cup holder
Bring a water bottle with you wherever you go
Drink more water and less sugary drinks
Bring reusable bags for buying groceries instead of using plastic ones
Always keep a folded up tote/shopping bag with you in case you spontaneously decide to buy something
— ELECTRICITY
Set a timer on your air conditioning instead of letting it run throughout the night
Better yet, use a fan instead of an air conditioner
Open your windows! Aerate your home!
Allow natural light to enter your home during the daytime, so as to avoid turning on your lights
Switch to LED lightbulbs instead of regular lightbulbs
Turn off any switches in your house when they are not in use
Collect the water from your air conditioner/dehumidifier condenser and use that to water plants, clean surfaces, steam ironing, and flushing toilets. Do not drink it though!
— INTERNET
Delete your all of your unwanted emails
Delete your inactive social media accounts
Try not to post excessively on social media and stop scrolling excessively too. This not only reduces energy usage but also improves your mental health and productivity
Try to keep to one social media app instead of having so many
Reduce your internet usage
Save your eBooks on a thumbdrive instead of on cloud
Use Ecosia instead of Google
Stop being influenced by social media trends that only just contribute to consumerism
Download music instead of streaming
Reduce online shopping
— FOOD
Reduce intake of processed foods
Reduce intake of fish, beef, and dairy
Try eating vegan or vegetarian foods at least once or twice a week
Cook your own meals instead of eating out
Bring your own food containers when taking away food from stores
Beeswax wrap instead of cling wrap!
Buy loose-leaf tea or plastic free tea bags instead of regular tea bags
Eat more mushrooms, vegetables, and fruits and drink more water
Support local farmers
And finally, educate yourself more about ecology and the environment!
#environment#ecology#sustainability#ecofriendly#anti lawn#anti beauty culture#hell on earth#save the earth#recycling#fast fashion#plants#feminism#environmental activism#plantcore#ecopunk#solarpunk#horticulture#sustainable#slow fashion#zero waste#plastic free#conservation#climate change#global warming#soil science
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Sneak Peek - Spoons In Spades
At a little distance he saw a fire, and beside it there sat three giants, busy with broth and beef. They were so huge that the spoons they used were as large as spades, and their forks as big as hay-forks: with these they lifted whole bucketfuls of broth and great joints of meat out of an enormous pot which was set on the ground between them.
- Niels and the Giants (The Crimson Fairy Book)
[img src]
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Intent: To give oneself additional “spoons.”
Ideal Timing: This charm can be made at any time.
Materials:
Spoons
Large Jar
Cotton Balls
Herbs: Hyssop, Rosemary, Thyme, Juniper Berries
When I asked my readers what sort of spells they'd like to see in this second volume of fairytale-inspired spells, one of the most strikingly popular responses was, "Is there a spell to give me more spoons?"
If you're not familiar with the term, "spoons" or spoon theory is a metaphor which describes the reduction in mental and physical energy experienced by people who are disabled or chronically ill, with spoons used as a unit of measurement to represent how energy and motivation must be rationed throughout the day to accomplish necessary tasks. Spoons are only replenished through rest or sleep, so once a person runs out of spoons, that's it for their day.
The term was coined by Christine Miserandino in her 2003 article "The Spoon Theory," in which she uses dinnerware to demonstrate to a friend how living with invisible chronic illness required careful daily planning and prioritization, and how even with the best intentions and efforts, tasks are often left undone due to a lack of energy or an increase in pain. The term has since been adopted by wide sections of the online community in relation to struggles with disability, chronic illness, or mental health, as a descriptor for daily energy and motivation levels, i.e. "I don't have the spoons for this," or "After a full day at work, I have exactly one spoon left, and I need it for laundry, so going out is off the table."
As someone who regularly battles ADHD, anxiety, executive dysfunction, migraines, and depression, I'm a big fan of spoon theory, largely because it makes those invisible daily struggles, which so many of us have, much easier to visualize and explain. So in honor of all my fellow spoonies, here is a spell to help you gain those critical extra spoons.
For this spell, you'll need a fair-sized jar, some healing herbs, and a bunch of spoons. You can use plastic spoons or metal ones, if you happen to have spare silverware lying around. Use as many or as few spoons as you feel you need. If you need more spoons than can readily be acquired, you might draw or print out pictures or spoons and use those instead.
Place the spoons in the jar with a big handful of cotton balls. Apart from their mundane medical and cosmetic uses, cotton has healing magical properties and also represents the comfort that may feel lacking on low energy or high pain days. If desired, add several pinches of Hyssop, Rosemary, Thyme, and Juniper Berries, or a sachet containing the herbs if you'd rather keep things neat.
Close the jar, give it a big hug, and say:
I bless this jar and spoons And ask for the strength to function; And when I need a helping hand, These extra spoons I'll summon,
Set the jar aside somewhere safe. If desired, you might want to label it. You don't want anyone borrowing your magical spoons for their cereal, after all. When you need an extra boost to help you get through the day, simply open the jar and take out a spoon. You can carry the spoon with you, place it on your altar, or discard it to activate the charm.
Please keep in mind that performing this sort of magic should always be accompanied by appropriate medical and self-care measures. Magic isn't going to cure a chronic illness or permanently alter your brain chemistry. But it can help you cope with the symptoms and give you that all-important push to get yourself through the day. Stay strong, witches!
-from the forthcoming book, The Sisters Grimmoire, Vol. II; © 2021 Bree NicGarran
(If you'd like to check out more fairy-tale spells or any of my other published works, please visit the Willow Wings Witch Shop!)
#A gift for all my readers on my birthday - hope you enjoy!#witchcraft#witchblr#spells#spoonie witch#The Sisters Grimmoire II
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Frills and Thrills
Summary: A typical night becomes anything but typical.
Words: 1,398
Warnings: Swearing
A/N: This piece was inspired by the below behind-the-scenes photo; the cinematography of One From the Heart (thanks, Lawrence Sher!); and this very 80s song. No, I am still not looking forward to the sequel - but I will take a hot Arthur Fleck anytime. 😎 Please enjoy! Special thanks to @sweet-nothings04 for her help and support! A very tardy Christmas piece is on the way!
If you have any thoughts or questions, please comment, feel free to message me, or send me an ask. Requests for Arthur and WWH are open!
"That'll be $43.67."
Arthur counted out the bills in his wallet. Before transferring his three prescriptions to Groves Pharmacy - a brisk nine-minute walk from his Burnley address - he'd called for the beige and blue tablets' prices. With his lack of Gothamcare, he'd hoped they'd be cheaper than at Helms. "Disappointed but not surprised" was that night's journal entry.
He'd try the new insomnia pills first, get a fourteen-day supply of the other two whenever he could. See if a good night's sleep in the bed he was almost used to would encourage positive thoughts, lighten black moods to grey. After all, they'd improved since Y/N. Still there, still a teeter on the edge of an abyss. But with a guide rope in the shape of a woman's hand.
Leaving $2.41 in his pocket, he surrendered exact change. Took the white paper bag with blue lettering. Offered a quiet thanks and sidestepped from the pharmacist's counter.
Y/N waited in the cosmetics section, purse on her shoulder, a passive expression on her face. He recognized the creams on the top shelf, a flicker from when he'd shopped for Penny. The silhouette logo, the black label, the rounded corners of the jar. Anti-wrinkle Oil of Olay, then, when money was too tight, the knock-off poured into her Oil of Olay jar. His subtle subterfuge had gone undetected. Wrinkles continued to form in the usual fashion. He'd continued to save a quarter and make the swap.
As Y/N picked up a pink compact, Arthur slinked behind her to speak in her ear. "You're already pretty."
Giggling, she hung the rouge in its spot between concealer and cream foundation. "You make me blush enough already. Did you get what you needed?"
A crooked half-smile. "I think so." He entwined their fingers and started towards the exit, an attempt to halt any further questions that might lead to med and money talk.
Aisle three's endcap had an Easter display, a thousand plastic wrappers crying out for attention. Jolly Jack chocolate bunnies and Cadbury mini-eggs, pastel baskets and cellophane grass. The plush baby chicks were awfully cute, perfect the kids at the children's clinic. He'd jot a reminder to come back after the holiday, grab some plastic eggs and props at half price.
"My parents used to dress us up and take us to our grandparents for a picnic and Easter egg hunt," Y/N said, crouching to browse a set of die cut decorations. "Do you want to do anything for Easter?"
In spite of his mother watching a televised mass and sharing a bag of jellybeans, the day hadn't ever been personal. The Fleck household was anathema to miracles. Even with the miracle he was currently living, he had no desire to celebrate a victory he didn't believe in. "No. Why?"
"You've got a heavy eye on the Peeps - my little sister likes to put them in cocoa. And I thought you were Catholic. Or at least raised Catholic, with all the prayer candles and icons in your apartment."
The answer came firmer than intended. "Those were Penny's."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed. You wouldn't have hung a Madonna over the bed. I bet you weren't responsible for that ugly cat candle, either."
Snorting, he rolled his eyes, recalling all he times he'd dusted his mother's knickknacks. The sculpted candles were the worst. They'd developed a weird film sticker than nicotine stains, and grime stuck in every crevice. On bad days he'd been tempted to throw them out. On good days he'd care for them, because Penny loved them so. Inklings of whimsy in a life of indifference.
The never indifferent woman at his side rose to walk with him. Grove's automatic doors opened and they spilled onto the busy sidewalk.
Two blocks up, a light sprinkling began, lent the pavement a velveteen sheen. With each step that sprinkling grew heavier. From a drizzle to a patter to an outright shower. Puddles formed beneath their feet, threatening shoe seams with leaks. Arthur crumpled his paper bag, shoved it in his tan jacket's pocket, and jerked his hood over his head.
The toe of Y/N's kitten heel skidded past a pool as she hopped to the right. "The weather report didn't mention rain!" she cried, ambles escalating to a jog.
A fierce gust sent sheets of water sideways, whipped the hem of her pleated skirt to flash her thighs. Arthur looped his arm through hers, pulled her into an alley to take refuge under the canary, corner awning of Mott's Spirits. Cigarette smoke drifted from the crowd gathered along the storefront. Her wrinkled nose kept him from lighting up himself.
She gathered the collar of her wool coat. "Well, I'd like us to do something small, if that's all right. It's been years since I've celebrated anything, really. I want to put all that behind me again, like last Christmas. Easter Parade's playing at the Majestic this week. I haven't seen it but the summary sounded like you. A song-and-dance romantic classic."
How could he argue with the sweetness of her reasoning? That he was the reason she wanted to celebrate? He gave a little nod. "I think Tuesdays are half price."
Just then, a bell rang out, crisp and clear despite the downpour. A bicycle messenger sped their way, a dozen plastic bags hanging from the ten-speed's handles. Arthur darted in front of Y/N, sought to protect her from the incoming splash. She yanked him tighter, out of the menace's path.
But it was no use. Muddled water pelted the back of his trousers, liquid ice soaked through white socks. He jolted to his tiptoes, teeth clenched against the stinging cold.
Y/N bent to survey the damage. A groan left her, which quickly became a laugh. "What an asshole," she said, then laughed all the harder. The warmth of it loosened his stance, and he found he had no choice but to join in. She settled back against the shop's window, stuck out her lower lip to blow a damp lock of hair from her forehead. The lock remained in place. "If only I'd had my umbrella."
Neon light from a Gotham Lottery sign spilled across her face. "Winners aren't born. They're made!" was the lotto's slogan, and Arthur had finally found a winning ticket. Orange accentuated the tawny flecks of her irises, rounded the curves of her cheeks. A perfect frame even an imagination as vivid as his couldn't improve.
A drop trickled down his scalp, skimmed the side of his neck, sneaked beneath his collar. He'd caught Easter Parade on television years ago. Studied Astaire's steps, how he'd slipped a diamond ring on the leading lady's finger. What would Y/N look like, Arthur wondered, in a lace bonnet, its ribbons tied under her chin? A hat he could loosen while they kissed, hold as a shield against prying eyes?
A couple of swells like them would make a beautiful pair, better than any Vanderbilt or Wayne.
When his thumb traced her jaw, her full lips parted, as if about to ask for a dance. Dark brows raised, her pupils dilated, full of unquenchable life. The affection in them, the openness. The caring curiosity and eager readiness to accept all of him made him tremble. Her love felt like rain on his skin, and for once he understood why someone might sing in it.
He leaned closer, until her breath brushed his lips. "Kiss me."
Her arms wound about him in an instant, a sudden, welcome pressure on his ribs. He cupped her face. Guiding, following, bracing. Their mouths a messy collision of desire and devotion and dreams. Her frame vibrated against his, the pulse under his fingertips beating to the rhythm of his heart.
At last, a wave of giggles broke them apart. Arthur pushed himself to stretch beyond his shy nature towards the forward, confident instinct he was learning to polish. His eyes flitted between hers, a demure smile adorning his cheeks. "I'd like to make love, if you wouldn't mind."
The blush he caused so easily crept across her face anew. "Last one home is on top," she said, and pressed the tip of her nose to his. "Give me a head start."
With that, Y/N held her purse horizontally above her head and sprinted into the deluge.
~~~~~
Tag list (Let me know if you want to be added!): @harmonioussolve @ithinkimaperson @sweet-nothings04 @stephieraptorr @rommies @fallenstarsabyss @gruffle1 @another-day-in-chuckletown @hhandley80 @jokerownsmysoul @rafaelbottom @ralugraphics @iartsometimes @fleckficgirl
#arthur fleck#arthur fleck fanfic#arthur fleck x reader#arthur fleck x female reader#arthur fleck x ofc#joker 2019#watchwhathappens
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Make Your Own Cosmetics, Get What You Actually Want
Once you've been in zero waste, eco friendly, solarpunk/lunarpunk circles for a while, it's easy to forget the steps you took when you started. There are lots of DIY projects I've been doing for 10+ years now, and I keep doing them because they work (for me). Yet, when I sit back and think "am I doing enough?" I always gloss over the myriad things that have become part of my everyday life.
Making these things won't save the environment, but you'll get products that meet your needs on your terms, will save you money, and you won't have to worry about a company discontinuing your favorites. Plus, it seems like a lot less packaging to just buy a brick of beeswax and toss in some kitchen stuff you already had to make makeup.
Henna
I got really lucky, I always wanted red hair and henna is a natural dye that only comes in red. Well, more of a coppery tone. But, here's the other cool thing: the henna process is anti-fungal and controls dandruff. Half the time, I remember to color my hair because my scalp starts getting itchy 6+ weeks later and I start to get flakes. Coloring my hair takes care of my scalp and I don't need dandruff shampoo to keep it healthy. It's cost-effective, buying high quality henna for a year's worth of color (for my length and thicc hair) is about $60 for 18-months' of materials. I mix it when I need it, and keep the powder in the freezer. Pro-tip, if you or your partner don't like the grassy, hay-like smell of henna, add cardamom or ginger powder to the mix. It doesn't change the color but it'll knock down the scent.
I learned everything I needed to know about Henna for Hair here: http://hennaforhair.com and buy through Catherine's store because I know I'm getting real, quality henna powder.
Oh and a cloth wrap for your hair will let you keep the henna covered without wasting plastic wrap every time you redo your roots. I've been using the same 'turbie twist' wraps for years now. I made them from old t-shirts and they're stained as fuck. Who cares? This is basically their only job.
Carmine Lip Color
No, it isn't vegan. Yes, it's made of bugs. It's also a spectacular color, the insects aren't abused in the process of gathering or raising. They're actually parasites on nopal cactus, they have a simple niche and serve it well. I learned this lip stain recipe from Humblee & Me, and have found that the anti-bacterial doesn't seem to be necessary, ymmv. A 2.5 gram sample pack of carmine from TKB has lasted me almost a year and I wear this almost daily. I find that the glycerin really helps keep my lips from drying out too badly, so I wear my lip stain even when I'm not planning on being seen by other people. I spend about $20 on lip color for a year and that's including the bottles I use to store it (tiny eyedroppers work best imo) and the glycerin. Not quite zero waste but darn close.
Note: I'm still trying to find a simple recipe for black goth lipstick that I like. So far, my attempts have had a nasty texture and aren't worth the trouble.
Eyebrow Fill
My favorite brand of eyebrow liner discontinued the best color I ever found, so I decided to make my own. Beeswax, cocoa powder, activated charcoal, and almond oil made a little pot of eyebrow fill that suits my needs beautifully. Go super light on the charcoal until you know you've got the color you want. My brows are pretty dark but not fully black, so I do a dark chocolate sort of shade. I think I made my last batch about 11 months ago and it's still half full. I use it daily, apply with an angled brush, and it's never given me breakouts or anything. I don't even wash it off, because I am lazy.
Body Powder/Dry shampoo
Growing up in California, I didn't need this stuff. Living in Oregon? Summer would be awful without body powder. It's also a nice way to have a fragrance on. Pour your favorite perfume (I love Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab oils) onto a cotton ball, put that ball in a jar with a bunch of corn starch. Shake. Leave it for a month. You now have scented body powder. It's a decent dry shampoo, too, I just brush it into my dark hair and it disappears.
Tooth Powder
There is NOTHING wrong with using conventional toothpaste if it meets your needs. I have particular reasons for using tooth powder. These include hating the taste of most toothpaste and needing to avoid fluoride because of my particular thyroid condition. (Fluoride isn't bad for everyone! It isn't ideal for everyone. Figure out what you need!) I make my own tooth powder, it works well enough for me and I don't hate brushing my teeth like I used to. 1 part baking soda, 1 part bentonite clay, some ground cloves. Mix it up, keep in a glass jar (metal will bond with the clay, bad things happen, this is why we use glass or plastic for storage). $20 of materials = LOADS of tooth powder.
Cutting Hair
It's way easier than you think. I cut my own hair and I do a graduated bob which is a little more complex than most at-home cuts. I taught myself. I use decent shears (don't use scissors) and a Wahl hair trimmer set. Learn this skill on yourself, and when people find out you can do hair, they'll come to you for their own needs. Great way to provide mutual aid (one of my parents is trans and getting haircuts in a salon would be extremely stressful for her, so I cut her hair and save her money and suffering). You could also do skill trades! I trade haircuts for massages from a massage therapist friend, for example.
Protip: Dust yourself with body powder before cutting hair, it makes the little shards of cut hair way less prone to sticking to you. You'll still want a shower but it'll just be less icky.
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Cosmetic packaging container plastic cosmetic jar
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We sing harmony to the razor's buzz, accompanied by a percussion
of cosmetic jars and plastic bangles.
This is our praise of thanks, this is our choir.
Come in Goodwill;
Dressed in hawaiian prints and twirl-swirl skirts
more holy than robes on us.
Joyful, joyful, stomping time
in heavy boots and heels all strap;
on beat, in arm, in made-up youth.
This is our worship, this is our service.
Come sit beside me,
breathe deep the incense of Old Spice,
and we'll banish the demons away.
Candy wrappers empty--this is our flesh--
and wasn't communion sweet for a moment?
#this is one of those terrible things I've been beating with a hammer for 3yrs#and I still don't quite like the shape#but take it#happy pride#I feel God in this chili's tonight
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Changeling!Tim’s childhood is... actually kinda horrifying, when anyone looks into it.
(CW for forced medical procedures, and abuse in the form of temporary imprisonment. Also, minor self-harm, and… I don’t know what you call “eating something that will make you sick so your parents don’t get mad at you,” but I know it ain’t good.)
Tim had pretty pronounced fangs when he was younger, which his parents were just planning to wait out... until he was fast coming up on 10 and it was clear Tim wasn’t going to lose his teeth. A quick x-ray proved that Tim didn’t have adult teeth to grow in, just the one set he came with, and the fangs were only getting more obvious. His parents found an orthodontist willing to yank the fangs & wire up the rest of Tim’s teeth with braces to force them to look smooth & even as he grew up. (The doctor kept the teeth as a curiosity, and a decade later Damian will track that doctor down to steal them back.)
Something even Tim didn’t realize until he had to undergo a full Justice League-grade medical exam in preparation for becoming Robin, is that the tiny points on his ears aren’t natural. They have no idea what the ears of the baby Jack & Janet received looked like, but Tim’s points are actually mostly scar tissue. (Bruce puts it down as “a cosmetic procedure not dissimilar to ear cropping in canines” and tries not to feel sick.)
(There was also a period where the Drakes did an awful lot of research into cosmetic eye surgeries, but they eventually gave up. Apparently, it was a bigger concern that their son might end up blinded than that his eyes glowed in the dark and/or were the wrong color.)
As I mentioned before, Tim’s parents trim his thorns so that nobody goes to ruffle Tim’s hair and realizes he’s not human. He... actually started doing it himself when he decided to become Robin, because Tim has seen Bruce ruffle Jason & Dick’s hair so many times and didn’t want to hurt Bruce (or experience the absolute agony of having a thorn get caught in Bruce’s gloves and end up ripped out of Tim’s scalp,) as well as not wanting to give away Tim’s own inhuman nature with the single most obvious trait he has. (When the rest of the family find out, they are horrified and insist that Tim stop doing that. Instead of hair-ruffles, Tim gets hair-strokes that go only in one direction, bumping harmlessly over the curved outer edges of his thorns; it’s actually very soothing for both parties. Everyone absolutely uses Tim’s thorns as a stim toy, as long as Tim’s okay with it.)
Tim’s parents also hire an in-house barber to cut Tim’s hair, so they can make sure it’s “properly disposed of.” (Tim’s nightmares always smell faintly of burning hair.)
Tim wears fancy dress gloves to all dinners, because with the uppercrust you never know if someone’s going to bring out the real silverware. (If someone tells him to take off the gloves or Tim’s skin happens to brush up against somebody’s jewelry, Tim just sorta has to... deal. It’s rude to rush out or refuse your hosts, after all.) (Fortunately, Dick and the Titans all prefer reusable plastic silverware. And as soon as any Bat finds out about Tim’s fae nature, Wayne Manor quickly switches to stainless steel.)
It’s nearly impossible to know if a meal was prepared with iodized salt or non-iodized salt until it’s already in Tim’s mouth and the burning-itching discomfort of coming in contact with an anti-fae substance begins. It’s rude not to at least try the food someone offers you, and it’s even ruder to just spit something out, especially out in public. At least Tim doesn’t usually have to fake it when he says he’s not feeling well in order to stop eating. (Tim doesn’t tell the Waynes about this until that medical exam, where he kinda jokes about being allergic to salt and someone’s like, “Wait, how do you eat? Everything has salt in it nowadays.” Alfred rather forlornly puts his sea salt up on the top shelf and buys a jar of iodized table salt on the next grocery run.)
Tim’s blood is immediately identifiable because it has chloroplasts in it. No, he’s not actually a plant; yes, he can perform limited photosynthesis. No, Tim was not aware of this about himself, he’s never been allowed to give blood before, and like??? Sure, he figured out he was a changeling, but that does not immediately translate to, “Oh, I should test my blood for plant cells!”
Tim’s room doesn’t look any different from any other boy his age... except for three nails over the door on the outside. For the iron horseshoe Tim’s parents hang there sometimes, when they don’t want him to bother them or when he’s grounded. (Thankfully, it's been very rare for Tim to actually be trapped in his room, as setting up a salt line on his windowsills has always been... well, he's not sure. A step too far, even for his parents? A step too many to remember and/or perform in the heat of the moment? Something they don’t even realize is necessary, assuming the horseshoe prevents Tim from leaving the room at all rather than simply crossing that one threshold? Tim doesn’t like to think about it. Tim typically stays in his room anyway when he feels the swooping nausea of it hanging over his door, if only so his parents don’t find him missing and decide sealing the windows is something they ought to be doing. Trapped not by any law or binding ritual, but by Tim’s own admittedly rare fear of consequences.) (After Tim is snatched by faerie hunters, Jason and Dick are the ones who search Tim’s house. There’s a moment of silence when they find the horseshoe and realize what the nails are for. “I really hope I don’t have to point this out,” Jason says, in the tone of someone who’s going to do it anyway, “but it’s never a good sign when a kid’s bedroom has a lock on the outside.”)
#Tim's parents are bad in this one. Sorry. (I do like when they're complicated & nuanced and genuinely care about him but that's not this AU)#cw: abuse#cw: medical abuse#urban fantasy batfamily#urban fantasy au#fae tim drake#changeling tim drake#faerie tim drake#magic tim drake#magic batfam#magic batfamily#magic!batfam#magic!batfamily#magical batfam#magical batfamily#magical!batfam#magical!batfamily#tim drake#timothy drake#robin tim drake#prerobin tim drake#robin!tim#my writing#mine#//#Also#yes it’s ear CROPPING not ear DOCKING. I triple-checked.
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two colour plastic beauty jar cap mold
China 2 component mold maker, offer bi mold cream jars lid, 2 color plastic beauty jar cap, turntable cosmetic container cover mold, multi injection cosmetic pot lid
#China mold#2 component mold#bi material mold#multi shot mold#two color cream jars lid mold#2k plastic beauty jar cap mold#rotary mold cosmetic container cover#double cosmetic pot lid mold
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Strange Brew Department:
Happy Halloween! Happy Tricks! Happy Treats!
OCTOBER WINE © 2023 by Rick Hutchins
For October Wine, one must gather the ingredients one year in advance, because that’s how long it must ferment.
Wet orange maple leaves collected from the forest floor no later than the ides; pine cones that have yet to drop, along with a bed of needles for their repose; a cupped handful of wild blueberries picked at dawn; a handful of chestnuts no bigger than your thumbnail; the longest continuous strip of birch bark possible; a baker’s dozen of Honeysuckle flowers collected while trespassing; a pumpkin; a patch of moss; and, most importantly, seven Hedgehog Mushrooms, collected in the nude under the full moon.
Halloween night, as the Witching Hour approached, I gathered the ingredients on my kitchen counter and pulled out my grandmother’s yellow, crumbling recipe, sealed in its clear plastic sleeve (no fear– I also scanned it and backed it up to the cloud).
Normally I would use that nice vintner kit that I got from Amazon a couple of years ago, but this was to be something special. I used Gramma’s old fermenting bottle. It was the size of a large baby and made of thick green glass, with a finger handle and an ancient cork clamp lid.
Following the recipe to the last handwritten letter, I poured the mix into the mason jar, sealed it tight, and stored it away in a cabinet in the back of my garage.
An eventful year passed, and most of the events were not welcome. Few of them, but all of them, affected me personally.
As October rolled around again, many felt that the gallows humor and graveyard mischief of Halloween were inappropriate after all that had happened, but my appreciation of the holiday ran deeper than that.
Keisha caught up with me at the mall on Friday. “Hey, Hester,” she said, hugging me. “I’m having a little get together at my place on Halloween. Just a quiet thing, no costumes or anything. I hope you can be there.”
“I think I’ll just stay home,” I lied.
“Just a half dozen people or so. Some single boys.”
I laughed. “That’s okay.”
“Chips and hard cider.”
“Nah.”
“Still missing your gramma, huh?”
“Yeah. Always.”
“She was a real sweethearted lady.”
“Best ever.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine.” I smiled for her.
She hugged me again. “Okay, but the invitation is open if you change your mind. We’d love to have you.”
“Thank you. I’ll think it over.”
She continued on her way and I continued on mine.
I met Violet coming out of the supermarket with an armload of Halloween candy, just as I was going in.
“Hi, hon,” she said with a one-armed hug and a cheek kiss. “I guess you’re all ready for All Hallow’s Eve.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sexy Hippie costume.”
“Just my regular clothes,” I laughed.
“Same thing,” she said. “What are your plans?”
“Just home,” I lied.
“No date?”
I shook my head and she shook hers back at me teasingly. “You’ve got to move on eventually,” she said.
“And I will. But it was nice. I’ll let it linger a little.”
“Mmm,” she said. “I know what you mean. That’s why I never brush my teeth right after eating ice cream.”
I laughed. She was always coming up with crazy, but accurate, metaphors like that. “What about you two?” I asked.
“We’re staying the weekend at his sister’s place in Nashua. We still don’t want to take too many chances with the pandemic.”
“Good idea.”
“Well, I gotta run. Stay safe.”
She continued on her way and I continued on mine.
Piyali got me on Skype me that night from her parents’ house in New Jersey. She was still recovering from the injury to her face that she got at the beach over the Summer, and I’m pretty sure she had some kind of post-traumatic stress thing going on.
“Sorry I haven’t kept in touch,” she said.
“That’s okay. How have you been doing?”
“All right. Mom and Dad want me to stay for the Winter, so I might not be back in town until Spring.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
She nodded. “I’m getting some therapy. Dad offered to pay for plastic surgery. It’s cosmetic, so the insurance won’t cover it.”
“They’re hardly noticeable.”
She shrugged. “I just want them gone.”
“I understand,” I told her. “What are you doing for Halloween.”
“Staying in. Dad likes those old black-and-white monster movies.”
“Same here,” I lied. “Movies and popcorn.”
“Sounds good,” she said. “I should go now. Let’s talk again before Thanksgiving.”
She continued on her way and I continued on mine.
Halloween night came. I turned off the porch light and most of the indoor lights. I didn’t expect any Trick or Treaters this year, but I didn’t want to deal with any that might show up.
When I brought out the mason jar of October wine and popped it open, it smelled sweet and wet and a bit smoky, just like October should. I took a deep breath of the aroma, but resisted the temptation to try some and closed it back up, leaving it on the kitchen table. Instead, I put on the Turner Classic scary movie marathon in the background, with the sound turned low, and meditated in the darkness as the hours went by.
About 11oclock, I stretched and got up and got ready to leave. In my bedroom, I undressed and put on the short cotton nightgown, blue as a daisy, that Gramma gave me last year when she found out she was going to die. She bought it especially for this occasion and this was the first time I took it out.
I wore my car starter fob on a chain around my neck. I would have to carry my phone and the jug of October wine.
My carport is through a door off the kitchen, so I didn’t have to go outside yet. I used the remote garage door opener and drove out into the quiet streets. There would be few cars and fewer people about at this hour, but I really hoped I wouldn’t get pulled over. The air was chilly enough to raise goosebumps, and the stars in the clear sky were bright and crystalline, despite the suburban streetlamps. I liked the feel of my bare feet on the gas and brake. It was a fifteen-minute drive to Houghton’s Pond.
Blue Hill River Road posed the biggest risk for getting pulled over, but the only other parking lots were on the other side of the pond, which would have meant an hour’s walk through the dark woods before I even got to the right trail. Fortunately, I had no trouble. The parking lot between the picnic grounds and the ballfield was deserted and I sat there in my parked car for a minute, listening to the quiet, before getting out.
The yellow swing gate that blocked the trail to car traffic was right beside the parking lot and easy to find. I didn’t bother using the flashlight app on my phone to light my way, because the Google home page threw enough of a glow to see by in that deep darkness. I went around the gate and, after carefully picking my way barefooted through the weeds and rocks of the disused trail, I came to the edge of a crumbling asphalt road. This was the abandoned ruin of the original Route 128, which has sat here ghostly and mostly forgotten since it was replaced by the new highway system back in the 50s. Here the going got a little easier and I continued down that road for several minutes.
Gramma had left me very specific instructions on what to do next, written on the back of the recipe for her October wine. I’ve scanned that too, but I’m not going to include any details of it here. Let it suffice to say that the passage to the hidden pathway that I needed to find would have been invisible in broad daylight, let alone the dead of night, but her step-by-step guide allowed me to slip unscratched through a wall of thorns, like an interpretive dancer maneuvering through a maze.
The trail on the the other side of the bushes was very narrow and I had to pick my way through carefully so as not to lose it. But it was only a matter of minutes before I broke through to the clearing that Gramma had described.
The clearing was circular, about to fit a Burger King and covered with an even bed of grass. Just as Gramma had said, it looked as well kept as a front lawn, even though nobody ever came this way. The trees that surrounded the clearing were Autumn bare, and I could see the cold white light of the rising Moon starting to peek through them to the East.
I pulled my nightgown off over my head, folded it up and lay it in the grass at the clearing’s edge. Switching my phone to airplane mode, I placed it on top of the nightgown. Then, holding the jug of October wine in my arms like a baby, I walked deeper into the clearing.
About a third of the way across, facing the hint of the rising Moon, I sat down cross legged with the jug in front of me. The grass was cool and moist with dew. It was just before midnight.
After several relaxing breaths, I unclamped the old cork and popped it out, raised the jug to my lips and took my first drink.
It was somewhat thicker than store wine and tasted like wet leaves and berries. It was also warm, and I could feel that warmth go down my throat and spread into my shoulders. I closed my eyes and sipped at it slowly.
When I opened my eyes again, the half disk of the last-quarter Moon had risen above the treetops and was casting shadows across the clearing almost to my knees. A soft breeze moved through the bare branches. It was cool on my skin but I still felt warm. I saw what looked like swarms of fireflies floating lazily in the dark woods, and they seemed to be flying in pairs. Perhaps they were the eyes of Halloween spirits.
Gramma had not told me what to expect, except for anything and everything. I smiled, feeling calm and warm, closed my eyes and took another sip.
When I opened my eyes again, the Moon was higher, lighting more of the clearing. Spread throughout the carpet of grass before me were a thousand mushrooms, some as tall as lilies, some as tall as corn, with slender stalks waving slowly back and forth. They were pale gray, almost white in the moonlight, except for red spots on their small umbrellas. The mushroom closest to me was being ridden by a small snail.
I sat watching the calm waves moving back and forth through the field of unusual growths until I fell in rhythm with them.
Then I closed my eyes and took another sip.
When I opened my eyes again, the Moon was higher and the shadows shorter. The mushrooms were gone, but their place was taken by scores of frogs. There were frogs of all types, from warted bullfrogs as big as footballs to small pebbled tree frogs that would fit in the palm of my hand. They were spread in front of me across the clearing in a great half circle, arranged in rows, like an amphibious parliament.
They sat still and staring at me, slowly blinking, their throats expanding and contracting. Occasionally a distinctive croak would arise from somewhere in the crowd to be answered elsewhere.
Nodding, I closed my eyes and took another sip.
When I opened my eyes again, the Moon was straight overhead and it was now full. This did not seem odd to me. I tilted my head back and looked up and realized that the Moon was also larger than it should be. Every time I blinked, it grew larger still and soon it nearly filled the sky, its edges obscured by the treetops around the clearing. It was so close that I could see the crisp details of mountains and valleys and craters as if I were looking straight down at them. There was the Sea of Tranquility. There was the Apollo lander and the American flag. There were Neil Armstrong’s footprints.
The surface of the Moon was now just inches above my head, almost as close as the cool grass under my bum. I had a brief moment of vertigo and suddenly I was kneeling in the lunar dust and the grassy field was above my head like a low ceiling. The astronauts’ footprints, in their stark clarity, were right in front of me and gray moondust clung to my knees and bare feet. I was afraid to exhale, not knowing if I’d be able to breathe in again.
I reached out to touch the footprint before me and stopped, not wanting to disturb its perfection. There was a moment of vertigo again and I was back in the clearing and the Moon was back in the sky, in its normal phase.
Closing my eyes, I took another sip.
When I opened my eyes again, the Moon was behind me, the shadows of the trees stretching out in front of me. A wide dirt path, almost a road, had opened up in the forest straight ahead on the other side of the clearing. Far off in the distance, at the end of that road, a thousand miles away, was a light, and silhouetted in that light was somebody walking away. He seemed familiar, but he never turned around and soon disappeared down that relentless road.
I blinked and the path was gone.
Closing my eyes, I took another sip.
When I opened my eyes again, the Moon had almost set, leaving only traces of moonbeams peeking through the woods in back of me. The clearing was very dark now, but I soon became aware that there were other people present, moving quietly at the treeline. They were all separate, spread apart, just shadows in the darkness.
There were three of them, all unaware of me and each other. Each time I blinked, they were in different positions in the field, but seemed to be gradually, randomly, coming nearer to the place where I was sitting.
After a while, I began to make out details. They were all girls, all as naked as I was. One was brown with black curls; one was pale, with red hair and freckles; one was olive with glossy hair to her waist. It was Keisha, Violet, and Piyali.
They continued to drift slowly closer, each in her own world, until they stood in a row in front of me, staring silently at their own feet.
It was hard to find my voice. I felt like I hadn’t spoken in a hundred years. Finally, I managed to say, “What’s the matter?”
I blinked again and the clearing was empty.
With a heavy heart, I took another sip.
When I opened my eyes again, the Moon was gone and the clearing was black, the only light coming from the starry sky above. It took a very long time for my vision to adjust. Eventually, I knew that there was another human figure standing under the trees on the other side of the field. Again, it was a woman, and, again, she was as naked as I was. But this was an old woman. An ancient woman.
This was my Gramma.
She started walking slowly toward me and with each step the years melted away and the stars grew brighter. By the time she reached me, she was young, as young as I was, and I could see her clearly. She sat down cross legged in front of me so that our knees were touching and the jug of October wine sat in the tangle of our ankles.
She tilted her head at me with an odd smile and then lifted up the jug and took a long drink. She seemed to savor it for a moment, and then handed it over to me. I took a sip, but she shook her head with a wry twist to her mouth, so I took a longer drink. I placed it back down between us, feeling a little dizzy.
“It’s very good,” she said.
“I followed your recipe to the letter.”
“Next time you won’t have to.”
She took my hands and placed them on top of the jug, then placed her hands on top of mine, and squeezed firmly. For a long time, she just smiled at me and stared into my eyes with a look of adoration that broke and healed my heart.
“Gramma,” I said.
“Yes, Hester.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“You do know what to do.”
“Tell me. What?”
“You don’t need me to tell you what to do,” she said. “You know what to do.”
My eyes suddenly filled with tears and when I wiped them clear, she was gone. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes and took a long last drink.
When I opened my eyes again, the Eastern sky was just barely turning blue. I got to my feet a bit stiffly and stretched out all the kinks with a groan. I replaced the cork in the mason jar of October wine, noting that there was still more than half left. Plenty left over for next year. Plenty for me to continue this old and new tradition.
Picking up my nightgown and phone, I slipped back into the narrow pathway in the forest, retracing my steps to the road and the parking lot and my car and my life. I was ready to continue on my way, knowing that all the other ways, of both the living and the dead, were mine as well.
#microfiction#micro fiction#short fiction#short story#fantasy#halloween#all hallows eve#happy halloween#trick or treat#rick hutchins#rjdiogenes
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