#The Glorious 1st of June

[ltwilliammowett]

A decorated coffee cup and saucer, probably Paris, circa 1795-1800

With oval panels painted with a detailed naval battle, the flagships Queen Charlotte and Montague engaging in close fire, a pink ribbon border inscribed 'THE FRENCH FLEET DEFEATED JUNE 1 1794, BY EARL HOWE', the grounds banded with gold.

[potato-lord-but-not]

HAPPY GLORIOUS 25TH Y’ALL !!!! THE FREE STICKERS ARE BACK THIS YEAR GO SNATCH YOURSELF SOME SILLIES BEFORE THEY’RE GONE !!!!

ALSO !! my entire kofi store is 25% off with code TOWEL until June 1st!! so go grab some extra stickers if you’d like!!!

[rosiesdisneydrama]

Night Raven College: A (Loose) Year's Timeline

I got frustrated that I couldn't find a timeline of events for Disney Twisted Wonderland, to help me figure out which "yearly" events happened when and at what time of year each Story happened during.

So, like the Madwoman I am, I tried to make one of my own.

Just so you know, this is based on when they happen in a single year and not which years they happen at the school (since, despite game logic, I refuse to believe that insanity happens in a single year), as well as the rough estimate of when each overblot happened based on context clues and irl events they match and when the game holds them. (please note, this doesn’t include the Japan-exclusive events)

Since NRC is 4 year school, I would assume that some events wouldn’t be yearly or happen in the same year. This is just a general “yearly calendar” timeline. So specific one-time events aren't really included (like the Tsumtsum or the Apprentice Chef ones), nor are the ones that don't have stories. And since the school is based on the Western school year, it starts in the fall and not spring!

I hope my crazy is useful to someone!

September (9th Month of the Year)

Semester: Fall Term

Story: The Rose-Red Tyrant (Riddle’s Overblot)

School Events:

Entrance Ceremony

Club Recruitment

Birthdays:

12th is Jamil’s Birthday

23rd is Ace’s Birthday

October (10th Month of the Year)

Semester: Fall Term

Story: The Usurper from the Wilds (Leona’s Overblot)

School Events:

Interdorm Spelldrive Tournament

Halloween

Birthdays:

11th is Jack’s Birthday

25th is Trey’s Birthday

November (11th Month of the Year)

Semester: Fall Term

Story: The Merchant from the Depths (Azul’s Overblot)

School Events:

End of Term Exams

Glorious Masquerade

Birthdays:

5th is Jade and Floyd’s Birthdays

December (12th Month of the Year)

Semester: Fall Term

Story: Schemer of the Scalding Sands (Jamil’s Overblot)

School Events:

Winter Break

Haveston Sledathon

A Firelit Sky

Birthdays:

2nd if Rook’s Birthday

18th is Idia’s Birthday

January (1st Month of the Year)

Semester: Winter Term

Story: (None)

School Events:

New Years

Founding Day

Birthdays:

1st is Lilia’s Birthday

18th is Malleus Birthday

February (2nd Month of the Year)

Semester: Winter Term

Story: A Beautiful Tyrant (Vil’s Overblot), The Watchman of the Underworld (Idia’s Overblot)

School Events:

Beanfest

Birthdays:

4th is Cater’s Birthday

24th is Azul’s Birthday

March (3rd Month of the Year)

Semester: Spring Term

Story: (None thus far)

School Events:

Cultural Festival

The Fairy Gala

Birthdays:

17th is Sebek’s Birthday

April (4th Month of the Year)

Semester: Spring Holiday

Story: (None thus far)

School Events:

(None found thus far)

Birthdays:

9th is Vil’s Birthday

18th is Ruggie’s Birthday

May (5th Month of the Year)

Semester: Summer Term

Story: (None thus far)

School Events:

None yet

Birthdays:

6th is Epel’s Birthday

15th is Silver’s Birthday

June (6th Month of the Year)

Semester: Summer Term

Story: The Lord of Malevolence (Malleus’ Overblot)

School Events:

Port Fest

Birthdays:

3rd is Deuce’s Birthday

25th is Kalim’s Birthday

July (7th Month of the Year)

Semester: Summer Term

Story: The Lord of Malevolence (Malleus’ Overblot)

School Events:

End of Term Exams

Camp Vargus

The Phantom Bride

Birthdays:

27th is Leona’s Birthday

August (8th Month of the Year)

Semester: Summer Term

Story: (None thus far)

School Events:

Star Sending

End of Year Exams

Birthdays:

14th is Ortho’s Birthday

24th is Riddle’s Birthday

If I've missed an event or you can think of a "normal" school event that should have been included but isn't, let me know and I'll add it to the list!

This is meant to be a loose timeline for what would be put on a calendar (or a fanfic writer would want included) so it doesn't include EVER SINGLE event that's been held.

Anyway, have fun with these folks!

3/13/24 Edit: I fixed a few things! Vil's and Idia's overblots happened in February along with Beanfest, it's a shockingly busy month apparently. If there are any other inconsistencies, please let me know so I can fix them!

(knowing how things progressed in the story, I'm starting to wonder if Malleus' Overblot was in March... God an overblot a month is insane XD )

[summer-of-bad-batch]

Rules / Q&A

RULES (…for being reblogged by @summer-of-bad-batch)

**checks list** There are no “rules” per se…

HOWEVER, if you would like to be eligible for reblogging by this blog, please keep these 2 things in mind:

This is a PG rated blog. Basically, if it could be in the literal show, it could be on this blog. (But everything is welcome in the Ao3 Summer of Bad Batch 2024 Collection)

Tag properly! #summerofbadbatch2024 #week[insert number here] – Easy peasy! [example: #summerofbadbatch2024 #week3]

Please keep in mind that I might not be able to reblog every single contribution to this glorious challenge, even if it falls into the parameters listed above. I am but one person, and real life will take priority 🙂

Where is the Ao3 Summer of Bad Batch Collection??

Here’s the link!

To add to the collection:

You can do this when you’re posting a new story, or when you’re editing a story!

Under the “Associations” section, you’ll see: Post to Collections / Challenges

In the box, type summerofbadbatch2024 (no spaces)

It may or may not auto populate the collection. If it doesn’t, that’s fine! Just leave it and post/save your story. It should tuck it into the collection just fine 🥰

Q&A

When will prompts be released?

The first prompt will be released on Saturday, June 1st at 12 AM CST. After that, the weekly prompt will be released every Sunday at 12 AM CST.

What if I don’t like the prompt for the week?

Each week will have an alternate prompt available!

Can I swap out the alternate prompts?? For example: could I use Week 2’s alternate prompt for Week 5?

Yes!! ANY of the alternate prompts can be swapped out for ANY of the main prompts.

What if I don’t understand the prompt?

Send me an ask! I would love to help.

Also, I think it’s so important to note that the prompts are open for interpretation. As long as someone could squint and see the correlation, go with wherever the prompt prompts you to go. (See what I did there?)

What if I don’t finish the weekly prompt within the week?

That’s totally fine! This prompt challenge isn’t a stickler for deadlines. If you finish Week 1’s prompt in Week 5, it absolutely still counts!

If your goal is to be a Completionist, you just have to have 13 prompts done by August 31st.

Can I fill prompts on works I’ve already finished?

For a prompt to be “filled”, it needs to be used for a NEW work or a WIP. (For example: if you have a multi-chapter fic, you can apply the prompt to a new chapter…but not to a chapter you completed/posted already)

Prompts don’t count as “filled” you apply them to an already completed work.

Can I use more than one prompt in one story?

Yes! Let’s do it! 👏

What if I do all 13 prompts AND the alternate prompts?

Then you, my feisty friend, are an overachiever. Anyone who decides to power through 26 prompts this summer will get an ultra special shout out at the end of the challenge.

Do the stories have to be about the Bad Batch?

Simply put: yes.

How do I qualify as a “completionist”?

Basically, if you complete all 13 prompts within the 13 allotted weeks of “summer” (June 2nd - August 31st, 2024), you are a completionist! Yay you!

What’s the difference between a “completionist” and a “participant”?

If you complete between 1 and 12 prompts, you are a participant.

If you complete ALL 13 prompts, you are a completionist.

I know there are gonna be lots of other questions…so please send me an ask and I’ll add it to the list if it qualifies 🥰

[sapphicfeedismsanctuary]

COMPETITION TIME !!!! 🍕🌸🌈

Categories

Glorious Gainer: The title of Glorious Gainer is all about showing off impressive figures such as before and afters, or even just flaunting what you have; everyone has an equal chance, gainer or not!

Best Dressed: The title of Best Dressed is all about outfits - anything goes! Feel free to show off your craziest combo to your hottest selection; outgrown or not!

Randomised Tip Draw: All server donors will be placed into a wheel and a live draw will be held for a winner!

Voter's and Participant's Rules

Voters:

Everyone (including participants) has one vote per category (Glorious Gainer & Best Dressed)

You must vote by reacting with the emoji (other reactions are allowed but won't be counted as a vote)

The minimum tip is £3 to enter Randomised Tip Draw.

All winners will receive a prize worth $10!

CLOSING DATE: 1st JUNE

WINNERS ANNOUNCED: 3rd JUNE

More info about the competition can be found in the SFS Discord server linked in our bio!! 🩷

[saltygilmores]

Thoughts While Watching Gilmore Girls, 2/18 “Back In The Saddle” (more glorious filler) Part 2

Wow, Netflix really borked the captions in this scene.

Thinking about how the Chilton Crew wants Lorelai to come to the school and advise their business class, and then I remembered that in a season 3 episode (the one where Lane dyes her hair purple) she does just that at Stars Hollow High, but it didn't exactly go well for her, because instead of asking her questions about what it's like to run an inn, the students were more interested in why 16 years earlier she let Crustypher Hayden boink her on her parents' balcony in the middle of the winter. Then an army of PTA Karens (or Debbies, in that case) approach her outside the school and the word "Condoms" is thrown about, absolutely scandalous. So perhaps she's better off giving this one to Richard.

I swear to gawd, Lorelai, you better give my boy Michel a day off with no questions asked, after all the times you abandoned your post in the last few weeks to help Lucas and left poor Michel to pick up your shifts. She thankfully doesn't give him any guff. We then learn he is (apparently?) excited about his mother coming to visit, while Sookie and Lorelai try to remedy Sookie's misprinted wedding invitations by screaming at some poor underpaid customer service agent who is probably Kirk. Glorious, pointless filler!

A few moments later, Lorelai declines Rory's invitation to Business Advise her and she suggests she asked Richard instead, so Rory goes and visits Richard and he...also declines. Emily gets wind of this declination and gives Richard the business about letting Rory down, and they get into a spat over it. Spoiler alert: He eventually changes his mind.

The sign reads as follows: LIBERTY BELL: The bell in Stars Hollow was cast in 1780 to celebrate the 1st anniversary of the town. The bell cracked the first time it was rung and weighed 2000 pounds. The strike of the bell is E-Flat. On June 6, 1944, when allied forces landed in France, the sound of the bell was broadcast to all parts of the country. Guess that's just another thing they're trying to erase from American history textbooks! Seeing as it's directly next to the gazebo and would be hard to miss, I don't think we ever see this sign again and I don't know why we're seeing it now. Also, there is no actual bell to be seen anywhere in the vicinity. Lane is babbling to Rory about something and I have no clue what she's on about. I had to rewind. Okay, it sounds like she took one of those "Career aptitude" tests at school and it told her she should pursue a career in sales and now she's freaking out over it. R: "Lane, in ten years we'll be having lunch in Paris not discussing if you made quota." Rory is really hoping that in ten years Paris IS her lunch. I'm dirty.

INCOMING!!!!!

The look on Rory's face is like she knows he's coming up behind her. The temperature drops a few degrees whenever he appears. She has a sixth sense for this stuff. She's evolved a series of survival mechanisms. She's like, "if I freeze, maybe he'll just sniff me, see I'm not a threat, and scamper off into the woods. He's more scared of you than you are of him. Stay perfectly still, Rory." Lane, however, is oblivious to the danger, as always.

Women's Reactions To The Arrival Of Dean Forrester: A field guide. Unless you'e Lorelai Gilmore, a typical presentation is quiet, slack jawed terror and/or silently planning an escape route.

Okay butthead, what do you want? How is AmyShermanPalladino going to stuff you into this plot about Rory's grandfather, one that has nothing to do with Boys?

Okay Forrester, you've reached your 1 sentence, four word quota. The time to stop talking is now.

How about you suck my non existent left nut, Forrester?

Please don't do it Rory. I know you have more than 4 brain cells to squeeze together in that smart noggin of yours and you can choose to decline.

She was probably like "Oh yeah Dean I REALLY miss seeing you play softball", the same way she probably said to him "I REALLY want to see Lord of the Rings with you." Dean my friend, it's fine if you can't understand sarcasm, many people can't, and that's OK. But I feel this is causing a bit of a communication issue between you and Rory. For example, you think Rory cares about your stupid hobbies but in actuality Rory would rather see you walk face first into a nest of sexually frustrated hornets than do any of this shit with you.

Are we still on this "I spent one night without Dean so now I have to spend every night with Dean" kick?

NO! NO NO NO. WHY MUST WE DO THIS IN EVERY SINGLE FREAKING EPISODE?! I HATE SEASON 2, I HATE "BARGAINING WITH BUTTHEAD" AND I HATE DEAN FORRESTER! Rory of course fucking COMPROMISES with BUTTZILLA FORRESTER, AGAIN, and agrees to watch him play softball next week if he ALLOWS her to stay home and do her HOMEWORK. GOD DAMN IT RORY GILMORE! ALSO DAMN IT LANE KIM, SAY SOMETHING.

I was so blinded with rage I almost missed the guy cradling a chicken in the background.

Poor Butthead is sad. Wah wah wah. That chicken has more brain cells than you.

Rory got the short end of the stick playing Bargaining With Butthead again, because he's still going to show up at her house later!

Not me going to Google to read up on the weight of a softball and trying to imagine the satisfying crack when one beans him in the head later, knocking him unconcious. WHAT WAS THE POINT OF ALL THIS? Just so Jared Padalecki could get a paycheck? Remember how the WB cut Milo a check for not working? Couldn't they have done that to Jared? Go home, kick your feet up, and don't ever come back to this show. If only. Michel's Mom shows up at the Inn and it's a cute Z plot but it means fuckall and I have nothing to say.

We haven't been told why Richard decided to change his mind, but he did. The random student in the group is named Chip, and with a name like that he's definitely a 35 year old posing as a high school student.

Watch as Madelyn effortlessly invents the Amazon Echo (Alexa) (or a smartphone, depending on how you want to frame it, but the fact that it's meant to be stored in one area sounds more like Alexa to me) but Rory says it can't be done because nobody knows how to build a robot. Another brilliant woman whose multi-billion dollar ideas will eventually be co opted by a man. All because Rory didn't know anyone in her high school who could build a highly complex technologically advanced talking assistant in the year 2002. Pity, that. If you think about it, even the "Carrying your stuff" did not have to mean a literal robot butler, but foreshading the way a smartphone stores books and other school materials. Meanwhile Richard is falling asleep and nursing a migraine listening to her incredible pitch probably because she's a Girl, and the two other men in the group are contributing nothing. Louise wants to invent some sort of device to track lost lipsticks. You attach it to your lipstick then press a button on a remote to find it when it get lost? It sounds dumb on the surface then you realize she just invented AirTags. Rory and Paris are not on board with the LipStick LoJack or the Amazon Echo/Iphone. We have two incredibly advanced minds at work here. and they're being absolutely wasted. What this really means is that AmyShermanPalladino was inventing these things well over a decade before they were actually realized and entered the public conciousness. Let's give her some credit. Dang. I can't recall what the winning idea ends up being but I'm sure it will be absolutely usless. Wait, wait, here it comes... Paris' pitches...a first aid kit. Really? This is the brilliant idea that wins out over all the rest (they never bothered to ask Chip The 35 Year Old or Brad for ideas and actually Rory herself never contributed any idea of her own). Richard wants to know why Paris is inventing a) something that already exists b) something free c) something widely available d) something absolutely idiotic and lame and uninteresting to teenagers, and if you gave teenagers free first aid kits they'd probably just take the contents out and chuck them at each other. And what is her brilliant marketing tactic to get the Teens on board?

This idea is so dumb that it's completely out of character for Paris. How's this gonna look on your Harvard application, girly? I'm not gonna say that in 1998 I wouldn't have bought a lunch box full of band aids if someone slapped a picture of the Backstreet Boys on them, but... I don't know how to end that sentence.

Go on Paris, keep on making the old man feel smug and justified in his thinking that teenage girls only care about unicorns and the color pink. Richard: Tricked out first aid kits? You really think that's going to work? Paris: Yes, yes I do. Richard: So do I. It's perfect. I think Richard has been hitting the bottle a little too hard during his retirement. Rory agrees that the idea is just brilliant, the boys have still contributed nothing, and we cut away from the scene with Richard having never asked his own grand daughter to present any ideas.

She should have invented Buttzilla Repellent spray to keep Dean at bay. Honestly.

[scotianostra]

January 1st 1768 saw the death of James Francis Edward Stuart, in Rome.

I posted about his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie, yesterday, the father, although not officially crowned, is known in Jacobite circles and further afield as King James VIII of Scotland.

James was recognised as the rightful King by France, Spain, Italy and the Catholic nations as a whole, his father had been deposed in what became known as the "Glorious Revolution".

The terms Old Pretender, and Young ,a pretender is an aspirant or claimant to a monarchy that either has been abolished or suspended, or is occupied by another. If you want to use the term in the history of our country it can be argued that Robert the Bruce, was originally a Pretender, and after his death Edward Balliol emerged as a Pretender also. It shouldn’t be used disparagingly, these men had genuine claims to the throne, even Edward Balliol, father of King John.

The birth of James on 10 June 1688 precipitated the invasion of England by William, Prince of Orange, because he was the heir to the throne and would have been brought up as a Catholic. Conspiracists claimed that the true Prince had died soon after birth and was substituted by a ‘warming-pan infant’, smuggled into the queen’s bed.

James II left England on 23 December 1688 and never returned. James was brought up at the chateau of St-Germain-en-Laye in France. He was declared King James III of England and VIII of Scotland on his father’s death in 1701

In 1708 James made an attempt to invade Scotland and recapture the throne, but his army was prevented from landing by the British fleet. He spent some time fighting in the French army, but in 1713 was expelled from France as a condition of the country’s peace treaty with Great Britain.

Queen Anne, James’s half-sister, died in 1714. James refused to convert from Catholicism in order to claim the throne, and it passed to a distant relative, the Protestant Elector of Hanover, who succeeded as King George I. Jacobite supporters used the occasion to attempt an uprising in 1715.

After the stalemate at Sherrifmuir and an English Jacobite rising already defeated at Preston before James landed in Scotland. He made his way to Scone Palace where he set up a court in January 1716, but with government forces approaching, he left Scotland secretly in February. His abandonment of his rebel allies caused ill-feeling against him in Scotland.

After a brief stay in Avignon, the Pope offered James refuge in Rome in 1717. He remained there for the rest of his life. James was involved in an attempted Spanish invasion of Scotland in 1719, but the next (and last) serious Jacobite uprising was led by his son Charles Stuart in 1745. Charles’s defeat at Culloden in 1746 effectively ended Jacobite hopes for the restoration of the throne.

Pics are of James VIII in 1703, he would have been about 15, the second, circa 1720 about 32 years old, and the third pic is the tomb of James and his two sons, Charles and Henry.

[focsle]

Happy new year! Here’s what some whalers were thinking about on this day past.

William Abbe, Atkins Adams, 1859

During our middle night watch the new year came in the man at the wheel struck one bell at 12 o clock - when M + I had a little aquadiente + switchel — We furled the M t. g. sl, M. Sh. + I going aloft to do it — + stowed the f.j. saw a large ship just abeam faintly defined against the sky in the night gloom — Had roast pork for dinner but not enough hardly for one man — Old woman sent me 5 cigars as a New Years present. Cap this morning asked the Mate + 3rd Mate down to the Cabin — saw them spit out quids and clean their mouths — very suspicious + extraordinary circumstance this. I think they went down to Splice Main Brace — especially as immediately afterwards the cabin boy carried down a pitcher of water. What are the dear friends at home doing to day? Very pleasantly—I hope—celebrating the infant year with due festivities — I smoke my cigar and content myself with this degree of jubilee.

Charles Brown, Parker, 1834

“We thus see the beginning of the year who may see the End we know not. I wish for helth and Prosperity [hain?] wish I know not what is most propper for me to have but the giver of all noeth and therefore I shal have whatever is most Propper”

William Stetson, Arab, 1856.

“The old year has now been swallowed up in the unfathomable vortex of the past, another year of promise has pleasantly dawned upon us, and another week has passed away as quietly as its immediate predecessor. But little cruising about on shore has been done by any of us.”

J.T. Langdon St. Peter 1851

“This year we have taken 13 whales which stowed us 430 bbls Have spoken 11 Barques and 1 ship and have been gamming 18 times. Have lost 1 man by drowning and 1 discharged on account of sickness. The health of the crew has been generally good. So far myself I have not been sick a single day. Another year has drawn to its close and still we are preserved from danger + sickness and are all fondly hoping that before another year rolls around we shall be enjoying ourselves at home”

Silliman Ives, Sunbeam, 1870

“The old year is numbered among the things that were, the death knell has been rung and today the joy bells are pealing for the birth of 1870. But peal they ever so joyfully, the music of their merry chiming is unheard by us, as we hold on the “even tenor of our way” down here in the Malay Archipelago. It is a sad fact that there are no holidays for sailors. One day is not regarded above another on ship-board, and we wear away the weary weeks of our treadmill existence with but little to break the dull monotony of the recurring days, as they bring to us the same round of duty and discipline. If the Almanac were not referred to, we would never know that there was such a day as the “glorious” Forth of July. The day supposed to be observed by our friends at home as Thanksigiving, is never noticed at sea. Christmas, the dearest and best of all festival seasons, is utterly and entirely ignored. And so far as specially observing New Years, it might just as well be June 1st as January 1st.”

Allen Newman (and his wife Abby Newman), Edward, 1849

Newman’s sick. I would give all my old shoes to trade situations  with the poorest Devel I can think of I am home sick, sea sick, and love sick, and sick of the sea without A remedy. There is no Balm for healing heare. [it appears Abby was annotating this old logbook of his a year later while he was away again at sea, penning her own entries in response to his] O dear what A [Time?] A nobody see it of all kind of sickness home sick is the worst Abby P. Newman

William H. Chappell, Saratoga, 1855

“150 days out. Ten years ago I hardly daired to think of seeing this year but God has ordained it I do not know why. Perhaps there is a work for me to do and I must do it “by the patience of hope and and the labor of Love” that I may be able to say at His coming “I have fought my way through I have finished the work thou didst give me to do” I am glad to hear others make becoming resolutions for the New year and I should not do my Wife justice if I did not think she had formed some before this time and I wish them all a happy New Year. One year from this we should be half way home and our feelings will contrast wonderfully with those of the present time.”

Samuel Wood, Bowditch, 1852

“2 sail in Sight to the Westward the weather is fine nothing doing but comon ship duty Easy times & a hapy new year with uss + a hearty wish & a good kiss to all the mery girls of the American Stars & Stripes that floats in the breeze at our mast heads.”

Keeper Unknown, Bartholomew Gosnold, 1843

“The old year is past and gone and A new one has begun, and yet we are blessed with the comforts of this wourld, for as the sun in all her splendor rises above the towering hills of Owhyhee, sends forth her rays, in that fullness of a devine being, as though it were the first of her appearance on this our globe, non yet altering her cours, but with all her celetial power, still pursues her way along in an uninterupted state, what wonders power does she display.”

[roadtogracelandx45]

10 Days| 1| Band of Brothers x Masters of the Air crossover

*So I went back and forth about posting this but I figured since I liked it so much that I may as well post it. I know its not likely that this happened but for the sake of fan fiction, it will work out. *

Summary: Most of the men of first and second platoons of Easy Company heads to the Stewart household at the head of the family, Franklin’s urging. And for the first time since August they were from the constraints of having Sobel around watching their every move and they were able to fully be themselves and explore those building feelings that weren’t able to explore under his watchful gaze. 

@marycorleone

One: 10 Glorious Days. 

East Company.

January 1943

10 days. 10 glorious days without Hebert Sobel and Amber Scott sounded like an absolute dream and to be able to go home and celebrate Christmas late and Marla's sweet 16. 

Made it all seem so much better. This was the first time since June that Bobby and Edward would be home since June and the first time that Olivia would have seen any family since July.  

The whole thought made being stuck on a hot sticky rickety bus with a handful of the smelly men from 1st and 2nd platoon and Dog company worth it. 

"Look at that smile.' Bull Randleman teased as he reached forward and poked a fat finger in the dimple that appeared on Olivia's cheek when she smiled brightly, like she was then. 

"What? I can't help it." She returned, pushing his hand away from her face. 

 "10 Sobel and Amber free days? It's a dream."

 "Not to mention," Bobby commented from his seat across the aisle from his sister and Liebgott, "Our grandparents are throwing a party for Marla. And that means that Olivia gets to get all prettied up." 

"Your point?" She shrugged, "After wearing uniforms for 6 months straight, I would even wear a damn corset again. If it meant being free of this."  

Bobby pulled a face, he went to Atlanta with Olivia and their aunts for the premiere of Gone With The Wind and Cissy insisted that the girls wear the corset and Bobby had to cut her out of hers at the end of the night. 

"I personally," Liebgott started turning his head to talk directly into her ear, "Can't wait for you to wear dresses again. Easier access for me.' 

Olivia flushed and slapped his shoulder, since they had started sleeping together, he was more open to teasing her and finding ways to get her into his bed or him into his bed.

There was just one rule, don't flaunt it around the boys. They didn't need any fights breaking out, again. The one fight between Joe and Bill was enough.  And honestly, Olivia didn't want to deal, there was only so much that she could handle and she was nearing her limit of bullshit and they all knew it. 

They had all hoped that the 10 days away from Amber and Sobel and the extra stresses that she had piled on with being the first Lieutenant would help reset her.

"Did Amber go with Sobel back to Chicago?" Lily asked peering around Pat Christenson to look at Olivia who shrugged her shoulders again. When it came to Amber and Sobel, she tried in vain to not know anything about them  

"They went to Brooklyn.' Lewis's voice carried from the front of the bus where he was sitting with Dick, Edward, and Ronald Speirs; they had been listening to their conversation mostly for amusement. They all became more animated and alive, the further away from Sobel they got. 

"Why do you know that sir?" Mike Ranney asked surprised, no one ever cared enough about Sobel or Amber to know these things. 

"I have my ways." 

"And this is exactly the reason why most of the girls are scared of you Lew." Edward Stewart groaned. 

"There is only one girl that matters and that is your sister.' Lewis returned, there was only one person that knew what he knew about Amber and her family and her relationship with Sobel and that was Dick and he was keeping his mouth shut. 

Especially since it was tied to Olivia's safety.  The oldest Stewart sibling dropped his chin down to his chest and groaned, his sister's personal relationships were so complicated and he hated that he knew anything about it.

Her fake marriage to Lewis, he knew about and backed up because he was there when the fight happened and Lewis claimed that they were married. 

But her relationship with Bill, Dick Winters, Joe Liebgott, and Floyd Talbert, he didn't need to know about. As far as he knew and wanted to claim that his sister was innocent and only slept in the same bed with Lewis to upkeep the charade.

The rumor mills had been running rampant that Olivia and Dick had hooked up when she had left Liebgott behind in town after a fight and spent the rest of the 48-hour pass in her shared barracks with Dick. It had gotten to the point where both Olivia and Dick had been brought into Sink's office and questioned about it. He had even pulled aside afterward and asked her about it. She had been so embarrassed that he asked her about it that she shut down on him completely. 

He shook his head to rid himself of his thoughts and looked out of the window in time to see the generational Stewart family home come into view and his 3-year-old son standing on the front porch holding onto Marla's hand, their youngest brother Steven was standing next to him, his big brown eyes dancing in excitement much like Olivia's had been since they got up that morning and boarded the bus, their nephews and lone niece surrounding them. 

"Bobby, Liv, look out of the window.' He called back, causing Bobby to get out of his seat and cross the aisle into the seat that Olivia and Liebgott shared.

"The only kiddo that I don't see is Katie." Bobby commented.

 "She is probably sick again." Olivia frowned, their youngest sister Katie had been sick on and off her entire life and none of the doctors or specialists that they took her to couldn't figure it out.

"She will be fine." Bill threw out, he had seen the worry from all of the Stewarts when they had to take her to the hospital when she was just shy of a year old.  He had even taken turns sitting with the girl himself after school some days to give Andie a well-deserved break. "All she needs is a visit from her older siblings." 

Joe's hand found Olivia's and squeezed it, she had told him and Talbert one night about her youngest sister's health issues and how they had been told to prepare for her to pass before her time. 

The bus driver threw open the door and Edward was off the bus and scooping up his son who was squealing in excitement. The rest of the boys stayed in their seats letting Olivia and Bobby exit the bus to go up to their siblings and the littles to greet them first. Two older gentlemen, one in uniform and the other not along with an older lady stepped onto the porch to greet them. 

Liebgott's eyes were glued to Olivia who took her youngest brother Steven from Marla and pressed kisses on his face leaving behind red lipstick stains behind causing the little boy to complain and wipe his cheeks off. 

The pull he had felt towards Olivia tugged again, this time stronger. They all knew that Olivia was going to be a good mom with how she acted with them when they were hurting but seeing her with a kid just made it more true. 

The night before, she and the nurses were in the barracks with them and she had snuck into his bunk and curled into him, making him want to make the dream of her being his wife true. At first, the thought scared him, he didn't want to get married right away or have a baby and it wasn't because of the war, it was because of his mother and how she left him and his five younger siblings alone. He didn't want to do that to happen again or to be the one who left. It wouldn't be fair to his partner or the children. 

"Joe.' Her soft voice shook him out of his thoughts, he was the only one left on the bus, "Come on, Nana and Papa want to meet you." She held her hand out to him, which he took instead of letting her lead him off of the bus, he pulled her into him and pressed a needy kiss to her mouth. 

She whined and pressed against him.

"Stay with me tonight." He muttered against her mouth. 

"My room. You will be with Tab and Chuck.' How she knew that he didn't know but he was okay with sneaking into her room to be with her.

"Alone?" He nudged his nose against hers not ready to get off of the bus and put on a show that they were nothing more than friends. "Mhm, perks of being a Stewart."

"Olivia Franklin! If you don't get off of that bus right now young lady."  The older woman ordered, causing her to laugh and pull away from him.

"Coming Nana.' She returned pulling him off of the bus behind her. Ellen Stewart was standing alone on the porch, a slender hand on her hip, the rest of the group had already moved into the house, and she had wanted to meet the man that her granddaughter was writing home about. 

See if he was worthy like she had hours before when John Egan showed up with her step-granddaughter Isabelle. All they wanted was for them to be happy and if they were happy with men in uniform then they weren't going to stand in the way.

"Nana, this is Joe Liebgott." Olivia started hiding their clasped hands behind her back, "Joe this is my nana, Ellen."

"It's nice to meet you ma'am. Livia has told us a lot about you." He took the older woman's hand in his and was surprised when she tightened the grasp and stepped in closer to him, her blue eyes much like his Olivia's studied him closely, "She has told us a lot about you too. All of you boys in fact." Ellen said before releasing his hand. 

A wild fleeting moment, he was worried that Olivia told her grandmother about their romps in the shower and in the alleyways. The two normal places for them to hook up. If they had the chance tonight to be together it would be their first night in a bed and he was planning on taking full advantage of it. 

"All good things I hope." He started as Olivia squeezed his hand and stepped in closer to him. An instance that never happened before. 

Not even with Lewis. Sure, Lewis gave her confidence and loved her but just by looking at the two, Liebgott was head over heels for Olivia and she was head over heels for him. 

She could tell that they were ready to admit to each other and he wasn't ready to settle but the moment it happened was the moment that everything was going to fall into place for them.  

"All very good things." She returned as a little voice called for Olivia causing her to smile and step away from him. 

"Come 'ere Katie girl." She squatted down and held her arms out to the little girl who rushed into them. Dark blue eyes peeked over her sister's shoulder to Joe who offered her a smile and wink.

 "Who's that?" Katie asked, fisting her hand in the dark green material of her sister's uniform.

"I am Joe." He started going over to the older Stewart girl's side and squatting down next to her, 

"I am friends with Livvy and Bobby." 

"Like Lew and Billy?"

"Exactly." His mouth quirked at the corners hearing how easily the little girl called Bill, the wild one of the bunch, Billy.  

"He is cute sissy." She tore her eyes away from Joe to look at her sister.

 "Yes, he is."

 "You gonna marry him?"

 "Katie." Olivia groaned, causing her to laugh, every time Olivia brought a boy home who wasn't Bill, she asked her the same thing.

 "We will see Katie." Joe started after clearing his throat, surprised that she asked that. 

"Don't lie like Bucky."

"Who the hell is Bucky?"

"Oh, Izzy is here with a couple of the boys for the 100th bombers" Ellen explained, skipping over the language, she had figured that both Izzy and Olivia learned it from being in uniform and around young men who didn't have to follow social norms.  

"Izzy is here?" Izzy was Andie's oldest daughter who had gone to England 4 years before with her father and they had only ever exchanged letters since and the lack of return letters made sense. 

The worry that Olivia had held at bay came back tenfold and sensing it Joe put his hand on her lower back rubbing it. 

"Yes, it's a long story Liv. She got hurt at the airbase and while she was recovering she came here, she has been here for about 6 months." 

"How did she get hurt? How did she get involved with the 100th then?" 

"That you will have to ask her. She is mum about it." She returned, "We set her up in Maureen's old room.' 

Maureen was Franklin's younger sister who was killed in 1864 along with his twin sister Lydia, their mother, and youngest brother, and her room was attached to Olivia's by a bathroom. 

 "Go on up and talk to her, I will show Joe to his room."  She nodded her head before turning and pressing a kiss to Joe's cheek. Katie pulled away from her sister to stay with her grandmother and Joe. 

"I will come find you when I am done."  She muttered, pressing a kiss against his cheek and slipping into the house to find her sister. “Do me a favor Joe.” Ellen started as Katie took his hand and to lead him into the house. “Just don’t hurt her. She has already been hurt enough by Bill.”  

The words I promise felt heavy on his tongue for the reason that he hadn’t been able to let go of Mary and fully be with Olivia like she had asked him to do nor had he been honest about his previous relationships. He had made up a story that at the time sounded good but now that he had gotten to know Olivia, he had realized that the story was a stupid one and he shouldn’t have blurted it out. And Ellen seemed to know what was going through his head, instead of forcing him to say anything, she just patted his shoulder and turned to go into the house. 

[clove-pinks]

War of 1812 Wednesday: A Glorious First of June

I periodically bring up Sir John Franklin’s status as a War of 1812 veteran, but I have assumed that it’s more of a piece of trivia than anything else—a footnote in his career even if he took a bullet to his shoulder as part of raiding party at the Battle of Lake Borgne. 

Franklin was a midshipman on HMS Intrepid during the circumnavigation of Australia, he was at the Battle of Trafalgar in the thick of the action (narrowly missing a French sniper’s bullet), and of course he became famous for his polar exploits long before the 1845 Franklin Expedition. I didn’t think that Franklin would be dwelling much on the War of 1812, especially not late in his career in the 1840s. But I was wrong!

Invitation card to a ball aboard HMS Erebus and HMS Terror, hosted by James Clark Ross and Francis Crozier, 1841 (Derbyshire Record Office).

Sir John Franklin was Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land when Erebus and Terror wintered there in 1841, and of course he attended the ball. Although the date of 1st June appears to be a coincidence and not selected for any special significance, noted Franklinheads @explorersaremadeofhope @kljjfnotes​ and Olga Kimmins of The Thousandth Part brought it to my attention that it acquired a Glorious First of June title.

The usual “Glorious First of June” in the Royal Navy is the Fourth Battle of Ushant in 1794, but Sir John Franklin had a different battle in mind:

[all the company continued standing while the national anthem was performed by the full Band. The next toast in succession by Captain Ross was “His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor,” to which Sir John Franklin responded, by observing that the day set apart for the festive occasion by Captain Ross, was one that Englishmen might well be proud; it was the anniversary of one of the most splendid naval victories that adorned the pages of our history—it was a day rendered historical by the battle of the Shannon and Chesapeake—and it was also a day considered sacred to science by the discovery by the gallant officer who had proposed his health, of the North Magnetic Pole.]

Franklin hears the first of June and immediately goes to HMS SHANNON VS. USS CHESAPEAKE?! I was not expecting that at all, and have give Franklin more credit for his taste.

The celebrated engagement during which H.M.S. “Shannon” captured the American frigate “Chesapeake”, 1st June 1813, Thomas Whitcombe (Wikimedia Commons).

[intheshadowofwar]

16 June 2023

The Old Sixteen

Bedford 16 June 2023

You may notice that, having promised a trip to Cambridge yesterday, that I wrote ‘Bedford’ and not ‘Cambridge’ as the location for this entry. There’s a good reason for this - I decided that I simply did not want to ride the bus today. There’s something about public buses that just unaccountably frustrates me. I can’t really explain what it is.

So while Mum and my stepfather rode off to Cambridge, I hung around here in Bedford, and just before lunch I took a walk to the war memorial on Goldington Green. This isn’t Bedford’s main war memorial - that’s by the River Ouse, on the embankment - but it’s still a pretty little memorial and well worth a look.

The Bedfordshire Regiment (which became the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment after the war, and is now part of 2nd Battalion Royal Anglians) traces its lineage back to the Glorious Revolution, where it was raised by James II to fight William of Orange - they promptly switched sides, like most of the army. They became the 16th Foot in 1751, fighting in the American Revolutionary War and in the West Indies in the 1790s (where they were practically wiped out by tropical disease.) The 16th remained in England throughout the Napoleonic Wars, and spent most of the 19th Century deployed on Imperial service; in India, Canada and Africa. They became the Bedfordshires in 1881.

Twelve battalions of the regiment were raised during the First World War, although about half spent the war on garrison or training duties. The regulars of 1st and 2nd Battalions fought on the Western Front throughout the war, with the 1st being present at the BEF’s first battle at Mons. The 4th (Special Reserve) went to the Western Front as reinforcements, as were the 6th, 7th and 8th (Service) Battalions, which were broken up to provide reinforcements to other battalions in early 1918 - the BEF was running low on reinforcements at this time. The 5th (Territorial) Battalion was landed at Suvla in August 1915, and went on to fight in Palestine.

With six battalions in the thick of the fighting on the Western Front throughout the war, and one active throughout the war against the Ottoman Empire, the number of names on this otherwise modest memorial starts to make sense. Goldington - and dozens of other villages around Bedfordshire - must have faced losses that we would consider unbearable now, and frankly would have been unbearable then. Scarce wonder Britain was so determined not to do it all again in the 1930s. We damn Chamberlain, and it’s my opinion that he wasn’t a terribly great political operator, but can we really blame him, or the British public, for recoiling from war with the Nazis? One would have had to be mad to want to relive the horrors of the Western Front.

But of course, war did come again - one even more terrible than the last. And thousands of war memorials like Goldington had to be updated with new lists of names; new butcher’s bills for the war of 1939-45. And then for Korea, and Malaya, and the Falklands, and Iraq and Afghanistan. And again and again and again…

[ltwilliammowett]

Battle of the Glorious 1st June 1794, by William Griffin, 19th century

[art-portraits]

Admiral Matthew Aylmer, 1st Baron Aylmer (ca.1655-1720)

Artist: After Sir Peter Lely

Collection: Royal Museums Greenwich, London, England

Description

A three-quarter length portrait to the left, showing Aylmer in armour, wearing a red sash and brown full-bottomed wig.

After military service in Ireland and at Tangier, Matthew Aylmer began his naval career as a midshipman in October 1677. He served in the galley ‘Charles’ in the Mediterranean, becoming lieutenant in her in April the following year. He was further advanced by his patron, Admiral Arthur Herbert, to captain of the ‘Chatham’ and other commands followed. The Glorious Revolution of 1688–89 proved favourable to Aylmer’s career. He was appointed to the ‘Mary’ on 22 December 1688 and saw action in her at the Battle of Bantry Bay on 1 May 1689, where the ship sustained significant damage.

He commanded the ‘Royal Katherine’ at the Battle of Beachy Head in 1690 and the ‘London’ at the Battle of Barfleur in 1692. He was promoted rear-admiral on 8 February 1693 and vice-admiral that June. Political machinations at the Admiralty saw him withdraw from active service in November 1699, but he was recalled as commander-in-chief between November 1709 and January 1711 and again between 1714 and 1718. He was appointed governor of Greenwich Hospital on 6 November 1714. He died in post at the Queen’s House on 18 August 1720; he is buried in St Alfege’s Church.

[newsriveting]

In third term, PM Modi assures to work three times harder and achieve three times results

Prime Minister Narendra Modi being greeted by his cabinet colleagues in Parliament Team News Riveting New Delhi, June 24 The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi addressed the media before the commencement of the 1st session of the 18th Lok Sabha today. The Prime Minister began his statement by calling today’s occasion a proud and glorious day in parliamentary democracy as it is the first time after…

[pastortomsteers]

The Bible Study –

Our readings for Monday, June 3 are Ecclesiastes 11:1-10 and John 10:22-42. Today’s Old Testament passage calls us to generosity, to “cast our bread upon the waters,” the immensity of human need. We do not know how long we’ll have to be charitable in this life or have the means to help those in need. We also don’t know the deep mysteries of how God creates life and the work of God. Verse 5 tell us: “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.” The Preacher of Ecclesiastes encourages us to engage in and enjoy life while we can, and to be productive. Sin will remain with us in this broken world, but our Saviour awaits after the darkness of death to bring believers to glorious light. Our Gospel text shows us Jesus, walking in the Temple during the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, what we know today as Hanukkah. People gather round Him, perhaps Pharisees, and ask our Lord to tell them if He is the Christ. Jesus responds saying He has already told them, and they do not believe. His teaching and miracles (called “signs” in John) have spoken clearly. God desires all people to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth (1st Timothy 2:4). Those who refuse to hear His Word, who refuse the Lord’s gracious gift of salvation, have no one to blame but themselves for eternal condemnation. In verse 30, Christ says, “I and the Father are one.” In the Greek, Jesus uses a plural verb, “are,” that presupposes the distinction of persons in the Trinity. The Greek word for “one’ is neuter, one thing, not one person. Christ and the Father are one in essence or nature, but they are not identical persons. We have a Triune God, one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus says in verse 38, “the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Through faith worked within by the Holy Spirit using God’s Word and Sacraments, we are in Christ, our Lord and Saviour. Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs

[seymoursawlamb]

1st June 2024

Took Hartley on one of our favourite walks, Dyke Walk, today. It was a glorious first day of summer.