#Time to put water bottles in the freezer. Time to fill the ice cube trays. Time to water the plants and fill the bucket for the misting fan.

[etakeh]

It's going to be even hotter tomorrow and even hotter the day after that.

Hey if you have to go out this weekend and can manage it, consider taking some frozen water bottles with you in case you see anybody who needs them. I wasn't going to make this a PSA I was just trying to be a bitchy bitch but I guess it's just in my nature to nag people while I'm bitching.

[needleworkreve]

I. Menthol does for cold what capsaicin does for heat, some ideas-

Try switching your soap out for a mint soap so that when you bathe, you get an all over cooling sensation that will last a bit

Try a mint deodorant to stay fresh and get a shot of cool to the parts of your body that need it. Native has a few mint scents every summer. Cucumber Mint is like B&BW's Cucumber Melon's older, more sophisticated, NB sibling: highly recommend.

Mix up some roll on mint oil to dab on your pulse points while out and about. 2.5 ml of essential oil : 100 ml carrier oil such as jojoba. This is also great for cooling the itch of mosquito bites, sunburn, and poison ivy. If you'd prefer a solid formula, mix the same ratio of mint oil to coconut oil and keep it in a lip balm tin.

Burt's Bees lip balm (the plain yellow one) is a beeswax based peppermint infusion that you can use anywhere you don't mind feeling waxy.

II. Cover up if you're going to be outside for extended periods of time

Wear a big hat to protect yourself from the sun or carry a parasol. Keeping the sun off of your head will help you stay cool longer and you'll be carrying your shade with you.

Wear light colors and cover your body. This sounds crazy, but people from hot climates (whether desert or tropical) traditionally wear body covering clothing in light or bright colors. Try it! It's like a floppy hat for your whole body. You're preventing the heat of the sun from touching your skin and making you sweat. White reflects light and heat, the darker in value a color is the more heat it absorbs.

Fiber content matters! Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and linen deal with the heat better than synthetics like polyester or acrylic. Rayon is made from wood pulp and does ok but is weaker when wet so proceed with caution. Cotton fibers are hygroscopic which means that they hold and absorb water which is why they're so good for face masks and can make you feel clammy when you get sweaty. Linen, hemp, and ramie are stem fibers and convey water along their length. There's a specific fine wool called "tropical weight wool" which is used to make men's summer suits. It's very light weight and smooth, allowing the wool to work its magic. Wool is excellent at managing water and can hold up to 30% of its weight in water before it even starts to feel damp. It also wicks water away from the skin further allowing you to feel cool longer. I'm not sure about silk's specific heat properties, but every time I've worn a silk dress to a summer wedding, I've been perfectly comfortable. Plus it is the traditional fabric for saris and if anyone knows how to dress in heat and humidity, it's Indian women.

Carry a hand fan. You can make your own breeze, have a gorgeous accessory, and use it to gesture with like an 18th century coquette. You've always wanted to gossip behind your fan to your bestie, right?

III. addendums to OP's points

frozen fruit in general is amazing. My kids especially like frozen watermelon and frozen bananas. You can also make your own popsicles out of pureed fruit or plain fruit juices. An old school summer treat, is to pour OJ in an ice cube tray and then put in toothpicks once it's started to set for handles.

You can freeze partially full water bottles and then fill it the rest of the way from the tap to have cool water longer.

For a make-shift AC unit, fill a basin with ice cubes, sprinkle with a table spoon of salt and set in front of an oscillating fan. Way more economical than standing in front of the open fridge.

Take a leaf from Marilyn Monroe's book and put your pajamas in the freezer for a half hour before putting them on.

How to survive the Summer with no A/C

It has been an ungodly hot summer and I don’t know about you guys but my New York apartment has no central air. Here are a few survival tips for not getting heat stroke when you live on the top floor of a walk up and the apartment has a black roof (aka, it’s ten degrees hotter inside than outside and it’s like 98 degrees outside.)

1. Freeze green seedless grapes and eat them constantly like the magically delicious things they are. Seriously guys, even if you’ve never tried this TRY IT. When they’re frozen the insides become a delightful consistency that’s sort of similar to a soft popsicle. This healthy treat will keep you cool and won’t give you indigestion like the 10 popsicles I ate in a row last summer.

2. Cold showers. Now the key to a cold shower is you can’t just jump into freezing water. You start with it lukewarm and then gradually decrease the temperature. The important thing here is to never make it so cold you start to shiver. If you’re shivering you’re actually using up precious energy. You just want to cool down your core and get your hair cold and wet.

3. Braid that wet hair! You’ve accomplished your cold shower so now take your cold hair and french braid it as quickly as possible. You want the cool water against your head for as long as you can. Now sit in front of a fan! Profit.

4. Wrap an ice cube in a summer scarf (silk or nylon or whatever), wrap the scarf around your head with the ice cube on the nape of your neck. It will melt and drip into your collar, but it’ll be totally worth it. If you really want to bask in the coldness, sit in front of a fan.

5. Get big ice packs like what you’d use in a cooler, put one at the head of your bed and one at the foot. It’ll keep your bed cooler if you absolutely have no a/c whatsoever.

6. Drink water. Lots of water. All the water you can. Just carry that water bottle around the apartment with you because chances are you’re a sweaty mess and it’s super easy to get dehydrated.

7. Go ahead and walk around your apartment in as little clothes as possible. I highly recommend a sports bra and boxer shorts. Everyone will get over it once they realize you’re a brilliant nudist who isn’t getting sun stroke.

8. Opening windows can cut down on electricity costs for fans, but don’t open the blinds or shades. The direct sunlight will heat up your room like a microwave.

9. If your apartment is just too miserable, find free or cheap places with a/c in your community. I recommend libraries, museums or movies.

10. Don’t bother trying to apply makeup or doing your hair at home. It’s too damn hot. Just give yourself a little extra time and bring your supplies to work. That way you’ll look fabulous and won’t be dripping mascara down your cheeks on the commute in the subway. And summer is also a great time for updos. Braid that mane or put it up in some way. Don’t bother straightening or curling it. It’s too hot and humid. And the less makeup you wear, the less it’ll sweat off. Wear whatever you feel happy in.

[masterwords]

quiet

Note: It's just Will cleaning Hotch up after the battle with Foyet. Quick and dirty, no plot, I can't seem to wrap my mind around any of my WIPs today. (~970 words of gentle Will and grieving Hotch // AO3 if you prefer)

**

“Hold tight.”

An eerie silence fell over the apartment while Will took in the sight. What he'd anticipated, especially after seeing the house Hotch and Haley had shared, was nothing like what he saw. Everything in that house was tidy, decorated like a showroom, immaculate and impersonal. This was chaos. There were stacks of boxes against the walls collecting dust, the dining table littered with case files and books. What looked like a nest of blankets and a pillow on the couch told Will that Hotch probably wasn't in the habit of making it to his bedroom many nights. None of it fit the careful persona he walked out the door wearing every day. Will threw open a window and pushed back the curtains, letting the fresh air waft in and drench the place with the sounds and smells of the city's bustling afternoon. Car horns, people chattering, flowering dogwood, he was acutely aware of all of it as it rushed in to fill the void.

Hotch sat hunched over on the couch like he was taking up space in someone else's home, not his own. A small bucket, neon green plastic made for playing at the beach, filled slowly with cold water in the kitchen sink while Will rummaged around in the freezer for an ice cube tray. He thought about his own freezer, everything in a chaotic disarray, if he ever managed to find an ice cube tray it would probably have been put back with only one or two broken cubes left. Neither he nor JJ were particularly good at maintaining kitchen organization. Hotch's freezer, though, was stark contrast to the chaos of the apartment. Small boxes of single serving microwaveable dinners in a neat stack, some ice packs with Batman and Wonderwoman symbols dancing over their clear plastic covers and two full ice cube trays that looked like they were regularly changed out or used.

Cracking the ice into the bucket, he swished the cubes around and glanced up at the man on the couch. He hadn't moved, not even a little. Staring somewhere into nothing, straight ahead but not at anything in particular, Will wasn't sure he ever really left that house. If he was crying he would try to hide it, wouldn't want Will to see it and he understood that. He took his time, made a little extra noise as he hefted the bucket of ice water out of the sink to give Hotch warning that he was coming.

“May I?”

Crouching on the floor, knees popping loud on the way down, he took Hotch's hands in his own with all the gentleness he would use on Henry's scraped knees. He unbuttoned the cuffs of Hotch's bloody shirt, pushed them up his forearms carefully and examined the damage. He was no doctor, wasn't looking for anything more than what he could do to get him cleaned up. Make him comfortable.

“Probably not gonna like this much...”

He plunged Hotch's hands into the water after a nod of acceptance, silent understanding, and watched him wince at the shock of the temperature. Ice settled against the open wounds and his shoulders tensed, he drew a hissing sound in between clenched teeth. It was the first sound he'd made since they entered.

“Y'all got a first aid kit?”

Another nod and Will was off again, ready to rifle through the cabinets in the bathroom for what he needed. He was a simple man with simple needs. Some ointments and some gauze, a bottle of peroxide if he could find it. While Hotch's hands trembled in the water he wiped at the blood on his face until uncovering the gash across his nose that was the culprit. It didn't look bad once it was cleaned up. If it was Henry, he would have told him it made him look tough, asked him to make his tough face, but he thought it only made Hotch look sadder.

Wrapping the gauze loose around Hotch's hands, like taping up a boxer, was easier than he'd anticipated. Everyone warned him he was in for it, Hotch was a terrible patient, he'd play nice until they got back and then he'd put up a fight and refuse care...but they'd all been wrong. Maybe none of them could bear the thought that this was enough to take the fight right out of him and in a way, Will was glad to be the guardian of that. If they asked, he'd say Hotch gave him hell...why not? Not much else he could do, nothing that Hotch would ask of him certainly, so he cleaned up the mess he'd made and refilled the ice cube trays while vowing to do the same at home.

“Guess I'll be off,” he said, clapping Hotch's shoulder and giving it a little squeeze. “I should get back to the scene, see if I can help. You gonna be okay for a bit?”

Hotch nodded solemnly and Will forced a weak smile. “Jennifer and I will bring you dinner later, when we bring Jack home. You sure you're okay?” He wanted to stay, thought he should, but he got the impression Hotch would prefer to be alone. Couldn't blame him, really, but still hated to leave. With no answer, Will let out a soft sigh and made for the door.

“I'd like to lie down,” Hotch called after him, his voice cracked and raw. Will turned and in Hotch's eyes he saw the hurricane, his father in his home alone and dying, every day since missing a person who was so much a part of him. “Would you...please...” He couldn't seem to form the words for what he needed. Will nodded anyway. He didn't need to hear the words to understand.

“I'll let Jennifer know.”

Will stayed.

[howdoyousleep3]

Self care story of the day:

Bucky does not do well in the heat. Maybe it's because he grew up in the Midwest, maybe it's because of the extra weight he carries--hell, maybe just because it reminds him too much of when and where he served. Whatever the reason, Bucky Barnes does not do well in the heat at all.

Which is why he is currently sprawled like a lizard across the hardwood of his and Steve's bedroom floor, out of sight of the blinding sunlight pouring through all the windows. Steve refuses to close the curtains unless it's bedtime or they're getting naked, stating that the light is good for both of them. Bucky usually agrees, but it's a lot more difficult when he has to slither in between sun patches to keep from melting even further.

The wood started off cool, but it was heating quickly beneath the expanse of Bucky's back, and he groaned aloud as he tried to shore up the energy to shift to a different area. He'd already done so three times in the past hour and a half, and he was getting so sick of it. His hair was lank with sweat, his face was wet and probably blotchy, he refused to wear anything besides a pair of snug boxer briefs, and he was honestly on the brink of filling the tub with ice water and just crying for a bit. If only that didn't take so much effort.

He was miserable.

-

That's where Steve found him when he came home a little while later, looking comfortable and relaxed in a t-shirt and jeans. "Landlord said the repairman will be here in another hour or so," he said, frowning in sympathy as his poor Bear just whimpered. "I know, Bubba. I'm sorry. I wish I could fix the a/c myself, but neither of us need the lawsuit or hospital bills if something went wrong."

Bucky just whimpered again, brow crumpling in true distress.

Steve stepped into the kitchen and began assembling a small 'pamper plate'. Diced fruit fresh from the refrigerator, several bottles of water, a large bowl of ice, nearly frozen damp washcloths that Steve had put in the freezer before he left, and a small handful of Bucky's gel eye-pads that cycled through the fridge every week. This week they were shaped like like lemon wedges.

Balancing his burden carefully, Steve also unplugged and began nudging the box fan that sat by the couch towards the bedroom with his foot. He wished Bucky had moved it himself, but grumpy Bucky was rarely able to focus on anything except being grumpy.

Depositing the tray on the far side of Bucky's body, Steve quickly plugged the fan back in and snagged a pillow from the bed so he could comfortably settle in by his Bear. The affect was instantaneous; tension leaving Bucky's massive body as the breeze chilled his sweat rapidly.

Stroking a hand through damp locks, Steve began placing the washcloths across Bucky's body--shoulders, thighs, ankles, and forehead. He pressed the eye patches to the sunken hollows beneath forlorn grey eyes, and dropped a small kiss to moist lips before pressing an ice cube there instead.

"Open." The blond smiled as Bucky obeyed easily, and he set himself to the task of making Bucky as comfortable as he could. Sips of water were given between bites of watermelon, mango, and kiwi, and washcloths were often replenished in the melting bowl of ice. Slowly, the redness faded from Bucky's skin, and he began to breathe more easily. Steve never stopped stroking his hair.

-

It was a stroke of providence that had the 'pamper plate' running empty just as the loud gust of the a/c surged back to life, making both of them jump, then laugh. Bucky clasped Steve chilled fingers in his own and brought the slender hand up to press a kiss to the palm.

"Best boyfriend," he murmured, the first words he'd spoken since Steve got home. "Love you."

Steve could only smile. "Love you, too, Bubba. Wanna go take a shower now? Get all the sweat off, and then air dry? I'll even wash your hair, if you want."

Bucky nodded and pressed another kiss to Steve's hand.

Seriously, best boyfriend ever.

🥺🥺🥺 best boyfriend ever 🥺🥺🥺

[hollowedskin]

I'm super sensitive to heat and sun so here's my advice coming from Queensland, australia.

Sun protection:

The sun is your enemy at these temps. When you get sunburned your whole body becomes even more intolerant to heat and harder to hydrate in addition to being a skin cancer risk.

Use clothing to protect your skin (even though it feels like you should wear as little as possible) You want a big dumb floppy hat that covers your neck as well as your face, UV protecting sunglasses (make sure they're not just tinted lenses or you risk retinal damage) and long loose sleeves. The loose sleeves will keep you cooler than tight sleeves. The goal here is to protect all of your skin from the sun.

Wear a shirt in the water if you're also in the sun, and dry off in the shade

When buying sunscreen, you want a water resistant mineral sunscreen, not chemical. The ingredients you're looking for are things like titanium and zinc. It will have a lower SPF but Chemical sunscreen absorbs into the skin and can cause hormonal imbalances, and it has a really rapid drop off so it doesn't last as long as mineral. We do not have sunscreen higher than 50spf in Australia because we have strict laws on what is allowed to be sold based on skin cancer research. 30-50spf and are the best. You want waterproof/resistant because your sweat can wash it off.

Don't forget to reapply the sunscreen every 2-4h depending on what your bottle says.

You can get sunburned from sunlight reflecting off surfaces just as badly, so don't skip out on under your chin etc. Avoid white concrete, take a beach umbrella to the beach.

Rain umbrellas can be used as parasols

Don't forget to sunscreen your ears, the back of your neck, and the parting in your hair if you're not wearing a hat.

Heat:

If you've got nothing that needs to be done, put your phone in a clear ziplock bag, fill the bath with cold water, and stay in there during the middle of the day. Ziplock bag protects the phone so you can read or watch YouTube. Your cold tap water at these temps is going to be around 20°C so you won't need hot water.

There's nothing wrong with just getting in the shower 5 times a day. You don't have to soap up every time.

Get pedialite, sports drinks or any other electrolyte drink/icy poles. You lose a lot of minerals like salts and magnesium through sweating and you really need them.

If someone is sunburned, heat exhaustd etc and theyre finding cold wet unbearable, put a few dry towels in the freezer and get them to wear them like a cape, swapping for a fresh cold towel every 5 mins or so. Doesn't last as long as cold wet, but sometimes you can't handle that. The towels trap cold air in them and help a lot.

One big ice cube will melt slower than many small ice cubes. If you're planning on using the ice+fan method, freeze a big block and it will last longer.

Use your ice tray for making ice chips by blending them a bit and then eat them, helps cool you down from the inside. You can also just buy a bag of ice and stick it in an esky/cooler and eat them.

Put wet socks on and point a fan at them. It feels gross but it works

If you have a very fluffy dog and they're outside a lot, don't shave them now. Their fur can insulate them from the heat and without it they'll get badly burned.

Wet your pets if they're overheating, or use the freezer towels. They'll forgive you.

Check out The Cancer Council's website for information on Sun safety and sunscreen. They're a very reputable non profit that does a lot of research into sun cancer, and they're the authority over here on Sun safety.

Stay safe, stay in the shade. Eat gelato for dinner.

I need UK journalists to not show 43 degrees is not beach weather like people are gonna die

Americans do not interact

[missaudreyhorney]

Afterschool Special

Again, I am shocked and delighted that people are enjoying the beginning of this series as much as I’m enjoying writing it. I cannot thank you all enough for your kind words and encouragement. In this third installment, Hopper and Reader get to spend some “alone time” together. That’s all I’m going to say about it 😊

Content warnings: Rated M for more age gap, Daddy kink, physical intimidation, over the clothes touching, and a new addition of under the clothes kissing. Female Reader, modern AU, 2.5k words.

You call Jim Hopper on Monday afternoon in between classes. His voice is even deeper and sexier over the phone than you remember it sounding the night before. He seems happy to hear from you and you try to hide how giddy you are about it. Sensing that the attraction between you two is very mutual, you don’t hesitate to set up a meeting. He tells you that he has Wednesday off from work, and for a second, you seriously consider ditching all your classes to spend the entire day with him. Instead, you agree to meet up at his house at four o’clock, which gives you enough time to go home and change after school.

Normally on a date, you would prefer to wear a dress but the winter chill in the February air sadly prevents that. Hopefully you won’t feel out of place wearing a heavy sweater and a pair of jeans to wherever it is he wants to take you.

The address he gave seems to be out in the middle of nowhere and multiple times you wonder if the GPS navigation is telling you to go in the wrong direction. Eventually, you find the place and it’s not so much a house as it is a cabin in the woods. It almost looks abandoned except for his car parked out front.

Any misgivings you have about the place are dispelled when you see Hopper standing on the porch and smoking as he waits for you. All your friends complain about guys who smoke, and that they hate the smell, but not you. You think it’s sexy and you even enjoy the smell.

A smile spreads across his handsome face when he sees you and it gets wider when you step out of the car. “Come on in, sweetheart,” he greets you with a white cloud billowing out from his mouth.

Anticipation rushes through your veins. When you last saw each other, and when you spoke on the phone, there seemed to be a promise of more, a promise to finish what he started when he came up to your room. You know that something will happen today, you’re just not sure how or when.

Once you reach the top of the steps, he says “It’s open. I’ll be in in a minute” as the unfiltered cigarette dangles between his lips.

Opening the door slowly, you let yourself in then put your purse down and look around. The cabin is…rustic. None of the furniture matches. Some of it looks to be as old as you are. There’s a decent red sofa but it’s covered in a patchwork quilt. There’s a plaid chair against the wall and it too has a blanket draped across the top, one that’s knitted or perhaps crocheted. The only things to indicate that you haven’t arrived here in a time machine are the flat screen tv on the wall and a new Apple computer on an old wooden desk.

Hopper steps into the room a moment later. “Why don’t you take your coat off and stay awhile?” He touches your back as he walks past you to go into the kitchen.

“Oh, um, okay.” You suppose he wants to talk a little bit or perhaps finish something up before you leave. Hanging your coat up on the rack, you notice a small pair of tennis shoes on the floor. “Do you live here alone?”

“No, my daughter lives here with me.”

His daughter? Gosh, Hopper really is a DILF. You follow him into the kitchen and your brain starts to connect some dots. “Is she the reason why you left so suddenly on Sunday night?”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” he says as he takes an ice tray out of the freezer.

“It’s okay. I’m just glad it wasn’t your wife.”

“Oh no, I’ve been divorced for a long time now,” he assures you.

Your eyes roam over Hopper’s large frame while you watch him pop the cubes out of the tray and fill it back up again. He’s wearing jeans and a blue flannel shirt, with the top two buttons undone, and a navy henley underneath. His scent of cigarettes and soap makes it seem as if he must have smoked immediately after getting out of the shower.

For a brief moment, you entertain the idea of ripping his clothes off right here and now, forgoing any previous plans you might have for your date. That’s where you’re hoping this will all lead anyway so what’s wrong with cutting to the chase?

In an attempt to restrain yourself, you bring up the one subject that will take your mind out of the gutter. “How did you meet my parents?”

“They brought one of their cars to my shop. I’m a mechanic.”

The attempt proves feeble as your mouth instantly begins to water at the mental image of Jim Hopper bending over the engine of a car, sticking out his cute butt in his Wrangler jeans, his hands and his face getting all dirty and sweaty.

“Can I make you a drink?” he offers, getting a glass off the shelf. “You are old enough to drink, right?”

You playfully roll your eyes. “Yes, I’m old enough.”

“I don’t have to check your ID, do I?” He winks at you and it’s as charming as it is corny.

“You can if you want to,” you respond.

“No, I believe you.” He opens a bottle of Jack Daniels and lifts it above his glass.

“Wait, you’re making a drink now? When are we gonna go?”

He puts the bottle on the counter. “Go where?”

“Is this it?” you ask, slightly stunned.

“Is what it?” Deep ridges form on Hopper’s forehead as he raises his eyebrows in irritation.

“I thought we were going to go on a date,” you explain.

His features soften as he chuckles at you. “We’re not going anywhere, sweetheart.” He gleefully pours the whiskey into his glass.

“So we’re just going to stay here and…?”

“Yeah,” he confirms with a smug grin. “We are.”

Suddenly your idea of tearing his clothes off seems like it would be more welcomed than you had anticipated.

“What’ll it be?” he asks, getting himself a can of Coke out of the refrigerator.

“I’ll have a water.”

Hopper pulls out a bottle of water and hands it to you. “You know this was your idea, right? You didn’t mention anything on the phone about a date.”

“I know, I guess I...assumed we’d go out.” You take a much-needed sip.

“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to,” he offers in a considerably softer tone than you’ve heard from him thus far.

“No,” you smile at him. “I want to stay.”

He smiles back at you then takes a drink.

“It just would have been nice if you took me out somewhere,” you remark before raising the bottle to your lips again.

“Why beat around the bush? We both already know what we want.” He takes another drink then sets his glass down. “Unless of course, you want us to be seen together,” he adds, moving directly in front of you, with mere centimeters between your bodies.

Your heart starts racing as Hopper glares down at you with a storm churning in his deep blue eyes.

��Maybe you want people to look at us and know that I’m twice your age.” He leans in closer, backing you into the corner of the wooden counter. “Maybe you want to hear them say ‘what’s that dirty old man doing with that beautiful young girl?’” He enunciates every word in a biting tone as if he’s scolding you.

Your bodies are so close together that you can actually feel the heat radiating off of him.

“If that’s what you want, I can take you anywhere. We can leave right now,” he offers in a slightly more casual voice. “I just don’t see any point in wasting time when it’s so obvious what you came here for.”

“What’s that?” you accidentally say in a whisper.

Hopper takes a step back from you. “Go in the bedroom and I’ll show you.”

With a deep inhalation, you slip away from him and run out of the kitchen then immediately run back. “Which one is your bedroom?” you almost shout.

“The one on the left,” he answers, trying not to laugh at your over the top enthusiasm.

You pull the curtain in the doorway so hard that it feels like it might rip away from the rod. Yanking your sweater above your head, you kick off your shoes at the same time.

Lying back on the bed, you can feel how wet he’s already made you. Your body is practically vibrating with excitement as you hear the heavy steps of his boots as he approaches. A shiver runs through you when he enters the room.

“Where were we?” Hopper asks, kneeling onto the foot of the bed.

“You were on top of me,” you recall.

“Uh-huh,” he nods, positioning himself between your open legs.

“And I think you were going to unhook my bra?”

He runs his hands under your t-shirt and up the sides of your body. “You’re not wearing a bra.”

“I thought we could skip that part.”

He pulls your shirt up over your chest. “Good thinking.”

Without missing a beat, his lips are on your breasts, kissing both of them with his warm, wet, open mouth. Your left nipple hardens as Hopper swirls his tongue around it, making you push your hips into him. His lips close around the bud and begin to suck.

“Oh, Daddy,” you moan, using the title with no regret this time.

“That’s what I like to hear,” he pauses long to speak then immediately begins sucking on your other nipple.

Just like on Sunday, his mouth is rough. Not solely the texture of his scruffy beard against your soft skin, but the ferocity with which he sucks on you and teases you with his teeth. Also just like Sunday, he moves his hand in between your thighs and pushes his palm against the center seam of your jeans.

You hiss when he bites down hard into your flesh, clearly not holding back this time. It’s an exquisite pain that you could easily become addicted to. Your fingernails claw at his shirt when he rolls your nipple between his teeth.

Hopper is working you into a frenzy with the way his hand presses into your jeans, rubbing your pussy through the denim. All the different sensations he’s causing in your body are starting to become too much and you need a release.

“Daddy, please,” you beg breathlessly.

Your nipple pops out from between his lips with a vulgar sound. “Please what?”

You’re unable to answer him as your mouth is too busy moaning while his hand brings back that familiar ache.

“Tell me what you want, baby,” he instructs between licks.

“Your f-” you interrupt yourself with another moan. “Your fin-”

“You want my fingers inside you, is that it?” Hopper asks as you grind your crotch into his palm, desperate for all the friction you can get.

“Yes, Daddy!” you finally manage to force out two coherent words.

He unbuttons your jeans and you hear a noise coming from the living room. You both ignore it while he ever so slowly starts to pull down your zipper. Until you hear another noise. Not a noise actually. A voice. Two voices.

Hopper’s hands fall from the zipper, landing on your sides, while his head sinks down in defeat. Your body tenses with worry that whoever it is might come into the room as there’s no door to keep them out.

The two young voices are arguing about something but your brain is far too preoccupied to be able to comprehend the subject of the argument. The only thing you can manage to infer in your current state is that it must be his daughter and one of her friends from school.

Hopper gets up from the bed, leaving your chest fully exposed, and you tug your shirt back down. He has you throbbing with need, and exactly like the last time, your hopes for satisfaction have been quickly dashed by an intrusive family member.

When he goes into the living room to mediate the situation, you sit up and see something on his nightstand that you were in too much of a rush to notice before. Magnum XL condoms, not one but three, the edges of the gold foil still attached to each other.

“For Pete's sake, what’s going on out here?” Hopper demands above the sound of their bickering.

“Mike was staring at Stacey Albright,” his daughter explains.

“No, I wasn’t!” the boy interjects.

“Who’s Stacey Albright?” Hopper asks.

“A girl at our school who stuffs her bra,” she answers.

“She does not stuff her bra,” the boy disputes.

“How do you know that if you weren’t staring?” she raises her voice.

“I was not staring!” the boy yells back.

“Both of you calm down, alright? Jesus.”

Hopper opens the curtain, walks in, and closes it behind him. “Listen, I’m sorry but I gotta-” he begins to apologize in a dejected tone.

“No, I understand,” you reply, cutting him off as you stand up from the bed before pulling on your sweater and shoes. “I should go.”

When you turn to walk out of the room, he grabs onto your upper arms. He doesn’t mean to startle you, it happens solely by accident because he’s so strong. “Look at me,” he suggests, trying to get you to make eye contact.

You gaze up into his gorgeous blue eyes and he starts to smile.

“I still want to see you again,” he says warmly.

“Me too,” you agree, reciprocating his smile.

The kids resume their argument and Hopper rolls his eyes. “Please call me,” he adds before letting go of you.

“I will,” you confirm.

You open the curtain and both of the kids’ mouths fall silent as they watch you emerge from the bedroom. They look to be about fourteen or fifteen-years-old. The girl has brown eyes, long brown hair, and the most perfect skin you’ve ever seen on a teenager. She forces an awkward smile to be polite. The boy is tall and pale, with sharp cheekbones and curly black hair like a rockstar from the ’70s. He glances back and forth between you and Hopper with a confused expression on his face.

“This is my daughter, Elle,” Hopper introduces.

“Hi,” she says.

“Hi,” you say back, your voice sounding squeaky with nerves.

“And her boyfriend, Mike,” Hopper continues.

“Ex-boyfriend,” Elle corrects.

“What? That’s not fair!” Mike exclaims.

They start bickering once more and you shoot Hopper a sympathetic look as you grab your coat and purse then slip out the front door. It feels like the universe is conspiring against the two of you, trying to keep you from having sex with each other, like a cosmic cockblock. As you drive away from the cabin, you silently pray that the next time will provide the relief you’re yet again so desperate for.

Tagging: @t-u-m-s @girlwiththenegantattoo @ottosuricato @im-not-great-at-making-up-names @misshawkins1993 @emilyyblackkk @hopperlover @kingphillipblake @kate110199 @david-harbour-arg @manawhaat @helena-mrs-murder​ @zombiesnips-blog​ @chiefharbour​ @flamehairedwritings​ @s-h-e-w-r-i-t-e-s​ @strawberry-fields-f0rever​ @mrs-geuse​

Let me know if you would like to be tagged or untagged. 

Image credit: HarbourSource on Instagram

[behappyitsemmalie]

Build A Wall Around You - Pogues!Found Family

Requested: YES! ‘I wanted to see hurt Kie/ protective and caring pogues’

Warnings: several mentions of blood!, some cuss words, run-on sentences and excessive use of commas. 

The boneyard party is going perfectly fine, until Kie gets hurt. The Pogues being the protective (and slightly scatter-brained) beans they are towards their favorite girl. 

All of the Pogues were already a few drinks in by the time the clock hit 11PM. It was the first party of the summer at the boneyard. Tourons had just started piling into the Outer Banks a couple days before and yesterday was the last day of the school year. So, yeah, everyone was excited to get a little drunk. Even Pope, who never drank as much as his friends, was tossing back more beers than he was used to. They had already decided that they would be spending the night passed out somewhere at John B’s house. So they figured they might as well start summer with a bang. 

The beach was packed. Tourists and Outer Banks residents all mixed together in the sand, converged around the kegs and dancing by the cool water’s edge. Kie and JJ were next to each on one end of the beer table. Since they were 14, their first real party, they were unofficial beer pong partners. Kie tossed her ball, landing straight into a cup. JJ cheered and reached out his hand for a high-five, always impressed that Kiara was so good at the game. John B was manning one of the kegs, his usual spot. He always said it was a good way to meet people, particularly girls. The others would laugh noticing how most girls would end up coming back to the keg not for more beer, but just to talk to John B more. Pope was back by the treelike, leaning against an old palm with some girl none of them had seen before. Pope was saying wildly inappropriate, and slightly disturbing, medical things but for some reason the brunette girl in front of him didn't seem to mind. 

It was a good night. The perfect night even. 

Until Rafe Cameron walked into the party. 

There was a bottle of vodka in his hand, half finished, and his usual parade of equally annoying kook friends behind him. At this point all the pogues were by the keg, listening to Pope muse on about the brunette tourist he had got along with. Apparently, she had to get back to her family’s vacation house, but Pope was supposed to take her to get ice cream the next day. 

“See I knew my boy had game!” JJ congratulated, slapping Pope on the shoulder, but laughing slightly under his breath about Pope’s high pitched voice as the alcohol sat in his system. 

Just as the gang giggled, Rafe strolled up to the keg. “Hey Pogue trash,” he smirked. 

“Cameron isn't there some country club party that you’re missing?” JJ retorted, polishing off his beer and handing the empty cup to Pope. 

“Wouldn't you know if there was Maybank? You’d be working at it.” 

JJ tried to jump forward, the several drinks in his system gearing him up for a fight. Kie’s hand landed on his bicep just in time to pull him back. She could feel the strain on his arm as he tightened his fists at his sides. Rafe noticed the interaction between the two of them, ignoring the words from John B telling him to get out of here. 

“You look good, Kie. Too good to be playing babysitter,” he grinned. 

“Fuck you,” she grinned back. She was never very good at comebacks when she was drinking, so she figured she could just get straight to the point. And to be honest, she was in the opposite of the mood to be hit on by Rafe Cameron tonight. 

“Just get out of here Rafe,” John B growled, his anger starting to grow as well now. 

Rafe stepped forward closer to the Pogues. His face closed in on John B’s, his breath hot on the other boy’s face. “Why don't you make me Routledge?” 

It all happened so fast that no one could even tell you what happened, even though they were standing right there. John B shoved Rafe away from him, but that first touch was all Rafe needed. It was like a switch went off. He was no longer just the smug, arrogant kook. Now he was violent, his fists swinging wildly at John B. Kie was no longer able to hold JJ back and he ran into the fight. Kie and Pope were left yelling from the side lines, begging for JJ to stop before things went way too far. 

She has no idea what possessed her to do it. Maybe it was the alcohol that made her feel brave, or stupid. But Kie ran, ignoring Pope’s request for her to stay out of it. She ran and jumped into the middle of the fight, standing in between JJ and Rafe with her arms extended out. 

“Guys stop before-” 

Suddenly her words were cut off. A slamming pain ignited in her face, radiating from her nose. She stumbled back, frozen. She stood completely still, albeit hunched over with her hands cupping her nose. Everyone around was suddenly silent, no longer cheering on the fight like drunk idiots do. Things were still, everyone seeming to be in shock as they stared at the scene. Even Rafe seemed terrified, very aware that he just punched Kiara in the face. His eyes were wide and trained on Kie. 

John B was the first to be released from his frozen hold. He ran over to Kie and placed a light hand on her back. 

“Kie are you ok?” His voice was shaky, clearly afraid that his best friend was seriously hurt. 

Kie was afraid to move her hands away from her face and see the damage. There was a throbbing in her nose and she would be lying if she said she couldn't feel the warm liquid flow out her nostrils. She felt a hand be placed on her back and looked up to see John B hovering over her. His lips moved but with shock still filling her up, she didn't hear whatever it was he was saying. Chaos ensued behind her as JJ flew at Rafe, fists aimed toward his face. Pope replaced John B as the one by Kie’s side as John B jumped in to help JJ. Kie could hear the commotion but didn't look up at it. Instead she focused her attention on her nose, pulling her hands away slowly. Just as she feared, blood gushed out and fell to the sand below her. She let out a stark groan, suddenly feeling a harsh pain knowing she released her tight hold on her nose too quickly. Pope cussed beside her, yelling for someone to bring a towel. 

“JJ! We have to go!” John B’s voice echoed into the night air. 

The whole thing was a fucking mess. JJ was eventually pulled off of Rafe and helped the boys guide injured and bleeding Kie up the beach and to the Chateau. No one on the beach had a towel, or at least not one they minded getting Kie’s blood on, like Pope had requested. Instead, she handed thin white party napkins. She was pretty silent on the walk home. The only words out of her mouth being a constant ‘no’ whenever someone asked if she wanted to go somewhere other than the Chateau, like home or the hospital. The boys, however, were talking constantly. Their words were layered over each other, a constant stream of questions from all three of them. 

‘Are you ok?’ 

‘Does it hurt?’ 

‘Is it still bleeding?’

‘Rafe is dead I swear!’ 

Kie was tuning most of it out. It’s not like they were giving her much time to answer any of their questions anyway. She was busy focusing on the blood running out of her painful nose. She was running through napkin after napkin, getting a little sick at how fast each white sheet quickly turned a dark shade of crimson. 

Soon they walked into the front door of the Chateau and the boys maneuvered Kie to sit on the pullout bed in the middle of the living room. Kie had several bloody napkins in her hands, now sitting in a pile on her lap. She had refused to throw them on the ground, like JJ suggested, as they soiled during their walk. There were blood stains on her shirt and she desperately wanted to change. 

“Can someone get me an ice pack?” she moaned. 

The boys seemed not to hear her, slightly scatter-brained and unsure of what to do. JJ noticed Kie was on her last clean napkin, holding to her nose that for some reason was still bleeding. His eyes scanned the room and landed on a tissue box sitting on the tiny table in the corner. Running over, he grabbed a few tissues from the box and handed them to Kie. 

“Here,” he said, grabbing her chin to lightly tilt your head back. “Keep your head back. It’ll stop the bleeding.” 

“Actually she has to keep her head forward,” Pope intervened. Kie did as she was told, but then JJ’s voice filled the air again. 

“That’s stupid! She has to keep it back!” 

“No!” Pope argued. “If she keeps it back, the blood could clot in her brain.” 

“I have never heard of that!” JJ fought, his voice shaky. 

“It’s medically accurate!” 

Kie couldn't help but laugh. Of course they were bickering right now. They both seemed so erratic, confused about how to help. It was like none of them had been injured before. John B was in front of her, pacing across the small living room. 

“Can someone please get me an ice pack!” Kie asked again. The two boys next to her seemed to hear her this time. They stopped their bickering and looked ready to get her whatever she needed. 

John B was already on his way to the kitchen, eager for something helpful to do. There were no ice packs in the freezer, which seemed odd considering how many times in the past one of the boys needed to ice a bruise from a fight. And of course there were no frozen bags of vegetables so John B did the best he could. He ripped some paper towels off the role and filled them with ice cubes from the tray. He quickly wrapped that up and put the pack into a dish towel (that he hoped was clean) and brought it to Kie. At this point, despite the boys’ arguing, her nose had stopped bleeding. There was significant bruising that she hoped the ice would help and the pain, although dulled from the fuming pain it was in earlier, was still pretty pulsing. It was as if her nose had a heartbeat. She knew she would have to take a Advil or two before bed or there was no chance she was sleeping with how she felt. 

She pressed the cold makeshift ice pack to her nose and winced at the different kind of pain. She pulled it away for a second then tried to settle into the ice making contact with her skin. 

Pope sat on one side of her, his eyes not leaving her as she iced. He was trying to analyze the purple coloring stretching out over her whole nose. It wasn't doing him much good with his brain moving 40 miles a second. He wasn't used to this. If it was JJ or John B, then sure they would know what to do. Those two always got hurt and it’s not that it wasn't a big deal, it just happened all the time. Since they were kids, those two were the ones that showed up everywhere with bruises and broken bones. They would put some ice on it or a band-aid or sleep off the pain and then would back out on the waves. Or if it was JJ, starting another fight with another kook. But now it was Kie. To put it nicely, Kie didn't know how to fight. So she usually stayed back and let one of the other boys handle it. 

He wasn't sure how to help her. He wasn't sure what she needed. And every piece of medical information he had ever read suddenly seemed useless as he sat here next to his friend. 

On the other side of Kie, JJ was simmering with rage. He was sure Kie could feel the heat radiating off of his skin. That’s probably why she had her hand gripping lightly at his wrist. Normally he wouldn't want to be touched when he felt this much anger but that small grip she had was the only thing holding him back. Without that, he was sure he had enough fire in his system to get him all the way across the island to Figure Eight and beat Rafe to a pulp. He watched as Kie held the ice to her nose, wincing every time she accidentally applied too much pressure. 

He could kill Rafe. He would kill Rafe. 

John B was standing silent in front of Kie. He was surprised he still felt so frozen. But at the same time, the second Kie said a word or made any kind of movement besides adjusting the ice on her nose, he would suddenly feel frantic. Like he wasn't doing enough or saying enough. Nothing helpful came to his brain and he just had energy he had no idea what to do with. 

Kie looked up, suddenly very aware of how close everyone was to her. Pope and JJ were on either side of her, their arms or legs pressing against her. In front of her, John B was so close she felt like she couldn't get up if she wanted to. It didn't annoy her, the boys being so close. It was sweet. The only time she remembers them being like this was when they were 9 and she fell off her bike. She was crying, both of her knees skinned and bleeding. The boys were crowded around her like they were now. Pope freaking out and stuttering about band-aids and anti-septic ointment and disinfectant. John B was near to crying himself, frantically pacing because even as a kid he was so scatter-brained when he was anxious. JJ was ready to pick a fight, even though there was no one to pick a fight with except Kie’s bike and the pothole she had rode over. Kie smiled at the memory. 

Right now was the same. The boys were piled around, way closer than they needed to be as if building some wall so nothing else could dare hurt her. It felt warm and safe being inside that wall. It felt like that when she was 9 and she flew off her bike; and it felt that way now when she was 16 and was sitting here with a bloody nose after getting in the middle of some drunken fight she probably had no business being in the middle of. 

But she was also very aware it would probably still feel like that if the boys could all take about two steps back. 

She pulled the ice pack from her nose when the pain started to feel more like an ice burn than anything else. She set it on the bed behind her and started gathering all of the bloody napkins and tissues in her lap. After barely a move to get up, the boys all reached for her. Their voices seemed to merge into one concerned voice as they all asked at once where she was going. 

“I’m just throwing these away,” she answered, trying to keep the mood light with a smile. 

“You could have asked me,” John B replied. 

He tried to reach into Kie’s hands and grab the blood soaked tissues from her, but Kie jerked her hand away. She was very capable of throwing away tissues, even though she knew John B was desperate for a way to help. Him touching tissues covered in her blood were not the way to help. It only took her a second to walk to the trash can in the kitchen and back to the living room, reclaiming her spot on the pullout bed. 

“Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?” Pope asked once Kie was settled. 

JJ suddenly reached over and lightly cupped Kie’s cheek. He tilted her head towards him and started gazing at the bruising on her nose. The colors were deep and starting to swell on the bridge. His fingers touched it lightly enough that Kie didn't feel the need to wince, but she was wondering if that was just a numbing side effect of the ice. 

“Yes I'm sure,” she promised, finally answering Pope’s question. “They’re going to call my parents and make a big fuss. Plus I don't even think it’s broken.” 

JJ hummed in agreement, releasing Kie’s cheek from his gentle hold. “She’s right. I think it’s just bruised. Badly bruised and swollen,” he pointed out with furrowed brows, “but bruised.” 

“See!” Kie smiled. Yes, JJ is far from being a doctor. But she knew the blonde had broken his nose before. Twice. So on this, she trusted him and his opinion. “They’re just going to tell me to do exactly what I'm doing.” 

Pope didn’t seem fully sure. But he agreed with whatever Kie wanted to do. There was silence in the room for a while. Kie smiled soon after realizing how freaked all the boys still looked. Their brows were still furrowed, protection still living in their eyes, right next to fear. She promised she was fine. Just hungry and really in need of more ice and a pain pill. Each boy took a job. John B got fresh ice for her pack, since the old ice was starting to melt through even the dish towel and create a mess. JJ ran off to the bathroom to grab a bottle of pain pills from the cabinet. On the way back to the living room, he stopped, remembering the blood staining Kie’s current shirt. He ran into the bedroom and pulled a t-shirt from the drawer he recognized as his. He handed both to Kie and watched as she made her way to the bathroom to change. By the time she came back to the living room, Pope had a big bowl of popcorn in his hand, John B had a fresh ice pack, and JJ was pushing a DVD into the player below the small living room TV. 

The Pogues piled onto the pullout couch, placing Kie in the middle. The let her settle before starting the movie. No one realizing how tired they were until everyone was asleep before the first movie even ended. Kie was still awake when the movie shut off, the only one left of her friends. They were all tangled in each other at this point. There was no real way of telling where anyone’s limbs began or ended. Kie placed her now melted ice pack up on the back rest of the couch, hoping it wouldn’t fall off and onto her aching nose sometime in the night. 

She took one last look at the boys, snoring softly, before laying her head down against JJ’s shoulder next to her. All her life, Kie had prided herself on being able to take care of herself. She was independent since she was a child. She was strong and capable and didn't like people thinking she needed protection. But it was different with her friends. They weren't protective because they thought of her as weak. They knew she was more than capable of defending herself. They were protective because they loved her. Sure they could be erratic  and shaky and maybe even a tiny bit suffocating when she was hurt. But she wouldn't have it any other way. She was able to take care of herself. But it ended up being the most comforting feeling in the world knowing that she didn't always have to. 

[coneygoil]

Walking Wounded, part 2

Caryl AU. The waitress at a diner Daryl decides to start frequenting catches his eye, but things are complicated. Now, Daryl is the only thing standing between her and her abusive husband.

Part 1 

“Ain’t much, but you and your little girl be safe here.”

The trailer Daryl shared with his brother was less than desirable. Merle wasn’t the cleanest person to live with, but when he was away on whatever bender to trash his life, Daryl would clean up what he could. There was no point in having a bunch of beer bottles for target practice in the living room and open cans of beans sitting out for the roaches to feast on. No one should live like that, not even a redneck.

“My brother ain’t here. He’s been gone a few days. Maybe gone longer than he usual is. You and Sophia can sleep in my room. Sorry I can’t change the sheets. Only got one and we ain’t gotta washer here.”

“It’s okay.” He watched Carol closely as she took in the surroundings. “Daryl, I really don’t want to put you out. Sophia can sleep on the couch and I’ll sleep on the floor.”

“Nah. I won’t have none-a that. You’re taking the bed. I’ll sleep on the couch. Don’t mind. Slept on the ground more times than I can remember. It don’t bother me.”

Sophia had fallen asleep during the drive over. The poor girl was probably exhausted from being awake late and witnessing all the horrors that children should be shielded from. It was a blessing the drive had lulled her to a peaceful slumber.

Carol was looking tired and the girl’s weight was putting a toll on her uninjured arm. “Why don’t you go put her down before your arm falls off.” He pointed down the short hallway. “Room at the end of the hallway. If there’s anything on the bed that shouldn’t be there, just knock it on the floor. I’ll get it later.”

Carol thanked him and made her way to the bedroom. Daryl did a quick sweep for anything that he deemed inappropriate for Carol and her daughter to be exposed to. Thankfully, with Merle being gone, he’d cleaned up somewhat and found nothing that really stood out in the living room/kitchen area that he was currently occupying. Merle’s bedroom was a whole other issue, but Daryl kept the door closed when his brother was away. Daryl had no desire to see that dirty mess either.

Carol returned a couple minutes later. Daryl didn’t know what to do with himself. He stood there in the living room like a fool and waited for her.

Another bruise was blooming on her cheek where her husband had slapped her. Daryl took one step towards her, not thinking as he raised his hand. Carol closed her eyes and shrank away immediately. He paused instantly. “I’m not gonna hurt’cha.” Daryl held his hands up to show he wasn’t a threat. The tension in Carol’s shoulders depleted a bit. Slower, he reached out to take her chin with his fingertips and turn her head so he could examine the damage. Daryl gritted his teeth, holding back a string of choice words for Carol’s husband. This kind and gentle woman that had befriended him two months ago didn’t deserve this.

Daryl visited the fridge and came back with a clean rag filled with ice cubes he’d cracked from a tray in the freezer. He offered Carol a seat on the couch while he took a seat in Merle’s recliner. She pressed the makeshift ice pack to her cheek.

“He’s going to be furious,” Carol commented after a couple moments of quiet.

“You’re safe here,” Daryl reassured her. “I ain’t gonna let him get you or your little girl.”

“Why?” The ice cubes creaked as Carol shifted the rag on her face. Her blue eyes pierced his. “Why do you care?”

Daryl thought it was hard enough witnessing an innocent woman be violently manhandled by the man who was supposed to love and protect her. This question and the tone in her voice ripped through his heart even more. Had anyone ever cared about this woman’s wellbeing?

Daryl leaned his elbows on his knees. He contemplated whether his ugly life experiences should be hung out for her to see, but he knew that what he had to share about himself for her to understand. “I know what it’s like growing up in a house like that. No kid or woman should have to live like that.”

Carol’s eyes softened in understanding. She looked down at her lap. “I have nowhere to go. No money. I can’t go back to my job.” She clinched her jaw trying desperately to hold back a sob. “I have nothing.”

“Look here,” Daryl said more firmly than he’d meant it to be. Carol snapped her eyes back up at him. He continued more softly, “We will figure it out. Until then, you and your little girl can stay here. You’re safe. You got a roof over your head. Food to eat. What you need, I’ll get.”

Tears escaped the rims of Carol’s eyes. “I don’t know what to say.”

Daryl avoided her gaze. He couldn’t handle the overwhelming need to wipe away her tears he had no right to touch. He nodded his chin toward his bedroom. “Get cleaned up and get some sleep.”

Carol sucked in a shaky breath. “Okay.” She began to make her way to the bedroom but paused and looked over her shoulder. She offered him a watery smile. “Thank you, Daryl.”

Daryl nodded his reply. Once she had closed herself up in his bedroom, Daryl let go of the breath he’d been holding. He plopped back into the recliner and rubbed his palms over his face, wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into.

***

Carol didn’t know what to think. Everything had escalated at Fahrenheit speed and she hadn’t had a second to process it. Ed had been on the warpath that day. He’d had a rough day at work and his supper wasn’t prepared to his bidding, no matter how careful Carol was about fixing it. He’d taken his anger out on her before slamming the bedroom door and locking himself away. Carol feared for Sophia’s safety when Ed came home a loose cannon. She couldn’t leave Sophia there. Not without her mother to protect her. Carol packed up Sophia’s old, broken crayons and a half-used coloring book, along with her doll and brought the girl to work with her. Her manager was understanding, buying in the story of Ed having to work late and having no one to watch their daughter.

Carol hadn’t assumed Ed would care or even notice Sophia wasn’t there. He would probably be happy that he wasn’t saddled with his own flesh and blood for the evening. Carol was wrong. Very wrong.

Ed would have taken Sophia. He would have snatched her right out of the booth. Sophia would have cried and begged for Carol to save her. It all played out in her head. But, that wasn’t the reality that happened—

Daryl had began frequenting the diner a week after Carol was hired. She had regular customers. She was friendly toward them as she was to everyone who stopped by for a bite to eat and sip on coffee. Daryl wasn’t just another customer. He’d caught her interest the second time he’d come in. He was quieter when he ate with his brother, but alone, he would chat with her as if they’d known each other for years. He treated her kindly. Carol didn’t know how Daryl felt, but she was beginning to consider him a friend instead of just another customer.

She liked the idea of having a friend. Ed had practically alienated her from people ever since their first two years of marriage. Carol didn’t think much of it at first. It’d happened gradually. When she finally realized what he was doing, it was too late. Everyone in her life had been cut away by his cruel knife of control.

Daryl swooped in out of nowhere. He’d laid Ed out flat on his back. He’d gather her and Sophia up, and whisked them away to a refuge. Maybe, just maybe, he did consider her a friend as well. She needed a friend.

Carol stared at her face in the rectangle mirror of Daryl’s bathroom. Bruises and busted lips weren’t anything new from her reflection. She splashed water on her face and dried it carefully with a folded towel from a stack on the little wire shelf above the toilet. She had no other clothes besides her uniform. She had no other choice but to sleep in it.

She laid down next to Sophia, minding her injured arm. She watched her daughter sleep until her own eyes became heavy.

[cuppatealove]

Some Home Crafts to try if staying at home is a novelty for you

From a SAHM for whom it really very much no longer is ;-)

These are all things that don’t take a lot of actual time, but need to be attended to briefly every couple of hours, or need to have someone home to keep an eye on them.  That sort of thing.  Any questions, please feel free to ask and I’ll do my best.

Homemade Stock.  I swear, nothing has transformed my cooking as much as learning to make my own stock.  It is a flavour BOMB, and it’s virtually free!  Save up all your bones from the meals you eat in a bag in the freezer until you have a decent amount (roasting a whole chicken is a good way to get a lot of bones).  Alternatively, you can sometimes buy chicken carcasses or soup bones from the supermarket.  Chuck them in your biggest pot with a couple of carrots, an onion and some celery, all chopped up into chunks.  Also some fresh herbs if you have them, a bit of salt and some peppercorns, and a dash of vinegar.  Fill up with water and simmer ALL DAY, as long as you can.  The longer you go, the richer the flavour.  Keep the lid on so you don’t lose it all as steam.  Strain, and freeze in ice cube trays!  Then you can have a bag of easy-to-grab stock cubes to glitz up your next sauce.  You can keep the stock in the fridge as each tray sets, and each morning freeze another batch.  It may go solid in the fridge - that just means you’ve made AWESOME nutrient-dense stock.

Grow some herbs.  This was the second greatest discovery that transformed my cooking.  If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, now’s a great time to throw some herbs into your garden or some pots on the windowsill.  I recommend rosemary, thyme and oregano, because they grow into woody little shrubs that survive perennially and need very little attention.  You can buy seedlings, or if your supermarket sells living herbs just plant those.  They may need a little love and tending now (which, conveniently, is when you’re at home all day), but once they’re established they are very hardy. I basically ignore mine, and they grow faster than I can use them, and I am NOT in a climate anywhere near as hot as their native Italy.  You will be amazed how much flavour fresh herbs add to pasta, casseroles and soups - and, again, it’s basically free!

Yoghurt.  You can buy cultures to make yoghurt (depending on how locked down your country is), or you can just make it from the last spoonful of your store-bought yoghurt (if it has live cultures).  It’s hard to make it seriously from leftover yoghurt (I usually found I could only perpertuate it through a couple of batches before it seemed to lose strength), but it’s a fun thing to say you’ve done :-D  Here are some ways to keep the fermenting yoghurt warm if you don’t have a yoghurt maker.

Kefir.  Even easier than yoghurt, if you can get your hands on it, is milk kefir grains (different from water kefir grains), because it sets at room temperature, so you don’t even need a warm place!  It is VERY tangy but a lot of fun to play around with, as you can add different flavours.  Lots of good info videos here.  

Make a sourdough starter.  Yep, that finnicky little hungry pet on your kitchen bench that the hipsters love to brag about!  If ever there was a time to give it a go, it’s now.  All you actually need for a sourdough starter is flour and water.  And patience.  And maybe a sense of humour.  (When it goes wrong, it does it spectacularly!)  Myself, I’ve found I like to use strong bread flour and add a bit of rye and a bit of wholemeal, just because they seem to have a bit of oomph.  These guys have an amazing, no-frills approach and will get you started in no time!  And, for the record, YES you can bake sourdough in a boring old tin!  You don’t have to make fancy artisan loaves that are free-standing.  Darn it, I want my slices to be all the same size and fit in the toaster!!

Start a ginger beer bug with sugar and ginger.  Recipes abound on the internet.  If you are using fresh ginger, my favourite tip is to FREEZE THE GINGER.  It will grate like a dream!  I always have some ginger root in the freezer, which apart from anything stops it growing furry blue friends when you haven’t used it for a while.  Get some GOOD quality brewing bottles.  Explosions happen.  

Water kefir is another fermented fizzy drink that I’ve had a lot of fun with.  The kefir grains (again, not to be confused with milk kefir grains) are something you probably won’t get at the supermarket, but I actually think it’s lower maintenance than ginger beer.  And you can always add ginger to it.  Instructions here.  I know all the Cool Kids go on about Kombucha, but I think water kefir is much yummier and much less life-consuming ;-)  I used to have a great rhythm where I had it producing one glass for myself every two days, which was just enough to still be special.

Dabble in cheesemaking.  Some great beginner cheeses that require no special equipment or special-order ingredients are whole milk ricotta and mozarella.  If you want to buy some cheese culture but maybe not an expensive cheese press, try a soft cheese like quark, which you simply strain through a cloth.  Flavour it with a pinch of salt and some chopped chives, and slather them on these ridiculously easy and tasty knackebrot crackers, and I promise you will wow your friends when you see them again!!! 

Pin Curls.  This idea’s a little different, but why not give it a go when no one can see you?  I think something that puts a lot of people off is having to wear the pins overnight, but if you’re home all day you can totally do it in the morning and let them down in the afternoon.  They just need at least 6 hours. The key is having your hair just damp, not wet.  I follow the general principles in this tutorial, but to get a more subtle, modern, wavy look, I use far fewer pins (around 20).  This means there’s more hair in each pin, so the curls won’t be as tight and frizzy.  I curl them around three fingers, which gives a pretty big diameter.  I just use boring everyday hair gel when the hair is still very wet (don’t worry, it gets combed through enough that it won’t go crunchy).  The brilliant thing about pin curls is that they last for DAYS.  On the first day, I get a loose-ish version of a ’40s ’do.  On the second day, I get lovely soft waves.  On the third and fourth days, if you can believe it, the waves get more defined and it looks even better. Your family may think that you look like Nora Batty, but inside you KNOW you’re Peggy Carter XD Just...maybe don’t do it on a day when you have a video conference.

That’s all off the top of my head!  Anyone care to add to my list?  No stress or pressure or judgement if this sort of thing isn’t for you, but I encourage you to give something new a go if you feel inspired :-)

[cosmicespresso]

Are You Presently Into Coffee? Check Out This Coffee Suggestions!

There are actually distinct positives and disadvantages about creating espresso by yourself in your house. Caffeine pots are definitely the most significant chore with regards to producing caffeine at home. There are many steps included and frequently a variety of various kitchen appliances and instruments. Utilize the following guidance so it will be easier on your self.

The better you spend, the greater the product quality. You truly get the things you pay money for in terms of gourmet coffee, so spend money on fantastic tools and legumes and you'll generally end up getting the ideal glass of joe. If you opt for low-cost espresso, you simply will not such as the outcomes.

To find the best is a result of an more aged coffee machine, very first produce some warm water before you make any coffee. You need to put the reasons very first, and then fill the drinking water in to the machine. This can help provide the best flavor and very warm espresso.

If you wish fantastic quality, you need to carefully select the normal water you make use of. Use water in bottles to produce your gourmet coffee, it will make the main difference. If utilizing water in bottles will not appeal to your interest, a minimum of get a purifier to increase your tap. While it is unique than water in bottles, your coffee will preference much better by using purified h2o than when you use tap water.

The espresso has a huge part in how the beverage is going to preference general. Discover good quality legumes around your nearby merchants to enhance good quality. You are able to usually locate freshly roasted beans. In the event you live in a much less inhabited location or you simply cannot discover any, consider buying them on-line. This might price a bit more, but you are certain to spend less than you would probably by frequenting cafes.

Begin with new, clean tasting drinking water for top level caffeine. Gourmet coffee tastes only just like normal water you make use of for this. You should sample this type of water before preparing your gourmet coffee with us.

A French click generates a much stronger, much more flavorful coffee. A French click will make a better brew by taking out much more essential oil from the beans to your caffeine. Standard papers filter coffee makers tend to get rid of those skin oils within the filtration system.

Make sure you are aware of just how much normal water you must have the correct mug of coffee. In the event you skimp on water, your espresso will become too robust. Contrarily, if you are using a lot of h2o, the coffee will likely be fragile and watering. Recognize how very much h2o your espresso distributor suggests for your recommended produce.

To find the best flavored cup of coffee, use beans that have been roasted quite lately. When selecting whole legumes, make sure to examine the expiration and roasting times. For that freshest espresso, purchase from a coffee shop or specialized retailer as opposed to a food market.

Espresso is not going to need to be held in the fridge. In this way, your coffee can in fact soak up types in the food items around it. Trying to keep your caffeine in a opaque, air-tight container is a superb destination to retail store your espresso ensure it is place temperature. If you wish to input it from the freezer, ensure you place it in the case.

If you're keen on frothy whole milk in your gourmet coffee you get in outlets, it's very easy to simulate that at home, also. Temperature your milk in microwaves to achieve this affect. Then, use a whisk, rocking its take care of to and fro in between your palms. Keep on whisking until the dairy is frothy. For best effects, utilize one half-and-half, entire or 2 percentage dairy.

Include some chocolate syrup to your espresso for a quick and low-cost boost. This may be a tasty transform of pace to get started on your day with. If you need an earlier working day improve of power, have darkish chocolates espresso.

Should your coffee will not preference correct, it might have something to do with water. In the event the normal water on your part tap generally tastes terrible, get a filter to attach to the sink. In the event you favor, you can use a drinking water purifying pitcher or water in bottles.

Can you like your caffeine with artificial sweetener? Artificial sweetener could cause your caffeine to preference rather boring. Attempt ingesting black color gourmet coffee and introducing just a pinch of raw sweets to improve the taste. If you have no option but to use a sweetener, only use one half of one package with out a lot more.

Are you craving sweetness with your mug, without the additional sugar? Just warm a bit of milk and dump it inside the java. It comes with a taste that is certainly wonderful and you won't need to use creamer. Moreover, warm whole milk could have a lot of other health advantages that sweets fails to include.

Constantly drink coffee with control. Though this is a refreshment, it might actually result in lack of fluids. Every cup of java ought to be well balanced by two servings of plain drinking water. In the event you consume greater than a cup of coffee, you might turn out to be dehydrated, so limit your ingestion.

Loved ones can give you suggestions. You may not have experimented with mixes that your family and friends have experimented with. Asking around is the best way to learn new gourmet coffee tips. They could also encourage you up to have espresso sometime.

Once you've made some coffee, you ought to immediately consider the pot from the coffee maker. Leaving behind the carafe in the machine's burner will allow the espresso to help keep warming, which will harm its taste. If you simply will not use all of it before it cools down, exchange it into an insulated container to hold it warm.

When you don't utilize the caffeine which you made, put the extra in ice-cubes cube trays. Because the ice in iced coffee melts it can drinking water it downward, so use espresso ice cubes cubes instead of regular an ice pack cubes. You may also use these cubes to cool hot gourmet coffee or stick them into cocktails.

You have to have exciting when you find yourself creating your gourmet coffee, however, you need the right kind of things to create the gourmet coffee with. This equipment will often over complicate this process, but this doesn't ought to come about any more. The great concepts you may have just read should enable you to have more entertaining from the process of generating coffee.

[elianaroselight]

More Tips from a Native Arizona, ESPECIALLY regarding pets!

If you HAVE to take your pet out to use the bathroom, put booties on their paws. Even if it is just a washcloth/towel (wet or dry) with a hair tie or rubber band LOOSELY holding it into place, it will protect their feet from being burnt. They may not like the feeling, but trust me, it is better to spend extra time to keep putting them on then to have a pet with burnt paws.

If they do get burnt, call your vet to see if you should bring them in. Until then, keep their paws clean and keep them from licking it. Your vet will have more tips on what you should do.

Keep their water dishes filled and clean. They don't have the same ability to stay cool like we do as humans and need extra water to stay hydrated and cool. Add an ice cube or two to help it stay a little cooler. Not too many as that could shock their bodies.

Animals with thicker fur, like huskies or long furred cats need to be brushed every couple hours or twice a day at the very least. Their fur will create a sauna that can heat them up faster. If you can, get them a hair cut otherwise try to keep them brushed. Getting them wet can help too, just like how our wet hair can keep us cool. If they are welcomed to baths, use the shower to get them wet. Use lukewarm or cooler water. DON'T USE STRAIGHT UP COLD WATER! If they don't, after a brush or every once and a while, gently and sporadically spritz water onto their fur. No need to rub it in. It will act like sweat and can help cool them down.

Birds and other pets you can't easily wet down, spritz them with water ever few hours or so. If they like to get wet, leave a small bowl with water for them to play in and cool down in. You are welcome to do the same for your dogs if you have access to a kiddies/small pool. Just make sure to change the water every couple of days.

Make sure to play with them at cool points of the day. It will get that energy out of their system and lessen the amount they heat up during the hotter times of the day. They also may sleep a bit more, but if they become lethargic, get them water, get them wet/brushed and get them to the vet.

If they are doing better with water in their system and a cooling bath, just call the vet. They will be able to evaluate the situation and will let you know if you should bring them in. This will save you the hassle of trying to get to the vet in the heat and waiting in line with a ton of other pets/owners only to find out that your pet was okay. It will also save them from trying to take more than they have the capability to handle.

Check over the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke for both yourself and your animals. If it helps, save it on your phone or print it out for others to see and check it often. Use it as a way to check up on everyone with you. Are you experiencing any symptoms, are the people you live/work with, are the animals? It can be hard to tell if you are getting overheated when you constantly feel hot. Going through a checklist of symptoms every few hours can help you catch the early signs of heat related issues.

You will likely get cranky from the heat. Take a deep breath and drink some water. Maybe eat a little something or take a cooling shower. This isn't uncommon to experience, but do what you can to help keep a level head. It is okay to say you need to pause and take care of yourself. It may be another way that your body is warning you of overheating or it may just be overwhelming. Pausing to cool down (literally and metaphorically) a bit more will ultimately help everyone out. Try to stay patient as best you can. Everyone is feeling hot.

If the stores run out of water, get water bottles, jugs and cups to cool your own water. Get several ice trays and pop the frozen cubes into a larger bowl (or whatever size fits your freezer). This will allow you to store extra ice and keep it stocked for when they are needed.

I hope this helps, especially as we are hitting the hottest time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Stay hydrated. Stay cool. And my prayers go out to you all.

From Abbotsford to Yoho National Park, a heat wave shattered temperature records in British Columbia on Saturday — and meteorologists expect the weather to get even hotter over the next couple of days.

The Village of Lytton was the hottest place in the country Saturday, with a record-breaking 43.2 C according to Environment Canada. The previous record there was set in 2006, at 39.9 C.

Other notable highs include the Fraser Valley, which broke 40 C at Cultus Lake for the first time yesterday.

In the Cache Creek area, temperatures soared to 42.5 C, and Lillooet set a new record at 43.1 C. Temperatures in the Pemberton Valley are so high an evacuation order has been issued because of rising river levels caused by snowmelt.

Continue Reading.

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[maculategiraffe]

Hey guys, it's cold season, and a lot of people I know are sick, and it has come to my attention that some people don't know some of the things I know to do if you're sick (like with a cold or sore throat or mild bug, I mean), so in case you guys don't already know, here's some things it's usually good for you to consume if you're sick (barring allergies and other dietary restrictions and stuff, of course). 

(These are mostly also very good if you are just trying not to GET sick when everyone else is.)

-Ginger.  You can buy a big hunk of ginger root in the produce section and rough chop it (and ideally peel it, but if you're tired or low on spoons don't worry, the peel won't hurt you) and throw it in the blender or food processor with some water, and then put whatever of the paste you aren't using immediately in ice cube trays in the freezer, and just pop out a cube whenever, and add it to everything. Hot teas or hot honey water, soups, etc.  It's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and it's also good for your tummy if that's upset.  These are also really good, they dissolve in hot or cold liquid and they have a lot of real ginger and honey in them.  I buy them at my local food co-op but lots of health food stores carry them as well, and obviously you can get them various places online.

-If you don't like ginger try a little bitty bit of cayenne pepper in your soups and teas.  Same properties more or less, and surprisingly good with lemon and honey.

-Honey is also antibacterial and has a lower glycemic index than sugar, and it's very soothing for a sore throat.

-Hot liquids-- tea, water, soup-- as much as you can consume.  It helps thin your mucous secretions and hydrates you and washes germs out to sea.  Your goal should be to be actively consuming a liquid at every moment you are not peeing instead.

-Garlic and onions, also antibacterial and tasty.  Make garlicky gingery oniony broth and slurp it incessantly.

-Lemon juice for vitamin C (although, note, don't consume a lot of vitamin C if you're pregnant).  Fresh lemon juice squeezed into your teas.  Hot lemon ginger water with honey.  Lemon is better than orange juice for vitamin C because it's better hot and it's not as sugary so you can adjust the sweetness (by judiciously adding honey) and not get mouth sores or a yeast infection from too much sugar.  Also fresh lemons are cheaper than oranges or the good OJ.

-Zinc lozenges.  Zinc boosts your immune system, and it works best in lozenge form because it's most effective when it dissolves slowly over a period of time.  You can also get a zinc lozenge that has throat soothing ingredients like honey or menthol (myrrh is good too but those lozenges tend to be pricier.  Don't consume non-food-grade myrrh). 

-Mashed potatoes (instant if necessary for your energy levels, but it's cheaper and more nutritious if you can to rough chop, boil, and mash fresh ones) are easy on your stomach, filling, affordable, and easy to fill with sauteed garlic and onions.  Use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter if you can (see below under Dairy)

-Magnesium for muscle aches.  Ibuprofen is good for aches, headaches and fevers.  

Things to avoid:

-Dairy, because it thickens your mucous secretions

-Caffeine, because it dehydrates you, although if you're addicted to it don't go cold turkey or you'll think you're dying.  I learned that the hard way.  Teas (black, green, and white) are a better source for it than coffee or soda: less dehydrating, and better with honey and lemon and ginger.

-Things like Dayquil/Nyquil and Mucinex and Theraflu can be good for managing symptoms, but be careful with them because they usually have acetaminophen which is what's in Tylenol and it can be very dangerous to take too much of it, so don't take more than the recommended dose, or double up with more than one kind, or with Tylenol.

-Super sugary juices like apple or grape juice.  They're not BAD for you but you shouldn’t drink too much of them.  They're not as hydrating as water and tea, or as nourishing as broth, and too much fruit sugar can mess with your stomach, especially if it's already sore or upset.

-Alcohol; it dehydrates you and has a lot of sugar also, and it’s dangerous to mix with painkillers/anti-inflammatories like acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

Other generally useful things:

-Hot baths and hot showers

-Heating pads and hot water bottles.  Sweating is good for you, as long as you're replenishing your fluids.  

-Lotion tissues, to avoid chafing your nose raw

-Lots and lots of sleep and rest

-Imagine your cold is the first that Wonder Woman (2017) has heard of human susceptibility to mild illness, and picture her distress, her compassion for your suffering (on top of every other trial you have endured by virtue of living on earth!), and her gentle but inexorable insistence (once you have convinced her there is no Cold Virus God she can slay) that you do absolutely everything in your power to alleviate and shorten this condition of additional suffering, no matter how comparatively mild

[babyconnectingworld]

15 Creative Chalk Art Activities for Kids

/* custom css */ .tdi_71_f55.td-a-rec-img, .tdi_71_f55 .td-adspot-title{ text-align: left; }.tdi_71_f55.td-a-rec-img img{ margin: 0 auto 0 0; }.tdi_71_f55 .td-element-style{ z-index: -1; } This article may include advertisements, paid product features, affiliate links and other forms of sponsorship. Who doesn’t love sidewalk chalk? There is something so fun about drawing pictures and writing messages all over your driveway and sidewalk. Not only does chalk art give you a chance to get outside and enjoy the sunshine with your kids, but it offers a creative way to have fun together. From doodling all over your driveway and sidewalks to fun learning activities, the chalk art possibilities are endless. Here are 15 chalk art activities to get you outdoors and encourage your creative side.  Table of Contents

DIY Sidewalk Chalk

Homemade Sidewalk Chalk If you are looking for a project, look no more. You can make your own sidewalk chalk from scratch with only three ingredients: water, plaster of paris, and washable tempera paint.  Mix your ingredients together until it is a frosting-like consistency. Pour the mixture into ice cube trays or fun silicone candy molds. Let the chalk dry for 24 hours before unmolding. That is it! The cool part about making homemade sidewalk chalk is that you can make whatever colors and shapes you like (it would make fun birthday party favors for a spring or summer birthday party too). Then let your kids’ imaginations soar when they cover the driveway in their chalk art.  For the exact recipe, visit I Heart Naptime.  Recycled Chalk Paint What do you do with all those little nubs of sidewalk chalk? They probably get left alongside the driveway or abandoned at the bottom of the bucket of chalk. Put them to use instead of letting them go to waste. Have your kids gather up as many of the little chalk ends as they can find and in six easy steps you can have homemade chalk paint!  After collecting the chalk bits (you can also use larger pieces of chalk or new chalk if you do not have enough bits and end pieces), have your children sort them by color, placing each color in a different freezer bag. Crush up each color until all that’s left is a fine powder – the kids will really enjoy taking care of this task. Pour the powder into a muffin tin or use empty butter and sour cream containers. Add water to each color and stir before letting the colors sit for about half an hour. Now comes the fun part – using a paintbrush, use your homemade chalk paint to create massive watercolor chalk art masterpieces all over your driveway and sidewalk.  For the full instructions, visit Rhythms of Play. Ice Chalk If you have some hot days coming up, homemade ice chalk makes for a fun art and science activity to keep the kids entertained. Mix up a batch of chalk with cornstarch, water, and either food coloring or washable paint. Pour into ice cube trays or molds and place them in the freezer until frozen.  When your chalk ice cubes are ready, use them like regular sidewalk chalk or try some fun experiments. If you used fun molds for your ice chalk, they make cool stamps as they start to melt. Have ice chalk melting races and see which colors melt the fastest in the sun. Mix them together and see what cool colors and chalk art you can make.  Find the full instructions and some fun variations on ice chalk, visit Reading Confetti. Puffy Sidewalk Chalk For a super fun variation on sidewalk chalk, make your own puffy sidewalk chalk with things you already have at home. Grate up about half a piece of chalk with a cheese grater. Mix your ground chalk with flour, water, and dish soap and pour it into a squeeze bottle (an empty ketchup bottle works great too).  Make a few different colors and fill up several squeeze bottles to create some amazing puffy chalk art in your driveway. The kids will love squeezing the chalk out of the squeeze bottles and they will find that they can make all kinds of pictures and patterns with it.  Find the instructions at The Best Ideas for Kids.

Creative Chalk Art Ideas 

Chalk Art Town  Have hours of fun by drawing a giant chalk art town and roadway all over your driveway. Draw a twisty, turvy roadway complete with a yellow dotted line in the middle to divide the lanes. Then have your kiddos draw buildings, houses, trees, and whatever else they would like in their town. Once you have it all drawn out, have your kids dig out their toy cars and drive all over their chalk art town.  This is a fun playtime activity because it gets the kids’ creative juices flowing, and then they get to play on their chalk art.  Fun Photo Op Scenes Drawing fun chalk art scenes for your kids to participate in as a character makes a fun afternoon activity – and makes for some fun photos! Draw butterfly or bird wings and have your kids lie down in the middle as if they are the body of the butterfly or the bird. Try your hand at an outer space scene and have your kids pose like they are bouncing on the moon. Next, draw an umbrella to keep out some chalk art raindrops and then have your little ones lie down and pose like they are holding the umbrella handle. You could even draw an underwater scene and have your kids lie down on the ground and pose like they are swimming through the ocean. Really commit to the scene and have them put on bathing suits. Take pictures of their poses in all your scenes as a reminder of your fun afternoon. They could also make for some fun Christmas card photos. Chalk Art Sports  Fill up your driveway and sidewalk with your own miniature golf course. Make twisty turvy lanes that you have to keep the golf balls in and then design the “holes” at the end of each lane to keep with whatever golf course theme your kids would like – a wild animal course, a circus course, a dinosaur course, or mix it up and make each one different. It is your chalk art, so your golf course can be designed however your kids can imagine it!  After miniature golf, or if you are more of a tennis or basketball fan, try another sport! Draw a court for tennis, volleyball, or basketball, then get out the rackets and balls for a real match on your beautifully chalked court.  Old-Fashioned Games Introduce your kids to the games you used to play on the playground. Start with hopscotch and four square. Once you have played those for awhile and reveled in your elementary school glory days, move on to some good old tic tac toe and a few games of sidewalk chalk hangman (use a wet rag or sponge to wash away each round so you do not run out of driveway or sidewalk space too quickly).  After you have played all the old stand-bys, take it up a notch with a giant chalk art version of checkers! Draw a giant checkerboard and use frisbees, paper plates, or cut out circles from recycled cardboard for the game pieces. Because who doesn’t love a giant version of a board game? Obstacle Course Get your kids moving with your very own chalk art “obstacle” course. Write out instructions like “turn in a circle,” “touch your toes,” “jump up and down three times” along with some cute directional pictures for your kids to follow along their custom course. You can also draw squiggly lines to follow, straight lines to jump over, and spirals to spin on. The possibilities are endless. For a fun example and some ideas for “obstacles” to include, visit MattyAngel.com.  The Ground is Lava Just about every kid has played the floor is lava game where you try to move across a room (or the entire house) without stepping on the floor. Use chalk art to play an outside version of the floor is lava that will not cause all your couch cushions to end up on the floor as stepping stones.  Draw a series of stepping stones along your driveway or sidewalk. Make sure they are spaced apart and are not too close to each other. Then draw flames or lava in between the “stepping stones” and challenge your kids to hop across the stones without touching the lava. Make it more challenging and have some of the stones turn into lava in between rounds!

Playful Learning Activities 

Alphabet Games Have fun with sidewalk chalk and work on the alphabet and spelling with this easy and adaptable Alphabet Game. With a piece of chalk, start by drawing a 6 square by 6 square grid so that you end up with a total of 36 spaces. Now randomly write a letter of the alphabet in each square of the grid, but instead of keeping the letters in order, scatter them throughout the board. Since there are 26 letters in the alphabet, and the grid has 36 spaces, there will be extra squares left over. These will be used as free spaces, so scatter those out throughout the grid too. Now that your board is ready, there are a number of alphabet-related games you can play. With younger kids, have them start by standing on the letter ‘A’ and then jump to the letter ‘B’ and so on until they make it through the entire alphabet. If letters are too far apart, they can jump on a free space to get closer. Have older kids spell out words. Give them words to spell or play a game where each person takes turns spelling a word in a certain category like animals, food, toys, or whatever else you can come up with.  Letter Sounds  If you have budding readers at home, use chalk art to work on letter sounds. Write letters all over your sidewalk or driveway. Then, draw a carrot around each letter. Now arm your kiddo with a spray bottle of water and ask them to “water the carrot” that makes the “ahh” sound. Now water the carrot with a ‘W,’ You can even work on capital versus lower case letters with this type of game and have them water the carrot with a lowercase ‘a’ or an uppercase ‘T.’ If you have a little firefighter on your hands, you can change it up and draw flames around your letters instead of carrots and ask them to put out the fire that makes the “tuh” sound or that has a lowercase ‘f.’  Counting Grid Help your little ones learn numbers and basic math through chalk art with this counting game. Start by drawing a grid like you did for the Alphabet Game. Instead of letters, this time fill the grid with numbers (scatter them all out and once again leave some blank spaces). Start with the numbers 1-20. For younger kids who are still working on number recognition, have your little one start on the number 1 and then count moving to the next number and the next until they get to the number 20. If numbers are too far apart, they can jump on a free space to get closer. Once your kid has those mastered, erase your board and move up to some larger numbers or draw a bigger grid and add more numbers.  You can also use this same style grid to do some basic math with slightly older kids. If you have a grid with the numbers 1-20, give your kid a basic math equation to solve like 5+4, 9-3, etc. Then have them stand on the square that has the correct answer (just be sure the answer is less than 20!). For more advanced mathematicians, just include larger numbers in your grid.  Outdoor Math “Board Game” Another way to take math outdoors is with this outdoor math “board game.” Start by drawing a path on the ground by making two squiggly lines parallel to each other and then divide your path into spaces by drawing horizontal lines every foot and a half or so (think something like the path from Candyland). Write “start” at one end and “finish” at the other. Now fill each space with a simple math equation. Depending on your children’s math level, consider alternating addition and subtraction. If they are more advanced, add in some multiplication and division spaces.  Once your board is ready, it is time to play! Using a single die from an inside game you have (if you have a fun set of big foam dice, one of those would be perfect and easier to see from afar), have your kids take turns rolling the die and moving the correct number of places just like on a regular board game, except this time they are the game pieces. Once they get to the correct space, they have to answer the math equation. If they get it right, they get to take another turn. If they get it wrong, it’s the next person’s turn. Keep rolling and solving problems until everyone gets to the finish. Shape Maze Help your preschooler learn shapes and even colors with this simple shape maze. Draw a variety of shapes in rows all over your driveway or sidewalk, making sure to alternate the shapes throughout so that you have some of each shape in each row. Start by choosing a shape, a square for example. Have your kids stand in the first row on that shape (a square). Now they must get through the “maze” by only stepping on squares until they get to the other side. Next have them come back by only stepping on another shape, maybe triangles this time.  You can play a few variations of this game too. Have your kids step on every one of a certain shape in the maze. This is also a fun way to work on colors. Try to make it across by only stepping on the red squares or the yellow triangles.  Sidewalk chalk is a great way to take advantage of the beautiful weather and spend some time outdoors. Chalk art makes for a fun family activity that lets you enjoy the outdoors and spend some family time together. Have fun making chalk art drawings or sneak in a little learning with some outdoor learning activities. Whatever you do, have fun doing it! WANT TO READ MORE? Check out this article Get Outdoors with a Nature Scavenger Hunt. 💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖 Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be! GET MORE FROM DAILY MOM, PARENTS PORTALNewsletter: Daily Mom delivered to you Facebook: @DailyMomOfficial Instagram: @DailyMomOfficial | @DailyMomTravel | @BestProductsClub YouTube: @DailyMomVideos Pinterest: @DailyMomOfficial 📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌 Photo Credits: Unsplash.com, I Heart Naptime, The Best Ideas for Kids, Be Strong, Be Calm, Be Grateful, flickr.com Read the full article

[seokluv]

Their Reactions to it Being Really Hot Outside

candybraces asked;  Their reactions to it being really damn hot out BECAUSE FAM I AM SWEATINGGGGF what is sleep amirite

YEEEEEEEEEEEEE BOIIIIII one more before i go to bed >shot

Kim Namjoon

“Jagi... It’s really hot outside. Ahhh... Please help me cool off.” Namjoon panted, pulling at the collar of his shirt, another sweatdrop trailing down his temple. You crawled onto his lap, pulling another ice cube out of the ice cube tray, and putting it in your mouth. Your lips pressed against his, the cold piece of ice instantly bringing relief to Namjoon. He sighed into the kiss, letting the ice cube drop into his mouth.

“Much better, Jagiya. Ohh.” he moaned, obviously relieved from the humid weather.  “Can you put the air conditioner on, babe?” and you nodded, cranking the AC all the way up.

Kim Seok-jin

“Jagiya? Do you mind helping me out of this sweater? It’s actually starting to get really hot...” Jin murmured, scratching his neck timidly. You beamed brightly, scurrying over to him, more than glad to help him. “Sure Jin~ Anything for my baby!” you smiled, as you grabbed the ends of his shirt, starting to pull up slightly, when he stopped you.

He paused for a long moment, leaving you confused, until he finally spoke up. “Did I ever tell you... how sexy you look in a tank top and short-shorts? ‘Cause... damn. You look hot, Jagi.” and you blushed furiously.  “J-Jin! I thought you needed my help getting your shirt off, not tease me until I die...” you hung your head low, your cheeks dusting a bright pink. “You’re so beautiful. Do you mind turning on a fan, after you help me out of this sweater?” his eyes lit up as he looked at you, and you shrugged. “Sure baby.” 

Min Yoongi

“Fuck. It’s really hot outside, Jagiya. Do you mind helping me cool off?” he questioned, and you smiled. Yoongi is up to no good, like always.  “Sure Yoongi~” you chimed, before running to the basement to grab a bucket. You rushed to the kitchen, turning the cold water on all the way, watching the bucket fill up. After it was filled halfway, you grabbed all the ice cube trays from the freezer, dumping them into the bucket. “Okay Yoongi! Follow me to the bathroom~” you purred, and he ran after you, expecting a pleasant surprise. “Step into the bathtub.” you ordered, and he did as he was told. Eventually, you had poured the bucket you had prepared for him all over him, covering him in ice cold water. “Jagi!!! Dammit!” he chuckled, as he stood there completely soaked. “I love you~” you giggled.

Park Jimin

“Jagi. It’s hot.” Jimin whined, and you rested your head on his shoulder. “I know, Jimin. The air conditioner is on full blast, there’s not much else I can do.” you sighed. But then, an idea struck your mind. “Stay put, Jimin.” you commanded, and he listened, but he was curious for what you had in mind. You ran to the bathroom, cranking the cold water up in the bathtub, listening to the water run quickly. You lifted the plug, letting the tub fill up with cold water. You dashed to the freezer, grabbing a bag of ice that you had kept for times like these, and filled the bathtub with ice.  “Jimin, get in your bathing suit.” you told him, and he did exactly what you told him to do. You did the same, and lead him to the bathtub, jumping in the icy cold water. “What about now, Jimin? Is it still hot?” “Not at all. It’s... actually too cold.”

Jung Hoseok

“(Y/N)? Why is it so hot outside?” Hobi moaned irritably, and you shrugged. “I have no idea, Hobi. Do you want me to turn on the AC? Turn the fans on? Run you a cold bath? Dump ice cold water all over you?” you suggested many options to him, but he didn’t want none of them. Instead, he suggested an idea of his own. “Why don’t we go swimming, Jagi? That’ll be fun, right?” and you thought about it for a second. “Sure. Why not? We’ll have to put on lots of sunscreen though. It’s sunny and hotter than hell outside.” you stated, but Hobi didn’t seem to mind at all.

He placed his lips on your’s for a split second, before jumping up off the couch, “Let’s go swimming, Jagi~!” he chimed happily, as he ran to grab his swimsuit.

Jeon Jeongguk

“Babe, it’s really hot outside. What should we do?” Jungkook frowned, as he fanned himself, but to your amusement, it wasn’t working for him. “Well, we obviously take off all our clothes and take a cold bath, duh!” you laughed, and Jungkook grinned cheekily.  “If you’re being serious, I’ll start running the bathwater.” and you nodded.

“Sounds good to me, Kookie.” you smirked, as you lifted your shirt over your head, tossing it across the room. Jungkook did the same. You admired his abs as he walked over to you, snaking his arms around your waist.

“I love you, so much.” he spoke in a husky tone, and you swooned. You kissed him passionately, as he carried you to the bathroom.

Kim Taehyung

“Aaaaah! It’s so hot, (Y/N)! Please... help me cool off?” Taehyung whined, giving you the cutest set of puppy eyes you have ever seen in your entire life. You smiled warmly, kissing your adorable boyfriend on the cheek, before rushing to the kitchen to think of ways to cool of your precious baby. You grabbed a cold bottle of water, turning on the ceiling fan and cranking up the AC to max, and ran back to Taehyung, handing him the bottle of water. You lifted his shirt up over his head and threw it on the floor. 

“This should help!” you smiled, proud of your work. Taehyung chuckled and pulled you onto his lap. “You’re such a good girl.” and you blushed wildly, as you kissed him happily.  “I love you TaeTae~!” 

[tinyhatonapumpkin]

I also recommend putting ice in your pets' water, or at least having trays/bowls/plates/platters of ice out that your pets can have access to. Even if they're wary of the ice, they'll probably enjoy drinking the cold water once it melts. Tho plenty of em enjoy licking ice to cool off too!

Plus you can wrap an ice pack in a towel and put that in their bed (if they're an animal that likes to chew on things make your own ice pack using water in a container or water bottle or something, as they might try to chew the ice pack and could end up eating the ice pack gel). My fluffy cat will often snuggle right up to the ice pack on particularly hot days to cool down.

And then for yourself: get those hand sized ice packs meant for lunch bags, and then put them in your pockets when you go anywhere. I swear to fuck they keep you quite a bit cooler. If you don't have pockets big enough or at all, then get those weird ice cube things, you know the ones that don't melt into your drink? These things:

And stick em in your pockets, bra, - wherever you can in your clothes basically. They're great for cooling you down that extra bit.

Keep a large bottle of water in the fridge, so that you always have something cool to drink. Refill it regularly (like as in top it up) or have two, and switch between em, ones cooling while you're drinking from the other.

Fill water bottles about halfway, then put em in the freezer upright. Then when you go somewhere, fill em up the rest of the way, and now you have chilled water! The ice at the bottom will melt as time goes on giving You more available water, but as you finish the liquid water you can just refill it on top of the ice. It also serves as ice you can put to your neck or face or whatever to cool yourself down.

Don't be afraid of busting out the umbrella on a sunny day! Sunstroke is no joke. So if you can't find shade, make it yourself! Parasols are hard to find, but umbrellas work just as good (as long as you don't have one of those clear ones).

You can buy small portable electric fans, even ones that hang on your neck so that you get air blown into your face no matter where you are. I recommend these.

If you live in a humid region: get a dehumidifier. They even sell cheap chemical dehumidifiers which is just these pellets that absorb moisture basically. Anyway the reason is that humid heat is not only WAY worse than dry heat in terms of trying to cool down, it's also far more dangerous. When it's hot your body sweats, and in dry conditions this works bc the sweat evaporates, creating a cooling sensation. But in humid conditions, the air is too damp to absorb any more moisture, so your body can't cool itself down, so your internal temperature just keeps rising, increasing your chances of heatstroke, heart attacks, etc. So take some of that extra humidity out of the air so that your body can cool itself down!!

Finally: sit in a tub of cold water if it gets really bad. Sometimes you just gotta cool yourself down by any means necessary 🤷‍♂️ (if you don't have a tub then just under the stream of cold water in the shower)

Europe is currently being burned alive and people still think climate change is a joke. It’s warmer in North Europe than in the middle eastern deserts.

Nearly all northern countries broke their decades old heat records this week.

[tipsycad147]

OUR PANTRY PROFILE: THYME

by Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Thyme {Thymus vulgaris}

Common garden thyme has been used for protection, courage, food, and medicine since the beginning of recorded history. A low-growing, aromatic shrub native to the rocky hills of the Mediterranean and Southern Europe, it’s now a staple of herb gardens around the world.

Roman soldiers bathed in thyme to maintain their courage and strength before a battle, and in medieval times, departing knights received thyme-embroidered scarves from their lady loves to keep up spirits and inspire courage. A popular belief was that thyme tea prevented nightmares and even encouraged dreams of fairies. Carrying thyme warded off evil spells and witchcraft, while sewing thyme and fern into the hem of a dress kept the Devil from taking a woman as his bride. Placing a sprig of thyme in one shoe and a sprig of rosemary in the other on the Eve of St. Agnes {January 20} was said to give young women visions of their future husbands.

Greek Physician Dioscorides declared that “{Thyme} finds distinguished uses as the healthy man’s seasoning,” referring to thyme’s culinary and medicinal use. Pliny the Elder espoused the use of thyme honey as a restorative delight. Herbalists in the Middle Ages considered thyme an important tonic stimulant and antispasmodic that treated epilepsy and melancholy. Nicholas Culpepper designated thyme “a noble strengthener of the lungs” and found no better remedy for whooping cough, warts, sciatica, gout, and digestive ills. During the waves of plague that spread across Europe, thyme was used as a germicide – a practice that continued through World War I when it was used as an antiseptic to treat soldier’s wounds and purify the air of hospitals and sickrooms well into the 20th-century.

For the Body:

Though there are hundreds of species of thyme, Thymus vulgaris {garden thyme} and, to a lesser degree, Thymus citriodorus {lemon thyme} are the most medicinal. Thyme is a wonderful source of vitamins C, A, and B6, as well as folate, iron, calcium, zinc, potassium, and manganese.

Thanks to antispasmodic and bitter principles, thyme is an effective carminative, relaxing the smooth muscle of the stomach to relieve cramping, bloating, and indigestion common with irritable bowel syndrome {IBS} and chronic gastritis.

Warm and drying, thyme also serves as an excellent remedy for colds and flu, drying up and expelling mucus from the lungs and sinuses, while its antitussive, anti-inflammatory actions soothe irritated bronchial tubes, quieting both wet and dry coughs. Combined with ground ivy or primrose, thyme is a proven treatment for acute bronchitis. A 2016 study verified a combination of the three, showing a significant effect on inflammatory symptoms – coughing and difficulty breathing – associated with bronchial infection and shortening the length of illness. All three herbs are currently found in some commercial cough syrups.

Thymol, the volatile oil found in thyme’s leaves and blossoms, holds remarkable antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It has shown extraordinary efficacy in combating common bacteria. Internally, remedies using thyme leaves target upper respiratory infections, candida {even thrush}, gingivitis, and streptococcus, and have impressive activity against H. pylori bacteria, the frequent cause of stomach ulcers. Externally, preparations of thyme essential oil {which contain thymol} can be used to effectively treat both fungal and parasitic infections like athlete’s foot and ringworm. In February 2018, a study in the Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences found that thyme extract has a significant effect on most food-borne pathogens, including E. coli, making it a consideration for use as a natural food preservative. Thymol is now the main disinfectant in many natural home-cleaning products.

Grow It:

A hardy perennial mint, thyme grows best in Zones 5-9. Thyme seeds are difficult to germinate; most folks start them from seedlings. To sow seeds indoors, gently cover with soil and water and put in a warm place. Germination occurs in 1-12 weeks. When seedlings are 4 inches high, transfer them outside after the last frost and plant 9 inches apart in full sun in well-drained, slightly alkaline soil or in containers. Thyme grows 4-8 inches high and needs regular pruning to grow well, so harvest often. Fragrant, edible white- to light-purple flowers appear from May to August and are a favourite of bees.

Keep it Fresh:

Although delicate herbs lose their flavor after freezing, thyme’s hardy nature makes it a good candidate for the freezer; put thyme leaves in ice cube trays, cover with water, and freeze; or place sprigs in a freezer bag. Take some out whenever you want to add a touch of thyme to your dishes. Thyme also dries well in dehydrators or tied and hung upside-down in a warm, dry spot. When dried, remove leaves and store in an airtight glass jar.

Eat It:

Essential to Italian, French, Creole, and Cajun dishes, thyme adds its earthy flavor to sauces, stews, stuffing, poultry, and seafood. It’s a key herb in a bouquet garni as well as in Herbes de Provence and Caribbean jerk seasonings. Spread thyme butter on garlic bread and sprinkle lemon thyme on custards and souffles for an unusual touch. Thyme blends well with herbs like rosemary, parsley, sage, and oregano. However, I must agree with Pliny the Elder: thyme honey is one of the best ways to experience the delightful qualities of this versatile kitchen staple.

Thyme honey is a delicious way to take your medicine. Use in teas, on breakfast treats, or all by itself.

Fill a jar 2/3-full with fresh thyme – even the blossoms. Cover with raw honey, stirring to remove air bubbles. Seal and set in a warm, sunny window for two weeks. When done, gently heat the honey to strain {do not heat over 110 degrees F. or you will cook off beneficial enzymes}. Bottle and store in a cool, dry place.

Contraindications: Do not take thyme in medicinal doses if you are pregnant, nursing, or have seizure disorders.

https://crookedbearcreekorganicherbs.com/2018/08/22/our-pantry-profile-thyme/