#Utah Window Shades

[shoptotallyblind]

Guide to Window Shade Installation: Enhance Your Home with Style and Functionality

Window shades not only provide privacy and light control but also add aesthetic value to your home. Whether you're looking to install roller shades, Roman shades, or cellular shades, a proper installation ensures optimal performance and longevity. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you navigate the window shade installation process seamlessly:

Measure Your Windows Accurately Before purchasing window shades, it's essential to measure your windows accurately. Use a steel tape measure to record the width and height of each window. Measure both the inside width of the window frame and the height from the top of the frame to the windowsill. Take measurements at least twice to ensure accuracy, especially if your windows are not perfectly square.

Choose the Right Type of Window Shade Select window shades that complement your home's décor and meet your specific needs. Consider factors such as light control, privacy, insulation, and style preferences. Common types of window shades include:

Roller Shades: Sleek and versatile, roller shades offer simplicity and functionality.

Roman Shades: Elegant and classic, Roman shades add a touch of sophistication to any room.

Cellular Shades: Known for their energy efficiency, cellular shades trap air to provide insulation and reduce heat transfer.

Solar Shades: Designed to block UV rays and reduce glare, solar shades maintain views while enhancing comfort.

Gather Necessary Tools and Supplies Before starting the installation process, ensure you have all the necessary tools and supplies on hand. Depending on the type of window shade and mounting method, you may need:

Screwdriver Drill and drill bits Level Pencil Measuring tape Mounting brackets Screws and anchors (if mounting into drywall or plaster)

Follow Manufacturer's Instructions Each window shade comes with specific installation instructions provided by the manufacturer. Carefully read and follow these instructions to ensure proper installation and warranty compliance. Pay attention to details such as bracket placement, mounting hardware, and safety precautions.

Install the Window Shades Begin the installation process by attaching the mounting brackets to the window frame or wall, following the measurements and guidelines provided. Use a level to ensure the brackets are straight and aligned correctly. Once the brackets are securely in place, carefully attach the window shade to the brackets according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Test for Functionality and Adjust as Needed After installing the window shades, test them for functionality by raising and lowering them several times. Ensure smooth operation and check for any signs of misalignment or interference. Make any necessary adjustments to the installation or hardware to achieve optimal performance.

Enjoy Your Newly Installed Window Shades With your window shades properly installed, sit back, relax, and enjoy the enhanced comfort, style, and functionality they bring to your home. Whether you're seeking privacy, light control, or energy efficiency, well-installed window shades can transform your living space while adding value and beauty.

By following these steps and taking the time to install your window shades correctly, you can achieve professional-looking results and create a more comfortable and inviting home environment for years to come.

[siteshadeco]

Elevate Your Daybreak Home with Exquisite Custom Shades

Enhance the allure of your Daybreak residence with bespoke custom shades that perfectly blend style and functionality. Elevate your interior decor while enjoying personalized light control and privacy.

Tailored Elegance to Suit Your Daybreak Lifestyle

Discover the ideal harmony between Daybreak's vibrant community and your living spaces through custom shades. Whether you seek a modern, minimalist aesthetic or a cozy, traditional ambiance, these shades can be tailored to your exact preferences, adding a touch of elegance to your home.

Unveil Ultimate Comfort and Aesthetics

Experience the perfect blend of comfort and aesthetics with custom shades in Daybreak. Immerse yourself in the beauty of versatile designs while relishing the convenience of light regulation, ensuring your living spaces align seamlessly with the captivating Daybreak environment.

For More Information: - https://siteshadeco.com/

[ladykailitha]

Grief (A Friend Indeed) Part 9

Hello, everyone! We are almost to the end. I have all twelve parts completed and will be posting them every Thursday until the story is fully published.

So what's next? With Royal Pain being done as well, I'm going to try and finish Well Met By Moonlight and Find Your Shade By the Moonlight. I will be back working on the soulmate AU Batshit Soulmate and the next book in the Boy with a Bat series called Never Hold Back Your Step for a Moment. I'm also starting that omegaverse story I thought up here.

We meet Steve's family and find out more about why Steve's parents didn't like that side of the family much.

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8

****

Eddie and Steve wandered around town for a couple of hours, doing a little sightseeing, a little shopping, and a lot just being themselves for a moment or two.

Soon it was getting close to time and they headed to the diner. They pulled up and got a booth.

Eddie and Steve slid into one side and told the waitress that they were waiting for someone and to just grab them a couple of waters.

The waitress nodded and quickly came back with the waters.

They didn’t have to wait long before Percy came through the door, the little bell announcing his arrival.

Steve waved him over and he smiled in return, hurrying over to the table. Once he was settled he told the waitress they were waiting on one more but if they could get a pot of coffee and two cups please. Eddie and Steve both got sodas.

“Who are we waiting for?” Steve asked nervously.

Percy twisted the ring on his ring hand, looking down at the table. “A friend.”

Eddie and Steve shared a glance, wide-eyed.

Eddie wrote something down on a paper napkin and slid it over to Percy.

Percy took the napkin with frown and then he gasped. “Both of you?”

“Both for me,” Steve murmured.

“Just men for me,” Eddie added.

Percy glanced around the diner nervously, but no one was paying any attention to them at all.

“Oh.” He let out a shuddering breath. “Just him.” He pointed to someone walking up to the diner through the window.

He was a tall man, thin. Long black hair, braided to the small of his back. He wore a suit just as nice as Max’s in a beautiful silver color.

He came over when Percy waved at him. He slid next to Percy and looked Steve and Eddie over.

“Who are these boys, Percy?” he asked gravely.

“This my nephew, Steven and his friend...” Percy began.

Eddie stuck out his hand. “Eddie. Eddie Munson. We’re actually in Kentucky because of my own grandma’s funeral. Steve wanted to come visit his grandma’s grave so we took a drive.”

“Where you from?” Percy asked. “I catch a bit of twang to your voice.”

Eddie grinned. “Indiana mostly, but my family’s from Ashland.”

Percy smiled. “Nice town.”

Steve smiled. “It has been so far.”

“This is David Estevez,” Percy said, shyly. “The reason you’re parents haven’t spoken to me in over a decade.”

“Ah,” Steve said. “Yup, Clint Harrington is a lot of things, but tolerant isn’t one of them and of course my mom just went along with it. Even though it’s her money and her family.”

Eddie clicked his tongue against the back of his teeth. “Let’s see, not white, not from here, judging from the accent, and not straight... anything I missed?”

David burst out laughing. “Not the right kind of rich. I’m a self-made man. I worked hard to be where I am today and they hate that. I grew up poor in New Mexico and made my money building computers in my mom’s basement. Now, I’m a multi-millionaire CEO of a major tech company.”

“Dustin would love you,” Steve and Eddie said together.

“Who?” David asked with a chuckle.

“He’s this kid we know,” Eddie explained. “He built a CB tower just so he could talk to his girlfriend in Utah and not rack up his mom’s phone bill.”

“He sounds like fun,” Percy said, rolling his eyes.

David dug his fingers into Percy’s side, causing him to squirm and squeak. “As if you wouldn’t love it if I did that for you.”

Percy blushed. “Maybe.”

He cleared his throat. “How are your parents, Steven? I saw on the news that there was a horrible earthquake last March.”

Steve gulped and Eddie gave his hand a squeeze.

“I really wouldn’t know,” he mumbled, looking down at the table, tucking his hands between legs. “I haven’t seen them in a while.”

David and Percy shared a glance.

“They did come back after the earthquake, right?” Percy pressed. “To see if you were all right if nothing else.”

Steve shook his head. “They didn’t come home when I was caught in the mall fire, why would they come home for something as inconsequential as an earthquake?”

“Mall fire?” Percy asked.

“You remember, darling,” David said, “the one from last year where there were thirty people who died?”

Percy expression cleared as understanding dawned, and then it turned horrified. “They didn’t come home for that?”

Steve shook his head again. “They didn’t come home when I got a concussion so bad I was out for several hours, or anytime I got hurt.” He rubbed a scratch that was in the surface of the table mournfully.

“Mom follows Dad around to make sure he keeps it in his pants. Not that it deters him,” he explained. “I heard him bragging once about how it’s a game to him now to see what he can get away with.”

The waitress appeared with their drinks. “Are you guys ready to order?”

“I’m not hungry,” Steve murmured.

The rest of them ordered, with Eddie ordering a side of cheese fries in addition to his regular side of fries.

Once the waitress had gone, Percy leaned forward. “How long has this been going on?”

“The trips started when I fourteen or so,” he continued. “But the older I got, the longer the trips were, until they just stopped coming home sometime around Christmas of last year.”

“Stevie...” Eddie whined. “Why didn’t you say something?”

Steve shrugged. “I’m an adult. It’s not as though I’m a kid anymore.”

Percy took his hand in his. “No, Steven. That’s not how parenting works. Ever. They’re supposed to care about you enough to at least tell you were they’re going and when they’ll be home.”

Steve looked up and into his uncle’s eyes. “The money changed them. They haven’t been my parents in over a decade. I’ve just been this trophy they pulled out whenever it suited them. Had to be first in everything. I’m surprised they only let me get away three sports instead of making me try everything.”

Eddie looked stricken. “The sports weren’t your idea?”

Steve shook his head. “It was a way that they could legally pawn me off to other adults. Probably the reason for all the piano lessons and the tutoring. How I met Nancy by the way. Gotta have the best grades, until someone puts a plate through my head, then I was just as disappointing as they feared I would be.”

Everyone else at the table let out noises of distress.

“You never should have had to go through that,” David whispered fiercely. “Ever. I’m sorry your parents were awful.”

Steve shrugged. “It wasn’t all bad. I have had adults in my life that cared about me. The Chief of Police always kept an eye on me. Dad stopped hitting me after the second time Hop, Chief Hopper, I mean brought me home after...” he trailed off and looked anywhere but at the people in the booth with him.

He cleared his throat.

Their food arrived and that last sentence was left to dangling in the air like the sword of Damocles over their heads.

Percy watched as Eddie pushed the side of cheese fries between him and Steve, taking a bite periodically, but mostly focusing on the rest of his food.

Steve reached out and took one of the fries, chewing mindlessly. And then another and then another.

David smirked when Percy indicated to what Steve was doing.

Eddie pushed them in front of Steve and he just dug into them like a starving man. He took half of his burger and handed it to Steve, too.

Steve took the half with a blush. “Thanks, Eds,” he said softly.

Eddie just smiled fondly and finished his half of the burger.

David started talking to Percy to help fill the silence and soon the sense of dread dissipated as they fell into easy conversation.

Soon they were done and their plates taken away.

David lifted his chin to indicate to Steve. “Where did you learn that if you got cheese fries Steve would eat?”

Eddie and Steve glanced at each other and Steve blushed.

“Is that what he did?” he muttered.

Eddie laughed. “It’s trick I learned from his best friend. When he’s upset he won’t eat, even when he needs to, but if you put something like cheese fries or onion rings near him, he’ll graze until it kick starts his appetite again.”

Steve looked over at him in shock. “Holy shit, I never realized. Who else does that?”

Eddie smiled at him, that closed mouth, fond smile that he was got around Steve. “Dustin and Max mostly. But El and Will have been known to do it once or twice.”

Steve blinked.

“Sounds like you’ve got a lot of people that care about you, Steven,” Percy said with a grin.

Steve nodded, blushing. “Yeah, I guess I do.”

He looked at his watch and sighed. “How’s this,” he said, “why don’t you use that business card I gave you when you get home and David and me will come out to visit you for a few days?”

Steve lit up. “Yeah? You’d do that?”

Eddie grinned. Steve had just gotten his boyhood wish of having an uncle that cared and he could feel the joy and surprise radiating off his friend.

“I’d love to,” Percy said. “I would love to meet your family.”

Steve grinned. “You’ll love them.”

David smiled, too. “I’m sure we will.”

They got up and hugs were passed around everyone and they said their goodbyes.

“Goodbye Uncle Percy,” Steve said, his voice a little rough with emotion. “Bye, Uncle David. I’ll see you both soon.”

David looked happy and shocked at being called Uncle. Jasper’s daughter would never. But here was this nineteen year old boy whom his partner hadn’t spoken to in literal years being more caring and decent after a single afternoon with him, then Beatrice had her whole life.

So he did the only thing he could, he hugged Steve again, more fiercely this time. “Thank you.”

Steve nodded. He wasn’t sure exactly why David was so grateful, but he understood enough.

As Steve and Eddie walked away, Percy and David watched them get into their car.

“How long do you think it’ll take before those boys realize they’re in love with each other?” David asked.

“I don’t know Eddie very well,” Percy said, thoughtfully, “but I imagine they’ll figure it out before we come visit Hawkins.”

David hummed. If he was a betting man, he would have said the end of the week.

But he just had to wait and see.

****

Pt 10|Pt 11|Pt 12

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[parkcityblindut]

Business Name: Park City Blind & Design

Street Address 1: 1612 W Ute Blvd

Street Address 2: Ste 109A

City: Park City

State: Utah (UT)

Zip Code: 84098

Country: United States

Business Phone Number: (435) 649-9665

Business Email Address: info@parkcityblind.com

Website: http://parkcityblind.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParkCityBlindandDesign

Description: Each of our professional technicians has been trained and certified to provide the highest level of quality and service in our industry. Before installation, we will conduct a thorough walk-through to ensure we meet your expectations. We will meticulously install your window treatments with precision and care. As guests in your home, we promise to maintain a clean and organized workspace, respect your property, and treat your family like our own.

Google My Business CID URL: https://www.google.com/maps?cid=16048320873771034825

Business Hours: Sunday Closed Monday 9:00am-5:00pm Tuesday 9:00am-5:00pm Wednesday 9:00am-5:00pm Thursday 9:00am-5:00pm Friday 9:00am-5:00pm Saturday Closed

Services: Shades, blinds, Upholstery, shutters

Keywords: Park City Blinds, Park City window coverings, Park City shutters, Park City window coverings near me, Park City window treatments near me, Park City window treatments

Location:

Service Areas:

[mspi]

Flying is better with an open window shade.

Here's something i don't get about others. I used to enjoy looking out the window. It has perks. At least I was an to get an amazing picture of the mountains when over Utah.

Might be me because I always loved reading about planes as a child. Of course catching Fleet Week was always a perk with that Blue Angels with their outstanding tricks by the Golden Gate Bridge 🌉.

Getting the window seat on a plane was a big happy for me long ago.

-- dnagirl

14.07.2024

[designdraftingandassociate]

Log Cabin Designs Utah

Utah, with its stunning landscapes and diverse ecosystems, offers the perfect backdrop for a cozy log cabin. Whether you envision a rustic retreat nestled in the mountains or a modern take on the classic design, crafting the perfect log cabin requires careful planning and expertise. This is where Building Design Services in Utah come in.

Building Your Dream: Why Choose a Log Cabin

Log cabins offer a unique blend of rustic charm and timeless appeal. Beyond aesthetics, they boast several advantages:

Durability: Properly constructed log cabins can withstand harsh weather conditions for generations.

Energy Efficiency: Solid wood walls provide natural insulation, reducing heating and cooling costs.

Natural Appeal: Log cabins create a harmonious connection with the surrounding environment.

Healthy Living: Wood offers natural moisture regulation and improved indoor air quality.

Home Design and Drafting Services in USA: Choosing the Right Partner

Building a log cabin is an investment, and partnering with the right design and drafting service is crucial. Look for a company with experience in:

Log Cabin Design: Understanding log construction techniques and their impact on the design.

Energy Efficiency Expertise: Designing a cabin that optimizes natural light and ventilation while minimizing energy needs.

Site Planning: Selecting the perfect location on your property and ensuring the design integrates seamlessly with the landscape.

Building Code Compliance: Navigating local building codes and regulations for log cabin construction.

Utah's Diverse Landscape: Designing for Your Location

Utah's varied terrain offers unique opportunities for your log cabin design. Here are some considerations:

Mountain Retreats: For cabins nestled in higher elevations, prioritize features like steep roofs for snow management and decks that maximize mountain views.

Desert Landscapes: Incorporate elements like covered porches for shade and water-saving landscaping.

Lakeside Locations: Design for optimal lake views, consider features like boathouses and docks and ensure proper drainage to protect the foundation.

Energy Efficient Home in Utah: Building a Sustainable Log Cabin

Log cabins can be inherently energy-efficient, but incorporating additional features can further enhance sustainability:

Log Selection: Choose slow-growth, dense wood for better insulation.

Window Placement: Maximize south-facing windows for passive solar heating and strategically place windows for natural ventilation.

Roof Design: Consider a metal roof with high reflectivity to reduce heat gain.

Energy-Star Appliances: Invest in energy-efficient appliances and lighting.

Renewable Energy Sources: Explore options like solar panels or a geothermal heating system.

Your Log Cabin Design Journey

The design process typically involves:

Initial Consultation: Discuss your vision, budget, and desired location.

Site Visit: The designer evaluates your property and factors like access, sun exposure, and potential challenges.

Preliminary Design: The designer creates a basic floor plan and exterior elevation sketches.

Refine and Finalize: Work with the designer to incorporate your feedback and finalize the design.

Permitting and Construction Documents: The designer creates detailed drawings for permit applications and construction purposes.

Building Your Dream Log Cabin

With a well-designed log cabin and the expertise of a qualified builder, you can create a comfortable, sustainable, and beautiful home in Utah. Here are some additional tips:

Research Local Builders: Seek builders experienced in log cabin construction and familiar with Utah's building codes.

Set a Realistic Budget: Factor in the cost of materials, labor, permits, and unforeseen expenses.

Embrace the Natural Environment: Use local materials and incorporate sustainable practices throughout the build.

Enjoy the Process: Building a log cabin is a journey, savor the experience of creating your dream home.

By partnering with a skilled design and drafting service in Utah and a reputable builder, you can transform your vision for a log cabin into a reality, crafting a cozy haven that reflects your style and connects you to the stunning landscapes of Utah.

[shoptotallyblind]

Room Darkening - Roller Shades - Shop Totally Blind

Room darkening shades UT are window treatments designed to block out a significant amount of natural light from entering a room. These shades are typically made from thick, opaque materials such as vinyl, polyester, or fabric with a blackout lining. The shades come in a variety of styles, including roller shades, cellular shades, Roman shades, and vertical blinds.

One of the primary benefits of room darkening shades is that they provide complete privacy and can eliminate unwanted light from outside. This makes them an ideal choice for bedrooms, nurseries, home theaters, and other spaces where privacy and light control are essential.

Room darkening shades also offer energy-saving benefits by reducing the amount of sunlight that enters a room. By blocking out the sun's rays, these shades can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter, potentially lowering your energy bills.

In addition to their practical benefits, room darkening shades can also add a stylish touch to your home decor. They come in a variety of colors and patterns, allowing you to choose a style that complements your existing furnishings and decor.

Installation of room darkening shades is typically straightforward and can be done by a professional or DIY. Most shades come with mounting hardware and instructions, and they can be installed inside or outside the window frame, depending on your preference.

Overall, room darkening shades are an excellent option for anyone looking to control the amount of light entering their home while adding style and privacy. They are energy-efficient, easy to install, and come in a wide range of styles and designs to suit any home decor.

Visit Site For More Information: https://shoptotallyblind.com/

[siteshadeco]

A Guide to Choosing the Right Woven Shades for Your Windows

1: The Elegance of Woven Shades for Your Windows

Woven shades Utah are a timeless and sophisticated window covering option that adds a touch of natural beauty to any space. Crafted from a variety of organic materials like bamboo, jute, or grass, these shades bring an earthy charm to your home's interior. The intricate weaving process creates unique patterns and textures that cast captivating shadows when sunlight filters through, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. With their versatile design, woven shades effortlessly complement both modern and traditional decor styles, making them a popular choice for homeowners looking to strike a balance between aesthetics and functionality.

2: Embrace Functionality with Woven Shades for Optimal Light Control

Beyond their stunning appearance, woven shades offer exceptional functionality, allowing you to have precise control over the amount of natural light that enters your rooms. Depending on the weave tightness and material, these shades can filter sunlight gently, providing a soft and diffused glow, or block it completely, offering complete privacy and room darkening capabilities. The adjustable nature of woven shades enables you to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature by reducing heat gain during scorching summers and retaining warmth during chilly winters. Embrace the practicality of woven shades as they enhance your living spaces, creating a relaxing and comfortable environment for you and your loved ones.

For More Information: - https://siteshadeco.com/

[pointofreturn]

shoulders back, chin up

I scramble around my teenage bedroom, looking for something to wear. Clothes pile on the floor as I discard item after item, irritated I can’t find something flattering.

“Honey, are you in here?” My grandmother walks in, a bright smile matching her clear blue eyes.

I called her Grammie when I was younger, but when my sister Liv was born, she couldn’t say Grammie, so Grammie became Mimi.

“Are you almost ready?”

I turn to Mimi with tears in my eyes. She doesn’t know it, but body dysmorphia is drowning me in a shallow pool of vanity. I open my mouth and start crying.

She rushes over and embraces me. “What’s wrong? Is everything okay?”

 The child still in me is ready to tantrum. “No! I hate everything! None of these clothes fit. Everything makes me look fat! I hate myself!”

Mimi is quiet for a moment. Her face wears concern but shaded with understanding, not fear. She gently turns us, so our eyes meet in the mirror.

“I know I’ve told you this before, but I want to tell you again. Whenever you’re feeling anxious or insecure or self-loathing, just remember: shoulders back, chin up, and a smile on your face.”

*

I lived with Mimi for the first six years of my life. Despite the misfortune of an absent father, I was blessed to have her as a second parent. Every night, Mimi and I ate dinner together before she would sing or read me to sleep. She picked me up and dropped me off at school. She bought my first Hooked on Phonics and taught me to read. She took me to the park and the pool and the beach and to visit my mom bartending our local Chili’s. I think those were the happiest years—when it was just us three girls.

I was very attached to Mimi. We raced each other to her bed at night as I preferred to sleep with her. She always let me win and steal her spot on the left side, where I still sleep in my own bed. I cried every day when she took me to school. The teacher would put a small chair in front of the window, and I watched Mimi leave while the other kids started the day. I know she hated to be apart from me too because she visited during her lunch breaks. I’d press my face against the playground’s chain-linked fence, as close to her as possible, begging her to pick me up early. I felt safe with Mimi. She was my protector. She was the only form of stability I ever had.

When my mom and stepdad had Olivia, they got married, and we left Mimi to live in a new home with our new family. Liv and I still spent many weekends at Mimi’s new apartment in Galt Mile. She moved in with her boyfriend, Buzz, a transplant from a small town in Kentucky. He had a mythical and strange life just like an interdimensional traveler, spending most of his life in loud barrooms up to no good. Buzz calmed down by the time he met Mimi, ready to settle into the family he’d never had for himself.

Our sleepover routine was dancing to oldies, playing board games, and ordering pizza from the Italian restaurant downstairs. Liv and I slept on the pull-out couch, tasting the humid salt air on our tongues, watching Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter late into the night. When we woke, Buzz would make us pizza omelets with the leftovers and we’d walk across the street to Lauderdale Beach, sticky with sweat before baptizing ourselves in the Atlantic.

Buzz was the love Mimi waited for her whole life. He brought light and happiness back into her life after years of heartbreak. They traveled all over the world—ski trips in Austria and Aspen, cruises through the Caribbean, the winter Olympics in Utah. I’m sure neither of them expected those youthful joys later in life, and I grew up believing Mimi had finally found her soulmate. Later, I found out she hated skiing.

*

I stand in Mimi’s apartment, trying to disguise my impatience and discomfort. It’s a melting summer day just after my 31st birthday and, for some reason, Buzz won’t keep the AC below 78.

“She’s bad today,” he says before heading over to the pool.

I try to get her attention again. “Meem, I don’t think you’re going to need a hat inside. It’s too hot to eat outside right now.”

“I know, I know, but I like to have it just in case. Which one do you think is better?”

She tries on two straw hats. One round with a blue bow and the other duck-billed with a white bow. She looks through the mirror for my approval.

“Hmmm…I think the blue. It matches your pants!”

The same pants she’s worn the last three times I’ve seen her. The same shirt too. And shoes. They’re not dirty; she just refuses to wear anything but this one outfit.

She tries both on again. Looks in the mirror.

“Ugh…No, no no. Ugly! Ugly!!”

“What’s ugly? The hats?”

She turns around to face me, throwing everything on the table.

“No, me! I’m ugly!” She stomps into the corner, staring at the wall.

I don’t know what to say, but I understand exactly how she feels. I shatter thinking about the mental prison she lives in while having no idea she’s trapped. It’s a feeling I’m all too familiar with. I look around and spot a blue Tommy Bahama hat in the kitchen.

I place it on her head. “Don’t say that Mimi, you’re perfect. What about this? I think this is the one.”

She adjusts the hat, smiles and laughs with me. She looks like herself again.

“Oh okay…let’s get out of here. Do you have a car? By the way, where do you live?”

*

When I was 13, we moved from Broward County to Palm Beach. My parents decided after years of rentals that we would build a house where Mimi and Buzz could live with us. We later moved into “The Compound,” our dream home that was far from a dream. Our family had some of its darkest moments in that house, but we all wished for it back again after it was gone in the 2008 recession. Mimi and Buzz moved back east to Boynton, where they still live today.

Mimi knew how much I was struggling when we lived at The Compound, though we never spoken openly about it. One night, after I was assaulted, she rubbed my hair while I cried in her lap. Without saying a word to explain myself, she told me about the time she had been assaulted. When I finally asked for help with my eating disorder, she paid for my expensive inpatient treatment without hesitation. She intuitively understood what I needed, even when I didn’t. She always told me that I didn’t have to be defined by the bad things I’d been through.

I don’t remember exactly when we noticed something was wrong. It came on slow and malignant, a dark shadow clouding over her bright light. Mimi was forgetting things she normally remembered. She’d grown more irritable and paranoid. There were a few crisis points: when she got lost on the way home and the police had to find her, the first time she thought Buzz was a stranger breaking into her house, the night she called crying because she knew something was wrong with her mind but couldn’t explain it.

Even though she asked for help, we never got a proper medical diagnosis. Like all our other family issues, we waited and waited and let her decline without any intervention. Mom tried to take her to the doctor a few times but fearing Mimi’s wrath, never completed the testing. She never took any medication. Now, several years later, she’s a hollowed-out version of herself. There are still flashes of the real Mimi, but there is an undeniable emptiness about her. She lingers like the living dead, a ghost of her former being.

*

I arrive to find her on the porch, chain-smoking Capri Magenta 120s and sipping on a cold Coke for breakfast. Mimi sits in her rocking chair, a bowl of twelve lighters next to her ashtray, heels perched on a footstool, looking out to the cul-de-sac to see which neighbors are passing with no attempt to hide her nosiness.

She’s with it today.

I take her to BurgerFi because lately she’ll only eat a hamburger or tuna, limiting our lunch options. She can’t decide if she likes the food or not. She’s firm on the fries, which I agree are too burnt. Then within the same minute she tells that she loves the burger and it’s the worst thing she’s ever had in her life. I tell her we’ll go to Five Guys next time.

We get back in the car.

“So where are we going next?” She’s happy, chipper even. She doesn’t always want to continue our outings.

“Hmmm, well where would you like to go?”

“Oh, I don’t know…Just somewhere we can walk around and look at stuff.”

I drive around the mall, trying to find something tolerable for both of us.

“What about Dollar Tree? Bet you haven’t been there since everything only cost a dollar.”

“It’s not a dollar anymore?”

“Dollar twenty-five! Inflation!”

She laughs, hard. I feel good when I make her laugh.

We look at the silly, cheap Halloween and Christmas decorations out on display even earlier this year. I let myself wander and Mimi follows behind. I touch a few things here and there—a pack of stickers, a bottle of soap, a mini bag of Reese’s, a soft teddy bear. I turn around to make sure she’s not lollygagging too far. I find her with arms full of everything I touched.

“I want to buy these things for you! This is what you liked, right?”

I struggle to stay composed as we check out. She picks up the teddy bear from the cashier, gives it a kiss, and hands it to me.

“A little fuzzy friend for you. I love you.”

I simmer my emotions until I drop her off. But as soon as I’m alone, I sob. I hold the teddy bear to my chest and cry until I can’t breathe, until my throat swells shut, until my brain feels like it will leak from my ears. I’m not sure how, but she still feels the desire to provide for me, even if it’s just some silly things from Dollar Tree. Mimi is both here and there, caught between worlds. When I see her, I am sick with longing, though she hasn’t completely departed yet. At least she still intuits who I am to her.

*

Alzheimer’s and dementia are the cruelest diseases. The more open I am with people about this experience, the more I come to realize how common this devastation is. Mimi continues to devolve, remains homebound, barely remembers anything through the day. A few months ago, Mom asked me to become her caretaker in exchange for payments from her insurance while I continue to search for employment. It was better option than hiring a stranger, and now, I think there is a divine reason I’ve been positioned to care for her, as she cared for me.

It is impossible at times to carry the weight of her mental absence amid her continued physical presence. A violence rips through me when I see such distance behind her beautiful blue eyes, to witness the shadows in her mind as her conscious light slowly dims. Sometimes I can’t help myself from crying when I see her recognize who I am. The fog lifts, she holds my face, repeating how beautiful I am and how grown up I look. Despite the gray matter decline, Mimi is healthier than most 80-year-olds. She could easily live another 10 or 15 years.

I know she’ll never return to who she was. I try to avoid ruminating on what I should have done while she was lucid, but sometimes I fall into the void of what-ifs. What if I had asked her more about her life and her struggles? What if I been more open with her about my darkness? But dwelling on the past robs the present. Her body is still alive on this earth even if her mind is elsewhere. Taking our time together for granted would be foolish.

For now, I’m grateful she remembers who I am. When she sees me, she lights up with the same smile I’ve trusted my whole life. Her energy persists and I always find ways to bring it out. I know the inevitable outcome is that the dementia will get worse. She will continue deteriorating and eventually, she will forget me. Too often, I fear sharing my memories with the world. I wonder if there is a point in writing it all down. I tell myself no one will ever want to read my work. But as I watch Mimi forget her life, her experiences, her identity, suddenly something in my mind shifts. Maybe it is more important to remember than I thought.

*

It’s a bad day again. At noon the lights are off, and Mimi is still sleeping. She jumps as I wake her, cursing me for scaring her. She grudgingly gets up and isn’t pleased to see me. She’s not usually like this so I give her grace, offer to pick out her outfit, and ask if she’s hungry. She’s always hungry, and usually in a better mood after she eats.

We get in the car, ready to continue our never-ending quest for her favorite burger place. But when we get to Five Guys, she hesitates to get out.

She looks at me with a sour face, motioning to her stomach. “I don’t feel good.”

“What do you mean? Are you nauseous?”

“No, not like that…Not sick. It’s like…” She can’t find the words. Her mouth moves but nothing comes out. Tears line her eyes. She waves her hands, trying to conjure the cognition from thin air. I understand exactly what she means.

“Do you feel anxious? Like butterflies in your stomach but not in a good way?”

She looks at me with relief, nodding rapidly. “Yes…That! That’s what I’m feeling!”

“I understand, trust me.” I take her hand and look into those familiar blue eyes. “You know, someone once taught me a great trick for that.”

“Really? Does it help?”

“I think so! You can try and let me know.”

“Well, tell me!”

“Alright,” I pull open the sun visor mirror. “You have to do some movements, so I want you to see yourself. First, let’s fix your posture. Shoulders back.”

I move my shoulders back and stick my chest out. She mimics.

“Perfect! Now, chin up.” I tap my finger under her whiskery chin.

We both look in the reflection with our shoulder back, chins up.

“That’s it! Okay, now, finally, the most important part.”

“What’s that?”

“A smile on your face.”

I make an exaggerated smile at her in the mirror. She smiles back and laughs, hard.

“That’s it?”

“Yup…Those three things: shoulders back, chin up, and a smile on your face. Best anxiety cure there is.”

She beams at me with her chin up and her shoulders back. She looks like herself again.

“I love that! Thank you honey, I’m going to remember this one.”

[xtruss]

See Surprisingly Stunning Views From An Airplane Window Seat!

— Photograph By Julieanne Kost

SOUTHERN ICELAND 🇮🇸! Kost considers a few factors before taking off. When possible, she recommends choosing seats that are in front of the engines to avoid distortions caused by the jet’s exhaust and wearing dark clothing to minimize window reflections.

VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK, NEVADA, USA 🇺🇸! Named for its striking red Aztec sandstone formations, the Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s oldest and largest park, sits 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas and is a popular hiking and photography destination.

LANDMANNALAUGAR, ICELAND 🇮🇸! The colorful rhyolite mountains in Landmannalaugar, located inside Fjallabak Nature Reserve, hide pockets of geothermal hot springs that are open for a relaxing dip.

GREAT SALT LAKE, UTAH, USA 🇺🇸! Great Salt Lake’s shoreline is a hot spot for migratory birds, such as the tundra swan, American white pelican, white-faced ibis, California gull, eared grebe, peregrine falcon, and bald eagle.

MOJAVE DESERT, NEVADA, USA 🇺🇸! When photographing through an airplane window, Kost says avoid using a polarizing filter. Most commercial airplane windows have a coating that reacts with polarizing filters, resulting in images with artificial-looking colors.

LAKE MEAD NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, NEVADA, USA 🇺🇸! With three deserts and views of Hoover Dam, Lake Mead National Recreation Area became the country’s first congressionally designated National Recreation Area in 1964.

SOUTHERN ICELAND 🇮🇸! “I’ve always been drawn to photographs of ice,” says Kost. Here, Kost captures the frozen landscape of a country that is 11 percent ice.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA 🇺🇸! When taking a window-seat photograph, Kost suggests using the widest aperture setting on your camera to help minimize the appearance of dirt or scratches on the window.

GREAT SALT LAKE, UTAH, USA 🇺🇸! One of the largest saltwater lakes in the western hemisphere, the Great Salt Lake’s salinity levels—nearly four to 10 times the ocean’s—keep swimmers buoyant in its warm, shallow waters.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY, CALIFORNIA, USA 🇺🇸! These unmanipulated images from Kost’s window seat help change perspectives and encourage travelers to leave the shades open. In this photo, microorganisms brighten up the San Francisco Bay salt ponds with vibrant colors.

[a-table-of-fics]

The Man from Utah, Chapter 7, Draft 1, Part 6

He wasn’t sure where that expression came from, actually.

He was about to muse on what a “horse” was when he saw a shadow start to loom over him, gliding lazily over the ground. He looked up to see a building, floating over them, with the occasional bloodstain on the wall or hole beneath the ground.

He gawked as Fletcher groaned and Dan reached for his sword.

“I had heard stories of a flying fortress,” Dan said, “but had not believed them.”

“Wha… I hope this is your lift, Fletcher.”

“I should hope not,” Fletcher grumbled, getting up to run closer to the wall. “That thing’s been a distraction ever since I signed up, even before it started crashing down over and over.”

His two companions took the hint, joining him closer to the rocky wall.

“It’s way quieter though,” Fletcher remarked. “Usually blasting rave music everywhere.”

The building soon cleared them entirely, and kept flying into the horizon. Liam took the opportunity to pull a pair of binoculars from his looted pack and try to peer through the windows. It took some focusing, but he gasped once he got a good look through one of the windows.

Past the blood, he could see the slumped bodies of two Nevadeans in agent suits. One of them had the trademark black shades of the AAHW. Well, if the violent death couldn’t stop the party, surely the Agency did. He just hoped no living Agent saw him. Sure, he was bundled under a hat and scarf again, but he still ran away from the AAHW in that disguise.

He’d have more time to worry about that, but a white van had rushed in from the west, making an abrupt stop with only a small screech. The logo on the side read “ObduraCorp” in big, blocky letters, and thick rivets around the framing suggested the vehicle could take some punishment.

The red-tinted window rolled down, revealing a Nevadean with long, wavy hair draped over her shoulders and a bandana over her face.

“Password?” she asked in a haggard voice, pointing a shotgun out of the window.

“Hey, no call for that!” Fletcher protested, putting his hands up. “You know me, Doto!”

“Policy says I can shoot you if you don’t answer, Fletcher!”

“Ugh, fine!” Fletcher sighed, lowering one hand to get the briefcase. “The password is sabaton. Now let us in.”

“Hang on a sec. You said I was picking up a big guy and some ‘equals’ guy. I see the G03-LM, but what do you mean by…”

Liam lowered his scarf and raised his glasses, giving Doto a clear look at his face. He patiently gave her a moment to stare. He was used to that.

[klance-daydreams]

can't go a day without it ☕

(a space ranger vlogs mini fic)

==========================

Keith is not a morning person. He'll wake up on time, sure, but actually wanting to wake up?

Out of the question.

Most days, when his phone's alarm sings its default tune, Keith turns it off, and starts the coffee machine for him and Lance. But he's tired this morning. They drove all night for Pete's sake! All the way from Salt Lake City in Utah to Reno, Nevada. And it's cold. Keith hates the cold.

 The van is usually good with keeping a bearable temperature from the inside, but like all road vehicles, it's never perfect. Hence, Keith doesn't want to get up. He pulls the comforter towards himself and shifts closer to Lance, who is still peacefully snoozing away, unaware of anything happening right now.

Late morning light filters through the cracks between the shades and the van's windows. Nobody can see the inside of the van, and nobody can look out either. Obviously, Keith knows where the camper is parked. He knows what to expect when he opens the shades; a 24-hour parking lot at a local store. But for now, he can't see the outside, and it's like him and Lance are in their own little world. Which is kind of cheesy, but whatever.

 And normally, they're both already awake, eating toast or granola bars and overall getting ready for the day ahead. Lance would grab the camera, Keith would carry the backpack, and they'd be off filming another vlog. But today is a rare day off. And Keith wants to take advantage of that. 

He wraps his arm around Lance carefully, taking in the warmth of the other boy as he does. He inches closer. Lance's hair is matted from sleeping, and his clothes wrinkle in the weirdest places. His body goes up and down and up and down with each breath. Sleeping over with your best friend is one thing, and this is another. And sure, you could call this spooning, but that word makes Keith cringe. They're not spooning. Couples spoon, and Keith and Lance are not a couple. Somehow.

Keith closes his eyes for a few minutes, maybe for longer. It feels like seconds. He's fallen into that state where reality feels like a fever dream. Like he's floating and sinking at the same time. He's aware, but in a split second, his consciousness could disappear.

Just then, the mattress shifts. "G'morning,"

Lance turns over to face Keith with a sleepy grin. They're probably four inches apart at this point. They've slept and woke up side by side like this for months now, and Keith will still never get over Lance's morning voice. Luckily, Keith has a good poker face. 

"'Morning, Sleeping Beauty." 

Lance gasps with offense as he turns back around dramatically. "Whatever. I'm going back to sleep. And yes, I am a beauty, Keith. Try not to be so jealous."

"Oh no. I'm so sorry," Keith scoffs back. He wants Lance to turn around again. Please let him turn back around. When he doesn't, Keith decides to take matters into his own hands. 

"Lance, hey, LANCE." He doesn't know how else to get his attention, so Keith aggressively pats the other boy. How else can you get your friend to move because you want to see their stupid pretty face without making it weird? The tactic works, though, and Lance is successfully facing Keith again. 

In the middle of a yawn, Lance replies, "Y'know Keith, sometimes people wake others up by gently rubbing their back. Keyword: gentle." Lance sits up to stretch. 

"Haha." Why is he sitting up? Why can't we lay down some more together? Keith can't translate those words to something platonic, so he instead sits up as well, and climbs out of the bed. Chills shoot up his spine as his feet touch the cold, hard floor. He regrets everything.

"I'm going to start the coffee."

Lance nods and checks his phone. Keith grabs the mugs and starts the morning brew. In a few seconds, the brown liquid trickles down into the first cup, and its aroma wafts all throughout the van.

Keith stares back at Lance, who's scrolling through Instagram. He likes a post with two cats cuddling each other. The boy scratches his face, and scrolls down to the next post. 

Mornings like this are rare. They're rare, and they're the best ones, because the morning can drag along slowly. Giving enough time to wake up whenever Keith and Lance want. Enough for them to sip their coffee together in bed and chat. Keith smiles. He'll never be a morning person, but can surely get used to this.

==========================

[thnxforknowingme]

Miles To Go (7/12)

Written for the Klaine 3-2-1 Prompt Bang 2022, art by @datshitrandom

Pairing: Kurt Hummel/Blaine Anderson

Rating: Mature

Notes: More info about the fic here.

All Chapters | Read on AO3

Chapter 7: Utah

While Kurt and Blaine were ostensibly traveling together, they still had to drive separately. Before leaving Wyoming, Blaine had the brilliant idea to buy a pair of walkie talkies. It meant that they could stay in contact while on the road, either to coordinate logistical things (“I’m dying for a coffee, can we stop at the next town we pass?”) but also just to talk. 

They only planned on driving a few hours that day, but it was the most entertaining leg of Kurt’s journey so far. Suddenly the isolation of driving was completely abated. He and Blaine would talk over the radios any time they had something to say, whether it was a simple observation or a full-fledged conversational topic. It reminded Kurt of sleepovers in high school, lying in bed in intermittent silence until someone asked a question and started a new discussion.

Blaine mentioned something about college, which prompted Kurt to press down the button on the side of his walkie talkie and ask, “What are you studying, anyway?”

After a small crackle of static, Blaine replied, “Psychology.”

Kurt raised an eyebrow at the back of Blaine’s truck, ahead of him on the highway. “Interesting. I didn’t picture you as a psych major.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Blaine asked. “What do you picture me as?” It was a little hard to read tone over the radios, but his voice sounded light and teasing. Kurt didn’t think he’d actually offended him.

“I don’t know,” he answered. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it. Why psychology?”

It was a moment before Blaine replied. Their conversations over the radio could be a little erratic, since they sometimes needed to focus on the road. A sedan changed lanes in front of Kurt, separating his car from Blaine’s U-Haul.

Finally, Blaine’s voice emanated from Kurt’s center console, where he’d set down the walkie talkie. “My mom works in psychology,” he said. “She’s a cognitive psychologist. That’s not really the kind of work I want to do, but there are other jobs in the field that interest me. Following in my dad’s footsteps would have meant accounting, which I definitely don’t want to do.”

What about everything else? Kurt wanted to ask. What about not pursuing either of your parents’ careers? Instead, he picked up the radio and asked, “So which jobs do interest you? What do you want to do after college?”

While he waited for Blaine’s answer he glanced out the driver’s side window. The landscape on this stretch of highway was particularly uninspiring - the road was hemmed in by hills, everything painted in dull shades of gray and brown.

“I want to be able to help people,” Blaine said. “I want to work in a clinical setting, be face-to-face. I just hope to make an impact, I guess, to see that I can make people’s lives better.”

It was a more personal, profound answer than Kurt had been expecting. He bit his lip, squeezing the steering wheel for a moment before grabbing the radio again. “That’s very noble of you,” he said, and immediately he worried that it would sound insincere. “I mean, going into the world just trying to help people is - I admire that. On the other hand, I’ve chosen probably the most narcissistic career path,” he said, hoping that humor would relieve any tension.

“-s not true, Kurt,” Blaine’s answer came so quickly that he must have started talking before Kurt had taken his finger off the button. “Being a performer is important, it brings good things into the world.”

Kurt shifted in his seat, unsure how to respond. “I guess so,” he said. “But it still seems like - I don’t know, it’s a little selfish to decide that my job should be all about people paying attention to me, while you’re out there trying to improve people’s lives.”

The car in front of him finally grew tired of Blaine’s slow pace and moved into the left lane again. It was still a little disconcerting to hear Blaine’s voice come from beside him when Kurt knew he was in the truck ahead of him. Using the radios felt like creating this sort of extra-dimensional space where their conversation occurred, their voices passing invisibly between them. “I don’t know what I would have done in high school if it weren’t for music,” Blaine said. “The artists and songs that I love got me through some of the hardest parts of my life. Sure, maybe the world would be kinder if more people decided to be social workers, but you’re not selfish. You’re going to create or contribute to art that makes people’s lives better. No question about it.”

Kurt felt warmth bloom in his chest at Blaine’s earnestness. He thought about the way he felt when he was performing, sometimes as though that was the truest way he could express himself, even though he was using someone else’s words. He thought of how much it had impacted him every time he’d seen himself in a fictional character, how movies and musicals had shown people feeling and thinking and existing the same ways he did, and how it made him feel like it was okay to be who he was. If he could provide that for other people - then yes, certainly, he would be doing something worthwhile, something good.

He lifted the walkie talkie up to his mouth. “Thank you, Blaine. That’s…a good point, and very kind.” He took a deep breath. “You haven’t heard me sing, though. You don’t even know if I’m any good.”

As soon as he’d let go of the button Blaine’s voice burst from the speaker. “I’m taking that as an offer for a private concert,” he said. “I can’t wait. You wouldn’t have gotten into NYADA if you weren’t incredible.”

Kurt blushed, but he couldn’t deny he liked the idea of singing to Blaine. He wished suddenly that Blaine was next to him, sitting in the passenger seat, so they could play loud music on the stereo and sing along, so Kurt could serenade him with cheesy pop songs and Broadway standards.

Kurt shook his head, banishing the daydream. The hills around the highway were becoming more mountainous, and they passed a sign for the interchange with State Route 65. All the state highway signs in Utah were in the shame of a beehive, which puzzled Kurt. “We’re almost in Salt Lake City,” he said into the walkie talkie, feeling the need to move to lighter subjects. “What should we do for lunch?”

As he and Blaine bounced ideas back and forth, he stared ahead at the graphic on the back of the U-Haul, advertising the Right Equipment, Lowest Cost of the truck, and he felt a spark of gratitude that he had someone to argue over meal plans with.

*

“No,” Kurt said. “Nope, no way.”

They were standing on what could generously be called a beach, a few dozen yards from where they’d parked off of I-80. The shore of the Great Salt Lake was visible in the distance, but between them and the water was a gauntlet of unpleasant terrain. The ground beneath them was an odd texture, the sand so dense with salt that it felt crusty and solid. The air buzzed with flies and gnats, growing thicker closer to the water, forming an undulating black cloud ahead of them. A sulfurous smell infused the air around them, which caused Kurt to use a corner of their intended picnic blanket to cover his mouth and nose.

“Isn’t this, like, a tourist attraction?” Blaine asked, seeming lost as he stared ahead of them. He was holding a plastic grocery bag full of the food they’d bought for lunch, which they’d planned on having in a picnic near the lake. “I’m pretty sure people go swimming in it.”

“We are not getting any closer,” Kurt insisted, speaking up to be heard through the blanket. “This place is vile.”

Blaine took a hesitant step forward, eyes narrowed as though he was trying to get a better look at the landscape. He paused to slap at his elbow where a gnat had landed.

“Oh my god, Blaine,” Kurt hissed, pointing at a dark lump on the sand. “Is that a dead bird?”

Blaine made a disgusted noise in the back of his throat. “Okay, yeah, we’re going.”

They hurried back to their cars and retreated into Salt Lake City, finding a park more suited to picnicking. They set up on a pleasantly shady patch of grass not far from the parking lot and unpacked their store-bought sandwiches and snacks.

“Most disappointing part of my trip so far,” Blaine said as he unwrapped his sandwich. “What about you?”

Kurt popped a blackberry into his mouth, savoring the burst of sweet juice. While the lake had been a rather repellent surprise, he didn’t mind the letdown so much. He’d spent certain points on this trip crying in his car and being trapped in random towns in Kansas and doubting his whole plan while exhausted in a Missourian forest. At least this time he had Blaine along with him, to share in the disappointment. “Yeah, definitely,” Kurt replied.

They ate and chatted, enjoying the agreeable weather. It was still plenty warm, but the lack of humidity meant that the heat was easily dismissed with every mild breeze. There was a Little League game taking place at the baseball diamond in the park, and they could hear the cheers and applause of the crowd.

“God, this is impossible to open,” Blaine said, struggling with a bag of almonds.

“Let me,” Kurt said. He took the Swiss army knife on his keychain and pulled out the tiny scissors. Blaine gave him the bag. Kurt easily cut it open, but just as he was finishing his hand slipped, and one of the scissor blades sliced across his left index finger.

“Shit,” Kurt muttered, dropping the almonds and knife onto the blanket and examining the cut.

“Woah,” Blaine said, leaning towards him. “Are you okay?”

Kurt poked at the tender flesh between his first and second knuckles, blood welling up. “Yeah,” he reassured Blaine. “It’s shallow. I have a first aid kit in the car.”

Blaine scooped Kurt’s keys off of the blanket and hopped up. “I’ll get it,” he said, already heading for the parking lot.

“Wait,” Kurt called, clutching his finger as he stood up and followed Blaine. “You don’t even know where it is!”

“Then tell me!” Blaine shouted over his shoulder. “You’re injured, you should be sitting down!”

Kurt rolled his eyes. “It’s practically a papercut,” he argued as Blaine reached the Navigator and unlocked it.

“Is it in the back seat?” Blaine asked, opening the back door on the passenger side. “That’s where my mom keeps hers.”

“Wait,” Kurt said, terror shooting through him. “Blaine, it’s not -”

He was close enough now to see into the car, to watch in panic as Blaine reached for the cardboard box placed halfway underneath the passenger seat and said, “Is this -”

“No!” Kurt yelled, too loud and hysterical, but he couldn’t stop himself. “Stop!”

Blaine froze, then turned around to look at Kurt. His eyes were wide, lips barely parted, his expression some mix of concern and confusion and hurt.

Kurt cleared his throat. “It’s not in there,” he said, low and shaky. He reached forward to grip the edge of the door, and Blaine stepped out of the way so he could shut it. Wordlessly, Kurt walked around to the back of the car and opened the trunk. He could feel Blaine’s eyes on him as he retrieved the small white first aid kit. He stood there and sanitized his cut, the Neosporin stinging slightly, and then wrapped it securely in a band-aid. He could feel tears pricking at the corners of his eyes.

He didn’t want to do this. For the past few days he’d actually been able to enjoy himself. He’d felt happy and normal for the first time in months. But now he was going to have to tell Blaine the truth, and it was going to ruin everything.

He took a deep breath and turned to face Blaine. “I’m sorry,” he said. “For yelling.”

“It’s okay,” Blaine said, but he kept his distance, as though Kurt was some wild animal that Blaine didn’t trust not to bite him. “Are you - is everything alright?”

Kurt stared upward for a moment, blinking forcefully. “I, um. I didn’t tell you before, but…” It was so hard just to get the words out, knowing that there was no taking them back. He’d had sex with Blaine, for god’s sake, but somehow this made him feel even more vulnerable. “My stepbrother, Finn. He - he died, a few months ago. And. He was supposed to come to LA, for this show choir competition, because he was helping to coach. But he couldn’t come, because he was dead. So I’m - I decided to go to LA, to scatter his ashes there. That’s why I’m really on this trip. And it’s - that box, that’s where his ashes are. So I freaked out. I’m sorry.”

He gathered the courage to meet Blaine’s eyes, and found him closer than expected. “Kurt,” he said softly. “I - can I hug you?”

It wasn’t the response Kurt expected, but he nodded. Blaine stepped forward and wrapped his arms around him, and Kurt gratefully surrendered to his embrace.

“I’m so sorry,” Blaine said, and Kurt could feel the soothing, rhythmic swipe of Blaine’s thumb against his back.

“Yeah,” Kurt sighed. “Thank you.”

He had expected Blaine to recoil, to run away. He’d signed up for a fun, flirty companion on a carefree trip, not someone with the kind of baggage Kurt had. But instead, Blaine stayed. He held Kurt, and comforted him, and didn’t look at him with pity or scorn when they broke apart. Once they returned to their food and Kurt had a better hold on his emotions, Blaine asked gentle questions about the situation. Kurt told him a little more about Finn, and Blaine listened with interest and compassion.

That night, they stayed in a motel, but they didn’t have sex. Blaine held Kurt close under the sheets, and Kurt let himself cry more. Something had changed between them - Kurt’s confession and Blaine’s reaction made whatever relationship they had deeper, and more profound. Blaine wasn’t just affectionate, but also safe, and Kurt didn’t know what that meant for them, but he was thankful all the same. 

*

“I would understand,” Kurt said as they got breakfast at a coffee shop the next morning, “if you wanted to split up.”

Blaine looked up from his breakfast sandwich. “What?”

Kurt shrugged, nervously tearing pieces off of his croissant. “It’s just, you didn’t know that I was on a funereal tour when you agreed to travel with me. I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to stick with such a…dour companion.”

Blaine’s features softened, and he reached his hand across the table to place over Kurt’s, stilling his nervous fidgeting. “Kurt, I…I understand why you didn’t tell me before. But this doesn’t change anything for me.”

Kurt exhaled in relief. He just - he had to give Blaine an out, if he wanted one. He didn’t want them to be doing whatever it was they were doing because Blaine felt beholden to him. “Okay,” he said.

“Now hurry up,” Blaine said with a grin. “We have a lot of ground to cover.”

The trek from Salt Lake City to Las Vegas was their longest single-day journey - heading south along the mountains, clipping into a corner of Arizona, and then emerging into the Mojave Desert. Kurt wished, more than ever, that he and Blaine could drive in the same car, but he wasn’t willing to trust rented moving equipment and hitch the Navigator up to Blaine’s truck, so they remained separate.

They still had their walkie talkies, though. As soon as they were on the road, Kurt held down the talk button and said, “So tell me about this brother of yours in LA.”

Before the previous day, Kurt had studiously avoided asking Blaine about his family and home life, because he feared having to answer the same questions in turn. Now that Blaine knew about Finn, though, Kurt was eager to learn more about Blaine’s life.

After a moment, Blaine replied, “He’s…Cooper.”

Kurt waited for more, but nothing came. “And how did Cooper end up in LA?”

“Well, he moved there to be a big Hollywood actor,” Blaine said. It was hard to tell over walkie talkie, but Kurt could imagine that Blaine was rolling his eyes.

Kurt was intrigued by this. He wondered if Blaine’s knowledge of NYADA or interest in the performing arts had been influenced by his brother. “Has he been in anything I would’ve seen?” Kurt asked.

“No,” came Blaine’s emphatic response. “He hasn’t been in much of anything. His confidence level has not dropped, though.”

“Well, that’s good,” Kurt reasoned. “It’s important to stay driven and self-assured if you’re going into the arts.”

Kurt slowed down to accommodate a car merging from an on ramp, dropping the walkie into a cupholder to put both hands on the steering wheel. Blaine’s voice reverberated strangely when he finally said, “I guess so. You’ll see when you meet him.”

Kurt blinked down at the radio, snatching it up to reply. “I get to meet him?”

“Well, yeah,” Blaine said. “I kind of assumed that you’d stay with us, while you were in LA. If you want to.”

Kurt glanced in his rearview mirror, where he could see Blaine’s white-and-orange truck a few cars behind him. They hadn’t discussed what would happen when they actually arrived in Los Angeles. Kurt knew that Blaine was planning on staying for a bit before flying back to his parents’ house in Ohio, but he hadn’t been sure if he would be part of that equation, or if they’d part ways once they got to their destination.

“If that’s okay with your brother,” Kurt said into the walkie talkie, “I’d love to.” It seemed that Blaine was planning on them staying together, and Kurt was more than happy to stick to that plan for as long as he could.

[deadopossom]

Wings of fire headcannons!

-DRAGON FRESCOS!! Dragon f r e s c o s! (if you don't know what those are, the sistine chapel is known for its frescos by Michelangelo. its were thick wet plaster is painted on with water colors)

-now that scarlets gone, do you think there'll be a skywing renaissance?

-dragonflame cacti was perviously used for food/ decor/ meds/ect. then when scarlet came along they were used for warfare.

-dragons from other tribes couldn't become citizens pre-ruby era.

-lgbtq+ was illegal with a death penalty, pre-ruby. It was a rarer way to die because during the war there were very little weddings (exception being nobility.)

-scarlet never allowed her children romantic partners. If it was found out they had one, the partner and/or child would be publicly exicuted.

-public executions were scarlets hobby, and one of the few versions of entertainment.

-scarlet stalking her kids was the only non-violent form of entertainment she had.

-scarlet was excluded from all laws.

-scarlet made a holiday that was just about her.

-when scarlet died the first time, a few dragons burned portraits or broke her statues in celebration.

-scarlet had a "the grass is greener on the other side" problem

-scarlet seems a lot bigger than she really is due to her reputation, and vibe.

-scarlet gets a power kick from keeping dragons as pets. she had a few before glory and peril. (a jumpy artist being one of them. they painted some of her portraits (one being her portrait in the wingery (its never said if its the wingery or The Royal Wingery tho) after they realized how manipulated they were, they tried and failed to poison scarlet. they were executed)

-anyone who mentioned how ruby popped up out of nowhere was executed.

-dragon ponchos!

-the spot in between the sky/mud/sand/rain kingdoms has Utah-like weather. (anyone from Utah will tell you how temperamental it is. rainstorms last from a few minuets to a couple hours, once its over its sunny like it never happened, but still freezing. If you stand in the sun it feels like your skin is about to fry, but the moment you step into the shade its below freezing. you can wake up mid spring with thick snow on the ground. snow in the mountains doesn't thaw until late summer. snow starts around October. when camping you have to pack warm clothes, and sunscreen, the mornings are always cold, but afternoons make you feel you you're melting (aka me walking home from school today.) looking away from the window automatically changes the weather.)

-scarlet is known for her gaslighting.

-every other queen hated her (not counting burn, she was a princess.)

-post-war/post-scarlet, the word 'thrilling' is never used, as it is very traumatic.

-ruby is bi, tourmaline was lesbian, and had a secret girlfriend, but she was disappeared along with tourmaline.

-anyone who broke a law had to choose between the gladiator ring, or death penalty.

-the entire tribe (exception being high nobles and royalty) is underfed.

-scarlet had no scientists, academics, ect, for most of her rein

-sandwing/skywing lullabies are mostly analogies for death, with some elements of rebirth/ reencarntion.

-rainwings don't have any defined sexualities, they don't care. anyone can date anyone. (pedophilia is socially frowned upon though.) polyamory is completely ok, and even envied for one reason, and one reason alone: cuddle puddles. most romances end on good terms. people who only have platonic relationships are also envied. sexual relationships are a bit more private, as they are aware that it makes some people uncomfy. if someone does anything without consent the entire tribe will glare at that person, and refuse to share their lunch with them. gender is a construct that they don't have, only pronouns, which can be changed without any problems, as with names.

-icewings are homophobic, transphobic, and monogamous. commoners have a 'don't ask don't tell stance, nobility/royals are very strict on the matter.

-sandwings are lax with sexualities. a few queens were known to share their throne with their wife(s). plenty of mythological characters are some verity of lgbtq+ bisexuality is considered the norm.

-seawings are like ancient Greece, minus the pedophilia, and incest. they are like sandwings but more poetic and open abt it. don't ask dragons about their S/Os because they will brag about them for hours.

-mudwings have romanic relationships, but platonic ones are dominate. at one point the mudwings nearly became endangered because a lack of eggs, now all adult dragons are required to have at least one egg.

-skywings are tricky because they strait up don't have a culture rn. in the future their stand on LGBTQ+ will be similar to sandwings.

-nightwings are homophobic/ transphobic. monogamous relationships are the only kind allowed. glory is trying to change that. (this is to show how similar ice/nightwings are, and how different night/rainwings are.

[shoptotallyblind]

Advantages Offered by Window Blinds

If you have never even considered investing in Window Blinds, you should know that you have been missing out on a wide range of advantages starting with the fact that the right ones can help you have more control over the light that you welcome into your residence. Just try to imagine sleeping in when you know that the sun rays are not going to wake you up. This is a possibility when you invest in the right blinds, maybe even in Plantation Shutters.

To ensure that the light will not wake you up, you need to do something about the window covers when it is still dark out. A good idea would be to just pull the blinds all the way down before you go to sleep so that you can rest properly. Another advantage that you will benefit from when you get suitable blinds is that you do not have to worry about the sun damaging your things. Here we need to mention your floors that should be kept out of direct sun light if you want to ensure that you do not have to invest in any repairs any time soon.

The same goes when talking about your furniture. For example, if you leave your couch near the window and do not have any covers that can keep it protected against the sun rays, you will not believe just how faded the upholstery will get in a few short months. If you really like your carpets, you should protect them as well. Otherwise, you will have to invest in replacements really soon. You should also know that the right Window Blinds can help you get the level of privacy that you want.

Especially if you invest in Plantation Shutters, you will not have to worry about anyone looking inside, even when your property is right next to the street and any people who pass by can look into the window. Well, when you have such blinds, privacy will no longer be one of your top concerns. The good news is that even though you do not want anyone to look into your home, this does not mean you have to keep your house dark. You can still get all the light you need and benefit from complete privacy at all times.

This is the beauty of the right covers. At the same time, you might want to know that the right products are going to last you a lifetime. If you invest in wood ones, you will not have to worry about needing to replace them in a few years. As long as you maintain them correctly, you will not even have to consider paying for any possible repairs because the blinds are not that easily damaged. Especially when opting for wood shutters, you can count on them to keep your house exactly like you like it for decades in a row.

Also, you might want to know that when it comes to the actual maintenance that you have to deal with, the entire process is pretty simple. You just need to wipe down the dust every once in a while. The best part about it is that you will not see too much dust because the right window covers are designed to prevent it from building up. That makes these products perfect for people who have dust allergies or that do not want to waste too much time cleaning them. Even if you do not really know what kind you want to purchase, you should consider getting in touch with a provider that can guide you through the process.

It is all a matter of learning more about your preferences and your needs. For instance, if you have large windows, vertical blinds are recommended. Nevertheless, when you are looking to invest in products that will never go out of style, opting for roman shades is a great idea. Depending on the provider that you stumble upon, you can ask about motorized solutions, covers made out of all sorts of materials that come in a variety of colours and have different patterns. Ultimately, it is your home, your choice, your investment. Look for a reliable provider!

[siteshadeco]

Elevate Your Home with Expert Window Shades Installation in Utah

Utah is a state known for its picturesque landscapes, vibrant culture, and a strong sense of community. Whether you are a proud homeowner or a business owner in the Beehive State, enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your property is always a priority. One effective way to achieve this is through the installation of window shades. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of window shades and highlight the benefits of hiring a professional window shades installer in Utah.

The Significance of Window Shades: Window shades are more than just decorative elements for your windows; they offer a multitude of advantages that contribute to the overall ambiance and comfort of your space. Some key benefits include:a. Light Control: Window shades allow you to regulate the amount of natural light entering your home, ensuring optimal brightness and privacy. b. Energy Efficiency: Installing energy-efficient window shades can help reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in the winter, leading to potential energy savings. c. UV Protection: Quality window shades can effectively block harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, safeguarding your furniture, flooring, and artwork from fading or discoloration. d. Privacy Enhancement: By choosing the right window shades, you can create a private sanctuary within your home, shielding your interiors from prying eyes. e. Noise Reduction: Window shades with proper insulation properties can help minimize external noise, providing a quieter and more peaceful living environment.

The Role of Professional Window Shades Installers: While it may be tempting to embark on a do-it-yourself window shades installation project, enlisting the services of a professional installer in Utah offers several advantages:a. Expertise and Experience: Professional installers possess the knowledge and skills to accurately measure, select, and install window shades tailored to your specific requirements. b. Customization Options: A reputable installer will offer a wide range of styles, designs, and materials to choose from, ensuring you find the perfect window shades to complement your home decor. c. Precision and Efficiency: Professional installers have the tools and techniques to complete the installation process with precision and efficiency, minimizing any potential damage or errors. d. Warranty and Support: Hiring a professional guarantees access to warranties and after-sales support, providing peace of mind and protection for your investment. e. Time and Convenience: By entrusting the installation to professionals, you can save valuable time and avoid the hassle of complex installation processes, allowing you to focus on other important tasks.

Finding the Right Window Shades Installer in Utah: To ensure a seamless installation experience, it is crucial to select a reliable and reputable window shades installer. Consider the following factors when choosing an installer:a. Reputation: Look for installers with positive customer reviews and testimonials, indicating their commitment to quality workmanship and customer satisfaction. b. Portfolio and Expertise: Review the installer's portfolio to assess their experience in handling diverse window shade installations, and ensure they have expertise in the specific type of shades you desire. c. Certifications and Licensing: Verify that the installer holds appropriate certifications and licenses, demonstrating their adherence to industry standards and regulations. d. Comprehensive Services: Opt for an installer that offers a comprehensive range of services, from consultation and measurement to installation and post-installation support. e. Price and Value: While cost is a significant consideration, prioritize value for money by assessing the quality of materials, warranties, and the overall reputation of the installer.

Conclusion:

Investing in professional window shades installation can transform your Utah home or business, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality. By partnering with a trusted installer, you can experience the numerous benefits that window shades offer, from light control and energy efficiency to privacy and UV protection