#Waterford Cream

[periodically80s]

[youcanthandelthetruth]

slightly disappointing, as a person with pretensions to taste, to realize that my ideal form of dessert dishes are the cheap pressed glass set my grandparents owned

[aloysiavirgata]

Congrats on having the time to write! ’d love to read your thoughts on scully’s relationship with her mom - the true, deep shit, good and bad - as a fic or as meta.

This is complicated for me because FUCK ME do I ever relate to their relationship.

I’m 4.5 years older than my baby sister. My baby sister and my mother both…well. They both wear their hearts on their sleeves. You know how they feel, they have emotional outbursts, and then they Forget The Thing Happened. My sister looks like my mother, even. Petite. Traces of melanin. Slender.

I, like Scully, am my father’s Stereotypical Second Generation Irish Daughter.. I’m not comfortable with my emotions, I’m not comfortable with vulnerability. I look like my father’s five sisters who are tall and and long-nosed and narrow-hipped and full-breasted. We have high cheekbones and big eyes and a tendency towards anxiety. We are tremendously fond of cats.

When my baby sister was about six months old my parents went out for the first time and left us with a sitter. I was five. My mother was 24; she gave me a bowl of cream-of-mushroom soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner. I loved both, a treat. My mother is orthorexic. She is very pretty. This is all still true.

I was five. I cried very quietly into my soup. I had the longest golden ringlets and Rainbow Brite’s horse, Starbrite. I was told very often that I looked like Drew Barrymore as Gertie in ET.

“Love,” said my daddy, who was 26. “We can stay home if you aren’t ready.” I told him the steam was bothering my eyes. He’s still wonderful, my dad. I love him so much. My children adore him.

My parents went out and the babysitter did whatever babysitters did in 1986. The baby slept and I colored or played or ate my soup. We had a plastic slide.

***

In 2008 I had an ectopic pregnancy, WITH MIRENA, MY LOVES, and it almost killed me. It ruined my anniversary dinner; I had reservations and floor-length satin halter dress the color of fresh blood. I was given Methotrexate on a Friday. On Sunday I had emergency surgery and my husband carried me, screaming in pain, like a bride. He put my children in the car. I have a high pain tolerance, but I wanted to die.

I spent days in the hospital. I slept a lot and my mother invited me to stay with her because my house had so many stairs. Because my babies were 3 and 2.

***

Mama and I watched The Magdalene Sisters, because my grandmother was from Waterford. We watched Memento Mori.

Margaret Scully said “I don't know why you didn't tell me. I don't know why you didn't tell me immediately.”

Mama was quiet for a long time. I think, then, that she understood me.

“I see,” Mama said.

****

We haven’t spoken of it since. Not really, not in a meaningful way.

I am 43. I had my first gorgeous, perfect baby at 23. I was in grad school.

My first baby will be 20 next month. We studied gastrointestinal disorders tonight. You are going to be so lucky when this stunning, brilliant girl cares for you.

[godfrey-the-chaos-duck]

In her answer to the "get to know your moots better" tag game, @justaboot mentioned she'd love to go backpacking in Ireland.

As someone who lives here, I am making this post for anyone who wants to visit Ireland at any point, and I figure now's as good a time as any.

Weather

It rains like 24/7 here so bring a fucking rain coat. And an umbrella. I'm so serious. There will be mornings where you'll leave your hotel/tent/wherever you're staying and you'll think "It doesn't look like it's going to rain" NO. BRING THE COAT. The sky is lying to you. Just because it doesn't look like it'll rain does NOT mean it's not gonna rain!!

The west and north tend to get worse weather, but rain happens everywhere here.

History

Not gonna get into it here because that'd be wayyyy too long of a post, but a lot of our tourist attractions rely on people having at least some kind of knowledge of Irish history and/or folklore. It's interesting, if a bit depressing at times, but I'm pretty sure that goes for all countries.

Long story short we were under British control for a really really really REALLY long-ass time, and we fought like hell to get our independence. Oh - speaking of which, if you're anywhere near the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, it's a good idea to avoid wearing orange ESPECIALLY in or around July. This is because orange is seen as a symbol of Unionist beliefs (ie, the belief that Ireland should be part of the UK) and it's a REALLY touchy subject for a lot of people. Do your research. Trust me on that.

Language

First off, most people speak English here (unless you're in a Gaeltacht region, where people mainly speak Irish. These are located in Cork, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Meath, Mayo and Waterford, and they can be a great cultural experience but it's not for the faint of heart.) However, there are like a zillion different regional accents so good fucking luck trying to understand people 😂😂

The way Irish people talk has some nice quirks, some of which I'll share here.

Craic (pronounced "crack") No, it's not drugs. The word craic generally means a good time or other happenings. There are three main ways the word is used.

"What's the craic?" = What's up?/Any news?

To have the craic = To have fun, especially at a party

"No craic" = Boring, nothing happening at all.

If someone invites you for a "cuppa" or better yet, a "cupán tae" (pronounced "cup awn tay") they want you to come in and have a cup of tea with them. This is usually accompanied by a LOT of small talk, which Irish people are experts at.

Other expressions vary WILDLY by county and sometimes even by region, so I'm afraid I'm not much help to you here.

Things To Do Here

First off, our restaurants are quite overpriced, as are our hotels. However, our healthcare is fairly cheap.

We have SO MUCH NATURAL SCENERY. If the weather allows, definitely go out and explore it! Just watch out if you're hiking, as the rain makes a lot of places muddy and slippy, so maybe bring the good hiking boots. We also don't have a lot of animals that can kill you, which is great!

As I mentioned, we have a lot of places to go that are based in our history, and they can be great places to learn about Ireland's past. But if you're not interested in history (which is fine) there are plenty of other options. We have a wax museum in Dublin, a theme park called Emerald Park (formerly Tayto Park, after an Irish potato chip brand) and a LOT of great theatres, pubs and clubs. Oh yes, if there's one thing we do well here, it's our night life!

We even have a coastal trail called the Wild Atlantic Way, which stretches all the way up our western coastline, from Cork to Donegal.

And lastly, if you're in the area, there is this fucking LEGENDARY ice cream parlour in Sligo called Mammy Johnstons. It's RIGHT next to the beach, and (in my limited experience) it's the BEST ice cream place in the country.

So yeah! Enjoy your trip!

🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.8

Holidays

Ace Day of Visibility Day

Adam Lambert Day (San Diego)

Brian May Day (UK)

Children’s Day (Maldives)

A Day Without Child Care

A Day Without Socks

Emancipation Day (Columbus, Mississippi)

Fête de I'iris (Brussels, Belgium)

Free Trade Day

Furry Dance (a.k.a. The Flora; Helston, Cornwall, UK)

Infant Mortality Awareness Day

International Blue Iguana Day

International Thalassemia Day

International Viking Day

Iris Day

Jamestown Day

Let It Be Day

Liberation Day (Czech Republic, Norway, Slovakia)

Miguel Hidalgo Day (Mexico)

National Amyloidosis Day (Australia)

National Archery Day

National Catahoula Day

National Coral Reef Day (Indonesia)

National Dakota Day

National Maria Day

National Meeting Planners Appreciation Day

National Nova Day

National Outdoor Intercourse Day

National Report Government Contractor Fraud Day

National Student Nurses Day

National Women’s Checkup Day

No Socks Day

Parents’ Day (Korea)

Provider Appreciation Day

Reward Yourself Day

Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War Day (UN)

Truman Day (Missouri)

Veterans Day (Norway)

Victory in Europe Day (a.k.a. V-E Day)

Westminster Dog Show Anniversary Day

World Donkey Day

World Ovarian Cancer Day

World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day

World Smallpox Eradication Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Coca-Cola Day (a.k.a. Have a Coke Day)

Empanada Day

Give Someone a Cupcake Day

National Coconut Cream Pie Day

National Have a Coke Day

2nd Monday in May

American Craft Beer Week begins [2nd Monday; thru 16th]

Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day (Florida) [2nd Monday]

World Melanoma Day [2nd Monday]

Feast Days

Amato Ronconi (Christian; Saint)

Apparition of Saint Michael (Christian; Saint)

Arsenius the Great (Christian; Saint)

Back Scratching Day (Pastafarian)

Buddha Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Camillus (Positivist; Saint)

Catherine of St. Augustine (Christian; Saint)

Chivington Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

The Crumb (Muppetism)

Delousing Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Desideratus (Christian; Saint)

The Festival of Mens (Ancient Roman Goddess of Mind and Consciousness)

Fulla’s Blot (Pagan)

The Furry Dance (a.k.a. The Flora; Cornwall, UK)

Gybrian of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Ida of Nivelles (Christian; Saint)

Julian of Norwich (Anglican, Lutheran)

Magdalene of Canossa (Christian; Saint)

Mates Day (Pastafarian)

Odrian of Waterford (Christian; Saint)

Our Lady of Luján (Christian; Saint)

Peter of Tarentaise (Christian; Saint)

Teresa Demjanovich (Ruthenian Catholic Church)

Wiro of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

White Lotus Day (Theosophy)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [17 of 30]

Premieres

About a Boy (Film; 2002)

Buccaneer Bunny (WB LT Cartoon; 1948)

Captains and the Kings, by Taylor Caldwell (Novel; 1972)

Deep Impact (Film; 1998)

Dr. Jerkyl’s Hide (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

Dr. No (US Film; 1963) [James Bond #1]

Down to Earth or The Bullwinkle Bounce (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 47; 1960)

Dracula (Film; 1958)

Endless Love, recorded by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross (Song; 1981)

Fall Story or Adrift in the Lift (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 48; 1960)

A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney (Essay Collection; 1982)

Frolicking Fish (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Grace and Frankie (TV Series; 2015)

Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales (Book; 1835)

Hot Pursuit (Film; 2015)

The Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott (Poem; 1810)

Let It Be, by The Beatles (Album; 1970)

The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe (Novel; 1794)

The School for Scandal, by Richard Brinkley Sheridan (Play; 1777)

Solar Opposites (Animated TV Series; 2020)

The Stand (TV Mini-Series; 1994)

Star Trek (Film; 2009)

Three Imaginary Boys (a.k.a. Boys Don’t Cry), by The Cure (Album; 1979)

Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, by Michael Jackson (Song; 1983)

Today’s Name Days

Ida, Klara, Ulla, Ulrike (Austria)

Arsen, Ida, Marija (Croatia)

Státní svátek (Czech Republic)

Stanislaus (Denmark)

Timmo, Timmu, Timo (Estonia)

Heino (Finland)

Désiré (France)

Ida, Klara, Ulla, Ulrike (Germany)

Arsenios, Melios, Theologos (Greece)

Mihály (Hungary)

Desiderato, Egli, Geronzio, Maria, Michele, Rosario, Vittore (Italy)

Aiga, Ceronis, Inita, Staņislavs, Stefanija (Latvia)

Audrius, Džiugas, Mykolas (Lithuania)

Åge, Åke (Norway)

Dezyderia, Ilza, Marek, Michał, Piotr, Stanisław (Poland)

Ioan (România)

Ingrida (Slovakia)

Eladio, Heladio, Luján, Pedro, Víctor (Spain)

Åke (Sweden)

Acacia, Acacio, Acacius, Ace, Hal, Harold, Harriet, Harris, Harrison, Harry, Hattie (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 128 of 2024; 237 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 19 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 23 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Bing-Chen), Day 19 (Bing-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 17 Iyar 5783

Islamic: 17 Shawwal 1444

J Cal: 7 Bīja; Sevenday [7 of 30]

Julian: 25 April 2023

Moon: 86%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Caesar (5th Month) [Junius Brutus]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 14 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 50 of 90)

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 19 of 30)

[sachat7224]

[susancbd]

Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Waterford Vintage Rectangular tablecloth.

[homeimprovementserviceseu]

How Paint Choices Impact Your Home's Atmosphere

While painting your home, the paint you choose can significantly influence each room's overall atmosphere and mood. Also, it is essential to choose the right painters in Waterford. The colors you select go beyond aesthetics. Ultimately, the paint choices you make should reflect your style and preferences. Let us explore how paint choices impact your home's atmosphere.

Warm and Cozy:

Warm colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows can create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. These shades are known for making a room feel intimate and snug. Consider using warm colors in spaces where you want to encourage relaxation and connection, like the living room or dining area.

Calm and Tranquil:

Painting services in Waterford suggest that cool colors like blues, greens, and soft grays promote a sense of calm and tranquility. These shades are ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms, or any area you want to create a peaceful retreat. Cool colors can help reduce stress and promote a feeling of serenity.

Energetic and Vibrant:

Bright and bold colors, such as vivid reds, vibrant purples, or sunny yellows, can infuse a room with energy and vitality. These shades are great for spaces like home offices or playrooms, where creativity and enthusiasm are encouraged. Light and airy colors like pale blues, soft greens, and light grays can make a room look more spacious and open.

Timeless and Classic:

Neutral colors like whites, creams, and soft beiges provide a timeless and classic backdrop for any room. They create a clean, sophisticated atmosphere that works well with various decor styles. Neutrals are also excellent choices if you plan to change your decor frequently. Use these colors in smaller rooms to make them appear larger and more inviting.

Bottom line:

Thus, the paint colors play a pivotal role in shaping the atmosphere of your home. So, the next time you embark on an Interior Painting and Renovation project, consider the aesthetics and emotional impact of your color choices.

[brookston]

Holidays 5.8

Holidays

Ace Day of Visibility Day

Adam Lambert Day (San Diego)

Brian May Day (UK)

Children’s Day (Maldives)

A Day Without Child Care

A Day Without Socks

Emancipation Day (Columbus, Mississippi)

Fête de I'iris (Brussels, Belgium)

Free Trade Day

Furry Dance (a.k.a. The Flora; Helston, Cornwall, UK)

Infant Mortality Awareness Day

International Blue Iguana Day

International Thalassemia Day

International Viking Day

Iris Day

Jamestown Day

Let It Be Day

Liberation Day (Czech Republic, Norway, Slovakia)

Miguel Hidalgo Day (Mexico)

National Amyloidosis Day (Australia)

National Archery Day

National Catahoula Day

National Coral Reef Day (Indonesia)

National Dakota Day

National Maria Day

National Meeting Planners Appreciation Day

National Nova Day

National Outdoor Intercourse Day

National Report Government Contractor Fraud Day

National Student Nurses Day

National Women’s Checkup Day

No Socks Day

Parents’ Day (Korea)

Provider Appreciation Day

Reward Yourself Day

Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War Day (UN)

Truman Day (Missouri)

Veterans Day (Norway)

Victory in Europe Day (a.k.a. V-E Day)

Westminster Dog Show Anniversary Day

World Donkey Day

World Ovarian Cancer Day

World Red Cross & Red Crescent Day

World Smallpox Eradication Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Coca-Cola Day (a.k.a. Have a Coke Day)

Empanada Day

Give Someone a Cupcake Day

National Coconut Cream Pie Day

National Have a Coke Day

2nd Monday in May

American Craft Beer Week begins [2nd Monday; thru 16th]

Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day (Florida) [2nd Monday]

World Melanoma Day [2nd Monday]

Feast Days

Amato Ronconi (Christian; Saint)

Apparition of Saint Michael (Christian; Saint)

Arsenius the Great (Christian; Saint)

Back Scratching Day (Pastafarian)

Buddha Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Camillus (Positivist; Saint)

Catherine of St. Augustine (Christian; Saint)

Chivington Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

The Crumb (Muppetism)

Delousing Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Desideratus (Christian; Saint)

The Festival of Mens (Ancient Roman Goddess of Mind and Consciousness)

Fulla’s Blot (Pagan)

The Furry Dance (a.k.a. The Flora; Cornwall, UK)

Gybrian of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

Ida of Nivelles (Christian; Saint)

Julian of Norwich (Anglican, Lutheran)

Magdalene of Canossa (Christian; Saint)

Mates Day (Pastafarian)

Odrian of Waterford (Christian; Saint)

Our Lady of Luján (Christian; Saint)

Peter of Tarentaise (Christian; Saint)

Teresa Demjanovich (Ruthenian Catholic Church)

Wiro of Ireland (Christian; Saint)

White Lotus Day (Theosophy)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [17 of 30]

Premieres

About a Boy (Film; 2002)

Buccaneer Bunny (WB LT Cartoon; 1948)

Captains and the Kings, by Taylor Caldwell (Novel; 1972)

Deep Impact (Film; 1998)

Dr. Jerkyl’s Hide (WB LT Cartoon; 1954)

Dr. No (US Film; 1963) [James Bond #1]

Down to Earth or The Bullwinkle Bounce (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 47; 1960)

Dracula (Film; 1958)

Endless Love, recorded by Lionel Richie and Diana Ross (Song; 1981)

Fall Story or Adrift in the Lift (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S1, Ep. 48; 1960)

A Few Minutes with Andy Rooney (Essay Collection; 1982)

Frolicking Fish (Disney Cartoon; 1930)

Grace and Frankie (TV Series; 2015)

Hans Christian Anderson’s Fairy Tales (Book; 1835)

Hot Pursuit (Film; 2015)

The Lady of the Lake, by Sir Walter Scott (Poem; 1810)

Let It Be, by The Beatles (Album; 1970)

The Mysteries of Udolpho, by Ann Radcliffe (Novel; 1794)

The School for Scandal, by Richard Brinkley Sheridan (Play; 1777)

Solar Opposites (Animated TV Series; 2020)

The Stand (TV Mini-Series; 1994)

Star Trek (Film; 2009)

Three Imaginary Boys (a.k.a. Boys Don’t Cry), by The Cure (Album; 1979)

Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’, by Michael Jackson (Song; 1983)

Today’s Name Days

Ida, Klara, Ulla, Ulrike (Austria)

Arsen, Ida, Marija (Croatia)

Státní svátek (Czech Republic)

Stanislaus (Denmark)

Timmo, Timmu, Timo (Estonia)

Heino (Finland)

Désiré (France)

Ida, Klara, Ulla, Ulrike (Germany)

Arsenios, Melios, Theologos (Greece)

Mihály (Hungary)

Desiderato, Egli, Geronzio, Maria, Michele, Rosario, Vittore (Italy)

Aiga, Ceronis, Inita, Staņislavs, Stefanija (Latvia)

Audrius, Džiugas, Mykolas (Lithuania)

Åge, Åke (Norway)

Dezyderia, Ilza, Marek, Michał, Piotr, Stanisław (Poland)

Ioan (România)

Ingrida (Slovakia)

Eladio, Heladio, Luján, Pedro, Víctor (Spain)

Åke (Sweden)

Acacia, Acacio, Acacius, Ace, Hal, Harold, Harriet, Harris, Harrison, Harry, Hattie (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 128 of 2024; 237 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 19 of 2023

Celtic Tree Calendar: Saille (Willow) [Day 23 of 28]

Chinese: Month 3 (Bing-Chen), Day 19 (Bing-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Rabbit 4721 (until February 10, 2024)

Hebrew: 17 Iyar 5783

Islamic: 17 Shawwal 1444

J Cal: 7 Bīja; Sevenday [7 of 30]

Julian: 25 April 2023

Moon: 86%: Waning Gibbous

Positivist: 15 Caesar (5th Month) [Junius Brutus]

Runic Half Month: Lagu (Flowing Water) [Day 14 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 50 of 90)

Zodiac: Taurus (Day 19 of 30)

[birchkillchronicles]

Getting to Marigold

Chapter Ten

Daffodil Cream, Pistachio, Mulberry

            “Sixteen ways to use oatmeal.  That’s a lot!” piped up a small voice by her elbow.

            Jeanie jumped. “Oh my gosh!” she yelped.   

It was a Friday in late October, and Jeanie was expecting Chuckie’s kid to turn up with her mother sometime this afternoon.  But it was still pretty early, and—deeply involved in reading her magazine—she hadn’t heard the little girl sneak into her craft room.  

            Turning to study the solemn olive-skinned child with deep-brown eyes and jet-black curls, Jeanie added more calmly,  “You must be Tara Suarez.  I didn’t realize that you and your mom were here yet.”

            “She’s still downstairs with Tío Mark and Daddy and Ms. Bernie.  You must be Ms. Jeanie.  Daddy said I could come upstairs and look at my bedroom.  I guess this isn’t it, though, ’cause of all the bookshelves.  Besides, there’s no bed in here for me.”

            “This is my craft room, Tara,” explained Jeanie.  “But your bedroom’s nearby.  I’ll show it to you.”

            Waiting patiently to be guided to the room where her Daddy had said she should sleep for the next two nights, Tara watched with quiet interest as Jeanie put her magazine carefully away. 

Now, of course—in deference to the youth of her visitor—Jeanie had been tempted to change out the guest bedroom’s usual linens and décor.  But then she’d decided that she’d simply put away the Royal Doulton lady who customarily graced the dresser, switch out the Waterford crystal lamp for the one that she’d replaced with the mid-century-modern beauty in her craft room—and call it a day. 

Who knew if the little girl would be freaked out by the unfamiliar space and simply refuse to stay?  And why put in all the effort to make the room kid-friendly for just a couple of overnight stays a month, anyway?

So now, crossing the hall to the guest bedroom, Jeanie clicked open the door and ushered Tara inside.  Where—out of the blue—the seven-year-old came to an abrupt halt in the middle of the light-beige carpet and, eyes wide, spun slowly around. 

“This is so beautiful!” she exclaimed at last. “The sunlight just streams in!”

“Well, the room has a northern exposure, which can be tricky to brighten,” explained Jeanie, oddly gratified that the little girl had noticed, “so I used white lace sheers.  And there’s a white roller shade that you can pull down when you want to go to sleep.”

“Oh, I just love the colour that you painted the walls,” continued Tara, still standing transfixed in the middle of the room.  “Mommy said that I couldn’t paint my bedroom yellow because it would be gaudy—but this isn’t like that at all!”

“I used a neutral shade called Daffodil Cream,” specified Jeanie, surprised by how chuffed she felt by the praise from the child. 

“And the bed is so pretty—” continued Tara.

“—it’s an antique birdseye-maple sleigh bed—”

“—and what kind of comforter is that?”

“That’s a vintage Irish lace counterpane, and I crocheted the pillow shams in a similar pattern to match—”

“Oh, can you crochet?  Mommy can’t.  She can’t crochet or knit or sew or do anything important.  But Tawny Owl is starting to teach us at Brownies.  We’re going to learn to do potholders—but I’d rather make something like those instead!”

“Well, I’ve got lots of yarn you can use, and maybe I can help you—”

“Hi?” A very pregnant woman in her early thirties stood smiling in the doorway.  Tara’s mom, of course.  She had the same olive-toned skin as her daughter and the same jet-black curls.  “I’m Dolores Suarez-Boxer,” she introduced herself.  “You must be Bernie’s mom.  Your home is just lovely!  Is this where Tara’s going to sleep?”

“Yes, well, thank you—” began Jeanie, again absurdly pleased, but Tara interrupted her.

“Mommy—!  You said that yellow was not a restful colour or appropriate for a bedroom.  But look at this—!”  Tara indicated the whole room with a wide sweep of her arms.  “Ms. Jeanie says it’s painted daffodil-cream—and she used white sheers on the window to bring in the sunshine—and the counterpane is vintage Irish lace—and she’s going to teach me how to crochet pillow shams like that!”

“Well, that’s very nice of her,” said Dolores, with a smile.  “But don’t let Tara wear you out, Ms. Todd.  She’s a bit of a fanatic about crafty stuff—”

“It’s Ms. Dinmont—but please call me Jeanie—and I don’t mind at all,” Jeanie found herself replying.  “I’ve got tons of supplies in my craft room.”

“Yes, that’s right, Mommy,” said Tara to Dolores, obviously carrying on a long-fought argument. “Ms. Jeanie has a room just for crafts!  And she’s going to teach me all about crocheting.  And she doesn’t mind if I use some of her yarn!”

“Tara.”  Dolores sighed, shaking her head at her forthright daughter.  “Don’t be a pushy kid.  Jeanie probably has a lot to do without spending gobs of time on you—”

“No, not really,” countered Jeanie. “If Tara’s enthusiastic, I certainly don’t mind.  Bernie was never very interested in needlework as a child.  Mostly she read by herself in her room.  So, it’ll be fun to teach Tara a few tricks of the trade if she wants to learn.”

“How’s it goin’ up here?” came Chuckie’s voice from the hall.  “You guys got Bugsy cornered yet?” 

“Daddy!” exclaimed Tara, as he entered the room with her rainbow kitten suitcase and a bag full of books, paints and craft supplies.  “Just look at how beautiful my bedroom is!”

“Ya sure there ain’t no bogie-men hidin’ under the bed?” he grinned.

Tara rolled her eyes and laughed.  “Look at the sunlight, Daddy!  Look at this room!  How could anything bad be living in here?”

“I’ll just check the wardrobe—”  Chuckie dropped his daughter’s suitcase on the rug and swung open the wardrobe door with great bravado—to reveal nothing but assorted hangers on an otherwise empty pole.  “Nope, it’s safe.  Ain’t nobody home but us chickens!”

Ignoring her silly parent, Tara knelt by her suitcase and clicked it open it to reveal its neatly folded contents.  “Ms. Jeanie—will you help me hang up some of my clothes, please?”

“Absolutely,” said Jeanie, stooping to take the sparkly deep teal top the little girl proffered her. “And we can stow the rest, if you like, in the dresser drawers.”

“That will be perfect,” said Tara with great satisfaction as she handed Jeanie a bunny rabbit hoodie.  “Mommy—Daddy—you can go…”

And, with that, Dolores and Chuckie were dismissed. Then Tara and Jeanie spent a pleasant ten minutes stashing the child’s belongings while they chatted companionably about her choice of clothes and books. 

In terms of clothing, Tara liked classic little girl attire.  She didn’t like cheap plastic materials—like you saw sometimes at second-rate stores—and was extremely wary of mixing uncomplimentary colours and patterns. 

Furthermore—despite her mommy and daddy insistence on reading her all the familiar children’s stories—Tara preferred books about ‘real stuff.’  

Like books on how to bake cookies.  Or how to craft bead bracelets.  Or how people around the world lived inside their homes.

“But what I really like are colouring books for big people,” Tara specified.  “Especially if they’re very fiddly…” 

By which, Jeanie understood, Tara preferred the intricate ones that were sold to adults as an aid to relaxation.  She, herself, had a trove of those books which, if the child was as careful with her colouring as she was with her wardrobe, Jeanie quietly decided that she could share. 

This decision was boosted when, among the trove of personal treasures that Tara had deemed necessary to bring for a two-night visit, Jeanie uncovered a large case of professional-quality coloured pencils.  Which, from the very neat and subtly hued examples from her colouring books which Tara proudly displayed—pistachio art nouveau lilies, intricate lemon paisley teardrops and whirling marigold sunbursts—the little girl was highly adept at employing.  

Faced with such a meticulous child’s naturally artistic personality, Jeanie easily persuaded herself that it would be quite okay to invite Tara to store her pencils, paints, and colouring books in Jeanie’s craft room for the weekend.  And, with this accomplished to the little girl’s satisfaction, Tara and Jeanie trotted down the back stairs to say good-bye. 

While Bernie, Chuckie and Dolores—her belly bulging with the fraternal twins due to arrive in December—were gossiping idly in the kitchen, Tara’s stepfather, Mark Boxer, was sitting in Jeanie’s Danish-modern living room talking to Don.  So, leaving the little girl to inform her mommy that “Ms. Jeanie says I can do whatever I like at her craft room desk,” Jeanie walked down the hall to find out what the men were discussing.

“Take my word for it.  Whenever you folks are ready to downsize,” Tara’s stepdad, Mark, was saying, having appraised their home with a professional eye, “I can get you top dollar for a place like this.”

“Well, that’s nice, Mark,” Don replied, mildly. “And the minute that I have a near-fatal stroke—or Jeanie decides that she’d rather live in a fifty-six square metre condo—you can be sure that your number will be the first one we’ll call.”

Refusing to take offense, the real estate agent smiled.  “Right now, you’re not interested.  I get that, Don.  But in a few years—when Bernie has moved out and there’s no one here to help with the yard work and the shovelling—perhaps what I’m saying tonight will ring a few more bells.  And then—if I’m still with my Ottawa brokerage—I’ll be delighted to show you your best options.”

“Thank you,” said Jeanie, briskly taking a seat on one of the teak armchairs. “But if Bernie is gone, and Don and I are too old to handle the grunt jobs, I’m sure someone younger will be glad to take a few bucks to give us a hand.  For example,” she added, with a perky smile, “we’ve already got a lady who comes in to dust the woodwork and mop the floors—”

Which was because—in order to allow her to relax and recuperate while she’d endured her cancer treatments—it had been crucial that the level of household spotlessness had been upheld to Jeanie’s own high standards.  So, Don had hired an energetic and very competent Filipina housecleaner named Mrs. Ramos as daily help. 

As it turned out, having the extra leisure time to spend on cooking, gardening and hobbies had been quite appealing.  And so—although Jeanie took pride in maintaining the sparkling kitchen and bathrooms herself—Mrs. Ramos had continued to come in for one morning a week to clean and do some of the laundry. 

“—and also a contractor who handles all of the snow.” added Don.

Yet, Mark could not be dissuaded.  “But—now that you’re retired—you’ll certainly prefer to spend five or six months a year somewhere warm,” he countered. “And, in the long run, buying a condo in the sunny south is cheaper than renting one.  So, if you had one condo apartment here and another one there, you could live a pleasant turn-key life.  You could summer in Ottawa and winter in, say, Florida or Costa Rica or Belize.  And you’d never need to buy another pair of snow boots—”

“How very nice of you to assume that’s how we want to live,” scoffed Jeanie.  And, “Just how much commission are you planning to make off our house, anyway?” chuckled Don. 

“Now, folks,” backtracked Mark, still smiling pleasantly, “I’m not saying that being snowbirds is what you want right now.  But time never stands still.  And eventually you’re going to find that a house of this size is more of a burden than a benefit.  The taxes alone must take a huge bite out of your budget.  And why heat and air condition a giant place with rooms you hardly ever see?  Now, I can—"

“Thanks, Mark,” said Don, standing to stretch. “But we use all of our rooms pretty regularly.  And, for the present, we’re even more booked up than usual.  Besides, next summer we’re hosting the family reunion to end all family reunions, and we’ll need every square millimetre in the place.  So, what do you say, Jeanie?  Do you have nefarious plans for supper tonight?  Or shall we just phone for a pizza?”

“Pizza might be okay,” considered Jeanie, rising as well.  “I had thought we’d do fish and chips because we’ve got a little kid here.  But Tara might have more sophisticated tastes—”

“Tara!” laughed Mark, sliding up out of his chair.  He’d recognized present defeat, but was glad to have planted the seed of real estate possibilities in the old couple’s minds. “She’ll let you know what she wants.”  He smiled fondly and shook his head.  “You never met such a persnickety kid in all your life.”

“I think your stepdaughter is charming,” said Jeanie, frowning as Mark dropped even lower on her personal hit parade.  “There’s nothing wrong with a girl knowing her own tastes.”

“Um-hm,” said Don, with a raised eyebrow.  “That’s certainly what you’ve always believed about Bernie.”

Jeanie turned sharply on Don.  “I’ve always tried to keep Bernie’s best interests in mind—”

Don wasn’t going to get into that argument.  So, he merely shrugged and softly replied, “I’m not saying that you haven’t, dear.  So, what about supper?  Shall we go consult the gang?”

“Yeah—and Dolores and I should be off,” said Mark, a bit disturbed that he’d awoken an on-going friction between the older folks.  The statistics guys reported that more and more long-term pairs were heading for the divorce courts.  But—although marriage break-ups often presented an opportunity for those in the real estate business—Mark still had enough romance in his soul to prefer the ideal of happily-ever-after.  Especially for himself and Dolores—as well as for couples in his own parents' generation. “That drive to Hamilton’s not going to get any shorter.  Dolores!” he called upon reaching the hall. “Grab your boots, Baby!  We need to hit the road!”

Dolores appeared in the kitchen doorway and awkwardly skirted her burgeoning body around Don and Jeanie into the front hall. 

“It’s been wonderful to meet you two,” she said as Mark helped her into her mulberry jacket.  “I’m sure Tara’s going to be happy here.  Like I said, though—don’t let her wear you out!  We’ll be back Monday afternoon to pick her up after school.  And Chuckie knows the drill.  Bye-bye, Tara,” she called, gesturing for a hug to her daughter who was watching her leave from the opposite end of the hallway. 

“I already said bye-bye,” returned Tara, distracted by some snippet of conversation behind her.

“Well—come give me one more cuddle and say so long to Tío Mark.”

“Okay.”  Willingly, Tara came forward to hop into her mom’s arms and give Mark an affectionate embrace. 

“We’ll see you on Monday—”

“I know, Mommy—you already said so.”

“Well, I—”

“Dolores!” frowned Mark, but with a gentle chuckle.  “Enough with the good-byes.”

Laughing a little too, Dolores gave Tara a final kiss and allowed Mark to usher her out.  Tara watched until the front door closed and then skipped back to the kitchen without another word.

Jeanie and Don followed the little girl down the hall to where Chuckie was sitting having a cup of coffee with Bernie at the granite island. 

“Okay, Tara.  Fish and chips or take-out pizza for supper?” asked Don.

Tara took a serious moment to consider her options.  “What kind of fish is it?” she finally enquired. “I’m only asking ’cause cod is too fish-y.  And I don’t like much breading.  And I do like some chips—but not ordinary French fries.”

“Mademoiselle Princesse.”  Chuckie bowed low before his daughter’s exacting tastes.

“How about pizza then?” asked Jeanie, who—supposing that most small children like nondescript offerings that remind them of fast food—had bought a package of brand name battered fish sticks and some uninspiring frozen potato fries.  “We can order a couple of different ones and then everyone can have the toppings he or she prefers.”

“Can we have anchovies?” asked Tara.

Bernie smiled. “If cod is too fish-y, Tara, how can you like anchovies?”

“I like anchovies,” asserted Don.  “And bacon.  And black olives.”

“And I like bacon and black olives on my pizza, too,” nodded Tara.  “So—if you don’t, Ms. Bernie—then Mr. Don and I can share a pizza and the rest of you can get whatever you want.”

“Horse feathers and porkypine quills it is, then!” cheered Chuckie, “But I got a call at seven-thirty tonight.  Could we all go eat-in, instead?”

“Okay, yes.  I was thinking you might need to hustle off,” nodded Don.  “Let’s all drive to the pizza place downtown.  And then we can drop you off at the theatre after supper.  Bernie, do you want to phone in a reservation?”

Nodding, Bernie unpocketed her phone and wandered into the family room to make the call.

“And maybe I can go see Daddy’s show tonight?” piped up Tara.

“Not a chance, Bugsy.”  Chuckie gave her a serious shake of his head.  “Mommy and I said ‘no,’ remember?  This play’s too scary for you.”

“Yes, but—”

“What’s Rule Number One?”

Tara sighed, but dutifully recited the rule.  “If Mommy and Daddy have talked about it, what they’ve decided goes.”

“And Rule Number Two?”

Tara rolled her eyes ceilingward.  “No whining about Rule Number One.”

“And Rule Number Three?”

“When in doubt, refer to Rule Number One,” Tara grumbled and then offered, “But I was allowed to see you in your play last summer—”

“Different play.  Different role.”  Chuckie gave his disappointed daughter a sympathetic smile.  “You’re going to come back here tonight and start heading for bed at eight like always.  Any questions, my darlin’ daughter?”

Tara sighed.  “I guess not, Daddy.”

“Then, give us a big smile, Bugsy!  At least you don’t gotta eat horse feathers on your pizza like me,” groaned Chuckie.

“Or banana peppers,” smiled Bernie.

“Or ham and pineapple,” shuddered Jeanie.

“Oooh—I hate those too,” winced Tara. “You won’t ever make me eat a Hawaiian pizza, will you?”

“No, never!  Just anchovies, bacon, black olives—and kale,” winked Don.

“No kale!” specified Tara.

“Okay.  No kale,” promised Don.

“See?  Now you’ve got everything going your way,” smiled Jeanie.  She was really going to enjoy having a little girl around the house…

“It’s the little things that make life worth living,” chuckled Don. “Right, Bugsy?”

Tara levelled a stern look at him. “Mr. Don.  Don’t you start calling me that!”

“Sorry about that, Bugs—er, Tara,” apologized Don. “It’s an easy habit to pick up…” 

“But her name is Tara,” emphasized Jeanie, lending the little girl her earnest support.

“Understood,” acknowledged Don, seriously.  And, exchanging amused glances with Tara’s daddy, he went into the mudroom to pick up the portable booster seat that the seven-year-old girl would need for a trip downtown in their family car.

[martinacollenderplaywrightblog]

Matches

The smell of matches,

Always brings to mind,

Birthdays gone by,

Cake that's long eaten,

Singing songs,

And cups of tea,

Celebration of the year that has been,

And the years to come,

Celebration the day you were born,

All the smiles you've caused since then,

Striking matches,

Lighting candles,

On cream cake,

To celebrate all of you.

The smell of matches,

Always brings to mind,

Birthdays gone by.

#poem #poetrycommunity #poetry #poetrylovers #poetryofinstagram #poetryisnotdead #writing #writer #writerslife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #writingchallenge #martinacollenderwriter #martinacollenderplaywright #newyearsresolution2023 #waterford #queerplaywright #disabledplaywright #martinacollenderplays #theatrelife #poetry

[palaceunderthealps]

Galley Cruising restaurants, Co. Wexford

You couldn't really blame the proprietors of this cruising restaurant if all they served you was a slab of gnarled roast beef, a couple of lukewarm roast potatoes, and a bit of indistinguishable foliage masquerading as asparagus. After all, the tiny kitchen of a river cruiser is hardly the environment but producing haute cuisine. And in any case the real attraction of a dinner cruise is the passing scenery along the riverbanks, isn't it?

Fortunately, in this case the answer is no. Somehow, amazingly, the Galley’s cramped cooking quarters bring forth quite exceptional meals (smoked ham and cheese soup followed by roast guinea fowl and topped off with chocolate profiteroles in double cream, for example) twice a day for up to 70 passengers – meals of equality rarely encountered even on dry land in the British Isles and good enough to merit the praise of such worthies as Michelin and Egon Ronay. The food alone guarantees you a memorable experience. The gentle passing scenery simply makes it sublime.

Galley’s dinner cruises depart from New Ross every Tuesday to Saturday from April to September for a three-hour, 20-mile cruise up the Barrow or Nore River. Meals are generally served after the boat turns around to begin the unhurried homeward journey, allowing you to enjoy the first half of the trip sitting on the open top deck drink in hand, watching the villages, farms, and densely wooded countryside slip off into that most enchanted time of a summer's day, twilight. Dusk, particularly in June, lingers for hours in this part of the world and there can't be any more magical way of experiencing it than from the prow of a churning boat.

There are also daily two-hour lunch and cruises and, for those who cannot afford either the calories or the cost of a full meal, two-hour tea cruises departing at 3 p.m. Alternatively – or even in addition – the Galley has a separate river cruiser a few miles south in Waterford, which offers two-hour tea cruises and two-hour high tea (i.e. supper) excursions. It is also possible to go for the cruise alone, subject to space availability.

Details: From New Ross, lunch and cruises depart at 12:30 p.m. from April 1 to early October and cost £9 (£4.50 for children); tea cruises depart from June to August at 3 p.m. and cost £4; dinner cruises start at 7 p.m. from April 1 to August 31 and at 6 p.m. in September and cost £12-£16. On most Mondays there are no cruises. From Waterford, cruises depart at 3 p.m. and cost £4; high tea cruises depart at 5:10 p.m. and cost £8. Both are available from June to August only and both are closed on Sundays and Mondays. Cruises only from both New Ross and Waterford cost £3-£6. Reservations are recommended. Write to Galley Cruising Restaurants, New Ross, Co. Wexford, Eire, or telephone (051) 21723. 

William Bryson, The Palace Under the Alps, p145-146

As per https://rivercruises.ie, The Galley, New Ross is no longer operating

[stopreadingmyblog]

Ice cream so melty mama had to assist. (at New Waterford, Nova Scotia) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRkVAi0Ff4UEGc6vTX4q-WVCfL2KA4ysa6jCg80/?utm_medium=tumblr

[merzelifestyle]

Casual Yet Elegant Gathering Using Muted Fall Colors

I can’t tell you just how much of a pleasure it is to finally have guests gather at my table to share a meal and enjoy each other’s company! After the past year with everyone locked inside, I feel a sense of freedom and ready to celebrate good company.

Designing a fall table brings me such joy. The warmth of the indoors against the cool crisp Autumn days makes it always feel cozy and comforting inside. Add a roaring fire in the fireplace and you have perfection!

Today, I’m having my daughter visit from Washington DC and a few of my friends want to see her to catch up. I’m so excited!

I wanted to design my table with a look and feel that is casual with a touch of elegance.

Since I am starting with a soft fall theme for my table, I first select the flowers that will be the centerpiece. Honestly, it is always the way I start my table designs! I absolutely love flowers and it is where I get the most pleasure when decorating a table. I wanted to use lovely, muted colors that represent the vibrant foliage I see outside my windows.

I chose salmon-colored roses and fill in with varied shapes, colors, and sizes using both dahlias and chrysanthemums. I had some hydrangea’s that were changing color outside and picked them as well to add to the bouquet. My vase is an antique Waterford crystal I purchased at an antique store. It is just the right size for a small table gathering. Once we sit to eat, I remove the centerpiece and put small bud vases of roses.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree."  -- Emily Bronte

DESIGN TIP: The rule of thumb that designers go by is that you should always make your centerpiece low enough for everyone to see each other across the table. Often, I create centerpieces that are a statement and remove them once we are ready to eat. I love serving family style and will bring dishes to the table and need room to serve them. That is where the bud vases come in. I add to my bud vases some of the same flowers from my centerpiece and then place them here and there to create a picturesque table while serving my meal. It’s a win win!

I went back and forth to see whether I wanted to use a linen tablecloth, a runner or both. I chose just the runner since I really love the warmth of my wood table and wanted it to create a more casual feel. I then moved on with the napkins. I started with a light pink but instead chose a more colorful plaid that worked well with my centerpiece. They also had just the slightest strip of green in the napkin which brought the runner in the color scheme as well.

To add depth and layers, I then added some of my favorite dishes. I first started with a casual Juliska charger and plate and then layered on my pearl Casa Nova dessert plate and soup bowls on top. I most often mix and match my place setting to give my tablescape some additional texture and visual interest. I use both antique and new patterns to bring a richness to my table that I love.

Design TIP: Often, designers will go rummaging into old antique stores to find linens. There is nothing like antique linen napkins and tablecloths. I love the softness that years of use has brought to a linen. The more you use them the softer they are. They are exquisite. When you buy them at an antique shop they are much less expensive than one you buy new, and they are so luxurious!

"When layering a table design you bring in just a bit of formality and elegance."

I filled up the empty space with flowers, small candles and tiny pumpkins.

I served a delicious pumpkin and ginger soup with some homemade biscuits, an arugula, apple, and grilled chicken salad and finished with a pumpkin roll dessert.

The pumpkin roll was quite easy to make. The only recommendation is don’t mix the cream filling too much. You want to have a firm consistency. The flavor of the cake and filling is light and filled with fall spices. YUM! My guests love it.

Warm soup and rich desserts filled with pumpkin, brown sugar and cinnamon just warms my soul when it is cold outside. With fresh produce such as pumpkins, apples and squash, there is nothing better than using them to create a delicious meal.

"It looked like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon."  -- Sarah Addison Allen

Relax and enjoy the video

A complete design is all about the individual details. I’ve added a few items that would allow for my tablescape to flow throughout giving it a cohesive look and feel. I added different hues of fall colors along with pumpkins that coordinate with the centerpiece. In this photo I added a french tablecloth and removed the runner in order to give an example of what the table would look like when adding a bit more formality. It take on a totally different look but still lovely.

""May peace, love and prosperity follow you always.” "  -- Mary Madore-Hickey

The thing is…coming back together is all about the people you invite to your table, sharing laughter and creating memories. Designing a table to represent who you are is the key. Using your imagination and bringing things to your table that represent what you think is beautiful is all you really need. Have fun with it!

As with everything I post on my blogs, if you have any comments or questions, please leave them here or email me through my contact page. I would love to hear from you and welcome you anytime!

Design with your heart™️

Happy entertaining my friends!

Mary

"may your home be a place where friends meet, family gathers, and love grows."  -- Anonymous

  "Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference."  -- Quote Source

[sachat7224]

[d-noona]

BARTERED BRIDE - Chapter 4

Ch 04 - Lunch Meeting

Kim Namjoon is a ruthless financier used to buying and selling stocks, shares and priceless artifacts. But now Namjoon has his eye on a very different acquisition - Park Han Byeol. Left destitute by her father's recent death, Han Byeol walks into Namjoon's bank looking to extend her overdraft. As Han Byeol needs money and Namjoon needs a wife, he proposes the perfect deal: he'll rescue her financially if she agrees to marry him. But in this marriage of convenience can Han Byeol ever be anything more than just a bartered bride?

Masterlist

"I nearly kept you waiting," said Namjoon. "I came back from the bank at eleven to go run in the park. As I was coming home I saw an old man on a bench who was obviously in need of medical attention. That held me up."

"Do you run everyday?" Han Byeol asks.

"I try to. Are you a runner?"

Han Byeol shook her head. "I play tennis and ski. I don't do work-outs."

He slanted an appraising glance at her figure. Today, in place of a black suit, she was wearing a designer outfit bought on a holiday in Italy. It consisted f a fine jersey-knit top in lilac, a waistcoat in violet, and swirling chevron-striped skirt combining those colors with pink and pale pistachio-green. The audacious color combination was perfect with Han Byeol's dark hair and brown eyes. "You look in great shape," he remarked. "But people in desk jobs like mine need some kind of fitness regime to stave off the bad effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Come and sit down. What would you like to drink before lunch?"

She remembered his remark about the wine she had been drinking when he forced his way in the previous evening. Was he one of those people who drank only mineral water and made everyone who didn't feel on a lower plane? Han Byeol had no intention of allowing him to intimidate her. "A Campari and soda, please," she said firmly.

Namjoon said to the butler, who had been following them at a discreet distance, "A Campari for Miss Park and my usual, please, Curtis." With a silent inclination of the head, the butler withdrew.

"Let's sit over here, shall we?" Namjoon steered her towards a group of comfortable chairs near one of the windows. "Have you finished your packing?"

"Almost"

Knowing that she wouldn't be able to sleep, she had worked on it till long past midnight. At half past nine this morning a dealer whom she had ought a lot of furnishings had come round to buy them back. Luckily Han Byeol had paid for them out of her bank account. Although the money in it had come from her father, technically they were her property, not his. As soon as his business had been forced into receivership, everything her father had owned, including the family home belonged to his business creditors. But the cash the dealer had handed her could go in her pocket. It wasn't much but it was better than nothing if, when Namjoon spelt out the terms of his trade off marriage, she found that she couldn't accept them. Looking up at the elegant cornice around the ceiling and the two crystal chandeliers, their chains swathed with coral tassels at the tops of the heavy cream curtains.

"Are you interested in architecture?" He sounded faintly surprised.

"Sometimes."

The butler came back with their drinks, hers a slight more vivid red than the coral linen slipcovers on some of the sofas, Namjoon's colorless except for a twist of lemon floating among the ice cubes. It could be in or vodka, or it could straight mineral water. Namjoon said, "This was my grandparents' house. My paternal grandmother still lives here when she's not staying with her daughters". I moved here when my father died. We had been living in Ilsan. I have an apartment near Gangnam but I thought you would feel more comfortable being entertained in the main house," he added with a gleam of amusement. After a slight pause, he added "I shall move out when I marry. The province is better for children, if their parents can choose where to live. Most people can't of course."

"Where are you thinking of moving to?" Han Byeol asked.

"I haven't decided." His expression was enigmatic. "Where would you choose to live, given a free choice?"

Han Byeol considered the question. Once the answer would have been "Wherever Yoongi wants to live." She said, "Ideally I'd like more sun than we get in this city. I wouldn't mind living by the sea, getting some fresh air...or a lake would do as long as it has mountains round it. I'd like to look out on mountains...big ones with snow on top."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Sounds as if New Zealand would suit you."

She shook her head. "I'm sure it's a beautiful country but it's too far away from Korea. Have you been there?"

Namjoon nodded. "The scenery's magnificent...when it's not raining. Unreliable weather. I went with old friends, you might know them since they run in the same circles you do. Where have your travels taken you?"

"Mostly to holiday places...the Caribbean in winter...resorts round the Med in summer. My mother's a passionate gardener. She doesn't like travelling alone, even in a group. I've been on some garden tours with her...the south of France, Ireland, California. Where do you for holidays?" Han Byeol takes a sip of her Campari.

"I used to go with my father who also liked someone with him. We went to Japan together and other Pacific Rim countries. I travel a lot for the bank. For pleasure I usually go to France, Greece or Spain. Where would you like to go for our honeymoon?"

The question, tacked on to innocuous small talk, took her by surprise. "I haven't agreed to marry you," she said coldly.

"If you found the idea unthinkable, you wouldn't be here," he said dryly. "Let's be straight with each other Han Byeol. I need you...you need me. It's a sensible, practical arrangement."

She knew that at least the first part of what he said was true, but she wasn't about to admit it. Was it pride that made her reluctant to fall in with his plan too readily? She said, "I'm not clear why you've selected me."

"You're very attractive...as I am sure you're aware." he smiles at her gently.

"Is that all you want from a woman? An acceptable face and figure? Don't you care what I'm like inside?" Han Byeol scoffed.

'I can make some intelligent guesses. People can't hide their characters," he told her casually. "Even in repose a face gives a lot of clues to its owner's temperament. Apart from yesterday's evidence that you have a short fuse, I haven't detected any characteristics I wouldn't like to live with."

His arrogance took her breath away. In that moment of shock, she was struck by the thought it would be both a challenge and public service to bring this man down from his lofty pinnacle and convert him into an acceptably unassuming person. But perhaps it was already too late . One of gran's favorite sayings was, "What's bred in the bone must come out in flesh." Namjoon with his long-boned thoroughbred physique and his handsome features, looked a descendant of generations of men who had felt themselves to be superior beings and never experienced the doubts felt by ordinary people.

In a different, more rough-hewn way, her father had been the same. Probably somewhere far back in Namjoon's ancestry, there had been a man like her father: a rough-diamond unscrupulous go-getter who had founded the Park Fortune. Perhaps if Mr. Park had married someone better equipped to handle him than her quiet and easily cowed mother, her father might have been saved from becoming an overbearing braggart. Whether, at thirty four, Namjoon's essential nature could be modified was problematical. But it could be interesting to try.

She said, "I don't find you as transparent as you seem to find me. It takes me longer to make up my mind about people;"

"You haven't had as much experience of summing up people as I have."

The butler reappeared. "Luncheon is ready when you are, sir."

They ate in a smaller room with a view of a large garden, an oasis of well kept greenery in the heart of the city. The surface of the round Regency breakfast table had a gleaming patina resulting from years of regular polishing' It reflected the colors and shapes of the red-streaked white tulips arranged in a what Han Byeol recognized as an antique tulip pot, its many spouts designed to support the stems of flowers which had once been costly status symbols. The meal began with potted shrimps served with crisp Melba toast, tiny green gherkins and white wine, which they continued to drink with the main course, chicken with minty yogurt dressing.

While they ate Namjoon talked about plays and art shows he had been to recently. It was the kind of conversation made by strangers at formal lunch parties and although his comments were interesting Han Byeol thought his choice of subject was irrelevant to this particular situation. When the butler had withdrawn, leaving them to help themselves to a fruit salad with fromage frais, or to selection of more substantial cheeses, she said, "Why do you want a wife when you could go on having girlfriends and a change them when you get bored?"

Offering her elegant Waterford compote, its apparent fragility emphasizing the powerful but equally elegant form of the hands in which it was cradled, he looked at her with unexpected sternness. "I have a responsibility to my line. I need sons to carry on the traditions established by my predecessors."

She found this solemnly irritating. "Are you expecting me to provide proof of my fertility?" Before she could add that, if he was, he could forget it, Namjoon said, "No, I'm prepared to chance that."

"Big deal!" Han Byeol said sarcastically.

She had a feeling that Namjoon wouldn't hesitate to divorce her if she failed to live up to his expectations in some way. But although he struck her as a monster of cold-hearted self-centeredness, she couldn't deny that he was extraordinarily attractive. Every movement he had made since they sat down had heightened her awareness of the lean and muscular physique inside the well-cut suit and the long legs under the table. His hair was dry now but still had a sheen of health. There was nothing about him suggestive of stress or tension. He seemed entirely relaxed. Yet why did he need to arrange a businesslike marriage instead of falling in love the way people usually did?

Wondering, suddenly, if he might be in the same situation as herself, heartbroken, although it didn't seem likely, she said, "When did you dream up this scheme?"

"It's an idea I've had for some time...probably since my contemporaries started divorcing. I have about a dozen god-children, most whom now have step parents, some official, some not. I don't want that for my children."

"Did you parents stay married?" she asked.

It seemed to her that his face underwent a change. His lips didn't tighten. His eyebrows didn't draw together. But there was a subtle hardening and chilling, reminding her of the impression she had received that morning when they sat on opposite sides of his imposing desk/ Now they were at a table designed for a more intimate and relaxed conversation. But she sensed a change in the atmosphere and knew she had trespassed in an area of his where she was an unwelcome intruder.

"They separated. They were never divorced," he answered.

Han Byeol wanted to ask hold he had been when the separation happened, but something made her hold her tongue. Later, going back to the flat in the taxi he had laid on for her, she regretted her curiousity.

When-in-two people were going to marry, there shouldn't be any "No go" areas between them...or at least none of that nature. His past girlfriends were not her business, but his family life certainly was. She shouldn't have allowed herself to be put off. From now on she wouldn't be, she told herself firmly.