#mcleod river

[annapolisrose]

Going over McLeod River near Edson, AB.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Plinio Nomellini - A Capri (1922) :: [Guillaume Gris]

* * *

"When you encounter difficulties, the feelings and stories that arise in reaction are just that, feelings and stories. They are whirlwinds of confusion, based not in what is happening now but in deeply held beliefs about you and your relationship to the world. Let them swirl- leaves in the wind. Sometimes you fall back into them and lose touch with the present, but a moment of recognition always comes. Right then, come back to your body, come back to your breath, and rest. The confusion, the stories and the feelings are still there. They continue to swirl, but you are not lost in them."

~ Ken McLeod, 'Reflections on Silver River, teachings on Tokmé Zongpo's 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva' (Ian Sanders)

[lukadjo]

Misinformation Central!

From the article authors channel:

"Visegrad 24 has become a viral sensation, and the number one most influential source of online news about the Israel/Palestine situation.

Yet it constantly publishes fake news and false information which whitewashes Israeli crimes.

Worse still, this shadowy organization is actually funded by the right-wing Polish government.

Find out who controls this group and what their agenda is by checking out my investigation (please share widely):"

[kateblankett]

rowena was so right for trying to bring crowley back “He deserved better from the world” YES HE DID

not to forget the iconic “are only winchesters allowed to come back from the dead” YEAH EXACTLY BRING MY YOUR BOY BACK HE DID SO MUCH FOR THOSE IDIOTS HE DESERVES EVERYTHING ITS NOT FAIR !!!!

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

* * * * *

"When you encounter difficulties, the feelings and stories that arise in reaction are just that, feelings and stories. They are whirlwinds of confusion, based not in what is happening now but in deeply held beliefs about you and your relationship to the world. Let them swirl- leaves in the wind. Sometimes you fall back into them and lose touch with the present, but a moment of recognition always comes. Right then, come back to your body, come back to your breath, and rest. The confusion, the stories and the feelings are still there. They continue to swirl, but you are not lost in them."

~ Ken McLeod, 'Reflections on Silver River, teachings on Tokmé Zongpo's 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva' (Ian Sanders)

[via "alive on all channels"]

[kingofbodyrolls]

My Heart's Home (m) | pjm | series masterlist

Hi, and welcome to Bora Ranch!

At Bora Ranch you will rediscover who you are, reconnect with your sister, and your childhood friend, Park Jimin, that will stir old feelings back. There's a lot of ups and downs, a lot of heartbreak, misunderstandings, what ifs, bad timing, but in the end, you will know what truly makes your heart beat, and where your heart's home is.

It's a story that will take you on a heartbreaking journey to find out what love is and the meaning of 'home', coming home and finding love. There's a lot of angst in it, I'd call it HEALING ANGST. Everything will be good in the end! Just have to go through a lot of heartbreak before the sun truly shines. There's a lot of soulmates vibes/undertones in it, and it's a lovestory at it's core. It's very romancey (Why do I suddenly feel like I wrote a YA but with mature language???).

This story is HEAVLY inspired by McLoed's Daughters (both the world/setting/plot), some plot points follow that story, but most of it doesn't.

“It will take some time To find your heart And come back home You could walk for miles Cross every river And find your not alone ‘Cos I'll be there” - From McLeod’s Daughters theme song

🐴 Summary: You’d never thought you’d step foot back at the ranch– a place you used to call home a long time ago. When you are forced to go back, reconcile with your sister and a certain childhood friend that you had long forgotten, will sparks reunite? 🐴 Pairing: jimin x reader (main), jungkook x reader (only happens once in the first chapter)*, jungkook x OC (jessi), namjoon x OC (jessi), yoongi x hoseok, namjoon x oc, seokjin x oc, taehyung x oc *I also want to clarify some things about the tags/pairings! Jungkook x reader only happens once, it is crucial for the sake of the plot, but please don't let that stop you from reading it (I take it you want to read it because of Jimin x reader). Jimin x reader is the main couple! 🐴 Characters: female reader (she’s more like an OC, but isn’t mentioned by name and no “y/n”), Jimin, Jungkook, Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok, Seokjin, Taehyung and four female original characters. 🐴 AUs: ranch!au, slice of life!au, childhood friends to lovers!au, cowboy!au, soulmate!au 🐴 Genres: smut, humor, fluff, slow burn and angst (yes, it’s got everything lol!) 🐴 Rating: mature/explicit/R18 – this is mature/explicit content, so minors, please do not interact! 🐴 Word count: 230k (epilogue excluded) 🐴Disclaimer: I do not own BTS or know them personally and this work of fiction is purely fictional and for entertainment purposes only. The actions and personalities described in the story do not reflect those of BTS— it’s just fiction. Also, if you would kindly read the tags/warnings before reading, that would be lovely: and if you don’t like whatever is described in the tags, just hit return and find something else to read. Thank you 🌸 🐴 Warnings/tag: will be tagged for each individual chapter. But it does contain sexual themes, smut and a lot of sexual tension and a hell of a lot of angst! Like series is an emotional rollercoaster ride, it will leave you both happy, sad, frustrated, mad, angry and oh so in love. All through the series. You have been warned, lol. 🐴 Status: completed 🥳 🐴 Fancy reading on AO3? It is cross-posted there! 🐴 Do you want to see the book cover (there's a teaser too)? [it's here] 🐴 Author’s note: this series is heavily inspired by the TV show McLeod’s Daughters. Some plot points will feel familiar, while others won’t (because I don’t follow that story structure to a tee). But If you love that show that I do, I’m 100% sure you’ll love this story too! Also, I don’t expect people to really be interested in this… this is more of a story about coming home, finding home, finding love and such… and I don’t know if you want to read that sort of thing? But I fucking love it! ✨

Chapter #1 - Inheritance | word count: 8.2k | read → chapter one

Chapter #2 - It’s a Long Road | word count: 9.1k | read → chapter two

Chapter #3 - Sometimes | word count: 11.8k | read → chapter three

Chapter #4 - It Comes to This | word count: 7.5k | read → chapter four

Chapter #5 - Our Home, Our Place | word count: 11k | read → chapter five

Chapter #6 - Wild Horses | word count: 11k | read → chapter six

Chapter #7 - We Got it Wrong | word count: 9.5k | read → chapter seven

Chapter #8 - Love You, Hate You | word count: 9.5k | read → chapter eight

Chapter #9 - Take the Rain Away | word count: 8.2k | read → chapter nine

Chapter #10 - The First Touch | word count: 16.4k | read → chapter ten

Chapter #11 - This Perfect Day | word count: 14.4k | read → chapter eleven

Chapter #12 - Broken Dreams | word count: 14.4k | read → chapter twelve

Chapter #13 - Love Letter | word count: 13.4k | read → chapter thirteen

Chapter #14 - I Wish the Past was Different | word count: 10.5k | read → chapter fourteen

Chapter #15 - Did I Tell You? | word count: 13.7k | read → chapter fifteen

Chapter #16 - The Stranger | word count: 14.1k | read → chapter sixteen

Chapter #17 - Love of Your Life | word count: 13.3k | read → chapter seventeen

Chapter #18 - By My Side | word count: 14.7k | read → chapter eighteen

Chapter #19 - Home [END] | word count: 18.2k | read → chapter nineteen

Chapter #20 - My Heart's Home [Epilogue + Q&A] | word count: 7.4k | read → chapter twenty

Please let me know if you're excited for this??? I'm still writing it, and honestly... I love it! But it's tough to write such a long series without any feedback or knowledge whether it's good or sucks... so.. yeah....

[rabbitcruiser]

Along Toad River, BC (No. 1)

The Toad River is a river in the Canadian boreal forest, within the borders of the province of British Columbia.

The Toad River was named for the numerous large toads seen along its banks by fur traders of the early 19th century. John McLeod of the Hudson's Bay Company, who traveled up the river in 1831, wrote: "it derives its appellation from the number of Toads seen along its banks and some are of immense size; I have seen some which weighed upwards of a pound, and the Indians inform me there are some to be seen of a much larger size."

The traditional indigenous name for the river is Tsal-eh-chesi.

Source: Wikipedia

[satansapostle6]

Characters I Write For

Please message me with any ideas/requests! I need ideas(short fics or series)

Mostly write for fem!readers. I can write fluff, angst, smut, etc. If I’m not comfortable with something I can let you know

Character/Actor List

Favorite Characters/Actors To Write For

Draco Malfoy, Weasley twins

Jesse Pinkman

Paul Dano characters

Josh Hutcherson characters

Dean Winchester, Sam Winchester, Castiel

Damon Salvatore, Silas, Klaus Mikaelson, Kol Mikaelson

Rodrick Heffley

Bellamy Blake

Ezra Fitz(should probably make it clear I don’t condone)

Ian Duncan(Community)

Charlie(It’s Always Sunny)

Luke Castellan, Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase

Finnick Odair

Tommy Shelby

Killian Hook

Paul Dano

Klitz(The Girl Next Door)

Dwayne Hoover(Little Miss Sunshine)

Edward Nashton(The Batman)

Calvin Weir-Fields(Ruby Sparks)

Brian Wilcox(Fast Food Nation)

Joby Taylor(For Ellen)

Nick Flynn(Being Flynn)

Josh Hutcherson

Peeta Mellark(The Hunger Games)

Mike Schmidt(FNAF)

Josh Futturman(Future Man)

Devon Bostick

Rodrick Heffley(Diary of a Wimpy Kid)

Jasper Jordan(The 100)

Cillian Murphy

Tommy Shelby(Peaky Blinders)

Dr. Jonathan Crane(The Dark Knight)

Neil(Watching the Detectives)

Christian Bale

Patrick Bateman(American Psycho)

Bruce Wayne(The Dark Knight)

Breaking Bad

Jesse Pinkman

Jane Margolis

Saul Goodman

Harry Potter(Golden Trio Era)

Harry Potter

Ron Weasley

Hermione Granger

Fred Weasley

George Weasley

Ginny Weasley

Luna Lovegood

Neville Longbottom

Draco Malfoy

Pansy Parkinson

Blaise Zabini

Theodore Nott

Daphne Greengrass

Adrian Pucey

Terence Higgs

Harry Potter(Marauders Era)

James Potter

Remus Lupin

Sirius Black

Lily Potter

Severus Snape

Regulus Black

Lucius Malfoy

Narcissa Malfoy

Bellatrix Lestrange

Arthur Weasley

Harry Potter(Fantastic Beasts Era)

Newt Scamander

Queenie Goldstein

Leta Lestrange

Percy Jackson

Percy Jackson

Annabeth Chase

Luke Castellan

Thalia Grace

Jason Grace

+ Gods

Criminal Minds

Spencer Reid

Aaron Hotchner

Emily Prentiss

Derek Morgan

JJ

Penelope Garcia

David Rossi

Elle Greenaway

Cat Adams

Megan Kane

Supernatural

Dean Winchester

Sam Winchester

John Winchester

Mary Winchester

Castiel

Charlie Bradbury

Rowena McLeod

Adam Milligan

Lucifer

Ruby

Jessica Moore

Gabriel

Benny Lafitte

Bela Talbot

Jo Harvelle

Ellen Harvelle

Superstore

Jonah Simms

Amy Sosa

Marcus White

Garrett McNeill

Dina Fox

Cheyenne Lee

Bo Thompson

Gilmore Girls

Lorelai Gilmore

Christopher Hayden

Luke Danes

Logan Huntzberger

Jess Mariano

The Hunger Games

Peeta Mellark

Katniss Everdeen

Gale Hawthorn

Finnick Odair

Johanna Mason

Haymitch Abernathy

Pretty Little Liars

Aria Montgomery

Spencer Hastings

Emily Fields

Hannah Marin

Mona Vanderwaal

Alison Di Laurentis

Jason Di Laurentis

Ezra Fitz

Toby Cavanaugh

Jenna Marshall

Caleb Rivers

The Vampire Diaries

Damon Salvatore

Stefan Salvatore

Katherine Pierce

Elena Gilbert

Jeremy Gilbert

Bonnie Bennett

Caroline Forbes

The Originals

Klaus Mikaelson

Elijah Mikaelson

Kol Mikaelson

Rebekah Mikaelson

Freya Mikaelson

Hayley Marshall

Marcel Gerard

Davina Claire

Twilight

Edward Cullen

Bella Swan

Alice Cullen

Jasper Hale

Rosalie Hale

Emmett Cullen

Victoria

The 100

Bellamy Blake

Octavia Blake

Jasper Jordan

Shameless

Fiona Gallagher

Lip Gallagher

Carl Gallagher

Frank Gallagher

Mandy Milkovich

Kevin Ball

Veronica Fisher

The Bear

Carmy Berzatto

Sydney Adamu

Richie Jerimovich

Suicide Squad

Harley Quinn

Rick Flag

Blackguard

Once Upon A Time

Emma Swan

Regina Mills

Killian Jones

Rumplestiltskin

Robin Hood

Ruby

Hades

Community

Jeff Winger

Abed Nadir

Annie Edison

Troy Barnes

Ian Duncan

It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Charlie Kelly

Dennis Reynolds

Dee Reynolds

Mac

Cricket

House MD

Greg House

Robert Chase

James Wilson

Lisa Cuddy

Parks and Recreation

Ben Wyatt

April Ludgate

Andy Dwyer

MCU, Marvel

Steve Rogers

Tony Stark

Natasha Romanoff

Bruce Banner

Wanda Maximoff

Loki Laufeyson

Peter Parker(Holland, Garfield, Maguire)

Gamora

Peter Quill

Scott Lang

Steven Strange

Jessica Jones

Wade Wilson

DC CW

Oliver Queen

Barry Allen

Felicity Smoak

Laurel Lance

Sara Lance

Malcom Merlyn

John Constantine

Leonard Snart

Ray Palmer

Caitlyn Snow

Julian Albert

Rip Hunter

10 Things I Hate About You

Patrick Verona

Cameron James

New Girl

Jess Day

Nick Miller

Schmidt

Other Characters

Charlie Kelmeckis(Perks Of Being A Wallflower)

Jesse Eisenberg Characters

Dr. Who(10th Doctor)

Will Probably Add More

[archivist-crow]

On this day:

HEADLESS VALLEY

On September 28, 1915, the burned-down cabin and the headless remains of Swedish prospector Martin Jorgensen were discovered near the Nahanni River, in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Nahanni country, home of a legendary hidden tropical valley, where dazzling gold deposits are guarded by superstition and elusive, savage mountain men. Jorgensen was searching for the placer gold that had been reported earlier by the McLeod brothers. He sent a message to his partner, via a trapper, that he had found the gold. Now he was headless.

Seven years before Jorgensen's remains were found, the headless bodies of the McLeod brothers were discovered in the South Nahanni. They left behind a sled runner with the words "We have found a fine prospect" written across it and large chunks of quartz riddled with gold. Their story started in 1903, when a Cassiar Indian visited the Hudson Bay Company trading post possessing fist-size gold nuggets. Plied with alcohol, he revealed the placer location. Murdoch McLeod, Hudson Bay agent at Fort Liard, relayed the story to his three sons, Willie, Frank, and Charlie McLeod.

Burning with gold fever, the brothers made a grueling wilderness journey to a tributary of the Flat River. After little luck and much misadventure, including having their barge and supplies lost at the Cascade of the Thirteen Drops, the boys returned home. Willie and Frank set out with a Scottish engineer the next year. After they had been absent for four years, Charlie went to look for them. In mid-summer, he found their bodies, picked clean by animals and headless. Since the early 1900s, over twenty men have either vanished or been found as a headless skeleton.

Text from: Almanac of the Infamous, the Incredible, and the Ignored by Juanita Rose Violins, published by Weiser Books, 2009

[heather123fan-blog]

medieval women week day 2: Favorite non-Queen or Queen-adjacent royal woman: Jacquetta of Luxembourg Duchess of Bedford and Mother to Queen Elizabeth Woodville

Jacquetta of Luxembourg was the eldest child of the French Count of St Pol; her family descended from Charlemagne and were cousins to the Holy Roman Emperor. She grew up with war between France and England raging around her.

John, Duke of Bedford was the youngest son of King Henry IV. Having lost his wife to plague in 1432, he arranged to marry the seventeen-year-old Jacquetta, who was his social equal by her birth. Although married for two years they were childless when John died in September 1435. The King instructed Jacquetta to come to England and ordered Sir Richard Woodville, to arrange it.

However, Jacquetta and Richard fell in love, but Richard was a poor knight, far below Jacquetta in social status. Nonetheless, they married secretly thus thwarting any plans King Henry may have had to marry her off to a wealthy English lord. Theirs was a morganatic marriage, where one of the partners, most often the wife, was socially inferior. Henry was enraged and fined the couple £1000. He did however allow their heirs to inherit, which was unusual for morganatic marriages in England.

Being the widow of Henry V’s brother and aunt to the King, royal protocol gave Jacquetta the highest rank at court of any female except Henry’s wife, Margaret of Anjou, to whom Jacquetta was related by marriage. She even ‘outranked’ the King’s mother and was referred to as the ‘Duchess of Bedford,’ retaining the title from her first marriage. Richard and Jacquetta lived in their manor house at Grafton Regis near Northampton producing fourteen children, the eldest, Elizabeth being born in 1437.

In 1448 Richard was created Lord Rivers: his advancement ensured his family supported Henry VI in the dynastic feuding of the Wars of the Roses. The situation changed with the Yorkist victory at the Battle of Towton in 1461 and the seizure of the throne by Edward IV. By the spring of 1464, Jacquetta’s daughter Elizabeth was a widow, her Lancastrian husband having been killed in 1461. Within a few months, Elizabeth was married to the young King Edward IV.

Jacquetta died in 1472 aged 56 and was buried at Grafton, though no record of her tomb survives. Recently, one legacy has come to light. Research by gene specialists indicates that Jacquetta was a carrier of the rare Kell-Antigen-Mcleod syndrome causing impaired fertility and psychotic behavioural changes in the male descendants of the family.

Written by Michael Long. I have over 30 years experience teaching History in schools and examiner History to A level. My specialist area is England in the 15th and 16th centuries. I am now a freelance writer and historian.

[battyaboutbooksreviews]

🗞️📖 Bookish News 📖🗞️

🦇 Extra, extra. Read all about it! 📖 Good evening, bookish bats! A lot happened in the publishing industry last month, but here are a few highlights you may have missed!

Adaptations Jennifer Lopez's production company and Netflix - Emily Henry's Happy Place Laika (Travis Knight directing) - Susanna Clarke's Piranesi Universal (Taika Waititi directing?) - Percival Everett's James We Were Liars adds Rahul Kohli to the cast Patrick Dempsey and Sarah Michelle Gellar have joined the cast of the Dexter prequel, Original Sin Chris McKay to direct Brynne Weaver’s Butcher and Blackbird Ayvan Williams, Jessica Belkin & Savannah Lee Smith casted for Becky Albertalli's The Upside of Unrequited First looks for Heartstopper S3 are out Apple TV - Laura Lippman's The Lady in the Lake Adult Swim - Anthony Bourdain’s graphic novel series, Get Jiro! UCP - Chris Witaker's All the Colors of the Dark The Best Christmas Pageant Ever - Barbara Robinson A24 - Jennifer Lawrence starring - Paul Rainey's Why Don't You Love Me? Netflix - Richard E. Grant and Tom Ellis casted for The Thursday Murder Club Sony - Michael Crichton and James Patterson's Eruption Renee Zellweger starring in 12 Months to Live Awesomeness - Melissa De La Cruz's Blue Bloods The Uglies adaptation has a release date after 18 years (September 13) The trailer for Elin Hilderbrand's The Perfect Couple is up Ursula K. Le Guin’s A Wizard of Earthsea is being adapted into a graphic novel Prime - Colin Firth joins the cast of Young Sherlock Universal - Omid Scobie's Royal Spin Netflix - Bridgerton Season 4 lead announced Amazon - Fourth Wing series adaptation is a go Apple TV - The trailer for Pachinko! Season 2 is up An adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Nickel Boys will open the 62nd New York Film Festival Patton Oswalt’s comic book Minor Threats is being adapted into a live-action series HBO - Dune: Prophecy releases in November

Cover Reveals Babylonia - Costanza Casati The Get Off - Christa Faust The Ragpicker King - Cassandra Clare What Does It Feel Like - Sophie Kinsella Wake Up and Open Your Eyes - Clay McLeod Chapman Ageless - Renee Schaeffer The Thirteenth Child - Erin A. Craig Song So Wild and Blue: A Life With Joni Mitchell - Paul Lisicky The Meadowbrook Murders - Jessica Goodman On Her Terms - Amy Spalding Onyx Storm - Rebecca Yarros The River Has Roots - Amal El-Mohtar The Wind Weaver - Julie Johnson In Gad We Trust - Josh Gad The Life of Herod the Great - Zora Neale Hurston (posthumous) The Other People - CB Everett How My Neighbor Stole Christmas - Meghan Quinn

Upcoming Releases I Saw the TV Glow director Jane Schoenbrun has a debut novel coming out, Public Access Afterworld Carol Moseley Braun is writing a memoir, Trailblazer: Perseverance in Life and Politics New memoir by Hilary Rodham Clinton The Road is Good - Uzo Aduba Leo Martino Steals Back His Heart - Eric Geron Viola Davis is co-writing with James Patterson

News Macmillan is launching a "new adult fiction" imprint. The 2024 Locus Award winners were announced The 2024 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards were announced Nebula Award winners were announced Random House is buying Boom! Studios

[nwonitro]

Vale 2023

Terry Funk, Bray Wyatt, Joyce Grable, Killer Khan, Jim Breaks, Doug McLeod, Kurtis Chapman, Brett Wayne-Sawyer, Emile Dupree, Bart Sawyer, Curtis Smith, Randy Johnson, Bill Howard, Count Drummer, Pat Blake, Sheik Adnan El-Kaissey, Darren Drozdov...

Mantaur Mike Halac, Iron Sheik, Tommy Siegler, Tony Peters, Exotic Adrian Street, Superstar Billy Graham, Butch Miller, Rod Bell, Peggy Lee Leather, Abe Jacobs, Rich Landrum, Ed Garea, Brian Dixon, Tim Lyle, Beverly Shade, Don Luce, Willie Paul, Bill Robinette...

JR Bundy, Jerry Jarrett, Jason Silver, Jeff Gaylord, Toro Bill, Eric Froelich, Black Warrior, Johnny Powers, Karl Von Steiger, Mike Pappas, Don West, Sean Patrick O’Brien, Jimmy The Jester, Terry Machalek Sr, Brian Bukantis, Matt Mann, Lanny Poffo...

Billy Two Rivers, Rockin' Randy Rhodes, Charlie Norris, Ed Cheslock, Dan Masters, Howard Brody, Chica Ye-Ye, La Arpia, Carlos Elizondo, La Tigresa Del Norte, Jay Briscoe, Kenny Jay, El Justiciero, Benny Galant, The Rose, Robocop, El Rostro, Indio Vitela, Millonario.

[zmediaoutlet]

Order the fries!

And you may have already done this one but Sam/Rowena? (Or Sam/Jody if you prefer)

y'all the fries were Ordered and then they were Crushed. so while I sit here in grease coma--

sam/rowena

this is one of those ships that I get on an intellectual level but that I'm kinda meh about. to sweep aside the version I'm most meh about as I've done with all the other options -- I hhhhhhate "witch Sam uwu" and the purple woowoo magic that costs nothing and Sam Learning Magic From Rowena and any of that cutesy flowercrown business. ech. If we're gonna ship people I want them to be adults, lol. So with all that--

this is one of those ships that I see the full ship-tential for, really, but I think it's one where they were kind of passing each other at the wrong... time? Kinda like uhh Doctor Who/River. If Sam had been his shadier less-self-respecty s4 self and met a hot dangermilf, odds are higher he could've gotten in there. But Sam in the latter seasons does have self-respect, and when he meets Rowena she's essentially Crowley but redheaded, and we've already talked about how Sam's too good for Crowley, haha. She does get slowly less villainous and Sam respects her more the more she does good, and I can see Sam's genuine interest in her rising the more she clicks over into neutral vs evil. She's his McLeod, where Crowley is Dean's, and Sam were go for it it'd be when she's at her best -- but unfortunately she dies before that door ever fully, really opens. (I try to forget about the 'queen of hell' shit. that red pantsuit, christ.)

Interestingly, too, Rowena's level of self-respect is all over the place. She's haughty and her chin's held high but we know she went through the filthiest muck to get here, in her ridiculously OTT gowns and wealth and make-up to the nines at all times. It's a facade to cover up the terror and old shame, and tbf she has built up a whole castle of witch-bitch to surround that. I can fully see her wanting to fuck Sam just on a physical attraction level -- not least because of that one dom!Sam moment where he makes her sit down and she does, presumably gushing -- but I don't know that she'd let herself. Men are to be used and discarded on the way to the next goal. Letting yourself be open with one is weakness, and she doesn't intend to be weak again.

So what does that leave me at -- like, mutual admiration, physical attraction, but a thin barrier always held up of we could, but let's not do that to each other. Alas. Sam could hold her up with one hand and nail her standing.

[techwander]

Enchanting Himachal Pradesh

Nestled in the western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, often referred to as the "Land of the Gods," is a haven for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and spiritual wanderers. This enchanting Indian state is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and a wealth of experiences waiting to be explored. Join us on a virtual journey through the spellbinding beauty of Himachal Pradesh.

Natural Splendor

Himachal Pradesh is a symphony of nature's grandeur. The state boasts a diverse topography, ranging from snow-capped peaks to lush valleys and pristine rivers. The towering Himalayan ranges offer a playground for trekkers and mountaineers, with popular destinations like Manali, Shimla, and Dharamshala offering a glimpse of this natural beauty.

2. Adventure Awaits

For adrenaline junkies, Himachal Pradesh is a paradise. Whether you're into trekking, paragliding, river rafting, or skiing, this region has it all. Solang Valley, Bir-Billing, and Kullu-Manali are just a few spots that beckon adventure seekers. Don't miss the chance to explore the mighty Rohtang Pass or undertake the challenging Hampta Pass trek.

3. Spiritiual Retreat

Himachal Pradesh is steeped in spirituality, with countless temples and monasteries dotting its landscape. Dharamshala, the residence of the Dalai Lama, is a major center for Tibetan Buddhism. McLeod Ganj, a part of Dharamshala, offers spiritual solace and scenic beauty. The serene monasteries in Spiti Valley are also worth a visit for a glimpse into the Buddhist way of life.

4. Culture & Traditions

The state's rich culture is reflected in its art, music, dance, and festivals. The colorful celebrations of festivals like Dussehra, Diwali, and Shivratri bring communities together, showcasing their vibrant traditions. The traditional Himachali attire, intricate handicrafts, and vibrant folk music and dance add to the cultural tapestry of the region.

5. Culinary Delights

Himachal cuisine is a treat for the taste buds. Don't leave without trying local dishes like Dham, Chana Madra, Babru, and Mittha. The use of aromatic spices and locally sourced ingredients adds a unique flavor to the cuisine. Sip on some warm Kangri Dham Chai as you soak in the beautiful surroundings.

6. Sustainable Tourism

Himachal Pradesh is committed to sustainable tourism practices. Efforts are made to preserve the fragile Himalayan ecosystem and promote responsible tourism. Treks and tours often focus on eco-friendly initiatives, and visitors are encouraged to respect local customs and nature.

Himachal Pradesh is a land of contrasts, where spirituality meets adventure, and nature's beauty knows no bounds. It offers something for every traveler, whether you seek the thrill of the mountains, the tranquility of spiritual retreats, or the warmth of the local culture. With its breathtaking landscapes and a rich tapestry of experiences, a visit to Himachal Pradesh is nothing short of a magical journey through the heart of the Himalayas. So, pack your bags and embark on an unforgettable adventure in the Land of the Gods.

#TECHWANDERER

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Motion of Light Erin Hanson :: [h/t Guillaume Gris]

* * * *

"When you encounter difficulties, the feelings and stories that arise in reaction are just that, feelings and stories. They are whirlwinds of confusion, based not in what is happening now but in deeply held beliefs about you and your relationship to the world. Let them swirl- leaves in the wind. Sometimes you fall back into them and lose touch with the present, but a moment of recognition always comes. Right then, come back to your body, come back to your breath, and rest. The confusion, the stories and the feelings are still there. They continue to swirl, but you are not lost in them."

~ Ken McLeod, 'Reflections on Silver River, teachings on Tokmé Zongpo's 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva' (Ian Sanders)

[amidst-wonderland]

[the gray area]

pairing: nora + michael warnings: child endangerment, language, alcohol, smoking, slightly smutty foreplay summary: nora's living in ‘the gray area’ with michael in glasgow

november, twenty-third

nineteen-twenty-nine

“nora” alec breathlessly warned. handling the squirming six-year-old in his arms as he struggles to wrap the blond in his own larger coat in an attempt to keep the heat in, but alas he wanted nothing less than his mum who seemed to be more entranced by the two blokes about fifty yards from them. one laying lifeless on the ground, and the other hovering over the well-dressed body.

    you can see it in her eyes – the pain; the grief and sheer rage – she was ready to pounce, to do so regardless of a present audience. yet, there was no point. the deed was done, and the man was dead. they’d protected their son and that’s all that mattered.

    alec couldn’t understand why the ginger wouldn’t leave it to rest as she continued to grip the revolver. this was never her fight.

    “mummy!” george cries, continuing to fight off his uncle.

    “hen, jist– hiv the wean. wu’ll ye?

    nora turns to them both, her eyes beginning to soften at her shivering boy who’d almost fallen to his death into the cold depths of the river clyde below.

     george hadn’t reacted like this since christmas at john and esme’s when he’d caught a glimpse of michael fighting for his life on their drive.

     she takes george from alec, pulling him into a tight hold as her son gripped at the fabric of her blouse. nora’s heart aches whilst george sobs into her shoulder, feeling his little tears begin to dampen skin through the linen.

     nora turns back to her husband making sure that george was no longer facing the corpse spread across the damp cobbles.

     “i tried to be brave mumma,” george cries between heaved breaths. “promise.”

     she releases a shaky exhale. softly flattening his hair and lulling him back into her shoulder. this was no sight for a child to see. “ah know chicken, ah know.”

     “you aw’right hen?”

     nora gives her bother a nod. squeezing her eyes shut, hoping the tension would prevent any tears falling in the visceral moment of brevity.

     “gonnae gie him a haun,” she motions to michael, “it’ll need tae get dumped.”

     “no lookin’ tae send a message?”

     normally, she would’ve been elated at the chance. to rub it in the faces of those heartless bastards but with the blubbering boy in her arms no amount of pride in the world would allow the man to stay beyond the surface.

     now standing beside nora, alec looks to his brother-in-law lighting himself a smoke.

     michael stood over a man that had caused the mcleod’s unimaginable distress since they were teens – when threatening to slash each-other limbs was a far cry from having a bullet buried in his thick, brittle skull.

     as pathetic of a sentiment it was alec wouldn’t lie, he was jealous of the shot. the pent-up, bubbling, boiling fury he’d clutched for decades had been forced to dissipate. the chance to take the man’s last dying breath was wrenched from his grasp by his baby sister’s husband.

     stolen by an englishman that didn’t know the first thing about their city and mccavern’s prolonged tyranny.

     michael conceived a corpse; the alec wanted his disgraced, pitiful martyr.

     perhaps nora once felt the same–

     “naw, no anymair.” nora stated. she was still soothing george in her arms rubbing at his back, feeling his stabled breathing fluctuating against her chest as he drifted off. he felt safe. good.

     grumbling, alec gives nora a reassuring pat on the back before moving past his sister making his way over to the body whilst michael continued to smoke his cigarette. ‘um gonnae at least kick ‘im in the clyde.’

     the mood was solemn, the purgatory state between the potential loss of a child and tucking him in to bed as the night falls.

     strong, bitter winds hit against nora. feeling the breeze nip at her bare skin. instinctively she clutched george closer.

     the rush of fear and adrenaline that saturated nora’s bloodstream running through the back forest heading for the river’s shipyard, her husband trailing behind had come to pass.

     “cheers fir this,” alec says, “jane only telt me efter youse left the pub when she wis feedin’ yir lassie.”

     michael gives him a weak smile acknowledging the gratitude. “it was for the best alec. he thought i was here for my cousin, not my kid.”

     “aye, suppose.” alec darkly chuckled, “he wis stupit, but he wisnae daft especially if ‘es workin’ wae yer man mosely.”

     michael sighs glancing back to nora gently swaying their son in her arms, he hadn’t seen her do that since george was little.

     “listen, i’m sorry about that,” he grimaces, “i told tommy to ring you for the meeting but he’s using nonie to get under my skin.”

     “the wee-yin mentioned.”

     michael could hear the discontent lingering in alec’s words and he couldn’t blame him. thomas was putting nora in the line-of-fire just to piss him off.

     his cousin had deliberately thrown nora into the lion’s den knowing michael couldn’t protect her. he’d been constrained to watch as she was stared down and up, ignored and tittered at by men who saw nothing more than a scrawny piece of scum.

     thomas’d watched michael for years in family meetings acting defence between nora and the shelby’s. hands on her waist, her shoulder or even the back of her chair. warning everyone to do not cross (although thomas initially mistook that for calming down nora). even when she addressed the clan, michael would stand behind her, observing everyone else’s movements.

     “ah’ll no pry. can see there’s a loat going oan ‘ere and that’s yer ain business as man an wife. but jist gonnae dae right by ‘er. she’s been bloody crabbit efter the shite wae ma maw an da.”

     “did you manage to find your mum? johnny said the taylor’s didn’t know she was missing.”

     alec braces for a moment, unsure if he should break the news on nora’s behalf or let her do so, “aye, she wis closer tae hame than we thought.”

     michael nods in content before looking down at the body before him. jimmy’s face had now become eclipsed in tacky blood and plasma, it still trickling from his forehead pooling onto the mucky cobbles.

     he didn’t regret what he’d done. he didn’t regret taking a life to save his son and he didn’t regret taking the shot for his wife. nora was lot of things but a killer she wouldn’t be.

     the gun she’d unsteadily aimed at the gangster was a stark reminder of their time apart.

     he’d killed solomons’ boy with that pistol and hughes, narrowly escaping his own demise at the hands of the crown before lending it to nora should she ever need to use it without him.

     “go ae yir wean mick” alec says, waving him off. “ah’ll chuck the body.”

     “you sure?”

     “aye.”

     michael turns back, heading to nora and george, who’s now draped limply over his mum’s shoulder and out like a light. the ginger girl looking over at the loch opposite them.

     “whit’s he daein?”

     “dealing with it.” michael answers, slipping an arm around nora’s waist pulling the pair closer into his side taking in the strong sent of lavender coming from his wife. something’s never change.

     “ah need a fuckin’ drink, or a smoke.” nora announced, though it was more a lingering sentiment for the latter demand.

     “used my last one just there.”

     “did ah ever tell you yer a terrible liar?”

     “take’s one to know one nonie.” michael smiled as nora scrunched her nose in annoyance, knowing that meant ‘no, you’re not having one.’

     “ah’m glad ‘es deid,” nora said, her heart still beating heavy. “but i jist wish the wee-man didnae hiv tae see that.”

     the couple began trailing through the trees and winding path, back down to where michael had parked the bentley. george now in his father’s arms giving nora’s frame a rest.

     “ah would’ve done it.” she firmly states, “i would’ve leathered him and put it right fuckin’ through him.”

     “i know you would’ve, it’s why i did it.”

     nora frowns, turning to her husband. “how?”

     “the last thing george needs to see his mum’s fucking terrible shot,” michael jokes. lightly attempting to change the subject.

     “it’s been ages since ah’d felt lit that, that angry. how fuckin’ dare that rat-bastard involve the weans.”

     visions of mccavern’s demise kept replaying in her mind like a terrible picture edith had dragged her to. the boom from the barrel, the whisp of the bullet almost grazing her ear before the splatter of blood oozed from the billy boy’s forehead, falling to the ground with a thud.

     the memories made her tense.

     for every moment she lived as a ‘shelby’, murder was not a common viewing. with the tommy-gun’s output rattling through their home and esme trapped against the door. she’d only witnessed the aftermath of john’s passing because unlike her friend, nora’s husband was spared by the reaper.

     ‘a truce hen, it aw stops. naemair tak’ing gold bhoys. ah cross ma heart. ah jist wan’tae hear it fae yer man sbelby, nae ‘ffence an ye kin hiv the wee-yin back.’

     jimmy demanded thomas shelby, the labour politician he’d made small talk with just last week in the presence of his family, mosley and the ginger fenian lassie.

     nora couldn’t bring thomas – he was no longer in the country, but she could bring the other brummy present who’d have an otherwise unknown vested interest in his son’s whereabouts.

     he’d agreed to the truce offered by the blinder – michael had been lying through his teeth, seething at the glaswegian gangster holding george over the edge of the water. jimmy remained none-the-wiser.

     that was the plan. nobody had to die, at least not here for a child to see.

     jimmy was about to walk from the loch, letting the matter rest but then george screamed, for his dad.

     the rug had been pulled from under him. this was no truce. his men were still at war their lot.

     george clinging to nora. she nervously clasped the cold metallic weapon, finger on the trigger and aimed it back at jimmy, ready to pull–

     she couldn’t–

     tick-boom! released from behind her, catching a glimpse of jimmy’s horror as he plummeted the ground.

     passing george off to alec once he’d arrived. nora’d stumbled off to the side, gripping the railing as she reeled from the sight.

     nora’s fingertips softly graze along her son’s marked forearm, stained by the horrors of this morning where mccavern had gripped him. It pained the woman; her baby boy, a child harmed in the cross-fire of his parent’s game.

     there’s a painful, plunging sensation in her chest noticing george flinch in his deep slumber at the slight touch against the prominent scar. seeing the fair hair, and bumps on his skin rise. “…mumma stop.”

     carefully, she leans over the bed dragging up some of the puffy duvet over the pair of her kids sourcing some more heat as the fire had gone out long ago. rosie begins stir, brunette locks sprawled across the plush white pillows.

     the six-year-old had refused to leave her side ever since they’d returned from the docks. constantly clinging to her waist, gripping at nora’s hand as they travelled around the town and regularly climbing into her lap as they sat in the pub, debriefing as a family.

     flick!

     “michael,” she pressed. getting up from the bed and nodding to the fag. “thought you ran oot?”

     “alec had a couple to spare.”

     “so, ye’ll take fae my blood, bit no share it.”

     michael takes a quick drag from the snout before giving it over to his wife after she shuts the bedroom door behind her.

     nora slumps down on the couch beside him to coorie into his chest, pulling her legs up as she takes her own draw from the cigarette.

     the ginger now occupied with a smoke, michael grabs the tumbler from the side table. “feels like we back at the old house. home from the office, kids bathed and in bed, music on–“

     “–are you asking me fir a wee dance michael?” nora teased, craning her neck back and grinning.

     “still got a bit to drink before that nonie.”

     nora scans around the hotel room. it’s nothing like their old home.

     the dark reds, clashing with the mustards yellows and bracketed chocolate brown skirting hardly encapsulated the sense of their old cottage on the coast that was filled with soft beiges, earthy greens and smelled of rose and sea-salt.

     this time four years ago they’d either be winding down with a night-cap and a fuck or drunkenly ringing esme and john, sometimes even isaiah to pop round with more boose and snow.

     “ah miss that hoose. the beach, the weans wae us in the mornin’ in the big bed, a bloody indoor lavvy. ah’ll tell ye, that wis a fuckin’ hassle getting’ used tae pissin’ ootside again,” nora whinges taking another drag. “never did get round tae a dug though.”

     “there’s still time.”

     nora scoffs, “ach, wae yer new missus hangin’ aboot? that’ll be right.”

     “nonie–“

     “–listen, can we no dae this?”

     “you brought gina up.”

     “aye, jist ignore whit ah said then. ah’ll no hiv this chat wae a drink in me.”

     ‘that’s new’ michael rolls his eyes, pinching the remainder of the cigarette and before nora could protest, he slips the whiskey into her hand as replacement.

     “i never wanted leave nonie. i wanted to stay, make things right but then tommy told me what happened in london – the burn-bottle, the kids.”

     “never understood why you ever believed him.”

     “i didn’t. i believed mum, and ada, and lizzie. couldn’t bear the thought of having to go down there so mum convinced me to take the first train out to the riverside. leave it all behind. promised me johnny would sort out a proper gypsy send-off with your family.”

     “ach, whit’s done is done,” nora lets out a heavy sigh.

     contrary to the metal band that had rested on her left hand for over half a decade, nora didn’t always enjoy sleeping next to her husband and doing just that for the first time in three years was a blatant and unfortunate reminder.

     she was suffocated in a dark room, slightly drunk and coated in sticky sweat being stuck under the thickest winter duvet that would be far too warm even back in her natural habitat of their decrepit flat above the taylor’s inn.

     nora and her bed partner were far from the love-dovey couple of yesteryear, in fact she was moments from shoving his deadweight onto the floor just to fucking breathe.

     she would if she weren’t so disorientated. the groose was enough, michael hardly had to crack open the gin.

     michael hadn’t been in glasgow long, but long enough for sleeping in bed with him to feel normal. even if he was wearing someone else’s ring – where the fuck was his old one?

     even gina had said confessed, she didn’t want him. she wanted his name. smiling back at nora as she clasped her hand over her’s, giving back the lighter she’d received on her wedding day, noting the missing ruby.

     nora wanted to be smug. simply walk away from the man who did so to her but those tender eyes, christ. michael could glance at her from across the room and she’d utterly melt.

     she’s the first to admit her behaviour back in england wasn’t the most pleasant to deal with, especially after a couple of drinks. michael was hardly a saint himself but they’d always had each-others backs and she didn’t want that to change, and legally it hadn’t.

     with nora sleepily raking her fingers through michael’s loose curls she feels a shift in the bed with her husband peeling off her chest, readjusting himself so the pair were now blindly facing one-another. one arm firmly planted around her waist, the other on her leg. burying his head into the crook of her neck, nora felt the shivers crawl up her spine as hot, ragged breaths hit against her sensitive skin causing her to flinch on the initial impact.

     though, she narrowed her eyes. the movements were too calculated for him to still be sleeping which meant something was bothering him.

     wincing at the sudden grope of her thigh, and again, and again, pulling her in tighter each time. it’s followed by some trailing nips on her jaw, michael dragging his plump lips down to her collarbone with some light sucking. she was too tired for this shit, but it was taking her mind off the dreadful atmosphere. she’s about to question him before being silenced by a tight squeeze of her bare bum, a muffled giggle slips out. they sounded like a couple of giddy, hormonal teenagers getting up to all-sorts, which was better than bickering.

     picking up the rhythm, she hitches her leg up causing him to knowingly smirk. it was all going his way, allowing him to loop his grip under it, roughly pulling her body into his releasing a suppressed groan as he’s painfully aware their kids are now just a wall away. there’s an urge to follow as she feels her pelvis rubbing against his erection through the thin material and it all begins to make sense but the sheer rush of pleasure running through her veins turns her train of thought to mush.

     still, she wasn’t quite ready to give him the satisfaction of being wrapped around his finger once again and wriggles out of his hold across the cooler side of the mattress.

     “nonie, do me a favour, yeah?” he hushed, kissing her. “please.”

     “naw. ah’m fuckin’ knackered an hauf-cut – ah’m no nineteen anymair.”

     “c’mon, just touch it, that’s all. i’m not asking you to sit on it.”

     ‘no, but you will and i won’t be able to say no.’

     “nonie.”

     “michael.”

     “…fuck.”

     “christ-almighty. you are so fuckin’ dramatic,” nora laughs, hanging her head off the bed for some fresh air almost toppling over the side. “‘ve no had a fuck in three bloody years an ye don’t see me in this state.”

     nora feels michael shift his weight, climbing back over her frame and trapping her under.

     stubborn as ever.

     “michael, i wull fuckin’ curse ye,” she threats, “ye ‘hink ah wull’nae cause yer ma weans daddy but ah’ll dae–”

     nora’s vitriol is stopped dead in its tracks as michael tightly clasped her cheeks, “you think that’s any way to speak to your husband, mrs gray?”

     ‘don’t think you’re allowed to call me that anymore.’

     “all this fucking lip, now i know why.”

     she loathed that he was spot-on. she’d desperately tried to ignore it. distract herself – kids, work, pub. keeping up the façade of a happily married woman with her travelling husband elsewhere, she could never risk it.

     ‘’hink wee-yin’s turned intae crabbit cow waeoot ‘er man.’ nora’s sister-in-law callously joked to her elder sister, “thought you said she wis cheerie an gallus.”

      jane had point.

     who would she be to turn this down?

     “mrs mccaig’ll hiv ma heid if he’s no in.” nora mummers. softly tracing her finger round the edges of michael’s jaw, “she’s already gettin’ oan ma arse aboot the scrapin in the playground.”

     “i’ll have words.”

     “don’t. i’ve warned him already. says it’s the other boys startin’ it.”

     “do you believe him?”

     “mebbe.” nora sits up, untangling her bare legs from michael’s. “but ‘es no rosalin, ‘es no sleekit.”

     “rosie’d take on britain if it looked her wrong.”

     “good. means she’s ‘er mammy’s lassie.”

     nora glances round the room, catching the time on the clock, half-seven.

     “want me to come with you? ‘play house’ as mum would say.”

     her heart sinks at michael’s offer, ‘play house, right. forgot this ain’t real.’

     she smiles and nods, eyes burning struggling to peer back at him. “yeah, the weans would like that.” nora chokes out a laugh, “show the other mammies thir no a couple ae bastards.”

     “nonie–“

     “–mammy!”

     “’ve dealt wae that fir three years. your turn.” nora nips, sending him off means they didn’t have to linger.

     “rosie couldn’t even speak the last time i saw her.”

     “mammy!”

     “go see yer daughter michael.”

     “she’s not shouting for her dad, is she?”

     nora groans but before she can get out the bed, rosie’s making her way into the room, rubbing her eyes.

     “mammy, georgie keeps stealing the covers.”

     “ach yer getting’ up anyway. ‘es got school.”

     rosie grins back at her mum before running off back to their room.

     nora grimaces, “we’re in fir touble.”

i'm not overly happy with the ending but i'm probably going to write a part two of the school run or at least something with michael + rosie.

only took me four bloody years to write this.