#michigan green house wedding

[winniemaywebber]

There's No Place Like Home

It's 1949. Mr and Mrs James Douglass have been married for two years, living in a beautiful little house that's backed by an apple orchard. Olive works at the local department store, Knapp’s, where her only highlights of the day are kissing her husband goodbye as he takes her to work, and kissing him hello again as he picks her up to take her home.

Knapp’s Department Store; the end of a long day for Olive Douglass. Between being poked at for her accent, working through her lunch hour and a snooty lady yelling at her before clocking out time, Olive is more than ready to return home to her husband, who at this very moment, is driving home through Downtown Lansing, the top down on the car. He is on his way to pick up his wife, who currently feels like the grumpiest lady in the whole of Michigan.

“Goodnight, Olive!” she hears, looking over her shoulder as she lights a cigarette. She sees Kelly and Molly, two pinch faced, stuck up sisters whose voices are so shrill that it made Olive recoil and cringe. “See you on Monday!”

“Uh-huh,” she replies, trying to force a smile.

“Goodnight, your Majesty,” Molly murmurs, an awful British accent being used in her horrific high tone.

“Molly!” Kelly scolds, ushering her away. “She's a nice girl, leave her be.”

With a roll of her eyes, Olive stands and smokes, thinking of what her best friend, Valencia Blakely, would say to the pair of them. Olive is sure the comebacks would be wordless, the furrow upon Val's brow being enough to scare them off. As she stubs out her cigarette, she sees her husband coming to a stop in front of her. He sees her scowl before he even approaches her.

“Now, what's this?” he asks, turning off the engine and walking up to where she's standing. “Who's upset my wife?”

“Oh, just a couple of catty assholes.”

“Let me at ‘em,” he says, his voice a little gravelly. He tips her chin so her lips meet his and she melts into him instantly. “Let's get you home.”

“Yes, please,” she replies, just wanting to rot in bed for a little while until dinner. “I need a lie down.”

“Oh, of course. Not for long though, I have a surprise for you.”

“A surprise?” she squeals, clutching his hand as he starts the car. He puts it to his lips, kissing her hand gently three times as he nods, his eyes twinkling in the delight of the secret he holds within him.

—

The second she steps out of the car, she feels at peace. Olive had never felt at home anywhere before taking a tumble into a whole other era, landing right in the middle of a war, winding herself on the hardstand of Thorpe Abbotts Air Base. It was the people she met that had made it a home for her: her best friends, Val and Helen. Dougie’s best friend and Val's husband, Everett Blakely, a brother to Olive alongside Bernard Demarco, Robert Rosenthal, Harry Crosby and John Brady, Olive now best friends with all of their sweethearts. It was the kind of life she'd always dreamt of and the cherry on top of the cake was meeting James Douglass, marrying him just a few years after the war had ended.

“Our new home,” Dougie had said as he carried her over the threshold, opening the bright red door for her to welcome her inside. It was dainty, small, yet the most perfect house Olive had ever seen. He had taken her through every room, Olive totally blown away by how he'd painstakingly chosen the perfect colors for each wall without needing any guidance. The dining table he and Ev had made together, and the sweet accessories Val had added to each piece of furniture. This home had a little part of everyone in it - pictures from Thorpe Abbotts, the whole gang at their first Independence Day barbecue hosted by the Bradys, Val and Olive together on their wedding days - and that's why Olive adored it so much.

As she walks into the kitchen, she is greeted by a fresh, floral smell from the aforementioned dining table. There, sits Grandma Pearl's green vase, filled to bursting with pink and white peonies.

“Saw these when I walked to the diner for lunch,” Dougie says shyly. “I know you love peonies at this time of year.”

“You remembered!”

“Of course I remembered, silly. The second I saw them, I thought of you.”

“You're so sweet, honey,” she smiles, walking up to him and wrapping her arms around his neck. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he replies, his nose landing in her neck like it always does, making her giggle a little as his mustache tickles at her.

“What do you want for dinner, darling?”

“Oh, right!” He says, suddenly remembering his little secret. “I'm taking you out. Reservation is at 8.30, so you've got time for a short nap before we need to get ready, okay?”

“Okay…” Olive says, a grin spanning from ear to ear. She takes his hand, her thumb stroking over his palm gently. “Will you come snuggle?”

“Honey, if I ever say no to that…”

—

She wakes a little while later to her husband kissing her neck gently to rouse her. She purrs as he carries on, his hands slowly stroking and tickling her bare back.

“Come on, honey. We gotta wake up.”

“But I'm so cozy,” she protests, turning over and snuggling into him.

“Oh, you're adorable, Ollie,” he coos, letting her cuddle in for just a few more minutes before pulling away, kissing her temple. “Come on, I wanna take you out. Cheer you up after your bad day, hm?”

“Okay,” she sighs. “It'll be a good way to distract myself away from the thoughts of Monday creeping closer, I guess.”

“Tell me what happened, sugar.”

“Ugh, this horrible woman. She wanted to return a hat that she said she no longer wanted. Okay, I said, no problem. May I have your receipt?”

“And?” Dougie probes, gently running his fingers through Olive’s dark hair, staring into her big brown eyes as she tells her tale.

“She hands me it, tutting. Fucking tutting at me as if I'm inconveniencing her. So, I look it over…hm, that's nice, honey…” she trails off, snuggling back into Dougie once again.

“Sorry, sorry. You look it over?”

“Hmm…” she sighs. “Yes, and the item is three days over the return deadline. So, I say, ma'am, store policy dictates thirty days from purchase to make a return, and you're at day thirty-three. I'm happy to exchange it for you. Lord, she hit the roof. Yelling at me, calling me rude, useless, what have you. I ended up having to call for someone upstairs to explain it to her, because she would not listen to me, nor would she quit yelling. It was humiliating, honestly.”

“Ollie, that's horrible. You shouldn't have to deal with that!”

“I could absolutely see myself going Valencia Blakely on her rude self. Fighting that temptation was hard.”

“We have money for bail, it's fine. I'd come rescue you.”

“You would?”

“Oh, always, honey. I'm always on your side.” He pauses for a second, having Olive lay on his shoulder. “You could just quit, and stay home, huh?”

“No!” she says. “I like the independence. I like being able to contribute, even if it's only a little.”

“I've got it!” he replies, the pair of them bullheaded as ever. “I promised to look after you. Let me?”

“B-but…”

“You'd still be independent. Are you telling me you'd rather go to work in that stuffy, old department store over sitting in the backyard, reading a book and sipping coffee?”

“Well, when you put it like that…” she shrugs, the stubbornness wearing off.

“Exactly. You've been so tired, Ol. Let me take care of you. Please?”

“Oh, my sweet husband. If you're sure?”

“Without a doubt,” he says softly, kissing her for a few moments. “Now, come on, sweetheart. I don't wanna be late.”

“Late for what?”

“You'll see.”

—

“Dougie!” Olive protests, him covering her eyes as he leads her through what feels like a long corridor. He had instructed her to close her eyes the moment they'd turned the corner on to Main Street, him covering her eyes with both of his hands as he'd helped her out of the car.

“Is this really necessary?” she'd asked, hands out in front of her to feel for anything she may bump into.

“Yes!” he had giggled, making sure her eyes really were shut before opening a door for her. “I've got you, sugar. Trust me.”

The smell of sweet popcorn lingers in her nostrils as another door opens, Olive giggling to herself that she's figured out the location by smell alone.

“Okay, we're at the movies. Got that part. Can I open my eyes yet?”

“Nope,” he says matter of factly, leading her to a seat. “Not until it starts.”

“James Douglass, you are–”

“Insufferable, I know. And yet, you love me.”

“I sure do, sweetheart. But I am impatient and this is doing nothing for my nervous system.”

He laughs, grabbing her hand and kissing it. Olive feels his smile on her hand and smiles back, knowing how silly that must look with her eyes closed. She feels the room growing darker, her vision now pitch black.

“Okay,” he breathes, clutching her hand a little tighter. “Now you can open them.”

“Finally,” she whispers, eyes focused on the large screen in front of them as she hears the projector click on. A sepia tone blasts on to the screen, with the familiar overture that Olive spent countless days listening to over and over, followed by the title: The Wizard of Oz.

“James!” she cries, leaning over to hold him. She stares at him open mouthed, back to the screen and then back to him, not sure where to look.

“You told me it was your favorite, right after I came back from Bremen. Do you remember that?”

“Y-yes,” she stammers out, her eyes filling with tears. “I do…”

—

“I just wanna know everything about you,” Dougie had whispered as they laid in Olive’s small bunk together, the morning sun leaking in through the thin curtains of the Red Cross hut. “Everything.”

“I wouldn't know where to start,” Olive laughed, closing her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair. “It's a lot.”

“Well,” he sighed. “Let's start with the basic stuff. Favorite food?”

“Italian. A good penne alla vodka can cure any bad mood.”

“Ah, explains why you instantly stuck to Val and Benny. You want the recipes from the source!”

“Too right,” she giggles, nuzzling into him. “What about you?”

“Whatever my mom cooks. It's always so homey, warm…” he trails off, his eyes closing as he breathes in deeply. “Sorry,” he says, shaking his head.

“What for?” Olive asks, her hand on his face. “You're missing home, that's perfectly normal.”

“I think I'm missing it more now because I just can't wait to take you there. When all this is over, you're coming home with me, right?”

“Right,” she repeats, nodding. “Hm, favorite movie?” she asks, going back to the original subject.

“I really liked His Girl Friday.”

“Oh, me too!” Olive squeals in reply. “One of Pearl's favorites too. She had it bad for Cary Grant. Who wouldn't?”

He grins. “What's yours?”

“The Wizard of Oz,” comes her reply, a wistful edge to it. “I'd watch it every Christmas, when it was broadcast on television. I've always loved it, even as a child. It didn't really scare me like it scared other kids, it just made me cry when she had to leave her friends behind and go back home.”

“Too late to see it in theaters, huh?” He jokes.

“Oh, only by a good eighty-two years,” she laughs. “I'd love to see it on the big screen though. One day, perhaps…”

—

“I read about this in the paper this morning. They're showing the movie again for its–”

“Tenth anniversary,” Olive interjects, nodding. “I can't believe you remembered. It's been years since we talked about it.”

“So, a good surprise?”

“The best,” she sniffs. “Thank you, honey. I never thought I'd get to see it like this. It's beautiful.”

“You're beautiful,” he replies, taking her hand again. “Gonna need you to look after me though.”

“Why?” she titters, sitting back.

“The witch lady scares me.”

“It's okay,” she whispers to him, giggling a little. “I'm right here.”

—

Pulling into the driveway, Dougie switches off the engine with a contented sigh. He looks over at his wife, his expression softening as she smiles at him.

“What?” he asks her, smiling back. His eyes adorably crinkle, as does his nose.

“Tonight was perfect. Thank you,” she says, reaching over to kiss him.

“Well, it's not over yet. We still have dessert in the house.”

“What?”

“Mom stopped by with apple pie.”

“Oh, my favorite!”

“I know. I may have mentioned that you were upset and tired with work and–”

“And I've told her that her apple pie fixes everything,” Olive says happily.

“Exactly,” he replies, getting out of the car. He walks over to Olive’s side and opens the door for her, holding his hand out. “Come on, honey.”

As they enter the house, Olive heads straight for the icebox.

“Ice cream or cool whip?”

“You choose,” he smiles, pulling plates from the cabinet. She takes out the cool whip, handing it to her husband while she retrieves utensils from the drawer. As she places them down on the table that her husband and Ev had so carefully made together, she feels Dougie next to her.

“Hey,” he says, a cheeky tone to his voice. “Let me see you.”

She turns her head at the exact moment he daubes cool whip on her nose, her gasping in surprise. He laughs, before pulling her close and licking it off quickly. She squeals, him tickling at her waist as they both laugh uproariously.

“You're a menace,” she says, the last few gasps of laughter leaving her. She wraps her arms around his neck and lets her head fall to his shoulder, him taking her hand and suddenly starting to sway. “What are you doing?”

“Dancing with my girl. Is that okay?”

“Yes,” she replies with a little laugh. “But there's no music.”

“Who needs music, huh?”

They stay like that for a while, gently swaying in the kitchen while the pie sits forgotten about. As their noses touch, they kiss one another softly and both sigh happily.

“Love you, Mrs Douglass.”

“Love you more, Mr Douglass.”

“Not possible.”

taglist: @ginabaker1666 @sagesolsticewrites @lestweforget5 @butterfly9012

[gretavangroupie]

Wilt (Epilogue)

Word count: 3.0k

Pairing: Jake Kiszka x Female Reader

Thank you for waiting for the final piece of Wilt. I hope you will enjoy their ending as much as I did writing it.

The light catches the perfect oval sparkling on your finger as you turn the wheel of your car. You found yourself entranced in the colors as it sparkled a million tiny rainbows onto the ceiling of the car. Even after all these years it still ‘shone the brightest’, as Jake would always say and had your heart full, practically spilling over with love at every glance. 

The bags in the backseat slid across the car as you pulled over the crack in the pavement and into the long driveway situated at the side of your home. Your big beautiful home, full of love, support, and affection. You both knew as soon as you saw this house that it was the one. Much like falling in love. The minute Jake laid eyes on it you knew you would have to drag him out of the showing appointment and you weren’t wrong. A few short weeks later he closed on it, and it became yours, together.  You filled it with your things and it slowly became a perfect representation of the two of you, as one. 

Though Jake was gone more frequently now, you had reminders of him everywhere. Surrounding you day and night, but none more prominent than the gold band wrapped around your finger and his. Jake was persistent. He probably asked you ten times before you said yes and meant it. That beautiful day in Portofino, wine drunk and sunkissed, everything felt right. You had known since the day you met that he would always be in your life, and he continued to prove to you daily how badly he needed you in his. So as you walked hand in hand through the green leaves of the vineyard and he asked you to marry him you finally said yes and meant it. 

The wedding was simple, only immediate friends and family were in attendance. A small gathering at his home in Michigan. His favorite linen suit, and a modest white dress. Handpicked flowers from the field next door, and a celebration of two people hopelessly in love with each other.

Three years passed by in a flash. You got to witness a new album release, see the world on a seemingly endless tour, and got to see the inner workings of his mind as they worked on their next album. You knew that you wanted to do something special for the twins for their birthday since they have spent the last four years working the day of, never getting to celebrate how they wanted to. You worked tirelessly over the last week in preparation for the party tomorrow. Everything was ready but there was one more thing you needed to do. 

You grabbed the bags from your backseat, rushing inside to wrap the gift before Jake got home from the studio. You wrapped the small box in brown paper and a black satin ribbon, placing it on the dresser just in time to see his Jeep pulling into the driveway. You watched him through the large window as he walked up the steps of your front porch, and you felt your heart flutter at the sight of him. 

The beeping of the alarm system indicates the front door has opened, followed quickly by your name falling melodically from his lips. As he turns the corner into your bedroom, his hand rests on the door frame as he looks you up and down. “Whatcha got there…” he asks, seeing the box on the dresser.

“Oh just a little something for the birthday boy.” you say playfully.

“You didn’t have to get me anything baby.” he says.

You smile and shrug your shoulders, as he walks into the room, grabbing your hips and pulling you into him. 

“I think you’re gonna love it. Actually, I know you will.” you say, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

He groans as he kisses you back before pulling away. “I don’t think I will ever get tired of that.” he says with a smirk.

“Probably a good thing since you’re stuck with me.” you say with a wink. 

You step out of his arms and make your way to the kitchen. There are a few things you need to prep tonight before tomorrow, and time spent with Jake home seems to slip away quickly. As you pull the mixing bowls from the cabinet you hear him put a record on, the blues tunes filling the tall ceilings of your perfect home. Your perfect life with your perfect man. How did I get so lucky?

–

Your morning was spent rushing around hanging decorations, setting up food and drinks and texting people directions. People would be arriving any minute and your nerves were pulsing through your body like a bullet train. You wanted everything to be perfect for them. For him. 

Setting the two cakes on the long wooden table you took a step back admiring your handiwork. The doorbell rings and you hear Jake call out that he would get it. Walking to meet him at the door you see the other guest of honor, Josh, who promptly takes you into the biggest hug you’ve gotten from him yet. Maybe even bigger than your wedding day. He releases you and takes a look at you. A flicker in his eyes catches your attention and he bites his lips to stop himself from revealing his thoughts.

Jake steps into the living room to turn on music as Josh pulls you to the side. “Thanks for doing this. It means alot to him. Both of us really. I can’t remember the last time we had a proper birthday party.” he smiles.

“Of course. I would do anything for you guys. I think today will be really special.” you smile back.

People slowly began to filter in, until the house was teaming with familiar smiling faces. You were surrounded by love as everyone gushed over your decorations and food. People mingled, filling the house with laughter for hours. When it was time to do the cakes you called everyone to the kitchen, placing Jake and Josh behind their respective cakes. They may be twins but they had very different tastes. One chocolate, one vanilla just as they requested. 

After a round of ‘Happy Birthday’ the guys blew out their candles, cheeks tinted pink with a hint of embarrassment. You cut the cakes and passed out pieces to all the guests. As you leaned against the kitchen counter, watching the party go on, Jake approached you. 

“No cake? You love cake.” he asks, offering you a bite. 

“I do love cake, I just don’t want any right now.” you lie. Truth being that the thought of the sugar was making your stomach turn.

“Who are you and what have you done with my wife?” he laughs, placing a kiss on your cheek. “Now, when do I get to open my present?” he whispers in your ear.

“Well…I guess you can have it now. Only if you want…” you smirk.

“I want.” he nods.

You grab his hand weaving through the crowd of people, and pull him into your bedroom. 

You retrieve the small box from the dresser, hand it to him and sit on the edge of your bed anxious for him to open it. 

You can feel your heart pounding in your chest as he pulls the black satin ribbon. His eyes flick to yours in excitement and you nod your head for him to continue. Ripping the brown paper he sees the box and furrows his brow. You swallow nervously as he pulls the lid off of the small yellow box, revealing a pair of small brown boots, an exact replica of his own. 

He looks to you confused, “I love them but I don’t think they are gonna fit, baby…” he laughs.

“You had the last part right.” you smile up to him. 

His eyes widen as he drops to his knees in front of you. Placing the tiny boots on the bed his hands press to your stomach, “You aren’t…” he breathes out.

“I am. Twelve weeks.”  you smile at him, running your fingers through his hair.

“Are you sure? Is everything….” he questions nervously.

“Everything is perfect Jakey. It’s perfect.” you say, eyes filling with tears. 

He stands pulling you up from the bed and into his arms, burying his face into your neck as you feel a drip of wetness against your skin. 

“Every single day.” he breathes out. “Every single day whether I’m here, or gone, or even just in another room, every day I wished for this. For us. For something physical that I could hold in my hands that shows how much I love you. A piece of you, and a piece of me woven together forever.” 

He grabs your face and presses his lips to yours in a kiss that renders you weak at the knees. “You are the love of my life. This one and the next. Always.” he whispers.

He drops back to his knees and places his hands on your tiny, barely noticeable bump, “But you. You are the light of my life. This one and the next.” placing a soft kiss on your rounding skin.

Grabbing his hands pulling him back to stand with you, you tell him, “You you want to tell your brothers?” you smile.

“Do you want to tell them?” he asks.

“Are you going to be able to keep it from them?” you say playfully.

“No, you’re right. Josh will know as soon as he sees me.” he laughs.

“Go get them. Tell them I have a surprise for them.” you say.

He scurries out of the room, as you nervously pace the floor. Minutes later they all come bounding in, drinks in hand full of smiles.

Jake walks over to stand next to you and their gaze all turns from confusion to intrigue. 

“You’re scaring me…” Sam says, looking between the two of you.

Jake puts his arm around you as he begins to talk, “I know we have been busy lately, we worked our asses off on this last tour and now it’s time to relax. We have earned it. We need to recover, and rest. Rest as much as we can actually. Because in a few short months you’ll all be uncles, and none of us will ever get to sleep again.” he smiles.

Josh immediately sprints over to you, grabbing you in his arms, lifting you and spinning you around in a circle.  “I knew it! I just knew it! You were glowing and I swear you have never looked more gorgeous than you have recently! I knew it!” he exclaims.

“Alright, alright, hands off, careful with my girl.” Jake says, prying him off of you as he sets your feet back on the floor. 

Sam and Daniel rush you next, asking you a thousand questions and smiling ear to ear. They each take turns touching your belly, even though the bump is hardly there. You know they just want to feel close to you, so you let them. You could still hardly believe it yourself. It was real and it was finally happening. 

–

The nursery was painted his favorite shade of blue, a deep and moody teal that he couldn't wait to cover the walls with. The clothes were hung, and the drawers filled with all the necessities, awaiting their first use. It could be any day now, and you both anxiously awaited the arrival of your baby. Jake spent every waking second caring for you in these last days, waiting on you hand and foot, bending to your every whim. At night he would disappear off to the nursery, rocking in the chair in the dim lamp light as he read his books to pass the hours. Each night he would fall asleep in the chair, book spread open on his chest, lost in the dream world of pirates and ocean exploration. You would take off his glasses, and cover him with the quilt that hung on the rail of the crib. A beautiful vintage style ocean motif, he hand picked himself. Your nights wouldn't be like this for much longer, so you let him sleep, remembering back to the day you met him when everything changed.

–

In total, labor lasted about 15 hours. Jake never left your side. He kept you laughing most of the time, him and Josh of course, who had become a permanent fixture by your side the last few days. Said he had a ‘feeling’, and in typical Josh fashion, he was right. When they administered the epidural, Jake turned white as a ghost but held strong for you as the pain slowly started to fade away with each passing second. Hours later and after 20 minutes of active pushing, at 10:53pm, you heard the beautiful cries of a small pink baby. Looking over to Jake, you saw a tear spring from his eye as he watched them place the small perfect thing on your chest. 

“It’s a girl…” he said tearfully, his beautiful smile plastered across his face. 

As she opened her eyes and looked at you for the first time, all you saw was him. 

–

“We have to decide on a name darlin’ they are coming for the paperwork…” Jake laughs.

You had been going back and forth on names for days. Deciding to not find out the gender until birth, you kept your options open as far as names. You always said, “I will know when I see the baby…” meanwhile Jake had a list a mile long of names he liked.

After a final few hours of deliberation you had decided and the name couldn’t have fit her more perfectly. Jake had thought of the perfect middle name. You actually cried when he suggested it. Like it was always meant to be hers. Maybe it was the hormones, you weren’t totally sure, but you knew you would never love anyone more than you loved this man.

As you filled out the paperwork and sent it away with the nurse, you watched as Jake held his daughter, his eyes never leaving her. You knew she stole a piece of his heart for her own, and you’d never been more glad to give up what was once yours.

A knock at the door interrupted their moment as he spoke to her, “Are you ready to meet your uncles? They are ready to meet you…” he cooed.

Slowly and quietly they entered the room one by one, with flowers and cards. They all gave you hugs and ‘congratulations’ before nervously making their way over to Jake.

They sat cautiously on the couch as Jake turned to them. His eyes flicked to each one of them as he introduced her, “Boys, this is my daughter, Margot Carter Kiszka.”

In unison they all cooed her name, “Margot…”

Jake gently handed her to Josh, who instantly had tears running down his face. “Just as beautiful as your mama.”

Josh handed her to Sam, as she squirmed in her swaddle. A look of panic crossed his face as she did it, causing Jake to laugh, “You’re okay, just keep her swaddled.” You felt your heart grow three sizes as you watched him effortlessly glide into the new role of dad.

“I love her name, it fits her so well. You look like a Margot don’t you? Oh, Rose is gonna love you” he tells her. “Carter though…where did that come from.” he asks Jake.

“Well, that was my idea.” he says, sweeping the hair from your neck. “That’s actually where we met.” he smiles down at you.

“Oh, Carter Vintage? The guitar place?” Danny says with realization. 

“Exactly it.” Jake replies.

Sam passes Margot to Danny and he holds her in his arms like she's his own. Looking at her with the same adoration that you’ve seen on all of their faces. You know right then that this baby will have the best life surrounded by people who truly love her.

–

The first days at home were hard. Karen had come down from Michigan to help those first few weeks. You were thankful for the help of someone who had raised four children. You loved her endlessly, and made sure she knew it every chance you got. Something about becoming a mother had made you immensely grateful for the ones in your life.

You had slowly worked your way into a routine. The days were getting easier. Margot was a great eater, and a great sleeper. You and Jake constantly reminded yourselves how lucky you were to have such an ‘easy baby’. Jake had fallen into the dad role so easily, like he was always destined to care for someone in this way and being a mom was something you were learning and adapting too. You were so glad you had each other to lean on when things got rough in the middle of the night, but both of you knew you couldn’t imagine life any other way now. As long as you had each other, nothing else mattered.

–

Rolling over in bed you found Jake's spot had grown cold. The clock read midnight and you knew it would only be a matter of time before Margot would wake up ready to feed. Padding quietly up the stairs you saw the light already on in the nursery, and knew that's where Jake must be. As you peeked through the crack in the door you saw her asleep on his chest, his arms holding her against him as his snores filled the air and his book sat open on his leg. You knew he hadn’t left her side in hours and likely wouldn't for the rest of her life. You removed his glasses and closed his book, setting them on the dresser. You gently removed her from his arms and placed her safely in her crib. You covered him with his favorite quilt and turned off the lamp, leaving him to his dreams.

You knew at that moment that you would have as many babies as this house could hold. Fill it to the brim with tiny versions of him that had his eyes and your smile. You wanted to watch as he taught them how to read, or told them about the many wonders of the ocean. He would show them pictures of when he traveled around the world with you by his side and tell stories of the band he made with his brothers. He would support their dreams just like his parents did his. He would be at every dance recital, every soccer game and every talent show, cheering them on, and then when they were ready, he would buy them their very first guitar from Carter Vintage, and tell the story of how he met you there and his life changed forever.

.

.

.

.

fin.

Taglist: @gretavansara@jordierama@starshine-wagner@gretavanfvckface@gretavanmoon@gvfjess @misshunnybeebee @fretaganvleet@gvfpal@joshkiszkas@ascendingtostardust@raviolilegs@sammysprincess@gvfpal@objectsinspvce

[imreallyloveleee]

ooooo is your last post about “i feel like i win when i lose”???

sorry anon, it's not - it's about a better call saul fic.

however, this reminded me that I got another ask about that story which I forgot to answer a few weeks ago. it has been quite a while since i've worked on it. I have no idea when/if there will be an update, if I'm being completely honest with you. I feel bad about it! but under the cut are some sections from what I do have written of the last chapter. hope you enjoy em <3

Jughead accepts a cold beer from Munroe, settles back onto one of the open loungers, and actually has a pretty good time chilling with the bros until – inevitably – someone suggests they see what the bridesmaids are up to.  

“I dunno.” Archie pauses in the midst of slathering more sunscreen across his chest, something he’s been doing every fifteen minutes or so, likely at Veronica’s behest. “I think Ronnie wanted them to have a girls’ day.” 

Eric opens his mouth to protest, but Reggie jumps in. “I know what you’re thinking, bro, but none of them are single. Well, except for Betty.”

Jughead focuses with deliberate intensity on the label of his beer bottle as the others weigh the pros and cons of crossing the bride’s boundary line for the sake of flirting with her hot maid of honor. He hasn’t spoken with Betty since a week before her move to Michigan for the journalism fellowship, and even that was just a couple of stilted text exchanges – congrats, be sure to buy some good snow boots, ha ha. In the meantime, nearly eight months have passed.

And Jughead’s regretted every minute. 

“Hey.” Archie nudges Jughead’s leg with his foot, jerking his chin towards the house. “Wanna help me with some snacks?”

They both know what he’s actually doing, and Jughead feels a rush of warmth for his friend – his best friend, who’s getting married to the love of his life tomorrow, and deserves better than a sadsack excuse for a best man who wastes a free trip to the Caribbean so he can mope over a non-relationship that ended before it even began.

“Do you even have to ask?”

In the kitchen, Jughead sits on one of the swiveling counter stools and watches as Archie attempts to curate a charcuterie plate. 

“So, Betty asked how you were doing.” Archie tilts his head slightly as he flops a slice of prosciutto to one side, then the other. 

Jughead ignores the faint flutter of hope in his chest. Most likely she was just wondering if she’d have to walk down the aisle with a brooding basket case at her best friends’ wedding. “What’d you tell her?”

Archie shrugs. “Not much. I figured you can tell her yourself at the rehearsal dinner tonight.” 

“Oh. Yeah.” Leaning across the counter, Jughead snags a green olive and pops it into his mouth. “I guess I can.” 

“What happened with you two, anyway? Ron was freaking out for weeks that you were gonna, like, propose, and then nothing.” 

“Nothing happened, we just…didn’t happen.” Jughead reaches forward again, this time retrieving a block of cheese and an entire sleeve of organic rosemary-sea salt crackers. “Shit happens. Or doesn’t. Whatever.”

If Archie’s skeptical, he’s too preoccupied arranging slices of salami to dig further. “Whatever you say, man.” 

“Not everyone gets the picture perfect happily-ever-after, Archibald.” Jughead sandwiches a hunk of cheddar between two crackers, eyeballs it, and crams the whole thing into his mouth. “You’re lucky everything just slid into place with Veronica. You got off easy.” 

There’s a pause as Archie frowns down at his mess of a charcuterie plate. “I don’t know if I’d call it easy. There was a lot of stuff we had to work through.” 

It’s a funny thing to hear, coming from a man who’s standing in the kitchen of the villa on the private island that his future father-in-law rented out for an entire week, while he heaps jamón Ibérico onto a hand-carved wooden board for a bunch of sun-drunk bros who’d be just as happy scarfing down a bag of pork rinds. But it is Archie’s wedding, so: he’ll humor him.

“Oh yeah? Like what?” 

“Like the fact that Ronnie’s dad hated me when we first got together because my dad dated her mom back in high school.”

Right. He’d forgotten about that. “Okay, sure, but that was just –”

“And then there was the year when Hiram coached the wrestling team. That was rough.” Archie shakes his head a little. “And the year after that, when I interned for him. I still have nightmares sometimes. And that time where he wanted to buy up the south side and turn it into SoDale – I mean, you know, Jug. You were there.”

“Fair enough. You didn’t hit the in-laws jackpot. But –” 

“And then there was college.” Archie continues as though he hadn’t even heard him. “Long distance was hard. And right after graduation is when Ronnie found out about Hermosa and went through that whole identity crisis thing. She broke up with me for a couple months that year, remember?”

He hadn’t, actually, until this moment. That was the same year that he’d moved to Chicago. It had taken a while before his old friendships had settled into a new rhythm that bridged the hundreds of miles between them, which was his therapist’s very nice way of saying he’d been kind of self-centered that year. 

“And then there was the thing with the bear –”

“Okay, okay.” Jughead waves both hands in defeat. “You moved mountains to be with Veronica. I get it.” 

“I’m just saying. If she’s worth it, sometimes you have to put the work in.” Eyes wide with wonder, Archie holds out a jar of cornichons. “Hey, have you ever tried these baby pickles?” 

A light sprinkle of raindrops catches Jughead just as he slips through the door to the ballroom. 

To one side of the airy, open room, Archie, Veronica, and their parents are huddled together with a severe-looking woman who can only be the wedding planner. To the other, the rest of the wedding party is mingling in clusters of two or three. 

By some miracle – or curse, he can’t decide which – Cheryl Blossom spots him first. “Look what the cat finally dragged in.” 

Scowling, Jughead glances at the time on his phone as he reaches the edge of the group. “I’m not late, Cheryl.” 

She rolls her eyes, flicking a lock of long red hair over one shoulder. “I never said you were.” 

“She’s just jealous you got one of the beachfront suites for being the best man. I got the other one.” 

He turns around, and his heart skips a beat when it’s Betty looking back at him, a hint of nerves in her smile. “Hi, Jughead.” 

“Betty.” He swallows, his mouth suddenly dry. “Hi.”

She looks radiant: eyes bright, cheeks rosy, hair pinned back in loose waves that fall just past her shoulders. He doesn’t know whether or not she wants him to touch her, but thankfully she doesn’t leave it up to him, stepping forward for a brief, perfunctory hug. 

“I’m not jealous, Cousin Betty,” Cheryl huffs. “I simply find it unacceptable that our hosts would play favorites with two single people who could be sharing a bed themselves while those of us who actually need the space are forced into a room the size of a two-cent postage stamp. Especially while my TT is in such a delicate condition.”

Before either of them can say another word, Cheryl stalks away in a huff. Jughead looks to Betty in mild alarm. “Is Toni okay? Was she in an accident or something?”

“Toni’s fine. She’s pregnant. But she’s only four months along, so you can barely even tell. They don’t need any more space.” Betty waves a hand in dismissal. “Anyway, how have you been? Are you settling in to the city?” 

Betty’s tone is genuine, curious – but also distant. Like it’s been eight months since they’ve spoken, yes, but more than that – like all the little intimacies they’d shared before have been washed away. A polite, friendly blank slate. 

It feels like his heart’s been crumpled up in a ball and tossed into the wastebasket. 

And it’s his own goddamn fault. 

[didasgomas]

Exploring

Day 5 of October Practice

Prompt: Looming height

Warnings: None

Cdta belongs to @missr3n3

(This one was inspired by a Brazilian Narration ASMR channel that I follow)

June 10th, 1804 - Crystal county, Upper Peninsula of Michigan

It was the morning after their wedding, and Ash had said he wanted to show her around his house. Rebecca had teased him a bit, since "house" was far too basic of a description when applied to his massive mansion, at least she found it massive when compared to her family's several but far smaller properties around the peninsula.

As soon as they had both changed from their nightclothes into informal attire, she ran off the door as fast as a bird. She had already been amazed yesterday, but the moments had been short lived, so now she wanted to take her time properly catch every detail.

The hallway that led directly to their bedroom, had high ceilings with moldings in the shape of animals, and each door frame was decorated with small carvings of flowers. The floors were made of mahogany, reflecting the sunlight coming through the tall, arched windows draped with velvet curtains, as red as cherries. Crystal sconces lined the walls, most of the candles already with no light, but the few that still had it were slowly going out.

Slowing down to go down the large main staircase, Rebecca skipped to the next hallway, which she vaguely remembered connected to the dining room. Displaying an air of peace to eliminate doubts about the host, the walls painted in soft green carried miniature alcoves made of marble, decorated with vases of primroses of different colours. Hopping around the soft rug coloured like gold, Rebecca took notice of the ceiling, covered in small paintings of baby angels, with a circular one around the grey chandelier, depicting a large forest.

Rebecca did a small twirl midway through the hallway, before calling out to her husband, who walked down the stairs calmly.

"I am going to need a map for this place!" Rebecca jokingly yelled out, causing a smile to appear in Asher's face.

"You just have to get used to it!" He answered across the hallway, still taking his time in reaching her.

"I don't think I will be able to!" She kept doing small twirls, as if dancing to reach the room ahead.

Then she stopped abruptly.

A sudden, far larger alcove, that she hadn't noticed until now, gave way to a small corridor, with a large wooden door, almost as large as a gate, stood all alone, with door knockers in the shape of lions.

"Where does that one lead to? All the other doors don't have knockers."

She was just curious, but she almost jumped when he suddenly appeared by her side, staring her down like a hunter assessing their prey before shooting, smile gone and instead replaced with a very serious expression. She hadn't been bothered before by the fact that he was a giant compared to her, after all, she had inherited both of her parents' short stature, and was used to most people towering over her, but this felt different.

Like a colossus, she felt he could break her with just one hand if he so wished. He could break anyone, really, and she would simply be the easiest target.

"It is a very old room, I am still trying to get it repaired." His face softened slightly, as if he had only just now realized he was starting to scare her, "Nothing else, dear."

Asher closed his eyes and took a small breath, something Rebecca had noticed before that he did when in stress. There was definitely something behind that door, but he didn't give her enough time to ask.

"How about I show you the dining room so we can have some breakfast?" His gentle smile returned to his face, as though nothing had happened.

Rebecca nodded. Some breakfast in their first morning as husband and wife did sound nice, but her curiosity about the door and his reaction didn't disappear, though she did not express it.

[pashterlengkap]

Was the DNC’s silence on trans rights at the an omen for Kamala Harris’ presidency?

The Democratic convention was, by any measure, a huge success. The party faithful were bursting with energy when it was over, which will translate into help getting out the vote. Fundraising went through the roof; the campaign raised $82 million last week, with the single best hour for fundraising the hour immediately after Vice President Kamala Harris finished her acceptance speech. And the television ratings far outstripped the GOP convention’s, much to the annoyance of Nielsen-obsessed Donald Trump. From the pundits’ perspective, what made the convention such a hit was that Democrats used their weeklong jamboree to aim for the political middle. That effort started with the campaign’s decision to embrace “weird” as the description of MAGA. But the convention amplified that message a thousandfold. Democrats were suddenly the party of freedom and patriotism. In her acceptance speech, Harris promised the U.S. military would be the “most lethal fight force in the world,” language typically associated with Republican hawks. Related A Biden official at the DNC explains the secret ways Democrats fight for equality Matt Hill, a gay former White House official at the Democratic National Convention, explains the ways Democrats will keep advancing LGBTQ+ rights. As much as Democrats were ecstatic during the convention, Harris’ speech made it clear that she wasn’t there to cater to the base. She was aiming for the relatively small number of swing voters that she needs to win. And nowhere was the focus on that group sharper than when it came to the silence on trans issues. Dive deeper every day Join our newsletter for thought-provoking commentary that goes beyond the surface of LGBTQ+ issues Subscribe to our Newsletter today Unlike the past two Democratic conventions, this year’s convention did not feature a trans speaker. That’s shocking, considering how much the right has made the trans community a focus of attack in the past four years. The Republican National Convention made attacking trans people a theme, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) getting applause for declaring, “There are only two genders.” In their effort to tack to the center, Democrats were a lot more subdued than in the past. Yes, lesbian Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wowed the convention by telling the Supreme Court, “You can pry this wedding band from my cold, dead, gay hand!” But a lot of rhetoric in support of trans rights was a little less straightforward. For example, Michelle Obama talked about “demonizing our children for being who they are.” If you are sufficiently tuned in, you’ll know what she’s talking about. If not, well… Melissa Michelson, a professor of political science at California’s Menlo College who studies LGBTQ+ politics, said the DNC’s avoidance of mentioning trans rights was part of a wider strategy to seek out independent voters. Avoiding trans issues was seemingly a conscious strategy by the Democrats. “If you look at who was featured in the prime-time slots, it’s middle-of-the-road people,” Michelson told NBC News. “It’s people who are going to appeal to that chunk of swing voters in the Sunbelt, in the Rustbelt, those swing states, and transgender rights are not a high-priority issue for those voters and not the way they’re going to decide their vote.” Instead, Democratic leaders apparently believe that those voters are motivated by appearing a lot less woke and a lot more centrist. Harris has been able to benefit from this because of the bizarre circumstances of her ascent. Typically, in a primary, candidates have to appeal to the base and then try to move to the center for the general election. Harris didn’t have to do that. So she’s a blank slate for most people, who barely (if at all) remember her failed presidential campaign four years ago. Harris has gotten an assist from Trump in this regard. Because Trump has been so rattled that he’s not running against Joe Biden anymore, he has wasted critical time he could… http://dlvr.it/TCP1kZ

[travelingtheusa]

LOUISIANA

2024 Apr 5 (Fri) – We went into the lodge at 5:30 p.m. for fried catfish dinner.  It was OK.  The pieces of catfish looked weird and were dipped in cornmeal.  They seem to prefer cornmeal to flour in their fried food down here in the south.  They had a band playing on the stage and the place was packed.  This Elks Lodge is doing very well, although the bartender told us they had 2,000 members at one time.  Not so many now.  Just like all other lodges.

2024 Apr 4 (Thu) – We packed up and left the Leggetts at 11 a.m.  It was less than 2 hours to the Shreveport Elks Lodge.  There were six parking spaces designated as RV sites.  Ha ha ha.  This must have been done before RVs had slideouts.  It was extremely tight.

      This has to be the biggest Elks Lodge we have ever been to.  There is a huge swimming pool with two slides and a kiddie pool.  They have a train caboose converted to a bar.  There is a large pond in the back with lots of woods and grassy area.  Inside the lodge, they have a very large party room adjacent to the large bar/lounge area.  Yet, we only paid $25 a night.  That’s what I’m talking about!

2024 Apr 3 (Wed) – We stayed around the camper all day.  I worked with Linda to sew a few things.  Paul helped Johnny around the place to include a good, long ride on a mower.  He got his fix!  We watched the sunset from the boathouse and shared our fellowship for the last night.  Tomorrow, we move.

2024 Apr 2 (Tue) – We worked around the camper today.  I have been sending emails out to campgrounds and venues in Michigan and Wisconsin for our caravan next year.  It is a little disheartening.  There are areas that are so popular that there are no sites available.  The EAA airshow is especially hard to get near.  I hope we can pull this caravan off.

      In the meantime, Johnny’s Louisiana caravan has been approved and is posted on the SMART website.  Paul is working on building the route and getting pictures to post on our video promoting the caravan.

2024 Apr 1 (Mon) – Paul and Johnny rode to Monroe to pick up Johnny’s new truck.  It turned out not to be the color they promised (charcoal grey) but he took the truck any way.  Depending on how the light hits it, it can look grey or brown.  In the meantime, Linda and I went into Ruston and I shopped for capris and shorts.

2024 Mar 31 (Sun – Easter) – We wanted to go to church but the Methodist Church in Chatham closed permanently.  We weren’t sure about Jonesboro either.  So we had our own service.  We went out to the boathouse where Linda sang hymns and I read from the bible.  It was very nice.  Then we had a delightful meal of baked ham, sweet potatoes, collard greens, broccoli and brownies.

2024 Mar 30 (Sat) – We went out for lunch today at Johnny’s Pizza House.  As New York pizza aficionados, I was leery but it was OK.  It was like some other places where we have been.  They have several kinds of pizzas on the buffet.  Included are dessert pizzas with sweet toppings rather than cheese and meats.

2024 Mar 29 (Fri) – Linda and I went into West Monroe to buy her a dress for an upcoming retirement ceremony for their son.  They live really far from everything.  It was an hour just to get to a mall.  I like their property right on the lake with lots of trees and few neighbors, but I don’t think I would like being so far away from civilization.

      Tonight, we went to a nearby marina on the lake where they had karaoke night.  Several people were lined up to sing.  They were all pretty good.  The burgers were tasty.

2024 Mar 26-28 (Tue-Thu) – We’ve been busy catching up with each other.  Linda is recovering from a broken foot and has taken up a walking routine as part of her therapy.  We have been walking together.

2024 Mar 25 (Mon) – We packed up and left Breaux Bridge at 9:30 a.m.  It was raining along the route.  It really came down when we arrived at Johnny & Linda’s, where we will be parked in their back yard for 10 days.  We sat in the truck for about 15 minutes waiting for the storm to blow over.  When it lightened up (it never stopped raining), I got out and talked Paul into the back yard.  We were almost in place when the truck got stuck in the mud.  We stopped right there and ran the lines out.

      Johnny & Linda were thrilled to see us.  Linda had leftover chicken spaghetti.  Their grandchildren were over yesterday and she had made a large casserole for them.  We enjoyed the meal very much.  We spent the evening talking about our two caravans set for next year.  Johnny is working on a 32 day caravan around Louisiana and we are working on the 48 day caravan through Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

2024 Mar 24 (Sun) – We went out to get fuel for tomorrow’s move.  Also stopped at Super1Foods to pick up some groceries.

2024 Mar 23 (Sat) – I am back from my trip to New York.  It was a quick, whirlwind trip.  My sister picked me up at the airport and I stayed with her for 2 nights.  We went out to dinner to Matsulin on Friday.  Sue went with me to the VA on Thursday where I got a new set of hearing aids.  The right ear does not fit very well.  The audiologist tried sanding the piece down but it just doesn’t fit well.  I will have to bring it back for adjustment the next time I go to New York.  That night, we went to play in Quogue to see a play by the Hampton Theater Company, Strictly Murder.  It was a nice local theater production.  Sue brought me back to the airport on Friday.  I was back in Louisiana at 6:30 p.m.

      This morning, we packed up and left Slidell at 10:35 a.m.  The drive a little over 3 hours.  We are staying at Poche’s Fish Camp.  We have been here a few times before.  It is very nice with 4 lakes for folks to fish in.  Campsites are lined up around the perimeter of the biggest lake.  We stopped at their market on the way in to get cracklins and some lunch.

2024 Mar 19 (Tue) – We drove to the post office to send off postcards to our grandsons.  Lunch was back at the Southside Café.  We hadn’t intended to eat there but a few wrong turns brought us back there.  The food wasn’t bad.  Afterward, we stopped at Home Depot so Paul could get some parts, etc. for projects around the rig.  I will be flying back to NY tomorrow.  It’s a quick trip for 3 days – fly out on Wednesday, go to the VA on Thursday, fly back on Friday.  Move to the next campground on Saturday.  It will be a fast few days.  I will be staying with my sister, Susan.

2024 Mar 18 (Mon) – We went out for lunch to Southside Café.  It is apparently owned by a former Marine.  There were tons of military paraphernalia around the café.  We enjoyed our meal.  Everything is soaked around the campground.  We didn’t go out much today.

2024 Mar 17 (Sun – St Paddy’s Day) – We pulled up stakes and left Eglin AFB at 9:30 a.m.  It took us a bit longer to close up than it did with the Vilano.  This rig seems to require a bit more work.  Anyway, we left and drove over 3 ½ hours to our next stop.  It rained most of the way, sometimes quite heavily.  We stopped for a quick bite to eat at a rest area about 20 miles from our destination.

      We arrived at the Elks Lodge in Slidell around 1 p.m.  This is where our high adventure began.  As I said, it had been raining heavily.  The campground had laid down gravel in their parking area.  Their six campsites all back up to a pond, with another one on the opposite side next to a pavilion.  When Paul tried to back up into the campsite, the truck got stuck in the mud.  He tried rocking the rig back and forth but he only dug the tires in deeper.  We wound up dropping the legs on the trailer and raising it so that we got the weight off the truck.  Then Paul dug around the tires and tired laying down boards.  The camp host, Lee, also tried to help.  None of that worked.  By the way, we were doing all this in a light rain.  We were all covered with mud and soaked through.

      Finally, exhausted and spent, Lee brought over a tractor.  We disconnected the RV and Lee pulled the truck out.  Then Paul brought the truck back under the RV at a 90° angle.  He then dragged the RV sideways.  It came along and we were out!  We then chose a different site to back into.  We were finally set up around 3:30 p.m.  After set up, we went to WalMart to get groceries and more specifically, food for Sheba, since she was down to one can.  We stopped at Copeland’s for their red beans and rice.  Delicious, just as we remembered.

       We slept well.

[atruththatyoudeny]

Monthly Reads | October 2020

Happy 28th! I probably sound like a broken record already but I have to say it again: this fandom has an insane amount of talented writers! I am in awe! Every single one of you is my hero! ♥♥♥ Here are all the 23 fics I read and loved this month:

✧ Welcome to The Rivalry | 2tiedships2 | a/b/o - strangers to lovers - enemies to lovers - rivalry - college - 19k “Welcome home!” Niall yelled, clapping his hands in excitement. “Isn’t it great?” Louis looked between Niall and the house, unsure how to respond. “I don’t understand,” Louis finally managed to say. “Aren’t we a little old to be living so close to campus?” Niall scoffed. “You’re only twenty-four for fuck’s sake. There is still plenty of partying left for us to do. What better place than one street over from where a car was set on fire after the Michigan game last year?” “Is there proof of that? Did the car have Michigan plates or something? Is there a photo I can send in a DM to Wolfie?” As if on cue, a Twitter notification popped up on Louis’ Apple watch. He had tweeted again. Or a reverse You’ve Got Mail au inspired by the Ohio State/Michigan rivalry. Featuring duplex neighbors, (kind of) enemies to lovers, and an anonymous Twitter feud between omega Louis and alpha Harry.

✧ Back to Seventeen | crimsontheory | teacher - soccer coach - 26k As a first grade teacher in a small town in Illinois, Harry’s life is pretty simple. He loves his job, is close with his family, and has a best friend he would go to the ends of the earth for. When a new soccer coach starts at the local high school, things start to get a bit more exciting for Harry. Because that coach just happens to be Louis Tomlinson; the guy Harry was unrequitedly in love with in high school. Or the one where Louis moves back to his hometown and Harry realizes he’s still not over his high school crush.

✧ Sigh for Sigh | logogram | historical - a/b/o - regency - miscommunication - pining - marriage of convenience - 11k When his father's sudden illness forces Harry to get married in a hurry, he's delighted that Lord Louis Tomlinson is the one who makes him an offer. Being married to Louis is just as wonderful as he imagined, except for one thing-- they haven't mated yet. Or the one where they're both idiots, Harry's afraid to say what he's thinking, and Louis's just trying to be honorable.

✧ We Can Find a Place to Feel Good | yeah_alright | 1960s - High School - school dances - 8k 14-year-old Harry is ecstatic to finally be old enough to experience the time-honored tradition of school dances. But with each year that passes and each dance he attends, he’s realizing they’re not all he used to hope they’d be. Especially when he can't actually dance with the person he most wants to. Maybe he and Louis can figure out their own ways to keep dancing, anyway.

✧ At Risk, I Fold | clare328 | canon compliant - established relationship - angst - emotional hurt/comfort - miscommunication - anxiety - implied/referenced alcohol abuse - 15k 2015 is a stream of hotel rooms and whisky on the rocks, tired glances and touching hands under tables. It’s the bears and the bees under a rainbow sky, and Harry and Louis have to figure out how to grow up together, instead of apart.

✧ Carry These Feelings | LadyLondonderry | fae Á faires - established relationship - magic - 3k Harry is one of the fae, and has to return to Court once a year to please the Queen. He makes a detour on his way home to Louis. Two weeks and I'll be home.

✧ Hung Up High in the Gallery | lovelarry10 | friends to lovers - slow burn - pining - 14k "Louis, lay still!” Louis sighed loudly, and Harry watched his chest puff out as he inhaled deeply, the breath he let out loudly making Harry’s curls shift. “I am, stop being so fussy. Can I see yet?” “Nope,” Harry remarked, smiling to himself. “I’m doing your chest next. Shit, this is going to look so good, Lou. Your tan and these colours… why haven’t we done this before?” “Because we haven’t been this drunk in a while, and it never occurred to me until tonight?” ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ ❁ When Harry’s best friend, Louis, comes to support him at his art show, he decides they need to do some celebrating afterwards. How fast do the lines between friends and lovers get blurred ... or better, get painted?

✧ Love you in the dark | Perzikje | historical - wedding night - arranged marriage - dubious consent - 10k The story of a historical wedding night: in which Louis is quite unaware as to just how clueless his brand new husband is about sex. They try their best to figure it out together.

✧ Victorian Boy | audreyhheart | historical - victorian - royalty - enemies to friends to lovers - slow burn - angst - murder mystery - 101k Victorian AU. Harry the virgin Duke of Somerset knows little of love, while Louis the sly Duke of Warwick knows too much. When the two dukes come together for the Bilsdale fox hunt in York, Harry finds himself drawn into Louis' bed. But when secrets from Louis' dark past come to light, Harry fears that the fox isn't the only one being hunted.

✧ the anticipation of knowing you | sweetrevenge | strangers to lovers - neighbors - light angst - 13k Hello Neighbor! Just wanted to let you know that you were having sex so loud and scarily I called our building manager and security officer because I thought you were hurt. P.S. I sent them away when I heard you yell ‘cock’. I’m sorry that I heard that, but I wanted you to know in case they stopped by to check on you or something. Sorry! Your neighbor Louis Tomlinson in apartment #306 After Louis overhears his next door neighbor having sex, he doesn’t really expect anything but awkward hallway encounters to come from it. Instead, he’s surprised to find himself in a whirlwind pen pal relationship with the sweet, albeit loud, baker next door.

✧ We'll Be All Right | dandelionfairies | married couple - accridents - 13k Harry is performing his one night only show in LA but there are four very important people missing.

✧ The Last Song of Your Life | reminiscingintherain | famous/not famous - Rays of Sunhsine - homophobia - 21k As Harry glanced around at all of the faces, he froze as a very familiar pair of blue eyes leapt out at him. A pair of eyes that he hadn’t seen since before the One Direction bomb exploded. A pair of eyes that he never expected to see again. ~~~~ or the famous/not famous AU, with first love, miscommunication, interfering bandmates, and adorable little sisters.

✧ Her | jaerie | a/b/o - trans character - transitioning - dysphoria - anxiety - quarantine - 7k The buttery swipe of a high quality lipstick was almost a sexual experience in and of itself. This time a deep colour with purple undertones which drew out the emphasis of long, dark lashes and perfectly contoured cheekbones. It was a look for loose and styled curls, feeling the classy formal nightclub vibes reflected back from the mirror. The silky plum coloured slip dress would be perfect to debut. The tags still needed to be cut free from the new garment that hung in the closet, but tonight was the night to set it free. When Harry gets home, she can finally be who she wants to be. Letting someone else in always feels like a distant daydream to her... until it suddently isn't.

✧ Loving You's the Antidote | lululawrence | Stylinshaw - a/b/o - touch deprivation - hospitalization - soulmates - polyamory - anxiety - friends to lovers - no smut - 11k Nick and Harry had never been an obvious match. When eighteen-year-old Harry, newly presented as an omega, came home freshly bonded to Nick, a man nine years his elder and a beta no less, Anne had been more than skeptical and Eileen had shared some harsh words of her own. That didn’t deter them, though, and their families soon realised there really was something special about the bondmates that allowed them to work together almost seamlessly. It was only a few months later that Harry started getting sick. Or the one where Harry and Nick have been able to keep Harry's disorder at bay over the course of their relationship, but when they move to London and away from their support system, they find themselves in desperate need of help.

✧ Like A Neon Sign | reminiscingintherain | canon compliant - mentions of death - fluff - 8k Harry had always been perfect to Louis, through every age, through every stage, and in all the important ways, he was proud to have been able to witness the growth that Harry had experienced first-hand.

✧ We Had Everything | lightswoodmagic (sarah_writes) | exes to lovers - getting back together - famous/not famous - 3k “You know Harry’s coming, yeah?” Louis’ fingers twitched, faltering where he was straightening the knot in his tie as he tried to ignore the false nonchalance in Zayn’s voice. He had no idea how he missed the name on the invite list, how he skipped over the initials on the small gifts, didn’t notice the elegant swirl of Harry’s name inked onto an emerald green place card. Or, Louis and Harry fell apart, and Louis' never forgiven himself. He gets a second chance at Zayn and Liam's wedding.

✧ True To Your Heart | reminiscingintherain | Mulan AU - a/b/o - 13k The world was at war with itself. In the small country of Enilenif, in a tiny, often overlooked corner of the world, young Alphas were quickly signing up to fight, desperate to protect their Omegas and their country as Aidem began to attack their borders. A few defiant Omegas tried to enlist as well, but were firmly turned away with disapproving looks by the staff in the office. Harry Styles was one such Omega, sighing heavily as he kicked at a small stone on his walk home.

✧ What the Water Gave Me | larryatendoftheday | fantasy - mermaids - long distance relationship - 29k When a mermaid crawls out of the sea to listen to Harry sing, it changes everything.

✧ it’s hard for me to go home | localopa | angst - breakup - getting back together - 5k don’t call me baby again

✧ The Prince and the Thief | jaerie | Fairy Tale - a/b/o - strangers to lovers - violence - kidnapping - threats of rape/non-con - 19k Harry is an omega prince locked in a tower and Louis is the thief sent to kidnap him. Nothing turns out as planned.

✧ Up On The Shore | wordsnnotes | Eroda AU - magic - epistolary - friends to lovers - childhood friends - emotional/psychological abuse - angst - long-distance relationship - domestic violence - 34k Magic has been outlawed on Eroda ever since President Cowell came into power, and all the magic people had to go live on the island of Stonell. Things are not looking good for Harry when he finds out he's a magician and his abilities seem more and more out of control. Thankfully, his best friend Niall's mother has the idea to put him in touch with Louis, a magician boy living on Stonell. They begin a secret correspondence and drama ensues. Or: Louis hides his feelings under sarcasm, Harry is too sweet for his own sake, everyone is a rebel, the mums are amazing, Harry's dad is a jerk, and I'm struggling to make it understandable without using normal narration.

✧ this town's just an ocean now | louistomlinsons | exes to lovers - friends to lovers - summer romance - miscommunication - childhood friends - light angst - fluff - 31k “I have really great friends. Do you remember Louis? You guys were always hanging out when you were growing up.” Harry remembers Louis. Harry remembers Louis. Suddenly, his throat feels way too dry, despite the ice cream he keeps licking at. He chokes a little on a chocolate chip before saying, “I, uh. I remember Louis.” Her face brightens. “We have dinner every Sunday. He owns the house now. His parents moved further north, and he wanted to stay here, so they just gave it over. Now if you want to worry about someone being lonely, that’s who I worry about.” inspired by watermelon sugar, featuring picnics on the beach and boys being dumb

✧ I Am the Blinking Light | dearmrsawyer | ghosts - shipwreck - 19k There is a legend of a lighthouse far out to sea. It can’t be found on any map, and those who do find it never return. They say a ghost haunts the lighthouse, and you can hear it calling out in loneliness on the ocean waves.

[aestheticvoyage2021]

2021 Superlatives

2021 Word:  "Enjoy”

Notable Accomplishments/Hobby:   Became a Dad!,  Finished my work shop, completed nursery, fully vaccinated on Covid (3 shots), Refinanced the house

Best Photo: William in Halloween Lion Costume, Wave in Lake Michigan

First Pool Day: March 6.   Last Pool Day: Nov 7 Best Sandwich:  Hospital Burgers at TMC in June Drink of Choice: Finca-Rita! Best Roadtrip:  Round Trip Roadtrip to Michigan and back with Baby and Two Dogs Best Adventure:  Baby Moon to Mexico less than a month from due date

Best Meals - St Patricks Day Feast, Beer Battered Cod Fish Tacos, 

Favorite Restaurant: Paco’s Tacos, Culinary Dropout

Best Fall Color: The tree in my backyard was as good as it got in 2021! Best Breweries/etc: Crooked Tooth in Tucson, Traverse City Distillery, Berzurk in Grand Haven, Charron Vineyards Best Bar: Soggy Peso Best Month:  June Worst Month: April

Best Beach: San Carlos Mexico Best Breakfast:  Sweet Potato Enchiladas Brunch July 3 Favorite Food: Carne Asasda shop in San Carlos Best Sunset:  May 9, 2021 Best Sunrise:  June 10, 2021 Best Town: Albuquerque, NM Favorite Hike(s): Douglas Spring, Saguaro NP Best Book:  Green Lights, Matthew McConaughey # of Books Read/Completed: 8 Best Cigar: Albuquerque, NM Best Camp Spot:  Closest thing was beach naps on Lake Michigan in Ludington Best Skinny Dip:  Lake Michigan in August Best Concert:  Live Craigie from our own backyard! Favorite Roads:  Backway home from ABQ Best State: Michigan Best Nature Hug:  Rincons Sunset Best Movie:  CODA Favorite Show:  Ted Lasso Best Coffee Shop: Finca Cafe Hardest/Worst Day of the 365:  June 10, 2021  Number of Flights Trips - 0 !!!!!!!!!!!! Favorite Game: Guess the # of Diapers Guilty Pleasure: Yummy Gummy! Howd you spend Valentines Day: Sunday at Home, Great Card Howd you spend your birthday:   Fighting with Audrie Howd you spend AC’s birthday: Jonathon’s Cork with AC’s Dad

Howd You Spend Anniversary: Went out for Sushi, Baby’s first dinner out. Howd you spend Christmas Day: In the Great Room with my Parents Howd you spend New Years Eve:  Quiet night at home with steaks and baby - gave William a St Christopher medal Closest to death:  Sick day May 11 and 12 Worst Fight:  The Third Trimester Best Holiday: Thanksgiving in Mexico Biggest Regret: Not using this slower down year to be healthier Best Luck of 2021:  William is healthy and happy joy baby # of On Campus Work Trips in 2021: 0 !!!!!!! # of Weddings in 2021: 0 # of Baseball Games in 2021: 1

Something new in 2021:  Learning Home Skills > Hawk and Trowel, Base boards and Crown Molding, Rain Harvesting, Flooring, Shiplap Wall.   Changing Diapers.  Juicing Lemons! Best Song: Future Islands - Seasons  & Waxahatchee - Fruits of My Labor, Phosphorescent - C’est La Vie No. 2, Bob Marley - Three Little Birds,  Best Quote:  “Never will a time come when the most marvelous recent invention is as marvelous as a newborn baby. The finest of our precision watches, the most super-colossal of our supercargo plants, don’t compare with a newborn baby in the number and ingenuity of coils and springs, in the flow and change of chemical solutions, in timing devices and interrelated parts that are irreplaceable. A baby is very modern. Yet it is also the oldest of the ancients. A baby doesn’t know he is a hoary and venerable antique — but he is. Before man learned how to make an alphabet, how to make a wheel, how to make a fire, he knew how to make a baby — with the great help of woman, and his God and Maker.”― Carl Sandburg

Best Days of 2021:  The day Willam was born -> June 11 and the the day we brought William home from the hospital -> June 14;  Baby’s first Christmas -> December 25 Favorite/Most Notable Moments: a. Catching Fish in Lake Michigan and Gulf of California (Yellowtail!) b. Snow in March?! c.  Managing water during Triple Monsoon; 23 inches of rain this year! d. Watching a Surprising Top 10 Michigan State football team and Cardinals make postseason. e. Hearing Baby Heartbeat In Home f. Chad on Price Is Right! g. Making Bookshelf for William with my Dad h. Padres Game in San Diego with D2 and SB i. William meets his Great Grandpa in Breckenridge j. Audrie’s beautiful pregnant belly k. When William started to smile l. William eats his first food at Thanksgiving dinner m. Seeing James and Lisa before leaving Michigan n. The way that Mesquite looked when all sanded and finished in the Great Room! o.  Get together for Chili Cookoff 2021 - Jenna and Jose win best. p. 2 great artful Piggy Platters for Dog Birthdays and Huck not knowing what to do with his! q. Huck getting the Donut out of his Christmas squeeky - finally! r.  Williams look in his big magical sleep suit s.   Drinks at the Soggy Peso t. Telling my mom to go put out the blue flag - Its a Boy! u. Finishing my shop wall - Feb 2 v. Parents came to Arizona in March (both), May (Mom), June (Mom), July (Dad), November (both), December (both) w. Memorable Stops on the Road -> Friday Night Lights, Hannibal MO, Liberal KS, Muskogee Okie,  and the best Love’s in Weatherford TX. x. Field of Dreams Baseball game in Iowa.  So cool! y. Writing and Framing “Your Wide Open Road for William z. William holding my finger in the Nicu

Most memorable/Notable Days:

January 20 - Inauguration of Joe Biden February 28 - Completed Shop Project March 23, April 13, and December 20 - Covid Shot April 7 - Audrie goes on Maternity Leave April 18 - Baby Acton Baby Shower April 22 - This Pirate Looks at 40 June 11 - William is born! June 14 - Bring William home! July 4 - Fireworks Explosion July 30 - Bachelor Party in San Diego August 17 to September 5 - Roundtrip Roadtrip to Michigan October 31 - Baby’s first Halloween costume is a Lion November 10 - Mom and Dads first date out! November 21-24 - Mexico Trip with my parents November 25 - William eats first real food at first Thanksgiving December 6 - Chili Cookoff December 19 - Great Room Mesquite Header is completed! December 23-25 William’s First Christmas (4 Acton generations) December 31 - NYE Gift - St Chrstopher pendant

[canaryrecords]

In the second half of the 19th century, troupes of Moroccans, Egyptians, and Syrians performed in the United States at tent shows, circuses, minstrel shows, vaudeville houses, and theaters as ethnographic/ exotic spectacles for American audiences. Several members of the first Syrian family to emigrate to the U.S., headed by a medical doctor named Yusuf Arbeely (b. 1828, five miles outside of Damascus) who arrived with his wife, niece, and five sons in August 1878, toured during the 1880s offering paying customers (25 cents for adults; 15 cents for kids) a chance to see people from the Holy Land in native costume. The 1893 Columbia World Exposition in Chicago offered many more Americans the chance to witness aspects of Arab and Turkish culture at its pavilions. (Three wax cylinders recorded there by Benjamin Ives Gilman on the morning of September 25, 1893 by four musicians from Beirut and totaling less than five minutes of sound are, strictly speaking, the first sound recordings of Arabs made in the United States.)

Through the end of the 19th and beginning of the early 20th centuries Syrian immigrants to the U.S. developed enclaves in about a dozen cities and towns in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Michigan, and New York. By 1920, over 150,000 Arabic-speaking immigrants from Greater Syria (the Ottoman districts of Aleppo, Damascus, Beirut, Mount Lebanon, and Jerusalem) established themselves in a variety of retail, service, and manufacturing trades, especially the garment business. 40,000 more immigrants from the Syrian diaspora had settled in Canada and Mexico, 300,000 in Brazil and Argentina, and 40,000 more elsewhere in South America and the Caribbean. In the wake of the catastrophe of WWI, in which 18% of the Syrian population died, and the politics of the establishment of the nation of Lebanon, most remained in the Americas.

The first Syrian-American to have recorded in the U.S. was, in fact, second generation: a composer and pianist named Alexander Maloof (b. ca. 1884-85) whose parents arrived from Zahle (present-day Lebanon) in 1884 and applied for citizenship the following year. He was already publishing sheet music of his compositions, by 1901, had established as a music teacher in Brooklyn by 1905 and was performing in public by 1911. His music synthesized American and Syrian elements. In 1912, he copyrighted “America Ya Hilwa” (which he called “For Thee, America” in English) and campaigned for years to have it become the U.S. national anthem. In September and October, 1913, he recorded a porto-ragtime piano arrangement of the traditional Ottoman tune “Alyazayer” and an original composition called “A Trip to Syria” (a trip that he, himself, never made during his lifetime). It is unclear whether the resulting disc was marketed to English or Arabic speaking audiences. But in April 1916 a group credited only as “Syrian Band” recorded four sides for Columbia records in New York and issued as part of their E (ethnic) series for the immigrant community; the hybridized style of those performances are not unlike material Maloof recorded and self-released by Maloof,including his “America Ya Hilwa”, in the 1920s, and it seems reasonable to speculate that these were made under his direction. On his own label, his issued a wide variety of material by his own Oriental Orchestra as well as then-popular immigrant performers. After folding the label, he recorded several more sessions for other labels including Gennett Records in Richmond, Indiana. (Among them were a series of organ solos marketed to funeral parlors and roller rinks.) He produced piano rolls, performed on radio, toured widely, and continued teaching in to the 1950s. Richard M. Breaux’s excellent biographical article on Maloof points out that when he died on leap day 1956 in New Jersey, his local obituary pointed out his efforts to transcribe and preserve Levantine folk music.

Arabic-language discs were imported physically from Beirut and Cairo during the early 1910s by entrepreneurs including A.J. Macksoud who ran a series of music shops on and around Manhattan’s Washington Street, while at the same time Victor Records issued overseas recordings domestically in the U.S. for the immigrant market. It was not until the Maronite priest Rev. George Aziz (b. 1872) recorded a single disc on May 15, 1914 in New York with violin accompaniment that the Arabic language was recorded commercially in the U.S. (Again we refer those interested in a recent biographical article on Aziz by Richard Breaux.) March 18 and 19 of 1915, the first Syrian recording star Nahum Simon made his first recordings for Columbia.

Simon appears to have been a professional shoemaker, born January 25, 1890. He seems to have tried to emigrate first in June 1904 at the age of 15, but after being detained for four days for medical reasons, was deported. He successfully entered the U.S. in 1912, settling first on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn with his wife Rahill and their two American-born children Evaleen (b. ca. 1915) and Joseph (b. ca. 1917). Between March and September 1915, he recorded 12 discs, and then in 1916-17 another 21, all for Columbia. Their popularity would seem to have been the catalyst for the wave of recordings of Arabic-speaking immigrants that took place over the second half of the 1910s. He did not however record again until the 1920s when he made 8 more discs for Victor Records (including two 12” discs) and 3 12” discs for Columbia. After a few appearances of WBBC’s Syrian Hour radio show in early 1933, we are unclear what happened to him.

The only other singers to have recorded nearly as prolific as Simon during the 1910s and 20s were Selim Domani, who made at least 30 discs for Maloof’s label; Louis Wardini, who made 6 discs for Victor on May 16, 1917 and another 25 discs for independent labels in the 20s (including Maloof’s); and Constantine Sooss (or Souse), who released 17 discs on Victor and Columbia during the period October 1917 to February 1920. (Again, Richard Breaux has written biographical studies of all three of them.) One factor ties together the recordings of Simon, Domani, Sooss, Wardiny, and (potentially) Aziz. They all include the violin accompaniment of Naim Karacand. A 2500-word biographical article on Karacand, published at Breaux’s Midwest Majar blog, is attached among the download files for this album. But here is a brief summary:

Karacand was born on September 2, 1890 in Aleppo, Syria, where he was raised Catholic. He arrived at Ellis Island October 10, 1909 and settled in Brooklyn, followed by his younger brother Hicmat and parents Abdullah and Susie. He was first married in 1912, and he had his wife Najeema had three children (1913-17) - the period during which he recorded with Nahum Simon, William Kamel, Moses Cohen, and others as well as about another 10 discs under his own name or anonymously. His band at the time included Shehade Ashear (or Shehadi Ashkar, kanun) and Abraham Halaby (oud), both of whom were Halabi (Aleppan) Jews, or in some cases oudist Toufic Gabriel Moubaid (born ca. 1887-88 in Tripoli, Lebanon). During 1921-22, he was involved in a protracted, bitter, and very public divorce that tore his family apart. He recorded prolifically through the 20s for Maloof and A.J. Macksoud independent labels based in southern Manhattan’s Little Syria neighborhood.

His Declaration of Intent to naturalize as the citizen of the United States on July 10, 1923 was witnessed by his regular collaborator Toufic Moubaid and the dancer Anna Athena Arcus, a native of Mersin, Turkey five years his senior whom he later married. In 1930-32 Karacand worked as a music consultant on a series of film in Hollywood, notably including Mata Hari starring Greta Garbo. In 1936-37, he traveled to Brazil for the wedding of his brother Chukri and performed there before returning to Brooklyn. He spent the 1930s and 40s playing WHOM’s Friday evening Arabian Nights radio program and performing constantly at gatherings of the Syrian-Lebanese community. He continued to record prolifically for independent labels through the 1940s and 50s in New York. Among his last recordings were in 1958 at jazz-Arabic hybrid sessions for Riverside Records under the direction of Ahmed Abdul-Malik, who was then bassist for Thelonious Monk. Following the deaths of his second wife and all three of his children, he died in Astoria, Queens in 1973 and is buried in Green Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn.

A composer and performer who was held in high regard in his community, Karacand’s repertoire and skill allowed him to play with a wide variety of performers from a variety of backgrounds. Even among his earliest recordings on this album, he plays a classical peshrev (“bishro”) by the Ottoman-Armenian Tatyos (tracks 17-18), urban Beirut/Cairo-style classical tarab (tracks 5-6 and 9-10), and Syrian rural folk deke dances (tracks 21-22 which were originally issued uncredited). His collaborators included Jews (including Moses Cohen, who we suspect was born in Aleppo ca. 1894) as often as Christians.

Between May 1914 and February 1920, Columbia Records issued a total of 70 discs recorded by Arabic-speaking immigrants before ceasing to record them. Victor a total of 32 discs between September 1913 and July 1921 and persisted only sporadically through the 1920s. By and large the market gap for Syrian-American performers on record during the 20s was filled by the Maloof and Macksoud labels. This collection then represents about 10% of the total output for the time-period it covers. Allthough lacking certain key performers (Souss in particular) and sourced from acoustically recorded discs in very mixed condition from over a century ago, and lacking in biographical details for two of its performers (William Kamel and Moses Cohen), I hope it serves as window into in the musical world of a remarkable American immigrant community deserving of more attention.

All tracks recorded at Columbia Grafophone's Woolworth Building studio on Broadway except for 1 & 2 recorded at Victor Records' New York City studio.

Instrumentalists on tracks 3-22 are likely Naim Karacand (violin), Shehade Ashear (or Shehadi Ashkar, kanun) and either Abraham Halaby or Toufic Moubaid (oud).

Recordings dates via Richard K. Spottswood Ethnic Music on Records (University of Illinois Press) and Columbia Records E Series, 1908-23 (Mainspring Press): 1 July 24, 1913 2 September 18 1913 3-6 April 1916 7-10 May 1916 11-18 June 1916 19-20 January 1917 21-22 May 1919

Transfers, restoration, and notes by Ian Nagoski, 2017-2020 Thanks to Richard M. Breaux whose ongoing research into early 20th century Arabic-speaking immigrants can be found at syrianlebanesediasporasound.blogspot.com

Thanks also to Steve Shapiro, Nancy Karacand, and Jorge Khlat.

Further reading: Elmaz Abinader. Children of the Roojme: A Family’s Journey from Lebanon. University of Wisconsin Press, 1997. Donna Carlton: Looking for Little Egypt. IDD Books, 2011 Stacy D. Fahrenthold. Between the Ottomans and the Etente: The First World War in the Syrian and Lebanese Diaspora, 1908-1925. Oxford University Press, 2019. Sarah M. Gaultieri. Between Arab and White: Race and Ethnicity in the Early Syrian American Diaspora. University of Caltifornia Press, 2009 Princess [sic] Rahme Haidar. Under Syrian Stars. Fleming H. Revell, 1929. Linda K. Jacobs. Strangers in the West: The Syrian Colony of New York City, 1880-1900. Kaliyah Press, 2015. Salom Rizk. Syrian Yankee. Doubleday, 1943. Najiba E. Saliba. Emigration from Syria and the Syrian-Lebanese Community in Worcester, MA. Antakya Press, 1992. Lee S. Tesdell et al. The Way We Were: Arab-Americans in Central Iowa, an Oral History. Iowa Humanities Board, 1993.

[greenbardasoiaf]

This episode is part 2.2 of my blog series "The Direwolves of Winterfell." It covers the warg bond of Grey Wind and Robb in A Song of Ice and Fire book 1, A Game of Thrones, from when Robb leaves Winterfell until the end of a Clash of Kings. Part 2.1 covered their story before that point. 1 more video in the series is coming, to cover their bond in A Storm of Swords. 

"The Direwolves of Winterfell" discusses how the Starks possess the magic to warg their direwolves or skinchange other beasts. The series does a deep dive into how their bond is formed and expressed, as well as how each is tied to their pack. Parts 1.1, 1.2, and 1.3 are also available on this channel, covering Sansa and Lady's bond, and the effects that her death had on Sansa and the rest of the pack. Later parts of the series will cover Arya and Nymeria, Bran and Summer, Rickon and Shaggydog, and Jon and Ghost as the series moves forward. 

When "The Winds of Winter" blow, magic will ramp up in the world. Expect to see more from the Direwolves of Winterfell. FYI, the text of the entire series is available at alivealive0.home.blog/direwolves 

__________ 

This channel discusses George R R Martin's World of Ice and Fire, where his series, "A Song of Ice and Fire," and HBO's series, "Game of Thrones" and the upcoming "Blood of the Dragon," based upon GRRM's "Fire & Blood" are set. The channel will mainly focus on magic and the magical lineages within this world, especially as relates to House Stark and House Targaryen. 

 I am the Green Bard. I blog, sing, and record about medieval fantasy / sci-fi. I like A Song of Ice and Fire, Lord of the Rings, Shannara, and more. You might see me at the Michigan Renaissance Festival, an Irish Pub, open mic night, a con or some other weird place. Say Hello! Peace! 

Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/the_green_bard

Green Bard Gear Available Here: https://teespring.com/the_green_bard/ 

Our blog can be found here: https://alivealive0.home.blog 

Audio-only versions of my videos are available on "The Bard's Truth" Podcast on: Spotify and anchor.fm/bards-truth 

Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegreenbard/ 

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/the_green_bard 

We can also interact on reddit, thelasthearth, and westeros.org, where I am known as ‘Alivealive0’ or The Green Bard

___________ 

Thanks to all the terrific artists who shared their work with us here! *Images used w/ permission: 

-SaxyBassLass (my daughter) - Lady as Ned Arrives - see CC license on my blog website. 

@sanrixian of sanrixian.com - Grey Wind, Shaggydog, The North Remembers 

@Hed-Ush on deviantart.com/hed-ush - Game of Thrones - Catelyn IX

@vkcoleart on deviantart.com/vkcole -Stark Direwolves, You Will Fly, The Wild Wolf, and The King Who Lost the North 

@sir-heartsalot-blog on deviantart.com/sir-heartsalot and tumblr - Arya, Crow's Nest, A Dance with Dragon's Spoilers, Greatjon, House Stark, Jaime Lannister, Arya and the Cats 

@MaximilienRobb on deviantart.com/MaximilienRobb - Bran Stark -NMaTM on deviantart.com/nmatm - Robb and Grey Wind, Robb and Grey Wind II 

@AireensColor on deviantart.com/aireenscolor - The Stark Children -Dejan Delic on deviantart.com/dejan-delic - Theon, Red Wedding, Robb Stark, Jon Snow

@FALLENV3GAS on deviantart.com/fallenv3gas - Hornwood, Karstark 

@MathiaArkoniel on deviantart.com/mathiaarkoniel - asoiaf: Jaime Catelyn -

-The Brushed Bombshell (my wife)  - Soldier Wets Himself While Theon Lifts Catelyn 

@minuiko on tumblr.com (and DA!) - Sansa and Arya -

@TheMico at themicos.blogspot.com - Cleos Frey 

@JohnnyClark on deviantart.com - Hall of the King in the North

*Music written by Guy LaRouche, and recorded by Salsa Norte. Copyright Hot Karl Records, all rights reserved. Used with permission. The song, entitled "Seducción," once made number 1 on the world music list on mp3.com in the late '90s and appeared on Salsa Norte's self-titled debut album.

___________ 

My handle comes from the Irish Song “Molly Malone”, which was immediately brought to mind when I read the Cat of the Canals chapter.       

The Chorus: Alive, Alive, Oh! Alive, Alive, Oh! Crying Cockles and Mussels, Alive, Alive, Oh! I play this song and other folk songs with my actual Irish Band: The Bold O’Donohughs https://www.facebook.com/BoldBassGuy/ https://www.reverbnation.com/boldodonohughs https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFbq7MS5v08g3FZslPZECDQ

I’ve been a Wild Rover for many a year! — The Green Bard 

[losille2000]

(via https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0EnpbnkPuDglMJ7nc3jC4x?si=m9XAKvyjRA63VQbs_IAhNA)

This is the Mister America “soundtrack.” It has some general songs about America, but each state has at least 1 song related to it. 

For a full tracklist and to see which songs go to what state, see below the cut.

Songs about America:

“The Star Spangled Banner” National Anthem (F. Scott Key/Whitney Houston)

“The Battle Hymn of the Republic” (Traditional/United States Army Band and Chorus)

“America the Beautiful” (Ray Charles)

“Captain America March” (Hollywood Movie Theme Orchestra)

“Star Spangled Man” (The Star Spangled Singers/Captain America)

“Captain America” (Alan Silvestri) 

“American Patrol” (Glenn Miller/United States Air Force Band)

“The Stars and Stripes Forever” (John Philip Sousa/United States Marine Band)

“America” (Neil Diamond)

“Born in the U.S.A” (Bruce Springsteen)

“Hail to the Chief” (James Sanderson, composer/US Marine Band)

State Songs:

Alabama - “Sweet Home Alabama” (Lynyrd Skynyrd)

Alaska - “North to Alaska” (Johnny Horton)

Alaska - “The Alaska Song” (Lacy J. Dalton)

Arizona - “Take It Easy” (Eagles)

Arkansas - “Arkansas Traveler” (Harry Glenshaw)

Arkansas - “Arkansas Farmboy” (Glen Campbell)

California - “California Love” (2Pac, Roger, Dr. Dre)

California - “California Girls” (Beach Boys)

Colorado - “Rocky Mountain High” (John Denver)

Connecticut - “Yankee Doodle” (Traditional)

Connecticut - “Connecticut’s For Fucking” (Jesus H Christ and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse)

Delaware - “Delaware Slide” (George Thorogood & the Destroyers)

Delaware - “Delaware” (Perry Como)

Florida - “The Florida Song” (Ricky Sylvia)

Florida - “Miami” (Will Smith)

Georgia - “Midnight Train to Georgia” (Gladys Knight & the Pips)

Georgia - “Georgia on My Mind” (Michael Buble)

Hawaii - “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride” (from Lilo and Stitch)

Hawaii - “Ke Kali Nei Au/Hawaiian Wedding Song” (Makaha Sons & Friends)

Hawaii - “Over the Rainbow” (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole)

Hawaii - “What a Wonderful World” (Israel Kamakawiwo’ole)

Idaho - “Idaho” (Benny Goodman)

Illinois - “Sweet Home Chicago” (The Blues Brothers)

Indiana - “Going Back to Indiana” (The Jackson 5)

Iowa - “Iowa Stubborn” (from The Music Man)

Kansas - “Home on the Range” (Gene Autry)

Kentucky - “Blue Moon of Kentucky” (Bill Monroe & His Blue Grass Boys)

Louisiana - “Born on the Bayou” (Creedence Clearwater Revival)

Louisiana - “House of the Rising Sun” (The Animals)

Maine - “Portland, Maine” (Tim McGraw)

Maryland - “Good Morning Baltimore” (from Hairspray)

Massachusetts - “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” (Dropkick Murphys)

Massachusetts - “The Devil Came Up to Boston” (Adam Ezra Group)

Michigan - “Detroit Rock City” (KISS)

Minnesota - “Rock n Roll is Alive! (And It Lives In Minneapolis” (Prince)

Mississippi - “Mississippi Queen” (Mountain)

Missouri - “Missouri Waltz” (Glenn Miller)

Montana - “Montana Lullaby” (Ken Overcast)

Nebraska - “Omaha” (Counting Crows)

Nevada - “Waking Up In Vegas” (Katy Perry)

Nevada - “Viva Las Vegas” (Elvis Presley)

New Hampshire - “New Hampshire” (Town Meeting)

New Jersey - “Jersey Girl” (Bruce Springsteen)

New Mexico - “Santa Fe” (from RENT)

New Mexico - “Taos, New Mexico” (Waylon Jennings)

New York - “Theme from New York, New York” (Frank Sinatra)

New York - “New York State of Mind” (Billy Joel)

North Carolina - “Wagon Wheel” (Old Crow Medicine Show)

North Dakota - “North Dakota” (Lyle Lovett)

Ohio - “Ohio” (Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young)

Oklahoma - “Oklahoma!” (from Oklahoma!)

Oklahoma - “Oklahoma Sky” (Miranda Lambert)

Oregon - “Eugene Oregon” (Dolly Parton)

Pennsylvania - “Allentown” (Billy Joel)

Rhode Island - “Rhode Island is Famous for You” (Blossom Dearie)

South Carolina - “Just A Little Bit South of North Carolina” (Dean Martin)

South Carolina - “Hickory Wind” (The Byrds)

South Dakota - “South Dakota Morning” (Bee Gees)

South Dakota - “Big Foot” (Johnny Cash)

Tennessee- “Tennessee Whiskey” (Chris Stapleton)

Texas  - “The Yellow Rose of Texas” (Traditional/Mitch Miller)

Texas - “All my Ex’s Live In Texas” (George Strait)

Texas - “La Grange” (ZZ Top)

Utah - “Utah” (The Osmonds)

Vermont - “Moonlight in Vermont” (Ella Fitzgerald/Louis Armstong)

Virgina - “Yorktown (The World Turned Upside Down)” (from Hamilton)

Washington - “Come As You Are” (Nirvana)

West Virginia - “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (John Denver)

Wisconsin - “Green Bay, Wisconsin” (The Might Mighty Bosstones)

Wyoming - “Wyoming Wind” (Caitlin Canty)

Wyoming - “Cheyenne” (Cale Moon)

[bunkershotgolf]

Experience a Golf and Gaming Road Trip to Michigan’s Scenic Upper Peninsula

One of the Midwest’s fastest-growing golf resort destinations, Island Resort & Casino, located in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula (near Escanaba), has reopened to golfers and resort guests. Resort amenities, including the acclaimed Sweetgrass and Sage Run golf courses and Island Resort’s assortment of dining options, gaming and spa are now open with comprehensive social distancing guidelines in place.

Keeping the health of resort guests a top priority, Island Resort has developed new practices and standards to ensure safety, while maintaining the superior service and quality experience that golfers and guests deserve. This includes increased cleaning and sanitizing across the entire resort, clear social distancing guidelines, as well as various precautions and safety provisions throughout each area and amenity of the resort.

SweetgrassH15IMG_0025WEB.jpg Award-winning golf has become the centerpiece of the Island Resort & Casino experience.

Designed by Paul Albanese, Sweetgrass, features an open layout with some of the game’s most fun greens to putt (Redan, Biarritz, Island, and Double-Green), as well some wonderful strategic holes including the famous island green No. 15, and spectacular finishing par 5 holes on each side. The course, which plays host to the Symetra Tour's Island Resort Championship, is ranked among Golfweek’s Best Courses, as well as recognition by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest as a Best in State ranking.

Sage Run, also designed by Albanese, offers a contrasting style from its sister course. The course meanders through beautiful Upper Peninsula hardwoods and open vistas with very dramatic views. A natural drumlin, or elongated hill or ridge formed by glacial ice long ago, is the primary feature on Sage Run. Golf holes were routed up and around the hill offering a scenic variety of shots creating a fun thrill ride for golfers. A variety of long and short golf holes with long fescue grasses lining the fairway and edging the bunkers, as well as creative short par fours with some blind shots, will challenge golfers of all abilities. The course also plays host to some of the top collegiate players with The Island Resort Collegiate at Sage Run. In 2019, Sage Run was named to Golf Digest’s prestigious list of “Best New Courses.”

The growing popularity of golf and gaming at Island Resort has driven the demand for a $30 million expansion that will be completed in 2021. More than 100 new hotel rooms will be added, which will be connected to the south end of the current 11-story Palm Tower. A high-end dining venue and convention space are also planned for the top floor, as well as a pool featuring water park attractions for kids and young adults.

Island Resort Golf Packages

Following weeks of sheltering in place, golfers looking to escape and enjoy a great golfing road trip, will surly enjoy one of the largest golf and gaming destinations in the Midwest. The Island Resort & Casino golf packages combine the best golf led by its Sweetgrass and Sage Run courses, lodging and gaming. The fully customizable packages offer 1, 2, 3, and 4-night lodging options with up to four rounds of golf. Package prices range from $95 - $758 depending on the time of year and single/double occupancy. Golfers will also receive five coupons: $5 promo cash, $5 off bingo, $5 off dining, one drink and $5 off services at the luxurious Drift Spa.

Discovering the Upper Peninsula’s Perfect 4-Some

The “Perfect 4-Some” is a fully customizable package offering 3, 4, and 5-night lodging options at Island Resort with four rounds of golf. The package combines the best golf in the region led by the Island Resort & Casino with its Sweetgrass and Sage Run courses together with the highly acclaimed Greywalls course in Marquette and TimberStone in nearby Iron Mountain.

Package prices range from $350 - $758 depending on the time of year and single/double occupancy. Golfers will also receive a hotel package containing various coupons for resort amenities. For more information, visit www.islandresortgolf.com.

About Island Resort & Casino

Located in Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula 13 miles west of Escanaba, Island Resort & Casino is one of the Midwest’s largest golf, casino and entertainment resort destinations. The resort features 36 holes of golf (Sweetgrass and Sage Run), over 300 guest rooms including spacious suites and a 42–site RV Park. The 408,520 sq. ft. casino offers over 1,200 slots, a poker room, craps, blackjack, Spanish 21, three card poker, let-it-ride, roulette and bingo.

The resort amenities also include the luxurious Drift Spa offering a variety of high-end spa services with access to the resort’s saltwater pool, steam rooms and sauna. Multiple dining options include the signature 5 Bridges Steak and Seafood House, 5 Bridges Pub, Firekeeper’s Restaurant, T. McC’s Sports Bar, Coral Reef Grille, Signature Subs & Pizza, The Coffee & Bakery Shop, as well as The Custard Shop. The Island regularly hosts headline entertainment in the intimate 1,315 seat Showroom, as well as weekly bands and comedy entertainers in Club 41. The Island Convention Center provides the perfect venue for special events, business meetings and weddings.

The destination is easily accessible via a pair of regional airports in Escanaba and Marquette connecting through Detroit, Saginaw, Lansing or Grand Rapids.

The Island Resort and Casino strives to provide superior service and quality entertainment for their guests. To do this in the safest manner while keeping the health of guests and employees the number one priority special guidelines and expectations have been instituted to ensure a healthy return. Please visit www.islandresortandcasino.com for specific details on venue hours, event information and precautions during your visit.

[citizenscreen]

It’s been the practice here to honor notable film-related anniversaries at the onset of every year – Looking back to move forward, if you will. This year there is particular excitement across social media because 2020 brings with it echoes of a century ago, the decade called The Roaring Twenties when youth threw caution to the wind and enjoyed life to its fullest. It was an era of economic prosperity and interesting (to say the least) social and artistic changes, an era of happenings and creativity. Some of that is reflected in films depicting the Roaring Twenties, which – luckily for us – happens to be this month’s theme on TCM.

In all pictures about the Roaring Twenties you’re likely to see the Flapper, perhaps the most familiar symbol of the era. The Flapper helped the decade retain a certain “feel,” one of partying and promiscuity with distinct style and energy. In movie terms you might look to Colleen Moore and Clara Bow to get a sense of what the Flapper was like.

Colleen Moore

Clara Bow

While the flapper enjoyed life throughout the decade, she gained considerable freedoms in 1920. On August 18 of that year the 19th Amendment was passed, giving women the right to vote. Due to the great economy at the time, millions of women worked in white-collar jobs and could afford to contribute in ways they previously could not. The increased availability of birth-control devices allowed for more personal choice and advances in technology helped the effort as well. Many homes in America, especially in the industrialized cities, were now powered by electricity, and effort-saving devices such as refrigerators, washing machines, irons, and vacuum cleaners, most of which were used by women, made life much easier as well.

Other inventions that came to be in 1920 include the hair dryer, invented by a women who inserted a hose in the exhaust of a vacuum cleaner. Brilliant! The traffic light was also born that year thanks to police officer William Potts who used red, amber, and green lights and $37 worth of wire to make his traffic light in Detroit, Michigan. The Band-Aid was invented by a man called Earle Dickson for his wife Josephine who cut herself often. The final invention worth noting was the automobile with the combustion, probably the most popular invention in the 1920s, which facilitated the Flapper lifestyle and led to many new jobs. The popular, reliable, and inexpensive Ford Model T made it all possible – and made it in the movies.

Harold Lloyd in GET OUT AND GET UNDER 1920

Stan Laurel in a Ford Model T 1920, which appeared in several Laurel and Hardy movies

  While previously mentioned freedoms were expanded, others were curtailed in 1920. The most famous being the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1919, but put into effect in 2020. The Federal Volstead Act, formally the National Prohibition Act, established to carry out the intent of the 18th Amendment, banned the manufacture and sale of “intoxicating liquors,” and at 12 A.M. on January 16, 1920, the Act closed every tavern, bar and saloon in the United States. Tragic as that may seem to some, there was plenty of booze to go around thanks to unseemly types who took control of underground “wet” businesses.

Hollywood’s fascination with Prohibition and the times during which it took place have resulted in fantastic film offerings through the decades. Sam Mendes’ Road to Perdition (2002) is one example of a great modern film dealing with the subject. But I am here for the classics and suggest you revisit the following to get a sense of how colorful the world was during the Prohibition era:

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Another right was curtailed on June 13, 1920 when the US Post Office stated that children could not be sent by parcel post. Various instances of this occurrence made the law a necessity.

More interesting facts about 1920:

The average life span in the United States that year was about fifty-four years.

The top ten toys of the 1920s were:

Teddy bears

Erector sets

Lionel trains

Lincoln Logs

Raggedy Ann

Radio Flyer Wagon

Tinker Toys

Crayons

Tin toys

Tiddlywinks

On January 29, 1920 Walt Disney started work as an artist with KC Slide Co. for $40 a week.

On May 1, 1920 legendary slugger Babe Ruth hit his 50th career home run, his first for the NY Yankees in a 6-0 win over the Boston Red Sox. How sweet it was.

On May 16 Joan of Arc (Jeanne D’arc c. 1412 – May 30, 1431) was canonized a saint. Her life has inspired numerous films starting as early as 1900 with Georges Méliès’ Joan of Arc. I must admit I’ve only seen two films on this topic, but can recommend both: Carl Theodor Dreyer’s deeply affecting The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) and Victor Fleming’s visually appealing Joan of Arc (1948).

On June 2 the Pulitzer prize for Drama was awarded to Eugene O’Neill for Beyond the Horizon.

On July 29 rebel leader Pancho Villa surrendered to Mexican authorities. As it turns out Villa who had an interesting connection to movies as this Smithsonian Magazine article explains.

On November 2, 1920 the first commercially licensed radio broadcast was heard, from KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The first broadcast was live results of the presidential election, a transmission of breaking news that was new and unprecedented. The impact of the medium of radio and the importance of this 1920 event cannot be overstated.

1920 in Hollywood

By the early 1920s, the film industry had made its (more or less) permanent move to Hollywood from the East Coast. The face of American cinema was transformed. Hollywood was now the world’s film capital producing virtually all films shown in the United States and 80 percent of the revenue from films shown abroad. Many American towns had a movie theater with over 20,000 movie houses operating in the U.S. by that year. Most Americans went to see the movies at least once a week. The movie industry became a big business. And Hollywood’s position only got stronger as many of Europe’s most talented movie players arrived.

By the end of the decade, the movies claimed to be the nation’s fifth largest industry, attracting 83 cents out of every dollar Americans spent on amusement. It’s only natural then that through this journey Hollywood also became the ideal of many things in the audience’s eyes. In particular the movies excelled at extravagance, fun, and glamour – and they were the primary distraction through tough times. Here’s more…

In 1920, Metro Pictures Corporation (with its already-acquired Goldwyn Pictures Corporation) was purchased by early theater exhibitor Marcus Loew of Loew’s Inc. In another acquisition, Loew merged his Metro-Goldwyn production company with Louis B. Mayer Pictures.

In 1920 C.B.C. Film Sales Corporation was founded in 1920 by brothers Jack and Harry Cohn, and Joseph Brandt. C.B.C. was renamed Columbia in 1924.

On March 28, 1920 the wedding of the century took place when Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford joined in matrimony. Fairbanks bought a lodge for his new bride and it was named Pickfair, a place that soon became the social center of Hollywood. In June 1920 the couple joined fellow newlyweds Frances Marion and Fred Thomson on a European honeymoon.

On April 3, 1920 F. Scott Fitzgerald wed novelist Zelda Sayre at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York.

Director John Ford wed Mary Smith in 1920.

Charlie Chaplin discovered Jackie Coogan and chose him to play The Kid released in 1921.

Alice Guy, the world’s first female filmmaker and a key figure in the development of narrative film, directed her final film, the feature-length Tarnished Reputations (1920).

Born in 1920

I am astounded by the talent born in 1920. Expect major centennial celebrations for these important people who have given us so much joy through film and television.

Vincent Gardenia

Constance Moore

DeForest Kelley

Federico Fellini

Delbert Mann

James Doohan

Toshiro Mifune

Jack Webb

Denver Pyle

Peggy Lee

Yul Brynner

Maureen O’Hara

Shelley Winters

Ray Bradbury

Jack Warden

Mickey Rooney

William Conrad

Walter Matthau

Laraine Day

Montgomery Clift

Merlina Mercouri

Hy Averback

Nanette Fabray

Gene Tierney

Ricardo Montalban

Noel Neill

Virginia Mayo

Frances Gifford

Jack Lord

Tony Randall

Ray Harryhausen

Deaths in 1920

1920 is relatively early in the life of the movies so it’s not surprising only one stood out as notable…and particularly sad. On or about September 10 of that year actor Olive Thomas ingested bi-chloride of mercury from a French-labeled bottle in a darkened bathroom, believing it to be another medication. Found unconscious, she died five days later. The death made worldwide headlines. Olive was only 25 when she died.

With Olive’s death came a flood of stories linking her to alcohol and drug use and to sexual promiscuity. The evils of “movie people” were spotlighted along with her death by moralists everywhere. Regardless of the circumstances, which I believe have never come to light, this was the tragic death of a 25-year-old woman. Olive was survived by her husband Jack Pickford who was with her in Paris when the tragedy occurred. You can read more about the life and death of Olive Thomas at Silents are Golden.

Olive Thomas c. 1919

Among the notables who made their film debuts in 1920…

Mary Astor made her film debut by way of an uncredited part in Buster Keaton’s The Scarecrow

Madge Bellamy made her debut in Edward José’s The Riddle: Woman.

Charles Boyer in Marcel L’Herbier’s L’homme de Large

Greta Garbo in Ragnar Ring’s How Not to Dress, which according to the New York Times obituary is a short sponsored by the department story where Greta worked as a sales clerk.

Alfred Hitchcock – Hitchcock submitted a portfolio of title cards for The Sorrows of Satan and The Great Day and is hired by Famous Players-Lasky British Producers Limited. (Hitchcock.zone)

Barbara La Marr , the girl who was too beautiful caught everyone’s attention when she co-starred with Douglas Fairbanks in The Nut in 1921, but she made her debut the year prior in Bertram Bracken’s Harriet and the Piper.

Victor McLaglen in A. E. Coleby’s The Call of the Road (1920) he gets a starring role right off the bat as a gambler-turned-boxer.

Nita Naldi – the story goes that her dancing was spotted by John Barrymore, who obtained her debut role for her in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920).

Claude Rains – we see him for a brief moment at the end of the film, but it’s a brilliant turn he delivers in his formal film debut as James Whale’s The Invisible Man in 1933, but as is news to me at this writing, Rains appeared in Fred Goodwins’ Build Thy House in 1920.

Notable Film Releases

Germany’s silent landmark classic, director Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari was released in the US in 1920.

Douglas Fairbanks’ first swashbuckler, Fred Niblo’s The Mark of Zorro (1920).

Buster Keaton made his first solo film appearance in the comedy short One Week (1920), after co-starring with Roscoe Arbuckle for the three previous years.

Legendary Broadway stage star John Barrymore appeared in the adapted Robert Louis Stevenson tale-horror film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) directed by John. S. Robertson.

Ernst Lubitsch’s Passion was released in the U.S. bringing attention to Polish actress Pola Negri.

Way Down East, a romantic drama directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Lillian Gish was a top grossing movie of the year.

Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton released several shorts each that are worth watching so check out their filmographies and get to it. Roscoe Arbuckle had a slow year given his star status in 1920, but that would all fall apart in 1921 following the Virginia Rappe scandal.

Harry Millarde’s Over the Hill to the Poorhouse or just Over the Hill starring Mary Carr was one of the top grossing films of the decade.

Paul Powell’s Pollyanna starring Mary Pickford was popular despite both screenwriter Frances Marion and Mary Pickford not liking it.

Shipwrecked Among Cannibals, a travelogue/documentary directed by William F. Adler, was the first Universal film to gross $1,000,000.

Cecil B. DeMille’s Something to Think About starring Elliott Dexter, Gloria Swanson and Monte Blue was popular with audiences.

Top Money-making actors

According to Quigley Polls from results of 1919 film releases.

Wallace Reid

Marguerite Clark

Charles Ray

Douglas Fairbanks

Mary Miles Minter

Mary Pickford

Clara Kimball Young

William S. Hart

Norma Talmadge

Theda Bara

Theda Bara in THE LIGHT 1919

◊

I hope you enjoyed these hundred-year-old highlights. I look forward to what I hope will be a stellar, enjoyable year of blogging and wish you and yours the very best. Now, in 1920s lingo, “Go chase yourself!”

HAPPY NEW YEAR…1920, A Centennial Celebration It's been the practice here to honor notable film-related anniversaries at the onset of every year - Looking back to move forward, if you will.

[madhattermoffits]

by Rhonda Moffit, Moffits-Mad Hatter Adventures  March, 2020

With such very busy lives, every so often we love to unwind with a weekend adventure. This recharges our batteries and allows us to find inspiration and appreciation that propels us into the forthcoming work week and beyond. Our most recent weekend adventure took us to Martin’s childhood, as his relatives lived in Hannibal, Missouri, when he was a boy. He, much like Tom Sawyer and creator Mark Twain, ran around this historic Mississippi River town as a youngster having fun and learning life’s early lessons. What many do not realize is the incredible history of this locale….so read on and see what we discovered.

One of the places that I, Rhonda, book for our clients that visit Hannibal that has had great reviews is the Garth Woodside Mansion Bed and Breakfast. We were anxious to check this place out for ourselves.

John Garth and Helen Kercheval were married on October 18, 1860. They had two children, John David and Annie. Sometime after the Civil War broke out, in 1862 or 1863, Garth moved his family to New York City. There he was engaged in banking, brokerage, and manufacturing. They returned to Hannibal in 1871, and Garth started a successful business career. Garth purchased a farm southwest of Hannibal and constructed his Italianate Second Empire summer residence about a mile outside of the hustling city in 1871,  which he named “Woodside”.  On the farm he raised and bred shorthorn and Jersey cattle.

As a businessman Garth entered many ventures. He was one of the organizers of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and served as its first vice-president. He became president in 1880, a position he held until near his death in 1899. He was also president of the Hannibal Lime Company, president of the Missouri Guarantee Savings and Building Association, and president of the Garth Lumber Company in Delta, Michigan. His wife and daughter funded several memorials to him, including the Garth Memorial Library Building, dedicated in 1902, and a tower and set of bells at the Trinity Episcopal Church.

Son John perished at the age of 21, sadly, while he was undergoing an appendectomy.  Family photos adorn the walls of Woodside.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known by his pen name of Mark Twain, not only grew up in Hannibal but had multiple visits back to visit friends during his lifetime. One of his childhood friends was in fact John Garth.  Samuel Clemens visited Woodside on several occasions, preferring to stay with his friends. He had his own particular favorite bedroom in the house and spent many hours laughing with the family in the downstairs parlor. When he published Life on the Mississippi, Clemens sent the Garths a copy. John Garth replied, “Thanks for the book. Each and every one at Woodside has enjoyed it greatly.” A note from Clemens to his manager requested a copy of Huckleberry Finn to be sent to the Garths upon its release. John Garth died in 1899.

There have only been six owners of the mansion since it was built, and most all of the original furnishings are still used. This brings me to the beds. Oh, the beds! This particular bed is valued at $55,000, being one of the most valuable in the United States. It is said that Mark Twain slept in this bed and the hand carved craftsmanship is beautiful. Other furnishings are original to the house as well, and it is truly like stepping back in time. Because Woodside has changed owners so infrequently, many of the belongings of the Garth family remain. The current innkeepers/owners (very friendly!) allowed us to roam the entire house and grounds and we were able to see everything the house has to offer, which is a lot.

After exploring the mansion and visiting with the llamas (resident livestock), we ventured into downtown Hannibal and decided to eat at the Mark Twain Dinette. Martin regaled me with tales of when he was sent by family to the Dinette to buy and bring home a jug of their homemade root beer. They have made the root beer onsite since going into business over 76 years ago, and it does not disappoint! If you visit, you should try one of their pork tenderloin sandwiches- it is enormous and one of the main dishes that they are known for.

After dinner, Martin walked me around the Mark Twain historic buildings- my own private tour.

It was fantastic. We then journeyed the short drive back to Woodside and enjoyed the rest of the night with complimentary wine, a fireplace, and a large jetted tub that I really wish I could bring home with me.

The next morning, we were provided a yummy breakfast and had some wonderful conversation with other guests. There are cottages at the rear of the property and they provide a beautiful view and private hot tubs on their decks. These are quite popular, and from what I gleaned from conversation with the others many like to return a couple times a year just to rejuvenate.

The next part of our adventure took us to Lover’s Leap. The views from this historic location are remarkable, and it was a beautiful day to behold.

Next, we traversed to Mark Twain Cave.

Made famous in Mark Twain’s writing, this location is the real deal. They offer tours, so of course we were all in. We went 250 feet below ground and saw everything we could see in the miles of tunnels made of limestone. Samuel Clemens even signed the cave wall when he was young- if you look in the center of the following image you can see “Clemens“.

Many, many people have been to the cave over the years- here I am, wandering around trying to get a feel for it- and loving every minute.

There are over 260 passageways, and it is easy to get turned around in the labyrinth. There is also a “marriage rock” within that has a story. There was a woman who discovered one of her ancestors had signed the cave wall and she had her wedding in the cave under the signature as an homage to the relation. Also look carefully in the photos for the signature from 1865. There are so many echoes from the past.

The Mark Twain Cave was discovered in the winter of 1819 when Jack Sims tracked a panther into what appeared to be a small den. He later discovered it was an extensive underground network. Twain included a lot of the cave in his book “Tom Sawyer”, as he found it to be a true source of inspiration as a child. He and friends used to light candles and enter the cave to explore it. The “Discovery” entrance is the original entrance (green sign) that was used, as you can see in the image.

Also notable:

Joseph Nash McDowell – He bought the cave in 1848 and was the owner during Mark Twain’s childhood. He is infamous for putting his recently deceased daughter into a copper cylinder and placing the cylinder in the back of his cave hoping to further his theory of human petrification. When Hannibal residents learned of this act, they begged him to remove her and bury her as was deemed proper.

Here is an image of where both McDowell’s daughter’s corpse was stored and where Jesse James placed his signature in the cave.

Jesse James — After a botched robbery attempt he hid out in Tennessee. In 1879 he decided to head for Independence, MO to assemble a new gang. On his way through, he signed his name in the Mark Twain Cave which is dated September 22, 1879, sixteen days before he robbed a train in Independence with his new crew, and only three years before his death.

The cave was a remarkable adventure and we spent a lot of time exploring it.

Also in Hannibal is the home of the “Unsinkable” Molly Brown. Molly was born in this house just a few blocks away from the home of Mark Twain. Margaret Tobin Brown was an activist and survivor of the Titanic. Born in 1867, she was the daughter of Irish immigrants. In her lifetime, she and her husband rocketed to fame during the Gold Rush. In a lifeboat as the RMS Titanic sank, Molly shared layers of clothing and urged others to survive the disaster. She used her status to inspire others to fight for children’s and worker’s rights for the remainder of her life.

For all of us Disney fans, Hannibal is also a special place. It is the birthplace of voice actor and musician Cliff Edwards, better known as the voice of Pinnochio’s Jiminy Cricket. Edwards was born in Hannibal and left school at the age of 14 to move to St. Louis. He taught himself to play the ukulele, choosing it because he said it was the cheapest instrument in the music shop. He was nicknamed “Ukulele Ike” by a club owner that could never recall his actual name, and it stuck.

Hannibal has so many stories, and there is so much to do and to see. If you visit between April and November you can even take a riverboat cruise on the Mississippi courtesy of the Mark Twain- they even offer dinner cruises. We plan on returning again soon, and before we departed, we returned to the Mark Twain Dinette to grab a root beer for the road. OK, we actually bought a case to take home. What a wonderful getaway!

Hope you enjoy sharing our adventures- be sure to give us a like, a comment, or at least have a drink of this fabulous root beer next time you are in Hannibal for us!

******

  GET YOUR FREE VACATION QUOTE HERE!

***

Are you visiting Disney in the future? We have some amazing packages available and can save you time and money so you and yours have the best time possible! After all, one of us is a former Cast Member.  Fill out our form HERE to receive your FREE quote. Our services are completely free for you to utilize and you will get YEARS of experience on your side when booking with Moffits: Mad Hatter Adventures.

Always consider booking with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planning agency, such as Mad Hatter Adventures. We will be available to assist you with everything from finding the best value for your travel party to getting dining reservations and Fastpass+ attractions lined up.  Just get in touch with us at moffits@madhatteradv.com or watch our adventures on Facebook. We don’t just book travel, we LIVE it!

Images copyright Moffits: Mad Hatter Adventures, 2020

      A $55,000 Bed, Mark Twain, Jiminy Cricket, Jesse James, Root Beer and Spelunking- It’s A Weekend Getaway Adventure to Hannibal, Missouri by Rhonda Moffit, Moffits-Mad Hatter Adventures  March, 2020 With such very busy lives, every so often we love to unwind with a weekend adventure.

[whiskynottea]

An Interruption in the 1st Law of Thermodynamics

Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Chapter 13, Chapter 14, Chapter 15, Chapter 16, Chapter 17, Chapter 18, Chapter 19, Chapter 20, Chapter 21, Chapter 22, Chapter 23, Chapter 24, Chapter 25, Chapter 26, Chapter 27,  Chapter 28, Chapter 29, Chapter 30, Chapter 31, Chapter 32, Chapter 33, Chapter 34, Chapter 35,  Chapter 36, Chapter 37, Chapter 38, Chapter 39, Chapter 40, Chapter 41, Chapter 42, Chapter 43, Chapter 44, Chapter 45, Chapter 46 

AO3

Huge thank you to @theministerskat, for betaing this story!

Chapter 47. Pictures

“Pick up, pick up, pick up.” My muttering continued at the lack of Jamie’s voice at the other end of the line. That invisible line that kept us connected since he had left. “Come on…”

It was ten o'clock in the morning in rainy Edinburgh. And that meant… Five in the morning in Michigan. He was asleep, of course he was.

Still. I didn’t want anyone to know before him. Jamie would have been the first person to hear the news if he had stayed in Scotland and I was determined not to let the bloody ocean change that.

I didn’t care for the damned time zones. Or this stupid distance between us. He was just one click away, anyway.

“Come on…”

Nothing. I tried again and waited, willing him to wake up.

“Mmm?” I was sure he had opened an eye, saw my picture on the screen and accepted the call closing said eye again. I could feel him on the verge of sleep.  

“Jamieeeeee!” My voice was too high and loud, the last letter of his name turning into an elongated cheer. I wondered if he had ever heard me squealing like this. Well, he couldn’t see me, at least. Because I was sure that he would never stop laughing if he’d seen me moving in my happy and frantic stationary run.  

I couldn’t help it. I was excited. I was bursting with happiness. Every inch of my body vibrating with energy, strong currents seeking a release.

“I got accepted – I got accepted – I got accepted!”

A moment’s silence, as if he was taking the news in, and then, “That’s amazing! Congrats, babe! I was sure Oxford wouldn’t miss this opportunity!” It was a coarse whisper, a restrained cry, and I belatedly remembered that Jamie had a roommate. One that would very likely be asleep - if my shrill voice hadn’t reached his ears.

I rolled my eyes at his comment, wished the roommate was a heavy sleeper, and continued. “Oh my God Jamie, the letter was so small I couldn’t bring myself to open it. I stood there, looking at the envelope for a good while, doubting myself, doubting how good I had been during the interview. But then I opened it and…”

“And ye got into Oxford, Sassenach. Christ, I’m so proud of ye!”

“I did!” I paused, smiling. “I got into Oxford,” I repeated, my voice back to normal now, and plumped down onto my bed. “I’m sorry for waking you up. I just… I just wanted you to be the first one to know. Now go back to sleep!”

“Claire.” His hoarse voice squeezed through my ribs, engulfing my heart. “Thank ye. Thank ye for telling me first.”

I chuckled, trying to drive away the emotional weight carried by his words. As if I would ever tell anyone else first. As if the distance between us made any difference. My voice was soft when I spoke again. “Nothing has changed, remember? Although I had never thought you’d thank me for waking you up at five in the morning. Go back to sleep.”

“I love ye,” he whispered, adding another warm, fuzzy layer of him around my heart.

“I love you too. Goodnight!”

“Kiss?” 

I sent him a ridiculous “Mwah!” and hung up with the stupidest smile on my face. 

It was the ninth of January. After a quick call to Lamb to tell him the news, I made myself some breakfast, sank into the sofa and ate, absentmindedly looking at our Christmas tree. There was nothing but Oxford in my mind. 

By the time my granola disappeared from my bowl I had decided to search for cheap tickets to Michigan. Now that I knew what I was going to do the following year, I had to see to some more pressing matters.

Like visiting Jamie. 

I had to have a date to look forward to. To count the days until I could hold him again. Until I could crush against his chest and get wrapped up in his arms. Until I could taste him again. 

I needed to have a date. 

Rising from the couch, the tiny lights and ornaments on the tree looked back at me. Judgemental. Waiting.

I had promised Lamb that I would take care of all our Christmas decorations once the holidays were over. He didn’t want to have the tree to begin with. “Too much trouble,” he’d said. But I had insisted, and here I was now looking at the beautiful green branches sprinkled with baubles, wishing the holidays would last a bit longer. 

One week more. Or two. Maybe three?

An hour later, I had all the ornaments back into their boxes. The tree, now bare, was patiently waiting for Lamb to discard it. But the house felt empty in a way. Less…cheerful. Normal.

I looked around, let out a loud sigh as if someone was around to take pity on me, and took the boxes to the storage room. I always disliked the end of the holidays and decided to hurry back to my room to find those cheap tickets to the US after I put everything away. That would definitely cheer me up.

I had been almost done when I tried to squeeze the last bag of garland between two boxes of ornaments. The empty space on the shelf proved to be more narrow than I had thought, and a small brown box fell down from its perch at the end of the simple wooden plank, spitting out almost all its contents.

Damn!

At least nothing had broken. Crouching on my knees I realized it contained photo albums. My parents’ photo albums. We had never unpacked all of them after moving into this house. There wasn’t enough space, so I had kept my favorite ones – with pictures of the three of us – on the bookshelf of the living room. 

I loved going through those albums. Their pictures were the only tangible connection with my parents. They filled the gaps of my memories. When my mind blurred their images, the pictures where there, showing me how their faces glowed, how wide their smiles were, how happy we all were together. 

But the albums lying on the floor were from a time before me. The pictures from their wedding. There was a period in my life, when I was around five, when I couldn’t stop looking at my mom in her long white dress, the lace covering her arms, the flowers on her head. The rest of the albums were even older; from my parents’ time in college. I hadn’t gone through them for a while.

Gathering the albums in my arms, I walked back into the living room. I spread them on the coffee table and the couch, and began to flip through them, one by one.

The house wasn’t empty anymore.

Each picture was a story. I knew them all. I had made Lamb tell me each and every one of them, again and again, throughout the years, that I had memorized them - they were my tales. 

And because I knew, I caressed the pictures with timid hands, afraid to alter the stories behind them. Afraid to leave my fingerprints in places they didn’t belong.

God, the way they laughed. How young they were. How carefree.

There was a mirth in these pictures, different from the family warmth and elation the later pictures held.

These pictures held limitless possibilities. 

I cherished each one of them, feeling self-conscious for having my mother’s hair, my father’s eyes. 

I had decided to make myself a cup of tea and continue until Lamb came home, when a picture fell into my lap, free from the plastic constraints of the album.

It was tucked between the last page and the cover, and didn’t match any of the others. It showed my mom, hair wild and eyes glinting, surrounded by children. Children with black skin, skinny limbs, eyes full of joy and the brightest smiles I had ever seen. 

My mom had been in Africa?

She was young, very young. And my dad was nowhere around. I had never seen that picture before. I didn’t know its story. 

I flipped the picture, desperate for any information. 

Zambia, 1993

Zambia? My mom had been in Zambia? 

I made the calculations. She had been eighteen years old in 1993, the same age as I was now.

I sat with the picture in my hands for a long time, studying every little detail on it. The dirt on the path, the prefab building behind them, something that looked like children‘s drawings glued on the windows. At last, I sat the picture on the coffee table and went to the kitchen to make a chai latte. My throat was dry. When I came back, hands warm from the hot mug and thoughts running wild, I continued with the photo albums needing to root myself to the stories I knew. My gaze, however, was falling on the lone picture on the coffee table more often than I would like to admit. 

I was eager to learn its secrets. To find the piece of my mother’s life that I had missed.

In the afternoon, when Lamb entered the front door with a light whistle, I almost jumped at him. 

“Lamb! What’s this?” I asked, bringing the picture inches away from his face.

“What’s what?” he asked in response, and took the picture away from me. His raised eyebrows lowered considerably as he studied the picture. “That’s your mother.”

“Duh!”

He shot me a look and his eyes immediately returned on the picture. “Where the hell is she?”

I let out a disappointed sigh. He didn’t know anything more than I did. “She’s in Zambia,” I said, and seeing his questioning glance I added, “It’s written on the back.”

Lamb turned the picture around, exactly as I had done a few hours earlier, and read the only information we had. “Ninety-three,” he murmured. “She was – ” “Eighteen years old,” I continued this thought. “Right after high school, then.” Lamb handed the picture back to me to remove his coat. “This means… It’s taken before she met your father and me. We met in college, and during the second year, that is.”

“So you didn’t know that she’d been in Africa?” I asked as we moved towards the living room. “She had never talked about it?”

“No. At least not to me. I’m rather sure your father would have known, they told each other everything.” Lamb sat slowly on the armchair and ran a hand through his black and grey hair. “This woman will never stop surprising me.” His voice was soft, and I knew he said it more to himself than to me. His eyes were loaded with emotion as he bent and took the picture from the table, where I’d left it. 

“It looks like a school,” I said, providing any information I thought was valid. 

“It does.” Lamb smiled. “She was a great teacher, your mom. Her students loved her. Your dad always said that she was almost as patient as I.” A chuckle left his lips, and I felt my heart clenching inside my chest. I was always thinking of how much I missed them, but it rarely crossed my mind that their absence was vast from Lamb’s life too. They were the only family he had - apart from me.

I rose from the couch and walked to him, placing a soft kiss on his cheek. Lamb looked at me for a good while saying nothing. Then he sighed, called me lamb and ruffled my hair, so like my mother’s in the picture. 

“You think she volunteered?” 

“Sounds like her,” Lamb said, his eyes trailing back to the picture. When he finally took them away, he looked at me again. “I’m sorry I have nothing to tell you about it, lamb. I wish I knew more.”

I kissed him again, keeping for myself that I wished he would, too. “It’s okay,” I said, instead. “Are you hungry?”

Our stomachs growled in sync at the mention of food. We both laughed and headed towards the kitchen to cook. 

--

That night, as I was waiting for Jamie’s video call, I couldn’t stop thinking about my mom and what a beautiful, brave thing she had done. How she may have changed those children’s lives. How her impact might still be here, alive, even when she was gone. 

When I saw Jamie’s beautiful face, his clear blue eyes looking at me with so much love, I didn’t know from where to begin. So I told him everything, with my heart drumming in my chest and the words forming in my mouth faster than I could talk them out. 

“Now I start to understand how genetics work,” he said when I finished. 

I bit my lips so hard to stop from crying, that they almost bled. “I wish I was as good as my mom.” I rolled my eyes to hide the fact that I truly did.

“Ye are, Sassenach,” he said with a conviction that made me smile. “Ye are,” he repeated, as if to plant the idea in my mind. 

I shrugged and changed the subject, asking him about his day. He was so enthusiastic every time he talked about the college and his new team, that I could listen to him forever, if only to see him shining with glee. A good while later, when I’d heard every little detail of his day, I finally interrupted him and asked him if a month would be enough for him to get familiar with the place.

“A month?” He frowned in thought. “Why?”

“Because I’m coming in a month!” I exclaimed, my grin so wide I looked like the Cheshire cat. 

His eyes got wide and the screen shook so much I could only see the top of his head for a few seconds. “Whaaaaaaat?” His whoop earned him a “Shut up Fraser!” that made me burst into laughter. 

“I’m coming! I booked the tickets today!” I assured him when he rearranged the laptop so he’d be in the frame again. 

“And why haven’t ye told me that from the beginning? Ye cruel thing! I canna believe ye’ll be here!”

I laughed again, my heart so loud I could hardly listen to my thoughts. “Happy?” I asked, my eyes fixed on the smile that covered almost half his face.

“Are ye kidding me? I’m the happiest man on earth!”

“Glad to know!” The voice was heard again and I saw the side of Jamie’s long, straight nose as he turned his head to talk to his roommate. 

“Shut up, Grey!” he admonished him and turned to look at me again. “If he keeps interrupting, I’ll throw him out before I call ye next time.”

“You wish! You have no right to do so, sir!” I heard the voice again, bold and pompous. 

Jamie rolled his eyes at that. “Claire,” he said then, smiling. “May I introduce you to Lord John Grey?” He turned the camera and I saw a beautiful man, lean and slender, with blond hair and light blue eyes. 

“Madam,” he said, faking a bow. “Glad to make your acquaintance. And here I thought your name was Sassenach.”

I laughed at that, and the camera turned back on Jamie, who was now grimacing. 

“Be sure I heard a lot about you, Claire!” John’s head popped just above Jamie’s.

“Oh! Good things I hope, my lord!” 

“Too many good things. I thought he had made you up! And you can call me John. You’re a civilized English subject after all, not a brut like some Scots I’ve come to know lately.”

“Okay, enough, you two!” Jamie shoved John off and gave me a grin. “See, Sassenach? I always have an English ass next to me!”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” John and I said in one voice, both equally incredulous. 

“See?” Jamie glanced at him and then back at me. I was still laughing when Jamie looked at me in a way that made my skin crawl. “As ye see mo chridhe, it’s impossible to talk right now.”

I checked my screen and was surprised to find that we had been talking for almost two hours. “I have to go to bed, anyway.”

“Ye are in bed,” Jamie whispered, glancing at his right to check on John. “Christ, Sassenach, the things I’m thinking, looking at ye.”

“Isn’t John listening to you?” I asked concerned, my voice low.

“He has his headphones back on. But tomorrow I’ll make sure he gets his arse out of the room before I call ye. Don’t laugh!”

“I’m not! But you do that, tomorrow!” Still laughing, I blew him a kiss and slipped under the duvet. “Goodnight, Jamie.”

“Goodnight, mo ghraidh. Dream of me, aye?”

“I will,” I promised, ended the call, and closed my eyes thinking of my wonderful Scot.

Chapter 48

[wearethebillings]

Planterra Conservatory Wedding // Hayley + Andrew

Planterra Conservatory Wedding // Hayley + Andrew