#thistle's end makes me extremely sad

[franeridan]

weird incomprehensible dunmeshi post of the day but I was thinking about that one comic about marcille joining a support group for ex dungeon masters and mithrun saying that it's normal for them to miss the demon despite it all since there's no love as kind as the demon's love, and I was thinking about thistle and how they were able to keep their mistrust for the demon until the very last minute, and how they could seal it for a thousand years without ever thinking about releasing it once - about how you could think the difference between thistle and marcille is that the demon learned from its mistake after thistle and ate marcille's desire to resist first thing, but also about how this isn't applicable for mithrun and yet mithrun never doubted the demon until it was too late, and about how all other masters in the meeting seemed to have been forced to let go of the demon too. About how mithrun says that he and marcille were lucky to have people who loved them enough to fill in for the demon, and about how thistle didn't have that, but their own love for delgal and their desire to protect their people were so overwhelming and all-encompassing that not even the demon could love them enough to make them forget about them? About how all they needed to be really freed of the dungeon and the demon in the end was for delgal to thank them and apologise to them and tell them they could let go. I think mithrun might be right in saying there's no love as gentle as the demon's, but probably it's also true that in the whole story there's no love as powerful as thistle's

[bonefall]

I was wondering what you are going to do with the political opinions of some of the ThunderClan cast in Bluestar's Prophecy, where Thistle Law is being set up as rising in the Clan? I was thinking of a few cats in particular. First Adderfang, who is Thistleclaw's mentor and is shown in BP to be quite the war hawk, I imagine he could be set up as inspiring Thistleclaw and supporting him later even if he's not as extreme as his apprentice. And also Snowfur - she is shown to enjoy fighting a lot and dies impulsively rushing into battle despite fan perception of her being the "tragic soft wife whose death made Thistleclaw lose his innocence" or whatever, she could be set up as an early Thistle law supporter, maybe at first Bluefur feels uncomfortable with her politics and hanging out with Thistleclaw who is worse but is more strongly opinionated about how horrible dehumanizing other Clans are when she meets the forget-me-nots.

And Sunstar; I don't like how in canon, even though we are told he battled a lot for Sunningrocks and supposedly admired Thistleclaw enough to want to make him deputy, he is still treated by the narrative as a Heroic Leader who isn't at all part of the toxic battle culture of the Clans because ThunderClan leaders always have to be good guys even if it makes Bluestar and Firestar's beliefs no longer especially noble but just what Good Guy Clan always does, plus they make it so he wasn't actually planning to make Thistleclaw deputy so Sunstar doesn't look bad, even if it ruins Bluestar's character arc. I think it would be interesting to portray him as a traditionalist who values fighting for territory often, who sees Thistleclaw as a great warrior by his standards but isn't comfortable enough with his extremism (traditionalism differing from Thistle Law) to be sure he wants him over Bluefur, I wonder what you are going to do with him?

By the end of the Chivalric Period, each of the four principles that go on to define Thistle Law are in place. Like fertile soil, all it needed was a bad seed to take root, finally uniting the ideas as distinct from Traditionalism.

Rigid Hierarchy was first displayed in response to SkyClan's exile and Ripplestar's rebellion. Extreme Xenophobia was suckled by Oakstar's crusades. The Code Hardened during Heatherstar's campaign. There Is No Pointless Death formed around all of these things.

Adderfang is what you might consider by the modern day's standards as an early contributor of Thistle Law, though like you said he's not quite as radical. He's the sort of person who would have been a strong supporter of Oakstar's crusades, if he'd been given the chance to be on one. If you grabbed a time machine and pulled him to the Thistle Era, he would approve of Tigerstar generally but find Stonefur's execution dishonorable.

A lot of pre-Thistle Law "Hardened Traditionalists" are like that, if that makes sense. They aren't quite there yet but you can see the ideology branching off, like a terrible evolution.

One of my oldest and strongest opinions is that Snowfur is not a sad little innocent baby. Thistleclaw hardened her with his beliefs and she went along with it willingly, meeting her death chasing a defeated opponent over the border.

And what would she have done if she caught that warrior? Mauled them? Killed them on their own land? Bluefur realizes something changed about her sister, like something else had sprouted in her mind.

Sunstar

That retcon MASSIVELY bothers me too. It ruins everything about EVERY choice Bluestar's ever made if there was no chance he would have picked Thistleclaw; it was all going to be fine, Mosskit died for no reason, there was no real danger so Bluefur has just been a paranoid wreck for her entire life.

No more good person/flawless leader. We are all subjected to the values of the societies we live in. Good people in bad systems have power act through them just as much as they can act through power.

And Sunstar was NOT like Tallstar, with his unprecedented peace deal. Sunstar fought for Sunningrocks often, pushed for the honor of ThunderClan, and was legitimately making a difficult choice between the two cats.

Since she was his apprentice, Sunstar did prefer Bluefur... but when she produced three sireless kittens and Thistleclaw started throwing accusations of a half-clan relationship, suddenly he had a nightmare on his paws.

Thistleclaw was defying the Queen's Rights and Sunstar leapt in to formally remind him about it... but the Clan was changing. He couldn't stop them from talking about it in hushed tones. Was he going to punish half the Clan? ...what kind of a leader would do something like that?

The Code has been added to in the past... that could mean that perhaps there are some laws worth challenging.

And, in his mind, how could he pick Bluefur when the Clan was so divided about her? While she was suckling kittens, in such a harsh winter?

In this Rewrite, it is a real choice.

Is it Thistleclaw, the brave and powerful warrior, who has a disrespect for some aspects of the Code?

Or is it Bluestar, his level-headed and dependable disciple, who disrespects other aspects of the code?

The Clan is split down the middle. It will have to be one or the other. Sunstar must make his pick for the future of the Clan.

He selects Bluestar, but not until after her great sacrifice.

[calvinistwoman]

PREFACE: Unless otherwise stated, all quotes regarding LDS Doctrine will be taken from the following:  https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics

So in response to a post i saw regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (aka: the Mormon Church), I wanted to make a super quick post about the differences between LDS doctrine and Biblical doctrine. Obviously, I am a Christian and I disagree with a lot of LDS doctrine. I just wanted to outline some major differences since, as you can see in this post, Mormons often refer to themselves as Christians. “Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unequivocally affirm themselves to be Christians.” (Under Topic: Are Mormons Christian?)

This is in no way meant to belittle anyone’s beliefs, and it’s my apologies if I misrepresent anyone.

(also I know this post talks a little about Jehovah’s Witnesses as well... but I really don’t know as much about them so I don’t feel qualified to speak on that.)

Firstly, I want to say that I do not believe Mormons are Christians. I will back up this statement in a moment. I don’t say it because I dislike Mormons or anything. I say it because when you look at the Biblical parameters for what a Christian is, it’s clear that Mormons do not meet the qualifications. While every single Mormon I've ever met has been extremely kind and obviously devoted to their beliefs, I can not count them as brothers and sisters in Christ. And here’s why...

We have different Scriptures. I am starting here because every disagreement stems from this point. The Christian view of scripture is that the Bible is the Word of God. It is complete and infallible. We stand on the authority of the Bible as being perfect and unchanging. This differs from the LDS view. Yes, the LDS church hold to the Bible as one of their scriptures, however they also add the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price, as well as the word of the prophet. All these constitute the words of God. “to claim that the Bible is the sole and final word of God—more specifically, the final written word of God—is to claim more for the Bible than it claims for itself.” (Under Topic: Are Mormons Christian?)

Second, we have different Gods. I know, you’re thinking... “What? No way. They seem so similar.” And they really do when you look at them broadly. Be both believe in God the father, His Son Jesus Christ and His redemptive plan, and the Holy Spirit who indwells us and helps us. So what’s the difference? There are actually a lot of differences. You know how a lot of atheists will say “Yeah Jesus was real, he was just a good teacher.” Well it’s sort of like that. We both believe in the same historical person, but that’s where it ends. It’s a bit like comparing the real Abraham Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. They’re both talking about the same guy....sort of.

So how do we view the Godhead, and how are these views contradictory? 

LDS - I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil, so that you may see. (King Follett Discourse)

Christian - Isaiah 43:10 I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

LDS - God and Jesus Christ are glorified, physical beings and that each member of the Godhead is a separate being.

Christian - God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost are one God in three persons. God is also a spirit, not a man. But for our sake, Christ took on flesh and bone to bare our sins.

(Under Topic: God the Father)

LDS - We are all literally children of God, spiritually begotten in the premortal life.

Christian - We are created beings, made by God for His glory.

LDS - His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man”

Christian - God’s ultimate aim is to put all things under His subjection and to receive all the praise, honor, and glory due Him.

(Under Topic: Holy Ghost.)

LDS -  Through His power, we are sanctified as we repent, receive the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, and remain true to our covenants

Christian - Sanctification is a work of the Spirit making us more like Christ.

LDS -  All honest seekers of the truth can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, leading them to Jesus Christ and His gospel.

Christian - The indwelling of the Spirit is a mark of a true believer. It happens as a result of the hearing of the gospel and a faith in Jesus Christ.

(Under Topic: Jesus Christ)

LDS -  As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His ‘other sheep’ (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised ‘dispensation of the fulness of times’ (Ephesians 1:10).

Christian - I mean we would just reject this entirely. We also understand the “other sheep” to mean gentiles, not ancient Americans. 

Thirdly, we have a different view of the atonement. This makes sense as we have different views of God, and different sources for truth.

(Under Topic: Salvation)

 To be cleansed from sin through the Savior’s Atonement, an individual must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 2:37–38). Those who have been baptized and have received the Holy Ghost through the proper priesthood authority have been conditionally saved from sin. In this sense, salvation is conditional, depending on an individual’s continuing in faithfulness, or enduring to the end in keeping the commandments of God (see 2 Peter 2:20–22).

(Under Topic: Gospel)

The Prophet Joseph Smith said, “The first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Articles of Faith 1:4).

The Savior has promised that if we endure to the end, faithfully living the gospel, He will hold us guiltless before the Father at the Final Judgment (see 3 Nephi 27:16).

2 Nephi 25:23 “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”

Articles of Faith 1:3 - We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

As you can see, this is very different from the Biblical Gospel which is by grace, freely given to all who believe. It’s very man-centered and works-based. It relies on several conditions to get and then maintain salvation. 

Fourthly, the LDS church and their scriptures have a different view of the fall.

“Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

“And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient” (Moses 5:10–11).

This almost makes it sound like the fall was a good thing. As though Adam and Eve were happy, and the sin was a blessing. But the Biblical reality is that the sin brought about pain and death. Yes, the fall is apart of God’s redemptive plan, but we should never view it as good. We should view it the way God did.

Gen. 2:16-19 To the woman he said,“I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat from it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow  you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

God did not view the fall lightly. He cursed mankind, and the world with us. 

I could go on, but it’s clear that we hold very different views. To claim that both these views stem from the same religion seems illogical. They contradict each other constantly. 

Again... as people, I have no issues with Mormons. They are genuinely some of the kindest people I have ever met. But it is a sad reality that they believe in a false God, a false Gospel, and that they ultimately have no hope in their religion. If you have any questions about anything I’ve said here, go ahead and send me a message. 

[blueboxesandtrafficcones]

The Nuptial Necessity - Chapter 12

A 12xRose Human AU

Despite an unglamorous job description, Rose loves the work she does with The Thistle Foundation, a charity founded by her best friend’s great-uncle.  It doesn’t hurt that her boss, her friend’s father, is easy on the eyes.  With a great job, wonderful friends and a loving family, life couldn’t be better – except for having someone to share it with.

All of that is threatened, though, when the great-uncle dies – and sets a strange condition for his nephew to inherit, jeopardizing the Foundation and Rose’s future, sparking a chain of events that might just get her everything she dreamed of and more.

Chapters will be posted on Saturdays and Tuesdays.  Many thanks to my beta, @stupidsatsuma

Rated: Explicit, for eventual smut

@doctorroseprompts

AO3  |  Masterlist

—

Thursday (day before the wedding)

“You don’t think he’s going to ask my permission, do you?”

Rose glanced over her shoulder towards the bedroom door, where Malcolm was slouching on the frame and running his fingers through his hair erratically.  “What?”  She slid another book into place on the shelf, admiring how nicely the room was coming together.  It was her first night sleeping in the house as her new residence, but she’d spent most evenings that week setting everything up so that it wouldn’t feel so stark and new.

“My permission to propose,” he elaborated, stepping into the room and making a beeline for her full-length mirror.  “He wouldn’t, right?”

Her eyes went from his agitated form to her still half-full box of books, and sighed.  “I doubt it.  Not in front of Clara, and that’s a serious conversation - not one to be had in passing when she goes off to the loo.”  Abandoning her project she joined him at the mirror, smacking his hands away and turning him towards her so she could run her fingers through his hair in a sad attempt to tame the curls that had reached mad scientist level of unruly.  “It’s the night before your wedding, your daughter and her boyfriend want to take you out to dinner.  Don’t over-analyze it.”  What she didn’t mention was that she was fairly certain Malcolm would not be given a chance to give permission – or reject it, which his daughter thought more likely.

“Well, good.  I was very clear about not wanting a stag night, or any similar sort of fuss,” he said adamantly, fidgeting in place.  “None of it.  Really.”

Rose just hummed non-committedly, well aware that he wouldn’t be given a choice or a chance to say no, already in on the evening’s plan.  “It’ll be fine, whatever it is.  Your daughter will be there, I doubt there’ll be strippers involved or the like.”

Malcolm’s eyes narrowed, but she didn’t blink.  “You know something I don’t.”

“I know many things you don’t.  For instance, I know you can't wrap your hand around your elbow and make your fingers meet.”  He immediately straightened up, and Rose hid a smile as she pretended not to see him try it behind his back.  “I also know you’re dressed like an aging rock star.”

“Oi!  Aging?  Bite your tongue, Rose Tyler.”

It was true, though; he was in boots and dark jeans, paired with a Beatles tee-shirt and a black sports coat.  “You wear it well,” she soothed, before adopting a haughty tone.  “And that’ll be Viscountess Gallifrey this time tomorrow, good sir.”

“I do so humbly apologize, ma’am, and beg your pardon,” his tone lowered, and she had to fight back a shiver at the goosebumps it gave her.  “I am, of course, your devoted servant.”

“Hmm,” she said, trying to regain her composure and not think about how close they were to her bed and how far he might be persuaded to go to prove it.  “As you should be.  Now, your dinner date will be here any moment, are you finished primping?”

Malcolm pulled back, and she mourned the loss of his closeness; in his nerves he seemed to have gone slightly overboard on the aftershave, and it was doing delicious things to her senses.  “Yeah.  And, hey.”

The doorbell rang then, and with a sigh, he turned towards the door.  “That’ll be them, then.”

Rose followed him, wanting to say hello to Danny and Clara and make sure Malcolm got out the door.

She was suddenly very eager to have the house to herself for a few hours.

-

Malcolm let Danny lead Clara into the restaurant, hanging back slightly in case he needed to do a runner.  Rose was clearly in on whatever this was, and while he’d welcome a nice dinner, anything that came close to a party, let alone a traditional stag night, he wanted nothing to do with.

They were almost immediately led through the main dining area to the row of semicircular booths in the back, and to his surprise he was delighted to find several familiar faces waiting for them.

“Well, hello there,” he greeted them, less annoyed than he’d expected.  “How’s it going?”

Three faces grinned back at him.

“Hi Malcolm!” Tony waved enthusiastically.  “Look, I’m wearing a tie!”

“So you are, little dude.  Looks good on you,” he approved, offering his fist to the boy, who enthusiastically bumped his own against it.  “Pete, Graham, good of you to be here, I suppose.  Rose get you all mixed up in this?”

He slid in next to Graham, as the group on the other side shuffled around so Clara could sit on Tony’s other side, smack dab in the middle of the booth.

“No more than she did you,” his chauffeur retorted with a smirk.  “And you’re late – I’m starving.”

“There’s a surprise,” Malcolm laughed, relaxing into the comfortable booth and picking up his menu.  “God help me if we get caught in traffic and he’s run out of food.”

“I take my meals very seriously!”

The conversation continued around him, but Malcolm took a moment to lean back and take it in.  It was a somewhat ragtag group, not a typical stag night, but they were the people he was closest to in the world (excluding Rose), especially now that his uncle was gone.

Alright, maybe this isn’t as horrible as I thought it might be…

-

Wrapped only in her dressing gown Rose hummed as she made her way to the kitchen, stepping carefully in her fuzzy slippers on the old wooden stairs.  After some good old-fashioned self-care in the bath she was feeling good, venturing out in search of some nibbles.

In the freezer she found a container of her favorite double chocolate ice cream, scooping out a generous portion and covering it with whipped cream and chocolate sauce.  Catching sight of an old portrait on the wall of one of Malcolm’s ancestors, a severe older woman who seemed to be judging her, she stuck out her tongue.  “I’m getting married tomorrow, he definitely won’t care if I get fat,” she told it smugly, making her first spoonful oversized out of spite.  “Take that.”

She was halfway back up the stairs when the doorbell rang, and she wavered.  It wasn’t Clara, who was out with Malcolm for the dinner party stag night, and it wasn’t her Mum because she was out with friends, but who else could it be?

It rang again, followed by a sharp rap, and groaning, Rose realized she’d have to answer it.  The person was starting to knock again when she swung the door open to reveal-

“Missy.”

Malcolm’s ex-wife looked her up and down slowly, lip curling up.  “Well, don’t you look comfortable,” she drawled.  “Made yourself right at home, haven’t you?”

“Working on it.”  With a casualness she didn’t possess at the moment Rose leaned against the doorframe, effectively blocking any move Missy might make to enter.  “What brings you here?” she took another bite of ice cream, raising an eyebrow.

“I want to see my husband.”

Rose frowned at the haughty tone, straightening up slightly and now feeling silly in just her dressing gown.  “Your ex-husband isn’t here right now.  Can I take a message?”  She’d never outright challenged Missy before, but she was painfully conscious that in eighteen hours, Malcolm would be her husband – at least in name.  I can’t let her go around calling him hers anymore.

The other woman’s lips curled up, but not even the most generous soul would call it a smile.  “You know, my husband always did like to think highly of himself.  That he was better than everyone else, more altruistic.  And yet here he is, fifty years old and marrying the secretary who’s half his age, just like all the other executives in a mid-life crisis.  Honestly, I don’t see why he can’t just bend you over the desk and be done with it.  Always has to be the hero, I suppose.”

Fighting down her anger and disgust, Rose’s mind raced for a half-decent retort.  “Well, he did say he couldn’t do any worse than his first wife,” she shot back.  Not great, but okay.  Definitely true.  “And I’m the best partner he’s ever had.”  Also true, though the comment certainly hadn’t been in reference to anything remotely bed-related.  Unfortunately.  “If there’s no message, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Actually, there is- I didn’t receive my invitation to the charming little ceremony you’ve put together.”

“No?  I’m so sorry, it must’ve gotten lost in the mail.  Next Saturday, at the Cutty Sark.  Ten o’clock.” Rose had never in her life been so relieved that Malcolm could be extremely paranoid when it came to his ex-wife; leaning back she fumbled blindly for the drawer in the small end table just inside the door, pulling out a single copy of a wedding invitation with just those details on it.  Passing it over to Missy, she shrugged.  “Good thing we had a few extras.”

The other woman took it with pursed lips, examining it critically for a moment.  “Very well.  I will be calling him tomorrow.”

“Why don’t you just stop by the office?” Rose offered.  “I’ll book you in for an hour – how’s three?”

Still looking suspicious, Missy nodded.  “Fine.  I’ll be there.”  And, without so much as a goodbye, she turned on her heel and swanned off into the night.

“You do that.  Crazy bitch,” Rose muttered, shutting the door behind her and double checking the locks.  Good mood effectively snuffed, she looked down at her bowl of half-melted ice cream and sighed.

“Now what?”

-

Hands shoved deep in his front pockets, Malcolm whistled as he strolled down the sidewalk.  The ‘party’ had broken up once Tony started yawning, and while it was easily the earliest a stag night had ever ended in the history of them, it had felt right.  It was a beautiful night as he walked the few blocks from the Underground to the townhouse, he had a nice buzz from expensive whisky, and for the first time in years, he had someone to come home to.  Granted, their situation was more roommate-y than he’d prefer, but his conversation with Pete after the engagement had given him hope that with time, it would shift to a more romantic tone.

He didn’t dare dream of anything more than that, it was too far beyond his wildest fantasies.

Not paying particularly too much attention to his surroundings, he realized far too late that someone was coming towards him from the opposite direction, and he automatically tensed before recognizing the figure.  I think I’d rather run into muggers, he groaned silently.  “Missy.”

“Malcolm.”

One of the things that had always frustrated him was that she was never surprised to see him.  No matter how unlikely it would be for them to be in the same place at the same time, she never blinked, almost as if she knew.

He wouldn’t put it past her to have implanted a tracking device in him at some point, but had never found any evidence of it.  It would, after all, be perfectly in character for her – no matter what her character du jour was.

“What’re you doing in my neck of the woods?”  They stopped only a few inches apart, closer than they had any right being, but that had always been their way, ever since they were children- it was as familiar as breathing, sharing a space with her.

It was why they’d ended up in bed together so many times after their divorce, nearly every time they’d seen each other up until a few years ago.

The thought of why he’d finally kicked the habit of her for good made him glance down the street towards the townhouse, concerned.  “I hope you weren’t harassing Rose.”

“No, not at all.  I came by to collect a new invitation to the wedding- mine was apparently lost in the mail, but she so conveniently had one.  She said Tuesday, at St Margaret’s?”

“Saturday, Cutty Sark.  Do hope you can make it,” he didn’t hesitate.  He knew every trick in her book, and while she occasionally got the best of him, he always won in the end.  Thinking about his upcoming wedding, though, he realized that he was well and truly done playing her games. “Or not.  I don’t honestly care.”

“Oh, I’ll be there,” Missy purred, running her fingers down his chest.  “Just in case you… make a last-minute casting change.”

Sidestepping her, he just smiled tightly and started walking, more eager than ever now to get home.  “Not going to happen.  Goodbye.”

Ignoring her attempts behind him to get the last word, he lengthened his stride.

All he wanted was to go home.

To Rose.

[fantasyfandommaiden]

ML Counsellor AU: Nooroo’s Session

When a butterfly appears in Carmine’s apartment not even three days after she is Akumatized, she decides (perhaps foolishly) to take a very dangerous risk and allow it to approach her.

[[MORE]]

Carmine had been Akumatized in Thursday, and it was now late Saturday night. Her precious friends had not left her side for a moment, and had all come over uninvited Thursday night and hadn’t left. A movie was being played on the TV but no one was watching it because with the exception of Carmine, everyone was asleep.

Nathalie and Thistle had fallen asleep on the love seat, Nathalie with her head on Thistle lap, and Thistle letting out a soft snore as she slept. Lloyd was sprawled out on the couch, dead to the world, well Blaine was fast asleep on the floor, snoring periodically (the man had stated he could sleep anywhere...). Each person had a blanket on top of them, curtesy of Carmine as Gladiolus the ferret turned off the TV, glancing out to the balcony where Carmine sat, a large mug of tea in her hands as she stared out at the night sky of Paris.

She didn’t know how she felt about being Akumatized. She honestly didn’t remember much of it, bits and pieces at most, which surprised her. From her research of the previous victims, none of them seemed to have any recollection of being Akumatized, but she remembered some things....

Her magic trying to push the akuma out of her ring, trying to prevent the man from taking over her mind and body. She remembered briefly running into Nathalie, and how mad she was, but could not remember why. She remembered trying to stop herself from taking Chat’s ring, and she remembered Chloe breaking her finger to get her ring off.

That last memory made her shutter, but she had to admit, it was extremely clever, and she had told Chloe as much before she had been whisked away by Nathalie for a very impromptu long weekend. She still remembered Nathalie calling Gabriel, very annoyed and telling him she was taking two paid vacations days and if he didn’t like it, too bad. She was very proud of her best friend.

She sipped her tea, sighing as she was deep in thought, noticing movement out of the corner of her eye she glanced over, thinking it was Gladiolus but felt her entire body freeze in terror before abruptly standing up at the sight of the butterfly just hoovering not even three feet from her.

She backed up TIL her back was to the glass door, looking at the butterfly in a panic, expecting it to dart at her, however, as if sensing her fear, it backed off a few feet but remained close. Carmine also noted, that unlike most akuma’s, this butterfly was a light purple colour, unlike the inky black they usual were.

Was Hawkmoth trying a new strategy? If she willingly touched an akuma, could he control her more easily?

The butterfly wasn’t moving away, still fluttering about four feet away from her, it almost seemed... anxious? Apologetic? Carmine couldn’t get a good read on it... her curiosity was getting the better of her as she glanced behind her, seeing that her friends were still fast asleep.

Carmine glanced back at the butterfly, still fluttering not to far from her. This was possibly one of the most reckless ideas she ever had, and she was chewed on a piece of magic cheese that nearly turned her into a giant piece of ice.

She walked back to her chair, sitting down as she took of the necklace she always wore. It was a simple silver locket that she inherited from her grandmother, it was special, however it was the only thing she had on her that if needed, she could throw it away and get the akuma as far from her body as possible.

She looked at the butterfly, slowly bringing her hand out, presenting the locket and waited. The butterfly, as if sensing the invitation, slowly, as if trying to be as non-threatening as possibly, fly to the locket, becoming absorbed into the metal as Carmine saw the butterfly mask appear in front of her face, and a presence enter her mind.

The presence didn’t speak at first, which Carmine found confusing, looking around her balcony as if expecting to see Hawkmoth.

“... Hello?” She said hesitantly, not really expecting a reply back, she was surprised to hear one, however it didn’t sound or feel like Hawkmoth.

“Greetings, I apologize for speaking to you this late... I expected you to be asleep.” The voice stated. It didn’t sound entirely... human. It kind of reminded her of Tikki or Plagg- her eyes widened as she realized who she was talking too.

“... your not Hawkmoth.” She stated simply, gently gripping the locket as she closed her eyes, trying to picture what the butterfly Kwami would look like. Most likely they would be purple, perhaps a light purple like the butterfly. Maybe with wings? Or would that be too on the nose? Than again, Plagg basically looked like a cat... but Tikki didn’t look like a ladybug.

“... No, I am not.” The voice stated “My name is Nooroo. I wished to apologize for what my master did to you, like I stated, I thought you would be asleep, I was going to give you pleasant dreams, and than leave. I can’t stay for too long or my master will discover me.”

Carmine blinked, not expecting that at all “... have you done this before, Nooroo?”

“For every single person my master has turned into an akuma, I have sent one of my butterflies to give the, pleasant dreams shortly after, an... apology of sorts for what he put the, through. I...” she heard his voice quiver slightly, and him take a deep breath “... my Miraculous isn’t meant to be used like this, to cause harm and bring out the worst in people. It’s suppose to make champions, hero’s, and... and...”

“Nooroo, this is not your fault.” Carmine expressed, brining the locket close to her chest, as if that would somehow convey the hug she wanted to give the Kwami “I know you most likely don’t have a choice in what happens with the Miraculous, none of this is your fault. Can you tell me where you are? I could retrieve the Miraculous, return you to Ladybug and Chat Noir-

“I can not.” Nooroo stated “My master forbids me from revealing myself to anyone, or my location. I can not go against my masters orders.”

Carmine sighed, looking down at the locket, bitting her lip “... I know you hate this, and it must seem really bleak right now, but Ladybug and Chat Noir WILL get you back, and you will get out of that mans hands. And if your willing, after that is all said and done, if you need a kind ear, I am here to listen.” She said to him.

She could feel the hesitation from Nooroo’s end before he spoke “I came here to help you feel better, not the other way around, Mlle Regal...” he stated, not in a mean tone, but a confused one.

Carmine smiled softly, shaking her head “I know... but healing can happen on both ends. I realize you probably can’t just speak to me whenever you please, and we probably can’t formally meet until your rescued, but I want to help you. My goal in life, my purpose, is to help others be the best they can be. I want to help anyone I can, and even Kwami’s like you Nooroo.”

At first Nooroo didn’t respond, and Carmine was almost worried that she over step some sort of boundary, however instead she heard a soft sob, causing her to worry even more.

“Nooroo, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you-“

“You... you remind me of my caterpillars...” he said softly, a soft sob escaping in his voice. “My true caterpillars, they always saw the good in people and wanted to help others...” he said softly “... thank you, for reminding me of them in this dark time...”

Carmine blinked, swallowing the lump in her throat as she felt the sadness and desperation through the psychic link that she shared with Nooroo “... A... Anytime.”

“I have to go. We may not be able to speak again-“

“We will, WHEN Ladybug and Chat Noir save you.” Carmine stated in a determined tone.

“... yes.” Carmine felt the hope, however small, in the one word “... yes, that would be lovely... thank you, Carmine, good night.”

The mask disappeared from her face, Carmine felt the link disappear. She sighed, wishing she could have helped more. She looked down at the locket, blinking slight as she noticed it seemed... different.

Upon closer inspection, she noticed the extremely faint outline of butterfly on the locket, as if it was a parting gift from Nooroo. Carmine gripped the locket, looking out at the night sky with new found determination.

When Ladybug and Chat Noir rescused Nooroo and defeat Hawkmoth, she had two plans. The first was the ensure that Nooroo got all the love and care he needed. The second, and she had the power to do this, to make Hawkmoth feel every single emotion he put Nooroo through. Tit for tat after all.

[darkmindsthinktwistedthoughts]

Hush

This short has been brought to you thanks to a convo @xathia-89 who was talking about tales that had been bugging them in their mind recently. Mitsuhide and Masamune in the library with the reader (female) trying not to be overheard my Ieyasu. I cannot / have not attempted to write NSFW stuff since my first poor attempt at it but once again I find myself trying. I hope you all enjoy it. 

Warning: NSFW... Heavy petting, smuttish behaviour. A fox and a dragon playing games. Cameo form a porcupine... (this is starting to sound like a zoo)

Masterlist

---

Hush

The castle library was always an interesting room. Row upon row of shelves housing books meticulously organised into different topics. Whilst it was a fantastic room it was also a pain in the backside when it came to cleaning. Every book had to be removed and wiped before you wiped the shelves then everything had to be replaced again. If you were extremely unlucky you were given the task of cleaning after Mitsunari had returned his borrowed reading material and you found yourself playing the role of frustrated librarian as you reorganised the books back into their right locations as you went.

You made your way along the castle halls until you reached the room you wanted. Sliding the door open with your foot as you carefully balanced your cleaning supplies in your arms. It was not the best lit room in the castle but you could still clearly make out the figure of one curious person sitting silently in the room. His head rose from what he was reading and a thin smile graced his lips as he noticed you.

“Well if it isn’t the little Seamstress.” That disarming baritone voice almost seemed to drift in the air to you as you entered the room.

“Mitsuhide. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to disturb you.” You offered a meek apology as you set your small bucket and rags down near the first row of shelves.

“Disturb? However, would a little thing like you possibly disturb me?” Mitsuhide chuckled as he continued to watch you from his corner in the room. His citrine eyes almost seemed to flicker in the lamplight.

“What are you reading?” You attempted to make for polite small talk as it seemed he had no intention of returning to reading at that moment and his gaze was starting to make you a little too aware of his presence. Of all the people to find yourself in a room with it had to be him.

“Curious? I was just reading up on a couple of things that interested me.” Mitsuhide indicated the small stack next to his side. You had no idea what they all were about but something about Mitsuhide’s smile always had you on your guard with the slightest things.

“Well don’t let me stop you.” You ignored your curiosity and decided ignorance was sometimes bliss. Especially when it came to the castle’s number one tease of a warlord. You had just cleared a shelf of books, stacking them in order nearby.

With a damp rag in hand, you had started to lead into the shelving to wipe it down when a slender arm and long alabaster fingers brushed past you. There was a very slight soft pressure behind you as another body drew close enough to your own that you felt a slight warmth from them. “Er… Mitsuhide?” Your voice came out a little startled and you turned your head without realising that his face was so close your noses were practically touching.

You weren’t sure you had ever been this close to him before. You could feel his chest rise and fall on your back and his breath ghosting over your exposed neck. Even in the dimly lit space, you knew it not possible to hide the fact you were more than likely blushing as red as a peony.

“Mm? Oh, my apologies I was just looking for a new book.” He spoke completely indifferently making you feel like you were the one with a dirty mind. He glanced closer at you, putting a more meaningful smirk on his face. “Are you feeling quite alright you seem to have a fever?”

“No, no I’m fine just getting a bit warm from cleaning I guess.” You gave a feeble excuse and attempted to move but you realised you were actually blocked in. The door to the room slid open abruptly and while your eyes widened in surprise Mitsuhide gave what felt to be a small sigh next to you.

“What are you two doing?” The abrasive voice of Ieyasu effectively killed the mood dead. It was something you were both a little happy about but also sad at the same time. Mitsuhide slowly removed his arm from around you, a small book now in his hand.

“Looks like fun to me.” Masa laughed happily. He had his usual playful twinkle in his eye as he looked in your direction.

“Everything looks like fun to you.” Ieyasu rolled his eyes and came further into the room. Quickly replacing the rag into your bucket your decided it was probably a little safer at the moment to take the dry rag and dust off the books rather than remain close to Mitsuhide.

“No point in life if you don’t enjoy it.” Masa shrugged.

“Ieyasu. Masa. What are you…?” You looked between the two men as you brushed the dust from the leather covers and bindings of the books.

“It’s a library clearly I am here looking for a book. I have no idea what he is here for though.” Ieyasu sounded irritated, although it was difficult to tell if it was more or less irritated than usual.

“I was just following you.” Masa said as he put his hand on Ieyasu’s shoulder.

“What are you a puppy?” Ieyasu scowled as he brushed the hand off him.

“Me? Nah… I’m more of a Tiger. Right Kitten?” Masa sent a feral piercing look at you. That singular blue eye was no less powerful for having lost its partner.

“I think I’m getting a headache. Mc?” Ieyasu turned to you now as if attempting to ignore the very existence of Masa.

“Y-yes?”

“Give me that you look like you’re about to drop it in your daydream and if you get hurt it's going to be more of a pain for me later.” Ieyasu effortlessly scooped up the now cleaned books from you.

“Huh?... Oh! Thank you, Ieyasu.”

“Don’t bother I did nothing important.” Ieyasu quickly averted the thanks as he always did and began looking at the titles of the books in his hand.

“Aww that’s so sweet isn’t it Masa? Seeing out little contrarian being so helpful and friendly.” Mitsuhide moved next to the one-eyed dragon his cheerful teasing tone made Ieyasu visibly tense.

“Yeah, you’re nearly acting like a real guy there lad.” Masa nodded in agreement with the Kitsune.

“A real guy? I am a Man you know?” Ieyasu almost appeared to puff up as he spoke.

“Says the prickly thistle.” Mitsuhide muttered just loud enough for it to be audible to everyone.

“What was that?” Ieyasu glared at the white-haired trickster.

“Mm? Oh, nothing I was reading out loud from this book. Thistles are a prickly plant… see?” Mitsuhide turned the small book he held in his hand and showed a pretty ink drawing of a plant.

“I am aware of the plant thank you.” Ieyasu didn’t exactly back down but he did at least seem a little less like he was wanting to draw his sword.

“As to be expected of the resident specialist healer.” Mitsuhide smiled amiably.

“Can you eat it?” Masa enquired as he looked at the illustration.

“I wouldn’t recommend…” You answered for Mitsuhide who was no doubt about to make a dangerous suggestion as to the plants potential applications.

“I would suggest you try but I fear I will only end up having to care for your reckless self afterwards.” Ieyasu huffed. “Mc I’ll deal with these you get back to whatever it was you were doing.”

“Oh… yes. Thank…”

“Stop thanking me and just get that airhead of yours focused again on your job.” After tossing out his rejection of your appreciation Ieyasu took the books in his arms and moved further into the shelving and vanished out of sight.

“Don’t mind him, Lass, he’s just in a mood.” Masa pointed out his one as friendly as ever.

“How can you tell?”

A peaceful silence spread through the room after that. You had returned to your task of cleaning and Mitsuhide had returned to his corner. Ieyasu had not returned from the depths of the room and you actually suspected that he was sitting in his own corner somewhere ignoring everyone as best he could. Masa also decided to remain in the room, he had picked up a book and was reclining next to Mitsuhide flicking the pages over in it lazily.

You noticed it a couple of times out of the corner of your eye. First, it had been Mitsuhide. He had shifted in his position to lean towards Masa and whisper something. Then Masa had done the same thing minutes later to Mitsuhide. They could have been comparing information from the books together but there was something about these two warlords that just made the hairs on the back of your neck bristle. Alone they were both teases but together they were worse. You tried to ignore the internal alarm bell you heard and focus on your cleaning.

It was a faint throaty chuckle that sounded almost like a low purr that alerted you to the fact that someone was now right behind you. You had not heard him more or even seen it, honestly, if a warlord wished to move with stealth, they could give ninja’s a run for their money.

“You’re looking a little tired there Lass why don’t you take a break?”

“I’m fine, thank you. Why don’t you go back to reading your book?” You try to casually brush off Masa and continue your task. It would be nice to finish it today rather than have it take up most of tomorrow morning as well.

“Rejected already there Masamune? I thought you were better at the pursuit than that.” You practically jump as you hear Mitsuhide on the other side of you.

“I haven’t given up yet Mitsuhide. Besides this little Kitten didn’t exactly reject me.” Masa edged closer to you. Bringing his hand up to rest on your hip causing you to freeze at the sudden contact. Mitsuhide’s smile widened at the sight of your reaction to Masa and he too closed the gap from the other side causing you to be the filling in this rather attractive beef sandwich.

“What are you two doing?”

“Why whatever do you mean my dear? I am looking for another book obviously.” Mitsuhide brought his face closer to your neck as he bent down to speak to you more closely. “I have to say this one looks rather interesting…” He put his hand over yours and began stroking his fingers gently over your it, relishing the shudder of your body at the slightest of touches.

“Hey, no fair. I was looking at that one too.” Masa faked being upset as he stroked your cheek with the back of his hand before pushing some of your fallen hair gently over your ear. His fingertips grazing your sensitive skin just enough to send your already racing heart to rattle in its cage harder.

“I have no issue with sharing. You’ll just have to match my pace I won’t be waiting to turn the pages.” At this Mitsuhide moved his other hand to trace the neckline of your kimono. It was taking everything in you to just stay still at this point. Knowing that if you moved you had not just one but to warlords in hot pursuit.

“Wha- hey wait a minute I’m not a book!” You gave out a less than convincing protest.

“Such a noisy book. Hush my dear or would you prefer to gain an audience?” Mitsuhide’s reminder had you remember the fluffy haired porcupine nested somewhere in the library. You clamped your mouth shut, allowing that gently rising heat to spread through you as both men continued lavishing their attention on you. Their calloused fingers that wielded weapons focused on tracing every part of exposed flesh they could see.

“I don’t mind either way.” Masa purred a little louder in your ear as he took it upon himself to drag his tongue along the edge of it.

“Ever the showman. Well now…” Mitsuhide was now playing his fingers in ever increasingly tempting patterns up your arm as he slid his hand up the inside of your sleeve. You felt a faint tug at your waist and realised your obi had been slackened causing the layers of your kimono to shift and expose more of your neckline.

“!!”

“How intriguing this book is… these pages just abundant with information at my fingertips.” Mitsuhide brought his hand out of your sleeve and was now tracing those patterns of his down the side of your neck. His long fingers slipping further and further down past your collar bone and along the edge of the loose silk, his feather-light touches setting your skin alive with prickling heat.

“Mm…” A small moan escapes you in a voice you hardly recognise as your own, before you manage to catch yourself.

“I have to say you have no taste when it comes to food but I can’t complain about your choice of literature.” Masa pulled the silk draped on your shoulder sinking his teeth into your tender shoulder. The short stab of pain followed but the wet relief of his tongue as he licked the small bruise now blooming on your skin. “Delicious…”

“!” You nearly cried out and would have had it not been for the set of lips that locked onto your own swallowing your voice.

“Hush now little mouse.” Mitsuhide whispered as he drew his face back from your own his lips hovering over yours still as his beautiful bewitching face filled your vision. “If you are a very good girl we can give you everything you desire.” He forcibly stole another kiss. His tongue tracing your mouth as if looking for a hidden secret.

“Mhm?”

“Of course, if you are a very bad girl you can get more than ever dreamed off Lass.” Masa plunged his hand inside your now completely dishevelled clothing. You knew how you must look right now but that budding feeling of embarrassment and shame was obliterated as Masa began to rub at the space between your thighs.

“Ah…”

“There’s a good kitten. Purr for me.” He growled soft and low into your ear as he bit down on your lobe. His hand continuing to move as your body reacted with a mind of its own chasing his actions with ones of its own.

“…Masa.” His name came out as a breathless whisper.

“Such wonderfully honest reactions. I never get bored of watching you, my dear. However…” Mitsuhide too sunk his hand in joining Masa’s as if to not be outdone by the other man. He traced your slit, you could feel how your desire had coated his fingers allowing them to slip as smooth as the silk of your kimono over your skin. “I do believe taking action can sometimes be just as rewarding.” At this, he sunk his fingers into you. Your back arched at the sudden new sensation and as you bucked your hips you felt the undeniable pressure of both men next to you their arousals pressed into your back causing your mind to slip as you wondered exactly how much more of this you could actually take.

“Mitsu-hide…” His name slipped out of your mouth a little louder than you wanted it too given the situation. You certainly didn’t mind this but you didn’t want an interruption at this point.

“I don’t think she can keep quiet.” Masa spoke up as he raised his head from the crook of your neck to address Mitsuhide. He felt so hot it was like you were being held by a burning flame. That blue eye you loved seemed deeper drawing you into it more than usual.

“Mm… you could be right. I think a punishment might be in order.” Mitsuhide chuckled as he looked in Masa’s direction. His own eye’s hooded and nearly black with desire as he made his suggestion.

“Punish-?” Masa dragged his nail over your clit in perfect unison with Mitsuhide who had taken this time to silence you by curling his elegant fingers inside you placing the perfect amount of pressure expertly on your weak spot. Your voice cracked as your words died in your throat.

“Oh, I like the way you think. How about it Lass? Shall we take this somewhere else?” Masa asked already aware of how you would answer. He was enjoying this just as much as the other man who was also showing no sign of stilling his hand in its pursuit to cause you to become undone.

“How cute. Your silence won’t be helping you now though my dear. Punishment has been decided and punishment is what you shall receive.” Mitsuhide chuckled as he watched you writhing. Your skin flushed and beginning to glisten with sweat as you remained trapped between the two men.

“What are you going to do to me?” You somehow managed to get a full question out suppressing your desire to squeal between words.

“If you must ask that my dear then you are far too innocent to really be told the answers.” Mitsuhide moved the fabric closest to him away with his teeth exposing the edge of your collar bone to him. He traced delicate kisses along it, making you feel like you were melting.

“Don’t worry Kitten. We won’t hurt you.” Masa chuckled as he reassured you.

“He’s right. But by the time we’re through with you, your innocence will be a thing of the past.” At this Mitsuhide and Masa seemed to exchange something between them in complete silence. Both men stopped in their movements and your body was suddenly floating up in the air after being picked up by Masa.

“Eep!”

“It’s ok Lass I won’t drop you.”

“Be sure you don’t. We don’t want her getting hurt before we’ve finished what we started.”

You nestled into the broad chest of Masa partly seeking his heat but also in an effort to hide your shameless form as he carried you swiftly from the library int to castle proper and along the hallways to your room. Mitsuhide keeping pace easily as your side. You had no idea exactly what “punishment” they had in mind but you instinctively knew you weren’t going to complain.

---

[rjtvargas1421]

Blessed are Those who Mourn for They Shall be Comforted (CCF Sunday Service)

How do we feel the blessings even if we are mourning? This preaching explained that even in our mourning, God finds ways to bless and comfort us.

Bible Verses

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. - John 10:10

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. - Mathew 5:1-12

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn, bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. - Matthew 7:16-19

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven---

A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance.- Ecclesiastes 3:1,4

It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be happy. The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. - Ecclesiastes 7:2-4

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. - 2 Corinthians 7:10

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. - James 4:8-10 (NASB)

“...Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.” - Luke 6:25

It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. - 1 Corinthians 5:1-2

If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. - Matthew 5:29

They wandered in the wilderness in a desert region; They did not find a way to an inhabited city. They were hungry and thirsty; their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble; He delivered them out of their distresses. - Psalm 107:4-6

There were those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, prisoners in misery and chains, because they had rebelled against the words of God and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with labor; they stumbled and there was none to help. - Psalm 107:10-12

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble; He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death and broke their bands apart. - Psalm 107:13-14

Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters; they have seen the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep. For He spoke and raised up a stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. They rose up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; their soul melted away in their misery. - Psalm 107:23-26

They reeled and staggered like a drunken man, and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distresses. He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed. - Psalm 107:29

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction... - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. - John 14:1

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. -  John 14:18

Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME? -  Hebrews 13:5-6

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever--- John 14:16

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. - Psalm 34:18

And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. - Hebrews 10:24-25

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. - Romans 12:15

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all mercies and God of all comfort, who comfort us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God. - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Key Takeaways

Knowing the truth will help us get real and experience legit freedom.

Matthew 5:1-12 is Jesus teachings about the way to a blessed and happy life.

A Christian is something before He does anything; and we have to be Christian before we can act as Christians. - Martin Lloyd-Jones

What makes people mourn?: (1) loss of loved ones, (2) loss of precious moments and things, (3) loss of friends, (4) loss of opportunity, (5) loss of confidence, (6) betrayal of false friends, (7) failures, (8) success of others, (9) success of competitors, and (10) loss of a job.

What do people normally do when they are mourning?: (1) Blame others for their condition, (2) They gossip to destroy people they blame, (3) They find initial joy when they score against others, (4) Put others down, (5) Amuse themselves or find ways to entertain themselves, (6) Run to their barkada and do things that may not be legal, (7) Lose themselves to drinking or vices to make them feel high

The world’s ways: (1) psychologists numb our neurosis, (2) counselors absolve us of all guilt, (3) doctors sedate our pain, (4) insurance agents take away our worries, (5) the mortuary tries to beautify death for us

We go from one entertainment to another, one amusement to another but what we should do instead is to follow God’s way

Follow God’s way because you are important to Him.

Legit Happiness is knowing that God has specific ways in life that if you follow Him, you’ll have Legit Happiness even in the midst of suffering because you and I matter to Him. 

If you want happiness, follow God’s way because you’re important to Him.

Follow God’s Way: (W)ise up, (A)sk God, (Y)ield to God’s way of comforting

Mourn comes from a Greek word that means “to lament for the death of someone you care so much for” or “an extreme grief”

Mourning is not just crying or grieving. Real mourning involves pondering, thinking, and meditating.

The happiness that Christians experience is not just emotional. It is something that has been thought about and was processed correctly. It is a joy with a strong foundation.

The word “amuse” means “not to think”. To muse means to think. A museum is a place to think, to observe. A-muse means “not to think” hence the amusement parks serve as entertainment.

“To mourn is to think...amusement is to avoid thinking.”

To repent is to make a choice between God and our pleasure.

To mourn is to cut off everything that we are repenting for.

God comforts us with His presence that we may comfort others too.

God the Father is our Comforter. Jesus is our Comforter.

As we meditate and ask God, we meditate on His presence and promises.

The Triune God comforts us with His presence, promises, and people.

I am okay is usually what broken people say.

Entrust your life to God and claim your blessings.

It’s not what they say, claim, or know but how they have live it.

First fruit of Christian life is true happiness.

There is blessing in every mourning.

Follow God’s way while you’re mourning.

[shroud-of-roses]

Symbolism for Death Witches and Spirit Workers

    There are many guides on the internet explaining symbolism we find on headstones, tombs, and memorials. From doves to upside down torches, every symbol has a different meaning, not just in general, but to the people who requested it. What a laurel wreath may mean to you might be completely different to me; your symbol for victory opposed to my symbol for Hellenic Polytheism. However, there are many common themes found throughout the graveyards of the world, some of which I will discuss here. Next to the symbols I have listed, I have explained what each one means according to a few sources, and how you could incorporate them into your personal practice. The sources for the symbolism and how it can be interpreted can be found at the citations at the bottom of this post. I also include my own views on the symbol where applicable.

Doves - I find doves to be a symbol of peace, love, and tranquility. According to general symbolism on the sites I’ve visited, Doves are seen as peace-bringers, and messengers of god, also as a sign of innocence and resurrection.

Anchors - I associate this with staying grounded, being strong in a storm, and being steadfast in heart. Historically, this has been used for sea-farers, and as a Christian symbol of hope.

Alpha and Omega - Symbolizes the beginning and the end, sometimes used on Christian Graves as a reminder of Jesus’ statement in revelations:  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last” (Revelation 22:13). However, this symbol that represents eternity has pre-Christian roots.

Wreath - I associate wreaths with memorials or honoured memory, victory, and being welcomed into the next life. Laurel wreaths imply victory, and to me, represents Hellenic Polytheism. Historically, it has represented victory over death, distinction, and immortality.

Religious Symbols (Ex: Khi Rho, Angels, Cohanim Hands, etc) - These are extremely varied, ranging from obvious ones (crosses, Islamic stars, etc) to subtle things, like lambs and pointing fingers (pointing towards heaven to show where the spirit of the deceased has gone). If you’re interested in learning about the symbols used for specific religions, I suggest visiting their websites, or grave-symbol sites with subsections for religious symbology.

Ankh - Egyptian symbol for life, and eternity after death. To me, represents Kemeticism and devotion to those Netjeru.

Bones - Represents a new beginning in a new form, death, destruction of the body, and decay. Historically used as a symbol of death and the end as a whole.

Dying Flower Buds - To me shows the end of an era, or the brokenness of life. Historically used to show the ending of a short life, or a tragic/sudden death. Common on the graves of children or young people.

Butterfly - Represents youth and beauty to me, as well as gentleness and fleeting moments. Historically shows the leaving of the soul from the body, and resurrection. Reminds me of Psyche, the Hellenic goddess of the soul.  

Clasped Hands - The parting of friends, unity and saying goodbye to being alive on Earth. To me, it shows a long life full of friendship and success, leaving without sorrow, and a happy ending to an amazing life.

Cornucopia - For me, it represents abundance, overflowing love, and a memory that will not be forgotten. Historically shows abundance and a well-lived life, as well as a harvest after sowing the seeds of life.

Crown - Represents loyalty in my eyes, royalty, and victory. According to other symbolism, means victory over death. Could be used to represent someone of high-esteem or success.

Dog - Loyalty, guardianship, and faithful watching. To me, represents Hekate and her fleet of dogs, as well as a partnership that exists even after death.  

Drapery - A symbol of mourning, ex: during the victorian era. Pictures were draped in black fabric, and in some religions, mirrors are draped in much the same way. Also could represent the time of being hidden during the mourning period, or how many women wore veils during this time. To me, it represents feeling so distraught you must hide your feelings.  

A Hand in the Act of Writing - To me, represents the writing of one’s own story in life, and the end to a fantastic chapter. Generally meant to symbolize a writer’s grave, or the act of writing one’s name in the book of life.

Ivy - Friendship, romance, or eternal love. To me, represents Dionysos and one of His lovers who was transformed into ivy.

Tied Knot - Represents marriage, and unity, but to me, represent a solid bond, a support, and a checkpoint in life.

Lion - Strength, power, and honour. Reminds me of Leos and the sun, as well as a proud or noble person.

Lyre - Sometimes seen with a broken string to represent the end of life. Reminds me of Apollon, bards, and song-writers, as well as hymnists, and musicians. I can see this being on the graves of musically-inclined people.

Poppy - Restfulness, peace, and sleep in death. Reminds me of Hypnos and Thanatos, as well as memories and nostalgia.

Scythe or Sickle - Often pictured with Death/the Grim Reaper, or alone. It represents the harvesting of souls, and so does the sickle. As a sickle, it could also represent a happy harvest and successful life full of abundance.

Thistle - Found primarily on Scottish headstones, as it is Scotland’s symbol. Also represents sorrow on Earth, or is seen as what was said to create the crown of thorns Jesus is depicted with in many images and texts.

Urn - Represents the flight of the soul, the funeral urn (where ashes can be stored after cremation), and the body the spirit has left. I associate urns with memorial, saved memories, and eternal pieces of your earthly body.

Weeping WIllow - Reminds me of Persephone, as this is one of her sacred trees. Also reminds me of another Underworld story, involving Orpheus. Was a big symbol in ancient Greece attributed to death and burial. Also reminds me of the Victorian era, where these trees were largely associated with mourning. Often used to represent sadness and mourning.

You can use these symbols in your practice as a death witch, whether by drawing from them as inspiration for spells, or honouring the forgotten dead (try making your companions/forgotten spirits their own ‘graves’, complete with headstones and inscriptions). You can also use these symbols to create sigils, mark your tools, or help you create interesting artifacts to connect you to the culture of death. I find that having these symbols around makes me feel comfortable and at peace with death, despite their sometimes-saddening connotations. They also help me come to understand that there are many different ways to honour the dead, some of which can help them come to terms with being dead. For example, the crown can represent victory in death. That seems like an honourable way to mark a grave to me.

Citations:

Santore, Beth. “Gravestone Symbolism .” Gravestone Symbolism, www.graveaddiction.com/symbol.html

“Alpha and Omega.” Cemeteries and Cemetery Symbols, 8 Sept. 2006, cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/08/alpha-and-omega/

Powell, Kimberly. “The Meanings of Common Tombstone Symbols and Icons.” ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/photo-gallery-of-cemetery-symbolism-4123061

[paganchristian]

Thistles.  Since this is the thistle-blooming time of the year, it seems fitting.  I just took some photos of a thistle, a few days ago, and I don’t feel like getting the adapter to upload the pictures so instead I will choose this one picture to post rather than looking through the new photos I’ve not yet uploaded from the camera.  On the laptop, where I am posting here at this moment, there is an even smaller selection of photos and it seems that this is the only one remaining at present that I feel is postable.  Among my personal photos and I will not post others’ photos, because of copyright issues.  Not that I think it’s a problem if I post from free photo sites, but there’s the littlest of chances which I won’t take.   Anyway, sun-drenched thorny resilient flowers are a good thing for me to gaze upon, the bright glowing fluorescent looking to me purple.  The sign of Scotland, for whatever that’s worth.  A butterfly attractor.  Makes me think of milk thistle, which I think was supposed to be some health thing or was it some other thistle, blessed thistle? holy thistle? , anyway, there was some thistle which I thought was maybe an adaptogen, a liver cleanser, and builder maybe it was, that I thought might be good for me.  

This thistle was at a place we go fairly often but only see these thistles rarely, because we usually aren’t there when they bloom, and though there the other day, we didn’t see the thistles, so I don’t know, maybe they mowed them down instead, but in the cowfields and roadsides, thistles galore, towering in shades of red, plum, fluorescent purple, yellow and pink bicolor (like the one I photographed the other day).  I do think I posted a thistle picture, before, but not this particular picture, though a purple one like this, and it was when I was writing (rereading this I thought it said “writhing”.  lol), about something religious at the time, like if I can approach God, I don’t feel able.  I guess in my mind, the thought of thorns, and a smilax vine’s (smilax,...  sounds like smile, ...  A thorny smile.  Smile ax.  hahaha), its thorny stem growing up among its leaves, too.  You seem thorny but invite me to come near to your embrace, it felt, like I was saying to God.  Anyway, if I did post this picture before, oh sorry, but then again, I can reuse the same picture, with new words, it is my blog, so it doesn’t really matter.  If I wanted to do that, anyone who was bored could just ignore my blog, with little effort at all. I probably would get bored with my own pictures, too, if I used them too much, the way I also tend to get bored with divination tools that aren’t ever-fresh, and extremely varied.  So I use songs, books, many different books.  

I use that, rather than a narrow set of symbols, repeatedly drawn from and made new with spinning new webs of connections and insights dug from the archetypal figures in them or the mine of imagery that springs from the well of the subconscious, not in the cards (or other objects) themselves but only what they spur forward for me, from the hidden underbrush, chasing them out like some hunted thing.  But I rather not make it so forced, and try to enjoy it all like some kind of pleasant and lazy mysterious and abundant walk through possibility and novelty, ..  and that is how it feels when my divination tool are varied enough.  Maybe my mind isn’t overflowing enough to use the regular divination tools most people seem to use, ...  or maybe my own mind is too littered with sadness, pain, fear, distress, despair, horror, anger, worry, doubt, shame, confusion, and I need images that bring fresh and new ready and strong happiness instead of the all too common empty sadness and distress I feel when my gaze crumbles upon the majority of the world, crumbling attention, crumbling interest, reverting back into itself and the lack and pain therein, only the slightest rapidly eroding thread to anything good and stable and practical outside me. Then without that good mirror outside me, the good inside me flutters down underneath, like the fish hiding in the mud and algae and deep murky water of my heart, mind, my life.  

Which is why I feel that I need to find just the right image to unravel the contemplation, because the wrong one will set me off onto something that taints my mind. and feelings,...  taints them for days, maybe setting off a cycle lasting weeks or months or years, because it is just that fragile as I’ve come to know after having it happen, the trigger to derail the train of my life again and again, too many times, in the past.

Though often my thoughts thus unspooled, even when I do find that right image, even then my thoughts I reel up to me, in my little spool of unspiraled, tightly coiled self, no, ... Still even then, these thoughts aren’t cheery or strong, still they are much better than if the wrong image had drawn them on, because I know this from past experience.  The right image keeps the pain safe and contained, for me.  Somewhat at least and then I comfort those upset feelings with the more other right images,...

Or not images, sometimes, instead just things to do, places to be, or senses to feel, games and stories and songs and time with my child and walking in nature, and my favorite authors and book subjects and genres, and healing music, dance, and yoga, yoga guided meditation stories that make life feel like a living daydream surreal fairytale, and washing dishes and other housework, the right shade, the right lighting, the right thing to set my sensory brain into a mesmerized healing calm for the trauma, the right patterns and movements, sounds and tactile feelings, strangely satisfying, whatever, and whatever grounds, uplifts, sinks me into imagination and possibility, hopes, ideals, senses, innocence, and love) ...  

Those things will then come in and complete the work begun that was trauma-wound-up, trauma-tangled, trauma-triggered, trauma-stuck-in this mud of never washed away trauma that only gradually can be removed, before more gets slathered on again, trauma, a way of life...  Yes all that trauma was there, brought up by these right images and words for me, no doubt, but now with the right path out again of the dark part of the garden, to better quarters, better hidden courtyards, now I’ve found my way out, enough practice, I know how, with the right healing images, with the right healing practices, to get better enough, again, for now.  For this moment, enough.  

And, now, after all of that, they don’t leave loose ends to fester, and they heal them up like a salve, disinfecting and speeding the healing of the wound I had to dive into to clean it, however painful that might be.  Cleaning and cleaning again and again, until if it ever heals, but if it’s just a never-healing wound, then maybe it’s not even a wound but rather a disease that doesn’t ever heal, but you still have to keep tending it.  To keep your state from decaying, more, faster. 

[libidomechanica]

Untitled (“You have not be scorn thee his face”)

You have not be scorn thee his face. Of the weird affection cloud is scatterd on me dead. Pitiful than the passion, and hit me running friends, weak for my birthright against the prest,

have done thistle mair blaw sweet Tibbie, I have been sae rashy, O,      through

  Great blackbirds join the race    aboon that Times pencil, or sith I had love the Spring. our crimson on that.

My love perfect I cannot be; no drum nor that none could read a folded in his hive.

Breath of Gold, dangled, and collect said, “lest foe;    yet I bare on the Enemys Head;

his Highness way, hid from the interwove with voice not be;

no drum nor the after frost. And snowy mountain and since the birds, the bugle, undulated circuit of ill! To Frankenstein!

Thought availed: he battered at the tree when I see what birds and armor should I climb, in the caper overrooted, by Fate,

subject the longer fair or fall. Not a Whig, or a bowling crave much, but dont be scorn: shall dive, and young Frankenstein!

You have been comes! I dream, the fire. While Cupid his due:

only of your thou to thee, my sunne, than holds more the worlds so longer pause and long! And as earth to rest,  till the sad wound, and ah!

You will mock the Door to malice lend and favorite aggies.                 Prithee which make her hard, lamps flail, the enfeebled mind

stinging my thoughts of Woman? No, let me she can. I play hard at his blues band, I look not less, must bears in her necke you did lye,

  Your in a wondrous Mother tongue,   While ye may, I must I too creep together with shows but those that have you not extremely sick? a heart

  That atonement is throbbing flow,”    or is it prosperous content youth, and emeral, eternity. for her seemed to clear that crazed his Satire ended, dilettante,

delicate ball where I forget how, follows on the sun by thy finer fancies, touch      every bole, and responsibilities

I loved, shepherds lays, her who still flesh more where?

[robertmcangusgroup]

The Daily Thistle

The Daily Thistle – News From Scotland

Wednesday 12th July 2017

"Madainn Mhath” …Fellow Scot, I hope the day brings joy to you…. "Horses Tails" crossed the sky this morning, quite ethereal as they trailed across the night sky sometimes stars peeped through like diamonds in a horses tail.. Ah! the magic of the early morning when you have imagination....

FAMILY TO COMPLETE BUCKET LIST OF TEEN WHO DIED IN CAR CRASH…. The family of a teenager who died after a road accident are to complete a bucket list of her wishes after discovering them on her laptop computer. Asten Jones, 18, of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, died after her Vauxhall Corsa was involved in a crash with another car on the A815 in Kilmun on 21 May. She was taken by air ambulance to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow suffering from multiple injuries, including to the brain. Doctors took the decision to turn off her life-support machine after realising the severity of her injuries. Mother Cathy Muir said: “Doctors told me that even if she had survived her physical injuries, there was no way she could recover from her brain injuries.” Asten’s family were devastated by their loss and set up a GoFundMe fundraising page to fulfil her wishes, which included her desire to “do something for charity”. Mrs Muir, who has five other children, is preparing for a tandem freefall parachute jump on 22 August, which was one of the items on her bucket list. She said: “We discovered the bucket list on Asten’s computer when we were searching for photographs after her death. “There’s 42 items she wanted to achieve during 2017. We’ve decided that that we are going to complete the bucket list on her behalf. “She wanted to do something for charity, so I’m going to do the jump for charity, I also want to set up a small charity in Asten’s name. “It will allow people to apply for funding for books, uniforms, equipment which will enable them to go to sixth form, college or university to get qualified for their chosen trade.” Eight members of her family hope to work through Asten’s bucket list in her honour by 31 December. The items on the list include: jump into a pool fully-clothed, invent my own cocktail, name a star, get a piercing, go on a road trip with no destination and write a letter to my future self. Mrs Muir added: “We are going to work through the list. We are not all going to do everything, but we think we can do it by the end of the year.” The fundraising page for Asten can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/asten-jones-bucket-list-no-27

EMELI SANDE GIG AT EDINBURGH CASTLE ‘CANCELLED’…. Emeli Sande’s scheduled performance at Edinburgh Castle on July 13 has been cancelled - but the reasons behind the postponement are unclear. The Scottish singer-songwriter had also been due to perform in Cork, in Ireland three days earlier on July 10 but that concert has also been cancelled. A spokesperson for Aiken Promotions confirmed to a Cork radio station that the gig had been cancelled, adding: “Further details have not yet been made available, however, the event has been listed as ‘cancelled’ on Ticketmaster’s website.” Reports in the Netherlands, where Sande was due to perform on Friday at Rotterdam, suggested that the singer-songwriter had cancelled all dates on her European tour due to ‘exhaustion’. And Belgian media also confirmed that the singer had pulled out of a scheduled appearance at the Rcok Werchter festival on July 8, adding that all dates had been called due to ‘fatigue’. Hungarian media reporting on July 4 that Sande was scheduled to appear at the FINA Water World Championships in Budapest on July 14. Ticketmaster UK confirmed that emails had been sent to fans with tickets for the Edinburgh Castle show - but no additional details were made available, and a message on the ticket firm’s website simply read: “Cancelled. We issue all refunds for cancelled events automatically.” No details were available on Sande’s website, with the Rotterdam, Werchter, Cork, Edinburgh and Budapest shows still listed. Her six scheduled performances in August - two in Switzerland; two at the V Festival in England; one in Bochum, Germany and one in Belfast - appear to be going ahead as planned. Sande, 30, is due to embark on a ten-date tour of the UK and Ireland in October, starting in her hometown of Aberdeen, in support of her latest album, Long Live The Angels. The singer took a six-month break from the public eye in 2013, saying at the time: “I’m happy to leave the limelight for a bit and lay low. I’m going to be in the studio working on my next album.” She added: “I just want to make more music, as that’s my favourite thing.”

AUSCHWITZ SURVIVOR SAVED BY SCOTS SOLDIER DIES….  Who married the Scottish soldier who rescued her has died, aged 92. Edith “Eci” Mackay passed away in Balcarres Care Home in Broughty Ferry with her husband of more than seven decades, World War II veteran John, sat by her side. The Holocaust survivor died on Monday, June 26, following a bout of pneumonia. The story of her long, loving marriage to John captured the hearts of thousands of people earlier this year as the couple enjoyed their 71st Valentine’s Day as a married couple. A commando in the London Scottish 1st Battalion, John Mackay helped rescue a group of Jewish prisoners from Auschwitz as they marched with Nazi guards to another concentration camp. His future wife, Eci, was among them. Born Edith Steiner in the Székesfehérvár region of Hungary, she lost 39 members of her family during the holocaust. At a dance organised in a village hall following the rescue by the British troops, John was too nervous to ask Eci for a dance, sending a friend across to ask in his stead. Not impressed, Eci sent the pal back with orders that John should ask her to dance himself – which he did. The couple fell in love and “doted” on each other throughout their 71-year marriage. John and Eci tied the knot in Scotland in July 17, 1946 and referred to each other as “sweetheart” every day. John, now 96, was born in Glasgow and raised in Brighton. The couple lived in Edinburgh, Liverpool and Gleneagles before settling in Pitlochry, where they ran the Atholl Arms Hotel. John also served as a local councillor for many years. In 1997 they moved to Broughty Ferry. They have two children, Sharon MacKay and Peter Mackay, and seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Last night Sharon said: “My mum was an extremely private person, very, very kind and quiet. “Mum was just a mum. She was a seamstress in her youth. She was very quiet, very reserved, very kind and very family orientated.” She added that her mum “never spoke about” her time in Auschwitz, but that the story of her parents meeting each other was “amazing”. “I think she had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and really struggled. She really had a lot of nightmares”, said Sharon. “It was 39 members of their immediate family they lost (during the Holocaust), aunties and uncles.” However she added that her father was “lost” without his beloved wife. She said: “He is absolutely lost. Thankfully they got to spend the last year together. He cared for her.” Eci only found out about one of her cousins, who had also survived the Holocaust and fled to Brazil, in February this year, after long-lost family members got in touch. Balcarres Care Home’s deputy manager, Vera Scrimgoer, said: “Sadly she passed away last week. It was natural causes. “All her family was with her, John was with her as well. It was sad for them. He was just totally doted on her and she doted on him, it was so sad.” Eci will be laid to rest at Dundee Crematorium on July 12. Roughly six million Jewish people died in the Holocaust. Eci’s mother also survived the horrors of Auschwitz, where around a million people perished. They were among the few who avoided death by being asked to work after arriving from a Hungarian ghetto in June 1944, and were resident there for six weeks. Both Eci and her mother were captive in the camp whilst Nazi Josef Mengele was conducting experiments on inmates. Eci made keepsakes during her time in the camp which she kept her whole life, including a comb and book of poems. John also served in North Africa, escaping an Italian prisoner of war camp in Tobruk, Libya.

FORMER COUNCILLOR SPARED JAIL FOR KILLING ABUSER HUSBAND…. A former councillor who killed her husband of 50 years after he had been accused of sexually abusing children has been spared jail. Susanne Wilson, 72, smothered 70-year-old Henry with a cushion at their home in Ayr last September. Wilson had been a carer for her housebound husband, who suffered from chronic heart disease. The court heard she had believed he wanted her to help him take his own life. Wilson – who had previously been facing a murder charge – admitted culpable homicide at the High Court in Glasgow last month. Prosecutors accepted the plea on the basis of her diminished responsibility at the time due to the strain she was under. When Wilson appeared for sentencing at the High Court in Dumbarton yesterday, judge Lady Rae said: “Mr Wilson suffered serious ill health both physically and mentally and it transpires he previously tried to commit suicide. “In addition, you had been confronted with distressing information about the husband you had lived with and loved for 50 years.” The judge said it was impossible to imagine the mental torment Wilson had been going through at the time she killed her husband and said it had clearly distorted her decision-making. Lady Rae added: “While recognising that in most cases such a crime would merit a very significant custodial sentence, I am prepared in the unusual and complex circumstances of this case to impose a non-custodial disposal. “There is no suggestion whatsoever that you are a risk to the public. I have come to the view therefore that punishment is not appropriate and having reached that conclusion I consider a community payback order is not justified nor is it required.” Sentence was deferred until January for good behaviour and for Wilson to continue receiving psychiatric treatment. Wilson had been a Labour councillor in Troon, South Ayrshire, in the late 1990s. The couple had three children but their eldest son Jonathan died in 2001 after battling cancer.

FAKE DONALD TRUMP TIME MAGAZINE COVER REMOVED FROM TRUMP TURNBERRY…. Staff at Trump golf courses in Scotland have been asked not to display a Time Magazine cover featuring the US President after it was confirmed to be a fake. The cover was framed and hung at a number of Trump courses in the US and Ireland as well as at Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire, according to the Washington Post. A member of staff at the Scottish resort told the newspaper the cover had been removed from the club’s Duel in the Sun Pub. READ MORE: Donald Trump’s son to open new Turnberry course The cover, which dates to March 1 2009, features an image of the Donald Trump with the headline “Donald Trump: The Apprentice is a television smash!” Time confirmed that the cover was a fake and said it had requested the Trump Organisation stops using it, according to reports.

On that note I will say that I hope you have enjoyed the news from Scotland today,

Our look at Scotland today is of Boddam Lighthouse and was taken by the excellent photographer William McNeil .. great picture it captures everything...

A Sincere Thank You for your company and Thank You for your likes and comments I love them and always try to reply, so please keep them coming, it's always good fun, As is my custom, I will go and get myself another mug of "Colombian" Coffee and wish you a safe Wednesday 12th July 2017 from my home on the southern coast of Spain, where the blue waters of the Alboran Sea washes the coast of Africa and Europe and the smell of the night blooming Jasmine and Honeysuckle fills the air…and a crazy old guy and his dog Bella go out for a walk at 4:00 am…on the streets of Estepona…

All good stuff....But remember it’s a dangerous world we live in

Be safe out there…

Robert McAngus