#tlc book tours

[theresalikesbooks]

Book Review | Daughter of Ruins

Title: Daughter of Ruins by Yvette Manessis Corporon  Pages: 400 Publisher: Harper Muse (oct. 8, 2024) Genre: historical fiction Summary A motherless daughter. An Italian prostitute. A mail-order bride. Are these women brave enough to change their fates? Demitra’s mother died in America in the 1930s when Demitra was three years old. Her father took her home to the Greek island of…

[bookdivareads]

Book Showcase: THE HIGHLANDER'S KILTED BRIDE by Vanessa Kelly

Read an #excerpt from the #historicalromance THE HIGHLANDER'S KILTED BRIDE by #VanessaKelly, book 6 of the Clan Kendrick series. #blogtour #fiction #historicalfiction #ScottishHistorical #romance #ZebraBooks #KensingtonBooks #TLCBookTours

The Highlander’s Kilted Bride: Clan Kendrick Book 6, by Vanessa KellyISBN: 9781420154559 (Paperback)ISBN: 9781420154566 (ebook)ISBN: 9798765082782 (Digital audiobook)ASIN: B0BNCKHJG8 (Kindle edition)Page Count: 352Publication Date: August 22, 2023Publisher: Zebra BooksGenre: Fiction | Historical Fiction | Historical Romance The youngest brother in Clan Kendrick has become a charismatic force in…

[kirlicues]

European Townhome | {Maxis Makeover} | Sims 2 Lot Download

Remember those basic lots that shipped with the original Sims 2 games and expansions? In my game they rarely ever see the light of day, but since I love fixing up anything I can get my hands on (whether it’s in a game or in real life), those rather basic little houses have risen to a new level! This particular one is even CC-Free! (I’ll have a download link for this revamped Sims 2 house at the bottom of the post just in case you need it in your neighborhoods too.)

Being as this is a makeover and not a rebuild, I kept the original shape and layout as well as the same general exterior. I get nostalgic whenever I see old Sims 1 and very early Sims 2 lots and I wanted to keep some of that going here.

I mean, look at it. 

Doesn’t it tug at your heartstrings and make you want to bring it home and show it some TLC? I can hear Sims 1 Build Mode 4 playing in the background... (Yes, I’ve been playing the Sims that long.)

Ok, sappy moment over. Let’s get this show on the road! 😊

The original version of this house can be purchased from the lots and houses bin for $14,760 Simoleans. My update will set you back a little more--about $62,000 Simoleans instead. Here is what it looks like after adding a garage, and a pool:

It’s the perfect summer retreat for one lucky lady either near the beach, or out in the country! It could also work for a couple freshly out of University.

Fun fact: this house footprint is rented by Delilah O’Feefe in the Académie Le Tour neighborhood that came with Sims 2 University. 

This lot has so much land surrounding it that I thought it needed more than a few trees and some flowers. Doesn’t that pool look inviting? And all that garage space could be turned into an art studio if owning a car isn’t in your budget plans.

Since this house is so small I’ve opted for floorplan views to give you an idea of how it looks inside:

Here’s the 1st floor:  It has room to curl up and read a book, watch a movie, or paint a picture--whatever you’re in the mood for! It also has a full kitchen so you can stay in and relax.

...and here is the 2nd floor:

I have no idea why Maxis originally put a bathroom just off the balcony, but to each their own. I left it that way because with as small as this house is there is no room to stick it anywhere else.

Want this lot in your game? I knew you would! 😄

European Townhome {Maxis Makeover} MF | SFS

All EPs and SPs are required, but is a completely CC-free house download!

I’ve run it through the Lot Compressor and the Lot Cleaner so any random references to sims that aren’t there should be removed. I also added a spiffy custom thumbnail so it has even more curb appeal in your Lots and Houses bin.

I ALWAYS recommend using the Sims 2 Clean Pack installer to install lot files.

[kiki-de-la-petite-flaque]

30 years ago, I wrote a folk album at the height of grunge. The post-grunge movement was just beginning, with artists like Boyz II Men, Madonna’s Take a Bow, and TLC…

I had risked everything to make the album. I turned down a million-dollar advance because I knew it would put a bounty on my head if I didn’t sell enough albums to repay it. I wanted artistic freedom, so I bought it by refusing the record label’s money.

And then I went on to fail. A lot. I could write a book about the rejections and the “shock jocks” who asked me, “How can you give a bj with those teeth?”

I walked out of stations, told people to fuck off, and my label just shook their heads because I refused to eat shit.

The album failed for so long that I started making a second one. In the middle of recording, Bob Dylan asked me to tour with him. So I told the band I’d be back in the studio soon and went on the road with Bob. He believed in me. He watched my shows. He went over my lyrics with me. He invited me to sing with him. He told me to keep going with Pieces of You. So I did.

Then Neil Young took me out on tour. He believed in me. He told me to keep going. So I did. And slowly, things began to take off.

You guys connected with the music. You called radio stations for me and created a groundswell online. My fans and I are credited as being one of the first acts to harness the internet to break an album, forcing mainstream radio to pay attention.

That little album—5,500 words—changed the course of my life forever. Thank you all.

Jewel

[figurefourstar]

Safe In Your Skin: How AEW refuses to open the box of gold they're sitting on.

I recently stumbled into watching ROH on Honor Club 101 out of pure curiosity after seeing a graphic of a match featuring Serpentico & Brandon Cutler on Instagram as I was scrolling through it. I haven't been tapped into ROH in quite some time as I knew the product hasn't been anything worth tapping into recently but after I saw that a match like that was being advertised, I just had to stop and think about the state that this promotion was in.

I know the hate AEW seems to get as a brand is almost never ending and part of me felt like reporting on it like this was gonna be nothing but another "bad faith grift" but it seemed like crazy to me that the card booked right after ROH on Honor Club 100 (which also didn't have much going on for it) was being put out for eyes to see in this sort of format. As much as people joke about this being an AEW Dark/Dark Elevation reboot, it's hard to tell if the people working on this project believe if to be the same as well. There were many things I could nitpick on with the show (Riccaboni & Coleman not being the ones at the desk despite being on commentary is absolutely one of them) but besides that potentially taking up this whole blog, I figured I could do what most wrestling fans think they're capable of doing and that's telling the big boss man backstage how to fix their product.

RIng of Honor is a promotion unlike any other as it's one of the only wrestling companies to feature the likes of talent as: Samoa Joe, Mitsuhara Misawa, KENTA (& Kobashi) AJ Styles, Bryan Danielson, Nigel McGuinness, Chris Hero, Roderick Strong, CM P- (need I go on?). The boots that stepped into the very ring where "Honor is Real" is one that even the powerhouse that is the WWE is almost barely able to match given the history it's built for itself. Seeing where things lie for ROH and the state it's in now is no where near a new thing... To be quite honest the company over the past decade has been chasing the ghost of what it once was for ages.

But it doesn't have to be like that anymore.

March 2nd 2022 Tony Khan purchased Ring of Honor and made it known as a key statement when he announced in on that night's episode of AEW Dynamite. Since the purchase it seems like it's been treated as nothing more than a glorified AEW Dark successor and it seems to look like the purchase was more for getting to own the rights to the footage that ROH had stored than anything else. While that is a great thing to own, the nature of how Tony Khan has been able to excite fans made this seem like a new era was going to begin and that the light at the end of the tunnel was finally being shown for the promotion.

Seeing the recent news of WWE acquiring former indie promotion EVOLVE, it seems like now more than ever that ROH should be given the TLC it's desperately needed for quite some time now. I'm not a promoter and I'm definitely not someone who knows what they're saying half the time but I do believe I know enough to say that ROH needs and deserves a change. The roster that is employed by AEW is nothing short of impressive and while hard for all this talent to be showcased at the same time, the 5 hours of programing across 3 shows make that hard to believe. It's no secret that Tony has his favorites but there's no reason to not see talent that's worth being seen on weekly basis when matches like Evil Uno v Blake Christian are being booked on a show that's for some reason only aired for an hour. This has been something opinionated by many online and to see how the cult following that ROH has dwindled over the years makes it hard to believe that the feeling can't be restored by ROH simply becoming a studio show once again. We've seen it work with promotions like NXT & TNA and without the touring it seems very plausible for the runtime of the show to be increased as well.

Kenny Omega said it best when he told the AEW locker room themselves that he wouldn't have hired 80% of them and to be quite honest that's a take that's hard to argue with. Chris Jericho as ROH World Champ and Dustin Rhodes having 2 belts to himself sounds like nothing short of a nightmare and it's a shame that it's one we're all living through at this very moment when younger guys who have the time to build themselves up could be the ones building the brand back up along themselves.

We've seen guys like Daniel Garcia & Wheeler Yuta spend their time in ROH and come up when they seemed ready to tackle on the main AEW roster again but it's not like it was treated as a developmental process for them. In fact ROH doesn't seem to be beneficial for that kind of thing at all and that's where I think the issue lies with this promotion. Over the years AEW was praised as it claimed to be the land where we could see new homegrown stars rise and get their shot in a big time promotion but as the years have passed we've seen more and more former WWE and older talent take to the top of it's ranks.

It's obvious there's a gap in talent at the moment but we know it's one that's easily able to be shortened as talent among the likes of Swerve Strickland, Hangman Adam Page, Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale have shot themselves up to stardom by being themselves and catering to what the fans are able to react to. It's this in my opinion that the sport needs to stay afloat. Indie wrestling promotion DPW is one that does a great at this and seeing as they get comparisons to being the modern day ROH, it's easy to see that the passion for ROH isn't there when it easily could be.

The development and training of wrestlers should be what Ring of Honor caters itself to; something more of a developmental system. Once again it's common knowledge that almost every promotion that has a genuine name for itself seems to have a purpose and fan base that treats it like a friend they can always count on to go with them to the bar every once in a while and it's because of the passion that ROH had many years ago inspired the current day indie and any other promotion not seen on a large scale. It's sad to see the place that once showcased the gods of this very sport be treated like Lennie from Of Mice and Men but until a shift happens where ROH can be about what it once was...

There won't seem to be any hope or honor regarding the once loved promotion anymore until it's no longer safe in it's skin.

[widowshill]

more r/v au things.

During their engagement period, Roger will sometimes ask Carolyn’s help picking out little gifts for V, out of some honest anxiety that he’s not really in touch with the tastes of the Youth. Things like records, dresses, jewelry, hair clips: sometimes with the success, but more often that not they’re more to his niece's taste (but V finds the gesture charming anyway, and it gives Carolyn more options to steal borrow from her closet). he does just as well if not better on his own: old fashioned watches, pearls, silk scarves, French lace lingerie, and books, most of all. he'll occasionally buy her a very nice edition to add to her shelf in the Collinwood library, but what she really likes is being given one of his used books –– annotated poetry anthologies, or marked up old shakespeare. it makes her feel much more intimate with him, and she loves getting a glimpse his mind.

They have one child together: a little girl, Josette Elizabeth Collins, nicknamed “Josie” by Carolyn shortly after she’s born, and the name sticks (much like Vicki did). She resembles V more, especially her nose and mouth, but she has her father’s blue eyes and waving gold hair (this also means she ends up looking a little bit like Laura, but they all keep that observation to themselves). She’s born small and sickly after a rather difficult birth, and remains tiny throughout childhood. But with a household full to give her some TLC, Josie shoots up in height as a preteen. she quickly becomes wayyy taller than Liz, especially once she starts wearing heels, to her aunt's external exasperation at just how fast she's grown.

One childbirth scare is enough, though –– Roger's already come much too close to losing V on several other occasions, as well as having lost his own mother as a result of his birth, to want to risk it again. besides, they already have David, who is enough of a handful on his own, and Rog is getting older, so they mutually decide that he get a vasectomy. you can bet that he fully hams up the recovery period and makes everyone baby him for a week. Liz doesn't fully approve ( it is her brother's branch of the family tree that will continue the name, after all, so she dislikes the idea of not even having the chance of more Collinses ) ... but she has no desire to put V at further risk, either, so she doesn't protest too much.

David is very jealous at the beginning when the baby comes: both Rog and V absolutely dote on her, as does Liz, and Carolyn, who simply delights in being the older cousin / aunt figure to the new baby in the house. So David gets a little impetuous for a while and torments Josie in his way: inventing or summoning ghosts to scare her, slipping the music box into her crib, spooking her at her nap time or dinner. But he grows out of it as Josie grows and he gets more fond, and much more protective of her: he still bugs her as an older brother is wont to do, but rest assured he’s the only one that’s allowed to. David Collins in his teens is not someone you want as an enemy.

As I've alluded to elsewhere, one of V's first big tasks as a new Collins wife that she takes on is the historic restoration of the west wing, which is something she's wanted to do since Burke's death. this is where Roger, V, David, and Josie will stay when it's finished ( another sore point of David's, losing one of his secret play-places ). Barnabas helps –– both in the practical oversight of the project, and in the funding ––  but Roger's pride won't permit him to help too much with the latter. to help offset some of the costs, both of construction and of the upkeep / taxes with having more of the house open, Victoria suggests they open the house up to public tours a few days a week. Roger protests furiously against the idea of having a stream of strangers –– commoners –– in the house, but it's Liz that puts her foot down. she and Vicki personally administer the tours ( being the most knowledgeable about the house, and it and the family history ) including seasonal haunted nighttime tours, where you just might catch a glimpse of a real ghost.

[wowemirates]

Get More for Less: Ultimate Birthday Freebies in Dubai

Celebrating your birthday in Dubai? It’s time to treat yourself without breaking the bank! Dubai’s vibrant social scene offers tons of birthday freebies, from complimentary meals to exciting adventures. Here’s the ultimate guide to getting the best birthday freebies Dubai, keeping you on top of all the free treats after October. Don’t miss out on these exciting offers that let you enjoy the city's luxury for free.

1. Free Dining Delights at Popular Restaurants

Dubai’s dining culture is known for its lavish spreads, and on your birthday, some restaurants make it even better with free meals and desserts!

Texas Roadhouse: Known for its hearty American-style meals, Texas Roadhouse offers a free dessert for birthday diners. Bring a few friends, order a meal, and enjoy a complimentary treat at the end!

The Cheesecake Factory: Craving a sweet treat? Enjoy a slice of cheesecake for free when you dine here on your birthday. You’ll need a reservation, and a minimum order might be required, but it’s totally worth the indulgence.

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes: Head over to Black Tap for a creative birthday treat! Known for their outrageous milkshakes and loaded burgers, birthday guests can get a complimentary birthday milkshake, making it an Insta-worthy celebration.

2. Spa and Salon Treats for a Pampered Birthday

Dubai’s luxurious spas and salons make it easy to unwind on your special day. Pamper yourself without paying a dirham with these special birthday freebies Dubai offers:

Sisters Beauty Lounge: If you’re looking for a little TLC, book a treatment at Sisters Beauty Lounge. They offer a free pampering experience for birthday celebrants, like a free blow-dry or quick polish change.

NStyle Beauty Lounge: Known for its chic services, NStyle provides birthday guests with free add-ons or discounts on selected services. Relax, unwind, and celebrate your birthday in style.

3. Adventurous Experiences on the House

For thrill-seekers, Dubai has some amazing experiences lined up. From soaring heights to underwater wonders, these experiences will make your birthday memorable.

Skydive Dubai: While the iconic Skydive Dubai doesn’t offer free skydives, they often run birthday discounts. It’s worth checking their website for seasonal deals so you can plan a bucket-list birthday jump!

Aventura Parks: This thrilling adventure park offers special discounts for birthday celebrants. Navigate zip lines, high ropes, and more, all for less. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, Aventura Parks makes a fantastic birthday destination.

The Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo: Have an underwater adventure on your birthday with exclusive offers for celebrants. Some packages come with a free guided tour or special discounts, letting you enjoy the aquatic wonders for less.

4. Hotel Daycations for a Luxe Birthday

Dubai’s hotels are all about opulence, and for your birthday, several offer complimentary access to pools, spas, or discounts on daycations.

Atlantis Aquaventure: Atlantis, The Palm often celebrates birthdays with special discounts or even free access to its water park, Aquaventure, when booking with friends. Make a splash with a day filled with thrilling rides and poolside fun.

Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa: For a relaxing beach day, Sofitel Dubai offers discounted or complimentary pool and beach access on your birthday, allowing you to unwind in paradise without the high cost.

Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort: Looking to pamper yourself? Book a massage or spa treatment here and enjoy a complimentary beach day as a birthday treat. Anantara’s stunning facilities make for a perfect day of relaxation.

5. Entertainment and Attractions

Whether you’re a movie buff, a theme park enthusiast, or an art lover, Dubai has numerous birthday freebies Dubai to make your day special.

VOX Cinemas: Catch the latest blockbuster with a complimentary movie ticket from VOX Cinemas. Register in advance and get a free ticket for your birthday month. It’s a great way to treat yourself to a night at the movies without spending a dime.

IMG Worlds of Adventure: For birthday celebrations, IMG Worlds of Adventure offers complimentary passes for birthday celebrants when visiting with a friend. Experience thrilling rides and themed attractions, making your birthday a memorable one.

The Green Planet: Dubai’s tropical indoor rainforest, The Green Planet, occasionally has birthday deals where you can enjoy discounted or free entry. Check their website for any upcoming birthday offers that will let you explore this lush oasis without spending a penny.

6. Sweet Treats and Café Delights

Don’t miss out on free desserts and coffee treats on your special day! Dubai has a delightful café culture with birthday offers for those with a sweet tooth.

SugarMoo: For the dessert lovers, SugarMoo offers a special birthday discount and sometimes a free birthday cake slice. It’s a delicious way to celebrate with a bit of sweetness.

Coffee Club: Enjoy a complimentary coffee at Coffee Club. Simply mention it’s your birthday, and you’ll be treated to a delicious drink to celebrate.

Cold Stone Creamery: Indulge in a free ice cream scoop at Cold Stone Creamery! Bring your ID along, and they’ll scoop up a birthday treat for you on the house.

7. Retail and Shopping Treats

If shopping is your idea of celebrating, several Dubai stores offer birthday discounts, letting you treat yourself without going overboard.

Sephora: Beauty lovers rejoice! Sephora’s Beauty Insider program often includes a birthday gift with any purchase during your birthday month. It’s a fantastic way to score premium products without the extra cost.

Adidas: Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a birthday discount on Adidas products. From shoes to workout gear, celebrate your birthday with a shopping spree!

Mall Gift Cards: Some malls in Dubai, like The Dubai Mall, provide exclusive birthday discounts or gift cards when you register for their loyalty program. Perfect for those who want to splurge a little on their special day.

Final Tips for Birthday Freebies Dubai

Before you head out to celebrate, here are some quick tips to ensure you get the most out of your birthday freebies:

Bring Your ID: Many places will require ID to confirm it’s your birthday.

Plan Ahead: Some offers require you to sign up in advance, so plan a few days before your birthday.

Check Websites: Offers can vary by location and season, so check each website for any special terms or restrictions.

With these fabulous birthday freebies Dubai, you can enjoy a luxurious celebration in Dubai without the luxury price tag. So mark your calendar, invite your friends, and make the most of your birthday with these incredible treats across the city. Whether you’re dining out, shopping, or seeking adventure, Dubai ensures your special day is unforgettable.

[buyumeacademy]

Where to Get the Best Facial in Ratlam: A Tour of Top Salons

Ratlam, a city known for its charm and rich cultural heritage, is also home to some fantastic beauty salons offering top-notch facial treatments. Whether you're looking to pamper yourself with a relaxing experience, rejuvenate your skin, or just give your face a little TLC, the best salons in Ratlam have something to offer. From specialized facials to personalized skincare services, this city is not short of skilled professionals who know how to make your skin glow.

In this blog, we’ll take you on a tour of the top salons in Ratlam where you can get the best facial treatments, including Shri Sai Hair Salon, Shiv Hair Salon, Siddhis Family Salon, and Shree Ganesh Hair & Beauty Salon. We’ll also introduce you to Buyume Salon Finder, an easy-to-use platform where you can book an appointment with these salons online.

1. Shri Sai Hair Salon – Your One-Stop for Relaxation and Rejuvenation

Shri Sai Hair Salon is a trusted name when it comes to beauty care in Ratlam. Though they specialize in hair treatments, their facial services are equally popular. The professionals at Shri Sai Hair Salon understand the importance of maintaining healthy skin and offer a range of facials that cater to different skin types.

From deep-cleansing facials for acne-prone skin to hydrating treatments for those with dry skin, Shri Sai Hair Salon has something for everyone. Their team stays updated on the latest skincare trends, so you can rest assured that you're in good hands. If you want to unwind after a long day, their soothing facial massage will melt away your stress while leaving your skin glowing.

Looking to book an appointment? Check out their services on Buyume Salon Finder and enjoy a hassle-free experience.

2. Shiv Hair Salon – Expert Skin Care with a Personal Touch

If you’re searching for a salon where personal care is the priority, Shiv Hair Salon is the place for you. Known for their welcoming staff and excellent customer service, Shiv Hair Salon takes great pride in offering customized facial treatments. Whether you’re preparing for a big event or simply want to keep your skin in top condition, their skilled beauticians ensure you get the facial that's best suited for your skin type and concerns.

What makes Shiv Hair Salon stand out is their use of high-quality products and modern techniques. Their facials not only provide an instant glow but also work on long-term skin health, making it a top choice among salons in Ratlam. If you’re dealing with acne, pigmentation, or just want a refreshing glow, they’ve got you covered.

Want to schedule your next visit? You can easily book an appointment online through Buyume Salon Finder.

3. Siddhis Family Salon – Professional Care in a Cozy Environment

Siddhis Family Salon is another gem in Ratlam when it comes to facials and skincare treatments. This salon is known for its cozy, family-friendly atmosphere, making it a great spot for anyone who enjoys a laid-back yet professional experience. The beauty experts at Siddhis Family Salon are highly trained and believe in delivering results-driven facials.

From anti-aging facials that reduce fine lines and wrinkles to detoxifying facials that give your skin a fresh start, they have a wide variety of treatments to choose from. Siddhis Family Salon takes a holistic approach to skincare, combining the best of nature and science to ensure their clients leave feeling refreshed and beautiful.

If you’ve never tried a facial here, it’s definitely worth the visit. The personalized attention you receive makes all the difference, and your skin will thank you!

You can book an appointment through Buyume Salon Finder for a smooth and easy process.

4. Shree Ganesh Hair & Beauty Salon – Where Beauty Meets Expertise

Shree Ganesh Hair & Beauty Salon is one of the most well-established beauty destinations in Ratlam. They are widely known for their extensive menu of services, which includes a variety of facial treatments designed to suit all skin types. Whether you’re looking for a quick express facial or a more intensive, luxurious treatment, Shree Ganesh Hair & Beauty Salon has a range of options to cater to your needs.

Their staff is not only skilled but also friendly and attentive, ensuring that your experience is both relaxing and effective. They use high-quality, trusted skincare products to help you achieve that radiant, youthful look. If you’re someone who loves to keep up with the latest beauty trends, this is the salon to visit.

Shree Ganesh Hair & Beauty Salon has built a strong reputation for providing great results, and many locals consider it their go-to spot for facials in Ratlam. If you want your skin to look its absolute best, give their services a try.

Booking is simple with Buyume Salon Finder, so you can lock in your appointment in just a few clicks.

Why Use Buyume Salon Finder?

In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key. With Buyume Salon Finder—an innovative platform that helps connect clients with the best salons in Ratlam—you can easily find the salon that suits your needs and book your appointment online. No more waiting on the phone or worrying about scheduling conflicts!

Here’s how Buyume Salon Finder can make your life easier:

Find Top Salons Easily: Whether you're looking for a salon that offers a great facial or other beauty services, Buyume Salon Finder has it all listed.

Check Reviews and Ratings: Before booking, you can check other clients’ reviews and ratings, ensuring you’re making the right choice.

Convenient Booking: The platform allows you to book your appointment anytime, anywhere. With just a few clicks, your spot is secured!

Explore Offers and Deals: Often, salons listed on Buyume Salon Finder provide special deals and offers that you won’t want to miss.

Whether it’s for a routine facial or a special event, Buyume Salon Finder makes sure that your beauty needs are taken care of without the hassle.

Conclusion

Finding the best facial in Ratlam doesn’t have to be a challenge. Whether you visit Shri Sai Hair Salon for a deep-cleansing facial, Shiv Hair Salon for personalized skincare, Siddhis Family Salon for a cozy yet professional experience, or Shree Ganesh Hair & Beauty Salon for expert care, each of these top salons in Ratlam offers exceptional facial treatments that will leave you feeling refreshed and radiant.

And remember, with Buyume Salon Finder, you can easily browse through these salons and book your next appointment online, ensuring you get the pampering you deserve without any stress.

So go ahead and treat your skin to the care it deserves. After all, glowing skin is always in!

[yourcomedyminute]

YOUR COMEDY MINUTE WITH TIM YOUNG AKA BLACK ASS TIM #StandUp #Comedian #Atlanta #Alaska #Augusta #Georgia #Slavery #Chicago #Travel #Airport #OldLady #UptownComedyCorner #Hub #Entertainment #ClassClown #Sales #Cocaine #Boss #DrugTesting #Pee #Hot #Probation #Officer #Marijuana #Weed #MookMane #Friends #Black #Alaskan #Last #Moved #White #Girls #Southern #Speak #Music #Sports #Books #Military #Identify #Human #Wakanda #BlackPanther #VFW #BET #PopDude #TLC #SWV #Jokes #Voice #Smoking #ParkingLots #BMG #Sweat #Ink #Darker #Mom #Juice #Soft #Akon #Seal #Embrace #Picked #On #GoForWhatYouKnow #ReddFoxx #RichardPryor #MomsMabley #YouTube #Instagram #Facebook #TikTok #DLHugley #Cussing #Pastor #Corporate #Mercedes #Masters #DariusRucker #Hootie #SlaveName #DMB #DaveMatthews #News #KennyChesney #Video #Band #Drunk #Roadies #Soundcheck #Stage #Promoters #LA #Flappers #ComedyStore #Feature #Followers #HiredGun #TI #Internet #Person #Host #Throwing #Chicken #Regional #Ohio #Midwest #SanFrancisico #Southwest #Airlines #Hurt #Feelings #Interview #Canceled #Opportunity #DaveChappele  #Catalog #OpenMic #Tour #Beat #Culture #Acting #Tubi #Movie #DjangoUnchained #WillSmith #Feet  #Fiend  #PinkEye #BrownEye #Boo #Apollo #Night #Die #Crowd #Weeks #Talent #Shows #Poetry #Slams #Mother #Dress #Up #Tie #Stage #NardHolston #Premiere #Booing #Seconds #Run #Off #Months #Go #Back #TimYoung #ChocolateUnicornEntertainment #Funny #True #Story #Humor #Live #Stream   

 If you would like to be a guest on Your Comedy Minute please contact me

[theresalikesbooks]

Book Review | Our Kept Hearts

Title: Our Kept Hearts by Tennille Marie Pages: 354 Genre: historical fiction, coming-of-age Publisher: Purple Iris Printing LLC (Nov. 2, 2023) Summary A heart-warming coming-of-age debut novel where sisters learn that even motherless daughters must grow up and become women one day. Arkansas, 1953. Nine-year-old Hazel McKay knows little girls need a mother. So, when her mother decides to…

[teabookscatsyoga]

The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck by Kylie Scott My rating: 5 of 5 stars ***Thank you to Laura at TLC Book Tours for the review copy. I am voluntarily leaving this review. These thoughts and feelings are my own. *** This is one of those books where it's best to embrace the absurdity and hold on for the wild ride. I absolutely loved it. Lilah, the FMC, saves a psychic/witch named Willow from being run over by a wayward vehicle that flies too quickly around a corner. As a "gift" for saving the woman's life, she bestows upon Lilah some knowledge about her future. She tells her about her cheating boyfriend, gives her the lottery numbers, lets her know that she will be passed up for a job position, and drops the bomb that her death will occur one week from that date. Oh and she is the soul mate of a famous man with royal blood named Alastair. After receiving all these truth bombs she decides to live her life to the fullest, and wild shenanigans ensue. Also things get pretty freaky when everything starts to become true. Just coincidences? You'll have to pick up a copy to find out! Lilah ends up spending time with Alastair, while both of them are in denial about their fates. She has an amazing "Pretty Woman" moment and the fairytale vibes throughout the story are so fun. The side characters are hilarious, from Alastair's kooky friends and family, to Lilah's headstrong mother and easy going dad. This was a super fast read for me. I was laughing and pausing to read my husband dialog between characters. I had a wonderful time. View all my reviews

[storyxonline]

Blog Tour Review – Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler – Sincerely Karen Jo

Hello Lovelies and Happy Wednesday! Welcome to my Blog Tour Stop for Christmas Ever After by Karen Schaler hosted by TLC Book Tours. This book was such a joy to read and absolutely warmed my heart. I love Christmas movies, but haven’t read too many Christmas themed books. After reading this delightful gem, well, I’m definitely going to add more on my TBR during the holiday season. From Karen…

[netbros]

100 Hikes of a Lifetime by National Geographic

This ultimate hiker’s guide, from the celebrated Appalachian Trail to Micronesia’s secluded Six Waterfalls Hike, treks through 100 energizing experiences for all levels.

Filled with beautiful National Geographic photography, wisdom from expert hikers like Andrew Skurka, need-to-know travel information, and practical wildlife-spotting tips, this inspirational guide offers the planet’s best…

[twinfauna]

The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang #thedragonrepublic #thepoppywars @tlcbooktours @kuangrf @harperyoyagerus #5stars #5cacti

Rin’s story continues in this acclaimed sequel to The Poppy War—an epic fantasy combining the history of twentieth-century China with a gripping world of gods and monsters. The war is over. The war has just begun.Three times throughout its history, Nikan has fought for its survival in the bloody Poppy Wars. Though the third battle has just ended, shaman and warrior Rin cannot forget the atrocity…

[cr3eks]

fucked up and missed tickets for turnstiles second leg of the TLC tour in Boston. so i bought one for pittsburgh and booked a flight. i cannot miss this again man

[minaslittleone]

The Sarahs as plant mums (AHS & Ratched)

Like many people I've become an avid plant mum over the course of the pandemic (much to the chagrin of those in my life who have to hear every time one of my babies sprouts a new leaf), which got me thinking - what kind of plant mum would each of the Sarahs be?

GIF: illuminated-blue

Billie-Dean Howard

Image: winterkindfotographie

Billie-Dean is much more partial to flowers than she is to caring for a whole plant. She is definitely the kind of person who always has fresh flowers in her home but also takes the time to trim and rearrange the bouquet as she places it in a vase, rather than merely unceremoniously compacting the existing arrangement into a vessel. She also definitely has a secret cut flower food recipe (passed down to her by the ghost of a Victorian housekeeper whom she met while filming a special of her show at a mansion in the UK) which keeps her cut flowers looking immaculate for a full week. If her schedule permits it, her favourite thing to do on a Sunday morning is to stroll the farmers markets and choose individual types of flowers and foliage to bring home and arrange herself from scratch. She finds the process of trimming each of the stems and finding the perfect position for each individual bloom incredibly cathartic.

Her favourite flowers are bright and cheerful. She is particularly drawn to things like tulips, gerberas and lillies, but finds softer more delicate blooms like carnations frustrating and overly dramatic, she definitely appreciates a bit of tenacity in her flowers. She also has no time for strongly scented blooms, and particularly despises the way roses seem to emit a sickly sweet odor after only a few days. Billie finds scents and perfumes in general to be quite cloying and overwhelming as smell is one of the ways she is often viscerally affected when she makes contact with ghosts. She unfortunately associates most strong smells with encounters and so sweet smelling blooms hold little appeal to her, she much prefers fresh neutral scents. The one exception is lavender which she does find soothing. After a particularly taxing week it is not uncommon for her usual bright cheerful blooms to be replaced by simple posies of lavender and rosemary as she recenters herself.

Lana Winters

Image: toms-cacti

Lana is undoubtedly a plant serial killer. Which is totally unsurprising since whenever she gets fixated on a new story she often forgets to feed herself, let alone feed and water her plants. That doesn't mean she doesn't appreciate them though. She loves the way little office plants bring life and vitality to her workspace, that is until they inevitably whither and die from lack of water, or from being burried under piles of paper but that doesn't stop her trying.

Eventually Lana discovers that she and succulents are well suited. It actually makes a lot of sense when she thinks about it - they're both a little prickly on the outside (but only to protect the softness underneath) and both are stubborn to a fault. Lana is particularly fond of the slightly larger cactus she keeps on her desk (which is incidentally the first plant she managed not to kill) and often finds herself talking to him to help work through the flow of her ideas or to overcome writer's block. Spike (as she creatively named him) really is a very good listener and a talented editor to boot.

Still there are times when Lana wishes she had a greener thumb and could expand her collection beyond succulents. As much as she loves Spike and his prickly friends, she really wishes they would grow just a bit quicker so she could experience that new leaf joy even just once. She completely dissuades herself of those feelings though when she returns from a week long book tour to find a weird bump on the top of Spike. Her first thought is that after all this time she's finally managed to kill him and that she really is as terrible a plant parent as she had feared. However, those fears completely dissolved the following morning when she returned to her office to find that Spike's bump had begun to open into the beginnings of a beautiful pink flower. For a minute she could only stare on disbelief, not quite comprehending what was going on however, that quickly gave way to a giddy childlike grin when she realised that she must be doing something right. That, and her little man really did look very cute with his flower top hat.

Cordelia Goode

Image: chickadeegreen

Cordelia doesn't just have a green thumb, she has ten green fingers. She absolutely adores plants and having living things around her, especially since the greenhouse has always been her place of peace and sanctuary. She finds it incredibly cathartic pottering around the greenhouse when she gets a few spare moments away from all her duties as supreme/headmistress/mother to a house full of girls. Most of the plants she keeps in the greenhouse are solely for practical/ medicinal purposes but she does keep a few plants in her room and office which she finds soothing. She is particularly fond of philodendrons and pothos with their easy going nature and relaxed growth pattern. She loves the way they seem to make themselves at home anywhere and every time she spots new leaves unfurling it makes her smile. She tries to make an effort to see the beauty in their imperfections and use them to remind herself that everything doesn't always have to be perfect.

Since her supremacy the plants in her personal spaces have thrived unlike anything anyone has ever seen, seemingly feeding off Cordelia's magical aura. Any time any of the plants in the greenhouse are waning she will take them to her office for a few days of rehabilitation after which they will always be positively bursting with life. It is not uncommon for her to find new additions appearing in her little infirmary if Mallory or Misty have noticed that a particular plant is in need of a little TLC.

The flip side to this is that any time Cordelia over taxes herself, while she may be an expert at schooling her features and hiding it from her girls, it will show in her plants. After too many late nights dealing with running the academy or too many days spent funneling all of her energy into everyone around her (and subsequently completely neglecting herself) the plants in her office (and room) will start to lose their vibrancy as well. The first victim is usually the heartleaf philodendron on Cordelia's office bookshelf (the first plant she allowed herself to bring into the space after ascending to the supremacy) which seems to be particularly attune to her moods, especially when it is feelings of self-doubt and inadequacy sapping her magic. Conversely it's the monstera deliciosa in the corner of her office that seems to be the first to wilt when its physical stress or exhaustion plaguing the supreme. Zoe now automatically takes stock of the plants in Cordelia's office every time she enters, knowing it's the only true indication she's likely to get that the supreme herself might be in need of some TLC.

Bette and Dot Tattler

Image: geopsych

Bette has always been drawn to flowers, she thinks they're terribly romantic. From bouquets of flowers from gentleman callers to sweet cottage gardens behind white picket fences, teeming with blooms of assorted colours, Bette thinks flowers are a beautiful symbol of normality. She desperately wants to have a garden or even a window box that she can tend to, however that particular desire is not entirely compatible with living in a trailer.

What she does have though is a small collection of African Violets sitting on their kitchen windowsill. They were a present from Jimmy after Bette's first performance singing in the freakshow. Though she might be completely tone deaf she is fiercely determined, so after months of practice she had finally managed to learn "dream a little dream of me" enough to hold the tune (with Dot gently humming it alongside her to keep her in pitch). A few days before Bette was due to perform Jimmy had quietly pressed a note into Dot's palm after dinner asking which type of flowers Bette preferred so that he could get her a bouquet for her first performance. Dot's heart warmed at that, seeing the man that she loved so tenderly care for her sister. Later that evening she had pressed a note back in reply that Bette loved anything pink, cheerful and romantic, however she also ached for flowers the she could keep beyond the length of time a bouquet would last. So maybe a flowering plant would be better. Jimmy of course bought both, handing Bette a beautiful posie of assorted pink coloured carnations along with a terracotta pot of African Violets. Bette had thrown her arm around Jimmy's neck and squeeled with excitement at the sight of her flowers while Dot had offered him the warmest, proudest smile as she mouthed "thank you" against the backdrop of her sister's excited ramblings.

Given how long Bette had pined for flowers and how excited she had been to receive them it is unsurprising that she is a devoted plant parent. She waters her flowers once a week like clockwork, adding water to a saucer underneath the pot and letting them drink the water up through their roots just like Paul had shown her. Apparently African Violets don't like to get their leaves wet. Bette would even go as far as to take her flowers out for some sun if she felt the conditions on their windowsill weren't right at their current campsite. Her little pot of flowers really did bring her so much joy.

Dot may not have shared her sister's passion for flowers (finding them mostly to be needless and frivolous) but in the end she was the one who responsible for the expansion of her sister's flower garden. When Paul had originally shown Bette how to care for her flowers he had also mentioned that they could be propagated which had fascinated Dot. The idea you could just take a leaf and it would grow roots and become a completely new plant was amazing to her. But convincing Bette to let her try it out for herself definitely proved to be battle. Bette certainly wasn't keen on allowing her sister to chop into her precious flowers while Dot couldn't see why her sister was being so protective, the little plant certainly had plenty of leaves to spare, especially if it could give a whole new plant. Unsurprisingly the disagreement escalated to a pair of very raised voices which is what ultimately drew Jimmy into the argument. After managing to calm down both sisters Jimmy revealed to Bette that the tiny pot plant had originally been her sister's idea because she knew how much she wanted to have flowers of her own. Dot confirmed that she does know how important the flowers are to Bette and that she would never want to hurt them, she was just excited at the possibility of being to make more of them for her sister and be able to give her the windowsill full of flowers that she had always dreamed of. Bette couldn't help but relent after that. A few months later and Dot has become quite the propagation expert, to the point where their windowsill is beggining to fill up with juvenile plants as well as fresh cuttings just beginning to take root. Bette smiles every time they catch her eye, not just at the beauty of the flowers that she spent so long pining for but also for how they symbolise her sister's love for her. While they may still bicker bitterly from time to time, Bette knows that no one will ever love her as much or as fiercely as her sister does. Dot still has no real interest in the flowers themselves. She does still find propagating rewarding, especially watching her little babies start to grow and flourish. But mostly she just enjoys watching the way they make her sister smile.

Sally McKenna

Image: jeremiahsplants

Sally is obsessed with carnivorous plants and you can't convince me otherwise. She definitely discovered them on Instagram and loves all the funny shapes and crazy colours that they come in. Sally would never be content with a plant that looks like a plant - no her plants need to look like vicious little aliens. The fact that they're natural born killers is also a nice little bonus. She loves how they subvert the natural order of things - insects should eat plants not the other way around.

When she first discovered plants online Sally got really upset that she'd never be able to go out and buy any of her own. It was Iris who mentioned that maybe she would be able to order some online - big mistake. Sally is nothing if not obsessive and her room now rivals Poison Ivy's lair with the number of plants she has crammed in there. The sheer number of babies in her collection doesn't mean that she neglects them though, no Sally is absolutely an A level obsessive plant mum - only the best for her babies. When she discovered that carnivorous plants prefer distilled water to tap water she started ordering it by the gallon, and as the best lit positions in her room started to fill up she definitely ordered grow lights so that none of her babies suffer. The grow lights also give off a slight purple glow which makes her room look like a rave which is absolutely a feature and not a bug.

Sally has also been known to go hunting for food for her babies, especially since her collection has grown and she worries there isn't enough to go around. Iris and Liz frequently find her collecting dead flies from window ledges to take back to her growing brood. She offers them to her babies with tweezers as a mother bird would to her chicks. The last time Iris had an exterminator spray the Cortez Sally accused her of trying to murder her babies with poison and absolutely ordered fruit flies online (intended for feeding pet reptiles rather than pet plants but meh) to keep her collection going until she could be absolutely sure that the offending toxins had dissipated.

It goes without saying that Sally has a separate plant Instagram account which she updates on nearly a daily basis with photos of new growth or just progress on her collection. She definitely has a great eye for plant photography and for making her babies come to life on the screen. One of her favourite things to do is film feeding videos with her largest Venus Flytrap "Fang" (who incidentally has his own Instagram account: @Fangstagram). Watching plants move so quickly will never get old to Sally and she has definitely been known to tease some of her smaller flytraps into snapping shut just for her enjoyment. She tries not tease them too much though, they are her babies after all.

Audrey Tindall

Image: savannahs-succulent-garden

Like Lana, Audrey is another serial plant killer, but for complete different reasons. Audrey, bless her, kills her plants with far too much kindness (and water). She so desperately wants a house full of the beautiful lush plants she sees all over Instagram so she tries her darnedest to be the best plant parent ever. Her problem is that every time she sees leaves starting to yellow or wilt she assumes it must be from lack of water (rather than the fact that their roots are already rotting from far too much).

Initially she fell into the trap of picking up plants she thought looked cute on Instagram or in the garden centre, without really knowing much about caring for them. Needless to say this didn't end well (multiple times). She thought she had cracked it when discovered the subset of house plants refered to as "hard to kill". Unfortunately, most of those plants are very resistant to neglect but not to Audrey's smothering type of plant parenting. Finally she discovered peace lillies which do actually like to have wet feet and appreciate all of her affection. She's slowly collecting other spathiphyllums in all shapes and sizes now that she's feels confident she's got the hang of them. She gets so excited every time one of them grows a new leaf or flowers - such a proud plant mum.

Now that she's growing a little more confident with at least a subset of house plants she will occasionally post photos to her Instagram. She's still pretty insecure about her plant parent abilities though and it doesn't help that she will occasionally get haters telling her she's doing it all completely wrong. She tries not to let them get to her but sometimes they really do get her down - all she wanted to do was share the joy that her plant babies bring her and she's doing her best to do right by them. After one particularly brutal bout of trolling it's actually Sally who defends her. Audrey has been following Sally's plantstagram since she first started getting interested in plants so the fact that Sally even acknowledged her kinda blows her mind. Sally tells people in no uncertain terms to back off Audrey or she will set her carnivorous babies on them. The two strike up a fast friendship after this and through Sally's guidance Audrey eventually begins to grow more confident as a plant mum. For her birthday Sally definitely sends Audrey her first baby Venus Flytrap with the absolute insistence that it be named "Audrey II".

Ally Mayfair-Richards

Image: swordsintheforest

Ally has never really seen the appeal of house plants nor does she have the time (or the headspace) to look after them. She does however have a fully stocked herb garden growing in window boxes in the kitchen to have everything within easy reach for cooking. She also loves the fresh clean smell of the basil and rosemary wafting through the house on the breeze if she leaves the windows open, particularly if it has rained. She may even admit that she's beginning to see the appeal of having the greenery around the place from an aesthetic standpoint as well.

Given how busy Ally is juggling being a senator, running a restaurant and being a single mum (plus whatever wink wink nudge nudge cult stuff she's up to on the side) it's not really surprising that it's Ozzie who's taken to caring for the herb garden most of the time. He's always been such an inquisitive kid and Ally loves watching the way his face lights up over simple things like flowers and new growth. Ozzie is particularly obsessed with propagation and there is always at least a handfull of his experiments on the windowsill. Whether it's an avocado seed he's trying to get to sprout or basil cuttings he's trying to root, he always has some new scheme in the works. Ally usually just smiles and ruffles his hair (so proud and glad that she has such an amazing and we'll rounded kid after everything that he's been through). As long as he leaves her enough basil to make pesto with, she's happy for him to play to his heart's content.

Wilhemina Venable

Image: leafyleafs

Plants have never been of any interest to Wilhemina, she considers them to be unnecessary sources of dirt and clutter. They serve no practical purpose so she has no time for them. At least until she becomes the somewhat unwilling recipient of one. As far as office secret Santa presents go, she supposes, the lilac coloured orchid is actually quite inoffensive. However she can't shake the feeling that it must have been bought for her as some kind of challenge, that someone at Kineros is secretly watching to see how quickly she will kill it because someone like the imperious Ms Venable is obviously incapable of the kindness or tenderness necessary to keep something as beautiful and delicate as an orchid. What she doesn't know is that it was actually from Mutt, because while he is usually too coked out of his mind to show it, he is actually quite fond of her. And he knows her well enough to know that she would never accept a gift from him directly so each Christmas he rigs the office Secret Santa to get her name so he can her something (and also partly because he doesn't trust some of the interns not to get her something crude on a dare given the anonymous nature of the gift). He also knows her well enough to realise that she would appreciate the elegant beauty (and obviously the colour) of the orchid but would never cede to the frivolity of buying something like it for herself.

Despite the good intentions of the gift, Wilhemina can not fathom the idea that it was genuinely meant for her enjoyment. Obviously someone is toying with her but she will not be beaten. Wilhemina Venable may not know the first thing about orchids but she will be damned if whoever gave her the wretched thing manages to get a laugh out of it at her expense. So she learns. Mina is nothing if not fiercely independent and resourceful so she scours the internet for information on orchid care and reads everything she can find. And of course she succeeds (because anything else would be unacceptable to her).

After six months her little orchid is still alive and thriving in her office and privately she would have to admit that she has grown quite attached to it. Compared to other plants she finds it to be quite neat and tidy, and there is something elegant and refined about its arching growth habit which she finds quite beautiful. Over the course of her research she has of course come across the tremendous variety of orchids available. She of course is drawn to all of the different tones of purple blooms but also finds herself unexpectedly drawn to some of the darker, more gothic varieties. She tries to tell herself that it is merely an aesthetic appreciation, that they hold no actual allure to her, but she keeps finding herself drawn back to them. She almost buys herself one on *so many* occasions but the idea of doing something so frivolous just for her own pleasure and enjoyment is so terrifying to her that she always chickens out. Eventually she caves though, buying an indigo coloured orchid on sale at the grocery store, abruptly rushing home with it before she can change her mind again. She spends the entire rest of the day second guessing the decision but the next morning when she opens her eyes to the delicate purple blooms tenderly placed on her night stand she can't help the gentle smile it brings to her face or the warmth that settles in her chest.

After that her collection slowly grows. She still struggles with buying things for herself simply for pleasure but she is getting better, and the sick guilty feeling in the pit of her stomach seems to appear less and less each time she does it. So her collection of orchids grows, mostly including those with particularly dark blooms or interesting and unusual shapes (though there are definitely a couple of lilac and lavender coloured blooms in there as well). She also begins to expand to other dark leaved plants as well, like certain begonias and definitely a ZZ raven. Like with the orchids, all of her new acquisitions are thoroughly researched and she is determined to succeed in their care.

Mutt will sometimes catch her glance fondly at her little desk orchid as he passes her office. He is genuinely glad to have given her something that seems to bring her such contentment. If only he knew the true extent of the gift he had given her.

Mildred Ratched

Image: bidoctor

Mildred has no idea about plants of any kind. Or at least she didn't before Gwen. Her childhood certainly wasn't filled with simple pleasures like planting flowers or playing in a vegetable patch, and any indoor plants or flower arrangements were merely things she was forbidden to touch and harshly punished if she damaged. So inevitably these things inspired a far greater degree of anxiety and tension in Mildred than they did joy or contentment.

But Gwen loves gardening. She had memories as a young child of helping her father in their backyard, returning of an evening covered in mud, much to her mother's dismay. Gwen's strong nurturing nature made her a very capable gardener and she derived a great sense of contentment from it. On some level Mildred wished she could help Gwen as she pottered through their garden of a weekend but she wouldn't have a clue where to start. In fact, the nasty voice in Mildred's head whispered, she would be so much better off without you, you'll just ruin everything, you're far too useless to be of any help. So as Gwen worked Mildred would watch, pretending to pay attention to her novel but really trying to find the pattern and reason to Gwen's actions so that maybe, someday, she wouldn't be quite so useless.

Mildred did, however, enjoy accompanying Gwen to the nursery when she went to collect supplies for their garden. Mildred may not have the faintest idea what any of the plants were called or how to care for them but she did find it peaceful to walk through the rows upon rows of different shades of green. She was continually fascinated by how many different shapes, sizes and colours they seemed to come in. Sometimes Gwen would catch her staring curiously at a particular plant but Mildred would always decline when Gwen offered that they could take it home with them.

One particular Saturday in spring Gwen found Mildred tenderly righting a small yellow marigold which had been knocked over by other nursery-goers as they riffled through the display to choose the brightest and most beautiful blooms. The poor little plant was somewhat lopsided and some of its leaves were slightly crushed from where it had lain, still there were the beginnings of golden yellow petals starting to peak from within the confines of its buds. Gwen watched as Mildred delicately unkinked the worst of the damaged leaves, fingers ghosting over the flowers that had yet to bloom. This time when Gwen suggested that they take the battered little plant home with them Mildred suddenly became very interested in a thread dangling from the cuff of her blouse as she muttered "Wouldn't it be easier to just choose one that isn't crushed? One without so much damage?". Gwen gently reached out, linking her pinkie with Mildred's, cursing that anything more would have been unacceptable in public. She gently squeezed Mildred's slender finger in her own until her gaze lifted to meet Gwendolyn's. "Never" she breathed. "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all". She felt her throat tighten and eyes begin to burn as she watched Mildred's eyes begin to glisten and that *damn* dimple on her chin begin to quiver. "I wouldn't have the faintest idea of how to look after it", Mildred's gaze dropping again to the poor bruised little plant. Gwen squeezed their intertwined fingers once more, coaxing Mildred's eyes to meet her own. "I can show you, if you'd like?" Mildred's teeth began to worry her bottom lip as she considered. "What if I can't? What if I kill it?" "Sweetheart, you won't and I'll be there with you every step of the way. We can do it together." Mildred seemed to consider this offer, turning back to gaze tenderly at their little friend, before meeting Gwen's eyes. "Ok" she murmured, "together".

After that, every time Mildred and Gwen returned to the nursery Mildred would inevitably leave with a battered looking plant that she was determined to rehabilitate. Gwen, true to her word, patiently guided Mildred through the basics of plant care and Mildred, unsurprisingly, quickly became very proficient. Her tiny, dextrous fingers, used to dealing with needles and surgical instruments, were incredibly adept at staking and repositioning bent and battered plants as she helped them to heal. Soon enough, one end of their porch became entirely dedicated to Mildred's patients, so much so that Gwen began affectionately referring to it as Mildred's ward. And in spite of her initial fears Mildred had become quite the proficient gardener, with her little rag-tag bunch of plants, all twisted and pointing in slightly odd directions, forming the most beautiful and beloved garden Gwendolyn had ever seen.