#trademarkblue

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Tooth Rotting Fluff (4) Masterlist

part one, part two, part three

a little bitter, mostly sweet (ao3) - antiadvil

Summary: Dan is a barista working the closing shift; Phil is the only customer who still drinks caffeine that late in the day.

for your eyes only (ao3) - blossomsphan

Summary: and they were roommates

(the fluffy tatinof bed sharing fic no one asked for in 2024… or did they?)

His World (ao3) - Sinninghowlter

Summary: Dan opens the door and before him stands his world.

He's finally home.

Home Is Wherever I’m With You (ao3) - howell_slide

Summary: “You being here is the best birthday present I could ever ask for,” Phil murmurs.

Or, Dan flies home from his tour to come celebrate Phil’s birthday.

Honeybee (ao3) - Scuddleduck

Summary: Dan sings a sweet silly song to Phil in the kitchen.

I missed you so much I dyed the towels green (ao3) - chuuyaswife

Summary: A few of Dan’s shows get cancelled while he’s on the WAD tour so he decides to surprise his boyfriend back home for a few days. Fluffy reunion ensues.

just stay here in this moment (ao3) - trademarkblue

Summary: After a few minutes of silence, Phil drawing patterns on Dan's arms with his finger, Dan pushed away from him. Phil looked up at him expectantly, his hair falling into his face. "We should film a house tour," Dan said.

lie with me (sew your heart to my sleeve) (ao3) - trademarkblue

Summary: You make me feel safe, Phil. I've never felt like that before. Safe like this. Not for a long time, at least.

A ficlet about comfort and new love.

Mistletoe (ao3) - undertalednp

Summary: Phil was a sap. And Dan basked in it.

Need (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan wants Phil's attention, but Phil is too busy editing. Dan decides that he is tired of waiting, and takes matters into his own hands.

New Addition to the Family (ao3) - mani_txt

Summary: Dan and Phil get a dog. Finally.

now i smile and face the girl who shares my name (ao3) - plinth_of_life

Summary: kath meets her newborn granddaughter.

one of those days (ao3) - nivi_chip

Summary: Phil has a dizzy spell and Dan takes care of him.

Or, Dan is the man with the plan (rip the stereo shows imy)

pigeons (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Dan is wondering if it’s too late to admit he really doesn't care for pigeons all that much.

Or, it's 2017, and the two just moved to the new flat which has a balcony and a new hyper fixation for Phil.

quiet morning (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: Dan wakes up in the forever home, Phil breathing softly next to him

silent and sure, keeping watch in the night (ao3) - gaydreaming

Summary: Phil has always loved being on tour. The adventure, the sounds of the tour bus, the way his quality time with Dan takes on a different shape. On the road between Oslo and Helsinki, he sees some beautiful stars through the bus window and wakes Dan up in the middle of the night to enjoy them with him.

sweetie (ao3) - omgitshelena

Summary: a ficlet about pet names

The Guy Next Door (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: Apartment nr. 7's new resident is a pretty, pretty guy about Phil’s age, height, and just his type... He also happens to be real charming and takes a liking to Phil - despite having (accidentally) just met, he's eager to join him in a Buffy marathon, as long as Phil doesn't eat all the popcorn beforehand. Maybe a date is in order?

the hoodie bow incident (ao3) - antiadvil

Summary: they were kissing.

The Phat (ao3) - gaydreaming

Summary: When Dan and Phil find an abandoned cat on a late-night walk to Dominos, Dan insists that they aren't going to keep him. After all, they know nothing about taking care of a pet. Dan will have the self control to put his foot down when faced with both Phil's big eyes and the cat's, right? ...Right?

three of us (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Phil is ready to make the next step. Dan isn't so sure.

-

Set after Dan comes home from WAD.

waking up to a dream (ao3) - queercatwithhat

Summary: "I missed you..." Phil mumbled against Dan's jacket, reveling in the familiarity of his smell. "I missed you more," Dan whispered warmly. Phil vehemently shook his head, "Not possible." Dan chuckled. Phil found that sound so sweet and endearing that he pulled him even closer.

You're the only story that I've never told. (ao3) - DumbGayVampires

Summary: Watching him, Dan felt the familiar grudging affection that came with a lifetime in each other’s company…

[dystopiandramaqueen]

S6 Wishlist

I want to see the backstory behind Nick's line "Everybody Breaks."

I want to understand why he said that. What he's seen.

I want Jezebel's (1x8) level focus on Nick's backstory, interwoven with his current experiences, in EVERY EPISODE.

The level of focus you gave when June was in Eye prison and Nick was on the outside trying to get her out.

What if she tried that hard to get to him?

(like @trademarkblue 's fic Savior)

[redandbrown]

hello sweet! when u get this u have to answer with 5 things u like about yourself, publicly. then, send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers (positivity is cool) 💖💞✨🌸💫💓💕

Ok I have to agree with trademarkblue. This is hard lol. But I’m going to try anyways.

1. I like how resilient I can be.

2. I like my resourcefulness. If there’s a will there’s a way.

3. I like that I can finally, FINALLY say no to people, places, or things that make me uncomfortable. This took me a while to learn, but I’m so proud of myself for doing it.

4. I like my ability to multitask at a master level because I’ve done it for so long it’s like second nature.

5. I like that I love to learn. I’ve always loved school and learning new skills. It genuinely brings me joy.

[anxiouspineapples]

Aww sorry you aren’t feeling so well today. Your art is FANTASTIC though and I’ve been quietly obsessed with you for years :) A Ron/Hermione kiss is my request if you haven’t filled your 3 spots. x

[azaleablueme]

V for the minific ❤️

V:  An abandoned or empty place. (more prompts here)

 Thank you, friend! I got some DH-era pinning for you!

…

The dilapidated house stood alone at the edge of Old St Mellons, on the eastern edge of Cardiff, Wales. It was a quaint little village comprising mainly of 19th-century buildings. When the trio arrived there at the end of February, the weather was still quite pleasant during the day if a little cold during the night, a welcome change from the chill, snow and frost they faced up north.

 After having lived inside a canvas tent for months, the prospect of having a solid roof over their heads had seemed quite enticing for Harry, Ron and Hermione. But all three of them knew that it could be their ‘home’ for a precious few days before they had to move again. 

The charms and protective spells had been put in place as a priority; it wouldn’t do for the villagers to find three ‘lost’ teenagers living in an abandoned house. Any and all trips to find food were planned for the night, and under the Cloak for added measure. Hermione thankfully had the better judgement to cast a Scorgify in one of the rooms for them to occupy. By the look of the building, Ron was sure there was quite possibly a tiny version of Aragog’s family living there. But once they had set up a temporary bedroom by placing their mattresses on the stone floor of what had presumably been a living room, and settled down, he couldn’t deny that it felt more homely than a tent that swayed and flapped its door and windows during the weakest of storms. 

“We still have to take guard duty,” Ron declared as he bolted shut the windows, partly with the loose hanging latches and partly with magic. A storm was beginning to brew in the horizon. “Do we have enough food to last the night?” he asked, dusting his sleeves as he returned to their makeshift beds.

“A tin of biscuits and some weak tea at the most,” provided Harry as he Accioed out their meagre food supplies from Hermione’s beaded bag.

“And two apples,” added Hermione. 

Ron looked up and for one brief moment, was suddenly struck by how beautiful she looked fresh out of a bath. And then her much-too-large jumper slid off her shoulder and he looked away guiltily. “You both should have one each in that case. I’ll go out foraging later in the night if the storm dies down.”

“We share whatever we have,” she declared firmly as she tucked the damp curls behind her ears, and picking up the small bag Harry had left on Ron’s mattress, dug in to pull out her hairbrush. “Most of the pipes have rusted off and there’s no water. I sorted what I could. I think we are good to go for the next two days as long as we remember to put everything back as it was when we leave.”

“You mean, damage everything again,” prompted Ron.

“Yes,” she chuckled. “But I won’t deny that a soak did wonder for my aching muscles,” she replied, as she walked closer and sat down next to him, brushing the tangles off her hair. The faint aroma of soap and shampoo hung in the air around them. It was blissful. Feeling strangely comfortable, Ron dropped himself on the mattress, face down, Hermione sitting mere inches away from him.    

“Hey mate, d’ya think we can sort this thing and light a fire perhaps? What do you say, Hermione?” 

Ron turned his head to his left. Harry was currently on his knees, peeping inside an enormous fireplace. 

Hermione placed her hairbrush down and turned as well. “I don’t know, Harry! We won’t be able to hide the smoke, will we?” She turned at him, eyes barely holding back the anxiety that Ron knew lingered just beneath the surface anyway. 

He propped himself up on his arms. “Yeah, we could do with Hermione’s Bluebell flames, couldn’t we?” he replied looking between his two best friends, “Better not have the old folks turning on us with their sticks and stones, eh?”

Harry shrugged and picked himself up, dusting his knees and arms. “Fine, I’ll draw myself a bath in that case, and take a nap after that. My turn to take watch, innit?”

“The pipes don’t have any water, so you’ll just have to use a spell,” Hermione told him as Harry began rummaging her bag for his clothes. 

“Okay,” he mumbled, and having retrieved a tee and pyjama bottoms, went away.

With Harry gone, Ron flopped back, and somehow by a strange coincidence, landed with his head on her lap. For minutes, maybe hours even, they remained still, the silence of the surrounding broken just by the faint howling of the storm outside. Hermione had not taken her eyes off him. He could see her upside-down face, and feel her deep breathing in tune with his. He had apologised days before and he knew, they had come back to some sort of an understanding. But the details were still fuzzy, he still didn’t know where they stood, didn’t really have the guts to ask if she’d ever take him back- hoped she knew that he’d wait for an eternity for it if need be. 

“I-” he began, struggling to phrase an apology, craving to blurt out a confession he knew he wasn’t allowed.   

“It’s okay,” she said quietly, and then, as if straight out of his dreams, threaded her fingers in his hair. He closed his eyes in bliss. “This feels a bit like home, doesn’t it?” he mumbled lazily after a while. 

Her fingers paused and he heard the softest of sobs; he was up in a flash, even before the heartbeat passed. 

“Hermione?” he asked, and then, very cautiously placed his palm on her cheek, tilting her face up a smidge to meet her eyes. “What’s the matter?”

 She seemed to struggle with the words for a while before she spoke. “What if, y'know, they attacked my parents’ place too?” she whimpered, “This is how my home would look, wouldn’t it?" 

He exhaled heavily, his inner turmoil struggling to break free. "They are safe,” he promised,   his thumb stroking her cheek, “You took care of them like no one else could, Hermione.”

“They’ll be okay, won’t they, Ron?” she asked again, as if begging him to assuage her fears, biting her quivering lower lip. He had visualised many situations where Hermione bit her lips; this didn’t come anywhere close. He ached to pull her into his arms, not that he was allowed. 

“They’ll be fine, and we will be too, all of us,” he replied, with enough conviction to convince her as well as himself.

She sucked in a deep breath and nodded once. Slowly and reluctantly he pulled his hand away, fisting his fingers tightly, and placing it on his lap to avoid touching her. “Should I get you some tea?” he asked.

“Maybe later,” she replied with the faintest of smiles, her left hand playing with the hem of her jumper, the right resting next to her on the makeshift bed. 

He quietly contemplated on his next course of action. What he truly desired was to stay close, wrap her in his arms. What he was allowed was pulling away before she initiated the distance. 

“Get some rest,” he suggested at last and pushed himself back. 

“Ron?" 

"Hmm?”

“Mind if I, y'know…" 

As he looked curiously she inched closer, and then, as if gathering all her strength, lowered her body on the mattress, her head resting on his thighs, the slightly damp curls sprawled over them. He sucked in a breath and met her eyes. There was a smile lingering on her lips. At that moment, she could have said those words, he knew instinctively, but she didn’t- she didn’t need to. Instead, she closed her eyes and snuggled deeper as she turned to her left. His fingers found their way into her hair, threading through the soft curls, and she sighed contently. So did he.

The house was broken down and abandoned for sure, but for Ron and Hermione that night, it felt like home. 

…

[phanfictioncatalogue]

2009 Phan (7) Masterlist

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six

a decent chap (ao3) - calvinahobbes, yikesola

Summary: “The fabled danisnotonfire.” Martyn can’t help a smirk when the poor boy’s eyes flicker quickly away from his at the mention of his Twitter handle. “Welcome. You boys want a nightcap?”

a matched set (ao3) - cityofphanchester

Summary: “Mum,” he says, and his voice sounds like a balloon about to burst from happiness. “Mum, would you do me a favor.”

(a mother's view of the christmas adventure)

afterglow (ao3) - catboyhowell (bloodyscarab)

Summary: now our hearts are racing

baby let me know what you're tasting

afterglow by flores

came in from the wilderness, a creature void of form (ao3) - templeofshame

Summary: Dan considers safety, the internet, and rules he wants to break.

Emotional Fiber (ao3) - indistinct_echo

Summary: Phil's been told he’s lucky for it, having so much love to give, but it really does fucking suck to give all that he has and is to the world and never feel it received nor returned.

every ounce of me (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: Dan and Phil being (mostly) soft on October 19th, 2009—with a bit of introspective Dan (and also him trying to avoid it)

fireworks (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Twelve years of New Year’s Eves - or, the first and the most recent.

greedy for that feeling (ao3) - JudeAraya

Summary: Learning to love Phil was like a trust fall: terrifying but necessary and ultimately, exhilarating. Together, they’re learning how to talk, how to give each other what they need, and how to ask for and share desires they’ve never shared or experienced before.

I Think I've Loved You Before (ao3) - milfbilvy

Summary: There is nothing Phil is more sure of than the fact that he and Dan were meant to find each other in every life.

I Don't Wanna Close My Eyes (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: Dan is tired of the Halloween party he's been forced to attend. He wanders off, straight into a pretty little cafe with an even prettier barista.

Investigations (ao3) - philsmeatylegss

Summary: Obliviousness runs in the family

just you (ao3) - Rawritsamehh

Summary: snippets from 2009 but reversed- Phil is a fanboy for his favorite YouTuber, Dan.

kissing gif (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Meeting Dan is the luckiest he’s ever been. Having him here, on his bed, is a dream come true whether it looks like a sexy Internet gif or not. (A pinof tag about expectations and reality.)

kiss me just to kiss me (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Phil knows it’s serious. He knows he’s serious about Dan in that way he gets about people because he is so painfully afraid of messing things up. Dan came all this way just to see him, but he didn’t come all this way just to see him, and the least Phil can do is show him a good time.

lie with me (sew your heart to my sleeve) (ao3) - trademarkblue

Summary: You make me feel safe, Phil. I've never felt like that before. Safe like this. Not for a long time, at least.

A ficlet about comfort and new love.

Look How Warm You Are (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: It snowed during the night after Dan's first day back in Rosendale, so Phil brings him out on a bit of an adventure to explore in the snow.

meeting the parents (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Dan is ready to meet Phil's parents.

Right?

oh, he's got me going (ao3) - loveslabourlost

Summary: Everything in Phil's body is thicker than in Dan's.

real and different (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Phil is different than Dan imagined. Different than his videos.

But he likes it.

secret dan folder (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: There are photos of him out there, of course, a hundred embarrassing ones on Facebook and in Nana’s family albums. But it’s always felt to him like people took them more because they had to or ought to than because they really wanted to. And here Phil is, feeling some incomprehensible mixture of shame and pride because he has a truly impressive collection of ugly stalker photos of Dan on his laptop.

Sixty Nine Nook (ao3) - intoapuddle

Summary: Dan and Phil get locked in the nook under the staircase of Phil's family home, so they make the most of it.

Somebody to Love (ao3) - counting2fifteen

Summary: Dan and Phil’s first meeting in 2009, loosely inspired by the song Somebody to Love by Queen

The Christmas Sweater (ao3) - Nefertiti1052 (Succubusphan)

Summary: Dan is on his way to Phil's to spend Christmas with the Lesters for the first time.

Thinking of You (ao3) - Spring_Haze

Summary: Dan and Phil have been flirtatious during their late-night conversations. One night, they find themselves wanting so badly that they give into both their bodies and eventually their secrets.

Up the Hill, Making Memories (ao3) - husbants

Summary: It's the night of October 19th, 2009. The bus has just dropped Dan and Phil off after their day in Manchester together. This doesn't mean the night is over, though: they've got one long hill to climb before they're getting to Phil's house.

(And maybe they are a little excited to get to Phil's house.)

warm (ao3) - SylvesterLester

Summary: Phil likes Dan.

And Phil really, really likes Dan's hat.

we freak on the cam (ao3) - freelydopefun

Summary: “I wanna touch on you

You see me in my room

Wish you were here right now

All of the things I'd do”

Two Boys. Late Night Webcalls. Cords getting tangled up in unusual places.

(we were in) screaming color (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Phil thinks he could be jealous. He turns the idea over in his mind, weighing it. He could be more jealous, angry for Dan’s lack of attention.

Weight on my Shoulders (ao3) - ByTheFire

Summary: When Phil starts getting some unexpected gifts from his dad he starts to worry if he knows something he is not ready to share. Thankfully Dan is there to make it all a bit less scary. All Phil can hope is his dad doesn't want to change who he truly is.

What if (he's the one?) (ao3) - Archive (Curlylinguist)

Summary: It's 19th October 2009, and Dan has a whole lot of thoughts as he travels up to meet Phil for the first time.

yellow (ao3) - awrfdnp

Summary: “You’re my yellow, Phil.”

yes, I know (ao3) - moonanonymous

Summary: It's October 19th, and Phil is anxiously awaiting a train.

You're Perfect To Me (ao3) - ticklishraspberries

Summary: Dan is feeling insecure about his body, and Phil can’t have that.

[dystopiandramaqueen]

@trademarkblue

im a slut for casual groping. come up behind me while im washing dishes and put your hand under my shirt and grope my tits and pinch my nipples. rub my pussy over my pants until you can feel a wet patch. then walk away leaving me a flustered horny mess

[dystopiandramaqueen]

“A splash of yellow light across the pavement caught her attention, and she spotted the black motorcycle she’d seen in the customs warehouse parking lot earlier. The bike’s underglow cast a perfect illusion of hovering above the tarmac as Nick pulled up in front of the diner. He cut off the engine and removed his leather helmet, revealing longer curls on top of his head, formerly covered by his uniform cap. He spotted her instantly, tucking his helmet under his arm as his gaze met hers through the window to her left, only tearing away long enough to make the short walk past her to the front door.”

From Haunted by @trademarkblue 🖤

IMAGINE THEM FILMING THIS

[wildegreenlight]

Ron & Hermione for the HP asks. It had to be done!

Ron: My biggest fear is not being a good Mom...I know that sounds corny, but it’s true. More tangibly, tiny tree frogs creep me the eff out!

Hermione: A subject I know a lot about: Obviously I know a lot about American Literature...I am also a complete Word Nerd (Rhetoric and Language)

[honouraryweasley12]

2 and 3 for the Hufflepuff asks, please! :)

2. Smells that remind you of home?

See my answer here.

3. What movie can you watch over and over again?

Just one?? Ok, I'll go with The Fifth Element, due to its combination of action, humour, and romance. Not to mention amazing costumes, great visuals, and excellent music.

Thank you for the asks!

[trademarkblue2]

DOUBLE DENIM ALWAYS AT LONDON FASHION WEEK / SHOT BY @walnutsvalley @theimpression_ #kellouhar #kellyharrington #lfw #lfwstreetstyle #fashionweek #streetfashion #streetstyle #denimlook #fblogger #womenindenim #trademarkbluepeople #denimdays #denimusa #trademarkblue #denimday #indigogirl #denimaddicted #denimlover #marquesalmeida #trendforecaster #ootd #whatwewear #denimlife #denimhead #denimondenim #denimevolution #howdoyouwearyourma #denimstyle #denimsddicted @unumdesign #unumfam (at 180 the Strand) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2hc4r8FiQ9/?igshid=umjpbxiar1bu

[aloemilk]

3 & 4 for the Ravenclaw asks! :)

3. What was the last book you read? The last book I read was so meh that I don’t even remember what it’s called. I am currently reading “Hold Me Tight” by Sue Johnson, which is a self-help book for couples, bc I’m going to a training by Sue Johnson and apparently she references this book a lot. Gotta say I’m pretty excited about what I’m learning and I’m loving the book!

4. Where in the world would you most like to visit? This is a tough question. Right now? a 5 star resort for a week where I can do nothing but read, swim, eat, and drink; absolutely no responsibilities but my child. Within a year, year and a half? Back home. Sometime? Great Britain.

[hillnerd-art]

Obviously Ron Weasley for the character break down, so I’ll add my vote to what I assume is already a pile of requests for him ❤️

lol and another anonymous person said “ It’s an obvious one, but…Ron Weasley?”

So this is Ron after the cafe duel? probably shouldn’t be using lumos at night? I didn’t look up the chapter, so I might be making stuff up…

Anyways, he’s wearing them tight jeans Hermione packed for him. :P

I already had this drawing for my PATRONS done- as this was their ask of the week (you too can participate in said asks each week on patreon.) so here we go! HIGH RES VERSION ON PATREON. Posted a bit earlier than usual! Character: Ron WeasleyHow I feel about this character: I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS. I wrote an essay about how much I love Ron [here] that covers it pretty well. Main point, I love Ron to death, and will debate you if you have beef with him.All the people I ship with them: Romione is my OTP. Like, they are soulmates. I don’t actively ship him with anyone else. But fic-wise there’s some great rarry, and trio. I can’t take H/Hr even a little bit (like, it squicks me out unless there are VERY special circumstances in place), but in fics where that isn’t a thing, Ron/Luna fics can be cute.My non-romantic OTP for them: Him and Harry, best mates forever. Like, they are Turk and JD to me, they are Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They are the the tops. He’s his Weezy.My unpopular opinion about them: I love him so much, so that’s rare in and of itself. I guess an ‘unpopular opinion’ amongst those who love him is, I think he’s the nicest and most emotionally intelligent of the trio and they owe him and should treat him so much better than they do. He’s so sensitive to their needs, always the one to apologize first after fights (even though he’s not the one who actually makes the fights go bed like 95% of the time etc.) and is just treated like poo for it. Like, I’m not over how they treat him like crap and never take ownership of their parts in their fights. I definitely think HE’S the catch for Hermione, and not the other way around. I love Harry and Hermione- but to me, he’s the best of them, and they need to be nicer to him.One thing I wish had happened with this character in canon: I wish people were nicer to him and actually took responsibility for how crap they treated him. Like most of his family, the school, his friends all take him for granted and treat him like the butt of a giant unfunny joke a lot of the time. Also, some more 'aha! he saved the day!’ moments so people would give him more credit. Reading between the lines, you can see so much of what he’s done- but it isn’t as 'in your face’ heroic as others come across.

[trademark-blue]

CAPTION THIS! SHOT @bluezonemunich BY DUDE @calgeary JEANS BY @boyishjeans [ AD / GIFTED ] JACKET VINTAGE SCORE FROM @rugged_style #kellyharrington #kellouhar #trademarkblue #Boyishjeans #sustainablefashion #denimdenimdenim #denimfashion #fashiondenim #japanesestyle #denimlovers #jeanslovers #instadenim #japanesedesign #denimstyle #denimwear #denimlife #instadenim #Boro #jeanstories #styleblogger #styleblog #Vintagedenim #Liveinlevis #denimtrend (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtZMjLnnyyJ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=r5ztmz4ewjpi

[callieskye]

~ a rough R/Hr sketch for the amazing @trademarkblue inspired by her brilliant fic Today

[divagonzo]

18 & 23 for the nosy asks!

Evenin’ Blue. Grab a peach tea and sit for a spell.

So since I’m presuming these are to be positive…..

18. Met someone who changed you

Wow. Deep subject. I could go on for hours about my ride or die BFF. I could talk days about my Sib from another crib. Y’all have read (kinda) how my hubs is.

So lemme tell you about the one who changed my life the most.

I first learned of her when I was 11 and I was being mentored at the time while my parents were going through a particularly acrimonious divorce. (yeah, that bad.) So i mentioned where I would be going for secondary (which at the time was the best public school in the state). My teacher, whose husband was teaching at the university I’d eventually go to (but didn’t take his class since Sociology wasn’t my course of study), said if I continued on in sports, I’d run into a particular coach. (If I mention her name, it’ll be pretty obvious who she is.)

This one….wow. She has had her jersey retired at that university since 1980. She’s got a Masters in Education Curriculum. And damn if I didn’t learn oh so much in those 4 years I had her as a Coach. (I did 2 sports with her all 4 years.) She’s been inducted into the state Hall of Fame. Her name is extremely well-known in the state, especially among the athletic realms. Hell, I mentioned her as being one of her kids to a writer (educator, old coach, and historian) back in January and being one of her kids opened the doors to a whole ‘nuther realm of opportunity for me. (But that’s for another day.)

With her, you either loved her or you hated her. There was no in-between. Those who survived earned her respect and it would last a lifetime.

I had the pleasure ((and for those of you in the Research Triangle) I have an intense dislike for public speaking. (Funny since I coach now)) of giving a speech on her behalf at her 55th birthday party. Everyone said I did fine for 30 minutes prep on being able to speak in regards to someone who changed the course of my life. I was a nervous wreck. But I got through it.)

Having had her got me the gig as editor for a niche history book with the author of it - because that author taught my old Coach.

It’s been over 25 years since I suited up for her but if she asked, I’d do it again without reservation. (even though she’s pushing 61 she can outrun most people half her age)

(Sorry - that was wayyyyy so long) but y’all gotta know how much she changed my life - for the better.)

23. Name something you CANNOT wait for

In 4 weeks, my Mum and I are taking a road trip to see some family in Colorado. We’re taking her sister’s things (who passed away in 2012) out to her sons as heirlooms and prized possessions for them. While we’re out there, my Mom will get to meet her Great Niece, who she hasn’t met yet. (V is somewhat of a miracle baby but that’s a story for another time.)

While out there (and it takes a good day and a half to drive to there from here) she said I can go hiking at least once, if not twice. So I’ve been training so I can take advantage of such, and enjoy quite a few hours out in the cold, thin air.

The picture below is one of the stops I want to take on my hike. No, I won’t be going up to 14000ft. But if I can make it here I will have completed another item on my life-long bucket list. (The elevation of this particular point is almost 11000ft.)

And we’ll probably go back to this one too.

(Both of these are in Rocky Mountain National Park. The second one was one I took while the family was setting my Aunt free.)