occupy artfully
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South Dakota farmstead. My photo with Textures Clouds, Texture 217 and Texture 273 by Lenabem, Anna J.
www.flickr.com/photos/lenabem-anna/27658081168/in/album-7...
www.flickr.com/photos/lenabem-anna/8264750592/in/album-72...
www.flickr.com/photos/lenabem-anna/6352767193/in/album-72...
Tulum (Spanish pronunciation: [tuˈlum], Yucatec Maya: Tulu'um) is the site of a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city which served as a major port for Coba, in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo] The ruins are situated on 12-meter (39 ft) tall cliffs along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have resulted in very high fatalities, disrupting the society, and eventually causing the city to be abandoned.[citation needed] One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists.
Nests have been built, couples have coupled, and eggs have been laid. Now parents are brooding the next generation of Great Egrets and Cormorants. In the small Resoft rookery I counted 48 occupied Egret nests and many more with Cormorants. Consequently, less in-flight activity on this visit. That will change when eggs hatch and chicks need to be fed. Alvin, Texas.
San Francisco Square in the Historic Center of Quito.
From left to right, in the San Francisco building, you can see the doors of the Chapel of Cantuña, the Chapel of Villacísla, the main church, the convent and the museum.
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The Church and its chapels (La Iglesia de San Francisco), which were considered sacred places.
Together, Church and Convent encompass three hectares including 13 cloisters (six of them major), three churches, and a large courtyard. In total, about 40,000 square meters of construction. San Francisco follows the classical typology of medieval monasteries. The main Church is the guiding axis and from there the cloister galleries extend: the refectory, the chapterhouse, and winery. These define a quadrangular courtyard, with the four respective pandas, or galleries: that of the chapter room, the refectory, the converts, and the mandatum. In addition to the basic dependencies of a convent, there were areas devoted to health care, education, crafts, a garden, and even a jail (to maintain strict discipline). The kitchen and dispensery operated in the cloister of services.
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Walking from the Old Town’s narrow colonial streets into this open plaza reveals one of the finest sights in all of Ecuador: a sweeping cobblestone plaza backed by the mountainous backdrop of Volcán Pichincha, and the long, whitewashed walls and twin bell towers of Ecuador’s oldest church.
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The Public Square (Plaza de San Francisco) was a purely urban space, demarcated and connected to various public activities (teaching, market, water supply).
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Sad part of our History.
In pre-Hispanic Quito, the current lands of the Church and Convent of San Francisco were occupied by the royal palace of the Inca Huayna Cápac, before the advance of the armies commanded by the Spaniards from the south and the impossibility of defending the city the indigenous general Rumiñahui arranged the total destruction of it. In the city fire the palace was destroyed and buried under a huge amount of rubble and garbage. One of Rumiñahui's soldiers was the great-grandfather of the indigenous Cantuña, who as an eyewitness to the events had full knowledge of what was buried in the place. The construction of the church and convent of San Francisco began around 1537, just three years after the Spanish foundation of the city, with the completion of a provisional temple that was maintained until 1550, when construction of the current building began and which was completed around 1680. Although the building was officially inaugurated in 1705.
This is a city to visit ,,,Chester ,, occupied by the Romans and the defence wall is still intact around the entire city and you can walk the top of it once guarded by the romans , also a small amphitheatre , also a large mix of buildings from the Tudor to the present day .
He's like a little troll who lives below a bridge and doesn't want anyone to cross it. He lives inside the hole of this cable table. The hole is just beneath him. When he hears anyone trying to get a drink he pops up and usually scares the so called offender off. He forgets that it is a public facility.
The smell flowing from this..... this..... occupied structure almost gagged me! Even in gentrified Williamsburg you cannot get away from homelessness. I hope this creatively constructed, cardboard home is warm, nightime temperatures are exected to drop to 9°F.
Seen in the North 6th and Berry Sts. parking lot.
Definitely not a photo for the "Joyful Simplicities" group.
Officially called the Eixo Rodoviário de Brasília (DF-002), six lanes of traffic divide the city, but are liberated for pedestrians on Sundays.
Le château d'Ivry a été édifié vers 960 par Richard Ier duc de Normandie ce qui en fait un des tous premiers châteaux en pierre de Normandie. L'appareil de construction en "arrête-de-poisson" témoigne du caractère primitif de l'édifice. Le château occupe une position stratégique sur l'Eure, à la frontière entre Normandie et Royaume de France. Il fut l'objet d'âpres conflits durant la guerre de Cent-Ans avant d'être repris définitivement par Jean de Dunois.
fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_d%27Ivry-la-Bataille
The Château d'Ivry was built around 960 by Richard I, Duke of Normandy, making it one of the very first stone castles in Normandy. The "fishbone" construction is a testament to the primitive character of the building. The castle occupies a strategic position on the Eure river, on the border between Normandy and the Kingdom of France. It was the subject of bitter conflicts during the Hundred Years' War before being definitively retaken by Jean de Dunois.
Lomo LC-A+
Pellicule cinéma Kodak Vision 3, 500T
Développement en kit Rollei Colorchem C41
this guy was nuts-ing out to the music. i have my doubts as to the sincerity of many of the people camping out at the "protest" Occupy LA movement. many seemed to be the same people; bums, transients, homeless, mentally ill, that live on the streets. here they had free food and free sleeping bags.
The Nicomekl River springs from the ground in Langley, British Columbia and travels west through the city to Surrey's Crescent Beach, where it empties into Mud Bay, the northernmost section of the Boundary Bay of the Strait of Georgia. It has a total length of 34 km, with a drainage area of 149 km2.
The word Nicomekl is from the Halq'emeylem used by the Stó:lō people, meaning "the route to go" or "the pathway." The area from Mud Bay, British Columbia along the Nicomekl river, and portage area to the Salmon River and Derby, British Columbia was once occupied by Snokomish people, who were largely wiped out by a smallpox epidemic in the 18th century. Surviving members joined the surrounding Kwantlen, Katzie and Semiahmoo peoples.
On and on the pair traveled. Bingo and Frankencow were both just happy to be together again, and they covered the distance in contentment.
"Seems like we might just make a clean getaway," Bingo remarked casually after the third day without incident.
"Shhh," Frankie said, giving the monkey a warning glance. "Let's not say that out loud. It's like tempting the fates."
"I suppose," Bingo replied with a sassy grin, "but isn't that what having an adventure is all about?"
"I've had enough adventure," Frankie said, with a heartfelt sigh. "My days of longing for a bit of excitement might be over."
They lapsed into a companionable silence, as their transporter, an elephant who'd offered to help them on their way, walked steadily on.
"I sort of need a bathroom break," Frankie said apologetically.
"Girls," Bingo said, rolling his eyes. "They're always needing bathroom breaks."
"Wait a minute," Frankie said, excited. "I see something up ahead. It might be a rest stop."
As they neared the little shack, Bingo busted out laughing. "Not much of a rest stop if you ask me," he said. "But hey, it looks like you've got the place all to yourself for up to an hour."
"I don't think so," Frankie answered slowly. "I think this place might be occupied."
"Who would be out here in the middle of nowhere?" Bingo asked, incredulous.
They were both mystified.
Excerpt from the plaque:
Primalphabet-Geographics, 1976 by Guy Ducornet: This diptych was commissioned for the Schmon tower in 1976. At that time it was called the Library Tower although it was only partially occupied by the University’s Library.
Artist and part-time instructor Guy Ducornet was excited by the idea of creating a work for a structure which, in his fertile imagination, could have appeared in Jorge Luis Gorges’ story, The Library of Babel. He envisioned two pages from an imaginary encyclopedia: Primalphabet is an alphabet of our own science and Geographics describes the evolution of time and space.
At that time there was no fine art program at Brock. He taught numerous drawing, painting and art history courses between 1975 and 1993. At first he taught in whatever rooms were available, using homemade easels and treating the whole campus as a studio. Ducornet was convinced that Brock could offer a comprehensive art program, with training provided by professional teachers and artists. A program was established in 1977. Today the Visual Arts Department flourishes within the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts and rest on the foundation set by the imagination of vision of people such as Guy Ducornet.
Guy Ducornet lives and works in France. He has a scholarly grounding in Esistentialism and Surrealism, and is an internationally recognized artist, writer, translator, poet, jazz musician as well as ceramicist in the tradition of Japanese masters.
Ferrocarril de Mollerussa a Balaguer 1901-1950.
"El pequeño tren industrial de la azucarera del Segre".
Para recordar al viejo ferrocarril, en 1994 se instaló este pedestal en los terrenos que ocupaba la antigua estación de vía estrecha de Mollesussa. Como no se pudo traer alguna de las locomotoras originales de la línea aun conservadas, curiosamente se trajo una locomotora del tipo "Berga" que perteneció a los antiguos Ferrocarriles Catalanes concretamente la nº 41.
Las locomotoras tipo "Berga" fueron construidas a finales del S.XIX por la Lokomotivfabrik Krauss Co; para la línea Manresa-Olvan-Guardiola de Berguedà y estuvieron en servicio hasta los años 60 del S.XX.
En.
🚩Railway from Mollerussa to Balaguer 1901-1950.
"The small industrial train of the Segre sugar factory".
To remember the old railway, in 1994 this pedestal was installed on the land occupied by the old Mollesussa narrow gauge station. As it was not possible to bring any of the line's original locomotives still preserved, curiously, a "Berga" type locomotive was brought that belonged to the old Catalan Railways, specifically No. 41.
The "Berga" type locomotives were built at the end of the 19th century by the Lokomotivfabrik Krauss Co; for the "Manresa-Olvan-Guardiola de Berguedà" line and were in service until the 60s of the 20th century.
For around one hundred and fifty years Long Eaton, Derbyshire was a major lace manufacturing centre and Harrington Mill was the largest of the lace mills in the town. It is still standing and now used by other businesses and is seen here on the 12th February 2019.
In 1885 local building contractor Poxon and Rice won the tender for the building of the first phase of the Harrington Mills in Leopold Street, Long Eaton. It opened for business in January 1887 with the second phase of the building completed by Wheatley and Maule in 1888. The large mill was 550 feet long and four stores high, containing over one million bricks. The semi circular turrets along one side housed the staircases to the landings of the various lace manufacturers who occupied the building. At its peak Harrington Mill contained standings for 255 lace machines and was the largest of all the tenement mills in Long Eaton. The standings were rented out, allowing smaller enterprises to flourish and at one point Harrington Mill housed 26 separate lace manufacturing companies.
University Chapel & Galleries sits on the historic campus of Washington and Lee University. Construction began in 1867, during Robert E. Lee’s presidency of the institution, and the chapel was completed in 1868. Although Lee solicited the project and worked on its design, the building’s architecture is largely credited to Thomas Williamson, an engineering professor, with input from Lee’s son. Stylistically, the structure reflects a simplified Romanesque or Neo‑Norman/Victorian Gothic character, built from regionally sourced brick and stone.
The interior preserves Lee’s office in the basement much as he left it shortly before his death in 1870, offering a direct link to his role as educator and administrator. Beneath the chapel lies a crypt holding Lee and members of his family. A notable feature added in 1883 is a rear extension, which houses the recumbent statue of Lee by sculptor Edward Valentine.
A museum occupies the chapel’s lower level, exhibiting institutional history, family portraits, artifacts, and rotating galleries. The main auditorium continues to serve for university events, lectures, and occasional public functions. In 2021, the building was officially renamed to University Chapel & Galleries, reflecting evolving perspectives on its namesake and purpose. It remains a National Historic Landmark and draws visitors interested in architecture, education, and the legacy of its era.
As a counterpoint to photos of this year's Blackstone Valley Polar Express trains let's look back to another gray day three years ago that at least ran with 'proper' power in the form of GP38-2s 2006 and 2008 (blt. new for the railroad Feb. and Dec. 1980 respectively).
Copied below is the caption I wrote on the time when originally shared on FB long before I had my photography page or Flickr.
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As I've told you before in previous posts the Providence & Worcester is my hometown road. It is inextricably linked to the river it follows.
The Blackstone River courses 48 miles from its headwaters near Worcester (at the confluence of the Middle River and Mill Brook) to where it flows into the Seekonk River and the headwaters of Narragansett Bay. The river drains a watershed of 640 square miles and more importantly drops 450 feet in the 48 miles. It is that drop, that made this river a pivotal point in American History.
From ririvers.org: "A series of steep drops along the length of the Blackstone River provided ideal conditions for the development of water powered industry. Samuel Slater arrived in America in 1790, with managerial experience and technical knowledge of textile manufacturing in England. With the assistance of local merchants and artisans, he helped establish the first successful water-powered textile mill in America. Slater Mill was established on the Blackstone River, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. This achievement is credited with spawning the birth of America's industrial revolution. Development of the Slater textile mill catalyzed the development of water-driven technology throughout the length of the Blackstone River. By 1914 water-powered mills occupied all of the readily available dam sites in the Valley."
As the birthplace of industrial America, the need for transportation quickly arose in the valley, and between 1825 and 1828 the Blackstone Canal was constructed. The canal lasted only 20 years having been rendered obsolete by the opening of the Providence and Worcester Railroad in 1847. The railroad has proven to be a more durable method of transportation and 171 years after its opening I was out photographing the modern incarnation of the P&W on it's home rails.
Just as the railroad's history is tied forever with the Blackstone River, so is it's physical route. In its 43 rail miles between its namesake points it crosses the river 14 times (counting one crossing of the Middle River). In this series of photos I have a shot of four of those crossings that are found along the route of my chase between Woonsocket, RI and Uxbridge, MA.
The northbound train is again seen crossing the river in the woods at about MP 23.2 on the mainline near Skull Rock Landing. The thru truss span clearly shows evidence that the route was once double tracked during the era of New Haven control.
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Sunday November 18, 2018
I love the colours of these mussel shells - if they weren't occupied I would have liked to re-home them to my place.
Taken in Otago, South Island, NZ
>> Here are more of my beach finds on flickr :-)
P1040956-B.JPG
Market Hall Home of "The Confederate Museum"
The site of this building was originally occupied by the MASONIC Hall, which was completely destroyed by fire in 1838. Market Hall was built in 1841. It is a copy of the Temple of the Wingless Victory in Athens, Greece. Money flowed freely in Charleston at that time and materials for the new building were brought by water from as far away as New York, Connecticut and Italy. Its original purpose was to be the "head building" or front entrance to the six blocks of roofed market space that attached to Market Hall. This was a farmer's market where fruits, meats, vegetables, and fish were sold - no slaves.
Please forgive me for revisiting this saga so soon. For the thoughts of that witnessed moment in time which planted a seed for a story, still remains, still ticklingly entices my imagination..
And I think most of us know what a bugger an inkling like that can be...!
And the Chatwick in me had a yearning, actually no, a compelling, need to appease, so to tell the same story in a bit different take on the observed actions of the young lad I called the Hugger Mugger… had to be forthcoming post haste …
And So we Have.....
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The Importance of paper mache Princesses
Lucidity of Providence
I first noticed the lass whom I came to call the paper mache princess, as she slithered and swished about in the quite devastatingly pretty gown she was so winningly wearing along her youthful, but yet well appointed figure.
The gown was dyed the shade of fresh spring lavender, the satiny material, probably soft as a new borne downy chick, freshly shimmering and glistening as she stunningly exhibited it whilst wriggled in from the serving room.
My fancy was tickled by this, for my Sister had once worn a very similar dress , and I carried quite pleasant memories of the fun we had had shared that particular evening…..
But I only noticed this new lass’s apparel briefly though, for once I had her properly in my sights, her adorning jewels(rhinestone?) totally commanded my full and undivided attention.
For, see in my humbled opinion, it was silly for one so obviously saturnine, so quite gullibly young, to be wearing such shimmering sparklers! Though to truthfully admit, I had no real issues along those lines!
The sparkling jewels consisted of a thin silver plated necklace, matching dangling earrings and a thin bracelet worn around her satin gloved clad wrist.. , all were set with the fiery brilliance of (rhinestone?) diamonds.
Twas a pity someone darkly moody like that would be in possession of jewels so pretty.. She obviously had no inkling or care about em, in my observation of her, she probably could care less that she was wearing them, and probably had whined miserably about putting them on!
A hallowed mockery of all that is truly feminine.
An aloof paper mache princess who deserved to look more of a pauper in me own personal opinion...!
And that thought, I found to be quite enticingly entertaining on a personal level! Admittedly though, at that time, I was finding a great deal of my surroundings to being quite vexing.
But there was also a reason for my interests, for I will have to admit to possessing a bit of a rascally bird like, Magpie keen, interest in all things shiny!
And my curiosities had already been at peek height due to several other observations I had made upon my first arrival at the wedding reception: Including one subject in particular!
First off, the wedding was definitely upscale, and the wealthy Bride had chosen a rather unique venue for her reception.
Located in a rather daringly wrong side of the tracks area. The place was the site of an old brick, eel tinning factory that someone had cunningly restored and was princely offering as a uniquely posh reception venue for those rich enough to pay out the nose for something out of the ordinary. To me it looked like someone had extravagantly decorated up an old slummy red brick alleyway.
And as to why I was there..?
Well my friends, that’d be another whole tale in the tellin....
So, only tellin one tale at a time then......
Anyhows, there I was, dressed up in my best, and starting to do a bit of visually opportunistic prowling about amongst the well heeled guests who were making merry in the venues’ rather dubious surroundings…. When I saw him...
Him, the laddie, a young male of about 13, scampering happily about at the reception hall .
Something about his mannerisms drew my mind to him, so I discreetly asked around.
I soon found out he was the son of a single mother, both the bride’s sister and maid of Honour. So he was pretty much being left to himself, which explained things a bit.
The lad was also obviously across the threshold of young puberty: as was witnessed by some of his antics, not only with the touchy teasing of the younger girls present, but also in the way he was treating certain poshly dressed adult females, especially in sneaking up and giving his darling grandmother hugs from behind.
She though, thought it was cute and just laughed, and squealed happily, “look another drive by hugging”, or “thanks for the warm hugging honey, just lovely”, encouraging to no end the youth to keep his voyeuristic advances up.
But the grandmother was a short lady, his size, and I knew what was going on, even if the silly twit didn’t have a bloody clue.
The Lads arms, as he hugged his grandmother’s warm figure before running off, were brushing just under her perk breasts, molded nicely by the tight fitted mother of the bride gown she was attired in.
I also knew that , along with copping a titillating feel, he was also enjoying the tingling sensation from the slick thicke material of the lengthy, swishing gown the rather youngish ,stylish grandmother was wearing…
I watched, the lad as he performed this trick several times, holding onto the warm sweaty figure of his still perky, grandmother, before I would finally admit to the fact, I was jealous!
Jealous, for she was wearing some rather pretty jewelry of diamonds, real ones too judging by the fiery pinpricks of flashes they was giving off. Grandad must have spent a bloody mint on them.. For an Anniversary or an apology? There laid the rub..
And I would have given anything for a closer gawk at the ladies finer points, if one gets my drift, eh ?
Nudge, nudge... as they say...
It was while watching the lad yet again going and performing his hugger mugger routine from a bar stool, that my I first laid my eyes on the young paper mache princess in the lavender gown and wearing her own set of diamonds( rhinestone?). I don’t know when she had entered the reception’s proverbial stage, but she was one of the last lot to be leaving the room where the food service was laid out.
She was all of 16 years old, probably bitter sweet, and most definitely, caustically, immature!
She was with a second girl, 14 years I would guess, possibly a younger sister, clad in a thin dress of red silk that poured out dancingly below a matching jacket of velvet. She was wearing a glistening set of, faux?, pearls, and a (rhinestone?) brooch on her jacket, the bauble shaped like a colourful humming bird set with coloured gemstones.
They both stopped at the doorway, watching the dance floor with a peaking interest .
The live band had started up, and a group was upon the floor, swishing and swirling about in a quite pretty display of both colour and glitter that was being caught up in the dim incandescent lighting of the olde re-imagined factory.
I allowed my interest to follow this action for a bit, before curiously allowing my eyes to again seek out the pair of lasses.. Sneaking in close by the bar for a better, keener look over as I did so.
When I found them I saw that they had been joined by the huggy strap of a lad. He was standing close to them, and I caught him gingerly sliding his hand up behind the paper mache princess , chubby fingers tentatively rubbing along the waistline of the slick lavender gown being worn so winningly by the vixen of a sixteen year old.
She giggled and turned to him, her eyes giving an “oh, its you” look to the lad. Oblivious to the look, he started talking the pair up, and I saw them both shake their heads no at whatever he must have been suggesting.
Both girls petite earrings’ swaying in the light as their heads moved side to side . The Paper Mache Princess’s inset diamonds of her earrings sparkling madly, while her smaller friends bobbling earrings of Faux pearl gleamed a glistening pure white.
The pair turned dismissively back to the dance floor, and he stared them down from behind their glimmery sleek dresses for a few seconds, before he walked away, head bent down like something of an admonished puppy!
I felt sorry for the young git, red faced, as he was walking away,.
Then I suddenly realized that his course was taking him right past me.
Not sure why at the time, but suddenly I wanted to capture this lad’s attention. For I was Bored and feeling peevishly mused to try and do something to quell those copious desires I had been mulling..!
So I played it by ear... Something which in my profession that I tend to do a lot of!
Now, since, sleight of hand and misdirection are a couple of me talents, I reached into my pocket , thoughtfully fingering one of my ever-present coins of the realm.
As the lad , sad head down, sauntered droopily by me, I caught his attention by dropping a penny.
He obligingly retrieved it for me, and as he handed it back, I turned down my wrist, then took my hand to his ear, appearing to change the penny into a twenty pee piece… Which I handed the coin to the amazed lad for keeps. Thereby also gaining his full and undivided attention.
“Want to see another?” I asked, and he shook his head yes eagerly. I pulled out an also ever-present deck of cards, and had him ruffle them up a bit. Talking it up to him as I did.
The simple card trick would allow me to banter and hopefully my words would thus stoke the id of his sexually driven impulses whilst the ego thoughts in the lad’s head where following the cards. With my intents to flaring up the lad’s super – located in the deep recesses of his mind were certain male thoughts are often guiltily , forcibly, kept alone to themselves.
The first trick was an easy one that had him picking his own card from a group laid out on the bar. It was as I went through the motions, and watching his focus on the cards, I mentioned how pretty I had thought some of the dresses worn by the girls here were.
That opened him up royally...
I soon had him chatting away, eating out of my hand as I told him a subtly suggestive story of my youth, centering around the true enough episode where I had danced with my sister who had been wearing a dress very similar to the one worn by the paper mache princess....
A tid bit of a description that I knew would send his little pubescent desiring mind whirling .
I then, also with casual finesse, asked him quite a few questions about himself, about the reception, and particularly centered around finding out a bit more about the paper mache princess.
He readily came out with the fact that the paper mache princess, the one I had truthfully said was dressed like me sister had been , was nothing more than his cousin. He also volunteered tid bits about her that led me to believe that she could be a bit fey, but liked to pretend and daydream.
He also chimed in that he liked to play games like hide an seek with her and her friend’s, when she allowed him to!
Not playing now I asked? Seeing a light opening up at the end of a certain tunnel of my thoughts.
No he said, she said that she did not want to get dirty, her friend either.. Too interested in acting like proper ladies, dancing and watching, he added sadly..
“Quite boring.. he also added quite drearily ..”
That was all I needed to hear! So, agreeing with the boring part, I drew him close in the confidence of a co-conspirator.
Tells you what kiddo, let me explain how we used to play tag games when I was your cousins age.
I bet she will change her mind to play this version with you today! ( Actually, I know she would have no choice but to play his game once we were done with her!)
Really, he said, his eyes wandering and latching onto the two swaying young vixens, looking them up and down as I spoke.
Certainty ‘Mon garçon’ I said, and began to explain, taking certain inventive liberties with the details to ensure capturing this young man’s burgeoning lusting fantasies !!
I explained that as lads we would play tag by having the crooks steal something, then the person who was robbed would chase us like a copper until we either got away, or placed in “prison”
Cops and robbers see.. ever hear of the game.?
He nodded his head assuredly that of course he knew the game..!
I could also see I had grasped a craving interest within him, so I then happily continued on
“Now, the girls in our group would sometimes dress up and wear ‘cheap’ play jewelry, like your cousin and her friend over there. “ I lied convincingly.
He turned to watch the pair of proper appearing princess wanna-bees, both with eye appealing resplendence in their gowns, jewels and fine frills..
“Then us boys would sneak up and try to distract them, so we could teasingly come away with some of their play jewels without them catching on to what we were on about.
Then we would point out their loss after a bit, and the girls would give chase to us trying get them jewels back !”
He smiles, liking the idea.
I could see he was chewing on my words while still Drooling over the two pretty young lasses and their shiny frocks and ample shimmering jewels.... rather convenient having the real thing in sight when telling my stories I devilishly thought.
I had captivated his interest, and could see that he was earnestly watching his cousin ( whose necklace I should mention, was quite invigoratingly rippling small sparkles of fire around her throat as she was swaying to the music.)
I began with renewed relish, allowing the seed I had planted to grow, by explaining in detail how to draw his pretty lass of a cousin into the “Game”!
Both his and mine!
Using as an example, a story on how I had played this same game I was proposing on, while dancing with me own lavender gown wearing sister for reference. Actually it was a true enough story, only the young lass I had played it out on had not been me sister, and the gown, which most definitely had been soft as a new borne downy chick, had been of a shiny ripe peach colour!
I explained in simple detail how to approach his cousin, and what words would work best in convincing her that a dance was in order.
Then once they were into the dance, I explained in easy detail, the next steps to be taken to ensure his cousin would be a player for the next phase of the game, namely the catchy, touchy, tag part of it.
I could see the laddie was doing quite well, grasping the rudimentary idea of it all. And as he shook his head vigorously yes when I asked if ready. I gently pushed his back, propelling his quite noticeably Horney figure loose towards his innocent victim.
Go get em tiger....
I watched with growing anticipation as the lad moved in, eagerly approached his victim, then again sliding a hand on along her waist, successfully prying and fully capturing his cousins attention away from the dance floor. He started talking affably and I could see her dart a look back to the dancers,then to her 14 year old friend, then finally back to her cousin. Her jewels nicely sparkling in the low lights as she carried out this performance.
Then, bless the faux pearl laden pixie, for as I watched, the paper mache princess’s young friend most advantageously helped out our cause. Chirpily chiming in her two cents worth. saying something excitedly as she tugged at the cousins dress whilst pointing to the lad and the dance floor!
And ‘Bob’s your uncle!’ a few minutes later the pair of them were on that polished wooden dance floor, looking exceptionally cute as a couple, as they danced to a romantic slow tune whose name has since slipped my mind. The young darlings mimicked the adults around them by embracing closely against one another.
I waited and watched with baited breath, so many things could go wrong, and there was no good reason they shouldn’t. I began to think my ideas had been quite folly. Draining my drink, I made my plans for a quick get away to avoid any attention and have to answer rather awkward questions if things went awry.
But they didn’t!
As he had been directed, he bided his time, no hurry.
I watched with baited breath as finally his hand cunningly started the process of snaking up along the back of her sensuous dress, a bit quick perhaps, but maybe his partner was feeling his hormones actively running wild and was responding in kind.
For she had no issues dancing close, and no notice of the shenanigans of the creeping male fingers nimbly reaching up her back. I could see that her own gloved hands were firmly grasping her dance partners waist. The diamonds on her thin bracelet merrily winking back at me!
She seemed so happy, her eyes closed shut as she was into what ever fantasies young sixteen year old paper mache princesses, wearing pretty gowns and flashy jewels, have going on!
But I was also fairly certain that those fantasies of hers did not dwell any where’s near the reality of what was being played out on her in real life at that moment!
I looked around, Nor were any of the adults paying the pair any heed..
Even the Sixteen year old’s young Faux pearl wearing pixie of a friend was watching something away from the dance floor, her own fingers idly playing with the shimmery rhinestone brooch on her velvet jacket as she, with no shyness, was ogling a bloke in a tux snogging with one of the bridesmaids in a secluded corner!
I perked up, setting my empty glass down, casually picking out a handful of pub nuts from a jar at my elbow, I thought, this trick may actually bloody work!!
His fingers finally reached the victim’s primed objective, the one I had suggested, namely the thin gem studded necklace. The pretty jewels that laid flickering around the high, glossy neckline of his victims gown. That fiery necklace had been dangling and moving about with an easy sliding fluidity along down the smooth satin of its’ wearers gown, making it a fairly easy pluck for any amateur’s game!
The gem stones were set in a finely woven silvery chain, there should be no telltale snagging, no matter how jerky the chubby fingers were in making the attempt the lift them!
Obviously I had been thinking this through as I had been carefully watching my pretty paper mache princess. And just as obviously I was now vicariously living those day dreams through the lads antics!
So it was with an unabashed delight, that I watched as his fingers glided along the pretty baubles chain till the necklaces hook in eye clasp was located, and pulled up ever so lightly!
He did fumble a bit with the clasp,( his first time after all) but I saw him carefully peeking over her shoulder for a better look, and using one hand he managed to delicately unhook the two ends on his second attempt.
The fraternal twin ends lay loose there, glimmering for a few seconds, as they hung freely unclasped down her back. His fingers slipped back over her shoulder and slyly lifted a sparkly end up.
He then methodically began to slide the long necklace up along the front of his dance partners rich, lubricious, satin gown! It was easily slipped away, slither inly over her shoulders’ satin sleeve and free fell down behind her back where it dangled for a few precious seconds in his chubby fingers, before the lad secreted the shimmering thing of beauty into his pocket ..
I released my breath not realizing I had been holding it.. He had gotten away with it, pretty as one pleases. His fantasizing, gorgeously dressed cousin, hadn’t a bloody clue as to what had just transpired as she and her glittery necklace were naughtily being parted!
And just as important, no one else had noticed my little hugger mugger in action either!
His victim still had her eyes blissfully closed, and was leaning her head back in what can be best described as dreamy happiness.
Her earrings and bracelet sparkled on, as noticeable in their positions, as the place her necklace had been, now was not!
Her male partners eyes were wide, and darting around. I was worried that he may end up alarming the girl, so I rose, and managed to catch his gaze, and smiled giving a thumbs up. This made him grin, and settling down a bit, grasped his partner close and twirled on.
I smiled, feeling rather excited meself, for watching the lad in action had been like reliving the somewhat similar, long past, incident that I had used as an example, lying to him that I had played the game on me sister!
^^^^^^
Well , they finally finished the dance, it seemed like an eternity, but it was thrilling to try and catch glimpses of the cousins’ now bare neckline!
Finally they broke apart and he walked off with her to the opposite edge of the dance area from where they had started. I held my breath again, but he seemed to inherently realize that as part of the game, he didn’t want her suspicions raised by being quick to leave. God bless his natural budding adult male like deviousness!
When he finally left her and came over , he was grinning ear to ear like some Cheshire Cat.
“Well done lad, you played that brilliantly! Fun Like I said it would be” I praised and questioned?
He nodded , quite pleased with himself, and that pleasure was evident in more places than just his face!!
He most definitely was getting a “titillating feel” for the playing the game. A feeling I could very well understand from me own personal experiences!
I turned him around to face his cousin, his back now to me.
The young paper mache princess was back to aloofly standing, watching, on the outer rim of the dance floor. As we watched, we saw her young friend returning, regaining a position up alongside her
I gripped my hand upon the lads shoulder, speaking into his ear as he conveniently faced away from me..
I explained that he needed to go up and do next ..
Sneak up and hug his cousin from behind( I could tell he liked that!) , then as you tickle her a bit, say something like “now catch the tickle thief” , and then, see that door just off the loo?
He turned his head over to where I was pointing.
I knew that the door was an exit, leading upstairs, then outside to a small park.
“Break away before she can catch you,, and RUN! through that door, then out into the park .”
I turned him back around to face me , I wanted to really drive home the last bit…
I was smiling mischievously in his eyes, which brightened up as he warmed up to the ideas I was planting.
“Then in the woods you can hide and touch tag as she tries to get her necklace back!”, and I tapped his pocket with my free hand, jingling the contents.
“But remember laddie, the trick is not to show her what you took. Make her chase you, and if she finally catches you, make her search you for it, or have her cry Uncle before handing it over!”
“And as she is so occupied, try for an earring or bracelet to keep the game on. Or if her friends is close enough then snatch…..”
But I stopped, I could see all too well in his wide eyed glazed over look, that he had caught onto the gigs gist, and there was no need to say more with out risking my hugger mugger to become too prematurely excited before playing it out.
I looked up over his head to make sure the stage was still set…
I suddenly stiffened....
Ere now, look lad, I think your game is beginning, she is noticing the loss.
We both looked, the young friend of the sixteen-year-old was pointing to the paper mache princess’s bare throat. No need to hear the question.
Then as We both gawked ,the cousins gloved hand shot immediately up to her throat ,fruitlessly feeling around as her face contorted up in a horrifying gasp.
“Now lad I said turning him back around so he was facing the dance floor., quickly toddle up behind and give your cousin that hug to start it off! That’s a good lad!”
“I guarantee you she is going to play into your game now.” I said, sending the words off after him as he scurried stiffly off.
He was definitely carrying off with him a quite “hard” vested interest in the game at hand.
He approached the pair, both of whom were now looking about their feet for the missing necklace.
I saw him readily grasp, then pull up his Cousin into a slippery hug..
She jumped a bit ,alarmed!
But no blaming the sullen looking lass. Worries about her missing necklace combined with someone unexpectantly grasping her from behind, then feeling something hard being pressed up against her, would cause a bit of inherent distress for any poshly attired damsel!
Startled as she was, she stood stiffly in her fast waning shock, as her male cousin whispered into a bejeweled ear, then letting her go, the lad dashed off towards the exit as planned.
The two girls looked at each other questioningly, the pixy was holding her faux pearled necklace, the cousin a hand to her bare throat. They then stared at the fleeing cousin, before, in a shimmering, swishing, fluttering, flurry, taking off after the escaping lad.
I turned away and watched as he disappeared through the exit door by the loo.
The female cousin and her similarity dressed young friend, were following almost upon the lad’s heels, gowns whirling , and they too slipped through the closing door. I, probably for the last time, admired her taunting bracelet, as it flashed and sparkled, while she gripped to hold open the closing exit door..
All three had now disappeared from the venue without anyone a noticing.
I believe free booze, and the length of drinking time that the adult guests had been imbibing played a rather big part in that the trio of escapees were not paid any heed!
Babes in the woods, going beyond the security of the pale. I thought, making my way through the thronging crowd of merry guests .
I headed out towards the main exit located on the opposite side of the building from the restrooms.
Just before taking my permanent leave I looked around the venue again. The dim lighted red brick lined walls of the old ell tinning factory did indeed resemble an olde alleyway. And one can just imagine the types of mischief that would be going on in olde alleyways!
Reaching the outer walk I forced meslf to meander on till I had safely gained some distance, stopping as I came up to a patch of woods.
Where, next to an ancient Wytch Elm tree with its grotesquely reaching branches, started a thin path leading off amongst the trees towards the other side of the olde eel tinning factories building..
I stood there, and after checking around me, Pulled a chrome flask from a vest pocket.
I took a good long swig of ginger brandy in celebration of the moment!
“The path less travelled today mate! .”
Replacing the flask, I reached a hand in my suit coats pocket for me pipe and tobacco, .
Feeling as I did the now cold hardness of the quite genuine, quite expensive, diamond necklace that I had so quite easily lifted from the youths jacket pocket ( pickpocketing - another of my skills)
As I packed my pipe and then cupped my fingers as I struck a match to get it going, I allowed my mind a quick remembrance….
I played out how pretty that young lass had been in her peach satin gown. We both had been around 14 years, socially awkward as youths that age can be.. She had suggested the dancing, and I was amazed at the feel of her in my arms. Never had I felt anything so warm, so incredibly soft. And how sparkling her necklace had been. As we danced, and as I secretly admired her necklace, I remember meself subtly lifting the pretty thing up from her throat. Then it had suddenly unclasped, and I found meself pulling it off from around her throat and stuffing it in a pocket. She had had no clue, and I and me mates had used it’s loss to tease her before giving it back.
It had been a most satisfying newly acquired feeling for me at that age.... Which I had gambled would be the same feelings my young hugger mugger lad would also feel.
With a wry smile I wondered what my hugger mugger lad’s reaction would be as he would finally was made to give back the necklace. And what the overall reaction of the group would be when instead of the paper mache princess’s pricey diamonds in his pocket, he finds the small bits of pub nuts I had switched out with the necklace.
What I would have given to be able to witness that moment in time I thought , as I threw away the match and began puffing smoke from the lit pipe. I imagined what the three youths puzzled, gasping expressions would be like..!
Indeed, whose game had they been playing at?
I wondered if anybody would ever figure it out, or would it remain a mystery?
After a few puffs I looked in the direction of the park.. where I imagined the three were have gleeful adventures, for a bit anyways., and hopefully no further mis adventures...
I gave another long , thoughtful pull at me pipe...
Now, Just down that path would be that very park where at that very moment, a young lady clad in sleek lavender satin and sporting the remains of her dazzling collection of expensively brite sparkling diamonds ,was running about willy nilly in the woods.
Her eye catching gown and glistening, baiting jewels unsuspectingly openly exposed to the wilds outside, and fully unprotected by any observable means...
Not to mention there is also a spare, herself fetchingly attired in red silk and velvet. Herself wearing spiffen faux pearls and a glistening rhinestone hummingbird brooch!
It could very well be like taking away the proverbial candy from silken clad Babes...
Hmmm, a rather treasure trove of an opportunity indeed!
After a few minutes ponderings, I finally Let out an exasperated puff of smoke, as I regrettably shook my head NO..., no teasing my recently bestowed acte of providence, not by this Bloke.... and certainly not this evening !!
One in hand, I scolded meself ..
So, let it be Cheerio, I thought nodding down the side path of the woods towards the park in a solemn’ fare thee well’ salute..
And walking out into the glooming twilight of the evening, strode down the side walk to disappear into the misty aire..
Taking the smoking pipe from me mouth, I began Whistling the tune ...
‘Who put “Bella in the Wytch Elm”?
After all, who does not like coming up across a mystery?
“vade ad victor spolia”
Fini
This shell was occupied as you can probably tell, looking at its center. I made sure to put it close to the water when I was done. I just fell in love with the shape.
As we approached the cabin we planned on staying in for the night, we passed this concrete block. It's there to tell people driving up canyon if the cabin is occupied or not. It wasn't, so we turned it around from VACANT to OCCUPIED.
The cabin sits at the end of a canyon and is still a couple of miles distant. There's not a lot of parking, due to the nature of the canyon, and this will hopefully save some people some trouble and the residents some unwanted visitors.
Every cabin I've stayed at, in and around Death Valley, has a US flag that you fly to alert people that it's occupied. This one did, too, but you can't see it until it's too late.
Argus Range
Mojave Desert