View allAll Photos Tagged Receive
It’s ok to seek and receive support.
One morning while sitting at the kitchen table I was looking at the flowers in front of me. I noticed there were two yellow flowers—one of them pointed upward and the one next to it was curled downward and was resting on the one that looked like it was standing tall. I thought of the word “together” and the series of images I’ve taken with this theme that has been very meaningful and helpful for me. I spent some time with these flowers, sitting on top of the kitchen table (so I could get the best vantage point) taking several “together” photos. In some of the pictures I noticed the downcast flower—that was receiving support from the flower that was standing tall—was in the shadows while the tall flower was in more direct sunlight which was relatable and added to the meaning for me. I appreciated the beautiful reminder that it’s ok to seek and receive support.
[image created on 3-2-2024]
I notice I’ve experienced a deep interest in capturing “together” photos in nature—two plants or leaves together at various stages of growth or decay. This reminds me of moments with a few people who are of incredible support to me, moments when I was not alone (feeling and/or being alone has often been my experience throughout my life) and what a gift it is to truly be together in each other’s presence, connected in a healthy, meaningful, mindful, validating, authentic, caring way, to be seen and accepted in a healing way (which I believe also has some similarities to relationship with God). This can be scary and overwhelming because it’s so unfamiliar to me. It has taken me a significant amount of time to even be able to try to put the meaning I see in my “together” photos into words because it is a very deep, foreign experience to me and I didn’t really have the words for it. And I’m so thankful that these “together” moments I find in nature gently remind me it’s ok and even healthy to be together in healthy connection with others who are safe for me as I work to navigate my intense, challenging, meaningful and rewarding healing journey.
_________________
As a way to cope with circumstances beyond my control, survive and work to keep fighting for life I decided to try to take at least one photo (or more) each day. I call this “a photo (or more) a day.” Practicing this form of therapeutic photography helps me work to focus on the present moment, gives me something familiar and enjoyable to focus on as I use photography skills that have become like second-nature to me and being able to view the images I capture helps me recall what I was thinking, feeling and noticing at the moment when I created the photos. More of the photos from this series can be seen on my Instagram account
I may not always have the energy, time or capacity to share photos from this series—especially with the very challenging circumstances my family and I are experiencing—and will do my best to continue taking a photo (or more) a day even if I’m not able to share.
If you would like to support my work and my family, one way you can do so is by ordering my zines:
Many thanks for your support.
The first vehicle to receive the new livery, complete with East Yorkshire and beyond slogan - the only vehicle to so far receive this is seen operating service 155 back to its Home Depot of Elloughton.
Receive them in great style with a Summer Lights bikini!
Last Units!
Check it on your favorite style (Cheeky, Thong and Micro) at our website (link in our profile page).
Photographer: Tiago Silva Fotografia
Model: Micaela Morgado (Models Factory)
Location: Praia do Areão, Portugal
HSS 😊😊😍
An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Ultimately, America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity.
Robert Kennedy
It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.
Maya Angelou
We are all different, which is great because we are all unique. Without diversity life would be very boring.
Catherine Pulsifer
We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion.
Max de Pree
Diversity: the art of thinking independently together.
Malcolm Forbes
Diversity in the world is a basic characteristic of human society, and also the key condition for a lively and dynamic world as we see today.
Jintao Hu
Thank you for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day! ❤️❤️❤️
I was honored to receive a request from Leonardo B. a gentleman in Portugal, to post on his blog with a poem he wrote, inspired by this picture.
A translation is provided below as is a link to the blog.
“If I walk, so much I move away
and so much I was ordered to the silence
I will not bother the shadow of the morning
that there is somewhat, just now, it was invented for the world.
If I walk, so much I approach
of the hand that could compose the short cuts,
the used calmness where I wake my step
the small tracing from this tower into the sky, the tree
which cries an unstable blow, the leaf, the very little skin
what is detained lifted, on air
in the short corner of the house where it wakes the star;
And if I stop, I’m from the world, the leaf of paper,
the voice that is clarified, clearly, the detail and
If I walk, I am, drawned
and I wake the horizon where nothing is definite,
where in the world, the centre is here or there,
and the whole is a thing what so much it does,
and it does make sense,
also the highest of the places can be deep
and here, where I advance it so many, what I move away
I bringing myself back to the shadow that waited for it so much in the morning
that there is somewhat, such a little, before the star
one more beginning was still of the world.
If I walk,
so many what was I, would it happens again.”
Manzanar receives very little rain, but in the late spring, snow melting in the Sierra Nevada replenishes nearby streams. Tumbling down granite-walled canyons, those streams bring water that infuses life into this high desert landscape. For centuries, humans have harnessed that water to coax food from the land.
Paiutes diverted stream water to irrigate plots of edible native plants. After passage of the Homestead Act in 1862, farmers and rangers who came to support nearby miners staked claims on those irrigated fields. North of Manzanar is a slender line of cottonwood and willow trees marking Shepherd Creek, named for a family that settled here in 1864. Later ranchers and farmers dug canals to irrigate hay and grain fields. In 1905, brothers George and Charles Chaffey began buying land to subdivide into the orchard farms that gave Manzanar (Spanish for apple orchard) its name. George Chaffey installed concrete irrigation pipes to conserve water, and by 1921 there were 20,000 fruit trees growing at Manzanar. In the 1920s, the City of Los Angeles bought up Manzanar farms to secure additional water rights for the city. Inyo County declared the town of Manzanar abandoned in 1941.
The War Relocation Authority utilized Manzanar’s abundant water supply to make the camp as agriculturally self-sufficient as possible. Japanese Americans restored earlier canals and pipes, and diverted Shepherd Creek into a 900,000 gallon reservoir constructed northwest of here in 1942. In fields north and south of the camp’s living area, they cultivated 440 acres with 35 varieties of vegetables, grains, and fruits. In the area in front of you, victory gardens flourished, yielding bountiful vegetables and colorful flowers.
Comprobar, que una petunia brilla más. Cuando una mano amiga la acaricia y la mima.
Warning
You are more than welcome to comment my photography and even leave the name of your group. But please do not leave one of those big logos, that are flooding the network. Thank also for the + 5 million visits that I receive in networks.
"TRANSMIT - initiate anima signal - RECEIVE - initiate the Enochian frequency - WITNESS - initiate the Merovingian syntax - FIAP DE OIAD - crawling roots, heavy with sizzling sap, stab your skull - DOWNLOAD - holy communion - NO PURCHASE NECESSARY - your eyes and ears hemorrhage boiling joy - MAY BE TOO INTENSE FOR SOME VIEWERS - ecstatic agony, your molecules come undone - SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED - offer expires at the heat death of the universe - FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY - the dark days cometh, absolute zero, maximum entropy - ACT NOW! initiate the Agartha broadcast - TRANSMIT - open the 49 gates! - WITNESS! - The Buzzing."
- The Secret World
CREDIT---
horns . Arthropod / by Soul @ We <3 Role-play on the 4th!
spikes . Head Nubbies - Thorns / by Soul
ears . Uni Ears - Elf Nub / by Soul
eyeshadow . Zosime eyemakeup / by Zibska @ The Makeover Room for April!
lips . Blacktop Deux Lips / by Zibska (recently at Skin Fair, probably soon at the mainshop)
accessorie . Mies set / by Zibska
eyes . Hive eyes - royal / by Lovely Alien
pose . Cuz I Can / by NANTRA
chest cuts . In My Name / by La Malvada Mujer (recently at Skin Fair!)
face cuts . He's doing worse / by La Malvada Mujer (also recently Skin Fair)
skin . Alicia, tone 1 / by Alaskametro<3
chest skin mod . "Boy Chest" / by Alaskametro<3 (debuted at Skin Fair <3)
head . Miranda / by Slink (debuted at Skin Fair <3)
chest . Homme Chest augment / by Slink (debuted at Skin Fair <3)
body . Physique Original / by Slink
body shine . Insectoid / by Star Gazer
insects . Fluttery Firefly / by Schadenfreude
particles . Heat Wave / by Cole's Corner
face pose . bento Facial expression HUD / by Happy Dispatch
✭ CIRCA ✭ Dimma ✭ {Frick} ✭ Lovely Alien ✭ NANTRA ✭ Soul ✭ Zibska ✭
Image taken in the virtual platform of Second Life (tm)
Hi <3
We continue to receive enquiries about our lil halo horns that we made a few years back for the Devilish pose set, which has in turn prompted this cute little gift for all of our VIP group baes!
Come by the store to grab your copy of Lil Miss Naughty horns today :D This version has been slightly reimagined, comes with a red halo which also softly illuminates your hair (try it with materials!) and a resizer script :)
Enjoy!
XOXO
Credits-
WINGS-HAIR-ER1008
Over - Noxy Top - Anti
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I receive not one but TWO parcel from my sweetie pie today !! she over spoiled me AGAIN !!!! one item is missing because Miss Angelina the little thief took it away lol
it's a Barbie drinking bottle, she love it !!
actually I lost a few things but that's ok I love to share with my baby girl lol
Lehigh receives hoppers from their plant in Union Bridge, MD infrequently. Their previous delivery was in the summer of 2020. The Canton received 23 inbound loads about two weeks ago. The facility can only accommodate 8 cars at a time so it's taken three switches to deliver all the cars. Here Crew 1 arrives with lite engines to pick up the second cut, which was delivered last week.
To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven. --Karen Sunde
Rose Garden
Point Defiance Park
Tacoma, Washington
062617
© Copyright 2017 MEA Images, Merle E. Arbeen, All Rights Reserved. If you would like a copy of this, please feel free to contact me through my FlickrMail, Facebook, or Yahoo email account. Thank you.
***************
This photograph has achieved the following highest awards:
Super Six, Superstar Academy (10)
DSLR Autofocus, Hall of Fame (10)
DSLR Autofocus, MASTER of Photography (13)
DSLR Autofocus, GRANDMASTER of Photography (8)
President Barack Obama talks on the phone with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate to receive an update on Hurricane Matthew, Oct. 8, 2016. The President spoke from his home in Chicago, Ill. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
This official White House photograph is being made available only for publication by news organizations and/or for personal use printing by the subject(s) of the photograph. The photograph may not be manipulated in any way and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, promotions that in any way suggests approval or endorsement of the President, the First Family, or the White House.
I receive a lot of emails asking me where I get my 'Little People' from. Well, I have decided to share a little secret with all of you.
The answer is I catch them using Tic Tacs.
It's a Small World!
Blinn Phong version
Giveaway has been closed now ❤ Thank you everyone for entering! 3 lucky winners this time to receive Esther gartet belt are kokomonkey, Dramacienta resident and nayra31 collas. Screenshot: gyazo.com/512031a9b8d1af3ac32d1e207acff454
I will send you the fatpack via Caspervend delivery.
Flickr only giveaway for this version
1) Follow me
2) Comment your inworld name
3) Will choose 3 lucky winners by random comment picker
✤
Available at LEVEL event 1st - 25th February
PBR version available separately, sorry, I made separate HUDs and colors and didn't know how to make it all together.
Fitted for
✤ Legacy
✤ Reborn
✤ LaraX
Fatpack HUD (MOD)
✤ 11 main colors
✤ 11 garter colors
✤ 7 metal colors
✤ details on/off
✤ garter transparency 0-90%
Single color HUD
✤ 7 metal colors
✤ details on/off
✤ garter transparency 0-90%
(-(°◡°♡)-)
A man receives a haircut from a local barber in the courtyard garden of the barber’s modest home at dusk. Rows of potted plants line the perimeter. In the background, two children, distant relatives of the barber, embrace near the entrance, looking toward the camera.
Joun, Lebanon, 2025.
This photograph is part of my ongoing project “Colored Air.”
*Working Towards a Better World
Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives. - Alexander Dumas
This is the ninth in my new series, one which recognizes my friends here on Flickr. I wish to thank you for your friendship and your support! Some of you I work with, some of you I have worked with, some of you have given me opportunities and the rest of you my wonderful friends share an infinity with art and an ability to share our love, ideas and support thank you all!
MichaelNiñoDelmar
www.flickr.com/photos/131571800@N04/favorites/
shelby-dog
www.flickr.com/photos/shelby99/favorites/
Frank T.Y.
www.flickr.com/photos/bbpump/favorites/
Themida's photos
www.flickr.com/photos/themidaz/
ElsjeD
www.flickr.com/photos/99099661@N08/
Marie.L.Manzor
ps://www.flickr.com/photos/46059838@N04/
Duncan
www.flickr.com/photos/humaninterface/
Pat=H
www.flickr.com/photos/117425224@N04/
Harold Joy
www.flickr.com/photos/de_joie/
bjarne.stokke
www.flickr.com/photos/13675180@N08/
m!ngus photografer
www.flickr.com/photos/mingus1955/
dangomushi2009
www.flickr.com/photos/dangomushi/
Bernd Kretzer
www.flickr.com/photos/bernd-kretzer/
nmaicas
www.flickr.com/photos/nmaicas/
Gr⊙f ⊙f the P⊙p [@Grofbd]
www.flickr.com/photos/plusbeautumeurs/
Sophie Shapiro
www.flickr.com/photos/32159420@N07/
Sankalan786
www.flickr.com/photos/sankalan786/
Theophilos
www.flickr.com/photos/theo_reth
Black Napkin
www.flickr.com/photos/simofore/favorites/
Amba Lee
www.flickr.com/photos/jardeniere/
clueidea
www.flickr.com/photos/105072087@N06/favorites/
The Visual Poet
www.flickr.com/photos/thevisualpoet/
placieli
www.flickr.com/photos/placieli/
sophie_merlo
www.flickr.com/photos/sophiethesax/favorites/
Steve Taylor (Photography
www.flickr.com/photos/stevetaylors/favorites/
wildfirehv
www.flickr.com/photos/wildfirehv
mayo mayo…
www.flickr.com/photos/mayo_mar/
Jay 龍 Den (Jayarr Denson)
www.flickr.com/photos/jayden-insightfulapparitions/
***** PLEASE UNDERSTAND, that there are so many of you who have befriended and support me, that if you have not already been mentioned, you will be. Please be patient, my list is long and will continue!!!
Thank you for your kind visit. Have a wonderful and beautiful day! xo❤️
Acte 16: Gabrielle Receives a Lift
A long black car rolls into the parking lot at the Fingask Castle event center where the Perth Ball, being held there that evening, is winding down.
Parking off in a far corner the lights are killed, and a door opens with a bowler wearing male figure, clad in black, stepping out.
A flash of fire as the figure strikes a match against his heel. A pipe is lit and for a brief second a craggy face with piercing grey eyes, half-hidden by his rakishly perched bowler hat, can be seen.
Soon puffs of smoke are thoughtfully emitted from a pipe as the figure waits expectedly.
He hasn’t long to wait.
No more than 15 minutes had elapsed when another figure, a decidedly feminine one, carefully emerged from the shadows of a hedge that surrounded the grounds where the dance pavilion was set up.
She was wearing a tight silver sheath gown, with long flowing curls of black hair. Pinpricks of sapphire gemstones flicker down from her ears as she moves with a purpose towards the same corner where the long black car waits.
The hazel-eyed lady stops as she sees the figure, who looks her over as the lit pipe is knocked against a painted wooden post, sending showers of sparks to the ground.
“Allo Gabrielle,” the man says quietly.
The lady as if taking a cue runs up to the figure and they embrace.
“‘Ello Monk, it has been a long evening, and this toasted Lass is quite ready to leave. “
“Aye lass, I be also ready and at your service .”
The man she called Monk says with gentle feeling as he opens the passenger seat and helps his lady in with a happily executed plop.
The starter is pressed and the long black car roars to life. Slowly it exits the parking lot.
Other guests are also leaving.
Ladies in long slinky gowns wearing flashy jewelry, along with their escorts, head to parked cars.
Some see the long black car as it pulls off. One or two remaining guests have noticed the pretty girl in silver leaving in the long black auto.
But they really are paying it no mind, just another couple leaving.
But one ponders what their reaction would be if they could overhear the departing couples rather wicked conversation?
... to receive that which you, O Lord, have set apart for me... that I might bless those around me with an attitude of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...
© BrianDecarmo
Ended up going the sushi route this evening. With this spread, you're looking at Rachael Ray's daily allowance of food-spending-money, likely due to the Toro nigiri.
Growing up on this stuff, I had developed an undying love for sushi; however, as of late, I haven't been eating a whole lot of carbs (once per week). I do feel it is crucial for me to have at least a pound of seafood per week and sashimi is always an option, but to have it with seasoned rice is such a delightful treat. Why not splurge a little on this special evening?
What's on tonights menu?
Tamago
Ikura
Uni
Toro
Sake
Spicy Tuna garnished with masago.
12th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
presented by
SNC LAVALIN Pacific Liaicon and Associates
Benefitting the Eureka Camp Society/Apex Secondary School
Hosted at the beautiful Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club and Golf Academy
photos by Ron Sombilon Gallery
About Westwood Plateau
WESTWOOD PLATEAU…Experiences Above & Beyond
When award-winning golf architect Michael Hurdzan, Golf World Magazine’s 1997 Architect of the Year, sets out to design a course he says that he wants to “create a ‘Wow’ effect for golfers.” At his Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club, named ‘Best New Course in Canada in 1996’ by SCOREGolf Magazine, Hurdzan created his patented “Wow” effect on virtually every hole.
As a result, there is no ‘signature’ hole at the spectacular layout on Eagle Mountain because each hole stands alone. Yet each hole bears Hurdzan’s distinctive signature. “This is a magical piece of ground,” said Hurdzan. “When we built the course, the whole intent was to keep the great views, keep the special ethereal feeling and still create as wide a course as we could so that the average golfer could enjoy it.” Hurdzan not only achieved his lofty goal, he exceeded it. On this magical Coquitlam plateau 30 minutes east and 1,300 feet above Vancouver, the golf values are as pure as the snow on the distant mountain peaks. Little wonder that in 1999, Golf Digest called Westwood Plateau: “The best game in town.”
Whether playing from the back tees at 6,770 yards or from any of the other three tee boxes that gradually shorten the course to 5,514 yards, players are confronted by a singular challenge on each hole – deciding whether the view is more striking from the tee or from the green. The ProShot GPS system on each power cart takes the pressure off club selection by displaying precise yardages on easy-to-read screens. It also provides yardages to the hazards; individual tips on playing the hole; updates on your tournament; and ProShot can quickly relay messages in case of emergencies. In addition to the on-cart GPS, you’ll also receive range balls, day locker, bottled water, tee gift, and continental breakfast included in your fees. Other available extras range from transportation via helicopter from downtown Vancouver to fully-stocked personal mini bars on your cart. These above and beyond services helped earn Westwood Plateau ‘5th Best Customer Service in North America’, as ranked by 6500 Golf Digest readers, and Golf Digest’s 4 1/2 - star rating in their Best Places to Play edition.
A fully public facility, Westwood Plateau offers 27 holes of outstanding golf, two distinct restaurants, a nationally recognized teaching academy and a 35,000 square foot clubhouse perfect for corporate entertaining and weddings.
Westwood Plateau’s mission statement is simple – To deliver Above & Beyond experiences through superior service and product quality! We look forward to serving you!
.
Lieutenant's Log
Day 1 I receive orders to report to Day Dream island for a classified experimental test of a new dream medication, DRM21
Day 5 The drug is strong, i am experiencing vivid dreams of blue oceans and rolling green hills and mysterious beautiful woman has started to appear in my dreams whispering "remember" and to wake up.
Day 7 The dreams have intensified, the mysterious woman says she is Emellia Faye and she's real urges me to never forget, the colonel refers to her as anomaly 652 , a rogue program set to fool me and destroy the experiment and they must purge it.
Day 9 I am having dreams and i can no longer remember even going to sleep or waking, the line is blurred between reality and the dream world, men on laptops urgently work to purge the anomaly as she appears again and tells me to find her on something called flicker and second life before vanishing to avoid the purge.
Day 11 I can no longer remember simple things, am I awake? I feel like I am slipping away as Emelia's voice pulls me back, she says they are lying to me. Emelia insists she is real and tells me I actually never left Philadelphia, and I must wake up.
Minute 59 I feel a kiss sensation and I awake in a Philadelphia lab and tear away the wires connected to me and overpower the scientist and force the truth,the dream drug is actually a weaponized memory wipe and it was colossal failure because it couldn't overcome the Anomaly, i say That's Emelia Faye as I head off to find her.
Receive Nashville’s most attentive service at Music City’s first true luxury hotel located in the heart of downtown just 2 blocks from Broadway and the Gulch and adjacent to Music City Center. Discover breathtaking skyline views from every room in the hotel plus Nashville's only Bourbon Steak by Michelin-star chef Michael Mina. ~ www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/bnajw-jw-marriott-nashville...
Vacation Day, 03/15//2022, Nashville, TN
Leica Camera AG M Monochrom
Canon 35mm f2.0 LTM
ƒ/2.0 1/12 800
Giveaway has been closed now ❤ Thank you everyone for entering! 3 lucky winners this time to receive Ksenija skirt fatpack are: tuxula tiponi, Gemma Sorex and Wildangel Jewell.
Screenshot: gyazo.com/00f979ab6b3a76a0c91ccf8367aaec11
I will send you the fatpack via Caspervend delivery.
1) Follow me
2) Comment your inworld name
3) Will choose 3 lucky winners by random comment picker (from both Flickr and Primfeed)
✤
Available at Kinky event 28th February - 22th March
✤
Both PBR and Blinn Phong textures, and you can switch between in PBR viewer.
✤
Fitted for
✤ Legacy
✤ Reborn
✤ LaraX
Fatpack HUD (MOD)
✤ 15 skirt colors
✤ 15 garter belt colors
✤ 15 thong colors
✤ 15 strap colors
✤ 7 metal colors
✤ any part can be on/off (skirt, belt, thong, strap)
✤ PBR on/off
Single color HUD
✤ 15 strap colors
✤ 7 metal colors
✤ any part can be on/off (skirt, belt, thong, strap)
(-(°◡°♡)-)
About the PBR options:
1)Applying colors from the HUD gives PBR textures in PBR viewers
in non-PBR viewers you will see the fallback BlinnPhong textures
2)If you want to see BlinnPhong textures in PBR viewer - click the green button (after picking color) to remove PBR materials from that part of the mesh (skirt, thong, garter belt, strap, metal details)
3)Single color item purchases will come in separate PBR and BlinnPhong versions
Fatpack and DEMO purchases will come in one mesh for both and can be customized from fatpack HUD
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Expired 1970s Kodak Tri-X Pan 400 iso
Shot at 100 ISO on My Birthday! England.
It was a Very Happy Birthday Treat to Me! And seeing the results of this film once developed (same day). Well, it then felt like Christmas on top! Hooray hooray for Kodak!! LONG LIVE KODAK!!
Pentax Spotmatic II
Helios 44-2
No Crop, No Post Production, No Filter
Development:
Adox Rodinal 1+50 8 Mins 20C
300ml
STOP
Adox Fixer 1+4 4 Minutes
WASH Ilford process
Adox Wetting Agent 1 minute
The first of Cumbernauld's buses to receive the new Stagecoach 2020 local livery is Alexander Dennis Enviro 300 27214 - SK15HBO. Three others of this batch have already received the new livery but are based in Ayr now.
Steam Ship Rotterdam is ready to receive new guests photo taken in November on an early morning just before daylight
Very pleased to receive this notification for this image.....
Congratulations to Mark Rutley- shortlisted today in the Airscene 2020 Calendar Competition.
www.airscene.co.uk/competitions/2020calendar.php
Built in 1945 as a Dominie by Brush Coachworks Ltd at Loughborough, ‘GSH was civilianised as a D.H.89a and first registered to Channel Islands Airways Ltd of Jersey in July 1945. She then went to the Minister of Civil Aviation from November 1946 to January 1947 before spending nine years with BEA as James Keir Hardie, operating the Highlands and Islands service. (‘GSH was later bought back by BEA in the early 1960s and as their last biplane, named Lord Baden Powell, operated the Lands End – Scilly Isles route until the introduction of helicopters.) During her life she has passed through the hands of many owners, including more than half a dozen small airlines, a short spell in Ireland as EI-AJO, and the RAF Sport Parachute Association at Abingdon.
Philip Meeson has proudly owned her since 1992 and states that he has no intention of parting with her. In his ownership she has been painstakingly rebuilt and restored to her BEA colours and condition by Cliff Lovell at Hants Light Plane Services.
Crassus receives word that the rebels are gone and worst news of the icy wall/trench have been breached. He summons his legion to take a closer look, no guards, no standards, no rebels.
Still in disbelief that Spartacus had outright breached the trench of death, Crassus is in for another unexpected surprise...
Around 8:30am in Central New Mexico, I received word that the deadhead BNSF employee special had just entered Belen and was getting ready to refuel and receive a new crew. At the time I received this info, I was at the west end of Abo shooting morning eastbounds. I, of course, got giddy at the news of this train heading my way soon. However, I quickly started thinking about what exact time it would show up to my area and then it set in that I would have an issue. The issue was that the train would most likely not leave Belen until around 11:00am, thus meaning it would not get to me until around noon.
After I came to this realization, I began thinking of the best possible place to shoot this train since it would be straight up high-sun by the time it would get to me. After a few minutes of going through the possibilities, I decided to look back on the last shot I took at the S-curve just west of Mountainair from the previous day, My last shot was recorded at 11:15am, and while it was high-sun, it still looked pretty decent. So? I decided this would be the spot to shoot the deadhead employee special.
After convincing my traveling companion of my plan, we left Abo with plenty of time to spare to get a bite to eat in Mountainair. After getting some good food in our system, we drove back to the Airbnb we were staying at and started making the hike to this spot. We had plenty of time to spare at this point.
Now, on to the actual picture you see here. O-BAKTOP is running on Main 1 because they were running around a slow manifest that was having trip optimizer problems (imagine that...). As you can imagine, the train had no problems going up the grade, traveling at turbo speeds of about 40mph. That might not sound super fast, but considering the strong grade they are climbing? It's fast. Most of the super Z trains do good to make 25mph going up the hill.
This particular photo is right at the S-curve just west of Mountainair and is more of the wide angle version.
The train came by at 12:25pm, so my noon estimation was pretty darn close.
- Road Trip en Islande - Jour 9 -
- Région Nord Islande
- Petite pause avec les oiseaux Islandais ...
- Le Barge à queue noire , les oies, Pluvier Doré et toujours le Chevalier Gambette ...
- Direction Akureyri par la route 1 Þjóðvegur deuxième ville d'Islande située
au bout du Fjord Eyjafjörður ...
A savoir l'arrivée à Akureyri se fait en traversant le tunnel " Attention " ce dernier est payant, mais pas de péage et une signalisation presque invisible ce qui fait polémique par les automobilistes passant sur cette route... il faut payer par Internet et dans un temps relativement court ... si vous oublier ... les Islandais n'oublieront pas et vous recevrez par l'intermédiaire de votre loueur une petite amende majorée !!! vous pouvez éviter ce péage en prenant la route 84 ce qui rallonge le trajet ... Attention aussi aux radars situé dans presque tous les tunnels.
Respectez la vitesse autorisée, il parait que les amendes sont salées !
- L'Islande c'est la terre, le vent, le feu, l'eau et la glace ...
- L'Islande, c'est haut, c'est loin, mais c'est beau (J.C.)
- Merci pour vos passages sur les vues, favoris et commentaires.
- Road Trip in Iceland - Day 9 -
- Short break with Icelandic birds ...
- The Black-tailed Godwit, geese, Golden Plover and always the Chevalier Gambette ...
- Direction Akureyri by road 1 Þjóðvegur second city of Iceland located
at the end of Eyjafjörður Fjord ...
Namely, the arrival in Akureyri is done by crossing the tunnel "Attention" the latter is paying, but no toll and almost invisible signage which is controversial by motorists passing on this road ... you have to pay by Internet and in a relatively short time ... if you forget ... the Icelanders will not forget and you will receive through your rental company a small increased fine !!! you can avoid this toll by taking route 84 which lengthens the journey ... Also watch out for speed cameras located in almost all tunnels.
Respect the authorized speed, it seems that the fines are steep!
- The Golden circle - Vidéo / Diaporama
- Cliquez ici pour visionner : youtu.be/yOQilaECX10
- South And South East Iceland - Diaporama
- Cliquez ici pour visionner : youtu.be/SYjs_Vb9Jq4
- The East Fjords icedand - Diaporama
- Cliquez ici pour visionner : youtu.be/k8q4bKx7iTE
- The North East & Marina Puffin - Diaporama
- Cliquez ici pour visionner : youtu.be/CZRKTCxkfXA
- The Nord Central Iceland - Geothermal Region - Diaporama
- Cliquez ici pour Visionner : youtu.be/I1uRy_2rKEk
- La région du Lac Mývatn sa faune et flore .
The region of Lake Mývatn its flora and fauna.
- Cliquez ici pour visionner : youtu.be/L3aGA10DuMg
The falls receive approximately 10% of the flow from Niagara River, with most of the rest going over Horseshoe Falls, from which it is separated by Goat Island. It has a straight line crest width of about 830 feet (250 m). If measured along the jagged lip of the falls, the crest is about 950 feet (290 m) long (but see coastline paradox). The torrent of water passing over the crest of the falls is about 2 feet (0.61 m) deep.
The height of the American Falls ranges between 70 to 110 feet (21–34 m). This measurement is taken from the top of the Falls to top of the rock pile (talus). The height of the Falls from the top of the Falls to the river is 188 feet (57 m).
The falls are viewable from a steep angle on the American side, where it is possible to approach to within several meters of the edge of the falls. One can view the falls from the bank of the river, as well as on Goat Island and Luna Island, which are accessible by a pedestrian bridge that crosses the rapids of the Niagara River upstream from the falls. The falls are viewable head-on from the Canadian side in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
The ledge of the American Falls is shaped in a modified "W" form, caused by numerous rock falls over the past 150 years which have resulted in the huge mound of rock at its base. The most notable recent rockfall occurred in 1954 with the collapse of Prospect Point to the north.
To survey the rockfall and determine how to prevent the falls from becoming a series of rapids, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completely blocked the flow of water over the American Falls from June to November 1969. Results conflict as to whether tourist attendance that season was higher or lower than normal. Attendance increases were likely due to the news that the cataract was dried off; decreases in tourists could be attributed to the fact people thought both cataracts (the American and Horseshoe Falls) were dewatered that year. By December 1969, water was flowing over the American Falls again. In the mid‑1970s, it was decided not to make alterations to the rockwall and remove the talus, citing the trend to allow nature to take its course.
The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, Ufford, Suffolk
They told her how, upon St. Agnes' Eve,
Young virgins might have visions of delight,
And soft adorings from their loves receive
Upon the honey'd middle of the night,
If ceremonies due they did aright;
As, supperless to bed they must retire,
And couch supine their beauties, lily white;
Nor look behind, nor sideways, but require
Of Heaven with upward eyes for all that they desire.
John Keats, Eve of St Agnes, 1820
Upper Ufford is a pleasant place, and known well enough in Suffolk. Pretty much an extension northwards of Woodbridge and Melton, it is a prosperous community, convenient without being suburban. Ufford Park Hotel is an enjoyable venue in to attend professional courses and conferences, and the former St Audrey's mental hospital grounds across the road are now picturesque with luxury flats and houses. And I am told that the Ufford Park golf course is good, too, for those who like that kind of thing.
But as I say, that Ufford is really just an extension of Melton. In fact, there is another Ufford. It is in the valley below, more than a mile away along narrow lanes and set in deep countryside beside the Deben, sits Lower Ufford. To reach it, you follow ways so rarely used that grass grows up the middle. You pass old Melton church, redundant since the 19th century, but still in use for occasional exhibitions and performances, and once home to the seven sacrament font that is now in the plain 19th century building up in the main village. Eventually, the lane widens, and you come into the single street of a pretty, tiny hamlet, the church tower hidden from you by old cottages and houses. In one direction, the lane to Bromeswell takes you past Lower Ufford's delicious little pub, the White Lion. A stalwart survivor among fast disappearing English country pubs, the beer still comes out of barrels and the bar is like a kitchen. I cannot think that a visit to Ufford should be undertaken without at least a pint there. And, at the other end of the street, set back in a close between cottages, sits the Assumption, its 14th century tower facing the street, a classic Suffolk moment.
The dedication was once that of hundreds of East Anglian churches, transformed to 'St Mary' by the Reformation and centuries of disuse before the 19th century revival, but revived both here and at Haughley near Stowmarket. In late medieval times, it coincided with the height of the harvest, and in those days East Anglia was Our Lady's Dowry, intensely Catholic, intimately Marian.
The Assumption was almost certainly not the original dedication of this church. There was a church here for centuries before the late middle ages, and although there are no traces of any pre-Conquest building, the apse of an early-Norman church has been discovered under the floor of the north side of the chancel. The current chancel has a late Norman doorway, although it has been substantially rebuilt since, and in any case the great glories of Ufford are all 15th century. Perhaps the most dramatic is the porch, one of Suffolk's best, covered in flushwork and intriguing carvings.
Ufford's graveyard is beautiful; wild and ancient. I wandered around for a while, spotting the curious blue crucifix to the east of the church, and reading old gravestones. One, to an early 19th century gardener at Ufford Hall, has his gardening equipment carved at the top. The church is secretive, hidden on all sides by venerable trees, difficult to photograph but lovely anyway. I stopped to look at it from the unfamiliar north-east; the Victorian schoolroom, now a vestry, juts out like a small cottage. I walked back around to the south side, where the gorgeous porch is like a small palace against the body of the church. I knew the church would be open, because it is every day. And then, through the porch, and down into the north aisle, into the cool, dim, creamy light.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, 21st August 1644, Ufford had a famous visitor, a man who entered the church in exactly the same way, a man who recorded the events of that day in his journal. There were several differences between his visit and the one that I was making, one of them crucial; he found the church locked. He was the Commissioner to the Earl of Manchester for the Imposition in the Eastern Association of the Parliamentary Ordinance for the Demolishing of Monuments of Idolatry, and his name was William Dowsing.
Dowsing was a kind of 17th century political commissar, travelling the eastern counties and enforcing government legislation. He was checking that local officials had carried out what they were meant to do, and that they believed in what they were doing. In effect, he was getting them to work and think in the new ways that the central government required. It wasn't really a witch hunt, although God knows such things did exist in abundance at that time. It was more as if an arm of the state extended and worked its fingers into even the tiniest and most remote parishes. Anyone working in the public sector in Britain in the early years of the 21st century will have come across people like Dowsing.
As a part of his job, Dowsing was an iconoclast, charged with ensuring that idolatrous images were excised from the churches of the region. He is a man blamed for a lot. In fact, virtually all the Catholic imagery in English churches had been destroyed by the Anglican reformers almost a hundred years before Dowsing came along. All that survived was that which was difficult to destroy - angels in the roofs, gable crosses, and the like - and that which was inconvenient to replace - primarily, stained glass. Otherwise, in the late 1540s the statues had been burnt, the bench ends smashed, the wallpaintings whitewashed, the roods hauled down and the fonts plastered over. I have lost count of the times I have been told by churchwardens, or read in church guides, that the hatchet job on the bench ends or the font in their church was the work of 'William Dowsing' or 'Oliver Cromwell'. In fact, this destruction was from a century earlier than William Dowsing. Sometimes, I have even been told this at churches which Dowsing demonstrably did not visit.
Dowsing's main targets included stained glass, which the pragmatic Anglican reformers had left alone because of the expense of replacing it, and crosses and angels, and chancel steps. We can deduce from Dowsing's journal which medieval imagery had survived for him to see, and that which had already been hidden - not, I hasten to add, because people wanted to 'save' Catholic images, but rather because this was an expedient way of getting rid of them. So, for example, Dowsing visited three churches during his progress through Suffolk which today have seven sacrament fonts, but Dowsing does not mention a single one of them in his journal; they had all been plastered over long ago.
In fact, Dowsing was not worried so much about medieval survivals. What concerned him more was overturning the reforms put in place by the ritualist Archbishop Laud in the 1630s. Laud had tried to restore the sacramental nature of the Church, primarily by putting the altar back in the chancel and building it up on raised steps. Laud had since been beheaded thanks to puritan popular opinion, but the evidence of his wickedness still filled the parish churches of England. The single order that Dowsing gave during his progress more than any other was that chancel steps should be levelled.
The 21st of August was a hot day, and Dowsing had much work to do. He had already visited the two Trimley churches, as well as Brightwell and Levington, that morning, and he had plans to reach Baylham on the other side of Ipswich before nightfall. Much to his frustration, he was delayed at Ufford for two hours by a dispute between the church wardens over whether or not to allow him access.
The thing was, he had been here before. Eight months earlier, as part of a routine visit, he had destroyed some Catholic images that were in stained glass, and prayer clauses in brass inscriptions, but had trusted the churchwardens to deal with a multitude of other sins, images that were beyond his reach without a ladder, or which would be too time-consuming. This was common practice - after all, the churchwardens of Suffolk were generally equally as puritan as Dowsing. It was assumed that people in such a position were supporters of the New Puritan project, especially in East Anglia. Dowsing rarely revisited churches. But, for some reason, he felt he had to come back here to make sure that his orders had been carried out.
Why was this? In retrospect, we can see that Ufford was one of less than half a dozen churches where the churchwardens were uncooperative. Elsewhere, at hundreds of other churches, the wardens welcomed Dowsing with open arms. And Dowsing only visited churches in the first place if it was thought there might be a problem, parishes with notorious 'scandalous ministers' - which is to say, theological liberals. Richard Lovekin, the Rector of Ufford, had been turned out of his living the previous year, although he survived to return when the Church of England was restored in 1660. But that was in the future. Something about his January visit told Dowsing that he needed to come back to Ufford.
Standing in the nave of the Assumption today, you can still see something that Dowsing saw, something which he must have seen in January, but which he doesn't mention until his second visit, in the entry in his journal for August 21st, which appears to be written in a passion. This is Ufford's most famous treasure, the great 15th century font cover.
It rises, six metres high, magnificent and stately, into the clerestory, enormous in its scale and presence. In all England, only the font cover at Southwold is taller. The cover is telescopic, and crocketting and arcading dances around it like waterfalls and forests. There are tiny niches, filled today with 19th century statues. At the top is a gilt pelican, plucking its breast.
Dowsing describes the font cover as glorious... like a pope's triple crown... but this is just anti-Catholic innuendo. The word glorious in the 17th century meant about the same as the word 'pretentious' means to us now - Dowsing was scoffing. But there was no reason for him to be offended by it. The Anglicans had destroyed all the statues in the niches a century before, and all that remained was the pelican at the top, pecking its breast to feed its chicks. Dowsing would have known that this was a Catholic image of the Sacrifice of the Mass, and would have disapproved. But he did not order the font cover to be destroyed. After all, the rest of the cover was harmless enough, apart from being a waste of good firewood, and the awkwardness of the Ufford churchwardens seems to have put him off following through. He never went back.
Certainly, there can have been no theological reason for the churchwardens to protect their font cover. I like to think that they looked after it simply because they knew it to be beautiful, and that they also knew it had been constructed by ordinary workmen of their parish two hundred years before, under the direction of some European master designer. They protected it because of local pride, and amen to that. The contemporary font beneath is of a type more familiar in Norfolk than Suffolk, with quatrefoils alternating with shields, and heads beneath the bowl.
While the font cover is extraordinary, and of national importance, it is one of just several medieval survivals in the nave of the Assumption. All around it are 15th century benches, with superbly characterful and imaginative images on their ends. The best is the bench with St Margaret and St Catherine on it. This was recently on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of the Gothic exhibition. Other bench end figures include a long haired, haloed woman seated on a throne, which may well be a representation of the Mother of God Enthroned, and another which may be the Coronation of the Queen of Heaven. There is also a praying woman in a butterfly headdress, once one of a pair, and a man wearing what appears to be a bowler hat, although I expect it is a helmet of some kind. His beard is magnificent. There are also a number of finely carved animals.
High up in the chancel arch is an unusual survival, the crocketted rood beam that once supported the crucifix, flanked by the grieving Mary and John, with perhaps a tympanum behind depicting the last judgement. These are now all gone, of course, as is the rood loft that once stood in front of the beam and allowed access to it. But below, the dado of the screen survives, with twelve panels. Figures survive on the south side. They have not worn well. They are six female Saints: St Agnes, St Cecilia, St Agatha, St Faith, St Bridget and, uniquely in England, St Florence. Curiously, the head of this last has been, in recent years, surrounded by stars, in imitation of the later Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Presumably this was done in a fit of Anglo-catholic enthusiasm about a century ago.
The arrangement is similar to the south side of the screen at Westhall, and it may even be that the artist was the same. While there is no liturgical reason for having the female Saints on one side and, presumably, male Saints on the other, a similar arrangement exists on several Norfolk screens in the Dereham area.
Much of the character of the church today comes from it embracing, in the early years of the 20th century, Anglo-catholicism in full flood. As at Great Ryburgh in Norfolk, patronage ensured that this work was carried out to the very highest specification under the eye of the young Ninian Comper. Comper is an enthusiast's enthusiast, but I think he is at his best on a small scale like here and Ryburgh. His is the extraordinary war memorial window in the south aisle chapel, dedicated to St Leonard. It depicts Christ carrying his cross on the via dolorosa, but he is aided by a soldier in WWI uniform and, behind him, a sailor. The use of blues is very striking, as is the grain on the wood of the cross which, incidentally, can also be seen to the same effect on Comper's reredos at Ryburgh.
Comper's other major window here is on the north side of the nave. This is a depiction of the Annunciation, although it is the figures above which are most extraordinary. They are two of the Ancient Greek sibyls, Erythrea and Cumana, who are associated with the foretelling of Christ. At the top is a stunning Holy Trinity in the East Anglian style. There are angels at the bottom, and all in all this window shows Comper at the height of his powers.
Stepping into the chancel, there is older glass - or, at least, what at first sight appears to be. Certainly, there are some curious roundels which are probably continental 17th century work, ironically from about the same time that Dowsing was here. They were probably acquired by collectors in the 19th century, and installed here by Victorians. The image of a woman seated among goats is curious, as though she might represent the season of spring or be an allegory of fertility, but she is usually identified as St Agnes. It is a pity this roundel has been spoiled by dripping cement or plaster. Another roundel depicts St Sebastian shot with arrows, and a third St Anthony praying to a cross in the desert. However, the images in 'medieval' glass in the east window are entirely modern, though done so well you might not know. A clue, of course, is that the main figures, St Mary Salome with the infants St James and St John on the left, and St Anne with the infant Virgin on the right, are wholly un-East Anglian in style. In fact, they are 19th century copies by Clayton & Bell of images at All Souls College, Oxford, installed here in the 1970s. I also think that the images of heads below may be modern, but the angel below St Anne is 15th century, and obviously East Anglian, as is St Stephen to the north.
High above, the ancient roofs with their sacred monograms are the ones that Dowsing saw, the ones that the 15th century builders gilt and painted to be beautiful to the glory of God - and, of course, to the glory of their patrons. Rich patronage survived the Reformation, and at the west end of the south aisle is the massive memorial to Sir Henry Wood, who died in 1671, eleven years after the end of the Commonwealth. It is monumental, the wreathed ox heads a severely classical motif. Wood, Mortlock tells us, was Treasurer to the Household of Queen Henrietta Maria.
There is so much to see in this wonderful church that, even visiting time and time again, there is always something new to see, or something old to see in a new way. It is, above all, a beautiful space, and although it no longer maintains its high Anglo-catholic worship tradition, it is is still kept in high liturgical style. It is at once a beautiful art object and a hallowed space, an organic touchstone, precious and powerful.
HH Pope Benedict XVI receives Prime Minister Gordon Brown in audience in the Vatican, 19 February 2009.
ukinholysee.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/news/2009/02Feb/09021... Servizio Fotografico, l'Osservatore Romano. For distribution please contact photo@ossrom.va
Pictured is The Queen, Colonel-in-Chief of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
She is presenting new Colours to the Regiment at Windsor.
This is the eighth set of Colours that have been presented to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in their 100 year history.
Colours are the Regimental Flags of the British Army. They were originally used as rallying points on the battlefield as long ago as the Kings of Babylon.
They were vital because before modern communications, it was all too easy for troops to become disorientated by the fog of war.
From the reign of Queen Anne every regiment has been awarded two colours: the Queen’s Colour and the Regimental Colour. In the Guards Regiments the Queen’s Colour is crimson silk and the Regimental Colour is the Union Flag.
-------------------------------------------------------
© Crown Copyright 2014
Photographer: Sergeant Rupert Frere RLC
Image 45159401.jpg from www.defenceimages.mod.uk
Use of this image is subject to the terms and conditions of the MoD News Licence at www.defenceimagery.mod.uk/fotoweb/20121001_Crown_copyrigh...
For latest news visit www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
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A Prowling Affair
“A time for everything: A time to relax, and a time to be busy. A time to frolic and a time to labor. A time to give and a time to receive. A time to give, a time to begin and a time to finish.”
…Jonathon Lockwood Huie
“A time to lose and a time to gain. And for all these things, there is a first time, which is now.”
…Unknown
I’ve never cared for the rather unimaginatively given name of
“Pickpocket.”
Personally, I prefer the term “lifter” as a more adequately descriptive definition of what I was really into at the time.
Lifting as in from a pocket, purse, and beyond.
Beyond being lifting something specifically being worn by the person, such as a watch, bracelet, brooch, necklace, and even earring(s).
But then, that is just me being me.
So those statements being said, they are not really important to this story I am about to tell. For it was this occasion that “lifted” me into a whole different level of thievery.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I was at one of my favorite haunts, a wedding reception. This one is very upscale and quite richly delicious.
Almost like I had walked into the aftermath of two rooms being completely dumped onto a third one full of people. One room was full of expensive designer attire, the other full of over-the-top expensive jewellery.
Hopefully, you get the picture of what I was seeing.
I was dressed for an evening out, wearing a sexily short-skirted black satin dress with loose ruffles down the open neckline, a gold belt, and gold dangling earrings. My long red hair was straight down with a curl at the ends. I carried my long black velvet shoulder purse.
The reception was supposed to be a private affair but had so many guests that it was not hard for strangers like myself to mingle in.
It was a late evening affair, held in the huge basement area of a five-star hotel, with an interior entrance and one large exterior front entrance. Both of which had manned security booths set up. However, in the far backside, we’re two long corridors. One had the ladies' loo and a door at the end that led to outside gardens. The other contained the gentleman’s loo with a door at the end leading to a back parking lot, not fenced in.
Neither outside door was watched, or locked. And people were going in and out of those doors regularly. Didn’t make much sense not to be watched, but that was how I gained a surprisingly easy entry.
Cautiously I entered, immediately spying a pair of sweet sixteeners coming out of the loo ahead of me. They definitely were not sisters. They were also definitely royally decked out. Both were wearing long sequined satin gowns(blue and peach)with matching gloves. The gowns were fitted, designer, made, and had obviously been bridesmaid’s dresses for a different wedding each. Both wore their long silky hair elegantly up, held by mother-of-pearl clasps. The twittering pair also were jewelled up, sporting sweet gleaming sets of real matched pearls that swayed with a mesmerizing motion to the girl’s perky gait.
They paid no heed to me, and I lazily followed them inside the main chambre.
Contemplating that if the young adults were dolled up like this, what must the legal adults be wearing?
I had my answer soon enough, and my first few minutes inside is what plopped the rooms being dumped together thought of mine which I wrote about at the beginning.
It was delicious, moving in and out as I canvassed the room,admiring the sumptuous attire of the men and ladies present, expensive jewellery beckoning, plump purses, and fat wallets invitingly everywhere. I was ever on the lookout for opportunities to use my skilled fingers over.
My first opportunity looked to come my way as I whimsically found myself following a short brunette wearing a simply lovely gown that I actually owned a non-designer version of in the same colour , which is what caught my eye.
It was a green gown with a tight velvet bodice and free-falling taffeta skirt. I wish I looked as good in my copy as she did in her fitted one.
She was handsomely sporting a dazzling teardrop emerald pendant surrounded by diamonds hanging from a solid gold braided chain. It was bouncing from her perky breasts as she walked, creating quite the taunting show.
I could well imagine myself looking into a mirror wearing my version of that gown while also wearing that emerald and diamond set pendant.
As a plus, her long hair was up, exposing the gold clasp of the necklace she wore. Since I was still getting my feet wet, I was content with just stalking and seeing if it led to something.
It did, but not for her necklace.
As I was following the brunette I spotted a gorilla of a man wearing a far too-tight tux. He was showing off by lifting a squealing lady over his head like one would lift a set of weights.
Three of the lady's girlfriends, dressed in gowns of lavender, maroon, and neon lime, formed a half circle as they all watched laughing, pushing, and pawing against one another’s well-dressed figures as they cheered the bloke on.
With a twinge of reluctance, I decided to pass on the brunette for this much easier opportunity.
So I left her to go on her hip-swaying way, then got in with the half circle of sumptuously dressed ladies and joined in with the touchy-feely fun.
As he was bending over to put her down, I saw his jacket was lifted exposing a thick wallet now protruding from his hip pocket.
The girl joined her friends and as the “gorilla” watched with a half-pleased smile, I left them and walked past him, patting him on the rear with a slight squeeze.
I easily helped his wallet out the rest of the way as I patted his rear while saying to the prat’s backside…
“That has to be more fun than working out in a gym, eh laddie?”
Ok, so that was picking a pocket. But I still prefer the phrase lifting.
As in the solid silver Cartier watch, and the loosely worn emerald gemstone cocktail ring I lifted off two of the three watchers as we giggled together, and I happily stroked my fingers along their too soft sleek gowned, giggly warm, unsuspecting bodies.
With three scores now under my belt, my fingers deliciously tingled as I continued meandering my way amongst the happily partying guests, biding my time as I enjoyed the showy glamour of the reception halls’ guests.
The first dance time for the Bride and her Consort came.
Lights dimmed.
I began pressing up from behind against the couples in front. Seeing a sea of arms wrapped around silken waistlines. I eased off a man’s Rolex from his wrist as he held it against his wife’s satin-gowned waist. Similarly, I then relieved a lady’s gloved wrist of a gold jewelled bracelet as I pressed the fingers of my free hand against the side of her delightfully tingling feeling taffeta gown. My apologies to her were accepted as my other hand pocketed the bracelet.
Then as the wedding party held the floor, another hip pocket of a male watcher was relieved of a fat billfold.
Two picks and a lift for you language police out there.
Then the dance area, with the lights still dimmed, erupted as couples swarmed onto the floor. I went with the flow. Lifting a plump wallet from a swinging purse in the process as I cut through.
I then stationed myself in the outskirts watching the dancers. A fast dance tune started up and many of the men retreated leaving mostly ladies in shiny flowing gowns and swinging long shimmery skirts gyrating and jostling to the fast beat.
I spotted a lady wearing a taffeta gown with a diamond broach holding at the side of her waist.
I started to swing to the beat myself, wading in.
I worked my way to her, passing in the process the two sweet sixteen-year-olds and their swinging ropes of pearls. Brushing alongside them I spotted my prey. I zeroed in and jostled against her sweaty figure. Managing to easily pluck off her pricey broach as I slipped past.
Love the feel of an expensive taffeta gown.
I briefly considered leaving at that point. But there was still one traditional part of the reception I was waiting for, the Bride’s Bouquet throw.
Think of the potential.
A group of jostling, well-dressed ladies all focused on one thing. With someone like myself focused on another. There is no other opportunity like this, with the possible exception of midnight on New Year’s when the lights are dimmed over a swarming sea of guests.
So I behaved myself, catching a smoke and a free drink as I waited with anticipation.
Finally, it was announced and all of us single girls went out onto the dance floor.
I watched and like a lioness in the bush, circled around in the back.
I saw a young lady of twelve coming out to take part. She was a darling, dollied and dressed up like an adult. She was wearing blue mascara, that matched the colour of the long flowing blue satin gown she adorably was wearing. A fancy Long rhinestone necklace of diamonds and sapphires, were glistening down the front of her gown as she boldly made her way in.
When she passed me I cut her off and bumped right into her. As she wobbled on her blue leather pumps, my right hand shot up, lifting the front of her necklace as my left unsnapped the simple clasp. I pulled her necklace off with my right hand as she went off an apologetic ”Sorry miss ” like it had been her fault.
I had taken her necklace because I felt peeved that anyone not of marrying age would feel she should be allowed to take part, spoiling the tradition. Like having a cap and gown graduation for preschoolers, complete with diplomas. Kinda of ruins the meaning for those of us graduating after long years of schooling.
Sorry, but really, was a twelve-year-old going to be the one to marry next?
Oh by the by, the young girl's obviously wealthy mum was not wearing jewellery, otherwise, I would have targeted her instead to make my silent point.
So after that random encounter, I went back on the prowl, quickly choosing a likely victim and legitimately eligible participant.
I happily positioned myself.
The girl I had chosen was a tall thin blonde tightly encased in a white silk dress. Her jewels consisted mostly of 14K gold chains. Except for a gold tennis bracelet set with diamonds and rubies which is what I had my sights on.
Then, who should pop up next to the blonde? Why it was the short brunette wearing that simply lovely green velvet and taffeta gown like the one I had back in my closet at the flat.
Also wearing that delectable dazzling pendant.
I had not seen her since I had first started to follow her, and truth be told, had almost forgotten all about her.
I immediately wedged against the girl next to me(a nice lady in a silk gown with pearls) and got behind the brunette
The brunette chick's hair was still up, exposing the gold clasp of the necklace she wore, with that expensively flashy jewelled pendant at its bottom. She was short, the neckline of her gown coming up to my chin. It was now all a matter of timing.
As the bridal bouquet of roses was thrown and everyone lunged forward my fingers snaked up the backside of her soft gown and reaching the necklace I lifted the clasp and with a perfectly executed lift, opened it, slipping off her necklace almost before her high-heeled feet were firmly back on the ground.
I pulled away with my prize. And she with hers, for my victim had actually been the one catching the bouquet.
I turned, almost bumping into the pair of sweet sixteens in the satin bridesmaids' gowns who had been standing off to one side of us trying their luck at catching the bouquet.
We exchanged smiles and actually started walking off in the same direction. I pulled back and discreetly followed them.
Watching with interest as their gowns were richly fluttering along their svelte youthfully pointed figures. They then entered the same back corridor where I had first encountered them.
I saw one pulling out a pack of cigarettes as they whispered between themselves.
Happily, I overheard that they were sneaking off for a smoke.
For I saw opportunity knocking.
Following the girls I stood at the door of the loo as they slipped out the back door.
I turned and followed.
I was anticipating a chance to use their fear of being caught by me outside smoking, to allow me to chum right in and once I told them I saw no reason why they shouldn’t be smoking, receive relieved hugs from them as I left. Relieving each of them in turn by trimming off some of their pearled baubles.
At least that was the scenario that played out in my head.
One that had worked for me before. Except for that last time, three well-dressed younger ladies had been outside sneaking drinks from a flask. A pair of diamond earrings, a gold braided necklace, and a stunning diamond pin, had been my relieving picks from them.
So deciding that an opportunity for a pearl lift may be at hand I circled out and just followed the giggling and smoke signals emitting from their hidden roost.
I maneuvered up, unseen, behind them. And once again, I was that lioness hidden in the bush, waiting for the right moment to pounce.
As I waited, watching their adorably gowned and pearled figures as they giggled and gabbed on freely, I easily overheard the pair of sweet ones talking about their planned sleepover at the one girl's house.
The pretty pair were going to be alone since both parents were staying overnight at the hotel next to the reception.
I thought to myself how lovely it would be to burgle that house. To acquire all of the girl's delicious pearls, and possibly more?!
Then an epiphany as new as it was intriguing shot into my mind.
Why not try it?
I already had a nice haul for the evening. So if I could not pull it off I stood to lose nothing.
It was a gamble I was willing to take.
I stood there and watched, listened until the pair finished and swished their way back inside, none the wiser that they(and their pricy jewellery)had been watched in close proximity by a thief.
In a total bit of whimsy I went back to my sports coupe parked across an empty street from the lot. Once there I lit a cigarette of my own and stood vigil over the back parking lot.
There I could see several fancy cars parked. Including the fire-red Porsche that I had learned the one girl would be driving herself and her friend home in for their sleepover. The sports car was a sixteenth birthday gift from her parents.
All I received on my sweet sixteen was a summons to the head mistress’s office.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It was nearly two hours before I spied the fetchingly pretty pair walking out across that parking lot, smoking cigarettes like petite geysers.
They were vulnerably alone, their shiny long gowns flowing along svelte youthful figures with an air of elegance that called out to be noticed.
And with those gorgeous pearls, they were wearing, both clueless chicks presented a pair of prettily attired targets for a thief.
Fortunately, there were no muggers around. Only me, a thief with quite different aspirations on acquiring pearls this evening.
Seeing the girls leaving I got in my coupe and followed the red Porsche as it turned the corner.
It was easy to follow them. The driver was inexperienced enough not to have a lead foot.
The Porsche finally turned into the secluded driveway leading to a large two-story gothic stone structure, with small balconies outside the upper floor windows. As was a common sight with these large houses, a metal flower trellis reached up one side in between two balconies.
I found a place to pull over and quickly got out to sneak up and scout the grounds surrounding the house.
I saw a light go on upstairs, conveniently on the trellis side. Thankful my dress was tightly form-fitting, I went over and climbed up far enough to peek inside the upper-floor window
It was a bedroom, walls painted pink. Both girls were inside, starting to undress. Totally so into themselves that the pretty things had no idea a thief was eyeing them with sinister intent.
Licking my lips I watched the pair removing thier delicious pearls and piling them up on the vanity next to an open oak jewellery case, the contents shimmering in the light.
Then they pulled off their gloves and slipped out of their gowns, wearing only long slinking silk slips. Both girls, long hair now down, slipped into fancy satin robes and giggling, headed out the door.
I slipped back down the trellis and skirted the house. A light in the basement came on.
Crouching in the shadows I peeked in. The handsomely satin-wrapped pair were sitting on a couch in the furnished basement. Passing back and forth a clear bottle containing an amber-coloured liquor. Scotch I presumed.
Seeing they were becoming quickly intoxicated, I rose and with a feeling of utter confidence, went back to the trellis and climbed back up to the window.
It was conveniently left unlatched.
Piece of cake this burgling business apparently could be.
Turned out, It was a piece of cake.
Beginner’s luck, we’ll see.
I slipped over the sill and into the bedroom they had changed in.
The young lady's pearls piled on a vanity, next to the open jewellery case were my first target.
As the clueless young pair in the furnished basement was getting drunk, I put on a pair of satin evening gloves found on one of the gowns and lifted(or picked) the bedroom clean of valuables.
No persnickety housemaid could have done a more efficient job of picking clean that bedroom, or as quickly, as I did that early morning.
Then I left the room to hit the parent’s master bedroom.
It was the one on the opposite side of the hallway.
Inside I found a tall Jewelry Armoire. I opened it up and my eyes were dazzled by the display of pricy day jewelry it held. Or had held for another ten minutes until I emptied its contents into my already bulging purse.
I knew the mum would be wearing the good stuff at the wedding, the rest may be inside a safe, which was beyond my skill level in picking.
I briefly wondered if the owner of the red Porsche knew her parent's safe combination.
I thought of taking the time to find out. But shook my head no. Time to skedaddle.
Then I saw it. In my rush, I had almost missed a solitary piece of jewellery laying out on a nightstand.
It was a dazzler. An almost 7-centimeter wide bracelet, set with 7 strands of diamonds. Three strands of round stones each flanking a centre strand of pear-shaped stones. Vulgarly expensive.
But why was it out? A trap?
I edged up to the nightstand and looked around. Nothing else appeared out of place.
Except for that expensively flashy diamond bracelet.
Looking around, I carefully eased it off the nightstand. Nothing happened, not that I knew what could have happened.
I stuffed the bracelet inside my purse, still looking warily around.
I shrugged my feelings of danger off and left the room. Though perhaps a tad bit quicker than necessary.
I went back to the pink bedroom, then climbed back out the window and down the metal trellis
I stopped by the basement window for one last peek. The young shiny attired darlings were intensely hugging each other. The bottle of scotch was now almost empty.
Suddenly a naughty picture popped inside my head, with no proper rhyme, nor reason.
In that picture, I saw the pair still dressed voluptuously up in their satin gowns, tied up gagged, and sinister hands groping as the haplessly squirming sweet sixteeners were being relieved of pearls. Then long feminine fingers were tickling in the girl’s sensitive areas until a safe opening combination was coughed up.
It was a picture that would not go away. I shook my head to get them out and left.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I ruined the dress I was wearing, but I realized I had gotten away with enough small pricey valuables that gave me a profit that more than doubled my pickings combined over the previous 4 months.
As I drove home I experienced such a rush of euphoria that I decided the experience just had to be relived.
When I got back to my rooms, I changed into my satin pjs and empty my purse onto the black satin sheets of my bed.
I lifted the pearls and couldn’t stop fingering them as my euphoria overwhelmed me with sweeping hot flashes of giddiness over my accomplishments.
It was a lovely feeling. Both sensuous and a bit of hard sexual desires.
Not really sure where the bound and gagged fantasy picture came from. Or what it was foretelling if anything.
But the reality of tonight’s experience lay in glittering heaps on my black satin sheets.
I picked up the far to valuably shimmering diamond bracelet.
Pondering.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I bring that last memory up because years later I may have found out why the diamond bracelet had been left out.
For apparently some of the ultra-wealthy, as a ruse, will leave out several pieces of valuable jewels as a deterrent. Hoping the inexperienced thief will grab those and flee without searching further. Which is exactly what I did.
It also means that those two sweet sixteeners may have been the only barrier between me and a potentially small fortune in hidden jewels.
So maybe that fantasy vision I had about tickling to find a safe combination could have been an unrealized sixth sense moment?
One never knows.
Fini