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I'm back for a brief visit- we got away from Iowa for a 13 day respit from elder care- dashed off to Yellowstone NP and Glacier NP. This little mt. goat was resting but keeping a watchful eye for mom.
It's been cold, wet and wintry. I stepped out and took this then dashed back inside where it was warm and dry. Blogged.
We appreciate the courtesy of Chatwick University Archives for letting us use the journals in our research, and for permission to use parts for the genesis of “Dare’s Game”.
Dare’s Game
Beth, eagerly looking for Dare, walked straight into Seth’s cunning snare…..
Suffix, circa 1910?. It was during this time a fanciful young lady, whom we will call Beth, started a journal which she would faithfully keep over the course of almost 50 years. She led quite an adventuresome life for a lady of that time, and her journals were filled with many tales and observations of her exploits. The following story is derived from events that she penned down in the early years in her journal.
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Beth had known Dare since their childhood. Dare was a handsome free spirited youth only two years her senior, who lived for the games his life had to offer. As his cherished nickname inferred, Dare was always trying to find the thrill out of anything he could think up, relishing to go beyond the pale in anything he attempted. Dare always a little different, harboring feelings and ideas way beyond his years, almost as if he had lived a previous life and retained something from it in his being.
Beth would remember times playing dress up with Dare’s sister Diana in some old gowns of their mothers. It was always then that Dare and his friends seemed to appear and talk them into playing hide n seek, tag or cops n robbers. Dare seemed to take pleasure in cajoling the girls into playing with them in this manner. Eyeing them as they played with a far off look that suggested the game they were playing had more meaning to him than he could ever venture to say. It was hard for Beth to explain it, but she did find it pleasurable (almost erotic using a word whose term she would learn much later) to be observed by him in this way.
One warm fall day Diana and Beth headed down to an old shack located near some railroad tracks at the back of a cornfield. Diana was dressed in a long satin play gown with her mother’s jewelry, which Dare had called rhinestones. Beth, herself dressed in a long flowing dress, loved the way Diana’s jewels twinkled and sparkled as she walked. They were going to pretend the shack was a ballroom and they were one their way to a fancy dance, like Beth’s and Diana’s parents had recently attended. Diana wasn’t supposed to be wearing her mother’s jewelry outside the house, but as a result of Dare’s teasing, had done so anyway.
They had reached the shack, an old white brick building with a wooden roof half fallen in, when a man’s voice suddenly said behind them, what are you two ladies up to? Turning they were confronted by a happily sneering drifter. The grubby man looked around, alone is we, and advanced towards them. The two girls stood petrified, he reached out and probed Diana along her side, pretty dress missy, he said, sparsely toothed mouth grinning like a pumpkin. He suddenly reached up and tore the necklace away from Diana’s throat, sending her falling backwards. Beth screamed bloody murder, as the vagrant turned heel, running off towards the tracks. Suddenly Dare appeared, and Beth, meaning to yell for help, exclaimed instead “help honey” to Dare. Dares eyes took on a very different look, almost of a burning yearning. Beth told him what had happened and he took off down towards the tracks in hot pursuit. For Beth, the look he had given her and the way he had dashed off excited her beyond measure. Even for someone that young, Beth now knew what Dare meant to her. From then on, playing games with Dare took on a heightened meaning for Beth.
But, nothing really changed in their relationship until Beth’s sophomore year of high school. Beth was sixteen at the time, a whimsical being, passionate, innocent, not particularly attractive, but radiating with a love of life. A living free spirit, developing into a very sexual being by the time her and Diana decided to attend their schools prom in their sophomore year. Beth dressed in a fuchsia coloured satin dress with dangling rhinestone earrings that had been” borrowed” from Diana’s Mother, the same ones Diana had been wearing when they had run into the drifter at the shack. Diana slipped into the slinky blue spaghetti strap gown and matching cover-all that she had worn as her cousin’s bridesmaid. She was wearing sapphire costume jewels patterned after the hope diamond. Their parents had given them a hard time when they saw their made up girls in their gowns and finery , admonishing them for looking way too mature. They smiled, consoling their parents fears, and went off on their adventure.
Their eyes were dazzled by the display of lights, the cheerfully student filled room, the band. They had stopped and were letting it all sink in, when Beth felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and came face to face with Dare, who once again had the same yearning fire in his eyes as on that fateful day at the old shack. A veil was lifted from between the two, and Beth spent the whole evening encompassed in Dare’s arms. Soon after that the two had begun seeing much more of one another. Their relationship was still going strong eight years later.
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8 Years Later
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Come on Dare, let’s go to the Riverside, it will be fun she urged. She had been trying to get her fiancé’ to take her to the exclusive five star resorts for some time. And now she had a free overnight room card she had won at work! Dare looked into Beth’s wide, hope filled eyes, knowing her passion for attending these types of affairs. Ever hopeful she would see someone rich. Dare knew how to use this to his advantage. Finally he buckled, all right, only if we play the game afterwards he bargained. She squirmed inwardly with passion, nodding her agreement. Beth found the game exciting, though she would never let on to Dare. And, you must wear the gold bridesmaid gown and jewels you wore to your friend’s wedding last week , he added, a wistful smile lighting up his thin face.. Okay she agreed, trying to sound reluctant, but truthfully feeling multiple tingles of delight.
Dare was handsome, in a scrawny, thin bearded, sort of way ( From an old photo that survives he resembled a young Johnny Depp… the eds), with a witty writers imagination and a playful disposition. He could always make Beth laugh, feeling his excitement as he drew her into his stories and games. She would never admit to it, but found the game delightfully erogenous. She smiled to herself, so Dare had liked the satin gown after all, he had not shown any interest in her wearing it since the wedding. And the jewelry, the small rhinestone pendent and earrings had been pretty, but Beth soon came up with another idea. She would knock his socks off by wearing the glittering diamonds and emeralds that had been inherited from her grandmother. The set had laid collecting dust in a safety deposit box all these years, unworn. She had never told Dare about them, waiting for the perfect occasion. She could just imagine the look in his eyes when he saw her wearing them. Okay then, game on, Beth thought, wickedly sending shivers up and down her spine.
Dare’s Game was based on role playing:
Dare would give Beth money to purchase a new outfit, something rich and shiny, like silk or satin. With the new outfit, Beth would wear the good gold jewelry she had received from Dare on her birthdays. The idea was to acting like a bored rich girl out for a good time, alone and vulnerable.
Dare would be at the hotel bar, waiting for Beth to make her entrance, then make her acquaintance , playing a debonair, suited gentleman with a mysterious past and a hidden agenda. They would make a date later, usually to dance and have drinks.
Then that evening, she would go down to the bar. Dressed in one of the long gowns Dare favored, fitting in with the usual spillover from a wedding reception that had been held in one of the Ballrooms. Sometimes she would wear the rhinestone jewelry they had purchased together at various antique stores. Then Beth would wait for Dare to make his entrance, signaling the time for Dare’s game. He would assume one of several roles, or possibly a new one that Beth had never seen. In the past Dare had played:
A spy who would dance with Beth, then disappear. Sending a note to Beth via a third person that would have her meet him clandestinely in a remote location…
A highwayman who would come across Beth on the castle grounds , usually the resorts empty gardens at night….
A rich millionaire looking for romance…
A kidnapper hired by an evil uncle, who after tying up Beth and removing her valuables would have a change of heart….
A Jewel thief who would be cunningly after her valuables…
A handsome prince rescuing Beth’s damsel in distress ….
Or Dare’s favorite, centered on their old childhood game of cops and robbers. Dare would play the thief, and steal something from Beth, usually while dancing. He would then leave preset clues around the grounds that she would have to follow to catch him.
All of the games usually led to some playful groping and then escalating into the upper echelons of erotic pleasure. Sometimes they never made out of the woods, or barely out of the ballroom. Beth shivered at these thoughts, wishing she didn’t have to wait….
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Three weeks later at the Riverside Resort.
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In the Bar:
At the bar, Dare smiled to himself, pleased. He had dropped Beth off to check in by herself. She would change into her new outfit and wear it down to the bar for lunch. She would come in acting like a complete stranger to the area. Dare would make her acquaintance, invite her to lunch, and make plans to see her that evening at the resorts dance room. There were two wedding receptions going on, and that dance room should be filled with well-dressed patrons. Beth would fit right in; clad that pretty gown she had promised to wear.
Dare had been sitting at the bar, thinking about ways to play out the game that evening, when the answer came to him, in the form of a stranger who had come with his drink and sat next to him. The stranger introduced himself as Seth, and shaking Dare’s hand sat on the stool next to him. After they had had couple of drinks, they had become quite chummy. Seth explaining he had come up for one of the weddings, and assumed Dare was doing the same. Seth did not fail to observe Dare’s secretive smile, but did not question it. Their conversation was distracted only when a newcomer appeared at the entrance. Beth walked in, a long flowing silky skirt swishing down to her leather sandals. A shiny, long sleeved satin top fitting tightly along her perky figure, with bright gold jewelry complementing the ensemble. Real gold, Seth observed silently to himself.
Beth went to a table, both men going silent as they watched her move through the room. Good-looking one, that, Seth commented, looking at Dare who was deep in thought as his eyes were fixed on the sexy newcomer. Seth teasingly offered Dare a penny for his thoughts. Dare smiled mischievously, letting lose his plans. Seth listened to the young man, smiling as a light went on in his steal grey eyes. When Dare finished he offered up a suggestion as to how Dare could make it really interesting for Beth. The two co-conspirators worked it out: Seth told Dare about a stone hut and wall that was located on the back nine of the resorts golf course. He suggested that he, Seth, would meet Beth that evening and pass a note onto her from Dare saying that he was in trouble and needed her help, with directions to the spot. Dare liked the idea, and wrote the note on a cocktail napkin, cementing the plan by handing it to Seth.
Off you go old chap, let Uncle Seth take care of his end, he said grinning, giving Dare a sporting clap on the back. With a wink, Dare left his fellow collaborator, and went over to Beth, who had since been seated by a male waiter, now standing drooling over her shoulder as she looked at the menu.
Later that same evening, inside the crowded club:
Seth had stopped by the bar for a last drink. His business venture had been concluded earlier than he had expected. With the change in his plans, he had checked out early, his kit packed, boot loaded and the car ready. He now sat at the bar Causley watching young lass of about seventeen who had literally ran into him at one of the receptions. He watched her flirting about the club, weaving in and out of the guests. With a long swishing gown flowing provocatively along her lithe figure, abundant, solid white gold chains swinging out in an alluringly eye catching manner as she scurried about. A diminutive gold ring its half caret diamond flickered playfully from the petite pinky it loosely surrounded once again welcomed his contemplation. The lass presented quite an intriguing gold feathered fledgling, just begging to be plucked. He looked around, spying her parents on the dance floor. The father/husband, despite being an excellent dancer, gave him no interest. It was his partner, the wife/ mother, decked out in a iridescent suit and long swishing satin skirt upon which he now was reexamining. He again studied under the bright dance floor lights her fine pearls dangling from her ears, throat, and wrists. But it was the Ladies’ two rings that stole the show for him; an engagement ring with a rock of at least 2 carets surrounded by numerous shimmering half caret stones and a pinky ring similar to her daughters, that proudly displayed a single white solitaire diamond of at least one caret that had garnered his consideration. He also reconsidered the facts that he had been able to garnish about the lady who wore them, and her husband. The wife/mother was a heavy drinker who would not be expected to make any kind of appearance before noon. Hubby was a golfer, who would be out for breakfast at five am before being on the links at 6 am the next morning . At 5 :15 Seth was planning to pay a visit to his suite, and relieve his two ladies of their expensive trinkets. It should be an easy straight forward caper, that had Seth bristling with anticipation at the prospect.
As he was tossing down the last of his drink he remembered about Dare and the note he still had in his pocket. Setting down the empty glass, he pulled the note out and looked at it, kids he smirked, and was preparing to crinkle toss it on the bar and leave, when his eyes caught sight of Beth. He had felt his breath taken away when he saw her. Not at all what he had expected, he would say to Beth much later in the evening. He looked over the note, stirrings of a plan began formulating. All thoughts of the dancing couple and his plans fled his mind, as He rose, throwing a fiver on the bar and went off to intercept Beth.
Seth held Beth in his arms, she was a vivacious little thing he thought, while smiling charmingly into her eyes. She seemed a little apprehensive at first, but had settled right in when he had told her this had been set up by Dare, remember me at the bar with him this afternoon he had consoled her, she had smile brightly into his eyes in answer. He relished in the feel of her warm satin gown, and allowed himself to be mesmerized by the shimmer of her diamonds.
It reminded him of the diamonds that had been worn by one of his dance partners earlier that evening at a reception. He had forgotten her name, but not her diamonds, one of which now resided in a hidden compartment of his roadsters boot, along with the diamond pin he had slipped off the satin cape he had cordially help a well-dressed lady put on. He had also shelved his plans for his 5:15 am “meeting” at the golf playing husbands hotel room, Beth’s jewels were a much more lucrative prospect.
When the dance had ended he took her to the bar and sat her down, ordering her a drink. She seemed a little perplexed, Seth kissed her gloved hand; wait for it he told her mysteriously, winking into her eyes. Beth had winked back, the fire in her heart reflecting deep in her eyes. Seth left, smiling cleverly to himself as he took in his surroundings. He looked around as he walked away, now where had the little imp gotten off too?
He had decided that the seventeen year old in the long flirting gown would play a very different role in his plans. He approached her, with Dares note and a twenty. Thought for a moment about the pair of thick platinum gold chains dangling from her throat down the open neckline of the girl’s glossy gown, then banished the though, he had bigger fish to filet. The twenty caught her attention and she eagerly listened as he explained to her what to do, pointing out Beth sitting, waiting in earnest at the bar. Wait until she finishes her drink, Seth told her as she listened eagerly. She took the twenty into her hand, the half caret diamond on her pinky ring flashing, and her gold chain bracelets jangled as she grasped it. Seth left, figuring he had about twenty minutes to stop at his car, get a few items from the boot, and put his plan in motion.
Beth had curiously received the note from the attractively shy young lady, clad a slinky gown that made her appear years older. Reading it she folded it and was just getting up when a man wearing a suit came up to her and offered to let her dance with him. It took her some time, before she was finally able to ward him off and leave the brilliantly lit clubroom for the dark, forbidding grounds outside.
Now, a thoroughly excited Beth walked up the hill. Her senses becoming more prickling alert with each step. Innocently unaware that she was no longer playing a role in Dare’s game!
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Epilogue:
As Seth walked away admiring the shimmery necklace, his thoughts travelled back to the gold burdened impish youngster in the swirling gown, and her pearl and diamond laden mother. Revisiting his original plans he decided that he liked the odds, especially since they would be against him. With the father leaving early to meet his cronies for breakfast the Mother should be still sleeping off her drink induced stupor, the hyperactive girl should still be out cold, but presented no risk if she awoke, he had more rope. The ladies jewels should be lying about in the apartment, or handedly on their persons( the pairs of diamond pinky rings, as well as the multi-diamond engagement ring flashed once again across his memory with all their brilliant glory),as he caught fire with the vision. There could be a safe he reasoned, but with a tied up daughter and a knife in his hand, the mother should have no issue opening it for him, or disclosing anywhere else her jewels may have been hidden . But if there was no safe, and the rings, pearls and solid white gold chains were somewhere in the room, he knew he would be able to noiselessly break in, find and slip the jewels from wherever they were perched, and be safely on his way without even causing the slightest stir from the sleeping woman and her daughter. It was a road Seth had travelled down many times. He prickled at the thought, as he foresightedly tallied up the potential haul while making his way to the car. The Mother/wife’s diamond rings, would easily fetch him at least three grand, probably close five with her pearls and the whelp’s jewelry added in. About a quarter of what he probably would get for the jewels now in his procession, so he mused inquisitively to himself, so ,was it worth the risk of his 20,000 bird in hand? Yes he answered himself, as all too familiar and welcome tingling sensation overwhelmed Seths muscular body. Like Dare, Seth like to play risky games, especially those which promised to be somewhat profitable. It would be a tantalizingly chancy gamble of his own; to wait a safe distance away while things cooled down and then return to break into the un protected sleeping ladies chamber.. He knew just the place to hide , and it would be a perfect spot to watch events unfold around Beth and Dare, while making his plans! It also afforded a nicely secret hiding nook for the ill-gotten gains collected so far that evening in case something went wrong, which it wouldn’t..
Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
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Dashed out to Walpole Bay, Cliftonville to get some sunset shots. Was hopeful as the weather had been good all day but then the rain clouds came!
Best viewed on black. www.bsi.turnerweb.co.uk
Explored on 10th April 2012
Bald Eagle - Assateague Island National Seashore, Chincoteague, Virginia
They say, "It's not over 'till the Fat Lady sings",
and here she is singing,
but still, it's not over yet!
The Whole Story
I was contentedly watching a flock of 20 or 30 American Coot when a shadow came over the raft and the whole flock dashed (literally ran across the water) as a Bald Eagle swooped down amongst them as they scrambled into the nearby reeds. Coot would normally dive under such circumstances, but they were too close to shore, and diving wasn't a serviceable strategy in this case. Lucky for them the Eagle came up empty in spite of its seeming advantage.
The eagle then abandoned its attack, flew out a hundred yards into the marsh and landed on a small island to admire the coot from afar. The coot then warily came out out of cover and began feeding again while keeping a close watch on the eagle. Suddenly the coot scattered a second time as another eagle swooped down on them, but it too came up empty, then flew over toward the first eagle and landed a few feet from it. At that point, both eagles began screeching at each other, and I began capturing images of them since I figured there was going to be a fight, or possibly even an airborne battle! But to my surprise they simply stood their ground and screeched at each other. After about 5 or 10 minutes of that I eventually came to the conclusion that these two were not rivals, and the screeching was most likely a domestic dispute with each eagle delivering a critique on the other's coot catching inadequacies. After a few more minutes of squawking they quieted down and stood on their little island watching the coot watch them.
It was then I realized that they had derived a strategy during the course of their "discussion", and that strategy was to wait until dusk and attack the coot under cover of the approaching darkness. And sure enough, at dusk one of the eagles took flight in a direction leading away from the coot, flew a half mile out, and then circled around the coot, and (with the sun at his back) landed in a Loblolly pine about 200 yards on the other side of the coot. Then after the eagle in the pine had been there about 10 minutes, the other eagle launched itself from its island resting place and made a direct attack on the coot causing them to scramble away from it, at which time the second eagle came directly at the fleeing coot making a kill dive at one of the last coot yet to reach cover. Lucky for the coot both eagles came up empty, and the game was played out. Then after their "Hale Mary" plan proved to be a failure, both eagles flew off to their roost, where I’m sure there was another “discussion” about whose fault is was there was no dinner that night!
"The whole story"?
Maybe, or perhaps just the beginning of a looong night
for the guy who missed the kill?
While on a short hike in the Sierra foothills, I happened upon butterflies flitting about in a tiny wildflower patch, so I dashed to the car to grab my telephoto and capture some springtime images.
We spotted this mum sheep stuck on her back. It's called 'cast' and the sheep will die after a few hours!!
So went and got her back on her feet and then the lambs dashed in for some grub!!
We hung about for a while to make sure she remained upright!
Taken in the Loxley area of Sheffield, just inside the Peak District boundary too..!
Fuzzy pictures but you can see the story!!
'Good deed for the day'!!
www.countryside-alliance.org/resources/news/what-do-you-d...
Did not see a lot of birds to be captured during my walk the other day, saw an interesting lizard - the green ones but with a lot of blue, had not see such one - but it dashed away so my only shot at it was really smeary. This chaffinch saved the day, was hopping around making a lot of noise. It was late - around 5-6 PM - and under the trees the light was low but I got a stable shot -out of many- at 1/30th.
Meeting flickr friends is fun. Meeting flickr friends for the first time is fun and exciting. Last weekend, Danny and Michael visited for a fall color hike here in the ozarks. Another flickr friend, a Fayetteville local, Jonas wanted to meet us too. He had a busy schedule that weekend and he said he would try his best, and we made it more difficult for him by saying that we wanted to meet him at Hawksbill (which is little over an hours drive from home, with some dirt roads in part) at dawn to catch the sunrise.
We (my friend Venkat, Michael, Danny and I) left on time on a dense foggy morning winding up the Boston mountains, in the dark, to our destination. But, we had a problem. Our driver was from Western Texas and was quite used to driving in situations unlike what he was driving that morning. End result, we drove at almost half the speed at which I estimated we would be going :)
As we were on the last stretch of dirt road, we saw the morning glow. And then we had a half hour hike. Danny dashed to the rock (Danny, you rock!) and we followed him and there he was, Jonas!!
Jonas was waiting for us, he had seen and caught the rock with the fog and dawn.
It was a great morning.. and, what a place for a flickr meetup!
Featured above from left to right: a tripod (since another TR.iPod was taking this shot, including the other tripod made sense :D ), Michael, Danny, Jonas and Venkat.
#5404 291/365 2024
I went to the pub to attend our monthly ukulele night. As I drove over the canal bridge I spotted this scene, so I dashed back and took this phone pic. Luckily I had the bridge rail to rest the phone on.
Grindelwald, Switzerland. As promised some geology of the region. Here you are able to see a darker, unstratified crystalline rocks overlying deformed lighter carbonates. I outlined the much older rocks with a dashed yellow line to make the dynamic forces that prevailed during the formation of the Alps better visible.
Astronomers using the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope have captured compelling evidence of a planet with a mass similar to Saturn orbiting the young nearby star TWA 7. If confirmed, this would represent Webb’s first direct image discovery of a planet, and the lightest planet ever seen with this technique.
Using the coronagraph on Webb’s Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on 21 June 2024, the team carefully suppressed the bright glare of the host star to reveal faint nearby objects. This technique, called high-contrast imaging, enables astronomers to directly detect planets that would otherwise be lost in the overwhelming light from their host star. After subtracting residual starlight using advanced image processing, a faint infrared source was revealed near TWA 7, distinguishable from background galaxies or Solar System objects. The source is located in a gap in one of three dust rings that were discovered around TWA 7 by previous ground-based observations. Its brightness, colour, distance from the star, and position within the ring are consistent with theoretical predictions for a young, cold, Saturn-mass planet sculpting the surrounding debris disc.
Initial analysis suggests that the object – referred to as TWA 7b – could be a young, cold planet with a mass around 0.3 times that of Jupiter (~100 Earth masses) and a temperature near 320 Kelvin (roughly 47 degrees Celsius).
In this image from MIRI, light from the star TWA 7 has been subtracted. The location of the star is marked with a circle and a star symbol at the centre of the image. This leaves light from the debris disc around the star, as well as other infrared sources, visible. The bright spot to the upper right of the star is the source identified as TWA 7b, within the debris disc. The more distant orange spot visible in the left of the image is an unrelated background star.
Only a single MIRI band was used in this image (seen here in orange). The blue colour visible in the image results from an additional band taken by the SPHERE instrument of ESO's Very Large Telescope (VLT), which showcases the location of the disc surrounding the host star and the exoplanet creating a gap within the disc that is revealed by MIRI.
[Image Description: An image of a nearby star and its vicinity. The star itself has been blocked out and its bright light has been removed. A dashed circle with a star symbol at the centre of the image marks the star’s location. A fuzzy blue disc surrounds the star. An orange spot, near to the star and inside this disc, is identified as a planet orbiting the star. A fainter orange spot far from the centre marks a distant star.]
Credits: ESA/Webb, NASA, CSA, A.M. Lagrange, M. Zamani (ESA/Webb) ;CC BY 4.0
We waited in the truck for the rain to lessen up enough, and then dashed down the trail and climbed out on the rocks at Bass Harbor Head, Maine. Still the strong wind was pushing the raindrops up on my lens, so I was wiping them off every few seconds. It was really fun and unexpected to see the sun come shining through the clouds for a moment over the sea. It was a great trip and I'm home again.
(Single Exposure)
I had been after a poppy shot like this for a couple of weeks but found thy always opened at night. However this particular morning I saw this one so dashed out side with camera and tri pod and took this shot. I used a black tee shirt as the back ground, 2 steel rods, string, and a news paper ( don't ask ) And shot the image in bright sun shine....And if you see this Bev this is one for you !
I had not taken my tripod with me when I dashed over to photograph this house. I was surprised to find the back door open. I also didn't have a flashlight with me so I did not stay to explore the inside of the premises. (I guess my lack of participation in the scout programs as a kid has impacted me my whole life!) Lacking a tripod, I placed my camera on the sill of the broken out kitchen window to get this shot. Meanwhile a man who lived up the road stopped to talk with Wilbur who was nearby photographing a truck. Wilbur assured him we were not going inside the house. Drat.
EXPLORE #164 on Saturday, January 10, 2009
This was such a beautiful morning...couple of hundred yards from where I live...I just dashed out as soon as I saw the snow to get some shots...
There was really high cloud cover all day. I knew that sunset was either going to be a complete flop or had the potential for something great. About an hour before golden hour, a small gap appeared in the West and so I dashed off with my camera.
Great spot - so many rocks to play with, which meant it took me a little time to find a composition I liked. The whole time, the sky was still very grey until right at the last 10 minutes before sunset. It may have been the greatest sunset I've ever seen!
I took two bracketed shots so that I could get the highlights for the rocks and mountains.
I was forced down here this evening! Rob made me do it! Actually, I had come to a natural break in the work I'm doing on the house when his message arrived; I needed no second bidding, I had to wait for paint to dry anyway so off we dashed to Ogmore-by-Sea, our nearest beach.
The moment I noticed photographers hanging around this part of the estuary I just knew they had returned. The stumps of some long forgotten wooden construction only appear above the sand and pebbles every five years or so. Unfortunately I was ten minutes too late in catching the sun illuminating the foreground of this shot, but the sky in the background being lit by the sun behind me just had to be captured.
I suppose I really ought to apologise to the couple (from Gwynfa Camera Club) who I rather bulldozed away, I think they had finished anyway, but it was rather rude of me to barge my way in!
On my return home I went back to my decorating for a couple of hours and only now have I looked at what I have taken. This is this week's offering, maybe another one of the same shoot later in the week! bfn!
Half an hour's ferry ride takes you from Auckland's harbor to the fascinating island of Rangitoto, a now extinct volcano that last erupted relatively recently, about half a millennium ago. A path leads to the crater (at 260 metres) and it's a hike much loved. Besides the geological fascination of a volcano, the island has much more to offer in wildlife and plants.
Rangitoto has the largest forest of Pôhutukawa trees in the world; the name means something like 'Sprinkled by Spray' or 'Drenched by Mist'. The Mâori reference is apparently to the fact that these trees often stand near the shore and thus quite close to thundering waves. That of course brings me to Captain James Cook's ship The Endeavour. It voyaged to these parts - in particular Australia but also for six months in the areas of New Zealand - 1768-1771, dashed no doubt by much briny spray. Aboard was a group of scientists more or less under the command of famous naturalist Joseph Banks (1743-1820) and in his wake Daniel Solander (1733-1782). Banks named our plant Metrosideros in 1788. and Solander had described it earlier (1770) though his work was not published during his lifetime. It was collected at Tolaga Bay, North Island, at the end of October 1769, and beautifully drawn by Ill-fated Sidney Parkinson (1745-1771).
EXPLORE. September 21, 2008.
Best viewed Large.
golden sunlight
muted twilight
cicada crooning
sheer delight
feet dangling
head a-bobbing
ears listening
iPod humming
carefree slumber
no care, no wonder
hush... shush!
sweet surender
wake up tender
day's gone silent
a week's past.
Ahhhh
Monday's expectations...
(Behind-the-scene: Went to do some side-work today. As I was leaving the facility, I stopped and looked at the pot where I captured this. And then I turned and saw this! I knew exactly what I wanted. Dashed to the truck to fetch "Temple". Crouched very low, my right cheek almost brushing the ground. The sun was already setting, so. Perfect sweet light! Snap! Snap! Lens? Nikkor 105mm f2.8 VR. Have a great week ahead everyone!).
As soon as I had my horse saddled, I threw myself unto the horse and galloped off towards the king's palace. As soon as I arrived I rushed up the stairs and dashed into the throne room to tell the king of the news I had heard. As soon as the king heard this news he sent a messenger to tell prince Jarius to meet the leaders of Lenfeld about signing the treaty. He told me that a large group of outlaws were going to attack my home town of Balanire. I was outraged by this news. I told him that I would take my men to battle this threat. He agreed to my proposal and I left the throne men to gather my men.
to be continued in "gathering the men" coming on Tuesday.
I know that I haven't posted in a while and thought I should get back into this so I am.
Hope you all enjoyed the story.
please leave a like and comment
thanks and have an awesome day
“Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces.”
― Sigmund Freud, Reflections on War and Death
Dashed down the yacht club tonight to catch a particularly fine sunset and just noticed this plane taking off from Dublin Airport.
The air was unusually still, so the vapour trail stayed virtually undisturbed and the settting sun just lit it up.
So a few sliders later and.............. HSS!
There was only a one-day window of decent weather between a snow event and the arrival of arctic conditions, so we dashed to Prairie Mountain. The wind was howling at the top as usual, but didn't pose a problem. We ascended the normal route up the south flank, but took the long way back, descending the northwest flank and following Prairie Creek. We walked over 11 1/2 km's return distance, gaining around 840 m's with all the ups and downs, taking 4 1/2 hours to do so.
Snapped and dashed. The base of the lighthouse was surrounded by police for some reason and they quickly told us to leave.
Red Arrows, Hercules, Typhoon, Sentry.
We were number 1 and 2 at the Yellow Gate. As soon as we were in, we dashed to the eastern side of the field passing the lined up Red Arrows.
KHA_5424
This beautiful little group of does was shocked to see me! The light obviously was not very good but it was so fun to get all of them looking at me before they dashed off into the woods I had to use the shot anyway. They are starting to shed already and thus are looking a big ragged but still beautiful to me. Of course I love it when I can get the classic portrait shots of wild animals but I also love the wider, natural habitat shots such as this.
Colorado,
USA
THANKS!
Bev
© All Rights Reserved
No, not really. But you've got to give the picture a title rather than DSC_1034, or "Shot taken before I dashed 200km back to the hospital". Yesterday didn't go as planned. The weather forecast accurately predicted a nice bright, but cold morning, but I really didn't have time to get to the bits I wanted and I wasted too much time at the lakeside waiting for nothing to happen. Oh well, I can just go back to work tomorrow and slog away for another five days before there is the possibility of a reward next weekend. I suppose that's just the way life is.
I tried to make it a habit to get up early to catch the sunrise almost every morning while we were on vacation in Loudoun County, Virginia. On most mornings, I was up at 4:15 and out trying to get a shot before 5 AM. On this particular morning, I had very high hopes, but they were dashed as I drove up the Snickersville Turnpike and it began to rain. After realizing that I wasn't going to get anything, I stopped at the 24 hour McDonalds to pick up a McMuffin. While I was in the drive through line, sudennly the clouds parted a bit and the sun came blazing through. It was all I could do to make sure I paid the nice lady at the window before I peeled out of that parking lot and drove back to the outskirts of town looking for a shot. (It didn't help that the speed limit in most of Loudoun County is 25!)
As I drove back down Lincoln Ave in the rain, I suddenly slammed on my brakes, grabbed my camera, and bolted across the road. I didn't bother with the tripod as it was beginning to pour but just spent the next few minutes trying to get as many bracketed shots in as possible before the sun disappeared behind the clouds again.
This shot is very typical of what I saw during my stay in Loudoun County, and it pretty much explains why I'd love to pick up and move there as soon as possible. There would be a couple of minor issues to deal with first, like....finding a job, moving my entire extended family, etc, etc, but given the choice, I would move here in a heartbeat. Nothing but rolling green hills, miles of horse fencing and old stone walls - some of which date back to the revolutionary war, the way the fireflies dance along the roadside at night, deer wandering into your yard....and these amazing skies. I live in North Orange County where we have miles of freeways, traffic jams, brown hills, power lines, and stray cats wandering into my yard. Not quite the same thing.
Maybe some day.
opened the curtains this morning, and look - the ground is covered in a delicate dusting of frost. The first frost of this winter. How pretty. How cold. Dashed out to take this pic - dashed back in because it was pretty parky in my jamies and dressing gown.
We loved or loathed them. They reminded me of being like a shoe box and such sweet things they were, dashed good machines with plenty of thrash too.
All of our Darts were Super Pointers and here's number 71 (SK52 0JR) in harlequin livery at Ratho terminus in the days when there was a Service 48.
if I didnt get a shortline running backwards....dreams of SD9s and Baldwins were dashed as ILSX 1338 rumbled into Coleman, WI at a much faster rate of speed than we were expecting. Backwards power or not it was still nice to shoot this obscure shortline, thanks to Jesse (Rooooory) for tour guiding.
SO cute and fluffy!
The weather's warmed up and I'm almost ready to release a batch of phidippus spiderlings we cared for over the last few months. I was checking the back yard to be sure it was fully stocked with spring critters for spider foraging when this spry wolf spider dashed into view. I love the racing stripes, camouflage color, leopard print legs & overall good grooming.
What is 100 minus 15?
Amtrak 43 Pennsylvanian rushes westbound through Devon, PA in a welcomed break between clouds as they pass under some ancient PRR Position lights. Our hopes of the westbound Pennsylvanian having the midnight blue 100 were dashed, but a nice shot was still to be had here.
"Red sky in the morning, shepherd's warning".
The old saying was certainly true just before dawn and for a few minutes afterward. I saw the potential whilst upstairs for a few photographs and dashed outside but the sky had changed as the full orb of the Sun appeared. I just made the best job that I could and grabbed half a dozen exposures with an interesting foreground.
.
No sooner had I uploaded yesterday's photo on "wildness" when the Cat gave her unmistakable "critter alert" pose at the windows to the deck. Following her gaze, I found a young deer immediately below who promptly dashed off around the house. My first thought was as to the whereabouts of its mother. My wondering did not last long as she appeared seemingly from nowhere and very agitated indeed. Knowing she would be quickly gone, I grabbed for my camera and managed two shots before she ran out on the frozen lake and away...a bit of a surprise since that was not the direction that her youngster had taken. I have no doubt, however, that they quickly rejoined each other.
While the quality of the photos was poor, one happened to capture the doe completely elevated off the ground in perfect grace. For those that have never had the good fortune of watching deer in full flight, the power and distance of their leaps is remarkable. It seemed a good photo with which to experiment, these being a few of the results...the lower with a few rather standard tweaks and this with a texture (or two or three...who can remember?). While my intellectual conflicts over post-processing continue, there is no doubt that it can, to some extent, salvage images one might normally immediately discard.
Tower Bridge, no time to take it, dashed there, dashed back, busy, late, must go....
Gratuitous tilt shift misuse!
At least I made it, just, for Charlie Waite's talk near Euston. Now that was good :0)
We appreciate the courtesy of Chatwick University Archives for letting us use the journals in our research, and for permission to use parts for the genesis of “Dare’s Game”.
Dare’s Game
Beth, eagerly looking for Dare, walked straight into Seth’s cunning snare…..
Suffix, circa 1910?. It was during this time a fanciful young lady, whom we will call Beth, started a journal which she would faithfully keep over the course of almost 50 years. She led quite an adventuresome life for a lady of that time, and her journals were filled with many tales and observations of her exploits. The following story is derived from events that she penned down in the early years in her journal.
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Beth had known Dare since their childhood. Dare was a handsome free spirited youth only two years her senior, who lived for the games his life had to offer. As his cherished nickname inferred, Dare was always trying to find the thrill out of anything he could think up, relishing to go beyond the pale in anything he attempted. Dare always a little different, harboring feelings and ideas way beyond his years, almost as if he had lived a previous life and retained something from it in his being.
Beth would remember times playing dress up with Dare’s sister Diana in some old gowns of their mothers. It was always then that Dare and his friends seemed to appear and talk them into playing hide n seek, tag or cops n robbers. Dare seemed to take pleasure in cajoling the girls into playing with them in this manner. Eyeing them as they played with a far off look that suggested the game they were playing had more meaning to him than he could ever venture to say. It was hard for Beth to explain it, but she did find it pleasurable (almost erotic using a word whose term she would learn much later) to be observed by him in this way.
One warm fall day Diana and Beth headed down to an old shack located near some railroad tracks at the back of a cornfield. Diana was dressed in a long satin play gown with her mother’s jewelry, which Dare had called rhinestones. Beth, herself dressed in a long flowing dress, loved the way Diana’s jewels twinkled and sparkled as she walked. They were going to pretend the shack was a ballroom and they were one their way to a fancy dance, like Beth’s and Diana’s parents had recently attended. Diana wasn’t supposed to be wearing her mother’s jewelry outside the house, but as a result of Dare’s teasing, had done so anyway.
They had reached the shack, an old white brick building with a wooden roof half fallen in, when a man’s voice suddenly said behind them, what are you two ladies up to? Turning they were confronted by a happily sneering drifter. The grubby man looked around, alone is we, and advanced towards them. The two girls stood petrified, he reached out and probed Diana along her side, pretty dress missy, he said, sparsely toothed mouth grinning like a pumpkin. He suddenly reached up and tore the necklace away from Diana’s throat, sending her falling backwards. Beth screamed bloody murder, as the vagrant turned heel, running off towards the tracks. Suddenly Dare appeared, and Beth, meaning to yell for help, exclaimed instead “help honey” to Dare. Dares eyes took on a very different look, almost of a burning yearning. Beth told him what had happened and he took off down towards the tracks in hot pursuit. For Beth, the look he had given her and the way he had dashed off excited her beyond measure. Even for someone that young, Beth now knew what Dare meant to her. From then on, playing games with Dare took on a heightened meaning for Beth.
But, nothing really changed in their relationship until Beth’s sophomore year of high school. Beth was sixteen at the time, a whimsical being, passionate, innocent, not particularly attractive, but radiating with a love of life. A living free spirit, developing into a very sexual being by the time her and Diana decided to attend their schools prom in their sophomore year. Beth dressed in a fuchsia coloured satin dress with dangling rhinestone earrings that had been” borrowed” from Diana’s Mother, the same ones Diana had been wearing when they had run into the drifter at the shack. Diana slipped into the slinky blue spaghetti strap gown and matching cover-all that she had worn as her cousin’s bridesmaid. She was wearing sapphire costume jewels patterned after the hope diamond. Their parents had given them a hard time when they saw their made up girls in their gowns and finery , admonishing them for looking way too mature. They smiled, consoling their parents fears, and went off on their adventure.
Their eyes were dazzled by the display of lights, the cheerfully student filled room, the band. They had stopped and were letting it all sink in, when Beth felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned and came face to face with Dare, who once again had the same yearning fire in his eyes as on that fateful day at the old shack. A veil was lifted from between the two, and Beth spent the whole evening encompassed in Dare’s arms. Soon after that the two had begun seeing much more of one another. Their relationship was still going strong eight years later.
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8 Years Later
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Come on Dare, let’s go to the Riverside, it will be fun she urged. She had been trying to get her fiancé’ to take her to the exclusive five star resorts for some time. And now she had a free overnight room card she had won at work! Dare looked into Beth’s wide, hope filled eyes, knowing her passion for attending these types of affairs. Ever hopeful she would see someone rich. Dare knew how to use this to his advantage. Finally he buckled, all right, only if we play the game afterwards he bargained. She squirmed inwardly with passion, nodding her agreement. Beth found the game exciting, though she would never let on to Dare. And, you must wear the gold bridesmaid gown and jewels you wore to your friend’s wedding last week , he added, a wistful smile lighting up his thin face.. Okay she agreed, trying to sound reluctant, but truthfully feeling multiple tingles of delight.
Dare was handsome, in a scrawny, thin bearded, sort of way ( From an old photo that survives he resembled a young Johnny Depp… the eds), with a witty writers imagination and a playful disposition. He could always make Beth laugh, feeling his excitement as he drew her into his stories and games. She would never admit to it, but found the game delightfully erogenous. She smiled to herself, so Dare had liked the satin gown after all, he had not shown any interest in her wearing it since the wedding. And the jewelry, the small rhinestone pendent and earrings had been pretty, but Beth soon came up with another idea. She would knock his socks off by wearing the glittering diamonds and emeralds that had been inherited from her grandmother. The set had laid collecting dust in a safety deposit box all these years, unworn. She had never told Dare about them, waiting for the perfect occasion. She could just imagine the look in his eyes when he saw her wearing them. Okay then, game on, Beth thought, wickedly sending shivers up and down her spine.
Dare’s Game was based on role playing:
Dare would give Beth money to purchase a new outfit, something rich and shiny, like silk or satin. With the new outfit, Beth would wear the good gold jewelry she had received from Dare on her birthdays. The idea was to acting like a bored rich girl out for a good time, alone and vulnerable.
Dare would be at the hotel bar, waiting for Beth to make her entrance, then make her acquaintance , playing a debonair, suited gentleman with a mysterious past and a hidden agenda. They would make a date later, usually to dance and have drinks.
Then that evening, she would go down to the bar. Dressed in one of the long gowns Dare favored, fitting in with the usual spillover from a wedding reception that had been held in one of the Ballrooms. Sometimes she would wear the rhinestone jewelry they had purchased together at various antique stores. Then Beth would wait for Dare to make his entrance, signaling the time for Dare’s game. He would assume one of several roles, or possibly a new one that Beth had never seen. In the past Dare had played:
A spy who would dance with Beth, then disappear. Sending a note to Beth via a third person that would have her meet him clandestinely in a remote location…
A highwayman who would come across Beth on the castle grounds , usually the resorts empty gardens at night….
A rich millionaire looking for romance…
A kidnapper hired by an evil uncle, who after tying up Beth and removing her valuables would have a change of heart….
A Jewel thief who would be cunningly after her valuables…
A handsome prince rescuing Beth’s damsel in distress ….
Or Dare’s favorite, centered on their old childhood game of cops and robbers. Dare would play the thief, and steal something from Beth, usually while dancing. He would then leave preset clues around the grounds that she would have to follow to catch him.
All of the games usually led to some playful groping and then escalating into the upper echelons of erotic pleasure. Sometimes they never made out of the woods, or barely out of the ballroom. Beth shivered at these thoughts, wishing she didn’t have to wait….
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Three weeks later at the Riverside Resort.
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In the Bar:
At the bar, Dare smiled to himself, pleased. He had dropped Beth off to check in by herself. She would change into her new outfit and wear it down to the bar for lunch. She would come in acting like a complete stranger to the area. Dare would make her acquaintance, invite her to lunch, and make plans to see her that evening at the resorts dance room. There were two wedding receptions going on, and that dance room should be filled with well-dressed patrons. Beth would fit right in; clad that pretty gown she had promised to wear.
Dare had been sitting at the bar, thinking about ways to play out the game that evening, when the answer came to him, in the form of a stranger who had come with his drink and sat next to him. The stranger introduced himself as Seth, and shaking Dare’s hand sat on the stool next to him. After they had had couple of drinks, they had become quite chummy. Seth explaining he had come up for one of the weddings, and assumed Dare was doing the same. Seth did not fail to observe Dare’s secretive smile, but did not question it. Their conversation was distracted only when a newcomer appeared at the entrance. Beth walked in, a long flowing silky skirt swishing down to her leather sandals. A shiny, long sleeved satin top fitting tightly along her perky figure, with bright gold jewelry complementing the ensemble. Real gold, Seth observed silently to himself.
Beth went to a table, both men going silent as they watched her move through the room. Good-looking one, that, Seth commented, looking at Dare who was deep in thought as his eyes were fixed on the sexy newcomer. Seth teasingly offered Dare a penny for his thoughts. Dare smiled mischievously, letting lose his plans. Seth listened to the young man, smiling as a light went on in his steal grey eyes. When Dare finished he offered up a suggestion as to how Dare could make it really interesting for Beth. The two co-conspirators worked it out: Seth told Dare about a stone hut and wall that was located on the back nine of the resorts golf course. He suggested that he, Seth, would meet Beth that evening and pass a note onto her from Dare saying that he was in trouble and needed her help, with directions to the spot. Dare liked the idea, and wrote the note on a cocktail napkin, cementing the plan by handing it to Seth.
Off you go old chap, let Uncle Seth take care of his end, he said grinning, giving Dare a sporting clap on the back. With a wink, Dare left his fellow collaborator, and went over to Beth, who had since been seated by a male waiter, now standing drooling over her shoulder as she looked at the menu.
Later that same evening, inside the crowded club:
Seth had stopped by the bar for a last drink. His business venture had been concluded earlier than he had expected. With the change in his plans, he had checked out early, his kit packed, boot loaded and the car ready. He now sat at the bar Causley watching young lass of about seventeen who had literally ran into him at one of the receptions. He watched her flirting about the club, weaving in and out of the guests. With a long swishing gown flowing provocatively along her lithe figure, abundant, solid white gold chains swinging out in an alluringly eye catching manner as she scurried about. A diminutive gold ring its half caret diamond flickered playfully from the petite pinky it loosely surrounded once again welcomed his contemplation. The lass presented quite an intriguing gold feathered fledgling, just begging to be plucked. He looked around, spying her parents on the dance floor. The father/husband, despite being an excellent dancer, gave him no interest. It was his partner, the wife/ mother, decked out in a iridescent suit and long swishing satin skirt upon which he now was reexamining. He again studied under the bright dance floor lights her fine pearls dangling from her ears, throat, and wrists. But it was the Ladies’ two rings that stole the show for him; an engagement ring with a rock of at least 2 carets surrounded by numerous shimmering half caret stones and a pinky ring similar to her daughters, that proudly displayed a single white solitaire diamond of at least one caret that had garnered his consideration. He also reconsidered the facts that he had been able to garnish about the lady who wore them, and her husband. The wife/mother was a heavy drinker who would not be expected to make any kind of appearance before noon. Hubby was a golfer, who would be out for breakfast at five am before being on the links at 6 am the next morning . At 5 :15 Seth was planning to pay a visit to his suite, and relieve his two ladies of their expensive trinkets. It should be an easy straight forward caper, that had Seth bristling with anticipation at the prospect.
As he was tossing down the last of his drink he remembered about Dare and the note he still had in his pocket. Setting down the empty glass, he pulled the note out and looked at it, kids he smirked, and was preparing to crinkle toss it on the bar and leave, when his eyes caught sight of Beth. He had felt his breath taken away when he saw her. Not at all what he had expected, he would say to Beth much later in the evening. He looked over the note, stirrings of a plan began formulating. All thoughts of the dancing couple and his plans fled his mind, as He rose, throwing a fiver on the bar and went off to intercept Beth.
Seth held Beth in his arms, she was a vivacious little thing he thought, while smiling charmingly into her eyes. She seemed a little apprehensive at first, but had settled right in when he had told her this had been set up by Dare, remember me at the bar with him this afternoon he had consoled her, she had smile brightly into his eyes in answer. He relished in the feel of her warm satin gown, and allowed himself to be mesmerized by the shimmer of her diamonds.
It reminded him of the diamonds that had been worn by one of his dance partners earlier that evening at a reception. He had forgotten her name, but not her diamonds, one of which now resided in a hidden compartment of his roadsters boot, along with the diamond pin he had slipped off the satin cape he had cordially help a well-dressed lady put on. He had also shelved his plans for his 5:15 am “meeting” at the golf playing husbands hotel room, Beth’s jewels were a much more lucrative prospect.
When the dance had ended he took her to the bar and sat her down, ordering her a drink. She seemed a little perplexed, Seth kissed her gloved hand; wait for it he told her mysteriously, winking into her eyes. Beth had winked back, the fire in her heart reflecting deep in her eyes. Seth left, smiling cleverly to himself as he took in his surroundings. He looked around as he walked away, now where had the little imp gotten off too?
He had decided that the seventeen year old in the long flirting gown would play a very different role in his plans. He approached her, with Dares note and a twenty. Thought for a moment about the pair of thick platinum gold chains dangling from her throat down the open neckline of the girl’s glossy gown, then banished the though, he had bigger fish to filet. The twenty caught her attention and she eagerly listened as he explained to her what to do, pointing out Beth sitting, waiting in earnest at the bar. Wait until she finishes her drink, Seth told her as she listened eagerly. She took the twenty into her hand, the half caret diamond on her pinky ring flashing, and her gold chain bracelets jangled as she grasped it. Seth left, figuring he had about twenty minutes to stop at his car, get a few items from the boot, and put his plan in motion.
Beth had curiously received the note from the attractively shy young lady, clad a slinky gown that made her appear years older. Reading it she folded it and was just getting up when a man wearing a suit came up to her and offered to let her dance with him. It took her some time, before she was finally able to ward him off and leave the brilliantly lit clubroom for the dark, forbidding grounds outside.
Now, a thoroughly excited Beth walked up the hill. Her senses becoming more prickling alert with each step. Innocently unaware that she was no longer playing a role in Dare’s game!
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Epilogue:
As Seth walked away admiring the shimmery necklace, his thoughts travelled back to the gold burdened impish youngster in the swirling gown, and her pearl and diamond laden mother. Revisiting his original plans he decided that he liked the odds, especially since they would be against him. With the father leaving early to meet his cronies for breakfast the Mother should be still sleeping off her drink induced stupor, the hyperactive girl should still be out cold, but presented no risk if she awoke, he had more rope. The ladies jewels should be lying about in the apartment, or handedly on their persons( the pairs of diamond pinky rings, as well as the multi-diamond engagement ring flashed once again across his memory with all their brilliant glory),as he caught fire with the vision. There could be a safe he reasoned, but with a tied up daughter and a knife in his hand, the mother should have no issue opening it for him, or disclosing anywhere else her jewels may have been hidden . But if there was no safe, and the rings, pearls and solid white gold chains were somewhere in the room, he knew he would be able to noiselessly break in, find and slip the jewels from wherever they were perched, and be safely on his way without even causing the slightest stir from the sleeping woman and her daughter. It was a road Seth had travelled down many times. He prickled at the thought, as he foresightedly tallied up the potential haul while making his way to the car. The Mother/wife’s diamond rings, would easily fetch him at least three grand, probably close five with her pearls and the whelp’s jewelry added in. About a quarter of what he probably would get for the jewels now in his procession, so he mused inquisitively to himself, so ,was it worth the risk of his 20,000 bird in hand? Yes he answered himself, as all too familiar and welcome tingling sensation overwhelmed Seths muscular body. Like Dare, Seth like to play risky games, especially those which promised to be somewhat profitable. It would be a tantalizingly chancy gamble of his own; to wait a safe distance away while things cooled down and then return to break into the un protected sleeping ladies chamber.. He knew just the place to hide , and it would be a perfect spot to watch events unfold around Beth and Dare, while making his plans! It also afforded a nicely secret hiding nook for the ill-gotten gains collected so far that evening in case something went wrong, which it wouldn’t..
Courtesy of Chatwick University Archives
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The purpose of these chronological photos and accompanying stories, articles is to educate, teach, instruct, and generally increase the awareness level of the general public as to the nature and intent of the underlying criminal elements that have historically plagued humankind.
No Part of this can reprinted, duplicated, or copied be without the express written permission and approval of Chatwick University.
These photos and stories are works of fiction. Any resemblance to people, living or deceased, is purely coincidental.
As with any work of fiction or fantasy the purpose is for entertainment and/or educational purposes only, and should never be attempted in real life.
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Single going steady.
It's been a while since a single class 56 graced 6J37 over the Settle - Carlisle, so despite the full dull forecast, it was worth a trip out with the spaniels. The spaniels don't care about the sun and to be honest I don't mind.
Surprisingly and naturally, the sun was out for the preceding unit, but as the grid was due, what do I get?
Given the announcement by Colas that it will reduce the use of class 56s during 2025, who knows when the next time will be.
56090 takes it steady into Hellifield Up Goods Loop with 6J37, 12.52 Carlisle Yard to Chirk.
It would immediately get the signal to exit the loop, so perhaps it was just to keep the railhead clear of rust.
Any thoughts of a regulating stop for 2Y01 to pass and a second bite of the cherry were quickly dashed.
Drove home with that lovely grid harmony in my head.
edit. signaller put 6J37 inside at Hellifield as 6K05 hadn't cleared Horrocksford Junction. Sensible move to avoid delaying 2Y01. Signaller got train out of section for 6K05 just as 6J37 ran into the loop, so set the route for Horrocksford and let it run on.
Yes, it looks like a kinkajou (in much of Central America folks don’t differentiate between the two) but the olingo is smaller (body is about 12”, tail 14”), slimmer, with a shorter tongue and a non-prehensile tail. Olingo are much scarcer than kinkajou, who tend to muscle them out of their territories. And so it was a real treat to see one briefly - dashed in, grabbed what banana he could and left. The bananas are not a local food in this part of Panama - our guides parceled out a couple in the evening on a sort of string loop from a window to a tree, a brand new idea they tried just when we arrived. Word went out quickly (jungle drum?). By and by five species of arboreal mammals showed up and by the sixth night the kinkajou had figured out how to get into the tower.
Bassaricyon medius orinomus
Canopy Tower
Panama
The sky darkens. Hopes are dashed for a day at sea. Boat owners mill around on their boats. Wishing for better weather. Moorage fees add up. Some bbq and wine solves all problems. They sit aft. Talking happily with their neighbour...who is also stranded.
The Ballad of the Stone Knight and the Princess Leire.
In ages past, when magic flowed,
A kingdom fair its glories showed.
With forests vast and gardens wide,
And rulers wise, its noble pride.
No hunger there, no beggar’s plight,
The market shone with goods so bright.
And minstrels played in joyous throng,
To princess Leire. they wove their song.
A jewel she, so fair, so kind,
No soul in need she left behind.
Her heart was vast as forests grand,
A sea of mercy in her hand.
Through woods and meads she rode in glee,
Her steed as swift as winds that flee.
Yet fate did stir, and fear took flight,
As through the trees he dashed in fright.
A serpent lay upon the ground,
The steed did bolt with frantic bound.
Through shadowed glades he wildly ran,
And bore the maid to unknown land.
But lo! A knight both brave and true,
Whose path by chance the fair one knew.
He stayed the steed with mighty hand,
And thus their fates were firmly planned.
She thanked him with a grateful heart,
And marveled at his noble art.
As twilight fell and fears arose,
He swore to guard her from her foes.
He took the reins, he drew his blade,
And walked before, a shield he made.
Their path was long, yet bright with cheer,
For words did flow, both sweet and clear.
No fairer speech the knight had known,
No kinder soul his heart had shown.
Her gentle grace did bind his will,
And love grew strong, unshaken still.
Before the gates he knelt so low,
A solemn vow his heart did show.
“For thee alone my sword shall be,
My heart, my soul, belong to thee.”
The maiden blushed, her heart took flight,
A lily bloomed in morning light.
But three long years did keep them far,
Apart beneath both sun and star.
Each day he sighed in longing deep,
Each night she prayed his soul to keep.
Yet shadows fell upon the land,
A lord of might stretched forth his hand.
To claim the throne, the maid he sought,
Yet in his plea the king found naught.
Enraged, the lord his wrath unfurled,
And called his knights to shake the world.
Through fire and steel his army came,
And bathed the earth in blood and flame.
Among them rode the knight so bold,
Bound by his oath, though heart grew cold.
He saw the fields in ruin lie,
He heard the children’s mournful cry.
Upon the city’s gates they stood,
And claimed the streets in streams of blood.
With hunger fierce the soldiers ran,
To seize the maid, their lord’s demand.
Yet one among them sought her grace,
To save her from that cruel embrace.
He rode with haste through city dire,
Through ruin black and halls of fire.
He knew her faith, her heart so pure,
And to the temple sought for sure.
There knelt the maid, in prayer so deep,
Her cheeks awash with tears that weep.
She turned to see her love so true,
And sorrow on her features grew.
No words they spoke, no cry was made,
For fate stood fast with iron blade.
The warriors came, their steps so near,
His heart was torn with doubt and fear.
Bound by oath, he could not flee,
Yet bound by love, his heart was free.
Her eyes held peace, no wrath nor cry,
Yet silent stood, her time passed by.
The knight beheld her, cast all doubt,
And drew his blade to lead her out.
Yet as he stood, his feet grew stone,
His hands fell still, his might was gone.
He turned, and saw the warriors tall,
Their steel now stone, their fate now thrall.
His helm did close, his breath did cease,
The last he saw—her face at peace.
For years she wept with mournful wail,
No spell, nor prayer, could break the veil.
The witches cast, the sages tried,
Yet stone remained where once stood pride.
Beside him sat the maid so fair,
Till death did call, her heart laid bare.
Yet still she walks, her voice so low,
Soft sobs upon the winds that blow.
A ghostly shade of sorrow bright,
She weeps upon her stone-bound knight.
It has been raining quite a bit this week in Albuquerque and I have been keeping an eye on the clouds wreathing the Sandia Mountains, hoping they would stick around and give me a good show this weekend.
When I woke up this morning it was cold and grey so dashed out to the driveway where I have a clear view of the mountain to check the cloud condition. I could see that it was shaping up to be a very good cloud event so I ran back inside, gulped down breakfast, grabbed my camera, raced down Tramway to Paseo Del Norte where I knew I could get a shot without power lines...and the clouds completely shrouded the mountain. But I know that conditions on the mountains can change fast, so I stayed parked on a side street and watched and waited.
And sure enough the wind picked up and the clouds started to break. I jumped out of the car, and started clicking away. I would have been thrilled if the sun had broken through and cast light on the granite face of the mountain, but when the ceiling is this low the sun doesn't stand a chance.
The wind was freezing! I hung in as long as I could but after about 20 minutes my hands were frozen and the clouds were closing so I headed back home and was enjoying a nice cup of coffee by 9AM.
Not a bad Saturday morning considering no butterflies were involved ;)
Thank you for your comments and faves – they are greatly appreciated!
Select photos from my Flickr stream are available for purchase as prints or personal download at [www.winterfirephotographicarts.com].
Really wanted to do a proper night shoot this weekend, but plans were dashed by too much rain, beer and laziness. That's not a complaint.
-Lana del Rey
I was in the winter of my life, and the men I met along the road were my only summer.
At night I fell asleep with visions of myself, dancing and laughing and crying with them.
Three years down the line of being on an endless world tour, and my memories of them were the only things that sustained me, and my only real happy times.
I was a singer - not a very popular one,
I once had dreams of becoming a beautiful poet, but upon an unfortunate series of events saw those dreams dashed and divided like a million stars in the night sky that I wished on over and over again, sparkling and broken.
But I didn't really mind because I knew that it takes getting everything you ever wanted, and then losing it to know what true freedom is.
When the people I used to know found out what I had been doing, how I'd been living, they asked me why - but there's no use in talking to people who have home.
They have no idea what it's like to seek safety in other people - for home to be wherever you lay your head.
I was always an unusual girl.
My mother told me I had a chameleon soul, no moral compass pointing due north, no fixed personality; just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and as wavering as the ocean...
And if I said I didn't plan for it to turn out this way I'd be lying...
Because I was born to be the other woman.
Who belonged to no one, who belonged to everyone.
Who had nothing, who wanted everything, with a fire for every experience and an obsession for freedom that terrified me to the point that I couldn't even talk about it, and pushed me to a nomadic point of madness that both dazzled and dizzied me.
Lana Del Rey - Ride
www.youtube.com/watch?v=78oSuSMmFsE
Blog Post / Featuring Indyra Originals
Wow, almost 1:00 pm and there are only 8 new photos on My Contacts' page. In general, I can tell something is up with Flickr.
Two afternoons ago, on 25 October 2018, I dashed down to a place that I had been curious about for the last few years. Every time I drove the highway, I would pass a sign that said Kayben Farms. My daughter had posted photos from a visit there with friends a while ago and there were a few things that I wanted to see sometime. A spur-of-the-moment visit yesterday gave me the chance to do so. Actually, I suspect it may also have been a delaying tactic for all the endless things that I knew I should be seeing to.
There were a few sheds/barns scattered around the grounds. Most were a pretty basic, simple shape and not old. However, I absolutely loved the wonderfully bright and colourful door of two of the buildings.
Wandering near the corn maze - now closed till next year - I came across this dead Sunflower hanging its head. One of my favourite things to photograph, at any stage of their life. As for a corn maze, nothing would make me enter .... nothing, unless the corn plants were no higher than my waist and if I was with someone who has an excellent sense of direction!
Various pieces of old farm equipment dotted the area. I always enjoy coming across such things on any of my travels.
There were several different kinds of domestic duck and two in particular caught my eye. A female domestic Turkey had two babies, one black and the other was a tan colour, and what a good mother she was. A variety of farm animals, includng a large Pot-bellied (?) Pig that was fast asleep and snoring loudly, made for a very pleasant visit.
I was having dinner in the garden when the mother bear arrived with her four cubs. I dashed inside with my food, but my barrier around the garden pool was off. While one cub sampled my glass of wine (it didn't like the wine, but didn't break the wine glass), another cub started checking out the pool.