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All & Everything

Last night she closed her eyes to the sound of teeming rain and claps of thunder. She awoke to a deafening silence amidst a gray background. So that was it. Another day ended and another in the works.

“See, Sylvia, it all keeps moving along,” Erma reassures her friend.

“Indeed. I never said the loss was all or nothing. It’s been all and everything,” professes Sylvia.

When you experience loss, people say you’ll move through the 5 stages of grief….
Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, Acceptance
…..What they don’t tell you is that you’ll cycle through them all every day.
~Ranata Suzuki

Lost & Found

Erma: It’s been a decade, right? Since your mom passed?

Sylvia: Yes, ten years in the blink of an eye. She must have been counting the days.

Erma: Yes, she undoubtedly wanted him home with her. They had been apart for too long. They were ready to be reunited and to live the eternity they had promised each other.

Sylvia: I wasn’t ready though. I’m still not. I don’t know how to navigate the rest of the journey. I’ve gone from devastated to lost.

Erma: Time. The only answer. It won’t heal but it will carry you. It will give you the life jacket you need from time to time to endure the waves that will pummel you at the most inconvenient and unexpected moments.

Sylvia: I don’t need a life jacket. I’m not drowning. I told you I feel lost. I’m numb, shivering, in a blinding snowstorm, and I have no idea of what is ahead.

Erma: None of us knows, Syl. That’s where the notion of faith enters. And you are so far from lost– lost suggests that there is something to be found. There is nothing to be found and everything to be felt.

Sylvia: Oh, okay, then I’m right on track.

It’s been a month of Sundays since he passed, figuratively of course. Much longer in reality, and certainly it feels even more like an eternity. I’m not paralyzed or empty or broken. I’m numb.

Every morning I awake hoping that I’ll complete the journey- the journey for which none of us is ever fully prepared- the journey off and away from the path of grief and sadness. Most people describe grief and its effect as wave-like; it ebbs and flows. It washes over you. It brings you under and makes it hard to catch your breath; and as soon as you stand and catch your breath, another wave knocks you down. It’s not a wave, not a ripple or a tsunami. It is more like the breathlessness you experience on a sub-zero day in the middle of January up north. This grief, this numbness, is totally different than any other I’ve ever felt. I can’t fully compare it to anything, not yet, because I know I haven’t lived through it completely. I doubt I ever will. Although if I had to liken this trek and its encumbrances to a relatable situation, I would imagine how one feels at a “Lost & Found” bin or depot. Hopeful yet aware of impending disappointment. Each morning I wake up headed to the lost and found.

The phone rang last night. A message was left. “Your belongings have turned up. We are holding them for you at the ‘Lost & Found‘ window. Come at your earliest convenience.”

So, I awake with a controlled eagerness to pick up what has been left. After all, it is mine. It has been left for me to retrieve. I shower, get dressed, and off I go. On my way to the “Lost & Found” today. Every day for a month of Sundays.

The journey has not taken me away or off the path. I have yet to retrieve what I believed belonged to me. I have yet to find wholeness. Perhaps I never will. Perhaps it is never to be found. But for now, I’ll keep listening to the message each night on the machine. I will keep getting up to see if the depot actually has what belongs to me. What needs to be reclaimed. I will live with the numbness- not in wave-like motion but in a traipse, much like the plodding of wearing full winter armor in heavy, wet snow on a frigid winter’s day.  And eventually – I hope anyway- faith will melt the snow away from the path.

I hope I will recognize what it is I lost. If not, I hope I find the strength to delete the message and move forward.

Don’t mistake her absence for darkness. In fact, it may be just what she needed to make her light shine brighter. A reminder to many but mostly to herself of her presence.
“Of course I’ll hurt you. Of course you’ll hurt me. Of course we will hurt each other. But this is the very condition of existence. To become spring, means accepting the risk of winter. To become presence, means accepting the risk of absence.”
~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

What Legacy Looks Like

Sylvia: Hey there, lady. Usually I’m the one missing calls and scurrying about. What have you been up to?

Erma: A little of this and a little of that. Nothing too distinctive.

Sylvia: Oh, but the sum and total of it all is what? Huge? Voluminous? Overwhelming?

Erma: Not huge, but substantive.

Sylvia and Erma are huge believers in quality over quantity. So, although they love and eagerly anticipate their morning conversations over coffee, they are aware that life often gets in the way. They have come to appreciate all of the little things in their relationship and in other important bonds between family and friends in their lives.

Little things. Gentle gestures. They share them. They look for them. They treasure them.

What small act today will you witness or be a part of that will impact you or another in a wondrous and everlasting way?

“And for a moment she pauses. She thinks back and smiles broadly. The seconds of joy and tenderness that her father shared with her son had the most impact. She sees it every time they see one another now- it’s always in their eyes.”

Hope on Her Birthday

Sylvia: Happy birthday, my dear! Older and wiser!

Erma: I don’t know about wiser, but I’m hopeful!

I don’t know what time she was born. I guess I could dig out her birth certificate and find out easily enough. To me, my mother was born the day I came into the world. Obviously, she had a life “b.k.”(before Kay), but I didn’t know her then. All I know of that woman who became my mother, both the little girl who wore braids and gingham and the young, blond-haired teen who played the drums before it was cool for a girl to play the drums, has been conveyed to me through others’ recollections, her own accounts as she would share an anecdote from her past with the slightly veiled purpose of teaching a lesson, and the photos that I have. And what connects all of the snapshots, real and those that I’ve taken in my mind’s eye which remain guarded like priceless treasure, is her eyes. It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul; thus, it follows and must be that my mother, b.k. and always, was and remains one of the most beautiful, trusting, and trusted souls God could have offered this world.

Most of us, not all, love our mothers and have been loved by our mothers. I’ve been accused of worshipping mine. (In fact, my mother often reminded me, especially as she neared her last days, that she was indeed human, flawed like the rest of us, so she too should be allowed to make mistakes.) She would often say that the one bad rap that mothers had to endure was that they were held to a higher standard than everyone else on the planet! Now that I’m a mother, I admittedly understand this so much better. I digress though. I did worship my mother, something she never demanded or expected, but it happened nonetheless. How did it happen? Ah, that’s the question. The trusting and trusted eyes!

My mother had xray vision, vision that led her to know exactly what another human needed. To many and certainly to her family, this special sense- some call it a sixth sense while others deem it intuition- was who she was and how she lived her life at the very core. And while she may have regretted not doing all the things she had hoped to do before she died, I do believe she lived a purposeful life and her legacy is an honorable one. Her legacy? Her gift? She left it to everyone who had the honor and pleasure of looking into her eyes. My mother made those who crossed her path feel important, no matter their lot in life. She gave others hope. She found and saw something redeeming in everyone. She wasn’t oblivious to the harshness or evils of the world. She wasn’t naïve. She wasn’t optimistic. Mom was hopeful. I do believe there is a big difference between optimism and hope, and I think her trusting and trusted eyes became reflective of that difference.

I’m babbling a bit because as we all know the totality of a life cannot be put adequately into words. Indeed, my mother’s life cannot. Her legacy can though. Hope. She believed in me. She believed in her grandson. And if you had the good fortune of meeting her, befriending her, working for or with her, she believed in you. That belief – those trusting and trusted eyes- keep me hopeful. I don’t believe that life is perfect and I’m far from thinking everything will turn out well in the end. However, I am hopeful.

On her birthday, I’m going to trust her and her legacy. I’ll go to celebrate her life with my dad today, and in that gift alone, I’m offered hope.

Thanks, Mom. And I’ve come to realize that you never wanted to be worshipped; you wanted to be loved. You were. You are. You always will be.

Feeling Whole

Erma has been overwhelmed and more than anything else desires time to herself- time to inhale, exhale, and repeat. Sylvia craves space of her own- both mental and physical room. Time and space provide each of them the framework within which they can refuel and remain whole.

Take an hour. Take a day. Take a week. Walk outside. Sit in a café. Treat yourself to a spa day- even if it’s makeshift in the privacy of your own home. Whatever you need to make yourself feel whole, discover what that is and do it. Now!

You cannot be whole without the time and space to feel all that you are feeling!

“Each day holds a surprise. But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when it comes to us. Let’s not be afraid to receive each day’s surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy, it will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity.” ~Henri Nouwen

Just Enough Sugar

Long-distance relationships of all kinds are bittersweet. There is a heaviness in the heart with each hello because Sylvia knows that a “see you soon” or “until next time” is inevitable. She is always riding waves of emotion, especially as she hangs up the phone after an amusingly long call about nothing and everything with her bff; exchanges the last late morning text with her sister before they each go about their day; and kisses her dear dad’s cheek after their much-too-short visit. Today, she focuses on the sweet. The only thing bitter will be the convenience store cup of coffee she should not have bought while she was out doing early morning errands.

Always choose sweet!

“Friendship is always a sweet responsibility, never an opportunity.” ~Khalil Gibran

Mapping Her Story

After weeks, months, and years of caring for others near and far, Sylvia feels more ragged and worn than ever. Luckily and almost intuitively, Erma senses her friend’s need for an ego-boosting, confidence-inspiring, pep talk. So, on this Sunday evening over old-fashioneds because Erma finds the libation tried and true, she shares with Sylvia the secret to embracing the ever-changing topography of the female body and face.

Erma: You see these lines across my face, Syl?

Sylvia: I only see a beautiful, mature woman who has navigated life with grace and aplomb.

Erma: Okay, but seriously, look at me. I’m going to tell you now the key to aging gracefully because you need to be less critical of yourself.

Sylvia: Oh good because I have new wrinkles and lines every single day. I’m thoroughly intrigued and hanging on your every word now.

Erma: Hold the mirror. Look at those creases, that pucker, and even that furrow. Look closely and deeply.

Sylvia: As deeply as that “11” between my eyes?

Erma: Deeper. Now, close your eyes. Can’t you just see your story? Those lines tell your story. You’ve lived. You’re surviving, and you have more story to write.

Sylvia: How do you know, Erma?

Erma: You have some smooth skin left. It’s not over until you’re wearing a complete map!

All the Thoughts She Never Had

Erma: Well, here it is another new year. You know what that means, Sylvia, right? Everyone and her mother will ask you about your resolutions. So, what’s going to be your stock response?

Sylvia: My reply? I can tell you what my answer won’t be. I’m not going to vow to lose weight. This is the year I learn to accept that pounds may or may not come off, but that the number on the scale won’t define me. And you know why I’m certain of that, Erma? Because after resolving to lose weight the last two years in order to become the size four that I haven’t been since 1992, I finally lost those pesky ten pounds. I threw out the damn scale!

Erma: Okay, so that’s one non-answer. Anything else you are committing to do or to change?

Sylvia: I’m determined to accept my plight or rather my future as a never-thinker.

Erma: Your what? You mean an over-thinker. Yes, that’s a good goal. Stop that.

Sylvia: No, not over-thinking, Erma. I said I’m going to embrace my never-thinking.

Erma: Okay Sylvia, hold on for a second. I’m grabbing a fresh mug for this. It’s bound to be good.

Have you ever thought about all the things you have never really thought about and then realized that those are the issues, the woes, and maybe even the little slices of joy that you’ve been hiding away or hiding from? Sylvia’s been doing just that this last week, perhaps even the last month, as she reflects on the last year- life, love, and loss of all kinds. And, of course, glimpses into the last year have done exactly what she never imagined they would do; they have led her to recognize that it is not her overthinking that burdens her mind, body, and spirit. It is all of the thoughts and events that she never fathomed would hit her, happen to her, and become a part of her being that are bringing her–hell, maybe even catapulting her-fiercely into the new year. Highlighting the past year for Erma pulls Sylvia to places in life she never thought she’d visit!

Still perplexed? “I never thought that would happen [to me].” You know that expression most certainly. Everyone says it at some point, at many times, in his or her life. The truth is though that as we all try mightily, knowingly or subconsciously, to convince ourselves of what will never happen, all of it almost always happens. So, on this new day and the first day of this brand-spanking-new- year, Sylvia reminds me to think about all that I have survived, big and small, heartwarming and heartbreaking, all that I never thought about until I had to think about it.

She never thought she’d be able to live without her best friend, her mother, another year, yet here she is. Nine Christmases later and she’s doing it. She’s getting up each day and learning to laugh and hope again.

She never thought he’d be here another year. It’s a mixed blessing and one that torments her every single day. He’s leaving her and this world slowly, but she’s accepting it, albeit just as slowly, that it is out of her control.

She never thought she’d be able to find joy or a bit of a silver lining to his illness, but she is. She’s trying. The light in his eyes, the smile that still remains that only he can give to this world- those are the silver.

She never thought that she would be at a crossroads at this time in her life. After all, women over fifty should be settled, comfortable in their own skin, and feel accomplished, if not professionally then most certainly personally. And yet she’s none of those and all of those, and she’s surviving it. In fact, there are even days when she appreciates her ability to change her mind and risk throwing others’ lives out-of-whack for a change. (Yes, she never thought she’d relish breaking a few rules, unwritten and self- imposed ones, but she’s doing it and accepting that sometimes self- preservation is most important.)

She never thought that she’d be a part of a dysfunctional family and be okay with it. She’s learned that we are all born into families, but we don’t have to choose to stay. We owe it to ourselves and to the world to be the very best versions of ourselves. When people make us dislike who we are simply by being in their presence, it’s time to change surroundings, live our truth, and find a tribe that loves and supports us– no matter what!

She never thought that she’d see home as a feeling rather than a place. She has old and new friends who “follow” her, check in with her, and who welcome her with loving, nonjudgmental arms and minds. When she is in their company- physically, mentally, and spiritually- she is home.

She never thought she’d look forward to time by herself, to herself, where she’d be happy with her own company and nothing more. It’s a process, but it’s happening.

And she never thought, not in a million years, that she could love another human being more each day. That’s just plain crazy! She has learned though that the feeling of a growing love comes from watching those she loves live their truth, and it comes from within when we learn to live our own truth. Her truth is: she is flawed and fabulous. She makes mistakes and is learning to forgive herself. “Life in full bloom” she sees in her own child and hears in his voice as he finds his place in the world. She never thought that he would be her teacher and that the greatest lesson he would impart would be that she too deserved happiness and unconditional love.

She never thought she’d make it through this past year, but she did!

Erma: Wow. I’m exhausted by all of that thinking.

Sylvia: Oh, it’s not all that bad. It’s only tiring when you overthink it.

Keep going, friends. 2019 is sure to be a year of unexpected and unforeseen happenings and feelings. Let’s just call it life.

With wishes for love, peace, laughter and hope,

Sylvia & Erma

The Best and Worst of Firsts

Out on the deck and under the umbrella, before the real heat of this August day, Sylvia wondered. Would it be more of the same? Coffee, household chores, lists. Or would she experience something new today? Perhaps a first of the best kind? As she gazed out into the woods behind the house, her curiosity wasn’t piqued by the panoramic view of the landscape that had recently changed in her life. From the quiet, seamless lines of blue where sky meets water on the cove to the lush drapes of greenery that fortressed her now, the change marked a beginning and an end. Or an end and a beginning. And that is where she stopped. The order of things had her baffled momentarily, yet with the very next sip from the sweaty tumbler of iced water, she was struck by a concept that she had never really thought about until that very second. Beginnings and endings are always, always, always firsts.

Sylvia: Firsts are daunting, anxiety-ridden, and paralyzing, Erma.

Erma: Firsts are exciting, hopeful, and motivating, my friend. Just think. When something unpleasant ends, it’s the last of it. That leaves you open and eager for the next step, a new lease, a new beginning.

Sylvia: I get that, but it also signifies the end of an era, a final point in the history of a relationship or process. That’s sad, wouldn’t you agree?

Erma: Sylvia, stop. Not every morsel of life needs to be qualified as happy or sad. It’s not that simple–or in your case, that complicated. Some times, most times in fact, firsts and lasts just happen. It’s not until you look back and you are in the thick or thin of another life experience that you can even begin to really define the impact of a beginning or an end.

Sylvia: Okay, for once I’m going to sit back with my mouth shut and let you explain. At this very second, every first of my life is flashing before my eyes and as I see each of them again, I’m becoming more and more distraught. Trapped somewhere between nostalgia and progress.

Erma: Jesus, Sylvia, it’s now afternoon, and we’re just beginning. No pun intended. I’m going to grab something out of your wine fridge. So, clear your mind, and don’t think until I get back. Seriously. Do not think at all. Do not deliberate, contemplate, and above all, do not ruminate. I’m going to share with you the best and worst of firsts over a nicely chilled Pinot Gris today. You’ll see. You can’t catalog the moments of your life as happy or sad, or as beginnings or endings for that matter. You can only define each moment as a first, for better or worse.

Firsts are when and where life takes place. All of it. Every moment. Some actions and events seem repetitive, and indeed they are! That does not mean that they aren’t different though. Two moments in time are never identical. Erma learned this powerful tidbit over the last seven-plus decades, and that fact alone imparted credibility to her words, even as she explained how brushing her teeth each morning had become firsts for her. She illustrated how she had gone from grinning ear-to-ear as she brushed her pearly whites each day of her teens and twenties to watching a reflection of a waning smile as she lost enamel and gained wine and coffee stains in her forties and fifties. And now, as she thought about those decades of brushing, Erma introduced more examples of firsts. Caps, crowns, root canals, veneers, and partials. “See, Sylvia. There are no instant replays or do-overs. Each brushing is and was a first. Each day is a first.” All of this seemed obvious and a bit comical as Erma so often tried to weave a lesson with just a dash of whimsy. It should have been clear, but it wasn’t to Sylvia. Until she and Erma mulled it over and hashed it out, Sylvia hadn’t considered that firsts represent both the best and worst of life.

Through smiles and intermingled tears of joy and sorrow (none of which either woman could attribute to the rich, sweet, golden elixir or to the fact that they had consumed the entire bottle of it as they indulged in one of their ordinary chats), Sylvia sat looking out on the verdant scenery she now called home. She reflected on those singular firsts which transported her from joyful and full of hope and pride one minute to melancholy and brimming with fear and guilt the next. First friend. First sleepover. First move. First date. First kiss. First one to travel abroad. First “D” and “F”. First one to graduate from college. All her firsts. She paused, took a breath in, and then exhaled. She began again. His first breath. His first tooth. His first word. His first step. His first tumble. His first day of school. His first heartbreak. His first paying job. His first apartment. She beamed for a split second. She hesitated, looked out to the woods beyond the fence, and started again. The first time she heard the word cancer. The first night without her. The first morning they woke up to her empty room. The first time he left the water running. The first time he forgot she had passed. The first time he couldn’t remember her name. The first time he needed to be fed. The first time he looked at her and somehow spoke more clearly than ever with his eyes because the words were no longer there. All firsts. Each and every one was the very last first of its kind. The best and worst of firsts, indeed.

Sylvia (sighing) : I get it now, Erma. It’s how you look at it and what you learn from it.

Erma: That’s right. You’ve got it, my dear. Love it or hate it? That’s not the point. Appreciate it all. Every first is your last first of that kind, with that person, in that place, at that moment. Beginning or ending.


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Pay Cut or Be Cut: The Reality of August Football

August can be a very trying month for many mid-tier veteran football players. While many people assume that making it past March is a sign that a player is likely to make a team all it means is that the player makes it through round 1 of the process. If you are lucky enough to have offseason bonus money in your contract at least you earned something for the year. If you don’t have bonus money in your contract you may be worse off than you would be by being released in March.

The middle rung of the NFL roster is unfortunately the group that constantly gets the short end of the stick when it comes to financials. Teams scramble for any opportunity to create salary cap space and save a few dollars here and there. Rarely is the high priced player approached to sacrifice some money for the team. In most cases they are far too protected with base salary guarantees and dead money to even approach. So the attention turns to those mid tier players who will never be stars but are capable football players.

In the summertime teams get incredible leverage over the veteran players. It is one thing for a team to discuss the potential of their rookies or young signings and another to actually see them begin to practice. The NFL is a young man’s game and if the option is a low cost player with upside versus a moderate cost veteran with none, in many cases the low cost player is going to win out. Teams use that to their advantage.

Because the calendar has moved beyond June 1st the rules of contract acceleration change. A player who is released during training camp will only have their signing bonus proration for the current league year count towards the salary cap. The remainder of the bonus accelerates into the following season. This is different than a cut prior to June 1 in which all the money accelerates into the current league year.

This is an important valuation difference even though the total acceleration charge is the same. You have to realize that at this point in time cutting a player in August operates the same from a cap perspective as keeping a player all season and then cutting him in 2014. By cutting him today you save yourself the non-guaranteed portion of his base salary, thus increasing your current year’s salary cap space. Sure you have the dead money in 2014, but you were going to have that anyway. You may as well save some extra money now that you have some replacement parts in place.

Back in March maybe the cost under normal valuations is too high to cut a player who may contribute to the team.  You don’t know who you will draft nor do you know how the draft pick will work out. Now you see how a 3rd or 4th rounder has progressed and the mid tier player begins to become more vulnerable than ever. Teams still don’t really know in August but with more information they can be more confident in their approach.

What happens next is that players are asked to take paycuts. We saw that in Buffalo with Brad Smith who likely had no chance to make the team(had the Bills switched GM’s earlier he probably would have been cut in March) without taking a paycut. Smith could say no but consider his options at this point.

Smith now makes his in-season residence in Buffalo and you are asking him to pick up and go. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, training camp has begun. Teams are pretty focused on their rosters and while they will always look for upgrades you have to be realistic. Smith is two years removed from being a relevant player to a team. He is being cut by one of the worst teams in the NFL. Are teams going to be knocking at his door with a great paying gig?  No chance. At best he’ll get a minimum salary deal with some team and that is if he is lucky.

His best chance is to take whatever paycut the Bills offer and hope he can stand out in camp. After all, the Bills did think enough of him to at least give him the camp opportunity. They didn’t grab anyone in a major position to uproot his spot on the team. Someone may take it but if not Buffalo has shown an inclination to keep him.

This extends all the way down to players at the tail end of their rookie contracts. Most first contract players earn escalators in the 4th season that is the equivalent of the lowest cost RFA tender, which for this season is $1.323 million. Unfortunately the salary isn’t guaranteed so teams make the decision that the player either needs to give up his escalated salary and return it to the minimum or be cut. In some cases a player is lucky and if he has any leverage can grab some guarantees and maybe meet halfway in between.

Last season Jets starting LG Matt Slauson fell into this category. This was really the dark side of the NFL and the salary cap. Slauson’s salary jumped to just over $1.3 million due to playing time and workout participation. Rather than paying him this amount the Jets created a fictional competition in training camp between he and G Vlad Ducasse, with Rex Ryan praising the younger Ducasse and talking about how the job was wide open. The Jets knew Ducasse was not good so Slauson had some leverage, but still he had to take a $258,000 paycut to ensure he stayed a Jet. The day he signed his new contract Slauson was named starter.

While the numbers don’t seem like much this pay cut represented close to a 20% decrease in salary for Slauson. O’Brien Schofield, claimed this week by the Seahawks, took a 47% pay cut to get a chance to make Seattle’s roster. These are significant numbers. This would be the equivalent of Sidney Rice taking a $3.995 million dollar pay cut. Asking Rice to take the same number pay cut is only 8% of his salary for the year, but the name player is rarely asked and this low tier guys get the short end of the stick. It makes you wonder what point there even is to earning the escalator.

Unfortunately for the players they have almost no options. September is just around the corner. There is no time to sell your services to multiple teams and pick and choose what looks like a good spot. Those jobs are already filled.  There is only one answer most players can give to the question “Either you will take this pay cut or you will be cut”. It’s not fair, but expect to see more of this in the coming weeks.

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“…just keep Praying Never stop Praying Bank wanted to foreclosure the LORD seen me through this company Oyezz Real Estate only by grace of the Lord help me with every thing with the bank and bought the house I study and research the law and became a squared house sold this pass Monday…”

Edna, Carrollton


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Top Ten Tuesday: History, Give me More!

*read in show host voice*: Welcome back to Top Ten Tuesday – a weekly meme where a different topic is proposed to all bloggers and lists are made a-plenty! Each week bloggers receive new topics to list ten bookish things in a glorious display of pictures, gifs, and CAPITAL LETTERS!

Okay, I promise I’ll never do that again. I’m really excited for this week’s topic though because it’s about history *throws confetti*. If you don’t know, this meme is hosted @ The Broke and the Bookish and you should definitely head over to check them out! Seeing as I’m a bit of a history buff I spent an age making lists throughout the day to whittle down what I want to share with you today. Buckle up kids, this one’s a doozy:

Ten Historical Settings You’d Love To See More Of

Because yes! What a brilliant idea! I love to ponder over awesome things that could be talked about more and historical settings are always great. There’s a good deal of war fiction about sad maidens whose lovers go off to war, of wordy fiction set in roman times that no-one ever pulls up the effort to slog through, and British history pumped full of drama. Of course, I completely love every single one of these but wouldn’t it be fun to have more readily available variety? The answer, my friends, is yes.

As I like to consider this topic my specialty (mostly in the sense that I just really enjoy it rather than being any good at it) I thought I would entertain you all with a brush up on what exactly these periods were about. Because who doesn’t love to read about history, right? (If you don’t want to read about the event just skip to the part about why I want more of it). I have just done some quick (quick as in, this took me bloody hours) internet researching into these periods since, as I said before, these are periods I’m mostly unfamiliar with. So blame the internet if you disagree with anything.

I must apologise in advance, this is going to be a long one.

The French Revolution

The History:

The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended in the 1790s (c. 1799), when Napolean Bonaparte seized power. The revolution was influenced by the enlightenment as discontent and political unrest was at large. It essentially involved a great redesigning of the French political system. It didn’t actually achieve its goals, but it did help influence what was to come in the future, particularly by demonstrating the power of the people when amassed as one. An important document during this time was the Déclaration des droits de l’homme et du citoyen ( Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen) – which advocated a nation of equal opportunity.

What was unfair about pre-revolution France? The inequality. If you were born into a poor family, then no matter how hard you worked you could not move up the ranks. You were destined to a life of inescapable poverty.

Fun fact? 97% of Europe’s people were struggling to survive. 3% lived the luxurious life. So of course people were angry – I’d revolt, wouldn’t you? Previous to the French Revolution there was also the American Revolution – it sort of alerted people to the fact that maybe there was something to be done, but I won’t go into it.

This was also the time dubbed as ‘The Reign of Terror’, yup, the period where heads were rolling left, right and centre. If you were accused as a traitor then it was straight to the guillotine for you. Want to know something even scarier? It’s estimated that over 18,000 people died at the guillotine during this time, *gulp*. King Louis XVI was also executed during this period. How did he die? You guessed it.

As a sort of side note, about 10,000 African slaves were freed after the revolution. Also, certain religions that were illegal prior to 1789 were now legal. Thumbs up.

Why I Want More of it:

I’ve always been fascinated with the chaos of this period in France – a country with super interesting history. There’s probably quite a few books out there set during this period but just think, if more authors of the YA, Fantasy, and Dystopian (also alternate history) genres branched into this era there are so. many. possibilities. There’s one book, His Majesty’s Dragon (Naomi Novik), out there that is set during the Napoleonic Wars but rewritten as if dragons were involved! WHY AREN’T MORE PEOPLE DOING THIS?

The amount of violence, drama, and tension that is available for the picking here could serve for endless numbers of fantastic novels spinning off the historical, factual path into amazing plots of gasps and shrieks.

Venetian History

The History:

Venice is ‘said’ to be founded in 421 AD. There are no surviving records of the founding of this city but it’s believed that people came as refugees from surrounding areas. Why were there refugees? Close-by areas in Italy had been suffering from Germanic and Hun invasions. The Doge of Venice was the chief magistrate and leader of the republic of Venice, so he’s a big wig that appears in a lot of Venetian history. He was said to be the shrewdest elder in the city.

The city was first controlled by the Byzantine Empire but this ended in 726 (that’s when the Doge came into play). Then, in 810, the Franks had a crack (unsuccessfully) at taking control. Venice became this epic trading hub filled with its iconic gondolas, and it’s population steadily expanded. In 828, importantly, the body of St. Mark was smuggled from Egypt to Venice, he was made (and remains) the patron saint of the city. There’s a (or I should say THE) basilica, San Marco, built and named after him.

There’s quite a lot of stuff in Venice that you might recognise as originating from Constantinople (now called Istanbul). This is because they successfully raided the country (Turkey) after a whole bunch of shenanigans went down and Constantinople fell (another interesting era of history that I probably should have included on this list . . .). In fact, it’s a long winded history between Venice and the Turks between them capturing each other and whatnot. Best to not get into it right now.

In 1348 the Black Death killed off a HUGE percentage of the population – can you even imagine how scary it would’ve been at that time? The most iconic thing that came from this is the image of the doctors walking around in their bird masks.

A photograph taken by yours truly during my Venetian adventures.

Venice was actually largely impacted when North and South America were discovered – the trade focus shifted. The cherry on the cake, of course, was the second bout of plague striking in 1630 – aren’t you glad you live in modern times? Eventually Venice lost its influence in the world and Napoleon dissolved the Doge system (the republic), then it was given to Austria, then the Venetians rallied against the Austrians unsuccessfully – but the Prussians defeated the Austrians and . . . okay this is getting complicated. Let’s end it with Mussolini building a bridge from the mainland to the island and making travel a lot easier. It wasn’t damaged by fighting in WWII but it is now suffering from flooding – the city is literally slowly sinking.

Why I Want More of it:

Venice is possibly my favourite city in the world. I know it’s a bit cliché but it was one of the cities that I visited last year when I did a month abroad studying in a city called Bergamo (near Milan). I had a chaotic weekend of getting completely lost and I loved every second of it. It’s such a beautiful city with so much offer, the only adjective worthy of properly describing it is magical.

Coming home had me wondering about the history of Venice. It’s a city that I’ve always felt I knew the history of but in reality I didn’t. I realised that there’s obviously a huge amount of history to know about this place and have search for many books that would help me learn what I want to know. You can’t deny that the opportunities for setting a book in Venice are endless (and I’m sure there are many) but again, I wish there were more in YA, in Fantasy and fewer of the family saga types of books – think of all the drama that could be written and twisted from historical fact! Maybe Venetian pirates? If any of you know of such books PLEASE let me know! This is a book that I’m hoping to get my hands on at some point in the future:

Venice by Peter Ackroyd

The Russian Revolution

First Days of the October Revolution, George Konstantinovich Savitsky (1887-1949).

The History:

The revolution that I’m talking about happened in 1917 in two separate revolutions. One in February (March) and one in October (November)*. What did it achieve? It placed the Bolsheviks in power – they were a political group lead by Lenin. The revolution occurred when the faith and relationship, so to speak, between the Tsar (sort of like a king) and his people crumbled. The regime was seen as inefficient and, if you look at Russia at this time, the country was waaay behind the rest of the world in technological development (hey ho, what industrial revolution?).

A huge turning point in the action of the people was the poor efforts made during WWI. Russians armies suffered badly (and I mean really badly) – they were poorly formed and organised and resulted in Russia being painfully labelled as no match for European armies. If you didn’t know, the Russians were on the allies side, they were teamed with the good guys, much to the confusion of a lot of people (they still did awful things, if you were wondering, *cough*concentration camps*cough*).

So, riots happened, food was short, the Tsar abdicated and then was assassinated along with the rest of his family and the reign of the Tsars ended, because his brother was like hell no I’m not sitting on that throne. During this unsettled time the ‘soviet‘ group won control – why was it unsettled? There were land seizures and food controls, people had to proffer food to the government or, well, die. Not that they actually had any food to start with. Unfair much.

All of this resulted in Lenin essentially becoming a dictator of a Marxist state (communist). He made peace with Germany . . . namely by giving them Ukraine (bye bye food). It’s all pretty grim and full to the brim of riots and unhappiness.

Vladimirvo Art, Burning royal eagles and portratis (1917).
*There was a calendar change, hence two dates.

Why I Want More of it:

The Russian Revolution is just about my favourite historical period because so much happens. I’m hoping to specialise in it in my future studies. Russian history, full stop, is fascinating. So much hardship, so much beauty, and so much to talk about. I know myself and other people interested in history will read a book at the word go if Russia is in the blurb. There’s a huge amount of potential in this setting and what happens when you use the essence of that culture and mix it with YA? Leigh Bardugo. I love her stuff. I’m desperately wishing that she’s started a trend and more people will delve into what Russian history has to offer.

My ultimate dream would be for Ryan Graudin to write something during this period. Let’s go crazy and write a contemporary set in Russia DURING the revolution? Does that even work?? Who cares!!? If someone researches this well there are literally endless possibilities.

Roman Empire . . . but in YA

The History:

Now, I’m not going to go crazy with the detail for details about the Roman Empire. Why? You probably already know a lot about it – and there’s an awful lot. So let’s fire off some quick, fast, and fun facts.

Fast Facts:

  • Ancient Romans celebrated “Saturnalia”, a festival in which slaves and their masters would switch places.
  • Flamingo tongues were a delicacy.
  • It was considered a sign of leadership to be born with a crooked nose.
  • Ancient Rome was eight times more densely populated than modern New York.
  • Life expectancy was from 20 to 30 years.
  • Paris was originally a Roman city called ‘Lutetia’.
  • Ancient Greeks and Romans often bought slaves with salt.
  • At its peak, the Roman Empire comprised only 12% of the world’s population.
  • (this is my favourite one): In the 1st century AD, polar bears fought seals in Roman Amphitheatres flooded with water [which is something I studied, the fact that they’d flood the amphitheatres to re-inact naval battles – cool huh?].
  • (and get this one): The Pyramids of Giza were more ancient to the Ancient Romans, than ancient Rome is ancient to us.

Why I Want More of it:

Now I know there’s a lot already out there about these roman times. What I would like to see is it written in a more . . . approachable manner. A lot of the ‘roman’ literature is heavy reading, filled with endless facts, and the size of the book needs a warning for possible injuries caused by holding it. Why is this? I know it’s fascinating but I think the world could really benefit from more of this but in YA format – sort of like what Rick Riordin has done with the Percy Jackson series, but Roman not Greek. I love this period, it has so much to offer but I so often get put off by the books.

Imagine if Sarah J. Maas wrote a fantasy series about an assassin in Rome, an assassin who was freed from fighting in the Colosseum? Or, or, maybe a sci-fi novel where someone travels to the future and the future is Rome during the Roman era but futuristic!! OR steampunk Roman Empire?!! PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

Ancient India

The History:

The first Indian civilisation arose in the Indus valley about 2,600 BC. It’s been dubbed as a hugely advanced civilisation in terms of farming and whatnot – the land was incredibly wealthy which meant a threat of invasion in later years. The settlements also had a form of writing but no-one has been able to understand it in modern times, which is a bummer. But the settlements were planned well – based on grid patterns – with 2 to 3 storey houses, they were built with brick, and the streets even had drains. Sadly, after 1,700 BC the Indus valley civilisation broke down. It wasn’t rediscovered until the 1920s.

The next ‘race’ of people to enter India were called the Aryans, mostly from central Asia. They were a semi-nomadic race of pastoralists. They also had chariots (just saying). Anywho, rice became a wildly popular and successful resource to farm which was great for the economy and civilisation slowly returned to something similar to the Indus valley era (sounds a bit like Rome, eh?). When Buddha was born the religion didn’t take root, that happened much later.

Then, the Persians invaded and captured the North-West part of India and then SUPRISE Alexander the Great decided he wanted that part of India and decimated the Persians (okay, he just defeated them, but drama) but then he died from partying too hard and India got that section back to itself. Whew. All in all this successive conquering didn’t really impact upon the fundamental happenings of the Indian civilisation.

In 322 BC Chandragupta Maurya became king in the north of India and was wildly successful at being a king. He was even cool and abdicated for his son because he was all like hey, I reckon you’ll do a better job now. #GoodParenting. (and by good ruling I mean, he’s still mean like any ancient kingling would be, but just sort of good at it). Of course, when he died the empire declined. All good things come to an end.

A few more things happen and then we move onto India in the middle ages which involves a lot of Hun action. So voila! Sounds like  fun, right? You could totally turn this into a dystopian sci-fi . . . or something. Maybe more dragons?

Fast facts:

  • According to Greek philosophers slavery did not exist in ancient India.
  • Chess was a popular game in ancient India.
  • Buddha was born in India about 483 BC.
  • Alexander the Great died in 317 BC.
  • India invented the Number System.
  • The World’s first university was established in Takshila in 700 BC.
  • Sanskrit is considered the mother of all higher languages. Which looks like this:

  • The art of Navigation was born in the river Sindh 6000 years ago.
  • The value of “pi” was first calculated by Budhayana.
  • Sushruta is the father of surgery.
  • Usage of anesthesia was well known in ancient India.

Why I Want More of it:

GUYS. India has so much to offer! India is full of amazingly awesome history that I know next to nothing about and I want to change this. More books need to be written during this period because I’ve read and seen barely anything on it. Reading the Tiger’s Curse saga but Colleen Houck opened my eyes to the possibilities, she plays with so much of the religion and beliefs and it’s entirely enthralling. Also the language makes for beautiful pet names for characters. If anyone writes a fantasy or YA book during this period I will INSTANTLY BUY IT.

After doing my internet wanderings one thing came to my attention: India has a very mathematical past. There’s a lot of Indian scholars who were the first to discover important scientific stuff. So . . . sci-fi? Time travel? Yes?

LEAD Technologies Inc. V1.01

Chinese Dynasties

The History:

As I’m sure all of you are getting tired of reading my dramatically simplified versions of history, so, I have a treat for you for the Chinese Dynasties. You might be familiar with John Green – just that guy who wrote The Fault in Our Stars? Yarp. Well, he’s also a YouTuber ANND he’s done a ‘crash course’ on 2000 Years of Chinese history. You’re welcome.

I had trouble linking in this video so click HERE to be redirected to its YouTube page.

Admittedly is a little very confusing, so you can see why I just didn’t even attempt to summarise it.

Why I Want More of it:

I recently read a book set during the Ming Dysnasty (The Sage, the Swordsman, and the Scholars) and have become fixated on the idea of reading more. I’m not entirely sure if there is a huge range out there or not, I suspect not, but oh wow is there potential. Chinese history is rich with culture and coupled with its myths and folklore there’s so much potential for epic fantasies to run rife throughout this setting. As long as there’s a pronunciation chart for characters’ name at the start I’m all in.

The History:

Okay, so maybe I’m being lazy or maybe John Green is awesome. Who knows? All I know is that you guys get to watch another epic and awesome Crash Course.

Why I Want More of it:

I feel like this is an obvious one to choose. The Vikings, I’m sure, are a point of fascination for many people. I’m actually doing a course on them this semester at uni and I cannot wait to start that! I actually don’t know much about them but I get so excited at the prospect of a book being set there. If you watch Doctor Who, there was actually an episode in series 9 set in a Viking village and IT WAS AWESOME. There really needs to be more of this. In any genre – although fantasy and YA would be great, because, you know.

And let’s not get me started on Norse mythology (which is totally becoming a thing right now).

The Vikings obviously went a lot further than just the UK, but the maps get far too complicated after this.

17th Century America

The History:

17th century America was the time in which the actual Pocahontas lived. She was born in 1596 and died 1617. Her traditional lifestyle changed with the arrival of the English in Jamestown, 1607. Captain John Smith is also a real figure and the person who first met Pocahontas and her father (the chief). He ends up getting captured and she rescues him – hence the birth of the famous story. She became a sort of peace symbol to the English and the natives helped feed the English who were miserably failing at survival, #WhatFarmingSkilz. Of course the English then exploited them and burnt their crops and villages, so you know, bit of a rocky relationship. Eventually the chief simply moved the tribe further inland and Pocahontas was told that Smith died on the way back to England from wounds. She stopped visiting the English. Time passed and she was kidnapped by the English to use a leverage, because of this she was actually brought to Jamestown; she learnt English and about their religions. In 1614 she converted to Christianity and was baptised  Rebecca. She did have a final encounter with Smith, who hadn’t actually died, and it was very emotional for her. She died at the age of 22.

Fast facts:

  • She had 26 brothers and sisters but was her father’s favourite child.
  • Her father apparently took a liking to John Smith and called him a son – he gave him the name, Nantaquoud.
  • She married an Englishman, John Rolfe, and had one son, Thomas. They were first interracial marriage in America.
  • She met Queen Ann and King James.

Aside from Pocahontas . . .

  • Jamestown was founded in 1607.
  • In early years there was a very high mortality rate.
  • The Spanish had several successful settlements and the French were poking around in Canada.
  • Eventually Martial law was imposed.
  • Harvesting the tobacco crop provided the colony with something to trade to England.
  • Single women were eventually allowed to travel to Jamestown in the hope of encouraging settlement rather than having the men return.

And so on. There’s a lot of interesting things happening at this time and a lot of potential for stories to be born from it.

Why I Want More of it:

One of the main reasons that I thought this would be a great era to see more of was because of Pocahontas which is set in Virginia during the 17th century. As a kid Disney’s retelling of this story had always fascinated me, but I’m more interested in it now that I’m older. I feel like there’s huge potential for not only fantasy but historical fiction for writing books on this. I’ve not seen any books so far set in a similar setting although I’m sure there are some – but if I haven’t come across one yet then I’d say there needs to be more.

I feel like maybe for Americans they’d know a fair bit more about this then I do, seeing as I live in Australia and therefore never really touched this in school. I’d be interested to know if Americans are familiar with this period and their thoughts on writing more fiction on it – perhaps it’s a touchy subject to turn into fantasy? But then again . . . Walt Disney did. I’m just completely fascinated with the history of Native Americans.

Polish History

The History:

Why I Want More of it:

Frustratingly, I really don’t know much of Polish history when it comes to prior to the World Wars. I went to The Expo in Milan in 2015 and at the Polish pavilion they were playing an 8 minute video that recapped Polish history, that’s the video you just saw above. Oh my goodness it was fascinating. But it did bring my lack of knowledge to my attention. This is something I desperately want to fix – and I’d love to do so by seeing more books about it. Any type of book. I’ve struggled big time to find anything written on Poland and isn’t dry reading. Unfortunately, because I don’t know much I don’t know what genres would be cool or not. Although, going by experience, throwing dragons into any history shakes things up for the better usually . . .

Danish Painting at National History Museum at Frederiksborg Palace, Denmark.

The History:

The word ‘Denmark’ actually dates back to the Viking era so it could tie in with the history of the Vikings as mentioned above. Between the 13th and 17th centuries Denmark had a huge amount of influence – it was kind of like a superpower. It used to be a lot bigger but after losing quite a few battles they relinquished a lot of land.

They’ve actually traced hunter settlements back to the Ice Age . . . as far back as 12500 BC. Wow. During the Viking era (about 300 years of it) Denmark conquered England, Ireland, Northern France and parts of Russia. They just didn’t keep the territories very well. This period ended when an important dude, Canute IV, was murdered and the power behind the Vikings crumbled.

Of course the Black Death also visited Denmark in 1350 and a great portion of the population was wiped out. This sort of shifted things around and guess what the result was? Danish Queen Margrete I. Hooray! A monarchy! (Cue: fantasy galore). Of course the peace that this Queen and her union of several places had formed dissolved quickly – Sweden went, Um actually I don’t want to sit at your table anymore, and fighting, fighting, fighting. There were about 6 wars which took up most of the 16th and 17th centuries. Yikes. They are also the owners of that famous 30 year war you may have heard about.

For the next few hundred years there are more wars and a whole bunch of different leaders, king blah blah blah and queen blah blah blah. Too much to write down. After losing a lot of their country they actually came up with this motto: ‘outward losses must be compensated by inward gains’, which I think is sort of cute. But on to the more interesting stuff.

Fast facts:

  • There are 443 named islands in Denmark, 76 of which are inhabited. (Pirate potential, anyone?)
  • The flag of Denmark was adopted in 1219.
  • Denmark is the homeland of the Germanic ethnicity and culture.
  • The Danish royal family is probably the oldest uninterrupted European monarchy.
  • Between 1397 and 1524, the whole of Scandinavia was unified under Danish rule.
  • Dyrehavsbakken is the world’s oldest operating amusement park. Its origins can be traced back to the late 16th century.
  • Fairy tales belonging to Denmark: “The Emperor’s New Clothes”, “The Little Mermaid”, and “The Ugly Duckling”.
Danish Painting of Copenhagen at National History Museum at Frederiksborg Palace, Denmark.

Why I Want More of it:

I want more of this mostly because I know very little and partially because Copenhagen has a Little Mermaid statue because that’s where the fairy tale is set. Not going to lie there. Seeing as I don’t know very much but for some reason am interested in this country I feel like there’s got to be great opportunities for historical fiction here. I for one would be interested in reading a book purely for it’s setting in Denmark. After doing the above research however it’s quite clear that fantasy would definitely be a fun genre to run through that history. Just saying.

Thanks for sticking around to read that mammoth post, I had fun writing it and I hope you had fun reading it! Perhaps you even learnt something new.

All of these places are have a particular interest in mostly because I don’t know much about them myself. They’re places that don’t seem to come up as often in my studies or I just haven’t really seen them in books.

What period of history would you like to see more of?

Let me know in the comments below!

End Note

~~ Kirstie ~~

6 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday: History, Give me More!

    1. Aw thanks! I got half way through and started to question my decision haha it took so long! I’m terribly disappointed that Vikings didn’t actually have horns in their helmets though. But then again, I suppose any author who writes about it could just add them back in 🙂

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Miss Tierra

Will she be Miss Earth United States 2017 ? Meet Miss Midwest, Sunny Day!

She will have the opportunity to compete at the 2017 Miss Earth United States Pageant in a few days. Sunny Day is now all set to grab the crown.

 The beauty queen competed in her first pageant in 2013 and has been competing every year since. This year will be her first time competing within the Miss Earth Org. and first time on a national stage. I had the opportunity to interview the beautiful Sunny. I appreciate her sharing her story. I hope you will enjoy this interview!

The Miss Earth United States Pageant will be held in a few days. How do you feel ?

Up until about a week ago, I was nervous. But, with Miss Earth United States being just a week away, I couldn't be more ecstatic!

I have been waiting for this moment since February, and it is finally here. I am ready to give it my all, put all my hard work to action, and to have the experience of a lifetime.

sunny day selfie

What was your key motivation for entering the competition?

Having competed in different systems (USA and America), the motivation behind competing has always to gain a sense of confidence and ability to be an empowered woman to make a difference in the world. However, choosing to compete for the Miss Earth United States title is much deeper than that for me. I have finally found an organization that I can truly resonate with, be myself in, and use my voice to inspire those in my community and on a global level to understand the reality of climate change and to encourage them to join me in being an active advocate for the Earth.

We are all unique so what would you say is something that makes you stand out from the other contestants?

You are absolutely right, as human beings, as women, and especially as titleholders, we are all unique in our own way.

Something that makes me unique is that I am self-sufficient. As a child, I had to grow up quicker than most people in order to help my single mother take care of my younger siblings. At fifteen years old, I took it upon myself to get my first job and begin learning the responsibilities of an adult in order to take weight off of my mother. Watching my mother be the strong, independent, and capable woman and mother she was and still is, I have become the same; strong, self-sufficient, and capable.

sunny day miss

Which part of the pageant are you most looking for ?

Interview, which is odd, because typically, interview is the part of competition that I am usually most nervous for. But, being able to understand and relate to the ideals and goals of the Miss Earth Organization, I am excited to talk to the judges about my reign, my platform, and why I believe I would make a great Miss Earth United States.

Name five things you can’t live without?

My mom, I am definitely that woman that talks to her mother at least once a day.

My siblings, I love being the oldest of five, it is hands down my favorite thing about my life. Any and everything I do is for my brothers and sisters.

Music, there isn't a day that passes by that I'm not dancing in my living room to music, singing aloud to something in my car, or using a great playlist to make my workouts bearable.

A camera, I'm a person who loves to document everything and to always have a photo to look back on to help me relive my cherished memories.

Chips and queso, haha, no... but really. Chips and queso is my all time go-to food!

sunny crown

Do you have some apprehensions?

In regards to the competition and the title, I have no apprehensions. However, in regards to packing, I have been apprehensive about everything - this is my first national pageants and I am at a total loss as to what I need to pack!

Thanks to the beautiful Sunny for the interview. Pageants News wishes you all the very best for Miss Earth United States 2017 pageant.


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Home Entertainment Celebrities Maya Ali Is A Shy Coca-Cola Bride In New Ad

Maya Ali Is A Shy Coca-Cola Bride In New Ad

Pakistani actress, Maya Ali is a Coca-Cola bride in the new ad of the soft drink. The Coca-Cola brand has come up with another way to remove tea from our lives and we aren’t too happy about it.  Before we say anything further, take a look at the TVC

Maya Ali looks like every other traditional shy bride.. only till a tray filled with soda drink comes by. Her groom is none other than Moor-famed hero, Shaz Khan who looks way more prettier (yes, pretty) than Maya.

This ad is Coca-Cola’s second attempt to divert our daily intake of caffeine from tea to coke. As for Maya Ali, she hasn’t contributed much except stare and does a few dance steps at the end.  The actress,  Maya Ali is busy shooting for her upcoming movie Teefa In Trouble opposite Ali Zafar. Ahsan Rahim is directing that movie.

Shaz Khan who was praised a lot for his performance in Moor. Will next be seen playing a pivotal role in upcoming Pakistani movie “Parwaaz Hai Junoon”.

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Wednesday, October 2nd was #NationalCoffeeWithACopDay and Palermo Bakery had the honor of hosting the Little Ferry Police Department!

Local Little Ferry citizens and Palermo's daily coffee consumers had the opportunity to chat with our local hometown heroes and thank them for their daily service! Palermo Bakery offered free coffee during the event to everyone who attended

We would like to thank the Little Ferry Police Department for not only taking their time to spend hang out and drink some coffee with us but for all they do to keep our community safe!

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Palm Aruba Condo Deal

Aruba Condo Deal February 2016

Why not upgrading your vacation to a Deluxe condos in Palm Aruba Condos? Book this month from January 26th  to March 19th and get 35% discount. Take advantage of this great Condo offer and book Now.

Book today your dream condos in Palm Beach Aruba, and get 35% discount between the dates 26th January to 19th March 2016.


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Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water

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Poetic Procrastination, Pen Pals, Tea Party

May 1, 2017 , , ,

cactus blooms

cactus blooms

I feel proud of my accomplishment to have finished #NaPoWriMo again this year by writing 30 poems in 30 days. I thought I would be very productive as a poet and in all other parts of life, but I was wrong all wrong. I did wrote the poems, but slacked on all kinds of other goals for no particular reason. I had planned to hand write poems to all my pen pals and send them on very artful paper, and I did that zero times.  In fact I have not even written to the pen pals, which has caused quite a bit of guilt, since many have continued to write letters to me.  My neighbor suggested I send them all a card saying “Roses are red. Violets are blue.  I am so sorry I haven’t written to you.” I might do it. I have a stack of mail to answer. I look forward to getting into the swing of that again and seeking the forgiveness of the pen pals.

After my prose break I have considered new features I want to include.  I plan to do a blog post each week about tea.  I drink iced tea daily in great quantity.  I had a limited knowledge and palate for tea, partly caused my my own ignorance of proper brewing.  I had created bitter and undrinkable black and green teas by brewing them too long at a high temperature.  I began to try new kinds of tea and learned more about making it taste good. I have come a long way in my own personal appreciation for the world of tea.

Almost all the tea I brew now is done in a jar buy the sun.  In Arizona we have plenty of solar energy to brew tea on the sidewalk almost every day.  This method never results in overly bitter or over brewed taste.  It is the natural way to make sure I brew it properly. I do strain and refrigerate it as soon as I bring it in (usually after about 10 hours).  We go through it quickly, so there is no need to cover the pitcher in the fridge.  I collect big pitchers so we can break a few every year. Tea keeps us refreshed and healthy.  It is a bargain in comparison to any bottled commercial beverage.

I plan to promote tea drinking for tea lovers, but I specifically want to interest those who normally drink beverages in cans and bottles which they purchase.  These drinks are very expensive compared to the most exotic and pricey teas, and offer no benefits for health.  Even bottled water has destructive effects on the environment.  When one knows about the varieties and flavor combinations available in tea, a world of gourmet delights opens to reveal a plethora of new experiences.  Tea pairs well with both foods and alcohol, offering new ways to serve old favorites. I hope to bring out some flavorful ideas the gentle readers will want to try.

Since Tuesday is the day of the week that alliterates with tea, I believe tomorrow will be the first installment of Tuesday Tea Party.  I am brewing some mango honeybush right now which will probably be featured. I hope you will join me for a cup.  Cheers!

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Cheers! I love tea and drink all kinds of teas year round. Honeybush and rooibus are two of my favorites. I’m looking forward to your tea posts. 🙂

I have a relationship with bottled water that I don’t particularly like, but cannot see a way around. Our water here, even when it goes through an RO filter, is salty. I am salt sensitive and if I drink much of it, I get bloated and it raises my blood pressure. After drinking it for months and hoping I’d adjust, I finally had to give in and buy bottled water. I buy the 2.5 gallon containers, but still… I don’t like that it’s in plastic and that I’m contributing to the plastic problem.

Liked by 1 person

May 1, 2017

We use a filter for our super hard water..I know what you mean about hard to find the pure stuff..harder all the time..we have the CAP, evaporating our “water” all the way across AZ…gets kind of thick… Thanks, Robin. Wish we all had clean water out of the tap.

Pamela Morse

May 1, 2017

Your poetry and prose for #NaPoWriMo has been really great Pam. Congrats on finishing!

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Link to Owner Dr. Robert B. Pamplin Jr.

Investigator was told to stop raising concerns over mistreated patients; top officials ask why.

Multnomah County has placed two managers on leave in the wake of a Portland Tribune article about how complaints of abuse and neglect at Legacy Health's Unity Center were muzzled and ignored.

On Thursday morning, the county issued a statement saying an internal review it launched days earlier had expanded, and two managers had been placed on leave.

The review was initiated after an Aug. 7 article in the Portland Tribune detailed the story of how longtime county mental health investigator Greg Monaco was told more than a year ago to stop raising concerns of patient mistreatment and neglect to the management of the Unity Center for Behavioral Health, the Legacy-run regional crisis center that began operations in January 2017.

Monaco's concerns were recently verified by a state investigation of complaints from Unity Center employees, one of whom had described the center as a "hell hole." The scathing investigative report was released in response to a records request by the Portland Tribune.

One of the managers placed on leave is David Hidalgo, director of the county's Mental Health and Addiction Services Division, the Tribune has learned. The other is believed to be division Quality Manager Joan Rice.

The county is the state's designated authority to oversee the local mental health system, of which Unity Center was intended to be the linchpin. In response to the Tribune's questions about why abuse and neglect concerns regarding Unity were not investigated, the county at first issued an Aug. 3 statement claiming it had extremely limited authority to investigate complaints, and could not investigate cases involving patients on the state-federal Medicaid program for low-income people.

On Aug. 13, a county spokesperson followed up with a subsequent statement saying its earlier account was inaccurate.

Oregon State Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, who spearheaded SB 1540 earlier this year to clarify abuse investigation authority, earlier this week told the Tribune it's "absolutely" incorrect for the county to claim it had no authority to investigate cases involving Medicaid patients. The county was "required" to, she said.

Monaco called the latest news a "when hell freezes over" moment. He earlier told the Tribune that top county mental health officials tolerated a complete absence of protocol, guidelines and training to ensure abuse complaints are investigated.

"It just seemed like a cavalcade of turning a blind eye to this," Monaco said. "People didn't know to whom to report things, because nobody really has responsibility for doing anything. And they have abdicated oversight to the corporation."

Here is the county's full statement:

Multnomah County Expands Review of Mental Health Complaint Process

Last week, the Multnomah County Chief Operating Officer learned of potential issues with the Mental Health and Addiction Services Division's handling of complaints of people receiving mental health care at Unity Center for Behavioral Health. C.O.O. Marissa Madrigal immediately ordered an audit of the complaints reported to the Mental Health and Addiction Services Division.

After assessing initial information, and after consulting with Chair Deborah Kafoury, the County is launching an investigation to fully review the County's processes, procedures and compliance. Two senior managers have been put on paid administrative leave pending the investigation.

"I have directed senior County managers who oversee adult protective services in the community to conduct this investigation,'' Madrigal said. "Multnomah County is committed to responding to anyone in a mental health crisis and assuring their treatment promotes their health and safety."

The County will be reporting its findings to the Board of County Commissioners, the community and our partner agencies.

Here is an internal county email that went out this morning, referencing Hidalgo being placed on leave.

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to inform you that Chief Operating Officer Marissa Madrigal is broadening an audit of how our Mental Health and Addiction Services Division (MHASD) handled complaints of people receiving mental health care at the Unity Center for Behavioral Health. After an initial assessment and consulting with Chair Deborah Kafoury, she has asked for a full review of the County's procedures and its compliance with state law.

As part of this review, and to ensure an independent audit, Ebony Clarke will be assuming the role of interim director of MHASD.

I want to acknowledge this is a stressful time for many of you. While the County conducts this review, I have faith our staff will continue to deliver the same high quality services to our community.

We will be reporting findings to staff, the community, and our partner agencies as the review proceeds. I will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

Thank you for all you do. Your work in service to our diverse communities is deeply valued.

Wendy Lear, Co-Interim Department Director

Multnomah County Health Department

You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts. Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.

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What to Do when Head Tremors Due to Anxiety?

You can hide trembling hands in your pockets, but twitching head immediately attracts attention. Neurotics and people with dystonia, who periodically shake their head with excitement often fear to cause ridicule or seem seriously ill. Moreover, they are worried themselves: is this symptom a sign of some serious disease?

Head Is Shaking in Different Ways

It is necessary to distinguish shaking from head tremors due to anxiety, because these conditions require different approaches in treatment.

The tremor of the head is sometimes invisible to the patient: either it is weak, or the person is already accustomed to it. A tick is a rather “bright” movement, which is always realized by the person.

due to anxiety head tremorsNerve ticks are fast, occur once and the process usually involves several specific muscles. From the side, the tick may look like a certain action: it may seem that the patient nods or throws his head back, while he may also squint or curve his mouth. At the same time, as a rule, there is no pain or other discomfort. The only “tragedy” of ticks is that sometimes patients feel unbearable psycho-emotional tension. As soon as there is another impulse to make a tick, a person cannot resist it, and the performed action eases the condition for a while.

Tremor in its turn has a long character, it involves different muscle groups. In this case, the patient does not feel any need to perform shaking. He’d be happy to stop, but it’s not that simple. The head just twitches independently. The psycho-emotional state of the patient is not changeable – he can be calm, depressed, irritated or worried for the whole day.

Causes of the Problem

When there are head tremors due to anxiety, then something goes wrong in the body and nervous system. The presence of vegetative dystonia, neurasthenia or degenerative disc disease does not exclude other serious pathologies. Nervous shaking of the head, as a rule, does not come with the first stressful situation. There should be many events that would entail such an unpleasant symptom. It usually starts with short episodes. After another stress, a person may have a feeling of hair moving or a feeling of a helmet, which will slowly turn into twitching, trembling, tics. If there are too many stressful events in life and a person is regularly subjected to mental challenges, he may not pay attention to the onset of the symptom. Only when the symptoms become clear and long-lasting the patient sounds the alarm. If you suffer from head shaking due to anxiety, this means that:

  • head twitching due to anxietythe amount of stress in your life exceeds all permissible limits-the body has directed all its forces to “survival”, and many areas of your brain are now too active. there are more pulses in neurons than you need;
  • you have a wrong diet – due to lack of calcium and magnesium muscles and nerves are too excitable;
  • you are overtired by work or problems, there is a lack of sleep. Central nervous system is extremely sensitive to such challenges, so it begins to work on wear and tear and soon strays from the course;
  • perhaps you drink too much alcohol, coffee or strong tea – all this excites the neurons of the central nervous system, depletes the body’s reserves, increases emotional and muscular excitability.

These causes of head tremor should not be ignored. Over time, they can develop into more vivid pathology of the nervous system. But they can still be quickly corrected. The following conditions require long-term treatment and medical supervision:

  1. Consequences of head trauma. If, as a result of an incident, the neurons of the extrapyramidal system were affected, zones of high activity are formed in these areas of the brain and the head will twitch.
  2. head shaking due to anxietyTumors in the brain. In addition to the above reasons, the tumor can also put pressure on the vessels. Due to this the nerve cells do not receive enough supply and can not fully perform their functions.
  3. Infections. If certain bacteria or viruses reach the brain, an inflammatory process that damages the blood vessels and neurons will begin.
  4. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is hard to imagine that the head can shake because of the stomach or intestines, but this factor exists. With inflammation or the presence of worms, the intestine does not absorb calcium (like other nutrients). A lack of calcium threatens to increase muscle and nervous excitability.
  5. Mental illness. As soon as the neurons of the extrapyramidal system begin to participate in the organic changes of the brain, there will be additional nerve impulses.
  6. A reaction to medications. Some psychostimulants and anticonvulsants cause muscle twitching.

In case of head twitching due to anxiety you need to analyze your own life. Maybe you are too tired and need to improve the lifestyle. Nevertheless, it is better to visit a therapist and a neurologist who will make you a reliable diagnosis and help to cope with an unpleasant symptom.

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Baby’s Breath (LM04)

1 in stock (can be backordered)

Note: Enquire for additional quantities

Cottage Garden Threads

Forage Collection

by Lisa Mattock

Baby’s Breath

Colour # LM04

10 Metres

Hand Dyed 100% Cotton

Pre-Cut Lengths

6 Strand

As all Cottage Garden Threads are hand dyed, please note that dye lots may vary.

Additional information

Weight 7 g
Dimensions 15.00 × 5.00 × 1.5 cm

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Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor @ IRFW 2012

Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor are known for great designer vocabulary coast-to-coast. They recently showcased their collection called Mughal Opera at the India Resort Fashion Week 2012 held in Goa. The classy chiffon, the flow of silk, the lustre of brocade and the hutzpah of lace….their collection had it all but it hardly absorbed the audience’s interest as it was definitely not resort wear. Some swimsuits, some bikinis would have enthralled us all but with aforesaid Mughal Opera collection, things seemed just out of place.

However, in whatever they featured there, I liked the way they used poised colors and silhouettes with such grace and confidence. The best part of the show was when the Indian Actress Bipasha Basu dazzled the resort ramp as a show stopper, she looked remarkable. Here are some pictures….have a look.

Image Courtesy: IRFW

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Men’s Wedding Accessories: What To Wear

By August 20, 2015Fashion News, Sponsored

When it comes to wedding outfits, all too often men are overlooked. But while the main focus of attention is always on the bride, followed by the bridesmaids, male guests have to look the part too. The groom, best man – or men – ushers and family members and close friends should all treat a wedding as an occasion to look their very best.

It shouldn’t be just about the suit, though it’s important that the suit is well fitted, clean, and suitable for the setting. It is, of course, the centrepiece of the whole ensemble so make an effort; don’t just drag the day-to-day work version out of the wardrobe, treat yourself to something fresh and new. And then start adding the extras and accessories, which can give the outfit an edge.

There’s no point having a slick suit if the shirt you wear beneath it is in poor condition, either worn and washed out or baggy and too large. Invest in a brand new dress shirt, crisp and pristine – view this range from Dobell for inspiration. Remember, there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll remove your jacket at some point during a wedding ceremony and subsequent reception, particularly during the summer, so the shirt will be seen.

If unsure about what shirt to go for, white works with just about everything but consider a subtle gingham check. If you’re going for a coloured shirt, choose your tie carefully to ensure it complements the shirt. A navy gingham shirt requires a tie that is also navy or a shade just above or below.

The other significant items to select wisely are the shoes. As this blog from Reiss suggests, opt for safe shoes and ‘err on the side of caution’. Nothing too fancy or extravagant; black Oxford shoes are a solid choice, or dark brown brogues.

Main outfit chosen, you can now add some individuality pieces of your own, those special touches which capture your style and catch the eye of other guests.

A statement watch takes some beating as an accessory – check out this selection from Esquire magazine. Ignore the Rolex of Patek Philippe models on there (unless you’re very fortunate) but take a good look at the selection of watches priced under £1,000. A good quality watch isn’t a one-off purchase. It might make its debut on your wrist for a wedding but it’s a long-term investment that you can use time and time again.

Next, add a pair of funky cufflinks. Don’t make do with the fabric ones which come with the shirt – they’re just for display purposes. You can find plenty of novelty types but give these a miss at a wedding (just like you should always avoid a novelty tie). Stay simple and classy with a pair of gold or silver cufflinks, or a discreet diamante design. For a nice touch you can get a bespoke pair for the occasion, perhaps by having the initial of the groom on one and of the bride of the other.

The golden rule when it comes to accessorising is not to go overboard – a wedding is a formal occasion and the dress code should be respected. You don’t want to stand out in a bad way, you just want to reflect some individuality and personality.

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 Fast Track Loans in Seven Mile, Ohio, USA - Get your Cash Online!

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 Iesha Westmoreland: Freelance Journalist Profile
You can use Paydesk to hire Iesha, they will be notified by SMS and usually reply within minutes. Have a question? Send Iesha a message before making a booking.

Iesha Westmoreland

Iesha Westmoreland is a journalist. I am also a public speaker, event personality, and high profile sandal corrector aid. In addition to those skills I am an author, and PCOS Awareness activist. I am graduating in December from Ashford University with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor is communications. I am very eager to get out into my career and welcome all work. Journalism is may second profession. I am also a Chef and Restaurant professional, so if you are in need of a food critic do not hesitate to contact me. Consumer reporting is another great skill in journalism I can bring to your company. I am competent in artist biography for albums and content writing for various specialties.

Log on to www.uniquelyiesha.com to see samples of my work.

Need Help?

Johnson Tamlyn

Production Manager

Johnson is available 9:00-17:00 GMT Mon‑Fri, or by email 24/7


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"Happy House" Foundation paper pieced pattern

"Happy House" foundation paper pieced pattern

Finished size measures 10" x 10"

Templates include 1/4" seam allowances and alignment markers

Happy Sewing! xx

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ASUS's new ROG Strix SCAR II gaming laptop has a lot on offer, more than just the basic specs imply.  The model that eTeknix reviewed was the GL704G, with an i7-8750H, RTX 2070, an unspecified amount of DDR4-2666, and an NVMe PCI SSD paired with a 1TB SSHD all hidden under 17.3″ 144Hz IPS display.  That larger form factor allows better cooling to be included as well as giving enough real estate for some serious choice in peripherals.  On the side you will find a pair of USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports, on a Type-C as well as two more Gen 1 ports, miniDP 1.4, HDMI 2.0b and an SD card reader in addition to audio and wired ethernet.

If you can handle the almost 3kg of weight, check out the full review before shopping around as it will likely run you $1700 or more.

"With this in mind, we look at the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR II. Yes, admittedly a name that is a bit of a mouthful, but with an 8th-generation Intel Processor and Nvidia 2070 graphics card, it’s pretty clear that we can expect some performance from this."

Here are some more Mobile articles from around the web:

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Pearl Sizes

Pearl Sizes

Generally, the larger the size, other factors being equal, the higher the value. However price jumps between pearl sizes are often uneven. As the size reach the 6-mm or above, pearl prices tend to increase much higher. Different pearl-types are measured by different methods with different minimum units' expression.

Larger pearls not only require larger oysters to produce them, they also require much more time to develop inside the oyster. An "average" pearl can take 2-3 years to develop, significantly larger pearls can take twice as long. In addition, because it is difficult to maintain a spherical shape while the pearl develops, large round pearls are extremely rare and valuable.

The Importance of Size

Cultured pearl types typically have their own specific size range. However, culturing practices are changing, and you will find more pearl sizes among the different types.

Traditionally, Akoya is on average and max the smaller pearl type, via Freshwater pearls and Tahitian to the considered larger South Sea pearls. The value of the size really depends on how unusual it is. Large Akoya cultured pearls are not large by Tahitian standards but a large one would be of higher value than a Tahitian pearl of the same size.

Factors Affecting Size

  • The size and vitality of the mollusk that produced it,
  • the size of the nucleus. The nucleus is the irritant, such as a bead in cultured pearls, at the heart of the pearl,
  • the time the mollusk spends underwater before the pearl was harvested.

Freshwater Pearl Sizes

Cultured Freshwater pearls come in sizes that start as small as 4-mm and range up to 12-mm and lately, larger! The most common and popular Freshwater pearl sizes found today range from 6mm up through 10mm.

Freshwater Sizes 1Freshwater Sizes 2

Akoya Pearl Sizes

Japanese Akoya pearls range in size from 2mm "seed" pearls up through 10-mm. The most popular and common sizes you'll find today range from 6-mm through 7-mm pearls. Akoya pearls greater than 8 millimeters are considered extremely rare.

Akoya Sizes 1Akoya Sizes 2

South Sea Pearl Sizes

Both White and Golden South Sea pearls are famous for being the largest pearls available in the world. They range from 8mm up through 16-mm on average, and can sometimes attain sizes of 20-mm! The most popular pearls range in size from 9-mm through 14-mm.

South Sea Sizes 1South Sea Sizes 2

Tahitian Pearl Sizes

Exotic black Tahitian pearls are naturally larger-sized pearls, ranging from 8-mm up to 16-mm and larger. The most common and popular size range is from 9-mm up through 12-mm.

Tahitian Sizes 1Tahitian Sizes 2

Pearl size measuring methods

The diameter of every single pearl is measured in millimeters, varying from 2 to 20mm and rounded off to the nearest 0.25-0.50-mm depending on type and range. Round shape: average diameter, fancy shape: maximum diameter, maximum length.

Pearl Size Measuring

Pearl Sizes in Strands

Pearls in strands are measured differently. Measurements are taken perpendicular to the drill holes and expressed in ranges. If the differential in the strand is greater then 0.5-mm for akoya or 1-mm for other types, the strand is considered graduated, then the maximum diameter of the largest and the smallest pearl size on the strand is stated.

Strands are rarely of uniform size. Per industry standards today, an individual akoya strand measuring 7.5 mm will actually be composed of pearls measuring 7-7.5 mm, with the smaller pearls being placed near the clasp. A strand of 8 mm freshwater pearls may be measured 7-8 mm in size as more often given a full millimeter range and still considered a uniform strand. This is not an absolute standard, as occasional high-quality freshwater pearls are matched similar to akoya pearls with the mere 0.5 mm differential.

Tahitian and South Sea pearls are typically measured individually, but to be considered a uniform strand there may still be up to a 1 mm differential from the clasp to the center. For example, a 9-10 mm strand of Tahitian pearls is considered a uniform strand, but an 8-10 mm strand is considered slightly graduated.

Pearl Guide

Cultured Pearls

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what here ridiculous? You are..

Category: Classic Rock

8 Responses

  1. Dogrel says:
    Jul 12,  · I’d just celebrated my 14th birthday when Led Zeppelin released the song “Stairway to Heaven.” One of my buddies purchased a copy of the album Led Zeppelin IV before the rest of us knew.
  2. Bralmaran says:
    "No one knew Led Zeppelin like Richard Cole. The band's tour manager for more than a decade, Cole was there when they burst onto the music scene, achieved cult status, cut platinum records, and transformed popular music. Second only to the Beatles in sales for years, Led Zeppelin .
  3. Jukus says:
    May 21,  · For more than four decades, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” has ushered young guitarists into the realm of rock 'n' roll and served as the soundtrack to countless road trips, proms, and.
  4. Dusar says:
    May 29,  · Led Zeppelin Earl's Court The Final Option Empress Valley Supreme Disc – EVSD ~ 31 × CD - Box Set Led Zeppelin May 17, Earls Court Arena London, England Welcome Home Band Announcements Rock And Roll Sick Again Over The Hills And Far Away In My Time Of Dying The Song Remains The Same
  5. Gonris says:
    Led Zeppelin – Devil's Banquet Stairway To Heaven: Whole Lotta Love: Black Dog: Notes This release is a (4 CD) Mini LP Gatefold Set. Recorded Live At Earls Court, London, England May 17th Led Zeppelin: The Chancellor Of The Exchequer.
  6. Dounris says:
    Sep 30,  · The notorious 'Stairway to Heaven' lawsuit is currently being retried, and while Led Zeppelin won the initial court case, the retrial being an "en .
  7. Nikolmaran says:
    Aug 28,  · Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, ) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music. Her career began as a child performer on the Cas Walker radio show, then recording a few singles from the age of Relocating to Nashville at age 18 in , her first commercial successes were as a songwriter .
  8. Vulmaran says:
    “Stairway to Heaven” is one of Led Zeppelin’s most famous recordings, with many considering it the greatest rock song of all time. It tells the story of a greedy woman who is overly optimistic.

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PEIR Digital Library

Welcome to the Pathology Education Informational Resource (PEIR) Digital Library, a multidisciplinary public access image database for use in medical education.

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RADIOLOGY: PANCREAS: Case# 33591: PANCREATIC NEUROENDOCRINE (VIPOMA). 67 year old female with 1 year history of secretory diarrhea which is responsive only to somatostatin. Past medical history significant for right mastectomy 6 years ago and right leg melanoma removed 13 years ago. 1. 4 x 6 cm heterogeneously enhancing mass in the tail of the pancreas which is hypervascular. Neuroendocrine tumor is felt to be most likely. Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is also a possibility. 2. Fluid-filled small and large bowel consistent with patients history of secretory diarrhea.

Peter Anderson


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Japanese cunt Mizutama Remon takes two dicks

Duration: 5:08 Views: 142 Submitted: 4 months ago
Brunette Mizutama Remon is a cute Japanese girl. She skillfully takes two dicks at once in all her holes. Both men first caress her titts, and then they fuck her in all holes. She is excited and skillfully gives a blowjob to everyone.
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Categories: Asian Porn