#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1337

Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Thirteen-Hundred-Thirty-Seven:

I do have to note that the warmest season does compensate for the discomfort of the temperatures by offering a greater variety of small arthropods to study. The arthropods are also more active during this season due to the warmer temperatures. However, the environmental controls that my hominid-servant employees to maintain the internal temperature of my domicile at a comfortable level interferes with my studies in this area somewhat.

The temperature differential between the inside and the outside of my domicile seems to discourage some of the small arthropods from making any migration within. This means that, in order to maximize my opportunities for study, I would have to venture outside my domicile. But the outside temperatures are so oppressive for me that to even contemplate an escape attempt in order to more closely study the most active arthropods exhausts me. I believe that, even if I were to succeed, I would be so drained by the heat that I would be unable to engage in any meaningful work. 

Therefore, I have made no serious attempts. I can’t help but wonder, however, if I am staying true to the spirit of my DPCIL mission. Am I simply acceding to the inescapable demands of biology, or is this truly laziness on my part? Either way, I cannot say that I am in any way motivated to change the status quo. For the moment, at least.

I have to agree with Thoth, hot weather is exhausting! 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!

Baby Steps...

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Here's a little bit more of the third installment in the Petri Dish Chronicles! As always, the disclaimer is that this is a draft and, as such, it's unedited and likely full of errors and is subject to revision, revamping, and being completely scrapped and rewritten. But, with that in mind, I'm reasonably satisfied with the basics of it, at least at the moment, or I wouldn't have bothered posting it. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from Shifting Paradigms:
“What are you talking about? I couldn't connect."

“Perhaps you were unable to fully interface," said Daji. "But whatever energy it is that you control clearly manifested itself. It appeared as a shimmering cloud surrounding the fire to us. What did it feel like to you?”

Petri locked her gaze to Vlad’s. “You did something, didn’t you? What did you do? Why? Are you trying to manipulate us?"

The entity in question merely raised his eyebrows. “I did nothing, Per Dish. I am also not doing that.” He pointed back at the fireplace.

Petri glanced at where the enigmatic entity pointed, but what she saw arrested her attention. Focusing on the fire, she realized it had grown substantially, the flames now escaping the hearth and reaching for the mantel above.

“What the…" Petri turned back to Vlad. "I'm not doing that. I can't. I would have no idea how."

“Aren't you? Then who is?"

“You must be doing it.”

“But I’m not, Per Dish. Why would I? It wouldn’t further my interests to waste time playing parlor tricks here.”

“But I’m not doing it!” Petri looked around at her friends who were staring at her. "I'm not!"

Vlad locked eyes with Petri and held her gaze for several heartbeats. Petri felt as though he was measuring her soul, but finally he just gave one of his shrugs.

“I cannot feel your energy signature interacting with that of the room. I felt it earlier when you were focused on the fire, but now I feel nothing. I have no concrete explanation for what is influencing the fire.”

“How about a non-concrete explanation?” asked Chessie, echoing their host’s earlier dry tone. 

Focusing his gaze on Petri in a way that reminded her of the way Rodney had looked at her, Vlad answered Chessie’s question. “I suspect Per Dish is subconsciously interfacing with the code in this room. As I said, it is more susceptible to manipulation than the code in the majority of the rainbow. I believe it is possible that her mind has found a way to integrate with it and her mood affects how it manifests. If that’s true, then if she can find a way to exert conscious control of the connection she has made, this may be the first step in creating the meld between an organic mind and the digital world of the rainbow that both the Arcanum and I desire.”

Keep The Kitchen Cool Panzanella Salad #Recipe!

 

Hey Everyone!! :-)

This is one of the easiest summertime recipes in my repertoire, and it's one of my favorites. Panzanella salad is almost like pizza, but without having to turn on the oven, which makes it perfect for summertime meals. ;-) Enjoy!

Ingredients:
2 cups day-old bread torn into bite-sized chunks
1 cup grape tomatoes rinsed, drained, and halved
1 cup bite-sized balls of fresh mozzarella cheese
1 cup sliced button mushrooms
1/2 cup shredded fresh basil leaves
1 small red onion chopped fine
1.5 cups extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic grated
Salt and pepper to taste

Toss together the bread, tomatoes, mushrooms, cheese, basil, and onion in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss them together. Serve chilled and enjoy.

Buon Appetito!

Can't Be Late For A Very Important Date... 😁

Hey Everyone!! 😊

Looks like we've all made it to another Friday! Generally speaking, I like to relax on the weekends with my four-footed, furry friends. They help me chill and make my time off from work entertaining and enjoyable. So, it seemed appropriate to start the weekend off with a peek at how the furry creatures of Fairie help their people out. Enjoy... 😉

Excerpt from Intrigue in the Summer Court:

Patches was satisfied with the way things were progressing. It had taken some doing, but he had finally convinced Mr. Spats to hide among the clothing that had been packed for the cat's person. The feline hadn't wanted to climb into the trunk, but Patches had insisted and finally the kitty had complied.


Together they had managed to lift the lid, and then Mr. Spats had jumped in and made himself comfortable in a nest of soft fabric. When the rabbit had knocked the lid closed again, the cat had let out a series of disgruntled trills until Patches had silenced him with a thump of his foot. If the plan were to succeed, none of the people could be allowed to realize that Mr. Spats was stowing away in the luggage.

With a final unhappy hiss, the cat had become quiet and Patches listened as his breathing settled into the rhythm of sleep. He didn't know what his companion-in-fur was so upset about anyway. The cat had wanted to nap; now he was getting to do so in a place where no one would disturb him for hours.

It was necessary for Mr. Spats to hitch a ride to the cabin with the clothing because of a spell that restricted his movements to within certain areas of the palace. He couldn't leave those areas under his own power; he could only do so if someone who was authorized carried him past the boundary. The spell was intended to keep the cat safe by confining him to places where the people knew who he was and that he belonged. But, recognizing that it might sometimes be necessary for the cat to go other places, the prince had adapted the spell so that certain individuals could transport the princess's pet outside of the castle.

Seren and Raleigh, being close to the royal couple, were among those who had been granted an exemption from the spell that kept Mr. Spats within the palace. Since they would undoubtedly be among those who took the trunk to the cabin, hiding with the clothing should ensure that Mr. Spats was on hand later. When he would be needed.

The prince and princess would need their feline friend that night; Patches had no doubt of that at all. He didn't know exactly what was driving him, but he knew with certainty that the steps he was taking were vital if all his people-friends were to have a chance of surviving the night unharmed. Patches was content with that; after all, what more did a bunny need to know?

Now that the cat was safely ensconced in the luggage, Patches needed to start working on his own tasks for the evening. Once again he wasn't sure why, but he knew he needed to hurry and find a source of water near the cabin where the royal couple would be staying. He also needed to find a means for transporting that water.

The rabbit made his way out of the castle, careful to avoid being stepped on by any of the Fae who were rushing about in last-minute preparations for the party the next day. No one attempted to interfere with him; Jillian's bunny friend was well-known to those who frequented the palace. Once he was outside, he used the power the goddess had granted him and took to the air. He didn't increase his size because he didn't need to carry anyone and he wanted to remain small and inconspicuous. As he soared over the forest he felt a building urgency. He hoped he would be on time!

Want to find out if Patches is in time to save the day? Grab your copy at the link below. Happy reading! 😊

Intrigue in the Summer Court

#APC #Spotlight: The Railroad By Neil Newton!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Neil Douglas Newton in my APC spotlight, today! Neil is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and his action/adventure, thriller, child abuse survivor, mystery, suspense novel, The Railroad, looks great! Here's the description:

On Sept. 11, 2001 Mike Dobbs' life was forever changed. Reeling from his nightmare experience in New York's subway as the twin towers collapsed he retreats from his high power Wall Street life to his run down country house. Soon he is embroiled in the life of Eileen Benoit and her 7-year old daughter Megan as they flee Eileen's abusive ex-husband. Suddenly Mike is thrown into a world he knows nothing about and he is forced to answer the question, how far would you go for someone you love?

If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1334

Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Thirteen-Hundred-Thirty-Four:

The weather at the coordinates where I am stationed on this planet has, once again, gotten quite warm. This is no surprise, as this portion of the planet, due to the planetary tilt, just recently passed the point at which it was as close to the local star as it will get during its entire yearly revolution. To be honest, I am finding the heat more oppressive this time than I have in seasons past. Though, my hominid-servant does do a respectable job of maintaining the environment within my domicile at a reasonable temperature. 

Still, I must admit to preferring the cooler temperatures of the season that just passed and the one that will soon follow. I suppose, the more time I spend on this planet, the more the passage of that time affects me. I find this disturbing, in some indefinable way, though I know it is simply part of the natural cycle. 

Hominids, I have noticed, also struggle with this reality. Perhaps I have spent too much time in their company and some of their irrationality has infected my perceptions. I will have to ruminate on this.

Getting old is no fun for anyone. 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!

When The Stars Align... 😉

 

Hey Everyone! 😊

This is a story about something I was able to help make happen just by making a couple phone calls and talking to people. I'm not telling it to toot my own horn, but to illustrate that we all, no matter how busy we are or how little money we have, have the ability to at least try to help make the world just a little bit better than how we found it. And I'm also telling it to help remind us, myself included, that we really can rely on and help each other out. Because, when I did what I did, I put into practice something I learned years ago when working with animal rescues: if you ask people, you'll be surprised how often they say yes. 

There's a group I volunteer with that asked me to teach a computer class for people looking for a job. I told them I'm not a teacher, and they told me it doesn't matter because they weren't going to pay me. So, I said, "Fair enough," and agreed. And I've been teaching a couple people in this class for a little while, now. But mostly it has been older people in retirement who have felt isolated with the virus, and not so much people looking for work. Which is fine, even though it's not what the group was trying to accomplish. 

So, there was this one lady in my class, who I want to go have drinks with someday and just listen to her talk. She's in her 80s and started off knowing nothing about computers, but she took to them like a duck to water. I kept telling her she must have been one of the people who invented the internet and just forgot to tell me. She thought that was funny. But I'm not sure it's a joke, because I'm pretty sure she'll be teaching me soon.

Anyway, she decided she was going to check out the world of online gaming, about which I know nothing. I'm not a gamer. So, she came into class, one day, and started off with this laundry list of questions about WoW and Fortnite, and I had no answers. So, I told her I'd find a better teacher for her and have them call her and got her user ID from the games. 

A couple days later, I walked down to my neighbor's apartment and asked to speak to her teenage son. I told him he was going to be volunteering to teach computers to an elderly person. Fortunately, his mother approved, so he had no choice about being voluntold this way, and the gaming classes commenced.

After a couple of lessons, he informed me that the lady is awesome, has a very cute great granddaughter about his age, and that he's in love. I'm not sure if it's with the old lady or the great-granddaughter, but I figured either way it's a good outcome.

So, me being me, I couldn't leave well enough alone. The lady had friends in her retirement home who wanted to learn about computers. And I knew the local schools have required volunteer hours for students. So, I called one of the schools and gave them the phone number for the management office of the retirement home and suggested they set up a program where the kids can teach computers to the residents and have the work qualify for their volunteer hours. And the school did it! 

The lady told me they already have a waiting list both for the residents and the kids. The residents benefit by being able to connect with other people and not feeling so lonely, and the kids enjoy being able to game and have it qualify for their volunteer hours. Win-win.

The only problem? They just don't have enough computers yet. So, once again, I picked up my telephone, and I called a couple of local newspapers and asked if they might consider doing a story about the program. I also suggested they might want to ask the local business community to donate the necessary equipment and setup. And one of the reporters I called wrote back to tell me they think it's a good idea, they just have to get approval. So, we'll see.

And you know what the best part is? It's kind of hilarious, but I never left my living room for any of this except the conversation with my neighbor's kid. All I did was make a couple of phone calls and talk to people. And, really, when it comes down to it, isn't that all team-building and networking is, at their base; talking to people, finding out what each one needs, and finding a way to make sure a project fulfills all those needs while still accomplishing the goal?

Think about it.

Peace!

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. Several, actually. Basically, I think all these videos when viewed together paint a fairly accurate picture of how the system is rigged against non-oligarchs in the US. But watch them for yourselves and form your own opinions. Peace!

Easy Pasta Primavera #Recipe!

 

Hey Everyone!! :-)

With the warm weather here, I thought I'd share one of my favorite spring and summertime recipes with you. Enjoy! :-)

Ingredients:
2 cups frozen peas
2 cups chopped broccoli
2 large tomatoes chopped
1 zucchini or yellow summer squash sliced
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 16oz package sliced button mushrooms
1 small onion chopped
1/4 cup oregano chopped fine
1/2 cup basil chopped fine
6 cloves garlic minced
1 bag bow-tie pasta (or whatever shape of pasta you like)
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Boil water in a stockpot and add salt. When the water is boiling, add the pasta and cook until it's al dente. Remove the pasta from the water, drain it, toss it with some olive oil, and set it aside.

Put the butter and olive oil into a skillet and heat it until the butter melts. Add the onion and cook it until it starts to caramelize. Add the garlic, bell pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini and cook them until they soften. Add the broccoli, oregano, and tomato and stir the contents of the skillet together. Add the vegetable stock and stir to combine. Add the frozen peas and stir in the cream. Stir in the cheese and taste. Adjust the salt and pepper as necessary. Continue cooking until the sauce starts to bubble, stirring continuously. Remove the skillet from the heat, stir in the cooked pasta and basil, and serve piping hot.

Buon Appetito! :-)

Changes...

 

Hey Everyone! 

Look at this, a Saturday post! But don't get too excited, I'm posting because I have bad news. Or, at least, I hope you'll regard it as bad news. I certainly do.

This post is to let you know about some changes that are coming to this blog in the very near future. Unfortunately, I've come to the conclusion that I can no longer sustain the level of maintenance and attention I've been devoting to this blog for the last several years. It simply takes too much time, and I no longer have that time to give to it.

So, what does that mean, specifically? It means that I will no longer be tweeting out posts and book tweets every day. I may send the occasional tweet, if something big is happening and I have time, but I will not be scheduling multiple tweets over several days for every post. Naturally, this means I will be spending less time on Twitter, overall. 

Also, I will be posting less going forward. You may have noticed repeats on some of my posts, recently, and that is due to the fact that I just don't have the time to compose new posts for every day of the week. I just don't. When will these changes go into effect? Well, I've already scheduled tweets through mid-July, so those will be tweeted, as usual. The work for them is already done and there's no reason for me to undo it. Also, I have posts for this blog scheduled through the first week in September and, for some days, even further into the future. Those posts will post as scheduled. And, if I have time, I may add more posts to those I already have scheduled. Maybe. 

Once I have something major to tell you all, like if I can ever finish writing my next book, I will most definitely post about that. I'll also send news like that in a newsletter. So, if you're worried about missing something important, just subscribe to this blog and/or sign up for my newsletter, and you'll receive notification of something new in your email.

Why am I making these changes now? Well, the major reason they're happening right now is that my day job is requiring more and more overtime. And, to be honest, I'm not making much money from book sales, so I have to keep the people who sign my paychecks happy. Also, I really do want to finish the third Petri book, and I'm starting to think that will never happen if I keep spending every spare second tending to this blog.

So, there it is, folks, the whole story about what's going to happen here. I'm sorry to have to do this, I'll miss talking to you all every day, but I hope it will help give me more time to do the things that really matter... like writing books. 😉  Thank you all for sticking with me, and I hope you'll continue to enjoy the posts I am able to post going forward. 

Peace and Happy Reading!

Mistral

#June2021 #IndieBooksBeSeen #Indie #Author #Books #Monthly #BookReview!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

It's the 18th again, so time for my #IndieBooksBeSeen monthly indie author book review!! Enjoy! :-)

Never The Twain by TE (Tom) Hodden:

Have you ever experienced FOMO (fear of missing out)? Callie seems to have that problem in spades, never quite being able to make up her mind about what it is she really wants. Fortunately for her, she may not have to. She may be one of those lucky people who really can have it all. Or can she?

It's hard to describe this book without giving too much away. I will say that the shifting realities and the switches between who is dead and who is alive were both clever and entertaining. If you enjoy mind-bending, alternate reality fiction, and good storytelling, this is a book for you. Five stars.

#APC #Spotlight: BloodLoss: A Fraktioneer Novella (The Fraktioneers) By Lu Whitley!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Lu Whitley in my APC spotlight, today! Lu is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and her paranormal, dark fantasy, urban fantasy, horror-fantasy novella, BloodLoss, looks great! Here's the description:

Join your favorite Book Boyfriends, Jaromir Ragnarsson & the ever-wonderful Stein, nearly 400 years before the events of BloodMarked (The Fraktioneers #1) in this all new prequel novella!

Cursed to live in the shadows, Jaromir Ragnarsson wanders the world, searching for a sign. What he finds wasn't exactly what he had in mind.

Nearly four hundred-fifty years after a fateful meeting with a Wyrd woman changes his life, Jaromir is no longer alone. His adoptive son is the light of his long life, and he believes he will do anything to keep him safe.

When that belief is tested, will he have the strength to do what is necessary?

Even if, no matter what he chooses, he loses?

If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1327

Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Thirteen-Hundred-Twenty-Seven:

In a continuation of my behavior modification experiment, I once again attempted to wake my hominid-servant during the middle of her normal sleeping cycle. This time, I initiated my campaign from a room other than her sleeping room, so as to thwart any attempts she might make to strike me with her sleeping cushions. 

To begin, I vocalized at the highest decibel level I was capable of producing in the room next to my hominid-servant’s sleeping room. Once the sounds of her movement indicated she had returned to consciousness, I progressed to knocking items off the horizontal platforms she has scattered about. My reasoning was that this combination of noise would make it seem as though I had been injured. And, for all her faults, my hominid-servant is most diligent in caring for my health and well-being.

I was correct insofar as my assumption that the disturbance I created did rouse my hominid-servant and induce her to investigate its source. However, when she emerged from her sleeping room, her demeanor was such that it seemed she was far more irate than concerned for my welfare. The expression on her face indicated to me that discretion might be the better part of valor, at that point, and I ceased my efforts and retreated to beneath a convenient piece of furniture.

My hominid-servant spent several more minutes retrieving the items I had displaced and returning them to their prior positions while sweeping my place of concealment with baleful looks. It goes without saying that I did not venture to emerge. When she was done, she returned to her sleeping room and to her slumber.

I cannot say whether or not persistence on my part would have resulted in actual violence at the hands of my hominid-servant; however, I can say that it is now clear to me that any further attempts to modify her sleeping schedule can only be made after further reflection and study on the matter. At the moment, I am leaning towards the conclusion that it might simply be best to let sleeping hominids lie.

Uncooperative hominids! 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!

Mixed Results...

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Here's a little bit more of the third installment in the Petri Dish Chronicles! As always, the disclaimer is that this is a draft and, as such, it's unedited and likely full of errors and is subject to revision, revamping, and being completely scrapped and rewritten. But, with that in mind, I'm reasonably satisfied with the basics of it, at least at the moment, or I wouldn't have bothered posting it. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from Shifting Paradigms:
Petri took a deep breath and focused on the fire. Holding her breath, she reached out with her mind and tried to feel it the same way she would reach for another mind. The energy was there, she could feel it the way she always felt the energy of the rainbow, but it tasted so foreign to her that she had no idea how to even begin to try to connect with it. For long moments, she strained, pushing her mental energy against the ocean surrounding her, trying to force a melding. But it was like trying to get oil to mix with water; the two simply would not combine no matter what she did.

Finally, Petri had to stop. Gasping after holding her breath for so long and perspiring as if she had run as fast as she could for miles, she turned slightly out-of-focus-eyes on their host. “I can’t do it. There’s nothing there for me to meld with. It's too different."

Silence met her declaration, and Petri looked around at her friends. Daji and Chessie were both staring, wide-eyed, at the fireplace, but Vlad was looking at her thoughtfully. “What?" 

“You did something, hun. I don’t know what, but you definitely did something.”

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. A couple, actually. Really, these are just more in my series of why voting for Democrats is pointless unless they are principled progressives who aren't bought and paid for by corporations and the predator class. Corrupt neoliberals, like the majority of Democrats in office, are no better than Republicans. And they don't deserve our votes. But go ahead and watch and form your own opinions. Peace!

Strawberry Jam In A #Crockpot #Recipe!

 

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Since it's springtime and the strawberries are ripening, I thought I'd share my easy, crock-pot strawberry jam recipe. Enjoy! :-)

Ingredients:
4 lbs fresh strawberries
3 tbsp fruit pectin
1.5 cups sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice

Wash the strawberries, remove their stems, and cut them in half. Place the cleaned and halved strawberries and the rest of the ingredients in your crock-pot and stir them all together. Turn the crockpot on high and cook the jam for three hours. Use a potato masher to mash up the strawberries and transfer the jam into the container, or containers, you want to store it in. Place the containers, uncovered, in the refrigerator to cool. Cover and store in the refrigerator or freezer to avoid spoilage.

Bon Appetit!

Fairy Tale Cats... 😉

 

Hey Everyone!! 😊

Happy Friday! 😊 As a celebration of making it through another week, I thought it might be fun to share a peek at a Fae celebration. Enjoy... 😉

Excerpt from Bound by the Summer Prince:
Once Roni and Uaine entered the ballroom, music began to play and he led her into a waltz. At first, he was cautious, unsure if his Anamchara was familiar with the dance; but once she proved herself proficient, he began to truly relax and enjoy himself.

Roni enjoyed dancing, and had familiarized herself with all of the common classic dances on Earth, because the roles she played often required her to mix with people who expected her to know them. It hadn't been a hardship, as the flow and rhythm of the movement spoke to something in her soul. For a moment, she lost herself in the feel of Uaine's arms around her, but then she realized she hadn't seen a band.

Looking around, she still was unable to locate the source of the music, but she saw that many other couples had joined them on the dance floor. The swirl of the colors around her dazzled her eyes, and she suddenly felt trapped. She told Uaine she was feeling dizzy and asked him to escort her to the edge of the room where she might get some air. Uaine located Seren, and left Roni in that worthy female's care while he went in search of something for his Anamchara to drink. Seren had long been a supporter and friend of his mother's, and he trusted her to look after his mate.

Roni had just begun to feel a bit better when a tall, slender woman with ankle-length pale green hair, and golden yellow eyes approached the corner where Seren and she stood. The woman wore a slinky, iridescent blue gown, which was slit up to her thigh on one side. The color of the gown perfectly set off the cerulean tint of the woman’s skin, so that when her leg peaked through the slit it appeared as if it were a part of the dress.

Seren stiffened when she caught sight of the other female. “Deirdra.” She nodded. “I hadn’t expected to see you here.”

Deirdra smirked. “But I couldn’t possibly have missed the welcoming banquet for our new queen!” She turned to Roni and held out her hand. “You must be the prince’s newest love interest. How are you enjoying your time in Fairie?”

Roni regarded the woman, sizing her up. False innocence oozed off of her in waves, and Roni knew she would have to be very careful about what she said. It was clear that everything this woman said would have double meanings. Smiling, she extended her own hand to take the woman’s. “Everyone has been very kind and helpful, thank you for asking, I’m enjoying getting to know all of the new people.”

Deirdra snatched her hand back. “You wear iron!”

“I do.” Roni raised her eyebrows innocently.

Sneering, Deirdra turned to Seren and said in the language of the Summer Court; “Awfully short to be a queen, don’t you think, and terribly gauche. What could the prince be thinking?”

“I cannot speak for the prince, but I think it is quite rude to speak a language the princess does not understand.” answered Seren in English.

“Not at all, Seren, I understood her perfectly. She’s quite right, I am short but I’ve heard no complaints from Uaine about that. In fact, when we’re lying in bed our height difference is hardly noticeable at all,” said Roni in the language of the Summer Court. Once again, she blessed her parents for teaching her so many languages when she was a young child. The result of their early training was that she had an amazing aptitude for learning new languages as an adult. Jillian had been astonished at how proficient she had become in just a few hours.

Deirdra sniffed. “Well, the prince always has had exotic tastes. Perhaps your resemblance to a Brownie holds some strange appeal for him. We’ll see how long it lasts.”

“I suppose we could do that, but here he comes. Why don’t you ask him how long my appeal will last?” Roni smiled brightly.

Uaine approached the three females cautiously. Roni was smiling; but he could also see Seren’s face, and it was clear from her expression that Deirdra was causing trouble. This didn’t surprise him, as she had been one of his most determined pursuers, but it did make him worry about how Roni was reacting. He moved next to his Anamchara and put his arm around her shoulders, to give Deirdra a physical cue that his support was with his mate.

Roni accepted the glass of juice the prince had brought her from the hand that wasn’t holding her, and snuggled into his embrace. She cocked her head at Deirdra and smiled.

Deirdra huffed and turned away sharply. Once she had stalked off, Uaine turned to Roni and asked; “Are you okay? Did she threaten you?”

“I’m fine.” Roni waved away his concern. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”

Uaine looked at her and then at Seren. After receiving a reassuring smile from the more experienced female he smiled and relaxed. “Do you feel better?”

“Yes, I’m not sure what was wrong; maybe I just got too hot.”

Uaine considered, but remained unconvinced. “Perhaps…”

“Anyway, introduce me to people. That’s why we’re here, right?”

Want to see what other characters one might encounter at a party with the Fae? Grab your copy at the link below. Happy reading! 😊

Bound by the Summer Prince

#APC #Spotlight: Undocumented By Rick A. Mullins!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Rick A. Mullins in my APC spotlight, today! FD is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and his political satire, myth and magic, social commentary, fantasy novel, Undocumented, looks great! Here's the description:

Thousands of years ago the magic folk were hunted and killed by early humans jealous and afraid of their magical abilities and longer lifespans, and they fled to a parallel world.

Elves, giants, and dwarves have returned to their homeworld and this time they refuse to be driven away by the political machinations and religious persecutions of mundane humans. 

WARNING! This fictional work contains large amounts of political satire and parody. If you voted for, and 'still' support the current (45th) administration, it is 'highly likely' you will be 'triggered' by the content. If so, you may not want to purchase this fictional fantasy in a parallel universe.

 If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)

#Agent Thoth's #Personal Log: Day 1326

Hey Everyone! 😊

Agent Thoth discusses more of the trials and tribulations associated with living with hominids. Incidentally, if you've missed Agent Thoth's earlier entries, you can find them here: Thoth's Journal

Department for the Preservation and Confirmation of Intelligent Life (DPCIL)

Agent Thoth's Personal Log

Day Thirteen-Hundred-Twenty-Six:

My first attempt at behavior modification regarding my hominid-servant’s sleeping schedule has been less than successful. In order to induce her to move more towards a schedule that includes shorter, more frequent rest periods, I attempted to rouse her from her slumber several times during her normal, more extended sleeping interval. Her response, as I indicated before, was less than welcoming.

I began my campaign by walking over her prone body several times, while pawing at her hair and face. In reaction to my efforts to wake her, my hominid-servant first buried herself deeper into the nest of textile panels and textile-covered cushions she surrounds herself with when she retires. When I persisted, she turned and suddenly struck, using one of the aforementioned cushions to pound the sleeping platform in my general vicinity, disturbing my equilibrium and threatening my person. This, naturally, caused me to retreat and reconsider my options.

After some reflection, I decided on an auditory assault as a means to interrupt my hominid-servant's slumber. I stood at the edge of her sleeping platform and vocalized at the highest decibel level I was capable of producing. This did have the desired effect of waking my hominid-servant. Unfortunately, once awake, she responded by throwing her sleeping cushions at me, one of which actually struck me!

Admittedly, the cushion was soft and the impact with it was not capable of producing any actual injury. However, the gesture was still deeply disrespectful of my person and also did not in any way assist me in accomplishing my goal. I will have to ruminate further on this dilemma and determine if there is a more effective way to effect a change in my hominid-servant’s sleeping routine.

Hominids can be so uncooperative! 😉 You may have noticed that Agent Thoth has a new look. I hope you like his new picture as much as I do, but I'd love to hear your thoughts, either way. Feel free to let me know what you think in the comments. 😉 Happy reading, everyone!

Finding The Jeweled Needle In The Haystack...

 

Hey Everyone! 😊

Happy Tuesday! Hey, at least it's not Monday anymore, right? 😉 In celebration of that fact, I thought it might be fun to share a little more of Alyce's insights. Enjoy...

Excerpt from Answers from Alyce:

"But why would your media organizations want a criminal running your country? Even for large institutions that depend on the status quo being maintained, it seems as though they would want criminals to receive justice," said Yax.

"It's not that they want a criminal in charge as much as they don't really care all that much because the crimes the president is under investigation for either don't affect them or benefit them. On the other hand, they wanted the judge the president nominated to be confirmed because the judge is extremely friendly to large corporations and has almost always ruled against regular people and for big business in his career as a judge."

"And so they minimize or ignore the corruption," murmured Squid-boy.

I shrugged. "To be fair, some print media outlets have done a decent job of covering this issue, but a lot of people only consume television news, and they haven't talked about it much."

"If your print media more reliably covers important news, why would many of your people restrict themselves to less informative television news outlets?" asked Yax.

"Because it's easier. You can watch the news on TV while you're making and eating dinner, or have it on in the background while you're doing laundry, cleaning your house, or doing any other chore that doesn't take your full attention. Some people listen to the news on the radio, instead, because they can listen in the car on the way to and from work."

"Are news reports on the radio more informative than what's on the television?"

"Some are. It depends on what station you listen to. But, as far as mainstream media outlets are concerned, print media is most likely to do investigative reporting on our government and to do in-depth analysis of important news stories. They still aren't great, honestly, and a lot of independent media outlets do a better job. But for the mainstream media, print media is the most likely to provide important information to the public. But people have to take the time and trouble to read it, and a lot of people can't or won't do that."

"So then why don't more of your people turn to independent media for their news?"

"Some people have. Unfortunately, independent media doesn't have the kind of money that mainstream media has, which means they don't have the infrastructure necessary to promote and share their stories the way mainstream media does. Independent media is mostly on the internet; there's not much in the way of hard copy print or radio independent news, and pretty much no independent media on regular television. So, people have to go online and look for independent news sources, and a lot of people either don't know to do that or don't want to take the time. And even if someone does know about independent media and does want to seek them out, they first have to figure out which independent media sources are reliable. Because some people call themselves media when all they are, in reality, are crazy conspiracy theorists and/or hatemongers."

"Crazy conspiracy theorists and hatemongers?" asked Squid-boy. "I don't understand; I thought you said your independent journalists were more truthful and more interested in exposing corruption and criminal behavior among the powerful than your mainstream media journalists are."

I nodded. "Yes, those who are actually journalists, who do the work that journalists are supposed to do, are more honest and focused on speaking truth to power than the mainstream media is. But not everyone on the internet who calls themselves a journalist actually is a journalist. It's easy enough for people who have an agenda to call themselves journalists when they have no interest in reporting facts or investigating news. And if a person is looking for news sources online because the mainstream media has let them down, they have to be careful not to be fooled by people who claim to report news when all they do is spew hate or make outrageous claims with no evidence to support them."

"Which goes back to what you said before about many of your people not being well-versed in how to evaluate purported news to determine if it is supported by evidence and if the evidence comes from a reliable source."

"Yep. Exactly."

"A problem that would be solved if your mainstream media could be relied upon to provide the information your people require to make informed decisions. But they can't be, as is evidenced by their failure to focus on important news stories like that of your president appointing a judge to the highest court in your government who does not believe a president should be held to account for crimes they commit."

I smiled. "You got it, sugar. That's the conundrum. And, of course, we haven't even talked about resources."

"Resources?"

"Yep. Resources. Money, support personnel, equipment, these are all things that most independent news outlets have very little of, which means the number of stories they're able to investigate is limited. Mainstream media has lots of resources, but they rarely use them to do the kind of deep investigative journalism that only they are able to do."

"Which further limits the information your people have access to."

I shrugged. "Like I said before, we have lots of information. We're bombarded with information 24/7/365. We have so much information it's overwhelming; we're drowning in it. Unfortunately, very little of the information we have is the information we need. And in order to find even that little bit, we are forced to dig through the piles of nonsense, trivia, misinformation, and hot air that surrounds us constantly."

"That sounds tiring," ventured Yax.

"Oh, sugar, it's exhausting. That's why so many people are so ill-informed. And why most of them don't even realize it."

Want to find out more about what Alyce has to say about life in these United States? Grab your copy at the link below. Happy reading! 😊

Answers from Alyce

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-) 

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. Several, actually. I think this series of videos does a good job of explaining why voting for Democrats is pointless. Unless a candidate is a true progressive and is willing to aggressively fight for a progressive agenda, there is no point at all in voting for them. Peace!

Easy #Crockpot Taco Filling #Recipe!

 

Hey Everyone!! :-)

With warmer weather here, I tend to like slightly lighter meals. This is one of my favorite spring-time recipes. :-)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried lentils
1/4 cup uncooked quinoa or rice
1/4 cup frozen corn
2 cups water or vegetable stock
1 small tomato diced
5 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1/2 tsp paprika
1 bay leaf
1 drop liquid smoke (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

Place all of the ingredients in a crockpot and cook them on low for about 7 hours. Check to see if the liquid has been absorbed and the beans and grain are soft. Taste and adjust seasonings as necessary. If the beans and grain aren't completely soft but the liquid is gone, add some more liquid and cook on high for another half an hour to an hour. If the liquid isn't absorbed, turn the heat up to high and cook for an additional half an hour to an hour. When the beans and grain are soft and the liquid absorbed, remove the bay leaf and spoon the filling into your favorite taco shells. Top your tacos with your favorite salsa, guacamole, cheese, and other taco toppings.

Buen Provecho!

#Animal #Rescuer's #Guide To #Staying ( #Relatively ) #Sane! #Free! :-)

 

Hey Everyone!! 😊

Just a reminder, for those who haven't checked it out yet, I've collected all my animal rescue/care posts together and published them as a small book.  If you'd like, you can download the book for free from Amazon, Smashwords, B&N, Kobo, and iTunes.

Amazon

Smashwords

iTunes

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Thanks for stopping in today, and don't forget to check back tomorrow for the next installment of Mistral Dawn's Musings! :-)

#APC #Spotlight: What Happened To Me By Richard White!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got Richard White in my APC spotlight, today! Richard is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and his biographical, mental health, personal journey, short story, What Happened to Me, looks great! Here's the description:

Richard White, tells his story of defeating and coping with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. How he feels, and how he combats the stress in every day life. This small eBook dives into author Richard Whites life, how he fights everyday unmedicated to live a normal life with his mental disabilities. His story will not tell you everything, however, he reveals a few of his hidden secrets of living day to day with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression, and anxiety.

If you think this sounds like something you might enjoy, go ahead and grab your copy here:

Thank you all so much for stopping by! Happy reading! :-)