A Spooky #WeekendTreat!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

With Halloween not long past and winter fast approaching, I thought it would be appropriate to share a slightly spooky snippet to help get your weekend off to a fun start. Enjoy! :-)

Excerpt from Captivated By The Winter King:

In addition to the Genii Cucullati, he also had the ability to call forth shades.

Shades were different from the hooded spirits, in many ways. Whenever any sapient being experienced a strong emotion, an echo of that feeling was left behind. Those echoes had no physical form, but they could build upon one another and have a cumulative effect. This phenomenon was why certain places where many people had experienced strong feelings could take on an aura that those who later visited the site could sense. A place where many had died might feel frightening, sad, or angry. A place where many had rejoiced might have a happy or cheerful quality to it.

Ankou had the ability to call forth shades with a specific nature and grant them semi-corporeal form. Unlike the hooded spirits, they did not act. They could only react. Also, their nature was such that he had to be careful to conjure exactly the type of shade that was needed. Shades reflected the precise type of emotion that had left the echo; no more, no less. What he needed was for Kate to be protected, so a shade created of the echo of a protective feeling was required. He needed to be certain that was what he called forth. If he allowed his fear for his Anamchara's safety to taint the call, the shade that resulted might be more one of vengeance or aggression. Neither sentiment would allow him to achieve his goal.

Taking a deep breath, he centered himself and loosed his power. A shadowy form came into being. It had the outline of a large male but was indistinct and ephemeral. The Winter king concentrated on what he needed from the shade, and the figure moved towards Kate.

At first, Kate didn't notice the diaphanous shape that had come into being, but when it moved she saw that something was there. Confused, she reached out to try to touch it.

"Wait!"

She froze and looked at Ankou.

Want to find out just how Ankou intends to protect Kate? Grab your copy of Captivated By The Winter King at the link below. Happy reading!! :-)

Captivated by the Winter King

It's Going To Be A Bumpy Ride...

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've seen quite a few posts and articles lately that boil down to people bemoaning the fact that progressives have become more aggressive than we used to be. Particularly, I've heard these complaints after debates between candidates who are running for election, or re-election, to public office. There seems to be some confusion regarding why there's so much anger among those on the left, so I thought I'd share my perspective.

You know that friend you have, we all have at least one, who's so laid back you want to take their pulse to make sure they're still alive sometimes? They're really nice. So nice they don't react when other people behave badly, and it gets so you think they'll never stand up for themselves. And it's nice that they're nice. You appreciate their niceness, and you don't want them to change because being nice and easy-going is who they are, and you like them. They're your friend. But you're concerned that by being so chill they don't know how to defend themself against abusive behavior.

Then, one day, it happens. Someone pushes them too far. Up until this point, you hadn't realized they had a line that couldn't be crossed. But it turns out they do. And, wow, can they push back when they want to. It turns out your nice friend does know how to defend themself. They may not want to. They probably really are pretty tolerant and willing to accept other people as they come, and to let them be themselves. But they do have boundaries, liberal as they may be, and once someone crosses them, the flood gates open and all the fury of hell spews forth to rain down upon whoever has pushed them to that point. And it's deserved, well-deserved, but it still surprises you because you didn't know your friend could react that way. Normally, they're just so...nice.

Yeah. Progressives in this country are that friend. We've played nice. We've tolerated it while both Republicans and Democrats have shit on us. We knew what they were doing, but we thought that they might be reasonable if we were patient with them. But it turns out they're not reasonable. Neither Republicans nor Democrats want to play fair and make the changes this country needs. And they've reached our line. And now we're coming for them.

Oh, we're not the far-right lunatics. We're still progressives. We're not going to pick up literal arms or threaten anyone's physical safety. We're going to use our words. You know that saying, "The pen is mightier than the sword?" Well, we're coming for them with our pens. Because the war we're going to fight is a war of ideas; a war that seeks to shift a country's ideological stance on a myriad of issues, and we don't mind bulldozing the opposition to do it.

Our weapons will be our wits, our bodies, and our determination. And we will be ruthless. Our satire will be biting, our mockery well-earned but cruel, our demonstrations non-violent but disruptive, and the exercising of our first amendment rights relentless. We will be implacable in our pressure on intractable politicians, and we will be unflinching in pursuit of our goals. We do not want compromise. We are not interested in half-measures or conciliation. We tried that approach, and those in power have brought us to the brink of the extinction of our species. So we're done with being nice until the people who have been systematically destroying our society are no longer in power.

And, no, before anyone suggests that our refusal of violent tactics suggests a lack of commitment, it doesn't. All it indicates is an acknowledgment of the fact that physical violence won't help us achieve our goals. Unlike the other side, we've studied both history and psychology. We know that eviscerating an opponent verbally, ruthlessly shredding their arguments, and dragging the rotting entrails of their reasoning into the sunlight for all to see will have a far more lasting positive effect than would turning them into a martyr by doing the same thing to their body.

Yes, we know tactics like this won't work if only done once or in private. But repeated, public shaming and conspicuous derision will have an effect. Don't believe me? Think about yourself. Would you rather face literal danger or public humiliation? The drive to avoid embarrassment is a powerful motivator across the human spectrum. And when coupled with the inconvenience and resulting public pressure caused by acts of civil disobedience, it can move political mountains.

You can call us bullies, if you like, but unlike those who bullied us and drove us to this point, we aren't punching down. We're punching up. Our target is the power structure and those who serve it. They've been ignoring and abusing us for too long, and we're tired of it. The line has been crossed, and we're not being nice anymore. We're going to teach those who presume to rule us the difference between wanting people to not talk about the things that you've done, and not having done those things. So, buckle-up, buttercup. Ready or not, here we come.

#APC #Spotlight: A Hole In The Ice: A Steampunk Fantasy (The Weather Casters Saga Book 1) By McCallum J. Morgan!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I've got McCallum Morgan in my APC spotlight, today! McCallum is an active and supportive member of the  Authors-Professional Co-op Facebook group and his steampunk, fantasy, magical, action/adventure novel, A Hole in the Ice, looks great! Here's the description:

A strange compass. A mysterious expedition. A beautiful but dangerous woman.

Parsifal is restless. Tired of his idyllic English upbringing, and frustrated with his cold and officious guardian, Parsifal longs for swashbuckling adventure.

With the discovery of a magical compass, his dreams are realized and he finds himself embarking on his guardian’s extraordinary scientific expedition, taking him to lands more curious and astounding than any he ever imagined.

Faced with airships, polar bears, mermaids, and Cossacks, Parsifal must fight to uncover the truth…and untangle the threads of a forgotten myth.

 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 1027

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 One-Thousand-Twenty-Seven:

There have been no further disruptions from juvenile hominids, though the reason for their unusual behavior remains unclear. I have also made no headway in isolating any possible contaminants in the liquid H2O my hominid-servant immerses herself in daily. Therefore, I find myself experiencing a frustration that is both not useful and unbecoming in a researcher such as myself. I can only conclude I have spent far too much time among the hominids and that their irrationality has contaminated my psyche. I will try meditation and see if that allows me to free my mind from hominid influence.

Uh-oh! Sounds like Thoth needs a vacation. ;-) 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!

Good News And Secrets...

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 the third Petri Dish book:
“Chess?”

“I smell cinnamon!” Came the excited reply from one of the back rooms. “Were you a good friend? Did you stop and get me breakfast?”

“Oh, I don’t know. It's possible. Have you eaten yet?"

Chessie’s red and purple-topped head appeared from around the doorframe of her bedroom. Petri’s friend had been experimenting with different hairstyles and colors, and most recently the looks she had been choosing tended towards short, spiky, brightly colored hair. “Nope, just got out of the shower. Be with you in a sec."

Chessie’s face popped back out of sight and Petri put the cinnamon buns on the counter that separated the living room from the kitchen.

“Did you and Wema have a good night?” Chessie had emerged, dressed, from her room and was fluffing her short hair with a towel. She and Wema had met at a club, and the older woman strongly approved of Petri's new friend.

“We did, thanks.” Petri smiled. "How about you?"

Chessie grinned. "I was able to finally track down Nicky. He wasn’t plugged in, but at least I know where to look for him now.”

“That’s awesome! How did you figure out how to make the leap between interstellar rainbows?”

“I’m not sure, really. I ended up following a line that led to another line that led to another, and eventually I was back to Upworld’s rainbow. It was pure luck, honestly. I almost suspect that Nax has been leaving breadcrumb trails for me, but if he knows where we are then I don’t know why he hasn’t just contacted me. I thought we’d left on pretty good terms”

Petri reached over to run her hand up her friend’s suddenly hunched shoulders. “Maybe he’s afraid to contact you because he’s not sure you’re in a place where it’s safe to have a connection back to there. Or maybe he doesn’t know where we are, and you’ve just got mad skills and figured it out for yourself.”

Chessie reached up and squeezed Petri’s hand affectionately. “I do have ‘mad skills’, hun, and don’t you ever forget it.” Her grin was infectious and Petri returned it. “But Nicky is still better.”

Shrugging, Petri reached over to open the box of cinnamon buns and offer it to her friend. “There’s always someone better,” she observed, licking the frosting that had transferred from the edges of the box to her fingers. “You didn’t run into Vlad, did you?”

“No. No sign of The Impaler, fortunately,” said Chessie. She bit into a warm, gooey bun and closed her eyes in pleasure. Opening them again, she looked at Petri. “But there is a message from Sadaka. I waited to play it so that we could watch it together.”

Petri’s grin that had started when she saw her friend enjoying her favorite treat expanded. “I was wondering when we’d hear from the little monkey again! Let’s watch it now.”

Chessie nodded and moved to the communications console, licking her fingers clean as she went. Flicking it on, she didn’t bother to connect with taps and just touched a couple of buttons on the screen until their young charge’s face appeared. Petri moved to stand next to the older woman, and Chessie started the message.

“Hey Petri and Chessie!" squealed Sadaka, her sweet face lighting up the room even from just a recording. “The school will be contacting you soon because I’ve been awarded a place in their advanced program, but I wanted to tell you myself first.” She broke off to do a little dance of glee over her good news. “Anyway, I don't want to take up too much of my com time, they limit what they allow students for personal calls because they want us to focus on our studies, and I’d rather use it to talk to you live. But I just wanted to let you know I’ll be advancing three grade levels and enrolling in an internship with one of the school’s top geneticists! Can't wait to talk to you guys again! Bye." Her bright smile faded to a black screen, and Petri and Chessie whooped and high-fived each other.

“I knew she was smart!” Petri crowed.

Chessie put an arm around her friend and hugged her. “And I agreed with you, hun. That's why I thought she should go to that school, even though it means she can't live with us fulltime. But it’s the best school on the planet when it comes to STEM subjects, and she has been mad to learn more about genetics ever since she found out what you are. It’s the perfect place for her to figure out what kind of work she wants to do and learn how to do it.”

Petri nodded. “Yeah, you're right. And she’s also smart enough to know how important it is to keep that secret.”

Chessie squeezed Petri closer and dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Of course she is. And you know she will.”

Something Worth Watching?

Hey Everyone!! :-)

I'm back today with another video I wanted to share. This one is about a story that has been developing for a while, but I don't think has gotten nearly enough attention from the mainstream media. Naturally. The video is a little lengthy, because the story is a bit convoluted, but it's worth listening to so you can truly understand the situation. And after you watch it, you can ask yourself if you want another POTUS whose stance on questions of racial equality is questionable, at best. Peace!

Split Pea Soup In A #Crockpot #Recipe!

Hey Everyone!! :-)

Incidentally, it was 30 degrees Fahrenheit when I woke up this morning; I've already got this in the crockpot and it will be dinner tonight. ;-)

Ingredients:
2 cups green dry split peas
8 cups water or vegetable broth
2 vegetarian bouillon cubes
1 cup white wine
1/4 cup olive oil
2 potatoes peeled and chopped
2 ribs celery chopped
2 carrots peeled and chopped
2 onions diced
5 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp cumin
2 tsp sage
3 tsp thyme
3 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste

Put the split peas, water or broth, bouillon cubes, potatoes, dry seasonings, and bay leaves in the crock-pot, cover, and set to high.  In a skillet, put the olive oil, celery, carrots, and onion and saute them until the vegetables start to soften. Continue to stir until the onions begin to caramelize and then add the garlic and stir to distribute. Heat the garlic and then stir in the wine to deglaze the pan. Simmer it to allow it to reduce slightly. Transfer the contents of the skillet to a blender and pulse until pureed. Pour the vegetable puree into the crock-pot and stir to thoroughly mix. Make sure the bouillon cubes break up and are distributed evenly. Cover and continue to cook on high for 5-6 hours or until the split peas are soft. Remove the bay leaves and serve the soup hot with a side of crusty bread.

Bon appetit!