- QOTD for Thursday, 4/22/21 -- Betsy, Queen of Cupcakes, Wed, April 21 2021, 20:39:59
I hate birthday parties. I'm as skilled at putting on a birthday party as I am at Good Housekeeping. When my kids were young, I made myself be happy to do something fun for them. Honestly? I'd as soon take them to Disneyland and have done with it. Disneyland being a bit out go our means, I put on Birthday Parties for scads of kids, who wanted games and stuff to eat.
I had thought I had waved good bye to the agonies of birthday parties about the time I waved good bye to my ability to reproduce. It was a cruel joke. Done with kids' parties? Not by a long shot. Along come grandchildren with parents unavailable to throw their own damn parties and....Yup.... Along comes Gummy.
I will admit, I was proud of my son, who had never ever planned anything remotely akin to a party for a bunch of 5 year olds. He did a very admirable job of it for the most part. He also has a number of female friends who helped him along the way. I LOVE his female friends. It was an uncomfortable time to have a party for my grandson, for reasons that I won't go into, but DS had some really good help.
Where did I come in? "Mom, would you make some stuff?" Like what???? I don't do decorations and all the games I know are left-over from MY 5 year-old parties and I'm pretty sure would never be tolerated today..... Running in circles around a bunch of chairs and fighting, pushing and shoving each other to the point that some poor kid ended up being flung from a chair onto the floor. That sort of thing. I think the Dept.of Health and Human Services would be knocking at my door. Help make something? Please please please, no decorations or games. Food. Bake cupcakes. And anything else I wanted to bake. For an undetermined number of kids and parents and other siblings. Chocolate and vanilla. What kind of frosting? Vanilla. Just vanilla. Chocolate, too ? Sure.
Now, asking someone who is:
1. A perfectionist
2. A weensie bit obsessive-- just a wee bit.
3. Doesn't have an "off" button when baking.
4. Maternal instincts still roar through her head -----
Asking someone with those qualifications to do ANYTHING with no specific end point....well, It's just not a good idea.
So I made cupcakes, half vanilla, half chocolate. 100 of them. Would I go the easy way and use a box mix? No. I made up my own recipe for the cupcakes, using three kinds of chocolate. And for those 100 cupcakes (I'm not kidding. It was ONE HUNDRED of the blasted things,) I made a gallon of vanilla frosting and a gallon of chocolate frosting. 25 vanilla cupcakes were frosted with vanilla, the other 25 were frosted with chocolate frosting. 25 of the chocolate cupcakes were frosted with vanilla, the other 25 were frosted with chocolate. I know this is exactly correct because I counted them all. Several times.
There COULD be 50 people at this party. 100 cupcakes might not be enough. Rice crispy squares! Deviled eggs! Two dozen eggs makes 4 dozen deviled eggs. That might not be enough. Jello jigglers! Made with Knox gelatin and apple juice, of course. Lots of those, too. Then it was 3 AM and I was seeing double, so I stopped.
It took up the entire SUV to get all this stuff to the party. I really was tired.
In the end, about 7 cupcakes were gone, the plate of rice crispy squares went untouched, half of the deviled eggs were left. I forgot the jello jigglers at home. There were about 26 people there, and two of those were nursing infants.
I don't even LIKE cupcakes.
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The following quote is from 'Drums Of Autumn,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 12, "The Return Of John Quincy Myers." Copyright © 1997, by Giana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
I disliked being discussed as though I were an objet d'art-- and a possibly defective one, at that--but swallowed my objections.
Phaedre was shaking her head, definitely.
"Oh, no ma'am," she said. "She ain't washed out. She got them bones as makes shadows. And brown eyes, but don't be thinkin' they's mud-colored. You recall that book you got, the one with the pictures of all them strange animals?"
"If you mean Accounts of an Exploration of the Indian Sub-continent," Jocasta said, " yes, I recall it. Ulysses read it to me only last month. You mean that Mrs. Fraser reminds you of one of the illustrations?" She laughed, amused.
"Mm-hm." Phaedre hadn't taken her eyes off me. "She look like that big cat," she said softly, staring at me. "Like that there tiger, a-lookin' out from the leaves."
An expression of startlament showed briefly on Jocasta's face.
"Indeed, " she said, and laughed. But she didn't touch me again.
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- Oh, Betsy! Now what? I don't like cupcakes either. What did you do with it all? (NT) --
kgp, Thu, April 22 2021, 9:09:07
- Oh my gosh, Betsy!! You made all that food and they ate 7 cupcakes!?!? Too bad we live so far away, Mike and I love cupcakes, they’d be gone in a few days 🥰. I sympathize about BD parties, how do you feel about Halloween? I loved to see Jocasta taken down, just a peg, by Phaedra and Claire here. Tiger’s eyes, ma’am, not mud colored. Not so amusing now. (NT) -- Kathy in VA, Thu, April 22 2021, 12:44:38
- QOTD for Wednesday, April 21 from “Written In My Own Heart’s Blood” by Diana Gabaldon -- Kathy in VA, Wed, April 21 2021, 10:50:58
Here’s one for today, no theme, just love the QOTD. Betsy, if you have anymore?
I think Diana has set us up for so many characters to explore further. Knowing Jamie and Claire can’t live forever, I’m so glad for Ian and Rachel
and Hal (after reading A Fugitive Green 😉). Who are you looking forward to reading about?
Chapter 94
The Sense of The Meeting
“You are being married in . . . That?!” Hal said, eyeing Dottie’s Sunday-best gown of soft gray muslin with a white fichu and a bow at the back of the waist. Dottie raised one smooth blond brow at him.
“Ha,” she said. “Mommy told me what she wore when you married her in a tavern in Amsterdam. And what your first wedding was like. Diamonds and white lace and St. James Church didn’t help all that much, did they?”
“Dorothea,” Denzel said mildly. “Don’t savage thy father. He has enough to bear.”
Hal, who had flushed at Dottie’s remarks, went somewhat redder at Denny’s and breathed in a menacing rasp, but didn’t say anything further.
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- QOTD for Sunday, 4/18/21 -- Betsy BS, Sun, April 18 2021, 13:13:59
Loos like there isn't anyone one who's signed up for this week. I will do as much as I can, but there will probably be no special theme, just some random quotes I've flagged over the years, for emergencies. At one point, they may have all belonged to a theme, but I haven't got a clue at this point. I've been flagging quotes for 20 years..... the chances of me remembering which goes with what at this point are slim to none. Anyone want to take one day?
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The following quote is taken from 'Drums of Autumn,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 3, "The Minister's Cat." Copyright © 1997, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"I had a terrible crush on you," she blurted, staring staight ahead through the windshield. "But I didn't know whether you were just being nice to me because Mama asked you to, or whether---"
"Whether, he interrupted, and smiled as she risked a tiny look at him. "Definitely whether."
"Oh." She relaxed fractionally, loosening her stranglehold on the wheel. "Well. Good.
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- It's interesting to have this quote with the other today. Thinking about the difference between Brianna at 19/20 and Rachel at that age. No such thing as an extended childhood in the 18th century. (NT) -- kgp, Sun, April 18 2021, 18:30:45
- We can use this for Monday, unless someone else was going to post. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Sun, April 18 2021, 22:22:54
- What a comparison!!! But, Rachel has had a powerful and eventful life so far. I think Bree has, too, but in totally different ways. (NT) -- Betsy BS., Sun, April 18 2021, 22:28:03
- They are very different young women, but strong, steadfast, and able to take on whatever comes their way. (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, April 19 2021, 10:30:07
- Roger is so sweet here, “Whether!” ! the perfect answer. It IS hard to picture Rachel and Bri as similar ages because their lives have been so different. Back in the 1700s Rachel wouldn’t be considered young at 19, how old is Ian here? I still think Bri was too young to leave, I wouldn’t have been able to do it- but then we wouldn’t have this story! 😉 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Mon, April 19 2021, 11:04:01
- QOTD for Sunday, April 18, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, April 18 2021, 12:18:46
The following quote is from Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 1, “A Hundredweight of Stones.” Copyright © 2014 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Who was left for him to ask, if he needed help in taking care of them all?
Thought of Rachel came to him, and the tightness in his chest eased a little. Aye, if he had Rachel … She was younger than him, nay more than nineteen, and, being a Quaker, had very strange notions of how things should be, but if he had her, he’d have solid rock under his feet. He hoped he would have her, but there were still things he must say to her, and the thought of that conversation made the tightness in his chest come back.”
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- Rachel is very mature for 19, she's dealt with a lot and has taken on a lot of responsibility. I'm glad Ian has her. (NT) -- kgp, Sun, April 18 2021, 18:27:20
- Rachel is such a good match for Ian - a strong, practical young woman, who, despite her Quaker faith, has seen much in her life. Ian knows and respects strong women. (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, April 19 2021, 10:26:53
- QOTD for Saturday, April 17, 2021 -- CindyG, Fri, April 16 2021, 21:53:14
The following quote is from An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 88, “Rather Messy.” Copyright © 2009 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Used as Grey was to the swift brutality of army surgeons, Mrs. Fraser’s preparations seemed laborious in the extreme: she swabbed Henry’s belly repeatedly with an alcoholic solution she had concocted, talking to him through her highwayman’s mask in a low, soothing voice. She rinsed her hands—and made Hunter and Mrs. Woodcock do the same—and her instruments, so that the whole room reeked like a distillery of low quality.
Her motions were in fact quite brisk, he realized after a moment. But her hands moved with such sureness and … yes, grace, that was the only word … that they gave the illusion of gliding like a pair of gulls upon the air. No frantic flapping, only a sure, serene, and almost mystic movement. He found himself quieting as he watched them, becoming entranced and half forgetting the ultimate purpose of this quiet dance of hands.”
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- Watching someone skilled work is mesmerizing, no wasted motion, no hesitancy. It is like watching a dance. (NT) -- kgp, Sat, April 17 2021, 18:41:03
- These last two quotes describe Claire as a healer/surgeon so beautifully. For me, watching her through John’s eyes made me see it so much deeper. Comparing her to a general preparing for battle, hawk’s eyes scanning the scene, hands moving with the grace of a gull paints such a picture. And I did wonder when John thought she was the most “unwomanly” woman he had ever seen, if that was subconsciously some of her attraction for him. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, April 18 2021, 4:40:47
- Betsy BS! -- Judie, Fri, April 16 2021, 0:00:22
Saw your message below.
I lost a bunch of email in the last couple of weeks. It must have been in there.
Yes, please take the week of April 25. Thank you. 🙂
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- Quoter needed for next week -- Judie, Thu, April 15 2021, 23:58:39
Anyone available?
Judie
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- QOTD for Friday, April 16, 2021 -- CindyG, Thu, April 15 2021, 21:21:01
The following quote is from An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 88, “Rather Messy.” Copyright © 2009 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“The window, after what seemed to John Grey to be an excruciatingly prolonged discussion between the two physicians, remained partly open. Dr. Hunter insisted on the benefit of fresh air, and Mrs. Fraser agreed with this because of the ether fumes but kept talking about something she called germs, worrying that these would come in through the window and contaminate her “surgical field.” She speaks as though she views it as a battleground, he thought, but then looked closely at her face and realized that indeed she did.
He had never seen a woman look like that, he thought, fascinated despite his worry for Henry. She had tied back her outrageous hair and wrapped her head carefully in a cloth like a Negro slave woman. With her face so exposed, the delicate bones made stark, the intentness of her expression—with those yellow eyes darting like a hawk’s from one thing to another—was the most unwomanly thing he had ever seen. It was the look of a general marshaling his troops for battle, and seeing it, he felt the ball of snakes in his belly relax a little.
She knows what she’s doing, he thought.“
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- New email message from Diana today -- Go Tell the Bees is being released on November 23, 2021! -- JudyL, Thu, April 15 2021, 8:38:01
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- QOTD for Thursday, April 15, 2021 -- CindyG, Wed, April 14 2021, 21:17:10
The following quote is from An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 62, “One Just Man.” Copyright © 2009 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Detach the underlying muscle with as little damage as could be managed. Tie off the small digital artery and two other vessels that seemed large enough to bother with, sever the last few fibers and shreds of skin that held the finger, then lift it free, the dangling metacarpal surprisingly white and naked, like a rat’s tail.
It was a clean, neat job, but I felt a brief sense of sadness as I set the mangled piece of flesh aside. I had a fleeting vision of him holding newly born Jemmy, counting the tiny fingers and toes, delight and wonder on his face. His father had counted his fingers, too.
‘It’s all right,’ I whispered, as much to myself as to him. ‘It’s all right. It will heal.’”
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- QOTD for Wednesday, April 14, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, April 13 2021, 19:47:18
The following quote is from The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Worlds Unseen.” Copyright © 2001 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“I needed to be quick, and I was. The preparations had taken hours; the operation, no more than a few seconds. I seized one spongy red tonsil with the forceps, stretched it toward me, and made several small, quick cuts, deftly separating the layers of tissue. A trickle of blood was running out of the boy’s mouth and down his chin, but nothing serious.
I pulled the gobbet of flesh free, dropped it into the basin, and shifted my grip to the other tonsil, where I repeated the process, only a trifle more slowly in consequence of working backhanded.
The whole thing couldn’t have taken more than thirty seconds per side. I drew the instruments out of Josiah’s mouth, and he goggled at me, astonished. Then he coughed, gagged, leaned forward, and another small chunk of flesh bounced into the basin with a small splat, together with a quantity of bright red blood.
I seized him by the nose and thrust his head back, stuffed pledgets into his mouth to absorb sufficient blood that I could see what I was doing, then snatched a small cautery iron and took care of the largest vessels; the smaller ones could clot and seal on their own.”
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- Yikes! When I was a child, maybe four, I had my tonsils out and was in the hospital for two days, I think. Claire's procedure was certainly efficient, but it makes me cringe! (NT) -- DianaH, Wed, April 14 2021, 7:09:20
- Me too, but I was five. I think I was there for about 4 days, my Dad would bring some kind of orange icy drink from the restaurant next door and I got a Chatty Kathy doll! My poor daughter never got hers out until she was thirty and it was a horrible operation for an adult and worse yet, she had a horrible surgeon who botched it and she had to go back to have it done right - after the first surgeon told her she was “being a baby, there’s nothing wrong and put a stack of tongue depressors between your jaws to open your mouth! (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Wed, April 14 2021, 9:17:02
- Those Drs are a disgrace to the medical profession, on many layers. Diana, Did the hospital allow any family member to stay with you? I remember vividly my younger brother having his tonsils out. He was 4. He was in the hospital for 5 days and we weren't allowed to visit. My mother could visit, but only for a couple of hours a day. I still remember feeling terrified that I'd have to have my tonsils out, too. I think I would have run away first. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, April 14 2021, 9:28:18
- I may have been in the hospital longer (maybe 3-4 days); I'm not sure. Lucky for me, my sister (6) had hers done at the same time, so we got to share a room. I remember my Mom had made us matching nightgowns that we wore instead of johnnies, and I'm sure my parents must have been allowed to visit us. Best of all though, our Aunt, who lived next door, upstairs, or with us from the time I was born until high school, was a nurse at the hospital and worked the 11pm - 7am shift. So my sister and I got out of bed at night and sat with Auntie and her fellow nurses, played cards, etc. It made it much more bearable. (NT) -- DianaH, Thu, April 15 2021, 7:16:12
- Josiah did well! Claire was, of course, fantastic. Poor guy. He had nothing to base his trust on; I don't think he even registered what exactly was going to happen. He trusted Claire. That was his referance point. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, April 14 2021, 9:33:05
- When I read this, I cringe. At 5, my nephew had his tonsils out then he hemmoraged (unbeknownst to us he has a clotting disease). The dr. waited til after office hours to come see him, took him immediately back into OR and took an hour and a half to get the bleeding stopped. My nephew then spent 14 days in a coma in the Peds ICU at a medical center. He's now in his 40's, married, kids, gainfully employed, etc., but that was a scary time due to a "simple tonsilectomy"! (NT) -- JANET, Wed, April 14 2021, 12:07:41
- QOTD for Tuesday, April 13, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, April 12 2021, 20:24:45
The following quote is from Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 12, “The Return of John Quincy Myers.” Copyright © 1997 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“I breathed in slowly, matched my rhythm to the audible snores. Above the reek of brandy and the faintly nauseating aromas of food, I could smell the earthy odors of his body; stale sweat, grimed skin, a small tang of urine and the copper scent of blood. To another, they would have been offensive, but not to me, not now.
This body was. No good, no bad, it simply was. I knew it, now; it was mine.
They were all mine; the unconscious body in my hands, its secrets open to me; the men who held it, their eyes on me. It didn’t always happen, but when it did, the sensation was unforgettable; a synthesis of minds into a single organism. And as I took control of this organism, I became part of it, and lost myself.
Time stopped. I was acutely aware of each movement, each breath, the tug and pull of the catgut sutures as I tightened the inguinal ring, but my hands did not belong to me. My voice was high and clear, giving directions instantly obeyed, and somewhere far away, a small watcher in my brain observed the progress of the operation with a remote sense of interest.
Then it was done, and time began again. I took a step back, breaking the link, and feeling slightly dizzy at the unaccustomed solitude.
‘Done,’ I said, and the hum from the spectators erupted into loud applause. Still feeling intoxicated—had I caught drunkenness by osmosis from Myers?—I turned on one heel and sank into an extravagant low curtsy, facing the dinner guests.”
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- I love John Quincy Meyers and I love how much he respected Claire. I can’t believe this, but was this in the movie or do I have it just pictured so well in my mind? The audience applause and Claire’s curtsy are perfect! Mike has been a heavy equipment operator and now has his own backhoe for big boy fun. Watching him run it is like poetry, it does become an extension of his arms and he gets in the zone. This passage reminded me of that, even though what Claire does is much more dramatic. This is one of those “men will drop their pants within minutes of meeting ye, Claire” moments that Jamie referenced 😂 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Tue, April 13 2021, 7:04:38
- I've always found the scenes where Claire becomes "one" with her patients fascinating. When Joe Abernathy hands her the skull from the box of bones and says, "Let's see if you can do it with a dead one." and Claire says, "She didn't expect to die." just blew me away, especially on my first re-read when I realized the bones were Geillis! (NT) -- DianaH, Tue, April 13 2021, 7:10:26
- I don't recall this scene in the STARZ series, but I think I may have missed a couple of episodes along the way. I'm trying to get caught up before the next session comes out. I agree with you. I love JQM and his instantaneous acceptance of Claire's abilities. Didn't DG borrow his character on a real man? I'll have to go through the Outlandish Companion again. I think that's where I read it. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, April 14 2021, 9:15:15
- So sorry to give a shout out here. JUDIE, Are you getting my emails about picking up weeks? If not, I'm not sure why. One way or the other, I will do the week of April 25- May 1.. -- Betsy BS, Mon, April 12 2021, 13:43:08
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- QOTD for Monday, April 12, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, April 11 2021, 20:37:29
The following quote is from 'Voyager,' by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, "The Scent of Gemstones." Copyright © 1994 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
“I tried the other eye, and nearly dropped the candle. Sure enough, there was a small, transparent filament, moving under the conjunctiva. I gagged slightly at the sight, but controlled myself, and reached for the freshly sterilized knife, still holding back the eyelid.
‘Take him by the shoulders,’ I said to Geilie. ‘Don’t let him move, or I may blind him.’
The surgery itself was horrifying to contemplate, but surprisingly simple to perform. I made one quick, small incision along the inside corner of the conjunctiva, lifted it slightly with the tip of the needle, and as the worm undulated lazily across the open field, I slipped the tip of the needle under the body and drew it out, neat as a loop of yarn.
Repressing a shudder of distaste, I flicked the worm away. It hit the wall with a tiny wet splat! and vanished in the shadows under the cheese.”
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- OOO, am I sensing a medical procedure theme, CindyG? Excellent quotes. (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, April 12 2021, 9:37:38
- Eeeeeww! (NT) -- kgp, Mon, April 12 2021, 12:15:27
- This was gag-worthy. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Mon, April 12 2021, 13:38:39
- This was so gross and even worse when I found out it was real. Just the other day one of Mike’s programs featured this particularly yucky thing. Didn’t the final “splat against the wall” really make your stomach lurch? (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Tue, April 13 2021, 5:15:26
- QOTD for Sunday, April 11, 2021 -- CindyG, Sat, April 10 2021, 20:20:05
Today is my little brother’s 60th birthday. I remember the day he was born very well. I feel SO old!
The following quote is from 'Outlander,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 3, "The Man in the Wood." Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
“‘This is the worst part,’ I warned the patient. I cupped the elbow, ready to whip it upward and in.
His mouth twitched, not quite a smile. ‘It canna hurt much worse than it does. Get on wi’ it.’ Sweat was popping out on my own face by now. Resetting a shoulder joint is hard work at the best of times. Done on a large man who had gone hours since the dislocation, his muscles now swollen and pulling on the joint, the job was taking all the strength I had. The fire was dangerously close; I hoped we wouldn’t both topple in, if the joint went back with a jerk.
Suddenly the shoulder gave a soft crunching pop! and the joint was back in place. The patient looked amazed. He put an unbelieving hand up to explore.
‘It doesna hurt anymore!’ A broad grin of delighted relief spread across his face, and the men broke out in exclamations and applause.”
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- This was the first “cool thing” I learned in the Outlander world and was part of the early grab of the books. I’m still not quite sure how this maneuver works but I love how easily it was put into the story and I’ve seen it referenced since and am smug. Happy Sunday to everybody! It’s a steady rain here, but it’s warm and greening up. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, April 11 2021, 5:27:55
- Here she is, out of her own time, confused, scared, alone, yet the healer instinct takes over and she takes over the situation like a boss! (NT) -- kgp, Sun, April 11 2021, 7:45:47
- It's amazing how this works! I've helped reset children's elbows (Nanny elbow, the Nanny or Mom is holding the child's hand and they turn and jerk away to get something.) One second the kiddo is crying hard, the next instant they look at you like, "Huh???" Then they usually start crying again...... (NT) -- Janet, Sun, April 11 2021, 11:05:04
- QOTD for Saturday, April 10, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, April 09 2021, 17:11:55
The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Chapter 80 The World Turned Upside Down
He looked down, then, vaguely surprised to see the battered surface of his table and his own hands flattened there as if they’d grown into it. He straightened up and his fingers curled, the stiff joints painful as they made themselves into fists. He was drenched with sweat.
Lighter footsteps came down the hall then, and Mrs. Bug came in with a tray. She set it down before him, curtsied to him, and went out. The single crystal goblet that he owned stood on it, and the decanter that held the good whisky.
He felt obscurely that he wanted to laugh, but couldn’t quite remember how it was done. The light touched the decanter and the drink within glowed like a chrysoberyl. He touched the glass gently in acknowledgement of Mrs. Bug’s loyalty, but that would have to wait. The devil was loose in the world and there’d be hell to pay, surely. But before he did aught else, he must find Claire.
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- QOTD for Friday, April 9, 2021 -- kgp, Thu, April 08 2021, 17:36:42
The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Chapter 38 A De’il in the Milk
Candles and hearth fire, that lovely, leaping paradox, that destruction contained but never tamed, held at a safe distance to warm and enchant, but always, still, with that small sense of danger.
The smell of roasting pumpkins was thick and sweet in the air. Having ruled the night with fire, the jack-o’-lanterns went now to a more peaceful fate as pies and compost, to join the gentle rest of the earth before renewal. I had turned the earth in my garden the day before, planting the winter seeds to sleep and swell, to dream their buried birth.
Now is the time when we reenter the womb of the world, dreaming the dreams of snow and silence. Waking to the shock of frozen lakes under waning moonlight and the cold sun burning low and blue in the branches of the ice-cased trees, returning from our brief and necessary labors to food and story, to the warmth of firelight in the dark.
Around a fire, in the dark, all truths can be told, and heard, in safety.
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- QOTD for Thursday, April 8, 2021 -- kgp, Wed, April 07 2021, 17:32:45
The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Chapter 38 A De’il in the Milk
She’d heard the talk, of course. Or some of it. Particularly right after Henri-Christian’s birth, which had sent shock waves through the Ridge. Beyond the first overt expressions of sympathy, there had been lots of muttering, about recent events and what malign influence might have caused them - from the assault on Marsali and the burning of the malting shed, to the kidnapping of her mother, the slaughter in the woods, and the birth of a dwarf. She’d heard one injudicious girl murmur within her hearing something about “ . . . witchcraft, what would ye expect?” - but had rounded fiercely to glare at the girl, who had paled and slunk off with her two friends. The girl had glanced back once, though, then turned away, the three of them spitefully sniggering.
But no one had ever treated her or her mother with any lack of respect. It was clear that a number of tenants were rather afraid of Claire - but they were much more afraid of her father. Time and habituation had seemed to be working - until the birth of Henri-Christian.
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- Mob mentality - really, really scary back then - and now. Especially for women then. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Thu, April 08 2021, 5:35:34
- Especially outspoken women, it seems. It's dangerous to be different. (NT) -- kgp, Thu, April 08 2021, 7:30:32
- Claire had skills and knowledge above and beyond the norm of that time. With that, and her mostly no BS attitude, she would have been a target. Thank heavens for Jamie being such a formidable presence. This would also be why when J was with Roger after the snake bite, he told Roger that she would have to go "back to the future." (NT) -- DianaH, Thu, April 08 2021, 9:41:58
- QOTD for Wednesday, April 7, 2021 -- kgp, Tue, April 06 2021, 17:36:55
The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Chapter 35 Laminaria
I was seldom troubled by personal recollections while dealing with patients; I had neither time nor attention to spare. At the moment, though, I had too much of both. And a very vivid memory indeed of the night before Bree’s birth.
People often say that women forget what childbirth is like, because if they remembered, no one would ever do it more than once. Personally, I had no trouble remembering.
The sense of massive inertia, particularly. That endless time toward the end, when it seems that it never will end, that one is mired in a prehistoric tar pit, every small move a struggle doomed to futility. Every square centimeter of skin stretched as tight as one’s temper.
You don’t forget. You simply get to a point where you don’t care what birth will feel like; anything is better than being pregnant for an instant longer.
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- “...get to a point where you don’t care what birth will feel like” or look like as you lay splayed, basically naked and don’t give a shite! But truly, it IS worth it. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Thu, April 08 2021, 5:33:30
- When I was delivering DS 30 years ago, the nurse told me that the doctor would be in shortly. I told her, "I don't care if you get the janitor; I want this done." (NT) -- DianaH, Thu, April 08 2021, 9:43:54
- QOTD for Tuesday, April 6, 2021 - sorry I'm late. The day got the better of me. -- kgp, Tue, April 06 2021, 11:48:53
The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Chapter 5 The Shadow Which Fire Throws
“How?” I demanded. “How did this young woman come to be in the brothel?”
“Why, they sold her, mum.” The flush still stained MacDonald’s cheeks, but he had recovered his countenance enough to look at me. “The brigands. They sold her to a river trader, she said, a few days after they’d stolen her. He kept her for a bit, on his boat, but then a man came one night to do business, took a fancy to her, and bought her. He brought her as far as the coast, but I suppose he’d tired of her by then . . . “ His words trailed off, and he stuck the pipe back into his mouth, drawing hard.
“I see.” I did, and the half of the omelette I’d eaten lay in a small hard ball in the bottom of my stomach.
”Still fairly fresh.” How long did it take, I wondered? How long would a woman last, passed from hand to casual hand, from the splintered planks of a riverboat’s deck to the tattered mattress of a hired room, given only what would keep her alive? It was more than possible that the brothel in Edenton had seemed a haven of sorts by the time she reached it. The thought didn’t make me feel any more kindly toward MacDonald, though.
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- Quoters Needed -- Judie, Tue, April 06 2021, 11:39:12
.
.
Sorry. I’ve been very forgetful. We got a new puppy and I’ve barely been doing anything except chasing two dogs and posting pictures of them on Facebook. 😂
Thanks for keeping the place going. Anyone up for the last two weeks in April?
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- Question -- Judie, Tue, April 06 2021, 11:33:19
Hey, gang.
I received the following email from a lady. Anyone here have any info for her?
“Hello! I am trying to find people who were members of a discussion board called Ladies of Montglane, for fans of Katherine Neville, which was around in the late 1990s. I know that some members of it were also members of Ladies of Lallybroch. In fact, that's where they got the name from. Do you know of anyone who might have been a member of it? I recently found some old messages from it that I'd printed out, and I'd like to get back in touch with some of these people. Thank you!”
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- QOTD for Monday, April 5, 2021 -- kgp, Sun, April 04 2021, 17:32:04
The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Chapter 71 Black Pudding
The worst part was cleaning the blood: swishing an arm through the dark, reeking depths of the barrel to collect the threads of fiber that formed as the blood began to clot. These clung to my arm and could then be pulled out and rinsed away - repeatedly. At that, it was slightly less nasty than the job of washing out the intestines to be used for the sausage casings; Brianna and Lizzie were doing that, down at the creek.
I peered at the latest results’ no fibers visible in the clear red liquid that dripped from my fingers. I dunked my arm again in the water cask that stood beside the blood barrel, balanced on boards laid across a pair of trestles under the big chestnut tree. Jamie and Roger and Arch Bug had dragged the pig - not the white sow, but one of her many offspring from a prior year - into the yard, clubbed it between the eyes with a maul, then swung it up into the branches, slit the throat, and let the blood drain into the barrel.
Last edited by author: Sun, April 04 2021, 19:54:59
Edited 1 time.
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- QOTD for April 4, 2021 -- kgp, Sat, April 03 2021, 17:25:54
Happy Easter to those who celebrate.
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The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Chapter 71 Black Pudding
“O Lord, bless the blood and the flesh of this the creature that You gave me,” Jamie said softly, He scooped a pinch of the herbs himself, and rubbed them between thumb and forefinger, in a rain of fragrant dust.
“Created by Your hand as You created man,
Life given for life.
That me and mine may eat with thanks for the gift,
That me and mine may give thanks for Your own sacrifice of blood and flesh,
Life given for life.”
The last crumbs of green and gray disappeared into the mixture under my hands, and the ritual of the sausage was complete.
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- QOTD for Saturday, April 3rd, 2021 -- Betsy, Marching, Fri, April 02 2021, 19:58:28
The Marching part of my name above refers to the distance between today and dementia. That distance looks shorter every day. Then I talk to David and realize he's worse than I am, and I take heart.
David had his hearing checked a couple of years ago. His hearing is fine. Of course, I didn't see any paperwork from the audiologist, so I'm not completely sure that's true. David's problem is.......wait for it.......me. He can't hear the tone of my voice. That's the only thing he can't hear. I talk too softly (how he knows, I'm not sure. He can't hear my tone.) I talk too fast, and I mumble. Oh, and I turn away from him when I talk. I talk to the walls. I'm the problem.
Once again, I refrained from hitting him in the head with a heavy object and/or laughing until I peed my pants. I continue the speak to the man. Four or five times before he hears me.
I am taking tonal lessons starting Monday.
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The following quote is taken from 'Dragonfly in Amber, by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 8, "Unlaid Ghosts and Crocodiles." Copyright ©1992, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
The distiller himself was crouched over the fire, poking errant bits of charcoal back into the grate. Hearing me come in, he straightened up and turned to greet me with a pleasant smile.
"How do you do?" I said politely to the top of his head. So strong was the impression that I had stepped into an enchanter's den that I would not have been surprised to hear a croak in reply.
For Master Raymond resembled nothing so much as a large, genial frog. A touch over four feet tall, barrel-chested and bandy-legged, he had the the thick, clammy skin of a swamp dweller, and slightly bulbous, friendly black eyes. Aside from the minor fact that he wasn't green, all he lacked was warts.
"Madonna!" he said, beaming expansively. "What may I have the pleasure of doing for you?" He lacked teeth all together, enhancing the froggy impression still more, and I stared at him in fascination.
"Madonna?" he said, peering up at me questioningly.
Snapped abruptly to a realization of how rudely I had been staring, I blushed and said without thinking, "I was just wondering whether you'd ever been kissed by a beautiful young girl?"
I went still redder as he shouted with laughter. With a broad grin, he said, "Many times, madonna. But alas, it does not help. As you see. Ribbit."
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- Poor Claire - not the best first impression! Fortunately, Raymond has a sense of humor. (NT) -- kgp, Sun, April 04 2021, 17:34:06
- The husband of an old family friend rather resembles a frog. I hadn't really considered this until after a visit, my kids (They are ADULT children, mind.) remarked that they kept waiting for his tongue to shoot out after a fly! OMG, any time we see them, that's all I can picture!! (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, April 05 2021, 10:02:45
- Betsy, my sister has a pillow that says, "I'm sorry, Honey. Could you repeat everything you've said since we've been married?" Sometimes I'd like to steal it so I can hold it over DH's face. I'll tell him sometihing, then the next minute/hour/day, he'll ask me the same thing. Several. Times. (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, April 05 2021, 10:05:30
- QOTD NEXT WEEK -- Betsy With-Socks-On (the floor is cold), Fri, April 02 2021, 18:59:38
April's weeks aren't posted. Is anyone doing from Sunday (Easter) onward next week? I can cover Sunday and Monday. Anyone for a day or two?
I've always thought it would be fun to assign a theme for a week, then individual people could take one day of that week, centering on the Theme. Maybe that's sort of goofy but I wonder if it would be fun to try sometime.
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- QOTD for Friday, 4/1/21 -- Barefoot Betsy, Thu, April 01 2021, 19:38:09
Howdy-Do, Lallyland!
Do any of you remember the Howdy-Doody Show? It goes back pretty far, so if you don't remember it, I'm not surprised. The Howdy-Doody Show, The Micky Mouse Club, Mighty Mouse (that was my first introduction to classical music!) Rocky and Bullwinkle... Does anyone remember The Andy Devine Show? "Plunk your magic twanger, Froggie!" Sky King? The Roy Rogers Show.? It all seems to belong in the Twilight Zone.
I can't even equate what I watched as a child with what my grandchildren watch. It's two totally separate universes. I can't quite wrap my brain around new math; as a young girl, we spent tons of time learning cursive and doing math in out heads. Grammar. Oh My Word. There is no such thing anymore. Spelling doesn't matter, which is pretty good for me as I have never accomplished the art of spelling. When my granddaughter was distance learning from our home last year, I was absolutely NO help to her. Setting up the program, connecting to the school, finding her class.... and guess what was the very first class? Math. Of course it was. I honestly thought the whole program was designed to make the grandparents feel Very Old and Very Useless. We limped through the distance learning but I have no idea how we did it.
I can recite The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and the Greek alphabet (handy when playing scrabble). Computers can't do that, at least not with the same flair. I'm a veritable font of useless knowledge.
I'm pretty good at Trivial Pursuit, though.
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The following quote is from 'Voyager,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 26, "Whore's Brunch." Copyright © 1991, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
The door opened very slowly, and after quite a long pause, a head poked its way through the opening, much in the manner of a snail emerging from its shell after a hailstorm.
It was topped with an ill-cut shag of dark brown hair so thick that the cropped edges stuck out like a shelf above a pair of large ears. The face beneath was long and bony; rather pleasantly homely, save for a pair of beautiful brown eyes, soft and huge as a deer's, that rested on me with a mingled expression of interest and hesitancy.
The head and I regarded each other for a moment.
"Are you Mr. Malcolm's...woman?" it asked.
"I suppose you could say so," I replied cautiously. This was obviously not the chambermaid with my breakfast. Neither was it likely to be one of the other employees of the establishment, being evidently male, though very young. He seemed vaguely, familiar, though I was sure I hadn't seen him before. I pulled the sheet a bit higher over my breasts. "And who are you?" I inquired.
The head thought this over for some time, and finally answered, with equal caution, "Ian Murray."
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- This is a wonderful week of quotes, I’m loving remembering the first meetings. This quote is what made John Bell so wrong for young Ian in the show because John has such round features. Same with Ian Sr, but after reading yesterday’s quote it made me think that every family should have an Ian, Sr. What a wise peacemaker. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, April 02 2021, 3:40:57
- Romper Room, Captain Kangaroo, Huckleberry Hound, Yogi Bear and the Road Runner, then My Friend Flicka, and Bonanza and World of Walt Disney on Sunday nights and a lot of the shows you mentioned were part of my childhood. Buckskin Bill was our local children's show. Life was so much simpler when we just watched cartoons where they blew each other up and beat each other over the head with a club. Hahahaha. Thanks for the memories. And thanks for the quote too. I enjoy seeing how the characters are different than their description in the books. (NT) -- Marcie, Fri, April 02 2021, 7:39:33
- I've always loved this introduction to Young Ian; the description of him being "The Head" makes me chuckle. As you've illustrated, Betsy, DG writes interesting, sometimes unconventional meetings of characters for us. It gives them individuality, and we seldom forget how we "met" them. (NT) -- DianaH, Fri, April 02 2021, 9:12:38
- Love the quotes, and yes, I remember all those shows! Isn't it amazing that we knew the difference between cartoon characters and real life? And we also learned that our actions have consequences, and if we wanted good consequences, we behaved appropriately. Love remembering those times! (NT) -- Janet, Fri, April 02 2021, 10:47:53
- QOTD for Thursday, 4/1/21 -- Not yet Barefoot Betsy, Wed, March 31 2021, 20:28:07
Thirty five years ago at 08:45 our third daughter, Carlah, made her debut, and our lives were forever changed. She taught me to look sideways, instead of straight ahead. She has taught me what "sheer guts" means and how to persevere no matter what and how to march on, even when someone tries to hold you back. She is just amazing. AND, she wanted nothing to do with spinning AT ALL. Gotta love a girl with a mind all of her own.
The first day of kindergarten she announced that she was going to wear jeans all year. I told her that her uncle had bought her some really beautiful dresses and she needed to wear each of them at least once. The next morning, she came downstairs with all seven dresses on. And that's what she wore to school that day. After that, she wore nothing but jeans. I learned very early on to pick my battles Very Carefully.
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The following quote is from 'Outlander,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 26, "The Laird's Return." Copyright © 1991, by Diana Gabaldon.All rights reserved.
In spite of the limp, he moved youthfully. In fact, as he drew near to the arbor, I could see that he was only in his twenties. He was tall, nearly as tall as Jamie, but much narrower through the shoulder, thin, in fact,nearly to the point of skinniness.
He paused at the entrance of the arbor, leaning heavily on the lattice, and looked at me with interest. Thick brown hair fell smoothly over a high brow, and deepset brown eyes held a look of peaceful good humor.
The voices of Jamie and his sister had risen while I waited outside. The windows were open to the warm weather, and the disputants were quite audiful from the arbor, though not all the words were clear.
" Interfereing, nosy bitch!" came Jamie's voice loud on the soft evening air.
"Havena the decency to....." His sister's reply was lost in a sudden breeze.
The newcomer nodded easily toward the house.
""Ah, Jamie's home, then."
I nodded in reply, not sure whether I should introduce myself. It didn't matter, for the young man smiled and inclined his head to me.
"I'm Ian Murry, Jenny's husband. And I imagine ye'll be...ah..."
"The Sassenach wench Jamie's married," I finished for him. "My name is Claire. Did you know about it, then?" I asked as he laughed. My mind was racing. Jenny's HUSBAND?
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- Boy Howdy, Betsy, your DD sounds like a spunky one! Strong women, may we be them, know them, and raise them. (But no one said it would be easy!!) (NT) -- DianaH, Thu, April 01 2021, 9:48:33
- You are THE BEST Mim! What did her teacher do? It must have been hard to move. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, April 02 2021, 3:34:39
- Belated birthday greetings to Carlah! She sounds like a force of nature with a mind of her own. Love the quote today where Claire meets Ian Sr. it certainly isn't meet the family Hallmark Movie style was it. Hahaha. I really like how DG writes in a real life way rather than a romanticized way. Makes for some good reading! (NT) -- Marcie, Fri, April 02 2021, 7:46:32
- QOTD for Tuesday, 3/31/21 -- Betsy, Spinster with barefeet, Wed, March 31 2021, 7:03:24
Technically, I am not a Spinster. In history, Spinsters were unmarried women who dedicated their lives to spinning for their clan or village and were quite respected in the community. Spinning, at least in Scotland, was a job that was done every spare minute. It took a wife two years to spin enough thread to make a full plaide for her husband. Spinning was one of the most important jobs in the household. Most poor families, who were a large part of the population in the Highlands, didn't have spinning wheels. Spinning, for the most part, was done on drop spindles, until the mid eighteenth century.
I could go on and on, but I won't. Plus, my research is 25 years old. Have great and glorious days, LallyLoves.
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The following quote is from 'Outlander,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 26, "The Laird's Return." Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
She was smaller than I had expected. With a brother like Jamie, I had imagined her at least my height, or even taller, but the woman by the fire barely reached five feet. Her back was to us as she reached for something on the shelf of the china cabinet, and the ends of her dress sash dipped close to the floor.
Jamie froze when he saw her. "Jenny," he said.
The woman turned and I caught an impression of brows black as ink-sqills, and blue eyes wide in a white face before she launched herself at her brother.
"Jamie!" Small as she was, she jarred him with the impact of her embrace. His arms went around her shoulders in reflex and they clung for a moment, her face tight against his shirtfront, his hand tender on the nape of her neck. On his face was an expression of such mingled uncertainty and yearning joy that I felt almost an intruder.
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- I never picture Jenny as so small because she’s such a powerhouse . This first, shocking moment was so glorious for both of them but then it quickly went to shite, I have a lot of mixed emotions about Jenny and I am glad she’s back in the story so I can explore my feelings about her some more. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Wed, March 31 2021, 14:08:27
- Kathy in PA, you're spot on about Jenny being a powerhouse. I've always liked her character - a strong woman who takes charge when she has to, sometimes mistakenly to be sure, in the case of sending for Loaghaire when Claire came back. I'm really happy to see her get time now with Fergus & Masali's family, and Ian & Rachel. I loved her interactions with Hal, and am looking forward to see her with her nephew Wiliiam! (NT) -- DianaH, Thu, April 01 2021, 9:46:28
- I was much like Claire, I was expecting Jenny to look much more like Jamie with a bigger frame and have red hair and blue eyes. But there she was, tiny in size and big in personality. I always think of Jenny as having the personality of my husband's spicy little grandmother. She told it like she saw it and had the backbone and moral convictions of her Scottish background and upbringing and she was kind but with a harder edge so that everyone knew she was no pushover. If you wanted the truth of the matter, ask Nanny. Sadly, she only lived a few months after we married. I wish I had known her longer. Thanks for the quote and the info about spinning. (NT) -- Marcie, Fri, April 02 2021, 7:55:39
- Ladies of Montglane -- Vicki, Tue, March 30 2021, 15:46:33
I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this, but I'm trying to find members of this community who were on a message board called Ladies of Montglane, for fans of Katherine Neville, back in the late 1990s. I know that some people who were on that board were also members of Ladies of Lallybroch. If you were a member of that board, could you reply to this message or send me an email? I apologize if this is the wrong place to past this.
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- Sorry Vicki, I don't remember anyone who might have been on both boards. I hope you are able to reconnect with them through other searches. (NT) -- Marcie, Fri, April 02 2021, 7:58:29
- I haven't been able to think of anyone, either. But, many of the LOLer's use Facebook. Maybe someone there would know. The groups are private but I can ask if you'd like. Judie, our Fearless Leader, remembers EVERYTHING, or just about everything. Maybe she would know. (NT) -- Betsy Barefootspinner/LadyB45 early on., Fri, April 02 2021, 18:46:35
- I haven't been able to find anyone who was on that board, so far -- Vicki, Mon, April 05 2021, 6:03:55
- Thank you for your help -- Vicki, Wed, April 07 2021, 10:39:44
- QOTD for Tuesday, 3/30/21 -- Betsy shod-in-the-snow, Mon, March 29 2021, 20:50:32
Good Day, Lallybrochians!
Interesting phenomena re- wood stoves. 1. When the electricity is off, One can still cook. 2. When the electricity is off, one can still be toasty warm. 3. When the toilet REALLY needs flushing, snow can be melted on the woodstove in pots in emergencies. 4. The ambiance is lovely. BUT, wood stoves also have a laundry list of issues: 1. when food falls onto the wood stove plates, there's really no way to clean it up. It cooks itself off fairly quickly, but smells like smoky burnt cheese, and not the good kind. 2. Wood stoves give out a lot of very warm heat, which causes many people to congregate around them. This is fine until someone skipped their shower that day and they're right next to you. 3. Cob webs and dust. There's no ridding the house of them.As soon as you knock Edith-the-really-long-cobweb down, Elmer, her cousin, instantly begins to grow in the same spot. The rest of the extended family moves in as well. Pretty soon, there's a jungle of cobwebs twirling down, just out of reach. I swear I can hear them laughing at me. No one else here can hear the laughing. I do. I swear.
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The following quote is taken from 'Outlander,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 5, "The MacKenzie." Copyright© 1991, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"Busy wee things, are they no?" A deep, pleasant voice spoke from behind me, and I turned with a smile that froze on my face.
Colum MacKenzie shared the broad planes and high forehead of his brother Dougal, though the vital force that gave Dougal an air of intimidation, was here mellowed into something more welcoming, though no less vibratant. Darker, with dove-grey rather than hazel eyes, Colum gave that same impression of intencity, of standing just slightly closer to you than was quite comfortable. At the moment, though, my discomfort arose from the fact the beautifully modeled head and long torso ended in shockingly bowed and stumpy legs. The man who should have topped six feet came barely to my shoulder.
He kept his eyes on the birds, tactfully allowing me a much-needed moment to gain control of my features. Of course, he must be used to the reactions of people meeting him for the first time. It occurred to me, glancing around the room, to wonder how often he did meet new people. This was clearly a sanctuary; the self-constructed world of a man to whom the outer world was unwelcome--or unavailable.
"I welcome ye, mistress," he said, with a slight bow. "My name is Colum ban Campbell MacKenzie, laird of this castle. I understand from my brother that he, er, encountered you some distance from here."
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- Kind of the same with coal, warmth to the bone and all the benefits of the power goes out, but oh my God - the dust - everywhere....... Colum is such a powerful character even though he has such a physical deformity that could make him seem powerless. He shows how confidence and attitude about yourself can make it be. Mike tried to read Outlander and only got as far as this chapter. He just couldn’t take the depth of detail in Diana’s writing as she described Colum’s birds. He does watch the show though and gets the benefits of a wife who reads Outlander 😉 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Wed, March 31 2021, 6:43:02
- David has read all the books but only once, as each book came out. He doesn't remember anything but the basics. The very first time I read Outlander, three- four days into my head-first dive into the book, one night, in the middle of the night, he asked "Are there any more of these books?" Hahahaha. Yup, but the next one isn't out yet. "Get the next one, too. OK?" (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, March 31 2021, 19:09:41
- Colum always made me wary, despite his welcoming actions. I was impressed with his ability to be such a powerful Laird, and have always wondered how he ever put up with Dougal. I did find it interesting that he called on Claire to supply him with the mixture that he could use to end his own life when he had had enough. He must have had begrudging respect for her skills. I wonder how he would have felt if Claire had died at Cransmuir? He knew she wasn't a witch, or at least she wasn't malevolent. Would he have felt remorse? Or had Claire served Dougle's and Colum's purpose of taking him out of the running for laird by marrying a Sassenach, even if she WAS dead? (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, March 31 2021, 19:27:35
- QOTD for Monday, 3/29/21 -- Betsy, the Techno-phobe, Sun, March 28 2021, 19:10:04
Howdy-do, LallyWonders,
I have to down load an entire book, a LARGE instruction book, to learn how to turn my car on. I don't understand what the heck I'm reading about how to turn my car on. There is no key involved. NO KEY! Is this fair?
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The following quote is from 'Outlander,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter3, "The Man In The Woods." Copyright © 1991, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"Dougal and the others will be waiting by the road. Let's go." He took me by my arm, less as a gallant gesture than a means of forcing me to accompany him. I decided to take a chance and dug in my heals.
"No! I'm not going with you!"
He stopped, surprised at my resistance. "Yes, you are." He didn't seem upset by my refusal; in fact, he seemed slightly amused that I had any objection to being kidnapping again.
"And what if I won't? Are you going to cut my throat?" I demanded, forcing the issue. He considered the alternatives and answered calmly.
"Why, no. You don't look heavy. If you won't walk, I shall pick you up and sling ye over my shoulder. Do you want me to do that?"m He took a step toward me, and I hastily retreated. I hadn't the slightest doubt he would do it, injury or no.
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- QOTD Sunday 3/28/21 -- Betsy with Barefeet, Sat, March 27 2021, 20:54:32
We have worked YEARS, 40 plus, and have finally paid off our mortgage. We have planned to purchase a different car, as the one we've been driving is now 11 years old. It's been a very cooperative car and has lasted through four kids and several grandkids, but before the cooperation runs out, we need to get another car. David has spent several weeks combing the automobile dealerships, checking on the best used car, which ones have good safety features, which one is the best to re-sell, all that sort of thing.
Yesterday, we made a list of dealerships to visit. Four. In four different directions. We planned our route Well, David planned the route. I merely said uh huh. You drive. I'll read.
Out we went this morning on our quest for a good used car. At the first dealership, we found a great used car that fit our needs. When we sat and did the math, considering the different percentage rates, it was cheaper (really!) to get a new car than a used one. We drove two, liked them both but one felt safer to me and had plenty of room for two big dogs. One dealership down, three to go. Here is the conversation:
David: Which one do you like better?
Me: the C5.
David: I want to watch the Bruins.
Me: I want to go read.
David: I'm tired.
ME: Me, too.
David: Let's just get this one and go home. I'm too tired to drive around and if we do, I'll miss the Bruins. We sound like two old farts.
Me: That's because we are.
Home we went, with a new car, which cost us a whole lot less than a used one. David got to watch the Bruins, asleep in his chair. I read for thirty seconds and dozed off in MY chair. Shiny new car in the garage.
We're pathetic.
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The following quote is from 'Outlander,' by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 3, "The Man In The Woods." Copyright © 1991. All rights reserved.
There was a sudden whoosh from above, followed immediately by a blur before my eyes and a dull thud. Captain Randall was on the ground at my feet, under a heaving mass that looked like a bundle of old plaid rags. A brown, rocklike fist rose out of the mass and decended with considerable force, meeting decisively with some bony protuberance, by the sound of the resultant crack. The Captain's struggling legs, shiny in tall brown boots, relaxed quite suddenly.
I found myself staring into a pair of sharp black eyes. The sinewy hand that had temporarily distracted the Captain's unwelcome attentions was attached like a limpet to my forearm.
"And who the hell are you?" I said in astonishment. My rescuer, if I wanted to call him that, was some inches shorter than I and sparely built, but the bare arms protruding from the ragged shirt were knotted with muscle and his whole frame gave the impression of being made of some resilient material such as bedsprings. No beauty, either, with a pockmarked skin, low brow, and narrow jaw.
"This way." he jerked on my arm., and I, stupified by the rush of recent events, obediently followed.
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- You’re not pathetic, you’re my sister! Mike and I did basically the same thing a year ago. Finally paid the mortgage off and bought our first new car at 65. Mike had been looking and looking and I knew he always wanted to be able to buy new, but we never could. And you’re right, it’s actually cheaper these days. We are not shoppers either- once we’re getting it - let’s just do it. Our car dealer was pleasantly surprised that we just wanted to get it done and go home. Congratulations! (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Mon, March 29 2021, 10:43:16
- Murtaugh, my love! Not at first and this description is so far from the Starz casting where he’s also physically hot. My other Outlander group used to forbid casting possibilities - everyone though Gerard Butler should be Jamie - I thought Sean Bean, and it’s interesting to see who has been cast. Some of them have been perfect and others not at all, (both Ians and Roger) but they grew on me, But right from the start there was something special about Murtagh. Claire would be fine with him, definitely not BJR 🤬 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Mon, March 29 2021, 10:48:08
- The two Starz Ians disappointed me. Still do a bit, but they've grown on me some. But, oh well. They are who they are and I'll put up with them until I learn to love them, too. Catriona is nothing like my Claire, but now I can't imagine anyone else in the role. I 've learned to keep the film version and the Books as two separate entities so if the Starz version isn't what I was hoping for, it's fine. I'll just read the Books if I need to have my "pure" experience. What I thought I'd do this week was to post the places we "meet" different people. It was hard to find a quote for Jamie at the very beginning, but this is where I really started to love Jamie's character. And Kathy..... Someone, maybe Esther, asked what 2 characters from the Starz show (maybe the Books, too??) you would like to have a threesome with. There were lots of Jamies and Dougals. Me? Murtaugh and Lord John!! Hahahahahahahaha. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Mon, March 29 2021, 18:56:22
- Sorry, Gang! -- Judie, Sat, March 27 2021, 12:59:12
.
.
We got a new puppy and I have been a bit preoccupied. Totally forgot to check in here.
Thanks Cindy for continuing, and you Betsy for starting early.
I’ll try to get it together. 😂
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- QOTD for Saturday, 3/27/21 -- 'Ol Barefoot Dame, Fri, March 26 2021, 20:04:50
Happy Saturday to all Lallybrochonians,
No Life in the Robbins Household tonight. Shingles suck. I'm annoyed at the Powers that Be for choosing right now, in the middle of this pandemic, in the middle of my covid vaccine doses, They thought it would be a good time for a lesson in patience/acceptance/self-control. I disagree quite adamantly. Boo Hiss.
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The following quote is from 'An Echo In The Bone,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 24, "Joyeux Noel." Copyright © 2009. All rights reserved.
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"A very Merry Christmas from your Son, William"
Post Scriptum: 2 AM "I went down after all and stood at the Back of the Chapel. It was somewhat Popish, and there was a great Deal of Incense, but I said a Prayer for Mother Geneva and for Mama Isobel. When I emerged from the Chapel, I saw that the Lights have come back. Now they are blue."
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- QOTD for 3/26/21 -- Betsy often Barefoot, Spinning., Thu, March 25 2021, 19:49:15
Hallooooo, The House!
It's Friday! WooHoo! I don't know why that makes a whit of a difference for me. First of all, I worked nights (l-o-n-g nights) and not only did I frequently work weekends, but working nights means you usually don't know what day of the week it is. WooooooHooooo, anyway. Now that I'm not working at all, I still haven't a clue what the day of the week is. Sometimes I know the date, but not often. Note to ER Dr's and the Police: Do not assess someone over the age of, oh, sixty, the day of the week and/or the date. It's not a very fair assessment. I can't walk toe-to-heal in a straight line, either. I don't wear high heals because I can't walk with them on. I fall out of flats. I can barely walk barefoot without falling down. I would flunk that test, too. Some of the time I can close my eyes, arms out, and touch my finger to my nose, but usually I hit my eye or my chin. Counting backward from a hundred to zero by sevens? Are you kidding?
In short, I would be found to be a drunken woman who is having a stroke. Things are not always as they seem, though. I would hope that, if I ever get stopped by the police, they would take into account my stellar character in the community and my rather odd sense of humor. If not, I DO get one phone call.
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The following quote is taken from 'Drums of Autumn," by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 71, "Circles Close." Copyright © 1997, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
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"What did you say?" I asked. He had murmured something in Gaelic above me, too low for me to catch.
"I said, 'Go in peace,'" he answered. "I wasna talking to you, though, Sassenach."
Across the fire, something winked red. I glanced across in time to see Roger lift Brianna's hand to his lips; Jamie's ruby shone dark on her finger, catching the light of moon and fire.
"I see she's chosen, then," Jamie said softly.
Brianna smiled , her eyes on Roger's face, and leaned to kiss him. Then she stood up, brushing sand from her skirts and bent to pick up a brand from the campfire. She turned and held it out to him, speaking in a voice loud enough to carry to us where we sat across the fire.
"Go down," she said, "and tell them the MacKenzies are here."
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- I'll post bail for you. Even more fun if they put us in the same cell. Jamie is bidding Frank to go in peace, correct? Does it matter that Frank isn't born yet? (NT) -- kgp, Thu, March 25 2021, 23:40:20
- With Diana’s theory of time travel he is, just in another lane, right? Brianna’s declaration is one of my goosebumps moments - happens every time I read that passage. There’s so much hope and confidence for her and Roger and their future. It was fun trying your examples, Betsy, I’m not too steady either 🤪 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, March 26 2021, 18:28:34
- I'll tell David, who would be a bit peeved if I didn't call him with my one call, to call you next so we can give the Sherrif's Dept. here in rural Maine a good run for their money.. Maybe Kathy should come to visit and the three of us can be We Three Queens of Lallybroch Are" and sing old demonstration songs at the top of our lungs. If nothing else, I bet we could get them to laugh?!? (NT) -- Betsy the Bewildered., Fri, March 26 2021, 19:39:45
- QOTD 3/25/21 -- Betsy BS, Wed, March 24 2021, 19:41:57
Happy whatever this day is to All,
I'll post some random posts until Sunday, then I actually have a theme for next week! Poor David has been most patient; he has been sitting with every one of the books on the floor surrounding my chair, all with bits of paper sticking out all through them. Some of the papers are marking my planned quotes. Others are just wonderful quotes I like and if I change my mind, half-way through the week,, I'm all set!
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The following quote is from 'Dragonfly in Amber,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 19, "An Oath Is Sworn." Copyright c 1992, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"Mm." The soft whisper of the brush through my hair was hypnotic. Without the clock on the mantle, there was no telling time, but the silence of the street outside meant that it was very late indeed.
"How did you come to sleep at Madame Elise's, Fergus?" I asked, hardly suppressing a yawn.
"I was born there, milady," he answered. The strokes of the brush grew slower, and his voice was growing drowsy. "I used to wonder which of the ladies was my mother, but I never found out."
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- QOTD for Wednesday, March 24, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, March 23 2021, 20:51:42
The following quote is from Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 3, “In Which the Women, as Usual, Pick Up the Pieces.” Copyright © 2014 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“I didn’t think Jamie was headed for Valley Forge in any case. I knew, with absolute certainty, that he would come back. Here. For me.
The thought bloomed low in my belly and spread upward in a wave of warmth that made me bury my nose in my teacup to hide the resulting flush.
Alive. I caressed the word, cradling it in the center of my heart. Jamie was alive. Glad as I was to see Jenny—and gladder still to see her extend an olive branch in my direction—I really wanted to go up to my room, close the door, and lean against the wall with my eyes shut tight, reliving the seconds after he’d entered the room, when he’d taken me in his arms and pressed me to the wall, kissing me, the simple, solid, warm fact of his presence so overwhelming that I might have collapsed onto the floor without that wall’s support.
Alive, I repeated silently to myself. He’s alive.
Nothing else mattered. Though I did wonder briefly what he’d done with John.”
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- To have him back for just a few precious minutes, then have him disappear again... Jenny is a poor substitute. I still don't like her. (NT) -- kgp, Wed, March 24 2021, 15:19:03
- I've gotten quite fond of Jenny. I think she must be an Aries; she reminds me of one of my DD's who is an Aries, and acts annoyingly the same. I understand Jenny (and my DD, too), and I know quite well why she isn't everyone's favorite. She's not very warm and fuzzy, is she? But she gets things done and people who work for her and her family all allow her to run the show, although I think Ian knows how to handle her without having any projectile thrown at him. I don't usually compare the Starz show with the books, but I think the TV rendition has lost the mark on Ian. He feels weak and dependent in the TV show. In the books, Ian feels much stronger and stable and a much better "fit" with Jenny. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, March 24 2021, 19:19:23
- QOTD for Tuesday, March 23, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, March 22 2021, 20:34:12
The following quote is from Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 3, “In Which the Women, as Usual, Pick Up the Pieces.” Copyright © 2014 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Um … that gentleman is James Fraser, my … er … my—‘ ‘First husband’ wasn’t accurate, and neither was ‘last husband’—or even, unfortunately, ‘most recent husband.’ I settled for the simplest alternative. ‘My husband. And, er … William’s father.’
Mrs. Figg’s mouth opened, soundless for an instant. She backed up slowly and sat down on a needlework ottoman with a soft phumph.
‘William know that?’ she asked, after a moment’s contemplation.
‘He does now,’ I said, with a brief gesture toward the devastation in the stairwell, clearly visible through the door of the parlor where we were sitting.”
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- Talk about clearing the air! Lord John, who you love, is not my husband anymore. And his son, William, who you also love, is not only not his son - he’s my real husband’s son. So basically I’ve just devastated two Grey men- so how ‘bout that cup of tea? Only Claire 🙄 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Tue, March 23 2021, 10:37:02
- I felt so bad for William, to have it dumped on him like that. (NT) -- kgp, Tue, March 23 2021, 11:31:20
- QOTD 3/28/2021 -- Betsy BS., Mon, March 22 2021, 12:55:36
I had tried to contact Judie about doing this next week; 3/28--4/3 but I don't think she got the message.
I am doing next week, and it looks like you've just kept going for this week, Cindy.
Would it help if I started early with the quotes? Just let me know here if you want to do a hand-off starting 3/31 , which would be the QOTD from Thursday on?
Betsy BS
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- QOTD for Monday, March 22, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, March 22 2021, 9:54:12
The following quote is from Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 3, “In Which the Women, as Usual, Pick Up the Pieces.” Copyright © 2014 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘So Jamie’s gone off wi’ your Lord John, the British army is after them, the tall lad I met on the stoop wi’ steam comin’ out of his ears is Jamie’s son—well, of course he is; a blind man could see that—and the town’s aboil wi’ British soldiers. Is that it, then?’”
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- QOTD for Sunday, March 21, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, March 21 2021, 20:43:23
Ok, can’t let a day go by without a quote.
The following quote is from Written in My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 3, “In Which the Women, as Usual, Pick Up the Pieces.” Copyright © 2014 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Merde on toast,’ Mrs. Figg murmured. She turned abruptly to me, her small black-currant eyes still narrowed. ‘Where’s his lordship?’
‘Ah,’ I said. This was going to be rather sticky, I saw. While deeply disapproving of most people, Mrs. Figg was devoted to John. She wasn’t going to be at all pleased to hear that he’d been abducted by—
‘For that matter, where’s my brother?’ Jenny inquired, glancing round as though expecting Jamie to appear suddenly out from under the settee.
‘Oh,’ I said. ‘Hmm. Well …’ Possibly worse than sticky. Because …
‘And where’s my Sweet William?’ Mrs. Figg demanded, sniffing the air. ‘He’s been here; I smell that stinky cologne he puts on his linen.’ She nudged a dislodged chunk of plaster disapprovingly with the toe of her shoe.
I took another long, deep breath and a tight grip on what remained of my sanity.
‘Mrs. Figg,’ I said, ‘perhaps you would be so kind as to make us all a cup of tea?’”
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- QOTD for Saturday, March 20, 2021 -- CindyG, Fri, March 19 2021, 21:07:00
The following quote is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 20, “Dangerous Gifts.” Copyright © 2005 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Now, about that quarter of an hour, Sassenach … I believe I could manage wi’ a bit less, if necessary.…’
‘Well, I couldn’t,’ I said firmly, though I did allow my hand to fondle him for a thoughtful instant. My face was burning from contact with his whiskers. ‘And when we do have time, you can tell me what on earth you’ve been doing to bring this on.’
‘Dreaming,’ he said.
‘What?’
‘I kept havin’ terrible lewd dreams about ye, all the night long,’ he explained, twitching his breeks into better adjustment. ‘Every time I rolled over, I’d lie on my cock and wake up. It was awful.’
I burst out laughing, and he affected to look injured, though I could see reluctant amusement behind it.”
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- QOTD for Friday, March 19, 2021 -- CindyG, Thu, March 18 2021, 21:49:23
The following quote is from An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 19, “Ae Fond Kiss.” Copyright © 2009 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ!’ I blurted, leaping to my feet. ‘You!’
I took a step backward, stumbled over the basket, and nearly fell into the harbor, saved only by Tom Christie’s instinctive grab for my arm.
He jerked me away from the edge of the quay and I fell against his chest. He recoiled as though I were made of molten metal, then seized me in his arms, pressed me hard against himself, and kissed me with passionate abandon.
He broke off, peered into my face, and gasped, ‘You’re dead!’
‘Well, no,’ I said, stunned into apology.”
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- QOTD for Thursday, March 18, 2021 -- CindyG, Wed, March 17 2021, 21:18:46
The following quote is from The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 18, “No Place Like Home.” Copyright © 2001 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Gideon relaxed, too, all the feistiness draining slowly out of him like water from a leaky bucket. Slowly, Jamie let his hands drop lightly on the horse’s neck, and the horse stayed still, ears forward. Ah, he thought, and the realization stole over him that this was a Place.
He thought of such places in a way that had no words, only recognizing one when he came to it. He might have called it holy, save that the feel of such a place had nothing to do with church or saint. It was simply a place he belonged to be, and that was sufficient, though he preferred to be alone when he found one. He let the reins go slack across the horse’s neck. Not even a thrawn-minded creature like Gideon would give trouble here, he felt.
Sure enough, the horse stood quiet, massive dark withers steaming in the chill. They could not tarry long, but he was deeply glad of the momentary respite—not from the battle with Gideon, but from the press of people.
He had learned early on the trick of living separately in a crowd, private in his mind when his body could not be. But he was born a mountain-dweller, and had learned early, too, the enchantment of solitude, and the healing of quiet places.”
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- QOTD for Wednesday, March 17, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, March 16 2021, 22:16:56
The following quote is from Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 17, “Home for the Holidays.” Copyright © 1997 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Brianna had been bathing, braving the ancient geyser with its cracked enamel and rumbling flame. Now she stepped into the hall, wearing nothing but a towel.
She turned down the hall, not seeing him. Roger stood very still, listening to the thud of his heart, feeling his palm slick on the polished banister.
She was modestly covered; he had seen more of her in the halters and shorts she had worn in the summer. It was the fragility of her covering that roused him; the knowledge that he could undress her with one quick tug. That, and the knowledge that they were quite alone in the house.
Dynamite.”
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- QOTD for Tuesday, March 16, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, March 15 2021, 20:44:35
The following quote is from Voyager by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 16, “Willie.” Copyright © 1994 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Willie started for the door, but stopped halfway, suddenly distressed again, with a hand pressed flat to his chest.
‘You said to keep this to remember you. But I haven’t got anything for you to remember me by!’
Jamie smiled slightly. His heart was squeezed so tight, he thought he could not draw breath to speak, but he forced the words out.
‘Dinna fret yourself,’ he said. ‘I’ll remember ye.’”
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- I always found it heart wrenching that Jamie was cheated of both of his children's daily lives, helping to raise them, watching them grow up. I know he got a few years with Willie, but he wasn't able to acknowledge him as his son. He did stand as father to Fergus, Marsali & Joan, and Young Ian intermittently, but still not the same as the daily joys, sorrows, and small moments we often take for granted. (NT) -- DianaH, Tue, March 16 2021, 7:19:47
- He was such a good substitute Dad for Fergus, Ian, Marsali and Joan, it was heartbreaking that he didn’t know Brianna when she was young. And maybe worse that he did know William as a baby and young boy, but couldn’t claim him and then has to leave. There is a special joy in adult children and Jamie has found that with Bri. I can’t wait to see what happens with William now. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Tue, March 16 2021, 15:07:56
- He did get to see his grandchildren through Fergus and Marsalis grow as well as Jenny's children. It is heart breaking to miss out on his own children, but he's gained a large loving family anyway. I felt bad for William because he had spent so much time with 'Mac' , fortunately LJG stepped in at that time. (NT) -- kgp, Tue, March 16 2021, 17:50:09
- QOTD for Monday, March 15, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, March 14 2021, 21:02:23
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 15, “In Which Music Plays a Part.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘And speaking of Englishmen—does His Highness patriotically buy his brandywine from you and Jared, or does he by chance patronize the services of Mr. Silas Hawkins?’
‘Mr. Silas Hawkins, who is so eager to know what the political climate is like in the Scottish Highlands?’ Jamie shook his head at me admiringly. ‘And here I thought I married you because ye had a fair face and a fine fat arse. To think you’ve a brain as well!’ He neatly dodged the blow I aimed at his ear, and grinned at me.
‘I don’t know, Sassenach, but I will before the day is out.’”
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- QOTD for Sunday, March 14, 2021 -- CindyG, Sat, March 13 2021, 21:29:35
I’m a little nervous about following this last week’s quotes! I think I’ll just do some random choices from different books.
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 14, “A Marriage Takes Place.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“If I was a radiant bride, the groom was positively resplendent. My mouth fell open and stayed that way.
A Highlander in full regalia is an impressive sight—any Highlander, no matter how old, ill-favored, or crabbed in appearance. A tall, straight-bodied, and by no means ill-favored young Highlander at close range is breath-taking.
The thick red-gold hair had been brushed to a smooth gleam that swept the collar of a fine lawn shirt with tucked front, belled sleeves, and lace-trimmed wrist frills that matched the cascade of the starched jabot at the throat, decorated with a ruby stickpin.
His tartan was a brilliant crimson and black that blazed among the more sedate MacKenzies in their green and white. The flaming wool, fastened by a circular silver brooch, fell from his right shoulder in a graceful drape, caught by a silver-studded sword belt before continuing its sweep past neat calves clothed in woolen hose and stopping just short of the silver-buckled black leather boots. Sword, dirk, and badger-skin sporran completed the ensemble.
Well over six feet tall, broad in proportion, and striking of feature, he was a far cry from the grubby horse-handler I was accustomed to—and he knew it.”
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- Why? 🤣 you're off to a good start. 💜 (NT) -- kgp, Sat, March 13 2021, 21:39:09
- Oh yes! This is one of the lines in my head, “A Highlander in full regalia.....”. And I picture Jamie, not an ill favored, crabbed one. Even though he is young and only semi experienced with women, his confidence is already sexy, knowing he was impressing Claire. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, March 14 2021, 4:33:22
- Great start (NT) -- LDB, Sun, March 14 2021, 12:57:52
- QOTD for Saturday, March 13, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, March 12 2021, 16:24:16
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2007 All rights reserved. Chapter 32 The Path of Honor
He ripped at his flies, gasping. A moment, two, of desperate fisting, and it all came out of him. Remorse and longing, rage and lust - and other things that he could put no name to under torture - all of it ran like quicksilver down his spine, between his legs, and erupted in gouts that drained him like a punctured wine sack.
His legs had no strength. He sank to his knees and knelt there, swaying, eyes closed. He knew nothing but the sense of terrible relief.
In minutes - or hours - he became aware of the sun, a dark red blur in the blackness of his closed lids. A moment later, he realized that he was kneeling in the puddled dirt of the yard, forehead pressed to a wagon wheel, his breeches loose and his member still tightly clutched in his hand.
“Oh, Christ,” he said, very softly, to himself.
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- QOTD for Friday, March 12, 2021 -- kgp, Thu, March 11 2021, 17:44:44
The following quotation is from The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2011 all rights reserved. Chapter 1 April Fool
Claire was still with him, vivid in his mind, solid in his hands, He could imagine that he smelled her hair in the scent of fresh hay. The memory of her mouth, those sharp white teeth . . . He rubbed his nipple, hard and itching beneath his shirt, and swallowed.
His eyes were long accustomed to the dark; he found the vacant loose box at the end of the row and leaned against its boards, cock already in his fist, body and mind yearning for his lost wife.
He’d have made it last if he could, but he was fearful lest the dream go altogether, and he surged into the memory, groaning. His knees gave way in the aftermath and he slid slowly down the boards of the box into the loose piled hay, shirt rucked round his thighs and his heart pounding like a kettledrum.
Lord, that she might be safe was his last conscious thought. She and the child.
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- Poor Jamie, for so many years, not knowing if Claire and his child were alive, if she had made it through the stones, what the child might look like, etc. Both he and Claire were tormented with dreams of the other, yet not wanting to lose those dreams and memories either. (NT) -- DianaH, Fri, March 12 2021, 9:36:22
- Everybody remembers how this book opened with this chapter and this sentence: “It was so cold he thought his cock might break off in his hand, if he could find it.” MIL knew I loved Outlander, hadn’t started it herself yet, saw this book in the bin at Sam’s and got it for me. She was quite taken aback at the opening - gave it to me a bit questioning - has since become a convert. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sat, March 13 2021, 4:19:53
- QOTD for Thursday, March 11, 2021 -- kgp, Wed, March 10 2021, 17:52:14
The following quotation is from Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 1997 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 59 Blackmail
She moaned out loud, shuddered and lay still, too weak even to move her hand away. Her heart was thumping, very slowly. Her belly was tight as a drum, the last of the spasms slowly relaxing its grip on her swollen womb. One half of her body blazed with heat, the other was cool and dark.
After a moment she rolled onto her hands and knees, and crawled away from the fire. She hauled herself onto the bed like a wounded beast, and lay half stunned, ignoring the currents of heat and cold that played over her.
At last, she stirred, pulled a single quilt over her, and lay staring at the wall, hands crossed in protection above her baby. Yes, it was too late. Sensation and yearning must be put aside, along with love and anger. She must resist the mindless pull of both body and emotion. There were decisions to be made.
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- I didn’t like Brianna at first, as I type this I realize I didn’t like quite a few characters at first. I’m still working on William but the others, I’ve come to love or admire. Diana has such depth of character development with taking me through those emotions. When Bri threw the poker through the Rev’s window I really thought she was a horrible brat. But your last sentence shows how strong she had to be, when she was so young. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Thu, March 11 2021, 4:13:14
- HI Everyone - always good to read, but Ive been away for a long time. See inside for my thoughts on young Bree. -- swarl, Fri, March 12 2021, 9:16:52
- It certainly WAS quite the year. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Fri, March 12 2021, 9:36:17
- She really got dumped on! Good to see you again!! (NT) -- kgp, Fri, March 12 2021, 11:06:11
- Hi!!! You’re so right about Bri, and I think Sophie has done a super job showing all that. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sat, March 13 2021, 4:23:29
- QOTD for Wednesday, March 10, 2021 -- kgp, Tue, March 09 2021, 17:34:19
The following quotation is from Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 1997 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 2 In Which We Meet A Ghost
“Ah . . . when I came upon you . . . what ye were doing . . . I mean - were ye doing what I thought?”
I smiled against his shoulder in the darkness.
“I suppose that depends what you thought, doesn’t it?”
He lifted up on one elbow, his skin coming away from mine with a small sucking noise. The damp spot where he had adhered was suddenly cool. He rolled onto his side and grinned at me.
“Ye ken verra well what I thought, Sassenach.”
I touched his chin, shadowed with sprouting whiskers.
“I do. And you know perfectly well what I was doing, too, so why are you asking?”
“Well, I - I didna think women did that, is all.”
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- I absolutely love this. So many men are/were unaware of what women do (NT) -- Lady DuBois, Wed, March 10 2021, 10:29:23
- I waver between laughing heartily and wanting to put my hands on my hips indignantly and asking Jamie "Are you for real ??" Of course he isn't. Aside from the fact that Jamie is a fictional character, It's a completely " Men are beasts with insationable sex drives and women don't even know what a sex drive IS," much less how to pleasure themselves. ! it's a a different world we live in. Do you think 18th century women ever even knew about female anatomy , much less experimented with it. French Court doesn't count. They were a randy lot. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Musing, Wed, March 10 2021, 15:03:35
- I think a lot more self gratification went on then was written/spoken about. Fearing being ostracised by by society, I truly believe women kept many secrets. (NT) -- LDB, Wed, March 10 2021, 15:36:35
- LBD, I think women have ALWAYS kept secrets. I think until Women's Lib, women didn't share their thoughts and experiences out loud. Well, most women. Then we have women like Mata Hari and Dorothy Parker and other bold and brave women. But they were the exception rather than the rule. My mother, who wasn't one to talk about Babies Come From Heaven, mostly told it like it was, if I asked. If I didn't ask, she didn't share. I was in the seventh grade when our Mama kitty (that's was her name, way past her neutering) was mating with a male cat. On our roof. Right there, in front of us. No chance of missing the scene. My mom turned to me and said "I think this is a good time to talk about how babies are made." She was a few years late. I was told by my two older friends....in the third grade. Hahahahaha. Even then, bodily functions were not discussed AT ALL. Thankfully, Women's Lib gave us the example of freedom to talk about our bodies. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Thu, March 11 2021, 12:16:46
- Not totally surprised about Jamie not realizing women might have their own needs, it certainly as totally frowned upon in “polite” society. And remember he thought making love would be in the horse position? I think Claire was an excellent sex ed teacher for Jamie. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Thu, March 11 2021, 3:24:17
- Although when Claire was giving Dottie & Rachel the sex ed/marriage night/female anatomy "talk" in MOBY, one of the girls, remarked something along the lines of - Oh, it has a name? I've just always thought of it as "that bit." That statement led me to think that she was aware of its existence and purpose. (NT) -- DianaH, Thu, March 11 2021, 8:57:32
- QOTD for Tuesday, March 9, 2021 -- kgp, Mon, March 08 2021, 16:47:59
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved. Chapter 13 Unrest.
What was he doing? He couldn’t be thinking of Brianna like that, not lying a dozen feet away from her father!
He grimaced and squinched his eyes tight shut, hand slowing as he summoned up another image from his private library. Not the witch - not tonight. Her memory aroused him with great urgency, often painfully, but was tinged with a sense of helplessness. Malva . . . No, he was afraid to summon her; he often thought her spirit was not yet so very far away.
Wee Mary. Aye, her. His hand settled at once into its rhythm and he sighed, escaping with relief to the small pink breasts and encouraging smile of the first lass he’d ever lain with.
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- QOTD for Monday, March 7, 2021 -- kgp, Sun, March 07 2021, 17:34:50
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved. Chapter 50 Exodus.
“What?” That had brought him out of the haze, he was starkly awake, bloodshot eyes wide open.
“You heard me.”
“Ye want me to . . . to--”
“I do.”
“I couldna do that! In front of you?”
“If I can do it in front of you, you can certainly return the favor. Of course, if you’d rather I stopped. . . “ I let my hand fall - slowly - from the string. Paused, thumb very lightly ticking to and fro, to and fro, over my breast like the hand of a metronome. I could feel my nipple, round and hard as a musket ball; it must be visible through the fabric, even in this light.
He swallowed; I heard it.
I smiled and let my hand fall farther, taking hold of the hem of my skirt. And paused, one eyebrow raised.
As though hypnotized, he reached down and took hold of the hem of his kilt.
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- QOTD for Sunday, March 7, 2021 -- kgp, Sat, March 06 2021, 16:04:32
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 all rights reserved. Chapter 82 Dispositions.
That in turn made me think - briefly but vividly - of David Rawlings and his jugum penis. Did he really use it himself? I wondered, but hastily dismissed the vision conjured up by the thought and flipped over a few sheets, looking for my list of main topics.
Masturbation, I wrote thoughtfully. If some doctors discussed it in a negative light - and they most certainly did - I supposed there was no reason why I shouldn’t give the opposing view - discreetly.
I found myself making inky stars a few moments later, thoroughly distracted by the problem of talking discreetly about the benefits of masturbation. God, what if I said in print that women did it?
“They’d burn the whole printing, and likely Andy Bell’s shop, too,” I said aloud.
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- QOTD for Saturday, 3/6/21 -- Betsy, who is not yet spinning barefoot in my gardens., Fri, March 05 2021, 22:46:46
It's been quite a week here.I won't go into the particulars, but it is true: a mother is only as happy as her saddest child. I kept having an ear worm all week. It's really not anything like our circumstances, but it makes me chuckle when I hear it.'
"Oh, Life is a toil, and love is a trouble,
Beauty will fade and riches will flee.
Pleasures they dwindle and prices they double
And nothings is as I would wish it to be."
I love that song (there's about a hundred verses) and it makes me chuckle, even in the midst of insanity.
The following quote is taken from 'An Echo In The Bone,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 11, "Transverse Lie." Copyright c 2014, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
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I reached for the sack of wool, to rub my own raw hands with one of the soft, oily wisps, and happened to see the twins, standing back out of the way, side by side, their eyes fixed on Lizzy and their daughter, and each wearing a look
that echoed Auntie Monika's. Not taking his eyes away, the Beardsly holding little Rodney bent his head and kissed the top of the little boy's round head.
So much love in one small place. I turned away, my own eyes misty. Did it matter, really, how unorthodox the marriage at the center of this odd family was? Well, it would to Hiram Crombie, I reflected. The leader of the rock-ribbed Presbyterian immigrants from Thruso, he'd want Lizzie, Jo, and Kezzy stoned at the least-- together with the sinful fruit of their loins.
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- I'm sorry it's been such a heavy week. Sending love to you, hoping things improve. The world is full of busy bodies that can't understand love in any form but what they believe is "right". But even Jamie struggles with this arrangement as well as any relationship LJG establishes. He accepts John for who he is as long as it doesn't become obvious. If such an enlightened lad as our Jamie struggles, I guess Hiram et al is more understandable. It's sad and infuriating, though. (NT) -- kgp, Sat, March 06 2021, 16:09:13
- So true about our kids and I think it’s harder on the Mom. Mike says, “we figured it out and they will too” but I can’t dismiss it that easily. Sending love and good energy to you and your family and hoping things are better soon and you ARE barefooted spinning in the garden. I just love the Beardsleys! (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, March 07 2021, 5:01:52
- QOTD for Friday, I think. 3/5/21. -- Betsy, who would rather be spinning., Fri, March 05 2021, 10:04:51
Here's Friday's quote. With apologies for those who try to read daily, from all around the world.
The following quote is taken from 'Written In My Own Heart's Blood,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 137, "In The Wilderness A Lodging Place." Copyright c 2014, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
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I couldn't stop breathing. From the moment we left the salt-marsh miasma of Savannah , with its constant fog of rice patties, mud, and decaying crustaceans , the air had grown cleaner-- well, putting aside the Wilmington mudflats, redolent with their memories of crocodiles and dead pirates-- spicier and more distinct. And as we reached the summit of the final pass, I thought I might explode from simple joy at the scent of the late-spring woods, an intoxicating mix of pine and balsam fir, oaks mingling the spice of fresh green leaves with the must of the winter's fallen acorns, and the nutty sweetness of chestnut mast under a layer of wet dead leaves, so thick that it made the air seem bouyant bearing me up. I couldn't get enough of it into my lungs.
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- This quote is very much like I feel driving up our hill when we've been away. The air is different.If I close my eyes, I can smell exactly where we are on the hill and if it's night, the sky is full of stars, the moon brighter and closer. It feels like All is Well. Minus the crocodiles and dead pirates, and assuming David and I are not bickering about one thing or another. It still feels like Home, but I'm more searching for a weapon than I am dreamily looking at the stars. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Fri, March 05 2021, 21:53:18
- This quote speaks to me too. I love the ocean but in my heart I’m a mountain girl. The smells are the first thing that registers, but the air, the sounds, the feels it all makes my soul happy, (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, March 07 2021, 4:57:40
- QOTD for Thursday and Friday both. -- Betsy Robbins, Fri, March 05 2021, 9:33:57
Oh Drear....looks like this week has been quiet! I have two quotes ready, which I will post, separately. We've been having a family crisis, so I need to go day to day but here's Thursday:
The following quote is from 'Written In My Own Heart's Blood," by Diana Gabaldon, copyright c 2014,by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
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"She had courage." It was said softly, the words dropped like pebbles in water, and the ripples spread through the tiny room. Fraser was still looking straight at him. "Did they tell ye that, then? Her family, the folk who kent her?"
"No," William said, and felt the word sharp as a stone in his throat. For just an instant, he'd seen her in those words.. He'd SEEN her and the knowledge of the immensity of his loss struck him through his anger like a lightning bolt. He drove his fist into the table, striking it once, twice, hammering it 'til the wood shook and the legs juddered over the floor, papers flying and the inkwell falling over.
He stopped as suddenly as he'd started, and the racket ceased.
"Are you SORRY?" he said, and made no effort to keep his voice from shaking. "Are you sorry for it, damn you?"
Fraser had turned away; now he turned sharply to face William but didn't speak at once. When he did, his voice was low and firm.
"She died because of it, and I sorrow for her death and will do penance for my part in it until my own dying day. But..." He compressed his lips for an instant, and then, too fast for William to back away, came round the table and, raising his hand, cupped William's cheek, the touch light and fierce.
"No," he whispered. "No! I am not sorry." Then he whirled on his heel, threw open the door, and was gone, kilt flying.
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- I just listened to this and it seems to be the first crack in William’s possible acceptance of Jamie. Jamie can be so hard and yet so tender, the palm to William’s cheek really got me and I was so glad he accepted it. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, March 07 2021, 4:55:51
- I'm sure Jamie has thought of this William's mother's death countless times through the years and his own part in it. His response to his son's question is brethtakingly perfect - his regret of her death, and his gratitude that it resulting in his son's life. I wonder what will Fergus and William's meeting be like; Fergus being Jamie's foster son and raised by Jamie, Jenny, Ian, and with all of their brood, and William being his "true" son by blood, but raised very differently. (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, March 08 2021, 7:26:33
- QOTD for Thursday, 3/04/21 -- Betsy BS, Wed, March 03 2021, 18:57:08
Does anyone have Thursday covered for QOTD? I can do it if noone else has a plan...
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- From Written In My Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon PART NINE “The World May. One To An End, But Love and Music Will Endure Chapter 137 In The Wilderness A Lodging Place I was wondering whether Lizzie’s unorthodox marriage was still in effect. Having fallen accidentally in love with identical twin brothers, she had - with a guile and cunning unexpected in a demure nineteen year old Scottish bond servant - contrived to marry them both. There was no telling whether Rodney’s father was Josiah or Keziah Beardsley, but I did wonder..... “Oh Mammy’s breedin’ again,” Rodney said casually. “She says she’s a gong to castrate Daddy or Da or both of ‘em, if that’s what it takes to put a stop to it.” In honor of a Wednesday Hump Day. 🥰. Looking forward to seeing this little family again, -- Kathy in PA, Wed, March 03 2021, 10:07:06
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- Sorry, I forget how I was able to make the message readable. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Wed, March 03 2021, 10:07:45
- This family situation always makes me giggle! (NT) -- DianaH, Wed, March 03 2021, 10:13:49
- I love this scene! One of the quotes I had marked for emergencies is about this solid family unit, strange as it may be. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, March 03 2021, 18:50:44
- QOTD 3/2/21 -- Blubbering Betsy, Tue, March 02 2021, 20:21:09
It looks as if there is no quote of the day for Wednesday. I'll do it for tonight. I can make no promises for tomorrow.
No blethering tonight.
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The following quote is from 'A Breath Of Snow And Ashes,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 39, "I Am The Resurrection." Copyright c 2005, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord; He that believeth in me, though he were dead ...rr-hm... yet shall he live --" With the end in sight, Roger was making a gallant finish, forcing his voice past it limits, hoarser than ever and cracking on every other word, but firm and loud.
"Just a MINUTE," I hissed. "I'll take you out in a --"
"No, Grannie! LOOK"
I followed his outthrust finger, and for a moment, thought he was pointing at his father. But he wasn't.
Old Mrs. Wilson had opened her eyes.
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- QOTD for Tues., MARCH 1st, 2021. -- Betsy Sings-while-spinning, Mon, March 01 2021, 20:36:13
Happy Tuesday, All my Lally Dearies,
I'd like to say that 2021 has been a huge relief and happier than 2020, but so far, not so much. Maybe tomorrow will begin to be sunnier.
I have begun feeling postpartum for some ridiculous reason. Personally, I think Someone of Someones have a perverse sense of humor. I cry. All the time. At everything. Looking at pictures, reading books, any book, watching my cats and dogs, any music; today I started crying while I was shoveling snow. And I'm having hot flashes. HOT FLASHES! I've started ranting, and I don't rant. This is not fair at all. I did this after every birth, minus the hot flashes, and then I sailed through menopause like a pod of whales. That was a long L-O-N-G time ago.
Who blessed me with this fresh new Hell? I wasn't included in the decision. I wasn't even warned. I hadn't cried since my children were born. Ranting? My vocal chords don't work like that. I have never in my life been too warm. Now I'm a blast furnace. This is not fun and I am not amused.
However, olive oil and coconut oil are my best friends.
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The following quote is taken from 'A Breath Of Snow And Ashes,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter38, "A De'il In The Milk." Copyright c 2005, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"Oh, the wee ones still see heaven, my Mam said." Marsali was spinning, trying out Brianna's new treadle wheel, but spared a quick glance at her newest son, smiling a little. "Maybe there's an angel sitting on your shoulder, aye? Or a saint that stands behind ye."
That gave her an odd feeling, as though someone DID stand behind her.Not creepy, though--more a mild, warm sense of reassurance. She opened her mouth to say, "Maybe it's my father," but caught herself in time.
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- Please see if it’s not something medical. At our ‘ahem” age, it’s usually lovely to be free of those raging hormones. It’s great to be a calm, generally wise crone. So if you’re feeling like that I’m afraid you might have a cyst or something somewhere it shouldn’t be causing something it shouldn’t . I just got a small cancer that hadn’t spread thank God, removed from my mouth. I called it a canker sore for 8 months. Please consider checking. 😘 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Tue, March 02 2021, 3:40:34
- Kathy, I hadn't really thought it might be physical. I've been putting it off as a product of stress.I do have an appointment with my NP in a couple of weeks. I'll bring it up then. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Tue, March 02 2021, 19:42:37
- Betsy, why coconut & olive oil? Does it help with hot flashes? If so, I'm buying a few 55 gallon drums of it! (NT) -- DianaH, Wed, March 03 2021, 8:28:14
- Ummmmm....no. It's cheaper and works much better than vagacil.. Aren't you glad you asked? I really do need to temper my snarky sense of humor. (blushing) Plus, coconut oil and olive oil both have multiple uses, and they're better for your skin. Coconut oil is great for dry skin, including the hair and scalp. I rub it into my hair, making sure it reaches my scalp, leave it on over-night, and use a very mild shampoo in the morning. It takes me two-three shampoos to get all the oil out, but I use an awful lot of coconut oil because my hair is so dry. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Sat, March 06 2021, 10:50:06
- Marsali has a nice memory of her mom, because that’s a nice thing to picture. I really think Frank’s spirit does guide Bri and I liked that they showed it with Bri and Lizzie on the docks in the show. Along with actually preparing her to go back. Do Fergus and Marsali know about the travelers by the end of MOBY? I can’t remember but I do think they’d accept them as a type of faerie. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Tue, March 02 2021, 3:54:46
- Chapter 133 “Last Resort” from Written in My Own Heart’s Blood -- Kathy in PA, Mon, March 01 2021, 4:40:24
Where Jamie helps William try to rescue Jane.
William could make no sense of this proceeding, but Fraser drew back his arm and struck the glass a sharp buffet with his fist. It broke with no more than a small crackling noise, and the shattered pieces were removed easily, stuck to the treacled paper.
“Where did you learn that one?” William whispered, deeply impressed, and heard a small chuckle of satisfaction from behind Fraser’s mask.
“My daughter told me about it,” he whispered in reply, laying glass and paper on the ground. “She read it in a book.”
“That’s -“ William stopped abruptly, and so did his heart. He’d forgotten. “Your...... daughter. You mean — I have a sister?”
“Aye,” Fraser said briefly. “Ye’ve met her. Come on.”
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- Anyone want to jump in for a week of quotes? -- Judie, Sat, February 27 2021, 16:02:09
.
.
Anyone? :)
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- Quick QOTD for Sunday 2/28/21. The following is taken from Dragonfly In Amber by Diana Gabaldon. Copy right 1992. All Rights Reserved Inside first reply -- LadyDuBois, Sun, February 28 2021, 6:04:21
- I will, have to post a little later, making porridge! 😊 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, February 28 2021, 6:09:20
- “Lord, ye gave me a rare woman, and God! I loved her well.” The end of your quote and a true gut wrencher. DIA had so much heartache, the opening was shocking the ending STILL makes me cry. This is a nice quote for a Sunday! (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, February 28 2021, 6:25:52
- Thanks ladies! (NT) -- Judie, Mon, March 01 2021, 20:55:16
- QOTD for 2/27/21 (I checked the calendar tonight!) -- Spinning Backward Betsy, Fri, February 26 2021, 22:00:41
Happy Saturday, Lallylanders,
It's the end of a very long week. I'm determined to make Saturday less stressful. When I was younger, if the day was just horrid, I would sneak into the third floor of the College Library. We are lucky to have one branch of the University of Maine in our town and there were many benefits. Hiding on the third floor of the library for as long as I wanted was one of them. That was the floor with all the history books. I would choose a bunch of books, gather them all around myself, sit in the middle, read and cross-reference any and everything I wanted. It was heaven!
I confess to sneaking a book (my own, not the library's) into the car when I go shopping (every two weeks. I HATE going out in public now--I feel like I have a bull's eye on my back." The only part of shopping I look forward to is sitting in my car and reading for a few minutes, all alone, in the quiet. I have to be a little tricky about it. If I get really involved in my book and end up sitting there for an hour, David and all my kids start calling. "Where are you? Are you ok? Were you in an accident?" or "Daddy called me. He's worried about you. Where are you?" This last one is X3.
There were no cell phones when I hid in the library. It was BC, before children, so I can't count the Library as much of a hiding place, really. When the kids began arriving, we'd go to the Story Time at the library; a lovely outing, but there weren't any history books there.
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The following quote is taken from 'An Echo In The Bone,' by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 20, "I Regret..." Copyright 2009, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
Now Hale was mounting the ladder, the sergeant major steadying him. The noose was round his neck, a thick rope, new-looking. Didn't they say new rope stretched? But it was a high ladder...
William was sweating like a pig, though the day was mild. He mustn't close his eyes or look away. Not with Clarewell watching.
He tightened the muscles of his throat and concentrated again on Hale's hands. The fingers were twisting, helplessly, though the man's face was calm. They were leaving faint damp marks on the skirt of his coat.
A grunt of effort and a grating noise; the ladder was pulled away, and there was a startled "whoof!" from Hale as he dropped. Whether it was the newness of the rope or something else, his neck did not break cleanly.
H refused the hood, and so the spectators were obliged to watch his face for the quarter of an hour it took him to die. William stifled a horrific urge to laugh from pure nerves, seeing the pale blue eyes bulge to bursting point, the tongue thrust out. So surprised. He looked so surprised.
There was only a small group of men assembled for the execution. He saw Richardson a little way away, watching with a look of remote abstraction. As though aware of his glance, Richardson looked sharply up at him. William looked away.
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- This is a war unto itself. William is maturing, in a very hard way. (NT) -- Betsy, Fri, February 26 2021, 22:02:46
- I never knew there were “good” or “bad” hangings until I read the books. Diana perfectly describes the horror of “taking a quarter hour to die” because his neck didn’t snap immediately. The only half way palatable thought on this subject is that Roger’s was bad so he lived. It’s very, very interesting to meet these historical figures in a human way, isn’t it? (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sat, February 27 2021, 12:33:45
- The passages about hangings make me ill, thinking of lynching that have happened and are still happening. Its not as though professional executioner is a sought after career. (NT) -- kgp, Sat, February 27 2021, 15:12:56
- QOTD for Some day in February -- Tiredly Spinning Betsy, Fri, February 26 2021, 8:13:25
Greetings to Lally People
I'm not sure of what the actual date this is for. It's for Friday. I could get off me arse and go figure out the date from the (two, even) calendars on the wall, but I know this is Friday. I'll just go with that.
I re-read posts back through last September, I think, making sure I wasn't repeating myself or using someone else's quotes I THINK i was thorough, but you know how it goes... read a post, read the responses, find the quotes, trigger another thought, look for THAT, trigger yet again. You know what I'm talking about. It's a five hour quest to find the quote I was originally going to use. I DID find a couple of things that struck me, new angles of familiar situations, but Holy-moly, this is not the time or place to get going in a different direction.
Perhaps, if I was attending school today, I would be labeled something clinical, but I'm so very glad that isn't the case. I find labels so restrictive. It becomes the focus of the person and the heart and soul flap about in the breeze. I'd guess I would be tagged as ADD if: No1. I told anyone clinical about my thought processes, 2. I wanted to medicate to change my thought patterns. Naaaa. I'll just twirl around in my "interesting" thoughts, unlimited and hap-hazard. I've managed this far in life and I suspect I'll manage for the rest of it, too.It does cause David some frustration, but he can go toe-to-toe with my in the dysfunctional territory. The end point for today, is that last night, while I was sitting amongst all my Books, I had to stop and sing one grandchild to sleep, which included every lullaby, quiet songs, and every hymn that can be sung slowly in a very deep voice. Grandchild 1 was about an hour or so, (I had to make up songs for every single planet and every star known to him. I drew the line when he asked for a songs for all the nebulae he knew.) Back to sitting in the Books. Grandchild no 2. needed singing to. She's older and knows more songs. Most nights, she calls from Washington State at bedtime, which is 11:00 here. I just keep singing softly and low until I hear her snore. Back to Books. DGS wakes in tears. "I don't want to be alone in here." More singing. Books. DGD wakes, "Gummy? Are you still there?" I know better than to hang up after she falls asleep. She asked me once not to leave (hang up), "Can you just listen to me breathe?"
No matter how ADD I am, my grandchildren want me to sing them to sleep. I can focus on that just fine.
I have no idea why all that came bursting forth. Seems like I'm quite loquacious , too.
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The following quote is from "An Echo In The Bone," by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 6, "Long Island." Copyright c 2009, by Diana Gabaldon. All Rights Reserved.
The man was clearly dead, shot through the head. Mouth and eyes sagged half open and his body felt strange, heavy and flopping. He wore a militia uniform of sorts; William saw the wooden buttons, with "PUT" burned into them. That meant something, but his dazed mind made no sense of it. Gently laying the man back in the grass, he rose and went to fetch his sword. His knees felt peculiar.
Halfway to the spot where his sword lay, he stopped, turned round, and came back. Kneeling down, cold-fingered and hollow-bellied, he closed the man's dead eyes against the rain.
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- William's experience with going to war, his excitement, his romanticizing battles and being anxious to Kill someone makes me cringe. In our area of the State, hunting is a huge part of the culture. It's like a family tradition; fathers (usually fathers, there are tons of female hunters, but for some reasons, teaching the way to hunting correctly and safely is a father-son thing, When a boy tags his first deer, iit's a Big Deal. I never saw David set out hunting or make the time to teach our son. After several years, I asked him why. I'll never forget his response: "Killing sounds manly. Killing is not so grand when you pull the trigger and then something dies." William is learning that war= killing. Men. Live men. And it's not much fun. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Fri, February 26 2021, 10:11:01
- QOTD for2/25/21 -- Betsy BS, Wed, February 24 2021, 21:33:54
Howdy Do, Lallygabbers!
I've confessed before that my house-cleaning abilities rank right up there with my ability to drive a Tank. Maybe not quite that bad (except some days, if there's anything else in the world to tend to) but without a 5 day warning, 7 preferred, when someone comes to the door and I am caught unprepared, you might faint. Maybe not, depending on your ability to ignore the mess.
I've learned a few tricks over the years. My favorite one is to leave a broom close to the door, and when there is a knock, grab it. It looks like I'm at least TRYING to conquer the display of interesting piles of papers, magazines, books, crossword puzzles....that sort of thing. If I have a broom in my hand I look like I'm able to tidy up a bit. HA! Another lesson I've learned is to ask people who come inside, to put there hand out in a horizontal shelf and just look up, not down. If you place your saluting hand just at nose level, you won't notice the floor. I've been asking people to do that for years. Works like a charm. Until the other day when I needed a step stool to reach something in the living room. OH MY GOD!!!!!! I hadn't factored in that I am short, 5'2 1/2' if I leave my shoes on and stand up r-e-a-l-l-y straight. Other people are T-A-L-L and have access to a completely new realm of dust! If I can't reach it with my feather duster, I never get back with a chair to stand on so I can reach the upper-level of muck! Oh, Lordy. I'll have to ask people to cast their eyes upward, away from all the dust. Oh, God, NOOOO. There are cobwebs dangling from the eaves that have been there since my youngest was a baby, and he's 32 now.
Perhaps you should wait until Spring and we can sit in the garden and have tea (or Glenmorringe, if that works better for you) or tea with a shot of single malt in it. A couple of those and I won't care what my house looks like and neither will you.
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The following quote is taken from 'An Echo In The Bone,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter6, "Long Island." Copyright c 2009, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
His foot felt better; his knuckles were skinned, but not throbbing as much, and his fantasies of revenge began to seem faintly absurd to him. Was that what the fury of battle was like? he wondered. Did you want just to shoot and stab because it was your duty to kill, but did you LIKE it? Want it like wanting a woman? And did you feel like a fool after doing it?
He'd thought about killing in battle. Not all the time, but on and off. He'd made a great effort to visualize it when he'd made up his mind to join the army. And he did realize that there might be regret attached to the act.
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- QOTD for2/23/21 and for 2/24/21 -- Betsy of the Lallyland,, Tue, February 23 2021, 20:14:43
Good morning, afternoon, evening, night, wherever you may be,
I was up trying to post my QOTD for today until midnight and couldn't
managed get into Voy.Com. So I went to bed, woke up early, and tried again. Several times, on my regular computer and on my phone. I saw online it seemed to be troubling many people besides me. Then Life began in my home and here I am, at 9:30PM, doing both today's and Wednesdays QOTD.
Living with a young child is exhausting, maddening, frustrating, but most of the time I laugh almost all day long. His parents are not as amused as I am but I tell them that in thirty years, when their kids are grown and are parents in their own right, they will laugh all day, too. Apparently I am the only one who thinks being a grandmother is a ticket to Comic Relief. My son looks at me with daggers, my DH is forever telling me to STOP LAUGHING, in that pantomime that is half wild hand gestures and half twisting of the face. It's all quite understandable, I DO manage to laugh where my grandson can't see or hear me, so I don't know what their problem is. Seems to me it's their problem. I'm quite content being amused 90% of the time.
Heard one day recently:
Davy: Here's an Old Lady cucumber. (handing me a rather bumpy, misshapen specimen.)
Me: Does that mean I'm an Old Lady?
Davy: Yes.
Me: What makes me Old? My grey hair?Because I'm shorter than everyone else?
Davy: Noooo. Because you laugh a lot.
Yes, I laughed.
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The following quote is taken from 'An Echo In The Bone,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 6, "Long Island." Copyright c 2009, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
In the event, the men were allowed to disembark at once. "With ALL POSSIBLE SPEED, gennelmun!" Sergeant Cutter informed them at the top of his voice. "We're going to catch the rebel whoresons on the 'op, so we are! And WOEBETIDE any man I see lollygaggin' ! YOU, there...!" He strode off, forceful as a plug of black tobacco, to apply the spurs to a delinquent second lieutenant, leaving William feeling somewhat better. Surely nothing truly terriblein a world containing Sergeant Cutter.
He followed his men down the ladder and into the boats, forgetting his stomach entirely in the rush of excitement. His first real battle was waiting to be fought, somewhere on the plains of Long Island.
The following quote is from 'An Echo In The Bone,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 6, "Long Island." Copyright c 2009, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"Thank you. And you are...?"
"Oh. Perkins, sir." The private hastily knuckled his brow in salute. "Third company, sir. the Hackers, they call us."
"Do they? Well, we will hope to give you ample opportunity to justify your name." Perkins looked blank.
"Thank you, Perkins," William said, gesturing the private off.
He took the bridle of the horse, joy rising in his heart.It was the biggest army he'd ever seen. And he was part of it.
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- I hear or read about young men eager for their first taste of war. And then the reality of it is a horror. It’s so sad that so much effort is put into it and that it’s such a waste. I think a lot of the olden days “glory of war” is long gone, don’t you? Whether it was Viet Nam or wars that were waged for guns or oil that changed things. It’s a lot different than fighting for your land. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Wed, February 24 2021, 18:03:10
- Exactly, Kathy. I'm not sure why I decided to use that as a theme, but it just kept coming to me. Perhaps because it "feels" like my DD will be deploying soon. She's supposed to be land-bound for two years at least, but the service is the service and they do as they see fit. I've watched as her attitude has changed over the years and it's been sad to see as she's lost her eager-to-see-the-world expectations to being a closed-mouthed, dark woman when she gets home from deployment. She's on a carrier in the Navy and they are floating fortresses, but occasionally she'll say something that chills my bones. I'm not sure it's legal for me to say too much, but it's a whole lot more intense than I ever dreamed of. William has that same eagerness for action that most young soldiers/sailors/airmen have. Until they experience reality. I think in his time, it was common for young men to be lathered up about the glories of war. There are no glories of war. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, February 24 2021, 20:11:09
- 😂 (NT) -- Judie, Wed, February 24 2021, 18:22:07
- We need a quoter next week. 🙂 -- Judie, Tue, February 23 2021, 19:26:12
Anyone?
Last edited by author: Wed, February 24 2021, 18:21:47
Edited 1 time.
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- QOTD for 2/22/21 -- Betsy Barefootspinner, Mon, February 22 2021, 6:06:41
Blessings of Peace to us all,
Lallybroch is a Family; of that I'm sure. We love, spat, celebrate, rejoice , laugh, cry, sustain each other with so much Energy flying around it's a wonder we don't all levitate... we wander here and there to different places on the internet, but over it all is our connection to Ladies (and Lads) of Lallybroch. Our hearts hurt for for each other and we mourn.
I have a quote I was going to post today, but maybe it's not for this exact day. Maybe tomorrow. This morning, I opened my book and my eyes immediately fell on today's quote.
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The following quote is from 'An Echo In The Bone," by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter Eleven, "Transverse Lie." Copyright c 2014, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
If ever there were a night when angels walked, I prayed it might be this one.
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- Was this Lizzie's baby? I do hope angels/benevolent spirits walk. (NT) -- kgp, Mon, February 22 2021, 11:47:46
- Perfect Betsy (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Mon, February 22 2021, 13:03:33
- A beautiful description of us and a beautiful quote. I’m so glad to be here and I just love the way Diana’s words flow so perfectly descriptive. I can’t remember if it’s Lizzie’s baby either, but I do remember Claire hoping it would be born before she had to leave. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Mon, February 22 2021, 14:28:09
- It is Lizzie's baby's birth. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Tue, February 23 2021, 18:30:57
- ❤️ (NT) -- Judie, Tue, February 23 2021, 19:32:19
- I just posted a message on the Kirk -- Judie, Sun, February 21 2021, 17:20:51
.
.
If you do not have the password send me a message via the contact forum admin link above and be sure to include your email address.
Thank you.
Judie
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- QOTD for Sunday, 2/21/21 -- Betsy BarefootSpinner, Sat, February 20 2021, 19:28:51
Hello, Lallybrochians, far and wide,
It's nice to be doing QOTD again. After a year of being home-bound, it's grounding to have something that is normal and reliable in my life.
The problem of doing QOTD for me is having a theme. I usually have one, with some of the quotes I want to use ready, but then, while I'm searching in the Books, I always get off-course, running down a rabbit hole and ending up finding something that resonates with me at the moment and there I go.... off in the puckerbrush, chasing fireflies.
Heard in my house last week: (Discussion between DD, DDL, and me, on the nature of long-term marriages,)
Me: "I think the three most important words in a marriage aren't I Love You. They'er I Am Sorry."
(From DH, eaves-dropping,) "What have I ever done that I should say I'm sorry for?"
Me: mouth open, frozen in place, staring deadpan at this man for a moment or two before bursting into hysterical laughter.
He was actually serious.
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The following quote is from 'An Echo in the Bone,' by Diana Gabaldon, Chapter 1, "Long Island." Copyright c 2009, by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"Under orders,"his father had said. "No quarter to be given; those were our written orders, signed by Cumberland." His father's eyes had been fixed on his bookshelves during the telling, but at this point he looked at William directly.
"Orders," he repeated. "You follow orders, of course; you have to. But there will be times when you have no orders, or find yourself in a situation which has changed suddenly. And there will be times, William-- there WILL be times---when your own honor dictates that you cannot follow an order. In such circumstance, you must follow your own judgment, and be prepared to live with the consequences."
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- What a fantastic follow up! Exactly what John did in the woods with Jamie. Brilliant!! And don’t you dare apologize for your quoting style, as you’ll see - we all love to blather with you 😘 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, February 21 2021, 4:40:04
- John finds himself in situations without orders quite frequently, he manages quite well. William doesn't seem to have the same instincts. (NT) -- kgp, Sun, February 21 2021, 18:46:21
- I have to comment on your marital advice....Love Story came out when I was about 15 and seemed soooo romantic. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry” because they just know your soul. Fast forward 46 years married - Bwa ha ha - Betsy, you’re right on spot! (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Mon, February 22 2021, 3:17:02
- QOTD for Saturday, February 20, 2021 -- CindyG, Fri, February 19 2021, 19:50:31
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Prestonpans.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Stop it!’ The boy’s voice was trembling, but with outrage now rather than fear. ‘You—you unspeakable poltroon! How dare you dishonor a lady, you Scottish jackal!’ He stood for a moment, chest heaving with emotion, then made up his mind. He raised his jaw and thrust out his chin.
‘Very well. I do not see that in honor I have any choice. Release the lady and I will tell you what you want to know.’”
John is, above all else, honorable, even at 16. And I love all the names he calls Jamie.
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- Jean Claire - thank you for card that arrived today. I love the gnome! Hope you and yours are doing well in these crazy times. -- CarolSR, Fri, February 19 2021, 9:41:07
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- QOTD for Friday, February 19, 2021 -- CindyG, Thu, February 18 2021, 20:23:46
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Prestonpans.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Freeing my hair, he pulled me hard against him, facing the boy on the other side of the fire. The boy’s eyes were enormous, aghast with reflections of flame in the wide dark pupils.
‘Let her go!’ he demanded hoarsely. ‘What are you proposing to do with her?’
Jamie’s hands reached to the neck of my gown. With a sudden jerk, he tore the fabric of gown and shift, baring most of my bosom. Reacting instinctively, I kicked him in the shin. The boy made an inarticulate sound and jerked forward, but was stopped short once more by Ross and Kincaid.
‘Since you ask,’ said Jamie’s voice pleasantly behind me, ‘I am proposing to ravish this lady before your eyes. I shall then give her to my men, to do what they will with. Perhaps ye would like to have a turn before I kill you? A man should no die a virgin, do ye think?’”
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- Surprised Claire didn't eviscerate him on the spot. (NT) -- kgp, Fri, February 19 2021, 8:01:12
- Maybe just a glimmer of “accepting of the times” for Claire. She usually doesn’t let that stuff go, but realized at this point Jamie did know best. John wasn’t giving up easily, so Jamie went full bore. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, February 19 2021, 8:19:29
- I disagree, I think she was just so shocked that she wasn't quite sure what to make of it. As KGP said, he's lucky he wasn't enviserated right then and there, if not later when they were alone (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Fri, February 19 2021, 11:42:32
- I have always thought Claire was NOT reacting, because she was surprised. I think if she had one more minute, she would have allowed her concern for this young English boy to blossom into anger. Jamie really was pretty frightening, which annoyed me, but when he explained that he was actually showing respect (?? really) to John, I understood. Sort of. It's a century-thing. I wonder if that "respect" thing is more a male-thing than historic thing. Several years ago, David had a young special-needs boy on his football team. When Dave was being emphatic and stern with the team, it bothered me that he was hurting Renie's desire to play ball. His response was, "No. It isn't hurting him. He knows he's a legitimate part of the team and not being singled out and treated differently because his different abilities. The team was giving him respect and assuring that he knew he was part of the team." IE: "You're too young to bother with" vs. "You are a soldier and will be treated like one." (NT) -- Betsy BS, Fri, February 19 2021, 12:47:44
- Is anybody else thinking of Percy, as the Mars rover gets close to landing? During a LJG week, too - what a coincidence. -- Kathy in PA, Thu, February 18 2021, 7:49:21
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- QOTD for Thursday, February 18, 2021 -- CindyG, Wed, February 17 2021, 20:19:22
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Prestonpans.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“The boy’s voice was no more than a shaky whisper; he had to clear his throat to make himself heard. ‘N-no,” he said. ‘No. There is nothing you can do to me that will make me tell you anything.’
Jamie held him for a moment longer, eye to eye, then let go of the bunched fabric and stepped back. ‘No,” he said slowly, ‘I dinna suppose there is. Not to you. But what about the lady?’
I didn’t at first realize that he meant me, until he grabbed me by the wrist and yanked me to him, making me stumble slightly on the rough ground. I fell toward him, and he twisted my arm roughly behind my back.
‘You may be indifferent to your own welfare, but ye might perhaps have some concern for the lady’s honor, since you were at such pains to rescue her.’ Turning me toward himself, he twined his fingers in my hair, forced my head back and kissed me with a deliberate brutality that made me squirm involuntarily in protest.”
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- QOTD for Wednesday, February 17, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, February 16 2021, 21:12:34
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Prestonpans.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Men, attracted by the noise, had begun filtering in from the surrounding campsites, sliding wraithlike out of the woods. The boy’s glance flickered around the growing circle of men, resting at length on me. He hesitated for a moment, but answered, ‘I was hoping to release the lady from your custody.’
A small stir of suppressed amusement ran around the circle, only to be quelled by a brief gesture from Jamie. ‘I see,’ he said noncommittally. ‘You heard us talking and determined that the lady is English and well-born. Whereas I—‘
‘Whereas you, sir, are a conscienceless outlaw, with a reputation for thievery and violence! Your face and description are on broadsheets throughout Hampshire and Sussex! I recognized you at once; you’re a rebel and an unprincipled voluptuary!’ the boy burst out hotly, face stained a deeper red even than the firelight.
I bit my lip and looked down at my shoes, so as not to meet Jamie’s eye.”
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- QOTD for Tuesday, February 16, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, February 15 2021, 20:41:10
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Prestonpans.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Some things you don’t need to tell me,’ said Jamie, looking the lad over carefully. ‘One, you’re an Englishman, so likely you’ve come with troops nearby. And two, you’re alone.’
The boy seemed startled. ‘How do you know that?’
Jamie raised his eyebrows. ‘I suppose that ye’d not have attacked me unless you thought that the lady and I were alone. If you were with someone else who also thought that, they would presumably have come to your assistance just now—is your arm broken, by the way? I thought I felt something snap. If you were with someone else who knew we were not alone, they would ha’ stopped ye from trying anything so foolish.’”
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- QOTD for Monday, February 15, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, February 14 2021, 21:29:10
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Prestonpans.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“It was a small, fine-boned face, with big, long-lashed eyes that blinked dazedly at the crowding faces.
‘But he’s only a boy!’ I exclaimed. ‘He can’t be more than fifteen!’
‘Sixteen!’ said the boy. He shook his head, senses returning. ‘Not that that makes any difference,’ he added haughtily, in an English accent. Hampshire, I thought. He was a long way from home.
‘It doesn’t,’ Jamie grimly agreed. ‘Sixteen or sixty, he’s just made a verra creditable attempt at cutting my throat.’ I noticed then the reddened handkerchief pressed against the side of his neck.
‘I shan’t tell you anything,’ the boy said.”
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- The boy, the man, the myth. Love LJG! (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Mon, February 15 2021, 6:17:44
- I forgot he'd actually drawn blood. Go, John! (NT) -- kgp, Mon, February 15 2021, 10:11:06
- I had forgotten that LJG had drawn blood. I've always been annoyed that Jamie had broken his arm, no matter how he explains it out to Claire. And I know it was better than John would have received from any other group of Scottish soldiers. Sometimes Jamie's treatment of LJG bothers me. (NT) -- Betsy Barefootspinner, Tue, February 16 2021, 14:56:06
- QOTD for Sunday, February 14, 2021 -- CindyG, Sat, February 13 2021, 19:15:02
After kgp’s quotes this past week, I thought I’d go back to where we first met Lord John.
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 36, “Prestonpans.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“There was no moon, and the only clue to what was happening was a tremendous scuffling sound in the dry alder leaves, and the noise of men locked in effortful but silent conflict, with grunts, gasps, and the occasional muffled curse. There was a short, sharp cry, and then complete quiet. It lasted, I suppose, only a few seconds, though it seemed to go on forever.
I was still standing by the fire, frozen in my original position, when Jamie reemerged from the Stygian dark of the forest, a captive before him, one arm twisted behind its back. Loosing his grip, he whirled the dark figure around and gave it an abrupt shove that sent it crashing backward into a tree. The man hit the trunk hard, loosing a shower of leaves and acorns, and slid slowly down to lie dazed in the leaf-meal.”
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- QOTD for Friday, February 12, 2021 -- kgp, Thu, February 11 2021, 17:22:24
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 11 Warnings
Her lips pressed together, nostrils flaring. Motherlike, unable to attack the miscreants who had harmed her offspring, her annoyance was shifting itself to said offspring.
“Whatever were you doing in Seven Dials, John?”
He started to raise an eyebrow at her, but it hurt and he disisted.
“Hal and I took Percy Wainwright to the He and I were on our way to luncheon.”
“Oh, Percy Wainwright was with you? Was he hurt?” Her fair brows drew together in concern.
“No.”
“I swear I shall be relieved when you all are off to Germany,” she said tartly. “I shall worry about you much less, if you’re merely standing in front of cannon batteries and charging redoubts full of grenadiers.”
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