- QOTD for July 30, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, July 30 2021, 3:39:16
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 52 Conflagration
“Is that the last of the bad news?”
He shook his head.
“Nay. The deserters said Burgoyne’s army is short of supplies. The dragoons are on foot, because they canna get fresh horses. Though I dinna ken whether they’ve eaten them or not.”
It was a hot, muggy night, but a shiver raised the hairs on my arms. I touched Jamie’s wrist and found the hairs there bristling, as well. He’ll dream of Culloden tonight, I thought abruptly. I dismissed that for the moment, though.
“I should think that would be good news. Why isn’t it?”
His wrist turned and his hand took mine, lacing our fingers tight together.
“Because they havena supplies enough to mount a siege. They’ll need to overrun us and take us by force. And they very likely can.”
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- The “rules and strategies” of war. Horrible waste of mankind’s gifts. Like Claire, at first I thought that would be a good thing. 😲 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, July 30 2021, 4:58:02
- Humans and war, they seem intricately entwined, I often wonder why. (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Fri, July 30 2021, 5:54:36
- Jamie and Claire are so intune that she knows he will dream of Culloden that night. (NT) -- Marcie, Fri, July 30 2021, 11:04:34
- QOTD for Saturday, July 31, 2921 -- kgp, Sat, July 31 2021, 12:13:17
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 52 Conflagration
Had I ever doubted the existence of something like telepathy, this would have been enough to quell my reservations. The soldiers were already at the breaking point from St. Clair’s delay and the constant drum of rumors beating on stretched nerves. As the fire on Mount Independence spread, the conviction that the redcoats and the Indians would be upon us at once spread from mind to mind without the necessity for speech. Panic was loose, spreading its broad black wings over the fort, and the confusion at the water’s edge was disintegrating into chaos before our eyes.
“Come, then,” Jamie said. And before I knew it, I was being hustled down the narrow steps of the battery. A few wooden huts had been set on fire - these on purpose to deprive the invaders of useful matériel - and the light from the flames lit up a scene from hell. Women dragging half-dressed children, screaming and trailing bedclothes, men throwing furniture from windows. A thunder mug crashed on the stones, sending shards of sharp pottery slicing across the legs of the people nearby.
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- QOTD for Thursday, July 29, 2021 -- kgp, Thu, July 29 2021, 4:57:25
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 50 Exodus
Soon. Everything said, Soon. The fragmentary reports and rumors that flew like pigeons through the fort, the closeness of the sultry air, the occasional boom of cannon in the distance, fired for practice - we hoped it was only practice - from the distant picket position called the Old French Lines.
Everyone was restless, unable to sleep in the heat unless drunk. I wasn’t drunk, and I was restless. Jamie had been gone for more than two hours, and I wanted him. Not because I cared what St. Clair had had to say to the militia. But between heat and exhaustion, we hadn’t made love in more than a week, and I was beginning to suspect that time was growing short. If we were obliged either to fight or to flee in the next few days, heaven only knew how long it might be before we had a private moment again.
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- Time is an elusive thing. We are always chasing it for one reason or another, when we finally catch it, it's already over. Waiting is an agonizing and often times a waste, but then again by the time the wait is over, the moment is everything (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Thu, July 29 2021, 10:59:51
- In a little bit of an off color story - that last sentence summed up DH’s and his late brothers’s young man’s motto. “You better be ready for a fight, a f#ck or a foot chase, because one is always coming.” Jamie and Claire needed to do all three. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, July 30 2021, 4:54:56
- QOTD for Wednesday, July 28, 2021 -- kgp, Wed, July 28 2021, 4:42:40
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 50 Exodus
He came to stand beside me, looking at the doorpost and its long line of neat notches.
“I think I might have been tempted to run,” he said, very quietly. “If it weren’t for Ian being gone.”
It wasn’t anything I hadn’t thought - or been aware of him thinking. It was becoming more obvious by the second that the fort couldn’t stand attack by the size of the force that was - indubitably - on its way. Scouts were coming in more frequently with reports on Burgoyne’s army, and while they were whisked instantly into the commander’s office and just as hastily trundled out of the fort again, everyone knew within an hour what news they had brought - precious little so far, but that little, alarming. And yet Arthur St. Clair could not bring himself to order the evacuation of the fort.
“A blot on his record,” Jamie said, with an evenness that betrayed his anger. “He canna bear to have it said that he lost Ticonderoga.”
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- KGP, great choice (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Thu, July 29 2021, 11:01:23
- It must be so hard to know what’s coming and still have to play out the circumstances. Especially for Jamie, a man of honor, who has to change sides and break oaths given. For me, often ignorance IS bliss. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, July 30 2021, 4:51:32
- QOTD for Tuesday, July 27, 2021 -- kgp, Tue, July 27 2021, 5:14:46
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 43 Countdown
Brianna had closed the book, but her hand kept returning involuntarily to the cover, as though she wished to open it again, in case it might say something different.
“What’s twenty-three days past June eighteenth?” She should be able to reckon that - she could do things like that in her head - but nervousness had deprived her of her ability to compute.
“Thirty days hath September,” Roger chanted quickly under his breath, rolling his eyes to the ceiling, “April, June - right, June’s got thirty days, so twelve days from the eighteenth to the thirtieth, and ten more makes it the tenth of July.”
“Oh, dear Lord.”
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- QOTD for Saturday, July 24, 2021. Today's quote is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009. All Rights Reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Sat, July 24 2021, 5:23:03
THE PIRATE'S HEAD had disappeared. William heard the speculations from a group of idlers on the quay nearby, wondering whether it would be seen again.
"Na, him be gone for good," said a ragged man of mixed blood, shaking his head. "De ally-gator don' take him, de water will."
A backwoodsman shifted his tobacco and spat into the water in disagreement.
"No, he's good for another day-two, maybe. Them gristly bits what holds the head on, they dry out in the sun. Tighten up like iron. Seen it many a time with deer carcasses."
William saw Mrs. MacKenzie glance quickly at the harbor, then away. She looked pale, he thought, and maneuvered himself slightly so as to block her view of the men and the brown flood of high tide, though since it was high, the corpse tied to its stake was naturally not visible. The stake was, though-a stark reminder of the price of crime. The pirate had been staked to drown on the mudflats several days before, the persistence of his decaying corpse an ongoing topic of public conversation.
"Jem!" Mr. MacKenzie called sharply, and lunged past William in pursuit of his son. The little boy, red-haired like his mother, had wandered away to listen to the men's talk, and was now leaning perilously out over the water, clinging to a bollard in an attempt to see the dead pirate.
Mr. MacKenzie snatched the boy by the collar, pulled him in, and swept him up in his arms, though the boy struggled, craning back toward the swampish harbor.
"I want to see the wallygator eat the pirate, Daddy!"
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- It’s going to be SOOO different when William and Brianna meet again! As much as Stephen was a POS, I was glad Brianna gave him the gift of quick death. What a horrible, horrible way to die - stakit to drown. Then with Diana’s writing I get a true picture of the details that really make it so horrible. It’s very upsetting to me how man has invented so many ways to torture each other. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sat, July 24 2021, 11:57:40
- Several day - ew! (NT) -- kgp, Sat, July 24 2021, 14:24:50
- This scene always gives me the hibby gibbies. Honestly, it's like the worst death Bonnet could have imagined isn't it. Having seen the way shore birds are, I add grim pictures in my head of what the seagulls and pelicans and terns would have done to Bonnet before Brianna had mercy on him (or whatever it was). I do like the part where Roger runs after little Jem. It's what parents must do all day, every day with little ones. I'm tired just thinking about it. (NT) -- Marcie, Tue, July 27 2021, 12:21:54
- QOTD for Sunday July 25, 2021 -- kgp, Sun, July 25 2021, 5:58:36
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 35 Ticonderoga
I found Jamie asleep, lying naked on the pallet in the tiny chamber that had been allotted to us. It was at the top of one of the stone-built barracks buildings, and thus hot as Hades by mid-afternoon. Still, we were rarely in it during the day, Jamie being out on the lake with the bridge builders, and I being in the hospital building or the family quarters - all of those being equally hot, of course.
By the same token,though, the stones held enough heat to keep us warm in the cool evenings - there was no fireplace - and it did have a small window. There was a breeze off the water toward sunset, and for a few hours between, say, ten p.m. and two a.m., it was very pleasant. It was about eight now - still light out and still toasty in; sweat shone on Jamie’s shoulders and darkened the hair at his temples to a deep bronze.
On the good side, our tiny attic was the only room at the top of the building and thus had a modicum of privacy. On the other hand, there were forty-eight stone steps to our aerie, and water must be carried up and slops carried down them. I’d just hauled up a large bucket of water, and the half of it that hadn’t spilled down the front of my dress weighed a ton. I put it down with a clunk that brought Jamie upright in an instant, blinking in the gloom.
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- I have a feeling you can relate to a very humid room, kgp. Living in the 1700's wasn't for the feint of heart, that's for sure (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Sun, July 25 2021, 6:42:16
- And NO deodorant either. Jamie might be a sexy guy but nope, can't do with stinky stuff. I remember as a little kid when only stores had air conditioning. Yall, people stank! I can remember my Mom wearing deodorant, but there was still wetness to deal with. And nothing for guys at all. Oh heaven help us, I do not ever see myself living like that. Eeek. But I can appreciate that Jamie and Claire still get comfort from each other no matter the circumstances. (NT) -- Marcie, Tue, July 27 2021, 12:13:22
- QOTD for Monday, July 26, 2021 -- kgp, Mon, July 26 2021, 4:16:38
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 35 Ticonderoga
“Does your knee still hurt, Sassenach?” he asked, seeing me rub it. It hadn’t ever quite recovered from being strained during our adventures on the Pitt, and climbing stairs provoked it.
“Oh, just part of the general decline,” I said, trying to make a joke of it. I flexed my right arm, gingerly, feeling a twinge in the elbow. “Things don’t bend quite so easily as they used to. And other things hurt. Sometimes I think I’m falling apart.”
Jamie closed one eye and regarded me.
“I’ve felt like that since I was about twenty,” he observed. “Ye get used to it.” He stretched, making his spine give off a series of muffled pops, and held out a hand. “Come to bed, a nighean. Nothing hurts when ye love me.
He was right; nothing did.
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- Ah, sweet. 🥰. I can agree with the aching joints, my latest is shoulder pain, gotta do those exercises. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Mon, July 26 2021, 4:26:59
- For just a moment they can forget the physical ailments and enjoy the warmth of one another. Definitely a balm for the body (NT) -- LadyDuBois, Mon, July 26 2021, 5:58:23
- Ahhh, getting old isn't for sissies. I love that our book characters (oh no, they aren't real!!) have normal human lives, not superhero book lives. I think that's what makes them appeal to so many. (NT) -- Marcie, Tue, July 27 2021, 12:03:36
- Today is Friday, July 23, 2021. Today's QOTD is taken from ABOSA, written by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2005. All Rights Reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Fri, July 23 2021, 4:54:33
THE DOG SENSED THEM FIRST. Dark as it was, Ian Murray felt rather than saw Rollo's head lift suddenly near his thigh, ears pricking. He put a hand on the dog's neck, and felt the hair there ridged with warning.
So attuned as they were to each other, he did not even think consciously, "Men," but put his other hand to his knife and lay still, breathing. Listening.
The forest was quiet. It was hours 'til dawn and the air was still as that in a church, with a mist like incense rising slowly up from the ground. He had lain down to rest on the fallen trunk of a giant tulip tree, preferring the tickle of wood-lice to seeping damp. He kept his hand on the dog, waiting.
Rollo was growling, a low, constant rumble that Ian could barely hear but felt easily, the vibration of it traveling up his arm, arousing all the nerves of his body. He hadn't been asleep-he rarely slept at night anymore-but had been quiet, looking up into the vault of the sky, engrossed in his usual argument with God. Quietness had vanished with Rollo's movement. He sat up slowly, swinging his legs over the side of the half-rotted log, heart beating fast now.
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- I love how attuned Rollo and Ian are to each other. (NT) -- DianaH, Fri, July 23 2021, 7:25:01
- I got it! The very first lines of each book!! Can’t believe it took me this long because every single time, the openings of each book filled me with such a good feeling of beginning some new adventure in this continuing, fascinating, totally engrossing series. I get goosebumps at the prologues and just love the anticipation that begins each time, I do LOVE the relationship between Rollo and Ian, Diana writes this smart, loyal dog so well. The low rumbling growl that was really nothing more than a vibration, but immediately woke and warned Ian to the situation. And he lived long enough to see Ian into the keeping of his true love. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, July 23 2021, 10:16:28
- QOTD for Thursday, July 22, 2021. Today's quote is taken from The Fiery Cross, written by Diana Gabaldon. Copy Right 1996. All Rights Reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Thu, July 22 2021, 5:10:58
I WOKE TO THE PATTER OF RAIN on canvas, with the feel of my first husband's kiss on my lips. I blinked, disoriented, and by reflex put my fingers to my mouth. To keep the feeling, or to hide it? I wondered, even as I did so.
Jamie stirred and murmured in his sleep next to me, his movement rousing a fresh wave of scent from the cedar branches under our bottom quilt. Perhaps the ghost's passing had disturbed him. I frowned at the empty air outside our lean-to.
Go away, Frank, I thought sternly.
It was still dark outside, but the mist that rose from the damp earth was a pearly gray; dawn wasn't far off. Nothing stirred, inside or out, but I had the distinct sense of an ironic amusement that lay on my skin like the lightest of touches.
Shouldn't I come to see her married?
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- We still need someone for Quote of the Day next week. Any takers? No theme necessary. Random selections are always appreciated. -- kgp, Thu, July 22 2021, 5:49:03
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- QOTD for Tuesday, July 21, 2021. The following is taken from Drums in Autumn. Written by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 1996. All Rights Reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Wed, July 21 2021, 6:01:02
I heard the drums long before they came in sight. The beating echoed in the pit of my stomach, as though I too were hollow. The sound traveled through the crowd, a harsh military rhythm meant to be heard over speech or gunfire. I saw heads turn as the people fell silent, looking up the stretch of East Bay Street, where it ran from the half-built skeleton of the new Customs House toward White Point Gardens.
It was a hot day, even for Charleston in June. The best places were on the seawall, where the air moved; here below, it was like being roasted alive. My shift was soaked through, and the cotton bodice clung between my br**sts. I wiped my face for the tenth time in as many minutes and lifted the heavy coil of my hair, hoping vainly for a cooling breeze upon my neck.
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- We've had some really hot, muggy weather lately in Massachusetts, and it makes me think of The Books. Our beloved characters had NO relief such as AC, or even fans, in buildings, never mind in whatever form of transportation they used, no "tech" fabrics, just wool & linen clothing. (NT) -- DianaH, Wed, July 21 2021, 10:40:40
- QOTD for Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Today's quote is taken from Voyager by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 1994, All Rights Reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Tue, July 20 2021, 5:16:15
I had a really good quote set up, I spent last night researching it. I came to where I had save it and POOF it's disappeared. So much for that. Now I have to scramble for one that fits with the evolving theme. *sigh* Cest la vie!
He was dead. However, his nose throbbed painfully, which he thought odd in the circumstances. While he placed considerable trust in the understanding and mercy of his Creator, he harbored the residue of elemental guilt that made men fear the chance of hell. Still, all he had ever heard of hell made him think it unlikely that the torments reserved for it's luckless inhabitants could be restricted to a sore nose.
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- QOTD for Monday, July 19, 2021. The following is taken from Dragonfly In Amber, Copyright 1992. All rights reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Mon, July 19 2021, 5:31:49
"Amber,” he said, with satisfaction, as I turned the irregular lump over with a forefinger. It seemed warm to the touch, and I closed my hand over it, almost unconsciously.
“It needs polishing, of course,” he explained. “But I thought it would make ye a bonny necklace.” He flushed slightly, watching me. “It’s…it’s a gift for our first year of marriage. When I saw it, I was minded of the bit of amber Hugh Munro gave ye, when we wed.”
“I still have that,” I said softly, caressing the odd little lump of petrified tree sap. Hugh’s chunk of amber, one side sheared off and polished into a small window, had a dragonfly embedded in the matrix, suspended in eternal flight. I kept it in my medicine box, the most powerful of my charms.
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- Gooooooooood Mornin' LOL! In typical hoser fashion, a wonderful time was had with KGP and DRM, a little to good. I'm a little worse for wear this morning so forgive the lateness/lameness. Lots of fun and scotch can do that to a body Anyway, shall we begin: QOTD for Sunday, July 18, 2021. Today's quote is taken for Outlander, Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Sun, July 18 2021, 5:33:32
“It wasn’t a very likely place for disappearances, at least at first glance.”
Lame, I know. Tomorrow is another day. Love you all, I can't imagine life without my friends. LOL ROCKS!
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- QOTD for Saturday, July 17, 2021 -- CindyG, Fri, July 16 2021, 20:35:32
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 19, “An Oath is Sworn.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘But I’m no your chief, man,’ Jamie went on, in a firmer tone. ‘Ye’ve sworn me no vow, and I hold nay power ower ye.’
‘Aye, that ye do.’ Murtagh’s voice was firm as well, and the haft of the dirk never trembled.
‘But—‘
‘I swore ye my oath, Jamie Fraser, when ye were no more than a week old, and a bonny lad at your mother’s breast.’
I could feel the tiny start of astonishment as Jamie’s eyes opened wide.
‘I knelt at Ellen’s feet, as I kneel now by yours,’ the little clansman went on, narrow chin held high. ‘And I swore to her by the name o’ the threefold God, that I would follow ye always, to do your bidding, and guard your back, when ye became a man grown, and needing such service.’ The harsh voice softened then, and the eyelid drooped over the one tired eye.
‘Aye, lad. I do cherish ye as the son of my own loins. But I have betrayed your service.’
‘That ye havena and never could.’”
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- QOTD for Friday, July 16, 2021 -- CindyG, Thu, July 15 2021, 20:58:39
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 19, “An Oath is Sworn.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“However disreputable his appearance, though, Murtagh never seemed to lack for dignity, nor did he now. Back straight as a ramrod, he advanced across the carpet, and knelt formally before Jamie, who looked nonplussed at this behavior.
The wiry little man drew the dirk from his belt, without flourishes, but with a good deal of deliberateness, and held it out, haft first. The bony, seamed face was expressionless, but the one black eye rested unwaveringly on Jamie’s face.
‘I’ve failed ye,’ the little man said quietly. ‘And I’ll ask ye, as my chief, to take my life now, so I needna live longer wi’ the shame of it.’”
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- QOTD for Thursday, July 15, 2021 -- CindyG, Wed, July 14 2021, 21:02:13
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 18, “Rape in Paris.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“The door swung open and Murtagh stepped into the room. I had rather just overlooked Murtagh in the bustles and confusion of the night before, and now thought to myself that his appearance had not been improved by neglect.
He lacked as much sleep as Jamie; the one eye that was open was red-rimmed and bloodshot. The other had darkened to the color of a rotten banana, a slit of glittering black visible in the puffed flesh. The knot on his forehead had now achieved full prominence: a purple goose-egg just over one brow, with a nasty split through it.”
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- QOTD for Wednesday, July 14, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, July 13 2021, 22:09:51
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 18, “Rape in Paris.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Where in hell is Murtagh?’
‘Over there,’ I answered. ‘Help me up.’
I staggered over to the gutter, where the sack that held Murtagh was heaving to and fro like an agitated caterpillar, emitting a startling mixture of muffled profanities in three languages.
Jamie drew his dirk, and with what seemed to be a rather callous disregard for the contents, slit the sack from end to end. Murtagh popped out of the opening like a Jack out of its box. Half his spiky black hair was pasted to his head by whatever noisome liquid the bag had rested in. The rest stood on end, lending a fiercer cast to a face rendered already sufficiently warlike by a large purple knot on the forehead and a rapidly darkening eye.”
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- QOTD for Tuesday, July 13, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, July 12 2021, 20:51:38
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 18, “Rape in Paris.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“As we passed the sailmaker’s shop, though, I heard a sudden cry of alarm from the watchman.
‘Monsieur! Madame!’
Murtagh swung round at once to meet the challenge, sword already hissing from its scabbard. Slower in my reflexes, I was only halfway turned as he stepped forward, and my eye caught the flicker of movement from the doorway behind him. The blow took Murtagh from behind before I could shout a warning, and he went sprawling facedown in the street, arms and legs gone loose and nerveless, sword and dirk flying from his hands to clatter on the stones.
I stooped quickly for the dirk as it slid past my foot, but a pair of hands seized my arms from behind.”
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- Hey, All!! Still weeks available for quoters. Any lurkers want to come out of the shadows? Open weeks are July 25, August 15, and August 22. There are also weeks open the rest of the year. Let me know!! -- kgp, Mon, July 12 2021, 13:56:41
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- QOTD for Sunday, July 11, 2021 -- CindyG, Sat, July 10 2021, 20:48:25
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 7, “Royal Audience.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Mmphm’ was Murtagh’s solitary observation, upon beholding Jared’s house. ‘I’ll find my own lodging.’
‘And it makes ye nervous to have a decent roof above your head, man, ye can sleep in the stables,’ Jamie suggested. He grinned down at his small, dour godfather. ‘We’ll ha’ the footman bring ye out your parritch on a silver tray.’”
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- QOTD for Saturday, July 10, 2021 -- kgp, Sat, July 10 2021, 5:33:59
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 23 The Rhineland
Tom Byrd was in his element. He circled Grey like a vulture round a prime bit of carrion, visibly gloating.
“Very nice, me lord,” he said with approval, reaching out to tweak a small fold out of the buff lapel of Grey’s best dress uniform, straighten the edge of a six-inch cuff, or rearrange the fall of an epaulet cord. “Don’t you think he looks well, sir?” He appealed to Percy, who was lounging against the wall, watching Grey’s apotheosis.
“I am blinded by his glory,” Percy assured Tom gravely. “He’ll be a credit to you, I’m sure.”
“No, he won’t,” Tom said, standing back with a sigh. “He’ll have gravy spilt down his ruffles before the evening's out. That, or he’ll take a bet from someone and jump that big white bastard of a horse over a wall with his arms crossed and fall off into a bog. Again. Or - “
“I did not fall off,” Grey said, affronted. “The horse slipped when we landed, and rolled on me.”
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- QOTD for Friday, July 9, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, July 09 2021, 7:33:24
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2007 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 6 Breakage
“The vicar . . . what, is the earl being buried tomorrow, too?” He was momentarily staggered. He couldn’t think how he had overlooked the earl’s death - or rather, he could. No one had spoken of the late earl, or his untimely and coincidental demise. All the talk was of Geneva; none of the Dunsany household had mentioned the earl or his funeral at all, and he had unconsciously assumed that it had already taken place.
“Yes, me lord.” Tom looked pleased at being the bearer of interesting news. “The old earl hadn’t any kin, and Lord Dunsany was all for burying him on the quiet, like; tuck him safe away under the chapel floor up at Ellesmere. But Lady Dunsany wouldn’t have it. She said,” he lowered his voice portentously, “ as how it would look fishy, see?”
“I am completely sure Lady Dunsany said nothing of the sort, but I take your meaning, Tom.”
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- QOTD for Monday, July 12, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, July 11 2021, 21:17:37
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 8, “Unlaid Ghosts And Crocodiles.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Well, at least you’ve got Murtagh with you,’ I remarked, taking comfort from the fact, ‘and the two of you can’t get in too much trouble in broad daylight.’ The wiry little clansman was unimpressive to look at, his attire varying from that of the ne’er-do-wells on the docks only by the fact that the lower half was tartan plaid, but I had ridden through half of Scotland with Murtagh to rescue Jamie from Wentworth Prison, and there was no one in the world whom I would sooner have trusted with his welfare.”
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- QOTD for Thursday, July 8, 2021 -- kgp, Thu, July 08 2021, 4:12:33
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved Chapter 17 - Nemesis
“Ready, me lord?” Tom Byrd popped up by his elbow, holding his greatcoat, ready to wrap around him. “It’s time to go.”
Grey dropped the bread into his bowl with a splash and rose.
“See that these notes are sent back to London, please,” he ordered, handing the notes to the postboy with a coin.
“Aren’t you a-going to finish that?” Byrd asked, sternly eyeing the half-full bowl of bread and milk. “You’ll be needing your strength, me lord, and you mean to - “
“All right!” Grey seized a final piece of bread, dunked it hastily in the bowl, and made his way to the waiting coach, cramming it into his mouth as he went.
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- QOTD for Wednesday, July 7, 2021 -- kgp, Wed, July 07 2021, 4:30:46
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved Chapter 13 - Barber, Barber, Shave a Pig
“I will be damned,” he said, looking up at the phalanx of bemused faces hovering over him. “She’s been shot.”
“Do you want to know summat else, me lord?” The whisper came at his elbow. Tom Byrd, by now somewhat inured to nasty sights, had edged his way close, and was looking at the corpse’s smashed face in fascination.
“What’s that, Tom?”
The boy’s finger floated tentatively across the table, pointing at what Grey had taken as a smudge of dirt behind the jaw.
“She’s got whiskers.”
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- QOTD for Monday, July 5, 2021 -- kgp, Mon, July 05 2021, 5:20:06
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved Chapter 4 - A Valet Calls
“On the other hand, whoever stamped on his face didn’t like him much,” Tom completed the thought shrewdly. ”That was no accident, me lord.”
“No, it wasn’t,” Grey agreed dryly. “That was done after death, not in the frenzy of the moment.”
Tom’s eyes went quite round.
“However do you know that? Me lord,” he added hastily.
“You looked closely at the heelprint? Several of the nailheads had broken through the skin, and yet there was no blood extravasated,”
Tom gave him a look of mingled bewilderment and suspicion, obviously suspecting that Grey had made up the word upon the moment for the express purpose of tormenting him, but merely said, “Oh?”
“Oh, indeed.” Grey felt some slight chagrin at having inadvertently shown up the deficiencies of Tom’s vocabulary, but didn't wish to make further issue of the point by apologizing.
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- QOTD for Tuesday, July 6, 2021 -- kgp, Tue, July 06 2021, 5:08:57
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved Chapter 8 - Enter the Chairman
“Now you must go home, Tom.” He pointed the way, across the park. “Do you see that light, at the end? Just beyond the alley; it will take you to a main street. Here - take some money for a cab.”
Byrd accepted the coin, but shook his head.
“No, me lord. I’ll go to the door with you.”
He glanced at Byrd, surprised. There was sufficient light from the curtained windows to see both the dried tears on Byrd’s round face and the determined expression under them.
“I mean to be sure as these sodomitical sons of bitches shall be aware that somebody knows where you are. Just in case, me lord.”
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- QOTD for Sunday, July 4, 2021 -- kgp, Sun, July 04 2021, 5:33:55
The following quotation is from Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2003 All Rights Reserved Chapter 4 - A Valet Calls
He was disturbed in this meditation by his new orderly, Private Adams, who opened the bedroom door and entered without ceremony.
“A person, my lord,” Adams reported, and stood smartly to attention.
Never at his best early in the day, Grey took a moody swallow of tea and nodded in acknowledgement of this announcement. Adams. New both to Grey and to the job of personal orderly, took this for permission and stood aside, gesturing the person in question into the room.
“Who are you?” Grey gazed in blank astonishment at the young man who stood thus revealed.
“Tom Byrd, me lord,” the young man said, and bowed respectfully, hat in hand. Short and stocky, with a head round as a cannonball, he was young enough still to sport freckles across fair, rounded cheeks and over the bridge of his snubbed nose. Despite his obvious youth, though, he radiated a remarkable air of determination.
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- Second QOTD for Friday, July 2 because I never did get one for Wednesday! From Warriors a collection of short stories published in 2010 -- Kathy in PA, Fri, July 02 2021, 13:25:52
The Custom of the Army
By Diana Gabaldon
- - - After a long, convoluted explanation of the events leading to his charges, Charlie realizes John IS here to help and for the first time feels he will be vindicated. - - -
The smile straightened, and became genuine.
“I knew I chose the right man,” Carruthers said.
“I am exceedingly flattered,” Grey said dryly. “Why me, though?”
Carruthers had laid aside his papers, and now rocked back a little on the cot, hands linked around one knee.
“Why you, John?” The smile had vanished, and Carruthers’ gray eyes were level on his. “You know what we do. Our business is chaos, death, destruction. But you know why we do it, too.”
“Oh, perhaps you’d have the goodness to tell me then. I’ve always wondered.”
Humor lit Charlie’s eyes, but he spoke seriously.
“Someone has to keep order, John. Soldiers fight for all kinds of reasons, most of them ignoble. You and your brother, though . . . . “
He broke off, shaking his head.
Grey saw that his hair was streaked with gray, though he knew Carruthers was no older than himself.
“The world is chaos and death and destruction. But people like you - you don’t stand for that. If there is any order in the world, any peace - it’s because of you, John, and those very few like you.”
((((And all the Gabaldon men 🥰 ))))
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- Hello All!! Quoters are needed for the July 18 and July 25 weeks. CindyG and I cover the first two weeks of every months and love to see what others come up with in the other weeks. Take a week, find random bits that catch your eye or come up with a theme. A great way to get ready for Bees - coming in November. -- kgp, Sun, July 04 2021, 5:41:36
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- July 18th week has been spoken for - thank you LDB!! (NT) -- kgp, Sun, July 04 2021, 13:06:35
- And even if you don’t take a week, post! It’s great to hear from everybody 🥰 (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, July 04 2021, 17:02:40
- August 29 week is spoken for - Thank you, Betsy! (NT) -- kgp, Mon, July 05 2021, 5:21:05
- QOTD for Saturday, July 3 from Warriors a collection of short stories published in 2010. -- Kathy in PA, Sat, July 03 2021, 11:39:09
As only Diana can do, here’s a part in a totally different direction that flows easily and fills in a huge gap from another story line. It also reminds me of how Roger was able to fill in the gaps for Brianna by remembering Frank’s letter and reciting it to her.
From
The Custom of the Army
By Diana Gabaldon
“Very thoughtful of you, Tom,” he murmured, smiling to himself and reaching for his pen-knife.
In fact, the letter within occupied less than a page, bore neither salutation nor signature, and was completely Hal-like.
“Minnie wishes to know whether you are starving, though I don’t know what she proposes to do about it, should the answer be yes. The boys wish to know whether you have taken any scalps - they are confident no Red Indian would succeed in taking yours; I share this opinion. You had better bring three tommyhawks when you come home.
Here is your paperweight; the jeweler was most impressed by the quality of the stone. The other thing is a copy of Adam’s confession. They hanged him yesterday.” (The proof that their father didn’t commit suicide and wasn’t a Jacobite conspirator.)
AND!!! 😲. . . . . . . .
Thus fortified, he sat down and took up the little pouch, from which he decanted a small, heavy gold paperweight, made in the shape of a half moon set among ocean waves, into his hand. It was set with a faceted - and very large - sapphire, which glowed like the evening star in it’s setting.
Where had James Fraser acquired such a thing? he wondered.
So, I had never read any of the other stories in this book and for some reason decided to read the introduction by George R. R. Martin, whose work I’ve never read. It was really, really good - kind of like Diana telling a story about what’s coming up.
He grew up in Bayonne, NJ, which is only about 2 hours from me and from what he wrote he’s about my age. He remembers the corner store and spreading his weekly dollar out between comics, goodies and a paperback book - the only kind available. They were arrayed on shelves on a wire spindle with absolutely no sorting by “genre.”
Quoting him,
“Looking back now, almost half a century later, I can see that wire spinner rack had a profound impact on my later development as a writer.
All writers are readers first, and all of us write the sort of books we want to read. I started out loving science fiction and I still love science fiction. . . . . but inevitably, digging through those paperbacks, I found myself intrigued by other sorts of books as well. . . . .
Our contributors make up an all-star lineup of award-winning and best selling writers, representing a dozen different publishers and as many genres. We asked each of them for the same thing- a story about a warrior.. . . . . .
. . . . . So spin the rack and turn the page. We have some stories to tell you.
I went very long and there’s a lot more in his intro, but wanted to share a book I’ve re-discovered.
Hope everyone has a nice 4th of July weekend - stay safe, hopefully off the road and full of good picnic food.
I’m looking forward to the fireworks! We have a good spot to watch from a distance- I like the colors but not the noise.
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- QOTD for Tuesday, June 29 from Warriors a collection of short stories published in 2010. -- Kathy in PA, Tue, June 29 2021, 6:21:57
The Custom of the Army
By Diana Gabaldon
“I gather you had an eventful evening,” Hal said, grunting slightly as he bent to retrieve the rusk Dottie had dropped in the carpet. “No, darling, yiu don’t want that anymore.”
Dottie disagreed violently with this assertion, and was distracted only by Uncle John picking her up and blowing in her ear.
“Eventful,” he repeated. “Yes, it was rather. But I didn’t do anything to Caroline Woodford save hold her hand whilst being shocked by an electric eel, I swear it. Gleeglgeeglgeegl-ppppsssshhhhh,” he added to Dottie, who shrieked and giggled in response. He glanced up to find Hal staring at him.
“Lucinda Joffrey’s party,” he amplified. “Surely you and Minnie were invited?”
Hal grunted, “Oh. Yes, we were, but I had a prior engagement. Minnie didn’t mention the eel. What’s this I hear about you fighting a duel over the girl, though?”
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- QOTD for Wednesday (late) June 30 from Warriors, a collection of short stories published in 2010. -- Kathy in PA, Thu, July 01 2021, 14:30:23
Since this story is from a collection of 20 short stories and only one is by Diana, I thought we might not all have it, so I’m going to do a short synopsis.
Hal uses a letter he was going to ignore to get John to exit stage left after the duel debacle. An old friend of John’s from his early army days was being court martialed in Canada and asked John to be a witness.
On the way he encounters the British army, the Continental army and various Indian tribes supporting either side trying to capture Quebec. And in a lull of the fighting we meet Manoke!
Quote:
He woke abruptly, face to face with an Indian. His reflexive flurry of movement was met with a low chuckle and a slight withdrawal, rather than a knife across the throat, though, and he broke through the fog of sleep in time to avoid doing serious damage to the scout Manoke.
- - - - - - 🥰 🌳 🌾 🔥 🌝. Some space
Two weeks later, he stepped out of Manoke’s canoe onto the landing, thin, sunburnt, cheerful, and still in possession of his hair. Tom Byrd (ever faithful 🙄) would be beside himself, he reflected; he’d left no word as to what he was doing, but naturally had been able to give no estimate of his return. Doubtless poor Tom would be thinking he’d been captured and dragged off onto slavery or scalped, his hair sold to French.
In fact, , they had drifted slowly downriver, pausing to fish wherever the mood took them, camping on sandbars and small islands, grilling their catch and eating their supper in smoke-scented peace, beneath the leaves of oak and alder.
- - - - some more space and finally❤️
And in the late summer dusk of the first day, Manoke had wiped his fingers after eating, stood up, casually untied his breech-clout and let it fall. Then waited, grinning,,while Grey fought his way out of shirt and breeches.
It’s a looonnngg, llaaatte quote, but so nice for me to see John happy - not in love - but having fun and just relaxing! I wanted to share.
I’ll catch up with a two-fer tomorrow or Saturday.
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- QOTD for Friday, July 2 from Warriors a collection of short stories published in 2010. -- Kathy in PA, Fri, July 02 2021, 12:24:48
The Custom of the Army
By Diana Gabaldon
“John!”
Before Grey could offer his hand, he found himself embraced - and returned the embrace wholeheartedly, a wash of memory flooding through him as he smelled Carruther’s hair, felt the scrape of his unshaven cheek against Grey’s own. Even in the midst of this sensation, though, he felt the slightness of Carruther’s body, the bones pressed through his clothes.
“I never thought you’d come,” Carruthers was repeating, for perhaps the fourth time. He let go and stepped back, smiling as he dashed the back of his eyes, which were unabashedly wet.
“Well, you have an electric eel to thank for my presence,” Grey told him, smiling himself.
- After some catching up, Charlie tells his side. . . .
“Know Siverly (remember the name 😠) do you?” Carruther’s asked, taking the papers onto his knee”
“Not at all. I gather he’s a bastard.” Grey gestured at the papers. “What kind of bastard, though?”
“A corrupt one.” His face twisted a little, and he looked up suddenly at Grey. “You remember the Highlands, John?”
“You know that I do.” No one involved in Cumberland’s cleansing of the Highlands would ever forget. He had seen many Scottish villages like Beaulieu.
“Yes. Well. The trouble was that Siverly took to appropriating the plunder we took from the countryside- under the pretext of selling it in order to make an equitable distribution among the troops.”
“What?” This was contrary to the normal custom of the army (first place the title comes in), whereby any soldier was entitled to what plunder he took. “Who does he think he is, an admiral?” The navy did divide shares of prize money among the crew, according to formula- but the navy was the navy; crews acted much more as single entities than did army companies, and there were Admiral courts set up to deal with sale of captured prize ships.
Carruthers laughed at the question.
“His brother’s an commodore. Perhaps that’s where he got the notion.. . . . .
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- Running late today but will post later 😉 -- Kathy in PA, Wed, June 30 2021, 8:18:26
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- QOTD for Monday, June 28 from Warriors, a collection of short stories published in 2010 -- Kathy in PA, Mon, June 28 2021, 4:54:31
The Custom of the Army
by Diana Gabaldon
In the split second when he grasped the slimy thing, he expected something like the snap one got from touching a Leiden jar and making it spark. Then he was flung violently backwards, every muscle in his body contorted, and he found himself on the floor, thrashing like a landed fish, gasping in a vain attempt to recall how to breathe.
The surgeon, Mr. Hunter (!), squatted next to him, observing him with bright-eyed interest.
The floor was filled with bodies. Some writhing, some lying still, limbs outflung in abandonment, some already recovered and being helped to their feet by friends,
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- QOTD for Sunday, June 27 (can you believe it already?!?) from “The Custom of the Army” in Warriors a collection of short stories published in 2010 -- Kathy in PA, Sun, June 27 2021, 3:45:28
Don’t you love that auto-fill fills in DianaGabaldon? Another little mark of obsession😊
I love Lord John Grey so I chose Warriors for my open the book quotes. As usual, I kind of forgot this story so this will be my “theme” to rediscover it.
The Custom of the Army
by Diana Gabaldon
All things considered, it was probably the fault of the electric eel. John Grey could - and for a time did - blame the Honorable Caroline Woodford as well. And the surgeon. And certainly that blasted poet. Still . . . . no, it was the eel’s fault.
So, what weird thing did you do “back in the day” because it as the latest cool experience? 😜
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- QOTD for Sat. 6/26/21. From WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright© 2014 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved -- LadyDuBois, Sat, June 26 2021, 5:24:56
I’m not dead. Wish I were. Bath is vile. I am daily wrapped in canvas and carried off like a parcel to be sunk in boiling water that smells of rotten eggs, then hauled out and forced to drink it, but Minnie says she will divorce me by petition in the House of Lords on the grounds of insanity caused by immoral acts if I don’t submit. I doubt this, but here I am
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- QOTD for Friday, 6/25/21. From WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright© 2014 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved - -- LadyDuBois, Fri, June 25 2021, 4:36:42
“Where d’ye think he is now?” Jenny said suddenly. “Ian, I mean.”
He glanced at the house, then at the new grave waiting, but of course that wasn’t Ian anymore. He was panicked for a moment, his earlier emptiness returning--but then it came to him, and, without surprise, he knew what it was Ian had said to him.
“On your right, man.” On his right. Guarding his weak side.
“He’s just here,” he said to Jenny, nodding to the spot between them. “Where he belongs.”
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- QOTD for Thursday, 6/24//21. From WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright© 2014 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved -- LadyDuBois, Thu, June 24 2021, 5:40:06
Like forgiveness, it was not a thing once learned and then comfortably put aside but a matter of constant practice--to accept the notion of one’s own mortality, and yet live fully, was a paradox worthy of Socrates.
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- Living fully means different things to everyone. (NT) -- kgp, Thu, June 24 2021, 7:27:29
- Living fully, knowing you’re mortal, doesn’t seem to be a problem. Anyone who denies their mortality, on earth, is going to be proven wrong so accept it. But forgiving is something, for me, that is not inevitable. Especially truly forgiving and forgetting and letting it go. I think that’s a lot harder, often, than living fully. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Fri, June 25 2021, 7:07:41
- Good morning. Sorry it's so late but the family pets have been particularly needy this morning, so without further ado....... -- LadyDuBois, Wed, June 23 2021, 6:00:02
QOTD for Wednesday, 6/23/21. From DRUMS OF AUTUMN by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 16, "The First Law of Thermodynamics". Copyright© 1997 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.
"And when my body shall cease, my soul will still be yours. Claire--I swear by my hope of heaven, I will not be parted from you."
Last edited by author: Wed, June 23 2021, 6:06:55
Edited 1 time.
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- Quoters -- Judie, Wed, June 23 2021, 14:49:47
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I have updated the next few weeks. Still need 2 weeks in July covered.
Thank you kgp for organizing things.
Last edited by author: Wed, June 23 2021, 14:50:04
Edited 1 time.
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- QOTD for Tuesday, 6/22/21. From WRITTEN IN MY OWN HEART'S BLOOD by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 92, "I Will Not Have Thee Be Alone". Copyright© 2014 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved -- LadyDuBois, Tue, June 22 2021, 5:09:12
“I think we can’t wait any longer to be married, Ian,” she said softly. “I will not have thee face such things alone. These are bad times, and we must be together.”
He closed his eyes and all the air went out of him. When he drew breath again, it tasted of peace.
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- Young Ian has not had much peace in his life since he left Lallybroch. Of course, some of that was his own doing, but life with Jamie in Edinburgh with smuggling, getting kidnapped by Geillis, exchanging with Roger to live with the Mohawks, scouting for the army, Arch Bug, etc., etc. Much of it was of his own doing or choice, but I think we'll find that Rachel balances him. She is strong and practical - the Claire to Ian's Jamie-ness. (NT) -- DianaH, Tue, June 22 2021, 7:08:51
- QOTD for Monday, June 21,2021.All of the quotes below are taken from AN ECHO IN THE BONE by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright © 2009 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved. -- LadyDuBois, Mon, June 21 2021, 5:17:27
“You can teach kids not to cross the street alone,” Bree had pointed out. “Surely you can teach them to stay the heck away from standing stones.”
He’d agreed, but with substantial mental reservations. Small kids, yes; you could brainwash them into not sticking forks in the electric outlets. But as they became teenagers, with all that inchoate yearning for self-discovery and things unknown? He recalled his own teenaged self much too vividly. Tell a teenaged boy not to stick forks in the outlet, and he’d be off rifling the silverware drawer the minute your back was turned. Girls might be different, but he doubted it.
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- QOTD for Sunday 6/20/21. The following is taken from Outlander, Chapter 22. Reckonings. Copyright© 1991 by Diana Gabaldon. All rights reserved.) -- LadyDuBois, Sun, June 20 2021, 4:28:47
"I hadna realized until I saw him just how alone I’d felt there--or how scairt. The soldiers would not give us any time alone together, but at least they let me greet him.” He swallowed and went on.
“I told him I was sorry--about Jenny, I meant, and the whole sorry mess. He told me to hush, though, and hugged me tight to him. He asked me was I hurt badly--he knew about the flogging--and I said I’d be all right.The soldiers said I must go then, so he squeezed my arms tight, and told me to remember to pray. He said he would stand by me, no matter what happened, and I must just keep my head up and try not to worrit myself. He kissed my cheek and the soldiers took me away. That was the last time I ever saw him."
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- QOTD for Saturday, June 19, 2021 -- CindyG, Fri, June 18 2021, 20:04:50
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 47, “Loose Ends.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Roger felt a strong desire to ease behind the door before she noticed his presence and turned that molten wrath on him. But beyond his own discomfort he was conscious of a sense of growing awe. The girl that stood on the hearthrug, hissing and spitting in defense of her paternity, flamed with the wild strength that had brought the Highland warriors down on their enemies like shrieking banshees. Her long, straight nose lengthened still further by the shadows, eyes slitted like a snarling cat’s, she was the image of her father—and her father was patently not the dark, quiet scholar whose photo adorned the jacket of the book on the table.”
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- I can't blame her for losing it after finding out her life has been a lie. (NT) -- kgp, Sat, June 19 2021, 7:07:31
- Thank you, CindyG, for a great week of quotes (NT) -- kgp, Mon, June 21 2021, 8:31:30
- Quite a contrast to the "modearately attractive girl" who bites her fingernails. Here is the Highlander! (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, June 21 2021, 12:10:56
- Hello, Lovelies! We need quoters for the next two weeks. Leave a note here and I'll pass it along to Judie. You can pick a chapter at random and give us a bit at a time if you can't come up with a theme. Random bits from anywhere are likewise fun to read. Thanks! -- kgp, Wed, June 16 2021, 18:41:27
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- QOTD for Thursday, June 17, 2021 -- CindyG, Wed, June 16 2021, 20:41:16
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 4, “Culloden.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘It’s too bad Mother couldn’t come with us,’ Brianna remarked as they turned into the road where the Randalls’ bed-and-breakfast was.
Much as he liked Claire Randall, Roger didn’t agree at all that it was too bad she hadn’t come. Three, he thought, would have been a crowd, and no mistake. But he grunted noncommitally, and a moment later asked, ‘How is your mother? I hope she’s not terribly ill.’
‘Oh, no, it’s just an upset stomach—at least that’s what she says.’ Brianna frowned to herself for a moment, then turned to Roger, laying a hand lightly on his leg. He felt the muscles quiver from knee to groin, and had a hard time keeping his mind on what she was saying.”
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- QOTD for Friday, June 18, 2021 -- CindyG, Thu, June 17 2021, 21:10:58
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 5, “Beloved Wife.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“All that remained now at the front of the kirk was a plain wooden ledge above the hole where the altarstone had been removed. Still, Roger felt something of a quiver up his spine as he stood beside Brianna, facing the vanished altar.
The sheer intensity of his feelings seemed to echo in the empty place. He hoped she couldn’t hear them. They had known each other barely a week, after all, and had had scarcely any private conversation. She would be taken aback, surely, or frightened, if she knew what he felt. Or worse yet, she would laugh.
Yet, when he stole a glance at her, her face was calm and serious. It was also looking back at him, with an expression in the dark blue of her eyes that turned him toward her and made him reach for her without conscious thought.
The kiss was brief and gentle, scarcely more than the formality that concludes a wedding, yet as striking in its impact as though they had this minute plighted a troth.
Roger’s hands fell away, but the warmth of her lingered, in hands and lips and body, so that he felt as though he held her still.”
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- QOTD for Tuesday, June 15, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, June 14 2021, 20:53:37
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 1, “Mustering the Roll.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Whipping a fresh napkin from the stack over her arm, she industriously polished Roger’s toes, her red mane floating deliriously around his knees. Her head was rising, as she peered at his thighs, dabbing energetically at damp spots on the corduroy. Roger closed his eyes and thought frantically of terrible car crashes on the motorway and tax forms for the Inland Revenue and the Blob from Outer Space—anything that might stop him disgracing himself utterly as Brianna Randall’s warm breath misted softly through the wet fabric of his trousers.
‘Er, maybe you’d like to do the rest yourself?’ The voice came from somewhere around the level of his nose, and he opened his eyes to find a pair of deep blue eyes facing him above a wide grin. He rather weakly took the napkin she was offering him, breathing as though he had just been chased by a train.“
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- Calm down, Rog! Her mother is in the room! (NT) -- kgp, Tue, June 15 2021, 5:29:46
- This passage always makes me chuckle! Her "warm breath misting through the fabric of his trousers...." Down, Boy!!! (NT) -- DianaH, Wed, June 16 2021, 7:00:13
- I love the image of Roger's thinking about the Blob, trying not to have, what appears to be an YQM1unsuccessful, attempt at controlling his bodily functions. Oh, Roger. Good try. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Wed, June 16 2021, 17:26:08
- QOTD for Wednesday, June 16, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, June 15 2021, 20:47:19
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 1, “Mustering the Roll.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“It was an interesting enough project in its way, though probably a minor research job. But that wasn’t it. No, he thought, if he were being honest with himself, he wanted to tackle Claire Randall’s project because he wanted to go round to Mrs. Thomas’s guesthouse and lay his results at the feet of Brianna Randall, as knights were supposed to have done with the heads of dragons. Even if he didn’t get results on that scale, he urgently wanted some excuse to see her and talk with her again.
It was a Bronzino painting she reminded him of, he decided. She and her mother both gave that odd impression of having been outlined somehow, drawn with such vivid strokes and delicate detail that they stood out from their background as though they’d been engraved on it. But Brianna had that brilliant coloring, and that air of absolute physical presence that made Bronzino’s sitters seem to follow you with their eyes, to be about to speak from their frames. He’d never seen a Bronzino painting making faces at a glass of whisky, but if there had been one, he was sure it would have looked precisely like Brianna Randall.”
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- QOTD for Monday, June 14, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, June 13 2021, 21:09:00
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 1, “Mustering the Roll.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“To Roger’s dismay, she set down her empty glass on the small table between the chairs and Brianna added her own full one with what looked like alacrity. He noticed that Brianna Randall bit her nails. This small evidence of imperfection gave him the nerve to take the next step. She intrigued him, and he didn’t want her to go, with no assurance that he would see her again.“
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- QOTD for Sunday, June 13, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, June 13 2021, 10:37:28
The following quote is from Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 1, “Mustering the Roll.” Copyright © 1992 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘In that case, maybe we shouldn’t be disturbing you,’ said a soft American voice.
‘Oh, I forgot,’ said Claire, half-turning to the girl who had stood out of sight in the corner of the porch. ‘Roger Wakefield—my daughter, Brianna.’
Brianna Randall stepped forward, a shy smile on her face. Roger stared for a moment, then remembered his manners. He stepped back and swung the door open wide, momentarily wondering just when he had last changed his shirt.
‘Not at all, not at all!” he said heartily. ‘I was just wanting a break. Won’t you come in?’ He waved the two women down the hall toward the Reverend’s study, noting that as well as being moderately attractive, the daughter was one of the tallest girls he’d ever seen close-to. She had to be easily six feet, he thought, seeing her head even with the top of the hall stand as she passed. He unconsciously straightened himself as he followed, drawing up to his full six feet three. At the last moment, he ducked, to avoid banging his head on the study lintel as he followed the women into the room.”
I just started a reread of DIA. I haven’t read it through for some time. I was struck by Brianna and Roger’s first meeting. “Moderately attractive” indeed!
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- Poor Roger, didn't realize fate was about to pounce. (NT) -- kgp, Sun, June 13 2021, 10:55:20
- “Moderately attractive” struck me this time, too, Cindy. But he immediately pulled himself up straighter, so maybe more attractive than he thought 😉. Like most men, I think Roger was a little cowed by a tall girl, especially one who stood tall. (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Sun, June 13 2021, 15:26:15
- Looking for people to take a week of QOTD on the Social Board. I have someone for next week. Quotes are needed for the weeks of June 20 and 27. July 18 an 25 weeks need quotes as well -- kgp, Sat, June 12 2021, 17:19:44
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- Question? -- Kathy in PA, Fri, June 11 2021, 9:22:57
Will someone with The Laird’s Ladle post Just Gina’s cole slaw recipe? I’m not at home and need to make some and it’s totally the best,
Thanks!
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- Did you ask the Facebook group? We don't seem to get much eye traffic over here. (NT) -- kgp, Fri, June 11 2021, 10:15:24
- I have the book but no idea where...I tried! (NT) -- CarolE, Fri, June 11 2021, 12:01:46
- Try Lallypals. (NT) -- kgp, Fri, June 11 2021, 18:09:39
- Hi Kathy! They gave me the heads up on Facebook. Recipe inside! <3 -- JustGina, Sat, June 12 2021, 6:39:34
- JP sent me a copy (mine is in storage) and I forwarded to Kathy. :) (NT) -- Judie, Sat, June 12 2021, 17:05:21
- QOTD for Saturday, June 12, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, June 11 2021, 18:06:01
The following quotation is from Written In my Own Heart’s Blood by Diana Gabaldon, Copyright 2014 All rights reserved. Chapter 116 A-Hunting We Will Go
The deer shuddered violently, shoving its antlers hard into his chest, bunched its legs convulsively as though to make one final leap, and died.
He held it for a few moments, the shredded velvet still on the antlers like rough suede under his sweating palm, the weight of the coarse-haired shoulders growing heavy on his knee.
“Thank you,” he whispered, and let go. He remembered that it had been Mac the groom who’d told him that you always thanked a creature that gave you its life - and that it had been James Fraser, some years later, who had killed a huge wapiti in front of him and spoken what he said was a “gralloch prayer” in Gaelic before butchering the beast. But with the deer’s blood on his skin and the breeze moving in the wood around him, for once he didn’t push those memories away.
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- QOTD for Friday, June 11, 2021 -- kgp, Thu, June 10 2021, 18:08:54
The following quotation is from Written In my Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon Copyright 2014 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 56 Stinking Papist
He took a long, slow breath and pressed his lips together. Mac. The word didn’t bring back a face; he couldn’t remember what Mac had looked like. He’s been big, that was all. Bigger than Grandfather or any of the footmen or the other grooms. Safety. A sense of happiness like a soft, worn blanket.
“Shit,” he whispered, closing his eyes. And had that happiness been a lie, too? He’d been too little to know the difference between a groom’s deference to the young master and real kindness. But . . .
“ ‘You are a stinking Papist,’ “ he whispered, and caught his breath on something that might have been a sob. “ ‘ And your baptismal name is James.’ “
”It was the only name I had a right to give ye.”
He realized that his knuckles were pressed against his chest, against his gorget - but it wasn’t the gorget’s reassurance he sought. It was that of the little bumps of the plain wooden rosary that he’s worn around his neck for years, hidden under his shirt where no one would see it. The rosary Mac had given him . . . along with his name.
With a suddenness that shocked him, he felt his eyes swim. You went away. You left me!
“Shit!” he said, and punched his fist so hard into the saddlebag that the horse snorted and shied, and a bolt of white-hot pain shot up his arm, obliterating everything.
Last edited by author: Fri, June 11 2021, 18:10:56
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- QOTD for Thursday, June 10, 2021 -- kgp, Thu, June 10 2021, 5:36:18
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 101 Redivivus
“Who are you?” he said hoarsely, wheeling on Jamie.
I saw Jamie draw himself slowly upright, ignoring the noise below.
“James Fraser,” he said. His eyes were fixed on William with a burning intensity, as though to absorb every vestige of a sight he would not see again. “Ye kent me once as Alex MacKenzie. At Helwater.”
William blinked, blinked again, and his gaze shifted momentarily to John.
“And who - who the bloody hell am I?” he demanded, the end of the question rising in a squeak.
John opened his mouth, but it was Jamie who answered.
“You are a stinking Papist,” he said, very precisely, “and your baptismal name is James.” The ghost of regret crossed his face and then was gone. “It was the only name I had a right to give ye,” he said quietly, eyes on his son. “I’m sorry.”
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- QOTD for Wednesday, June 9, 2021 -- kgp, Wed, June 09 2021, 4:20:40
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 56 Stinking Papist
The conversation had left him with an unsettling image of his erstwhile stepmother as he had last seen her, disheveled and en deshabille but glowing with a radiant life he’d never seen. He didn’t suppose she was his stepmother anymore, but he’d liked her. Belatedly, it occurred to him that Claire now-Fraser still was his stepmother - by a different father . . . Bloody hell.
He set his teeth, rummaging in the saddlebag for his canteen. Now that that Scotch bugger had returned from his watery grave, throwing everything and everyone into confusion . . . why couldn’t he have drowned and never come back?
Never come back.
”You are a stinking Papist, and your baptismal name is James.” He froze as though shot in the back. He bloody remembered it. The stables at Helwater, the warm smell of horses and mash, and the prickle of straw that worked its way through his stockings. He’d been crying . . . Why? All he recalled was a huge wash of desolation, total helplessness. The end of the world. Mac leaving.
Last edited by author: Wed, June 09 2021, 5:06:46
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- QOTD for Tuesday, June 8, 2021 -- kgp, Tue, June 08 2021, 3:37:05
The following quotation is from The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 39 The Fog Comes Down
And then, quite suddenly, he saw the boy curled up in a rocky hollow, the yellow of his shirt showing briefly through an eddy in the fog. He lunged and seized William before he could disappear, clutched him to his bosom, saying, “It’s all right, a chuisle, it’s all right now. Dinna be troubled, we’ll go and see your grannie, aye?”
“Mac! Mac, Mac! Oh, MAC!”
Willie clung to him like a leech, trying to burrow into his chest, and he wrapped his arms tight around the boy, too overcome to speak.
To this point, he could not really have said that he loved William. Feel the terror of responsibility for him, yes. Carry thought of him like a gem in his pocket, certainly, reaching now and then to touch it, marveling. But now he felt the perfection of the tiny bones of William’s spine through his clothes, smooth as marbles under his fingers, smelled the scent of him, rich with the incense of innocence and the faint tang of shit and clean linen. And thought his heart would break with love.
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- QOTD for Monday, June 7, 2021 -- kgp, Mon, June 07 2021, 4:04:12
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 36 The Great Dismal
Again and again and again, he ran toward the voices but fell over something, tripped and rolled down a slope,stumbled into rocky outcrops, found himself clinging to the edge of a scarp, the voices now behind him, fading into the fog, leaving him.
Mac had found him. A big hand had suddenly reached down and grabbed him, and the next minute he was lifted up, bruised and scraped and bleeding but clutched tight against the Scottish groom’s rough shirt, strong arms holding him as though they’d never let go.
He swallowed. When he had the nightmare, sometimes he woke with Mac holding him. Sometimes he didn’t and woke in a cold sweat, unable to go to sleep for fear of the waiting fog and the voices.
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- QOTD for Sunday, June 6, 2021 -- kgp, Sat, June 05 2021, 18:57:30
The following quotation is from The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 39 The Fog Comes Down
He went higher, among the tumbled stones, staggered from one to another, feeling around their bases, stubbing his toes. The fog was cold in his chest, aching. His foot came down on something soft - Willie’s jacket - and his heart leapt.
“WILLIAM!”
Was that a sound, a whimper? He stopped dead, trying to listen, trying to hear through the whisper of the moving fog and the distant voices cacophonous as a ring of church bells.
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- QOTD for Saturday, June 5, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, June 04 2021, 19:03:55
The following quotation is from The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 39 The Fog Comes Down
He was moving up the slope, Jamie could tell that much. Perhaps William had gone to explore the shepherd’s hut. Wilberforce had joined the women now in calling out but was doing it in counterpoint, rather than in unison with them.
Jamie had the feeling that he could not breathe, that the fog was choking him. Pure illusion.
”William!”
His shins thumped into the fallen wall of the shepherd’s hut. He could not see more than the faintest outline of the stones but felt his wary inside and crawled quickly along the walls, calling out for the boy. Nothing.
Fogs might last an hour, or a day.
“Willie - iam-Wil-Willy- iam- WILLIE!”
Jamie gritted his teeth. If they didn’t keep quiet now and then, he couldn’t hear Willie shouting back. If the boy was capable of shouting. The footing was treacherous, the grass slippery, the ground rocky. And if he went all the way to the bottom of the slope, the moss . . .
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- QOTD for Friday, June 4, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, June 04 2021, 3:38:17
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 36 The Great Dismal
Then he fell, badly, tumbling over rocks into a small hollow, bruising himself and knocking out all his wind. The fog had billowed over him, marching past, urgent in its hurry to engulf things, as he lay stunned and breathless in the bottom of his small declivity. Then he began to hear the rocks murmur all around him, and he’d crawled, then run, as fast as he could, screaming. Fell again, got up and went on running.
Fell down, finally unable to go further, and huddled terrified and blind on the rough grass, surrounded by vast emptiness, The he heard them calling out for him, voices he knew, and he tried to cry out in reply, but his throat was raw from screaming, and he made no more than desperate rasping noises, running toward where he thought the voices were. But sound moves in a fog, and nothing is as it seems: not sound, not time nor place.
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- QOTD for Thursday, June 3, 2021 -- kgp, Wed, June 02 2021, 17:39:38
The following quotation is from The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 39 The Fog Comes Down
The boy was not quite three; he could not have gone far. He couldn’t. So Jamie told himself, trying to control the panic that was creeping into his mind as fast as the fog was covering the ground.
“Stay here, and stay together!” he said to Isobel and Lady Dunsany, both of whom blinked at him in surprise. “Call out for the lad, keep calling out - but dinna move a step. Here, hold the horses.” He thrust the bundled reins into Wilberforce’s hand and the lawyer opened his mouth as though to protest, but Jamie didn’t stay to hear it.
“William!” he bellowed, plunging into the fog.
“Willie! Willie!” The women’s higher voices obligingly took up the call, regular as a bell on a ship’s buoy, and serving the same purpose. “Willie! Where are Youuuu?”
The air had changed quite suddenly, no longer clear but soft and echoing; sound seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere.
Last edited by author: Wed, June 02 2021, 17:40:01
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- QOTD for Tuesday, June 1, 2021 -- kgp, Tue, June 01 2021, 4:33:44
The following quotation is from The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2011 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 39 The Fog Comes Down
The wind touched his neck with a sudden, different chill, and he turned at once, to see the fog coming down. He stood up in haste. Fogs on the fells were swift, sudden, and dangerous. He could see this one moving, a dirty great swell like a wild beast poking its head above the rocks, tendrils of mist creeping over the ground like the tentacles of an octopus.
He was running down the slope and looking to the horses, who had all stopped feeding and were standing with their heads up, looking toward the fog and switching their tails uneasily. He’d have the hobbles off in seconds - best run to the Dunsanys and make them pack up at once, he’d get the horses while they were about their business.
Thinking this, he looked for the party and found them. Counted them automatically. Three heads and a - Three. Only three. He flung himself down the hill, leaping rocks and stumbling over tussocks.
“Where’s William?” he gasped, as the three adults turned shocked faces on him. “The boy? Where is he?”
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- QOTD for Wednesday, June 2, 2021 -- kgp, Tue, June 01 2021, 17:01:22
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 36 The Great Dismal
And he’d walked into the fog. For a few moments, he was fascinated by the movement of the water vapor near the ground, the way it flickered and shimmered and seemed alive. But then the fog grew thicker, and in moments he’d known he was lost.
He’d called out. First to the woman he thought must be his mother. The dead come down in the fog. That was nearly all he knew about his mother - that she was dead. She’d been no older than he was now when she’d died. He’d seen three paintings of her. They said he had her hair and her hand with a horse.
She’d answered him, he’d swear she’d answered him - but in a voice with no words. He’d felt the caress of cool fingers on his face, and he’d wandered on, entranced.
Last edited by author: Wed, June 02 2021, 4:48:50
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- If anyone else is interested—Diana’s publisher has a new Facebook group for readers. She posted about it today on her page. If you join, the entire first chapter of the new book is there! -- CindyG, Tue, June 01 2021, 16:37:06
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- QOTD for Monday, May 31, 2021 -- kgp, Mon, May 31 2021, 4:37:44
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 36 The Great Dismal
He’s heard the rocks talking to themselves on the fells at Helwater. The Lake District, his maternal grandparent’s home. In the fog. He hadn’t told anyone that.
He moved a little and felt something just below his jaw. Clapping a hand to the spot, he discovered a leech that had attached itself to his neck. Revolted, he ripped it loose and flung it as hard as he could into the fog. Patting himself all over with trembling hands, he settled back into his crouch, trying to repel the memories that came flooding in with the swirling mist. He’d heard his mother - his real mother - whisper to him, too. That was why he’d gone into the fog. They’d been picnicking on the fells, his grandparents and Mama Isobel and some friends, with a few servants. When the fog came down, sudden as it sometimes did, there was a general scurry to pack up the luncheon things, and he had been left by himself, watching the inexorable white wall roll silently toward him.
And he’d swear he’d heard a woman’s whisper, too low to make out words, but holding somehow a sense of longing, and he had known she spoke to him.
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- QOTD for Sunday, May 30, 2021 -- kgp, Sun, May 30 2021, 4:10:05
The following quotation is from An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Chapter 36 The Great Dismal
He had had the presence of mind to set the frying pan out in the rain the night before, and thus had fresh water to drink, tasting deliciously of bacon fat.
“Not so bad,” he said aloud, wiping his mouth. “Yet.”
His voice sounded strange, Voices always did, in a fog.
He’s been lost in fog twice before, and he had no desire to repeat that experience, though repeat it he did, now and then, in nightmares. Stumbling through a white so thick he couldn’t see his own feet, hearing the voices of the dead.
He closed his eyes, preferring momentary darkness to the swirl of white, but could still feel its fingers, cold on his face.
He’d heard the voices then. He tried not to listen now.
Last edited by author: Sun, May 30 2021, 4:10:23
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- QOTD for Saturday, May 29, 2021 -- CindyG, Fri, May 28 2021, 21:09:52
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 40 “Absolution.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Jamie spoke again, summoning me from my thoughts.
‘Sassenach?’
‘Yes?’
‘Ye know the fortress I told ye of, the one inside me?’
‘I remember.’
He smiled without opening his eyes, and reached out a hand for me.
‘Well, I’ve a lean-to built, at least. And a roof to keep out the rain.’”
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- QOTD for Wednesday, May 26, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, May 25 2021, 21:07:10
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 39, “To Ransom a Man’s Soul.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Jamie lowered his head next to mine with some care, laying it on a fold of tapestry, from which he peered sideways at me. ‘I dinna know how much of last night I dreamed and how much was real.’ His hand unconsciously strayed to the scratch across his chest. ‘But if half what I thought happened really happened, I should be dead now.’
‘You’re not. I looked.’ With some hesitation, I asked, ‘Do you want to be?’
He smiled slowly, eyes half-closing. ‘No, Sassenach, I don’t.’ His face was gaunt and shadowed with illness and fatigue, but peaceful, the lines around his mouth smoothed out and the blue eyes clear. ‘But I’m damned close to it, want to or not.’”
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- QOTD for Friday, May 28, 2021 -- CindyG, Thu, May 27 2021, 21:06:19
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 39, “To Ransom a Man’s Soul.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘The heart of a lion,’ I said, shaking my head, ‘and the head of an ox. Too bad you haven’t also got the hide of a rhinoceros.’ I touched a freshly bloodied weal on his shoulder.
He opened one eye. ‘What’s a rhinoceros?’
‘I thought you were unconscious!’
‘I was. I am. My head’s spinning like a top.’
I drew a blanket up over him. ‘What you need now are food and rest.’
‘What you need now,’ he said, ‘are clothes.’ And shutting the eye again, he fell promptly asleep.”
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- QOTD for Thursday, May 27, 2021 -- CindyG, Wed, May 26 2021, 20:51:21
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 39, “To Ransom a Man’s Soul.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘You can’t stand up?’
He considered carefully. ‘If my life depended on it, I might possibly lift my head again. But stand up? No.’
With a sigh, I wriggled out from under him and righted the bed before trying to lever him into a vertical position. He managed to stand for only a few seconds before his eyes rolled back and he fell across the bed. I groped frantically for the pulse in his neck, and found it, slow and strong, just below the three-cornered scar at the base of his throat. Simple exhaustion. After a month of imprisonment and a week of intense physical and mental stress, starvation, injury, sickness and high fever, even that vigorous frame had finally come to the end of its resources.”
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- QOTD for Tuesday, May 25, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, May 24 2021, 21:35:28
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 39, “To Ransom a Man’s Soul.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Nice of you not to move,’ I remarked. ‘I shouldn’t like us to be responsible for giving Brother William impure thoughts.’
Dense blue eyes stared down at me. ‘Aye, well,’ he said judiciously, ‘a view of my arse is no going to corrupt anyone’s Holy Orders; not in its present condition. Yours, though …’ He paused to clear his throat.
‘What about mine?’ I demanded.
The bright head lowered slowly to plant a kiss on my shoulder. ‘Yours,’ he said, ‘would compromise a bishop.’”
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- QOTD for Monday, May 24, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, May 23 2021, 21:33:45
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 39, “To Ransom a Man’s Soul.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Brother William stood motionless in the doorway, jug and basin in hand. With great precision, he fixed his eyes on Jamie’s left eyebrow and inquired, ‘And how do you feel this morning?’
There was a rather long pause, during which Jamie considerately remained in place, blanketing most of me from view. At last, in the hoarse tones of one to whom a revelation has been vouchsafed, he replied, ‘Hungry.’
‘Oh, good,’ said Brother William, still staring hard at the eyebrow, ‘I’ll go and tell Brother Josef.’ The door closed soundlessly behind him.”
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- QOTD for Friday, May 21, 2021 -- CindyG, Thu, May 20 2021, 21:40:43
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, “The Laird’s Return.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“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 audible from the arbor, though not all the words were clear.
‘Interfering, 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.’”
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- QOTD for Saturday, May 22, 2021 -- CindyG, Fri, May 21 2021, 21:07:28
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, “The Laird’s Return.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘You’re a bonny lass,’ he said, looking me over frankly. ‘Are ye fond of Jamie?’
‘Well … yes. Yes, I am,’ I answered, a bit taken aback. I was becoming accustomed to the directness that characterized most Highlanders, but it still took me unawares from time to time.
He pursed his lips and nodded as though satisfied, and sat down beside me on the bench.
‘Better let them have a few minutes longer,’ he said, with a wave at the house, where the shouting had now turned to Gaelic. He seemed completely unconcerned as to the cause of the battle. ‘Frasers dinna listen to anything when they’ve their danders up. When they’ve shouted themselves out, sometimes ye can make them see reason, but not ’til then.’
‘Yes, I noticed,’ I said dryly, and he laughed.”
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- Is anyone doing the QOTD this week? -- kgp, Sun, May 23 2021, 4:29:16
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- QOTD for Sunday, May 23, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, May 23 2021, 11:08:52
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 39, “To Ransom a Man’s Soul.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“It was, by considerable good luck, the unflappable Brother William who found us in the morning. I woke groggily to the sound of the door opening, and snapped to full consciousness when I heard him clear his throat emphatically before saying ‘Good morning to ye,’ in his soft Yorkshire drawl.
The heavy weight on my chest was Jamie. His hair had dried in bronze streaks and whorled over my breasts like the petals of a Chinese chrysanthemum. The cheek pressed against my sternum was warm and slightly sticky with sweat, but the back and arms I could touch were as cold as my thighs, chilled by the winter air gusting in on us.”
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- QOTD for Thursday, May 20, 2021 -- CindyG, Wed, May 19 2021, 22:02:23
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, “The Laird’s Return.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“As the single man came down the hill, I could see that he limped badly. When he came through the gate, the reason for it was apparent. The right leg was missing below the knee, and he wore a wooden peg in replacement.
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 to the arbor, leaning heavily on the lattice, and looked in at me with interest. Thick brown hair fell smoothly over a high brow, and deepset brown eyes held a look of patient good humor.”
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- I just love Ian Sr.! Such a steady influence all around, sweet yet strong. (NT) -- DianaH, Thu, May 20 2021, 9:08:06
- One of my favorite Ian's quote. His amusement at the cyclone going on inside, his immediate acceptance of Claire, and his understanding of when it was safe to go inside.Just love Ian!! (NT) -- Betsy BS, Thu, May 20 2021, 15:18:04
- I'LL BE UNAVAILABLE for a couple of weeks or so. I'd pick up a week of QOTD, but not until sometime in June. My daughter, who I haven't seen in 6 years, and my grandsons are arriving tomorrow. I'm so excited, I'm cleaning the house! (NT) -- Betsy BS, Thu, May 20 2021, 15:33:12
- QOTD for Tuesday, May 18, 2021 -- CindyG, Mon, May 17 2021, 20:28:16
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, “The Laird’s Return.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“Not pale at all now, Jamie was flushed with anger.
‘Aye, so ye chose to sell yourself rather than beg! I’d sooner have died in my blood and seen Faither and the lands in hell along with me, and well ye know it!’
‘Aye, I know it! You’re a ninny, Jamie, and always have been!’ his sister returned in exasperation.
‘Fine thing for you to say! You’re not content wi’ ruining your good name and my own, ye must go on with the scandal, and flaunt your shame to the whole neighborhood!’
‘You’ll not speak to me in that way, James Fraser, brother or no! What d’ye mean, ‘my shame’? Ye great fool, you—‘
‘What I mean? When you’re goin’ about swelled out to here like a mad toad?’ He mimicked her belly with a contemptuous swipe of the hand.
She took one step back, drew back her hand and slapped him with all the force she could muster. The impact jarred his head back and left a white outline of her fingers printed on his cheek.“
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- QOTD for Wednesday, May 19, 2021 -- CindyG, Tue, May 18 2021, 21:19:31
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, “The Laird’s Return.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘Toad, is it? Stinking coward—ye’ve no more courage than to leave me here, thinking ye dead or imprisoned, wi’ no word from one day to the next, and then ye come strolling in one fine day—with a wife, no less—and sit in my drawing room calling me toad and harlot and—‘
‘I didna call ye harlot, but I should! How can ye—‘
Despite the differences in their heights, brother and sister were almost nose to nose, hissing at one another in an effort to keep their carrying voices from ringing through the old manor house. The effort was largely wasted, judging from the glimpses I caught of various interested faces peeping discreetly from kitchen, hall, and window. The laird of Broch Tuarach was having an interesting homecoming, to be sure.”
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- CindyG - how are you holding up, Lass? We're thinking of you ❤ -- kgp, Sun, May 16 2021, 5:25:40
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- Thank you. I still feel adrift a bit, but I know it will pass. I appreciate your good thoughts. I’ve spent most of the last ten years as caregiver first for my father, then my mother, then my sister. Everyone is telling me now to take care of myself. I just need to figure out what that looks like. (NT) -- CindyG, Sun, May 16 2021, 19:41:02
- Hugs to you, Cindy. Your life is going to be very different and probably feel kind of adrift because you’ve been care giving so long. Did you ever get a massage or pedicure? Something lovely to pamper you a bit. ❤️ (NT) -- Kathy in PA, Mon, May 17 2021, 11:52:44
- QOTD for Sunday, May 16, 2021 -- CindyG, Sat, May 15 2021, 20:25:02
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, “The Laird’s Return.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘You’ll do no such thing, Jamie Fraser,’ his sister said sharply. ‘Not before you’ve listened to me. Sit yourself down, then, and I’ll tell ye about Captain Randall, since ye want to know.’
‘I don’t want to know! I don’t want to hear it!’ As she advanced toward him, he turned sharply away to the window that looked out over the yard. She followed him, saying ‘Jamie …,’ but he repelled her with a violent gesture.
‘No! Don’t talk to me! I’ve said I canna bear to hear it!’
‘Och, is that a fact?’ She eyed her brother, standing at the window with his legs braced wide apart, hands on the sill and back stubbornly set against her. She bit her lip and a calculating look came over her face. Quick as lightning, she stooped and her hand shot under his kilt like a striking snake.
Jamie let out a roar of sheer outrage and stood bolt upright with shock. He tried to turn, then froze as she apparently tightened her grip.
‘There’s men as are sensible,’ she said to me, with a wicked smile, ‘and beasts as are biddable. Others ye’ll do nothing with, unless ye have ’em by the ballocks. Now, ye can listen to me in a civil way,’ she said to her brother, ‘or I can twist a bit. Hey?’”
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- QOTD for Monday, May 17, 2021 -- CindyG, Sun, May 16 2021, 19:44:04
The following quote is from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, chapter 26, “The Laird’s Return.” Copyright © 1991 by Diana Gabaldon, all rights reserved.
“‘What in hell d’ye think you’re doing?’ he demanded. ‘Tryin’ to shame me before my own wife?’ Jenny was not fazed by his outrage. She rocked back on her heels, viewing her brother and me sardonically.
‘Weel, and if she’s your wife, I expect she’s more familiar wi’ your balls than what I am. I havena seen them myself since ye got old enough to wash alone. Grown a bit, no?’
Jamie’s face went through several alarming transformations, as the dictates of civilized behavior struggled with the primitive impulse of a younger brother to clout his sister over the head.”
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- QOTD for Saturday, May 15, 2021 -- kgp, Fri, May 14 2021, 16:27:08
The following quotation is from A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon. Copyright 2005 All Rights Reserved Chapter 67 The Last Laugh
“I am sure he will be happy to tell you all the stories he knows,” he said. “Mr. Crombie,” he said, switching momentarily to English, “Tsisqua offers you welcome.”
Bird’s wife Penstemon’s nostrils flared delicately; Crombie was sweating with nervousness, and smelled like a goat. He bowed earnestly, and presented Bird with the good knife he had brought as a present, slowly reciting the complimentary speech he had committed to memory. Reasonably well, too, Jamie thought; he’s mispronounced only a couple of words.
“I come to b-bring you great joy,” he finished, stammering and sweating.
Bird looked at Crombie - small, stringy, and dripping wet - for a long inscrutable moment, then back at Jamie.
“You’re a funny man, Bear-Killer,” he said with resignation. “Let us eat!”
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- I'm just reading this now, on Monday, kgp. I'd love to meet Bird again, on the movie, but nothing compares to DG's writing. (NT) -- Betsy BS, Mon, May 17 2021, 7:00:12
- This passage always makes me chuckle! (NT) -- DianaH, Mon, May 17 2021, 8:29:14