Sleepy Sunday

Slow day for us but that's what a Sunday should be. Mom and the boys arrive on Tuesday. Tomorrow my plans include a little mopping and vacuuming.

Enjoy the updates!

Tamara

BtVS
• Hello Again by BurningRose (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 4 of One Girl in All the World by Transslayer (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 15 of Forging Bonds by Rebelrsr (her web site).
  
  BtVS/Criminal Minds
  
• St. Valentine’s Miracle by Zigpal (Rebelrsr's site).
  
  Devil Wears Prada
  
• The Flowers of Evil by twalker9 (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  Grey's Anatomy
  
• Monthly Woes by Nerdfightergirl/librarynerd (Callie_Arizona).
  
  Legend of the Seeker
  
• Part 11 of You Saved Me by fortunata13 (LotS Femslash).
  
  Original
  
• Part 3 of Body Heart and Soul by Melissa Good (her web site).
  
  
• Chapter 15 of A Chance Encounter by Bobbie Halchishak (Academy of Bards).

Mud-a-palooza

Today we took my daughter and her friend to Mud-a-palooza. They had a very good time and the sun was out in full force to keep them warm. These farms are interesting to me how they create more revenue for themselves beyond what they grow. They obviously do corn, fresh flowers and squash (most likely pumpkins). However, they had a very good turnout to Mud-a-palooza as well. The two girls had a very good time. I thought Calvin would have easily enjoyed himself as well, but he's still in Oklahoma with extended family...maybe next time.

Reminder send us your words, always good to hear from others.

Peace, Health and Happiness.

Elisa

BtVS
• Chapter 3 of The Decisions We Must Make by ExtraordinaryGirl (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Criminal Minds
  
• Prologue of The Substitute by grens_geval (Criminal Minds Femslash).
  
  The Devil Wears Prada
  
• Chapter 6 of Lord of the Nile and the Lady of Grace by xenavirgin (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  
• Secret Service Redux: The Mornings Are the Hardest by jazwriter (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  Original
  
• Vantage Point by Geonn Cannon (his lj).
  
  Warehouse 13
  
• For In That Sleep of Death by phoenyxphiyre (Meet at Gunpoint).

Are You Out There?

Come ramble for us. We can use the words. Someone else's that is. Ours get old. Are you not tired of my usual, another nice summer day in my city? Had to work today, but it's Friday so that's good. There you have it. How about we hear from y'all?

Peace, Health and Happiness.

Elisa

BtVS
• Chapter 6 of Flowers fora Ghost by FindHope (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Comics
  
• Jane's World:07/12/13 by Paige Braddock (Go Comics).
  
  The Devil Wears Prada
  
• By The River Piedra I Sat Down And Wept by evilangels26 (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  Grey's Anatomy
  
• Statistics by Nerdfightergirl (Callie_Arizona).
  
  Original
  
• Parts 1 & 2 of Last Words from the Harrison-Starr Detective Agency by Norsebard (Academy of Bards).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Part 23 of Princess of the Realm by WarriorJudge (Academy of Bards).

A Long Way to Go

The demise of DOMA means E and I will get a whole slew of Federally guaranteed benefits. For example, no longer will she have to pay extra taxes just to have me and the boys on her health insurance.

Now the real fight begins here in the US. Only 12 states and the District of Columbia give same sex couples the right to marry. Six more states offer civil union protections to same sex couples but their rights won't be affected by this ruling. Separate but equal isn't looking so equal now.

The answer for gay folks in these states shouldn't be to move. And thankfully there are folks who aren't moving and are fightingfor their rights in their home states. Suits are being brought and peaceful protests are happening.

If you live in a state where you can marry, please think about donating to some of these efforts. Here's one you can start with: www.southernequality.org. Right now they're in the midst of their WE DO campaign. They could use some funds to help with the expenses. Donate today. I did.

Tamara

BtVS
• Chapter 1 of The Decisions We Must Make by ExtraordinaryGirl (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 14 of Forging Bonds by Rebelrsr (her web site).
  
  Comics
  
• Jane's World: by Paige Braddock (Go Comics).
  
  Devil Wears Prada
  
• Part 1 of Serendipity by akasarahsmom (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  Glee
  
• Part 5 of Burn the Whore House by IceRose92 (Brittany & Santana).
  
  Lost Girl
  
• Chapters 2, 3 & Epilogue of How Much Is That Kenzi in the Window? by seriousfic (GirlSlash).
  
  Snow White and the Huntsman
  
• Mercy by swan_secrets (Rare & Small Fandom Femslash).

On Betas

Sunday is Bastille Day. Hope all our French readers have a good celebration.

It's still hot. I'm still wilting. It's still great.

Short ramble from Joan tonight -

Hi! It's me, Joan. I can see you rolling your eyes -- is she going to ramble about betas again?
Actually, I am. But I have a specific point in view.
I was recently asked to beta a novel, and am currently in the process. I'm also noticing that I am kind of stressed about it. Now why would that be? I mean, I can't help thinking 'Brilliant' or 'OMG' when I read something, anyway. Making a short note of that cannot be that hard, can it?
I think it's that I somehow commit to helping the authoress along. My comments leave the sphere of just my opinion and affect the labours of another human being.
A lot of you are, or have at some point been, betas as well. I'd like to know how it affected you. We might even have a lively discussion.
I feel quite certain that our triumvirate would welcome that. I would.
There, short enough. Send in your rambles!
Joan

Thanks Joan. And yeah - rambles folks. Please. We like to hear from you.

See you next week. Goodnight and may your God/s go with you

Ze

BtVS
• Chapter 3 of She's Like An Incubus by ExtraordinaryGirl (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 2 of Coming Clean by JellyLikeKelly (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  (The) Devil Wears Prada
  
• The Magic of Love by obsidiana402 (dvlwears-prada).
  
  Grey's Anatomy
  
• Chapter 1 of After the Storm by lyslys31 (callie-arizona).
  
  Original
  
• Part 35 of Hollywood Dreams by Fiur & Vlamme (Royal Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Parts 6 & 7 of Joint Venture by KMorgan (Royal Academy of Bards).
  
  
• The Once and Future Islander by Geonn Cannon (His blog).
  
  Warehouse 13
  
• Chapter 3 of Grounds by CurlyTuft (AO3).

Too Darn Hot

First - Ramadan has begun, we wish all our Muslim readers a blessed festival.

Summer arrived. And this year we seem to be actually having a summer. The sun has been shining for the past 3 to 4 weeks. It's been 27 to 29 degrees most days. The ground is as dry as a bone.

Oh - I'm not complaining, not after last year when it rained for months on end, highest annual rainfall in over a century, and we seemed to be on flood alert almost every day. No, this year we've had no rain. (Though Wimbledon did get a little - well it wouldn't be Wimbledon without some rain).

I'm loving the sunshine - I could just do with temperatures a couple of degrees lower - and some overnight rain for the gardens. You haven't lived until you've watered an allotment ten square rods in size, by way of a five litre watering can, when the tap is at the other end of the allotment area, thirty allotments away!!

And speaking of Wimbledon...

YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!.

Finally!! A British Gentlemen's Singles Champion. Our first for seventy-seven years.

Ze

BtVS
• Chapters 1 to 6 of None Can Slacken, None Can Die by miho (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Criminal Minds
  
• Chapter 9 of Teaching JJ by katecholamine (AO3).
  
  (The) Devil Wears Prada
  
• Sankofa by menzosarres (dvlwears prada).
  
  Doctor Who
  
• We Almost Lost it All by geo_lupin (Lizard Lady Love).
  
  Glee
  
• Chapter 72 of Serendipity by MJ Duncan (The Treasure Trail).
  
  
• Chapter 22 of We Might Fall Fast. We Might Fall Hard by appleswithin (The Treasure Trail).
  
  Harry Potter
  
• Chapter 3 of And I Wonder If You Think Of Me by MistressParamore (AO3).
  
  Lost Girl
  
• Chapter 2 of The Distance Between Us by dreiser (AO3).
  
  Orphan Black
  
• Paraph of Bone & Other Kinds of Blue by possibilist (AO3).
  
  Original
  
• Boston in Your Life (Freedom) by trailingviolets (AO3).
  
  
• Part 1 of Under the Gun ((Favors of Fortune Book 5) by D (Her website).
  
  
• Flight Plan by Geonn Cannon(His blog).
  
  Rizzoli & Isles
  
• Chapters 4 to 6 of The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn by siDEADde (AO3).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• Chapter 20 of Everything Backwards by Lamachine (AO3).
  
  Wentworth
  
• A Child of the Universe by fembuck (AO3).
  

Splendid Monday

I took the day off work and instead worked a bit on the house with Tamara. We cleaned off the roof and all the paths leading to it. That took a while as all the build up of dried leaves and stuff had to be swept up and and put into yard waste bags (once we filled our yard waste bin up). We made a trip to Lowe's to get those bags. Came home, had some lunch and than I dragged myself back outside to do some yard work. I cut back some bushes, used my spiffy dandelion kill tool and then mowed the lawn. Now I'm tired and sore. But I only have to go back to work so no big deal.

Here is hoping y'all are having a wonderful night and week.

Peace, Health and Happiness.

Elisa

BtVS
• Chapter 13 of Forging Bonds by Rebelrsr (her web site).
  
  
• Chapter 37 of You Can't Hurry Love by Really-an-angel (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Lost Girl
  
• How Much Is That Kenzi in the Window? by seriousfic (GirlSlash).
  
  Rizzoli & Isles
  
• Chapter 17 of Play the Game by e_dog (Rizzoli & Isles LJ).

Stories!

Not much to say tonight. You've got stories to read so that's not such a loss. Have at it!

Tamara

BtVS
• Chapter 1 of Coming Clean by JellyLikeKelly (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Devil Wears Prada
  
• Chapters 3 & 4 of A Gift Beyond Measure (Complete) by raiderl (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  Glee
  
• The Climb by kiarcheo (Glee Femslash).
  
  Original
  
• Chapter 11 of Healing Scar by MissLaamaa (Fictionpress.com).
  
  
• Part 11 of Afterglow by Stein Willard (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Chapter 12 of Secretions of Philathymna by kendralynora (Meet at Gunpoint).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Chapter 22 of To Mend a Wild Heart by Mikaeli Hooper (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Chapter 6 of The Conqueror and Ri: A Twist of Destiny by Ahkiken (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Chapter 6 of Xena and Gabrielle: A Turn of Fate by Ahkiken (Academy of Bards).

Comfortable Day

T is home. I sleep much better and last night was no exception. We had a nice easy day. She picked up her comics and then we went and watched The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy. It was fun. Now a nice calm evening at home.

Peace, Health and Happiness.

Elisa

BtVS
• Chapter 3 of One Girl in All the World by Transslayer (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 4 of Once More...Once More by Transslayer (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Devil Wears Prada
  
• Part 1 of Ignorance by sandandsea_1 (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  Gilmore Girls
  
• Chapter 3 of Drawing Attention by Nate (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Legend of the Seeker
  
• Chapter 28 of A Little Evil Comes a Long Way by raug_moss (LotS Femslash).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• In the End is the Beginning by Ocean Gazer (Passion & Perfection).

Home Again

I'm back in Shoreline and pooped. My day of travel was certainly easier than my day of travel to Oklahoma but a week of sleeping on an inflatable mattress can wear a body down. Add to that the fact that I never seemed to get off Pacific Northwest time.

I managed to make it back just in time for Seattle's heatwave to subside and Oklahoma's to come back. Last week OKC's weather was actually cooler than Shoreline's.

I'm planning on hitting the hay early tonight and will enjoy the hell out of being in a real bed. Y'all enjoy the updates!

Tamara

BtVS
• Chapter 5 of Flowers of a Ghost by FindHope (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Bloomington
  
• All Mine by dexstarr (Saffic).
  
  Comics
  
• Jane's World:07/05/13 by Paige Braddock (GoComics.com).
  
  Devil Wears Prada
  
• The Only Exception by Judroozz (Devil Wears Prada).
  
  Legend of the Seeker
  
• Part 10 of You Saved Me by fortunata13 (LotS Femslash).
  
  Original
  
• Second Chances by MJ Duncan (GirlSlash).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Part 22 of Princess of the Realm by WarriorJudge (Academy of Bards).

Another Holiday

This one I am spending alone. Daughter over at her other moms place and T and the boys are in Oklahoma. Hence I have the opportunity to clean out the shed. In particular this is the year I am loading all my CD's into MP3's. Tamara has comic books and I have CD's. Twenty two paper boxes of them. Time to join today's reality, MP3's here we come. This is taking forever, but in the end should be worth it. Allows me to get to my music much easier and that is always a good thing. Only 12 more paper boxes to go. (an all summer project obviously)

If you are in the USA Happy 4th of July, but please be careful out there and remember little kids and most animals may not enjoy all those fireworks as much as you might. For everyone else have a great night.

Peace, Health and Happiness.

Elisa

BtVS
• Chapter 12 of Forging Bonds by Rebelrsr (her web site).
  
  
• Chapter 63 & Epilogue of Whatever Doesn't Kill Us by invalid_reality (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  Comics
  
• Jane's World: by Paige Braddock (Go Comics).
  
  NCIS
  
• Yad Rochetzet Yad by needled_ink_75 (Women in Kevlar).
  
  Rizzoli & Isles
  
• Knit Happens by sunsetwriter (Rizzoli & Isles).

Tea Anyone??

I am so tired I almost fell asleep trying to complete tonight's update. It's getting daft. Yeah, I need the work but I need a break too. I've told the site manager I'm not working this weekend. I don't care how much overtime I might get. We're ahead of schedule so I'm taking my weekend.

Besides - there's a really important rugby game on Saturday morning. The third - and decisive - test match between the Lions and Australia.

I checked the religious festivals calendar to see if there were any due this week. No, there weren't. But I had this nagging feeling that there was something I should be mentioning that I couldn't remember.

Then I noticed tomorrow's date.

D'oh.

It's the anniversary of that little ado. You know the one. Where a group of British subjects got upset about some taxes and demonstrated against them. (No, not the Poll Tax riots and chants of Maggie, Maggie, Maggie - Out, Out, Out.) You know the one. Where a whole bunch of tea took a swim. And then a minor unrest turned into a civil war and at the end of it we got rid of a bunch of troublesome colonials.

Or if you want to look at it from the perspective of the other side...

A group of colonists rose up against an oppressive government, fought a war to gain their independence, soundly defeated the forces of the aforementioned government, and founded a new country.

So... Happy Rebels' Day to all our US American readers. Have a great day. Be careful with the fireworks. (And remember your pets get scared so be kind to them). Enjoy your celebrations.

Goodnight and may your God/s go with you.

Ze

BtVS
• Chapter 59 of Whatever Doesn't Kill Us by invalid_reality (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapters 1 & 2 of She's Like An Incubus by ExtraordinaryGirl (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  
• Chapter 2 of Once More...Once More by Transslayer (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  (The) Devil Wears Prada
  
• In the Hamptons by emeraldorchids (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• Comes Off Easily by cgirlspalace (dvlwears-prada).
  
  Glee
  
• Part 17 of When Secrets Come Out to Play by ljam86 (Glee Femslash).
  
  (The) Good Wife
  
• I've Grown Accustomed to Your Face by justlovebt (AO3).
  
  Lost Girl
  
• Chapter 1 of The Distance Between Us by dreiser (AO3).
  
  Rizzoli & Isles
  
• Family Snapshots - High School Reunion by storm_8 (jane-maura-ff).
  
  Stargate SG-1/Atlantis
  
• Parts 6 & 7 of The Better Part of Valour by Tamoline (GirlGay).
  

True Heroes

Don't call football players heroes. Don't call cricketers heroes. Don't call rugby players heroes. That tennis player is not a hero for coming from two sets down to win the match.

They are highly paid sports stars. They played well. They may have excelled at their sport. They may have taken that final wicket, scored that late goal, made that last-second try, that won the match. They may have made you jump for joy. Cheer. Celebrate a hard-won victory.

But they are not heroes.

Nineteen firefighters died in Arizona this weekend.

They are heroes.

They and the men and women, some paid regulars, some volunteers, who battle in countries throughout the world, to save the lives and property of others. The ones who put their lives in danger for the rest of us. The firefighters, police officers, paramedics... they are the true heroes

Our thoughts are with the families of those who died.

Ze

Criminal Minds
• Chapter 7 of Teaching JJ by katecholamine (AO3).
  
  (The) Devil Wears Prada
  
• Keeping the Pieces Together by ursine79 (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• The Intruder by pure_ecstasy6 (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• My Extended Soul Is Fixed by winter156 (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• The Quiet Ashes Fall by winter156 (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• The Step Parent by XV (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• My Family & Other Animals by heartsassassin (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• Bed Time Story by zingleagain (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• Super Moon by zingleagain (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• Caught by zingleagain (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• The Strong One by theladyholl (dvlwears-prada).
  
  
• The Tell-Tale Jar by theladyholl (dvlwears-prada).
  
  (The) Good Wife
  
• Part 12 of Lawyers, Swords and Secrets by Tamoline (GirlGay).
  
  Lost Girl
  
• The Distance Between Us by dreiser (AO3).
  
  Once Upon a Time
  
• Gee Baby, Ain't I Good to You? by things_about (AO3)
  
  Original
  
• Love Me, Love My Dog by Geonn Cannon (Royal Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Part 34 of Hollywood Dreams by Fiur & Vlamme (Royal Academy of Bards).
  
  
• A Squire's Isle Birthday: Sex with the Ex by Geonn Cannon (His blog).
  
  Pitch Perfect
  
• The Thing About Miracles by sophiesaurus1 (AO3).
  
  Rizzoli & Isles
  
• Chapters 1 to 3 of The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn by siDEADde (AO3).
  
  Wentworth
  
• The Inevitability of Surrender by fembuck (AO3).
  

Ramble Night

Guest ramble, take it away Joan!

Nanana...
Dear Mr Putin, come take a walk with me.

DOMA has been refuted. California has re-instituted the rights for gays to be married. Even in Germany, small steps are being taken towards equality between hetero and homo couples. In South Africa, in the Netherlands, in Portugal marriage is recognised regardless of what sex the partners are.

What a wonderful world! But is it?

Mr Putin just signed a law that states you are to be severely fined if you talk positively about homosexuality within the earshot of children. In St Petersburg, many people were arrested during a demonstration for gay rights -- admittedly both for and against, but it shows that the struggle is far from over.

And it doesn't stop with legal oppression, even though I think that homosexuality as a crime worthy of death penalty is abhorrent. Can you imagine that the entire first league of football (or soccer, depending on where you live) in Germany -- men's soccer, I should say, the women's league doesn't make an issue out of this -- is entirely hetero? Eighteen teams of twenty plus individuals?

But I must admit, I love this one. A publication, "Connected Hearts" (which I am proud to be a contributor to) was rated one stars out of five at Barnes&Noble with the comment "Thou shalt not lie with mankid, as withwomankind; it is a abomination." Well, dear commentator, you might learn to quote correctly, for one thing. And you might also look up Ruth, 1:16.

Joan

Yeah, the struggle will continue. But it is one worth fighting. Thanks for popping by Joan, totally appreciated.

Y'all have a great night and enjoy those updates.

Peace, Health and Happiness.

Elisa

BtVS
• Chapter 11 of Forging Bonds by Rebelrsr (her web site).
  
  
• Chapter 36 of You Can't Hurry Love by Really-an-angel (BuffynFaith.Net).
  
  ST: Deep Space Nine
  
• Hedonism by justwolf (Where No Woman Has Gone Before).