Ramble from Black Cherry

Yes, you read that right! Someone gave us a break and sent in a ramble. Thank you Black Cherry!

What should I ramble about?

I guess I could ramble about spring, and how glad I am the cold wet winter is over. We needed the winter, but dang...I got tired of being wet and cold.

Now spring is here and the south is alive with all my favorite things...flowers and leaves on the trees. It makes me want to get outside...grill, ride motorcycles, train martial arts out in nature.

I started teaching the Friday night class at my dojang and I find teaching a rewarding experience. I made Brown Belt, and in August I'll be a black belt candidate....who would have thought a kid from the wrong side of the tracks could make good?

My story is in my head....GUN CONTROL. It's the sixth part of my Skin Deep saga. I want to take my characters to a new level. I know them, I want my readers to know them. See where they came from, where they are going. Also I am introducing a new character that I hope will spin off into her own series. Homicide Detective Ariel Ryder. Yeah, baby yeah!

She's going to be one of my faves, just like Torrid. Torrid has been my companion going on four years now. Telling her story has been a good thing in my life...because of the writing, I met so many good folks. It's funny how fan fiction brings so many people together.

It's all about togetherness.

Speaking of togetherness...my girl and I met three years ago at an Easter picnic. We started dating the following June. We've been best friends for three years...she's the light of my life. I took her to see "WICKED" last week. Am I a cool girlfriend or what? LOL!

I've been watching Xena and Buffy dvd's....got a lot of story ideas in my head. I started a Buffy season 5/ Xena Fin crossover a few years ago....before I knew it they'd mucked it all up with a sixth season of Buffy....lol! It was good...I might go back and revisit it sometime. Also I'd love to get Uber X together with Faith....that'd be something, wouldn't it?

Anyway, I'm out of rambles....peace out!

Black Cherry

The Pit
Bowl Full of Cherries (BC's Yahoo Group)

Let's all thank, Black Cherry for stopping by this evening. And don't forget to check out her new story. Also remember if you have something to share let us know.

Now off to your updates.

Elisa

Birds of Prey

• Afternoon Delight by cero_ate (Birds of Prey Femslash).
  
  BtVS
  
• Feeling Safe (Carolyn & Dusty Series) by JS ellienoname & MG (JS Odds and Ends).
  
  
• Chapter 62 of Final Fantasy X-3 by Stormforce (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 19 of The Rosenberg Files by dlline (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Comics
  
• 4/4/07 of Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Original
  
• Solving a mystery with her...again by scribingbard52 (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Chicken by MBInc (The Athenaeum).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• A Little TLC by Debbie (Area 52).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Part 77 of In An Age Before by Phantom Bard (The Athenaeum).
  
  

Recipe Night

More delicious recipes from Cherokee Echols and possibly the longest post ever at Uber Etc.

Tamales

Ingredients:
6 - 8 lb. Pork Roast
5lb. Chicken
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Chili Powder
Ground Cumin
Cumin Seeds
Paprika
Corn Oil
4 lbs. Corn Masa (MaSeCa brand)
Corn Shucks

Tamale Meat Ingredients:
1 pork roast (6-8 pounds)
1 large chicken (5 pounds)
3 Tbls Garlic powder
6 Tbls Chili Powder
3 Tbls Cumino (Cumin)
1/2 cup Corn Oil

The tamale meat is made from a combination of Pork Roast and Chicken.

Cook and Shred the Meats:
Start with 1 pork roast. Cut the roast into fist size chunks. Put the chunks into a Pan, and cover with water. Boil for about 2 1/2 hours or until it becomes really tender. After the meat is really tender, take it out of the broth to cool (Save the Broth, you will need it for the Masa!)

After the roast chunks are cool enough to handle easily, shred them with your fingers. Try to remove and discard the fat as you go.

Cover the chicken with water in a large pot, and boil for 2 hours, or until the chicken is done and tender. Take the chicken out of the broth and allow the chicken to cool. (Save the Chicken Broth as well!) Remove and discard the skin. Take the chicken meat off the bones and shred it into very small filaments. Discard any large chunks of fat.

Combine both meats in very large pan, and mix together. Make sure that the meats are thoroughly combined and mixed well. You are now ready to add the seasoning.

Mix the oil and seasonings listed below in a small pan and warm on the stove. Do not cook the oil and seasonings mix, but just gently warm on the stove to infuse the flavors.

When the oil and seasonings mix is warm, pour over the meat and mix with your hands until it is completely distributed through the meat. It takes a good 10 minutes to get the mixture completely uniform.

Spices and Seasonings:
1/2 cup corn oil
6 Tablespoons chili powder
3 Tablespoons garlic powder
3 Tablespoons ground cumin (comino)
1 Tablespoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons salt

The meat is now finished. You should put the meat in the refrigerator covered until ready to make the tamales. Put both the chicken broth and roast broth into the refrigerator as well. You will need the broth when you make the Masa.

A) Make the Masa Dough Mix:

Start with 2 lbs. of the Masa flour. It comes in a 4 lb bag, use half of it. Skim the fat off the broth that you saved from the Pork and Chicken we made earlier. Warm the broth from the pork and chicken up. Don't get it hot, just nice and warm.
Put the 2 lbs. of Masa in a large bowl. Add the following dry spices to the Masa:

3 Tablespoons paprika
3 Tablespoons salt
1 Tablespoon cumin seeds
3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
3 Tablespoons garlic powder

Mix the spices above into the Masa until it is completely incorporated. Mix well.

Now add: 2 cups of Corn Oil to the Masa and Spice mixture. After adding the oil, begin to slowly work in 2 quarts of the warm chicken/pork broth, about a cup at a time. Work the mixture with your hands to make a dough. Slowly add the warm broth one cup at a time as you continue to work the mixture with your hands. If it is too dry, add enough warm broth or water to get it right for spreading. It should be like thick peanut butter. If it is too thin add more Masa, if it is too thick, add more broth or warm water. Thick peanut butter is the consistency you are trying for.

B) Prepare the Corn Shucks
Soak the shucks in a sink full of warm water for about 2 hours. You will need to carefully separate them when they get soft. Try to not tear or damage the corn shucks. It is easier to make the tamales if the shucks are in one piece. Soak the shucks in a sink full of warm water for about 2 hours. You will need to carefully separate the shucks so they are in one piece.

C) Build the Tamales
After the corn shucks are soft, take some of them out of the water, shake the water off, and lay them on the counter on a towel.

Pick up a shuck, lay it across the palm of your hand with the small end toward your fingers. Scoop up about 1/2 cup of the Masa dough with a spatula, and then smear it on the shuck.

Cover about left 2/3 of the shuck with Masa, leave 1/3 on the right uncovered. Similarly, cover the bottom 2/3 of the shuck, and leave the top 1/3 uncovered. You need to leave the top and side uncovered so you can fold it up later. Now, go to the next shuck and do the same, laying them out on the counter as you put the masa on them. I like to do 5 or ten at a time like this. When you have covered 5 to 10 of the shucks with Masa, it is time to add the meat. Take about 1 tablespoon of meat, and lay it on the masa about 1 in. from the left edge.

Starting on the left side (the side where the Masa dough goes all the way to the edge), roll the tamale all the way to the right edge. Now, fold the top of the shuck over like an envelope and lay tamale on the counter with the fold on the under side. Roll the next one the same until all your shucks with masa on them are rolled. Now, get more shucks and put masa on them the same way. Then roll the meat in them. Keep doing this until all the tamales are built. You will have about 4 dozen or more.

D) Cook the Tamales
To cook the tamales, you need a very large pot that has something in the bottom to keep the tamales out of the water while they steam. Add about 3 pints of water to the pot, then start stacking the tamales upright until full. The envelope end of the tamale will be on the bottom, the open end of the tamale should be on top. Continue to fill the pot. The tamales need to pack tight enough that they do not fall over and begin to unfold.

Cover the pot, and bring the water to a boil and then reduce heat to medium low and cook for at least 2 hours. Check water several times and add more if it is getting low, you DON’T want to boil it dry. Add more water as you need to. When done, take one tamale out and leave it on the counter for about 5 minutes to test. Unwrap it and it should be firm, with no raw masa. When done, remove all the tamales and let them cool on the counter, then put in bags for the freezer, 6 to a bag. You can save the tamales in the freezer for up to a year.

Enchilada/Tamale Sauce

3 Tablespoons Shortening
3 Tablespoons Flour
2 Tablespoons Chili Powder
1 tsp Oregano
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp garlic
3/4 tsp Salt
1 sm can tomato sauce
1 to 1 1/2 Cup chicken broth

Mix shortening and flour together in skillet; fry until brown. Add all spices and mix well. Add tomato sauce and broth stir. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve over Enchiladas or Tamales.

Cherokee

I absolutely love tamales but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to try this process. Hats off to you, Cherokee.

Tamara

Battlestar Galactica

• Around the Clock Challenge (Drabbles) by ana_khouri (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Eros by sam. i am. (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Her Mrs. Robinson Complex by Jennifer-Oksana (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Simple Favorites by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Kobol by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Benediction by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Temple by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Tribute by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Promise by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Offering by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Sacrifice by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Unsaid by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Out Loud by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Ritual by pocket witch (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  Birds of Prey
  
• Doppelganger by Ficmail (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  Comics
  
• 4/03/07 Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  CSI
  
• Conclusion of Mad World by Eveh (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Aftertaste by Anya (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Not Alone by Darthgeeklove (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Seven Lives by atfm (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Talk Tonight by myrriadd (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• What Goes Unsaid by sydneysmoms (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  
• Workout by Karin (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  NCIS
  
• Curiouser and Curiouser by monica_doggett (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Original
  
• Part 4 of Cage Undone by Roselle Graskey (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Alone No More by Cole Micheal (The Athenaeum).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• A Little TLC by mrswoman (Shatterstorm Productions).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Parts 1 & 2 of A Stranger in My Family by Red Hope (The Athenaeum).

Words?

Have any that you'd like to share? Obviously Okie and I are short on them right now. Hence this is a call for help. Come ramble for us please. Talk about books, movies, food or whatever you want! The time is now. So hurry and send in your exciting words and we will use them this week.

Until then, enjoy your updates!

Elisa

BtVS

• Scars by Kristjan Brezovnik (her web site).
  
  
• Chapter 4 of A Love Beyond the Stars by Dax (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 1 of Van Rosenberg by Alcy (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapters 3.5 and 4 of Grand Theft Auto: The Love Story by Cynthia Taz (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Comics
  
• 4/02/07 Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Fingersmith
  
• Conclusion of After the Ice-House by archaeobard (Fingersmith Fever).
  
  Original
  
• Chapter 1 of Gun Control (Skin Deep 6) by Black Cherry (The Pit).
  
  
• Chapters 7 & 8 of Ghost Light by Geonn Cannon (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Alone No More by Cole Micheal (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Chapter 4 of The Last Good Day by Amy Boatman (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Part 2 of Extended Intentions by Jynaki (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Part 1 of Dear Diary... by Hillsys Stalker (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Part 2 of I Want To Be Where You Are by thatgirlmct (The Athenaeum).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• Recovery Room by Janet's Penlight (Area 52).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Part 3 of Birdie's Song II by Onesockbard (The Athenaeum).

Still Blank

You have a lot to read. Enjoy it.

Tamara

All My Children

• Part 1 of Flight by Rudeboy (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Feel Alive... by Bynx (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Two Bitches...and a White Picket Fence? by Bynx (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Babylon 5
  
• The Hour of the Wolf by Celievamp (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Bad Girls
  
• Parts 17 - 27 of Like Nothing I Imagined by JCole8 (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Birds of Prey
  
• One Night by Erin Griffin (Realm of the Shadow).
  
  
• Surely a Fail-Safe Plan by Debbie (Passion & Perfection).
  
  BtVS
  
• Chapter 18 of The Rosenberg Files by dlline (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 13 of Lamplight by watson (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 1 of The Moonlight Densetsu Chronicles: A Dream Revealed! by SithLordWiccan (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 3.4 of Grand Theft Auto: The Love Story by cynthia Taz (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Parts 7 - 15 of Learning Curve by Rebelrsr (Passion & Perfection).
  
  CSI
  
• Chapter 6 of Exorcising Ghosts by Ann (Sassy).
  
  
• Parts 50 - 69 of Pain to Kill by Corbeau's Alcove (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Parts 61 - 70 of Unwanted (complete) by Amy Jo (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Part 47 of 6 Degrees by Elizabeth Carter (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Dreams Do Come True by Everybody's Fool (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• A Kiss to Remember by Ann (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Firefly/Serenity
  
• Eternally, Wash by Faith (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Law & Order: SVU
  
• Keeping a Secret by Erin (Realm of the Shadow).
  
  
• Making Up by Erin (Realm of the Shadow).
  
  
• Part 1 of Live Like You Were Dying by D (her web site).
  
  
• Parts 26 - 30 of Delicate Balance by brighteyedcat (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Parts 1 - 7 of Anything Goes by Babydykecate (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Part 1 of Why Didn't You Call Me? by Esther (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Murder in Suburbia
  
• Tea and Antipathy with a Splash of Rules by Ann (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Original
  
• Chapters 5 & 6 of Ghost Light by Geonn Cannon (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Chapter 4 of The Last Good Day by Amy Boatman (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• How Long by midnitefire (Sapphic Voices).
  
  
• Part 1 of Sex, Cars and Poker Nights part 1 by ralst (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Popular
  
• Parts 2 - 5 of Facing by Soricha (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Power Rangers
  
• Parts 1 & 2 of Return of the Ninjetti Warrior by dthstlkr (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• The Next Best Thing by SJSlashfan (Area 52).
  
  
• Reality by sinadino (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Waiting Surprise by sinadino (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• A bit TLC could never hurt by sinadino (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• One Thing Leads to Another by sinadino (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• One Way Trip by sinadino (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Voyager
  
• The Scheherazade Stories #70 Bitterness by Jillo (Passion & Perfection).
  
  
• Parts 1 - 14 of Creator of the Borg by SavageLove (Passion & Perfection).
  
  Wicked
  
• Something Most Odd by Harper (Passion & Perfection).
  
  

Tools of the Trade

Each artist has a set they use to create. Regardless of the art that's created the tool allows one to turn that gift and skill into something splendid. Whether we look at the physical, mental or the combination each person uses tools to produce their art.

Tonight while hunting through our links I ran upon a fun side journey. A tour into the toolbox of an artist, Kris Dresen.

I enjoyed the Draw for Me tour. It gives us a small glimpse of her tools of the trade--the pieces that allow the talent to flow from within. Check out the rest of her Girlthrow site. You will be glad you did. There is a lot to offer for everyone.

So now back to your regularly scheduled programming. Enjoy your updates.

Elisa

CSI

• Chapter 5 of Exorcising Ghosts by (Sassy).
  
  Fingersmith
  
• Part 6 of Living Dream by Cobsmowd (FingersmithFever).
  
  Original
  
• Chapter 3 & 4 of Ghost Light by Geonn Cannon (Academy of Bards).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• No Shit, Sherlock by Meesh (Area 52).
  
  
• Vengeance by Meesh (Area 52).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Something New, Something Old by IseQween (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Done There, Been That by IseQween (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Chapter 4 of A Stranger in my Family by Red Hope (Academy of Bards).

Rain

It's rained all day. Since we're not used to a lot of soggy weather the rain has curtailed soccer and t-ball tomorrow. In E's neck of the woods they play rain or shine. Here we'll call a halt when things get too wet. Currently we're breaking a record for March rainfall. Soon enough we'll be breaking a record for drought. That's life in Oklahoma.

Tamara

Birds of Prey

• Ancient Hero by barbdheart (Birds of Prey Femslash).
  
  Comics
  
• 3/30/07 Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Original
  
• Chapters 5 & 6 of Now You See Me by Susan Thompson (Astrometrics).
  
  
• Parts 31 & 32 of Double Play by Cruise (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Prologue-Chapter 2 of Ghost Light by Geonn Cannon (Academy of Bards).

Believe It or Not

On the group email list yesterday Tamara only sent out the update once. Welcome to the land of Yahoo. Sometimes odd things happen and Yahoo gave each of us that update 10 times. As much as I enjoy the updates I found that one to be a bit tedious. Today let's hope all is well again in the Yahoo Group world.

Now on to the wonders of words by others. Enjoy your updates.

Elisa

Birds of Prey

• Surely a Fail-Safe Plan by mrswoman (Birds of Prey Femslash).
  
  
• A Gentle Whisper by merfilly (Birds of Prey Femslash).
  
  Comics
  
• 3/29/07 of Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Commander in Chief
  
• A Tousled Mess of Dirty Blonde by theagonyofblank (Rare & Small Fandom Femslash).
  
  The OC
  
• What a Way To Go by Cherry89 (Realm of the Shadow).
  
  
• Marry Me by Cherry89 (Realm of the Shadow).
  
  
• Just the Beginning by Cherry89 (Realm of the Shadow).
  
  Original
  
• Chapter 2 of Two Part Harmony by Colleen (The Athenaeum).
  
  

Blank

Not much for words tonight. Enjoy the updates!

Tamara

BtVS

• Chapter 12 of Waiting for Dani by JustSkipIt (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 19 of Rhyme and Reason by Alcy (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 17 of The Rosenberg Files by dlline (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Comics
  
• 3/28/07 Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Original
  
• Part 4 of Escaping the Shadows by Peewee (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Chapter 3 of The Last Good Day by Amy Boatman (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Part 7 of Breathless by Lois Kay (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Chapter 2 of Two Part Harmony by Colleen (Academy of Bards).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Part 2 of Birdie's Song II by Onesockbard (The Athenaeum).
  

Recipe Night

Quick hype before we get to our recipe evening. Dreams has opened up her re-write of The Blind Side of Love. Chapters 1-6 are completed and perhaps if she gets folks letting her know what they think we can see more fairly quickly. I personally will take the time to read this one soon. Now on to recipe night we go.

Cherokee Echols has supplied recipes for a dinner she recently served. Check back next Tuesday for the next batch. Take it away, Cherokee....

Bean Soup

Ingredients:
1 lb. dried Pinto Beans
1 medium Onion Chopped
8 Slices of Bacon finely chopped
1 small can chopped green chilies
1 can Yellow Hominy
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 can Rotel
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 lb. hamburger meat
1 teaspoon garlic
1 Tablespoon Chili powder
1 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Oregano
1 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste

Directions:
Sort and wash beans. Soak in cold water over night. Place soaked beans in a pot of water and cook as per directions on bag. Add to the beans all the other ingredients and cook on medium heat at least 1 hour. If you like a thick stock take 1 cup of the beans and puree in a blender then add back to the soup to thicken. The more this soup cooks the better it tastes (add water or chicken broth as needed). This is good served over a bowl of rice topped with sharp cheddar cheese.

Thick Corn Tortilla...Sorta

Ingredients:
1 Box Jiffy cornbread mix
1 cup milk
1/2 cup grated longhorn cheese
1 finely chopped jalapeno
3 Tablespoons finely chopped onion

Directions:
A package of cornbread mix normally calls for 3/4 cup of milk. Here we will use 1 cup. 1/2 cup of grated longhorn cheese, 1 jalapeño pepper finely chopped, 3 to 4 tablespoons of onion finely chopped. Mix all together, let chill a few minutes. We are making pancakes. Get out the griddle put over medium heat, well greased, pour mixture and cook 4 or 5 minutes on each side. Cut each one in pie like slices. We can call this a thick corn tortilla that tastes like cornbread.

Cherokee

Thanks Cherokee and once again join us next Tuesday for more of her recipes from her dinner.

Until then enjoy your updates and don't forget feedback goes a long way for these writers.

Elisa

BtVS

• Chapter 61 of Final Fantasy X-3 by Stormforce (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 1 of In the Wake of the Wild Rose by Paul aka Darth Pacula (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Comics
  
• 3/27/07 Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Original
  
• Chapters 1 - 6 of The Blind Side of Love v.2 by Dreams (her LJ).
  
  
• Chapter 3 of The Naked Detective by trancer21 (her LJ).
  
  
• Chatper 3 of The Last Good Day by Amy Boatman (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• More M.I.C.K.E.Y. by msprism (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Part 5 of Earth's Savior by Hillsys Stalker (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Episode 25 of Hollywood Dreams by Fiur and Vlamme (The Athenaeum).
  
  
• Chapter 2 of The Last Good Day by Amy Boatman (The Athenaeum).

Mini Hype

Busy day today so words will be quick. Sandra Barrett's monthly book giveaway is still going strong. Send an email to Sandra (contest@sandrabarret.com) by midnight EST on April 1st. Let her know where you saw the notice of the contest and she'll have her kids pick the winner on April 2nd. Sandra doesn't save the emails so don't worry that you're going to be put on a SPAM filled mailing list.

Enjoy the updates!

Tamara

Birds of Prey

• Part 1 of Darker Shades of Grey by Henri (Birds of Prey Femslash).
  
  BtVS
  
• Chapter 3 of A Love Beyond the Stars by Dax (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 16 of The Rosenberg Files by dlline (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 6 of Final Fantasy X-3 by Stormforce (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Comics
  
• 3/26/07 of Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  CSI
  
• Not Alone by Darthgeeklove (Sassy).
  
  Original
  
• The Double Dog Dare by Red Hope (her web site).
  
  
• Chili Con Carne by Red Hope (her web site).
  
  
• Chapter 1 of The Last Good Day by Amy Boatman (Athenaeum).
  
  
• The Paramilitary Handbook to Table Dancing and Surveillance Countermeasures in Detecting Threats With Proper Bathroom Etiquette by Aurelia (Athenaeum).
  
  
• More M.I.C.K.E.Y. by msprism (Athenaeum).
  
  
• Part 4 of Earth's Savior by Hillsys Stalker (Athenaeum).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Chapters 1 & 2 of A Stranger in my Family by Red Hope (her web site).
  
  
• Part 1 of Birdie's Song II The Little Warrior by Onesockbard (Athenaeum).

Weekend Wrap

Once again another weekend seems to have flown by. One hopes you all had a good one and that the week ahead is splendid.

I do want to take the time to thank Danyel for her advice with Midnight. I will gladly accept any advice you have on keeping this gerbil alive. I always appreciate your comments, suggestions and words you choose to share. Once again thanks.

Enjoy your updates!

Elisa

BtVS

• Chapter 15 of The Rosenberg Files by dlline (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 12 of Lamplight by watson (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 4 of Masters of Horror (complete) by Useful_Oxymoron (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  CSI
  
• Chapter 4 of Exorcising Ghosts by Ann (Sassy).
  
  
• A Kiss to Remember by Ann (Sassy).
  
  Original
  
• Part 4 of A Moment in Time by Mickey Minner (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Blood and Iron by Kadorienne (Belladonna).
  
  Wicked
  
• Something Most Odd by Harper (Realm of the Shadow).

A New Rodent

Midnight joined our house of fun yesterday. A very young gerbil has brightened the weekend for one 6 year old. Actually he seems to be much more suited for us anyway. He is more apt to be awake and coherent in the day and likes to interact with humans. Hence we're able to pet him more without fear of bites. Another bonus is he's not a heavy user of the frickin' wheel in the middle of the night.

Enough rambling here. Hopefully the weekend be going well for you all.

Enjoy your updates!

Elisa

CSI

• Seven Lives by atfm (Sassy).
  
  Fingersmith
  
• Part 5 of Living Dream by Cobsmowd (Fingersmith Fever).
  
  
• An Ocean Apart by Ernie Olson (Fingersmith Fever).
  
  Original
  
• Part 10 of The 2H'ers by phair (her web site).
  
  
• Part 13 of Sinagua Skies by S. Derkins (Academy of Bards).
  
  Stargate Atlantis
  
• My Life Has Just Begun by Teyla E (Area 52).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Not Yet by IseQween (Academy of Bards).

Ramble from Linda

Here's a nice way to end the week...a ramble from Linda.

Victoria has become the latest victim of the family curse. Bwa ha hah ah!! Nothing too sinister...she needs glasses. That is the family curse. Every last single one of us have bad eyes. All the brothers, me and my sister, all the nephews and now all the nieces. Victoria was the last to fall victim until a new crop of kids pop up in this family.

With her sister, Ellie, she wouldn't tell me she had trouble with her vision. She thought she was too cool for glasses and thought her friends would laugh at her. But one day I caught her. We were standing in Taco Bell and I realized Ellie couldn't see the menu on the wall. If she had leaned over that counter any further she could have gotten her own food. Now I can only get her to wear them when she has to read. Plus her teachers all know she has to wear them to see the board. Poor kid can't win. Oh, the trials of being a teenager. LOL

Victoria on the other hand, came right up to me and said, "I can't see crap!!!" (her favorite word these days) OK. Off we went to find out why. She has a small problem with her far sight (seeing close up) and a huge problem with her near sight (seeing far away). She is now the proud owner of a nice wire frame glasses. She looks so cute. But of course I can't say that. Victoria says that they make her look smarter.

Ah, do I tell her that one day when you reach your 40's it gets worse? One day you discover that your arms are not long enough to read a book? Or if you get that TV guide any closer to your face it will be behind you?

I tried to ignore the hints my eyes were giving me during the last year of my 30's. But I waited until my 40th birthday to admit defeat and went and got bifocals. I was tired of having ink smears on my nose. A sure sign that you need them. And guess what? I lived. Haha!

Now I am about to turn 50 and I'm teaching a new generation of kids the joy of picking out the right type of frames, how to take proper care of them and to wear them proud. For without them you tend to bump into things.

Except if you're a teenage girl who would rather not see the cute boy at the end of the mall all the girls are pointing at, than to look un-cool in your glasses.

Linda

We're afflicted with that curse as well. Duncan will be getting his eyes checked this summer. He may be able to put the glasses off for awhile because he's not as big a reader as Mike and I were at his age. Then again...he gets a lot more computer time than we did so he may be sporting new specs soon.

If you haven't sent a postcard or a representative state/country object for Victoria's school project, email Linda for her address and pop it in the mail. You've got until May.

Tamara

Comics

• 3/23/07 Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Original
  
• Part 2 of Missing by M.E. Tudor (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Part 1 of Extended Intentions by Jynaki (Academy of Bards).
  
  Stargate Atlantis
  
• Everyone Needs Someone by kissthegirl85 (Area 52).
  
  Stargate SG-1
  
• United We Stand 2: Standing Firm by Dynamo (Area 52).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Chapter 14 of A Different Time, A Better Time by Adrienne (Academy of Bards).
  
  
• Part 3 of A Stranger in My Family by Red Hope (Academy of Bards).

Weekend is on the Horizon

Not a lot of words tonight. I will break the sad news to my daughter that Nibbles II (the second) officially died yesterday. She was with other mom last night, so I get to give her that news tomorrow to start the weekend. Here is hoping it improves from there.

May you all have a grand Friday and Weekend.

Enjoy the updates.

Elisa

BtVS

• Chapter 2 of A Love Beyond the Stars by Dax (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  
• Chapter 40 0f Latter Days/Lonely Nights by Willownut (Through the Looking Glass).
  
  Comics
  
• 3/22/07 of Jane's World by Paige Braddock (Comics.com).
  
  Original
  
• How Long by midnitefire (E-Scribblers).
  
  
• The Storm by midnitefire (E-Scribblers).
  
  
• Strangers by midnitefire (E-Scribblers).
  
  Xena Warrior Princess
  
• Hunger by Lori A. Meyers (Academy of Bards).