Badlands, part 2
The thing about The Badlands is that they aren’t formed the same way regular mountains are. You don’t see them on the horizon the way you do the Rockies.
Instead, they are carved out of the earth. The ground simply gives way to them.
You look down at the peaks, rather than up.
If you look real close, you can see Mr. Al in this shot.
Planes and hills. Makes for an interesting combo.
The Snake
Totally Random Picture:
She smiles thru loneliness, says “it’s nice” even when it isn’t. She flits from one to the next, spreading “cheer” and becoming popular until she slipped and let her fangs show. I would sympathize, if I dared.
Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Vacation at Lake Cour d’Alene
Jack: It’s a nice day. Beautiful. Don’t you think so? A day like today is just naturally good.
Jill: Speak for yourself. The humidity is anything but beautiful to my hair.
Jack: Yeah. Naturally.
Today’s theme is natural
Previously in Jack and Jill: Lesson
The rules for Photohunt can be found here.
Be sure to visit the home page.
Suzie’s House 182: Boom! Tee-Hee
Vin knew it wasn’t fair to blame Miranda for chasing after Drew before she finally fell in love with the right man – himself. Still, it rankled. He yanked off his socks, then leaned back in the chair to see she still stood by the closet, her fingers twisting a button on her metallic red blouse.
“Hey. I really am sorry.” She frowned and turned away as if the earth might swallow her up if she actually looked him in the eye. “I was stupid. I guess I thought I could have my cake and eat it too.” She slipped the blouse off, giving him a nice glimpse of red laced lingerie beneath today’s cascade of miniature mahogany ponytails.
An apology. A sincere one. Vin couldn’t remember the last time he’d gotten one out of her, particularly where their relationship was concerned. He leaned back in the chair, his arms folded behind his head, intending to enjoy the show.
She caught the look in his eye and…
The rest of this scene is on the newsletter. The newsletter is only ever used to send scenes from Suzie’s House that go beyond a PG-13 rating. If you have not already subscribed as wish to read the rest of this scene, you will need to contact me directly as the newsletter does not send out to people who are not already subscribed when I post the scene. You can reach me at AliceAudreyJ at Yahoo dot com.
The Ghost
We thought the old house at the end of the block, the one with the gables and dead hedge, was haunted, and that’s why everyone said not to go there. The floors weren’t rotten or anything. So of course we went there all the time, until we were caught. The look in Dad’s eye wasn’t fear. It was guilt.
The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to write a story in exactly 55 words. Flash Fiction 55 is hosted by the G-man, a host with the most.
13 More Things People in My Family Have Said
1. The Boy: Curry? I thought it was bad incense.
2. The Girl: “Mom! You should hear the conversations I have with myself. They’re weird.”
3. The Girl: Ow! Don’t rub my head. I’m dandruffly injured.
4. Mr. Al: It never ceases to freak me out the messages you can receive when you’re open to that sort of thing (during a conversation about God)
5. The Girl:
6. The Girl: I find with a lot of music I can’t multitask or I won’t get the full awesomeness of the song.
7. The Girl: Of course I’m curious. I’m a kid.
8. The Girl: I chewed a TicTac wrong and hurt my tooth.
9. The Girl: She’s one of those mean teachers. If you do something wrong she makes you fill in one of those awkward papers – like a refocus.
10. The Boy – (at a rock concert talking about someone on stage) I touched his dreadlocks.
11. The Boy – (to a toy) Fine. Be broken.
12. Mr. Al – Sometimes you just have to put a stake through the heart of a book. (While discussing how relieved I was to finally give up on one of my first)
13. The Girl – It’s my imagination. Just leave me with it.
Ah Maria, The End
Maria Theresa’s response to her growing infirmities was to push herself even harder. When she was told that these exertions would be her undoing, she redoubled her efforts. These were not the actions of a woman who was denying her mortality; they were the actions of a woman who knew she was dieing and wanted to get it over with. There was very little in the world that frightened Maria Theresa. Nothing frightened her personally. Certainly not the thought of her own death.
If she could no longer write, no longer walk, no longer discharge her duties to the Empire, the Church, and the dynasty, then she was ready to go. Besides, she knew, knew in her heart and soul, that Francis was waiting for her. In the autumn of 1780, Maria went out with Joseph on one of the hunting parties that both he and his father loved so much.
What a Load
Have you ever had to pass something like this on the road? We ended up passing it three times before we were done. It may not have a “wide load” sign, but that truck took up more than his fair share of the road. What’s on the back? Tires. Since he was headed for Butte, I’m guessing they are tires for one of those strip mining tractor things. We’re talking about a vehicle the size of a small house.
The Badlands, Part 1
We hit The Badlands twice on our trip. The first time through we got there as the sun was setting. Ideally, this is the best time in which to take pictures of the place. Frankly, the color in the rocks washes out to a desolate gray during the day.
Unluckily for me, or maybe luckily, a storm rolled in. We had no more than a few rays of sunshine, and then only while we were actually driving so I couldn’t get a clean shot. We did pull over at the scenic overlooks, of which there are many, but our timing was always off. The net result is that I got some good pictures of the sunset, but not really much in the way of good pictures of The Badlands.
On the way back we got there too early and didn’t stay long enough. No morning shots and no late afternoon as I hoped. The wind whipped up and pushed us around. Having lost a very expensive tent when a high wind broke one of the supports, I didn’t want to risk staying.
Anyway, for what it’s worth, here are a couple more shots:
Blogmania Winners
It was one heck of a contest. I’ve never had anything like it before. In three days I gathered nearly 600 entries. To make my selections, I printed out the comments, plus duplicates of the ones I told you would get you extra entries. The Girl cut them all into slips of paper, folded them, and made a pile. Check it out.
Yes, that’s the quilt under it. I still have the edging to put on, but otherwise I’m done. Yipee!
I then had The Girl reach into the pile and pull out slips of paper until all the prizes were awarded.
Not surprisingly, those who commented on Suzie’s House made out like bandits, sometimes getting picked several times. Tom, you came in Ninth. Since the only thing you wanted was the quilt, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. No, I’m not giving up my gourmet spam, but I’ll try to order you some.
Here’s how the rest shook down:
Linda Henderson, you get not only the quilt, but my copy of One Scream Away.
Allana, you were second drawn. You get Twilight
Pam S you have the most amazing luck. You get Death Angel, How to Knit a Wild Bikini, Mind Blown, Staking His Claim, and Sir Nicholas.
Guta Bauer, you get Somewhere My Lass, Frontier Wife, and Buried Heart
Jessica Deratany, you get Silver Screen Hero
Marlene Breakfield gets Duchess by Night, Trevor’s Song, Kincaid’s Call, and Holly and the Millionaire.
Brittany Morrow gets Torrid Teaser, Speedtrap, and Maelstrom
Nessa gets Goldie and the Three Behrs.
Briana Bruce gets a journal
Chacoy gets Aimee’s Locket
Andrea I gets My Funny Valentine
Aik gets a love note kit
Dawn of Designs by Dawn gets the other love note kit.
Helena gets a journal
Julie @ Knitting and Sundries was the last name pulled. The books are gone, but if you’d like a journal, I have one left.
Congratulations everyone!
They Say
“They say not to go there. It’s dangerous.”
“They say, they say, they say. Who are they?”
“Tsk.” Eyeroll. “Duh! Mom and Dad.”
Monkey Man hosts the 160 Character Challenge. See what you can write in 160 characters or less, spaces included.
Blogmania Contest
For my $50 Association Meme giveaway click here
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Association is still running, but Blogmania is closed.
Crazy Love Blogmania Contest
I am participating in the online extravaganza called Blogmania. For two days – September 15th and 16th – a hundred and seventy five blogs will be offering fabulous prizes to people who visit and comment. I’m offering over $300 worth of prizes so far with more to come.
My top prize is a quilt that I am making specifically for my Crazy Love give away. This isn’t your average quilt. In fact, when I went searching for a way to price it, I couldn’t find anything even remotely like it online. The only ones like this I’ve seen in real life are the ones I make. They are kind of what M.C. Escher might do if he made a patchwork quilt. You can see more detail about it here and here.
New items added at the bottom.
A fair number of authors have graciously provided me with copies of their work for you to win. Check it out:
(more…)
Lesson
*munch, munch, munch*
Jill: Ick! This one’s bad.
Jack: Don’t worry. I know what to do.
Jack: Back to school for you.
Today’s theme is school
Previously in Jack and Jill: Under a Rising Star
The rules for Photohunt can be found here.
Be sure to visit the home page.
