Well Florida is getting ready for Hermine the tropical storm that’s probably gonna be in some part of the state by some time tomorrow.  In preparation it look bleak and gloomy outside, while still managing to be hot enough to qualify as blast furnace summer…..and I live here because?  (ask me again when you all are under a hundred feet of ice and snow and I’ll have a better answer.)

Today the main picture is Alnwick Castle and the rest are along the English and up into the Scottish border country.

The topic is still fantasy–but today we look at how people live theirs on a day to day basis.

But first mine—a time travel, Scottish love story where a nurse ends up with a Scottish warrior and the rest is AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH and UHHHHHHHHHHHHH

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” ― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man’s Fear

“Bran thought about it. ‘Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?’ ‘That is the only time a man can be brave,’ his father told him.”

― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones

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and this one in Wisconsin is nothing if not innovative:  “Parent Organization: University of Wisconsin – Madison:  Fantasy Sports and Finance strives to educate and involve it’s members in fantasy sports and stocks leagues by provoking debate and discussion of the valuation of investments and professional athletes. By combining a growing hobby with a lucrative career path, the group provides it’s members with entertainment, education, and networking. Through group meetings, socials, and club trips; members are provided with a unique college organization experience.”

“I’m getting my ass kicked by tiny faeries!” – Jim Butcher, Cold Days

Now we go from innovative to just insane:  Paul Holze, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, loved Seinfield so much, he decided to form a legitimate college club dedicated to everything Seinfeld for other fanatics to share in.  BUT:  ” the club…is more complex and sweeping than simply getting together to watch old episodes for the 100th time. Since its formation, the club has used themes from Seinfeld to spice up otherwise tired and bland occasions on campus such as holding a black and white cookie bake sale, celebrating Festivus, and adopting sections of campus as a parallel to Kramer’s involvement with the adopt-a-highway program. ”  From someone who never really GOT the show this is probably the weirdest thing so far.  http://www.thebestcolleges.org

Or how about something a bit more well historical and physically involved:  There’s an Association of Renaissance Martial Art where you learn to fight with sword, dagger and I saw some people in armor on the site as well.  Or here’s how they describe it:  “ARMA focuses on researching and reviving the forgotten teachings of the historical Masters of Defence and fighting schools. Sharing love for the culture of swords and swordsmanship from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, we offer authoritative information to improve understanding of these combatives and advance the quality of demonstrated skill. Offering free educational resources and information to celebrate and explore our Western martial heritage, we pursue armed and unarmed knightly combat methods, swordplay, rapier fencing, and other weaponry.”  A really good place to start if you’re eventually going to do some Knightly deed or more.

Confluence in Pittsburgh has a session to make your own little monsters,  costume get together with prizes for specific entries and this program that they had in July is interesting:  “Principal theme this year: heroic fantasy (our Guest of Honor is fantasy author Saladin Ahmed). But we will also have lots of SF, science, horror, and writing panels, and special guest Lawrence M. Schoen will be talking about both the Klingon language and the sentient elements of his Nebula nominated novel, BARSK. We have an outstanding filk track, and this year many of our filk guests will also be appearing on panels and in workshops.”  I love the Star Trek influence….a show that was cancelled after 3 seasons has lasted forever and the show (Mod Squad) that beat them out is now a bad joke.

“Kneel before the Lord Dragon,” he said softly, “or you will be knelt.”

-Mazrim Taim, Wheel of Time

But if you’re more involved how about something like:  Camp Carathir’s role-playing experience caters to adults, older teens, and families.  It says that their community is reminiscent of ” a self-sustaining…rustic village…and offer 3, 7, 10, or 14 day sessions, as well as staff and artisan positions.”  So to me that’s taking the whole thing several steps further in the fantasy destination arena.

“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

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“There is no sound more annoying than the chatter of a child, and none more sad than the silence they leave when they are gone.” ― Mark Lawrence, King of Thorns

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Well I’m back how ya doing?  Today I thought I’d discuss the Running away Fantasy and it’s destinations that most of us only dream about:  In other words Vacation Fantasies…

And of course we’ll first do our JAMIE & CLAIRE

we miss you even though we’ve never met you….and if the show stays off much longer I’m gonna need one—a vacation–remember I’m not discussing sex this week.

I’m constantly running away from everything. I’m running away from things on a daily basis. I run away from relationships. I run away from responsibilities. Norman Reedus

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So vacations it is and let’s start out where we left off yesterday–with the Rich and Famous which most of us can only fantasize about as we don’t know any—at least I don’t.

According to the Travel Channel (it’s on TV which is almost as reliable as the internet so I mean who can doubt it?!) this is where Oprah goes and is owned by Sir Richard Branson–the man who owns my favorite airlines–he calls it his home away from home which he isn’t hesitant to part with from time to time though.

Vacations include booking a room

or the entire island–and bringing a few  of your closest friends of course—but only if you want to as I’m sure if you have the cash they’ll rent it to one or two people.  The island is “composed of a collection of Balinese-style abodes, set on 74 acres with a fringing coral reef”

We thought we were running away from the grownups, and now we are the grownups. Margaret Atwood

Oh well we’re back to Virgin again—that man has a bit of everything:  with flights to space (well really sub orbital).  You travel at speeds up to 2,000 mph and up to 50,000 feet.  The trip only lasts 2.5 hrs. and would fly from New Mexico—cost starts at $250,000.

And from the Travel Channel Again:  For those few of you out there that still follows NASCAR….or the many who love fast cars:  Dale Jarrett’s Racing Adventure allows you to circle the legendary Talladega (AL) Track at 180 mph.  You’ll get all suited up and slip behind the wheel for a spin of a life time (sorry but I am still a NASCAR lover–GO TONY)

You make me feel like I’m living a teenage dream the way you turn me on. I cant sleep, lets run away and dont ever look back!

And if you REALLY REALLY ARE INTO THE FANTASY THING:

Sorry but you missed this cruise–it left Miami in January this year and was called Zombies At Sea but never fear that one must have been a success as they’ve got another Zombie Cruise set up for Feb. next year:  Walker Stalker Cruise bringing “the post apocalyptic world to the open ocean”  There’s several stars scheduled from the Walking Dead  show scheduled to be there and the trip which is 3 days goes to a private island in the Bahama’s group, and hopefully if you go you’ll survive to make an even weirder vacation hook up for next year.

Oh and another cruise based on the departed leaving Florida in 2017 (Ft. Lauderdale) is the Elvis Tribute Cruise which is a five-day cruise with stops in Haiti (zombies there for sure) and Jamaica.  It includes Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists Ben Portsmouth  and 2016 Images of the King World Champion Ted Torres, Tim E Hendry, Travis Powell, Austin Irby and Cote Deonath.    And pre-cruise activity includes:  1/8/17 (cruise leaves on 9th) a birthday celebration for the King of Rock and Roll on his 82nd birthday.  There will be live entertainment, games, prizes and of course cake!

and finally:  Carnival Victory:  Meow Meow
Departing Miami, October  2017
4-night trip going to Western (Caribbean)
(Miami, Key West, Cozumel) This one is a cruise for Cat lovers and though you can’t bring your furry little buddies you can have a cruise surrounded by all manner of cat things and will be going to Key West which has all manner of cat people as well as cats (including Hemingway’s famous ones or at least the great great grandchildren of them)

“It’s not hard to find the truth. What is hard is not to run away from it once you have found it.”

“When you have got an elephant by the hind legs and he is trying to run away, it’s best to let him run”  Abraham Lincoln

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“Just go up to somebody on the street and say “You’re it!” and just run away.”  Ellen Degeress

After looking at all Manner of Legends and strange things and beings this month and don’t forget the Key West thing for two day we’re going to look at some fantasy places for the average man and woman that is–or at least those of us with less of a major budget to buy anything we want.

Pictures today (mine at least) are Scotland and English Border country…….

And of course as usual we will start with Droughtlander Relief Fund of Ideas that is.

The interesting thing is how one guy, through living out his own fantasies, is living out the fantasies of so many other people.         Hugh Hefner

I had daydreams and fantasies when I was growing up. I always wanted to live in a log cabin at the foot of a mountain. I would ride my horse to town and pick up provisions. Then return to the cabin, with a big open fire, a record player and peace. Linda McCartney

First of all you can review the article below on whose been casted as Lord Grey:

“Outlander” Casts Tortured Gay Character Lord John Grey For Upcoming Third Season

Check out more changes—last year it was France and lots of fashion and set changes…check out the changes that are surfacing for this year:

‘Outlander’ Season 3 Spoilers: Major Changes And Challenges In Jamie And Claire’s Relationship

Read some excerts from book 9:

http://www.dianagabaldon.com/misc/when-will-the-next-book-be-out/

and pray for the next season to appear soon.

And I think a lot of us have fantasies of going back to where we’re from, or when we do go back we’re so nostalgic about it. Rosemarie DeWitt

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• Today I’m looking at generalized person fantasies .  When I googled fantasies I ended up with more sexual reference than anything else…Is it true that we spend our spare time dreaming about perversions we don’t have the balls (excuse me I couldn’t help it) or whatever to carry out—do we all have dreams of sexual fantasies where hot men–or women or both beat and terrorize us….It’s kind of disappointing if it’s true…we have been given all the talents and apposing thumbs to carry them out and we want silly—if handsome–men to beat us and take  us to a fairy land of sexual adventure come true.

And if that’s your thing–or all manner of other sexual devation from the excepted norm….then fine…I have nothing against sex–just don’t give me any bruises, don’t tie, trip or tackle me….If I want that kind of activity I’ll take up martial arts, or boxing or something.  I don’t want a black eye from my sex, a hicky occasionally is OK, if a bit juvenile but……

So today I’m looking at non-sexual fantasy areas—things and places that make us purr—or maybe save our money so we can afford it or whatever….so off we go.

Thank you… fantasy football draft, for letting me know that even in my fantasies, I am bad at sports. Jimmy Fallon

Yes that is  bed, and no this isn’t about sex…Though what you do in it is up to you—though taking a few minutes watching the view wouldn’t be a bad thing.

That’s the Savoy in yeah London…..a lot of us have fantasies of living in the lap of luxury–going places where are smallest wishes are anticipated and catered to and of course we have all the pounds (in this case) or what ever currency to handle it.

Here’s what it says on their web site:

http://www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/accommodations/guest-rooms/

Children have a very good idea of how to distinguish between fantasies and realities. It’s just they are equally interested in exploring both. Alison Gopnik

Luxury King River View

These large luxurious rooms directly overlook the River Thames, offering unbeatable views across the East and West panorama and over to the vibrant South Bank. All rooms are decorated in elegant Edwardian style and retain much of their original character.

The marble bathrooms are generously proportioned with freestanding claw-foot tubs, separate walk-in showers with rainfall showerhead, and Le Labo amenities. I check out Le Labo in case you aren’t familiar and a 10 ml spray bottle of their perfume is $150.00

The Luxury King River View Rooms also feature a writing desk, armchair, Loewe (top German TV)  flat-screen television, Ruark/Vita Audio iPod docking station, personal bar and custom-made Savoy furnishings.

Complimentary tea & coffee making facilities are available in room as standard and bottled water is provided at turn down. All guests have access to Beauty & Fitness with 24-hour gym.

My whole career has been fulfilling my childhood fantasies, playing characters that are larger than life, getting to play a knight, an elf, a prince, and a soldier. Orlando Bloom

But I think this one is better for my needs:

Royal Suite

I loved every place I lived and traveled. London, Paris, Rome, Venice. I fell hard for Central America and Mexico. In each country, I had fantasies that I could live there. Frances Mayes

If I had all this I wouldn’t have the need for a therapist–trust me.

Very much as men project weird fantasies on women, the people in New York project weird fantasies on California. Carolyn See

Oh and they can even have up to and including:

“facilitating anything from creating a unique London itinerary to arranging red carpet event preparations in-suite, and from devising bespoke menus and beverages to organising a private in-suite viewing of the latest fashion collection.”

and as if all that isn’t enough (and this is also included in room rate)

“Round-trip airport transfers.
• Chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce at their disposal during a stay, subject to availability.
• Exclusive use of the private Royal Circle in the American Bar.”

The suite is almost 3,500 Sq. foot but there is another room that can be added to it if that isn’t enough

“The gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.”  Albert Einstein

Oh and the cost—for the smallest room—a last minute check in, non-refundable etc only 401 pounds or $553.51.

oh and before I give the price take a tour of the Royal Suite with it’s butler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88KMSQkWLXk

But it was hard finding a cost—finally did in the Daily Mail–at 7,200 pounds ($9,436) but that was in 2014 so one must consume it’s  a bit more than that now—and that my dear to me can be nothing but a fantasy.   P.S.  That cost is for one (1) night.

Fantasies are more than substitutes for unpleasant reality; they are also dress rehearsals, plans. All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination. Barbara Grizzuti Harrison

“Abandon the search for truth, settle for a good fantasy.”  Unknown

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“If your sexual fantasies were truly interesting to others, they would not be fantasies.”   Frantz Lebowitz

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This pretty much says a it all.  Key West to me is a lot of things and a lot of those are gone—you read some of my take on some of Key West thought I’d give you some ideas today—but do play that YouTube the song is fun and the pictures totally Key West.  I’ll give you a bit more today but first of course we have to do My Outlander who suffers from Droughtlander–here there’s an idea—suffering from that condition…go to Key West for a few day–may turn into a few months or more and when you sober up and make it back home (or stay in Paradise they have TV’s there) in time for the new season’s premier.  Gold.

Someone asked me, if I were stranded on a desert island what book would I bring… ‘How to Build a Boat.’ Steven Wright

Love those knee/with a bit of thigh shots.

OK back on my subject—Out with Droughtlander Doldrums:

First you can go to LA to see the exhibit of TV fashion and costume which includes Outlander among its multiple show offering.  You can go and do a critic of all and compare than as to originality, while still being true to their show and so on—that’ll take a few days and while in LA you can see the sights there as well:  More details:  http://www.ladowntownnews.com/arts_and_entertainment/at-fidm-tv-costumes-come-alive/article_49dbb336-60da-11e6-8e7e-079109b76a30.html

When you’re finished there:  come on home and rewatch all the episodes in season 2–then rank them all best to least best—there is no bad.  When you’re done compare yours with the experts:  https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/07/faith-love-hope-tragedy-a-definitive-ranking-of-ou.html

and finally for today at least—hey this last you a few day–what with packing and getting to LA and seeing the clothes and the sights–unless you live there already of course—Devote a day to Angus—maybe bring some friends that are in the similar lost w/o Outlander state—you can all wear black and have some Scotch (or mead if you’d rather wine) and toast him…watch all the shows he’s in from the full two seasons and after the last one where he passes on read this interview–you can give it like a eulogy for him.

http://www.vulture.com/2016/06/outlander-stephen-walters-on-kissing-claire.html

Best wine if you’re stranded on a deserted island? 1982 Salon Champagne. Gary Vaynerchuk

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Once winter sets in I must have the sun and warmth. I need to be in the sun – I’m a true island baby. Narciso Rodriguez

I have this weird tropism for islands. Take me to an island as far from New York as I can possibly go. Garth Risk Hallberg

I’m back and today I’m dealing with one of my favorite Fantasy Key West…the pictures are all from my adventures there including some from Fantasy Fest and the writings are from one of my various trip journals that I keep on occasion and hopefully won’t be boring for you….

And as usual we’ll do some rescue verse for all of you (me included) out there suffering from Outlanderwithdrawl Syndrome.

Nibblin’ on sponge cake,
Watchin’ the sun bake;
All of those tourists covered with oil

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No that’s not Claire and Jamie or Cait and Sam

Its Diana and hubby Doug

OK on to ways to get through Outlanderwithdrawl:

Take up cooking and we have just the recipe to start with:  http://outlanderkitchen.com/2014/06/30/colums-shortbread-taste-of-outlander-giveaway/

But don’t eat too much of your own cooking you wouldn’t want to welcome Jamie back all fat now would you?

Take a class or home study—hey here’s an anatomy class that might help:        http://www.outlanderanatomy.com/hear-here-the-ear/

And join the is Claire Ranchy debate–it starts here:  https://adramofoutlander.com/tag/herald-ie/

and if those 3 aren’t enough here’s 10 more from Visit Scotland:  https://www.visitscotland.com/blog/scotland/outlander-droughtlander-ideas/

Strummin’ my six string on my front porch swing

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I have no idea when this was written but it was at least 12 or 13 year or more ago:

I was up at 4 a.m tired and rushed–checking this, packing those last minute items–checking and double checking for ticket’s, ID’s–on and on.

One thing about early flights is the airport isn’t busy.  A bit of Con Leche and we’re on the plane–a smaller jet prop–on our way to Miami.  De Plane, de plane is full, over booked infact, but we’re on and flying through clouds as thick as whole milk and as dingy as old snow.

Smell those shrimp-
They’re beginnin’ to boil.

Day II

Too busy to write day 1

Our day yesterday went well.   It was pouring in Miami which managed to put us a bit behind our schedule.  The small jet prop (we set under the wings_ was loaded with the few people that got off at Miami replaced by new sojourners for Key West.

We arrived in the tiny airport–seeing the islands on the way down was enjoyable and interesting.  How long have we transversed that narrow road that is often boarded by the sea rather than a the land like lesser roads.   Up here you can see all the other islands large and small that stretch out below us so enticingly.  Visibility was not always good but we caught our first sight of sunlight gleaming on the water…a faint hope a we weren’t going to see that orb for awhile.

We landed at 10 am, about half hour late, but not too bad.  The Camel Cash guy was at the airport waiting for us and wisked us off to the hotel where we were able to check in immediately and pick up our camel packet which included a camera complete with film and battery.

By the time this had all transpired the heavens had exploded with storms and rain in torrential gusts.

Going across Front Street was like wading a rapidly flowing river which came to calf height.  We trugged up Duval–trying to dodge who were attempting to keep the tides from encroaching on their store floors…others more organized had placed wooden or sandbag dame to block the dirty, ugly waters.

We continued on ahead covered by Pier House rain bags.  I was in a long dress which I had bunched above flood level but was still subject to the down pour.

Wasted away again in Margaritaville,
Searchin’ for my lost shaker of salt.

We finally made it to I Wanna Iguana (which I don’t think is there any more)I had conch chowder (more veggies, a little conch very little and Large conch fritters.  Mike had a BBQ sandwich, which he wasn’t crazy about.

We we ate the rain stopped falling and the street flood began subsiding at super sonic speed.

We ventured out and about looking at shops and ended–where else–The Green Parrot– http://www.greenparrot.com/  Wasn’t able to see VIckie, our favorite bar tender as she’s back north in Maryland, her mother whom she had left to care for had passed way and no one had an idea of how long she’s been gone, but her birthday is August 10th.

A couple of drinks there and we were off again.

More shopping, walking and watching the crowds.  Key West has its distinctive classes–but they’re not quite what you see in Kansas anymore.

Tourists come in various classes.  There’s people like us who have been here so many times they hit their favorite spots and drift past the rest with an eye out for the different and unusual.

There are the weekenders down from the Miami area.  They do the Duval Crawl (Duval is the main drag of Key West and the primary tourist area with a carnival’s loudness and brawdy characters.  Brash with people who only have a short time to indulge in its hedonistic brew and are well aware of their time constraints, if not their own bodily ones.  Drinking themselves into alcoholic oblivion if the rest of us are lucky, to an obnoxious blow-hard if we’re not.  They don’t come out till lade and party till dawn before collapsing in their rooms (or elsewhere), to do it all again Sat. night  Then return home Sundays after a few Darvocets for their head.

Some people claim that there’s a woman to blame,
But I know it’s nobody’s fault.

They rarely are seen shopping they’re like vampires, they come out at night to drink and inhabit the darkness with the other children of midnight.

Then there are the day trippers–they arrive on the cruise ships in the AM, when the ships dislodge their loads like ant hills stirred by a child’s stick and the toursts spend the rest of the day bouncing from shop to bar to shop to restaurant in a frantic attempt to see the most shops, drink the most drinsk, not to mention buy the most useless items.  They are only here by daylight.  Most leave well before sunset (since Key West has a major sunset event at the same docks these ships spend the day at–there is a rule that they must all be gone well before the sun starts to set).  They rarely see the weekenders and really don’t see the town/island at all.

then there are the various levels of the on island tourist strada.

The resort dwellers are the rich yuppies–they dress well, they eat at Louie’s  http://www.louiesbackyard.com/ and various posh hotel places.  They drink at tiki bars and others that meet their standards.  They reserve boats for fishing, if they didn’t bring their own.  And they may occasionally venture out on Duval to say they have–rather slumming it where the pavement isn’t level and the roadway full of beer cars and cigarette butts.

The middle level stays in the further reaches of the island up on the Roosevelts.  Here are the chains that cost less than resorts but more than places like Spanish Garden (which I don’t think is there anymore either).  These visitors stays in the border areas.  They get their meals at MC D’s and  they do themselves proud in a night or so on Duval with a frantic effort to drink themselves to the point where you can’t tell them from the night breeds.  And then they go home and wander where all the money went despite their efforts at frugality.

Don’t know the reason,
Stayed here all season

With nothing to show but this brand new tattoo.
But it’s a real beauty,
A Mexican cutie, how it got here
I haven’t a clue.

Haven’t had a dog of the day lately—but this one was just so friendly and fluffy that I had to put in him my Blog—I met him hanging with his lovely owner at Hidden Treasure Bar and Grill http://hiddentreasurerestaurants.com/ on Saturday.  He is such a sweetie.

Also today we’re still on Fantasy and today I look at what fantasy is and all its nuances with fiction and like that and those who read me all the time know that there is no end to where I might wander…my mind is full blown gypsy I’m afraid.

Of course I’m gonna start with my getting through DROUGHTLANDER which means a few items on my favorite show.

We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.                                                                                                                    Iris Murdoch

PS all the pictures are from Stockbridge a village in Edinburgh which is the large city in Scotland.

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Of course we’re doing duty to make DROUGHTLANDER less dreary:

First:  Read all the updates:  Here’s one to get you started:

http://www.parentherald.com/articles/61990/20160821/outlander-season-3-air-date-spoilers-news-updates-starz-finally-reveal-claires-time-travel-past-and-present-collides.htm

Second:  Count the thing, people and places—which means rewatching all of it over a time or two–that you liked Season 2–Here’s some ideas.

http://www.tvfanatic.com/slideshows/21-reasons-we-applaud-outlander-season-2/

And Finally (or three which ever you prefer):  Plan a work out—read all you can about Sam’s—-and of course I have a starting article:

http://www.mensfitness.com/life/entertainment/outlander-star-sam-heughan-ready-action

Or you can just drink heavily like Claire:

I had read tons of science fiction. I was fascinated by other worlds, other environments. For me, it was fantasy, but it was not fantasy in the sense of pure escapism. James Cameron

So all this month we’ve been dealing with fantasy….but exactly what is fantasy?

This bit from Wikipedi suits my ideas of it well:  In popular culture, the fantasy genre is predominantly of the medievalist form. In its broadest sense, however, fantasy comprises works by many writers, artists, filmmakers, and musicians from ancient myths and legends to many recent and popular works.

And while we’re at it lets look at fiction:

 

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My pictures are in Edinburgh–Village of Dean still and the quotes are still from the Enchanted World book.

and as usual before we get to the meat and potatoes we go for the EYE CANDY

” ‘I am a musician, an artificer like the wren,’ ” sang the Welsh Wizard Taliesin, and it was true.  His songs were about creation and they made those magical thing occur.”

• 

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and of course my suggestions for making it thru the BIG D

(Droughtlander for those who haven’t seen Outlander and aren’t suffering from it not being on again—at least new ones—until next year)

TAKE HOPE—Droughtlander isn’t expected to be as long  check out all the latest info including:  http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/07/outlander-season-3

and this

http://www.ecumenicalnews.com/article/outlander-season-3-news-and-updates-showrunner-hints-at-challenges-for-season-3-droughtlander-to-be-shorter-this-year/47705.htm

“…the enchanter Volga Vseslavich.  Strange tales gathered about his name.  His mother was a princess of Kiev, it was said, but his father was a serpent, from the mother came his courage and from the father his skill and guile.”

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Join a Drought Lander Support Group:  https://www.facebook.com/JamieFraserOutlander/posts/406337809564735

or

https://www.facebook.com/Surviving-Droughtlander-388621141335821/

Play Psychiatrist or psychologist and help to deal with Clair…lost a baby, and a husband well kind twice…etc.

And we don’t want to even go into Jamie’s issues Oh my

start here:  http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/outlander-caitriona-balfe-dives-deep-905245

“Guardian of the Isle of Man, Manannan Mac Lir rode a horse called Enbarr, meaning “Splendid Mane,” that took him with ease over land or sea.  No weapon could pierce Manannan’s armour and no enemy could survive his sword’s thrust, that sword was called the Answerer.”

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As I have said previously in my opinion the most famous (at least in our European dominated legends) magician is Merlin—the mage who advised Arthur England’s legendary Once and Future King.   I see him as a pagan entity–not druid but a fairy Halfling and most definitely a pagan entity….but looking into Merlin I have found many other opinions.

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“At the end of his life—if this tale is true–the last of the great enchanters did not die.  Some say that Merlin yielded to the blandishments of a fairy and slept, and she housed him in a tree, to rest in safety until called to aid his countrymen once more.”

I’m back and with WITCHES (that’s correct with a w and not a b) today…..ongoing in my fantasy month….wonder what I can come up with for next week…..huh……..

All my own taken pictures are Edinburgh…the last few from The City of Dean–still Edinburgh..a fantastic city in yeah still Scotland.

And quotes are from another Legend and Lore Book:  Wizards and Witches.

but first ….yeah them again my Outlander items to get you thru the big D:

“When people had nothing more than candles to keep out the dark, the hours between dusk and dawn brought forth a seething horde of spirits.”

MOTHER of PEARL Inlaid Earrings Wires with Dangly Vintage

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Check out the other sexy STARZ shows they’re not the same….but it will spend some hours that might take your mind off D

http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/entertainment_columnists/jeanne_jakle/article/New-TV-drama-to-explore-dirty-pole-dancing-8987963.php

Spend the day exploring the world of Bear’s Music

http://www.bearmccreary.com/

Go to LA to see Dianna in October

http://www.outlandertvnews.com/2016/08/diana-gabaldon-joins-ews-popfest/

Diana Gabaldon Joins EW’s PopFest

“They appeared at random as shapeless shadows or in hastily assumed bodies that were patchworks of stolen parts–goats’ hoof and cats’ claws, dogs’ fangs and human faces.”

1970s Made in France LE CREUSET Cast Iron 2 qt. Dutch Oven “B”

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Witches are creature that have always been  seen as in league with devils and demons (not mandatory that they been Christian as several religions have demons of all sorts) and that ride brooms about, harass helpless girls and threaten their little dogs in the bargain.  They are the heavy, the practitioner of black magic…and things that go bump in the night.

But they got their start as the wise women of the village, those people that knew herbs, who healed and who might have even know some magic—maybe one of those with a little pre-knowledge or abilities to do things others couldn’t.   They cared for the injured, and ill in an age when there were little or nothing in the way of formal medicine even in the big cities let alone the small villages and towns that hid in coves and beyond mountain passes in places like England and Germany and all about Europe.

But they quickly got a bad rep….grief even the Bible has wicked witches.

Exodus 22:18 – Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Deuteronomy 18:10 – There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch

Galatians 5:20-21 – Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

1 Samuel 15:23 – For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.

“Wherever there were witches, there were whispers–rumors and suspicions of malevolent handiwork in many forms.”

So where did this all come from?

The word “witch” in Exodus is a translation of the Hebrew word “kashaph,” which comes from the root meaning “to whisper.”  The word as used in Exodus probably thus meant “one who whispers a spell.”  In context, the Exodus passage probably was intended to urge Jews to adhere to their own religious practices and not those of surrounding tribes.    A Brief  History of Witchcraft Persecutions before Salem
by Douglas Linder (2005)

This interpretation isn’t surprising as the King James Version of the Bible was written in a time of witch hysteria and a King (James I of England and VI of Scotland where they burned more witches than anywhere in Britain during this time) who fueled and encouraged the witch trials and burnings…..so we went from being unfaithful to the Jewish beliefs and practicing other (now called pagan) religions to giving credence to burn persons that were deemed as witches.

Historians have since estimated that the witch-hunt hysteria that peaked between the 15th and 18th centuries saw some 50,000 (other estimates go to 100,000 and beyond) people executed as witches in Europe. (Britain, 5,000;  France, 10,000;  Holy Roman Empire: 50,000;  Mediterranean (Italy, Portugal, Spain) 10,000;  Poland, 15,000;  Switzerland, 10,000 .http://faculty.history.wisc.edu/sommerville/351/351-21.htm ) Of those tried approximately 60,000 were executed. Many of these victims were hanged or beheaded first, but their bodies were typically incinerated afterwards to protect against postmortem sorcery.  http://www.history.com/news/ask-history/were-witches-burned-at-the-stake-during-the-salem-witch-trials

“Some witches traveled in the shape of hares, others had hare familiars –demonic servants in disguise.”

And it wasn’t just the Pilgrims that burned witches:  ” witch-hunters’ manuals multiplied, most notably the infamous Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of Witches), published in 1486. Its authors, Jacob Sprenger and Heinrich Kraemer, were experienced Dominican inquisitors who had burned 48 witches in one diocese alone and had obtained a papal bull approving their mission. “

This infamous manual gave the reasoning for why so many woman had gone over to Satan:  “declaring: ‘All witchcraft comes from carnal lust, which is in women insatiable.’ Ironically, Sprenger also had a deep devotion to Mary. He helped to shape the modern rosary and founded the first rosary confraternity.  ”  http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=4005

And yes, while men were accused and actually burned (in some countries more than others) for the crime of witchcraft, it was predominantly women who were the main victim of this movement.  Evil because they tempted poor pious men into sexual sins and lustful conditions.  Added to the fact that they had less power in the world further made them easier victims than man who might be physically and influentially as endowed at the accuser.

“The black witch’s destructive activities were the same everywhere and in every era.  The witches of medieval Europe practiced the same cold magic as those of classical Rome, and they worked by the same methods.  It is no wonder that the sign to avert the witch’s evil power was the ancient, potent phallic gesture–the arm outstretched, the hand with its two inner fingers curled and its outer ones stiffly extended.”

So you have the men (for how many women set on juries or in judge positions in these years–but I’m sure that many of them with grudges or jealousies egged on the men to remove those they had grievances with as in league with the devil) would push the accused woman for accounts of their union with the devil—many feel that this arose from more ancient times when sexual union with an incarnate god and the worshiper was a religious tradition–and it is said that they pushed (and tortured) these woman for the grim details.

Their records of these unions recorded a devil with a hard (bone or horn or even iron) penis, which was able to penetrate two or three orifices at once and his semen ice cold.

Sex seemed very tied up with this whole witchcraft thing as many were accused of causing impotence with a spell and tying a magical cord in knots and hiding it—and the poor man affected by the spell couldn’t perform until the cord was found and the knots untied…..as good an excuse for a man in the day when impotence was considered to be a serious mark against any man.

“All told, it was risky to be an ill-formed, scolding, solitary old woman who kept a pet cat or toad (toads were not uncommon in dirt-floored village cottages) to ease the loneliness.

and there you have it….witches, in a word ruled by men, were for the most part women and often (though not always) poor, older, solitary women who had no one to support or defend them…..and don’t think it’s ever really over:  “Indeed, the vivid and painful legacy of the Salem witch trials endured well into the 20th century, when Arthur Miller dramatized the events of 1692 in his play “The Crucible” (1953), using them as an allegory for the anti-Communist “witch hunts” led by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s”  who knows what and who will be the witch next time.  http://www.history.com/topics/salem-witch-trials

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“No one cared to risk an angered witch’s wrath.  Besides the danger it embodied, the fact of witchcraft was terrifying in itself:  Evil witches had the power to alter the order of nature.

“Anciently inimical to each other, the serpent and the cat were favorites of witches.  The serpent seems to have played the smaller role.  While it could be a familiar, it was chiefly valued for its fearful aspects and its links to Satan–useful in repelling the curious, who might interfere with a witch’s  business.  To dream of a serpent signified that someone had a grudge against the dreamer.”

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I do not believed that I missed an inch of Scotland and so you have more pictures of the road back to Edinburgh again today.

I am dedicating August to Fantasy and Fiction–the

first week we did True Love

Last week it was Fairies and Elves

and this week Wizards and Witches.

Merlin: STAND BACK! Be silent! Be still!… That’s it… and look upon this moment. Savor it! Rejoice with great gladness!

Comb Hand Painted Flamingo

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BUT FIRST MY EFFORTS TO HELP YOU SURVIVE DROUGHTLANDER

LIST ALL THE REASONS YOU LOVE (!!!!!) SAM:

HERE’S A START:     http://www.eonline.com/news/766621/sam-heughan-from-outlander-showcases-hot-shirtless-body-in-haute-living

Drink heavily (only if you’re over 21) and you might try this as it’s right along those lines:

http://gizmodo.com/channel-your-inner-outlander-with-this-18th-century-whi-1784734386

Watch the sex scenes on all the sexy shows and write up which one you like bests and why (my reason is right above this paragraph.

http://www.glamour.com/story/sexy-tv-shows-better-than-porn

Wicked Witch of the West: Going so soon? I wouldn’t hear of it. Why my little party’s just beginning.

My vision (someone else drew of course) of the traditional wizard & witch.

Simple Definition of wizard

• Simple Definition of witch

  • : a woman who is thought to have magic powers

  • : a person who practices magic as part of a religion (such as Wicca)

  • : a very unpleasant woman

    Both From Webster’s Dictionary

  • 
  • Merlin:  Remember it always, for you are joined by it. You are One, under the stars. Remember it well, then… this night, this great victory.

                                                 When I think of the character in popular fiction as I was growing up an

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ok end of the week and still in Scotland (wish) as well as the Fairies and Elves quotes from the Lore book….promise last days at least for the fairies.

“Yet, like everything to do with Faerie, the passage of time there was capricious.  Mortals who entered the fairies’ world did not necessarily stay for centuries…captives who were released or rescued from fairy thrall after a year or two of mortal time.”

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But first your Outlander Droughtlander Life Support:

WORK on getting a front row seat to an event featuring Sam and hope he’s wearing his kilt like a “True Scott.”

or while we’re on the subject of letting it all hang out how about checking out this Outlander co-star–this one’s an actress:  http://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/699273/Nell-Hudson-flashes-MAJOR-side-boob-as-she-sizzles-in-daringly-skintight-frock

Re-watch Faith all by it’s self for a reminder of just how good Cait is.

‘Outlander’s’ Caitriona Balfe ‘tears you to pieces’ in ‘Faith’

An apology for all the near nudity—NOT—come on guys if you’re skin shy you probably have the wrong blog.

and finally (it is the weekend so a whole two days w/o any of my comfort).  Here’s some problems with the TV show vs. book both from Dianna’s point of view and fans (SPOILER)—I especially felt they were too revealing on Laoghaire involvement, considering her upcoming relationship to Jamie…other fans agreed….check it out and think up your responses:  http://zap2it.com/2016/05/outlander-foxs-lair-diana-gabaldon-jumping-the-shark-ep-laoghaire-claire/

“It is inadvisable, for instance, to step within a circle formed on the ground by mushrooms or one formed by bent stalks of grass.”

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I thought I’d finish out my week on fairies with some sites that have a history (or at least legend with fairy connections).

“It was also unwise to nap on any grassy knoll, for if by chance the hill covered a fairy dwelling, the fairies might swam out and carry the sleeper to their underground domain.”

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FRENSHAM, Surrey, UK

National Trust

In this area are four pre-historic bowl barrows between two poands (Great & Little) .  Area includes a nature reserve (near Little Pond) as well as three Strange hills with the largest being called The Devils Jump with a footpath to the summit.  The name comes from the belief that much of what is here was placed so Lucifer himself.

But the real entrance for this blog is St. Mary’s Church also in this area and home of a hug copper cauldron which is called Mother Ludlam’s (after a local witch), but as is the case of many such things in England—the item outdates the local witch and in earlier days was said to belong to the fairies.

“…those mortals who placed themselves at odds with their own society by quarreling or plotting evil deeds were more likely to be snatched into the fairy realm.”

Dunvegan Castle, Skye, Scotland

Ancestral Home of the Macleods (13th c)

Of interest here is the Fairy Flag of Dunvegan

This mere fragment of a silk banner is said to have been given to the 4th  chief (Iain) by his fairy wife on parting–other tales say it was given by Benshi the Fae Queen to the family to bring them success…and they could wave it on each, but the third time it was used it would disappear.

It’s was carried by the clan at the Battle of Glendale in 1490 and at Trumpan in 1580 both were victories for the family.  Photos of the flag were carried during WWII by members of the family on active service (RAF).

“The sun never shone in that place, she said, but the halls gleamed with their own radiance, and the music that drifted through them vanquished every mortal care.”

LLYN-Y-FAN FACH

Dyfed, Wales

Accessible through the hamlet of Llanddeusant, south of Llandovery

Reached by a stony path from the end of the tarmac road.

This lake is said to have had a beautiful fairy raise from its depths she ended marrying a local farmer and teaching their family magical remedies of all sorts of ailments which gave birth to

Physicians of Myddfai

who were real not legend and were famous throughout Wales for their cures in medieval times.

The lake’s dark waters are set below a step curing enscarpment which leads to Carmarthen Van, a 262′ summit of Black Mountain.

“…they whispered of fairy enchantments and of the ranks of mortals who were victims of fairy love.  They spoke with far, as mortals often did when they talked of the powers of Faerie.”

DOUGLAS

ISLE OF MAN

Douglas on the Isle of Man has many interesting sites and places: The Tower of Refuge built on a tiny island in the middle of the bay, for use of sailors wrecked on the treacherous St. Mary’s Rock.  Harold Tower on Douglas Head haunted by the ghost of a young servant girl.  The Nunnery Mansion, site of a nunnery founded by St. Bridget (don’t get me started on that one as most authorities agree she didn’t exist but rather was the Irish goddess Bridget) which still contains a portion of the chapel and an ancient well.  Kirby Park, the former home of Colonel Mark Wilks governor of St. Helena while Napoleon was imprisioned there and the grave of Samuel Ally a black slave of Wilks.  Also the Old Kirk Braddan  which is said to be very picturesque. And we can’t forget the nearby village where Captain Bligh (yeah that one) was married in 1781.

But for us

Saddle Road is our destination:

Here protruding from a wall is a large and oddly-saddle shaped stone from which the road gets its name.

Legend says that the stone was once a saddle used by a fairy to ride the Vicar of Braddan’s horses (why I don’t know) all night long, only returning them at daybreak along with the saddle which turned into the present stone formation at that time as well.

“His heart was given to a fairy woman whom he had met in a woodland, at a time when he was out of favor with the court because of his poverty.”

THERE are other sites:

Woolpit Village Suffolk

where in the 13th century some farm workers discovered a strange pair of children, neither could speak a language anyone understood, who wore strange clothing and most importantly were green.  Could they have been fairy—the accounts appear in the chronicles of William of Newburgh and another cleric Abbot of Coggeshall II.

Or what about the strange malicious woman in black who is often seen in

Befordshire

along a road which is a minor track off the road between Ravensden and Wilden who reputedly is seen from time to time and then just disappears and is notorious for her bad temper.

and are mermaids of Fairie too?

Zennor

Parish Church near Penzance

Cornwall

has a mermaid carved into a chair here and there is a legend of how one of these tempting woman/fish lured a local boy into the sea where he lived with her in evidently contentment.

“So once more, an alien pairing failed to hold .  Once more, a marriage between fairy and human ended in tragedy.  It would not be the last time.  As long as fairies showed themselves in human form, their love was avidly sought.  And no wonder .  Mortals bound by rules and best by mundane woes, saw the hope of immortal happiness, in those bright beings, shining with gallantry and grace, and swathed in mystery.”

and so my dears that’s a few fairy sites that might spark you interest…but there are sites all over the world as these creatures are not limited to Viking, Anglo Saxon and of course the Celts’ tradition, but have found themselves out and about and thus recorded everywhere.

See you next week have a fun weekend—and please DO Something interesting.

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“These rewards seemed worth the risk.  Even at the end of their time, when fairies no longer sought human company, glimpses of them added enchantment to the mortal’s measured earth, spinning its stately way through the eternal heavens.”

“Tryamour was never seen again.  It is said that she had taken her lover far across the se to live on the fairy island of Avalon, from which she never could return.  But Lanunfal reappeared in the forests near Caerleon (Camelot) once each year on the eve of the day that he left.  A shadowy figure in the fading light of dusk, he was mounted on a splendid charger, and he rode alone, a hint of longing on his face for the mortal world that he had forsaken.”

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