Kelley Heckart's Blog, page 53
September 10, 2014
Weird Word Wednesday
noun \ˌā-gwi-ˈlet\
Definition of AIGUILLETTE: aglet; specifically : a shoulder cord worn by designated military aides — compare fourragère
Origin of AIGUILLETTEFrench — more at aglet
First Known Use: 1812
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
September 8, 2014
Monday Musings: After the Monsoon
We have some pretty nasty, terrifying monsoon storms here in the Arizona desert each summer. We get a whole year’s worth of rain in a half hour, which makes driving dangerous. I am terrified to drive during a monsoon storm. I got lucky so far this year and only found myself out on the road once the storm had passed and dealt with a small amount of rain. But what happened was I forgot that because of the hot, dry weather, windshield wipers don’t last and need to be checked before the summer. Well, while out on the highway, I turned on my wipers only to have them get stuck in the middle of my windshield. Yikes. Anyway, despite the downside to summer storms, after these rainstorms pass, the air smells so clean and everything that was dry blooms.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen this cactus bloom.
A bee finds this bloom enticing.
This plant was dry and looking dead before the rainstorm.
In the wake of the storm: beautiful sun-painted clouds.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
September 5, 2014
Favorite Friday
Favorite stone: Turquoise
Turquoise is a hydrous copper aluminum sulfate found in every color of blue, greenish blue or deep green. It has been prized by every culture, including Egypt, Persia, Tibet, and the Aztecs and Incas of South America. In the East and Far East, it was honored as a lucky stone and was given the nickname, ‘Turks’ stone. For the Indians of Mexico and Southwestern U.S., it was used to guard burial sites. Indian priests wore Turquoise in ceremonies when calling upon the great spirit of the sky. Turquoise manifests spiritual qualities, healing, friendship and love. It helps with communication and the 5th chakra, grounding.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
September 3, 2014
Weird Word Wednesday
noun \ā-ˈgwēl, -ˈgwē\
Definition of AIGUILLE: a sharp-pointed pinnacle of rock
Origin of AIGUILLEFrench, literally, needle — more at aglet
First Known Use: 1809
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
September 1, 2014
Monday Musings: AZ Monsoon Storm
Nasty cloud bank.
This was part of two nasty storms.
The beauty of a storm.
Coming at us.
The storm clouds create a pretty sunset over the mountains.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
August 29, 2014
Favorite Friday
Favorite book
Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
This is one of my favorite books based on the King Arthur legend. What I really like about it is the story is told from the point of views of the women in Arthur’s life, which gives us a different perspective. This is mostly a fantasy tale with magic, focusing on the mysterious Isle of Avalon. The Mists of Avalon's Camelot politics and intrigue take place at a time when Christianity is taking over the island-nation of Britain; Christianity vs. Faery, and God vs. Goddess are dominant themes. Highly recommended.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
August 28, 2014
Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: The scary vampires are back
August 27, 2014
Weird Word Wednesday
noun \ā-ˈgret, ˈā-ˌ\
Definition of AIGRETTE1
: a spray of feathers (as of the egret) for the head
2
: a spray of gems worn on a hat or in the hair
Origin of AIGRETTEFrench, plume, egret, from Middle French — more at egret
First Known Use: 1630
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
August 25, 2014
Monday Musings: Death amongst the beauty
On the morning I was driving home after watching my dog get euthanized, I couldn’t help noticing all the beauty in the world even though my dog had just died. Inside, my world was bleak and empty of any joy. Outside, the sun was shining and life was evident in the smiling people going about their day.
I thought maybe all that life and beauty was meant to taunt me. And then I realized that I wasn’t the only one that had just lost something precious to me. Every day people and other living things die, which means there are grieving people around at all times affected by death. And yet there is still beauty in the world even when death is present. The sun still shines, painting the sky in layers of light and dark shades of amber rose, the birds still sing as if unaware that death is present—a silent, grim shadow hidden amongst all the beauty…waiting.
While I was driving, this one thought rose to the surface: Maybe all the beauty is meant to help us move on, to be inspired to keep living.
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
