Angelia Sparrow's Blog, page 25
December 7, 2013
Yuletide Youtube
The Medaeval Babes perform "Adam Lay Y-bounden"
Lyrics:
Adam lay ybounden,
Bounden in a bond;
Four thousand winter
Thought he not too long.
And all was for an apple,
An apple that he took,
As clerkës finden written
In their book.
Nor had one apple taken been,
The apple taken been,
Then had never Our Lady
A-been heaven's queen.
Blessed be the time
That apple taken was.
Therefore we may singen
Deo gratias!
My Sexy Saturday: I Just Had Sexy
This week's excerpt is from Forgotten Menagerie, an anthology of non-canine, non-feline shifters.
Dobson has a farm and works construction in town. When Bob's nephew Jim joins the crew, Dobson finds there might be more than work in his life.
Available in paperback and ebook from Storm Moon press
http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Forgotten-Menagerie.aspx
From "Burdens Lightened":
One of the college boys came over and helped him with the bedroom. A pretty kid, strong but smart looking. Dobson was willing to bet he played some sort of sport. He looked like he might be a runner.
"I'm Jim," he volunteered as they worked on a window frame.
"Dobson. The guys call me Hoss."
The kid looked blank. Probably too young to remember Bonanza or even Merle Haggard. Dobson didn't care. His mind was hours ahead, already thinking about getting home and doing evening chores. There were chores and preserving and a little mending where he'd caught his work-jeans on a nail at lunch time. Always too much work and never enough time to do it. He felt like dropping in harness some days.
The kid smiled for him. "Bob's my uncle. Dad thinks I need to toughen up. He doesn't like my major, my grades, my choice of sport or the color of my apartment. Like I can control the landlord putting up pink and purple zigzag wallpaper in the bathroom."
Dobson looked him over and asked the first most logical question, the one all the things on Dad's list led right up to. "Are you gay?"
Jim blanched, going the color of cottage cheese under his just-starting sunburn. That was all the answer Dobson needed. He shrugged. "Doesn't matter one way or another to me. But that's usually the only reason daddies send their boys out to bulk up. The kid is gay or Dad's afraid he is." He couldn't resist a smile and flexing. "Worked on me."
Dobson has a farm and works construction in town. When Bob's nephew Jim joins the crew, Dobson finds there might be more than work in his life.
Available in paperback and ebook from Storm Moon press
http://www.stormmoonpress.com/books/Forgotten-Menagerie.aspx
From "Burdens Lightened":
One of the college boys came over and helped him with the bedroom. A pretty kid, strong but smart looking. Dobson was willing to bet he played some sort of sport. He looked like he might be a runner.
"I'm Jim," he volunteered as they worked on a window frame.
"Dobson. The guys call me Hoss."
The kid looked blank. Probably too young to remember Bonanza or even Merle Haggard. Dobson didn't care. His mind was hours ahead, already thinking about getting home and doing evening chores. There were chores and preserving and a little mending where he'd caught his work-jeans on a nail at lunch time. Always too much work and never enough time to do it. He felt like dropping in harness some days.
The kid smiled for him. "Bob's my uncle. Dad thinks I need to toughen up. He doesn't like my major, my grades, my choice of sport or the color of my apartment. Like I can control the landlord putting up pink and purple zigzag wallpaper in the bathroom."
Dobson looked him over and asked the first most logical question, the one all the things on Dad's list led right up to. "Are you gay?"
Jim blanched, going the color of cottage cheese under his just-starting sunburn. That was all the answer Dobson needed. He shrugged. "Doesn't matter one way or another to me. But that's usually the only reason daddies send their boys out to bulk up. The kid is gay or Dad's afraid he is." He couldn't resist a smile and flexing. "Worked on me."
December 6, 2013
Yuletide Youtube and Friday Decor
We're going a little Victorian/steampunk
And our decoration is from the Seeing Things Blog, which is amazing
http://lifeartcollide.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-mad-hatter-meets-christmas.html
You'll have to go get the directions there.
And our decoration is from the Seeing Things Blog, which is amazing
http://lifeartcollide.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-mad-hatter-meets-christmas.html
You'll have to go get the directions there.
December 5, 2013
Yuletide Youtube and Thursday Shopping
This is one of my favorite holiday pieces.
Shopping time:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WizardAtWork
(All pictures property of Wizard At Work)
Do you have that hard-to-buy-for person on your list? Of course you do, we all do.
Wizard at Work makes soap, bath bombs, candles, earrings, arts and crayons.
Spell a niece or nephew's name in crayons. Enter pretty earrings in a gift exchange. Send a one-of-a-kind card. Get a backpack.
The rubber duck soap is adorable, especially the zombies!
And the soaps are done in custom colors and scents. Order before Dec 15 to assure Christmas delivery.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/WizardAtWork
December 4, 2013
Yuletide Youtube, with Wednesday noms
Our first Cthluhu carol of the season, from the Arkham Carolers.
And I so should not give you this, but here is my grandmother's favorite candy recipe.
Rice-Krispies Balls
1 stick melted oleo
1 egg, well beaten
1 c. sugar
1 pkg. (8 oz) dates
Stir all together, bring to boil. Boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, stir in 3 c. Rice Krispies, 1 c. finely chopped nuts. Stir. Wet hands, roll into small balls, roll in flaked coconut. Chill. Makes 24.done (about 10 minutes).
December 3, 2013
Yuletide Youtube, Tuesday Shopping
Let's kick the season off right with The Boar's Head Carol. It's sung at the opening of every madrigal dinner I've ever been to. (I know there are better version, but I like this guy's voice and the general enthusiasm of the kids)
This carol dates to 1521. The story goes that Capcot, a scholar at Queen's College, Oxford, was attacked by a wild boar on his way to Mass (as so often happens on college campuses). He grabbed the boar by the scruff of the neck and shoved a copy of Aristotle down its throat. As Aristotle was just as dry in the 1400s as he is to day, the boar promptly choked to death. Capcot took the head on his staff to Mass and later delivered it to dinner.
The fact of it is, Boar hunting season runs Christmas Day to Candlemas (Feb 1), and the boar's head may be a remnant of a Nordic sacrifice to Frejya at Yule.
Today for Shopping Suggestions:
The Literary Underworld.
Do you have readers on your list? Of course you do.
The Literary Underworld, a small press author consortium, offers fiction (and some nonfiction) for every taste.
Gamers can test out the Stars of Empire steampunk RPG
Fantasy and Horror readers have their choice of award winners from John Everson to Elizabeth Donald, Wrath James White and Sara Harvey.
YA readers will enjoy Jackie Gamber's dragon series or the Katana series
For the aspiring writer, we have copies of Nick Mamatas' Starve Better
For the romantic, there are all flavors of romance. from my lesbian Adventuresses to Sara Harvey's tale of a Kitsune and a Dragon, Seven Times a Woman, Elizabeth Donald's vampire series, Nocturnal Urges, to the dark future gay Pygmalion, Nikolai.
Check out the Underworld!
This carol dates to 1521. The story goes that Capcot, a scholar at Queen's College, Oxford, was attacked by a wild boar on his way to Mass (as so often happens on college campuses). He grabbed the boar by the scruff of the neck and shoved a copy of Aristotle down its throat. As Aristotle was just as dry in the 1400s as he is to day, the boar promptly choked to death. Capcot took the head on his staff to Mass and later delivered it to dinner.
The fact of it is, Boar hunting season runs Christmas Day to Candlemas (Feb 1), and the boar's head may be a remnant of a Nordic sacrifice to Frejya at Yule.
Today for Shopping Suggestions:
The Literary Underworld.
Do you have readers on your list? Of course you do.
The Literary Underworld, a small press author consortium, offers fiction (and some nonfiction) for every taste.
Gamers can test out the Stars of Empire steampunk RPG
Fantasy and Horror readers have their choice of award winners from John Everson to Elizabeth Donald, Wrath James White and Sara Harvey.
YA readers will enjoy Jackie Gamber's dragon series or the Katana series
For the aspiring writer, we have copies of Nick Mamatas' Starve Better
For the romantic, there are all flavors of romance. from my lesbian Adventuresses to Sara Harvey's tale of a Kitsune and a Dragon, Seven Times a Woman, Elizabeth Donald's vampire series, Nocturnal Urges, to the dark future gay Pygmalion, Nikolai.
Check out the Underworld!
December 2, 2013
Yuletide Youtube, with Monday Craft
We're still on Hanukkah, so:
Craft/gift idea
Reinbeer
Chenille stems, eyes, and tiny red pompoms make a six-pack of The Black Stuff extra festive
Craft/gift idea
Reinbeer
Chenille stems, eyes, and tiny red pompoms make a six-pack of The Black Stuff extra festive
December 1, 2013
Update and Yuletide Youtube begins!
So sorry about November. I've spent it on the backside of nowhere, taking care of my mother after she had brain surgery.
The Sunday before Halloween, I picked up a woman who couldn't even eat well. She pocketed food in her left cheek and dropped anything in her left hand.
Friday, I left a woman capable of looking after herself and driving.
I'm home again. And we'll resume My Sexy Saturdays, and pick up Yuletide Youtube.
So this year, instead of JUST Yuletide Youtube, I figured on Monday Wednesday and Friday, I would post recipes, crafts and gift ideas. Tuesday and Thursday would be shop spotlights. If you would like your shop spotlighted, let me know.
So, before we're all Rumpapummeled into Scrooginess, let me share my favorite version of The Little Drummer Boy. because Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Dueting.
The Sunday before Halloween, I picked up a woman who couldn't even eat well. She pocketed food in her left cheek and dropped anything in her left hand.
Friday, I left a woman capable of looking after herself and driving.
I'm home again. And we'll resume My Sexy Saturdays, and pick up Yuletide Youtube.
So this year, instead of JUST Yuletide Youtube, I figured on Monday Wednesday and Friday, I would post recipes, crafts and gift ideas. Tuesday and Thursday would be shop spotlights. If you would like your shop spotlighted, let me know.
So, before we're all Rumpapummeled into Scrooginess, let me share my favorite version of The Little Drummer Boy. because Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Dueting.
October 25, 2013
Winding up Vampire Week Early.
Sorry about yesterday.
The weekend may be slim as well. I'm headed out of town for about three weeks. The My Sexy Saturday is on hiatus.
So, I give you the giveaway today!
In honor of Vampire Week, I'll send out five ebook copies of Power in the Blood. Leave your email in the screened comments.
Blurb:
Oren Stolt understands the natural order better than most people. Vampires prey on humans and Undying keep the vampires' numbers in check.
Until now.
Now, across the United States, vampire numbers are exploding, thanks to a new church. The Tabernacle of the Firstfruits preaches a Risen Lord and invites believers to follow Him in death and resurrection... quite literally.
In Memphis, the church is about to host its first conference, with an eye to converting the whole world to the vampiric gospel.
And all that stands between humanity and eternal night is Oren, his kids, and a thin line of insane immortals.
Excerpt:
They met the Kid outside. He was leaning against a corner of the building, smoking a hand-rolled cigarette. Oren sniffed suspiciously, but only the rich odor of tobacco rewarded him.
"Roll me one, kiddo," Anne said. The Kid obliged, and she nodded her thanks. "It's going to be a long night, and I'm out of whiskey." She leaned into the light he offered.
"We could torch the place during late services tomorrow," the Kid suggested.
"You can't kill any of them," Oren said, urging Anne toward the van. "They aren't attacking humans. Law in Memphis says that if the donors are willing, it's not a crime. Neither is turning a willing person. Now, the local vampire families frown on
bringing in unvetted people. They have a merit and reward system they use for their human groupies."
Anne rolled her eyes and took a drag on her cigarette.
The Kid finished his and crushed out the end against the heel of his boot. He flipped the butt into a nearby ditch.
"Same story as every major city. Most of the population doesn't believe in vampires to start with—not really. They know vamps are out there, but they aren't real as long as they keep their fangs to themselves." The Kid gave a lopsided grin. "Kinda like North Dakota or atheists. The vamps get all the usual rights, like jobs, a vote, and not being staked on sight, and don't abuse them most of the time. When they do step out of line, we have a nice, neat, licensed special force that handles them. All very fucking civilized," he said. He swung onto his bike. "Preaching talk makes me want to kill something. I'll meet you tomorrow. I'm going hunting."
"Come to my motel about eight," Anne said. "I'm down on Lamar in the seediest one you can find. We'll have dinner and plan."
"You ain't my type, carrot-top."
She gave him a disgusted look. "And I don't do pipsqueaks. Give me a card and I'll text you the address."
He settled his helmet on his head, which made Anne laugh. He gave her the bird, and then dug his card out of a jacket pocket. "Just because I ain't gonna die from it don't mean having my face smeared over a half mile of blacktop is much fun at all. Takes about two days to grow it back, and I ain't real pretty till I do." He took off, leaving them watching the rest of the congregation leaving the church.
Sounds of the Season:
Pics:
Know your Vampires!
The weekend may be slim as well. I'm headed out of town for about three weeks. The My Sexy Saturday is on hiatus.
So, I give you the giveaway today!
In honor of Vampire Week, I'll send out five ebook copies of Power in the Blood. Leave your email in the screened comments.
Blurb:
Oren Stolt understands the natural order better than most people. Vampires prey on humans and Undying keep the vampires' numbers in check.
Until now.
Now, across the United States, vampire numbers are exploding, thanks to a new church. The Tabernacle of the Firstfruits preaches a Risen Lord and invites believers to follow Him in death and resurrection... quite literally.
In Memphis, the church is about to host its first conference, with an eye to converting the whole world to the vampiric gospel.
And all that stands between humanity and eternal night is Oren, his kids, and a thin line of insane immortals.
Excerpt:
They met the Kid outside. He was leaning against a corner of the building, smoking a hand-rolled cigarette. Oren sniffed suspiciously, but only the rich odor of tobacco rewarded him.
"Roll me one, kiddo," Anne said. The Kid obliged, and she nodded her thanks. "It's going to be a long night, and I'm out of whiskey." She leaned into the light he offered.
"We could torch the place during late services tomorrow," the Kid suggested.
"You can't kill any of them," Oren said, urging Anne toward the van. "They aren't attacking humans. Law in Memphis says that if the donors are willing, it's not a crime. Neither is turning a willing person. Now, the local vampire families frown on
bringing in unvetted people. They have a merit and reward system they use for their human groupies."
Anne rolled her eyes and took a drag on her cigarette.
The Kid finished his and crushed out the end against the heel of his boot. He flipped the butt into a nearby ditch.
"Same story as every major city. Most of the population doesn't believe in vampires to start with—not really. They know vamps are out there, but they aren't real as long as they keep their fangs to themselves." The Kid gave a lopsided grin. "Kinda like North Dakota or atheists. The vamps get all the usual rights, like jobs, a vote, and not being staked on sight, and don't abuse them most of the time. When they do step out of line, we have a nice, neat, licensed special force that handles them. All very fucking civilized," he said. He swung onto his bike. "Preaching talk makes me want to kill something. I'll meet you tomorrow. I'm going hunting."
"Come to my motel about eight," Anne said. "I'm down on Lamar in the seediest one you can find. We'll have dinner and plan."
"You ain't my type, carrot-top."
She gave him a disgusted look. "And I don't do pipsqueaks. Give me a card and I'll text you the address."
He settled his helmet on his head, which made Anne laugh. He gave her the bird, and then dug his card out of a jacket pocket. "Just because I ain't gonna die from it don't mean having my face smeared over a half mile of blacktop is much fun at all. Takes about two days to grow it back, and I ain't real pretty till I do." He took off, leaving them watching the rest of the congregation leaving the church.
Sounds of the Season:
Pics:
Know your Vampires!
October 20, 2013
Vampire Week Begins, with a Giveaway, Bela Lugosi as Jesus and my daughter being staked.
Welcome to Vampire Week at the Den of Debauchery's Sub Annex.
We have all kinds of goodies. There will be film clips, music, story fragments, and pictures. So let's kick off with some classics.
Clip of the Day
Sounds of the Season
Sunday Treat!
If you would like a copy of The Love That Never Dies, leave an e-mail in the screened comments below. (I will unscreen general comments)
Blurb: Thousands of books have been written about love and sex between humans and werewolves, vampires, aliens, shapeshifters, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. But, what about the real, honest, and alluringly bizarre world of the undead. Not just zombies - though a few are stumbling through this anthology - not just the once-alive - but also the differently-living? In these pages you'll discover things shambling out of tombs, existing on whole new plains of existence, and more. In the hands, and minds, of these deeply talented and wonderful writers nothing will be quite what it appears. Buckle yourself in and get ready for a ride will of unexpected twists and turns, where your libido and desires may go in one direction while your brain - screaming all the time "No no no no no no!" - goes the opposite.
Excerpt from my story "Between Despair and Ecstasy":
The Seed of the Serpent grew strong in the land and the Sons of Adam cried out to the LORD for they were sore afflicted by those who hunted the night.
The LORD heard their cries and called his angels to him, saying unto them, "Go now to the daughters of men that you find fairest. For my people are pursued and devoured by the Serpents. Go and give my people undying champions to hunt those who would destroy them. The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all they chose. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown, for they stood against the Seed of the Serpent.
"What a load of arrant horseshit." Marcus muttered as he stepped to the next track of the CD in his player. He had heard the Undyings' version of the Creation Myth a number of times in training, and more on instructional CDs like this. The Council demanded that all materials start with the story, just to remind the Immortals, and their human servants like Marcus, that they were special snowflakes. Most Immortals believed it. Marcus had simply held his tongue all through the long years of his training.
Finally, the voice came back. "Hello, Marcus. You have been assigned to attend to Samil. You have access to his dossier. We need you to provide all standard services, as well as frequent reports. Samil is three thousand years old and needs closer monitoring than younger Immortals. He is one of the oldest still in the field. We have every confidence in you. Ihulim levaviim!" Good wishes expressed, the CD ended. He read the dossier the rest of the ride.
The taxi pulled up in front of an ordinary-looking house. Clean and crisp with a small valise at his feet, Marcus rang the bell and Samil benAriel opened the door. There was no invitation to enter, but Marcus knew better than to expect one. Undying never invited anyone into a dwelling. He stepped over the threshold with the assurance of a man entering the last place he would ever live.
Double Dozen Pics of the Day, hosted by Bela Lugosi as Jesus. (this is from 1909)
We have all kinds of goodies. There will be film clips, music, story fragments, and pictures. So let's kick off with some classics.
Clip of the Day
Sounds of the Season
Sunday Treat!
If you would like a copy of The Love That Never Dies, leave an e-mail in the screened comments below. (I will unscreen general comments)
Blurb: Thousands of books have been written about love and sex between humans and werewolves, vampires, aliens, shapeshifters, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. But, what about the real, honest, and alluringly bizarre world of the undead. Not just zombies - though a few are stumbling through this anthology - not just the once-alive - but also the differently-living? In these pages you'll discover things shambling out of tombs, existing on whole new plains of existence, and more. In the hands, and minds, of these deeply talented and wonderful writers nothing will be quite what it appears. Buckle yourself in and get ready for a ride will of unexpected twists and turns, where your libido and desires may go in one direction while your brain - screaming all the time "No no no no no no!" - goes the opposite.
Excerpt from my story "Between Despair and Ecstasy":
The Seed of the Serpent grew strong in the land and the Sons of Adam cried out to the LORD for they were sore afflicted by those who hunted the night.
The LORD heard their cries and called his angels to him, saying unto them, "Go now to the daughters of men that you find fairest. For my people are pursued and devoured by the Serpents. Go and give my people undying champions to hunt those who would destroy them. The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all they chose. There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown, for they stood against the Seed of the Serpent.
"What a load of arrant horseshit." Marcus muttered as he stepped to the next track of the CD in his player. He had heard the Undyings' version of the Creation Myth a number of times in training, and more on instructional CDs like this. The Council demanded that all materials start with the story, just to remind the Immortals, and their human servants like Marcus, that they were special snowflakes. Most Immortals believed it. Marcus had simply held his tongue all through the long years of his training.
Finally, the voice came back. "Hello, Marcus. You have been assigned to attend to Samil. You have access to his dossier. We need you to provide all standard services, as well as frequent reports. Samil is three thousand years old and needs closer monitoring than younger Immortals. He is one of the oldest still in the field. We have every confidence in you. Ihulim levaviim!" Good wishes expressed, the CD ended. He read the dossier the rest of the ride.
The taxi pulled up in front of an ordinary-looking house. Clean and crisp with a small valise at his feet, Marcus rang the bell and Samil benAriel opened the door. There was no invitation to enter, but Marcus knew better than to expect one. Undying never invited anyone into a dwelling. He stepped over the threshold with the assurance of a man entering the last place he would ever live.
Double Dozen Pics of the Day, hosted by Bela Lugosi as Jesus. (this is from 1909)
