BBs Blog

Loving Mayhem

2012-05-17T15:01:00.000-05:00

Tawny had returned to Silos, looked over the old ranch with him, and finally agreed his plans for it just might work. That left him with only having to get her to agree to come there to live. Convincing of her of that was the hardest task he ever undertook. He had considered himself extremely lucky the few times she had actually stayed an entire night with him since they had become lovers. Even if she had once nearly broken his nose when he had reached over to wake her from a screaming bad dream.

Tawny had been horrified at what she had nearly done. Then explained she had nightmares that sometimes made her very dangerous when first waking from them, and that was why she didn't stay the night with him. She never told him what was in those nightmares. By then, Silos would have gladly slept in full body armor, just to be able to have her next to him for the rest of his life.

After that, on the rare occasions she did sleep beside him, he would wake up whenever he felt her body tense, and prepare to roll out of bed and hit the floor if she came awake screaming. Once, feeling her tense, he prepared himself to roll out of the bed and hit the floor, but then she curled up into a fetal position. He was about to spoon up next to her when he heard her whimpering and begging for the pain to stop.

Something told him spooning with her right then might be extremely risky business, and only make whatever the dream was, worse. What made it worse for Silos was that it was a child's pain racked terrified voice begging, "Please, please, I will say it three times. Just don't do that again. I love you. I love you. I love you." Silos felt his heart break as he understood now why Tawny had never said those words to him, and wondered if she ever would. She had continued to whimper, and sometimes whisper words he knew the child in the dream had been forced to say.

Finally the whimpering stopped, Tawny's body began to relax slightly, and slowly uncurl from the fetal position. It was then he had carefully moved his body closer to hers. When she did not react violently to that, he spooned next to her. As her body relaxed completely, Silos put his arm around her, and in that moment realized just how much he had come to love the beautiful, complex, extremely lethal woman, that pain racked begging child had become. He gently kissed the back of her neck, and made a silent promise to her.

Silos noticed when she returned from the trip she had taken just before they came to look at the ranch, she would not sleep next to him at all. But he had snuck into the adjoining motel room, sat beside the bed, and watched and listened as she experienced what were obviously more nightmares about her childhood. He felt his heart shattering as he realized it wasn't just one man who had brought her so much pain. As he watched her whimpering, begging, and curling into the fetal position, he began to suspect her recent trip had something to do with the men in those dreams. He found himself hoping if it did, she had made them pay for what they had done to her.

Perhaps she had thought this trip would end the nightmares. Silos could have told her it wouldn't. At first, it would bring back the memories and make the nightmares worse. In time, it might help. For now, Silos would quietly sit beside her as the nightmares came and went. Softly talking to her in his mind as he did. Whispering words of love she didn't hear, but hoping that some part of her would come to understand nothing that had happened to her in that nightmare past, would change how he felt about her now.

The renovations on the old ranch house were nearly complete before Silos could get her to even agree to try living there. Part of those renovations included quietly installing a monitoring device like that used to keep an eye on babies, in the Master Bedroom, and the room next to it. A door was also added from the Master Bedroom into that room.

He could tell she didn't hold much hope of things working out when she did finally agree to at least trying it. He had watched her attitude slowly changing though a few weeks after moving in, and not been as surprised as she was to see that happening. What had surprised him one night was to creep into the room she still so often slept in, and find Big George standing over her. Silos motioned for Big George not to try and wake her, and for them to leave the room, then Silos turned and headed for the living room.

Back in the living room, Silos poured two stiff shots of Jack Daniels. He handed Big George his shot glass, and watched him knocked it back. Then his old friend had looked at him and said, "I heard her as I was walking past the room. So went in to check on her. Silos, what the hell did she go through? And why didn't you let me wake her up?"

Silos swallowed the shot of whiskey he had poured for himself, then quietly replied, "I don't really know what happened. She refuses to talk about it."

Silos bowed his head and continued, "I can't touch her, or hold her during them. I'm afraid my touch, would make it worse." Then he sighed and said, "And when she is waking from those nightmares, she is, well, sometimes more dangerous than when fully awake. Like when she nearly broke my nose. Plus, I've found if she doesn't wake up herself, or get woken up during the nightmares, she doesn't seem to remember them."

Big George swallowed another shot of whiskey he had poured, then said, "That was child's voice. A child who was being hunted, like a fucking animal. And it wasn't the first time she had been hunted like that."

Silos had nodded, swallowed the other shot of whiskey Big George had poured for him and replied in a low voice racked with pain and anger, "Yeah, but it's what he, and some others did after they caught her, that will really break your heart. And I only know such a tiny bit about that. Just what I've heard while sitting next to her during the nightmares."

He had paused, then looked up at Big George and said very softly, "But see, I made a secret promise to her. I promised even if I couldn't wake her, or hold her during them, I wouldn't let her go through the nightmares alone. She didn't like it the first time she woke screaming and found me in the room, but as long as I don't try to wake or touch her during the nightmares, she has accepted me being there." Then Silos turned, walked out of the living room, and went back to sit beside the bed Tawny slept in so often, but as long as Silos was there, never really alone.

Not long after the cruise they took got cut short by a pirate problem, Silos saw where one of the small towns around them was having a big festival. He decided taking Tawny to it might be a relaxing little outing for them. She and Loretta could check out the arts, crafts, jewelry and clothing vendors that would be there.

As they were walking past one vendor containing Native American crafts Silos saw dreamcatchers hanging from the top of vendors tent. Tawny and Loretta made a beeline for some dresses they saw at another vendor. Silos stood studying the dreamcatchers. As he did, the old Native American woman who was behind the counter watched Tawny, then turned to Silos and said, "Your woman, she needs the dreamcatchers." The old woman had then walked over to the dreamcatcher display, and carefully picked out two large pure white ones, mumbling words Silos did not understand as she took the dreamcatchers down.

Silos had looked into her wise old eyes, and didn't even find himself questioning how those eyes had seen that need and number. He simply nodded, paid her for the dreamcatchers, and had Big George take them and put in the trunk of the car. He didn't hold much faith in them protecting Tawny from the nightmares, but if there was even the slightest chance they could help, Silos would hang a thousand of them in every size and color and in the universe above Tawny's bed so that perhaps she could finally sleep peacefully. In the meantime, he would see if the two he had just bought helped at all.

As he had turned to walk away the old woman said, "You won't need that many. Just these two, and your love. That love will work with them to help protect her from the nightmares." Strangely, Silos once more found himself not questioning how that old woman had seemed to read his thoughts, just hoping she was right, and the love he felt for Tawny, combined with dreamcatchers, would help protect her from the terrible nightmares.

Hunting Mayhem

2012-05-11T19:31:00.000-05:00

To the outside world it was just another former working ranch, turned private hunting lodge/resort. It had a two story house for the owners, smaller cabins for hunters and other guests, and a few spacious rv spaces. There was also a large pavilion, as well as other community facilities. The roomy private patio in back of the main house joined with the meandering porch. Which lead to a bridge that crossed over the koi pond. Once on the other side of the koi pond, one could continue to the other facilities, or go to the area that contained seating around the pond.

It was surrounded by tall barbed wire topped deer fences. With a hidden, locked gate, protected by a surveillance camera. Inside the gate, there were often a lot of people with guns running around on it in ATV's and even souped up golf carts. Which was nothing terribly unusual for a supposed private hunting lodge/resort.

Tawny knew all about hunting. Had learned about it in the dark jungle of madness she had lived in during her formative years. Anointed by Dwayne into his jungle of madness with her mother's blood when she was 8 years old, she had then been raised in it, trained in it, gone to her knees in it, bled in it, learned to live like an animal in it, and been hunted in it, until she was 16.

A couple of months after killing her mother, then taking Tawny to his cabin, he began periodically taking her deeper into his woods, and other remote areas he knew well. He would turn her loose, force her to run, and after giving her a head start, hunt her back down. Every mistake she made as prey that allowed him to easily recapture her was pointed out to her when the hunt was over. Then she was brutally punished for each and every one of those mistakes.

Soon he began allowing three of his most trusted friends to come along on the hunts. Sometimes these hunts lasted for several days. They would hunt her as a group, and then one man at a time. Until she turned 13, the punishments given out although brutally painful and degrading, had not been sexual in nature. Once she turned what Dwayne and his buddies called the Magic 13, that changed.

Shortly after her 13th birthday, Dwayne and his friends had taken her on a week long hunt. What they did to her during that week had damaged her so badly internally she had nearly died. And would never bear children. By then, Dwayne didn't care because what had started as a plan to create the perfect dream woman for him, had become a dark nightmare revolving around having the perfect pet for him and his three friends to play with.

Hunting that perfect pet down, then punishing her for getting caught, had become a favorite form of amusement for Dwayne and his three friends. They would pile into the old van singing a very lewd version of, "A Hunting We Will Go", that revolved around the many things she was going to do to please them during and after the hunt. Inspired by the song, they would already have her on her hands and knees in the back of the van doing some of those things before they reached the end of Dwayne's long driveway.

After she had driven the knife in his chest, then slid it across his throat on her 16th birthday, the painful lessons she had learned at his hands as prey had served her well. Both when she was the hunted, and the hunter. Many of the cruel and painful lessons she had learned at his hands had served her well over the years. Especially when years later, before agreeing to go look at an old ranch with Silos, the rabbit turned on the hounds, and hunted down those friends of Dwayne's that had participated in hunting her.

She started the hunt by capturing all three of them when they were returning home from a Saturday night drunk. They were only too eager to stop on that lonely road and help the leggy redhead standing next to a soccer mom minivan with the hood up. Within moments, the leggy redhead had them bound and gagged in the back of the minivan, which was 4 wheel drive, and had never been owned by a soccer mom.

As she started the minivan, she reintroduced herself to the 3 bound and gagged men, explained they were all going hunting again, then drove off wordlessly humming, "A Hunting We Will Go."

One had suffered some broken fingers from having the hood of the minivan slammed on it. The other two had some slight head and gonad injuries, but nothing that would interfere with the hunt. They never let her injuries interfere with the hunt. Why should she let theirs? She had taken them to one of the remote regions they had once hunted her in. There, she released them one at a time, and hunted each one of them, as they once had hunted her.

They had refrained from actually killing her on those hunts because they had other uses for her once she was recaptured. Lots and lots of brutal perverted uses that left her battered, bloody, and begging for death. She had no use whatsoever for the men she was hunting. Like she once had, they too had begged for death before the hunt was over. And finally, when the rage inside her at what they had done to her all those years ago resided, and their screams for mercy and death had grown boring, she granted them peace. After the third one, for just a moment, she thought of putting the gun in her mouth, and bringing herself the same peace.

The moment passed though. Tawny buried the bodies where they would never be found. She drove the stolen minivan to another state, and in another remote area, completely torched it. After hiking to where she had left another vehicle, being careful to erase her tracks as she did, she got in that vehicle, and returned to Silos. Then agreed to spend the next weekend in the Texas hill country, looking over an old ranch.

Silos had ended up purchasing the old ranch. Then he proceeded to turn it into the supposed hunting lodge/resort that it now was. Unbeknownst to the locals or anyone else, it was now "Home Sweet Home" to a group of the most dangerous and lethal people in the world.

Mayhem On Vacation

2012-05-08T11:36:00.000-05:00

A cruise vacation has seemed such a good idea at the time. A way to relax, and keep a low profile until Calypso could be found and neutralized. So Silos had arranged for a nice Caribbean cruise, and taken some of his people along. Some went as fellow passengers, some as part of the ship's crew.

It had been smooth sailing the first half of the cruise. Tawny and Loretta had enjoyed shopping in the ports they stopped in. Often returning with arms loaded with shopping bags, happily laughing and giggling like schoolgirls over their purchases. Tawny's shipboard closet was crammed with so many clothes, Silos was convinced she could never wear them all. Though he had to admit, she was doing her best to wear each and every outfit in that crammed closet, at least once.

When she and Loretta weren't shopping in the ports they stopped in, they had enjoyed spending long lazy hours around the ship's pool in colorful skimpy swimsuits working on their tans. Causing envy among some of the women, and dirty thoughts among all the men.

In order to wear some of the other clothes they were buying, they often also lounged on the deck chairs on the main or upper deck dressed in colorful tops, shorts, skirts and capri pants. There would relax while sipping a drink, watching the ocean go by, chatting with each other, and at times with other passengers.

Sometimes Tawny would agree to dinner with the Captain, and/or other passengers. Which gave her a chance to wear some of her new dresses. She had even attended some of the parties and other activities onboard, as well as a few on shore activities. There were also plenty of warm wet nights in their private hot tub where Tawny didn't wear anything at all, that Silos really enjoyed.

Then the pirates had boarded the ship. And started rounding up passengers and crew members. At first, nobody got killed. Things changed though when they tried to round up Tawny and Silos.

Tawny had been lounging on the main deck with a glass of wine beside her, looking like a cruise vacation vision in a pastel green floppy brim hat with a yellow ribbon on it. The ribbon matched her bright yellow fitted top with short ruffled sleeves. Her long tanned legs were encased in crisp white capri pants, her feet in bright yellow sandals that perfectly matched her blouse, and the yellow ribbon on her hat. She looked as pretty as a picture, and as harmless as a butterfly.

Looks can be deceiving though as one of the pirates discovered when he leaned over to grab her arm, and yank her out of the lounger. As he leaned down, Tawny sprang up, drove the heel of her hand up his nose hard enough to break it, and send bone splinters into his brain, grabbing his automatic rifle with her other hand as she did. With rifle now in hand, she hit the deck rolling, and began firing.

Surprise is a wonderful element when it works for you. Unfortunately the surprise Tawny unleashed when the pirate had tried to grab her arm worked against the pirates. For a brief couple of seconds the pirates close to her and the other passengers had been too stunned to move. A couple of seconds is all it took for Silos and his people to go into action

Silos, still managing to look dashingly handsome in a loud Hawaiian shirt, khaki shorts and sandals, took advantage of that stunned silence by disabling the pirate nearest him with a flying kick to the head, then finishing him off with the rifle he grabbed from him. Like Tawny, the second that rifle was in hand, Silos hit the deck rolling and firing as well. Big George and Loretta had also acquired firearms by then, and like Tawny and Silos, had hit the deck rolling and firing them. Some passengers were screaming and panicking. A few passengers, normal everyday people who were perhaps more brave than smart, had followed Tawny's lead, also dropped to the deck, and were firing rifles they had snatched off nearby dead pirates.

Things were not going well for the pirates on the main deck, when all hell broke loose below deck. The crew members who were Silos' people had quickly disabled nearby pirates, and having acquired their weapons, were now using them to clear pirates out of the way as they headed for the main deck. The real ship's crew members below deck had played monkey see, monkey do, acquired rifles off dead pirates, and were firing on those pirates still alive below deck. By then, what was left of the pirate wave on the main deck was desperately trying to recede from the ship.

Tawny, who was majorly pissed off because she now had blood all over her bright yellow top and white capri pants, kept firing at the receding wave of pirates muttering, "I fucking HATE it when this happens to a new outfit." When that rifle was empty she threw it down, grabbed another one, and started firing again.

Silos and Big George looked at each other, shrugged their Hawaiian shirt clad shoulders, and let Tawny express her anger.

When Tawny had finished expressing her anger, Silos and the rest his crew boarded the pirate ship. Then put the pirates left alive to work cleaning up the bloody mess on it, and getting the pirate ship ready to sail again. Tawny, still in her blood spattered outfit, glared at them beneath her floppy brimmed hat, had told them they could either clean up the mess they had made, or deal with her.

Loretta, who was also now sporting a bloodstained pink top and sky blue skirt, and not any happier than Tawny about it, yelled, "Yeah! And I'm going to be right there beside her if you wanna be pirates don't help clean up the damn mess."

That's when Silos idly remarked, "I heard somewhere when the Apaches really wanted to torture prisoners, they would give them to the women."

Big George just as idly replied, "I've heard that too. I wonder if it's true?"

After that, the pirates were eager to help clean up the mess.

By the time the authorities got there, Tawny, Silos, and the rest of their crew had left on the pirate ship. Which then vanished, never to be seen again. The Captain, passengers, and crew of the cruise ship swore they had repelled the attack on their own, and made no mention of Tawny, Silos, or any of their crew.

Mayhem Among The Hummingbirds

2012-05-04T12:29:00.000-05:00

Tawny's favorite place was the patio deck. Meandering around oak and maple trees, it and the porch contained two hot tubs, one pool, one koi pond complete with a waterfall, and a shapely half naked female statue pouring water from a vase as the centerpiece fountain. The elaborate patio deck/porch also contained a midsize grill near the sliding glass doors leading out to the beginning of the patio, as well as two huge community grills at the other end of the porch, along with a full wet bar, large fridge, and freezer. There were tables, chairs, and loungers all along the patio/porch. Set against the backdrop of a carefully disguised armed community, it was a little piece of backyard paradise, that was "Home Sweet Home" to a variety of extremely lethal people, and a lot of harmless hummingbirds.

The hummingbirds had started with a couple of feeders hung near one of Tawny's favorite spots on the porch. Then it escalated, and soon there were over a dozen feeders dotting the patio deck and porch. When Big George raised an eyebrow and groused about becoming a sugar water daddy for a bunch of damn hummingbirds after being told to make sure the feeders were kept filled when Tawny was gone, Silos looked at him and replied, "The hummingbirds soothe her."

Big George, who had seen Tawny when she was anything but soothed, and sometimes helped the clean up crew with the bodies when she was unduly provoked, never raised another eyebrow or groused again about being put in charge of filling the feeders when Tawny was gone. Though he would never admit it, Big George had quickly become entranced with the fast flying little birds. Noting that for all their dainty size and cuteness, they were fierce little warriors when it came to defending their rights to the feeders. Like Tawny, he now found himself soothed by them, and feeling strangely blessed that his little charges had no fear of him, and would in fact boldly buzz him when a feeder needed filling.

Big George knew having to put a spiked heel through the eye of a former partner/lover turned rogue was going to cause Tawny's stress level to be very high when she returned from her latest assignment. He made damn sure all the feeders were filled when Silos called to tell them they were on their way back. He also made sure their private hot tub was clean and working, and that there was plenty of her favorite wine in the wet bar. Silos would take care of anything else she would need or want.

When they arrived home, Tawny showered, and headed straight for their private hot tub. When she arrived, Silos was already in it. She slipped in beside him, took the glass of wine he offered her, then leaned back with her eyes closed. That didn't work out too well though because what she kept seeing behind her closed lids were visions of a man she had once respected, made love with, and in her only strange way, been very fond of, with one of her spiked silver heels through his eye.

Tawny opened her eyes back up, and zeroed in on the hummingbirds. Silos relaxed a little when she did that. He had dark unwanted visions of the past that often danced behind his own closed lids. He carefully slid one arm over Tawny's shoulders, and quietly sipped his wine as she watched the hummingbirds. As he knew they would, a few of them zoomed over to the hot tub, and happily zipped around Tawny's head. The smallest of them getting right in front of her, and hovering inches from her nose. Silos watched as a small smile curved Tawny's mouth. And breathed a quiet sigh of relief as he felt her shoulders relax slightly under his arm. Silos liked having his arm over her shoulders because that way, he could feel how tense she was. A very tense Tawny, was a very dangerous Tawny. Not that she wasn't dangerous even when completely relaxed. But tense, she was best compared to sweating dynamite, or a coiled rattlesnake. So he let her watch the hummingbirds without saying a word, and silently thanked the littlest one for bringing that small upward curve to her lips.

That small curved smile the littlest hummingbird had brought to her lips vanished a few moments later when Tawny thought about what certain people were going to try and do in retaliation for what she had just done to her ex lover. Especially the woman who had caused Craig to betray her and go rogue and said, "We need to make sure security is extra tight now."

Silos, who had already thought of the consequences of Tawny's act, replied, "Already taken care of, my dear."

Tawny turned to Silos, another little half smile curving her lips as she did, and said, "Of course." Then leaned over and gently kissed his cheek.

Tawny went back to sipping her wine and watching the hummingbirds. Silos allowed a smiled to crease his own face when he felt her shoulders slightly relax again. Normally Silos would be pervertedly snorkeling under water to help Tawny relax. But all things considered, he knew relieving tension in a sexual way right now was not a good idea. Tawny needed time to morn the loss of what once was. And come to terms with the bitter reality of the present.

After relaxing for 30 minutes Tawny and Silos rose from the hot tub, dried themselves off, then donned terry robes. They walked hand in hand back to the house, changed into shorts and tees, then headed to the community grills. Silos had thought about using their private grill and preparing a quiet dinner for two. But, eating at the community grills, and socializing a little while doing so would be better for Tawny right now, and for him.

All he really wanted to do right then was take her in his arms, make love to her, and somehow make the pain she was feeling go away. Silos knew nothing that he or anyone else could do would make the pain go away though. The pain had started for Tawny when an insane survivalist had drawn the blade across the throat of a woman, while an 8 year old child watched in horror. He had taken the child his to his cabin/compound in the woods, and started the training process he thought would make her the woman of his dreams. For the next 5 years he taught her to cook, clean, hunt, and kill, his way. When the child had turned 13, he had taken her into his bed, and began training her to please him sexually. As she was cutting her sweet sixteen birthday cake, he had stood behind her, one hand helping her guide the knife, the other ran up the back of the dress he. He had laughed and said, "Oh yes baby girl, I'm about to have my cake, and eat it too. You'll like where I'm going to eat it from." At that moment something had snapped deep within the girl. She backed against him, and forced herself to make the cooing sound of pleasure he liked to hear, then replied as she knew he wanted. "Oh daddy, I am going to love that so much."

Just as she knew he would, he had straightened up a little to adjust the hard on that was now aching. It was at that moment she whirled and drove the knife into his chest. Before he could react, she jerked the knife out, and ran it across his throat. She would have loved to make his death a slow very painful one, but as he always said, "Shit happens. Deal with it."

Mayhem Around The Maypole

2012-05-01T20:29:00.000-05:00

The nine dancers adjusted their costumes, rechecked their make-up, then headed towards the three poles festooned with long flowing ribbons. Each pole had three ribbons running down from the top of it. Each dancer took a ribbon in her hand, and proceeded to caress it as if it was a favorite lover. The dancers raised their left arms, wound the ribbons around them, then using them as leverage, leaned back so far their heads nearly touched the stage floor. They then began to ever so slowly and sensuously draw the excess ribbon now running down their arms, and between their legs, up their bent over bodies. As the sultry beat of the music continued, the dancers slowly straightened up, then began to dance joyously, but very provocatively around the poles. As they danced, they began removing parts of each others costumes.

The owner of Dancing Dolls watched his customers reactions to the Dolls Around The Maypole show, and smiled from ear to ear. They loved it. He watched as his newest dancer went to the pole and began to slide up it. Using her legs, and the ribbon as leverage again, she reclined her torso in a vertical position, and began to slide the excess ribbon up and down between her legs. Frankie found himself hoping she would stay around for a while because she was one Hot Bitch, and the customers loved her.

The other two girls continued to dance around her, often dancing up to her and pantomiming performing lewd acts upon her with their ribbons, hands, and tongues, then dancing around the pole, sometimes coming together for a few moments to dance with each other. All while the newest dancer worked the center pole in a manner that had even the owner, Frankie, gulping at times. As he turned to the bartender, who was staring wide eyed at the newest dancer, he remarked, "Doing her, would be like getting it on with a living Gumby doll."

"No shit!" replied the bartender, then hurried off to refill drinks.

Many pairs of eyes were on the newest dancer as she worked the pole. Only one pair of those eyes were of any interest to her. With any luck, her performance would draw the owner of those eyes to her. If it worked, and he followed his usual pattern, his intentions towards her were certainly going to be less than honorable. Then again, that was the norm for Tawny when she was on the job. Attracting dangerous people, who often meant her harm, was part of that job description.

If her plan worked, the man she was currently trying to attract would make contact with her. After a short wooing session, he would promptly sell her into a white slavery ring. It was her job to gather enough evidence during the short wooing session to send him away for a very long time, or if necessary, terminate him. Given the number of people he was responsible for murdering, as well as all the girls he had sold into slavery, Tawny had no problem terminating him, if it came to that.

Sometimes her plans worked out, and sometimes they didn't. Tawny had contingency plans whenever possible. Though some things, like the Blue Rose Killer incident just couldn't be planned for. After all, who would have thought she would be targeted by him, while taking a hike she hoped would put her in contact with her intended target? It was a classic case of, "Shit happens. Deal with it." Silos was still giving her some flack over how she had dealt with it. But, he would get over it. Especially if she could get her intended target to make contact with her tonight.

As Tawny kept working the pole for all she was worth, her intended target was noticing her. He was contemplating that although she was a little older than some liked, he did have a small clientele who preferred more maturity and experience. As she expertly showed her skills off on the pole by performing another body and mind bending Kama Sutra move on it, he had to admit at that moment, fresh faced innocent beauty paled in comparison to them, and he would have cheerfully killed, to be that pole.

Tawny glanced over at her intended target, and was pleased to see he had been dutifully impressed by her last move. Now that she had his complete attention, she performed another Kama Sutra move with the pole, and the ribbons around her wrists, that was bound to keep his attention. She knew she had him when he called Frankie over, whispered something to him, and nodded towards her.

Frankie hated to see this happen in a way. She was a crowd drawer and pleaser. However, business was business, and the money that would pass under the table to him after she disappeared, would more than make up for her loss. Which is why Frankie dutifully saw to it that she went to one of the private rooms after the Dolls Around The Maypoles show was over.

Tawny quickly changed into a clingy through the torso, swirly skirted little black dress. Accessorized it with a pair 6" silver stiletto heels, and a little expandable little silver purse. The innocent looking contents of the purse could be used as in a variety of lethal ways if necessary. Her target was in the room alone when she went in.

They were just getting cozy, when a blast from her past walked in the room. Tawny was already reaching down and removing one of her stiletto heels, and flicking the rubber tip off it before his eyes made contact with her. He had undergone a major redo, which obviously included some reconstructive surgery. As he reached for his gun, she sent the poison tipped stiletto heel sailing through the air, and noticed he still had the small star shaped mole on the back of his hand. Then poison tipped stiletto landed with the heel through his right eye.

The second she had sent that stiletto heel sailing through the air, she had snatched off the other one, flipped the rubber tip off it, and turned to her target. He was reaching for his gun and opening his mouth to say something, when she rammed the other stiletto heel through his left eye, and snatched the gun from his hand.

The blast from the past was twitching on the floor, and her target was certainly terminated. She had wanted to gather as much information about his clients as possible before she handed him over to the wheels of justice, or terminated him. But, this was just another case of, "Shit Happens. Deal with it." Tawny continued to deal with it by sending a quick, "Send in the Calvary!" message to Silos from the iPhone she pulled out of her purse, slid the phone back in it, along with the gun her target had tried to pull on her.

Next she confiscated the smaller gun from his ankle holster, and shoved it down her cleavage. She dragged her target's body over towards the door, and as the blast from the past stopped twitching she grabbed his guns as well. After locking the door, she pushed the bodies against it as a barricade. She slid the table under the a/c vent, removed the screws with a screwdriver hidden in the lipstick tube, and tossed the vent cover on the table. She squatted slightly, then sprang up into the now open duct, and shimmied through it.

She could hear Frankie and his crew trying to get through the door as she made her way along the ductwork. Tawny had already made one trip through this ductwork, and left a few things she thought might come in handy in an emergency. She picked up the two holstered guns she had left, and put them on. Because she didn't like making a fast getaway in high heels or bare feet when on foot, she also picked up the pair of running shoes and slipped them on. She headed towards the vent that came out in the back of the dressing room. After she kicked the vent open, she dropped down into the room.

With the ruckus going on up front, the dressing rooms were deserted. Tawny opened an old trap door she had found in the back of one of the closets, and went down it. It led to the basement, then to a door that she exited the building from. As she went running down the street, a black car pulled up beside her. When the door opened, she dived into the car.

As the car sped off Tawny glared at Silos and exclaimed, "How in the hell did he wind up in that room with me?"

Silos managed to look slightly abashed and replied, "It's like you always say, Tawny, 'Shit Happens. Deal with it.' By the time Carl made him though the redo, he was already nearly to the room."

Tawny slipped off her pink running shoes, leaned back in the seat, took the glass of wine Silos offered her, looked over the rim of the wine glass and replied, "Well don't give me ANY flack about how I dealt with it this time." Then she turned in the seat, raised her legs up, put her feet in Silos Wynter's lap, and began to sip her wine.

He picked up one of her feet he replied, "Don't worry my dear, not a word will be said on how you dealt with it." As he began to rub her foot, he gazed at it, remembering how he had once seen her crush a man's larynx with one well placed blow of that foot. He crooned, "Such a lovely little lethal foot."

Tawny rolled her eyes, took a sip of her wine, then said, "You are a sick bastard Silos Wynter. You were remembering the Kung Fu thing again. You only love my feet because they are so deadly."

Silos looked really wounded to the core, and replied, "That's not true! I also love them because of how they feel against my head when you have your ankles crossed behind my neck. Oh, and then there is how they look over my head with your toes hooked in the bedrail!"

Mayhem & Roses

2012-04-30T16:07:00.000-05:00

The woman unzipped the middle compartment of her backpack and began to rummage through it. The first item she pulled from the backpack was a small square bowl. The bowl contained a ziplock bag with several packages of crackers she had accumulated from various cafes she ate at, and a small ziplock bag of various type of small cheese cubes that had begun the journey frozen. Next she pulled out a package of Jack Links teriyaki beef nuggets, then an Angry Sasquatch Big Stick. She rummaged around a little more, and found the trail mix she was looking for, and a Lucky Charms marshmallow treat bar.

Except for the Lucky Charms bar, the man watching her through the binoculars was pleased with the food she had pulled out of the backpack. So far, almost everything about the woman he had been watching pleased him. As he continued to watch, she took the ziplock bags of crackers and cubed cheese out of the bowl, and sat them on top of the backpack. She reached into one of the many pockets on her loose fitting hiking shorts and pulled out a pocket knife. She used it to cut part of the Big Stick into small pieces. She put the pieces she had cut up, some beef nuggets, and two types of trail mix into the bowl. She picked up the bag of cubed cheese, opened it and shook the cheese into the bowl, grabbed a few of the crackers, leaned back against the tree she was sitting beneath, and began to enjoy her meal.

His eye had first been drawn to her as she had hoisted the backpack over her slender shoulders. He had watched as she pulled a walking stick from the Avalanche, and been stuck by the way the sunshine glinted on light streaks in her otherwise honey colored hair as she had straightened up. His lips curved into a slow wicked smile as the words, "Gentlemen prefer blondes" ran through his head.

He was no gentleman. But did prefer slender lithe blondes as play pretties.

She had walked to the trail head, studied the information beneath glass, took one of the maps from the tray beneath the glass, and followed the wooden arrow that directed her to one of the more difficult hiking trails in the park. He knew that trail well, so waited several minutes before he hoisted his own backpack, then took the same trail at a slow pace. She had taken off down the trail at a fairly good clip, but he knew she would soon come to section of the trail that would slow even the most nimble mountain goat down.

He knew a perfect vantage point to watch her make that rocky ascent from. As he settled into that vantage point, he found himself once more nodding in silent satisfaction as she took one more drink of water, put the bottle back in the net side pocket, then began to carefully climb that very rocky incline. Watching her climb that rocky incline made the man realize he had misjudged her when he had first summed her up as a trophy wife yuppie day hiker. True, the carefully coiffed and colored hair, Avalanche truck, perfectly color coordinated brown and pink camo hiking outfit made her appear that at first. But watching her make her way up that rocky incline caused him to rethink his original assessment of her.

Now, after following her for 5 miles, he had come to the conclusion that whatever she was, she would be his next play pretty. The elusive Blue Rose Killer would strike again, leaving behind his 13th mutilated victim. Just thinking about tucking a blue rose behind the ear of the woman after he was finished playing with her, had him so hard he ached as he watched her relaxing beneath the tree. He was going to do things to that slender lithe body that would stretch its flexibility beyond the breaking point. And it was time to capture his prey. With that thought in mind the Blue Rose Killer backed down the hilltop he was on, and when he was out of her line of sight, stood up, walked away from the trail, then jogged off into the woods. He knew the perfect place to capture her. When she got to that part of the trail, he would be there waiting for his new play pretty.

Just as he had predicted, the woman had picked this spot to take a break. After taking the backpack off she had taken a step back and looked up in order to get a better view of the towering tree she was standing under. The Blue Rose Killer lunged forward, wrapped one around her, making sure she could not reach for the pocketknife, slapped the chloroform cloth over her nose and whispered, "You will beg me to kill you before I'm through with you."

That's when the woman reached up, grabbed the hand holding the chloroform cloth, kicked back with one foot, breaking his shin on impact, and as she jerked the hand holding the chloroform cloth from her mouth said, "I don't think so." With that she flipped him over her shoulder, dropped down onto him, placed one hand over his mouth to muffle his screams, and used the other to bury the pocket knife in his heart. As she looked down at the startled face of the dying man, she leaned over, twisted the knife in his heart and whispered, "But you don't have time to beg me for anything."

She dragged the body off the trail, rolled it down into a gully, then covered it with leaves and branches. She went back to the trail, grabbed her backpack and his, then hiked to a spot where she could get reception. She went through the man's backpack, and raised an eyebrow in surprise when she saw the blue silk rose in the clear plastic tube. Then she sent a quick text that read, "Accidentally ran into some trouble while hiking. Send small, one man clean up crew."

She waited a few seconds, heard the message chime, and read the reply text from Silos that read, "WTF have you done now?"

Tawny Mayhem fired off another quick text, "The Blue Rose Killer. But only him. So far." And grinned as she read the reply to that, "Clean up crew on the way. Try leaving it at just him. For now."

Tawny returned to the ravine where she had left the body, and waited for the clean up crew. She hoped they would get there before she had to add another body to the ravine.

Making Tracks

2012-03-24T22:22:00.000-05:00

I took a hike through the Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area today. I saw one beautiful red flower growing along the entrance road as we were driving down to the river parking area. Figured I would see more of them along my hike, but I never did see another red flower like that one. Fortunately it was still there when Mr. Grinch picked me back up from the park when I finished my hike, so I took a photo of it to share, and hopefully find out what kind of flower it is.

The first thing of interest I saw along the hiking trail I took was a bit of beautiful web witchery. Oh how I love these kinds of tangled webs. I took a nice shot of it, then continued along the trail. I saw one of those wide inviting trails I love so much, and headed down it. The map I had printed out to carry with me on the hike was still in my backpack, so I really had no idea where I was going on this trail, and didn't care. After awhile the wide inviting trail changed, and I saw some very clear deer tracks in the dirt track I was now following. I snapped a pic of them, and continued on. Eventually I wound up back at the picnic tables near the river parking lot, and decided it was a good time for a short water break.

After the water break I headed down the trail to the river, followed the river for a little while, then turned around. As I was coming back up the that trail I took a picture of a whimsical piece of nature's architecture that had caught my eye as I went up that riverbank trail.

I hooked a left after coming up from the river bank, and set off down another series of trails. Those trails took me on a lovely hike that left me a little physically tired, but extremely spiritually rejuvenated. I startled another Jackrabbit as I was going down one trail. He sat very still for a few seconds as if posing. But, wouldn't you know the moment I raised the camera to my eye, he decided to take off. I managed to snap one quick photo of him which turned out okay.

I finally made my meandering way back to where I had started my hike with 30 minutes to spare before Mr. Grinch would be there to pick me up. I sat down at one of the nearby picnic tables and had a snack while I rested and waited for him. Jack Links, teriyaki beef steak nuggets, crackers, trail mix, and water never tasted so good!

I had downloaded a nifty little app called All Trails to my iPhone last night because I wanted a way to keep track of the trails I have hiked, and how far I went while hiking them. According to the Tracks feature on it, I hiked over 3 miles today at an average speed of 1.6 mph. My moving speed was 2.1 mph. There were times my top speed was a fast 5.1 mph. All in all, it this hike was certainly a good stretch of the legs.

To see all the photos I took while hiking today Click Here and choose Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area

Such an inviting trail

2012-03-22T21:38:00.000-05:00

Today I escaped the blowing wind by first getting a quick cut and style, then talking Mr. Grinch into going for a drive. After a scenic drive on FM 474, we took off to the James Kiehl River Bend Park. I took walking stick in hand, and headed off down the trail that takes one to the river. But instead going right to the river this time, I headed along the wider trail running above the river. I walked along that trail for a few moments, then simply had to stop and stare for second at the ever so inviting trail that lay before me. I snapped a picture of that inviting trail, debated for another moment, decided Mr. Grinch had food and drink in the truck, and took that irresistibly inviting trail.

After treading lightly upon that trail for several moments, I came to a spot on the river bank that was easy to walk down to. It offered the perfect place to perch my butt, and simply enjoy the moment. As I sat watching the still swollen Guadalupe flow by, listening to the birds chirping all around me, I had a moment of utter soul soothing tranquility as I took in the beauty all around me.

The recent rains have brought blessed relief from the terrible drought we endured last summer. Lush, is one good word to describe the flora all around me at that moment. And the trees, I know in my heart and soul they are somehow singing with happiness as they continue soaking up this much needed moisture, and unfurling bright shiny new leaves.

The fauna of course is busy eating the heck out of all that lush vegetation. Or trying not to be eaten by something tempted by their now plump goodness. Taking inviting trails like the one that seduced me down it today, reminds me in a very profound way that despite all the beauty, it's still a matter of survival of the fittest. Being reminded of that did not disturb my tranquil moment. Why should it? That is the way of nature. Just as it is the nature of nearly any beast to sometimes take a moment and smell the roses so to speak.

And yes, many animals do that in their own way. Cases in point, a horse, dog, or cat happily rolling in the grass, then laying on its side and soaking up the sunshine. I may never know what animals truly think at moments like that. But I do know as I sat on the river bank today, I fully understand the joy in life they are expressing.

To see the two new photos I took on today's hike Click Here then choose Hiking

One change, leads to another

2012-03-19T14:22:00.000-05:00

Life for me right now is a lot about a lot of changes, that ironically enough, have brought me full circle in some ways. Which is no big surprise to me since I believe life is a continuing circle, filled with ironies. However, that does not mean one has to be stuck in an endless cycle.

If this all sounds confusing to you, then you have never reached a point in life where you felt as if somewhere along the way, you had lost a very important part of yourself.

Those who aren't confused, have reached that point at sometime in their life. Hopefully, they went on to find that part of themselves they thought they had lost.

If you haven't yet found that part of yourself you think you lost along the way, then what you need to do is make as drastic a change in your life as you can. A change that takes you as far away from where you were when you lost that part of yourself, and back to where you really want to be. I promise you, if you can get back to where you really want to be in life, and rediscover that person you were before that part of you went missing, you will also find that missing part of you.

If you need to, take baby steps at first when it comes to a change in your life. Think of one thing in your life right now you can change if you really set your mind to it, then DO IT. Once you have made that change, taken that first baby step, you will find that there are other things in your life you can now change.

It's kind of like a domino effect in a way. You make one change in your life, and no matter how small that change may seem to others, it is going to open doors for you that will allow other changes. Keep making those changes, going through every door that opens up to you. Most importantly, have a wonderful time on this journey you have started that will help you find that piece of yourself you thought you lost along the way.

A Body Truly In Motion

2012-03-18T23:10:00.000-05:00

I was looking at my recent photos and timelines on Face Book, and know I was wearing a big smile as I did because they show a body truly in motion. Today this body in motion descended down into the Cave Without A Name. And what a wonderful adventure that was! I somehow connected with that cave on a very profound level. My heart and soul could feel the haunting ancient energy of that magnificent cave.

Keeping this body in motion by hiking and visiting places like Cave Without A Name is offering me a wonderful way to connect with Mother Nature on a very profound spiritual level. I know that right now, after experiencing so much of her outdoor beauty with the hikes I've been taking, then descending down into one of her ancient caves, and seeing what she could do indoors, with no light, a little water, and a whole lot of time, made me appreciate what a patient artist she really is.

This beautiful hill country is packed with interesting places to go, and things to do. Some of them, like the Cibolo Nature Center, James Kiehl River Bend Park, Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area, and Kreutzberg Canyon Natural Area do not charge any entry fee. Bodies in motion of all ages can enjoy these beautiful natural areas. They are the perfect place for a family outing, a solitary hike, or even to gather with friends at.

We are going to be in for some stormy weather the next couple of days that will restrict my outdoor activities. By Wednesday though things should start settling back down. Thursday I can once more put on my hiking boots, take walking stick in hand, and spend the day once more being a body truly in motion.

To see my most recent Face Book photos, including those of Cave Without A Name Click Here

Confidence, one step at a time

2012-03-15T23:44:00.000-05:00

With walking stick in hand, I am gaining hiking confidence with every step I take. Today we went back to the Guadalupe River State Park. I spent a couple of wonderful hours wandering through the Wagon Ford, Walk In Tent Camping section of the park. Then I hiked quite a bit of the 2.5 mile Loop 2 Trail. No, I don't intend to go tent camping, but the trail running through walk in tent area is fantastic!

As I happily wandered further up that trail, I saw where a tree had fallen, and now lay across the hiking trail. Of course no true hiker would be stopped by that tree. Nor will it stop me next time I visit the park for some serious hiking. I intend to go through that tree, and see what's on the other side of it.

The Loop 2 trail is a beautiful little 2.5 mile stretch of the legs. I hiked part of it from one side, then got back in the truck. After going down the road a little ways, I had Mr. Grinch stop again when I saw where it came out on the other side of the road. I hiked quite a good ways down it from that side as well. I took a couple of pics along the way of the trail itself because it really is a neat looking trail in spots. One of the photos I took shows where the trail is rather stony ground in spots. Fortunately my trusty walking stick allowed me to easily navigate that rather stony ground.

I learned very quickly that it is better to have the walking stick and not really need it, than to really need it, and not have it. One never knows what may the terrain may be like over the next hill, or around the next bend in the trail. Having that walking stick with me gives me the little bit of help I need to confidently navigate whatever terrain I cross while hiking.

To see more photos of Guadalupe State Park I have taken Click Here.

Hooked on Hiking!

2012-03-13T02:09:00.000-05:00

Since doing Enchanted Rock, which was a truly life changing experience for me, I have become completely hooked on hiking! Today I had Mr. Grinch drop me off at the Cibolo Nature Center and spent a couple of hours happily hiking the beautiful trails there. I did learn one very important lesson today though. Make sure I can get the blasted bottle of water open before I start the hike!

I sat down in a lovely spot after hiking a little ways, took a picture, then was going to take a drink. Unfortunately the lid on the bottle was screwed on so tight, even after beating it on the rock I was sitting on, I still couldn't get open. The good news is, further up the trail I ran into a family out for an outing coming back down the trail. I whipped out the bottle of water, held it up, and said, "Would you please do me a big favor and get this blasted bottle of water open for me?"

The woman laughed and said, "Oh I see you got one of those bottles." She tried opening it, but it wouldn't budge. Then she handed it to her husband, who opened it very easily. He just grinned at and said as he handed it back, "You girls loosened for me." Thank goodness for strong men along the trail who can open a bottle of water us girls have already "loosened" for him!

Continuing my hike taught me the trail right at the edge of river is just difficult enough to be challenging in places, but not so scary I was afraid to take the next step. As long as one watched where I put my feet, and used my walking stick, I did just fine. There are a couple of rocky places in the trail you have to step up that are a little tricky for me. But having that stick with me made them far less tricky.

Once I reached what appeared to the end of that trail I backtracked a little ways, then went up some steps that took me to another wider flatter and far easier trail. I took that trail back to where I began. I took a short break, ate some of the trail mix I had brought along, drank some water, and just enjoyed the beauty all around me. Once rested I took the marsh trail. The marsh trail is very easy, but interesting trail. A lot of it a board walk, right above the marsh.

For those who live in this area, or who visiting this area, I highly recommend the Cibolo Nature Centerin Boerne, Tx as a great place for a solitary hike, or a family outing. There are plenty of bird for those who like bird watching. There are also squirrels and other critters if you look carefully around, and pay attention to what you are really seeing. The trails are a truly wonderful way to reconnect with nature. There are beautiful quiet places along the trail that are simply soul soothing.

And thanks to a nifty Rapid Weaver Plug In called Fabo Gallery I can now easily share my Face Book photos with all my website readers, even those who are not on Face Book. This is great for me and my readers because I upload far more photos to Face Book than anywhere else now. To see this new feature and check out some of the many Face Book photos I have, including the newest ones from Cibolo Nature Center, Click Here then use the handy drop down menu to choose the photo album you wish to see.

Still Enchanted

2012-02-26T19:13:00.000-06:00

I have been adding a few more photos to my Enchanted Rock album. These great photos were taken by Ron Meadows with his older 35 MM camera. I forgot to grab my good digital camera as we left, so am very grateful he is allowing me to download them from his Facebook page. From now on, my good digital camera stays tucked in a pocket of my groovy new backpack so that next time I go hiking, I will be able to take great photos too. Though not as great as Ron takes with that 35 MM.

One of my favorite photos that Ron took is this one of me standing there leaning on my walking stick surveying the magnificent scenery around me. Ron was hiding in a gully below me, and I had no idea the camera was on me. As you can see from the look on my face in that photo, I am totally enthralled with that scenery. And I will have to admit, more than a little amazed at myself for already having come that far up the rock. The feelings of accomplishment and inner peace I had at that moment in time cannot be described, only experienced.

The rock solid truth here is I really don't usually deal well with heights. Add to that the fact I was a couple of days short of my 54th birthday, and have no depth perception due to having sight in only one eye, and perhaps you can see why hiking up Enchanted Rock was not as easy a task for me to undertake as it would be for some. However, as the expression on my face shows in that photo, I overcame all that as I stood there leaning on the stick that made that climb a lot easier for me.

Sometimes, life takes its toll on all of us in some form or another. We reach a place in time where we wonder if we have the strength and courage to do what we need, or want to do? You can pray to whatever God or Goddess you believe in for strength and courage, and receive to a certain degree what you are praying for via faith in that God or Goddess. But, sometimes, a person needs more than that. Sometimes, a person needs to know on a very personal level that he or she has the strength and courage to physically and mentally do something. The hike to the summit of Enchanted Rock renewed not only my faith in the things I believe in, but also in myself.

The stunning views from Enchanted Rock are inspiring from any level you are on. The feelings of accomplishment and exhilaration when you reach the summit make the views from it even more breathtaking. No matter what your reasons for climbing Enchanted Rock, reaching that summit does open a new world to anyone viewing it. I stood there, 425 feet above the earth below me, feeling both like a 400ft Amazon woman, and a tiny little ant at the same time. But what an absolutely astounding feeling that was! Because I had enough sense to stay well back from the edge, at no time was I in fear of falling. Climbing that wonderfully Enchanted Rock taught me I'm not really that afraid of heights, so much as being close to the edge of a ledge.

I learned so many things about myself on that climb to the summit of Enchanted Rock. Things I will never forget. Things I will remember in my mind, as well as heart and soul, every time I look at that photo of me standing there completely entranced by Enchanted Rock. I intend to make very sure I stay completely enthralled by what I experienced hiking Enchanted Rock. One way I intend to do that is by undertaking even more hikes. With backpack on, Freddy along for the ride, and walking stick in hand, I intend to allow life to enchant me every damn chance it gets!

Click Here then use the handy drop down menu to choose Enchanted Rock from my Face Book Photos

A precious gift, and a truly Enchanted Rock

2012-02-24T09:55:00.000-06:00

It has become a standing joke that because of my not very good luck at Farkle and Bingo, I am going to have do something like sacrifice a goat in order to win. Naturally I have NO intentions of really sacrificing a goat. However, a gag gift given to me Wednesday night at Farkle by my friends Colleen, Ron, Brian, and Peggy has resulted in me being the proud owner of a tiny plastic toy goat. I was so touched by this funny loving gift, that little goat, who we named Freddy Farkle, is now one of my most prized possessions. The fact they told me after giving it to me they had been searching for 2 weeks for some kind of toy goat for me, makes that gift even more precious to me.

Thursday I headed off to Enchanted Rock with Colleen, Ron, and Brian. There is no way, even if he had 2 good feet, Mr. Grinch is ever going to hike up a huge rock, so I was really pleased to be able to take that journey up Enchanted Rock with 3 good friends. We swung by Walmart first so I could pick up a backpack, and get Mr. Grinch a few things to make sure he had plenty to eat and drink while we were gone. I found a really nifty dark blue, trimmed in pink backpack that says Peace, Love, and Joy on the front of it, and has groovy peace symbols for zipper handles.

I took Freddy Farkle along with me on the trip up Enchanted Rock for good luck. After all, goats are natural born climbers. I am pleased to say Freddy brought us all great luck since we did reach the top of Enchanted Rock without mishap. I even posed Freddy for a couple of shots as we made our way up. And posed him after we arrived at the top with my brand new backpack, and the walking stick I bought when Moonie and I were in Big Bend.

The journey up Enchanted Rock was an incredible experience for me. The views are really magnificent. I did forget to take my good digital camera with me, so had to snap what photos I could with the iPhone camera. Next time I'll pack the good camera in my backpack along with trail mix and other goodies. In a way forgetting the other digital camera was good for me though because it allowed me really experience this fantastic journey on the level I needed to.

I rediscovered parts of myself I thought I had lost along the journey of life while we hiked to the summit of that magnificent rock. As I stood on the summit of it, 2 days shy of my 54th birthday, I remembered that in my impetuous youth I had once climbed to the summit of the great Ayers Rock in Australia. How wonderful it felt to know that all these years later, I could still make it to the top of the largest pink granite monadnock in the United States.

To see more photos of Enchanted Rock, Click Here

Stonehenge II

2012-02-16T09:44:00.000-06:00

Yesterday Mr. Grinch and I went to Ingram, Texas to see Stonehenge II. Stonehenge II was built by Al Shepperd and his friend Doug Hill. Constructed from plaster and graphite-covered steel and metal mesh frameworks this is a more faithful replica of what the original Stonehenge looked like. The finished replica is 90% as wide as the original and 60% the height. There are also 2 13' Easter Island Heads that stand a respectful distance from Stonehenge.

Being able to go to this replica was awesome for me since I have featured a "replica" of the original Stonehenge in The 13th Witch. And that Stonehenge is continuing to be used in the sequel to that. I walked the outer and inner circle, sat on the altar stone, and of course took some pics. I am going to go back there again and spend a little more time walking around the replica, and getting some more pics.

After visiting Ingram we decided to just keep driving around and see what other neat sights we might run across. This beautiful Hill Country is just filled with interesting places to go to. We took The Old Tunnel Road for a few miles, and saw some really beautiful scenery. Too bad Mr. Grinch wouldn't slow enough for me to get pictures that would do it justice. I manage to turn loose of the door handle I was gripping for dear life long enough to snap a fairly decent shot of a really awesome two story house.

Mr. Grinch decided after a few miles he was ready for something to eat so we we turned around and headed to Waring. We intended to get a burger, but they had been so busy they were were out of beef patties so we opted for BBQ sandwiches. Those were some of the best BBQ sandwiches with homemade fries and onion rings I have ever tasted!

As I sit here sipping my first cup of tea this Thursday morning I am once more feeling so very lucky to have found this wonderful place that has so many neat things to see and do. The icing on the cake though is that I was able to end the day by sharing photos and good chat with my friends last night as we played Farkle. It's those good friends really make living here so wonderful. Yes, some of those good friends are only here for a little while before they continue their traveling lifestyle. But, thank goodness we have phones, Facebook, email and messenger services to keep in contact with.

What could be better than living a life in which there are lots of interesting things to do, and fun friends to share those interesting things with?

To see more photos of Stonehenge II click on the photo with this entry.

They really were the best hot dogs!

2012-02-11T10:06:00.000-06:00

As a way to say, "Thank you for these wonderful times around the camp fire" I took some wieners, buns and marshmallows to the Friday night camp fire this week. What a joy it was to watch the people around the camp fire enjoying those hot dogs and marshmallows. It really made me smile when I heard a couple of people remark that was the best hot dog they had in a long time.

Those camp fire roasted hot dogs, served with generous sides of laughter and fun were so good I ate two of them myself. And have to admit, they were the best hot dogs I had in a long time. What a wonderful way to continue my theme of Savoring The Flavor of life.

Sharing great food with good friends is one of the best ways to truly savor the flavor of life. Whether it is hot dogs around the camp fire, or potluck dinners, food just really does seem to taste better when shared with others. Speaking of potluck dinners, I can't wait for the Valentines Day Potluck and Chocolate Madness Dessert dinner. I know there is going to be some really fantastic food there.

When I'm not sitting around the campfire, or farkling, or playing bingo, or sharing a potluck dinner with folks here, Mr. Grinch and I are out and about seeing the sights and grabbing some good food from one of our favorite places. Sometimes I can get him to slow down, or even stop long to snap a few pics while we are enjoying the scenery.

I am snapping pics as much as possible, then adding them to my albums so that I can look at them, and once more smile as I recall the good times associated with each of those pictures. I'm afraid I have to admit to becoming a Facebook fiend. But it is a great way for me to share some of the pictures I'm taking with some of the folks in those photos, as well as with others who follow my Facebook page.

I have always believed life is very much what you make it. In a sense, I made one of my best dreams come true by moving here. That dream was about being in a place that was like a little micro community, where I would be among good friends, and also get to meet interesting new people. Another dream I had was about living in a place that was really beautiful, had lots of interesting sights nearby to see, and fun things to do. Now, here I am at the Top of the Hill RV Resort watching both of those dreams come true.

Along with get togethers here at the Resort that provide me with the opportunity to enjoy sharing good times with friends and new acquaintances, I can go to all kinds of interesting places like the Wildlife Safari, Luckenbach, and every second weekend of the month it's Market Days in Boerne. Which reminds me, I need to get my little butt in gear, get dressed, and head into Boerne in a little while because this weekend is Market Days.

BB does Luckenbach, and gets a Fast Armadillo!

2012-02-07T15:03:00.000-06:00

What a great day it's been! Took off for a drive to Luckenbach Texas this morning. The scenery along the way was really beautiful. Unfortunately I couldn't get Mr. Grinch to slow down enough to get a decent picture, much less stop. After going past it, then turning around, I made my way into the little Gift Shop that if you are coming from Sisterdale, is after the turnoff to where the dance hall and old Post Office building are.

I was glad Mr. Grinch missed that turn off the first time because while getting directions, I also got a really cool hand engraved with a Drimmel drill while I watched, Fast Armadillo wine bottle. Now, if you are coming from Fredericksburg, then the Gift Shop is before you get to that turn off. No matter which way you go to Luckenbach, be sure and stop at the Gift Shop and get your free Fast Armadillo wine bottle! They have all kinds of other neat gifts and souvenirs you can buy as well.

When we finally got to the downtown loop of Luckenbach, I went into the old Post Office building, which is now a really cool gift shop, and bar. There I politely inquired if those porta potties I saw outside were the only facilities in Luckenbach. I was really relieved to discover that no, there are other real restrooms in Luckenbach. The Ladies room is awesomely rustic, complete with little curtains across the stalls instead of doors.

After my brief trip to the Ladies Room, I went back to the old Post Office building and bought Mr. Grinch a hand made in Texas, big knobbed walking stick that has the words, "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting...Holy Sh_T, what A Ride!"

I intend to go back to Luckenbach again and visit both the Fast Armadillo Gift Shop, and the downtown loop as well. Next time, Mr. Grinch is going to let me stay longer or I'm going take that big knobbed walking stick and.....

Click on the pic of the Fast Armadillo bottle to see more Luckenbach photos.

A Real Change For The Better

2012-02-06T17:04:00.000-06:00

When is the last time you laughed so hard you couldn't catch your breath? Sat around a bonfire with good friends and new acquaintances? Waved pom poms at a Super Bowl Party? Played a fun game like Farkle or Chicken Foot Dominoes? Thanks to now living life at the Top of the Hill RV Resort, I can gleefully say, "Why just within the past week!" to all of the above questions.

Moving here has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. Made me realize that I still do possess a pretty good set of social skills, that I still can make people smile and laugh when I'm around them. And just as importantly, I can still smile, laugh and have a lot of fun myself when around people like the great folks here at the Top of the Hill RV Resort.

What a joy it's been learning to play fun games like Farkle, and last night at the Super Bowl Party, Chicken Foot Dominoes. Heck, I'm even attending Monday night Bingo games, and learning very quickly that at least around here, Bingo, is not just for people of a "certain age" as Mr. Grinch, AKA Larry said. Truth be told, depending on what your idea of acting our ages might be, some of us here just don't do that. No matter what our ages may be, we are too darn busy waving pom poms and having fun to be worrying about acting our ages.

Speaking of waving pom poms, I am so glad the inner child within me insisted on grabbing a couple of pair of those yesterday at Walmart when I was picking up the party trays for the Super Bowl Party. We had so much great fun acting silly and waving those pom poms around last night. It is often said it is the little things in life that mean the most. I think those little pom poms we waved around last night proves there is much truth in that statement. Especially, when little things like that are shared with good friends.

To see more pictures of the Super Bowl Party click on the photo of me waving those pom poms :)

Why smiling is so important

2012-01-22T19:49:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking about smiles for some reason today. No, not the little yellow smiley faces. I mean real smiles. Perhaps the reason real smiles have been on my mind today is because I've smiled so much lately. Especially yesterday as I interacted with the animals at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Park. I know I was as bad as some of the kids when it came to being awed and entertained by those magnificent animals. Know I had a big smile plastered on my face throughout most of that experience.

When is the last time you did something that made you smile from ear to ear?

Sometimes we forget how much a smile can mean. One never knows just how much that sunny smile you give a total stranger, can brighten his or her day. I like giving total strangers big sunny smiles. Sometimes, without missing a beat, they return that smile. Other times they blink, and almost take a step back. It's obvious wherever these those folks are from, getting big sunny smiles from a total stranger for no apparent reason, isn't something they see every day.

If I'm in a crowd of people I'm apt to pick out the grumpiest looking one, then turn my biggest brightest 1000 watt on him on her. I've had lots of different reactions to that. Have had a few people look at me like I was totally, perhaps even dangerously insane, shake their heads, then hurry off. I love that reaction. While I watch them hurry off, with a big grin on my face, I'm thinking, "Yeah I'm bad! I can scare them with a sunny smile!"

When is the last time you smiled so big at a stranger they thought you were a possible lunatic?

Other times a stranger will blink in surprise, give me a bit of a leery look for a second, then sort of cave in, and return the smile. As that smile is reluctantly returned, I know that no matter what has caused that person to have looked so grumpy, at least for a few seconds, he or she felt a little better.

When is the last time your smile brightened the day of someone badly in need of a sunny smile?

Don't you think it would be fun to be able to answer? "I have done all 3 in the past couple of days!"

Just a little thought from Beyond ;

On Safari!

2012-01-22T10:14:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning I decided to dress up in my black skirt, fun lace and knit leggins, little black boots with the grey fur trim, and a black blouse. I figured with this outfit, I was ready for anything life might throw at me. Imagine my surprise when a little later Mr. Grinch suddenly decided this was the day we would go on the Natural Bridge Wildlife Safari. I wasn't about to take a chance on him changing his mind while I changed clothes, so headed off to the drive through African safari dressed to the nines.

At first I thought that was the same place that had the viral video on You Tube. But after arriving there discovered it wasn't. That was fine with me though because I had been wanting to go on this drive through safari for several months now. I figured even if that wasn't the park that had the over friendly zebra, I would still be really stylishly dressed if something happened that wound up with me on a viral You Tube video.

I'm happy to report that nothing like that did happen. However, there was this one zebra who really had the feeding thing down pat. It would just come right up to the open window, stick its head in it, then open its mouth wide, and wait for food pellets to be tossed into that wide open mouth. I didn't get a pic of that because I was too damn busy tossing food pellets into its mouth. I was afraid if I stopped throwing food in there long enough to grab the iPhone and take a picture, it might get mad and eat my iPhone.

I noticed that although you were told at the entrance to toss the food on the ground and not feed the animals by hand, some of the animals there were so spoiled they gave you a dirty look when you tossed food on the ground. Those spoiled creatures would then stick their heads in the window and make it plain they wanted a food pellet they didn't have to pick up off that nasty ground. So yeah, I broke the rules and hand fed those spoiled critters. I spent a good deal of my life around horses though, so knew to put the food pellet in the palm of my hand, and keep my fingers straight.

I really enjoyed seeing and interacting with the animals at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Park. It's obvious they also enjoy interacting with the humans who supply them with endless food pellet treats. I noticed though that a few of the animals didn't seem very hungry for the pellets, but did seem to enjoy just visiting for a moment with the humans passing through their domain. One of the zebras especially enjoyed visiting with me for a few moments when I conducted an experiment and scratched what is always a prime itchy spot on a horse. I figure a zebra is nothing but a small horse with stripes. Sure enough, that zebra had the same, right there on the withers itchy spot all horses do.

Today's little drive through African Safari Adventure was a fantastic Saturday outing. Unfortunately I forgot to grab the good camera when we left. I did have my iPhone with me of course, so managed to snap a few good photos with it. We intend to return to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Park, and do the drive through safari again. I will be sure and take the regular digital camera then. One day I also want to do the Natural Bridge Caverns. I think I will save that for a spring or summer outing though.

Sitting here remembering the fun I had today as I write this makes me so glad that we decided to call this area home. I have lived in many places in my lifetime. Traveled a great deal in my younger days. Then put down roots that I thought ran very deep. Things change though, and the move to this beautiful hill country has been a change for the better. Perhaps the best part of that change is the fact that Saturday evening I spent a little time around an impromptu Saturday night campfire sharing stories about the wildlife safari I had just gone on with some of the good friends I have gotten to know here at the Top of the Hill RV Resort. Now how cool is that?

To see the photos I took while on the Wildlife Safari Click Here

That "certain age"

2012-01-19T23:34:00.000-06:00

Girls Gone Wild! New Years Eve 2011

I am happy to say that work on the new clubhouse has begun! The pavilion is great for big get togethers like Thanksgiving and Christmas. But, for games and little potluck suppers, it's awfully big. Plus, the nearest public bathroom right now is across the lane in the laundry trailer. Those of us who are enjoying the games, potluck meals and other activities Colleen is doing such a wonderful job organizing, are going to be damn glad to see that new clubhouse finished.

Wednesday night is board, card, and dice games up at the pavilion. I’ve been having fun participating in some of those games. I learned to Farkle last week, and came close to winning a round of it this week. I needed to roll a combination that would get me exactly 250 points so I could reach the 10,000 mark. Unfortunately I rolled everything but a 250. I wound up getting beat by a pal who rolled the 150 he needed in one fell swoop.

Monday is bingo night. I amazed myself by actually wandering up to the pavilion this past Monday night, and playing a few games of Bingo. I had steadfastly resisted the Bingo thing because of bad dreams in which I turned into a little old blue haired lady the moment I shouted, "Bingo!" Larry didn't help matters when as I put my coat on he made a snide comment about how I was that "certain age" now that I was going to play Bingo. I reminded him he was ten years older than me, then flounced off to play Bingo.

I came close to winning the final black out game my first night of Bingo, and seeing if that nightmare comes true. But as luck would have it, another pal beat me to it. So far, nobody has turned into a blued haired old lady no matter how many times they shouted, "Bingo!" I think I'm pretty safe if I ever do win a game.

As long as fire bans are lifted, and the wind cooperates, Friday night is bonfire night. I not so jokingly remarked one Friday evening the nice folks sitting around the campfire that night were the only ones I really felt comfortable attending a bonfire with. One of the folks visiting for a few days gave me a questioning look. I held up the broom and pentacle necklace I always wear, and in a stage whisper said, "Witches have to be careful around bonfires." She blinked, then nodded her head as she joined in the laughter with those who had known why I was normally leery of bonfires.

Be they here at the Top of the Hill RV Resort, or in the bustling town of Boerne, making sure I look my best when I attend any activity has become a fun activity in itself for me. Yes, shopping for things to wear is part of that fun. But, I've also recycled some older clothes I have into some great outfits. Those funky spandex Flirt dresses I bought so long ago are being majorly recycled. I top them with a matching, or contrasting sweater, add a scarf, belt, leggins and boots. A funky summer spandex dress then becomes what appears to be a sexy winter skirt and sweater outfit.

Looking my best is about more than just the right clothes though. Finding the right makeup, especially now that playing Bingo makes me that "certain age", is more important than ever. While looking for some new mineral powder at Walmart, I came across a Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Correcting Kit that included concealer, highlighter, correcting powder, and loose powder for $19.24. The correcting powder is really strange looking, but does what it says, and looks great on. So far, I really like everything in this kit. I think I will be looking for more Physicians Formula products in the future.

Street Eats

2012-01-07T22:53:00.000-06:00

Watching my shrimp creole crepe
being made

Street eateries are one of the many ways I am savoring the flavor of life this year. Boerne offers a wide variety of those during Festivals, Market Days, Parades, and other special events. A few of those vendors can be found around town all the time now though. Crepe Nations is one of our favorite street eateries that can be found at the plaza most days. Watching the crepes being made is fascinating. Eating the finished product is a culinary delight. The shrimp creole crepe I got today was make your eyes water, clear your sinuses good. The banana Foster crepe I got for dessert was a delightful dessert after that hot and spicy savory crepe.

I also saw Fat Bellies at the plaza recently as well, so if they are going to hang out there we will be trying to good Cajun cooking soon. There is all a Skinny Cat Catering down near Cibolo creek I will try when they finish the new sidewalk by the creek they are building. Have I mentioned Boerne REALLY loves their sidewalks?

I wonder if the people so often seen strolling up and down those sidewalks has anything to do with some of the street eateries hanging out in Boerne full time? I just know the only time I saw anything close to a street eatery in west Texas was if I went to a fair, carnival or circus. Now that I’m living here in the hill country, I’ve become such an avid fan of them, I downloaded the Eat St. app for my iPhone so I can keep up with my favorite street eateries.

If you had told me a year ago I would be downloading an app for my iPhone to keep up with street eateries on, I would have told you to seek psychiatric help. Heck, a year ago I was fighting the idea of even getting an iPhone! And look at me now.

A hot and spicy beginning

2012-01-03T15:49:00.001-06:00

Colleen, our new Activities Director has done it again! And she is making my 2012 theme of Savoring The Flavor of Life so easy. The "So You Think Your Chili is Hot?" contest was a wonderful success. And the prize winning chili, cooked by Patricia Warren, some of the best I've ever eaten. Kudos to Colleen for arranging the chili cook off, and to Patricia for that delicious prize winning chili.

One of the reasons I chose the Savoring the Flavor of Life for my theme for this year is because great food, sometimes shared with good friends has become such a part of our life now. Whether we are eating something I've cooked up on the grill, in the crockpot, on the stove, eating something from one of the great restaurants around us, or breaking bread with friends at a potluck meal, I am very much learning to not only slow down and smell the roses, but also to take time to savor that good food I'm eating.

It is the potluck suppers and chili cook offs like New Year's day I enjoy the most when it comes to Savoring The Flavor of Life. It is the people attending them that make those occasions something truly special. There are always people there that I've come to consider good friends, as well a few new folks and total strangers that may wind up becoming good friends. The conversation is always lively, but never belligerent. I've been to several of these little get togethers now, including last night's New Year's Eve celebration, and not once have I ever experienced a bad or uncomfortable moment caused by rudeness. It never ceases to amaze me how well we do all get along when we gather together.

I think the fire us regulars here went through is part of the reason those of us who do call The Top of the Hill RV Resort home, are like that. Though we were always good neighbors, after the fire we made more of a point to check on, visit with and just generally sort of look out for our friends and neighbors. You can tell which of us went through that fire when you get us all gathered around a nice little bon fire. We are the ones carefully keeping an eye on that fire, and jumping up to stomp out the tiniest straying spark from that fire. We have learned that though it is a beautiful and warming thing on a cold winter's eve, it can also be a terrifying and destructive force when out of control.

I am looking forward to many more opportunities to savor the flavor of life this year. Colleen said something that really stuck in my mind New Year's Eve. Something about going around one more time. And that idea really appeals to me. Yes! I want to really savor the flavor of life to the fullest one more time before I slide into my grave looking like hell, but grinning like a monkey. Or wind up in an old folks home in depends. Whichever comes first. Either way, while I am still of sound mind and body, and known for my sexy knickers, I intend to go around one time on the merry go round of life, and reach out for that brass ring. Fortunately I'm in a place and time that I can do just that while surrounded by good friends, and truly interesting strangers.

One way I am staying in shape while still savoring the flavor of life, and so much good food, is by taking frequent walks as often as possible. That way I can still savor the flavor, and zip up my favorite pair of skinny jeans. No, I do not, and will not own a pair of those pajama jeans. Though I will admit to really loving leggins. Especially now that I've got some cute skirts, dresses, and boots to wear with them. With Colleen planning so many fun activities, I'm thrilled to say that making sure I do always have something nice to wear to those activities has become a very fun activity in and of itself. Especially with great gal pals to go shopping with.

Savoring the flavor of life

2012-01-01T11:58:00.005-06:00

Celebrating New Year's Eve with friends

I'm sitting here this morning enjoying a cup of tea, and thinking how lucky I am that a little over a year ago we decided to visit this area. Had we not done that I might well have spent yet another New Year's eve sitting in that big old house in west Texas wishing I was out celebrating it. Thanks to that fateful decision, I spent this New Year's Eve sitting around a campfire laughing, joking, talking, and just having a wonderful time with some of the greatest folks I've ever met.

The change in our lifestyle that was brought about by that fateful decision to come here for a visit has been one that I am really digging all year round. And I have the feeling this year is going to be even better. We have a new director of activities that as last night's celebration proved, is damn good at her job! I can't wait to see what other things she cooks up for us. Last night she mentioned she was arranging a wine tasting tour for those who wanted to take it. Bet your bippy BB is going to be signing up for that!

What's really great is even as I write these words this first morning of 2012, I know in a little while I'll be heading back up the pavilion for another fun event. Today we are having a So You Think Your Chili's Hot cook off. No, I am not cooking any chili, though I did pick up some tamales from Mi Casa to go with all the great chili that will be there. I have no doubt I will enjoy the chili and tamales. But, what I am really going to enjoy is visiting with the folks who prepared that chili, as well as others like me who just come to savor the flavor of it.

Savor the flavor of life is going to be my theme for 2012. I want to experience EVERY joyous happy moment I can, and savor the flavor of each of those moments as if they were my very last taste of life. Truth is, any moment can be that for any of us. Or if something like a giant meteor strikes earth, all of us. Should I suddenly fall over dead, or something horrendous happen to the whole earth, I would like to be sitting among real friends laughing, joking and having a good time when it does.

To all those reading these words, I wish you a very safe, happy, and prosperous 2012. May at least one of your dreams come true. But remember, sometimes we have to help the Dream Faerie out and make a change in our own life first for that to happen.

Ms Knickers

2011-12-29T15:55:00.000-06:00

One thing I have learned about using the laundry room here is that you had better NOT accidentally leave undies there. I made the mistake of doing that not so long ago, and thanks to one of our fun loving camp workers, I am now known for my knickers collection. I honestly hadn't noticed I had left my little knickers in the laundry, and when nobody came to claim them, they were hung up on hangers across the little wire shelf at the front of the laundry room. I went to the laundry a couple of days later to do a load of wash, and imagine my surprise when I saw my own panties hanging up there. I quickly took them down, tossed them in a net bag and back in the washer.

About that time another of the camp workers turned up to do some cleaning and remarked someone had finally found their knickers. I sort of blushed and said, "Yeah. Looks like it." Roy saw my expression and started laughing his ass off while gasping, "Those were your knickers? Damn we have been wondering who the belonged to."

I take a lot of flak about my knicker collection now. You can bet your bippy than I make DAMN sure now that I don't leave any clothes behind in the laundry room. Especially my unmentionables! If you are wondering why I didn't miss those knickers sooner, it's because I happen to have a large lingerie collection, and just didn't notice those few pairs were gone.

I am handling being Ms Knickers with as much grace and good humor as possible. Though I have to admit that I may yet wind up throttling Kane for hanging my panties up. Roy, who is the camp worker that came into the laundry the day I found my knickers hung up, and who takes great delight in messing with people, has been relentless about reminding me about the knickers incident. He did that once too often the other day when I went to check the mail, and without thinking I began "beating" him about the head and shoulders with the mail I had in my hand. Fortunately for Roy, nobody had mailed me a blunt object, so being beaten with the junk mail in my hand didn't really hurt him.

What amazed me was that when I realized what I was doing, I stopped, thinking to myself, "Oh hell they are going to think I'm a dangerous lunatic!" But, instead of finding the other people in the office looking at me in utter horror, I turned to find them cheering me on, and trying to get video! Everyone there has had at least one of Roy's jokes played on them, so I have now become the camp darling for being the only one to retaliate in such a manner.

As I was getting into the Club Car, Brian, another camp worker, reached down and picked up an envelope, held it out and said, "You dropped your mail, Ma'am." As I walked over, then took the envelope out of his hand, I felt like I was in some strange version of The Quiet Man. Think when Maureen O'Hara loses her shoe and one of the villagers picks it up and hands it to her. Then I remembered the scene where someone hands John Wayne a stick to beat the pretty lady with, and thought despite the fact Roy is hardly a pretty lady, it was a damn good thing there wasn't a stick there to hand me when they were cheering me on so.