Podcasts about botanical

Director Simon Duffy describes the wide range of activities at Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Love can wait—confidence can't. We're taking Valentine's and turning it into a catalyst for self-trust with twelve solo date ideas that make everyday life richer and future solo travel feel natural. Cheryl shares simple, doable outings that help you practice listening to yourself, choosing your own pace, and finding joy without waiting for company.We start small with cozy cafes and bookstore dates that teach presence and comfort in public spaces. Then we stretch into museums and galleries where you can follow your curiosity without compromise. Thrifting and farmers markets add playful exploration and sensory delight, while inner child activities—like skating, doodling, or a leisurely bike ride—bring back lightness adults often forget. Nature gets a highlight with new parks and trails that build planning skills and resilience, and we balance it with restorative self-care through a spa day that tells your body it matters, no excuse needed.You'll also hear how classes and workshops become low-pressure ways to meet people while learning a skill, why a cooking class can become a confidence anchor you repeat at home, and how being a tourist in your own town trains the exact logistics you'll use abroad. Botanical gardens invite deep attention and seasonal timing, and a vision board night turns fuzzy goals into a daily, visual nudge toward action. By the end, you'll see solo dates not as a consolation prize, but as training reps for independence, joy, and the courage to book that trip.If this resonated, tap follow, share with a friend who needs a nudge, and leave a quick review telling us which solo date you'll try first. Your story might spark someone else's leap.Support the showhttps://www.cherylbeckesch.com hello@cherylbeckesch.com Instagram @solotraveladventures50

Fluent Fiction - Danish: A Botanical Blunder: Laughs and Lessons in København Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2026-02-08-23-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: Søren hoppede ned ad de snedækkede stier i Botanisk Have i København.En: Søren hopped down the snow-covered paths in the Botanisk Have in København.Da: Hans hænder var stikkende kolde, men hans sind var i højeste gear.En: His hands were stingingly cold, but his mind was in high gear.Da: Freja var kommet hele vejen fra Aarhus for at besøge ham, og han var opsat på at vise sin imponerende viden om botanik.En: Freja had come all the way from Aarhus to visit him, and he was determined to show her his impressive knowledge of botany.Da: Freja gik ved siden af ham og så sig nysgerrigt omkring.En: Freja walked beside him, looking around curiously.Da: Søren smilede ved tanken om, hvor imponeret hun ville blive.En: Søren smiled at the thought of how impressed she would be.Da: De trådte ind i et af drivhusene, hvor varmen slog imod dem.En: They stepped into one of the greenhouses, where the warmth hit them.Da: "Se her, Freja," sagde Søren.En: "Look here, Freja," said Søren.Da: "Der er så mange interessante planter herinde."En: "There are so many interesting plants in here."Da: Han pegede på en grøn busk med mærkelige blade.En: He pointed at a green bush with strange leaves.Da: Freja nikkede og knipsede nogle billeder med sin telefon.En: Freja nodded and snapped some pictures with her phone.Da: Pludselig fik Søren øje på et skilt, som han ikke læste ordentligt.En: Suddenly, Søren spotted a sign he didn't read properly.Da: Han troede, at det stod "spiselige planter."En: He thought it said "edible plants."Da: Uden at tøve plukkede han et blad og tog en bid.En: Without hesitation, he plucked a leaf and took a bite.Da: Smagen var mindre end lækker, men han forsøgte at holde masken.En: The taste was less than delightful, but he tried to keep a straight face.Da: "Ser situationens humor, Freja?"En: "Do you see the humor in the situation, Freja?"Da: spurgte han og gnaskede halvhjertet videre.En: he asked, chewing half-heartedly.Da: Freja så på ham med hævede øjenbryn, men før hun kunne svare, hørte de den skarpe stemme fra Lars, en medarbejder i haven.En: Freja looked at him with raised eyebrows, but before she could respond, they heard the sharp voice of Lars, an employee in the garden.Da: "Hvad laver du?"En: "What are you doing?"Da: spurgte Lars med den slags opstillede ro, der kun varsler problemer.En: asked Lars with the kind of forced calm that only spells trouble.Da: "Disse planter er ikke til at spise!"En: "These plants are not for eating!"Da: Søren blev rød i ansigtet, men i panik valgte han at spille videre.En: Søren turned red in the face, but in panic, he chose to play along.Da: "Åh, jeg vidste det.En: "Oh, I knew that.Da: Bare en lille smagstest," sagde han og forsøgte at se selvsikker ud.En: Just a little taste test," he said, trying to look confident.Da: Lars så ikke ud til at være imponeret.En: Lars didn't seem impressed.Da: "Vi kan ikke have folk til at prøve vores udstillinger," sagde han og tog fat i Søren.En: "We can't have people tasting our exhibits," he said, taking hold of Søren.Da: "Jeg bliver nødt til at føre dig ud."En: "I'll have to escort you out."Da: Men i det øjeblik brød Freja sammen af grin.En: But at that moment, Freja burst into laughter.Da: Hendes latter fyldte det lille drivhus og fik flaskerne med plantemærkater til at ryste en smule.En: Her laughter filled the small greenhouse, causing the bottles with plant labels to shake a bit.Da: Selv Lars kunne ikke dy sig for at smile svagt.En: Even Lars couldn't help but smile slightly.Da: "Okay, okay," sagde Søren og kastede hænderne op.En: "Okay, okay," said Søren, throwing up his hands.Da: "Jeg indrømmer, det var en fejl."En: "I admit, it was a mistake."Da: Lars sukkede, men hans ansigt blødte op.En: Lars sighed, but his expression softened.Da: "Følg mig.En: "Follow me.Da: Jeg skal vise jer den rigtige sektion med spiselige planter."En: I'll show you the correct section with edible plants."Da: De fulgte Lars gennem haven, denne gang uden at smage på noget.En: They followed Lars through the garden, this time without tasting anything.Da: Selvom Søren ikke havde imponeret Freja med sin ekspertise, havde hans lille uheld givet dagen en uventet morskab.En: Although Søren hadn't impressed Freja with his expertise, his little mishap had brought an unexpected amusement to the day.Da: Da de gik gennem de stadig sneklædte stier for at forlade haven, lænede Freja sig mod Søren og sagde: "Jeg kan godt lide din stil, selvom den ikke er særlig botanisk."En: As they walked through the still snow-covered paths to leave the garden, Freja leaned against Søren and said, "I like your style, even if it's not very botanical."Da: Søren lo og følte sig glad.En: Søren laughed and felt happy.Da: Han havde måske ikke vist sig fra sin bedste side, men han havde lært, at et godt grin gjorde mere indtryk end en fejlfri præstation.En: He might not have shown his best side, but he had learned that a good laugh made more of an impression than a flawless performance.Da: De gik videre, hånd i hånd med en fornyet forbindelse og et stille løfte om ikke at tage planter for givet.En: They walked on, hand in hand with a renewed connection and a quiet promise not to take plants for granted. Vocabulary Words:hopped: hoppedegear: gearcuriously: nysgerrigtgreenhouse: drivhuswarmth: varmenplucked: plukkededelightful: lækkerstraight face: holde maskenhalf-heartedly: halvhjertetsharp voice: skarpe stemmeforced calm: opstillede ropanic: paniktaste test: smagstestconfident: selvsikkerimpressed: imponeretexhibits: udstillingerescort: førelaughter: latterbottles: flaskerplant labels: plantemærkateradmit: indrømmersoftened: blødtemishap: uheldamusement: morskabcareful: varslerimpression: indtrykflawless: fejlfrirenewed: fornyetbotanical: botaniskleaned: lænet

Fluent Fiction - Hungarian: Botanical Bonds in the Dead of Winter Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/hu/episode/2026-02-08-23-34-02-hu Story Transcript:Hu: A fagypont alatt volt az időjárás az ELTE Füvészkert Botanika Kertben.En: The weather was below freezing at the ELTE Füvészkert Botanika Kert.Hu: Hó takarta be a földet, a fákról jégcsapok lógtak.En: Snow covered the ground, and icicles hung from the trees.Hu: Mégis, a kert különösen gyönyörű volt télen.En: Yet, the garden was particularly beautiful in winter.Hu: Csendes volt minden, csak Balázs és Zsófia hallatszott a kerti üvegházakból.En: Everything was quiet, only Balázs and Zsófia could be heard from the garden's greenhouses.Hu: Balázs, botanikus, mindig korán érkezett.En: Balázs, a botanist, always arrived early.Hu: Szenvedéllyel vizsgálta a ritka növényeket.En: He examined the rare plants with passion.Hu: Mellette dolgozott Zsófia, aki újszerű ötleteiről volt híres.En: Next to him worked Zsófia, who was famous for her innovative ideas.Hu: Ő egyaránt izgalommal és szorongással tekintett a közelgő Valentin-napra, csakúgy, mint Balázs.En: She looked toward the approaching Valentine's Day with both excitement and anxiety, just as Balázs did.Hu: Egy szorító határidő miatt feszültség volt a levegőben.En: Due to a pressing deadline, there was tension in the air.Hu: A tél váratlanul kemény fagyot hozott, és a növények veszélyben voltak.En: The winter had unexpectedly brought harsh frost, putting the plants in danger.Hu: Egyik nap reggel Balázs kétségbeesetten tekintett végig a károsodott növényeken.En: One morning, Balázs looked desperately over the damaged plants.Hu: Zsófia gyorsan rávetette magát a megoldások keresésére.En: Zsófia quickly threw herself into finding solutions.Hu: „Valamit gyorsan ki kell találnunk,” mondta Zsófia.En: "We need to come up with something fast," said Zsófia.Hu: Tekintete találkozott Balázséval. "Tudom, hogy képesek vagyunk rá."En: Her gaze met Balázs's. ""I know we can do it."Hu: Balázs szíve hevesebben vert. Egyszerre érezte a kockázatot és a vágyat.En: Balázs's heart beat faster. He simultaneously felt the risk and the desire.Hu: Napok óta azon töprengett, hogy miként kérhetné meg Zsófiát egy kávéra Valentin-nap alkalmából.En: For days, he had been pondering how to ask Zsófia for a coffee on Valentine's Day.Hu: Most azonban a növények élveztek elsőbbséget.En: But now, the plants took priority.Hu: Zsófia, ahogy mélyebben koncentrált, egy új módszert javasolt a növények megmentésére.En: Zsófia, concentrating deeply, proposed a new method to save the plants.Hu: Szakértelme és hozzáállása fényt hozott az üvegházba.En: Her expertise and attitude brought light to the greenhouse.Hu: Együtt egész nap törekedtek az ötlet megvalósítására.En: Together, they worked all day to implement the idea.Hu: Mikor sikerült, elégedett mosollyal néztek körbe.En: When they succeeded, they looked around with satisfied smiles.Hu: Izgatottságuk csúcspontján Balázs elszánta magát.En: At the peak of their excitement, Balázs made up his mind.Hu: „Zsófia,” kezdte, kissé dadogva, „ha ráérsz, lenne kedved velem kávézni egy nap a közelgő Valentin-nap alkalmából?”En: "Zsófia," he began, slightly stammering, "if you have time, would you like to have coffee with me sometime around the upcoming Valentine's Day?"Hu: Zsófia ajkai mosolyra húzódtak.En: Zsófia's lips curved into a smile.Hu: „Örömmel,” válaszolta.En: "I'd be delighted," she replied.Hu: Szívében örömmel és boldogsággal gondolt a közös sikerükre és a megnyíló lehetőségekre.En: Her heart was filled with joy and happiness as she thought of their shared success and the opportunities that opened up.Hu: A projektjük végül nagy elismerést kapott.En: Their project eventually received great recognition.Hu: A siker után, kávézás közben, a jégkéreg alatt friss lehetőség rejtezett.En: After the success, while having coffee, new possibilities lay hidden beneath the ice crust.Hu: Balázs magabiztosabbnak érezte magát, míg Zsófia úgy érezte, munkáját végre igazán értékelik.En: Balázs felt more confident, while Zsófia felt her work was finally truly appreciated.Hu: Az üvegház falain kívül egy új fejezet kezdődött számukra.En: Outside the greenhouse walls, a new chapter began for them. Vocabulary Words:below freezing: fagypont alatticicles: jégcsapokgreenhouses: üvegházakbotanist: botanikusrare: ritkapassion: szenvedéllyelinnovative: újszerűapproaching: közelgőanxiety: szorongássalpressing deadline: szorító határidőtension: feszültségharsh frost: kemény fagydesperately: kétségbeesettengaze: tekintetpriority: elsőbbségconcentrating: mélyebben koncentráltproposed: javasoltexpertise: szakértelmeattitude: hozzáállásaimplement: megvalósításáradelighted: örömmelrecognition: elismeréststammering: dadogvaconfident: magabiztosappreciated: értékelikopportunities: lehetőségekreshared success: közös sikerükreice crust: jégkéregchapter: fejezetwith satisfied smiles: elégedett mosollyal

Fluent Fiction - Swedish: Rekindled Hearts & Winter Blooms: A Botanical Journey Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sv/episode/2026-02-08-08-38-20-sv Story Transcript:Sv: Göteborgs botaniska trädgård låg tyst under en vintermorgon.En: Göteborgs botaniska trädgård lay silent on a winter morning.Sv: Träden var nakna och himlen grå.En: The trees were bare and the sky gray.Sv: Marken var täckt av frusen jord, men de vintergröna buskarna gav en skönhet mitt i kylan.En: The ground was covered with frozen earth, but the evergreen shrubs added beauty amid the cold.Sv: Erik promenerade längs de slingrande stigarna, uppslukad av sitt sökande efter den sällsynta vinterblomman som han hört viskningar om.En: Erik walked along the winding paths, absorbed in his search for the rare winter flower he had heard whispers about.Sv: Han behövde se den med egna ögon.En: He needed to see it with his own eyes.Sv: Vid hans sida gick Maja, hans lojala vän.En: By his side was Maja, his loyal friend.Sv: Hon visste att denna blomma inte var det enda som Erik sökte idag.En: She knew that this flower was not the only thing Erik was searching for today.Sv: Hon hade förstått att han också ville ha avslutning — ett ord som hade varit som en skugga över honom alltför länge.En: She understood that he also wanted closure—a word that had been like a shadow over him for far too long.Sv: När de kom närmare blomsterträdgården, stannade hon upp, pekade och blinkade med ett leende i ögonen.En: As they approached the flower garden, she paused, pointed, and blinked with a smile in her eyes.Sv: "Kanske kommer du att hitta mer än en sorts blomma idag, Erik."En: "Perhaps you'll find more than one kind of flower today, Erik."Sv: Plötsligt snubblade Erik på sitt egna steg.En: Suddenly, Erik stumbled over his own step.Sv: Där framme, i en liten glänta, stod Lena.En: There ahead, in a small glade, stood Lena.Sv: Hon var lika oväntad som ett solsken en grådimmig dag.En: She was as unexpected as sunshine on a gray foggy day.Sv: Deras ögon möttes och tiden verkade stanna.En: Their eyes met, and time seemed to stop.Sv: Känslorna från det förflutna virvlade upp som fallande snöflingor i hans hjärta.En: Feelings from the past swirled up like falling snowflakes in his heart.Sv: Lena log osäkert när Erik närmade sig.En: Lena smiled uncertainly as Erik approached.Sv: "Hej Erik.En: "Hi Erik.Sv: Jag visste inte att du också var intresserad av dessa vinterblommor."En: I didn't know you were also interested in these winter flowers."Sv: Erik tog ett djupt andetag.En: Erik took a deep breath.Sv: "Jag är här för både blommorna och... något mer."En: "I'm here for both the flowers and... something more."Sv: Han tvekade, men bara för ett ögonblick.En: He hesitated, but only for a moment.Sv: "Vi har saker vi aldrig riktigt avslutade, tycker jag."En: "We have things we've never quite finished, I think."Sv: Maja höll sig i bakgrunden, gav dem utrymme.En: Maja stayed in the background, giving them space.Sv: Erik och Lena gick sida vid sida, med det frostiga vädret som en bakgrund till deras konversation.En: Erik and Lena walked side by side, with the frosty weather as a backdrop to their conversation.Sv: Ord blev till meningar om det förflutna, om saker de hade lämnat osagda.En: Words turned into sentences about the past, about things left unsaid.Sv: Med varje steg, lättade tyngden som vilade mellan dem.En: With each step, the weight resting between them lifted.Sv: Plötsligt, mitt i samtalet, fann de det de båda sökte.En: Suddenly, in the midst of the conversation, they found what they were both seeking.Sv: Där, dold bland vintergrönskan, blommade den sällsynta blomman.En: There, hidden among the winter greenery, the rare flower bloomed.Sv: Den var fantastisk, en explosion av färg i det monotona landskapet.En: It was magnificent, an explosion of color in the monotonous landscape.Sv: Som om blomman hade väntat på att deras försoning skulle ske för att visa sin skönhet.En: As if the flower had waited for their reconciliation to unfold its beauty.Sv: "Den är lika vacker som jag hade tänkt," viskade Lena och bröt den stilla tystnaden.En: "It's as beautiful as I imagined," Lena whispered, breaking the still silence.Sv: "Ja," svarade Erik, blickande först på blomman, sedan på Lena.En: "Yes," replied Erik, looking first at the flower, then at Lena.Sv: "Och nödvändigt."En: "And necessary."Sv: Med blomman funnen och orden sagda, kände Erik ett ovanligt lugn.En: With the flower found and the words spoken, Erik felt an unusual calm.Sv: Han visste nu vad han skulle göra.En: He now knew what he needed to do.Sv: Fokus flyttades, från vad som en gång var, till vad som kunde bli.En: His focus shifted, from what once was, to what could be.Sv: Maja kom fram och log varmt.En: Maja stepped forward and smiled warmly.Sv: "Jag tror att vi alla hittade något värdefullt idag."En: "I think we all found something valuable today."Sv: Deras fötter satte spår på den frostkantade stigen när de lämnade platsen, med en ny vår i hjärtat trots vinterns kyla.En: Their feet left marks on the frost-edged path as they left the place, with a new spring in their hearts despite the winter's chill.Sv: Erik kunde nu helt ge sig hän åt botanikens värld, fri från skuggan av det förflutna.En: Erik could now fully immerse himself in the world of botany, free from the shadow of the past. Vocabulary Words:silent: tystbare: naknawinding: slingrandeabsorbed: uppslukadwhispers: viskningarrare: sällsyntaclosure: avslutningloyal: lojalastumbled: snubbladeglade: gläntaunexpected: oväntadswirled: virvladeuncertainly: osäkerthesitated: tvekadeweight: tyngdenlifted: lättadebackdrop: bakgrundsentences: meningarreconciliation: försoningmagnificent: fantastiskexplosion: explosionmonotonous: monotonaimagined: tänktnecessary: nödvändigtcalm: lugnfrosty: frostigtimmerse: ge sig hänshadow: skuggaspring: vårhearts: hjärta

Fluent Fiction - Serbian: Mystery in the Snow: The Botanical Heist in Beograd Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/sr/episode/2026-02-08-08-38-20-sr Story Transcript:Sr: Снег је тихо падао на Ботаничку башту у Београду, покривајући голе гране и стазе белим плаштом.En: The snow was quietly falling on the Botanička bašta in Beograd, covering the bare branches and paths with a white mantle.Sr: Сваке зиме ова башта нудила је мали одмор у сред града, али је ова зима донела неочекивани проблем.En: Every winter, this garden offered a small retreat in the middle of the city, but this winter brought an unexpected problem.Sr: Међу бројним биљкама, једна ретка и драгоцена биљка нестала је, изазивајући панику међу запосленима.En: Among the numerous plants, a rare and valuable plant had disappeared, causing panic among the staff.Sr: Милан, стручњак за биљке, био је дубоко погођен овом ситуацијом.En: Milan, a plant expert, was deeply affected by this situation.Sr: Чинило се да сваки сањки дар и знање које је поседовао не значе много ако не може да заштити своје биљке.En: It seemed that every gift and knowledge he possessed meant little if he couldn't protect his plants.Sr: Његова млађа сестра, Софија, увек је имала авантуристички дух, и решила је да му помогне.En: His younger sister, Sofija, always had an adventurous spirit and decided to help him.Sr: Она је дошла у посету, надајући се да ће боље разумети његов рад.En: She came to visit, hoping to better understand his work.Sr: „Морамо да нађемо ту биљку,“ рекла је Софија, док је снег шкрипао под њеним корацима.En: "We must find that plant," Sofija said, as the snow creaked under her steps.Sr: „Можда нам Лука може помоћи?En: "Maybe Luka can help us?"Sr: “Лука, чувар баште, увек је маштао о томе да буде детектив.En: Luka, the garden keeper, always dreamed of being a detective.Sr: Иако се често осећао неприметно, прилика да покаже своје вештине истраживања учинила му је узбудљивом.En: Although he often felt unnoticed, the opportunity to showcase his investigative skills was exciting to him.Sr: „Почнимо са испитивањем посетилаца,“ предложио је Милан, док су сви стајали обасјани светлом старијег стакленика иза њих.En: "Let's start by questioning the visitors," suggested Milan, as they all stood illuminated by the light of the older greenhouse behind them.Sr: Почели су са трагањем, питајући се за сваког ко је у последње време био близу те ретке биљке.En: They began their search, inquiring about everyone who had recently been near the rare plant.Sr: Градић се показао већим него што су очекивали, посебно под слојем снега.En: The little town proved to be larger than they expected, especially under the layer of snow.Sr: Међутим, није им требало много времена да открију неколико важних трагова.En: However, it didn't take them long to uncover several important clues.Sr: Пут их је навео до уклоњеног стакленика, где су пронашли биљку скривену.En: Their path led them to a removed greenhouse, where they found the plant hidden.Sr: Држећи биљку, пред њима се појавила особа коју Милан није очекивао.En: Holding the plant, a person appeared before them whom Milan did not expect.Sr: Био је то његов близак колега, који је намеревао да је прода за сопствени добитак.En: It was his close colleague, who intended to sell it for his own gain.Sr: „Је л' стварно мислиш да можеш ово да урадиш?En: "Do you really think you can do this?"Sr: “ упитао је Милан, осећајући мешавину разочарања и саосећања.En: Milan asked, feeling a mixture of disappointment and empathy.Sr: Колега је објаснио своје финансијске потешкоће и дубоку жељу за бољом будућношћу.En: The colleague explained his financial difficulties and a deep desire for a better future.Sr: Милан је увидео тежину ситуације и смислио другачије решење.En: Milan realized the gravity of the situation and came up with a different solution.Sr: „Ако вратимо биљку и удружимо се, можемо да направимо нову изложбу,“ предложио је Милан.En: "If we return the plant and join forces, we can create a new exhibit," Milan suggested.Sr: Искористили су ситуацију и створили изложбу која је постала велики успех.En: They seized the situation and created an exhibit that became a great success.Sr: Милан је стекао више самопоуздања и признање, Софија је схватила колико је његов рад важан, а Лука је осетио задовољство придонео.En: Milan gained more confidence and recognition, Sofija realized how important his work was, and Luka felt satisfied contributing.Sr: Док се снег сада сасвим истопио, загрејани стакленици и даље су привлачили посетиоце у Ботаничку башту, а међу њима је стајала и спасена биљка, симбол напора, сарадње и разумевања.En: While the snow had now completely melted, the warmed greenhouses continued to attract visitors to the Botanička bašta, and among them stood the rescued plant, a symbol of effort, collaboration, and understanding. Vocabulary Words:creaked: шкрипаоadventurous: авантуристичкиuncovered: откријуfeeling: осећајућиexhibit: изложбаpanicked: паникуretreat: одморdifficulties: потешкоћеempathy: саосећањаinquiry: испитивањемmelted: истопиоilluminated: обасјаниunexpected: неочекиваниcollaboration: сарадњеseized: искористилиshowcase: покажеinvestigative: истраживањаgravity: тежинуunexpected: неочекиваниcontribution: придонеоpursued: трагањемfinancial: финансијскеunnoticed: неприметноbare: голеopportunity: приликаhidden: скривенуnumerous: бројнимclaim: намераваоgain: добитакpaths: стазе

Fluent Fiction - French: Winter Blossoms: A Hidden Bloom in Paris' Botanical Haven Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2026-02-06-08-38-20-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Dans le jardin des plantes à Paris, un silence hivernal régnait.En: In the jardin des plantes in Paris, a winter silence prevailed.Fr: Les arbres nus se dressaient comme des silhouettes contre un ciel gris.En: The bare trees stood like silhouettes against a gray sky.Fr: Claire, une élève de lycée curieuse et passionnée par la botanique, respirait l'air frais et regardait autour d'elle.En: Claire, a curious high school student passionate about botany, breathed the fresh air and looked around her.Fr: Elle était ici avec sa classe pour une sortie scolaire, sous la direction de Luc, leur professeur de biologie.En: She was here with her class for a school trip, under the guidance of Luc, their biology teacher.Fr: Luc était un homme savant, mais ce jour-là, il semblait distrait.En: Luc was a knowledgeable man, but that day, he seemed distracted.Fr: Claire savait qu'il avait des soucis personnels, et elle voulait lui montrer combien elle connaissait les plantes pour obtenir son approbation pour une bourse précieuse.En: Claire knew he had personal worries, and she wanted to show him how well she knew plants to earn his approval for a valuable scholarship.Fr: À ses côtés, Etienne, son camarade et ami, était aussi enthousiaste, mais souvent trop compétitif.En: Next to her, Etienne, her classmate and friend, was also enthusiastic but often too competitive.Fr: Alors que le groupe se promenait, Claire essayait de parler à Luc de différentes espèces de plantes.En: As the group strolled, Claire tried to talk to Luc about different plant species.Fr: Mais à chaque fois qu'elle ouvrait la bouche, Etienne intervenait avec ses propres observations.En: But each time she opened her mouth, Etienne intervened with his own observations.Fr: Luc, préoccupé, écoutait à peine.En: Luc, preoccupied, barely listened.Fr: Déterminée à se démarquer, Claire réfléchit à une idée audacieuse.En: Determined to stand out, Claire thought of a bold idea.Fr: Elle avait entendu parler d'une fleur rare qui fleurissait en hiver.En: She had heard of a rare flower that bloomed in winter.Fr: C'était l'occasion parfaite.En: It was the perfect opportunity.Fr: Elle quitta discrètement le groupe, ses pas feutrés sur le chemin gelé, et chercha la fleur.En: She discreetly left the group, her footsteps silent on the frozen path, and looked for the flower.Fr: Les serres vertes l'appelaient, prometteuses de trésors végétaux.En: The greenhouses called to her, promising botanical treasures.Fr: Soudain, au détour d'un sentier, elle aperçut la fleur tant recherchée.En: Suddenly, around a bend in the path, she spotted the much-sought-after flower.Fr: Ses pétales délicats se dressaient fièrement, vibrants sous la lumière faible de l'hiver.En: Its delicate petals stood proudly, vibrant in the faint winter light.Fr: Mais un panneau indiquait "Accès interdit."En: But a sign indicated "No Access."Fr: Claire hésita.En: Claire hesitated.Fr: Elle savait les conséquences possibles, mais son désir de prouver sa passion pour la botanique était plus fort.En: She knew the possible consequences, but her desire to prove her passion for botany was stronger.Fr: Prenant une grande inspiration, elle franchit la barrière, avec précaution pour ne pas être vue.En: Taking a deep breath, she crossed the barrier, careful not to be seen.Fr: Elle coupa une petite branche de la plante, la serra fermement et retourna auprès du groupe.En: She cut a small branch from the plant, held it firmly, and returned to the group.Fr: À son retour, elle s'approcha de Luc et lui montra le spécimen.En: Upon her return, she approached Luc and showed him the specimen.Fr: Ses yeux s'agrandirent de surprise, puis d'admiration.En: His eyes widened in surprise, then admiration.Fr: "Claire, c'est incroyable," murmura-t-il, enfin attentif.En: "Claire, it's incredible," he murmured, finally attentive.Fr: Etienne resta silencieux, impressionné lui aussi.En: Etienne remained silent, impressed as well.Fr: Luc prit la branche, la regarda de près, et posa sa main sur l'épaule de Claire.En: Luc took the branch, looked at it closely, and placed his hand on Claire's shoulder.Fr: "C'est exactement ce qu'il fallait."En: "This is exactly what was needed."Fr: Claire sourit, non seulement parce qu'elle avait capté l'attention de Luc, mais aussi parce qu'elle avait redécouvert l'amour qu'elle portait à la botanique.En: Claire smiled, not only because she had captured Luc's attention, but also because she had rediscovered her love for botany.Fr: En effaçant son besoin de prouver sa valeur aux autres, elle comprit que sa vraie force résidait dans sa passion authentique.En: By erasing her need to prove her worth to others, she realized that her true strength lay in her genuine passion.Fr: La sortie scolaire se termina sous le ciel de Paris, grisonnant mais brûlant d'un nouvel espoir pour Claire.En: The school trip ended under the Paris sky, gray but burning with new hope for Claire.Fr: Le jardin des plantes reprit son calme, tandis que Luc, Etienne, et Claire s'éloignaient, les cœurs réchauffés par de nouvelles découvertes.En: The jardin des plantes returned to its calm, while Luc, Etienne, and Claire walked away, their hearts warmed by new discoveries. Vocabulary Words:silence: le silencebotany: la botaniquescholarship: la boursespecies: les espècesrare: rarebold: audacieusepath: le chemingreenhouses: les serrestreasures: les trésorsvibrant: vibrantslight: la lumièreaccess: l'accèsconsequences: les conséquencesbarrier: la barrièrebranch: la branchespecimen: le spécimenadmiration: l'admirationattentive: attentifsilence: le silenceworth: la valeurstrength: la forcediscovery: la découvertefaint: faibleguidance: la directionapproval: l'approbationcurious: curieusepreoccupied: préoccupédetour: le détourfrozen: geléflowers: les fleurs

We are proud of our February sponsor, Jenette Skin Care. Explore and experience her high-vibrational, plant-based formulations at https://www.jenetteskincare.com/. Use the code INTIMATE15 for special February savings. Step into a radiant, heart-centered conversation about beauty, healing, and soulful entrepreneurship with Jenette Serrins, a dear friend and founder of Jenette Skin Care and pioneering green beauty innovator, on this episode of Intimate Conversations: Dark Night to Divine Light. Jenette joins me for a deeply personal dialogue about our twenty-plus-year friendship, resilience through single motherhood and loss, and the devotion that led her to create a skincare line rooted in integrity, sustainability, and real results. She shares how her passion for botanical alchemy and endocrine-safe ingredients was born from a refusal to compromise her values, and a desire to heal skin at the root cause: inflammation. We explore how true beauty is not about perfection, but presence. Jenette opens up about the emotional and spiritual rituals behind her formulations, why she refuses to create products when her or her staff's energy feels off, and how skincare can become a sacred act of self-love, regulation, and embodiment. She also shares the science and soul behind some of her most beloved creations, including her cacao mask, calming serums, probiotic potions, and nourishing moisturizers, revealing how each product is designed to detox, heal, lift, protect, and restore both skin and nervous system. We also talk about: -Inflammation as the root of most skin issues -Clean beauty without endocrine disruptors or microplastics -Ritual skincare as a form of self-love and regulation -Resilience through loss, single motherhood, and rebuilding -Energy, intention, and spiritual alignment in product creation -The emotional connection between skin, stress, and self-worth -Why beauty must honor both the body and the planet This episode is an invitation to slow down, treat your skin with reverence, and remember that how you care for your body reflects how you care for your soul.   ➡️ Go check out patreon.com/allanapratt for Exclusive content! About Jenette:   Jenette is a pioneering green beauty innovator and sought-after celebrity esthetician who has devoted over two decades to the art and science of botanical skincare. She is a true botanical alchemist, blending ancient wisdom with modern science to create sophisticated, plant-powered formulations that deliver real, visible results while honoring the body and the Earth. Based in Los Angeles, Jenette is the founder of Being in LA, where her skin boutique and in-house laboratory live side by side. Her work is deeply rooted in sustainability, ethical sourcing, and small-batch integrity, and her philosophy reminds us that radiant skin is a reflection of both personal wellbeing and planetary care. Trusted by many well-known faces and featured in outlets like Vogue, Forbes, CNN, and People, Jenette brings a grounded, soulful devotion to beauty that feels as nurturing as it is effective. I cannot wait for you to experience her wisdom, her heart, and the depth of her knowing. About the brand and mission: Jenette Skin Care crafts high vibrational, plant-based formulas with the upmost integrity. Using nothing but pure all natural ingredients, with sustainability at the core of everything we do. Our products deliver real results without compromise, focusing on healing damaged skin cells and preventing our live cells from being killed off by inflammation and aging.   Website https://www.jenetteskincare.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jenetteskin/ Facebook                 https://www.facebook.com/jenetteskincare       YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jenetteskincare   We are proud of our February sponsor, Jenette Skin Care. Explore and experience her high-vibrational, plant-based formulations at www.jenetteskincare.com. Use the code INTIMATE15 for special February savings. Scholarship Code: READYNOW Finding the One is Bullsh*t. Becoming the One is brilliant and beautiful, and ironically the key to attracting your ideal partner. Move beyond the fear of getting hurt again. Register for Become the One Introductory Program. http://allanapratt.com/becomeintro Use Code: BTO22 to get over 40% off. Let's stay connected: Exclusive Video Newsletter: http://allanapratt.com/newsletter Instagram - @allanapratt [ / allanapratt ] Facebook - @coachallanapratt [ / coachallanapratt ]

In this episode, we inspect the 13 rituals in The Devils Dozen: Thirteen Craft Rites of the Old One by Gemma Gary, discussing its influence on our path.For Traditional formuals, such as Oils, old-school Self-Igniting Incense Powders, invigorating Washes, Genuine Inks, and old-school, real-sourced Botanical, Animal, and Mineral Materia Magica, view Austins Shop at BaneXBramble.com

Think a lost patent ends the story? We unpack how Lego turned a single technical invention into a platform for decades of innovation, brand power, and adult creativity. Starting with the 1958 stud-and-tube coupling, we explain what the original brick patent really covered, why its expiry didn't sink the company, and how modern patents protect motion, mechanisms, and programmable systems rather than basic interlocking. From there, we map the rest of the toolkit: trademarks for source identity, design rights for appearance, and copyrights for expressive elements.We also dive into the courtroom rulers that drew bright lines on functionality. Attempts to trademark the brick shape faltered in Canada and the EU because function can't double as a brand signifier, while the minifigure shape prevailed as a 3D trademark. A later EU design-rights win showed that even bricks have protectable visual features when not purely functional. Enforcement cases against Best-Lock and Lepin underline how copyrights and trade dress defend minifigures, packaging, and character designs across markets.Then we switch from courts to culture. Lego's adult strategy blends nostalgia with display-worthy design: Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series, sleek Architecture skylines, and the Botanical collection that doubles as decor. Black-box, 18+ packaging telegraphs “made for you,” and the brand leans into mindful building as a calming, creative ritual. Finally, we explore Lego Serious Play, an open-source methodology that spreads fast through facilitators while the company retains the brand and sells specialized kits. It's a masterclass in sharing the method but owning the name.If you enjoy smart takes on how IP, marketing, and design shape the products you love, hit follow, share this with a friend who builds, and leave a review to tell us which Lego insight surprised you most.Send us a textCheck out "Protection for the Inventive Mind" – available now on Amazon in print and Kindle formats. The views and opinions expressed (by the host and guest(s)) in this podcast are strictly their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the entities with which they may be affiliated. This podcast should in no way be construed as promoting or criticizing any particular government policy, institutional position, private interest or commercial entity. Any content provided is for informational and educational purposes only.

Send us a text¿Qué pasa cuando la patente que cimentó tu negocio expira y tu producto se vuelve replicable? Tomamos el caso de Lego para mostrar cómo una empresa puede transformar un riesgo en una estrategia potente, combinando innovación técnica, diseño distintivo y una marca con significado. Contamos la historia del bloque de 1958, la protección del acoplamiento interno y la entrada al dominio público, y luego seguimos el hilo hacia las patentes modernas que resguardan mecanismos de Technic, robótica educativa, sensores y sistemas programables. La clave: mover la protección a los bordes y dejar que la plataforma inspire nuevas soluciones.También narramos las batallas legales que definieron límites y oportunidades. El intento de registrar la forma del bloque como marca chocó con la regla de funcionalidad en Canadá y la Unión Europea, pero la minifigura sí obtuvo reconocimiento marcario por su capacidad de identificar origen. El diseño registrado del bloque superó impugnaciones al probar elementos no puramente funcionales. Sumamos victorias por derechos de autor y competencia desleal frente a imitadores como Bestlock y Lepin, incluyendo el uso de trade dress para empaques y personajes. Este mosaico legal demuestra cómo marcas, diseños y copyright se refuerzan para conservar valor cuando la patente ya no protege el corazón del producto.Cambiamos de los tribunales al mercado adulto: AFOL, nostalgia bien dirigida, licencias como Star Wars, y líneas Architecture y Botanical con empaques sobrios y sello 18+. Hablamos de cómo el empaque y el mensaje de bienestar convierten la construcción en ritual de calma y pieza de exhibición. Cerramos con Lego Serious Play: una metodología abierta bajo Creative Commons, con control de marca y kits oficiales, que llevó el juego a la estrategia de negocios, liderazgo e innovación. Es una guía práctica para usar propiedad intelectual como diseño de negocio, no solo como muralla. Si te gustó, suscríbete, comparte este episodio con tu comunidad y déjanos tu reseña contando qué marca quieres que analicemos después.Descubre Protección para la Mente Inventiva – ya disponible en Amazon en formatos impreso y Kindle. Las opiniones expresadas por la host y los invitados en este pódcast son exclusivamente personales y propias, estas no reflejan necesariamente la política o postura oficial de las entidades con las que puedan estar vinculados. Este pódcast no debe interpretarse como una promoción ni una crítica a ninguna política gubernamental, posición institucional, interés privado o entidad comercial. Todo el contenido presentado tiene fines informativos y educativos.

Starting on Sunday, if you don't have a Real ID driver's license or a passport, the Transportation Security Administration will begin charging non-compliant flyers to access security, which could cost you an extra $45. Kris Van Cleave reports. When Katlyn Lyon Montgomery was murdered in October 2022, her mother turned to TikTok to share her grief and help hold the killer accountable. Erin Moriarty has the story for "48 Hours." Final preparations are underway for the Grammys, which air on Sunday on CBS. Music's biggest night could be historic for multiple artists. Anthony Mason got an inside look. In just two years, KATSEYE has gone from a Netflix reality competition show to top of the charts, collecting a VMA and two Grammy nominations along the way. The group talks about their journey together in the music industry and what they hope for in the future. The nominees and performers for the Grammy Awards will walk the red carpet on Sunday - with flashing camera lights, celebrity interviews and floral designs. Botanical artist Tu Bloom has been the designer behind the red carpet flowers for nearly two decades. He speaks to "CBS Mornings" about his design for this year's red carpet and what drew him to his profession. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Toward the end of his life, the great inventor Thomas Edison became obsessed with one final project: finding a source of rubber that could grow in the United States. It would transform his Florida home into a bonafide botanical laboratory.This episode was produced in partnership with Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods. Find more information about the Edison and Ford estates here. If you'd like to learn more about Edison's life in Florida check out this biography by Michele Wehrwein Albion. Find out more information about Henry Ford's search for rubber sources in a previous episode of the Atlas Obscura podcast, “Fordlandia.”We always want to hear from you! If you have a question or story for us, give us a call at 315-992-7902 and leave a message, or send an email to hello@atlasobscura.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Health Confidential, host Simone Gisondi sits down with Nadine Artemis, founder of Living Libations, for a luminous and paradigm-shifting conversation about the true nature of beauty. Rather than approaching beauty as something to correct or improve, Nadine reframes it as a remembrance of the body's innate coherence, vitality, and intelligence. Sharing her journey from a curious teenage “formulator” to a pioneer in botanical alchemy, she reveals how essential oils, true natural ingredients, and reverence for the skin as a living organ form the foundation of her philosophy.Together, Simone and Nadine unpack the hidden realities of the modern beauty and fragrance industries—petrochemical-based formulations, endocrine-disrupting synthetics, and widespread greenwashing masked by token “natural” ingredients. Nadine explains the extraordinary nature of essential oils: chemically complex, antimicrobial, non-rancid, and profoundly active both physiologically and energetically. The conversation expands beyond skincare into the emotional, spiritual, and even cosmic dimensions of beauty—how scent unlocks memory, how oils communicate with the nervous system, and how reconnecting with sun, air, earth, and intentional rituals can restore radiance from the inside out. This episode is an invitation to rethink beauty as a holistic, systemic expression of health and consciousness.KEY TAKEAWAYSBeauty is remembrance, not correction—true radiance reflects internal coherence and vitality.The skin is a detoxification organ; what we apply topically can enter the body, especially with heat and sun exposure.Essential oils are chemically dense, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and active both transdermally and neurologically.Botanical application is a dialogue between plant intelligence and the body's own consciousness.Holistic beauty includes lifestyle elements—sunlight, fresh air, earth contact, scalp and oral care, and aligned daily rituals.BEST MOMENTS“Her work doesn't treat beauty as something to be achieved, but rather as something to be remembered as coherence in the body, as vitality and aliveness.”“It's the outpouring of the nectar from the plants… of our relationship to the cosmos.”“Most beauty… the ingredients in there are not even neutral to our health. They're, you know, negative impact.”“Sometimes when you're near someone who's wearing one of those mainstream perfumes… your own ability to breathe just drops drastically. That's your body telling you something.”“What kind of vibration and what kind of frequency do you bring into the body, even through one of the organs, which is the skin?”“To me, essential oils can be a part of that… that interface between what's form and formless.”“They affect us transdermally, even if you had no sense of smell… and then it leaves the body, which is also what we want.”GUEST INFORMATIONNadine Artemis – Founder of Living LibationsA botanical formulator, aromatologist, and author dedicated to redefining beauty through pure essential oils, holistic skincare, and reverence for the body's innate intelligence.Websites: livinglibations.comInstagram: nadineartemisofficial, livinglibationsofficialYouTube: www.youtube.com/@livinglibationsofficial Substack: substack.com/@nadineartemis HOST BIOMeet Simone Gisondi, a seasoned coach, published author, and the host of Health Confidential. With a life story marked by resilience and personal healing, Simone brings lived experience and grounded insight to conversations that educate, empower, and inspire holistic wellness.#HealthConfidential #NadineArtemis #LivingLibations #HolisticBeauty #EssentialOils #CleanBeauty #EndocrineHealth #SimoneGisondi Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Send us a textIn this episode, Lady Petra and Saffermaster chat with Mistress Caressa about Botanical BDSM over a mini Vesper. As promised, here is Mistress Caressa's website www.madamecaressa.comThe Kinky cocktail Hour is brought to you by Motorbunny, the best saddle style vibrator on the market today. Save $40 on your Motorbunny purchase with the code LADYPETRAPLAYGROUND at Motorbunny.com You can order the TechRing, "Where health meets pleasure" at http://myfirmtech.com using the code "KINKY" to save 15%. Put a ring on it!Support the showHard Married: A Guide to Building Lasting Love by Unlocking the Secrets of Deep Intimacy. Get your copy of this new book by Saffer here: https://tinyurl.com/Hard-Married Visit Hardmarried.net Listen on Podurama https://podurama.com

Happy New Year!!! In this week's edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we talk to Natural State Rabbit President & CEO Brian Bonk. He runs what's basically 2 companies in one – selling rabbit meat for food and the biologics side where parts of the rabbit are used in medicine and other things. Also with us are rabbit evangelists Mike Robertshaw and Meredith Butler of Pizzeria Ruby... but first!?! FOOD NEWS!!! Black Apple Hard Cider closed at the start the year Crabby's in Rogers also closed at the start of the year and are offering refunds for gift cards sold during their December promotion. KDK's Chicken & Waffles in Fayetteville will open later than planned. Hear when the Botanical in Fayetteville will open! Also, Artemis next door is soon-to-open! Rendezvous Junction Brewing is holding a chili cookoff. We tell you how to compete in it. Buster Belly's old location on Dickson is getting a new tenant. On this week's Flavors Flashback, hear the horror that was the week leading up to the opening of Gaskins on Emma. Natural State Rabbits resides in downtown Rogers and is the largest supplier of rabbit to restaurants in the country. They're also a biologics company. They use parts of rabbits for medicine and other things around the nation and the world. It's a pretty amazing story and FULL of history as the company started in 1911. We had the conversation at Pizzeria Ruby, as their relationship with Natural State Rabbit started before it was even called that. In fact, there was no Pizzeria Ruby at that point, and they were operating a food truck! How they got connected is a fun story. By the way, we were feasting on rabbit tenders during the interview and they were so good. I've recently become a fan of rabbit – if you haven't tried it yet, think chicken but grass-fed and leaner. It's SO GOOD. They're offering OUR listeners and followers 15% off their starter variety box, just use “FLAVORS” as the discount code at nsrabbitmeat.com. That includes free shipping, or you can hop over to downtown Rogers and pick it up if you'd like. We hear from Natural State Rabbit President & CEO Brian Bonk, and Pizzeria Ruby's Mike Robertshaw and Meredith Butler in today's edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas.

Quaranteam - Dave In Dallas: Part 4 Shenanigans: Fun times at House Belsus. Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Let's review the list of characters: David Belsus – 46, physics & astronomy professor at Eastfield college, a community college in the Dallas area. Prepper, survivalist, has a greenhouse in his backyard and lives in an outer ring suburb. Six foot, fit, short cropped hair. Lupie Ramos – 32, former financial advisor, Dave's neighbor, got caught out of state when the lockdowns started. She spent two frantic weeks trying to get back to her daughter. Lupie has been in love with Dave for over a year. Long, dark brown hair, medium build, and a lovely smile. Esme – 9, daughter of Lupie, prone to the occasional snarky comment. Adores Dave. Becca; 18, Lupie's babysitter, was watching Esme when lockdowns occurred. Her refusal to abandon Esme, as her mother insisted, likely saved Becca's life, since her extended family ignored precautions and died of Duo. Esme, Lupie, and Dave are all Becca has left in the world. Short, medium build, small tits, with short blond hair and a smile that is shy with strangers and beams with family and friends. Janice Wheeler; 33, Dave's first partner to arrive, a librarian at Cedar Valley, another community college member of DCCCD. Slender build and medium height, Janice is 3/4 Korean, her paternal grandfather is Anglo. Medium length black hair often pulled back in a bun for work or ponytail at home. Shawna Cooper; 36, senior meteorologist at WFAA, Master's degree in meteorology from O U, worked at NSSL and spent time as a storm chaser. Whole hog sci-fi nut, beginning with Start Trek TNG. 5' 10", large tits, medium brown skin, dark brown eyes, shoulder length black hair styled like a frizzy weeping willow. Olivia Tyler (Liv); 21, senior studying horticulture at Tarleton State University, near Dallas. Daughter of Carter and Janelle, Dave's best friends since college. Had a well-known crush on Dave throughout her teen years. Since her dad was former SF and a survivalist, Liv is skilled with several firearms as well as bladed weapons. Never failed to take a deer any season she's hunted. 5'10" long, dark brown hair, large tits, lightly tanned, brown eyes, and a wide smile. Melanie Ustanich; 22, graduate student in IT at Tarleton, Liv's roommate, recently found a passion for cooking. Spent most of her life in foster homes, Liv's parents accepted her like family the first time she went with Liv on Thanksgiving Break. 5'8" medium length auburn hair, green eyes, small mouth with a ready, mischievous smile. During the interlude, Dave took some time to look over Melanie. He knew less about her than the others, but more than he'd known about Jan or Shawna when they'd shown up on his doorstep. He knew from a glance that she dressed more stylishly than Olivia, though he'd be hard pressed to describe why. He thought both looked great, even if he could tell a difference instinctively. He was always a fan of variety. Silver studs in her ears support three short silver chains each, drawing the eye tantalizingly into the chasm of her russet mane. The verdant green of Mel's satiny top provided the perfect counterpoint to the auburn tones of her hair. The cinched belt securing the crossing panels of her blouse held it together well, yet giving tantalizing views of her medium sized tits. The black slacks clung closely to her well-shaped thighs and calves without the 'painted on' look. "Dave, could you make me one of your 'ginger ales' please?" "Sure, Liv. Anyone else want something?" "Can you make me one of those drinks you made that first time?" Becca asked. "Yeah, that's what Livy is asking for. Seven-Up and Captain Morgan mixed to look like ginger ale." "Oh, okay, then one of those please." "You got it." Dave got to mixing drinks. Jan asked if anyone else wanted wine. All the others voiced their interest, Jan pulled two bottles of blush from the pantry and brought them to the living room. Lupie grabbed wine glasses for each of them and handed them out as Jan poured. Dave watched Becca's first sip carefully. He'd mixed this one normal strength, not the light pour he'd given her last time. Eyes flared, she took a smaller sip than usual, but nodded before setting it on the side table. "Olivia, dear," Lupie asked softly, "I hesitate to ask, but can you tell us about your parents? Should we contact them that you are here, or, are they; ?" "Dad died six weeks ago. Mom passed a week later." Olivia took another sip. Melanie hugged her loosely. Olivia's voice took on a husky note. "She called me, near the end. She told me Dad had died. That she was very ill and wasn't; wasn't, ah,; She knew she wouldn't make it." One hot tear dallied along the top curve of her cheek before coursing downward. Dave took her hand. "She said I should pursue my dreams. All of them." Livy looked Dave dead in the eyes. "She said she'd known for a long time it was more than a crush, that she was sorry she'd belittled it by calling it that. And then ;” Olivia sucked in a breath. Mel hugged Olivia again. "We're all here for you. Let it out at your own pace." Lupie encouraged softly. "She said 'Love him. Love him like I never did. Love him like he deserves.' And then she closed the call." A hard sob shook through Olivia as more tears fell. Dave and Mel hugged her, one from each side. Dave did so while looking at the ceiling with a distant gaze. After several minutes of silence, Jan got up for a second plate. Dave stood to join her. "My mind still doesn't want to eat, but my stomach got a taste of that bruschetta and wants more. Of that, and everything else." Jan smiled and gave him a quick kiss, which he returned. "Can you tell us something about Eddie?" Shawna asked after Dave sat back down. Dave thought for a minute. Slowly, a proud smile spread across his face. "His Eagle project." Olivia smiled and nodded. "Eddie was an Eagle Scout?" Jan asked. "Yes, he was. Got his Arrow of Light as a Webelo too." Livy provided. "Eddie and I were just beginning to reconnect when he began working on his Eagle rank. For his project, he decided to build a foot bridge across the stream in the park." "Armadillo park? The bridge on the south end?" Becca asked. Dave smiled broadly. "That's the one. Before that bridge, anyone walking the path and crossing the bridge at the north end would have to turn around when they hit the ends of the u-shaped path. For some folks, that was more walking than they could handle, so they wound up getting less exercise, or taking their walks in the few areas with sidewalks or walk along the side of the road. Either way they got very little 'green time'. He found a bridge design appropriate for the location, one that would last with little maintenance and convinced a local construction company to donate materials. He met with the city manager and then spoke before the city council to arrange an agreement for maintenance." "The foreman of the construction company and his best concrete specialist offered their services to supervise the volunteer workers and ensure the quality of the work. I think Eddie had a hand in that." Dave's pride in his son couldn't have been any louder on his face. "The kicker was, he vetted the design to make sure the angle of the curve was suitable for someone in a wheelchair. So at the ribbon cutting, the young lady that cut the ribbon, and the first to cross was in Eddie's class. I think she wound up the class Salutatorian. Anyway, she was paraplegic, lost the use of her legs in an accident during her eighth grade year." Dave paused. "I think she and Eddie started dating not long after." Olivia snorted. "They were already dating. I think that night was the first time she gave him the goods though." "Go Eddie." Shawna said huskily. "Seriously?" Dave asked Olivia. "Pretty sure. Not 100%. I mean, I know they did it. Like a lot. Once they opened up that part of the relationship they were like bunnies. I'm not absolutely sure that night was the first night though." "Hell, I was nineteen before my first time. He was always better with people than I ever was." Dave's looked wistfully into the distance, like he was seeing through the walls at something beyond. Then he swallowed hard. He took a steadying breath and blew it out slowly. Becca rubbed his shoulder lightly before giving it a soft kiss. Dave smiled at her, then leaned in to deliver a light peck on her cheek. He looked outward again, scanning across the room. "Thank you all for putting up with this. I'm sorry for acting like such a p--" Becca pressed a finger firmly to Dave's lips. "If that word crosses your lips, you'd better be talking about our body parts. The man that I've watched, relied on, and come to trust implicitly sure as hell isn't one of those. And he deserves better than that." The fire in her red-rimmed eyes put the punctuation to her statement. Dave just nodded in concession to his young lover's demand. With an impish grin she added, "And for the record, anytime we're getting frisky, or flirting, I'm perfectly happy with you calling it: or me: a pussy." She grabbed his hand and shoved it between her shorts-clad legs for emphasis. Becca's addendum broke the somber mood of the room. Everyone got a good laugh. A brief quiet descended as everyone ate a few bites or stared into their drink. Dave looked up to see Jan and Lupie gazing at him, concern and sympathy clearly written across both of their faces. "Well, Becca, since you have some history with our man, tell me something to catch me up with all of you." Shawna requested. "Oh, tell her about the cupcake exchange." Jan suggested. "Dave told me about it while the two of you were getting vaxxed." "Oh that one she told me already. Good story." "Okay, so something new." Becca paused, then blushed. She bit her lip and looked sideways at Dave and cringed. Then she flicked her eyes to Lupie. Lupie caught the look and rolled her eyes. "Go ahead." She said with a sigh. Then she turned her face away. "So, um, you know how Dave runs a couple times a week, and works out with his staff in the backyard about as often?" Shawna nodded at Becca's narrative, then turned to give Dave an appreciative leer. "Ahem, well, it's cooler now, so he does he work outs in a t-shirt and shorts." Shawna nodded again, then stared at Dave's torso like she was imaging him bare chested and sweating. Well, she'd seen him shirtless often enough. Melanie's breathing became slightly deeper and slower as she sized him up as well. "Well, remember we used to live next door. And Lupie's second story windows are high enough to see over Dave's fence." Mel, Shawna, and Jan all looked at each other. "Oh." They said in unison. "You lucky bitches." Jan added. Dave's mind was working at a slower pace and caught up a moment later. He closed his eyes and shook his head. With a small grin. "Well, that's not all of it. See, I made no pretense about watching him work out. I mean, mid-August, heat pounding down? Ten minutes into his work out his whole torso is covered in sweat, with rivulets running down his front and back." Shawna looked transfixed. Jan had her eyes closed. Mel tightly gripped her thighs, staring intently. "Usually I watched from one of the back windows, and just put up with the oblique angle. One day, a few months back, I realize it's very quiet in the house, and I seem to be the only one on the second floor. I decided to move over to Lupie's room, which is at the back corner, with two windows looking out over the backyard, one on each side of the corner." Lupie blushed hard and brought her hands up to cover her face. "So, there was a small space between the curtain panels and I was staring at Dave through the gap as I walked up. I walked as quietly as I could so Lupie and Esme wouldn't hear my footsteps from downstairs. I pulled back the curtain to get a better view. Lupie was hiding in the curtains, eyes fixed on Dave. We both screamed, and Lupie's hand flapped backwards hitting the window frame." "That's how you bruised your hand?!" Dave exclaimed, trying to suppress his laughter. "You flap your hands around when you're surprised?" "No. Just, um, I, uh ;” Lupie's muffled response trailed off. "She took care to wash her hands thoroughly before she let me bind it." Becca interjected. "Initially we thought she'd hurt her wrist, so I stabilized it. But, I recognized later what I had smelled while we were leaving the room." Lupie peeked between her fingers at Becca, pleading. "Okay, never mind." Becca conceded. "I've said too much already." The others looked confused at the abrupt ending until Melanie burst out laughing. When they looked at her questioningly, she said, "I know what I would be doing standing there watching him work out shirtless." And flopped back into the couch giggling furiously. The others started cackling and Jan, chortling, reached over to pull Lupie into her for a hug. "Not like we all don't do it." Dave sat there open mouthed, shocked, and feeling like he'd won something undefinable. He moved to kneel in front of Lupie. He took her hands in his own, pulling them away from her face. He pulled her into a hug. Into her ear he whispered, "I love you." Her hug on him tightened. "And if I hadn't been so dense I would have been in that room to take care of you properly. Or at least, lick your fingers clean." He punctuated his comment with a light nibble of her earlobe. Lupie swatted him on the back as she released him. Her face was still flushed to the tips of her ears. The tight, prim smile and her laughing eyes testified to her approval of the idea, and her mortification it was said out loud. Even at a whisper. Dave got up and refreshed his drink, and Olivia's as well. Becca sipped hers more slowly, and still had more than half a glass. Jan topped off her wine glass, along with Mel's and Shawna's. Lupie got up and made a fresh plate, then headed for the stairs. "I'm going to take a plate to Esme, just in case she didn't get enough earlier. Besides, if I tell her Dave likes the bruschetta, she might try it." Lupie said with a knowing mom smile. Shawna came to Dave once he was seated. She gave him a soft kiss and held him to her. She spoke no words, but conveyed clearly her heart ache for him, and her availability should he need something. When Lupie returned, she took her seat and looked to Olivia asking "Can you tell me something about your father?" Livy squirmed for a moment, then nodded. She took a breath. "He was a security consultant. Worked for a firm that advised companies on the weak points in their physical and cybersecurity. Dad was on the physical side. He'd been a Green Beret before going to college, where he met Mom and Dave." "Oh, wow. So your dad was a badass?" Becca asked. "Carter was so badass he was chill," Dave interjected. "He had that confidence of the guy that knows he'll win if things get physical. Smart too, though." "Yeah, Dad made supervisor pretty fast. He and his team would walk the grounds of a company and show them where a person could slip in or out without detection. Then the cyber guys would do the same for the company's networks. Sometimes, Dad would have to prove the point. He loved that. He and a couple of his team would don tactical gear and break in. Dad always left a fake tarantula with the company logo on its back on the boss' desk, or somewhere critical." Olivia chuckled. "One time, this one CEO was particularly resistant. Dad had to go in a second time. The first time he left a tarantula on the main server station, and one in the research lab; that by law was required to be restricted access. To drive his point home, Dad went to the CEO's office and installed this box on the ceiling, where most don't look. It had some kind of trigger because once the guy sat down, this tarantula drops on a thread from the box, right on the guy's paperwork." Several smiles broke out. Dave laughed soundlessly, his mouth closed so it didn't become a cry. The tears in his eyes were tattle-tale enough. He absently played with Olivia's dark locks. Olivia turned to look at him, eyes soft and happy. She leaned against his hand. Dave realized what he was doing, got self-conscious and pulled back. With downcast eyes, Liv turned back to the room and took in the other faces. A couple of looks exchanged suggested that most had caught what had just passed. Dave tried to process what just happened by staring off through a blank spot on the wall. It wasn't terribly helpful, once he recalled the picture that hung there just a few weeks before. Then Lupie cleared her throat. Dave fixed his eyes on her. He was never particularly perceptive of the looks on people's faces, but this time it seemed pretty clear. She stared at him with a stern look, then shifted her eyes to Liv and back to him. He looked to Jan, who just nodded. "Maybe someone else can share a family background story." Dave temporized. A few pensive looks passed. A tight smile grew on Jan's face. "My aunt Carolyn." She paused for a second. "My dad's sister. They were half-Korean, half European. Aunt Carolyn took more after the European side of the heritage, especially in the kitchen. She made an awesome meatloaf." She chuckled and looked over at Dave and Becca. "She would have loved that meatloaf cupcake." Her eyes watered at the bottom edge. "Visiting her was a way to encounter the white half of my ancestry. She had prints from famous artists. Classic books. If I was there on a Saturday night, she'd serve cheese and crackers, sometimes with a little sausage. As I got older, she'd let me have a small glass of wine as well." Jan took a light breath. "She played some classical music, but mostly it was Michael Bolton and Kenny G. Maybe some Cranberries and Matchbox Twenty when she felt wild. I haven't heard from her in over a month. And she has asthma." Jan trailed off into silence and the room observed it with her. Lupie reached out a hand to Jan's shoulder. She in turn, put her own hand on top of Lupie's. She turned her head and smiled. With a small nod, she turned away again, staring at the floor. Both hands dropped away. After a reasonable silence, Becca spoke. "When I was thirteen, my cousin Kimberly, who was sixteen, offered to pierce my ears for me." Half the women groaned. Dave sat silently, suspecting this wouldn't end well. "She got a large sewing needle, a bottle of rum, a small bowl, and a pair of my mom's stud earrings." "Rum?" Jan asked. Becca rolled her eyes. "Yeah," she said with a sigh, "she said she had to soak the needle in alcohol before using it." A variety of gasps, groans and sighs walked around the room. Dave's sympathetic grimace did less than his hand patting her knee to communicate his support. "Oh, but it gets worse. Wrong kind of alcohol at too low concentration, plus lots of sugar are only enablers. She cleaned my earlobes thoroughly with antimicrobial soap, so maybe that was the one thing she did almost right. But she didn't clean her own hands. And when she stuck the needle through; which hurt like hell; she stabbed her finger." Multiple hands struck foreheads or mouths. "Oh yeah. So we're both bleeding like stuck pigs, and crying. She's freaking out because 'the blood is mixing'. I never figured out what that meant. We bandage each other up the best we could, hide all the stuff from our parents and then hide ourselves. Three days later I have a raging infection in one earlobe and have to go to the doctor AND admit to my mom what happened." Becca paused, shaking her head. "Chewed my ass out. The doctor said because of the infection, I had to wait at least six months to get piercings. Mom added another six as punishment. She did take me to get professional piercings one year to the day after the doctor's visit though." Becca's eyes watered. Dave leaned over and kissed her cheek as a single tear slid down her face. Dave noticed Melanie getting increasingly fidgety. He thought he first noticed something during Becca's tale about his workouts. Maybe when the stories ran out, he'd have his head right. It wasn't fair to her to make her wait too long for imprinting. Or Liv. God, he really needed to get his head around this. He loved Olivia, he truly did. He was just so used to it being a non-sexual, non-romantic relationship. He'd looked on her as nearly a daughter for, well, for her whole life. But she wasn't his daughter. And she loved him. That was so clear in her eyes, every time she looked at him. Not just today, but thinking back over the years. It's crazy to think he could hurt this person he cared so deeply for, by not having sex with her. Fuck, it was Kim Dawson all over again. Shawna sat placidly, attentive as others told their stories. As the room lay silent again for a time, she took her turn. "I once caught my brother coming out of the shower with his girlfriend." Grins and giggles passed around the room. "Mind you, this is after my mother had chewed me out for getting frisky with, um, my best friend in my room." "Oh" several said in unison. "We were experimenting," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "It was my first Thanksgiving Break home from college. We were just friends, with nothing going on physical, since sixth grade. We were both single at the time, but we'd each had boyfriends, and each had sex before. We just thought we'd try out the other flavor. Who better to try that with than your ride or die?" She grinned. "Mom walked in when we had our shirts loose and hands inside each other's bras. Mom got all pissy about it and made some comment along the lines of 'Darian would never disrespect me by having sex under my roof.' Yeah sure Mom." Shawna rolled her eyes. "The bathroom smelled of" she looked straight at Becca, "pussy, so they'd been going at it in there. Mom wasn't home, so the obvious sounds of continuing humping came from his room almost immediately." "Hell of it is, she was this tiny little thing. Barely five foot tall and a nothing waist. And since I'd seen Darian stumbling around out of the bathroom when we both had midnight potty urges, well, he wasn't great at covering up when he's drowsy, and in his case, the stereotype is true. I don't know how he'd didn't break her in half." "After she left, I confronted him with Mom's comment. Now Darian ain't scared of shit; not a machismo thing, he uses his brain; but Momma. She's a foot shorter and at least a hundred pounds less muscle but that boy will cringe and genuflect if Momma is mad. He starts bargaining with me. Of course, he can't offer money since he's just getting his feet under him. He had plans, and he did eventually move out, but he was scrimping and saving so paying me money to shut up would have crippled him." We all hung there, waiting. "Well, Darian had been incredibly protective of me growing up. He over did it, by a lot. So my price for silence was for him to set me up with a friend of his that I had always wanted to date, but Darian kept getting in the way." She paused for a minute. "You know how you really want something, and imagine what it would be like to get it? And then you do, and ugh. Darian meant to protect me against a guy getting handsy. In this case he was protecting me from getting bored. The guy was about as much fun as a wet paper towel. I gave him a handshake at my door when he dropped me off." All the ladies shook their heads in commiseration. Dave closed his eyes and kept his mouth shut. Becca however, didn't. "Dave, how many of your dates ended in handshakes?" "None, from now on," he said flatly. "You got that right." Shawna said. Jan just shrugged and nodded. Becca and Liv hugged him tightly. Mel rubbed a hand against his back. Lupie sat still with an enigmatic grin. Dave knew there were thoughts churning behind those dark chocolate eyes. While he wondered what those thoughts were, he had a thought of his own. Maybe it was what she was thinking, maybe not. Here he was, sleeping with four women, two more about to be added to their ranks, and he hadn't taken a single one of them on so much as one date. That couldn't stand. Granted, movies and restaurant dinners were out. But they had two backyards to have a picnic meal in. The parks were open too. Maybe the Botanical gardens? He'd need to talk with each one, find out what they wanted, and find a way to make it happen. "Well Becca already told a story for me," Lupie said, breaking the silence. Becca blushed and chuckled. "So Melanie, what can you share with the family?" "I was orphaned so early, I don't really remember my parents. Just a few fuzzy images. I bounced from one foster home to another. One time I got to stay in the same place for two years. Usually it was more like eight to ten months. The social workers tried to at least let me stay in one school for a full year. Some of them anyway." "I don't have any horror stories about it. Other kids I fostered with told me about other homes they've been in, and some of those were bad. So I don't want to suggest it doesn't happen, it just never happened to me. The worst for me was not being connected to anyone for long. Honestly, living with Olivia is the longest I've shared a place with anyone. And she brought me home on holidays." Her face darkened. "Carter and Janelle were nice to me." Then she laughed. "I think Carter suspected I was Liv's lesbian lover though." "Oh my god." Liv rolled her eyes and brought a hand to her forehead, covering her eyes. Only Dave noticed Jan wincing at the hated phrase. Then Mel's face went blank, trying to hold back the intense emotions. "You're the closest I've ever had to a sister." The two college girls hugged. After a brief pause, Dave chimed in. "Now that is a tough life, having Olivia as your sister." Melanie laughed. Olivia turned and punched him in the shoulder, with a tight smile on her face. Laughing and rolling with the punch, Dave couldn't help but notice the way her large tits jiggled with the turn and the force of her punch. When she leaned against him, he found himself wishing her neckline was cut lower. The thought was surprising, and conducive to future events, but still slightly disconcerting. Before he could get too lost in his head, Jan spoke up. "So, how about a story about young Olivia?" she asked. Liv groaned. Dave grinned. "Okay, so we've mentioned before she hunts, hikes, does all kinds of outdoors She-Ra stuff." Liv glared up at him. She adjusted her head so the backs of her round silver stud earrings wouldn't poke her head. Mel rubbed Liv's back reassuringly. "You may have noticed that fishing was not mentioned in that list." "Oh God, no." Liv covered her face with her hands. The grins on every face in the room showed realization dawning in each of the other minds present. "So, Carter and I took Eddie and Liv fishing. Carter preferred drift catfishing, so we'd get out on the lake very early, usually by three am, four if we were running late. We had a small casting net we'd use in the shallows to catch bait fish. Then Carter would take the boat to a point up current from where he suspected the cats would be, and we'd drift across with our hooks in the water. Well, the bait fish had to be cut into two or three pieces to be useful. Olivia objected. But not to cutting the fish. To holding them. She squealed every time we put one in her hands. She loved casting the net and hauling it in. she liked fighting the fish on the rod, put touch one with her hands? Oh, no, not happening." Olivia buried her head in his chest and glared upward. "Oh, did I mention her fishing rod and tackle box were Barbie themed?" A series of giggles followed that assertion. "Don't talk about that!" "But you were cute!" "Shit like that is why you keep seeing me as a little girl for you to protect and raise instead of a woman you could sleep with." Olivia humphed. "Beginning to think the only way to change your mind is to sit here topless. I wait like that long enough and your cock might start taking charge." She accented her words by puffing out her generous chest and turning partially towards Dave. "You go girl," Shawna laughed. "How about some big titty solidarity?" She unbuttoned two buttons on her blouse. Jan joined in the laughter while Lupie shook her head, smiling. Becca stared a chant of 'Do it!' quickly joined by Mel. They both shook their chests in time with the chant. "No." Dave said, staring at Liv with no hint of a smile. He swatted Becca on the knee. "Hmm, what do I need to do to get a spanking Daddy?" Melanie purred. "Do not start that shit." Dave tried to be stern this time but didn't quite manage it. "Speaking of getting something started, I'm getting kinda itchy here. I don't know if either of you are in the mood yet, but this serum is starting to eat at me." Liv and Mel exchanged looks. "I don't want to jump the line on banging your dream guy, but please girl, let's get this started. If you don't go, I will." "Sexier words were never spoken," Dave noted dryly. That got Liv laughing. Dave stood. "Do you two want to do this one at a time, or side-by-side?" "One at a time," Mel stated emphatically. "After walking in on you masturbating once, I don't need to see that pussy again." Liv groaned and turned her head to the ceiling. Then Mel turned to Lupie "hashtag justiceforLupie." She grinned. Lupie just rolled her eyes while Becca laughed. Jan laughed, but reached out a hand to Lupie's shoulder. Dave took Olivia's hand and turned to the stairs. She interlocked her fingers with his and walked beside him with her head against his shoulder. They stayed like that until they reached the bed. Dave turned to face Olivia, placing his hands on her shoulders. She looked into his eyes, hungry, pleading. Dave took a deep, shuddering breath and pushed aside the thoughts of the little girl that kissed him on the check at bedtime as he tucked her into bed. He stared into Olivia's eyes, focusing on the woman in front of him, as she is now, wanting to be with him. She loved him. had for a long time. She had been dedicated to the idea of being with him for life, for longer than, well, any woman in his past or present. The reality of that finally washed over him. His love for her did not need to end or change, merely grow. He had always been hers. Dave pulled Olivia into him and kissed her with passion. Olivia moaned into the kiss. Dave felt her hot tears as their cheeks brushed. He pulled back, their faces parted but close. "I love you Olivia Barnes, always and forever." A heart-rending sob burst from her as her dearest dream manifested. She jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist, and kissing him fiercely, their tongues dancing. Dave slowly walked them to the edge of the bed and sat her down. Mostly. Olivia was not letting go. Dave tugged at the bottom of her blouse and lifted. Olivia broke the kiss and raised her arms, her legs still clutching him tightly. Dave paused removing her shirt when her lips were exposed, but her eyes still covered. He moved in for a kiss. He felt her grin as their lips moved in unison. Olivia then grabbed Dave's shirt as he finished removing hers. Dave moved to her jeans and quickly removed those as She reached for his waist band. Olivia grasped his pants and boxers as one and removed them. Dave, standing, naked and half-erect. Olivia, seated on the edge of the bed, in a lacy white bra and matching panties. They drank each other in. She looked up at him. "Well, part of you is getting interested," she smirked. "You get all of me, Olivia, just as you always have. I'll show you my love every day. It will just manifest in a few new ways from now on." Olivia scooted up the bed as Dave crawled up, aligning himself over her, kissing as they moved. Dave's hands wandered along her thighs and sides. Olivia's fingers coursed lazily along his back. "Just one request." She gave him an impish look. "When you go get Mel to bring her up here, leave my legs spread so the first thing she sees when she walks in is my pussy." "You're rotten ya know that? I have to live with her too ya know." "She'll laugh. It's just roommate hijinks." Dave returned to kissing Olivia. He moved his lips lower, down her neck, to her collarbone, and then the slopes of her tits. He slipped his hands underneath her, unclasping her bra. Gingerly, he removed it. Olivia's large tits, no longer supported by a bra, formed two delicious lumps on her chest, that looked like they were about to slide off her chest. Olivia's eyes glistened, radiating joy as Dave took her tits in his hands and began kissing them. She moaned as he ministered to her bosom with his mouth. When he took one nipple in his mouth and suckled, she gasped. "Oh, David, Yes!" Pleasure and unbridled joy left her breathing ragged, her mind awash in bliss. His hands remained at her tit, massaging gently, easing her higher with delicate caresses. His mouth proceed lower, kissing her ribs. Her abdomen. Kissing and licking her belly button. She giggled and twisted her torso. Dave brought his hands down to Olivia's hips. He grasped her panties and pulled them down to her ankles, raising himself and her legs up. He tossed them aside and brought his face to kiss the crease of her pelvis and her hip. She shuddered. Her arousal scented the room. Her lovely light brown vulva filled his vision as he breathed softly across her bare essence. The hairs of the small landing strip on her mons tousled in the artificial breeze. She lifted her head to look at him. "David;” she pleaded. He grinned. He locked eyes with her and closed his mouth around her lower lips and began to suckle. Her body arched and she sucked in a breath. His tongue played across her sopping wet slit. He tasted her juices. He nibbled her flowering inner lips. He slipped his tongue into her entrance. "Oh God David Yes! Oh please put it in me." Olivia whimpered. "Darling, you've wanted this night for a long time. I intend to make it worthwhile." "You are enough David, that's al; Ah" she cried out as he took her clitoris in his mouth and suckled. He slid one finger gently inside, massaging her tunnel. Every stroke drew her natural lubricant in greater volume than the last. He inserted as second finger and she moaned, writhing, hips bucking. He released her button and withdrew his fingers. She eased her motions. Dave crawled up her body, a victorious and hungry grin on his face. She beamed, breathing heavily. He caressed and kissed her tits briefly as he moved up. Finally hovering over her, face to face, bodies aligned, his erection resting between them, Dave kissed her once again. She clutched him and returned the kiss. Dave maneuvered his member with his hips, aligning with her fully relaxed and open entrance. He pushed in gently, a small distance just to lodge the tip of his helmet in her. The precum coating his cockhead set off a body-rocking orgasm that stole her breath. When her eyes re-opened, Dave drove himself into her, full length, in one smooth stroke. Her eyes glowed with joy. He began moving himself in and out of her. Slowly at first. Always firmly, gently. Staring into her eyes as he worked them both to ecstasy. He picked up his pace. She began rocking her hips with his. Soon they were pounding into each other, breathing raggedly, eyes still locked, her hands braced behind his shoulders until their passion pushed him over the brink, firing rope after rope of hot cum into her waiting vagina. The effect on Olivia was immediate. A primal scream of pleasure burst from her lips as her body convulsed like a marionette in the hands of an angry child. And then she fell to the bed, limp. "Imprinting,; imprinting,; imprinting, ;” Dave kissed her forehead and extracted himself from her body. He crawled off the bed and left to clean himself in the bathroom. He returned with a damp washcloth to clean her. After dressing in loose shorts and a shirt, he arranged her as she'd requested and left the room shaking his head. Melanie met him at the bottom of the stairs with a passionate kiss and a tight hug. "You need a minute or two?" "Yeah, let me get a drink and I should be fine." He returned the kiss, then slipped from her arms to search out some juice from the fridge. "Oh, I thought you meant you needed a little something to steel yourself for doing me." "Please." Dave guzzled half the glass. "One, you are hot. Two," he blushed a bit, "I have a thing for redheads." Melanie smiled. "Oh yeah?" "Hell, if you had freckles, I'd kiss each one of them." That made her blush. After Dave finished off a second glass of juice, he and Melanie headed upstairs, pursued by catcalls and wolf whistles. Esme, who'd been invited into the living room after Dave and Olivia had gone upstairs, just laughed at the shenanigans. Opening the door, Melanie exclaimed, "Oh my god, you left; " she pursed her lips. "No, she put you up to this didn't she?" Dave chuckled and grabbed a light blanket. "No," Melanie said, "save that to cover us both when you finish with me." She cupped her hand under one of Liv's shapely thighs and brought the leg over the other, giving her friend a bit of modesty she hadn't asked for. Dave noticed that her hand seemed to linger just a bit on Liv's thigh. It certainly looked like Mel gave her rump a light squeeze. Maybe he just imagined it. She turned to face him. "Reading between the lines, from everything Liv's told me, you don't think you deserve any of us, do you?" Dave swallowed hard, trying not to react. "I'm going to tell you something harsh and reassuring. You don't. And you know something else? We don't deserve your love either. I learned bouncing around those homes that love isn't earned. It's too valuable to be earned. No one is ever worthy of someone else's love. Body, heart, or mind. Love is a gift. We each give our love to you, by our choice. And you give us your love by your choice. I barely know you and I'm more comfortable being here with you than I've ever been with any man." She paused to let that sink in. "David, just accept that you are a damn good man, and we are all happy to be here with you. Enjoy what we give you. Let us enjoy what you give in return." Dave felt like this beautiful young woman that barely knew him was staring straight into his heart, laying it bare and spearing it with the cruelest weapon; hope. He stretched out his hand tentatively, reaching for the sash holding her blouse closed. She looked down briefly, seeing his hand. She immediately looked into his eyes and gave the smallest nod, and a smile. Dave pulled slowly on the loose tail of the cinch and dropped it. The belt ends fell to her sides and the halves of her blouse hung loosely, exposing the center of her chest and abdomen. Melanie had a belly button piercing. A small chain with two small clear crystals near the top and at the bottom, a butterfly done mostly in silver metal clasping tiny crystals, except for a soft pink pearl serving as the body of the faux insect. "You like? Your profile said you weren't a fan of body modification, but I was hoping you would be ok with this." "It's cute and sexy and innocent and naughty all at once." Dave smiled. He stepped up to her, sliding his hands into her blouse and around her back. He pulled her into a soft, slow kiss. They explored each other that way for a few minutes. Dave brought his hands up to her tits, cupping them and kneading them through her black satin bra. Melanie sucked in a breath and hummed. She broke the kiss and drew his attention with her eyes. "The others told me how you like to take your time, maximize a woman's pleasure. I am super fucking horny right know. You can take me to the heights later, we have forever for that. Right now I just need to pound your stake into me and lay claim to my body." "What about your heart?" She grinned "Just like they said you would. It's getting there, just takes a bit more time." She shrugged her blouse off and shucked her pants. The panties were also black and satiny. "Come on Davey, fuck my brains out and make me yours." She tossed her bra and panties aside quickly and crawled up the bed, turn over on her back once she was alongside her friend. Dave stripped of his shirt and shorts rapidly and joined her on the bed, pressing his body lightly against hers. His erection sandwiched between their torsos, her medium sized tit and their pointy nipples pressed against his chest. He kissed her again and she hummed. She worked her hips against his and together that got him lodged in her. A few strokes inside her passage caused him to leak out the first drips of precum and she exploded in a howling convulsion, her eyes rolling back, one hand flailing and bashing the insensate Olivia. "Fuck that was good. Give it to me David, give your woman what she needs. Seal your claim." She kissed him fiercely and they both rocked their hips savagely. No sensuality, just raw primal fucking of two hungry bodies. Despite his recent bout with Liv, this carnal frenzy brought Dave to the pinnacle faster than he anticipated and he crashed through, erupting a geyser of cum inside her depths. As the hot load filled her cavity, Melanie wailed in ecstasy, her mind shattered by the biochemical overload. Then she flopped to the bed, repeating the new world's chant of family harmony and togetherness. Chapter 6 – Shenanigans. October 4, 2020. David Belsus awoke to three beautiful young ladies lying beside him, all nude. As yet, none of his partners had elected to sleep in another room. Last night they all emphatically wanted to be near him. No one piled over anyone else. Lupie came to bed in a rich blue camisole with matching high cut panties. Shawna clad herself in a soft pink camisole and pink boy shorts. Jan wore one of Dave's sweatshirts as a baggy night gown, no panties underneath. He'd checked by way slipping his hands under the hem of the shirt to dance along her skin. Finding paradise exposed, he impishly fingered her to heaven as she begged for his cock. She beamed when he finished. She kissed him deeply after he sucked all her juices off his digits. None of the three were in bed at the moment. Shawna was likely on her way to work already. Which meant Jan and Lupie had gotten up with her to talk and share breakfast, or at least coffee. They had developed a morning routine rather quickly. That left Liv and Melanie nude, side by side on his left, and Becca, nude, curled tightly under his right arm, his hand resting just above her hip. She slumbered peacefully, unperturbed by the small motions he made as he took in the morning tableau. Becca's insecurities stemming from the near-abduction at the vax center had faded quickly with the reassurance of imprinting on Dave. What followed in its wake was the desire to be close to the person she'd just started sleeping with, magnified by this being the only person she'd ever slept with, further multiplied by the vaccine-clad certainty this was her person for life. Becca wasn't pushy about it. She knew enough to leave some space for the others to get their 'Dave time' too. In and out of bed. And the others, having experienced a similar phase in life, and happy that, for her, it really would be for a lifetime, accommodated her wherever possible. And then Dave's mind recalled a text conversation. "; Oh god, I just had this thrill run through me at the idea of waking up with you already in me, on top of me." Dave stroked her hip softly, slowly easing his fingers toward the crease where her leg met her pelvis. After several minutes of this, he brought his left hand up to cup her tit, massaging lightly, avoiding the nipple. He wanted to slowly raise her towards wakefulness, and ignite her libido, but he didn't want her awake until after he'd penetrated her. Just as she'd asked. Dave carefully eased himself out of her arms, rotating himself until he was kneeling on the bed, behind her knees and 'under' her butt as Becca lay curled on her left side. Dave leaned in and began kissing along Becca's outer thigh of her top leg while gently stroking the inner thigh of her bottom leg with his right hand. His left hand stroked softly along her side. A quick brush of her lower lips indicated her unconscious arousal, or the serum effects. Either way, Dave rubbed his half-hard cock between her thighs, rubbing against her labia, to get them both ready. He kept kissing her hand and arm while softly playing with her tit. "David?!" Came the scandalized whisper. Lupie and Jan stood, frozen, in the doorway, not believing what they were seeing. "She expressly asked for this, you can even check my text messages." Both ladies looked concerned, but said no more. A few more minutes of play time had Dave fully hard, regaining what he briefly lost with the interruption. Becca was ready as well. Dave seated himself at her entrance and pushed slowly, steadily forward. He was half inside her, leaning over her when Becca's eyes flew open. Wide-eyed, mouth agape, she turned her head and moaned. She writhed against David and clutched his upright arms. When her breath returned, she kissed him hard. She pulled away, winking as she deliberately flexed the muscles of her inner passage. Dave took that as a signal to continue. He steadily worked himself in her. Becca grinned madly, moaning and encouraging him. In a few minutes, both were racing to a peak they reached in tandem. Becca fell limp against the mattress, gasping. Dave steadied himself by resting his ass on his heels. Both dismounted the bed and began searching for clothes. Lupie gave Dave a quick kiss on the cheek and hugged Becca before heading downstairs. Jan stayed to change clothes. Jan viewed Becca with a grin. "Get your jollies little freak?" Becca beamed and blushed. "Umm hmm." "Just razzing you, ya know." "I know. I'm still learning what I like, and that is one of them. You know, the way you get off when a guy has a big; book collection." Her eyes twinkled. She squealed and caught the pillow Jan threw as she joined the laughter. "Oh my god, a naked pillow fight. I knew they were real!" Dave laughed and ducked as both partners chucked pillows at him. Dark brown irises set in almond eyes gazed at Dave from Becca's laptop resting on the folding table Becca had set up in one of the unused bedrooms. Raven black hair framed an oval face of chocolate brown before cascading over shoulders set with remembered power, but a hint of sag. The plain white scoop necked t-shirt stretched into small ripples between her tits. The shirt was mostly opaque, yielding evidence of a white bra of exactly the same tone as the shirt, but nonetheless unable to disguise two ripe, thick nipples making their presence known. As the call began, her small, tight mouth had appeared balanced between the promise of lighting up the room with a smile, or unleashing a verbal tirade that would leave all within earshot cringing. Dave's skeptical, reserved approach was pushing her more towards desperation. "Yes, I have been; unkind to people through all of high school. I thought I was better than a lot of people. I had a group that I hung out with, and we deemed ourselves 'the betters' of everyone else. Becca knows some of what I did, more from hearing about it or seeing it than experiencing it directed at her. I; held back since she helped me study." Reena swallowed before continuing. "I've had all these months to think about life and people and a lot of stuff okay? I'm not proud of my behavior. I was a bitch." Her eyes began to water at the lower edge. "Being isolated, knowing people are dying, finding out from a few friends they only have another day or hour left; " her voice caught. A few tears coursed down her apple cheeks, but she batted them aside quickly. "Do you know what it's like to stop hearing from someone that you thought you'd invite to your wedding, or have your kids play together?" Becca inhaled, about to speak, but Dave stayed her with a gentle touch. It wouldn't do to interrupt when Reena was clearly pouring her heart out. The words she spoke over the next several minutes could be the ones he really needed to hear to make a good decision. "The kids in grades below us stopped answering a long time ago. There's an internet rumor that this thing takes more men than women, and everyone under eighteen, but even the ones over eighteen are hard to find someone that answers, boy or girl." Reena's 'queen of the school' composure was cracking. While that allowed a glimpse at the person behind the mask, it wouldn't do to let her fall apart. Time to say something reassuring, but realistic. "Reena, just tell me about why you want to be here." "Honestly, Becca may be the only friend I have left I the world. And I was never a very good friend to her before. I; I want to do better. I've been thinking a lot about what I should change. Specific things I should stop saying or doing. Remembering to say 'please' when I ask for something instead of expecting compliance because of 'who I am.' Or saying 'thank you' when someone else does something for me. Doing something for someone else just because they need it, even if they never asked." Shaking, Reena paused to collect herself. "Becca has told me about you. I'm not smart like you and her, but I would like to study something past high school. Please, please choose me. I'll; I'll do anything you want." Her voice lowered and her eyes dropped at the last sentence. "There's a lot I still don't know about sex, but I'll learn. I'll be your little; " "Hold up. Kareena, I'm not out to push you to be some kind of play toy. If we are compatible in other ways, we'll figure out the sex part. Why don't you tell me about your hobbies, things you do just because they're fun? May be things you did even if your friends weren't into them." "Well, I do like to read; even though I joined in with the others when we made fun of 'bookworms'." Her eyes were downcast for the end of that sentence but came back up. "Becca mentioned you're a big book lover. But; I don't read; like nonfiction, or high class stuff. I mean, I have red Lord of the Rings, but that took forever. I could only get through like the first three pages of Moby Dick and Tale of Two Cities before passing out though." She still looked scared, so Dave gave her some reassurance. "Yeah, I think I maxed out after the first chapter of each of those. Some people love that style, but for me, it was a snooze fest too. The last two I mean. I love Lord of the Rings. So tell me, what do you like to read?" "Well, there's this series about this guy that keeps monsters in check in the San Francisco area." "Monsters?" Dave tried not to sound dubious. "Well, magical creatures. Fairies, unicorns, vampires, stuff like that. Oh, the author's name is Blake Conrad. It's a lot of fun if you like magic stuff. I have the full collection. Everything that's out so far. The next book was due out already, but the pandemic hit and who knows when they'll publish it now. For all I know, the one that's waiting is the last one. Chances are the author caught this thing and died months ago." Her face darkened again. "Well, if this does work out," Dave said, "You're welcome to bring your complete; Blake Conrad collection with you, and we'll look for similar books, similar titles. I know Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman and Ursula K. Le Guin use a lot of magic themes in their works. Sounds like they might be right up your alley." Hearing Dave endorse her reading interest perked Reena up. "You know, I could help the other girls too. I like doing nails. I'm pretty good at it too. I can free hand designs and stuff." "I could see where that could come in handy. So to speak." Dave grimaced at his unintended pun. Becca laughed. Reena just shook her head. "Anyway, I'm sure some of the ladies would appreciate that. I'll stick with natural myself," Dave said with a wink. That got a chuckle out of her. "Look, I'm not expecting you to have everything planned out. You're eighteen. There's still a lot to decide. And speaking of decisions, I'd like you to meet virtually with the other ladies of the house and we'll talk as a family after." "Also, take some time yourself to think this through completely. I know you want to be here so you can be close to someone familiar, but bear in mind, that means being sexually bonded to me, a forty-six year old man, more than twice your age. By the time you were born, I'd finished grad school, got married, had a kid, and divorced." Reena looked pensive but nodded. Dave left her to talk with Becca more. He caught Jan in the library with a notepad, apparently noting possible additions. On his suggestion, she left to join Becca. In the dining room, he found Olivia munching a bowl of cereal. Lupie sat with her. The two were sharing an easy conversation which halted when Dave walked in. He'd seen Lupie's bible on an end table in the living room when he passed through. Liv must have come down to get breakfast while Lupie was conducting a bible study on her own. Not like it was safe yet to go to a church. Especially when so many church goers around here seemed to buy into the 'just a hoax' nonsense. Dave shook his head. Christian Nationalism seem purpose built to destroy conservatism and faith in one fell swoop. Sure had a good shot at it with this damn plague. Dave shook out thoughts of things he couldn't control. Here, now, was one woman that had been interested in him for a few years as she lived next door, and another that had pined for him for; a decade? And both were happy to be bound to him by this weird vaccine, even though it meant sharing him with other women. This world was wonderful and terrifying in the same breath. "Morning, Hermosa," Dave said before kissing Lupie on the lips. She hummed into the brief contact. "Morning, love bug," he said as he greeted Olivia in the same manner. As he pulled away, she slugged his shoulder, smiling scowl pulling her lips tight. Lupie shook her head. "David, I'm with Olivia on this one. Terms of endearment you used when she was a child are not conducive to her feeling she's being accepted as a woman." "I meant it as continuity. She has a lot of love to give. Always has. And I appreciate that." Olivia's scowl relaxed but did not become a smile. Well, not immediately. Lupie raised an eyebrow at him with a gentle smile. Dave realized what he needed was a change of subject. "Becca is upstairs Zooming with a friend of hers from high school. She; would like to join us here." Both ladies smirked. Dave sighed and rolled his eyes. He brought a hand up to his face and rubbed his eyes before leaning into the hand, the elbow of the same arm resting on the table. "Look, it's not like I'm seeking women out. I'm not out pursuing young girls." Olivia shifted in her seat. "I mean; " "I get it Dave. Don't apologize." Her voice was soft, with a hint of iron. "I talked with her for a while. She's apparently been talking with Becca since before the two of you got vaxxed in the first place." He said, looking at Lupie. "And it seems Becca has been telling Reena all about us, especially about vaxxed life with me." "Kareena Agrawal? The one Becca calls 'the Indian Karen'?" Olivia barely managed to contain the mouthful of cereal and milk at Lupie's interjection. Dave held back a laugh. "She seems genuinely heartbroken and lost, Lupie. And she has taken time in isolation to examine her past behavior." Dave paused, looking each of them in the eye. "I'm reserving judgement for now. I think it would be a good idea if each of you took time to talk with her, probably with Becca as host. I ran into Jan already, she's probably up there with her now. All I'm asking is that you get with Becca sometime today to find a time you can Zoom with her and form your own opinion. I may be 'the man of the house'; " Dave bowed his arms out from his sides, leaning side to side with a faux stern look on his face; "but this is too big not to get ya'lls take on it as well." Both women giggled at the display. "Okay, okay, I'll seek Becca out in a few minutes. I'll give Reena a fair hearing, just understand, I've heard enough of her exploits to be a bit wary." "Wouldn't have it any other way, cielo." The warmth of the smile Lupie gave him was enough to power an entire town. It was a few hours past noon when Dave heard voices in the bedroom. He left his office to see if that meant Melanie was up. She'd been out for eighteen hours. Opening the door, he found Becca and Liv sitting on the bed, talking. Mel was nowhere to be seen. "Mel up I take it?" "Yup, been awake for a few minutes. She needed to use the bathroom," Becca informed him. "She'll probably be in there a while." Liv chimed in, just as Mel emerged. She had a huge smile on her face. "Wow, usually a night like last night would leave you crying on the toilet for an hour. And I needed a hazmat suit to go in there afterwards." Mel smirked. She strode over to Dave and gave him a big hug. He recognized the t-shirt she wore, black with a white line drawing of Einstein sticking out his tongue. Recognized, because it was probably the one from his closet. "Looks like I unlocked the special bonus. They did say sometimes a healing process happens during imprinting. How long was I out anyway?" "About eighteen hours," said Liv. "Longest of any of my partners. What's the healing you're talking about?" "I have; had; I B S. I tend to be careful about what I eat, or go ahead and indulge once in a while, knowing I'm going to pay the price in the morning." She turned to face Liv, with her hands on her hips. "And for your information missy, I was somewhat careful last night. The wine was dry, and I only ate a little bit of cheese. And I didn't have any deviled eggs." She grumbled that last sentence. Liv looked at Dave. "She loves deviled eggs, especially made with dill relish instead of sweet, which I've told her was the way you do it. Not that you made last night's, but that does mean the only relish in the house is dill. Problem is, the protein in the whites plus the fat in the yolk and mayo is an issue for her. If it weren't for that, she'd gobble deviled eggs like she's trying to set a world record." Dave chuckled. "As a deviled egg lover, I can testify that that much deviled egg will cause intestinal issues that oughta be against the Geneva Convention, without any medical conditions." The trio giggled. Becca sat bolt upright for a minute. "Hey, weren't there deviled eggs leftover in the fridge?" Mel was already up and moving. "Clear square sandwich container with the see through blue lid!" Mel's happy cackle faded as she sprinted down the stairs. To be continued in part 5, Based on a post by RonanJWilkerson, in 12 parts, for Literotica.

In this new short-form episode, Robin Harford challenges our relationship with common sorrel (Rumex acetosa) – a plant we've dismissed for centuries simply because it grows freely everywhere.This episode introduces a new podcast format: short observations (2-5 minutes) with a call to action. Robin doesn't want you to just listen, he wants you outside, engaging with plants where you are.Safety note: If you suffer from kidney stones or sensitivity to oxalic acids, avoid sorrel due to its high oxalate content.

News items read by Laura Kennedy include: Excavations confirm lost Indigenous settlements described by John Smith (details) Earliest known intentional fire was set in England about 400,000 years ago (details) Botanical art from 8000 years ago shows early mathematical thinking (details)(details Ancient stone structures found beneath the waters off Brittany (details)(details

Segment 1: Jenna Fowler, Founder, Vagabond Botanical in LaGrange, joins Wendy Snyder to talk about the story behind her unique plant boutique, the way the business has grown organically, how she ended up opening a retail store, the types of services that are offered at the shop, and how her creative background influences the work […]

ORDER TODAY Also available on throw blankets, pillows, tops, tees, iPhone cases, and much more! *Redbubble has discounts when purchasing multiple items and also gives 10%-20% discounts on a regular Continue Reading Read more on this topic: Prize Winning Chrysanthemum 4, Sherman Library and Gardens, Corona del Mar, California [Photography] New Design: Trichocereus Cactus Flower Products [Shopping] Gifts: A bee gathering on purple coneflower Products from Douglas E. Welch Design and Photography [Shopping] Agave, Sherman Library and Gardens, Corona del Mar, California [Photography] Bougainvillea in the neighborhood [Photography]

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: The Misadventures of Bram: A Botanical Surprise in Amsterdam Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-12-09-08-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Op een koude wintermiddag, vlak voor Sinterklaas, liep Bram door de drukkere straten van Amsterdam naar de beroemde Bloemenmarkt op het water.En: On a cold winter afternoon, just before Sinterklaas, Bram walked through the busy streets of Amsterdam to the famous Flower Market on the water.Nl: De lucht was fris en de kanalen glinsterden onder de feestelijke lichtjes.En: The air was crisp, and the canals glistened under the festive lights.Nl: De geur van bloemen en kruiden vulde de lucht, en Bram voelde zich opgetogen maar ook een beetje nerveus.En: The scent of flowers and herbs filled the air, and Bram felt excited but also a little nervous.Nl: Bram wilde Sanne verrassen met een mooie tulip.En: Bram wanted to surprise Sanne with a beautiful tulip.Nl: Ze hield van bloemen en vertelde hem vaak over haar favorieten.En: She loved flowers and often told him about her favorites.Nl: Maar Bram, verstrooid als altijd, had geen idee welke Tulip het mooist was.En: But Bram, as absent-minded as always, had no idea which tulip was the most beautiful.Nl: Hij wist dat hij Sanne een plezier zou doen, maar hij vreesde ook dat hij het verkeerd zou aanpakken.En: He knew he would make Sanne happy, but he also feared he would get it wrong.Nl: Bij de markt groette Maarten, de eigenaardige bloemist, hem met een knipoog.En: At the market, Maarten, the peculiar florist, greeted him with a wink.Nl: “Op zoek naar iets speciaals, Bram?En: "Looking for something special, Bram?"Nl: ” vroeg Maarten, terwijl hij een kleurrijke plant aan Bram liet zien.En: Maarten asked, showing him a colorful plant.Nl: “Kijk eens naar deze exotische schoonheid.En: "Take a look at this exotic beauty."Nl: ”“Ja, die ziet er bijzonder uit,” zei Bram, maar hij was afgeleid door de gedachte aan de tulip die hij eigenlijk zocht.En: "Yes, that one looks special," said Bram, but he was distracted by the thought of the tulip he was actually looking for.Nl: “Ik ben op zoek naar de perfecte tulip,” voegde hij aarzelend toe.En: "I'm looking for the perfect tulip," he hesitantly added.Nl: Maarten, met zijn ondeugende glimlach, knikte.En: Maarten, with his mischievous smile, nodded.Nl: “Deze is speciaal, echt waar,” verzekerde hij Bram, en voordat Bram het wist, had hij betaald en liep hij weg met de exotische plant zonder het goed te beseffen.En: "This one is special, truly," he assured Bram, and before Bram knew it, he had paid and was walking away with the exotic plant without really realizing it.Nl: Niet veel later begon de chaos.En: Not long after, chaos began.Nl: De plant, zo bleek, vereiste uiterst unieke zorg.En: The plant, it turned out, required extremely unique care.Nl: Binnen korte tijd begonnen de bladeren overal heen te groeien en lieten ze rare geluiden horen die de bezoekers nieuwsgierig maakten.En: In no time, the leaves began to grow everywhere and made strange noises that piqued the curiosity of passersby.Nl: Mensen stopten om te kijken, met murmurerende stemmen, en een kleine menigte verzamelde zich.En: People stopped to look, murmuring voices, and a small crowd gathered.Nl: Bram was in paniek.En: Bram panicked.Nl: Wat zou Sanne denken?En: What would Sanne think?Nl: Een plant die klonk als een spinnende kat was zeker geen passende Sinterklaas-verrassing.En: A plant that sounded like a purring cat surely wasn't an appropriate Sinterklaas surprise.Nl: Hij belde Sanne om hulp.En: He called Sanne for help.Nl: “Ik heb een probleem,” begon Bram en legde alles uit.En: "I have a problem," Bram began and explained everything.Nl: Sanne haastte zich naar de markt.En: Sanne hurried to the market.Nl: “Bram, dit is geen tulip.En: "Bram, this is not a tulip.Nl: Maar kijk hoe iedereen lacht,” zei ze met fonkelende ogen.En: But look at how everyone is laughing," she said, eyes twinkling.Nl: Maarten, die het tafereel vanaf zijn kraampje gadesloeg, liep naar hen toe en legde zijn hand op Bram's schouder.En: Maarten, observing the scene from his stall, walked over to them and placed his hand on Bram's shoulder.Nl: “Je hebt inderdaad voor opschudding gezorgd, maar dat is soms precies wat mensen nodig hebben,” glimlachte hij.En: "You certainly caused a stir, but that's sometimes exactly what people need," he smiled.Nl: Bram haalde diep adem en lachte eindelijk om de situatie.En: Bram took a deep breath and finally laughed at the situation.Nl: "Ik zal het maar toegeven: ik heb geen idee wat ik koop!En: "I have to admit: I have no idea what I'm buying!"Nl: "Maarten knikte.En: Maarten nodded.Nl: “Daarom help ik je.En: "That's why I'm helping you.Nl: Hier is die tulip, als een klein gebaar van mijn kant.En: Here is that tulip, as a small gesture from my side."Nl: ”Terwijl de menigte langzaam uit elkaar ging, hield Bram de perfecte tulip vast.En: As the crowd slowly dispersed, Bram held the perfect tulip.Nl: Sanne keek hem aan en zei: “Het onverwachte is ook mooi.En: Sanne looked at him and said, "The unexpected is also beautiful.Nl: Dank voor de lach.En: Thanks for the laughter."Nl: ”Bram realiseerde zich dat hij weliswaar een chaos had veroorzaakt, maar het bracht ook plezier.En: Bram realized that although he had caused chaos, it also brought joy.Nl: Hij zag in dat het goed is om hulp te vragen en dat niet alles volgens plan hoeft te gaan om toch te slagen.En: He saw that it's good to ask for help and that not everything needs to go according to plan to succeed.Nl: Met die gedachten, liepen Bram en Sanne lachend weg van de markt.En: With those thoughts, Bram and Sanne walked away from the market laughing.Nl: Het onverwachte had hen dichterbij gebracht, en aan het einde van de dag was dat veel waardevoller dan alleen de perfecte tulip.En: The unexpected had brought them closer, and at the end of the day, that was much more valuable than just the perfect tulip. Vocabulary Words:absent-minded: verstrooidappropriate: passendechaos: chaoscrisp: frisdispersed: uit elkaarexotic: exotischefear: vreesdeflorist: bloemistglistened: glinsterdengesture: gebaarmischievous: ondeugendemurmuring: murmurerendenervous: nerveuspeculiar: eigenaardigepurring: spinnenderealized: realiseerdescattered: gestrooidscenario: tafereelscent: geursparkling: fonkelendestir: opschuddingtrip: reistwinkling: twinkelendeunique: uniekeunexpected: onverwachteuncertainty: onzekerheidvain: vergeefsvaluable: waardevollerwhisper: fluisterenwink: knipoog

Fluent Fiction - Catalan: Trapped in Montjuïc: A Botanical Adventure to Remember Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ca/episode/2025-11-23-23-34-02-ca Story Transcript:Ca: La tardor omplia el Jardí Botànic de Montjuïc amb colors càlids.En: Autumn filled the Jardí Botànic de Montjuïc with warm colors.Ca: Els camins estaven coberts de fulles que cruixien suaument sota els peus de la Gemma, l'Oriol i en Marc.En: The paths were covered with leaves that crunched softly under the feet of Gemma, Oriol, and Marc.Ca: Havien organitzat una gimcana per descobrir plantes exòtiques, seguint pistes que la Gemma havia creat.En: They had organized a scavenger hunt to discover exotic plants, following clues that Gemma had created.Ca: Riures i xiulets es barrejaven amb el vent fresc de la tarda, mentre en Marc feia bromes sobre els noms complicats de les flors.En: Laughter and whistles mixed with the cool afternoon breeze as Marc made jokes about the complicated names of the flowers.Ca: "Ets capaç de trobar la Flor de l'Antàrtida abans que es faci de nit?En: "Can you find the Flor de l'Antàrtida before nightfall?"Ca: " va dir la Gemma, mirant el rellotge.En: said Gemma, checking the time.Ca: "Seré la millor organitzadora d'aventures!En: "I will be the best adventure organizer!"Ca: "Oriol, sempre escèptic, va frunzir el front: "Gemma, ja és tard.En: Oriol, ever the skeptic, frowned, "Gemma, it's already late.Ca: No ens quedarà gaire temps.En: We won't have much time."Ca: "Però la passió de la Gemma i la rialla d'en Marc els van mantenir endavant fins que es va fer fosc.En: But Gemma's enthusiasm and Marc's laughter kept them going until it was dark.Ca: Quan finalment van adonar-se que el jardí estava buit, les portes ja eren tancades.En: When they finally realized the garden was empty, the gates were already closed.Ca: "No pot ser!En: "It can't be!"Ca: " va exclamar la Gemma, contemplant l'entrada tancada.En: exclaimed Gemma, staring at the closed entrance.Ca: "Ens hem quedat dins!En: "We're stuck inside!"Ca: "Oriol va respirar profundament, mirant al seu voltant amb cautela.En: Oriol took a deep breath, looking around cautiously.Ca: "Hem de trobar una manera de sortir.En: "We have to find a way out.Ca: No podem quedar-nos aquí tota la nit.En: We can't stay here all night."Ca: "Marc, encomanant confiança, va dir: "Tranquils, segur que trobem una solució.En: Marc, instilling confidence, said, "Don't worry, we'll surely find a solution.Ca: A més, aquest és el millor lloc per una aventura nocturna!En: Besides, this is the best place for a nighttime adventure!"Ca: "Llavors, la Gemma va recordar que portava una corda.En: Then Gemma remembered she had a rope.Ca: Amb l'ajuda d'en Marc, va començar a fer un improvisat sistema per escalar un mur baix.En: With Marc's help, she started to make an improvised system to climb a low wall.Ca: Tot i que l'Oriol continuava buscant càmeres de seguretat o un número d'emergències, cada cop estava més preocupat.En: Although Oriol kept searching for security cameras or an emergency number, he was becoming more worried.Ca: Des de l'altura del seu enginyós dispositiu, Marc va cridar: "Oi, allà!En: From the height of their ingenious device, Marc shouted, "Hey, over there!Ca: Hi ha algú amb una llanterna!En: Is there someone with a flashlight!"Ca: "Era el vigilant nocturn, que feia la seva ronda.En: It was the night watchman, making his rounds.Ca: Amb un somriure i una mica de sorpresa, l'home es va apropar, veient la situació peculiar.En: With a smile and some surprise, the man approached, seeing the peculiar situation.Ca: "Vosaltres sou els responsables de l'últim escàndol del sopar del jardí?En: "Are you the ones responsible for the last garden dinner scandal?"Ca: " va dir el vigilant amb una rialla.En: said the watchman with a laugh.Ca: "Perdó, no ens vam adonar de l'hora," va dir la Gemma, una mica avergonyida.En: "Sorry, we lost track of time," said Gemma, a bit embarrassed.Ca: Oriol va afegir ràpidament: "Només volíem passar una bona estona.En: Oriol quickly added, "We just wanted to have a good time."Ca: "El vigilant, encara divertit, els va obrir la porta i els va advertir que tinguessin més cura la pròxima vegada.En: The watchman, still amused, opened the door for them and warned them to be more careful next time.Ca: Mentre marxaven, la Gemma va adonar-se de la importància de planificar bé les seves aventures.En: As they left, Gemma realized the importance of properly planning her adventures.Ca: Oriol va començar a valorar la màgia de les decisions espontànies.En: Oriol began to appreciate the magic of spontaneous decisions.Ca: I en Marc, tot i que no va deixar de riure, va sentir una responsabilitat nova per cuidar els seus amics durant l'aventura.En: And Marc, though he didn't stop laughing, felt a new responsibility to look after his friends during the adventure.Ca: I així, amb una lliçó apresa, van sortir del jardí, embolicats en l'escalfor d'una amistat que havia passat una petita però inoblidable prova.En: And so, with a lesson learned, they left the garden, wrapped in the warmth of a friendship that had faced a small but unforgettable test.Ca: Montjuïc, amb el seu encant natural, havia estat testimoni d'una altra història plena de riures i descobriments.En: Montjuïc, with its natural charm, had witnessed another story full of laughter and discoveries. Vocabulary Words:autumn: la tardorwarm: càlidsleaves: les fullescrunched: cruixienscavenger hunt: la gimcanaclues: les pisteslaughter: els riureswhistles: els xiuletsbreeze: el ventcomplicated: complicatsnightfall: la nitskeptic: escèpticenthusiasm: la passiófrowned: va frunzir el frontempty: buitgates: les portesentrance: l'entradacautiously: amb cautelaadventure: l'aventurarope: la cordaimprovised: improvisatdevice: el dispositiusecurity cameras: les càmeres de seguretatflashlight: la llanternawatchman: el vigilantsolution: la solucióscandal: l'escàndolembarrassed: averagonyidaresponsibility: la responsabilitatfriendship: l'amistat

Fluent Fiction - Korean: Orchid Mystery at Seoul's Autumn Botanical Haven Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/ko/episode/2025-11-23-23-34-02-ko Story Transcript:Ko: 11월 11일, 서울 식물원은 가을 풍경으로 가득 차 있었습니다.En: On November 11th, the Seoul Botanical Garden was filled with autumn scenery.Ko: 늦은 오후 햇볕이 따뜻하게 비추고, 공기는 선선했습니다.En: The late afternoon sunlight shone warmly, and the air was cool.Ko: 각양각색의 꽃들과 희귀한 식물들을 보러 온 사람들이 많았습니다.En: Many people had come to see the various flowers and rare plants.Ko: 수진은 희귀 식물을 찾아낼 목표로 식물원을 찾았습니다.En: Sujin visited the botanical garden with the goal of finding rare plants.Ko: 그러나 일이 순탄치만은 않았습니다.En: However, things did not go smoothly.Ko: 전시 중 희귀한 난초가 갑자기 사라졌습니다.En: An exhibit of rare orchids suddenly disappeared.Ko: 직원들은 의심스러운 눈초리로 수진을 보기 시작했습니다.En: The staff began to look at Sujin with suspicious eyes.Ko: 수진은 난처했습니다.En: Sujin was in a difficult situation.Ko: 그녀는 어떻게든 이 난초를 찾아서 자신의 명성을 지켜야 했습니다.En: Somehow, she had to find this orchid to protect her reputation.Ko: 그때, 식물원의 경비원 민재가 조용히 다가왔습니다.En: Just then, the garden's security guard, Minjae, quietly approached.Ko: 그는 수진을 항상 존경하고 있던 사람입니다.En: He is someone who has always respected Sujin.Ko: "수진 씨, 도움이 필요하시면 말씀하세요." 그는 속삭였습니다.En: "Sujin, if you need help, just let me know," he whispered.Ko: 그의 말투에는 신뢰가 배어 있었습니다.En: His tone was filled with trust.Ko: 수진은 민재와 함께 다른 전시물을 조사하기로 했습니다.En: Sujin decided to investigate other exhibits with Minjae.Ko: 그녀의 식물학 지식은 큰 도움이 되었습니다.En: Her knowledge of botany was a great help.Ko: 식물 주변의 미세한 변화를 감지해 나갔습니다.En: She helped detect subtle changes around the plants.Ko: 민재는 자신이 관리하는 CCTV 영상을 몰래 수진에게 보여주었습니다.En: Minjae secretly showed her the CCTV footage he managed.Ko: 그 영상에서 한 방문객이 수상한 모습으로 난초를 들고 나가는 장면이 포착되었습니다.En: The footage captured a visitor suspiciously carrying the orchid.Ko: 둘은 의기투합해 그 방문객을 쫓기 시작했습니다.En: The two joined forces and began to chase the visitor.Ko: 오래지 않아 그 방문객을 찾아냈고, 배낭 속에 숨겨둔 난초를 발견했습니다.En: Before long, they found the visitor and discovered the orchid hidden in their backpack.Ko: 방문객은 난초를 훔쳐 내다 팔려던 것이었습니다.En: The visitor had intended to steal and sell the orchid.Ko: 난초는 안전하게 전시대로 돌아왔고, 수진의 명성도 지켰습니다.En: The orchid safely returned to the display, and Sujin's reputation was preserved.Ko: 민재는 수진에게 자신의 식물학 관심사를 털어놓았습니다.En: Minjae shared his interest in botany with Sujin.Ko: 수진과 민재는 더 가까워졌고, 둘은 언제 어디서나 함께할 수 있는 친구가 되었습니다.En: Sujin and Minjae grew closer, and they became friends who could be together anytime, anywhere.Ko: 서울 식물원은 다시 활기로 차올랐습니다.En: The Seoul Botanical Garden was once again filled with vitality.Ko: 수진은 자신감이 더 생겼고, 민재는 식물학에 대한 열정을 더 표현할 용기를 얻었습니다.En: Sujin gained more confidence, and Minjae found the courage to express his passion for botany even more.Ko: 가을은 그렇게 따뜻함 속에서 저물어 갔습니다.En: Autumn quietly faded away amid such warmth. Vocabulary Words:botanical: 식물의scenery: 풍경rare: 희귀한reputation: 명성investigate: 조사하다subtle: 미세한detect: 감지하다footage: 영상approached: 다가왔다exhibit: 전시vitality: 활기express: 표현하다confidence: 자신감passion: 열정chase: 쫓다whispered: 속삭였다trust: 신뢰captured: 포착했다hidden: 숨겨진suspected: 의심스러운intent: 의도security guard: 경비원backpack: 배낭enthusiast: 열광자quietly: 조용히reappeared: 다시 나타났다unexpectedly: 예상치 못하게portray: 묘사하다silhouette: 실루엣display: 전시대

Click for larger image Aquilegia Canadensis from The Floral world and garden guide (1878) THIS elegant but hardy perennial is, as its name implies, a native of Canada, where it Continue Reading Read more on this topic: Historical Seed Catalogs – 86 in a series – Bulbs And Seeds: Autumn (1899) By D.M. Ferry & Co Beauty in the simple act of watering the garden via TikTok [Video] Flowering Now: Cherry-leafed Plum Blossoms In The Neighborhood 4 via Instagram [Photography] Clivia Flower Closeup via TikTok [Video] NEW DESIGN: Daisy Illustration Products From Douglas E. Welch Design and Photography [Shopping & Gifts]

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Seeds of Love: Floris and Sanne's Botanical Quest Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-11-06-23-34-01-nl Story Transcript:Nl: De zon scheen zachtjes op de Keukenhof tuinen.En: The sun gently shone on the Keukenhof gardens.Nl: De bomen waren getooid met herfstbladeren in rood, oranje en geel.En: The trees were adorned with autumn leaves in red, orange, and yellow.Nl: Het was een drukte van jewelste.En: It was bustling with activity.Nl: Floris en Sanne liepen zij aan zij, elk blaadje krakend onder hun voeten.En: Floris and Sanne walked side by side, each leaf crunching under their feet.Nl: De geur van de aarde en de laatste bloeiende bloemen vulde de lucht.En: The scent of the earth and the last blooming flowers filled the air.Nl: Het was een prachtige herfstochtend, perfect voor hun missie.En: It was a beautiful autumn morning, perfect for their mission.Nl: Floris, een botanist in hart en nieren, had zijn zinnen gezet op zeldzame tulpenbollen.En: Floris, a botanist at heart, had set his sights on rare tulip bulbs.Nl: "Ons voorjaarsdisplay wordt uniek," zei hij vastberaden.En: "Our spring display will be unique," he said determinedly.Nl: Sanne knikte enthousiast.En: Sanne nodded enthusiastically.Nl: Ze hield van tuinieren en van Floris' plannen.En: She loved gardening and Floris' plans.Nl: Samen vormden ze een goed team, vol passie voor hun tuin.En: Together, they made a good team, full of passion for their garden.Nl: De kramen stonden vol met bollen.En: The stalls were filled with bulbs.Nl: Floris inspecteerde alles aandachtig.En: Floris inspected everything carefully.Nl: Maar al snel werd duidelijk dat zijn favoriete zeldzame variëteiten uitverkocht waren.En: But it soon became clear that his favorite rare varieties were sold out.Nl: Zijn gezicht vertrok, en even viel hun opwinding stil.En: His face twisted, and for a moment, their excitement fell silent.Nl: "Wat moeten we nu doen?"En: "What should we do now?"Nl: vroeg Sanne bezorgd.En: Sanne asked worriedly.Nl: Met een diepe zucht overwon Floris zijn teleurstelling.En: With a deep sigh, Floris overcame his disappointment.Nl: "Ik moet mijn collega-botanisten om hulp vragen," begon hij te overwegen.En: "I must ask my fellow botanists for help," he began to consider.Nl: "Of misschien kunnen we ergens anders zoeken."En: "Or maybe we can look elsewhere."Nl: Hij hield echter niet van compromissen als het om hun tuin ging.En: However, he did not like to compromise when it came to their garden.Nl: Net toen Floris zijn telefoon uit zijn zak wilde halen, glimlachte Sanne geheimzinnig.En: Just as Floris was about to take his phone out of his pocket, Sanne smiled mysteriously.Nl: "Misschien heb ik een idee," zei ze.En: "Maybe I have an idea," she said.Nl: Ze liep naar haar tas en haalde een envelop tevoorschijn.En: She walked to her bag and pulled out an envelope.Nl: In de envelop zaten de bestelbonnen voor de zeldzame bollen die Floris wilde.En: In the envelope were the order forms for the rare bulbs Floris wanted.Nl: Ze had ze al maanden geleden besteld, als verrassing.En: She had ordered them months ago, as a surprise.Nl: "Voor je, Floris!"En: "For you, Floris!"Nl: Floris was sprakeloos.En: Floris was speechless.Nl: Een golf van opluchting en vreugde overspoelde hem.En: A wave of relief and joy washed over him.Nl: "Wat ben je toch slim," lachte hij.En: "You're so clever," he laughed.Nl: "Je hebt precies wat we nodig hebben geregeld."En: "You've arranged exactly what we need."Nl: Sanne straalde van trots, wetende dat haar inzicht hun voorjaarstuin zou maken tot iets moois.En: Sanne beamed with pride, knowing her foresight would make their spring garden something beautiful.Nl: Met de bollen veilig in hun tas liepen Floris en Sanne hand in hand uit de tuinen.En: With the bulbs safely in their bag, Floris and Sanne walked hand in hand out of the gardens.Nl: Hun harten waren licht, gevuld met plannen voor de lente.En: Their hearts were light, filled with plans for the spring.Nl: Floris keek naar Sanne en voelde diepe dankbaarheid.En: Floris looked at Sanne and felt deep gratitude.Nl: Hij besefte nu meer dan ooit dat hun gedeelde liefde en vertrouwen in elkaar de echte schoonheid van hun tuin zouden zijn.En: He realized now more than ever that their shared love and trust in each other would be the true beauty of their garden.Nl: Terwijl ze naar huis liepen, bedekten de laatste herfstbladeren het pad voor hen, fluisterend van de wonderen die de komst van de lente zou brengen.En: As they walked home, the last autumn leaves covered the path before them, whispering of the wonders that the coming spring would bring.Nl: Hun tuin zou een meesterwerk worden, dankzij hun samenwerking en liefde.En: Their garden would become a masterpiece, thanks to their collaboration and love. Vocabulary Words:gently: zachtjesadorned: getooidbustling: drukte van jewelstecrunching: krakendscent: geurbotanist: botanistrare: zeldzamedeterminedly: vastberadenenthusiastically: enthousiastinspected: inspecteerdecarefully: aandachtigface twisted: gezicht vertrokexcitement fell silent: opwinding stilquirely: bezorgddisappointment: teleurstellingcompromise: compromissenmysteriously: geheimzinnigenvelope: enveloporder forms: bestelbonnenspeechless: sprakeloosrelief: opluchtingjoy: vreugdeclever: slimforesight: inzichtbeamed: straaldegratitude: dankbaarheidshared: gedeeldetrust: vertrouwencovered: bedektenwhispering: fluisterend

This month your hosts, Amy and Chris, read A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock. In this sumptuously floral tale of two men's pursuit of love - whether it be a love for science or family or community - a sinister presence lurks just beneath the surface. A unique and entrancing debut novel, A Botanical Daughter delighted your hosts and brought to light some questions that might've been better left buried. Except, in the soil, now that's exactly where she'd want you to be… Happy Halloween!Thank you to Kevin MacLeod for the use of our theme song, 'Werq.' You can find more of their music on https://www.incompetech.com/.If you'd like to contact us with book recommendations or questions for our upcoming episodes, email thebiggaybookclub@gmail.com or message us on Patreon. We'd love to hear from you!Time Stamps:~ 05:10 - That's So Gay ~ 10:15 - Book of the Month (No Spoilers) ~ 21:45 - Synopsis “Looks thick, reads quick!”~ 24:00 - Entering Spoiler Territory ~ 1:02:15 - Book Club Questions~ 1:14:45 - Wrap Up/Overall Impressions~ 1:20:45 - Until next time! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: Botanical Surprises: The Day a Tulip Spoke in Amsterdam Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-10-22-22-34-02-nl Story Transcript:Nl: Op een frisse herfstmorgen in een geheime laboratorium in Amsterdam, was er van alles gaande.En: On a crisp autumn morning in a secret laboratory in Amsterdam, things were bustling.Nl: Bubbels borrelden in glazen buizen, terwijl de herfstbladeren tegen de ramen fluisterden.En: Bubbles burbled in glass tubes while autumn leaves whispered against the windows.Nl: Onder al dat wetenschappelijke gefluister stonden Sanne en Thijs, omringd door een schijnbaar chaos die hun wereld was.En: Amidst all the scientific whispers stood Sanne and Thijs, surrounded by a seemingly chaotic world that was their own.Nl: Sanne, een ambitieuze botanist met een grote lach, keek bedenkelijk naar een rijtje tulpenzaden.En: Sanne, an ambitious botanist with a big smile, looked pensively at a row of tulip seeds.Nl: Ze wilde iets maken dat de wereld zou verrassen, een unieke plant die kon overleven in veranderende klimaten.En: She wanted to create something that would surprise the world, a unique plant that could survive in changing climates.Nl: Thijs, haar collega, was minder serieus.En: Thijs, her colleague, was less serious.Nl: Hij wilde vooral vandaag geen brokken maken.En: He mainly hoped not to cause any accidents today.Nl: “Wat zou er gebeuren als ik dit nu hier...?” Thijs dacht hardop terwijl hij een fles met licht chemische vloeistof bekeek.En: “What would happen if I did this here...?” Thijs wondered aloud as he looked at a bottle of light chemical liquid.Nl: Voor hij het wist, struikelde hij over een plattegrond van het lab.En: Before he knew it, he stumbled over the lab's floor plan.Nl: De vloeistof vloog de lucht in en viel rechtstreeks op Sanne's zaden.En: The liquid flew into the air and landed right on Sanne's seeds.Nl: “O nee!” riep Thijs, toen hij de knoeiboel zag.En: “Oh no!” Thijs exclaimed, seeing the mess.Nl: Sanne draaide zich om, half geïrriteerd, half geamuseerd.En: Sanne turned around, half annoyed, half amused.Nl: “Wat heb je nu weer gedaan?” Maar voordat ze het konden behandelen, begon een van de tulpen te groeien en te kronkelen.En: “What have you done this time?” But before they could address it, one of the tulips began to grow and twist.Nl: Hij leek... levend?En: It seemed... alive?Nl: “Hallo!” zei de tulip onverwachts, met een helder stemmetje.En: “Hello!” said the tulip unexpectedly, with a bright little voice.Nl: Sanne lachte, verbaasd.En: Sanne laughed, amazed.Nl: Thijs daarentegen was bleek van schrik.En: Thijs, on the other hand, turned pale with fright.Nl: Hij tikte op Sanne's arm, “Dit moeten we verbergen!” Maar Sanne wilde dit bijzondere ding juist tonen.En: He tapped Sanne's arm, “We need to hide this!” But Sanne wanted to show this special thing.Nl: Dit was iets nieuws, iets fantastisch.En: This was something new, something fantastic.Nl: Ze besloot om het aan hun baas te laten zien.En: She decided to show it to their boss.Nl: Misschien was dit de doorbraak waar ze op had gewacht.En: Maybe this was the breakthrough she had been waiting for.Nl: Toen de baas binnenkwam, had Thijs zich bijna achter een plant verstopt van de zenuwen.En: When the boss entered, Thijs almost hid behind a plant out of nerves.Nl: Sanne glimlachte zelfverzekerd.En: Sanne smiled confidently.Nl: “Kijk, een pratende tulp”, zei ze, haar ogen glinsterden van trots.En: “Look, a talking tulip,” she said, her eyes sparkling with pride.Nl: Precies op dat moment begon de tulp te zingen over de avonturen in het lab.En: Just then, the tulip started to sing about the adventures in the lab.Nl: Het verklapte per ongeluk wat geheimen van Thijs' ongelukken, waarbij hij zijn thermosfles gemorst had op hun onderzoeksrapporten en een keer per abuis de ver uiteen liggende zaaischema's door elkaar had gemixed.En: It accidentally revealed some secrets of Thijs' mishaps, like when he spilled his thermos on their research reports and once accidentally mixed up the widely spaced planting schedules.Nl: De baas keek opgetogen, niet boos.En: The boss looked delighted, not angry.Nl: “Weet je,” zei hij lachend, “dit is perfect voor ons Halloweenfeest!En: “You know,” he said with a laugh, “this is perfect for our Halloween party!Nl: Wat een grap, een pratende tulp!En: What a joke, a talking tulip!Nl: Kinderen zullen het fantastisch vinden.” Sanne en Thijs keken elkaar aan, met opluchting verspreid over hun gezichten.En: The kids will love it.” Sanne and Thijs looked at each other, relief spreading across their faces.Nl: Thijs moest lachen, zijn zorgen vervlogen als bladeren in de wind.En: Thijs had to laugh, his worries fading like leaves in the wind.Nl: Sanne zag in dat niet alles volgens verwachting hoeft te verlopen om succesvol te zijn.En: Sanne realized that not everything has to go as planned to be successful.Nl: De pratende tulp stond nog met een brede glimlach in de hoek van het lab, een onverwachte nieuwe ster.En: The talking tulip stood with a broad smile in the corner of the lab, an unexpected new star.Nl: Sanne leerde te waardeer wat ze niet had gepland.En: Sanne learned to appreciate what she hadn't planned.Nl: En Thijs vond zelfvertrouwen in zijn zogenaamde mislukkingen.En: And Thijs found confidence in his so-called failures.Nl: Zo werd een simpele mix-up een vrolijke verrassing, en het lab vulde zich niet alleen met wetenschap, maar ook met plezier en onverwachte kansen.En: Thus, a simple mix-up became a joyful surprise, and the lab filled not only with science but also with fun and unexpected opportunities. Vocabulary Words:crisp: frissebustling: gaandeburbled: borreldenpensively: bedenkelijkstumbled: struikeldeannoyed: geïrriteerdtwist: kronkelenpeculiar: bijzondereaddress: behandelennervously: van de zenuwenpride: trotsreveal: verklaptemishaps: ongelukkenmixed up: gemixeddelighted: opgetogenfantastic: fantastischconfidence: zelfvertrouwenopportunity: kansadventure: avontuurhalf amused: half geamuseerdchaotic: chaosbroad: bredethermos: thermosflesspilled: gemorstunexpectedly: onverwachtsexperiment: experimentresearch: onderzoeksrapportenhide: verbergenwhispered: fluisterdenseeds: zaden

"PeriActive reduces bacteria and reduces the inflammation. It accelerates healing, which is really an amazing thing." - Dr. William Levine Dr. William Levine is a distinguished periodontist with more than 35 years of professional experience. As a board-certified expert, Dr. Levine has devoted his career to advancing the field of periodontal health and bridging the gap between oral and systemic health. He is the founder of the Jerusalem Periodontal Center and the visionary chief scientist behind PeriActive, a pioneering botanical-based oral rinse designed to reduce inflammation and promote healing naturally. Dr. Levine is lauded for his holistic, science-backed approach to oral health and its vital connection to overall body wellness. Episode Summary: In this insightful episode of the "Oh, My Health… There is Hope!" podcast, host Jana Short converses with Dr. William Levine, a seasoned periodontist, who joins from Jerusalem to share his expertise on the groundbreaking connections between oral hygiene and systemic health. Dr. Levine discusses his extensive experience and innovative contributions to periodontal health, emphasizing the crucial role of gum care in preventing chronic diseases. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in holistic health practices and understanding the significant impact of oral care on overall well-being. Dr. William Levine sheds light on the alarming statistics concerning gum disease, noting that over 50% of adults over 35 suffer from it. The conversation underscores the importance of addressing both infection and inflammation in periodontal treatment, a breakthrough approach spearheaded by Dr. Levine. The episode delves deeply into the science and success behind PeriActive, a botanical oral rinse developed by Dr. Levine to combat gum disease effectively and naturally. He passionately explains how this product can aid not just in maintaining oral health but also in supporting cancer patients through chemotherapy by alleviating associated oral issues. Key Takeaways: Dr. Levine emphasizes the pivotal role of inflammation control in treating gum disease, not solely focusing on infection. PeriActive is a botanical oral rinse designed to reduce inflammation, manage infection, and promote healing. Gum disease affects over 50% of adults over 35 and is linked to systemic health issues, including cardiac problems and even cancer. Oral health significantly impacts full-body wellness, highlighting the need for preventative care and regular dental visits. PeriActive is particularly beneficial for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, as it helps soothe tissues and enhance healing. Resources: www.getperiactive.com @‌periactive https://www.facebook.com/PeriActive/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-levine-dds-91507610/ Get a free subscription to the Best Holistic Life Magazine, one of the fastest-growing independent magazines centered around holistic living: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine. Get in touch with Jana and listen to more podcasts: https://www.janashort.com/ Show Music ‘Hold On' by Amy Gerhartz: https://www.amygerhartz.com/music. Grab your FREE gift today: https://bestholisticlife.info/BestHolisticLifeMagazine Connect with Jana Short: https://www.janashort.com/contact/

Fluent Fiction - Dutch: When Tulips Blossom: A Botanical Love Story Takes Root Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/nl/episode/2025-10-12-07-38-20-nl Story Transcript:Nl: De lucht boven Keukenhof Gardens was helder en de herfstbladeren gaven een warme gouden gloed aan de omgeving.En: The sky above Keukenhof Gardens was clear, and the autumn leaves gave a warm golden glow to the surroundings.Nl: Tulpen in alle kleuren bloeiden uitbundig, als een schilderij van de natuur.En: Tulips of all colors bloomed exuberantly, like a painting of nature.Nl: Floris stond met zijn camera in de hand, onopvallend tussen de bezoekers, starend naar de bloemen die in perfecte rijen stonden.En: Floris stood with his camera in hand, inconspicuously among the visitors, staring at the flowers arranged in perfect rows.Nl: Hij voelde de zenuwen in zijn maag.En: He felt the nerves in his stomach.Nl: Zijn foto's hadden nooit iemand echt geraakt, dacht hij.En: His photos had never really touched anyone, he thought.Nl: Echter, vandaag had hij besloten de sprong te wagen.En: However, today he had decided to take the plunge.Nl: Niet ver daarvandaan stond Marlies.En: Not far away stood Marlies.Nl: Haar notitieboekje was leeg en haar gedachten zaten vast.En: Her notebook was empty and her thoughts were stuck.Nl: De druk om iets nieuws en creatiefs te bedenken voor haar stadsparkproject woog zwaar.En: The pressure to come up with something new and creative for her city park project weighed heavily.Nl: Hier, omringd door zoveel natuurlijke schoonheid, hoopte ze op nieuwe invloeden.En: Here, surrounded by so much natural beauty, she hoped for new influences.Nl: Ze ademde diep in, de geur van aarde in zich opnemend.En: She breathed in deeply, taking in the scent of the earth.Nl: Opeens bogen zowel Floris als Marlies zich naar voren, aangetrokken door dezelfde zeldzame bloem.En: Suddenly, both Floris and Marlies leaned forward, drawn to the same rare flower.Nl: Een onverwachte duw maakte dat hun schouders elkaar raakten.En: An unexpected nudge caused their shoulders to touch.Nl: Marlies liet een verraste lach horen, terwijl Floris zich verontschuldigde, zijn camera bijna vallend.En: Marlies let out a surprised laugh, while Floris apologized, his camera almost falling.Nl: "Oh, sorry," zei hij.En: "Oh, sorry," he said.Nl: "Wat een bijzondere bloem, nietwaar?"En: "What a remarkable flower, isn't it?"Nl: Marlies knikte, haar ogen glinsterend.En: Marlies nodded, her eyes glistening.Nl: "Ja, echt prachtig.En: "Yes, truly beautiful.Nl: Ik ontwerp parken en zoek hier naar inspiratie," verklaarde ze.En: I design parks and am looking for inspiration here," she explained.Nl: Floris voelde zijn belangstelling groeien.En: Floris felt his interest grow.Nl: "Ik ben Floris," zei hij.En: "I'm Floris," he said.Nl: "Ik ben een botanicus en doe ook aan fotografie, maar ik ben daar nog onzeker over.En: "I'm a botanist and also do photography, but I'm still uncertain about it.Nl: Ik ben hier om ideeën op te doen voor een tentoonstelling die ik wil houden."En: I'm here to gather ideas for an exhibition I want to hold."Nl: Een conversatie ontlook tussen hen, net zo natuurlijk als de bloemen om hen heen.En: A conversation blossomed between them, as naturally as the flowers around them.Nl: Marlies deelde haar creatieve blokkade en Floris vertelde over zijn onzekerheid.En: Marlies shared her creative block, and Floris spoke about his uncertainty.Nl: Samen wandelden ze door de tuin, pratend en ideeën uitwisselend.En: Together, they walked through the garden, talking and exchanging ideas.Nl: Marlies raakte geïnspireerd door Floris' passie voor de perfecte compositie in zijn foto's.En: Marlies became inspired by Floris' passion for the perfect composition in his photos.Nl: Naarmate de zon lager stond, kwam er een nieuw idee op bij Marlies.En: As the sun set lower, a new idea dawned on Marlies.Nl: "Wat als we samenwerken?"En: "What if we collaborate?"Nl: stelde ze voor.En: she proposed.Nl: "Jouw foto's kunnen in het ontwerp van het park worden geïntegreerd.En: "Your photos could be integrated into the design of the park.Nl: Het is een kans om de stad meer natuur te brengen met jouw unieke perspectief."En: It's an opportunity to bring more nature to the city with your unique perspective."Nl: Floris voelde een warme vreugde opwellen.En: Floris felt a warm joy well up.Nl: "Dat klinkt fantastisch," zei hij, zijn zelftwijfel verdampt.En: "That sounds fantastic," he said, his self-doubt evaporated.Nl: "Laten we dit proberen!"En: "Let's give this a try!"Nl: En zo, geïnspireerd door elkaar en de schoonheid van Keukenhof, begonnen ze aan een gezamenlijk project.En: And so, inspired by each other and the beauty of Keukenhof, they embarked on a joint project.Nl: Floris vond vertrouwen in zijn fotografie, terwijl Marlies nieuwe energie kreeg voor haar ontwerpen.En: Floris found confidence in his photography, while Marlies gained new energy for her designs.Nl: Samen creëerden ze iets moois dat de schoonheid van de natuur naar de mensen bracht.En: Together, they created something beautiful that brought the beauty of nature to the people. Vocabulary Words:exuberantly: uitbundiginconspicuously: onopvallendnerves: zenuwensurroundings: omgevingplunge: sprongnotebook: notitieboekjeinfluences: invloedenglistening: glinsterendremarkable: bijzonderebotanist: botanicuscomposition: compositieuncertainty: onzekerheidcollaborate: samenwerkenintegrated: geïntegreerdexhibition: tentoonstellingcreative block: creatieve blokkadedesign: ontwerpperspective: perspectiefevaporated: verdamptproject: projectconfidence: vertrouweninspired: geïnspireerdenergy: energieglow: gloednudge: duwopportunity: kansjoy: vreugderemarkable: bijzondercomposition: compositiedawned: opkwam

Botanical art and science truly feed off of one another. A good botanical artist must understand their subjects to do them justice which fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation for the plants, their habitats, and their role in ecosystems around the world. Join me and botanical artist Carol Woodin as we explore her love of botanical art and her role in helping the American Society of Botanical Artists connect people to plants. This episode was produced in part by Sanza, Eva, Yellowroot, Wisewren, Nadia, Heidi, Blake, Josh, Laure, R.J., Carly, Lucia, Dana, Sarah, Lauren, Strych Mind, Linda, Sylvan, Austin, Sarah, Ethan, Elle, Steve, Cassie, Chuck, Aaron, Gillian, Abi, Rich, Shad, Maddie, Owen, Linda, Alana, Sigma, Max, Richard, Maia, Rens, David, Robert, Thomas, Valerie, Joan, Mohsin Kazmi Photography, Cathy, Simon, Nick, Paul, Charis, EJ, Laura, Sung, NOK, Stephen, Heidi, Kristin, Luke, Sea, Shannon, Thomas, Will, Jamie, Waverly, Brent, Tanner, Rick, Kazys, Dorothy, Katherine, Emily, Theo, Nichole, Paul, Karen, Randi, Caelan, Tom, Don, Susan, Corbin, Keena, Robin, Peter, Whitney, Kenned, Margaret, Daniel, Karen, David, Earl, Jocelyn, Gary, Krysta, Elizabeth, Southern California Carnivorous Plant Enthusiasts, Pattypollinators, Peter, Judson, Ella, Alex, Dan, Pamela, Peter, Andrea, Nathan, Karyn, Michelle, Jillian, Chellie, Linda, Laura, Miz Holly, Christie, Carlos, Paleo Fern, Levi, Sylvia, Lanny, Ben, Lily, Craig, Sarah, Lor, Monika, Brandon, Jeremy, Suzanne, Kristina, Christine, Silas, Michael, Aristia, Felicidad, Lauren, Danielle, Allie, Jeffrey, Amanda, Tommy, Marcel, C Leigh, Karma, Shelby, Christopher, Alvin, Arek, Chellie, Dani, Paul, Dani, Tara, Elly, Colleen, Natalie, Nathan, Ario, Laura, Cari, Margaret, Mary, Connor, Nathan, Jan, Jerome, Brian, Azomonas, Ellie, University Greens, Joseph, Melody, Patricia, Matthew, Garrett, John, Ashley, Cathrine, Melvin, OrangeJulian, Porter, Jules, Griff, Joan, Megan, Marabeth, Les, Ali, Southside Plants, Keiko, Robert, Bryce, Wilma, Amanda, Helen, Mikey, Michelle, German, Joerg, Cathy, Tate, Steve, Kae, Carole, Mr. Keith Santner, Lynn, Aaron, Sara, Kenned, Brett, Jocelyn, Ethan, Sheryl, Runaway Goldfish, Ryan, Chris, Alana, Rachel, Joanna, Lori, Paul, Griff, Matthew, Bobby, Vaibhav, Steven, Joseph, Brandon, Liam, Hall, Jared, Brandon, Christina, Carly, Kazys, Stephen, Katherine, Manny, doeg, Daniel, Tim, Philip, Tim, Lisa, Brodie, Bendix, Irene, holly, Sara, and Margie.

In this episode we sit down with Nikki Johnson to learn about what a drinkable is, and what inspired her to start The Botanical Drinkable! We get to try some of her delicious drinks on the show, talk about some new Botanical Drinkable products on the way and lots more! @botanicaldrinkable https://www.botanicaldrinkable.com   SUPPORT THE NETWORK REVIVALMOTORING.COM/B4B    

Fluent Fiction - Danish: When Science Meets Art: A Botanical Breakthrough Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2025-09-07-22-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: I Københavns Botaniske Have, midt i efterårets gyldne glans, ventede en særlig begivenhed.En: In Københavns Botaniske Have, in the midst of autumn's golden glow, a special event awaited.Da: Et sjældent blomsterfund satte sindene i kog.En: A rare flower discovery had set minds on fire.Da: Det var en dag, hvor Rasmus og Freja, hver med deres egen ambition, stod over for en usædvanlig udfordring.En: It was a day where Rasmus and Freja, each with their own ambition, faced an unusual challenge.Da: Rasmus var en dedikeret botaniker, der brugte det meste af sin tid blandt planternes stille skønhed.En: Rasmus was a dedicated botanist who spent most of his time among the quiet beauty of the plants.Da: Hans hjerte slog hurtigt for den nye blomst, der voksede i det frodige drivhus.En: His heart beat fast for the new flower growing in the lush greenhouse.Da: Han havde opdaget den, dokumenteret den, og følte et ansvar for dens videnskabelige værdi.En: He had discovered it, documented it, and felt a responsibility for its scientific value.Da: "Denne blomst kan ændre forståelsen af vores planter her i landet," tænkte han ofte.En: "This flower can change the understanding of our plants here in the country," he often thought.Da: På den anden side af fortovet stod Freja.En: On the other side of the sidewalk stood Freja.Da: Hendes kamera var altid med, altid klar til at indfange øjeblikkets magi.En: Her camera was always with her, always ready to capture the magic of the moment.Da: Hun havde også set blomsten først blandt de mange andre planter.En: She had also seen the flower first among the many other plants.Da: Tiltrukket af dens visuelle appel, ønskede hun at fange den for en kommende fotoudstilling.En: Attracted by its visual appeal, she wished to capture it for an upcoming photo exhibition.Da: "Dette kan være mit gennembrud," hviskede hun til sig selv.En: "This might be my breakthrough," she whispered to herself.Da: De to havde krydset hinanden veje i haven mange gange, men denne dag var anderledes.En: The two had crossed paths in the garden many times, but this day was different.Da: Rasmus ønskede at gå til bestyrelsen med sine fund, mens Freja overvejede at dele sine billeder online, længe før offentligheden fik nys om dem.En: Rasmus wanted to go to the board with his findings, while Freja considered sharing her pictures online long before the public got wind of them.Da: Konflikten spredte sig mellem dem som en skygge.En: The conflict spread between them like a shadow.Da: Ingen ville give sig, for begge troede, de havde retten til at kalde blomsten deres.En: Neither wanted to give in, for both believed they had the right to call the flower their own.Da: Efterhånden som eftermiddagssolen kastede lange skygger over haven, mødtes de to ved blomsten.En: As the afternoon sun cast long shadows over the garden, the two met by the flower.Da: Deres stemmer var lave, men beslutsomme.En: Their voices were low but determined.Da: "Vi må samarbejde," sagde Rasmus pludseligt, lidt tøvende men med en vis beslutsomhed i stemmen.En: "We must collaborate," Rasmus said suddenly, a little hesitant but with a certain determination in his voice.Da: Freja nikkede, overrasket over hans forslag.En: Freja nodded, surprised by his suggestion.Da: "Vi kan vise hele verden, hvad denne blomst betyder – videnskabeligt og kunstnerisk."En: "We can show the whole world what this flower means—scientifically and artistically."Da: De besluttede sig for en fælles udstilling.En: They decided on a joint exhibition.Da: Rasmus' grundige forskning og Frejas øjenfangende fotografier kombinerede sig smukt, til en fejring af naturens under.En: Rasmus' thorough research and Freja's eye-catching photographs combined beautifully into a celebration of the wonders of nature.Da: Publikum, der kom til den botaniske have, var betagede.En: The audience that came to the botanical garden was captivated.Da: De lærte om blomstens videnskabelige betydning og frydedes ved dens æstetiske skønhed.En: They learned of the flower's scientific significance and delighted in its aesthetic beauty.Da: Rasmus og Freja fandt en fælles forståelse og respekt for hinandens arbejde.En: Rasmus and Freja found a mutual understanding and respect for each other's work.Da: Da de sidste efterårsløv blæste væk, indså Rasmus værdien af Frejas kunstneriske blik.En: As the last autumn leaves blew away, Rasmus realized the value of Freja's artistic eye.Da: Og Freja, med sit kamera nu sat på pause, værdsatte Rasmus' hengivenhed til videnskaben.En: And Freja, with her camera now paused, appreciated Rasmus' devotion to science.Da: Forvandlet fra rivaler til partnere, kunne de begge smile med ægte glæde over deres succes.En: Transformed from rivals to partners, they could both smile with genuine joy over their success.Da: Og således, midt i efterårets nedfaldne løv, blomstrede en ny venskab.En: And thus, amidst the fallen leaves of autumn, a new friendship blossomed.Da: Dette var dagen, hvor videnskab og kunst fandt fælles grund, og en blomst blev et symbol på samarbejde og forståelse.En: This was the day when science and art found common ground, and a flower became a symbol of collaboration and understanding. Vocabulary Words:midst: midtawaited: ventederare: sjældentdiscovery: fundambition: ambitionunusual: usædvanligdedicated: dedikeretgreenhouse: drivhusresponsibility: ansvarunderstanding: forståelsensidewalk: fortovetcapture: indfangeexhibition: udstillingbreakthrough: gennembrudconflict: konfliktenshadow: skyggecollaborate: samarbejderesearch: forskningeye-catching: øjenfangendecelebration: fejringaesthetic: æstetiskemutual: fællesdevotion: hengivenhedtransformed: forvandletcollaboration: samarbejdeunderstanding: forståelsedelighted: frydedessignificance: betydningambition: ambitiondetermined: beslutsomme

Fluent Fiction - French: Blending Chaos and Order: A Botanical Exhibition Transformed Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/fr/episode/2025-09-07-22-34-02-fr Story Transcript:Fr: Élodie et Lucien marchaient ensemble dans le Jardin des Plantes à Paris, leurs pas trahissant des états d'esprit bien différents.En: Élodie and Lucien were walking together in the Jardin des Plantes in Paris, their steps betraying very different states of mind.Fr: C'était une belle journée d'automne.En: It was a beautiful autumn day.Fr: Les feuilles rouges et oranges tombaient doucement des arbres.En: The red and orange leaves were gently falling from the trees.Fr: Les jardins étaient remplis de l'arôme frais des feuilles mortes.En: The gardens were filled with the fresh aroma of fallen leaves.Fr: Élodie, le regard concentré, portait un carnet de notes rempli de schémas et de listes précises.En: Élodie, her gaze focused, was carrying a notebook filled with diagrams and precise lists.Fr: Lucien, lui, regardait autour avec admiration, chaque plante inspirant sa créativité.En: Lucien, on the other hand, looked around with admiration, each plant inspiring his creativity.Fr: Ils avaient une mission spéciale : organiser une exposition de plantes d'automne.En: They had a special mission: to organize an autumn plant exhibition.Fr: Élodie voulait que tout soit parfait, chaque plante à sa place, avec des étiquettes informatives.En: Élodie wanted everything to be perfect, each plant in its place, with informative labels.Fr: Lucien, en revanche, voyait les couleurs et les formes des plantes comme une œuvre d'art vivante.En: Lucien, however, saw the colors and shapes of the plants as a living work of art.Fr: "Élodie, regarde ces fougères !En: "Élodie, look at these ferns!Fr: Si on les mélangeait avec des asters mauves, ce serait magnifique !"En: If we mixed them with purple asters, it would be magnificent!"Fr: proposa Lucien avec enthousiasme.En: proposed Lucien enthusiastically.Fr: "Lucien, ce n'est pas une peinture," répondit Élodie, un peu agacée.En: "Lucien, this isn't a painting," replied Élodie, a bit annoyed.Fr: "Les visiteurs veulent apprendre.En: "Visitors want to learn.Fr: Nous devons suivre un ordre logique."En: We need to follow a logical order."Fr: Les jours passaient, et la tension entre eux grandissait.En: Days passed, and the tension between them grew.Fr: Élodie suivait son plan et plaçait chaque plante méticuleusement.En: Élodie followed her plan, placing each plant meticulously.Fr: Lucien, lui, continuait à déplacer les pots pour créer des motifs colorés.En: Lucien, meanwhile, kept moving the pots to create colorful patterns.Fr: Un après-midi, alors qu'ils travaillaient ensemble dans une serre, un désaccord éclata.En: One afternoon, while they were working together in a greenhouse, a disagreement erupted.Fr: "Lucien, tu ne respectes pas le plan !En: "Lucien, you're not respecting the plan!Fr: C'est le chaos !"En: It's chaos!"Fr: s'exclama Élodie frustrée.En: exclaimed Élodie frustratedly.Fr: "Mais Élodie, c'est magnifique comme ça !En: "But Élodie, it's beautiful like this!Fr: La nature est chaos et beauté !"En: Nature is chaos and beauty!"Fr: Soudain, une grande plante rare bascula sous leurs yeux pendant leur querelle.En: Suddenly, a large rare plant toppled over as they quarreled.Fr: La panique les saisit.En: Panic seized them.Fr: Ils devaient collaborer rapidement pour la sauver.En: They had to collaborate quickly to save it.Fr: En unissant leurs efforts, ils replacèrent la plante ensemble, et leur coopération les amena à trouver une solution inattendue.En: By uniting their efforts, they repositioned the plant together, and their cooperation led them to find an unexpected solution.Fr: Élodie réalisa que, peut-être, un peu de créativité ne ferait pas de mal.En: Élodie realized that, perhaps, a little creativity wouldn't hurt.Fr: Après tout, l'organisation peut coexister avec l'art.En: After all, organization can coexist with art.Fr: De son côté, Lucien comprit que la structure et la précision peuvent renforcer la beauté.En: For his part, Lucien understood that structure and precision can enhance beauty.Fr: Finalement, l'exposition prit forme.En: Finally, the exhibition took shape.Fr: Chaque plante était à sa place, les couleurs s'accordaient harmonieusement, une fusion entre l'ordre d'Élodie et la vision artistique de Lucien.En: Each plant was in its place, the colors harmonized, a fusion of Élodie's order and Lucien's artistic vision.Fr: Les visiteurs affluaient, émerveillés par la présentation.En: Visitors poured in, amazed by the presentation.Fr: Élodie et Lucien se regardèrent, souriants, satisfaits du succès.En: Élodie and Lucien looked at each other, smiling, satisfied with the success.Fr: Élodie apprit à apprécier l'art de Lucien, et lui, la rigueur d'Élodie.En: Élodie learned to appreciate Lucien's art, and he, Élodie's rigor.Fr: Ensemble, ils avaient créé une exposition inoubliable.En: Together, they had created an unforgettable exhibition.Fr: Le Jardin des Plantes brillait sous les derniers rayons du soleil d'automne, reflet du travail commun de deux passionnés de botanique.En: The Jardin des Plantes shone under the last rays of the autumn sun, a reflection of the joint work of two passionate botanists. Vocabulary Words:the aroma: l'arômethe diagram: le schémathe exhibition: l'expositionprecise: précisadmirably: avec admirationto inspire: inspirerthe fern: la fougèreenthusiastically: avec enthousiasmeannoyed: agacéethe visitor: le visiteurthe order: l'ordremeticulously: méticuleusementthe pattern: le motifthe greenhouse: la serrethe disagreement: le désaccordto exclaim: s'exclamerchaos: le chaosto topple: basculerto seize: saisirunexpected: inattenduto enhance: renforcerthe harmony: l'harmonieto pour in: affluerthe rigor: la rigueurunforgettable: inoubliablethe botanist: le botanisteto coexist: coexisterto realize: réaliserthe cooperation: la coopérationto smile: sourire

This month we sat down with Jon Pitt to discuss his new book "Botanical Imagination: Rethinking Plants in Modern Japan." The book spans Japanese writers and filmmakers from the 1930s to today whose works all ask a similar question: What would it mean for humans to be more like plants? Looking at the ways that this question informed critiques of colonialism and even today immigration in these works, Pitt labels how these authors take up the plasticity of plants "becoming botanical."   This episode is a great companion piece to our last episode with Rachel DiNitto on Japanese Ecocinema!   For more of Jon Pitt:   Email: jpitt@uci.edu   ASLE EcoCast: If you have an idea for an episode, please submit your proposal here: https://forms.gle/Y1S1eP9yXxcNkgWHA   Twitter: @ASLE_EcoCast Lindsay Jolivette: @lin_jolivette Alex Tischer: @ak_tischer   If you're enjoying the show, please consider subscribing, sharing, and writing reviews on your favorite podcast platform(s)!   Episode recorded August 22nd, 2025 CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Cole Cameron of Desert Botanical Distillery talks spirits

When we find ourselves in unexpected situations, it's hard to know what to do right off the bat. Do you think you can get yourself out of any challenge possible, no matter how strange it might be? Wanna feel like a real detective? We've got a bunch of detective riddles for you to solve. Let's see how high you'll score in the end. You get 1 point for each cracked riddle and 7 seconds to figure out the answer. By the way, regular brain training and problem-solving can help your brain function at a more stable level throughout your entire life. What can you do to boost your intelligence? It's simple. Always be on the lookout for different problems to solve and give your brain a workout. ⁠#brightside⁠ EPISODES: A health inspector ⁠00:00⁠ A camping trip in the desert ⁠0:49⁠ Chasing the thief ⁠1:30⁠ Old stories ⁠2:19⁠ Crazy scientist ⁠2:47⁠ Stolen art ⁠3:29⁠ Jewelry drawer ⁠4:06⁠ Trip in nature ⁠4:43⁠ Three suspects ⁠5:21⁠ Weird prison ⁠6:06⁠ Early business meeting ⁠6:42⁠ Stolen diamond ⁠7:22⁠ Wild chemist ⁠7:56⁠ Vanished dog ⁠8:30⁠ Creepy old man ⁠9:13⁠ Botanical garden ⁠9:49⁠ Treasure hunter ⁠10:35⁠ Fishing trip ⁠11:09⁠ Music by Epidemic Sound ⁠https://www.epidemicsound.com/⁠ Subscribe to Bright Side : ⁠https://goo.gl/rQTJZz⁠ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Social Media: Facebook: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ / brightside  ⁠ Instagram: ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠ / brightgram  ⁠ 5-Minute Crafts Youtube: ⁠https://www.goo.gl/8JVmuC⁠ Stock materials (photos, footages and other): ⁠https://www.depositphotos.com⁠ ⁠https://www.shutterstock.com⁠ ⁠https://www.eastnews.ru⁠ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more videos and articles visit: ⁠http://www.brightside.me/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2018 a team of intrepid explorers came in to the possession of a treasure map - one which would see them venture half way around the world to the Australian island of Tasmania.   Those explorers were a team of garden experts from across the UK and Ireland who were now on a historic mission to save and catalogue plants for the benefit of people and the planet. Following in the footsteps of the historic plant hunters, find out what was in store for the team of modern-day collectors and how natural history has helped to shape gardens around the world. Production Host: Rosie Holdsworth Producer: Jack Glover Sound Design: Jesus Gomez Contributors Charlie Bancroft and team BIBET Caroline Ikin Images courtesy and with thanks from the Royal Botanic Gardens of Tasmania. All Rights Reserved. Discover More Explore a garden lovers home at Nymans in West Sussex where some of the collected species are now flourishing  https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/sussex/nymans Read Charlie's report here: https://merlin-trust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/718-Charlie-Bancroft-compressed.pdf Find out more about historic plant hunters from our friends at Kew Gardens https://www.kew.org/read-and-watch/adventure-and-discovery-around-the-world-with-plant-hunters BIBET Botantic Gardens   Republic of Ireland https://www.botanicgardens.ie/kilmacurragh/ Northern Ireland https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/mount-stewart Wales https://botanicgarden.wales/ Tasmania https://gardens.tas.gov.au/ If you'd like to get in touch with feedback, or have a story connected with the National Trust, you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

Rebecca Southard is the founder of Prairie BourneBotanicals. Rebecca's journey is deeply rooted in her mother's passion forcreating natural skin and beauty products—a gift that sparked her owncreativity and love for harnessing the power of plants. Her entrepreneurial journey that started in her college dorm room has since blossomed into Prairie Bourne Botanicals—a brand that radiates sustainability, wellness, and the beauty of intentional living.In our conversation, Rebecca shares how she transformed aseed of inspiration into a thriving business, why purpose and care are at theheart of everything she creates, and how the journey of building Prairie Bournehas grown her just as much as the business itself. Her story is a beautifulreminder that you don't need a perfect plan to build something meaningful—you just need the courage to follow your passion and nurture it into bloom.Connect with Rebecca - Prairiebourne.com 

In this episode of the Eatweeds Podcast, Robin Harford is joined by Dr Sarah Edwards, ethnobotanist at the University of Oxford. Together they explore the 400-year history of Oxford Botanic Garden — Britain's oldest physic garden — and why ethnobotany is vital for preserving both cultural knowledge and biodiversity.Dr Edwards shares her remarkable journey from Kew Gardens to working alongside First Nations communities in Australia, documenting traditional plant use and wisdom.She reflects on the threats facing global plant diversity, the role of botanic gardens in conservation, and why re-establishing kinship with plants is essential for our future.About Dr Sarah Edwards Dr Sarah Edwards is the author of The Ethnobotanical (link) and co-author of Phytopharmacy (link). She teaches Ethnobiology and Biological Conservation at the University of Oxford and manages plant records at the Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum (link). Her work bridges science, culture, and art, from field collaborations with First Nations communities in Australia to recent projects with the Richmond Arts Service's Cultural Reforesting programme.

Fluent Fiction - Danish: From Raindrops to Radiance: A Botanical Journey of Hope Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/da/episode/2025-08-01-22-34-02-da Story Transcript:Da: Det var en forfriskende sommerdag i Botanisk Have i København.En: It was a refreshing summer day at the Botanisk Have in København.Da: Solen sendte gyldne stråler ned på de frodige planter, der trivedes i haven, og der var en summen af liv.En: The sun sent golden rays down on the lush plants thriving in the garden, and there was a hum of life.Da: Her var Lars, en stille og eftertænksom hortonom, som var dybt engageret i miljøbeskyttelse.En: Here was Lars, a quiet and contemplative horticulturist, deeply committed to environmental protection.Da: Ved siden af ham var Mette, en udadvendt biologstuderende, der ivrigt sugede viden om plantelivet til sig.En: Beside him was Mette, an outgoing biology student, eagerly absorbing knowledge about plant life.Da: Lars og Mette mødtes som frivillige.En: Lars and Mette met as volunteers.Da: De blev hurtigt forbundet over deres fælles interesse for planter og bevaring.En: They quickly connected over their shared interest in plants and conservation.Da: Lars, med sin dybe forståelse for planteverdenen, og Mette, med sin nysgerrighed og energi, udgjorde et godt team.En: Lars, with his deep understanding of the plant world, and Mette, with her curiosity and energy, made a great team.Da: Lars stod overfor en udfordrende opgave.En: Lars faced a challenging task.Da: Han ønskede at kuratere en ny sektion af haven, så den tiltrak flere besøgende og oplyste dem om truede plantearter.En: He wished to curate a new section of the garden that would attract more visitors and educate them about endangered plant species.Da: Men tanken om at lede projektet gjorde ham nervøs.En: But the thought of leading the project made him nervous.Da: Han tvivlede på, om han kunne inspirere andre.En: He doubted whether he could inspire others.Da: Mette, derimod, følte sig overvældet af projektets kompleksitet.En: Mette, on the other hand, felt overwhelmed by the complexity of the project.Da: Hun ønskede at lære men følte sig usikker.En: She wanted to learn but felt unsure.Da: En skæbnesvanger dag, da haven blev omfavnet af et uventet sommerregnvejr, ændrede alting sig.En: On a fateful day, when the garden was embraced by an unexpected summer rain shower, everything changed.Da: Regnen faldt tungt og truede med at skade de sarte planter.En: The rain fell heavily, threatening to harm the delicate plants.Da: Lars og Mette arbejdede sammen under presset for at beskytte de udsatte områder.En: Lars and Mette worked together under pressure to protect the vulnerable areas.Da: De dækkede hurtigt planterne med plast og flyttede potter i ly.En: They quickly covered the plants with plastic and moved pots to shelter.Da: Det våde arbejde bragte dem tættere sammen, og i dette øjeblik blev styrken af deres partnerskab tydelig.En: The wet work brought them closer together, and in this moment, the strength of their partnership became clear.Da: Da regnen stoppede, og solen igen dukkede frem, havde Lars en ny forståelse.En: When the rain stopped and the sun emerged again, Lars had a new understanding.Da: Han indså, at Mettes entusiasme og hans erfaring skabte en stærk alliance.En: He realized that Mette's enthusiasm combined with his experience created a strong alliance.Da: Han besluttede at dele lederansvaret med hende, og dette samarbejde gav dem begge ny selvtillid.En: He decided to share the leadership responsibility with her, and this collaboration gave them both new confidence.Da: En måned senere åbnede haven dørene til en særlig åben dag.En: A month later, the garden opened its doors for a special open day.Da: Lars og Mette præsenterede stolt det nye afsnit.En: Lars and Mette proudly presented the new section.Da: De besøgende blev fanget af hver detalje, lærte om truede planter og blev inspireret af den nyoprettede skønhed.En: Visitors were captivated by every detail, learned about endangered plants, and were inspired by the newly created beauty.Da: Sammen, som et team, havde Lars og Mette skabt noget, der begejstrede og oplyste.En: Together, as a team, Lars and Mette had created something that excited and enlightened.Da: Gennem dette projekt ændrede Lars sin opfattelse af ledelse.En: Through this project, Lars changed his perception of leadership.Da: Han blev mere selvsikker og værdsatte nu samarbejdets styrke.En: He became more confident and now appreciated the strength of collaboration.Da: Mette, på sin side, fik praktisk erfaring og en dybere indsigt i sit felt.En: Mette, for her part, gained practical experience and a deeper insight into her field.Da: Botanisk Have i København stod som en frodig oase, men nu også med en historie om samarbejde og tillid mellem to mennesker, som ønskede at gøre en forskel.En: Botanisk Have in København stood as a lush oasis, but now also with a story of collaboration and trust between two people who wanted to make a difference.Da: Кunvérhú element af håb, inspiration og fælles passion for naturen var kernen i deres fortælling.En: An element of hope, inspiration, and shared passion for nature was at the core of their story. Vocabulary Words:refreshing: forfriskendecontemplative: eftertænksomhorticulturist: hortonomenvironmental: miljøprotection: beskyttelseoutgoing: udadvendtabsorbing: sugedeconservation: bevaringunderstanding: forståelsethrive: trivesendangered: truedecurate: kuratereeducate: oplysenervous: nervøsfateful: skæbnesvangershelter: lyvulnerable: udsatteenthusiasm: entusiasmealliance: alliancecollaboration: samarbejdeconfidence: selvtillidcaptivated: fangetinspired: inspireretperception: opfattelseappreciated: værdsattepractical: praktiskinsight: indsigtoasis: oasetrust: tillidhope: håb

Botanical and medications for management of fungal overgrowth.Dr's Sand, Kapadia and Gurevich continue their discussion on SIFO, Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth. In this episode Dr. Kapadia leads us through more details in a discussion of fungal overgrowth in the GI tract. Topics covered in this episode: Botanical and medication treatment options for SIFOGluten sensitivity and candidaSugar and candidaThe mold yeast elimination dietMCASLinks to Dr. Kapadia's courses on SIFO:Practitioner course on SIFO and Mold: ⁠https://drkapadia.teachable.com/p/a-minimalist-s-approach-to-mold-related-illness-and-small-intestinal-fungal-overgrowth-sifo⁠Patient course on SIFO:  ⁠https://drkapadia.teachable.com/p/sifo-in-integrative-course-for-patient-education⁠

Anna Hackman's Journey From Law to BotanicalsWe began this week with Anna Hackman. Anna shared how she transitioned from working as a real estate attorney into the world of horticulture, and through persevering through a few mistakes...how her passion for herbs and living a healthy, natural lifestyle led to owning her business, The Naked Botanical. Anna finds joy through helping people improve their health through her herbal products and the continuous learning process involved in growing and understanding herbs. You can find her teas, salves, hydrosols, and many more products that she lovingly grew, created, and processed for your use on her website at https://thenakedbotanical.com or in person at various farmers markets.Rex at the Royal's Executive Chef, Coco Sanzetenea Coco Sanzetenea joined us on Food Farms And Chefs Radio show, first sharing his culinary journey, starting with his experience at a Princeton eating club where he learned to make beer and dishes from scratch. After moving to Rhode Island and working in multiple kitchen jobs, including a busy Irish pub and a high-end restaurant with a pizza oven, Coco eventually moved to Philadelphia. He began his Philadelphia restaurant career at Rhino Bar, where he worked under a notable mentor before moving on to work inside a former renowned restaurant in Philadelphia. All of which eventually led him to his current role as the Executive Chef at Rex at the Royal. Chef Coco discussed the elevated menu offerings at Rex at the Royal, including their signature fried chicken, and the Catfish & Waffles (a Philadelphia-inspired dish). He highlighted their Bourbon Mussels as a standout dish and mentioned their popular Wednesday burger night featuring a house-made pimento cheese burger. Among all of the delicious foods, Coco also lamented the new Cocktail Program that Rex at the Royal is launching with their new Beverage Director at the helm. And with so much to look forward to, as Rex at the Royal is also a cafe and bottle shop, as well as a venue space to host private events. For more information about Chef Coco and Rex at the Royal...stay tuned till the end and visit https://www.rexphl.com.Specialty Food Association & The Summer Fancy Food Show ExperienceAmaris shared her experience at the Specialty Food Association's Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, where she was introduced to Savory PR's Jennifer Lea Cohan by Chef Clara Park. She described the event as a comprehensive showcase of food brands, including startups and established vendors, across multiple floors featuring international foods, plant-based products, and cultural offerings. Amaris highlighted the opportunity for networking and brand exposure, mentioning specific products like a tomato-free barbecue sauce and cultural seasonings, and expressed her gratitude for attending, encouraging others in the industry to consider participating in future shows.

This episode is a proud partnership with American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) & United Plant Savers (UpS) This week on Everything You Didn't Know About Herbalism, we are joined by two dedicated and passionate advocates, educators, and leaders within the herbal industry, Alexis Durham and Susan Leopold. Tag along with Tommy and these two inspiring women for an episode exploring the six days of back-to-back educational botanical events coming to the Cincinnati area this September! Join us for the 17th Biennial International Herb Symposium, the AHPA Small Business Bootcamp—led in part by Tommy Nevar, our very own host of Herbal Radio—and the first-ever AHPA Botanical Congress: Back to Our Roots, to gain invaluable knowledge alongside the ever-growing plant people community. As always, we thank you for joining us on another botanical adventure and are so honored to have you tag along with us on this ride. Remember, we want to hear from you! Your questions, ideas, and who you want to hear from are an invaluable piece to our podcast. Email us at podcast@mountainroseherbs.com to let us know what solutions we should uncover next within the vast world of herbalism. The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) is pleased to invite customers of Mountain Rose Herbs to register for the 2025 AHPA Botanical Congress and Small Business Bootcamp at the discounted AHPA member rate. To redeem this special offer, please contact Alexis Durham at adurham@ahpa.org.

A daily quote to inspire the mind, gratitude to warm the soul, and guided breathing to energize the body. Quote: I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. Michael Jordan Gratitude: A job with a view! Like one reader who works for Missouri's Botanical garden! She sent all of the pictures of nature in this article! Being from Ottawa, I'm insanely jealous Guided Breathing: Equal Breathing. Visit TheDailyRefresh.com to share your unique piece of gratitude which will be featured on an upcoming episode, and make sure to watch the tutorial of how to make The Daily Refresh part of your Alexa Flash Briefings! Call to action: If you're interested in launching your very own Podcast, visit FreePodcastCourse.com/ and this completely free training will teach you EVERYTHING you need to know! So visit FreePodcastCourse.com.

In this week's edition of the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas podcast, we're at Bocca in Fayetteville talking with co-owner Mike Rohrbach and Executive Chef & GM John Harpool, but before we hear from them?!?! FOOD NEWS!! Bonchon has their grand opening tonight in Rogers! The Oak Steakhouse is opening in Rogers at the New Hotel Avail. Queen Donut's opens this week in Fayetteville. Black Apple Hard Cider is having a BIG birthday this weekend! We talk to one of the owners of the soon-to-be new restaurant/brewery in Lowell, the Fermentary! The Botanical family is growing! King Burrito is headed back to Fayetteville Waystone Pizza has closed in Fayetteville. Mike Rohrbach was working away as co-owner of Flying Burrito and had no plans to open an authentic Italian restaurant. Enter his food salesman Keith Burmylo, who had different plans for himself and Rohrbach... You'll hear how that materialized... it wasn't quick... And how about Executive Chef John Harpool? He got into food almost accidentally when he was back home one summer break from the U of A. You'll hear what prompted him. Incidentally, it made him a VERY popular roommate back in college... You'll hear about his first food job and what propelled him into being the top dog in the kitchen AND front of house at Bocca. We talk to co-owner Mike Rohrbach and Executive Chef/General Manager John Harpool NEXT here on the Flavors of Northwest Arkansas!

What does it take to create and maintain one of the largest repositories of botanical information in the world? For starters, it can mean helicopter-ing into remote nooks of the Amazon, hiking through rough terrain, looking for strange fruits and flowers, and climbing trees to pluck specimens from the branches. Then there's all the science required to identify, classify, and codify those species. Botanists Lúcia Lohmann and Charlotte Taylor join Host Flora Lichtman to discuss their work discovering new plant species and maintaining the storied Missouri Botanical Garden.And, what does it mean to be a superfood? What is the science of micronutrient-dense foods like millet, which get less hype than foods like açaí, goji berries, and quinoa? Flora talks with biological engineer Kiruba Krishnaswamy, who puts food under a microscope—literally—and studies the nutrients that help make our bodies function, in hopes of harnessing them to fight hunger worldwide.Guests: Dr. Lúcia Lohmann, professor at Washington University in St. Louis, and president and director of the Missouri Botanical GardenDr. Charlotte Taylor, botanist and senior curator at the Missouri Botanical Garden Dr. Kiruba Krishnaswamy, assistant professor in the Colleges of Engineering and Agriculture at the University of MissouriTranscript will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

- Interview with Sylvie Beljanski and Upcoming Conference (0:00) - Interviews with Brilliant Guests and Breaking News (2:19) - Critique of Modern Medicine and AI (5:09) - Special Report on AI and Human Behavior (19:50) - Book Review: "Immoderate Greatness" by William Ophuls (20:33) - Special Report: Trump's Betrayal and War with Iran (29:36) - Book Review: "Collapse" by Jared Diamond (50:18) - Customer Appreciation Week at Health Ranger Store (58:37) - Interview with Sylvie Beljanski Continues (1:08:06) - Research on Cancer Stem Cells and Future Plans (1:20:50) - Background and Personal Stories (1:27:43) - Addressing the Root Causes of Cancer (1:29:47) - Living Cancer-Free in a Toxic Environment (1:31:42) - Lifestyle Choices and Personal Experiences (1:34:01) - Hope for Regulatory Change (1:35:49) - The Psychological War on Cancer (1:37:55) - Financial Conflicts of Interest in Cancer Treatment (1:43:50) - The Role of Prevention and Lifestyle Choices (1:45:55) - The Impact of Toxic Substances on Health (1:51:01) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts (1:52:34) For more updates, visit: http://www.brighteon.com/channel/hrreport NaturalNews videos would not be possible without you, as always we remain passionately dedicated to our mission of educating people all over the world on the subject of natural healing remedies and personal liberty (food freedom, medical freedom, the freedom of speech, etc.). Together, we're helping create a better world, with more honest food labeling, reduced chemical contamination, the avoidance of toxic heavy metals and vastly increased scientific transparency. ▶️ Every dollar you spend at the Health Ranger Store goes toward helping us achieve important science and content goals for humanity: https://www.healthrangerstore.com/ ▶️ Sign Up For Our Newsletter: https://www.naturalnews.com/Readerregistration.html ▶️ Brighteon: https://www.brighteon.com/channels/hrreport ▶️ Join Our Social Network: https://brighteon.social/@HealthRanger ▶️ Check In Stock Products at: https://PrepWithMike.com

This week, Scott sat down with Lawfare Senior Editor and co-host emeritus Alan Rozenshtein and Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett to talk through the week's big national security news, including:“Lowering the Bar.” Last week, the Trump administration took aim at two leading law firms—Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie—by repealing lawyers' security clearances and setting limits on the extent to which government actors can contract with them, on the apparent grounds that they worked for Trump's perceived enemies. Is this legal? Will it be challenged? And what will the effect be on the legal industry?“Big Math on Campus.” The Trump administration recently announced its intent to withhold $400 million in government grants from Columbia University, on the grounds that it had not done enough to combat anti-semitism on campus—a measure it paired with an indication that it would repeal student visas from those who had expressed “pro-Hamas” views. Is this tack a proper or legally sustainable one? And what impact will it have on academic communities in the United States?“Nothing Is Certain but Death and Ta…Well, at Least Death.” After temporarily delaying tariffs on Canada and Mexico after 48 hours last month, President Trump assured everyone that they were definitely getting installed this month. But once again, after a few days, he rescinded many of them. Nonetheless, the uncertainty surrounding this administration's policies has markets spooked, triggering fears of a recession—something President Trump has indicated people may just have to live through. What are the real costs and benefits of Trump's oscillating trade policies?In object lessons, Alan went full nerd and prescribed himself a decade-long literary exile with “Gardens of the Moon,” the first in Steven Erikson's ten-book epic. Scott's old ass, meanwhile, threw its weight behind “My Old Ass,” a film about a young woman navigating family, love, and self-discovery—all with a little hallucinogenic assistance. And Natalie logrolled like a pro, plugging Quinta Jurecic's guest spot on The Ezra Klein Show, where Quinta delivers one of Natalie's all-time favorite “Quintaisms”—with all the necessary context baked right in.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, Scott sat down with Lawfare Senior Editor and co-host emeritus Alan Rozenshtein and Lawfare Executive Editor Natalie Orpett to talk through the week's big national security news, including:“Lowering the Bar.” Last week, the Trump administration took aim at two leading law firms—Covington & Burling and Perkins Coie—by repealing lawyers' security clearances and setting limits on the extent to which government actors can contract with them, on the apparent grounds that they worked for Trump's perceived enemies. Is this legal? Will it be challenged? And what will the effect be on the legal industry?“Big Math on Campus.” The Trump administration recently announced its intent to withhold $400 million in government grants from Columbia University, on the grounds that it had not done enough to combat anti-semitism on campus—a measure it paired with an indication that it would repeal student visas from those who had expressed “pro-Hamas” views. Is this tack a proper or legally sustainable one? And what impact will it have on academic communities in the United States?“Nothing Is Certain but Death and Ta…Well, at Least Death.” After temporarily delaying tariffs on Canada and Mexico after 48 hours last month, President Trump assured everyone that they were definitely getting installed this month. But once again, after a few days, he rescinded many of them. Nonetheless, the uncertainty surrounding this administration's policies has markets spooked, triggering fears of a recession—something President Trump has indicated people may just have to live through. What are the real costs and benefits of Trump's oscillating trade policies?In object lessons, Alan went full nerd and prescribed himself a decade-long literary exile with “Gardens of the Moon,” the first in Steven Erikson's ten-book epic. Scott's old ass, meanwhile, threw its weight behind “My Old Ass,” a film about a young woman navigating family, love, and self-discovery—all with a little hallucinogenic assistance. And Natalie logrolled like a pro, plugging Quinta Jurecic's guest spot on The Ezra Klein Show, where Quinta delivers one of Natalie's all-time favorite “Quintaisms”—with all the necessary context baked right in.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.