Podcasts about fourth day

In the 8 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Julie Gunlock discussed: BBC: Trump Sends Another 2,000 National Guards and 700 Marines to LA on Fourth Day of Unrest WMAL GUEST: REP. JIM JORDAN (R-OH) on the unrest in Los Angeles and the Biden FBI’s targeting of Catholics. LAST WEEK: FBI Targeting of Catholics More Widespread Than Wray Claimed, Documents Show Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 / 8 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Triple murder accused Erin Patterson faced more questions from the prosecution as the mushroom murder trial entered its' fourth day. Three family members of Patterson's estranged husband died after eating the lunch she prepared at her Victoria home in 2023. Australian correspondent Murray Olds says Patterson was questioned about her food dehydrator - and admitted to lying about a cancer diagnosis. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wall Street delivered a mixed performance as leading technology stocks lost some ground. However, broader markets gained amid falling US bond yields driven by shifting Federal Reserve expectations. Retail sales growth slowed, contributing to a dip in both bond yields and the US dollar. In company news, Cisco shares rose on a positive sales forecast, while Walmart warned of impending price hikes due to Trump-era tariffs. Meanwhile, in Europe, defense stocks gained following a deadlock in Russian-Ukraine negotiations. In commodities, oil prices dropped 2% amid renewed expectations of a US-Iran nuclear deal, while gold prices climbed 1% on weak US economic data. Closer to home, Aussie shares are poised to extend their winning streak to an eighth consecutive session to close out the week. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bulletin: https://tinyurl.com/HolyWednesday-4thDay

Peter Dutton set to announce funding for Melbourne's Suburban Rail Loop will be scrapped A Sydney mother accused of stabbing her three children charged Outback Queensland braces for more rain King Charles prepares to return to public dutiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter Dutton set to announce funding for Melbourne's Suburban Rail Loop will be scrapped A Sydney mother accused of stabbing her three children charged Outback Queensland braces for more rain King Charles prepares to return to public dutiesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Cunningham, Political Correspondent, takes a look at the political reaction to Taoiseach Micheál Martin's White House meeting with US President Donald Trump.

In our news wrap Sunday, a fourth day of clashes in western Syria is testing the country’s new leadership, Israel says it’s cutting off the electricity it sends to Gaza, Secret Service officers shot a man brandishing a gun near the White House, and Alabama marked the 60th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

In our news wrap Sunday, a fourth day of clashes in western Syria is testing the country’s new leadership, Israel says it’s cutting off the electricity it sends to Gaza, Secret Service officers shot a man brandishing a gun near the White House, and Alabama marked the 60th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Stocks fell broadly with the S and P 500 on pace for its fourth consecutive losing session as traders weighed concerns around economic growth and global trade, The consumer confidence survey came in much weaker than economist estimates, Bitcoin Price Falls Below 90 thousand to a three month low

Stocks fell broadly with the S and P 500 on pace for its fourth consecutive losing session as traders weighed concerns around economic growth and global trade, The consumer confidence survey came in much weaker than economist estimates, Bitcoin Price Falls Below 90 thousand to a three month lowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The S&P 500 has extended its losing streak to four days as weak consumer confidence data weighed on sentiment. Nvidia dragged the NASDAQ lower ahead of its earnings report, while the Magnificent 7 stocks slipped into correction territory. Meanwhile, Tesla sales plunged 45% in Europe, and Krispy Kreme shares suffered a record drop. In Europe, stocks ended higher as gains in banking and healthcare offset weakness in technology. Commodities also faced pressure—oil hit a two-month low, gold saw profit-taking, and metals declined amid rising China tensions. Locally, Woolworths and Flight Centre’s earnings will be in focus today, while Aussie shares are set to open lower ahead of key inflation data. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marc O'Driscoll, North East Correspondent, reports that an extensive search of a property and its adjoining garden in Co. Meath being carried out by gardaí investigating the disappearance and murder of Elizabeth Clarke will enter a fourth day today.

Power has been restored to a further 6,000 premises across the Banner county, as just over 16,000 households and businesses brace for a fourth day without power. Supply was restored to properties in the Kilkee, Whitegate, Feakle, Tulla and Kilnamona areas yesterday evening, taking the total number of restorations seen in Clare to over 28,000. ESB crews have been working, meanwhile, to restore power to homes and businesses in Sixmilebridge, Moveen, Lahinch, Quilty, Broadford and Carigaholt across last night and this morning. The ESB has described Storm Éowyn as "by far the worst storm" it's ever experienced in terms of customers losing supply and the scale of damage to the network. ESB Technical Manager, Michael Sammin, says crews are still experiencing new faults and damages in Clare and there's still 'a week's work' in fully restoring power countywide.

Clare County Council is holding an emergency meeting today to discuss the humanitarian response to Storm Éwoyn. It comes as some communities in West and North Clare are now entering their fourth day without access to water, electricity and phone coverage. Residents of Inagh are now into their fourth day without a water supply. The reservoir supplying the village, Kilnamona, Cloonaha and its surrounding areas has been unable to function due to electricity outages caused by Storm Éowyn. ESB predicts power will return to residents by this evening and its hoped this in turn this will return their water supply. Local resident Brigid Rynne, who's also the owner of Wild Ireland Haberdashery in Miltown Malbay says the last number of days have been challenging, especially for vulnerable residents.

The fourth day of the search at a Macomb County landfill for missing Warren mother Ashley Elkins ended again with no answers. WWJ's Tim Pamplin reports, while Tony Ortiz has the rest of the day's top stories. (PHOTO: National Center For Missing and Endangered Inc.)

For Daily Prayers and more become a Member on PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Year 1 - 1979 Daily Office LectionaryOpening Words:I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.Isaiah 49:6b Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia. Psalm 95:1-7The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him.Come, let us sing to the Lord; *let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving *and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, *and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, *and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, *and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, *and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God,and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!The Lord has shown forth his glory: Come let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 1381I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with my whole heart; *before the gods I will sing your praise.2I will bow down toward your holy templeand praise your Name, *because of your love and faithfulness;3For you have glorified your Name *and your word above all things.4When I called, you answered me; *you increased my strength within me.5All the kings of the earth will praise you, O Lord, *when they have heard the words of your mouth.6They will sing of the ways of the Lord, *that great is the glory of the Lord.7Though the Lord be high, he cares for the lowly; *he perceives the haughty from afar.8Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; *you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies;your right hand shall save me.9The Lord will make good his purpose for me; *O Lord, your love endures for ever;do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 1391Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *you know my sitting down and my rising up;you discern my thoughts from afar.2You trace my journeys and my resting-places *and are acquainted with all my ways.3Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *but you, O Lord, know it altogether.4You press upon me behind and before *and lay your hand upon me.5Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *it is so high that I cannot attain to it.6Where can I go then from your Spirit? *where can I flee from your presence?7If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.8If I take the wings of the morning *and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,9Even there your hand will lead me *and your right hand hold me fast.10If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *and the light around me turn to night,”11Darkness is not dark to you;the night is as bright as the day; *darkness and light to you are both alike.12For you yourself created my inmost parts; *you knit me together in my mother's womb.13I will thank you because I am marvelously made; *your works are wonderful, and I know it well.14My body was not hidden from you, *while I was being made in secretand woven in the depths of the earth.15Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb;all of them were written in your book; *they were fashioned day by day,when as yet there was none of them.16How deep I find your thoughts, O God! *how great is the sum of them!17If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; *to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.18[Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! *You that thirst for blood, depart from me.19They speak despitefully against you; *your enemies take your Name in vain.20Do I not hate those, O Lord, who hate you? *and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?21I hate them with a perfect hatred; *they have become my own enemies.22Search me out, O God, and know my heart; *try me and know my restless thoughts.23Look well whether there be any wickedness in me *and lead me in the way that is everlasting.] Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. LessonsIsa. 65:1-9A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me;        I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me.    I said, “Here I am, here I am,”        to a nation that was not called by my name.    I spread out my hands all the day        to a rebellious people,    who walk in a way that is not good,        following their own devices;    a people who provoke me        to my face continually,    sacrificing in gardens        and making offerings on bricks;    who sit in tombs,        and spend the night in secret places;    who eat pig's flesh,        and broth of tainted meat is in their vessels;    who say, “Keep to yourself,        do not come near me, for I am too holy for you.”    These are a smoke in my nostrils,        a fire that burns all the day.    Behold, it is written before me:        “I will not keep silent, but I will repay;    I will indeed repay into their lap    both your iniquities and your fathers' iniquities together,                                            says the Lord;    because they made offerings on the mountains        and insulted me on the hills,    I will measure into their lap        payment for their former deeds.”            Thus says the Lord:    “As the new wine is found in the cluster,        and they say, ‘Do not destroy it,        for there is a blessing in it,'    so I will do for my servants' sake,        and not destroy them all.    I will bring forth offspring from Jacob,        and from Judah possessors of my mountains;    my chosen shall possess it,        and my servants shall dwell there. The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Te Deum laudamusYou are God: we praise you; You are the Lord: we acclaim you; You are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory. The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of deathand opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting. Revelation 3:1-6A Reading from the Book of Revelation.“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars.  “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. John 6:1-14A Reading from the Gospel According to John.After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus Dominus DeusBlessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Let us pray.Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Suffrages AV. Show us your mercy, O Lord;R. And grant us your salvation.V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy.V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.V. Let your way be known upon earth;R. Your saving health among all nations.V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.   The CollectsCollect of the DayO God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the Peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

“On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me: Four Calling Birds ..."symbolizing the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John which proclaim the good news of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself through Jesus Christ. Prayer: Lord Jesus, today we give thanks for the good news! We are blessed to have heard it in our lives and are called to share the news with others. Help us share the news with just one today, Lord. Bless those whose lives are dedicated to the proclamation of the news…the ministers, priests, missionaries, teachers, evangelists and saints of the Church. This holiday help us to foster Your kingdom on Earth! Amen. The post The Fourth Day of Christmas – A Prayerful Meditation on the Twelve Days of Christmas – Discerning Hearts Podcast appeared first on Discerning Hearts Catholic Podcasts.

Merry Christmas! The 12 Days of Christmas isn't just an annoying song - it is a deep tradition of feasting through one of our faith's greatest mysteries. God loved us so much that he became flesh and came among us, the eternal I Am born as a baby in Bethlehem. In this special series, we honor the ancient tradition of celebrating Christmastide with daily scripture readings and reflections, offering a moment of spiritual nourishment each day of the season.

Evening lessons: Psalm 143; Song  of Songs 5; Luke 23:1-25.  Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my supplications; hearken to me, for your truth and righteousness' sake.

Morning lessons: Psalm 140; Jeremiah 31:1-17; Revelation 20.  Deliver me, O Lord, from evildoers, and preserve me from the violent.

Fourth Day of CraftLit (2024) All of CraftLit's Christmas episodes can be found at LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO: AUDIO ONLY: If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1: DAY 2: DAY 3: DAY FOUR The Christmas Stocking (1905) By: L Frank Baum - From:  eText:  Read by: Judy Bieber -  The Shepherd Who Didn't Go (1916) By: Jay T. Stocking From:  eText:  Read by: Angela (BookAngel7) -   A Kidnapped Santa Claus (1904) By: L Frank Baum From:  eText:  Read by: Judy Bieber -  — - (, and , and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight  - "Christmas Scene at Camelot"— Middle English (1839) By: Anonymous Pearl Poet - From: eText: Middle English read by: Martin Geeson - Modern English read by: Euan Bartlett Digital Premium Audiobook Shop: CraftLit's Socials Find everything here:  Join the newsletter:  Podcast site: http://craftlit.com Facebook:  Facebook group:  Pinterest:  TikTok podcast:  Spooky Narration:  Email: heather@craftlit.com Call and share your thoughts! 1-206-350-1642 SUPPORT THE SHOW! CraftLit App Premium feed  (only one tier available) PATREON:  (all tiers, below) Walter Harright - $5/mo for the same audio as on App Jane Eyre - $10/mo for even-month Book Parties Mina Harker - $15/mo for odd-month Watch Parties All tiers and benefits are also available as —YouTube Channel Memberships —Ko-Fi NEW at CraftLit.com — *Premium SITE Membership*  (identical to Patreon except more of your support goes to the CraftLit Team) If you want to join us for a particular Book or Watch Party but you don't want to subscribe, please use  or CraftLit @ Venmo and include what you want to attend in the message field. Please give us at least 24 hours to get your message and add you to the attendee list. Download the FREE CraftLit App for iOS or Android (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app) Call 1-206-350-1642

A Ghostly Plea For Appreciation.Based on a post by SandyMarl, in 4 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.  A Christmas Ghost Story For ScroogeDana got ready to roll the movie as The Chix settled in. "What's the movie?" asked McNally."A Christmas Carol, it's the classic tale by Charles Dickens.""Damn. Not a Christmas movie? Did I ever mention that I am so over Christmas right now? Bah Humbug!"Annie snorted, "McNally, you make a better Scrooge than Patrick Stewart.""I'll drink to that," McNally said as she tipped her stemware to wash down a handful of popcorn. "Let me say it again, Merry Fucking Christmas, because I am so done with Christmas.""Merry Fucking Christmas" was echoed around the room, followed by giggles among gathered good friends as the opening scene played.Annie was dabbing at her eyes as Tiny Tim cried out in the movie's final scene, "God bless us, everyone!"As the credits rolled, Annie turned to McNally, "Well, Ebenezer Scrooge, do you still hate Christmas? Or did the ghost of Christmas Future shake you from your Bah Humbug! ways?""I don't hate Christmas; I just get worn out by this time of year. Christmas has been going on since before Halloween and that's way too long, even for a vibrant spirit like me," replied McNally."Are you still so entrenched in your 'Bah Humbug' world-weary ways Ebenezer McNally or is it possible that visitations of the cinematic Ghost of Christmas Past, Present and Future have softened your hardened holiday heart?" pried Patricia."Don't be picking on McNally, she's just been more emotionally honest. I have heard Scrooge speaking through all of you. Chix, take a look inside and tell me if Christmas hasn't lost its magic for all of us this year, or for that matter, several years running." Dana's call for introspection brought the room to silence.Dana continued, "Let me play Ghost of Christmas Past; let me take us back to time when we were young, and Sander and I stretched our budget and bought this cabin and had The Chix and their boys up here around Christmas time? Remember those times?""Those were the good days," recalled McNally. "I remember Orlando mixing exotic cocktails for everyone to try. The guys kept making sweet drinks and urging us girls to taste one new one after another. I'm sure they were in cahoots, working on the theory that 'Christmas candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.'"Patricia chimed in, "Yeah, I remember that year, I remember laughing a lot of silly laughs and being chased around the cabin and out into the snow by three horny abominable snowmen until I finally let one catch me and haul me off to his lair where he threw me on the bed and ravaged me.""I sort of remember that too - only I think I enjoyed Orlando's cocktails too much too soon to fully remember every detail. But I have a vague memory of laughing on my way to a strange bed as I hung over Nelson's shoulder as I pounded on his back as a captured maiden, but not really feeling much distress. I remember trying to help Nelson undress me, but I was too giggly, so he just ripped my clothes off."Dana reminisced, "Anybody remember the year we all wore those sexy Santa's Naughty Elf costumes?""I still have mine in a closet somewhere I think," snickered McNally. "We put on a pretty good show for the guys that one year when we performed in those outfits. Thanks to Annie for sewing them," McNally tipped her glass toward Annie."It was your choreography McNally, and your audacious moves that gave me the confidence to bump and grind along with the rest of the Chix. I'd never have been able to even think of doing something so feminine and sexy if it weren't for you McNally," complimented Patricia."I still get wet every time I hear Eartha Kitt sing 'Santa Baby' and I think of how hot we Chix looked and how mercilessly we teased those boys," chuckled McNally."Speaking for me," said Patricia, "I'd say all of that dance practice and the sexy dance tips from everyone else showing me how to strut my wares. Our sexy little routine was well worth it a little later that night." All The Chix giggled and nodded with Patricia, each recalling the thrill of having their men rush the stage and cart off the four costumed naughty little helper elves for a roll in the sheets."Dana are you sure you're alright with us bringing up these memories?" asked Annie in a cautious tone."Annie, I've already told you that good memories and present friends are what are important to me tonight.""Allow me to play the Ghost of Christmas Present," said Dana in a soft voice. "If the Ghost of Christmas Past has drawn for you scenes of past holiday lovers, good times and Christmas cheer; what do you see when the Ghost of Christmas Present hovers above your lives tonight and points to your actions and attitudes of this present Christmas?"The Chix again sat thinking in silence.McNally answered Dana's challenge first, "Well, I've already told everyone my grim view of this present Christmas. There is a poverty of spirit where I operate; Christmas has become nothing but joyless deadlines for me. I'll confess, 'Bah Humbug!' is truly what the Ghost of Christmas Present is pointing at in my life.""Or would Scrooge use a more contemporary phrase, maybe something like 'Merry Fucking Christmas?" needled Patricia."Yeah but..." Annie joined in, "...Those really were Merry Fucking Christmases in the past - literally. Those years when we all used to come up here with our hubbies and enjoy playing games and cooking together, remember? And it seems like every night ended in a night of passionate love making," she added wistfully. "Why did we let that slip away? Where did the holiday love magic go?"I have a confession too, McNally has nothing on me, I'm just as much of a Bah Humbug personality as McNally - if not more so. Only I'm just a Scrooge still in the closet. I guess it's time I came out to my friends. It was me who first suggested that I'd be ready to exchange Nelson for someone to clean my house. Honestly, how Scrooge-like is that?"The Ghost of Christmas Past showed that Scrooge rejected his old flame, Belle, to pursue a respectable wealthy status above love. Like Scrooge, I've let the passion for my old flame, Nelson dim, and for what? A respectable status of a well cleaned house? I've been saying 'Bah Humbug!' from inside my Scrooge closet."I chided McNally for her poor attitude when we first drove up this afternoon," recalled Patricia. "But then I fell right in with her complaining about my grueling holiday schedule and all I had endured. So, I guess that makes me not only a Scrooge, but a hypocrite as well. How's that for a bare-bones confession to the Ghost of Christmas Present?" Dana's Christmas Ghost"Excuse me," declared a mildly irritated McNally, "enough indulging in this group psychotherapy playing with literary ghosts. I can't stand it any longer, I've gotta find out from Dana if Sander's ghost is really visiting us here."McNally's abrupt demand brought a heavy hush to the room.All eyes were locked on Dana. "All I can say is that I came up to our cabin for the first time since the accident. I hoped I was ready, but I wasn't sure. The real reason that I invited everyone to join me was so I couldn't back out, even if I wanted to, since I had extended an invitation to The Chix. Patricia, Annie, McNally; you're my insurance as I forced myself to be a brave widow."I came two days ago for solitude. I thought I would be alone up here. I hoped I'd be brave enough to finally be alone with my thoughts. I was going to force myself to stay here until reinforcements arrived in the form of a carload of wild, raucous and fun-loving Chix."To my surprise, I had it all wrong. I was not alone here. Sander was waiting for me. It was good to find him here; he has been a comfort for me. I told him I was sorry for making him wait. He let me know that he understood why I waited. He assured me that it was alright for me to wait, coming only after I was ready."When Sander came to me the first night, he comforted me, bringing good memories of us in this place, like the Ghost of Christmas Past. He reacquainted me with faded memories of Patricia and Will, Annie and Nelson and McNally and Orlando all gathered in this place with me and Sander back in those days at the beginning. The images he brought to me made me feel grateful for all of you."I told Sander that those were lovely, warm memories, some of the best; but that they were far in the dim past. When Sander wrapped those memories around me; I felt warmth and saw a radiating brightness, happy for what we had once shared together. He said that that is why he had to brighten them for me; otherwise, neither I nor anyone else in those images would be able to clearly see them as they once were."I began to cry as those bright images of our past passions and fellowship with our friends began to fade before my eyes. I cried even more at the fear of losing him and everything good once again."He warned me that squandered time, tyranny of the mundane and careless love will steal from the human soul, draining the treasures of passion and good memories, leaving murky, pathetic sketches in place of those forgotten treasures. Sander let me know that I still had all of you wrapped around me to shield me with love. He was pleased that The Chix had taken such good care of me after he was taken from me."Sander told me he could not keep the past images bright, the power to do so was only given to the realm of the living."I cried in my grief and in my fresh fear of loss. I tried to hold him, but of course, I could not. I pleaded, 'How can I keep those memories of you and warm feelings bright?' I didn't know how to find the power to keep from losing all that was meaningful to me. I cried, 'Please Sander, show me, show me how not to lose you and everything again. Don't let me drain away into the murky darkness where all warmth and love have been stolen from the human soul.'"I cried, kneeling on the floor. Sander said nothing as he stood close to me as a kind and gentle spirit with a comforting patience waiting for me to finish my hot tears. When I wiped away my tears and looked into his face, he pointed and guided me to look for my answer. I saw The Chix checking their messages, returning calls, checking their calendars trying to squeeze in a meeting, an appointment and a Christmas cookie exchange. I saw that we were rushing to the shopping mall, ordering online, checking our phones and returning home exhausted, drained of warmth and love, leaving nothing for those around us."I was shown Will, Nelson and Orlando taking the cars in for servicing because it was time. I saw these men checking their messages and making out-of-the way runs to pick up store items and a few groceries because their wives had sent them a text message. I witnessed The Dix on their own initiative coming home with a takeout meal that they served to their exhausted wives and then taking out the trash the night before pickup without a reminder. The guys were up late at night, opening the bills and writing the household checks and balancing the accounts, toiling like the loyal Bob Cratchit, Scrooge's unappreciated clerk. I had been shown Christmas Present. I was sad to have seen that exhausted misery spread to all of our present lives."I cried, 'Oh Sander, where is the joy and the love for our friends? Everyone looks so exhausted and joyless and without hope or purpose. Tell me Sander, what is going to happen to them?' Sander looked sad and did not answer me."He began to fade into the darkness, and I begged with renewed tears, 'Sander please don't go, please don't leave me alone again.' But he was gone.I crawled off the floor, lifting myself into bed and cried myself to sleep. I remembered his words, 'Squandered time, tyranny of the mundane and careless love will steal from the human soul, draining the treasures of passion and good memories and leaving murky, pathetic sketches in place of those forgotten treasures.'"When Sander slipped away from me that night, I understood that he had shown me that the same was happening to Orlando and McNally, Will and Patricia and also to Nelson and Annie. His visit was a warning. Just as I lost Sander, everyone here is facing a Christmas Future where you will discover that you've lost all that really matters in life."Sander came again the next night. I was glad to see him. I wanted to know if it was too late for our friends to rekindle the love that had somehow drained away. 'Please, Sander, tell me that there is yet hope for them this Christmas Season,' I begged."He showed me some bright and warm memories from long ago, some personal and some with The Chix. He showed me those visions to let me know that I still had love and support from you guys. But I was haunted by those visions of Christmas Present that I'd been shown the night before. He was happy that I was so well cared for now. And yes, he was happy to know that I got surprised by some needed loving attention from a partridge, a turtle dove hunter and an old barnyard rooster who had a few tricks to make a French hen cackle. Yet, the peril of the bleak Christmas Present remains, unless friendship and love is cherished and attended, it too will soon perish, and I'll see my friends fade away into murky darkness as Sander had."Again, I looked into his gentle eyes and asked, 'There is still time isn't there? We haven't squandered our time, it's not too late, tell me sweetheart, there are warm and bright memories of love and affection still to be made, nourished and cherished.' Sander smiled his warm smile of assurance that I had missed so much, and I was happy."I woke, realizing that the sun was shining off a fresh morning snowfall and I threw off my heavy quilt. I sat up in bed, remembering that on our last morning together; Sander had been working on something secret that morning before the accident. I remembered asking him, 'Sweetie buns, what are you working on the hill behind the cabin?'"He smiled that warm, smug smile of mischief on that last morning that we were together and told me, 'I've got a Christmas surprise to show you tonight, it has to be revealed once it is dark. So, you'll have to wait until we finish a few runs on the slopes this afternoon.'"Of course, we never came back here together. I had forgotten about Sander's promised secret Christmas surprise until yesterday morning. When Sander told me he had a Christmas gift waiting for me after dark, he was holding an electrical extension cord behind his back with his mischievous smile stretched across his ski slope tanned face. 'I'll plug this in to brighten your night tonight, as a token of how you have brightened my life,' he said. Recalling some of his last words, I jumped out of bed and checked this morning; that cord is still lying on the deck where Sander left it last year.Annie was crying, as usual, but so were Patricia and McNally.Dana reached for her purse and pulled out her phone and looked at her messages and began to text, as The Chix took a few moments to rein in their emotions and check their composure before speaking or asking Dana any questions.Annie brushed her cheeks, "Oh Dana, that is the sweetest, saddest story I've ever heard... Excuse me, I can't stop weeping... I don't even know if these are tears of joy or grief... excuse me, I don't know what to feel or say," she said as the flood gates reopened.Patricia felt it was her role to wade in and tidy things up and drain the emotional swamp in which they all found themselves wallowing in. "Dana, it sounds like you've started to find some peace after last year's events. I am glad that you shared with us how you are coping with Sander's passing...""Patricia, Jesus Christ on a bicycle! Don't be such a cold and analytical mother hen all the time for us Chix. Dana's story is not about coping, it's about us - all of us and all that we once had and what we might lose, including Will, Nelson and yes, Orlando too. Dana, your conversation with Sander really got to me there..." McNally paused, looking emotionally rattled."I guess everyone can tell, your story about Sander got to me also," said Annie after managing to dry out enough. "I feel like McNally. Dana, what you said really touched me; I don't know what to say... Yes, I actually do, I want to say that what Sander said is right; my joy has been stolen from my soul, I feel drained inside, I have let the things I hold most dear fade away. I am Scrooge - and I'm sorry, but so are all of you."Turning to Patricia, Annie asked, "Don't you feel what McNally and I feel? Don't you feel that you and I and McNally, and certainly Dana, have lost something precious? Together as The Chix, we are a sum greater the whole - and that has, or should, include our husbands. I believe Sander told Dana to warn us all before it is too late. Patricia, don't you feel like me that we should do something before the Ghost of Christmas Future makes the vision of an estranged and murky end to all that we enjoy a grim reality?"Patricia teared up and nodded silently. Then lifting her head, she asked Dana, "Is there hope? Did Sander give you hope for us?""There is hope. There is still love here, and where there is love, there is hope. Sander showed me that the future can be changed by what we do now. Sander showed me that there is hope for us, hope for The Chix.""And... And... What is that hope?" asked McNally. "And... And... And I got lots of questions about you and Sander up here in this cabin, but first - that was a gripping Christmas ghost story with Sander, but it seemed kind of weird that as soon as you finished driving your emotional steamroller full speed over our sympathies that you then broke character, ignoring us to check your phone. Isn't checking your messages part of that tyranny of the mundane that Sander warned you about? Who is so important that you were texting them rather than dealing with us in this room and our emotions?""The Ghost or the Ghosts of Christmas Future," was Dana's curt, cryptic reply."You asked about our future, you asked about hope; I don't know exactly how to answer those questions," said a thoughtful Dana. "But I know where I want to look for starters. There is Sander's unrevealed Christmas surprise waiting for me - or us, on top of the hill behind the cabin. It was Sander's last gift. Everyone, dress in your ugliest Christmas sweater and pull on some holiday woolies and come with me to see what's up there."What do you think it is, Dana?" asked Annie."I think it is wonderful and special, Sander was so good at that kind of thing. Other than that, as I said, I only remembered it this morning. I think that it's fitting that it happened to be left there to be revealed to me in the future. I think it's a sign." Bright Angel On High - The Gift Of The Ghost Of Christmas FutureThe four Chix marched up the trail behind the cabin, following in the footprints Dana pressed into the fresh, moonlit snow that was smooth and crisp and even. All the ladies came to the brow of the hill, ready to mount the crest, expecting to view Sander's waiting surprise. Dana let out an exasperated half sight, half scream. "Ah! I forgot - or didn't think to remember that I needed to plug in the cord that Sander had run up the hill to his surprise gift." Dana broke down crying, "Everything is ruined. I wanted to see Sander's last gift and now the surprise is ruined." Dana buried her head in her mittens as her shoulders shook in choking sobs of disappointment and grief. "I failed Sander and his memory," she wailed.Annie, McNally, and Patricia swarmed around Dana, throwing their arms around her to console her. Patricia was about to explain to Dana that the problem could be solved, she would just go back down and plug the cord into the electrical socket and fix the oversight. Simple. No need for tears. Patricia's unhelpful words pointing out the simple fix to Dana's overwrought emotions never passed her lips."Ooh, look!" gasped Annie. "There it is! Look Dana, it's beautiful. Look up in that big Christmas tree, it is so magical. It's from heaven." Annie was hopping and pointing into a spruce on the other side of the dark clearing. Dana looked up, her legs turned to jelly, her heart shot out of her chest, taking with it every last oxygen molecule from her lungs. Dana stood in silence surrounded by her friends but felt as if she were floating to the stars as she marveled at Sander's creation.The figure of a magnificent, bright angel glowed from the boughs with a million tiny, warm lights. Dana threw her hands to her cheeks in stunned amazement, feeling a wash of warm blessings surge through her body."Absolutely amazing," marveled McNally. "Oh Dana, this is so inspiring. Sander sure had an innovative spirit combined with his refined talent to create such a masterful surprise. It's the most gorgeous, stunning angel I've ever seen. I know this is quite meaningful to you."The Chix huddled tight in the brisk night air, spellbound in wonder under the illuminated gaze of the angel on high. A Wild Ride DownThey jumped in unison with a startled twitch as the crystalline silence was shattered by a male voice ringing out from the dark woods behind the spruce where the angel floated.The voice made a short, "Ho!" sound. Followed by a second male voice, echoing the same "Ho!" and then another mysterious "Ho!" was spoken by another man.The women stared into the gloom beyond the angel. Was it a sound effect by Sander's angel or was someone watching them from the woods? "Hello. Who's there?" shouted Patricia.Her question was answered by three quick 'Ho, Ho Ho's' from three hidden men. Three dark figures rushed from the shadows toward the women, pushing three toboggans in front of them. Annie, McNally, and Patricia clustered close in around Dana in a scared, defensive move.In an instant Nelson, Orlando and Will burst into recognizable range of their wives, scooping them up and depositing each of them onto the toboggans. Orlando gave Dana a tug, throwing her behind McNally. With a whoosh before any of the ladies knew what was happening, they found themselves careening downhill in the darkness along the path which they had climbed a few minutes earlier. The night air was filled with screams and laughs as The Chix and their Dix flew with abandon down the wooded slope. The Chix shrieked like young schoolgirls at their quick abduction and wild ride.At the base of the slope, to avoid hitting the cabin, the men had to tip the toboggans, spilling everyone into the snow. Still in a breathless uproar, the ladies scrambled to their knees and feet and began to dump snow on the guys as they continued in a giddy, frolicking mood.The men rose from their vulnerable positions and the women ran. The men chased and the women got caught and tackled into the snow, where there was a flurry of rolling and tumbling bodies amid whoops and high spirits. The Chix all ended up getting pinned beneath their man and enjoying it before they were extracted and lifted to their feet."C'mon inside everybody!" shout a gleeful Dana. Nelson wrapped one arm around Annie and one around Dana as he ushered the two toward the cabin's deck."Wait! The gifts, damn it, we've got to recover the gifts," moaned Will."Are they at the bottom of the hill with the sleds, or did they fall off back uphill?" asked Orlando."Hell, I don't know Orlando. Send the women folk inside, we'll have to bring 'em in once we find them," replied a less than gracious Will."There're gifts for us?" asked Annie as she broke out from under her husband's arm and led the way to look for her lost gift in the snow drifts. McNally and Patricia were joined by Dana as they turned to search for their gifts too."I found one," announced Will as he stooped to dig it out of the snow. "I think this one belongs to..."Patricia gave him a boot in the bum, forcing a frozen face plant into a snowbank. She whooped with delight at her playful stunt and then turned on her heels as Will chased her and brought her down into the snow on top of him where he copped a feel and rolled his wife over and gave her a spank with his gloved hand.Dana found a wrapped gift, "I found one! Who wants this present?"McNally raced over and said, "I'll take that mystery gift," snatching it from Dana's upheld arms.Nelson looked and said, "Oh no you don't McNally, that is supposed to be Annie's." He gave chase and McNally tucked her box under her jacket and ran.Nelson quickly caught up to McNally in the drifts and swooped down on her, rummaging under her jacket feeling for the stolen box. McNally shifted and made sure that Nelson got to squeeze a couple of wrapped wonders in his search before he found Annie's intended present."Hey Nelson, what are you doing with my wife?" asked Orlando in a mock menacing tone as he strode over to McNally. He pulled her out of Nelson's clutches, grabbing her hand and lifting her up."Come with me young lady, I got something better for you. Help me find a lost partridge parcel and I'll make sure he finds a nice nest in your pear tree."McNally turned her head to Nelson, "Sorry Nelly-boy, it was fun while it lasted, but I just got a better offer." She pecked Orlando on the cheek as they went off arm-in-arm in search of the last spilled Christmas package."All presents, present and accounted for!" announce Orlando as he plucked a gift box from beneath an overturned toboggan."Y'all c'mon, my offer still stands, everyone inside," yelled Dana. Nelson rushed back to put his arm around Dana and escort her inside as the rest of the reunited Chix and Dix tramped through the snow following them into the cabin.Inside, Dana announced, "I'm going to be making a batch of my rich hot chocolate, the traditional drink for ski cabin gathering of The Chix and The Dix." Everyone cheered as Dana stepped into her kitchen.Orlando opened the cupboard, "Hey Dana, what happened to the bottle of peppermint schnapps that used to be here?"Dana tipped her head and pointed her finger into the hollow of her cheek, giving Orlando a ditzy look; "I wonder, who around here would remember that old bottle of peppermint schnapps you gave to us after all these years?"McNally, right on cue, "I've got a good memory for things like that - in fact that 'old bottle' that we gave you and Sander has just come out of the closet and has already made his presence felt. He's right here." McNally lifted the schnapps bottle off the coffee table and showed it to her inquiring husband. "It's like this old bottle is helping rekindle memories of good times past and maybe a talisman for reigniting passions that have faded.""That old bottle holds the Ghost of Christmas Past, out of it pours hope - it's not too late for us!" surmised Patricia. The Chix all yelled an enthusiastic cheer at Patricia's words, which Orlando, Will and Nelson found puzzling."But he is almost used up I am sad to say," informed McNally as she shook the schnapps bottle."Not to fear, I packed his younger brother," mentioned Orlando, "it's in with my stuff where we parked down the road, waiting for Dana's 'all clear' text. I'll bring it up later - unless we need him to rescue us right now.""The new bottle comes with the Ghost of Christmas Future inside," proclaimed Annie, "I feel that out of that bottle will pour a bright and renewed future for all of us." Annie's thoughts brought another hearty cheer from all of the ladies. The men were mystified by the response, but pleased the girls were getting worked up over some spirits in a schnapps bottle."Hey guys, when do we get to open our presents?" asked Annie.The men all looked over to Dana. Dana exploded into a sweet, sly smile. "Here's the plan y'all; I'm making a double batch of traditional hot chocolate, the first round we drink to Christmas Past and use up the old bottle. The second round, we drink to Christmas Future, and we break out the new bottle. Orlando, you are excused to go get that bottle right now. But don't tarry, there are a bunch of eager beavers waiting to open up their gifts." She gave a salacious, knowing wink to each man. "Now git, Mr. Partridge, the night is young, and we can't start the festivities without you."Orlando drove the car up to the cabin from its hiding place where they waited for Dana's text to tell them they should get in place at the top of the hill to surprise their wives. He came waltzing in with the unopened peppermint schnapps bottle. The women served the steaming mugs to their men, McNally distributed an even pour from the old bottle into each cup so that there was enough of the elixir to go around before the last drop dripped into her foaming mug.Dana lifted her stein, "A toast to the fond and wonderful memories of good times past!""I'll drink to that," said Patricia with a laugh. "There, I beat you to it, McNally." Everyone laughed.When the second round was poured and fortified, Dana offered a second toast, "A toast to fond memories of old, may they only serve as a foundation for the many bright and wonderful memories to come, bringing a future filled with hope and passion for all!"The Chix were eyeing the wrapped packages in the center of the room, and after some reminiscing and conversations, Annie again asked, "When are we going to get to open those packages?"The men deferred to Dana. Dana put her stein down and surveyed the room with a sweet and sly smile that had reemerged. "First, I know I invited Patricia, Annie and McNally up here on the pretense that I would tell you girls in person how much I enjoyed being on your naughty list. I want to thank you for turning our Christmas cookie exchange into a hubby exchange. There is no way to really find the words to say how special and loved and deliciously naughty the gift of your men made me feel on this dread holiday without Sander. Each of the guys was special, tender, loving and fun and fulfilling. And since there is no way to tell you how it felt, I took the advice from an old writer's adage; show, don't tell."I know in some circles re-gifting is considered a social faux pas, but in this case, I feel it is a wonderful, shared secret among the best of friends. I ask you to open up your packages and enjoy. As it has oft been said around here lately, Merry Fucking Christmas."McNally, Annie, and Patricia tore into their boxes, squealing in an excited tempered with shy embarrassment at the contents that had come back their way. McNally's box contained a couple of fresh, juicy pears, a bottle of lubricant that Orlando had artfully relabeled 'Partridge Oil' with instructions that said, 'pairs well with pecker and pussy'. Annie's box had a rich assortment of dark chocolate candy turtles, a small bottle of chocolate syrup and a little note instructing the owner to apply a liberal amount on her 'doves' as bait if she wanted to be a 'master baiter' and charm a fabulous trouser snake. Patricia was delighted to find a vibrating egg in her box, curious beyond belief and surprised by the fast-rising tide of wetness under her longjanes."Oh! Dana, you didn't get a gift," sympathized Annie."Oh, but I did. I've already peeked inside all of your packages - if you know what I mean, and I think you do; that's why I know everyone is in for a wonderful night on this Fourth Day of Christmas. My gift is to enjoy being the one to transform all of us Scrooges and bring the joy back into our lives, like Christmas Past. My hope has been fulfilled; I see that Christmas Future is now bright."God bless us, everyone!" cheered Patricia, repeating Tiny Tim's final line of Dickens's Christmas Carol.All seven joined in, repeating the blessing, "God bless us, everyone!""But still. Dana," Annie persisted, "I feel that it's not the same for you or for us without Sander. If Sander is still alright with it, I think maybe sometimes I can put my ol' goat Nelson here, out to pasture. That's if you need or want some intimate care now and then. Just ask." Annie blushed, put her hand on Nelson's leg and looked at her husband before lunging to hug him tight as she shed a tear."McNally are you going to match Annie's and my offer to our lonely friend?" asked Patricia with a playful smirk."As I said after The Chix cookie exchange, 'It's three or it's zero when it comes to The Chix hubby exchange. Of course, I'm in and I'll speak for Orlando on this as well.""This is only the Fourth Day of Christmas," figured Nelson, "what are we going to do for the remaining eight days?""There are seven of us here, it seems fitting that I heat up the hot tub, it seems like the perfect place to find 'Seven swans a swimming'. I'm game if the rest of us are," offered Will. Will's idea was greeted with hearty laughs of ascent."I can't wait to find out what someone will do with 'five golden rings,''' said McNally, giving a sexy little shimmy shake."I like the idea of 'maids a milking'" contributed Orlando as he licked his lips in an overtly sensual manner and flexed his fingers in a breast-milking motion."Not before we all get to have our 'lords a leaping,' that includes Dana," negotiated Patricia."Dana are you alright with this?" asked Annie, not sure if their widowed friend was feeling excluded."Annie, I'm fine, I really am. But I'm feeling a little bit shy about participating in the hubby exchange. But I'm also excited to sample the spicy variety now and again with what you Chix are willing to share with me. I love The Chix and The Dix."McNally plucked the pair of pears from the box in her lap, holding them by their stems and dangling them in front of her nipples which were showing through her top. "Orlando here has some low-hanging fruit to pick, if you'll excuse us," she mentioned in a husky voice."I've got a new egg, and I'm in the mood to get laid," Patricia said as she held up her vibrator.Nelson stood and took Annie's hand to escort her to their room. Annie paused, "Dana, are you going to be lonely and sad tonight?""I don't think so. I'm quite happy right now. You kids run along and have fun, I think I'll go back up the hill and be with my Sander Angel."Dana, put on her hat and gloves, turning to everyone in the room, "Who do I have to thank for remembering to plug in Sander's bright angel gift?" She looked from face to face to face. No one acknowledged the deed."Dana, we were all with you at the top of the dark hill, you know that" said Patricia after a long silence."We were hiding in the woods for about ten minutes after you texted us, Dana. We were waiting for you to show up, we didn't know what to expect," offered Will. "It couldn't have been anyone in this room."Annie let out a gasp and covered her mouth, gaping in surprise. "Do you think it could have been...""I'm sure of it. It's a sign," said Dana with a beaming smile. "Excuse me, I think Sander is waiting for me, I don't want to keep him waiting," as she closed the door behind her. A Merry Fucking ChristmasDana slipped back into the cabin after spending some time with Sander's angel. There were quiet moans and soft purrs seeping out from under closed doors when she tip-toed down the hall. In an understated, but audible voice, she called out, "Merry fucking Christmas, and to all a naughty good night."Dana heard laughs and giggles coming softly from behind three closed doors. "Merry fucking Christmas," came the response called back to her from behind three closed doors. She slipped under her covers, warmed by sweet memories and hopes for the future while visions of sugar plums danced in her head.Based on a post by SandyMarl, for Literotica. 

 Three French Hens and Lingerie.Based on a post by SandyMarl, in 4 parts. Listen to the ► Podcast at Steamy Stories.  Three French HensRising the next morning after enjoying the contented sleep of a delicious bad girl; Dana mopped up the chocolate mess and had just put a new tablecloth on the table when she received a text. She saw that Patricia had sent her a message. She giggled aloud in her empty house, feeling that she knew what she was about to read. 'Dana, I hope you will be home tonight. I'd like to drop off supper and a surprise Christmas package for you. Let me know if you'll be available this evening - Patricia.'Dana replied, 'I Will be ready for your surprise package. What Will I do with your generosity? I Will be so looking forward to tonight!' Dana didn't intend to spoil Patricia's 'surprise package' delivery; but by now Patricia knew that Dana was wise to the Twelve Days of Christmas themes arriving at her house, courtesy of The Chix 'Hubby Exchange'. Almost more than the expected sex with Patricia's husband Will, Dana was curiously excited to find out how Three French Hens were going to fit into her boudoir.When Dana's doorbell rang, she arranged herself in the hallway mirror, resettled her boobs in her next-fanciest white lace bra that was almost concealed behind her low-cut, high-class dressy satin snow-white blouse.When she answered the door, the kid at the door smiled as Dana greeted him. After an awkward, cheeky stare at her tits, he handed her the bag of roasted chicken and all the fixin's. Dana gave the kid an eyeful as his parting words were, "Don't cook tonight - Call Chicken Delight! Thanks for your order, Ma'am." The delivery boy took one last glance before leaving her porch.Dana thought about calling after him, 'Have a Merry Fucking Christmas,' but thought that she'd save the teasing for the next fellow who rang her bell.Will pulled up to the curb as the delivery boy's car pulled away. Will trotted to the open door where Dana was waiting for him. Will looked flustered. "Damn. I was supposed to surprise you with dinner. Looks like I'm the one who is surprised by dinner's quick arrival.""And you left me holding the bag," said Dana in a provocative tone as she lifted the steaming bag in front of Will's nose. Will looked doubly flustered."Oh shit. Excuse me Dana, I forgot something in my truck." Will trotted back to the curb and grabbed a gift box and came back to where Dana was waiting for him with a half-undone blouse.By the Third Day of Christmas, Dana had a good idea of how this exchange was supposed to play out. But she wasn't above playing along, or at least playing Will. Dana looked out the door, "Where's Patricia? She promised me an exciting holiday package." Dana was enjoying the recurring theme and the surprise packages being delivered to her door.Will stepped inside, shut the door and bolted it behind him, handing a scroll tied with a festive green ribbon to the woman smiling at him, acting surprised. "What's this?" Dana asked as she cocked her head, taking the scroll from Will. "This is all so mysterious," acknowledged Dana with her eyes and smile flashing in obvious enjoyment of another installment of the unfolding mystery in her entry hall.Dana unfurled the scroll, knowing what was written inside, yet once again feeling a warm flush sweep across her face as she red Patricia's words. Dana inhaled; a crinkle grew at the corner of her eyes; Patricia had sent her husband Will over to her as a gift to give her 'a night of holiday magic'.In Patricia's written introduction she implied that perhaps Will's stag arrival was not a surprise to her, but Will was not aware that he was visiting her as the bearer of gifts that tied him to The Third Day of Christmas, part of the husband exchange plotted right after The Chix cookie exchange.Patricia wrote that Will was 'prepared to fulfill her wish list', and that rumors were circulating among The Chix that she had made it to the top of Santa's naughty girl list. According to the instructions, all she had to do was 'Have a Merry Fucking Christmas.' Patricia signed off with, 'And Good Will to all and to all a good night.'"Well, well, what do we have here?" she asked as she dropped her glance to the gift-wrapped box in Will's hands.Will looked at Dana, "Did you read Patricia's introductory remarks on the scroll Dana?" Will of course had seen her reading it but was expecting more of a reaction from her as the purpose for his evening visit was spelled out for the attractive widow lady who had long been inside their close circle of friends."Oh yes. I've red and understood your introduction quite clearly." Dana used a husky, seductive voice to emphasize her intimate understanding of what was ahead for the two of them. "But I must know, what's in the box?"Dana's unfazed manner, sexy outfit and flirty ease with him put Will in a randy mood, thinking that he'd lucked into some sexy games between Dana and his wife. If Dana didn't seem to mind, he was certainly game. And he brought his own Christmas toys. "You get to open the box after supper. Not before then - and no peeking!""It's you that has been doing the early peeking Will," Dana thrust her boobs forward, letting the half buttoned top fall further open to reveal her white lace cups filled with full tits as she shook them with the intention to set off a growing erection inside of Will's pants.After the supper dishes were cleared, Dana made a play for the present. Will snatched it from her clutches, saying that "This gift was selected by Patricia, but she has entrusted it to me to give it to you. She seemed certain that you would find it appropriate for any kind of mischief that we might want to get into." Will smiled a sheepish smile, not sure about presenting such a gift to a lady friend. Relying on his wife's assurances that Dana would love it, he placed it in Dana's hands.Dana tore into the gift wrapping and let out a gasp and then a giggle escape as she opened the box. "What's this?" Dana was beaming as she lifted the pink oval object from its case and held it in the palm of her hand."I've been told that you might be expecting something along the lines of a chicken or hen theme. What you hold in your hand is for your holiday evening pleasure - as am I. I am your rooster, er; may I correct that, I am your barnyard cock. I present you, my hen, a vibrating egg." Will had gained his confidence over dinner and was enjoying toying with his hostess as she marveled at the gift sex toy.Dana didn't want to pry and outright ask Will if he and Patricia had used a vibrating sex toy before, but she was sure that it wasn't too difficult to guess how to use it.Will walked behind where Dana sat, he brushed his fingers through her hair. "Do you remember way back when, when you and Sander helped me out by giving me some tips on the best way to make my moves on Patricia?""Umm yeah, I remember all of that pretty well. You weren't the fumbling geek that you thought you were, you just needed a little direction and a lot of confidence. I guess that Sander and I turned you into a star lover.""Well, you may not have turned me into the latest and greatest Casanova; but at least you did give me great advice and let me practice with a real woman. Dana, you got me off to a solid start. Patricia is ever grateful to you for knocking off my awkward edges, if only she knew all the schooling that you put into my romancing behavior. Once I took your advice and employed your patented instructions of hot techniques to win a girl, I was off to the races. Patricia was able to pick it up from there." Will finished his remembrances with a small chuckle."Let's see, if I remember my early lessons; Lesson One: atmosphere is important. Come my fine teacher, join me on the couch and you can test me on what I learned from you." Will took Dana by the hand, escorting her to the living room."Lesson Two in winning a girl was what? Oh yes, I think I remember; take her slowly, don't scare her, make her comfortable with you and she will come to you on her own. Did I get that right?" Will petted Dana in a slow and easy casual caress, seeking feedback from his former romance instructor.Dana nestled into Will, "That's right, but that lesson mostly applies to a man's first approach to a girl. We've both been through this together before. Given our mutual experiences, I think we can skip the slow part this time. I'm not scared, and a faster pace would be fine with me tonight, young man."Will began to pick up the pace, undressing Dana as she enjoyed the confident attention from the man whom she once had to advise on how to undress a woman. Will had peeled Dana down to her set of snowy white lace bra and panties, he came in close to kiss her and told her she "looked like a pretty white snowflake, a unique beauty, yet the hottest of all the fallen snowflakes. If you catch my drift."Dana smiled her appreciation at Will's compliment, "Patricia told me that I should expect to find a surprise holiday package - may I?" She asked without waiting for an answer, reaching up to undo Will's pants. Dana dropped his pants and underpants to his ankle and was not surprised to find his cock decorated with a green bow. "This must be the pretty package of which Patricia spoke," feigning surprise. "Oh look, you come with a label," Dana removed the bow from Will's willy and red the label: 'On the Third Day of Christmas, My True Friend gave to me, Three French Hens. Dear Dana, I hope you enjoy the Christmas package I've selected for you. Unfortunately, the Three French Hens couldn't get their travel visa in time to arrive with the business end of this package; so, I've taken the liberty to include one of their vibrating French hen eggs as a substitute. Ooh la la! Enjoy! And have a Merry Fucking Christmas! -- Patricia.'Dana stroked Will's cock, extended in greeting, "We never got this far in our lessons on what to do with a girl. I Trust you've figured out a thing or two on the proper use of your tool?" Dana leaned in to give Will's cock a lick.Will let her consume him, holding her hair as she slurped with her tongue, preparing his tool for some deep drilling. "Ooh la la," you make a pretty French hen when you have a pecker on your face," Will sighed as Dana sucked him and caressed his balls. With reluctance, Will pulled his cock out of Dana's lips, "Lest we forget, now that you've unwrapped your gift, I believe it is time we play with your new Christmas toy." Will returned to the table and picked up the vibrating egg sex toy and its remote control."This will be fun," said Will as he used the controls to turn it on and run the vibrating rheostat through its different levels. "You never got to this part of the lesson when you taught me about what turns girls on."Dana pulled him close, "A girl shouldn't reveal all of her secrets. But at the time, I never imagined that there was a remote-control device that could be used to turn a girl on with the literal press of a button." Dana spread her legs, rubbing her labia with both hands, "Why don't you find a warm nest to place that egg in, and let's pick up this part of the lesson that we both somehow missed all of those years ago."Will fit himself between her legs, wedged the vibrating egg between Dana's wet cunt lips. Dana held it in place with her right hand as she plucked at her excited nipple with her left hand as Will pressed the start button on the remote. Dana let out a giggle. "Cluck, cluck, cluck, this darling little egg is going to make me want to get laid."Dana bent her knees, trying different positions and sensations. As her toy egg hummed, she purred. "Does this egg have any other settings?" she asked as she worked her clit, letting the vibrations warm her libido.Will licked his lips as he watched Dana adjust to the new sensations between her legs, "Why yes, it does have several settings. How may I serve you my little chickadee?""What options can you offer an excited girl?" Dana asked as her eyes involuntarily rolled back as she pressed the vibrating egg to her warming, wet labia."I can serve you 'over easy', which is the setting I have you at now. I can pick it up a notch and deliver a 'poached egg' sensation, which should make you feel soft, gooey and warm. Or I can go right up to 'scrambled' level.""My, my, all of those sound fun. Will, I want you to surprise me, you pick the setting. You can change it up on me whenever you want, make it interesting with variety." Will needed no prodding, he switched up the intensity of the egg Dana held to her clit; using a slow build, higher and higher and as she squirmed and squeezed her legs together on the couch. As Dana was heating up to her melting point, Will stopped the vibrations."You barnyard bastard, Will!""You wanted me to surprise you. Didn't you tell me years ago to not rush a girl?" Will offered a smug snort, knowing he had the remote and he was in control. Also knowing that Dana had once coached him to make the girl want to come to him. "I think I've learned your lessons pretty well, by the look on your face Dana.""I was starting to get in the groove. You coaxed me pretty far along, I'm wet and I'm getting pretty frothy -- until you stopped. Will, I didn't teach you to be a cruel bastard." Dana was pouting as she reclined on the couch with her knees up, still holding her toy egg against her glistening labia."No, you didn't. I developed the joy of prolonged teasing on my own." He held the remote in front of Dana, rolling his thumb over the control buttons like the twitchy trigger finger of a gunfighter in a showdown. "I could start you up anytime I want from where I stand. Just because I stopped doesn't mean I can't start again.""Well then, what do I need to do to get you to fire me up again? I can't let this egg that I'm nesting on get too cold. I'd be disappointed if I didn't hatch an egg-cracking orgasm with you tonight."Will beamed with confidence as he looked Dana in the eye as he twirled the remote in between his fingers. "I confess, after steaming me up all those years ago with your romantic lessons, I've always wanted to see you get turned on like you are tonight. I love watching your pretty titties bunch and jiggle as you enjoy my remote toying."Dana enjoyed hearing Will's confession and was secretly pleased that she could offer him a good, sexy show. "OK, here's the deal; you control the vibrating egg, I give you the show you've always wanted but you have to come over here and lick and suck my nipple as my clit gets buzzed.""Now that's a deal I can't resist. First, I get to watch you get frothy all over again and then I'll come to your side and fulfill my other longtime fantasy by fondling your tits and sucking you until your nips are made hard and erect and by my stimulation. I'll work you tit, you work your clit and together we will bring you to an egg-cracking orgasm."Will performed a masterful job of licking, sucking and nibbling at Dana's nipples while changing the sensations she was getting on her swollen clit with the remote. With a sudden convulsion and an eye-rolling, breathy squeal, Dana panted as she pulled the pink egg out from her inner thighs, dropping it on the carpet. "Oh damn. Damn that kind of snook up on me. Oh, damn that was exciting. That was a surprise." She pried Will's lips from her over-sensitized nipple as she let the reverberations subside inside her hen parts while she leaned back against the couch's arm feeling warmed from toes to tits.Will looked her over, seeing a crimson sex-flush glowing on her upper chest, remarked, "You are some kind of red-breasted warbler hen."Dana mover her arm down to grasp Will's semi-rigid erection, giving it slow, sensuous strokes as she subtly tugged his cock to position him in front of her spread legs. "Cluck, cluck. You wanna fuck?" Dana inquired through heavy eyelids of a post-orgasmic woman.Will said nothing; he seized her ankles and threw them back toward her shoulders, exposing Dana's puffy pink cunt. With a stiff and eager pecker, Will drove hard and deep into Dana's upturned snatch, pinning her legs against her shoulders as he thrust his boner in and out of her with wet, succulent sounds. He swabbed her with hearty vigor, fulfilling years of pent-up fantasy desire to fuck Dana, the lady who had taken it upon herself years ago to give him the confidence to make it with a girl.Dana sensed that this pumping penetration which she was enjoying was the carnal expression of this man's ultimate gratification after suppressing his desire to fuck her for years. She loved being able to fulfill Will's desires. By letting him take her so savagely, it served to only heighten her pleasure. She could only express her pleasure with long, loud moans finished with little barks with every pounding stroke that Will planted deep inside of her spasming naughty bits. Dana's involuntary moans built up again and again as Will plunged into her slippery depths, always ending with a little bark as his rod mashed into her cervix.Will's grip on her folded-over legs tightened, his breath became fast and shallow as he pumped Dana with fucking fury. He released her legs, seized two generous handfuls of titty flesh, squeezed her tight as his cock flew over her nest of pubic hair, exploding in a glorious release of white, hot sperm. Will's ejaculate went splattering across Dana's bunched bosoms, up her throat and chin, coating her lips with thick, white ropes of jizz.Breathing heavily, with eyes closed tight, he massaged both of Dana's melons as he rested, enjoying the flood of warm satisfaction coursing through his body.Dana waited for a few moments until Will opened his eyes; then she opened her lips and ran her tongue along them to slurp up the cum he had deposited on her mouth. "Yum. You've been wanting to do me like that for a long time haven't you? I could tell.""It was worth the wait Dana. You taught me well." Will's arms released their hold on Dana's tits as he fell into her chest with his face, holding her torso tight as she wrapped her legs around his back.Awaking from an exhausted snooze, still entangled and stuck together by the sticky cum covering Dan's chest and Will's face; Dana stuck her finger in her mouth and then inserted it in Will's ear. "Wet Willy!"Will flinched and then laughed, "Yeah, but my Willy wins for getting you wetter."Dana spoke, "We're both kind of a sticky mess. It's like someone cracked an egg on me, it's like I have egg white covering my tits." Dana snaked her way out from under Will, taking his hand and getting him to sit up on the couch. "Come on, let's both get wet again," as she led him to her shower where they soaped and fondled each other before taking their time toweling each other off.Dana didn't bother to dress, wanting to give Will an eyeful as a parting-gift as she watched him dress. They kissed a quick kiss on the cheek before Will walked out the door in the wee hours of the foggy December morning.Dana went back into the living room to find her vibrating egg toy. She picked it up and found the remote control stuffed behind a cushion. She toyed with the idea of having another round just by herself or just going off to bed. She hadn't decided as she crawled under the sheets with the toy, but she was thinking about The Chix, The Dix, the great sex with the boys, the great fun, and the Twelve Days of Christmas.She thought of Sander, and she thought he'd be happy for her. Sander would not want her to wither up and be sad and lonely; he'd want her to have a Merry Fucking Christmas if he had a say. She missed the comfortable routine that she and Sander had grown into over the years of their marriage. She thought about The Chix and their chosen Dix and wondered if they appreciated what they still had with their hysbands. She fell asleep as she dreamed of wonderful sex and loving and grateful thoughts of her good friends, The Chix.She was dreaming of hatching a plan. A Mysterious Invitation To The ChixDana didn't have it in her this year to send out Christmas cards to the annual crowd of casual acquaintances. The raw loneliness of the holidays without Sander was too much pain to stuff into an envelope along with a glittery card addressed to those who only heard from her and Sander once a year. The holiday cheer had evaporated for all but her closest friends.Dana picked three cards to send out to The Chix. It'd be a Christmas card, a thank you card, and an invitation all wrapped into one.McNally, Patricia and Annie recognized dana's handwriting as soon as they pulled the envelope from their mailbox, rushing to open Dana's envelope first. Each smiled as they red Dana's note:Hmm.I've just gotten to thinking about the Twelve Days of Christmas -- for some naughty reason.Did you know that technically, the Twelve Days run from December 25 to January 6?The Twelve Days of Christmas have yet to begin. We are not finished yet!I know The Chix are dying for me to dish on partridges, turtle doves and French hens.The nesting of all of those Love Birds was such a sweet and spicy gift set that cheered me up.My thanks to The Naughty Chix.You must promise to join me as my guest on the fourth, fifth and sixth Days of Christmas,December 28, 29 & 30th.You will be my guest at our mountain ski-cabin getaway for a gathering of just us Chix.I won't say a word about the packages that were sent my way until then.If you want to hear the details, clear your calendar and come on out.I owe you all a Thank You - and more.I might have a Christmas Season surprise waiting for each of The Chix.You will want to end up on my Naughty List - XOXO DanaDana's scheme had been hatched. The cards went out to The Chix. The bait was irresistible; The Chix would have to be at the cabin to hear the intimate details of how their hubby exchange had been received. They couldn't miss this opportunity.As Dana suspected, the replies accepting her offer of an exclusive Chix getaway flew so quickly to her phone that she had to put all three of The Chix on a conference call. McNally, Annie and Patricia pressed Dana for a tiny hint as to how their gift hubby-exchange guys had performed. Dana was having none of it. She remained tight-lipped through all of their clever wheedling and desperate manipulations trying to get her to spill a few hints. Dana stood steadfast, enjoying holding out the tormenting delay in the juiciest gossip in years."Nothing for anyone until we are all together at my cabin." All agreed, reluctantly, on the conditions set by their hostess. They arranged to come up together and meet Dana at her ski cabin on the Fourth Day of Christmas, December 28th. A Load Of Post-Christmas Scrooges And A GhostDana stopped stirring the hot chocolate, skipped to the door upon hearing the crunching of tires over the crisp, refrozen snowfall, announcing the arrival of The Chix. "A Merry Fourth Day of Christmas to y'all!" she hollered from the open doorway.McNally stepped from the rear passenger door of Patricia's SUV, answered Dana in a sour tone, "I am so done with Christmas right now. I know, the Twelve Days of Christmas only started after Christmas, but for me, Christmas is over - and I say good riddance. Too much stress and expectation."Annie, standing ready to unload her bag from the rear cargo hatch, felt bad that McNally had started the afternoon at Dana's cabin on a down note. "McNally! Don't be such a Grinch. If Dana wants to celebrate the holiday a little longer, don't throw cold water on her festive gathering. Sheesh.""All righty then, Merry Fucking Christmas - even though it's almost New Years," groused a still disillusioned and worn-out McNally."There you go McNally, that's the spirit," chided Patricia as she stepped out of the driver's seat. "Though, I must admit, it has been a grueling end of the year for me. I would be happy to pack up the holiday decorations and get on with a normally hectic life. Merry fucking Christmas to everyone and then it's on to a Happy Fucking New Year!""I hear you girls," said Dana, "you're free to toss the gift-wrapped stress and snowed-under holiday scheduling; but don't be too quick to throw out the good part of Christmas. I've got a nice quiet, post-Christmas chill-out planned. I'm hoping to restore your Christmas spirit and help you unpack all of this grinchy scrooginess that some of you have hauled all the way up here. Welcome Chix! Grab your stuff and come on in." Dana held the door open as the Chix paraded through, stopping to give Dana a hug. "It's been a long time since everyone has been up here, but I trust you remember where your rooms are."Dana shut the door and stepped into the kitchen to finish the hot chocolate as her guests went to their rooms to drop off their luggage. Dana busied herself with arranging the snack tray and hors d'oeuvre spread as the ladies freshened up after their late afternoon drive up to the cabin."Who wants a mug of my super rich hot chocolate?" called Dana. The Chix filtered into the kitchen to start the traditional sip of hot chocolate, it was the way Dana and Sander always welcomed their winter guests to their cabin. Dana poured four, steaming mugs and set them on the table. "Won't you join me?" she asked as she pulled out a chair."I've been driving over icy roads for the last couple of hours, I think I'll take my traditional welcoming mug of steaming indulgence standing up, if you don't mind," offered Patricia."Me too," echoed Annie."I'll stand with these two," motioned McNally.Dana joined them at the counter, "We've always stood together, haven't we? This is no time to break with that tradition."They all laughed a comfortable laugh and took a sip. McNally licked her lips, "Hmm, quite good and rich as always Dana, but I think it could use a tad something more." McNally slipped around Annie and headed to the cupboard. She pulled out a bottle of peppermint schnapps. "Ah, is this the bottle Orlando and I left for you and Sander? It's right where I remember it being. And I do have an excellent memory for such things.""Yep. That's the same old bottle that you and Orlando gave us the last time we all gathered here.""Wow," offered Annie as she thought of the years that had flown past since they were last together at Dana and Sander's ski cabin. "It has been a really long time since the four of us were here together," she mused. "Only then we were also here with..." Annie caught herself, but it was too late; she and everyone there realized she was about to mention their four husbands; she sucked in a panicked breath and threw her hands to her mouth and was about to apologize for bringing up the memory of husbands in front of her widowed friend."It's all right Annie," assured Dana as she reached across the counter to touch her arm. "I'm still grieving, but the good memories of Sander, shared among my close friends, are a soothing balm for my sadness. It's not a bad thing to remember my husband."Annie, working to hold back her tears, said, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I wanted to come up to your cabin and have this be a happy time with your friends; I didn't want to hurt you by dwelling on tragedy.""Annie, get a hold of yourself girl," said McNally as she dropped the mug of her high-octane hot chocolate from her lips. "We all know Sander is gone. It's a void we have to deal with, that's why we're here to cheer up Dana at this time of year.""McNally, stop it," Patricia interrupted. "Maybe you're right about the situation, but sometimes you come off sounding harsh and unsupportive. If Annie wants to open up with some tender feelings, then you should let her."Dana thumped her mug on the countertop, "Listen to me Chix, everyone's got a point - and I do too; Annie, thank you for your deep sympathy, but it's not going to break me when you, or anyone else, mentions Sander. Okay?"Patricia, I appreciate your mother hen role among us Chix, especially when McNally seems to rise to the top of the pecking order, but don't douse McNally's spirit; I find comfort in her boldness and barefaced words, and I find levity and healing in her humor and draw strength from her brassy spirit."McNally, that being said about all that I love about you - I have to correct one of your assertions; Sander is not gone. He is here. The last time we shared a bed and kissed each other good night was in this bed right in there," Dana motioned toward the bedroom off the kitchen. "But McNally you are correct in that Sander's passing is a void we have to deal with. I've chosen to deal with the void by filling it with my present friends and good memories of times past."Annie broke into a sputtering sob, sloshing her hot chocolate onto the counter. Patricia threw a visual dart at McNally to keep her quiet on Annie's account. McNally smiled and tipped her head and said nothing.After Dana spoke, there was a spell of unusual silence among The Chix, except for Annie's audible efforts to control her sobs. It was not the festive beginning to a Chix post-Christmas getaway that Dana had planned. Sensing that the holiday cheer had been lost already, Dana threw out what she knew would derail any immediate hope for the return of high holiday spirits among The Chix. "I came up to our cabin two days early for some solitude," Dana announced. "Sander is not gone. Sander is here. Last night he visited me."Eyes widened, jaws dropped, the sound of silence landed on the countertop between the girls with an unnerving crash, felt but unheard. McNally thought to ask if Dana was pulling their legs but thought better of opening her mouth. Three sets of down-cast eyes made their way up to lock onto Dana's eyes. There were lots of questions in those three sets of eyes, but not a word was spoken aloud.Dana's head clicked around in three incremental moves to scan the eyes of her guests. She understood that after a line like that, it was up to her to answer the unasked questions hanging in the air. "I didn't want to tell y'all that, at least not like that." Dana braced herself with two outstretched arms against the counter. "That's not the festive beginning I was planning on starting with, sorry about that. Excuse me for a minute; I got kind of emotionally thrown off my horse there. I planned a girl's getaway tonight with my beloved Chix. The plan was to share some bottles of wine, fat-ass snacks, decadent hors d'oeuvres and a big bowl of buttery popcorn and watch a movie. Oh! And I have some very naughty cookies from our earlier exchange that I saved; you know Chix, they must be consumed before the end of the year.""No way Dana!" protested McNally. "You can't do this to us, telling us you saw Sander last night and then pretending that we are all ready to have a casual, goofy girl's night-in tossing down popcorn and a merlot while watching a movie? I can't let you jerk us back to ordinary after an extraordinary tease like that. We gotta talk girl." McNally surveyed the faces of Patricia and Annie expecting them to nod in hearty agreement, siding with her plan to override Dana's.Annie looked non-committal. Patricia looked at McNally and then at Dana. "Dana, do you need to talk about this Sander sighting, or do you need to stick to your plan?" asked Patricia."Yes. I have so much I need to talk to you guys about, but I need to be prepared and so do you before we talk. I need everyone to follow my schedule. Didn't I write to y'all and tell you to come on up because there might be a surprise?"Flabbergasted, McNally asked, "So it's snacks, wine and a movie?"Patricia shot a mother hen look at McNally to answer her question."Didn't you hear Dana? She needs to get to a good emotional place, then she'll get back to your agenda item McNally," Annie said to reinforce Patricia's mother hen look."Okay. But I know from our conversation on the way up here, we are all eagerly expecting a report on the first three days of Christmas, involving a partridge, two turtle doves and three French hens. Am I right ladies?" asked McNally with a jauntily cocked head as she searched the faces of Patricia and Annie, satisfied that she had gotten in the last word, as she so often likes to do.Pleased that her plan was back on track, Dana perked up and poured a healthy amount of schnapps into McNally's mug, "You'll get all that and more, I promise," said Dana merrily."Did I hear 'Yule' get all that and more? If that's the case, then it's a Merry Fucking Christmas to all!"The Chix laughed and thrust their mugs to the center in a collective toast, "A Merry Fucking Christmas!"Dana set out the food, McNally poured the drinks as Annie filled the huge common bowl with buttery popcorn. "Should I bring over the naughty Christmas cookies?" asked Patricia. "I see there are a lot of uneaten pussies still on the tray. They are decorated so enticingly. It's a shame to leave an uneaten pussie on the table.""No, those naughty cookies are for dessert! Leave 'em there," shouted Dana."Patricia, are there any large, tasty cocks left on that tray, or did Dana already eat them all?"Dana jumped in, "Patricia, don't answer that. A girl has a right to keep her secrets - at least for a little while longer."To be continued in part 4, based on the post by SandyMarl for Literotica.

In PART ONE of our Effin' Cultured Christmas Rant Extravaganza, Bobby yells at fast food restaurants and Mike discovers he's not nearly as adventurous with pizza as he thinks he is. Check Out Our Website!Join our Discord!Check out our Merch Store HERE!Follow us @theneatcast on TikTok!Follow us @neatcastpod on BlueskyFollow us @neatcastpod on Twitter!Follow us @neatcastpod on Instagram!Follow us @theneatcast on Facebook!

Matt and Matt Stefan conclude their In-Fisherman Master Angler quest by targeting giant crappie.  The guys also recap the entire week and talk about the challenge.  

**Sam Bankman-Fried's Fourth Day on the Stand: A Turbulent Turn in His Trial**Sam Bankman-Fried, the co-founder of FTX, has been under intense scrutiny as he testified for the fourth day in his criminal fraud trial. The proceedings have been marked by significant challenges for Bankman-Fried, with reports indicating that his fourth day on the stand did not go well.Bankman-Fried's testimony has been a critical component of his defense strategy. However, the fourth day of his testimony was marred by difficulties. According to various news sources, including CNN and Bloomberg, his performance was not as smooth as expected. The stress of the trial and the intense questioning from prosecutors have taken a toll on him.The FTX collapse was one of the most significant financial scandals in recent history, with billions of dollars lost in customer funds. Bankman-Fried's role in the company's downfall has been a central focus of the trial. His testimony has aimed to clarify his involvement and the circumstances surrounding the collapse.Despite his efforts to present a coherent defense, Bankman-Fried's fourth day on the stand was marked by moments of discomfort and difficulty. The pressure to explain complex financial transactions and defend his actions has been immense, and it appears that he struggled to maintain a composed demeanor.The outcome of this trial will have far-reaching implications for Bankman-Fried and the financial industry as a whole. As the trial continues, it remains to be seen how Bankman-Fried will navigate the remaining days of his testimony and whether he can effectively counter the charges against him.In summary, Sam Bankman-Fried's fourth day on the stand was a challenging one, reflecting the intense scrutiny and pressure he faces in his criminal fraud trial. The trial's outcome will be closely watched by investors, regulators, and the public, as it seeks to uncover the truth behind the FTX collapse.

Charm School Have you ever seen something in a Judaica catalog or shop that made you scratch your head? Symbols are always a hot topic in our circles, and often the discussions are full of extremes. In our quest to be willingly obedient to the Word of Adonai, sometimes it's obvious we never went to charm school. Or charm and symbol school. Frank Houtz, may his memory be for blessing, did an excellent job addressing fears of idolatory in words and symbols in his lecture, “Discerning Between Good and Evil” (2010), and he presents a reliable hermeneutic to identify customs that are indeed evil from those that mean exactly what those who use them believe them to mean. In Creation Gospel Workbook Six, we address some of the controversy: “The Magen David (Star of David) is a good example of symbolism that has been appropriated by some pagan religions. Because of that, some believers with a poor hermeneutical skill set have averred that the Magen David is a pagan symbol. Without adding anything but common sense to Houtz' insightful, careful work with the subject, the obvious questions are, “What is the symbol's primary source, and what did the Magen David mean to the people who began to identify with it?” If pagan cultures at some time appropriated the symbol, it has no bearing on what it originally meant to those who began to use it, for the Fourth Day of Creation of sun, moon, and stars antedated by far any pagan identification. I'm sure no Christian wants Christianity judged by the number of cross necklaces worn in mug shot photos or at lewd, filthy concerts. Just because trees have been worshiped as gods and used as pagan symbols doesn't mean we can have trees in our yards. The symbol of the Magen David is accepted universally as a symbol of the Jewish people. It is not so much an ancient Israelite symbol, but more cultural and ethnic identity. At this point in history, it is the observance of the Biblical moedim that sets apart Israel from the heathen nations, making the association of the Magen David with paganism antithetical. The Jewish people have long been associated by other nations both with the moedim of Scripture as well as the symbol of the Magen David. Monotheism. (*Scroll down for full communication from Frank) But what about other symbols, like charms? There is a fine line between a symbol of remembrance or identification and believing the symbol itself has power that belongs to the Creator. For instance, in times past, our congregation was accused of worshiping a Torah scroll. No, we respect the Word; it is valuable to us. Now if we marched the scroll down to the local ATM, held it up to the machine and believed it would miraculously spit out $10,000 every time, there's a bronze serpent problem. Twenty-four ornaments of the Bride are based on the richness that Israel used to seduce her lovers instead of her Bridegroom who gave them to her: “...and the LORD will make their foreheads bare. In that day the Lord will take away the beauty of their anklets, headbands, crescent ornaments, dangling earrings, bracelets, veils, headdresses, ankle chains, sashes, perfume boxes, amulets, finger rings, nose rings, festal robes, outer tunics, cloaks, money purses, hand mirrors, undergarments, turbans and veils. Now it will come about that instead of sweet perfume there will be putrefaction; instead of a belt, a rope; instead of well-set hair, a plucked-out scalp...” (Is 3:18-24 NASB) In the Shabbat livestream, we'll examine the spiritual significance of each of these bridal ornaments, but one of them, the amulet, is a head-scratcher. That's primarily because we're only familiar with the corruption of the symbol, not the Scriptural, Hebrew meaning of it that makes it an ornament fit for a bride. amulets [lehashim] ?????? a whisper, i.e. by implication, (in a good sense) a private prayer, (in a bad one) an incantation; concretely, an amulet:—charmed,

Hey there folks! This week, we're absolutely obsessed with the hillman, and the protection of that great fortress up north. Oh, and probably some other fine details as well. Next week, we'll continue through this book, reading The Perfect Couple through Rude Awakenings Beyond that, please be sure to follow us or subscribe on your podcatcher of choice, and leave a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever. It goes a long way to helping the podcast grow. You can also check out our Patreon at Patreon.com/Wordsandwhiskey Check it out! Another way you could help us out? Refer us to your friends. We love a good referral, don't we folks? Send us ANY questions to our twitter account, Instagram, or to our email. See you next week! Link: https://wordsandwhiskey.show/episode/216-last-argument-of-kings-episode-4-the-habit-of-command-through-the-fourth-day

Hey there folks! This week, we're absolutely obsessed with the hillman, and the protection of that great fortress up north. Oh, and probably some other fine details as well. Next week, we'll continue through this book, reading The Perfect Couple through Rude Awakenings Beyond that, please be sure to follow us or subscribe on your podcatcher of choice, and leave a review on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever. It goes a long way to helping the podcast grow. You can also check out our Patreon at Patreon.com/Wordsandwhiskey Check it out! Another way you could help us out? Refer us to your friends. We love a good referral, don't we folks? Send us ANY questions to our twitter account, Instagram, or to our email. See you next week! Link: https://wordsandwhiskey.show/episode/216-last-argument-of-kings-episode-3-the-habit-of-command-through-the-fourth-day

AP correspondent Jennifer King reports that tonight, former president Donald Trump will accept his party's nomination and give a closely watched speech.

School, the doctor's note saga, so much in this episode. Mount Rushmore of wrestling families, and Ali Siddiq's Domino Effect, part 3.

Here's your local news for Thursday, May 2, 2024:We share an update on the "liberated zone" at UW-Madison,Hear from some high schoolers who participated in today's May Day protest,Check in with the UW faculty members speaking out in support of student demonstrators,Discover the power of storytelling and solidarity,Peruse the wide world of countertops,Investigate the science of bowling,And much more.

Episode 108   On the Banks of Plum Creek ch. 40 "The Fourth Day."   Join us this week as we discuss not doing the housework, the word "shamble", the whole family crying, bean broth, the $10 buffalo coat, "freeze the nose off a brass monkey", the word "gully", and oyster crackers. 

In this episode, I speak with Xanthe Vaughan Williams, Co-founder of Fourth Day. I started my marketing career working in PR and have always been involved in it in some way or another, working both in-house and agency-side. What has struck me over the last decade is that - particularly in B2B - there are some pretty fundamental misconceptions about what PR actually is AND how to build a programme that drives real results. During this conversation, Xanthe and I dissect the blurring lines between earned, owned and shared media, building value and credibility through third-party endorsements, and developing a successful multi-channel strategy centred around your company founder. — Big thanks to Sopro for sponsoring this week's episode of B2B Better. They just published "The State of Prospecting 2024" - a bumper report that offers data-backed advice on optimizing outreach. You can check it out by visiting this link.  https://sopro.io/b2b-better/

Due to space-time shenanigans the crew is surprised to learn that it's almost time for the biggest holiday of the universe: July the Fourth day! Without delay Gabrielle springs into action sending the crew on a variety of missions to prepare, but as the crew is fractured by in-fighting will Gabrielle manage to redeem her early-life mistakes, or will she expose deeper fissures altogether? Written and produced by Aaron Garrett Performed by: Meaghan Avacato, Liz Castillo, Dano Colón, Aaron Garrett, Lauren Hainley, Ben Hudson, Jessica Kelly Garrett, Ian Mauzy, Ruth McCleskey, Sandra Peck Ramsey, Seth Ramsey, Steven Saltsman, Patrick Thornton, Clarity Welch and Kaitlyn Zoeller Theme and original music by Sandra Peck Ramsey, other music licensed through Artlist Support the show at patreon.com/SpaceTrainPod Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com with any comments or concerns, or visit us at Pronoiatheater.com

As Jury deliberations stretch into the second week we take a look at the headlines from the day and what went down in the court room today as the Jurors continued to try to come to a conclusion.(Commercial at 15:55)To contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comSource:https://lawandcrime.com/live-trials/ghislaine-maxwell/jurors-weighing-fate-of-ghislaine-maxwell-scrutinize-reams-of-evidence-as-deliberations-stretch-into-second-week/

Teachers in Newton are on strike for the fourth day. Their fight with the city over the terms of a new contract are a microcosm of tensions playing out between unions and municipalities across the commonwealth.

What we know is that the Levitical Sadducees were not legally of the bloodline of Aaron to Eleazar to Phinchas to Tzadok. Rather, they were more likely of the line of Aaron's son Ithamar, whose priestly line ended in the days of King Solomon, but they continued seeking priestly legitimacy going back to the days of the Hasmoneans. Consider that they held prominent political and religious appointments that were NOT the rightful and true House of Tzadok in the days of King David. When Stephen said, “Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute,” this appears to refer to the Hassidim (Pharisees) or religious loyalists belonging to the religious arm of the Hasmoneans in the years 140 – 50 BCE, which was precisely the time when the Priests of the House of Tzadok were being exiled, executed, and stripped of their ancient spiritual authority. This further validates the House of Tzadok as prophets because they themselves claimed ongoing divine revelation through the Holy Spirit in all their teachings. When Yeshua revived Lazarus from the dead on the fourth day, it seems that he legitimized the eternal authority of the Genesis 14:18 High Priest and King Melchizedek. With the resurrection of Lazarus (Elazar), it appears to be Yeshua's declaration that he was Melchizedek who was reviving the Zadokite Priesthood originating with Melchizedek, which was then given to Aaron who passed down his authority to Elazar, to Phinehas, to Zadok, to John the Baptist and finally made complete in and through Yeshua. By believing in Yeshua, we inherit a position among the Sons of Tzadok in the exalted priestly line of Melchizedek through Yeshua, the King, and Priest of Shalem (Genesis 14:18). With Elazar's resurrection on the Fourth Day, this looks like an allusion to the Malachi 4:2 (Hebrew: 3:20) prophecy of the Angel or Messenger of Yehovah - Melchizedek - who comes with healing in his wings as Tzadok ("Righteousness") on DAY 4, which is precisely what the Priests of Zadok believed. The story of the fourth-day resurrection of Elazar powerfully appears as a teaching allusion to the Kingdom of Heaven - Shalem, and the resurrection of the Great King – Melchizedek, who is King and Priest of that city spoken of in the Book of Revelation, a city called the New Jerusalem (Revelation 3:12 and 21:2), which is why the Zadok festival calendar was so important to the House of Tzadok (and should likewise be important for all of us too). Between the Hasmoneans and Yeshua, the Zadokites were considered as good as dead as they were replaced by a new political and religious system controlled by the Hassidim (Pharisees) and Tzadokim (Sadducees).  In the meantime, the House of Tzadok lived out their Prophetic Priestly lives in the Qumran area, "outside the camp,” which is what is written in the Book of Hebrews 13:13-14. Join us for this concluding summary of the rise, fall, and rising again of the Sons of Tzadok through Melchizedek/Yeshua, King and Priest of Shalem (Genesis 14:18). This is Real Israel Talk Radio, Episode 141, and PART 27 in the teaching series about Yeshua's last Passover week chronology and the history of the House and Sons of Tzadok.

Welcome to the twelve days of Edition Wars - in this year's series we are taking a deep dive into the iconic spells of Dungeons and Dragons! What were they like at first? How have they changed? Are they better than ever? We are going to talk about all that, and more! On the Fourth Day of Edition Wars, Brandes and Sam talk about FIREBALL Questions, Comments, or Suggestions? Email us at DnDeBrief@gmail.com Sam on Twitter Brandes on Twitter Sam on the Web Brandes on the Web Sam on You Tube Sam on Blue Sky Brandes on Bluesky Sam on Mastodon Brandes on Mastodon Brandes at Tribality Thetomeshow.com Patreon.com/thetomeshow Patreon.com/BrandesStoddard

Friends of the Rosary: Today, on the Fourth Day in the Octave of Christmas, the Church celebrates the Feast of Holy Innocents, Martyrs. We remember the mass murder of the small children in the neighborhood of Bethlehem put to death the by wicked monarch Herod. Precious in the sight of God, these innocent victims bear witness to Christ who was persecuted from the time of His birth by a world which would not receive Him. The Holy Innocents saved the Child Jesus from death by King Herod by the shedding of their blood. The Holy Innocents are the special patrons of small children, who can please the Christ Child by being obedient and helpful to parents. Ave Maria!Jesus, I Trust In You!Holy Innocents, Pray for Us! To Jesus through Mary! + Mikel A. | RosaryNetwork.com, New York • December 28, 2023, Today's Rosary on YouTube | Daily broadcast at 7:30 pm ET

Fourth Day of CraftLit LINK TO DAY 1 of the Twelve Days of CraftLit— VIDEO:  AUDIO ONLY:   Welcome back to the 12 Days of CraftLit! Today, we're diving into the enchanting tale of The Christmas Scene at Camelot of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight". It's romance with a capital R and maybe a touch of holiday magic.  If you missed the other days, here's a quick directory: DAY 1:   DAY 2:   DAY 3:   DAY FOUR Sir Gawain and the Green Knight  - "Christmas Scene at Camelot"— Middle English (1839) By: Anonymous Pearl Poet - From: eText: Middle English read by: Martin Geeson - Modern English read by: Euan Bartlett CraftLit's socials: Find everything here: Join the newsletter:   Podcast site: Twitter: @CraftLit Facebook: Facebook group: Pinterest: Youtube: • Download the FREE CraftLit App for or (you can call or email feedback straight from within the app) • Call 1-206-350-1642 • Email: heather@craftlit.com • Use our !

Are you currently building a baby registry with hopes that you will pick all of the most perfect items for your baby? How do you know which items are necessary and which items you can leave off? How do you make room on your registry for friends and family to help you get the support you may need in the postpartum period?For the next 12 days Lisa Villani of Empowered Birth Coaching and Registry Rehab joins Lo Nigrosh, IBCLC and Childbirth Educator to discuss common registry items. On this episode you will learn: Considerations for choosing a nursing pillowWays to Save money on nursing pillows What to consider before buying a nursing pillowReady to feel prepared for birth AND the postpartum period? Sign up for the FIRST cohort of the childbirth education course at a 50% discount. Find Lisa on her website: www.empoweredbirthcoaching.com And on her social media: Facebook, Instagram and TikTokHead to Apple Podcasts or Spotify for more Milk Making Minutes episodes!To get delicious home cooked meals delivered right to your door in Ma, CT, RI Maine or NH go to the Feast and Fettle Website and use the code MILK for $30 off your first week! Make your voice heard on The Milk Making Community Group on Facebook!Find Lo's information at her website: www.quabbinbirthservices.comTo purchase books about breastfeeding, birth, or parenting that I love and help support the show, go here.

Find more information on this episode and the many resources offered by Niki Olsen Coachinghttps://www.nikiolsencoaching.com/blog/135Grab the 12 Days of Christ Connections printable PDF herehttps://www.nikiolsencoaching.com/12days

The Neat boys are joined by Garret by the Evertrending Story Podcast...for two BRAND NEW holiday classics to tell children around the fireplace for all Christmases FOREVER.Join our Discord!Check out our Merch Store HERE!Follow us @theneatcast on TikTokFollow us @neatcastpod on Twitter!Follow us @neatcastpod on Instagram!Follow us @theneatcast on Facebook!

Maa Kushmanda is the fourth manifestation of Goddess Durga, and her worship is observed on the fourth day of the Hindu festival of Navratri. The name "Kushmanda" is derived from two words: "Ku," meaning "a little," "ushma," meaning "warmth," and "anda," meaning "egg." Thus, she is known as the creator of the universe from the cosmic egg. The Navratri story of Maa Kushmanda highlights her role as the creator and sustainer of the universe. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/nilnia/support

People in southern Israel are in crisis mode, still taking stock after an invasion by Hamas, and steeling themselves for violent days ahead. And, a Gaza resident and journalist describes a city of flattened neighborhoods, where doctors are treating patients on the floor following Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has vowed full support for Israel. Also, residents of the western city of Herat in Afghanistan are grappling with the aftermath of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake. Plus, a symphony in New Zealand composed solely for chickens.