Podcasts about houses

This investor turned a $25,000 rental property (yes, you read that right) into a real estate portfolio producing $5,000/month in actual cash flow. He had no experience, lived in a small town many would write off, and was working 60 hours a week. But small towns mean less competition and lower prices, and Dustin Cardenas was ready to take advantage. Seven years later, he's financially free thanks to his small rental portfolio! Dustin's small town of 30,000 people is located in one of the most affordable parts of the country. Houses routinely sell for $30,000 to $50,000, a down payment for many investors across the US. He's what you'd call an “everyman”—he's worked in pest control, as a car salesman, and in a juvenile detention facility. In other words, he had no silver spoon. When a local investor in town told him, “You can do this,” he took the chance. Now, seven years later, he's got 20 rental units, left his full-time position at work, and is making a life-changing amount of rental income. These affordable, cash-flowing towns exist throughout the US, and like Dustin, you could use them to reach financial freedom!  In This Episode We Cover The uber-affordable small Midwest towns where rentals are less than $50,000 The perfect starter real estate investment Dustin used to scale fast  Why you must ask your bank for a line of credit if you're ready to invest more  Dustin's tips to save money on your next rental renovation (huge savings!) Better than Airbnb? Why Dustin ditched his short-term rental and makes phenomenal cash flow with this strategy  And So Much More! Check out more resources from this show on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BiggerPockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/real-estate-1183 Interested in learning more about today's sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertise@biggerpockets.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Hewitt is a Seattle native and former collegiate baseball player, who turned his drive for competition into real estate success. After earning a master's in educational leadership from Stephen F. Austin University, Mark transitioned from teaching and coaching to full-time real estate in 2014. Since then, he's sold over 800 homes, built a thriving investment company focused on rentals, flips, and wholesaling, founded a hard money lending firm, and grown a 44-property portfolio using creative financing strategies.   Here's some of the topics we covered:   From the Baseball Field to Real Estate Gold How Flipping Houses Turned Into Big Profits The Advertising Secrets Behind Real Estate Success Wholesaling or Flipping: Which Strategy Wins? The Hidden Advantage Top Investors Don't Talk About Creative Financing Hacks That Build Wealth Fast How to Score Big on Foreclosed Properties Game-Changing Advice Every New Investor Needs to Hear   To find out more about partnering or investing in a multifamily deal: Text Partner to 72345 or email Partner@RodKhleif.com   

Doug Perez went from being the contractor called to fix fire-damaged houses to the investor who owns them. In this in-person interview with David, Doug breaks down how he spots fire-damaged properties, approaches owners ready to move on, and structures deals that turn disasters into rentals generating steady cash flow. He also shares the lessons he's learned scaling to multiple properties, the financing strategies that make it possible, and why fire-damaged homes remain one of the most overlooked opportunities in real estate. KEY TALKING POINTS:0:00 - Intro0:56 - An Overview Of Doug Perez's Business2:21 - The Market He's Investing In & The Restoration Side Of His Business4:24 - What Made Him Hesitant To Get Into Real Estate6:32 - Why He Decided To Join Springboard8:52 - Getting Financing12:39 - Investing In Short-Term Rentals17:58 - How Do You Decide What Properties To Put On Airbnb?20:16 - The Restoration Side Of His Business & Investing In ADUs23:23 - What It's Like Investing In Seattle & His Screening Requirements27:09 - His Lowest Dollar Rental Right Now & Tenant Quality32:07 - Where He Wants To Take His Business & Breaking Down ADUs34:16 - How To Get In Touch With Doug And His Advice For Investors36:02 - Why It's Critical To Get Into ADUs Right Now37:56 - DealMachine Requests & How He Finds Fire-Damaged Properties40:24 - Outro LINKS:Instagram: Doug Perezhttps://www.instagram.com/dougperez1/ Instagram: David Leckohttps://www.instagram.com/dlecko Website: DealMachinehttps://www.dealmachine.com/pod Instagram: Ryan Haywoodhttps://www.instagram.com/heritage_home_investments Website: Heritage Home Investmentshttps://www.heritagehomeinvestments.com/ 

News with Sean 10-3-2025 …How many Houses have now gone into the Ocean in Buxton?

Cam details a new bill that should make it a little easier for houses of worship to adopt formal security plans involving armed parishioners.

History of Raking, Polar Bears in houses, Rapper wrangles gator by 102.9 The Hog

In this episode, we are going over different ways of categorizing the 12 houses of your chart. Hopefully, this gives you a better idea of how the houses complement each other and work together as a whole. If you want a full breakdown on what all of the houses mean, visit my Substack article on this topic.You can always watch the video version of these podcast episodes, which feature chart diagrams, on my YouTube channel.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro05:45 – Houses by angularity 15:01 – Opposing Houses 20:03 – Houses ruled by the same sign elementMy transit course can be found here.Follow me on Instagram for daily astro insights: @stalkaliceMusic is considered “royalty-free” and discovered on Story Blocks.Podcast Produced & Edited by Julia Bell at Breaking Thru Productions© 2025 Alice Bell. All Rights Reserved.

This is the afternoon All-Local update on Thursday, Oct. 2.

Episode Description: Gabby shares her mission to support community cats in Gainesville by aiding the local trap-neuter-release operation, Operation Catnip. She highlights her efforts in building cat houses and raising awareness about the mental health benefits these community cats provide to university students, particularly at the University of Florida. Gabby explains the concept of community cats, differentiating them from feral cats, and emphasizes the positive environmental role they play. Tune in to learn more about Gabby's inspiring project The Purrr-fect Home and the importance of caring for community cats! More about Gabby: Gabrielle Ontiveros, also known as Gabby, is a sophomore at the University of Florida and a Girl Scout Alumna! She was in Girl Scouts for 10 years and officially earned her Gold Award in October of 2024 from the Gateway Council. Her Gold Award project, titled "The Purrrfect Home," targeted community cats and students in the Gainesville area. At the University of Florida she majors in Psychology (Behavioral Analysis) and minors in Media Management, Production, and Technology; outside of her classes she is involved in the UF Psychology Club, Women's Student Association, the McNair Scholars Program, and UF HOSA ,competing and placing internationally and serving as PR Director this upcoming year. Her future plans are to attend graduate school to earn a PhD. in Psychology to pursue research and teaching! Her hobbies including painting, reading, gaming, and going on adventures with her friends! linktr.ee/ThePurrrfectHome?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwL1-sFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp7uRiQvacGOKfVgXKHTiDp7T0NtqowkS8lRX_QV4rW_z8NRcheUPD5gUOdkY_aem_2PSYNJPBXeeqTXiwJnJozQ

Hola! Today we are going to talk about Haunted houses in the United States. Have you ever heard of these haunted houses? Some interesting facts and details. In this crazy story you will be listening a lot of interesting facts, learning new vocabulary and interesting words in Spanish and also you will be improving your listening skills in Spanish. I hope that you will practice your Spanish by listening to the phrases and new words that you already know and also with the ones that you do not know.You can support me and my podcast if you want:Donate with PayPal:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/spanishwithdennisYou can buy me a cup of coffee here:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/spanishwithdennisMy Youtube channel: Spanish with Dennishttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVuRUMQGwtzBIp1YAImQFQMy new Discord server and chat and you can already join and write to me there:https://discord.gg/HWGrnmTmyCMy new Telegram channel and you can already join and write to me or comment there:https://t.me/SpanishwithDennisJoin my Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/spanishwithdennisDonate with Boosty:https://boosty.to/spanishwithdennis/donateDonate with Donation Alerts:https://www.donationalerts.com/r/dennisespinosaSupport me by joining my podcasts supporter club on Spreaker:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/crazy-stories-in-spanish--5605778/supportDonate with Crypto currency:Bitcoin (BTC)1DioiGPAQ6yYbEgcxEFRxWm5hZJcfLG9V6USDT (ERC20)0xeb8f678c0b8d37b639579662bf653be762e60855USDT (TRC20)TXoQwsaiTGBpWVkyeigApLT8xC82rQwRCNEthereum (ETH)0xeb8f678c0b8d37b639579662bf653be762e60855Support me by joining my podcasts supporter club on Spreaker:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/slow-spanish-language--5613080/supporthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tprs-spanish-stories--5600864/supporthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/comprehensible-spanish-language--5595630/supporthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/crazy-stories-in-spanish--5605778/supportIf you support me, it will motivate me to create more content for all of you. If you have any other suggestions or recommendations on what other platform you can support me and my podcasts, please let me know. You can write to me on telegram.My other podcasts you can find it on different platforms and apps:1-  Comprehensible Spanish Language Podcast2 - TPRS Spanish Stories3 - Slow Spanish Language

The challenge for all portraitists is in painting not only what they see but in trying to distil and capture the essence or spirit of their subject in oil, ink or watercolour. This challenge applies as much to those who paint portraits of buildings as it does to those who paint people. On The Country House Podcast we often talk about how houses are far more than mere bricks and mortar - they are living, breathing family homes that imbibe and embody the spirits of those who live and work in them.In this week's podcast episode, Geoff interviews co-host Rory Fraser about one of his main vocations - painting buildings (from ancestral homes and castles to cottages, colleges, churches and holiday villas). They discuss what inspired Rory to begin doing this, why and how he goes about the process, and the unique joys and challenges of using watercolours rather than other mediums.Rory is currently taking Christmas commissions - the perfect gift for friends and family members, whether it's a portrait of a cherished family home or another significant building such as a church (great wedding or anniversary gifts), university or school, or something else entirely! Rory can work from photographs, so please don't hold back even if you live abroad!For more information, please get in touch via Rory's website (www.rory-fraser.com) or send a direct-message on Instagram to Rory (@roryfraserr) or through our podcast page (@thecountryhousepodcast).Pricing as follows (based on him painting from photographs):A4 - £400A3 - £600A selection of prints from Rory's series on follies are also available (ranging from £65 to £95)https://www.rory-fraser.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fall is in the air, and you know what that means? It's still a great time to search for that perfect house! As the leaves begin to change and the weather cools down, the real estate market stays active with fresh listings and motivated sellers. Whether you're cozying up to the idea of buying your first home or thinking about making a move before the holidays, autumn is a great time to explore your options and find that perfect place to settle in.  Learn more about Triangle's Mortgage programs Get started now with a Mortgage application Questions? Get in touch with one of our Mortgage Originators Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union   Triangle Credit Union is an equal housing lender. Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.  Home Buying can be a daunting task, especially if you've never gone through the process before. There are so many things associated with home buying that it can cause you to become quite anxious. Still, by following these steps, you'll have a more enjoyable experience on your journey to home ownership!   Step 1:  Get as educated as you can early in the process. Watch videos, listen to podcasts and explore articles and blogs on the subject of home ownership to get yourself familiar with as much as you can. Also, if you don't already have a realtor in mind, follow a couple of them on social media and see what they are posting about in terms of home ownership. Go to Facebook and type in "Realtor" followed by "in [your town.] For example, I might type in Realtor in Nashua, NH. A list of realtors in my area will appear. I wouldn't reach out yet. This is more to get a feel for their posts and gain some valuable insight.    Step 2:  Once you feel ready to start the process, it's time to get pre-approved. In today's market, being well-prepared is key, and that includes having your finances in order. To be financially ready, you'll want to have little to no debt, an emergency fund, and a down payment, typically anywhere from 3.5% -20 % of the purchase price. The more you put down, the less your monthly payment will be. For a pre-approval, Triangle Credit Union offers tailored programs to meet your needs, so don't hesitate to reach out if you are within our area. We're here to support you every step of the way!   Step 3:  Find the right realtor for you. I am sure you know someone who has purchased a home before.. Ask them who they worked with and how their experience was! They will give you a first-hand account of the process and will be happy to recommend their agent to you. If you can't get someone to recommend a realtor, go back to Facebook and check out the ones you followed in step 1, and consider reaching out to two or three. Interview them and see if one of them meets your needs! Ask ALL of the questions you have! Remember, they work for you!   Step 4:   Visit open houses and make an offer on the home that catches your eye. Houses go on the market on Monday, and within a few hours, private showings are scheduled, and in some cases, offers are being made above the asking price! If you find a home you love, make a firm offer and keep your fingers crossed. But if your offer isn't accepted, don't lose heart! Your dream home is out there, waiting for you to discover it!    Step 5:  Once your offer is accepted, it's time for the Home Inspection. A home inspection of the property is a thorough walk-through by a licensed professional to check for signs of structural damage or things that may need fixing. This includes checking the foundation, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, and more. Your real estate agent will usually help you arrange this within a few days of the seller accepting your offer. This process protects you by giving you a chance to renegotiate your offer or withdraw it without penalty if the inspection reveals significant material damage. Both you and the seller will receive a report on the home inspector's findings.    Step 6:  Have the Home Appraised. Your lender will arrange for an appraiser to provide an independent estimate of the value of the house you are buying. The appraisal will let all the parties involved know that you are paying a fair price for the home. The lender's interest in this process is to ensure that the property is worth the amount they are lending you. And Finally….    Step 7: Congratulations! It's time to close on your home purchase. At closing, you will sign all the paperwork required to complete the purchase, including your loan documents. Once this happens, the loan is finalized, a check is delivered to the seller, and you're done. You are ready to move into your new home!   While there are plenty of other things to know and consider, this is a macro-level idea of how the process works. The most important thing is to do your research, as I mentioned in Step 1, and find yourself a realtor who will guide you through this process. Remember, while the home-buying journey ends at the closing, it's really just the beginning. Your new home is ready to be filled with countless memories for years to come, and that's something to look forward to!    Do you have any additional tips or advice that will help our listeners with this topic or other financial matters? Email us at TCUPodcast@trianglecu.org or look for Triangle on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to share your thoughts.   Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday and be sure to listen to our other tips and episodes on the making money personal podcast.   Have a great day!  

In this week's Security Sprint, Dave and Andy covered the following topics:Warm Open:• TribalNet 2025: Cybersecurity Is Central to IT Modernization for Tribes • Cyberattacks remain big threat for tribes: survey • CISA to furlough 65% of staff if government shuts down this week• Cyber shutdown showdownMain Topics:Domestic Hostile Events:• Deadly attack on Michigan church leaves investigators searching for motive• Michigan church shooter was Marine veteran who White House official says "hated people of the Mormon faith"• Update from FBI Detroit on Shooting and Fire at a Michigan Church• Michigan church shooting suspect went on anti-LDS tirade, political candidate said• Armed man busted after plowing car through police barricade outside Michigan church day after deadly shooting, blaze• Iraq War veteran Thomas Sanford ID'd as gunman who attacked Grand Blanc LDS church, killing 4 and setting it ablaze• What we know about Michigan church shooter Thomas Sanford. Authorities have provided no motive for the attack.• Who is Michigan church attacker Thomas Jacob Sanford: Iraq war vet 'suffered from PTSD' and wore 'Make Liberals Cry Again' shirt• A List of Notable Shooting Attacks on Houses of Worship in the US in the Past 20 Years• Marine veteran in custody after 3 killed, at least 8 injured in shooting at a waterfront bar in North Carolina, officials say & Southport mass shooting: Suspect identified in gunfire from boat that killed 3, injured 8, officials say• Eagle Pass casino shooting: 2 killed, 5 hurt; suspect in custody, authorities say & Two dead, six hurt in shooting at Texas tribal casino; suspect in custodyRansomware• 'You'll never need to work again': Criminals offer reporter money to hack BBC• Co-op says cyber-attack cost it £206m in lost sales Quick Hits:• CISA Directs Federal Agencies to Identify and Mitigate Potential Compromise of Cisco Devices• Threat Insights: Active Exploitation of Cisco ASA Zero Days • CISA - SonicWall Releases Advisory for Customers after Security Incident• Widespread Supply Chain Compromise Impacting npm Ecosystem• Russia dares NATO to shoot • New Kremlin-Linked Influence Campaign Targeting Moldovan Elections Draws 17 Million Views on X and Infects AI Models• Bot Networks Are Helping Drag Consumer Brands Into the Culture Wars• Outrage Cycle: Cracker Barrel and its CEO Targeted Amidst Logo Controversy• CISA Releases Advisory on Lessons Learned from an Incident Response Engagement• Helping OT Organizations to Establish Defensible Architecture and More Resilient Operations• Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization• Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Designates Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization• Ranking Member Thompson Statement on Trump Incorrectly Designating ‘Antifa' as a Domestic Terrorism Organization• DHS Issues Statement on Targeted Attack on Dallas ICE Facility3 people shot at Dallas ICE field office: ICE official • Trump Says He Is Ordering Troops to Portland, Escalating Domestic Use of Military• Trump Says He's Sending Troops To ‘War Ravaged' America City — Authorizes ‘Full Force'• Pentagon calls up 200 National Guard troops after Trump Portland announcement• Oregon leaders object to Trump's deployment of 200 National Guard troops in the state• Feds march into downtown Chicago; top border agent says people are arrested based on ‘how they look'• ICE tactics inflame tensions in New York, Chicago and other cities• Shane Tamura, gunman in shooting at NFL headquarters, had CTE: Medical examiner

Pastor Seth Troutt delivers an insightful first sermon in the new "Jesus Stories" series, exploring the parables of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke. In this message, Pastor Seth delves into the parable of the two builders, emphasizing the importance of building our lives on the solid foundation of Jesus Christ. He challenges us to reflect on our priorities and the areas where we may proclaim Jesus as Lord without fully submitting to His authority. Through relatable anecdotes and biblical teachings, Pastor Seth encourages us to pursue a life grounded in God's steadfast love, promising that the true "good life" is found in the kingdom of God. Join us as we learn how to dig deep, lay a solid foundation, and experience stability amidst life's storms.00:00 - Introduction13:31 - Who Is The Lord19:20 - The Two Builders20:18 - The Two Types of People21:16 - Why We Don't ‘Dig Deep'**HOW TO FIND US*** SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YouTube CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@IronwoodChurchAZFACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/ironwoodchurchaz/ INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/ironwood.church/WEBSITE https://www.ironwoodchurch.org/

Vermont developers try to keep building houses, amid new tariffs and rising costs

September 28, 2025 - Pastor Rocky Gregory

Why does Jesus end the Lord's Prayer with evil instead of encouragement?“Deliver us from the evil one” feels like a strange conclusion—but it's exactly where Jesus wants us to land.In this message, Houses of Prayer – Part 7: Deliver Us, Pastor Jonny unpacks why Jesus calls us to pray for protection, how our culture underestimates the reality of evil, and what it means to actually fight back.

Send us a textIn this episode, we get a full, and speedy, recap of the previous volumes before plunging into the latest escapades of bonafide hobo Junior Washington, and his opposite number, the wicked, murderous horsemen of the FTRA. Written by Brett Jarboe after you finish this, check out  Thicker Than Water, a new audio novel by yours truly. 11 hours of crime noir goodness, a savage tale of revenge, and family. I will be releasing the first couple of chapters right here, very soon. Its available for free on the patreon, but its also for sale! 10 bucks, no membership required. Music ByRoom of Wires – Asylum SneakerSecret Birds – Black TeethHumanphobia - Cup of Blood Ascetic – Cult of RuinsLobo Loco – Wild West RuctionAnne van Schothorst - Passed TensePlease subscribe through Buzzsprout, Stitcher, Spotify, Podchaser, or iTunesFind me on social media on Instagram Facebook and Twitter, or email me direct at AScaryHomeCompanion@gmail.comSupport our PATREON page! And check out the Redbubble merch shop. Support the show

Luke's HAARP Time Warp: Part 3 Marion readies her attack. Based on a post by somethin fishy, in 15 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. Chapter 11. The next morning the three of them all woke at about the same time. Luke was amazed that he had slept in and Cecilia was amazed that she had woken up early and was so rested. Watching Marion trying to walk, Cecilia fell off the bed she was laughing so hard. To rub salt into Marion's wounds, Luke was chuckling a bit as well and all Marion could do was blush. She was too sore, at the moment, to do anything else. They all took turns with the chamber pot and after Marion and Luke had washed each other up a bit; got dressed and went to get something to eat. In the dining area Luke was greeted like a mighty warrior; while Marion was getting jealous looks from every woman in the room. Everyone had heard them and every woman wanted to be her or have a man like she did. This actually cheered Marion up quite well. She actually was enjoying the looks that she was getting; after all it just proved that she had something that none of them could even dream of. The innkeeper meanwhile had given the lovebirds free food. This annoyed Luke but he yielded after the innkeeper explained that she was not only very happy for them, but their love making had lured extra people in for supper the night before. It had actually been standing room only and the only fighting had been when someone else made too much noise. She had made more money off Luke and Marion's love making then she had made in the previous month. Marion's reaction to this got laughs from everyone in the room because she flushed the deepest red that anyone had ever seen. Cecilia had also noticed that she had been getting some jealous looks; but hers were equally from men and women. It didn't take her long to figure out that they were jealous of her front row, well bed seat, to last night's entertainment. Of course, it didn't hurt that all three of them smelled like hot sex. Eventually they got done eating breakfast and returned to their room to pack up. Within an hour they were on the road to York. The three of them traveled quickly for Cecilia had given up on killing Marion on the road. Now she figured that she would use Marion to keep Luke around. Of course, that didn't mean that Marion could be free; oh no. The first thing that Cecilia planed on doing when she got home was to trump up some charges against Marion to have her thrown in the dungeon. With Marion still alive, Cecilia could use her to force Luke's cooperation. While traveling, Luke had noticed the change in Cecilia's behavior. At first, he had hoped that she might be starting to change, but a couple of comments, that she made, put this theory to rest; after all how often do leopards change their spots. Marion though, was overjoyed at her sister's change in demeanor for she had always wanted a loving sister growing up and now, apparently, she had one. As they rode Cecilia and Marion talked and joked as if they were the best of friends. Luke started to just ignore them and instead focused on keeping a look out for traps. The rest of their trip back to Cecilia and Marion's land was uneventful. Cecilia's charm though, wasn't fooling Luke and he began to mentally prepare himself to do whatever he had to do, including abandoning Marion, in order to keep his knowledge from getting into the wrong hands. As they passed back into their family lands, the ladies immediately noticed a change. A blind person could have seen it. Houses were burnt and the people that lived in the area were starting to show signs of starvation. It was so bad that even Luke felt sickened by the sights. Cecilia and Marion were pale as ghost as they threw up everything in their stomachs. Eventually, Marion found one of the people that she trusted. It was an older woman, Lucy, who had lost her husband years before. Lucy had been Marion's nanny, back when Marion was younger and they had retained a close friendship. When Marion first saw Lucy, Marion actually had to look very hard to make sure for Lucy had changed so much since Marion had last seen her, and that was just a week before Marion had left for London. “Lucy what happened?” “It was Richard. As soon as the three of you left for London, he moved in and took over. The guards that remained loyal are rumored to be in Richard's dungeon; that is if they have not been killed by torture yet. Where is your father anyway?” Lucy was so depressed and dirty that it broke Marion's heart, for she loved this woman. Lucy was the mother that Marion had never known. “Father was killed in an ambush. John, Cecilia's fiancé was killed too. The ambush was led by none other than William.” Lucy hissed at hearing this. “I am so sorry, Marion. Now the big question, who is the giant behind you?” “Oh sorry. Lucy this is Luke. Luke this is Lucy. She took care of me when I was younger. Lucy, Luke is the stranger that rescued Cecilia and me from the ambush. He killed William with his bare hands and he has been keeping us safe ever since. Also, we have fallen in love.” “Oh really.” “What, I am not allowed to fall in love?” Lucy smiled at this. Marion had always had a bit of fire in her soul. “Back to serious issues Marion, you three need to get out of here before you are discovered. Word has it that Richard has put a bounty on your and Cecilia's heads.” “Not to fear Lucy, the only head that is going to be collected will be Richard's” growled Luke. Lucy now felt a spike of fear go through her. She had never heard a human sound like this. This Luke sounded much more like a wild animal. More to her surprise, the look on Marion's face had hardened as well. Obviously these two knew something that Lucy didn't. “Lucy, I need all the information and rumors that you have on this Richard bastard.” Said Luke. Over the next hour the woman told Luke everything that she knew about Richard. Richard was an older Earl that lived next to their land and had been eyeing Marion's family land for years. Richard was one of those who get everything that he wanted, mostly because he was very quick to resort to very dirty and underhand tactics to get them. In the thirty years since Richard had gained his Earldom, he had tripled his land holdings. In the process, he had killed off whole villages and had put such a tax burden on the peasants living on his land that many of them were in a constant state of half starvation. This is what he had started doing in Cecilia and Marion's lands, but here he taxed the peasants at such a high rate that many of them would be dead by the end of the year. If a peasant couldn't pay the tax then one of several things might happen to them: they might be tortured, killed, if there were good looking women in the family then they would be taken to serve Richard or his men, young boys would be taken to be turned into soldiers. To put it simply, Richard viewed everyone below him as an expendable plaything and everyone including the king was below him, in his mind. By now, Cecilia had realized that she would have to put a hold on getting revenge on Marion. There was no way that Cecilia would live long enough to make up the charges against Marion, never mind pump Luke for information. Luke listened carefully to everything that the women told him and asked pointed questions if he thought that they might have missed something. Finally, Luke asked Lucy: “Where can I find Richard?” “Why he now lives in the castle” said Lucy while she pointed at the castle that had once been Marion and Cecilia's home. Luke gave Lucy some money and one of their extra horses and told her to get lost and if he failed to get rid of Richard, never come back. Luke had figured out, listening to all the stories that the only way to get rid of Richard was to kill him. So that's what Luke set out to do. He had Marion show him a spot from which Luke could watch the castle and remain hidden. He then told Cecilia and Marion to get back to Lincoln and stay there until Luke sent for them. Cecilia was good with this, Marion wasn't. Eventually it was agreed that Cecilia would travel to Lincoln with Lucy and Marion would help Luke. The ladies hugged each other when Cecilia set off with Lucy. Luke and Marion had given almost all their money to Cecilia and Lucy. Luke had told Lucy that she should find some business to invest in. That way she could keep making money and would have a secure future. Luke now had to face the problem that he didn't know what Richard looked like. Yes, he could shoot Richard from a long way off, but he had to know what Richard looked like first. Marion couldn't take Luke to show him Richard, because too many people in the castle knew Marion. Then he hit on a solution. Luke would go into the castle, claiming to be a Scottish mercenary looking for a new job. “How are you going to do that?” asked Marion “You're not Scottish.” “Something I haven't mentioned to you, my family name is MacDougall, and I've spent enough time in Scotland to fake the accent good enough. Just have to hope that Richard doesn't have any other MacDougall's around.” “Damn it Luke, how many more secrets do you have?” “If you're afraid of the answer then you probably shouldn't ask the question my dear. On the plus side, you already know my biggest one. The rest aren't too bad.” Marion just gave him the stink eye. “I should only be gone for a couple of days. If I'm not back by sunset four days from now, get out of here as fast as you can and never look back.” Marion was starting to argue, but Luke wasn't having any of it. “Damn it Marion, think with your head and not your pussy. We can't launch an attack without knowing what all Richard has going on inside and you are too well known to go in. That leaves me, plus I have a military background so I know what to look for.” Again, Marion was gearing up for a fight, when she suddenly drew in her breath. She had realized that once again Luke was right and that if she tried to go in, she would be caught before the sun had gone done. “Okay, Luke. Get going, just be careful and remember that I love you.” “I love you too, Marion. Remember if I'm no back by sunset four days from now get out of here, and take all my gear with you.” With that, Luke mounted his horse and started riding toward the family of York's castle. Chapter 12. Getting inside the castle was a pain for Luke, for he was searched multiple times. Finally, he managed to get through the guards. Once inside, Luke was amazed at how destitute the place was. Everywhere it seemed there were people hanging at the end of ropes or in stocks. The air was thick with flies, but the remaining people didn't seem to even notice. He saw some desperate people actually walk up behind someone in stocks and carve a big piece of flesh from them. A number of the people hanging appeared to be merchants and craftsmen which amazed Luke; after all what kind of idiot ruler would go after the very people who earned the money to pay the taxes. Of course, three answers came to Luke's mind. Evil despot rulers, socialist, and communist and usually the evil despot rulers were brightest of the three. Their end goal was always the same just dressed up in different ways; power for themselves and their supporters. Luke didn't even have to look for an inn because there were so many abandoned homes to pick from but first Luke had to get a meeting with this Richard idiot. This actually proved to be very easy. Luke just walked right up to the main castle doors and told the guard that he was a mercenary looking for a job. Luke looked the part too with two swords, an impressive collection of knives, and a large shield that he had bought while in Lincoln. When Luke finally met the Earl Richard for the first time Luke almost fell to the floor laughing. This guy had some serious man issues. For starters he was hideously ugly. Marion of course had told his this, but Luke had never pictured something this ugly. Another thing was Richard was extremely short, even for the era. Luke estimated him to be no more than four foot nine or ten. Finally, the guy had some kind of speech problem which for normal people wasn't a problem, but for people who thought of themselves masters of the world, this was a major problem. “So, I hear that you want a job as one of my soldiers?” “Yes sir, that is correct.” Stated Luke with his slight Scottish accent. He could have laid it on thicker but figured that keeping things light would help convince Richard that Luke was really a very experienced soldier. “Why?” “Why not. I need a job and I heard that you sir are hiring.” “Well, let us see what you can do.” “David, Matt, John. Test this man's metal.” Richard set back to enjoy the entertainment. He was going to enjoy watching his best man whittle this giant down to size. The three of them approached Luke spaced out evenly around him. Luke waited until the last possible second, then stuck. Using the same method that he had used on William; Luke sidestepped David's strike, grabbed his right wrist with one hand and broke is elbow with his other. Luke then moved and snapped David's neck. This pissed the other two men off for all three were very close. With new fury they moved on Luke who was still calm as ever. This time he drew his swords. These were hand and a half swords, but in Luke's hands they became single handed swords. With longer swords and much more strength, Luke quickly forced the other two knights back. Finally, Matt managed to get past Luke's swords and deliver a blow to Luke. This blow was normally a fatal blow, but Luke just shrugged it off. Before Matt could get out of the way, Luke hit him between his eyes with the pommel of one of his swords. Matt's skull shattered with the blow causing everyone around to cringe. Now it was one to one and John was not only in a rage, but was also fearful. He had seen both his best friends killed before his eyes and this giant had received a usually fatal blow from Matt. Yet it barely seemed to affect him. Luke now went on an all-out attack on John. It was all John could do to keep Luke's blades off of him. If John didn't do something fast, he would be killed too. Finally, John had an opening and he took it. Problem was that Luke had purposely let his have that opening and taking it proved to be a fatal mistake for John. As John delivered what he hoped would be at least a debilitating blow on Luke, Luke trapped John's sword and pulled John to him. Close in, Luke dropped his swords, picked up John, turned him over, and drove him head first into the floor. This completely crushed John's head. It was so bad that you couldn't even tell that it had been a head. Luke the casually picked his swords up and sheathed them. He then started to return to in front of Richard who was sitting in his chair with is mouth open. He had never seen someone win a three to one fight so fast. As Luke got back to where he had started, he heard the unmistakable sound of a bow being drawn. As quick as lighting, Luke drew a throwing knife and let it fly. It stuck the bowman in the throat, killing him instantly. Luke walked over, kicked his knife loose of the man's neck, wiped it off on the man's uniform, and returned the knife to its place. By now the look of fear was in every face of the room, including Richard's. It was obvious to all that this man was not one to be messed around with. Upon returning Luke asked: “Well, happy now?” “Yes, you are a remarkable soldier, how did you survive Matt's strike; sorcery?” Luke snorted at this. “Sorcery please? Do not insult me in such a way ever again. I survived because I designed my own armor which is hidden in my clothes. Only complete losers blame their loss on sorcery. Real men take responsibility for their victories as well as their defeats.” “So, they do, friend. So, they do. Now to business, what would you be charging for your services?” “Eighty pounds sterling a year.” He had talked with Marion and she had told him that while this was a bit expensive Richard would gladly pay it to have a soldier of Luke's caliber. “Sixty pounds a year plus I will provide you with girls to use whenever you please.” “Seventy, plus some girls of my choosing.” “You drive a hard bargain, Hildyard. I accept and my I say that name suits you very well.” “Thank you my lord.” Luke had picked this alias for that very reason. It meant one who is like a wolf in battle. “Take my new knight to pick his girls.” Richard said to a servant. The servant wouldn't even dare look at Richard for Richard would kill anyone who he thought gave him a disrespectful look. Luke followed the servant into another set of rooms. There were many good-looking females there, some being quite young and some being decent looking Milfs. “Thank you, my good man. What is your name?” asked Luke looking at the servant. “Michael, sir” Kneeling down in front of the servant Luke said quietly to him: “Never call me sir again, you hear me. My name is Hildyard. Got it?” “Yes sir, Hildyard” said Michael with a slight grin. “Good.” Luke had a warm smile on his face “When you tell your friends about me as I am sure that you will, make sure that you pass the word on to them.” “Yes Hildyard.” With that, the servant scampered away almost causing Luke to laugh. Turning back to the women, Luke had to work to hide just how disgusted he really felt. These women were being forced into sex slaves because their family couldn't pay the sky-high taxes that Richard insisted on levying on them. Luke quietly looked at each one. Finally, he thought that he might have a way that he could do this. Going to one of the servants by the door: “This is going to be a hard choice for me to make. Can you show me to my chamber and then have the women report to it one at a time please?” “Yes sir. This way sir.” the servant snapped. Luke sighed to himself, this servant hadn't heard his bit to Michael. ‘Oh well' thought Luke. Once Luke had been shown his chamber, the women were sent in one at a time like he had requested. Luke had to be very careful here for one false move on his part and Richard would figure out that Luke was lying through his teeth and then it was only a matter of time. As Luke carefully questioned each of the women, he had to work at sounding like an arrogant mercenary soldier when in fact all he wanted to do was to get the woman out of there and back to their homes. Luke finally picked some young ladies who were all a bit younger than Marion and an older one that had worked in the castle while Marion had lived there. The reason that Luke had picked the younger woman was to help protect them for they were brand new to the harem and were still virgins. He had absolutely no intention of forcing himself on any of them. Of course, this first night he would be able to use being very tired as an excuse but the following nights could be difficult. Finally, it was time for bed. Luke had managed to procure a separate room for “his” woman so that no one else would have a chance to force themselves on them. Luke took the oldest one into his room for the night. Of course, he had already checked out the room twice and had found no hidden listening holes. Still, he had to be careful. The older lady was named Stella and Luke put her age about thirty or so. “So, Stella what can you tell me about yourself. I find sex to be more enjoyable when I know something about the bitch.” “Well, I am twenty-nine years old, I think. Married once but he died from an accident. I had one child with him but she died before she made it to one year old. I have been working in this castle all my life and I know exactly how to please men.” “What can you tell me about the previous owners? I have heard whispers about them but none of it makes any sense.” “Why do you want to know about the previous owners?” “Because I am curious, so humor me please.” “The owner was named Charles. He was a good man who lost his wife so after his youngest daughter, Marion, was born. After this he never remarried but used the ladies of the castle to keep him company. It was actually very good for us because he was kind and gentle with us.” “You mentioned a daughter?” “He actually had two, Cecilia and Marion. Cecilia was a two-faced wild child, but Marion was kind, loving, and very intelligent.” “Was?” “Yes, word has it that they were killed on their way back from London which is just as well. For if they had gotten back here, Richard would have had Charles tortured and imprisoned and his daughters would have become Richard's concubines.” “I see. I can see where death would be preferable. Come here Stella.” Stella came up to Luke, expecting to be ravaged, but to her surprise Luke invited her to lay with him while she still had her clothes on. “Master what is wrong? Do I not please your eyes?” “Never call me master. My name is Hildyard and that is what I expected to be called. Understand?” “Yes” squeaked Stella. “Good. Now for tonight I just want a beautiful, caring woman to curl up with; for after my travels and the excitement of this afternoon I am too tired for any fun right now.” With that Stella curled up in Luke's arms and quickly found herself feeling safer than she had felt in years. This man was very kind and considerate; a bit weird for a man but Stella could live with that. He was much better than Richard was that was for sure. When she woke up the next morning, Luke was gone. His spot was still warm though so he wasn't far away. Indeed, as she put her feet on the floor, Luke came through the door holding two bowls of stew. He gave Stella her pick of the two and he took the other one. He also gave her a piece of bread and a few veggies. Now Stella was just blown away by this man. He was far kinder than any other man she had ever met. She was also glad that he had been able to get the fresh virgins before Richard could get to them for Stella knew that Hildyard would be gentle with them; while Richard purposely was extra rough with fresh meat. After they finished eating Luke gave Stella her assignment for the day. “I want you to care for my ladies. Get them cleaned up. A couple of them smell so bad that it is hard to be in the same room with them. Also, if anyone of the bastards so much as touches any of them I want to know about it. Got it?” “Yes, Hildyard” “Good. Now I have to get going for I have a lot of things to get done today.” Chapter 13. Luke wasn't actually worried that anyone would mess with his ladies, he had scared everyone shitless yesterday, but it was always better to be ready. Luke first went to the training yard to work out with some of the other knights and other soldiers, at least that's what he told everyone. In reality he was looking for weaknesses, learning about these knight's fighting styles, and learning just how many men Richard had here. Many of the knights seemed to be second rate and the soldiers only went about their training half heartily. Luke could guess why, but the last thing he wanted to do was ask them. The problem with asking questions is that you tell the person that you're asking that the information you seek is in some way important to you so Luke spoke as little as possible. After a few hours of training, Luke had a little bit of free time, so he wondered the town. Everywhere he went he could feel the people's eyes following him. He could feel the hatred in their looks. This, of course, put him on high alert but thankfully no one attacked. He made sure to quietly pay extra for all the food that he bought. Most of it he would take back for his ladies so that they could start to regain their strength. He dropped the food off in his quarters and went to find Richard for he had an important meeting scheduled. Luke had a contract to sign with the devil. To Luke's surprise, the contract was in order and ready for signature. After signing Luke got his first assignment. He was to go toward London and look for Richard's son William. William should have reported in by now and yet nothing had been heard of him. While out Luke was to keep an eye out for the previous owners. If Luke met them, he was to kill or capture them, whichever was most convent at the time. Luke couldn't believe his ears; this was going to play right into his hands. As an added bonus, he could take his women with him and he would have a small escort. The escort part bothered Luke a bit but they were easy to get rid of. On the other hand, though…Luke requested that he be able to choose his men. He figured that three should be enough. Richard agreed but only allowed Luke two. Luke made sure to pick two of the men that had shown the most hatred toward Richard's knights during the training session. Luke told them that they would be setting out first thing in the morning so they had better get some rest. Upon returning to his chamber for the evening, he was surprised that all his ladies were in the room. When Luke entered, they all stopped talking and looked at him. Luke had to admit that they definitely cleaned up nice. Then Stella stepped forward: “Hildyard, rumor has it that you are leaving in the morning?” “That is correct. Are you speaking for the group, Stella?” “Yes I am.” “Well then get on with it or let them speak for themselves.” “We thank you kindly for the extra food. That was the best that we have ate since this Richard took over.” “Well, no thanks are necessary.” Luke said to the group with a warm smile that always seemed to melt hearts. “Now ladies listen up. I will be leaving very early in the morning on a special mission. I have been given permission for you to accompany me on my journey. We will also have a two-man escort. Now I suggest that all of you get to bed now, for I want to be going through the gate just as it is getting light. Now move and no arguments.” Tonight, Luke took the youngest of the ladies to bed with him. Her name was Gabriel and she reminded Luke a lot of Marion. “Hildyard, I have no idea how to please...” That was as far as she got before Luke cut her off with a gentle kiss. “Do not worry about that for now. Just come sleep next to me for we have to be up early in the morning.” Gabriel was starting to feel things that she had never felt before and Hildyard was causing those feelings. “But” Luke just gave her his special shut the fuck up look. It worked every time he used it, and it did here as well. Gabriel curled up next to Luke and like Stella the night before felt completely safe and quickly fell asleep. As promised, Luke was up very early the next morning. He figured that it was about three AM. He went around to all the ladies, gently woke them up, and ordered them to get ready to leave. Then he made his way to the barracks; here he wasn't gentle at all. He expected his men to follow orders and sure enough, neither of them was up yet. Luke woke them up with his boot on their asses. “Get up you miscible excuses for soldiers! Get up now! When I tell you to be ready to go at a certain time you had better be ready to go.” Luke's voice boomed through the barracks. He was being far meaner than usual on purpose. He figured that these men would probably continue to be soldiers once he helped Marion take over and Luke wanted to get a start on instilling disciple in the men. Luke had to wait almost an hour for the men to get squared away and ready to go. Of course, he had already anticipated this; after all that's why he woke everyone up so early. Finally, everything was ready and the small group set off. The two soldiers weren't happy to put it mildly. They had been dragged out of their billet before dawn, they were assigned to escort a monster and a group of his concubines, and the worst part was that this Hildyard had the complete support of that asshole Earl Richard. They were partisans for the previous landowner and they were convinced that Richard had something to do with the Charles's disappearance. “When that bastard is busy with his women, it will be the prefect chance to get rid of him, and then we can rescue those women and get them back home.” One of the escorts said quietly to the other as they were headed out of the castle. The other nodded in agreement. The trip out of the town gates went quickly for the sun was just starting to lighten up the Eastern sky. Luke made sure that they headed out the right gate so that Marion would see them. As the group was ready to head into the forest, the escort was out in front of the group; they came across a man standing in the road, wearing a long cape with the hood up. “Get out of our way!” one of the escorts, Michael yelled. He was agitated and this man had already pissed him off. “I have just as much right to be on this road as you do.” Answered the man calmly. This really pissed Michael off and he drew his sword. His companion, Tom drew his too. Luke just calmly watched but didn't draw his sword for he figured who the man was. “Why are you not drawing your weapon?” asked Stella “Why bother? The odds are already two-to-one, plus I know who that is and I have no desire to cross swords with her.” “Wait. Her?!?!” exclaimed Stella. “Just watch.” Marion waited until both men committed to their attack before making her move. She used her staff to knock both men off their mounts. Then she made sure to grab both men's mounts before they ran off. The last thing Marion wanted to do was to chase done the horses. She tied the horses to a nearby branch. By the time that Marion got the horses under control and tied up, the men were finally getting to their feet and to say that they were pissed would have been an extreme understatement. How had this peasant dismounted both of them? Marion just waited for them to get up. The men both charged at the same time and this time Marion actually had to fight back a bit. She used a leg sweep to take Tom out and she side-stepped Michael. Before Michael could turn around, Marion had him in a sleep hold and her knee was planted firmly in his back. With Tom still suffering from the wind being knocked out of him; it was just Marion and Michael so when she demanded that he yield, he did. Marion then drew her sword and held it to Tom's throat and demanded that he yield as well. Tom had no choice so he did. Marion then turned to Luke. “Well big guy, how about you? Are you going to join the party?” “I think not. I've done some dumb things in my time, but I'm not stupid.” The ladies in his group looked at him, confused. Luke didn't strike them as cowardly but here he was refusing to give battle and what was those strange words that he used. “No, you're not, Luke. You're a lot of things but you're not dumb.” Giggled Marion Now everyone in the group was confused. Who was this man? Why was Hildyard afraid of him? Who is Luke? “Now that I have everyone's attention...” said Marion. She then dramatically swept off her hood and there was a collective gasp from the group. This man that Hildyard was afraid of was a woman. Stella then recognized who it really was, leapt off her horse, ran to Marion, and fiercely embraced her. Stella whispered in Marion's ear, while embracing her: “What are you doing here? Marion, get out of here. Now! Hildyard has orders to arrest or kill you on sight. Get out of here, I will try and hold Hildyard off so you can escape.” “Stella, why would I want to escape?” Stella was alarmed for she cared deeply about Marion. Marion turned to Luke “Seriously Luke, Hildyard” Luke dropped his Scottish accent “What? I thought it was a nice touch.” With that he got off his horse walked over to Marion, picked her up, kissed her, and swung her around. Marion was laughing during this. Finally, they both turned to the group, who were now confused, afraid, and several emotions that they didn't know what they were. Marion then spoke to the group. “Everyone, I want to introduce to you Luke MacDougall, and yes he is my man. He rescued Cecilia and I when Richard's son attacked us. Luke killed William's men and killed William with his bare hands. Since then, he has been protecting us on the journey home. Cecilia has returned to Lincoln with Lucy until the crisis is over. By the way Luke, your gear is safely hidden away in camp” Luke turned to the women that he had brought with him “All of you are now safe. If you want you can return home.” One of the ladies started crying: “I cannot return home. Richard's men destroyed it.” Marion ran to comfort her while the others gave a similar story. While Marion was taking care of the women, Luke walked over to the guards. “Neither of you have anything to fear. I taught her” Luke pointed at Marion “how to fight. That is why both of you got your asses beat, and no I have no intention of supporting a bastard like Richard. I am completely loyal to Marion.” The relief on the men's faces was as obvious as it was instant. Michael also started to look a bit guilty for he remembered their plans and wasn't sure what to do or even what to think. Luke saved him from further worry. “No need to worry Michael. I figured that you and Tom were planning on killing me eventually. The reason I picked you two was the shear hatred, for Richard and his men, that I had seen in your eyes during our training season the other day.” Both of them were now red as beets and Luke had to laugh. “Part of the training that I got, when I was in the military, was how to look for traps and part of that is properly reading people. Now I am going to need your help. I want to help Marion get rid of Richard permanently. Will you two help me, help her.” “That bastard killed my wife in front of me after he and his men raped her. He took my daughters and made them his concubines, and he hung my sons from the ceiling of my house. He then forced me to be one of his soldiers and if I refused then my daughters would be killed very slowly. I only became one of “his men” to hopefully find a way to save my daughters.” Said Tom “What is your story, Michael?” asked Luke. “My family was killed several years ago. I had to come to town for a few days and when I returned home, I found out that they had all gotten sick and died while I had been gone. I became a soldier so that I would hopefully never have to return to that village again. Life was good while Charles was the lord running things, but under that devil Richard no one is safe. I was actually getting ready to leave and head to London.” “Well men, will we help me and hopefully afterwards stay soldiers but this time under Marion?” Neither man looked at the other one. They went up to Marion, drew their swords, kneeled in front of her, and held their swords up to her. Behind them, Luke smiled. He was happy that once again his instincts had been correct. Marion's embarrassment was just an added bonus. “Stand up, both of you. Luke did you tell them to do this?” Marion asked with a bit of venom in her voice. She had caught him smiling. Luke just shrugged at her. Luke and Marion then spent the next hour learning everyone's stories and telling their story. Neither Luke nor Marion mentioned that Luke was from the future. They were not ready to revile that secret, yet. Eventually, Luke and Marion stood next to each other, Luke with his arm around Marion's shoulder, “So ladies will you help us as well?” asked Marion. “But, we're women...” “And I'm not a woman?” asked Marion cutting them off. “That's…that's not what we meant Lady Marion.” Said the women all at once. Marion looked crossly at them and they all shrunk in fear. They were really thrown for a loop when Marion then smiled warmly at them. “Not to worry for once I was like you. I could not defend myself and then I met Luke. He taught me how to fight and more importantly when to fight and when to retreat and I bet that he will teach all of you too. One more thing, I am just Marion, not Lady Marion” Marion then looked at Luke and he nodded. Chapter 14. Over the next month, Luke and Marion trained everyone in the group basic self-defense tactics. The ladies were amazed at how their fortunes had changed. They had started off as simple concubines only allowed to live if they were able to please men and now, they knew how to protect themselves. Luke also taught them how to be soldiers. The guys didn't really agree with teaching the women how to fight or be soldiers, but they certainly were not going to complain. After all they now had a chance to square accounts with Richard. Part of their training was to ambush groups of Richard's soldiers as they raided the countryside. At first the women had a hard time killing, but they quickly got over it. When they would look at Marion, they would always take heart. In battle, Marion was proving to be not only extremely intelligent but also could be very cold blooded and ferocious when she had to be. She had no problems with executing prisoners that they took. Marion knew that they couldn't give prisoners a chance to escape and warn Richard. They also didn't have the extra manpower to guard them or food to feed them. In every battle, they would strip the dead of gear. When they had extra gear, they would put it in hiding so that they could come back and get it later. The better the women became the more disgruntled Michael became. He didn't believe in women in combat or even having them as soldiers, but he did admit that having them in close quarters did provide him with some unique opportunities for he was a serial rapist and murderer. There was nothing that he liked better then popping a virgin's cherry, filling her up with cum, and then forcing her to suck all the bloody cum off his cock before he strangled them. In this group he thought that he had found the pinnacle of virgins, Gabriel. She was tall, had chestnut colored hair that was full and wavy. She had warm, brown eyes, a firm pair of tits and with all the exercise that she had been getting over the last moth; she was developing a very firm ass. He wasn't worried about the fact that she had taken to Luke and Marion's training the best for he was planning on surprising her, raping, and killing her before anyone else knew what was going on. Afterwards, he would disappear and continue his raping somewhere else. Finally, it was the evening before the group was planning on returning to York. Their raiding of Richard's men had taken its toll on Richard's forces. They were afraid to leave the safety of the castle for even a short distance because just leaving the gates was proving to be very dangerous. Marion had made sure to leave some of the corpses where they could be seen from the castle walls. She had done this at Luke's urging while he explained to her the modern-day concept of Psy Ops. The more she thought about this, the more she liked it. If the enemy could be mentally defeated before battle then you would suffer fewer causalities and maybe you could even avoid a battle in the first place. Michael meanwhile had been watching everyone in the group and he finally saw his perfect opportunity to strike. The rest of the group had bedded down early so that they could get up early and get ready. Gabriel had gone down to the stream so that she could get a quick bath. She was unaware that she was being followed. Just as she had got her clothes off, Michael stuck. He came up to her quickly, put one of his powerful hand over her mouth and held his knife to her throat with the other one. Normally this would have been more than enough, but Gabriel now knew what to do. Before Michael could react, she drove her heal into his knee. While she didn't break it, he was now hurting and lost his grip on Gabriel. As soon has her mouth was free, she screamed. Michael was too busy trying to get control of his prey to care, after all they were a way away from the camp and everyone else had turned in. Michael was able to land a punch squarely in Gabriel's face. This knocked her to the ground and the force of hitting the ground stunned her. Michael untied his pants and slowly lowered them. He loved seeing the fear on his victim's faces when they realized what was about to happen to them. As Michael was getting on his knees so that he could force his way into Gabriel's virgin cunt, he felt something cold and sharp touch the back of his neck. This caused him to freeze. Slowly he turned his head and found himself looking into Marion's expressionless face. “Hey Luke, before we go to sleep, I have something to tell you.” Luke looked down at Marion. She had assumed their usual post coitus spot. Her head lying on his shoulder and one of her legs over his with her cream filled pussy leaking on him. “Oh ya what's that.” Said Luke half asleep. “I'm pretty sure that I'm pregnant. Won't know for sure for a little while but I missed my last period and I've not been feeling good in the mornings.” Luke was now fully awake. During their time together he had never given a thought to Marion getting pregnant. Mentally Luke cursed himself for being such an idiot. Yes, he loved Marion, but Luke wasn't sure why he had been transported to this universe and Marion having a child could cause serious problems if Luke ever got the opportunity to go home. This is why he never told Marion all he knew about the future. He never even told her his real fears of leaking the information that was locked away in his head. Marion misread the look on Luke's face. “Don't worry honey, it was bound to happen eventually and I'm so happy to be carrying your child.” Luke took a deep breath. He was going to have to finally tell Marion all of his fears. As he was about to start, they both heard a scream and recognized it as Gabriel. Marion grabbed her sword and raced off toward the scream as fast as she could still naked. Luke stopped to put his pants and then he was following in Marion's wake with both of his swords. When Luke caught up, he found Gabriel on the ground still stunned. Her clothes had been put on a nearby branch so Luke assumed that she had been getting a bath. Marion had her sword at someone's neck but however it was, was facing away from Luke. Then they turned their head and Luke could see that it was Michael. Luke went over and helped Gabriel to her feet and gave her back her dress. Meanwhile Marion was forcing Michael to return to camp without his clothes. Gabriel had serious problems walking so Luke decided just to carry her. He gently picked her up and cradling her in his arms, carried her back. Marion forced Michael back to camp and made him get on his knees. “You think making me get on my knees will change anything bitch then you are dumber than I thought you were. I was well within my rights as a man to demand that she service me.” Marion leaned in and whispered in his ear “It's not just me that you have to worry about. And if you think that raping that poor girl makes you a man then I have to wonder how humans have survived so long. With such sorry excuses for a man as yourself, we should have all died off thousands of years ago. I'm willing to bet that it was actually Adam that got humans kicked out of the garden and when the men writing the bible realized the truth, they switched the roles so that history wouldn't find out the truth.” By this time, Luke had returned with Gabriel and she was starting to recover. Luke tried to hand her off to Stella to care for but Gabriel wasn't having it. “I want to see what happens to him.” Her voice was one of iron and Luke knew that arguing wouldn't do him any good. “Well come on then” was all he said. Luke was actually impressed when he realized what Marion was doing. She was organizing a trial by jury. Everyone knew what had happened but Marion wanted to start establishing a precedent. She was obviously thinking long term and Luke was impressed. Once everyone in the group had gathered; the trail started. Gabriel told all what happened and what Michael said. Michael was given the opportunity to defend himself but refused. He obviously didn't realize Marion's growing power and strength. Finally, it was time for the group to vote on Michael's guilt or innocence. The entire group voted Michael guilty. Michael was stunned when Tom voted with the women. While Michael had been growing disgruntled, Tom had been changing as well. He saw the women getting stronger and he found that he was being drown to them and one in particular, Stella. They were close to the same age and had both had a hard life. Stella, for her part, was well aware of Tom's attraction to her and while she hadn't made a final decision on the matter yet, she was starting to have naughty thoughts about Tom especially while Luke and Marion were practicing their love making. With the guilty verdict, Marion passed sentence on Michael. He would be castrated, his balls would be forced down his throat, and then he would be executed. Luke was stunned by her harshness. He had never seen Marion so cold as she was now but he didn't argue. After all, this was her time era not his, and after the word got around of what she was capable of then hopefully there wouldn't be as much resistance for her. Marion ordered Michael tied to two trees. She then stood in front of him as she slowly sharpened her knife. Finally, Marion reached down and cut Michael's balls off. As he was screaming, Marion put his balls in his mouth and then covered his nose and clamped his mouth shut so that he would have to swallow his balls. After he swallowed his balls, Michael was crying. Luke and Tom cringed but didn't look away; after all nobody had forced Michael to attempt to rape Gabriel. Marion then drew her knife across Michael's throat, cutting the jugular and carotid. It took a minute or so for Michael to bled out. During that time, Stella came up next to Tom and held his hand. After all, Michael had started off being Tom's best friend. Marion then ordered that Michael's body be left where it was. It was getting late and they had to travel almost half a day tomorrow to get back to York. Chapter 15. Marion grows as a leader but only after some serious pain. It was early the next morning when Luke and Marion woke the group up. The sun was just starting to light up the Eastern sky but everyone in the group was used to getting up this early. They made sure to cook up an extra hardy breakfast for they didn't know when they would be able to eat again. Over the previous month the scared young women that had traveled out of York with Luke had been replaced with strong, young women that thought like soldiers and fought like lions. They now all carried swords and knives and knew how to use them. Every one of them also wore a leather overcoat that they could wrap around themselves to protect against swords or even long-range arrows. Under that they wore a green shirt and pants. Sown inside each shirt was light steel and leather armor that Luke had designed to deflect blows. They each also carried a helmet that was radically different than anything else currently in use. It looked a cross between a World War two German helmet and a modern U S military helmet. He had designed it this way to be able to give maximum protection with the materials available. Gabriel also carried a bow that she had gotten to be very good with. She was good enough to put an arrow into someone's eye from fifty paces. Luke was extremely proud of the ladies and of Tom. Tom had helped train everyone in sword use and had grown to love each of the ladies like sisters except Stella. No, her he loved romantically. What's more she was also falling in love with him. Tom was armed like all the women and he loved this new gear. It was lighter than his previous gear and protected him far better. It was a warm morning when they set out and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. They made quite a sight the seven of them, Marion, Luke, Tom, and the four women that were “suppose” to be Luke's whores. In that group there was from oldest to youngest: Stella, Pollyanna, Alice, and Gabriel. Stella was the leader of the group being the oldest amount them. Pollyanna was showing signs of wanting to become an engineer like Luke. Alice was showing an interest in medicine, while Gabriel was the sharpshooter and Luke thought that she might make one hell of a sniper. One of the other things that Luke had started teaching them was how to read and write for soldiers needed to know how to read orders and make out reports. It took the group almost half a day to reach York. During their trip they had to hide once to avoid a large patrol that Richard had sent out. Yes, they could have taken the patrol out but it was now far more important for the group to get to York. When they got to the gates Luke had to talk fast to get through. Once through, the group was deeply disturbed by what they found. The town had gone further downhill. The people were now walking skeletons and the streets were full of filth. The soldiers walking around took whatever they pleased including having their way with anything they pleased. Marion actually vomited at the horror that was before her. Still, they had a mission to accomplish. All the ladies were well aware that every soldier had their eyes on them. Many of the soldiers whipped out their cocks and waved them at the women. Marion actually snickered at some at the tiny cocks that were being waved at her, for Luke's was far bigger. At least she was still feeling good enough to snicker. Finally, the group reached the castle. Luke told the guard who he was and they let him in. They easily remembered him. Once in the group was in for another surprise, especially Tom, for Richard was in the middle of an orgy and Tom's daughters were in it. Luke had to act fast to keep the group under control for Tom was furious and Luke's “whores” were about to gut Richard where he was. Problem was that there were too many of Richard's loyal men in the room and they wouldn't have made it out, even with their skills. They had to release the men loyal to Marion first, that is if any of them were left. First thing that Luke had to do was to make his report. Richard wasn't happy that he was being interrupted mid orgy but he did stop long enough to listen. “I am sorry Milord, but we traveled all the way to London and did not find a trace of William. We heard some rumors of him but we could not find him.” “Well, you may go now, but I shall want to talk to you more later about this matter.” “Yes Milord.” Luke turned around and got the hell out of there and made his way back to his chamber. Once there, he found Tom puking his guts out, Stella was trying to comfort him. The ladies were white as ghost, seeing the fate that so far, they had avoided. Marion was the worst one, of the group, for not only was she puking but she was crying her eyes out. She had known some of the women that she had seen in the orgy. That is even if you could call the women people anymore. Luke knew that they had to move fast for he figured that it wouldn't be long before Richard came for “his” women as well. Within an hour Luke got a message that Richard wanted to see him immediately so Luke put the rest of the group on alert and he left to meet with Richard. “Ah Hildyard, Good to see you.” “It is good to be seen, sir.” “So, you found no sign of my son or his men?” “No Milord and we traveled all the way to London. If they had been there, we found no signs of them. We came back a different route and still found no signs of them.” “Now tell me about the whores that came in with you.” “Well, traveling fast does tend to make any fat disappear and they travel faster when they are healthy.” “By my count, you left with four, but I could have sworn that I see you come back with five.” “The fifth one is my intended, sir. I also must report the loss of one of my men. We were ambushed on the road. Tom and I had to fight hard to get out. By the time we did, there was no sign of Michael. We think that the bandits took him for we searched afterwards and found only some of his gear.” “So you couldn't find my son and you lost one of my men in the process; Hildyard, if you disappoint me anymore then I will take back the whores and might even have to take your intended. Do I make myself clear?” “Yes, Milord.” “Good, now get the fuck out of my sight.” To be continued in part 4, Based on a post by somethin fishy, for Sex Stories.

For Pete's Sake 09.27.25  - Three of the Most Important Stories of the Week 

This is a tough episode to do this year because everything is top notch! However, we do need to look every detail and think "Could this have been done better?" or "How do we take this and improve it for next year?"' We go into the Food and Beverage, Scare Zones, Street Experiences, Houses and Shows!

Parents!Listen to this podcast, audiobooks and more on Storybutton, without your kids needing to use a screened device or your phone. Listen with no fees or subscriptions.—> Order Storybutton Today The Spy Starter Pack

What happens when we venture beyond the horizon of self and encounter the world? In this profound continuation of our houses journey, Brian Clark and I explore the second half of the astrological wheel - where we meet the other, confront our shadows, and discover our place in the cosmic order.Recorded during a solar eclipse at the equinox (coinciding with Brian's 76th birthday), our conversation takes on a synchronistic quality that exemplifies how astrology works through us rather than merely being studied by us. Following the thread of Ariadne from Greek mythology, we explore how she reveals family secrets, follows the heroic impulse, and ultimately finds her way to the center after being abandoned - mirroring our own soul journey.The seventh house brings us to the horizon where we encounter "the other" - that quality in relationships that reveals parts of ourselves we've yet to recognize. As Brian notes, "We marry our own shadow." Moving into the eighth, we face "loving in the face of loss" and discover how betrayal becomes a pathway to consciousness. The ninth house offers rebirth into spirit and wonder, while the tenth shapes our character through vocation and contribution. We then explore the communal eleventh house before concluding with the twelfth - a sanctuary for our exiled parts that need integration.Throughout our dialogue, we return to Ariadne staring at the sea as Theseus abandons her, then turning toward the center of Naxos where Dionysus awaits. This powerful image captures how our greatest disappointments often lead us to our truest path - when we give back to the sea what was never truly ours and find ourselves essential parts of something greater.How might your relationship struggles be mirrors revealing aspects of yourself? What ancestral patterns are you carrying in your intimate connections? Where do you find genuine rebirth after painful losses? Join us for this expansive exploration of how we become ourselves through our encounter with the world.* The blurb above was generated by Buzzprout's AITo find out more about Brian's work go to astrosynthesis.com.au.Podcast Musician: Marlia CoeurPlease consider becoming a Patron to support the show!Go to OnTheSoulsTerms.com for more.

So called crop sitters are being tricked into coming here from Vietnam for jobs that don't exist, only to find themselves working for international criminal groups, looking after massive cannabis grow houses. Police are concerned violence is escalating as local gangs try to muscle in on the business opportunity. Detective Inspector Callum McNeill spoke to Lisa Owen.

Purpose-driven and meticulous in his strategy, Stone Horizon Founder Henry Vila is a man on a mission to bridge the gap between quality housing and investors seeking positive cash flow. With a clear aim to make rooming houses viable and scalable, he has designed an efficient end-to-end process that carries his drive to deliver returns for other investors, that ensures tenants have a good roof over their heads, and that builds a lasting legacy in Australia's property market. Indeed, this visionary investor and author of ‘The Rooming House Millionaire' isn't stopping anytime soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Rehab CEO Angela Kerins has submitted €2.1 million euro in legal costs as a result of the court action she took against the Houses of the Oireachtas...It's a saga that, in total, has lasted for more than a decade now.For more on this, Kieran is joined by Martin Wall, Public Policy Correspondent for the Irish Times.

Purpose-driven and meticulous in his strategy, Stone Horizon Founder Henry Vila is a man on a mission to bridge the gap between quality housing and investors seeking positive cash flow. With a clear aim to make rooming houses viable and scalable, he has designed an efficient end-to-end process that carries his drive to deliver returns for other investors, that ensures tenants have a good roof over their heads, and that builds a lasting legacy in Australia's property market. Indeed, this visionary investor and author of ‘The Rooming House Millionaire' isn't stopping anytime soon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wipe your slate clean of everything you *think* you know about the pet rock. You'll marble (err, marvel) over its true history! Its inventor, Gary Dahl, thought he'd created a novelty gift that was set in stone. Imagine his surprise when the pet rock's popularity began to crumble. Maybe he shouldn't have taken it for granite? Ehh?? Get it?? In this episode, Kristin also addresses the often-asked question about whether she's still friends with her former Let's Go To Court co-host. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from:  “Amazon.Com: Pet Rock - The Original by Gary Dahl : Pet Supplies.” Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Rock-Authentic-Approved-Original/dp/B07KN9FK4B Bredt, Ted. “Has Success Spoiled ‘pet Rock' Potentate? Outside of 3 Houses, 4 Mercedes Benzes, and the Best Saloon in Los Gatos, No.” The Salt Lake Tribune, February 20, 1977. Coakley, Michael. “The Anatomy of a Fad: Pet Rock.” The Boston Globe, February 26, 1976. Curtin, Andrew. “A Million-Dollar Pet Project.” San Francisco Examiner, December 25, 1975. Dahl, Gary. “Why Didn't I Think of That! At a Bar One Day, Gary Dahl Dreamed up the Pet Rock.” Courier Post, October 10, 1982. Giuca, Linda. “Are You Sure It Won't Bite?” Hartford Courant, December 17, 1975. Horning, Jay. “Pet Rock Secured a Solid Future for Its ‘Father.'” Tampa Bay Times, May 9, 1982. “How a Los Gatos Barroom Boast Led to the Pet Rock and Followed Gary Dahl until His Dying Day.” The Mercury News, April 3, 2015. https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/04/03/how-a-los-gatos-barroom-boast-led-to-the-pet-rock-and-followed-gary-dahl-until-his-dying-day/. Isaacs, Stan. “Teen's Idea Was as Solid as a Rock.” Newsday (Nassau Edition), November 21, 1975. LaBelle, Tom. “Career Opportunity of a Lifetime!” The Grand Rapids Press, October 13, 1976. Leap, Barbara. “From Little Rocks, Some Big Fortunes Grow.” Courier Post, December 5, 1975. Legacy.Com. “Gary Dahl Obituary (1936 - 2015) - San Jose, CA - AL.Com (Mobile).” Accessed July 11, 2025. https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/mobile/name/gary-dahl-obituary?pid=174533679. Mason, Margaret. “It Was a Gamble, a Risk. But the Pet Rock Paid Off.” Pensacola News Journal, December 25, 1977. McKinney, Joan. “‘Rock Bottom' Goes Sky High.” Oakland Tribune, December 25, 1975. “Pet Rock Page.” Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.virtualpet.com/vp/farm/petrock/petrock.htm. Po1sonator. “TIL about the craze of Pet Rocks in 1975. For about 6 months, they sold over one million Pet Rocks for $4 each. It was just a rock in a box with some straw and a care manual for tricks to teach. The creator had the idea in a bar as his friends complained about their pets.” Reddit Post. R/Todayilearned, February 2, 2021. https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/lajcy8/til_about_the_craze_of_pet_rocks_in_1975_for/. “Press Release.” April 5, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020405084047/http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/english/2000win.htm. Robertson, Blair. “The Pet Rock: A Classic Tale of American Business.” Carroll County Times, December 7, 1999. Rock Island Argus. “Pet Rock Promoter Opens Own Saloon.” March 6, 1977. Spokane Chronicle. “Stoned? Pet Rocks Need Little Care, Love.” November 7, 1975. The Desert Sun. “From the Man Who Brought You Pet Rock...” October 4, 1978. The Pet Rock: A Classic Tale of American Business. n.d.

Wipe your slate clean of everything you *think* you know about the pet rock. You'll marble (err, marvel) over its true history! Its inventor, Gary Dahl, thought he'd created a novelty gift that was set in stone. Imagine his surprise when the pet rock's popularity began to crumble. Maybe he shouldn't have taken it for granite? Ehh?? Get it?? In this episode, Kristin also addresses the often-asked question about whether she's still friends with her former Let's Go To Court co-host. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Norm pulled from:  “Amazon.Com: Pet Rock - The Original by Gary Dahl : Pet Supplies.” Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Rock-Authentic-Approved-Original/dp/B07KN9FK4B Bredt, Ted. “Has Success Spoiled ‘pet Rock' Potentate? Outside of 3 Houses, 4 Mercedes Benzes, and the Best Saloon in Los Gatos, No.” The Salt Lake Tribune, February 20, 1977. Coakley, Michael. “The Anatomy of a Fad: Pet Rock.” The Boston Globe, February 26, 1976. Curtin, Andrew. “A Million-Dollar Pet Project.” San Francisco Examiner, December 25, 1975. Dahl, Gary. “Why Didn't I Think of That! At a Bar One Day, Gary Dahl Dreamed up the Pet Rock.” Courier Post, October 10, 1982. Giuca, Linda. “Are You Sure It Won't Bite?” Hartford Courant, December 17, 1975. Horning, Jay. “Pet Rock Secured a Solid Future for Its ‘Father.'” Tampa Bay Times, May 9, 1982. “How a Los Gatos Barroom Boast Led to the Pet Rock and Followed Gary Dahl until His Dying Day.” The Mercury News, April 3, 2015. https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/04/03/how-a-los-gatos-barroom-boast-led-to-the-pet-rock-and-followed-gary-dahl-until-his-dying-day/. Isaacs, Stan. “Teen's Idea Was as Solid as a Rock.” Newsday (Nassau Edition), November 21, 1975. LaBelle, Tom. “Career Opportunity of a Lifetime!” The Grand Rapids Press, October 13, 1976. Leap, Barbara. “From Little Rocks, Some Big Fortunes Grow.” Courier Post, December 5, 1975. Legacy.Com. “Gary Dahl Obituary (1936 - 2015) - San Jose, CA - AL.Com (Mobile).” Accessed July 11, 2025. https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/mobile/name/gary-dahl-obituary?pid=174533679. Mason, Margaret. “It Was a Gamble, a Risk. But the Pet Rock Paid Off.” Pensacola News Journal, December 25, 1977. McKinney, Joan. “‘Rock Bottom' Goes Sky High.” Oakland Tribune, December 25, 1975. “Pet Rock Page.” Accessed July 10, 2025. https://www.virtualpet.com/vp/farm/petrock/petrock.htm. Po1sonator. “TIL about the craze of Pet Rocks in 1975. For about 6 months, they sold over one million Pet Rocks for $4 each. It was just a rock in a box with some straw and a care manual for tricks to teach. The creator had the idea in a bar as his friends complained about their pets.” Reddit Post. R/Todayilearned, February 2, 2021. https://www.reddit.com/r/todayilearned/comments/lajcy8/til_about_the_craze_of_pet_rocks_in_1975_for/. “Press Release.” April 5, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020405084047/http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/english/2000win.htm. Robertson, Blair. “The Pet Rock: A Classic Tale of American Business.” Carroll County Times, December 7, 1999. Rock Island Argus. “Pet Rock Promoter Opens Own Saloon.” March 6, 1977. Spokane Chronicle. “Stoned? Pet Rocks Need Little Care, Love.” November 7, 1975. The Desert Sun. “From the Man Who Brought You Pet Rock...” October 4, 1978. The Pet Rock: A Classic Tale of American Business. n.d.

Parents!Listen to this podcast, audiobooks and more on Storybutton, without your kids needing to use a screened device or your phone. Listen with no fees or subscriptions.—> Order Storybutton Today The Spy Starter Pack

Have you ever found yourself fired up about a potential win? You hang up the phone with a big smile, already convinced that the deal is as good as closed, and you can't wait to shake hands with your seller. We know that feeling of excitement!But hold on—don't get ahead of yourself just yet. First, let's hear from Brent Daniels as he breaks down the four pillars of prequalifying houses and sellers.This proven framework can save you from the disappointment of rejection and help you maximize offers to keep the momentum going. And if you'd like to dive deeper into Brent's process, head over to TTP Training Program for more!---------Show notes:(0:36) Identify the condition of the property.(1:08) Use the four layers of pre-qualifying as your scaffolding and skeleton of every single conversation(1:25) When you're talking about the condition of the property, it's very important to get specific.(3:10) You need to find out the timeline. The shorter the timeline, the hotter the lead.(4:39) Find out why your sellers want to sell their property.(5:40) You need to understand what your seller's motivation is.(6:46) There are so many different reasons for distress.(8:06) Pull the price out of the seller and let them tell you how much they want for the property.----------Resources:To speak with Brent or one of our other expert coaches call (281) 835-4201 or schedule your free discovery call here to learn about our mentorship programs and become part of the TribeGo to Wholesalingincgroup.com to become part of one of the fastest growing Facebook communities in the Wholesaling space. Get all of your burning Wholesaling questions answered, gain access to JV partnerships, and connect with other "success minded" Rhinos in the community.It's 100% free to join. The opportunities in this community are endless, what are you waiting for?

Send us a textIn this episode of The Book Fix, we review Strange Houses by Uketsu—a horror story where architecture hides terrifying secrets. A writer is asked to look over a second-hand house in Tokyo that seems perfect… until its floor plan reveals a mysterious “dead space” hidden between the walls. With help from an architect friend, he discovers more of these impossible spaces scattered throughout the home. As they dig deeper, questions surface: Why are these spaces there? What happened to the missing former resident? And what sinister truth lies behind the blueprint? Join the besties as they discuss whether or not this spooky read fixed their life or not! Support the showOur Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebookfix?utm_source=linktree_admin_sharebecome our Patron ♡ https://www.patreon.com/BookFixbuy us a book ♡ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thebookfixBusiness Inquiries: thebookfixpodcast@gmail.comfollow us on Tiktok! ♡ https://www.tiktok.com/@thebookfix

News That Didn't Make the News: No more TP-ing the houses in Iowa, and Are we doing seasons wrong? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a culture that celebrates outrage, Jesus calls us to forgiveness. Only forgiveness breaks the cycle of bitterness and opens our hearts to love.

Mark Carney Potemkin Village Press Conference, Liberal Budget TrickeryBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/radio-baloney-the-richie-baloney-show--4036781/support.

Some hauntings never stay behind. They don't belong to a single house, a single street, or even a single family. They follow. They spread. They claim what they want, and sometimes the only thing left behind is ash.  The first house seemed ordinary enough, until a second attic was discovered—hidden, sealed, as if waiting to be opened. Soon after, the sightings began. A tall, gaunt man in outdated clothing walked the halls with deliberate steps, never acknowledging the living, never fading when seen. Friends spotted him in windows. They saw him walking up porches blocks away. He wasn't tied to walls—he was tied to them. When the family moved to West 4th Street, the figure followed. The upstairs hallway was a gauntlet of dread. Boots stomped overhead where no floor existed. A photo frame drifted across a room. A baby pointed to an empty staircase and whispered “Mamaw”—naming the grandmother she had never met. And the violence didn't stop there. Voices whispered, doors locked themselves, bushes grabbed at clothes, and even a turtle-shaped candy dish snapped open as if alive. And then, one by one, the neighborhood burned. Houses, factories, entire blocks reduced to ash. Finally, the house itself caught fire and collapsed. But the haunting didn't end. Because sometimes fire doesn't cleanse—it only frees what was already there. This is the true haunting of East 2nd and West 4th Street. And the tall man? He's still walking. #HauntedHouse #TrueGhostStory #RealHaunting #ParanormalEncounters #GhostStories #ScaryStory #Supernatural #HauntedMidwest #TrueParanormal #CreepyStories #HauntedHistory #Ghosts Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Some hauntings never stay behind. They don't belong to a single house, a single street, or even a single family. They follow. They spread. They claim what they want, and sometimes the only thing left behind is ash. The first house seemed ordinary enough, until a second attic was discovered—hidden, sealed, as if waiting to be opened. Soon after, the sightings began. A tall, gaunt man in outdated clothing walked the halls with deliberate steps, never acknowledging the living, never fading when seen. Friends spotted him in windows. They saw him walking up porches blocks away. He wasn't tied to walls—he was tied to them. When the family moved to West 4th Street, the figure followed. The upstairs hallway was a gauntlet of dread. Boots stomped overhead where no floor existed. A photo frame drifted across a room. A baby pointed to an empty staircase and whispered “Mamaw”—naming the grandmother she had never met. And the violence didn't stop there. Voices whispered, doors locked themselves, bushes grabbed at clothes, and even a turtle-shaped candy dish snapped open as if alive. And then, one by one, the neighborhood burned. Houses, factories, entire blocks reduced to ash. Finally, the house itself caught fire and collapsed. But the haunting didn't end. Because sometimes fire doesn't cleanse—it only frees what was already there. This is the true haunting of East 2nd and West 4th Street. And the tall man? He's still walking. #HauntedHouse #TrueGhostStory #RealHaunting #ParanormalEncounters #GhostStories #ScaryStory #Supernatural #HauntedMidwest #TrueParanormal #CreepyStories #HauntedHistory #Ghosts Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

Universal Halloween Horror Nights 2025    Our cohost and resident Halloween Horror Nights expert Aaron reviews the 2025 Universal Halloween Horror Nights (Ep. 119/S4 from 09/06/2025). From the houses to the scare zones, food, and drinks, Aaron breaks it all down for us.           As always, DMagicWorld.Com is our favorite 24/7 Disney music streaming station. Looking to book a trip to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney's Aulani, Disney Cruise or Adventures by Disney? I am a Travel Specialist specializing in Disney destinations and can help you plan the perfect Disney visit. DavidPicciano@TravelMation.Net Now That's Disney on FB. A fun and family friendly Disney loving group. And be sure to check out our YouTube channel, Now That's Disney. Now That's Disney's, Disney Night Live can be seen live every Saturday @ 8pm EST in Now That's Disney on FB and YouTube. Disney Night Live Podcast and Now That's Disney is in no way part of, endorsed or authorized by, or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliates. As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney. Disclosure | Privacy Policy Be sure to like, subscribe, download, and comment on all our social media platforms. We appreciate the engagement. Now That's Disney's, Disney Night Live is a live stream and is better consumed as a visual. We take the audio from the live stream and put it out as a podcast. #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disneyland #orlando #florida #california #themeparks #visit #travel #vacation #nowthatsdisney #disneynightlive #magickingdom #epcot #animalkingdom #hollywoodstudios #pixarpier #eat #drink #resorts #mickeymouse #livestream #merchandise #attractions                                         Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/308244676281060 Instagram @nowthatsdisney_dp YouTube (Smash That Bell

Forrest shares how he scaled from small multifamily into licensed rooming houses across Greater Boston and southern New Hampshire—ranging from 11 rooms to a 76-unit, dorm-style building with commercial kitchens and daily-cleaned common areas. He explains why he buys existing, properly licensed assets (instead of cutting up apartments), how tenant demand is driven by affordability, and why management intensity and collections risk are the price of higher margins. We also talk sober living, mixed-use sites (including a laundromat), compliance basics in Massachusetts, and how his property management company supports other owners entering the space.   - Get Interviewed on the Show! - ================================== Are you a real estate investor with some 'tales from the trenches' you'd like to share with our audience? Want to get great exposure and be seen as a bonafide real estate pro by your friends? Would you like to inspire other people to take action with real estate investing? Then we'd love to interview you! Find out more and pick the date here: http://daveinterviewsyou.com/

Want to know how top investors scoop up hundreds – even thousands – of properties while others struggle to land one deal? In this episode of Disruptors Podcast, Jason Palliser breaks down the exact system he uses to flood his pipeline with motivated sellers and make more offers than anyone else. Inside this episode you'll discover: ✅ How to create lead flows your competition can't touch. ✅ Why volume and process beat talent in real estate. ✅ The “make offers at scale” strategy used by the pros. ✅ How to outwork and outsmart 1,000 other investors in your market. ✅ What it really takes to build a $1M+ real estate business. If you're tired of chasing deals and want motivated sellers coming to you, this is the blueprint.

Rebecca Gardner has been called one of the top event designers in the world, and it's easy to see why. As the founder and creative director of Houses & Parties, her full-service events, interior design, and retail collective, Rebecca has a knack for blending tradition and imagination in a timeless yet delightful way.In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Rebecca joins me to talk about the joy of entertaining, what makes a gathering memorable, and how she draws on whimsy and charm to create unforgettable moments. Whether you're setting the table for two or planning a grand affair, Rebecca's playful yet refined approach will inspire you to see hospitality in a new way.RESOURCES:Visit the Houses & Parties website.Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, and/or Pinterest.Order "A Screaming Blast," here or here.

Episode 98 features a conversation with Carmen Turner-Schott, a bestselling author, licensed clinical social worker, and seasoned astrologer with over twenty-eight years of experience. Carmen is the founder of Deep Soul Divers Astrology and the author of eleven books, including Sun Signs, Houses & Healing, Astrology's Magical Nodes of the Moon, and The Mysteries of the Twelfth Astrological House: Fallen Angels. Our conversation explores the wisdom of the zodiac and how astrology can serve as a tool for both self-discovery and healing. Carmen shares her unique perspective on weaving astrology with social work, helping people understand their soul mission, past lifetimes, and the transformative power of transits. We dive into her latest book Your Astrological Energy which illuminates the deeper meanings of the twelve sun signs and the energy they carry. Along the way we talk about her own journey into astrology, the ways our charts can reveal past lives and soul purpose, how the movements of the planets shape the unfolding of our lives, and the intuitive gifts found within the different signs. Carmen Turner Schott Websitewww.carmenturnerschott.comSocial Media Links for CarmenFacebook Pages https://www.facebook.com/www.deepsouldiversastrologyhttps://www.facebook.com/CarmenTurnerSchottWriterYouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/carmenturnerschott @CarmenTurnerSchottInstagram: carmen_turner_schott_author 

In this bone-chilling episode, we unravel two spine-tingling poltergeist hauntings, each more unsettling than the last. First, we travel to the eerie Welsh hills of 1989, where a young family's dream home quickly becomes a waking nightmare. Heol Fanog, or The Witch Farm, is a place where ancient forces awaken from the walls, pulling a once-happy family into a vortex of terror. What ancient evil lies buried beneath this cursed land?Next, we venture into a more modern mystery that begins with the purchase of an old frame from a charity shop in 2021. The seemingly innocent item hides a chilling secret: an image of a man—who, upon closer inspection, turns out to be the first-ever mugshot in the UK. But this isn't just any old photograph. As the family investigates further, they realize that this man's tragic past may be entwined with dark forces that have followed the frame into their home, wreaking havoc in ways they could never have anticipated. Dim the lights, lock the doors, and prepare yourself for a journey into the world of poltergeists—where the past and present collide, and evil never truly stays buried.Vote for us in the Illinois Times Best of Springfield, for Best Local Podcast!In Paranormal News - Ghost caught on Ring DoorbellThe Witch Farm Podcast - Apple PodcastsTestimony by Mark ChadbournTrue Horror on Tubi – Episode 4 – Hellfire Farm Leave This House by Lee BrickleyYou can also use this link to text us your story :)If you have an experience, story, or anything else you'd like to share with us, you can email us at Opeaghost@gmail.com You can also follow us on Instagram, Join our Facebook group : Ope, A Ghost, or Follow us on YoutubeToodles!

In This Episode Erin and Weer'd discuss: Maine families suing the US Army for not stopping the Lewiston Shooter; New York being ordered to pay $800K for the house of worship gun ban; the DOJ asking to speak against Assault Weapon Bans in the Illinois court challenge. Rather then Weer'd or Erin, Lara Smith of the Liberal Gun Club discusses the problems with the proposed trans gun ban; and Sean Sorrentino and Robb Allen talk about SSRI medication, the stigma against it, and why not everyone who takes SSRIs is dangerous. Did you know that we have a Patreon? Join now for the low, low cost of $4/month (that's $1/podcast) and you'll get to listen to our podcast on Friday instead of Mondays, as well as patron-only content like mag dump episodes, our hilarious blooper reels and film tracks. Show Notes Main Topic Lewiston shooting survivors, victims' families file lawsuit against US Army New York Ordered to Pay $800K After Church Challenges Ban on Firearms in Houses of Worship Following its amicus brief in support of us, the federal government has asked the Seventh Circuit for approval to participate in oral arguments in our lawsuit challenging Illinois' "assault weapon" and magazine bans Lara Smith Trump DOJ Weighs Ban on Trans People Owning Guns EXCLUSIVE: Full Transcript: Daily Caller Interviews President Donald Trump Canaries in the Gun Rights Coal Mine Liberal Gun Club Sean and Robb Robb Allen Twitter Moth, Rust, and Thieves on Spotify  

Hola! Today we are going to talk about Haunted Houses in Latin America. Have you ever heard of haunted houses in Latin countries? Some interesting facts and details. In this crazy story you will be listening a lot of interesting facts, learning new vocabulary and interesting words in Spanish and also you will be improving your listening skills in Spanish. I hope that you will practice your Spanish by listening to the phrases and new words that you already know and also with the ones that you do not know.You can support me and my podcast if you want:Donate with PayPal:https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/spanishwithdennisYou can buy me a cup of coffee here:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/spanishwithdennisMy Youtube channel: Spanish with Dennishttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQVuRUMQGwtzBIp1YAImQFQMy new Discord server and chat and you can already join and write to me there:https://discord.gg/HWGrnmTmyCMy new Telegram channel and you can already join and write to me or comment there:https://t.me/SpanishwithDennisJoin my Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/spanishwithdennisDonate with Boosty:https://boosty.to/spanishwithdennis/donateDonate with Donation Alerts:https://www.donationalerts.com/r/dennisespinosaSupport me by joining my podcasts supporter club on Spreaker:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/crazy-stories-in-spanish--5605778/supportDonate with Crypto currency:Bitcoin (BTC)1DioiGPAQ6yYbEgcxEFRxWm5hZJcfLG9V6USDT (ERC20)0xeb8f678c0b8d37b639579662bf653be762e60855USDT (TRC20)TXoQwsaiTGBpWVkyeigApLT8xC82rQwRCNEthereum (ETH)0xeb8f678c0b8d37b639579662bf653be762e60855Support me by joining my podcasts supporter club on Spreaker:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/slow-spanish-language--5613080/supporthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tprs-spanish-stories--5600864/supporthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/comprehensible-spanish-language--5595630/supporthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/crazy-stories-in-spanish--5605778/supportIf you support me, it will motivate me to create more content for all of you. If you have any other suggestions or recommendations on what other platform you can support me and my podcasts, please let me know. You can write to me on telegram.My other podcasts you can find it on different platforms and apps:1-  Comprehensible Spanish Language Podcast2 - TPRS Spanish Stories3 - Slow Spanish Language

Clarey Podcast Immigrant causes houses by Aaron Clarey

In this short podcast episode, Bryan explains how leaky ducts can lead to sweaty, uncomfortable houses. Moisture issues are common all across humid and "green-grass" climates in the United States. Hot, unconditioned attics and crawl spaces also often have high dew points, which can cause moisture problems in those spaces. Plants also release moisture, so agricultural communities also have those special considerations. There are several HVAC and building design factors that can prevent or worsen growth from moisture problems. Duct leakage is one of those factors. Return and supply leaks can cause moisture to enter the ductwork. Return leaks suck in air from around the leak. Supply leaks create a pressure differential that can cause mechanically-driven infiltration (MAD-AIR); when a supply duct leak puts the attic under positive pressure, somewhere else has to go under negative pressure. There are lots of gaps and cracks around boots and can lights, which provides pathways for hot, moist air to seep into the envelope. Longer runtimes and keeping the fan on will worsen these conditions. We need to control the source of moisture and then seal the ducts and boots before we focus on the equipment. Visual inspections at the connections and boots will go a long way, but there are also plenty of tools for testing duct leakage, especially by Retrotec and TEC. You can also measure house pressure to the outdoors with the air handler running and all the doors closed, but that's a qualitative measurement that has a lot of other variables to consider.    Have a question that you want us to answer on the podcast? Submit your questions at https://www.speakpipe.com/hvacschool. Purchase your tickets or learn more about the 7th Annual HVACR Training Symposium at https://hvacrschool.com/symposium. Subscribe to our podcast on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. Check out our handy calculators here or on the HVAC School Mobile App for Apple and Android

All things have been created through Jesus and for Jesus. His blood was spilt as reconciliation for not only the human soul, but the whole of the universe. So how do we participate in His renewal of all things? We work hard, practice hospitality, and pray blessings over our city.

In this conversation, the hosts delve into their favorite original house ideas for Halloween Horror Nights, discussing various IPs and the challenges of acquiring them. They explore innovative concepts like Harry Potter and Demon Slayer, while also anticipating this year's event and ranking their most anticipated scare zones. The discussion highlights the creativity and passion behind Halloween Horror Nights, showcasing the hosts' deep connection to the event and its impact on their lives. Takeaways Pennywise the Dancing Clown would make an amazing haunted house. The difficulty in acquiring popular IPs for Halloween Horror Nights is a significant challenge. Harry Potter-themed houses could be a missed opportunity for Universal. Demon Slayer has potential for a unique haunted house experience. The Conjuring is a highly requested IP that hasn't been utilized yet. The anticipation for this year's Halloween Horror Nights is palpable among fans. Scare zones play a crucial role in the overall experience of Horror Nights. The creativity behind original house ideas is what makes Horror Nights special. The hosts have a long-standing passion for Halloween Horror Nights. The importance of immersive experiences in theme parks is emphasized.