Podcasts about Indian River

Michigan Weather and Women: Part 3 How did we ever get here? Based on a post by CleverGenericName, in 4 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected. "When I was fourteen, Mr. Johnson introduced me to a friend of his, Henry White, who was a master plumber. Henry was a high-functioning alcoholic whose temper had driven away all his old apprentices and journeymen. Luckily, I was always big for my age, and Mr. Johnson assured Henry that I was seventeen, turning eighteen in the next few months, so he took me on with the promise to make me an apprentice as soon as I was old enough. By the time that Henry learned my actual age, he had come to rely on me so much that he kept me on." "But what about school? Don't you need a high school diploma to become an apprentice?" "One good thing about growing up in a small town is that most people know the score. I made it to school when I could, and Henry and I worked a lot on the weekends, while Alison watched the rest of my siblings. Most of my teachers let me through with C's and D's, even though I must have missed half of my classes. Everyone knew that I was working with Henry and that I would need my high school diploma to become an apprentice, so they just kind of let me slip through. "I had well over 6,000 hours of experience plumbing before I even turned 18 and could formally become an apprentice. By that point, Henry was a significantly less functional alcoholic, and I was doing everything for his business; all the plumbing and all of the invoicing. He just signed off on the work. If anyone had ever looked into it, he could have gotten into real trouble, but we did smaller jobs for folks who didn't have a lot of money, so no one ever noticed or cared. "Just about the last thing that Henry did before he passed was to swear out my application to become a master plumber. Then one day I showed up for work, and he had died in his sleep. He didn't own much of anything, other than his tools, and he didn't have any family that I knew of, so I just kept on working." After a few minutes spent lying together in silence, I thought that Erin might have drifted off, but she had one more question for me before she did. "When did your mom leave?" I had never told anyone that part of my story; even my brother and sisters thought that Mom had just left one day, leaving me in charge. The reality was so much worse. "By the time Lane started school, Mom had already left us. Not physically, but in all the other ways that matter. She didn't work, and she regularly brought her 'boyfriends' back to our house to trade sex for drugs. Any support she got from social services went straight into her arm or up her nose. I was working long hours by then, to pay the rent and put food on the table, so sometimes that meant that Mary or my brother would be at home with Mom when I wasn't there. I knew it was playing with fire, but there was nothing I could do about it other than pray. "Normally, when I got home, I would blow my horn as I pulled into our drive and Lane would come running out to hug me and tell me about his day. So, I knew something was wrong when I came home late one evening, turned off my truck, and he still hadn't come out. I went inside, and Mom was sitting stoned in the living room watching TV. I asked where Lane was, and she just waved toward the back of the house. Alison and Sharon were out, so Mary and Lane were home with her by themselves. I found him in the room that we shared, cowering in the corner, with little Mary guarding the door. She was only eight at the time. "After a few minutes, I got Lane to tell me what was wrong, and he showed me his arm. Earlier, he had been in the kitchen and had bumped into Mom while she was cooking something on the stove. In a burst of rage, or maybe just evil, she grabbed his arm and held it against the burner. You can still see the scar on his arm today. "That was the end of it. I asked Mary to stay with Lane in our room, I packed Mom's things into the one suitcase we owned, and I drove her to the bus station. I bought her a ticket to Grand Rapids, gave her all the cash in my wallet, and waited with her until she boarded. I told her I would call the police if she ever came back. "Before she left, she spat on me and told me she wished I had never been born." I marveled at how flat my voice sounded, but to my surprise, my cheeks felt wet. I thought I had lost the ability to cry long ago. "Can you imagine that, abandoning your own mother? I'll probably burn in hell, but it was the only way I could think of to keep my brother and sisters safe. I haven't seen her since, although she used to call a couple of times a year asking for money. I didn't feel too bad about hanging up on her when she did, though, since she was still collecting family benefits for us all. Lane barely remembers her, which is likely a blessing, so I made up the story about Mom going away for the weekend and never coming back. "Since then, I have done what was needed for us to survive. When Alison finished school, she wanted to stay home to help look after the others, but I convinced her to go to college. I said that Mom had put aside some money for her tuition, but of course, that was a lie. I have been making the payments for her, but I wanted her to have the chance to just be young, for once. To get away from all of this, at least for a while." "But what about you, Davis?" "I don't matter." "Well, you matter to me." While I was speaking, Erin had wrapped both arms around me and was now holding me tight against her body. When I finished, my body was wracked by waves of uncontrollable grief, but she held me through it all. Eventually, as I started to calm down, she gave me gentle kisses on the nape of my neck and whispered to me in a soft voice. I don't remember what she said, but I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. The power came back on early the next morning, and Erin and I were the first people to wake up. She lay beside me with a small smile on her face. "You've had some hard times, Davis Crawford, but you have come out the other side. You're pretty amazing." I felt a sudden burst of both elation and fear as I returned her smile. "Thanks for listening and not judging me. I've never told anyone some of the things I shared with you." "It was my pleasure. Now let's get up and make some coffee." Looking out the window, the snowdrifts were over two feet high in places, but I knew they weren't going to get any lighter as the sun came out and they started to melt. "I am going to get started on the shoveling if you want to start on breakfast." Erin gave me a bemused look. "Or maybe, I am fully capable of shoveling snow, and we can get it done twice as fast by working together." A few minutes after we started, Lane came out to help. At one point, when Erin was on the other side of the yard, he started to speak. "I heard some of what you said to Erin last night. I never knew what Mom did to you, what you did to protect us. Thank you." "Ah, Bud. I never wanted you to worry. Mom wasn't well for a long time, and she made some terrible choices. But she's gone now, and you will always be safe with me." By the time we finished, we had worked ourselves into a lather, so I suggested to Wilma that she get a snow plowing service for the winter. She gave me a look that implied that somewhere there was a village searching for its idiot; and that idiot was me. "Oh, I have a service, but they take so long to come that they are useless if they bother to show up at all." Erin jumped into the conversation, looking pissed off. "It's part of my family and the McDougal's ongoing campaign to get Gran to move. I have told them how dangerous the game they are playing is, but they just don't seem to care." I thought for a minute, before walking a little ways away and making a call. When I returned, I had some good news for Wilma. "Go ahead and cancel your current service. If they aren't going to do the work, they shouldn't have a problem with not getting paid. I called an old friend of mine from school who runs a snow removal company out of Harbor Springs, who owes me a favor or nine. From now on, you will be at the top of his list." Erin and I texted just about every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we talked most nights when she wasn't working. We were both insanely busy; Erin was providing pediatric coverage for two hospitals that were three hours apart, and I was working as much overtime as possible, to save up for Christmas. Some weeks, the only time we had to meet in person was Sunday afternoons at Wilma's. Mary, in turn, was flourishing under Wilma's guidance. It seemed like she was channeling her emotions into her art, and I began to see the kind and thoughtful sister reemerge that I thought I had lost forever. She wouldn't show me the painting she was working on, but Wilma said she was making good progress, and that was all I needed to know. As it got towards mid-December, our thoughts turned to Christmas. Since Wilma's family was still boycotting the holidays, we decided to have a joint celebration like at Thanksgiving. Erin was going to be working at the hospital in Petoskey on Christmas Day, but we promised to keep Wilma company and to bring her a Christmas meal that she could eat on her break. In typical fashion, she tried to convince us that she would be fine with cafeteria food, but we would hear nothing of it. When we got to Wilma's house for lunch on Christmas Day, she had stockings laid out by the fireplace with a present for each of us. Santa must have had a very healthy budget, because he brought Lane a new fishing rod, Mary a set of expensive paints and charcoals, Sharon a contribution to her college fund, and Alison a specialized nurse's bag with a personalized stethoscope. Rather than a present, my stocking came with a small envelope that contained a pair of tickets to the traveling production of "Moulin Rouge" that was playing in Grand Rapids in March. Although I was happy to get a present of any kind, Wilma must have seen my look of confusion at the choice. "I was talking to Santa, and he mentioned that Erin loves musicals. Phillip used to take her to them when she was younger. He would put on his best suit, and she would get all dolled up in a dress with some of my jewelry, and they would go out for a fancy dinner before the show and have a grand old time." I looked at her in amusement, before replying. "Well, it seems that Santa is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. But I will have to say thanks, next time I bump into him." Our present to Wilma came in three parts. First, we included her in our Christmas cookie exchange, and Mary even gave her a double portion of the chocolate chip cookies she had baked. Second, the five of us committed to helping her catch up on the yard work and house repairs that had fallen by the wayside since Phillip passed. And finally, we pledged to do everything in our power to make sure that she could stay in her house for as long as she was able. Wilma hugged and thanked each of us with tears in her eyes, then looked over at Mary. "Why don't you get your present for your brother." Mary went to the studio at the back of the house and brought back what looked like a small painting, wrapped in Christmas paper. "I wanted to make you something to say 'thank you' for everything you have done for us. And for not giving up on me." When I unwrapped the painting, I was stunned. It was very different from Phillip or Wilma's more realistic works and had vibrant streaks of paint that burst across the canvas, meeting, seemingly at random, in explosions of color. The entire piece was chaotic, except for a single corner that was shielded from the turmoil by a solid arc of paint that was the exact color of my eyes. After lunch, Mary and Sharon kept Wilma company while Alison, Lane, and I went to see Erin at the hospital. Things were pretty quiet, so she had time to sit and eat her dinner with us. While she ate, I showed her pictures from earlier in the day. She laughed at one, in particular, of Wilma with her arm around Mary while they were wearing festive paper hats from their Christmas crackers. "Thank you for taking such good care of Wilma, Davis. She would never admit it, but the holidays would have been very lonely for her this year without you. It means the world to me that you could be there for her." We chatted a bit longer before I pulled out my present for Erin. It was a small flat package which she opened slowly. Inside was a framed drawing of Wilma's house, as seen from the docks, as she looked out the picture window in her living room. "This is amazing, who made it?" "I used to draw quite a bit in school. Since Mary has been working with your Gran, I thought I might give it another try, and I particularly liked how this one turned out." "It's beautiful, Davis. Thank you." She started to blush as she glanced over at Lane, before she slid a card over to me, and whispered, "Maybe you should wait to open this until later when you're alone." Inside the card was Erin's two-part gift to me. First, an invitation to visit her in Grand Rapids, and second, a night for the two of us in a suite at a very nice hotel. New Year's Eve was even quieter than usual at our house. Erin was working in Grand Rapids and was on call that evening. I spoke with her earlier in the day, however, and wished her a Happy New Year, and we sent each other kissing emojis at midnight. The rest of us spent the night playing board games. The only real excitement came a few days earlier when Mary asked if she could invite a friend to join us. "And is this friend a boy, by chance?" As far as I knew, Mary had never had a boyfriend, so this was a new development. Mary didn't have to answer, since her blush did the talking for her. "Do we know this boy?" "It's; It's James McDougal. But he's not like his brothers. He's a good guy." I had my reservations about all of the McDougals, but I was willing to give him a chance. I had only met James that one time at his parent's house when I had gone to get Mary, and he seemed polite enough. But since he was a McDougal, he was starting with two strikes and was in danger of going down swinging. To give Mary credit, James passed the first boyfriend test before he even made it into the house. When he drove into the yard, Munchkin was the first to greet him. He wasn't growling or barking like he sometimes did, or showing his teeth, but he was plenty intimidating. James waited patiently for him to approach before carefully scratching behind his ears. After Mary came out to greet James, Munchkin decided he was alright and fell in behind them as they came inside. Just after midnight, as he was getting ready to leave, James took me aside. "I just wanted to say, sir, that I am sorry for what happened with Mary a few months back. I should never have brought her over to my house without your permission, and I should have brought her right back home once I saw that my brothers were home. I promise you, that despite my bad judgment, I would have made sure that nothing happened to her, and I won't ever make that mistake again." I had to admit that James was growing on me. Chapter 5. It wasn't long before Mary introduced James to Wilma. I had to work on a Sunday in early January, so he offered to drive her to Wilma's in my place. I could tell he was nervous, and he was wearing a nice, collared shirt with some clean jeans, under his winter jacket. By the time he brought Mary home, his shirt was soaked in sweat, and he looked a little like a young man returning from war. Later that week, I asked Wilma what she thought of him. "He seems like a nice, polite boy and he sure is besotted with our Mary. While Mary and I worked on her latest painting, he did some chores for me, including chopping and stacking the entire half cord of wood you dropped off last week. But he didn't complain, and he was still smiling at Mary when he was done, so I think he will do." Wilma's relationship with the rest of the McDougals, however, remained tense, and they made it clear to me that continuing to help her would come at a steep cost. I ran into Calum one evening at the grocery store and he made their position crystal clear. "We've got a big job coming up in Indian River that you might be interested in. Starts in a week, and it would keep you busy for the better part of the next year, solid. The job is yours if you want it." "What's this job going to cost me?" "It's yours, no strings attached. But you wouldn't have time to help old lady Anderson anymore. You know, and I know, that it's time for her to move on from that land. It's what her family wants and it's what's best for her. I am sure that doctor down in Petoskey would understand, I figure she must be tired of looking after that grandmother of hers all the time anyway. Think how much more time the two of you would have together if you were working a regular nine-to-five kind of job. "On the other hand, if you don't work with us on this project, my family is going to take it pretty hard. Hard enough that we might reach out to our friends and neighbors to let them know that you are not a team player and that they may not want to do business with you." There it was. They were threatening to ruin me if I didn't do what they wanted. I knew they couldn't cut off all of my business since there were too many people in the lower peninsula who had been screwed over by them in the past. But they could sure make things tough for me. I am really bad at taking orders, however, particularly from dickheads like Calum McDougal. Calum had a cynical smile as he walked away. He didn't value decency or loyalty, so I was sure he thought he had won me over. All he had done was harden my resolve. I felt honor-bound to reach out to my friend who was clearing Wilma's driveway, though, to let him know that he might get some heat from the McDougals. He was surprisingly poetic in his response. "Fuck those arrogant worm-drowners and the horses they rode in on." Valentine's Day was never a big deal for me. Over the years, I hadn't had time to date, and I wouldn't have had any money to do anything special if I did, so the Hallmark holiday passed me by without too much fuss or bother. I had hoped things might be different since I was with Erin, but she was on call at the hospital in Petoskey, and I was pushing hard on a large multi-unit build that was on a tight schedule, so I was working six or even seven days a week until it was done. My work hadn't completely dried up since my run-in with Calum, but it had certainly taken a hit, so I was not in a position to turn down jobs, no matter how inconvenient. My one consolation was I knew I would see Erin in a couple of weeks when I visited her in Grand Rapids for the show. I had some flowers delivered to her at the hospital anyway, to let her know that I was thinking of her. That earned me an emoji-filled text and an enthusiastic video call when she was done with her shift. As the date of the show got closer, I started to get anxious. I had never been to a live performance of anything, except the occasional high school assembly, and I worried that Erin would be disappointed in my lack of manners and refinement. Wilma noticed my growing nervousness and decided that I needed a pep talk. "Listen, Davis. Erin likes you for who you are. She doesn't need or want you to act like some slick yuppie from the big city." "I know, Wilma, but I don't even know what to wear. The nicest outfit I own is still just a collared shirt over a pair of jeans." "Hmm, I can help you with that. I still have some of Phillip's old suits and ties, let's take a look and see what might fit." Half an hour later, Wilma had picked out a heavier dark charcoal-colored suit, a lightweight linen suit suitable for warmer weather, and a dark grey suit with tight pinstripes for me to try on. She had some shirts for me, as well, from when Phillip was younger. "Phillip wore that pinstripe suit the first time that he took me to the movies. I'll never forget that night, he looked just like Cary Grant. If you bring these suits to the tailor in Indian River, he should be able to take in the jacket and hem the pants to fit you perfectly. A good tailor can make these suits look like they were cut just for you." I didn't want to seem ungrateful, but I couldn't help but wonder if I would look funny in a decades-old suit. Wilma dismissed my concerns out of hand. "Let me tell you a little secret. If you buy a cheap suit, it will quickly begin to look tacky and dated. If you invest in a quality suit, it will age gracefully and become a timeless classic." Finally, Wilma selected a half dozen ties for me to try on and spent an hour teaching me how to tie a half-Windsor knot. "Get these suits altered, grab yourself a pair of polished black leather shoes, and you'll have those snooty pricks at the theatre thinking they are underdressed. And try to have fun. Erin loves the theatre, so if the two of you continue to fall in love, you will be going with her at least a couple of times a year, so you might as well enjoy it." I stood there in shock for a moment. "Do you really think Erin is falling in love with me?" "Well, yes, I do. And it's clear as daylight that you're in love with her too. But don't overthink things. Just go to the show and have a great night together. And here, take this with you as well," Wilma said handing me a navy blue pocket square with a distinctive paisley pattern. "Most men don't bother wearing a pocket square anymore, but I think they complete the look perfectly. You should wear this one on your date with Erin." Wilma took a final look at me and then slipped a twenty-dollar bill into my pocket. "That's for you to get a haircut before the show. Your normal 'shaggy mutt lost in a forest' look is adorable but not for your big date." The day of the performance approached with both aching slowness and relentless speed. We hadn't discussed it, but I knew (or at least strongly suspected) that Erin would have some expectations about how we spent our time together after the show. Unfortunately, I had no experience when it came to women other than a single kiss with Brittany Johnson back in my sophomore year of high school. I was terrified that I would disappoint her. To make matters worse, I had the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Grand Rapids to overthink things. By the time I arrived at Erin's apartment complex, I was a bit of a mess. My nerves were somewhat allayed, however, when Erin came running out to greet me with a huge smile on her face. "You made it! How was the drive? Wow, I love the haircut! I hope you're not too tired. I can't wait for tonight. I have been telling the girls all about you, and they are dying to see if the man lives up to the legend!" I guess Erin could see the sudden swell of anxiety on my face, so she took my hand. "Don't worry, the girls will love you, Davis. Why don't you grab your bag and come inside? I thought we could get changed here and then check in to the hotel before dinner and the show." Erin's housemates were really sweet, and the three of us chatted for at least an hour while Erin got ready before I excused myself to do the same. I put on Phillip's charcoal grey suit along with the crisp white shirt that Wilma had recommended. It took me four tries to tie my navy blue tie, but even I could tell that it made the colors in my paisley pocket square pop. Despite my nerves, I was still ready before Erin, so I rejoined her housemates in the living room while I waited. They kept sneaking glances at me when they thought I wasn't looking, so much so that I thought I must have done something wrong. Rather than second-guessing myself, I decided to take the bull by the horns and ask; better to be embarrassed in front of Erin's housemates than in front of her. "It's; it's not that you did anything wrong. It's just that you look; well, amazing; like an old-time movie star or something. Erin is going to swoon when she sees you." "You really think so?" I asked, still not sure of myself. Just then, I heard Erin's voice from behind me. "I'm sorry I took so long; we should head out before we're;" Erin went silent as I turned to look at her. She was wearing a floor-length emerald-green dress, which seemed to flow around her and mold to her curves, gathering delicately at her neck while leaving her back bare. Her sandy-blonde hair was styled in an elegant updo, while a few strands floated loose, framing her face. But, as always, what captured and held my gaze were her amber eyes, which danced and sparkled as she moved. My hands began to tremble, and I didn't trust myself to speak. "Do I look alright, Davis?" I took a deep breath that sent oxygen coursing through my body, as I found my voice. "I had no idea that anyone could look as beautiful as you do right now." Apparently, she liked my response, since her face broke into a wide grin. "You look mighty handsome yourself, Mister," she said while making a small adjustment to the knot of my tie. "Is that one of Grampy's suits? It looks amazing on you, and I love the tie and the; Oh; Oh, Davis. Is that Grampy's pocket square?" I could see tears forming in her eyes. "Wilma thought you might like it; that it might remind you of Phillip and the times he took you to the theatre when you were younger. I don't have to wear it, though, if you don't like it," I said reaching up to take it out of my pocket. Erin stopped my hand with hers, however, and then lightly ran her fingertips over the colorful square. "Gran was right. It reminds me of Grampy and now it will remind me of you. Please, I want you to wear it. For me." I felt a bit self-conscious pulling up to a fancy hotel in my ratty old truck, but it didn't seem to faze Erin in the least, so I decided not to worry about it. The suite she had booked was by far the nicest room of any kind that I had ever been in, but I tried not to seem like a country rube as I looked around. "Do you like it?" Erin asked a bit nervously, as she tried to gauge my reaction. "Honestly, I thought that rooms like this were just for celebrities and movie stars, and folks like that." "Normally that's the case, I guess, but for one night; tonight; it's ours." Dinner was lovely. I kept expecting people to see past my suit and realize that I was an imposter; just a plumber from the peninsula; not the kind of man who should be spending the evening with a woman like Erin. But she seemed to be having a wonderful time, so I began to relax. My anxiety was further abated when she leaned over the table and said in a low voice. "Jesus, the women in this place can't stop checking you out. I'm kind of wishing I had brought my bear spray now to keep them away. I need to excuse myself for a minute, but I wouldn't be surprised to find one of them trying to take my place when I get back." "Erin, I would never;" "I know, Darling. And frankly, they can look all they want because I know who you're going home with tonight." After that, I looked around the room with a new eye and noticed the subtle glances in my direction, and the shy smiles and blushes. I guess Phillip really did have good taste in suits. After dinner, we walked arm-in-arm to the performance hall, which was very impressive, with its soaring ceilings and plush velvet upholstery. Our seats were in a box on the right-hand side of the hall, which gave us a commanding view of the stage. As the lights went down, Erin took my hand in eager anticipation. I don't remember much about the performance that night; I spent more time watching Erin's childlike wonder than what was happening on the stage. Erin was still holding my hand at the intermission, and I felt a warm sense of contentment wash over me. "Oh, I forgot to mention, some of the largest donors to the hospital are hosting a reception after the performance. Would it be alright if we put in an appearance before we head back to our hotel?" I agreed without hesitation; a decision I would second guess before the night was over. It was close to 10:30 by the time the performance ended, and Erin held my arm, while resting her head on my shoulder, as we made our way through the hall to the reception. We each grabbed a drink, and we drifted through the small crowd until Erin was greeted warmly by a distinguished-looking older couple. Erin introduced them to me as the hosts of the reception, Mr. and Mrs. Wendel. "Please, just call us Tom and Martha. And you two make such a lovely couple. What do you do, Davis?" "I am a plumber, Ma'am," I replied, wondering how that news would be received by this obviously well-to-do couple, but I needn't have worried. "What kind of plumbing do you do?" Tom asked with genuine interest. "Mainly residential at this point, since I just got my master's license last year. A lot of the larger builders want to see some gray hairs on the heads of their skilled tradesmen, so right now, I am just doing what I can to pay the bills." "Amen, to that brother. I remember those days well. I started out, over 30 years ago now, as a dry Waller, and I spent more years than I care to remember doing whatever jobs I could get, just to get a foot in the door. It paid off for me in the end, though. Say, I am working on a development on the south side of town and was wondering;" Before Martha could stop him, Tom launched into a long and technical question about a challenge he was having with the plumbing for his new development. When I started an equally long and technical response, Erin kissed me on the cheek and whispered that Martha and she were going to go to the bar to get another drink. A few minutes later, I was still talking with Tom when a movement at the bar caught my eye. I looked more closely and saw that Erin was speaking with a tall, arrogant-looking man who kept trying to put his hand on her lower back, while she forcefully pushed it away. "My apologies, Tom, but could you give me a minute?" Without waiting for a reply, I walked over to where Erin was standing and slipped my arm around her waist, just as the man reached for her for a third time. "Hey, now," I said, trying to defuse the situation with a bit of humor. "At least buy me a drink before you make a move on me like that." His hand recoiled like it had been scalded, and his cheeks colored in anger. I could smell the alcohol on his breath from where I was standing. "Well, if it isn't the plumber," he said in a mocking tone. He must have been eavesdropping on my conversation with Tom, and he clearly wasn't impressed. "What did you think of the show this evening? Actually, that's hardly a fair question since you've probably never been to the theatre before. So, how about something more your level? I wonder what you would think of the bathrooms in my new penthouse. I am sure you would find them very impressive. I will give you a call the next time my toilet gets clogged, and you can come and check them out." He seemed very pleased with his insults, so he continued, a condescending grin on his face. "Anyway, Dr. Anderson, as I was saying, it was charitable of you to let the help see how the rest of us live, and I am sure he is having a good time and all, but it's past time for him to bring his daddy's suit home, don't you think? Why don't you leave him to it, and you and I can go have a drink? And then; who knows? I had dealt with people like this prick for my entire life. When you grow up with one abusive parent and no money, you get used to just about everyone feeling like they are better than you. There was nothing I could do about that, but I learned to use humor as a shield to protect myself and deflect attention. But sometimes humor just wasn't enough. And when humor failed, a more direct approach was called for. "You know, if you're trying to insult me, you're going to have to work a whole lot harder than that. But I doubt that hard work is something that you're too familiar with. I have been working since I was twelve to put food on the table for my brother and sisters. I have been a plumber since I was fourteen; by the time I was fifteen, I am sure I had already spent more time ankle-deep in shit than you've spent doing honest work in your entire life. "I didn't borrow this suit from my father because I don't know who my father is; that's right, I'm a bastard. But I am a bastard by circumstance and not by choice. I was born this way, what's your excuse? And since you asked, the suit I'm wearing belonged to Erin's grandfather, and you're right, I would never be able to afford a suit like this myself. But it's an honor to wear a suit that belonged to a man who loved Erin more than anything in this world. If I am really lucky, maybe she will let me love her just as deeply one day. "I may not know that much about musicals or the theatre, but anything that brings that much joy to Erin is more than fine in my books. So, I am going to continue to have a wonderful time with Erin this evening. Why wouldn't I? I am here with the most beautiful woman in the place, or;" I swept my gaze over to Martha, who was still standing beside Erin, "tied for the most beautiful, anyway." The man's face was now distorted with anger, and he took a step towards me. I stepped forward to meet him, my eyes never leaving his. Before, I had been speaking loudly for the benefit of those around us, but now I was speaking in a controlled voice, pitched for his ears alone. "You can say what you want about me, you prick. I have no respect for arrogant shitheels like you, so I just don't care. But before you ever think about putting your hands on Erin again, without her consent, you would do well to remember the Pipe Wrench Incident. "When I was fourteen, two of the men my mother was having sex with, in exchange for drugs, decided that my sister Alison should join in their fun. She was just nine years old. Luckily, I was home at the time, but I was just a kid, and they were fully grown men. When it was over, they were in the hospital, and I was cleaning my pipe wrench with some WD-40 and a rag." I looked him up and down once, dismissively. "Remember that story the next time you're tempted to touch someone I love." I turned to Tom who had come over to stand with Martha. "I'm sorry I interrupted your lovely event, and please don't hold my bad manners against Erin. I don't want to cause any more trouble, so maybe we should be on our way." Tom held up his hand indicating that we should stay. "Dr. Allen, you're drunk and making an ass of yourself. Please see yourself out. On your way home, please consider what you would like me to say at the next Board meeting regarding your behavior tonight." As a chastened Dr. Allen left the reception, Erin leaned over and whispered in my ear, "So, I'm someone you love, am I?" Before I could stammer a reply, Erin kissed my cheek and led me away to get a drink. We avoided the topic of Dr. Allen for the rest of the evening until we were on our way back to the hotel. "Did you really put two men in the hospital with a pipe wrench?" I chuckled softly before responding. "That part of the story is 100% true. What I didn't mention, though, was that they were both stoned at the time and facing the other direction. They would have killed me in a fair fight." It was close to midnight by the time we made it back to the hotel. We held each other's hands as we walked to the elevators, and Erin leaned against me as the doors closed. "Davis, how would you like this evening to end?" My heart started racing and my hands trembled. "I; I want to be with you. But, I have never;" "Are you still a virgin?" "I kissed a girl once, back in high school, but it was nothing like kissing you. I want you more than anything I have ever wanted in my life, but I don't want to disappoint you." Erin tried to stay calm as she replied. "So, you think that I am some kind of floozy who is going to compare you to all my past conquests?" "No, that's not it at all, I;" "Or do you think that I am so shallow that I will get mad at you if it takes a little while for you to learn what I like?" "No, I don't think that either;" "Okay, then. Here is what's going to happen. When we get to our room, you are going to move some of the furniture out of the way, while I put on some music. You still remember how to dance, right? And then we will take things slowly. I will let you know what makes me feel good, and you will let me know what makes you feel even better. And we will be together, and that's all that matters." And that is what happened. Erin started a playlist of songs that she liked, and we slowly danced together in our room. After the first song ended, she nuzzled into my chest as she loosened my tie and undid the first two buttons of my shirt. When the next song started, she started gently kissing and then licking my chest, causing my manhood to stiffen almost painfully. "Well, hello, my rather large friend. You need to be patient, for now. But if you're good, I may kiss you as well before the night is done." Her sensuous voice, and the image it evoked, were definitely not conducive to patience, and I let out a low moan of pleasure. "That's what I like to hear," she murmured as she untucked my shirt and continued to undo my buttons until she could run her tongue over my nipples and tweak them with her teeth. She looked up at me with sultry, half-lidded eyes. "It's okay for you to touch me as well if you want," she said, as she took one of my hands and slid it under the back of her dress and down to her silky-smooth cheeks. She slid my other hand under the front of her dress so that it cupped her tit, and she sucked in a breath as I stroked my callused thumb over her nipple. "Now some women like it when you;" I kissed her before she could finish her thought. "Erin, I don't care what some women like, the only woman I want is you." "Oh," she replied in a breathy voice. "Well, I like it when you're a bit rougher with my tits. Not right away, I need to be in the mood; like I am now;" She lost her train of thought as my hand enveloped and massaged her tit, squeezing her nipple lightly between my thumb and forefinger as I lifted it away from her body. "Mmmm, yes. Just like that, baby." I felt a wave of heat roll up the fingers on my other hand, so I slid it further down until I felt a small triangle of material, that was slick with liquid heat. I slipped my finger a little further and felt her long smooth cunt open at my touch. "Oh, Baby," Erin whispered huskily into my ear. "We are going to have so much fun tonight." It was strange going back to my regular life after my night with Erin. The time with her was so incredible, and so beyond anything I could ever have imagined, that it didn't seem real. To be continued in part 4. Based on a post by CleverGenericName, in 4 parts, for Literotica.

Michigan Weather and Women: Part 3 How did we ever get here? Based on a post by CleverGenericName, in 4 parts. Listen to the Podcast at Connected. "When I was fourteen, Mr. Johnson introduced me to a friend of his, Henry White, who was a master plumber. Henry was a high-functioning alcoholic whose temper had driven away all his old apprentices and journeymen. Luckily, I was always big for my age, and Mr. Johnson assured Henry that I was seventeen, turning eighteen in the next few months, so he took me on with the promise to make me an apprentice as soon as I was old enough. By the time that Henry learned my actual age, he had come to rely on me so much that he kept me on." "But what about school? Don't you need a high school diploma to become an apprentice?" "One good thing about growing up in a small town is that most people know the score. I made it to school when I could, and Henry and I worked a lot on the weekends, while Alison watched the rest of my siblings. Most of my teachers let me through with C's and D's, even though I must have missed half of my classes. Everyone knew that I was working with Henry and that I would need my high school diploma to become an apprentice, so they just kind of let me slip through. "I had well over 6,000 hours of experience plumbing before I even turned 18 and could formally become an apprentice. By that point, Henry was a significantly less functional alcoholic, and I was doing everything for his business; all the plumbing and all of the invoicing. He just signed off on the work. If anyone had ever looked into it, he could have gotten into real trouble, but we did smaller jobs for folks who didn't have a lot of money, so no one ever noticed or cared. "Just about the last thing that Henry did before he passed was to swear out my application to become a master plumber. Then one day I showed up for work, and he had died in his sleep. He didn't own much of anything, other than his tools, and he didn't have any family that I knew of, so I just kept on working." After a few minutes spent lying together in silence, I thought that Erin might have drifted off, but she had one more question for me before she did. "When did your mom leave?" I had never told anyone that part of my story; even my brother and sisters thought that Mom had just left one day, leaving me in charge. The reality was so much worse. "By the time Lane started school, Mom had already left us. Not physically, but in all the other ways that matter. She didn't work, and she regularly brought her 'boyfriends' back to our house to trade sex for drugs. Any support she got from social services went straight into her arm or up her nose. I was working long hours by then, to pay the rent and put food on the table, so sometimes that meant that Mary or my brother would be at home with Mom when I wasn't there. I knew it was playing with fire, but there was nothing I could do about it other than pray. "Normally, when I got home, I would blow my horn as I pulled into our drive and Lane would come running out to hug me and tell me about his day. So, I knew something was wrong when I came home late one evening, turned off my truck, and he still hadn't come out. I went inside, and Mom was sitting stoned in the living room watching TV. I asked where Lane was, and she just waved toward the back of the house. Alison and Sharon were out, so Mary and Lane were home with her by themselves. I found him in the room that we shared, cowering in the corner, with little Mary guarding the door. She was only eight at the time. "After a few minutes, I got Lane to tell me what was wrong, and he showed me his arm. Earlier, he had been in the kitchen and had bumped into Mom while she was cooking something on the stove. In a burst of rage, or maybe just evil, she grabbed his arm and held it against the burner. You can still see the scar on his arm today. "That was the end of it. I asked Mary to stay with Lane in our room, I packed Mom's things into the one suitcase we owned, and I drove her to the bus station. I bought her a ticket to Grand Rapids, gave her all the cash in my wallet, and waited with her until she boarded. I told her I would call the police if she ever came back. "Before she left, she spat on me and told me she wished I had never been born." I marveled at how flat my voice sounded, but to my surprise, my cheeks felt wet. I thought I had lost the ability to cry long ago. "Can you imagine that, abandoning your own mother? I'll probably burn in hell, but it was the only way I could think of to keep my brother and sisters safe. I haven't seen her since, although she used to call a couple of times a year asking for money. I didn't feel too bad about hanging up on her when she did, though, since she was still collecting family benefits for us all. Lane barely remembers her, which is likely a blessing, so I made up the story about Mom going away for the weekend and never coming back. "Since then, I have done what was needed for us to survive. When Alison finished school, she wanted to stay home to help look after the others, but I convinced her to go to college. I said that Mom had put aside some money for her tuition, but of course, that was a lie. I have been making the payments for her, but I wanted her to have the chance to just be young, for once. To get away from all of this, at least for a while." "But what about you, Davis?" "I don't matter." "Well, you matter to me." While I was speaking, Erin had wrapped both arms around me and was now holding me tight against her body. When I finished, my body was wracked by waves of uncontrollable grief, but she held me through it all. Eventually, as I started to calm down, she gave me gentle kisses on the nape of my neck and whispered to me in a soft voice. I don't remember what she said, but I fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. The power came back on early the next morning, and Erin and I were the first people to wake up. She lay beside me with a small smile on her face. "You've had some hard times, Davis Crawford, but you have come out the other side. You're pretty amazing." I felt a sudden burst of both elation and fear as I returned her smile. "Thanks for listening and not judging me. I've never told anyone some of the things I shared with you." "It was my pleasure. Now let's get up and make some coffee." Looking out the window, the snowdrifts were over two feet high in places, but I knew they weren't going to get any lighter as the sun came out and they started to melt. "I am going to get started on the shoveling if you want to start on breakfast." Erin gave me a bemused look. "Or maybe, I am fully capable of shoveling snow, and we can get it done twice as fast by working together." A few minutes after we started, Lane came out to help. At one point, when Erin was on the other side of the yard, he started to speak. "I heard some of what you said to Erin last night. I never knew what Mom did to you, what you did to protect us. Thank you." "Ah, Bud. I never wanted you to worry. Mom wasn't well for a long time, and she made some terrible choices. But she's gone now, and you will always be safe with me." By the time we finished, we had worked ourselves into a lather, so I suggested to Wilma that she get a snow plowing service for the winter. She gave me a look that implied that somewhere there was a village searching for its idiot; and that idiot was me. "Oh, I have a service, but they take so long to come that they are useless if they bother to show up at all." Erin jumped into the conversation, looking pissed off. "It's part of my family and the McDougal's ongoing campaign to get Gran to move. I have told them how dangerous the game they are playing is, but they just don't seem to care." I thought for a minute, before walking a little ways away and making a call. When I returned, I had some good news for Wilma. "Go ahead and cancel your current service. If they aren't going to do the work, they shouldn't have a problem with not getting paid. I called an old friend of mine from school who runs a snow removal company out of Harbor Springs, who owes me a favor or nine. From now on, you will be at the top of his list." Erin and I texted just about every day between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we talked most nights when she wasn't working. We were both insanely busy; Erin was providing pediatric coverage for two hospitals that were three hours apart, and I was working as much overtime as possible, to save up for Christmas. Some weeks, the only time we had to meet in person was Sunday afternoons at Wilma's. Mary, in turn, was flourishing under Wilma's guidance. It seemed like she was channeling her emotions into her art, and I began to see the kind and thoughtful sister reemerge that I thought I had lost forever. She wouldn't show me the painting she was working on, but Wilma said she was making good progress, and that was all I needed to know. As it got towards mid-December, our thoughts turned to Christmas. Since Wilma's family was still boycotting the holidays, we decided to have a joint celebration like at Thanksgiving. Erin was going to be working at the hospital in Petoskey on Christmas Day, but we promised to keep Wilma company and to bring her a Christmas meal that she could eat on her break. In typical fashion, she tried to convince us that she would be fine with cafeteria food, but we would hear nothing of it. When we got to Wilma's house for lunch on Christmas Day, she had stockings laid out by the fireplace with a present for each of us. Santa must have had a very healthy budget, because he brought Lane a new fishing rod, Mary a set of expensive paints and charcoals, Sharon a contribution to her college fund, and Alison a specialized nurse's bag with a personalized stethoscope. Rather than a present, my stocking came with a small envelope that contained a pair of tickets to the traveling production of "Moulin Rouge" that was playing in Grand Rapids in March. Although I was happy to get a present of any kind, Wilma must have seen my look of confusion at the choice. "I was talking to Santa, and he mentioned that Erin loves musicals. Phillip used to take her to them when she was younger. He would put on his best suit, and she would get all dolled up in a dress with some of my jewelry, and they would go out for a fancy dinner before the show and have a grand old time." I looked at her in amusement, before replying. "Well, it seems that Santa is about as subtle as a sledgehammer. But I will have to say thanks, next time I bump into him." Our present to Wilma came in three parts. First, we included her in our Christmas cookie exchange, and Mary even gave her a double portion of the chocolate chip cookies she had baked. Second, the five of us committed to helping her catch up on the yard work and house repairs that had fallen by the wayside since Phillip passed. And finally, we pledged to do everything in our power to make sure that she could stay in her house for as long as she was able. Wilma hugged and thanked each of us with tears in her eyes, then looked over at Mary. "Why don't you get your present for your brother." Mary went to the studio at the back of the house and brought back what looked like a small painting, wrapped in Christmas paper. "I wanted to make you something to say 'thank you' for everything you have done for us. And for not giving up on me." When I unwrapped the painting, I was stunned. It was very different from Phillip or Wilma's more realistic works and had vibrant streaks of paint that burst across the canvas, meeting, seemingly at random, in explosions of color. The entire piece was chaotic, except for a single corner that was shielded from the turmoil by a solid arc of paint that was the exact color of my eyes. After lunch, Mary and Sharon kept Wilma company while Alison, Lane, and I went to see Erin at the hospital. Things were pretty quiet, so she had time to sit and eat her dinner with us. While she ate, I showed her pictures from earlier in the day. She laughed at one, in particular, of Wilma with her arm around Mary while they were wearing festive paper hats from their Christmas crackers. "Thank you for taking such good care of Wilma, Davis. She would never admit it, but the holidays would have been very lonely for her this year without you. It means the world to me that you could be there for her." We chatted a bit longer before I pulled out my present for Erin. It was a small flat package which she opened slowly. Inside was a framed drawing of Wilma's house, as seen from the docks, as she looked out the picture window in her living room. "This is amazing, who made it?" "I used to draw quite a bit in school. Since Mary has been working with your Gran, I thought I might give it another try, and I particularly liked how this one turned out." "It's beautiful, Davis. Thank you." She started to blush as she glanced over at Lane, before she slid a card over to me, and whispered, "Maybe you should wait to open this until later when you're alone." Inside the card was Erin's two-part gift to me. First, an invitation to visit her in Grand Rapids, and second, a night for the two of us in a suite at a very nice hotel. New Year's Eve was even quieter than usual at our house. Erin was working in Grand Rapids and was on call that evening. I spoke with her earlier in the day, however, and wished her a Happy New Year, and we sent each other kissing emojis at midnight. The rest of us spent the night playing board games. The only real excitement came a few days earlier when Mary asked if she could invite a friend to join us. "And is this friend a boy, by chance?" As far as I knew, Mary had never had a boyfriend, so this was a new development. Mary didn't have to answer, since her blush did the talking for her. "Do we know this boy?" "It's; It's James McDougal. But he's not like his brothers. He's a good guy." I had my reservations about all of the McDougals, but I was willing to give him a chance. I had only met James that one time at his parent's house when I had gone to get Mary, and he seemed polite enough. But since he was a McDougal, he was starting with two strikes and was in danger of going down swinging. To give Mary credit, James passed the first boyfriend test before he even made it into the house. When he drove into the yard, Munchkin was the first to greet him. He wasn't growling or barking like he sometimes did, or showing his teeth, but he was plenty intimidating. James waited patiently for him to approach before carefully scratching behind his ears. After Mary came out to greet James, Munchkin decided he was alright and fell in behind them as they came inside. Just after midnight, as he was getting ready to leave, James took me aside. "I just wanted to say, sir, that I am sorry for what happened with Mary a few months back. I should never have brought her over to my house without your permission, and I should have brought her right back home once I saw that my brothers were home. I promise you, that despite my bad judgment, I would have made sure that nothing happened to her, and I won't ever make that mistake again." I had to admit that James was growing on me. Chapter 5. It wasn't long before Mary introduced James to Wilma. I had to work on a Sunday in early January, so he offered to drive her to Wilma's in my place. I could tell he was nervous, and he was wearing a nice, collared shirt with some clean jeans, under his winter jacket. By the time he brought Mary home, his shirt was soaked in sweat, and he looked a little like a young man returning from war. Later that week, I asked Wilma what she thought of him. "He seems like a nice, polite boy and he sure is besotted with our Mary. While Mary and I worked on her latest painting, he did some chores for me, including chopping and stacking the entire half cord of wood you dropped off last week. But he didn't complain, and he was still smiling at Mary when he was done, so I think he will do." Wilma's relationship with the rest of the McDougals, however, remained tense, and they made it clear to me that continuing to help her would come at a steep cost. I ran into Calum one evening at the grocery store and he made their position crystal clear. "We've got a big job coming up in Indian River that you might be interested in. Starts in a week, and it would keep you busy for the better part of the next year, solid. The job is yours if you want it." "What's this job going to cost me?" "It's yours, no strings attached. But you wouldn't have time to help old lady Anderson anymore. You know, and I know, that it's time for her to move on from that land. It's what her family wants and it's what's best for her. I am sure that doctor down in Petoskey would understand, I figure she must be tired of looking after that grandmother of hers all the time anyway. Think how much more time the two of you would have together if you were working a regular nine-to-five kind of job. "On the other hand, if you don't work with us on this project, my family is going to take it pretty hard. Hard enough that we might reach out to our friends and neighbors to let them know that you are not a team player and that they may not want to do business with you." There it was. They were threatening to ruin me if I didn't do what they wanted. I knew they couldn't cut off all of my business since there were too many people in the lower peninsula who had been screwed over by them in the past. But they could sure make things tough for me. I am really bad at taking orders, however, particularly from dickheads like Calum McDougal. Calum had a cynical smile as he walked away. He didn't value decency or loyalty, so I was sure he thought he had won me over. All he had done was harden my resolve. I felt honor-bound to reach out to my friend who was clearing Wilma's driveway, though, to let him know that he might get some heat from the McDougals. He was surprisingly poetic in his response. "Fuck those arrogant worm-drowners and the horses they rode in on." Valentine's Day was never a big deal for me. Over the years, I hadn't had time to date, and I wouldn't have had any money to do anything special if I did, so the Hallmark holiday passed me by without too much fuss or bother. I had hoped things might be different since I was with Erin, but she was on call at the hospital in Petoskey, and I was pushing hard on a large multi-unit build that was on a tight schedule, so I was working six or even seven days a week until it was done. My work hadn't completely dried up since my run-in with Calum, but it had certainly taken a hit, so I was not in a position to turn down jobs, no matter how inconvenient. My one consolation was I knew I would see Erin in a couple of weeks when I visited her in Grand Rapids for the show. I had some flowers delivered to her at the hospital anyway, to let her know that I was thinking of her. That earned me an emoji-filled text and an enthusiastic video call when she was done with her shift. As the date of the show got closer, I started to get anxious. I had never been to a live performance of anything, except the occasional high school assembly, and I worried that Erin would be disappointed in my lack of manners and refinement. Wilma noticed my growing nervousness and decided that I needed a pep talk. "Listen, Davis. Erin likes you for who you are. She doesn't need or want you to act like some slick yuppie from the big city." "I know, Wilma, but I don't even know what to wear. The nicest outfit I own is still just a collared shirt over a pair of jeans." "Hmm, I can help you with that. I still have some of Phillip's old suits and ties, let's take a look and see what might fit." Half an hour later, Wilma had picked out a heavier dark charcoal-colored suit, a lightweight linen suit suitable for warmer weather, and a dark grey suit with tight pinstripes for me to try on. She had some shirts for me, as well, from when Phillip was younger. "Phillip wore that pinstripe suit the first time that he took me to the movies. I'll never forget that night, he looked just like Cary Grant. If you bring these suits to the tailor in Indian River, he should be able to take in the jacket and hem the pants to fit you perfectly. A good tailor can make these suits look like they were cut just for you." I didn't want to seem ungrateful, but I couldn't help but wonder if I would look funny in a decades-old suit. Wilma dismissed my concerns out of hand. "Let me tell you a little secret. If you buy a cheap suit, it will quickly begin to look tacky and dated. If you invest in a quality suit, it will age gracefully and become a timeless classic." Finally, Wilma selected a half dozen ties for me to try on and spent an hour teaching me how to tie a half-Windsor knot. "Get these suits altered, grab yourself a pair of polished black leather shoes, and you'll have those snooty pricks at the theatre thinking they are underdressed. And try to have fun. Erin loves the theatre, so if the two of you continue to fall in love, you will be going with her at least a couple of times a year, so you might as well enjoy it." I stood there in shock for a moment. "Do you really think Erin is falling in love with me?" "Well, yes, I do. And it's clear as daylight that you're in love with her too. But don't overthink things. Just go to the show and have a great night together. And here, take this with you as well," Wilma said handing me a navy blue pocket square with a distinctive paisley pattern. "Most men don't bother wearing a pocket square anymore, but I think they complete the look perfectly. You should wear this one on your date with Erin." Wilma took a final look at me and then slipped a twenty-dollar bill into my pocket. "That's for you to get a haircut before the show. Your normal 'shaggy mutt lost in a forest' look is adorable but not for your big date." The day of the performance approached with both aching slowness and relentless speed. We hadn't discussed it, but I knew (or at least strongly suspected) that Erin would have some expectations about how we spent our time together after the show. Unfortunately, I had no experience when it came to women other than a single kiss with Brittany Johnson back in my sophomore year of high school. I was terrified that I would disappoint her. To make matters worse, I had the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Grand Rapids to overthink things. By the time I arrived at Erin's apartment complex, I was a bit of a mess. My nerves were somewhat allayed, however, when Erin came running out to greet me with a huge smile on her face. "You made it! How was the drive? Wow, I love the haircut! I hope you're not too tired. I can't wait for tonight. I have been telling the girls all about you, and they are dying to see if the man lives up to the legend!" I guess Erin could see the sudden swell of anxiety on my face, so she took my hand. "Don't worry, the girls will love you, Davis. Why don't you grab your bag and come inside? I thought we could get changed here and then check in to the hotel before dinner and the show." Erin's housemates were really sweet, and the three of us chatted for at least an hour while Erin got ready before I excused myself to do the same. I put on Phillip's charcoal grey suit along with the crisp white shirt that Wilma had recommended. It took me four tries to tie my navy blue tie, but even I could tell that it made the colors in my paisley pocket square pop. Despite my nerves, I was still ready before Erin, so I rejoined her housemates in the living room while I waited. They kept sneaking glances at me when they thought I wasn't looking, so much so that I thought I must have done something wrong. Rather than second-guessing myself, I decided to take the bull by the horns and ask; better to be embarrassed in front of Erin's housemates than in front of her. "It's; it's not that you did anything wrong. It's just that you look; well, amazing; like an old-time movie star or something. Erin is going to swoon when she sees you." "You really think so?" I asked, still not sure of myself. Just then, I heard Erin's voice from behind me. "I'm sorry I took so long; we should head out before we're;" Erin went silent as I turned to look at her. She was wearing a floor-length emerald-green dress, which seemed to flow around her and mold to her curves, gathering delicately at her neck while leaving her back bare. Her sandy-blonde hair was styled in an elegant updo, while a few strands floated loose, framing her face. But, as always, what captured and held my gaze were her amber eyes, which danced and sparkled as she moved. My hands began to tremble, and I didn't trust myself to speak. "Do I look alright, Davis?" I took a deep breath that sent oxygen coursing through my body, as I found my voice. "I had no idea that anyone could look as beautiful as you do right now." Apparently, she liked my response, since her face broke into a wide grin. "You look mighty handsome yourself, Mister," she said while making a small adjustment to the knot of my tie. "Is that one of Grampy's suits? It looks amazing on you, and I love the tie and the; Oh; Oh, Davis. Is that Grampy's pocket square?" I could see tears forming in her eyes. "Wilma thought you might like it; that it might remind you of Phillip and the times he took you to the theatre when you were younger. I don't have to wear it, though, if you don't like it," I said reaching up to take it out of my pocket. Erin stopped my hand with hers, however, and then lightly ran her fingertips over the colorful square. "Gran was right. It reminds me of Grampy and now it will remind me of you. Please, I want you to wear it. For me." I felt a bit self-conscious pulling up to a fancy hotel in my ratty old truck, but it didn't seem to faze Erin in the least, so I decided not to worry about it. The suite she had booked was by far the nicest room of any kind that I had ever been in, but I tried not to seem like a country rube as I looked around. "Do you like it?" Erin asked a bit nervously, as she tried to gauge my reaction. "Honestly, I thought that rooms like this were just for celebrities and movie stars, and folks like that." "Normally that's the case, I guess, but for one night; tonight; it's ours." Dinner was lovely. I kept expecting people to see past my suit and realize that I was an imposter; just a plumber from the peninsula; not the kind of man who should be spending the evening with a woman like Erin. But she seemed to be having a wonderful time, so I began to relax. My anxiety was further abated when she leaned over the table and said in a low voice. "Jesus, the women in this place can't stop checking you out. I'm kind of wishing I had brought my bear spray now to keep them away. I need to excuse myself for a minute, but I wouldn't be surprised to find one of them trying to take my place when I get back." "Erin, I would never;" "I know, Darling. And frankly, they can look all they want because I know who you're going home with tonight." After that, I looked around the room with a new eye and noticed the subtle glances in my direction, and the shy smiles and blushes. I guess Phillip really did have good taste in suits. After dinner, we walked arm-in-arm to the performance hall, which was very impressive, with its soaring ceilings and plush velvet upholstery. Our seats were in a box on the right-hand side of the hall, which gave us a commanding view of the stage. As the lights went down, Erin took my hand in eager anticipation. I don't remember much about the performance that night; I spent more time watching Erin's childlike wonder than what was happening on the stage. Erin was still holding my hand at the intermission, and I felt a warm sense of contentment wash over me. "Oh, I forgot to mention, some of the largest donors to the hospital are hosting a reception after the performance. Would it be alright if we put in an appearance before we head back to our hotel?" I agreed without hesitation; a decision I would second guess before the night was over. It was close to 10:30 by the time the performance ended, and Erin held my arm, while resting her head on my shoulder, as we made our way through the hall to the reception. We each grabbed a drink, and we drifted through the small crowd until Erin was greeted warmly by a distinguished-looking older couple. Erin introduced them to me as the hosts of the reception, Mr. and Mrs. Wendel. "Please, just call us Tom and Martha. And you two make such a lovely couple. What do you do, Davis?" "I am a plumber, Ma'am," I replied, wondering how that news would be received by this obviously well-to-do couple, but I needn't have worried. "What kind of plumbing do you do?" Tom asked with genuine interest. "Mainly residential at this point, since I just got my master's license last year. A lot of the larger builders want to see some gray hairs on the heads of their skilled tradesmen, so right now, I am just doing what I can to pay the bills." "Amen, to that brother. I remember those days well. I started out, over 30 years ago now, as a dry Waller, and I spent more years than I care to remember doing whatever jobs I could get, just to get a foot in the door. It paid off for me in the end, though. Say, I am working on a development on the south side of town and was wondering;" Before Martha could stop him, Tom launched into a long and technical question about a challenge he was having with the plumbing for his new development. When I started an equally long and technical response, Erin kissed me on the cheek and whispered that Martha and she were going to go to the bar to get another drink. A few minutes later, I was still talking with Tom when a movement at the bar caught my eye. I looked more closely and saw that Erin was speaking with a tall, arrogant-looking man who kept trying to put his hand on her lower back, while she forcefully pushed it away. "My apologies, Tom, but could you give me a minute?" Without waiting for a reply, I walked over to where Erin was standing and slipped my arm around her waist, just as the man reached for her for a third time. "Hey, now," I said, trying to defuse the situation with a bit of humor. "At least buy me a drink before you make a move on me like that." His hand recoiled like it had been scalded, and his cheeks colored in anger. I could smell the alcohol on his breath from where I was standing. "Well, if it isn't the plumber," he said in a mocking tone. He must have been eavesdropping on my conversation with Tom, and he clearly wasn't impressed. "What did you think of the show this evening? Actually, that's hardly a fair question since you've probably never been to the theatre before. So, how about something more your level? I wonder what you would think of the bathrooms in my new penthouse. I am sure you would find them very impressive. I will give you a call the next time my toilet gets clogged, and you can come and check them out." He seemed very pleased with his insults, so he continued, a condescending grin on his face. "Anyway, Dr. Anderson, as I was saying, it was charitable of you to let the help see how the rest of us live, and I am sure he is having a good time and all, but it's past time for him to bring his daddy's suit home, don't you think? Why don't you leave him to it, and you and I can go have a drink? And then; who knows? I had dealt with people like this prick for my entire life. When you grow up with one abusive parent and no money, you get used to just about everyone feeling like they are better than you. There was nothing I could do about that, but I learned to use humor as a shield to protect myself and deflect attention. But sometimes humor just wasn't enough. And when humor failed, a more direct approach was called for. "You know, if you're trying to insult me, you're going to have to work a whole lot harder than that. But I doubt that hard work is something that you're too familiar with. I have been working since I was twelve to put food on the table for my brother and sisters. I have been a plumber since I was fourteen; by the time I was fifteen, I am sure I had already spent more time ankle-deep in shit than you've spent doing honest work in your entire life. "I didn't borrow this suit from my father because I don't know who my father is; that's right, I'm a bastard. But I am a bastard by circumstance and not by choice. I was born this way, what's your excuse? And since you asked, the suit I'm wearing belonged to Erin's grandfather, and you're right, I would never be able to afford a suit like this myself. But it's an honor to wear a suit that belonged to a man who loved Erin more than anything in this world. If I am really lucky, maybe she will let me love her just as deeply one day. "I may not know that much about musicals or the theatre, but anything that brings that much joy to Erin is more than fine in my books. So, I am going to continue to have a wonderful time with Erin this evening. Why wouldn't I? I am here with the most beautiful woman in the place, or;" I swept my gaze over to Martha, who was still standing beside Erin, "tied for the most beautiful, anyway." The man's face was now distorted with anger, and he took a step towards me. I stepped forward to meet him, my eyes never leaving his. Before, I had been speaking loudly for the benefit of those around us, but now I was speaking in a controlled voice, pitched for his ears alone. "You can say what you want about me, you prick. I have no respect for arrogant shitheels like you, so I just don't care. But before you ever think about putting your hands on Erin again, without her consent, you would do well to remember the Pipe Wrench Incident. "When I was fourteen, two of the men my mother was having sex with, in exchange for drugs, decided that my sister Alison should join in their fun. She was just nine years old. Luckily, I was home at the time, but I was just a kid, and they were fully grown men. When it was over, they were in the hospital, and I was cleaning my pipe wrench with some WD-40 and a rag." I looked him up and down once, dismissively. "Remember that story the next time you're tempted to touch someone I love." I turned to Tom who had come over to stand with Martha. "I'm sorry I interrupted your lovely event, and please don't hold my bad manners against Erin. I don't want to cause any more trouble, so maybe we should be on our way." Tom held up his hand indicating that we should stay. "Dr. Allen, you're drunk and making an ass of yourself. Please see yourself out. On your way home, please consider what you would like me to say at the next Board meeting regarding your behavior tonight." As a chastened Dr. Allen left the reception, Erin leaned over and whispered in my ear, "So, I'm someone you love, am I?" Before I could stammer a reply, Erin kissed my cheek and led me away to get a drink. We avoided the topic of Dr. Allen for the rest of the evening until we were on our way back to the hotel. "Did you really put two men in the hospital with a pipe wrench?" I chuckled softly before responding. "That part of the story is 100% true. What I didn't mention, though, was that they were both stoned at the time and facing the other direction. They would have killed me in a fair fight." It was close to midnight by the time we made it back to the hotel. We held each other's hands as we walked to the elevators, and Erin leaned against me as the doors closed. "Davis, how would you like this evening to end?" My heart started racing and my hands trembled. "I; I want to be with you. But, I have never;" "Are you still a virgin?" "I kissed a girl once, back in high school, but it was nothing like kissing you. I want you more than anything I have ever wanted in my life, but I don't want to disappoint you." Erin tried to stay calm as she replied. "So, you think that I am some kind of floozy who is going to compare you to all my past conquests?" "No, that's not it at all, I;" "Or do you think that I am so shallow that I will get mad at you if it takes a little while for you to learn what I like?" "No, I don't think that either;" "Okay, then. Here is what's going to happen. When we get to our room, you are going to move some of the furniture out of the way, while I put on some music. You still remember how to dance, right? And then we will take things slowly. I will let you know what makes me feel good, and you will let me know what makes you feel even better. And we will be together, and that's all that matters." And that is what happened. Erin started a playlist of songs that she liked, and we slowly danced together in our room. After the first song ended, she nuzzled into my chest as she loosened my tie and undid the first two buttons of my shirt. When the next song started, she started gently kissing and then licking my chest, causing my manhood to stiffen almost painfully. "Well, hello, my rather large friend. You need to be patient, for now. But if you're good, I may kiss you as well before the night is done." Her sensuous voice, and the image it evoked, were definitely not conducive to patience, and I let out a low moan of pleasure. "That's what I like to hear," she murmured as she untucked my shirt and continued to undo my buttons until she could run her tongue over my nipples and tweak them with her teeth. She looked up at me with sultry, half-lidded eyes. "It's okay for you to touch me as well if you want," she said, as she took one of my hands and slid it under the back of her dress and down to her silky-smooth cheeks. She slid my other hand under the front of her dress so that it cupped her tit, and she sucked in a breath as I stroked my callused thumb over her nipple. "Now some women like it when you;" I kissed her before she could finish her thought. "Erin, I don't care what some women like, the only woman I want is you." "Oh," she replied in a breathy voice. "Well, I like it when you're a bit rougher with my tits. Not right away, I need to be in the mood; like I am now;" She lost her train of thought as my hand enveloped and massaged her tit, squeezing her nipple lightly between my thumb and forefinger as I lifted it away from her body. "Mmmm, yes. Just like that, baby." I felt a wave of heat roll up the fingers on my other hand, so I slid it further down until I felt a small triangle of material, that was slick with liquid heat. I slipped my finger a little further and felt her long smooth cunt open at my touch. "Oh, Baby," Erin whispered huskily into my ear. "We are going to have so much fun tonight." It was strange going back to my regular life after my night with Erin. The time with her was so incredible, and so beyond anything I could ever have imagined, that it didn't seem real. To be continued in part 4. Based on a post by CleverGenericName, in 4 parts, for Literotica.

Bob talks about Ukraine - Russia peace talks, a police officer that was killed in Indian River being from Oswego, the Dell family funding Trump accounts, and Nelson E. Hoffmann.

From the beginning of time, humanity has sought to understand what lies beyond the veil of death — the mysteries that whisper through empty halls and echo across history.Today on Mission: Evolution, we step into that twilight realm with Larry Lawson, founder of Indian River Hauntings and the Florida Bureau of Paranormal Investigation. A retired law enforcement officer turned scientific paranormal researcher, Larry bridges the gap between evidence and experience, offering a disciplined yet open-minded look at the unseen world.Join us as we explore the energetic fingerprints of consciousness, the persistence of spirit, and what hauntings may reveal about the evolution of the human soul — right here on Mission: Evolution, with your host, Gwilda Wiyaka.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mission-evolution-with-gwilda-wiyaka--2888020/support.Please note that all XZBN radio and/or television shows are Copyright © REL-MAR McConnell Meda Company, Niagara, Ontario, Canada – www.rel-mar.com. For more Episodes of this show and all shows produced, broadcasted and syndicated from REL-MAR McConell Media Company and The 'X' Zone Broadcast Network and the 'X' Zone TV Channell, visit www.xzbn.net. For programming, distribution, and syndication inquiries, email programming@xzbn.net.

A New Episode of Eastern Florida State College #TitansTalk is here!! The Mark Moses Show is joined by Head Basketball Coach Zach Ferrell to talk about his career, recruiting at Eastern Florida and how the team opens their 2025-26 Season this Friday at Indian River. EFSC Titans Sports Mike Parsons Jeff Carr GO TITANS! #sports #podcast #easternflorida #Titans

Captain Blair Wiggins — known to many as the Mogan Man from Addictive Fishing — has spent decades shaping saltwater fishing on Florida's Space Coast. Today, he's leading the charge on one of the most ambitious conservation projects in the state: planting over 96 million clams to restore the Indian River Lagoon. In this conversation, Blair and I go deep on fishing history, the birth of Addictive Fishing, the boom and bust of the clam fishery, his new show Blair Wiggins Outdoors, and why restoring water quality is the fight of our generation. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The wild story of how “Mogan” became his nickname and brand. The rise of Addictive Fishing and what it was like to film all over the world. His first trip to Alaska — and how it changed him. The shocking scale of clam overharvesting and the black water years in the Indian River. How the Clam Project is filtering Florida's waters and changing the future for fish, anglers, and families. 00:00 Introduction 01:10 The Origin of the “Mogan Man” 03:45 Addictive Fishing & Early ICAST Days 10:15 Adventures Filming Worldwide 14:30 Blair Wiggins Outdoors & Working With His Son 19:00 The Indian River Clam Project Story 23:45 Funding, Partners & Education Efforts 28:10 Water Quality Challenges & Fertilizer Impact 32:00 Final Reflections & Call to Action

In our fifthteenth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is none other than my great friend - famed author, editor and co-host of television's Florida and Texas Insider Fishing Reports, Dave Ferrell. At this event I got to fish with Dave, hang out and talk about all things IRL conservation and have a great time in the process. Dave's voice and passionate dedication for conservation has inspired and motivated so many to adapt to a culture of preserving and restoring our natural resources. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our fourteenth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is none other than the legendary, Captain Bouncer Smith. Bouncer is no stranger to Connected By Water and has been on the show more times than I can count. I'm honored to be able to say that and to be able to call him a close friend. Each time I get to sit down with him is an absolute treat. This time it is no different. Bouncer's voice and passionate dedication for conservation has inspired and motivated so many to adapt to a culture of preserving and restoring our natural resources. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our thirteenth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is a local legend, lifelong Florida resident and one of the premier captains the Indian River Lagoon has ever seen, Alex Hughey. We had a great conversation about the sort of lasting impact that this event and all the work that Star brite's Project SeaSafe and the IRL Clam Project has on future generations and what it's going to take to get it back to the way it was. Alex's voice and passionate dedication for conservation has inspired and motivated so many to adapt to a culture of preserving and restoring our natural resources. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our twelfth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is Co-Host of television's Florida Insider Fishing and the Texas Insider Fishing Reports, Miss Florida USA 2016 and Star brite ambassador, Brie Dal Santo. We had a great conversation about the sort of lasting impact that this event and all the work that Star brite's Project SeaSafe and the IRL Clam Project has on our children. Brie's voice and passionate dedication for conservation has inspired and motivated so many to adapt to a culture of preserving and restoring our natural resources. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite•@connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our eleventh episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is co-host of the Local Knowledge television show and Star brite ambassador, Rush Maltz. In great support of this event, Rush and the Local Knowledge crew are back for their second year in a row to fish and create an episode of their show that highlights all the great work being completed. Rush's voice and passionate dedication for conservation has inspired and motivated so many to adapt to a culture of preserving and restoring our natural resources. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've reach episode ten of our very special Connected By Water series, on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is none other than the man who has grown and led Star brite to be the amazing company that it is today, Gregor Dornau. Gregor's vision to make Star brite an industry leader in the fight to keep our fisheries and waterways clean and healthy has forged a philosophy that today is indelible. Gregor's voice and passionate dedication for conservation has inspired and motivated so many to adapt to a culture of preserving and restoring our natural resources. He has truly created a legacy that leaves a lasting impact. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here is the ninth episode in this very special Connected By Water series, on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite ambassador and retired 1st Battalion Army Ranger, Jimmy Armel. Jimmy is no stranger to our show and he is a champion for conservation.Jimmy's efforts, voice and passionate dedication to preserving and restoring our natural resources have made him a true leader in the fight to protect our fisheries, waterways and coastal ecosystems.At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration.Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife.•The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite•@connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe•#connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're eight episodes in for this very special Connected By Water series, on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite's VP of Brand and Marketing, Kouri Carey, who is one of the great men behind the scenes for this massive conservation effort. Kouri and I sat down to discuss conservation being a huge part of Star brite's DNA. It involves a ton of hard work to keep such a great company moving forward, while all along maintaining your purpose. His passionate voice is dedicated to doing it the Star brite way and influential in preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources, fisheries, waterways and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this sixth episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is professional bass tournament angler Bobby Lane Jr. Yes, he may be the son of a Bassmaster champion, but this fine young man has been paying his dues, carving his own path and represents the future of conservation. Bobby Jr's efforts, voice and passionate dedication to preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources have destined him to be among tomorrow's leaders in the fight to protect our fisheries, waterways and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for this seventh episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite ambassador, owner at Fine Line Charters and host of the Catch A Memory Radio Show, Captain Jim Ross, who is among those on the forefront of this massive conservation effort. Jim joined me to share his journey and tell his story on how he has contributed to Florida's cause and the clam efforts at this event. His passionate voice is influential and dedicated to preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources, fisheries, waterways and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this fourth episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is John Boyle from our show's newest sponsor, PartsVU, who is dedicated to being a key force in this massive conservation effort. PartsVU's leadership and unwavering dedication to preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources have made them a recognizable ally in the fight to protect our fisheries and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us for this fifth episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is none other than 2017 MLF World Champion, 2019 Redcrest Champion and Bassmaster Champ Bobby Lane who is such a vital player in this massive conservation effort. Bobby's leadership and unwavering dedication to preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources have made him a true crusader in the fight to protect our fisheries and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie @project_seasafe • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this second episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is one of Star brite's leading ambassadors, Blair Wiggins, who is among those on the forefront of this massive conservation effort. Particularly, he shares details with us about his IRL Clam Restoration Project which is on its way to completing its astonishing mission of dropping a billion clams in the Indian River. Blair's leadership and unwavering dedication to preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources have made him a key figure in the fight to protect our fisheries and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Throughout the episode, Blair shares his passion behind these projects and offers insights into the hard work and collaborations that go into protecting Florida's waterways. The event also drew celebrities and influencers from the Florida fishing community; all coming together to celebrate and support conservation. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this third episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Project Sea Safe's leading scientist and Associate Professor at the University of Florida, Dr. Todd Osborne, who is among those on the forefront of this massive conservation effort. Dr. Todd or, as Cory Redwine likes to call him, her “pocket nerd”, shares details with us about the science behind the Project SeaSafe clam and mangrove initiatives. Dr. Todd's leadership and unwavering dedication to preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources have made him a key figure in the fight to protect our fisheries and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @papaspilar @starbrite_com @seawardsystems @partsvu4u @olukai @linkgenie • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we're on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite's Conservation Director, Cory Redwine, who is at the forefront of this monumental conservation effort. Cory's leadership and unwavering dedication to preserving and restoring Florida's natural resources have made her a key figure in the fight to protect our fisheries and coastal ecosystems. At this year's event, the conservation efforts were nothing short of extraordinary. With the help of the local volunteer community and the Project SeaSafe crew, hundreds of new mangrove bombs were made and planted to help rebuild vital coastal habitats, and in a groundbreaking move, four million clams were released into the Indian River via drone, a revolutionary step in ecological restoration. Throughout the episode, Cory shares the passion behind these projects and offers insights into the hard work and collaborations that go into protecting Florida's waterways. The event also drew celebrities and influencers from the Florida fishing community, all coming together to celebrate and support conservation. Join us for a look at the incredible work being done, and the people who are making it happen, in this inspiring episode of the Connected By Water Podcast. It's a celebration of community, conservation, and a collective effort to make a lasting impact on Florida's waters and wildlife. • The Connected By Water Podcast is Fueled by Papa's Pilar Rum and Protected by Star brite • @connectedbywater @starbrite @seawardsystems @partsvu @olukai @linkgenie • #connectedbywater #papaspilar #starbrite #TeamDoGooder #ProjectSeaSafe #olukai #seawardsystems #partsvu #linkgenie #podcast #floridapodcast #IndianRiverLagoon #clams #cleanwater #mangroves #conservation #SaveFlorida #longlivetheeverglades #dfriel #dfrielart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Johnson serves as the CEO for Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida, which serves over 10,000 members in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. She has worked in non-profit leadership for 33 years, working with the American Red Cross and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society before coming to Girl Scouts in 1996. She is the Immediate Past Chair for the Girl Scouts of Florida Association and serves on multiple Girl Scouts of the USA Committees.

The carbon footprint of U.S. liquefied natural gas, or LNG exports is 33% higher than for coal, Cornell researchers report, showing the climate risks of a planned expansion of U.S. LNG exports. Also, the newest Popemobile for the Holy Father is an all-electric Mercedes-Benz, and most of the new U.S. Postal Service trucks are EVs, too. We talk about the shift to EVs among the Vatican, Post Offices, and everyday consumers. And India's Yamuna River is considered sacred by some devout Hindus, who bathe in the river to cleanse their sins. But around New Delhi it has become polluted with raw sewage and a thick white foam linked to detergents flowing untreated from laundries and households. -- The Living on Earth newsletter now features new in-depth analysis and commentary! Sign up at loe.org/newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The biggest storyline in Florida's political scene continues to be the state's blue counties becoming far less blue.

Join us this week as we enjoy a candid discussion with Dr. Mark Kistler, center director and professor at the University of Florida's Indian River Research and Education Center. Dr. Kistler shares his extensive background, the long history of IRREC, and how they're taking extensive strategic planning steps to make sure the center continues to provide Florida agriculture with the scientific support it needs to thrive in the future.  

Jeff Stanfield and Andy Shaver sit down with Dr. Eric DeLamielleure, a seasoned chiropractor with nearly 30 years of experience and nephew of Hall of Fame lineman Joe DeLamielleure. In this episode, Eric shares his journey from running multiple clinics in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to settling in Indian River. They dive into the major advancements in chiropractic care, the impact of growing up around a Hall of Fame uncle, the attitude shift away from big medicine in America post Covid, and the pressing health concerns facing America today.

The biggest storyline in Florida continues to be the state's blue counties becoming far less blue with Palm Beach County representing ground zero for that storyline.   

Indian River's Doug Bournique teaches us about the grapefruit.

Doc retells his stories about the color yellow in sports, art and surgery from the Good Time Donuts studio. Doc welcomes Indian River's Doug Bournique who talks about the world of grapefruits. Doc is talkin' blueberry donuts from... The Weekend Warrior Clinic re-opens for listeners.

The biggest storyline in Florida continues to be the state's blue counties becoming far less blue with Palm Beach County representing ground zero for that storyline.  

In this episode of the Fly Fishing Insider podcast, host Christian Bacasa interviews angler Jake Oliver about his fishing experiences on the Indian River in Florida. Jake started fishing in middle school and gradually transitioned from fishing in residential ponds to exploring the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. He eventually got his first boat and started incorporating business into his fishing passion. Jake shares tips on DIY fishing and discusses the challenges and techniques of fishing for redfish and trout in the Indian River. In this conversation, Jake Oliver and Christian Bacasa discuss their experiences with DIY fishing in various locations. They talk about the challenges of fishing for different species, such as redfish and tarpon, and the importance of exploring new areas. Jake shares his tips for finding good fishing spots, including looking for proximity to deep water and open water, and trying to get away from crowded areas. He also emphasizes the value of online research and using resources like Google Earth to scout potential fishing locations. keywordsfly fishing, Indian River, Florida, angler, DIY fishing, redfish, trout, DIY fishing, exploring new areas, challenges of fishing, redfish, tarpon, finding fishing spots, online research, Google Earth takeaways Jake Oliver started fishing in middle school and gradually transitioned to fishing in the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. He got his first boat and started a business called Fish and Grits, selling fishing-related merchandise. Jake shares tips on DIY fishing and emphasizes the importance of research and exploration. Fishing in the Indian River can be challenging due to declining conditions, but Jake found success by exploring different areas. He primarily targets redfish, snook, and trout in the Indian River and employs different casting techniques and fly patterns. Jake enjoys sight fishing for tailing redfish and uses stealth and precise casting to target them. DIY fishing allows anglers to explore new areas and learn more about the fish they are targeting. Proximity to deep water and open water can be important factors when looking for good fishing spots. Getting away from crowded areas can increase the chances of finding unpressured fish. Online research, including forums and blogs, can provide valuable information about fishing locations. Using resources like Google Earth can help anglers scout potential fishing spots before their trip. titles Targeting Redfish and Trout in the Indian River Tips for DIY Fishing and Exploring New Fishing Areas Tips for Finding Good Fishing Spots The Value of Online Research in DIY Fishing Sound Bites "Fish and Grits: Incorporating Business into Fishing Passion" "The Indian River: Challenges and Exploration" "Fly Fishing: A Whole New Level of Fishing" "Yeah, they're tough fish." "What was it about the Indian river in specific that you felt like really set you up to be in that exploratory mindset of like, I want to check out other areas and go see what else is available." "Yeah. Kind of doing that. What's the unknown? It's just like fishing a pond or a river. It's like, what's the unknown? If I go fish this corner or that corner, what's different? Or what's in the deep?" Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 03:15Starting Out in the Indian River 07:07Transitioning to Fly Fishing 09:00The Thrill of Sight Fishing 11:01Exploring Different Areas 13:49Casting Techniques and Fly Selection 16:44Tips for Successful Fly Fishing 20:54The Indian River and DIY Fishing 22:17Exploring Other Fishing Areas 24:01Fly Fishing and Tarpon Adventures 29:00The Joy of Exploration 32:29Tips for Finding Fishing Spots 35:53Proximity to Deep Water and Open Water 38:58The Value of Online Research 40:02Fishin' Grits: Gear and Apparel 41:14FFF Voice Over Intro and Outro.mp4

In the lead up to the August Primary Election Palm Beach County's red counties trended redder while the state's blue counties generally held their ground over the past month.

Bhagavad-Gita, "Boken om herrens sång", är en central text inom hinduismen. Det är en dialog mellan krigaren Arjuna och guden Krishna, när prinsen tvingas kriga mot sina egna släktningar.Bhagavad-Gita skapades för att sammanjämka motstridiga traditioner inom religionerna i Nordindien, när samhällsförändringar århundradena f.v.t ställde nya krav på religionen. Det var en tid när furstarna och prästerna kämpade om religiöst inflytande.I detta avsnitt av podden Historia Nu samtalar programledaren Urban Lindstedt med Martin Gansten, docent i religionshistoria vid Lunds universitet och översättare av Bhagavad-Gita från sanskrit till svenska.Bhagavad-Gita tar formen av en dialog mellan krigaren Arjuna och hans vagnsförare Krishna, en avatar (inkarnation) av guden Vishnu. I texten försöker Arjuna att lösa en inre konflikt om att delta i ett krig mot sina egna släktingar och vänner. Krishna ger råd till Arjuna om hans plikt som krigare och om den universella ordningen som reglerar allt i livet.Bhagavad-Gita är en av de kortare böckerna i världens största epos Mahabharata som började komponeras år 500 f.v.t och fick dagens form runt år 400 v.t. Den relativt korta texten, som innehåller de centrala begreppen inom hinduismen, fick stor spridning under 1800- och 1900-talet i ansträngningarna att stärka den indiska nationalismen.Bhagavad-Gita förenar de begrepp som uttrycks i hinduismens centrala texter - Veda och Upanishaderna - vilka här sammanfattas till en enda, sammanhängande vision av tron på en Gud och den underliggande enheten i allts existens. Texten ger instruktioner om hur man måste förfina sinnet och själen för att se bortom det yttre.Dialogen mellan Arjuna och Krishna i Bhagavad-Gita berör flera centrala teman inom hinduismen. Ett av de mest framträdande är begreppet dharma, vilket betyder plikt eller moraliskt ansvar. I Bhagavad-Gita uppmanar Krishna Arjuna att utföra sin dharma som krigare, trots hans motvilja att döda sina släktingar och vänner. Krishna lär Arjuna att dharma är en universell princip som varje individ måste följa för att uppnå moksha, eller frigörelse från återfödelsens cykel.Ett annat viktigt tema i Bhagavad-Gita är konceptet karma, eller handlingarnas lag. Enligt karma kommer varje handling att ha en motsvarande konsekvens, antingen i detta liv eller i framtida liv. Krishna lär Arjuna att han bör utföra sina plikter utan att vara bunden av deras frukter eller resultat. På så sätt kan han bryta fri från karmas cykel och uppnå moksha.Bhagavad-Gita diskuterar också begreppet atman, eller den individuella själen, och Brahman, den universella själen eller gudomliga verkligheten. Krishna lär Arjuna att atman är evig och oförstörbar, och att den cyklar genom födelse och död tills den uppnår förening med Brahman. Krishna betonar också att allt i universum är en manifestation av Brahman, och att man bör se förbi världens illusioner för att förstå denna underliggande enhet.Bild: Avbildning av vers 20 och början av vers 21 från det inledande kapitlet av Bhagavad Gita, som handlar om Arjunas nöd. Sedan, när han såg Dhritarâshtras söner stå uppställda, och pilar som skulle börja flyga, ... tog Pândus son upp sin båge, Okänd konstnär, Wikipeida, Public Domain.Musik: Bhagavad-Gita, Brahamans hymn, Internet Archive, Public Domain mixad med The Indian River av Rent Kid, Storyblocks Audio.Lyssna också på Det brittiska imperiets uppgång och fall.Klippare: Emanuel Lehtonen Vill du stödja podden och samtidigt höra ännu mer av Historia Nu? Gå med i vårt gille genom att klicka här: https://plus.acast.com/s/historianu-med-urban-lindstedt. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The biggest storyline continues to be Florida's blue counties becoming far less blue with Palm Beach County representing ground zero for that storyline. 

Welcome to Camp Keep-It-Spooky, where tales of haunted cabins, river monsters, and mysterious creatures lurking around your tent await... Season 17 Episode 11 of Monsters Among Us Podcast, true paranormal stories of ghosts, cryptids, UFOs and more, told by the witnesses themselves. SHOW NOTES: Tonight's Sponsor - Better Help - Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/monstersamongus and get on your way to being your best self. Get 10% off your first month with code MONSTERSAMONGUS Tonight's Sponsor - Rocket Money - Stop wasting money on things you don't use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to RocketMoney.com/MONSTERSAMONGUS Tonight's Sponsor - Pretty Litter - Keep tabs on your cat's health and keep odors down with PrettyLitter! Visit PrettyLitter.com/MAU & use code MAU for 20% off your first order & a free cat toy. Support the show! Get ad-free, extended & bonus episodes (and more) on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/monstersamonguspodcast MAU Merch Shop - http://www.monstersamonguspodcast.com/shop RENT or BUY Shadows in the Desert: High Strangeness in the Borrego Triangle  - https://www.borregotriangle.com/ Resident Evil Dog - https://theblissfuldog.com/blogs/news/113317379-doberman-pinscher-zombie-dogs Mange - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3OLnYArAv8 Scariest Stories You've Ever Heard Pt 2 - https://www.amazon.com/Scariest-Stories-Youve-Ever-Heard/dp/0874064198 It Walks At Midnight - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGKj53wL8E/Os_6QrRIEz9JLZcVzj6Spw/view?utm_content=DAGKj53wL8E&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor Ape Canyon Expedition X - https://www.discoveryplus.com/video/expedition-x/canyon-of-the-apes Snellgrove Lake Pelted with Rocks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv56MbXsYhQ Bear Breaks Glass - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGf5_U4CiAE Bigfoot Throwing Rock Video - https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=bigfoot+rock+throwing&&mid=01B82E1BDF56AA22C71E01B82E1BDF56AA22C71E&&FORM=VRDGAR Cobb Estate History - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoP-ZPPEVqo Thresher Shark in Indian River - https://6abc.com/delaware-news/1976073/ Sacramento River Monster - https://www.tumblr.com/cryptid-quest/186474867529/cryptid-of-the-day-sacramento-river-monster Sacramento River Monster Recent Sighting - https://www.reddit.com/r/cryptids/comments/18wyy8r/i_found_a_scary_creature_in_sacramento_river_last/ Music from tonight's episode: Music by Iron Cthulhu Apocalypse - https://www.youtube.com/c/IronCthulhuApocalypse Music by White Bat Audio - https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteBatAudio White Bat Audio Songs: Sanity Unravels Dream Come True Lucid Dream Slasher Solitude Mysterious Green Fluid Absolution Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Camp Keep-It-Spooky, where tales of haunted cabins, river monsters, and mysterious creatures lurking around your tent await... Season 17 Episode 11 of Monsters Among Us Podcast, true paranormal stories of ghosts, cryptids, UFOs and more, told by the witnesses themselves. SHOW NOTES: Tonight's Sponsors - https://www.monstersamonguspodcast.com/sponsors Support the show! Get ad-free, extended & bonus episodes (and more) on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/monstersamonguspodcast MAU Merch Shop - http://www.monstersamonguspodcast.com/shop RENT or BUY Shadows in the Desert: High Strangeness in the Borrego Triangle  - https://www.borregotriangle.com/ Resident Evil Dog - https://theblissfuldog.com/blogs/news/113317379-doberman-pinscher-zombie-dogs Mange - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3OLnYArAv8 Scariest Stories You've Ever Heard Pt 2 - https://www.amazon.com/Scariest-Stories-Youve-Ever-Heard/dp/0874064198 It Walks At Midnight - https://www.canva.com/design/DAGKj53wL8E/Os_6QrRIEz9JLZcVzj6Spw/view?utm_content=DAGKj53wL8E&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor Ape Canyon Expedition X - https://www.discoveryplus.com/video/expedition-x/canyon-of-the-apes Snellgrove Lake Pelted with Rocks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kv56MbXsYhQ Bear Breaks Glass - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGf5_U4CiAE Bigfoot Throwing Rock Video - https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?&q=bigfoot+rock+throwing&&mid=01B82E1BDF56AA22C71E01B82E1BDF56AA22C71E&&FORM=VRDGAR Cobb Estate History - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoP-ZPPEVqo Thresher Shark in Indian River - https://6abc.com/delaware-news/1976073/ Sacramento River Monster - https://www.tumblr.com/cryptid-quest/186474867529/cryptid-of-the-day-sacramento-river-monster Sacramento River Monster Recent Sighting - https://www.reddit.com/r/cryptids/comments/18wyy8r/i_found_a_scary_creature_in_sacramento_river_last/ Music from tonight's episode: Music by Iron Cthulhu Apocalypse - https://www.youtube.com/c/IronCthulhuApocalypse Music by White Bat Audio - https://www.youtube.com/@WhiteBatAudio White Bat Audio Songs: Sanity Unravels Dream Come True Lucid Dream Slasher Solitude Mysterious Green Fluid Absolution

Education News Headline RoundupBook bannings and classroom content updates from around the U.S.:From the Guardian: In Florida, a children's book titled "Ban This Book" by Alan Gratz, which ironically addresses the issue of book banning, was itself banned by the Indian River county school board.From the AP: In Oklahoma, the state Supreme Court ruled unanimously that local school boards, not the state Board of Education, have the authority to decide which books are available in public school libraries. This decision overturned attempts by the state Board of Education to remove certain books from Edmond Public Schools' library.Oklahoma public schools are now required to keep and teach from a copy of the Bible in every classroom in grades 5-12. Teachers are being encouraged to provide Biblical instruction due to the book's “substantial influence on our nation's founders and the foundational principles of our Constitution.” Oklahoma's Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters stated that teachers in non-compliance could lose their licenses. In related news, Louisiana also became the first state to require that the Ten Commandments be displayed in every public school classroom.The American Library Association reports “the number of titles targeted for censorship surged 65% in 2023 compared to 2022.We recently hosted a discussion on legacy admissions and “side door,” donation-motivated college admissions when we discussed the Varsity Blues scandal on this podcast; now, a bill passed by the California state Assembly may bring financial penalties to private higher education institutions for giving admissions preference to children of alumni and donors.The University of Colorado Boulder is retiring remote exam proctoring and monitoring technology Proctorio, citing low usage after a return to in-person instruction post COVID-19 pandemic. CU Boulder is not the first university to experience student pushback (hear our discussion of the statement on Proctorio issued by the Union of Students in Ireland in episode 102).Behaviorism in Education: The Legacy of B.F. SkinnerIn this episode, we investigate the life and work of B.F. Skinner, the pioneering psychologist who transformed our understanding of behaviorism and left deep marks on classrooms, schools, and methods of instruction. Discover how Skinner's theories on behavior modification, reinforcement, and punishment continue to influence modern education and classroom management.Highlights:Early Life and Influences: Learn about Skinner's journey from aspiring writer to groundbreaking psychologist, influenced by the works of Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson.Operant Conditioning: Understand the principles of operant conditioning and how Skinner's research with rats and pigeons laid the foundation for behaviorist approaches in education.The Skinner Box and Other Oddities and Experiments: Explore the development of the operant conditioning chamber, famously known as the "Skinner Box," and its role in studying animal behavior. Be sure to stick around for a discussion of… (checks notes…) war pigeons?Educational Impact: Join a discussion of how Skinner's theories have shaped modern educational practices, including the use of positive and negative reinforcement, token economies, and programmed instruction.Controversies and Criticisms: Delve into the ethical debates surrounding behaviorist techniques and their application in both educational and social contexts.Legacy in Education: Katie and Chelsea Reflect on Skinner's lasting impact on educational technology and teaching methodologies.Discussion Questions:Has Skinner's focus on observable and measurable behaviors had an overall positive or negative impact on formal educational systems?How much behavior modification is too much when it comes to classroom instruction, and what are the ethical implications of applying behaviorist principles in schools?With new research questioning the efficacy of extrinsic rewards, how do we reconcile Skinnerian approaches to motivation in modern education?Sources & Resources:Book about book bans banned by Florida school board | Books | The GuardianOklahoma Supreme Court rejects state education board's authority over public school libraries | AP Newshttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/louisiana-to-become-first-state-to-require-that-the-ten-commandments-be-displayed-in-every-public-school-classroomWatch out Stanford. California is eyeing a new legacy admission ban | PoliticoCalifornia May Ban Legacy Admissions at Universities - The New York TimesA New National Student Organization Is Taking Aim At Legacy AdmissionsProctorio | Office of Information TechnologyStudents Are Pushing Back Against Proctoring Surveillance Apps | Electronic Frontier FoundationBiographical Information – B. F. Skinner FoundationProject Pigeon - WikipediaB.F. Skinner's Pigeon-Guided Rocket | SmithsonianUnderstanding Behavioral Psychology: the Skinner BoxBehaviourism | Classical & Operant Conditioning, Reinforcement & Shaping | BritannicaBehaviorism In PsychologyTHE IMPLICATION OF THE LEARNING THEORIES ON IMPLEMENTING E-LEARNING COURSESWhat Kind of Dog Was Pavlov's Dog? | SmithsonianPavlov, Watson, Skinner, And Behaviorism | Kate VotawB.F. Skinner Raised His Daughter in a Skinner Box? | Snopes.comMystery solved: We now know what happened to Little AlbertOperant Conditioning: What Is It and How It WorksReinforcement and Punishment – General PsychologyBehaviorism in Education: What Is Behavioral Learning Theory?Skinner's Behaviourism - New Learning OnlineOklahoma Superintendent Ryan Walters orders schools to teach the BibleOklahoma schools head Ryan Walters: Teachers who won't teach Bible could lose licenseSkinner's Reinforcement Theory in the Classroom | Teaching ChannelWhy B.F. Skinner May Have Been The Most Dangerous Psychologist EverThe Engineered Student: On B. F. Skinner's Teaching Machine | The MIT Press Reader 

At the peak of the Democrat voter registration advantage in Palm Beach County Democrats held an advantage of 138,400 voters. Democrats now hold an advantage of 49,895.

One of the recent exhibitions at the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery focused on the connection between Bean and one of his collectors, journalist W.M. Kiplinger. Not only did the exhibit feature splendid paintings, but it also featured numerous letters of correspondence from Kiplinger to Backus as well as other artists under his tutelage including Alfred Hair and other members of the Highwaymen. The exhibit in its entirety provided a unique glimpse into the Indian River region of Florida just as the state experienced rapid change. Though many people experienced the exhibit firsthand, I felt it was worthy of being shared with an even broader audience even if it was auditory rather than visual. It's an entertaining and uplifting look at simpler times in Florida.

In Episode 40, our host, Captain Ricky Wheeler, talks with Chris Ragni, the Captain of a 47' Cabo called Bill Slayer that he runs offshore fishing charters on out of Indian River, DE. Chris talks a lot about his childhood, how is youth and growing up around fishing his father, uncle, and some amazing Captains has helped him become the fisherman and Captain he is today. He also talks about his experience working on crew boats and tug boats in the DE Bay as well as lots of tips and tricks from his experiences offshore fishing. Great one here!If you would like our host, Ricky Wheeler, to help you sell your boat/yacht or help you with searching for and buying a boat/yacht, please email:RickyWheeler@UnitedYacht.comor if you want to have our guest, Chris Ragni help you do the same, reach out to Chris via email: ChrisRagni@unitedyacht.com To fish with our host, Captain Ricky Wheeler, aboard his beautiful 60' Custom Sportfishing Boat, go to EuphoriaSportfishing.comFor online fishing courses, go to our website Courses.SaltwaterEuphoria.comCLICK HERE to see the Saltwater Euphoria Job BoardIf you are a Sportfishing Mate, Sportfishing Captain, or an aspiring mate or captain looking for an opportunity, please email us at info@saltwatereuphoria.com and we will get you on our SE Job Board. Send your up-to-date resume, a picture or two of yourself, and a short cover letter stating who you are and the type of work/sportfishing program you are looking to work with.Saltwater Euphoria Podcast Sponsors:+Tackle Direct - https://bit.ly/tackle-direct+Saltwater Euphoria - https://www.saltwatereuphoria.com/+Euphoria Sportfishing - https://www.euphoriasportfishing.com/+Fishing Booker - https://fishingbooker.com/#65e87544c2843Follow the following on Instagram:CaptainRickyWheeler: @CaptainRickyWheelerSaltwater Euphoria: @SaltwaterEuphoriaEuphoria Sportfishing: @EuphoriaSportfishingChris Ragni: @billslayersportfishing @ragni_yachts @swamp_donkeyIf you like this podcast please be sure to click that FOLLOW button and also spread the word by sharing this episode with your friends or whatever social channels you are on.  We appreciate your support.

THE DOOMED & STONED SHOW ~Season 10, Episode 6~ Bucky, John, and Billy are catching up with the Doom Charts rankings from the month of February, and recording our March recap this week! April's will be published soon, then we hope to be all up to date. Lots of heavy rock, stoner metal, doom, and psychedelia ahead! Remember, Patrons hear it first! Support the program at https://patreon.com/doomedandstoned PLAYLIST: February Doom Charts 2024 INTRO (00:00) 1. Birds of Vale (#19) - "Indian River" (00:31) HOST SEGMENT I (05:17) 2. Kitsa (#1) - "Seeds of Famine" (25:34) 3. Rhino (#15) - "Gentle Sound of the Knife" (29:25) 4. Earthen - "Purgatory" (32:33) 5. Troy The Band - "IHOD" (39:47) HOST SEGMENT II (45:08) 6. Emergency Rule (#10) - "Ulysses" (58:20) 7. Craneium (#9) - "One Thousand Sighs" (1:04:14) 8. Samsara Joyride (#8) - "Too Many Preachers" (1:09:48) HOST SEGMENT III (1:16:19) 9. monkey3 (#7) - "Rackman" (1:27:33) 10. Deadpeach (#6) - "Rust" (1:34:46) 11. Witchorious (#5) - "Eternal Night" (1:37:42) HOST SEGMENT IV (1:43:37) 12. The Obsessed (#4) - "Daughter of an Echo" (2:13:38) 13. Big Scenic Nowhere (#3) - "BT-HO" (2:18:11) 14. Mr. Bison (#2) - "The Child of the Night Sky" (2:23:02) 15. Sundrifter (#1) - "Begin Again" (2:28:18) OUTRO (2:35:00) Bonus Tracks: 16. Verminthrone (#36) - "Don't Trust Morning People" (2:36:08) 17. Weedow (#31) - "Weedow" (2:42:19) 18. ništa (#34) - "Drown Me" (2:47:54) 19. Last Quarter (#22) - "Deep Into Space" (2:55:28) Credits: Theme Song by Dylan Tucker Thumbnail art from Big Scenic Nowhere's 'The Waydown' (2024)

What we've seen since, by way of voter registration changes, suggests that Palm Beach County's rightward turn in the previous election cycle wasn't an outlier. #iHeartRadio

Our destination is Indian River Lagoon near the Kennedy Space Center on the Central Florida coast with Captain Frank Catino who gives us the low down on the Indian River, the Banana River, and Mosquito Lagoon.  Stretching over 150 miles, anglers can lose themselves in a sea of mangrove shorelines, shallow grass flats, and numerous islands where great numbers of tarpon, redfish, snook, and speckled trout thrive.   Having fished these waters for 45 years, Frank shares stories of fishing with Lefty Kreh, Yvonne Chenard, and  Roger Waters, how he came to build reels for Orvis and serve as mayor of his town.  We cover the seasons, tarpon and redfish behavior, and stick around to the end for some great tips on surf fishing. With Host, Steve Haigh Be the first to know about new episodes.  Become a subscriber Pictures from Captain Frank Catino: @DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram Contact Captain Frank Catino ·       321-223-7700 GuideBookCo:  https://guidebookco.com/guide/frankcatino  ·       https://captfrankcatino.com/ ·       Instagram @frankcatino Please check out our Sponsors: Adamsbuilt Fishing - THE trusted source for quality fly fishing gear, built to last at an affordable price. Waders, Nets, Outerwear. https://www.adamsbuiltfishing.com/ | Facebook & Instagram @Adamsbuilt Angler's Coffee - elevating the coffee experience for the fly-fishing community & anglers everywhere with small-batch coffee delivered to your doorstep.  https://anglerscoffee.com/   | Facebook & Instagram @anglerscoffeeco    Got Fishing - crafting world Class fly-fishing adventures specially designed to your level of experience and budget.   https://gotfishing.com/ | Facebook @GotFishingAdventures Instagram @GotFishing TroutRoutes - the #1 Trout Fishing app, helping you find new trout water so you spend less time on the road and more time fishing.  https://troutinsights.com/ | Facebook @troutinsights Instagram @TroutRoutes  Download the app here Destination Angler:  ·       Website ·       Destination Angler Gear – T-shirts, Hats, Artwork ·       Get updates and pictures of destinations covered on each podcast:  @DestinationAnglerPodcast on Facebook and Instagram ·       Join in the conversation with the @DestinationAnglerConnection group on Facebook.  Comments & Suggestions:  host, Steve Haigh, email shaigh50@gmail.com Available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Recorded Dec 14, 2023.  Episode 110

This week we journey back to Florida's Indian River region in the early 1900's thanks to a quaint paperback publication titled "Oslo" which was written by Arnold Helseth. Aside from chronicling his ancestors' amazing American journey, it provides vivid and valuable insight into our Florida heritage, especially in present day southern Indian River County and Northern St. Lucie County.