Podcasts about rarer

Few men can boast the breadth of career that Joe Cronin can (or could; he's dead now). He went from being a Hall of Fame caliber shortstop to a manager to a GM to a league president in an almost 50 year career in Major League Baseball somehow without making any enemies. Rarer still, as Mike and Bill found out, he left each job on his own terms perhaps becoming the only person in baseball history who has never had to be told when it was his time to go. This week, on the 83rd anniversary of Cronin calling on himself to pinch hit in both ends of a double header, and homering both times, Mike and BIll look back at what turns out to be a really good career for someone who everybody seemed to think was a really good guy. Plus, happy birthday to Charlie Buffinton and Ron LeFlore! And farewell to Randy Cardinal and Bob Skinner.

Before the Telecaster… before the Les Paul & the Strat… there was Bigsby.In this video, we take a deep dive into a 1949 Bigsby electric guitar, one of the earliest solid-body electrics ever made, and a true cornerstone in the evolution of the modern guitar. Built by Paul Bigsby, these instruments weren't mass-produced, they were individually handcrafted works of art.Bigsby guitars are incredibly rare, as he built around 27 guitars from the mid-1940s through the late 1950s. Each one was custom-made, often for top-tier players, making them some of the most elusive and historically significant electric guitars in existence.Most famously associated with Merle Travis, Bigsby's designs introduced features that would later define the electric guitar as we know it, including a solid body, a six-on-a-side headstock, and a sleek, functional aesthetic that clearly influenced Leo Fender and the birth of the Fender Telecaster.This particular instrument has its own incredible story. Created on August 7, 1949, this guitar was built by Paul specifically to be photographed for one of his early catalogs. Because of that, collectors have long referred to it as “the catalog guitar.”Even more special, the owner generously allowed me to take the instrument to my studio for a couple of hours so I could film this episode. Getting hands-on time with a guitar like this is a rare opportunity, and I'm excited to share it with you.www.truetone.comTo Support the Channel:Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/AskZachttps://ask-zac-shop.fourthwall.comTip jar:  https://paypal.me/AskZacVenmo @AskZacSupport the show

Many times the way and artist finds their way onto this podcast is from their publicist or someone else on their team reaching out to me, or vice versa. Sometimes I might bump into an artist at a show or festival and hit them up for an impromptu interview then and there, but that is rare. Rarer still is the scenario where I came in contact with western Kentucky artist Kelsey Waldon, which was through writer and editor Garret Woodward, who acted as go-between to ask about an interview. Kelsey was on tour in our region and hoped to get some coverage for the WNCW audience, and I immediately jumped on the opportunity. After speaking her on a video call from her hotel room in Chattanooga TN, I took the first part of her interview and aired that on my show on radio; the bulk of that conversation comes to light here in this episode. Kelsey Waldon (photo: ©Alysse Gafkjen 2025) There is a deep well of emotion and a complex tapestry of experience that Kelsey Waldon draws from in her singular style of country music. Rooted firmly in her native western Kentucky, she calls the Nashville area home now, and in our conversation we talk about how her rural upbringing in an unusual setting shaped her, her longtime friendship with fellow Kentuckian S.G. Goodman, her often overlooked college degree in songwriting, and we go into detail about some of her latest songs, sampling many from her latest album Every Ghost. Songs heard in this episode:“Ghost Of Myself” by Kesley Waldon, from Every Ghost“Ramblin' Woman” by Kelsey Waldon, from Every Ghost, excerpt“Nursery Rhyme” by Kelsey Waldon, from Every Ghost, excerpt“A Robin Built A Nest On Daddy's Grave” by Ralph Stanley, from While the Ages Roll On, excerpt“Hello Stranger” by Kelsey Waldon featuring S.G. Goodman, from There's Always A Song, excerpt“Comanche” by Kelsey Waldon, from Every GhostThank you for stopping by, and we hope you can spread the word about this series and help us reach more music fans just like yourself. Please take a moment and give us a top rating on your podcast platform of choice, and where you can, a review. Doing either, and especially both, boosts the ranking and therefore the visibility of this series to all the other music fans who also follow podcasts. This is Southern Songs and Stories, where our quest is to explore and celebrate the unfolding history and culture of music rooted in the American South, and going beyond to the styles and artists that it inspired and informed. - Joe Kendrick

“Please, not that one” Adam Anderson and his wife Brianne thought near the start of their rare disease journey when a doctor listed Tay-Sachs Disease as a potential diagnosis for their young son Drew. Rarer than rare, this genetic metabolic disorder causes progressive brain and spinal cord damage that can lead, often, to death in early childhood.80% of rare diseases have a genetic origin. Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffering from a rare disease can trace the root cause of their symptoms back to an abnormality in their genetic code. For generations, there was no way for doctors to track this. But advances in genetic testing have made it so we can unlock the secrets hidden in our DNA faster than ever before.After losing Drew in 2019, Anderson's life took on a new path. He ran for local office in Florida and became a leader in rare disease policy, creating a new genetic screening program allows parents of newborns to receive free whole genome sequencing at birth, putting the state at the forefront of newborn screening.Join us in advancing awareness and understanding of rare diseases. Visit CNBC.com/Cures to access clips, resources, or to sign up for our weekly newsletter.Follow Becky Quick on X: @BeckyQuickFollow Adam Anderson on X: @AdamAndersonFLPlease share your thoughts or rare disease story in the comments, and join us on The Path. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are your goals outgrowing your daily discipline?In this episode, Kevin and Alan explain why most people fall short, not because they lack ability, but because their standards, systems, and execution are misaligned. Drawing from years of coaching experience and their own journey of building success from the ground up, they break down what it takes to develop focus, financial intelligence, emotional control, and long-term resilience in a world built for distraction.This conversation challenges comfort-driven thinking and replaces it with clarity, structure, and personal accountability. If you want results that last, this episode will reset how you approach growth. Do not just listen. Upgrade your standards and live them daily._______________________Learn more about:Alan's coaching, “Business Breakthrough Session.” Your first 30-minute call is FREE. This call is designed to help you identify bottlenecks and build a clear plan for your next level. - https://calendly.com/alanlazaros/30-minute-breakthrough-sessionTrack the Work. Earn the Results. To know more about the "Next Level Fitness Accountability Group," reach out via Instagram.Kevin: https://www.instagram.com/neverquitkid/Alan: https://www.instagram.com/alazaros88/_______________________NLU is not just a podcast; it's a gateway to a wealth of resources designed to help you achieve your goals and dreams. From our Next Level Dreamliner to our Group Coaching, we offer a variety of tools and communities to support your personal development journey.For more information, check out our website and socials using the links below.

Get ready for a fascinating deep dive into one of the biggest questions in astrobiology: How common are biological extraterrestrial intelligences in the Milky Way? Host Simon Steel, Deputy Director of the Carl Sagan Center for Research, is joined by Manuel Scherf and Helmut Lammer (Space Research Institute, Austrian Academy of Sciences) to explore new research that challenges long-held assumptions about "Earth-like" planets and what it really takes for a world to support complex life. Recent work from Scherf, Lammer, and colleagues revisits the idea of Eta-Earth — the number of truly Earth-like habitats in the Galaxy. Their models extend far beyond the basic "habitable zone" and incorporate a suite of filters, including stable atmospheres, oxygen-rich conditions, plate tectonics, subaerial land, and long-term planetary evolution. These filters significantly reduce the number of planets that could potentially host complex or technological life. The study finds that even under generous assumptions, the Milky Way may host at most 60,000 to 250,000 Earth-like habitats — and the number that actually evolve intelligent life could be far smaller. The result? A serious rethink of how rare (or precious) intelligent life might be. Join us as we explore what this means for SETI strategies, exoplanet surveys, and our own cosmic significance. It's a conversation that blends astrophysics, planetary science, and a bit of existential wonder — perfect for anyone curious about where life fits into the grand structure of the cosmos. Paper: https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/ast.2023.0076  Conference Abstract: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC-DPS2025/EPSC-DPS2025-1512.html (Recorded live 8 December 2025.)

It takes a special mind to see unobvious solutions to tricky problems. ? What better way to test your strength than an obstacle course through some of the toughest riddles out there! Use your big brain to gather all the evidence in front of you, notice the smallest yet crucial details, and figure your way out of this logic-based labyrinth! It's more riddles with answers that most people just can't solve! ?? #brightside #riddles Animation is created by Bright Side. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh (@cardboard_chronicles) and Chris (@chris_hoj), the founders of Card Ladder, join forces to bring you the most entertaining and educational sports card discussion on the internet every Friday night.Conduct your own Card research like the pro's with Card Ladder. Go to http://www.cardladder.com and browse thousands of cards for free and you can unlock more great features by going pro for $15/month (with a 7-day free trial).Follow Card Ladder @CardLadder on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cardladder/Follow Josh @Carboard_Chronicles on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/cardboard_chronicles/Follow Chris @Chris_HOJ on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/chris_hoj/Follow Kristina @KristinasPC on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/kristinaspc/Follow Stiff @StiffArmWax on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/stiffarmwax/

British advertising may have had more successful businessmen.More accomplished creative directors.Bigger award winners.But never a better Creative.No one has more ideas living in British people's heads than John Webster.They didn't gatecrash either – they were invited in.Singing and dancing their way past the barriers and into the national consciousness.One big, happy conga line; Smash Martians, Cresta Bear, Honey Monster, John Smith's Arkwright, the Prize Guys, the Humphreys, and on and on.Born across four different decades.Created, unlike other ads at the time – alone and using research.Occasionally John and a writer are credited, but primarily John was both the art director and writer.At the time, Bernbach's 1+1=3 was the law, so that was very rare.Rarer still, were Creatives who embraced research.Creatives viewed it as a killer of creativity and innovation.I thought I'd look into these aspects of John's process.First, by talking about how John created ideas.Fortunately, Dave Trott broke his anti-podcast rule, which is great, because I couldn't think of anyone better to talk to on the subject.Dave worked with John through the seventies and is obviously a brilliant Creative in his own right. (He's not just a blogger kids.)Next, I'll talk to planner Sarah Carter about how John used research to shape ideas, but first, here's Dave…

Welcome back Buddies! For this latest 'sode on Vinyl Community Podcasts, we have a guest and a conversation so rare, so valuable, so unique, that we had to enlist another host to reign in this collecting madness! Joined in the co-pilot seat by Spinz Vinyl (Jason), we speak with Wayne Johnson: co-owner and co-founder of Rockaway Records in Silver Lake, CA. Founded alongside brother Gary Johnson in 1979, Rockaway has seen the peaks, valleys, and rebirth of music on vinyl, while also growing, shrinking, and pivoting their business in various forms along the way. What once was the largest store in the Los Angeles area, Rockaway has diversified their focus to not only include the rarest of vinyl recordings, but also pieces of memorabilia that can only be dreamed about.  We are talking much more than a Beatles' "Butcher" covers here: think BIGGER...think RARER....think UNBELIEVABLE pieces, unreal stories, and customers that would make the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame Museum blush: Jimmy Page, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, Chris Robinson, and other music loyalty. Even Lucinda Williams once worked at this legendary store! We are talking items that the public rarely gets to see, with access and the ability to provide a revolving inventory that not few stores can compete with.  Also in the conversation Wayne shares some great advice for those considering seriously purchasing unique vinyl or memorabilia, gives his thoughts on the emerging "slabbing" of vinyl, and offers his opinions on auction house buys and sourcing today versus 10, 15, 30, and even 45 years ago at the beginning of his journey. It's a fun walk down memory lane, and one you will find here RIGHT NOW on Vinyl Community Podcasts! Walk with us!

The Daily Shower Thoughts podcast is produced by Klassic Studios. [Promo] Check out the Daily Dad Jokes podcast here: https://dailydadjokespodcast.com/ [Promo] Like the soothing background music and Amalia's smooth calming voice? Then check out "Terra Vitae: A Daily Guided Meditation Podcast" here at our show page [Promo] The Daily Facts Podcast. Get smarter in less than 10 minutes a day. Pod links here Daily Facts website. [Promo] The Daily Life Pro Tips Podcast. Improve your life in less than 10 minutes a day. Pod links here Daily Life Pro Tips website. [Promo] Check out the Get Happy Headlines podcast by my friends, Stella and Mickey. It's a podcast dedicated to bringing you family friendly uplifting stories from around the world. Give it a listen, I know you will like it. Pod links here Get Happy Headlines website. Shower thoughts are sourced from reddit.com/r/showerthoughts Shower Thought credits: MenInBlerg, MentallyFunstable, Alliacat, BJntheRV, LegoMyAlterEgo, what-why-, Dragvice, moleburger, Scrolling2Oblivian, Ok_Owl_9904, Filberto_ossani2, onlyforthisjob, steikul, wafflesareforever, Palleus, giorgiocav123, OkRoad5574, TurbulentCustomer, AngryWeedle, , KoksundNutten, v3xpunk, cortemptas, FormalOstriches, KeeganTenno, Calbe123 Podcast links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZNciemLzVXc60uwnTRx2e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-shower-thoughts/id1634359309 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/daily-dad-jokes/daily-shower-thoughts iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/99340139/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5a434e9-da18-46a7-a434-0437ec49e1d2/daily-shower-thoughts Website: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/dailyshowerthoughts Social media links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DailyShowerThoughtsPodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DailyShowerPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DailyShowerThoughtsPodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dailyshowerthoughtspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Flynn of Wexford Christmas Trees on why growers are slowly exiting the market.

What's rarer than finding a 4-leaf clover? Rarer than being struck by lightning? Or even rarer than winning the lottery? They're such exceptional occurrences that the chances of them happening to you seem slim! But there are even more impossibly rare events in this world that make those things look common. From finding the rarest element on earth, to spawning the rarest Minecraft mob, it's time to take a look at some of the least probable things to happen in the known universe. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the Brain & Life podcast, co-host Dr. Katy Peters is joined by Christina Coates, president and founding member of an organization called Hypertrophic Olivary Degeneration Association (HODA). Christina shares about her own journey with hypertrophic olivary degeneration and how she was inspired to found HODA and build an advocacy community. Dr. Peters is then joined by Dr. Vikram Shakkottai, professor of neurology at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas and Dedman Family Distinguished Chair in Neurologic Disease. Dr. Shakkottai discusses cerebellar ataxia, hypertrophic olivary degeneration, how these disorders are treated, and what upcoming research there is to look forward to.   We invite you to participate in our listener survey! By participating in the brief survey, you will have the opportunity to enter your name and email address for a chance to win one of five $100 Amazon gift cards.   Additional Resources HODA - Working to make HOD History Forming a Foundation Bolsters Hope After a Rare Diagnosis Advice for Caregivers of People with Rare Diseases What is ataxia and cerebellar or spinocerebellar degeneration?   Other Brain & Life Episodes on this Topic Neurofibromatosis Advocacy and Community Building with the Gilbert Family Foundation Making a Lasting Impact with The Brain Donor Project's Tish Hevel We Are Brave Together with Jessica Patay Strength in Unity: Advocating and Advancing Research for Brain Tumors   We want to hear from you! Have a question or want to hear a topic featured on the Brain & Life Podcast? ·       Record a voicemail at 612-928-6206 ·       Email us at BLpodcast@brainandlife.org   Social Media:   Guests: Christina Coates @hodassoc; Dr. Vikram Shakkottai @utswmedcenter Hosts: Dr. Daniel Correa @neurodrcorrea; Dr. Katy Peters @KatyPetersMDPhD  

GMD is a show on Cruise FM celebrating seventies music ...disco and Jazz Funk

Jeanette Baranger with The Livestock Conservancy was able to explain what a heritage breed is and what they are doing to preserve the ones that are left.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It is rare for a piece of independent theatre to earn itself a return season. Rarer still for that return season to be on the main stages and tour around the country. And even rarer yet for that piece of theatre to be a brand new play from a debut playwright. But that is exactly what has happened for actor and playwright Emmanuel Mattana and director Marni Mount.Trophy Boys is a queer black comedy and drag extravaganza about power, privilege, and high school debating.Performed by a female and non-binary cast in drag as the four members of the debating team from an elite private boys school as they prepare for their grand final debate against their sister school and forced to argue in the affirmative that "feminism has failed women".Trophy Boys takes a satirical look at insecure adolescent masculinity, entitlement and the ego of Australia's next generation of politicians and powerbrokers.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/the-saturday-quiz. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FinaleIn 7 parts, based on the posts by senorlongo. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novel. I stood there, my arm around Hosi for what seemed forever, my fingers lightly caressing the soft skin of her back, ribs, and breast. We watched the water flow in a graceful arc into the fountain. I was…what can I say...overjoyed…elated…thrilled…ecstatic? Hosi had told me I was going to be a dad again. I had Kela who I loved to pieces and Davy who was just a helpless infant, and now another was on the way. It reaffirmed my desire to make sure the valley would last as it was forever. I realized, not for the first time, how rich I really was. I had clean clear air to breathe, fresh delicious water to drink, wholesome food in quantity, a community where people lived in harmony, helped each other, and loved each other both physically and spiritually, and most of all a beautiful sexy wife who loved me unconditionally. What else could anyone ask for?Now that we had handled the challenges of the slavers and the poachers it was time to get back to our daily lives. We would still maintain our patrols—there was no substitute for vigilance although I had some thoughts on how we could discourage interlopers. It was gory, really a disgusting idea, but I was pretty sure it would keep trespassers away. I'd take the necessary steps later in the week, but first we needed to have a meeting of the men and their lovers.I gathered all the new men in the dining hall. We'd already had some meetings to discuss how they were adjusting to life here, but Hosi wanted to know how they were doing sexually. She considered that to be a critical part of their adjustment to life in the valley. I tried to explain that they were unlikely to go into much detail—it just wasn't something that was done in our society, but Hosi was not to be deterred. I called the meeting to order, asked the servers for some juice and fresh rolls and began my explanation, “Umm…uhh…I don't really know where to begin so I think I'll just repeat what Hosi told me—she wants the details of your sex lives here in the valley.”“What? If I tell you that I'll probably kiss my lover good-bye.” It was Harry who, after a life of kidding and joking had finally become serious. His explanation was simple—“I was always insecure, especially with women. Here I'm actually in demand and I have my pick, although I don't think I could ever find anyone who could beat Sila. She's incredible.”“I have to agree, David,” Gene added, “I know everything here is pretty open, but Tama would break my headin two if I blabbed about what we do in bed. Shouldn't that be private?”All the men agreed. They'd speak candidly about anything…anything but their sex lives. I laughed and laughed. “If you can keep quiet…really quiet, just follow me.” We removed our sandals and tiptoed down the hall toward the throne room. The women, all the lovers, were meeting there with Hosi and their conversation was anything but chaste.“Oh, my Queen,” Tama began, “I just love it when Gene makes love to me. We always bathe first. I wash his body and I pay extra special attention to his penis and his ass. I love to watch his face when I stick my finger in there. Gene squeals like a pig, but it makes him so hard. Then I lead him back to our house. I usually hold his penis all the way.” The other women were giggling non-stop at Tama's remarks. “When we get home I pick him up and lay him on the bed. I lean down and let him suckle my breast. He is just like a little boy...a little boy with a great big penis. I stroke his penis and rub his testicles. He also loves to put his finger into my vagina. I tell you, my Queen, he makes me so wet down there. Eventually, I can't take any more and I cover him with my body. I rub his penis into my slit and when it's nice and wet I slide it into me. I am a big woman, but I am very tight town there and I love how Gene stretches me. I feel all tingly and then I begin to ride him. Gene holds on to my hips and drives that big penis into me with incredible force. He may be a small man, but he is very strong. Sometimes when he spurts he will actually lift me this much (she spread her hands more than a foot apart) off the bed. I lie on him until we are both rested and then I love to lick his penis until it is clean.”I turned to Gene who was just as red as red can be. He stumbled forward into the throne room before I had a chance to stop him. “Tama! How could you? I thought you loved me.” He fell, crying unashamedly, to the floor. Tama reacted immediately, her hands flying to her face. “Oh, Gene! I am so sorry!” She rushed to his side, caressing him to her breast. “Oh, Gene…oh, Gene,” she repeated over and over. It wasn't long before she was crying as much as he was.I looked at Hosi; she was clearly upset. I shrugged my shoulders, telling her I knew it wasn't a great idea. She walked to Tama and Gene, “Take him home…make love to him. I know you still love each other. This was all my fault.” Tama picked up Gene, carrying him in her arms as he cried into her large firm breasts. She soothed him with her words and kisses.Hosi dismissed the remaining tribeswomen; they paired up with their men and walked slowly out of the palace still stricken by what they had witnessed. I took Hosi by the hand, looked her in the eyes, and kissed her. “I tried to tell you. In our society people just don't talk so openly about sex. They all but refused to talk to me so I thought I'd bring them up here with the women. I'm sorry. I didn't think….”“Hush, David. We both know this was my idea and it was a bad one. Let's go back to our quarters. I need something from you.” She grinned and reached into my pocket, finding my flaccid cock. She grinned even wider when I began to harden immediately under her touch. “I'm glad you're not angry with me.” She pulled my by the cock to our bed.Hosi stripped off my shirt and shorts; I'd given up wearing underwear long, long ago. She removed my shoes and socks (these I did insist on wearing) and pushed me back onto the bed. “Pushy today, aren't you?” I teased. She gave me a smirk as she removed her skirt and the undergarment I now referred to as a G-string, something Hosi never understood, but to be honest, neither did I. She slipped out of her sandals and slid next to me. We held each other, me savoring the incredibly warmth of her skin, she loving the feeling of the hair on my chest rubbing against her naked swollen breasts.Hosi kissed me briefly and pulled away to nuzzle my ear--lick and nibble my lobe—while her hand explored my body. She knew her way around very well, finding my hard erect cock in only seconds. She rubbed up and down the shaft, enjoying the soft, smooth skin in her hand. Cock in hand she climbed onto my body. Hosi rubbed me into her moist slit; I gasped from the elation I was feeling—the hot wet soft smooth tissues of her vagina as it stretched around my shaft. She released my ear, shifting her attention to my open needy mouth. Her tongue felt like it was half-way down my throat as her mouth clamped over mine. I raised my hips, driving myself into her core. Now it was Hosi's turn to gasp. She backed off from my mouth to gain freedom of movement; she was always active on my cock. Hosi bent my poor penis into shapes I could never even imagine. However, her motions always did the job for me, just as I always seemed to be able to take care of her. We started out herky-jerky—uncoordinated--but in minutes we were moving together, our actions forcing me deeper and deeper into her. I could feel it—a tiny tingle deep within me. It grew more rapidly than I could ever believe. I looked up at my wife—my lover—my Queen. I could see the rapture in her face. She looked down at me and nodded. I knew then that she was close. I increased my pace, moving wildly until I froze—stock still for almost thirty seconds—until my body exploded in a massive spasm of ecstasy that shook the two of us. Hosi growled as her orgasm struck. It was a low guttural moan that lasted for almost a minute as we shook and shuddered together until she fell onto me, or sweat mingling and pooling on my abdomen.I held my dear wife and kissed her hair…her neck…her shoulder. I looked up at her and whispered, “I love you so much.”Hosi laughed, “Sometimes I think you just love the way I fuck.”“Well, I do love that, too.” She laughed, and then I laughed. We laughed together until we cried. At one point early in Hosi's reign the guards would rush in whenever they heard us, concerned for their Queen's safety. Now, after more than a year they knew it was just a part of our love making.Hosi slipped off me and my cock popped out of her pussy. She leaned against me and closed her eyes, falling swiftly to a relaxing sleep. I lay there thinking…wondering about the men's reactions to what they had seen this morning. In time I too closed my eyes and found slumber.Tama held Gene close as she carried him to their home. She was an Amazon in every sense of the word. At six feet three inches and 180 pounds of rippling muscles, she possessed incredible strength. She could carry a lightweight like Gene who only weighed 140 pounds nonstop for a week. However, she had a soft tender side that loved Gene deeply and completely. She had only spoken about their relationship because she was commanded by her Queen; she would never intentionally hurt Gene in any way.They were several blocks from the palace when Gene stopped crying. Tama immediately drew his lips to her teat. She knew that Gene loved to suckle almost as much as she loved the sensation of his lips tight on her nipple. She was able to hold him in one arm so she stroked his head to calm him as he suckled.Tama lived on the edge of the village. Strong as she was her skills with bow and spear rarely exceeded mediocre and she knew it. As such she had no ambition to ever move beyond her copper skirt and bracelet, furthermore she loved living on the edge of the open grassy plain. Her house overlooked the fields and gardens. The scent of flowers and the other plants filled her house and she found it much more pleasant than the odors that surrounded the plaza—the odor of human and animal sweat and feet and dust.She strode purposefully; she wanted to have Gene to herself to heal his wounds within her vagina. She knew the power her vagina held over Gene. He had admitted it freely—he loved fucking her. He loved dipping his long tongue into her tunnel. At last they passed the final corner and entered. The dim light of the large room was welcoming after the heat of the village streets. The paving stones kept the dust to a minimum, but they were hot in the sun. Gently she laid Gene onto the bed. She leaned down to kiss his neck and cheek. “I love you, Gene. You know I would never hurt you. My Queen commanded me to speak so I had to. Let me show you how much I care for you.”She stepped away, dropped her skirt and the triangle that covered her sex. She could see that it was wet and sticky much more from her arousal than the miniscule effort associated with carrying her diminutive lover through the village. She returned to her lover, caressing his face as she delicately removed his shirt and shorts. His shoes and socks fell to the floor as Tama covered his body with hers. She held his head in her hands and kissed him as she wrapped those muscular arms around his body. In a second she had rolled over, bringing Gene over her, his head resting on her massive breast. Gene sighed as his hard thick eight-inch organ was led to Tama's tight pussy. It was reflex only that told Gene to press forward. His fears were gone—evaporated the very instant that his organ entered her wetness. He pressed forward, driving into her and as he did she knew he was still hers and that he would be forever. Tama rose to meet him, her muscular cunt convulsing with pleasure, squeezing him as only she could. Gene had never experienced success with women in the outside world. That's why he wanted to come with his brother Harry, the jokester—the prankster. He had met Tama almost by accident when she was the only Amazon left to deal with him and his brother.Tama had volunteered to serve the two of them. The assertive Harry had dominated the threesome, but left her unfulfilled. Once Harry had his orgasm he had fallen deeply asleep. Gene took Tama into his mouth and brought her to her very first orgasm. It was the beginning of a long and loving relationship, one which they both prayed would end in their being declared mates.The two danced together, their bodies intertwined and connected by their sex. They were lost in each other as their heat grew—as their love for each other flowered. Suddenly Gene arched his back, ramming his cock deep within Tama's inner being. Hot white semen shot from his cock repeatedly and forcefully as it filled her cunt to overflowing. So much was there that if flowed down her legs to the sheet, drenching it in the slick fluid. Gene's ejaculation was more than enough for Tama. She would have been more than satisfied just to have him cum, but, as usual, his eruption pushed her over the edge into that abyss she loved so much. Her entire body shook and tingled with the ecstasy of her orgasm—what she fervently hoped would be the first of many this memorable day.“I love you, Gene. I hope you know that now. I hope you will always know it.”“I knew it before, my love,” he replied, “I was just so shocked to hear you, but now it makes sense. David wanted all of the men to tell about our love lives, but we refused. In fact, I told him you'd break my head in two if I talked like that.”Now it was Tama's turn to take offense. She feigned injury until Gene's face expressed his concern. Only then did Tama smile and laugh drawing Gene into the mirth. They laughed together for many minutes until she looked into his eyes with fire and lust and he knew it was time for round two.Harry and his woman Sila left the palace shortly after Tama had carried Gene out in her arms. Harry was understandably upset over his brother's reaction. “Explain again, Sila,” he asked, “exactly what was going on that Tama was telling all about their sex life?“It was on the Queen's command, Harry. Tama had no choice. I was very glad that she went before me. I also had to listen to Rini tell about her and Scott. She is very much in love with him, just as I am very much in love with you. But, Harry, I don't understand what the big problem was.”“I suspect it all started with the Puritans. I've read that they were real prudes.”“Who? How could they be prunes? Isn't that a dried fruit?”Harry had to chuckle. Sila was beautiful and oh so sexy, but she knew nothing of the outside world. “The Puritans, Sila, and the word is prude, not prune.” He explained about colonization and the search for religious freedom in the New World. “There are still many who are reluctant to talk about sex and love in our society. Some women even dress and undress in a closet and that's also why making love is usually done in the dark and behind locked doors, although young people tend to ignore those so-called rules.”Had Sila not known Harry she would have been sure he was lying. “What is the point of all that, Harry? Do they not make love naked? Why would they be afraid or ashamed of their bodies?”Harry kissed her nose. She could be a bit dense at times, but she was just so cute—and she was head over heels in love with Harry. “Sweetie, not every woman looks like you or has a body like you. In my country many women are fat—they weigh too much. Often they are really sloppy looking.” He cupped her breasts, a solid C-cup, and continued, “Their breasts sag and sometimes hang down to here.” He pointed to her belly button. “But, they are married to men who love them so I don't know what the big deal is either.”Sila thought for a minute, “I wonder what Tama and Gene are doing?” She sounded serious, but there was that twinkle in her eye—the one that always told Harry that she wanted to be fucked.“Hmmm…probably the same thing I want to do with you.” He took her hand and led her down the lane to her house. Like David and Hosi years ago Harry had his own house across the lane, but, like David, he only used it when he had to fuck the other tribeswomen. Hosi provided laundry services in the form of fresh towels and sheets. Harry was more than willing to fuck the tribeswomen—he felt it was his duty, something he and the other men did to thank the tribe for taking them in and welcoming them to the valley. However, he only made love to Sila. He knew she was gorgeous—in the U.S.A. or Europe she could have easily been a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, earning millions.Surprisingly--to Harry anyway--Sila didn't consider herself to be anything special—just one of the girls. At just under six feet in height and 135 pounds she had a slender frame with a waspish waist and narrow hips to go with her broad shoulders and large symmetrical breasts. Despite being a breast man in his previous life he considered Sila's best feature to be her tight firm ass—he just loved to stroke and caress her butt.Once in her house he turned and pulled her to him. She tilted her head down and kissed the shorter Harry passionately, her tongue finding his and wrapping around it sinuously. They kissed, holding it for many minutes, edging to the bed inch by inch until the back of Harry's calves struck the frame. This was Sila's cue to lean forward, using her weight to force Harry back until she bounced on him several times playfully. She giggled as she opened his shirt and worked her way down Harry's body, kissing every inch of the way.Harry had introduced Sila to oral sex, going down on her first and making her cum several times as an inducement to blowing him. He could never have guessed that she would love it so much—sucking his lollypop, that is. She was more than open to having Harry suck her, but she absolutely loved swallowing his cock, having it pass her tonsils and then pull out slowly until just the head was in her mouth. Like many in the tribe she had incredible muscle control. Not only could she contract and vibrate her vaginal muscles, she could do it just as well with those in her throat. Harry came in Sila's throat often. His only concern was that—as a result-- he had less access to her delightful pussy.Back in New York Sila would have been classified as a slut. She loved to suck; she loved to fuck; hell, she loved to take it in her ass. She masturbated Harry occasionally with her feet, wrapping them around his shaft and squeezing as her feet ran up and down his shaft. She'd have him shoot into her lap where she could scoop it up and lick it eagerly off her fingers. Three, even four times a day weren't enough for Sila. She wanted sex even in her sleep.Today, though, she wanted Harry inside her. The thought of Tama and Gene fucking at the same time made her pussy tingle with delight. She could see them in her mind, the big Amazon and the tiny man with the big penis. She wanted—no she needed—to emulate them in her mind and her body. Whatever Tama could do she knew she could do better. She opened Harry's shorts and pulled them down to his ankles. Her skirt and G-string followed as she fell to her knees and took Harry into her mouth. Harry always groaned when her lips circled his cock and again when he bottomed out, her lips kissing his pubic hair.He pulled out slightly before pushing in again. He loved to fuck her mouth almost as much as she loved receiving, but not today. She pulled back and jumped onto the bed, pulling Harry over and between her legs. She moved the slimy cock into her slit and wrapped her legs around his butt. She used those strong legs to pull him into her. Sila looked up at Harry and wondered if he would consent to be her mate. They were together almost all the time either here in the house or in the baths. They played a lot, but they also worked together. They had been on patrol when they found the poachers and brought Paulo back.Now she pushed up every time Harry drove his thick cock into her. Harry knew something about Sila that she didn't even realize herself—she was a rarity--able to have vaginal orgasms, and anal, too. Harry was 35 and single. He had dated a lot and hung out at a load of clubs back in the City. He fucked a different woman at least once a week so he knew how unusual and fortunate he was to find a woman who could cum just from having a hard cock in her. Rarer still was finding a woman who could cum from a cock in her ass. Damn! He loved this woman.They moved together grinding into each other as their skin rubbed and mixed their sweat despite the coolness of the room. Their eyes were locked on each other as their breathing grew ragged and shallow as they came together—Sila squirting all over Harry, he drowning her tight cunt with his slick white juice. Harry fell onto his lover drained, but knowing that he'd be back in the saddle again in a few hours. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.I woke the following morning with Hosi's breast in his mouth. I gnawed a bit as Hosi laughed, “I guess you liked my morning gift for you. I'm afraid that's all I can give you for now. We have a mission right after breakfast." She pulled me from the bed. We walked to get Kela and took her with us out to the toilets and baths. It was wonderful sitting in the cool flowing water from the river. From our position we could see the fresh pure water arcing into the fountain. We'd made quite a few improvements in our few years here in the valley. I just hoped they were enough.We returned to the palace for breakfast—scrambled eggs and sliced tomatoes along with ketchup which Kevin had made from our gardens' tomatoes. I had to admit the meal was delicious. We dropped Kela off with Scott and Rini—a play date with her buddy Sama.Hosi walked at a fast pace, determined to catch Tama and Gene at home. They both kneeled but Hosi motioned them up. “I wanted to see how you were doing this morning. I am really sorry, Gene if you were hurt or embarrassed yesterday. It is never my intention to hurt anyone in the tribe.” Gene and Tama told her that they were both OK and that they attributed the whole situation to a misunderstanding.“That is very kind of you—both of you. Now, Gene, I am told you wish to ask me something.”Gene began to shake, “Uh…yes, my Queen..uh, that is…I…I mean…I think…we…Oh, jeez what's wrong with me?”Hosi giggled, but rested a hand on the nervous man's shoulder. “Gene, David has told me that lawyers are very good public speakers. Why are you having a problem? Would you like me to help you?” The bewildered Gene nodded, physically unable to respond. “Very well, then…Tama…Gene you have my permission. I hereby declare you to be mates. I will instruct Dennis to remove your implant, Tama. Would you like to have a child?”“Oh, yes, my Queen,” they replied simultaneously as they smiled, obviously relieved that Hosi had granted their unstated request. We all hugged and chatted amiably until Hosi decided we should leave. We went straight to the hospital to give Dennis the news about Tama. Hosi told me we could relax now; I steered her to the pool. We shed our clothes and walked into the cool water. A guard brought Kela and Sama. They ran into the water. I knew we didn't have to worry about them—they swam like fish. We relaxed until lunch then walked naked and dripping wet to the palace to eat. I had an important meeting shortly afterward.Hosi and I met with Paulo and Harry's patrol team which included Paulo's twin lovers. I explained what I wanted to do. “Would you mind terribly if I threw up?” It was Harry and he was giving voice to everyone's feelings.“Listen…I know it's disgusting, but I think it will help keep trespassers out. You did leave the bodies near that big ant hill, right?”“Yes, I wondered why you wanted that, but now I understand. I just hope the ants are finished. I really don't want to tangle with them and the idea of picking up a skull with all that…stuff oozing out…ugh!” it was the leader of the team that had disposed of the bodies who had taken the initiative.“OK, I know you are supposed to patrol tomorrow. That's when we'll look. Also, Paulo, I want to bring back as much steel as we can carry so you'll go in that direction toward your camp. Hosi is scheduling another twenty warriors to carry. I want you to be careful. Someone might be looking for the poachers by now. I don't want anyone here injured or worse. Everyone understand what we're going to do?” There were no questions so we adjourned until dawn tomorrow morning.Hosi and I spent the afternoon relaxing. We went for a long leisurely walk up to the forges with Kela and Sama tagging along—running and playing tag and hide-and-seek. They were much better at hiding than I was at seeking although I'd have to be deaf not to hear their giggling every time I came near. That was always my cue to turn and walk in the other direction.We took much longer to reach our destination, but my reward was a giant hug and a great big kiss from Kela who told me, “Funny…Daddy…I love you.”“I love you too, Dumpling.” That was my pet name for her, although how I could call a warrior princess something as sappy as “Dumpling” was something I could never explain even to myself. I found what I was looking for—five old spears with bronze heads. They were strong enough for the task I had in mind. I took them in hand and we returned home. I held the spears on one shoulder, my other arm wrapped around my beloved as our daughter scampered with her friend.The following morning came early. We were up before the sun had risen. I dressed and retrieved my gear from my knapsack in the corner. I strapped my web belt with the machete around my waist, grabbed a piece of fruit and walked out to the plaza where the patrol waited patiently. We walked out of the valley at a brisk pace and were soon in the jungle. I sent Paulo and the twenty warriors to the poachers' camp, reminding them to be careful. I had little reason to worry; these were seasoned warriors who could steal through the jungle without leaving a trace or strike down any threat with arrow or spear. Harry's party and I headed in the other direction.We found the ant hill. It was hard to miss, being more than four feet high and roughly eight in diameter. The ants had done their work—the poachers' bodies had been completely consumed, leaving only the bare bones of the skeletons. I shook one of the skulls; it was still firmly attached to the neck and body by the cartilage. I severed the bond with the machete and moved to the next one. Brave warriors all, they cringed at carrying the skulls. It was only the stern orders from their Queen that made them comply. We walked to the border of the tribe's property. I dug the old spears into the ground almost two feet so they wouldn't fall in the wind or rain. I jammed a skull on each spear. They would serve as a warning to any who came this way—the only way into the valley.We turned and followed the other group. We caught up with them in the poachers' camp. They had gathered all the steel—fenders and doors from their Land Rover, pieces of the cages, pots, pans, and assorted knives and other cutlery. We bagged up the small pieces and carried the large ones on our shoulders as we made our way back to the valley. On to the forges we walked carrying what seemed to be a ton of steel. We could make many daggers and sharp spear heads from this load and there was even more still in the broken camp. That would have to wait for another trip.It was now afternoon and I had to rest before tomorrow's trip to the city. I would go in my “missionary” role to purchase some of the necessities we needed to survive. I often took Hosi with me, having promised to never again spend a night apart, however we had an infant, Davy, who required his mother's milk. Yes, Hosi had placed him with the Amazonian equivalent of a wet nurse on occasion, but this had proved to be less than satisfactory. On both occasions Davy had been extremely hungry the following day—he hadn't had anywhere near enough to eat. He needed Hosi's plump milk-filled breasts.I decided to go alone. All the men were involved with one project or another, Sean with melting and forging the recovered steel into bars that could be used to manufacture daggers, knives, and swords; Kevin, with Gene and Harry, expanding the gardens and installing fences to keep the livestock out; Dennis, of course, with the hospital; and Paulo—well, Paulo had dates to inseminate three of the women. It was easier to go alone. I retrieved my chain and wooden cross from the shelf and headed down river.I docked the boat and made arrangements for a room at the hotel before beginning my shopping excursion. I had a lengthy list to fill, including some tasty treats for the many children in the tribe. I had just returned from my second trip back to the boat when I was approached by a man. He looked to be maybe late twenties, tall and lanky, dressed in the most ragged t-shirt and shorts I'd seen in many years—black hair and a long wispy goatee.I was on the defensive at first, expecting a robbery attempt or worse, but he was unusually polite and respectful, “Senhor,” he began in Portuguese, “I have been told you are a missionary and that you live in the deep jungle with the savages.” I nodded and he continued, “I am Benedito. I search for my…cousin. His name is Paulo. I am ashamed to tell you…his parents sold him to some bad men. I am sure they have hurt him. I try to buy him back—his family now has money--but I cannot find him. They went into jungle months ago and they not come back. I hear that you live in jungle. You know or hear of anyone like Paulo?”I was taken aback; I didn't know what to say. How could I even be sure that this guy was Paulo's cousin? I didn't like the way he hesitated before saying “cousin” as though it was an afterthought. “I will return to the jungle tomorrow and I will check with the natives to see if we can learn anything. Are you staying here in the city?”“Si, Senhor, I have job. I wash dishes and help in restaurant. It not much but I do not need much. I worry about Paulo.”“I will return in another month and I will bring whatever news I can get. How will I find you?”“I come here every day at three o'clock. I am between shifts. No work until dinner.” I agreed to meet him in exactly four weeks. By then I'd have confirmed his story. I finished my shopping, acting the role of the innocent missionary. I checked the reflection in a window of a store I entered; Benedito was speaking animatedly to a small group of hard looking men.I finished my shopping and returned to the hotel. I showered and went out to dinner. There were restaurants in the city, but they weren't anything special. I picked one that looked clean and walked in; I was surprised to find Benedito bussing a table. I ordered and waited, enjoying a “chopp,” a draft beer in local parlance, cold with the glass sweating in the humid evening. I enjoyed many of the local beers, especially Brahma, locally brewed and pretty good. I only drank occasionally and primarily in the city. There was wine in the valley and I enjoyed it occasionally, but there was nothing like a nice cold draft—a “chopp!”I ate a decent steak and another Brahma before returning for a boring night of watching TV. I already missed my Hosi and my children. I went to bed early, falling asleep almost immediately, and woke early for the return up river. I docked the boat and had the goods lifted up to the village. Then I had an errand. I could hear the grunting as I approached Paulo's house. He was taking his reproductive duties seriously. I could see him plowing a tribeswoman's cunt with his long thick tool. His partner's legs were wrapped around his neck, his cock burying itself deep into her cunt with every thrust. She looked over toward me, “Oh, hi David…I think we'll be done soon…oohhhh, I don't want it to end…oohhh, I don't, but…Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh…unnnggghhh! She came hard and Paulo followed only seconds later. She moved her legs down to his waist and held him inside her for another ten minutes.“Paulo, I need to speak with you. No…stay where you are. It looks like you're having so much fun and I'll bet it's a lot better IN there than OUT. Do you know someone named Benedito…late twenties…tall and thin, funny looking goatee?”“Mother of God! He is the leader of the group that bought me from my parents. I pray you did not tell him I was here!”“Not to worry…he tried to tell me he was your cousin and that your family now had money to buy you back.”“Ha! What a lie. My parents could never get that much money. They are barely surviving. Can you tell me what happened?” He extricated himself from his lover, pulling his slimy cock from her vagina. She rose and kissed him before kneeling to clean his organ and pull the last few drops of semen into her mouth.“Is this ‘duty' or ‘recreation'?” You two seem to be having an awfully good time together.”“David, I think you know Lina, one of the twins who have taken me in.” I looked closer in the dim light. Yes, it definitely was Lina...or was it Lita? I never could tell the two of them apart. Just then I heard another voice from the rear of the house, “Hi, David what brings you all the way out here? I would have thought you'd be home with Hosi by now. Did you have a good trip?”I explained all about the trip and meeting Benedito. I suggested we meet tomorrow to plan a strategy. I was afraid these men might be a threat. I kissed the twins good-bye and trotted off to my Hosi. I walked into the throne room, but it was empty. I looked in the dining hall; it too was vacant. I walked into our quarters to change out of my filthy sweat-laden clothes; Hosi was there reclining on our bed, “What took you so long? I've been waiting here ever since you were reported back.”I leaned down to kiss her and explained what had happened. She tugged at my clothing, opening my belt and dropping my shorts. “I'm filthy,” I told her. “I've been sweating all the way up the river.”“I don't care…I missed you all last night and today. I need you inside of me and I need you now.” What could I do? I certainly couldn't disobey the Queen. I'd have to make the sacrifice and give my body to her. I stripped off my shirt and fell next to her. She pulled me to her lush body, wrapping a leg over me as we embraced and fell into the most delicious kiss. Hosi's tongue entered my mouth, enfolding itself around mine as she teased me and prepared me for what was to come.I always marveled at the sensation of Hosi's body. How one with such powerful muscles could have skin that was so soft and smooth amazed me. There were few things that I enjoyed more than running my hands over her back and hips and, well…everything. She was impatient today, showing how much she did miss me last night. We made love every single day…usually multiple times. Hosi rolled me onto my back. I put my hands behind my head; it was obvious that this was going to be her show. She ran my erect phallus up and down her slit several times until she was ready. She was wet and slick; I oozed pre-cum; I entered her easily and suddenly I was enveloped in her warmth. I could feel the heat of her core and I was lost to the world. Hosi was my life—everything else had vanished…disappeared. She was my world…my universe.I began to thrust. We met each other, slowly at first, but faster with every second. In no time we were fucking like rabbits. Her sweat dripped from her nipples onto my chest. Suddenly, she leaned down and we kissed again. I could feel the tension in her lips disappear as her body prepared for her orgasm. She began to shake just a little as she neared the edge and then she was over. Her body was smothered in a massive spasm of ecstasy. Exhausted she may have been, but she continued to move with me until I felt a torrent of magma erupt from my cock into her tight cunt. I felt like a volcano, so massive was my ejacuation. I pulled her to me as we rested. I could have stayed there all night, resting with my love in my arms, but we were interrupted by my other love. Kela ran in yelling, “Daddy…daddy!” I withdrew from Hosi as I reached down to hug and kiss my beautiful daughter. She reminded me of another job I had to do. I shrugged on my shorts and a pair of sandals, grabbed my bag of sweets and walked with Kela to the plaza. I had the guard ring the bell once—the signal that I had candy for the children. Every one who could walk or crawl found their way to the plaza, some still dripping wet from the baths or the pool. I gave each five pieces of salt water taffy—peppermint, strawberry, cherry, grape, and chocolate. I made sure they knew to throw out the paper wrappers responsibly. We burned them along with other combustible garbage. To avoid detection we only burnt in the middle of the night and only under the strictest supervision.Hosi and I ate our dinner and retired to our rooms. I began to prepare for bed, but Hosi stopped me. I could see the wheels turning in her head. “What trouble are you brewing now,” I asked.“Well…I was thinking….” I knew this was going to be a disaster. I could tell just by the tone of her voice. “If we can't get the men to tell us, we could go and find out for ourselves.”“What you mean is…spy on them…absolutely not! If you thought they were upset about talking just imagine what would happen if we were caught peeking in some window. No, Hosi…not a good idea…in fact, terrible.” I stripped and climbed into bed. Reluctantly, Hosi joined me a few minutes later.There was a big group meeting with us in the dining hall the following morning. Hosi, of course, chaired the meeting, but she turned the reins over to me—I had met Benedito and I had seen the group of hard cases he was with. I was especially careful on the way back upriver even going so far as to pass the tributary and double back to make sure I wasn't followed.“I need to explain about what may be a new threat to our safety,” I began looking out over the group of men and warrior leaders. I explained my meeting with Benedito and his interest in finding Paulo and his men. I described the others he had met with once I returned to my shopping. I could see the agitation in Paulo's face so I asked him to speak.“This Benedito is the devil for sure. He is the cruelest man I have ever met.” He removed his shirt and pants turned around to emphasize his point. His lower back and butt were covered with scars from severe whippings and burns from cigars. Lina hugged him to her body in an effort to console him. He showed us his fingers. Several were bent and crooked. “He broke them just for the fun of it. Also,” he continued, “he is very stubborn. He will never give up until he finds his men…and me. I have never feared anyone as much as I fear him.”I thought for a few minutes before commenting, “OK, if he wants to find his men, why don't we help him? Here's what I'm thinking….” There were several comments and a few suggestions which made the plan stronger. We began with our preparations as soon as we broke up.We planned carefully. We didn't know how many men he would have with him so we needed plenty of warriors, outstanding with the bow, all of them. I wanted at least three for each of the enemy and I wouldn't know how many that would be until I was on my return from my next trip to the city. I worked out a code I could use on the boat's radio. The next step was to find a place where I could stop the boat on the Amazon, tie off to a tree, and trek directly to the abandoned camp and then to the border of our property where I had placed the skulls. Once we found that we were ready.The days passed quickly. Soon the day before my departure had arrived. “I hate this, David,” Hosi told me with a frown. “I worry about your safety…oh, why lie? I have done nothing but worry since you came up with this crazy plan. Why do you do these things? Think of me and our children!”“That's exactly why I'm doing it. I want to make sure you're safe and the only way is to take this guy down. I'm pretty sure I'll be OK. Your warriors will pick us up at their camp and we'll ambush them at the skulls. They'll believe me when I tell them I'm going to help. They think I'm just an innocent missionary. I'll be OK. Trust me.” Hosi shook her head and pulled me into a hug. She wouldn't kiss me; she didn't want me to see her crying, but I could feel her body shaking.My left hand reached down to her thighs and I picked her up. I carried her to the bed and laid her down gently, nibbling her ear. She hated when I nibbled her ear. It was the one place where she was ticklish. It was only seconds before she was squirming under me. I pulled back, looking her in the eyes. “I love you. You're going to be stuck with me for a long time—longer than a long time. I promise.” This time she did pull me into a long passionate kiss, her soft full lips pressing into mine. I removed my clothes and hers, too. We lay together, our arms and legs intertwined as our tongues danced a dance of love and devotion.She pushed me onto my back and slid down my pole, engulfing my cock with her hot tight tunnel. Her movements were slow—very, very slow—as though she wanted this coupling to last forever. I swear it must have taken her thirty seconds to rise and another thirty to slide back down again. She leaned forward to rub her nipples over my face. I reached up to grab one intending to suckle, but she was too quick. “Sorry,” she laughed, “but I need to save that for Davy. I have something else you can suck on though.”She rose off my cock and sidled forward until she straddled my chin, her delectable, but sloppy, pussy right over my mouth. I rose up to sample her sweet musky nectar. It was spread all over her pussy from our brief interrupted fucking, but that was more than OK with me. I loved the way she tasted and the more delicious nectar she produced the more I loved it. I started at her asshole, teasing her there with light touches of the tip of my tongue. She squirmed in a combination of anguish and ecstasy. My tongue covered her pussy as I licked all the way up to her clit. Over and over I licked until her pussy was completely clean…on the outside anyway.My tongue penetrated my woman. I cleaned her tunnel—a futile effort, she could always make more, and I knew she would, especially with my tongue in there. I tickled her clit with my nose; she jerked in response, so of course I did it again and again. Giggling, she implored me to stop. I looked up to see she was begging, “Please, David…why don't you fuck my cunt instead? I really want you in me now. ”I would have jumped up in shock had she not been sitting on my head, “Where did you learn to talk like that? It's bad enough to say ‘fuck,' but ‘cunt' is really terrible. I should wash your mouth out with soap.” Relenting a bit when Hosi looked apologetic, a tear forming in her eye, I continued, “OK, c'mon…there's no reason to cry. You made a mistake—we all do—and to show you I forgive you I will…fuck your cunt, that is.” I laughed as I lifted her body up and moved it down, bringing my cock to her sex. I dropped her slowly…gently… onto my organ. She was the mother of my children and she would be a mother again. I rose up, savoring once again the tender torture her pussy gave me—tender because of the soft smooth texture of her silky tissues, torture because every second I was in there made me want so terribly to cum and cum again.I could tell from her eyes that the fooling was over. She was getting down to business. We loved to fuck each other—had right from the very first time and we loved to make each other climax. The sensation of her sweat mingling with mine, of clutching her to my chest to rest after a vigorous workout was nothing less than fantastic. We began our rhythm, the tempo we always used when we were joined together. It created more than enough friction for both of us, but was not hurried. We weren't in a rush; this was how we showed how much we loved each other. We rocked together, Hosi squeezing me while rubbing her sensitive clit against my pubic hair.My hands gripped her hips, my fingers digging into her flesh as we moved, eyes locked on each other, mouths silent in concentration as we worked together. We usually increased our pace steadily, but tonight Hosi obviously wanted our union to last. We made love for almost an hour. She told me that her pussy tingled wildly for the last half. Finally, it began to hurt. She endured the pain to bring our coupling to a wonderful conclusion. I couldn't recall ever cumming with such force or as much intensity. Hosi finally came, her body shaking, having lost all semblance of control. She literally collapsed onto me. “You'd better come back to me. I don't know what I would do without you.” She cried again, this time until we fell asleep.I rose early, ate a hearty breakfast and walked with Hosi to the waterfall. We kissed briefly; I was afraid that a lengthy embrace would cause her to cry once again. I hugged Kela and kissed my infant son and I was gone. I had decided to take no weapon. They would be armed, of that I was sure however I was supposed to be a peaceful missionary. I had to play that role to perfection, therefore—no gun.The trip downriver was uneventful. I passed my projected landing area, carefully marked with three hatchet slashes on the side of a tree. It was just before three when I docked and tied up the boat. I climbed onto the dock carrying a worn map of the jungle. I ambled along examining several store windows en route to the square where I was to meet Benedito. I fingered my cross as I approached the fountain. It was old and filthy, covered with grime and algae and pigeon shit, but it was a popular meeting place. I could see Benedito and two comrades waiting, but not too patiently.I greeted him, “Ah…Benedito, how wonderful to see you again. I bring news of your cousin. I can't say if it is good or not, but I know where he has been with those horrible men. Come…bring your friends. Let us join together for a cup of coffee while I show you this map. It is old, but still quite accurate. The natives have located a broken down camp that may have belonged to those men. Here, let me show you.” I hoped I wasn't laying it on too thickly. I ordered four coffees and spread the map on the table. “Here is where the tribe has found the camp. We can bring my boat to the river's edge here.” I pointed to an area along the Amazon which was less than fifteen miles from the camp. “You can see it is much shorter this way. We will have to cut our way through the jungle, but it will still be much faster than going overland from here. My boat is big enough to carry all of us and the gear we will need for a short trek. I hope my tribe will meet us there, but I cannot guarantee it…they are very shy and nervous.” I babbled on as I thought a naïve theologian might. They agreed to go with me early the following morning.We met at the dock and stored all the gear. I was expecting some weapons, but this was ridiculous. I had no idea how they were going to carry all this stuff. They each had an assault rifle and two pistols and a ton of ammo. I backed off the dock and headed out. I told them I had to make a radio call at 10:00, just to let the other missionaries know that we had met and that I would be delayed. I picked up the microphone at ten sharp. It was set to channel 16, the international call channel. ‘Brother Scott…Brother Scott, this is Brother David…over.”“Brother David…this is Brother Scott. What news do you have?”“I met the man and we are headed back, but it may be many days before I am able to return to you and the tribe. Over.”“Roger…Brother Scott out.”“Brother David out.” The message had been sent. The use of the term “many days” meant that there were two in addition to Benedito. We'd have plenty of Amazons to handle them, probably many more than needed. I drove along the left bank looking for the three slashes. I told them that one of the natives had made them to guide us. That was one of the few actually true things I told them. One of the natives—Tama—had made the marks only three days ago. We found them four hours after leaving. I pulled the boat to the bank. One of them jumped out with a line that he fastened to the tree. I retied it more securely, knowing that Sean would pick it up in a couple of hours and return it to the waterfall. I'd be walking back. They'd be staying.We trekked through the jungle. It was tough going. Even I had a machete. It was needed to cut our way through the thick brush. We walked until the sun began to set. I helped make a quick meal and settled in to my sleeping bag, reminding myself to pray before sleeping. I knew I had no reason for concern. Hosi and her warriors had picked us up at the river.We woke with the sun. I remembered to pray again before we resumed our hike. We found the abandoned camp just after nine. “I am sorry to tell you that the natives have taken much of the poachers' gear. I hope we can find them so you can get your cousin back.”“What? Oh, yeah…we definitely want to get Paulo back, don't we, guys?”“Yeah…we're doing all this for our old buddy Paulo.” They chuckled as I led them out of the camp along the trail that had been marked.I stopped just before reaching the line of skulls. They were less than fifty feet ahead in the brush. I removed my hat and ran my hand through my hair. This was the signal to get ready. I could imagine Hosi and her warriors nocking their arrows in their bowstrings. I walked another twenty feet before turning and facing the men. Their rifles were slung on their shoulders, their pistols holstered. “Well, gentlemen, we're almost at the end of your journey. Your friends are just ahead…what's left of them anyway.” Hosi and twenty warriors stepped out of the jungle; arrows flew at the startled poachers killing the two, but only wounding Benedito—one arrow in each bicep. I knelt as he bled into the dry earth.“You know, Benedito, pausing before describing Paulo as your cousin was a huge mistake. It put me on guard and then when Paulo told me who you really were I knew we'd have to take care of you…and your buddies, too. These are the ‘natives' with whom I live. This gorgeous creature is not only my wife, she's also the Queen. Trust me, she'd have no compunctions about killing you and neither would any of the others.These two over here are Paulo's lovers so I think they'd look forward to killing you slowly, especially after seeing how you tortured him. Paulo told us all about you—how mean and sadistic you are, how much you enjoyed making him suffer. We all like Paulo; he's very polite and caring so we were shocked to see those marks on his butt and his crooked broken fingers. He told us you did that just for fun so we have a special fun thing to do with you.“You were looking for your friends and now you've found them.” I pointed ahead and stepped aside so he could see the mounted skulls. “Just think, you'll be able to spend eternity with them in hell, but first you're going to suffer like you've never suffered before.” Tama lifted him easily, carrying him away. His dead friends soon followed. Tama laid him on the ground, tying his wrists and ankles to the vines we had attached to pegs last week on our last visit to the jungle.“See that big mound over there, Benedito? There are maybe ten million ants in there, maybe more—who really knows? They'll find your friends soon and they'll smell your wounds. Pretty soon they'll be paying you a visit, too. These are army ants—big and mean. They'll eat anything that gets in their way—living or dead.” I stood, joined Hosi, kissed her and turned away leaving the ants to do their work.I hadn't allowed Paulo to join us in the jungle. I thought it might be too much for him emotionally. It was almost too much for me and I had no connection with the loser Benedito at all. We picked him up by the stone steps. I remembered Hosi guiding me so gently down each step when we first met that bright morning years ago. So much had happened since then—most of it really good. I knew I was a changed man and it was all because of Hosi. I wanted her to know so I stopped, pulled her to me and kissed her madly. She was surprised, but she didn't resist. Instead she kissed me back as the tribeswomen hooted and laughed.“What was that for,” she asked once we had broken the kiss.“Just for being you,” I replied making her even more confused than she had been before. She batted her eyes at me, her face showing the confusion she felt. I didn't speak. I just pulled her into another long and wonderful kiss, our tongues searching in what is now very familiar territory for yet undiscovered areas of pleasure and ecstasy. My hands went to her heavy breasts. I hefted her huge milk-laden mammaries, still firm after two pregnancies. I broke the kiss and when her eyes questioned me I responded immediately, “I want to get you back home where I can take care of you properly. I hate to admit it, but I've been terrified for weeks.”Hosi gave me a look that could kill, but said nothing. She took my hand and led me away. We walked into the village with the other members of the ambush team. She turned left away from the palace and I found myself with her at the pool. Now I was confused—didn't she want to…? She removed my clothing, stepped out of her skirt and G-string, leaving the sandals at the edge of the plaza. She took my hand again and led me into the cool water. We ducked under—it did feel great to remove the sweat and the stench of those men from my body. Hosi positioned me near one of the stone blocks, “Watch me float,” she said. I was so intent on what she said I lost track of what she was actually doing. She was floating all right, but her legs were open so we were crotch to crotch. Before I realized what had happened she had maneuvered her pussy around my hard cock. She held my hands and was using that leverage to actually fuck herself on my cock, making little wavelets in the pool.I was about to complain, but she shushed me, “Take a good look around you, David. What do you see? Tell me.” I looked right and my mouth fell open. Paulo stood near the pool wall with Lita (or was it Lina?) sitting on his cock and fucking herself slowly while her sister licked alternatively at her nipple and his. Farther down was Sean with his two. Misa looked like she was swimming, but her ass was holding her still, clamped down around his dick. She raised her head periodically, showing her ecstasy.I turned left to see Harry and Sila. Just one look told me how much in love they were. I'd have to speak to Hosi about declaring them mates. They made no attempt to disguise what they were doing. Sila had her arms around his neck as she rode his cock. I doubted that they even knew anyone was watching—they only had eyes for each other. I glanced at Hosi. She had seen them, too. She mouthed the words, “Mates, for sure!” I grinned and nodded my agreement. Harry had finally made it.I looked all around the pool. All the men and their partners were actively fucking right out here in the open where they could and would be seen by anyone who was here or passing by. Hosi wanted the sex to be an open book and she'd gotten her way. I asked her about it; she replied without hesitation, “Don't I always? I got you, didn't I?” I leaned down and, placing my hands behind her breasts, pulled her vertical, my cock remaining in its place. I brought her up in front of me, kissed her neck as we continued to fuck. I nibbled her ear lobe and whispered to her, ”I will always love you.” We kissed then and as we did the world around us disappeared into a mist. We were the only two people on earth.by senorlongo for SexStories.

Snail sightings during the rainy season in Japan are becoming rarer as dry and urban areas increase, with half of the species in the Kinki western region at risk of extinction, experts warn.

Welcome to episode 265 of the Cloud Pod Podcast – where the forecast is always cloudy! This week, Jonathan, Ryan, and Justin are trying to keep cool in new WorkSpaces Pools, avoiding the Heatwave with Oracle's new LLM,  taking a look at AWS Jamba (hold the straw) and taking a look at the ever elusive Cloud Maturity.  All this news and more, this week on The Cloud Pod!  Titles we almost went with this week: The Cloud Pod takes a dip in the Workspaces Pool The Cloud Pod Lineage view is suspect A Gitlab, A BitBucket, and a Blueprint build a Workspaces Pool AWS goes for a Jamba Juice  Google Cloud Autokey does exactly what it sounds like Oracle LLM Heatwaves send us to the Amazon Workspace Pool Jonathan is unimpressed with this weeks show Highway to the DataZone  A big thanks to this week's sponsor: We're sponsorless! Want to reach a dedicated audience of cloud engineers? Send us an email or hit us up on our Slack Channel and let's chat!  General News 01:03 HashiCorp State of Cloud Strategy Survey 2024: Cloud Maturity is Elusive but Valuable Hashicorp just released the results of its State of Cloud Survey, and guess what? Cloud maturity is pretty elusive. Weird…  Hashicorp finds that 8% of organizations qualify as Highly Mature, this results that the biggest benefits are cloud is only going to a small group of truly mature organizations.  Justin wonders if this is part of the cloud repatriation push?  Are other listeners seeing some of this, especially on places like LinkedIn? We'd love to hear.  Trailblazers are finding faster development speed, lower costs and reduced risks while others continue to struggle to create haves and have nots with enterprises getting different business outcomes.  Hashicorp collected responses from almost 1,200 technology practitioners and decision makers at organizations with more than 1000 employees.  66% of respondents report that they have increased cloud spending in the last year, but 91% believe they are wasting money in the cloud, and 64% are experiencing a shortage of skilled staff. 45% of low maturity organizations are still waiting for their cloud strategy to pay off! One of the key takeaways from the survey is that the path to cloud maturity increasingly relies on platform teams to help automate and systemize cloud operations.  However, only half the respondents 42% say they rely on centralized platform teams to standardize cloud operations throughout their organization.  Platform teams help manage cloud, but also help address the skills shortage that has long plagued enterprise cloud adoption. If only they'd pay for training. 03:22 Jonathan – “The skill shortage thing really bugs me sometimes because there are plenty of skilled workers around and the reccs aren’t open for them. So I don’t think there aren’t qualified staff… yeah, it’s not a shortage because of the lac

Hey Hey Beautiful People I'll be Back once again like a Renegade master this Sunday . The paradise sessions - Discos Revenge returns this Sunday with @markymmp on @cruise_fm 10am - 1pm UK cruisefm.co.uk and this week we have a 3 hour journey across the musical timelines and back with another ram packed radio show. Including the first 90 minutes with some old school favourites across the Soul, Jazz and Funk era's. In the second 90 minutes we have the New Disco's Revenge Traxsource Chart.. New music from Dave Lyn , an other Awesome 4 Some from DJ Allan all in a 3 hour show. Hope you can join me. . You may ask how is all this possible in 1 radio show well you'll just have to tune in to find out . So I hope you can join me on this special weekly journey packed with love.. Trax Artist Track Title The Independent Movement Slippin' Away Patrice Rushen I Was Tired of Being Alone Fantasy Live the Life I Love Rich Cason Bad Times (I Can't Stand It), Pt. 2 [feat. Kimberly Ball, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis] T J Johnson band Come On Lets Do It (Let's Rock) T J Johnson band Pretty Lady Kwick You're The Kind Of Girl I Like sylvester Tell Me Ozone Jump on it Anushka Bad Weather The Ritchie Family All Right On the Night Masquerade (Solution To) The Problem Divine Sounds 05 - What People Do For Money Inner City Ain't Nobody Better Aquarian Dream Do You Realize Silk I Can't Stop (Turning You On) Teena Marie Ooo La La La (12 Inch Version) Gentle Persuasion Gotta Lotta Love (Dj ''S'' Remix) Shaun LaBelle feat. Maysa, Stokley Your Love Kept Calling My Name Georgie B & The Groove Association Soul Night (Radio Edit) David Lyn Connections David Lyn Ingoma Yakudala (An Old Song) The Strikers, Kiinjo, Nick Bike Body Music (Kiinjo and Nick Bike Remix) Michael Gray, Leela D Save Me (Extended Mix) YOURS, David Penn OUR LOVE (80'S) (David Penn Extended Remix) Micky More & Andy Tee Expansions (Extended Mix) Maysa, Chris Walker, DJ Spen, Reelsoul Down With Me (DJ Spen & Reelsoul Remix) Milk & Sugar, James Hurr Let the Sun Shine (James Hurr Scorchio Extended Mix) T-Groove, Ania Garvey I Tried To Tell You (Original Mix) Criss Hawk, Simone Bardelli Say Say say (Club Mix) Andromeda Orchestra Crazy Lady (Original Version) Justin Kayser, Richard Earnshaw Always (Richard Earnshaw Extended Mix) Chemars I Got A Song For You (Original Mix) Disco Milieu Love Me Good (Original Mix) Diva Avari, The French House Mafia, Jamie Lewis Moving On Up (Jamie Lewis Sex On The Beach Mix) GooDisco Love You Like I Do (Original Mix) Moodena Moodena's Message Micky More & Andy Tee, Angela Johnson, Dj Meme, Danny Krivit Is It Love You're After (Danny Krivit 12" Extended)

Send us a Text Message.A nice Tuesday crossword, and, as detailed in today's episode, one eight years in the making!! So, even though PERSEVERANCE is not in the grid, it truly is in the heart of Chris Leatherberry, the constructor of today's fine work.We appreciated all the longer wavelength color references in today's grid, namely 54D, Famed fireman Red, ADAIR, in close proximity to 55D, Reddish application to cheeks, ROUGE, and kitty corner to 12D, More pink, RARER. We also, enjoyed 69A, Prefix with brow, UNI, as we are big fans of Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Sam Eagle, and other assorted muppets.Show note imagery: RODAN, probably on the prowl for GodzillaContact Info:We love listener mail! Drop us a line, crosswordpodcast@icloud.com.Also, we're on FaceBook, so feel free to drop by there and strike up a conversation!

Don't think you know everything about the origins debate just yet because something BIG is happening! Evolutionists say this kind of event is the key to sparking life in the cosmos...will you be ready to answer them? Don't miss this episode of Current Topics in Science!

The Peddler & the Fairy: Part 8 Shopping adventures. In 10 parts, by Scholarly Mori. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels. The trio made their way back to the bustling ring of the shopping district, stopping in front of a statue of what must have been some iconic blacksmith when Devin turned to the girls. "I have a shop I want to visit. I thought of a few presents I wanted to buy the two of you. Do you mind getting a head start and finding a seamstress? Oh, and Azalea, can I borrow the drawing you did of; my; er; me?" [[MORE]] Azalea gave him a quizzical look. "You mean the one of your penis? Sure." She dug around her bag, found her notebook, and handed it to him. Fluttering around his head excitedly, she demanded, "Does it have something to do with our presents? Does it? What is it? Tell me!" "Azalea, dear. Herd-mate probably wants to surprise us, or else he wouldn't be going alone," interrupted Reina. "Ahhh, okaaaay; fine, but in return, we'll surprise you with our new outfits!" "Won't you need formal attire too, herd-mate?" the female Whitehorn asked. "I have an outfit from when I attend guild banquets. I'll wear that." Devin handed Reina two pouches. "I know I said I wasn't going to spend the money from our potential client, but I don't know the current market price for formal attire, so if possible, try to haggle or negotiate a lower price." She put the pouches in her belt. "I'll try. Should we meet you here in three hours?" "That's a good idea. We can have a late lunch together and then go back to Jeni's to change," Devin suggested and then waved, disappearing into the crowd. "Shopping time with Reina! I want to wander around and window shop for a while," the fairy announced, flitting ahead of her fellow mate. "Alright." —---------- As a native, Devin knew most of the shortcuts between all the major city blocks. He was calculating the time he'd need to get to the workshops he had in mind when he had a sudden realization. Mavis said a carriage would be sent for them, but he had failed to mention where they were staying. He hustled back to the post office to inform the nonplussed secretary of the forwarding information for their inn. She informed him she'd take care of it personally, and he left, dashing back across town. Nearing the western gate of the city, he slowed his pace, taking a moment to lean against the corner of a building near an alley to catch his breath. "Lovely day for a walk!" said a rough, squeaky voice. He looked over his shoulder to spot a pint-sized individual with arrogant, ruby eyes leaning against the opposite wall. Not sure if they were talking to him or not, Devin ignored them. The mystery figure pushed back its mud-stained hood. Two substantial, rounded ears covered in gray fur with a soft pink interior twitched in expectation. One of the ears was missing a chunk. She brushed away her matted auburn hair. "Are your girls going to be ok with you not around?" He put a hand on his dagger. "Is there a reason I should be aware of why they wouldn't be ok?" She slunk back. "Hey now, let's not get hasty. It's not that I'm interested in them specifically. I'm more interested in what I can do for you or for them." She made a little bow, and the edges of her cloak fell open to expose her bare midriff. A thick belt covered her small chest. A narrower belt wrapped around her waist. On the lower belt was a run-down pouch with a broken button and a rusty dagger attached. Two thinner belts crisscrossed around her hips, meeting between her legs and leaving the rest of her undernourished frame uncovered. "I've been following you; sorry, no, that came out wrong. I noticed you enter the city and saw a curious sight: a rare Whitehorn, and an even rarer fairy, both together with a well-to-do merchant. I have an eye for opportunity and wondered if you might be in need of a guide." "I'm a native of this city." "Oh." She seemed a little taken aback. "Well, then; how about I guide your companions around; seeing as you seem to have other errands?" "I usually don't make it a habit of entrusting things I care about to those I haven't established trust with," Devin stated with little emotion. "Now, now! Don't be like that. I'm just a hungry ratgirl who's trying to make some coin. Trust needs to start somewhere, right? How bout my name?" She opened her arms placatingly. "The name's Chitchat. It's what most of my clients know me as. I'm sort of a rat-about-town. I take all kinds of jobs. Sometimes I'm an information trader, other times a guide. I'm pretty confident in my knowledge of most of the stores in town and where to find them." Seeing him ponder her request, she added, "You don't want your friends getting lost or taken advantage of while you're away, do ya?" The offer was tempting, but the person making it gave him pause. She looked trustworthy enough, but anyone could throw on some dirty rags and rub some dirt on their face. Her gaunt features were not so easy to fake, however. While violent and major crimes were fairly rare, there was no lack of theft, bribery, and petty crime in a city where merchandise, and often times cut-throat commerce were common trades. Merchants were no strangers to risk. What required skill was knowing how to manage it and, if possible, use it to your advantage. That didn't apply to his girls, though. As his treasure, he felt it unlikely to be too cautious with them. Yet, it seemed in bad taste to be so miserly with someone as down-and-out as this girl. "I won't be gone long. I'm sure they'll be fine." "Then how about I offer my help to you. Wherever you're going, I might be able to suggest a cheaper alternative." Chitchat worried he was taking too much time to decide and tried to press him. "Please, sir, it's been a long time since I've eaten." She tactically gripped his arm, pressing herself into it. Devin expected her to smell worse than she did. Something between sour wine, wet fur, and perhaps desperation? It was, at the very least, a sense of urgency. He wasn't averse to helping someone in need. He often tossed a few coins to the most needy-looking. She squeezed his arm. "Isn't it better to earn one's bread by being industrious instead of begging?" Devin decided to test her a bit. "I won't be gone long, and the girls should be fine." With a curt brusqueness, he dislodged her from his arm and walked away. Chitchat looked startled at the sudden shift in attitude. She was going to make another offer, but he was already several strides away. Devin ducked behind a corner and looked back toward the alley. Chitchat fell back against the brick wall and sank to the ground, pulling her knees up to her chest. 'Doesn't look like she has any accomplices, nor is she asking anyone else. In his experience, charlatans tended to immediately move to another target if their first victim didn't prove fruitful. Guess I'll take a chance.' He returned to the dejected ratgirl, but she didn't look up until he was right in front of her. "What are you doing back?" "I changed my mind." He showed her five vols. "Half up front and half when I return. Give this to them, so they know I hired you." Wrapping the coins into his handkerchief, he held it out to her. Warily, she held out her hand and took it. "But that is way too, " "I'll be back in three hours. They should be wandering around the clothing ward." Before she could say anything more, he left again, leaving her bewildered. Without further delay, Devin arrived at his destination in the southern half of the city, on the border of the old-town district. 'This can't be right. It's too small!' Devin stood in a vacant alley, nestled at the end of an empty street. He thought this was the address to the craftsman he was seeking. Rumors told of a woodworker who took unusual commissions, but he had never been to this part of town. All that stood before him was a marble wall with an elaborate limestone door deeply inlaid with runes. The runes he used to keep his goods cool or used in everyday life were from a branch language, a dialect of the original. The runes in front of him, while similar geometrically, were older. Devin had no idea what they meant, and few people probably did due to their baffling complexity. Aside from syntax, the timing could also change the meaning, depending on the time of day or even the season. Thankfully, he didn't have to worry about any of that. A frayed cord hung to the side of the door with a sign that read: Ring once: pickup Ring twice: order Ring thrice: delivery Ringing twice, he felt a slow rumble, a grinding of stone-on-stone, under his feet as a crease appeared down the left edge of the door frame. From the blackness, an unnaturally strong and rocky hand grabbed his shirt and yanked him inside. The entrance sealed shut, leaving them in darkness. He put out a foot to steady himself but felt only air. As he stumbled, the strong grip held him up while simultaneously pulling him down what he quickly realized was a stairway. "Uh, excuse me? Could you stop tugging on my clothes?" His escort remained silent but paused. He felt his shirt let go, and his wrist was grabbed instead to continue with their slow, lumbering footfalls. "Er; if it's not too much trouble, could you tell me if this is the workshop of Antoris the woodsmith?" Silence. The unusual reception had him a little on edge, but a Dwarven workshop being underground most certainly wasn't unheard of. Reaching out his left hand, he felt a stone railing. It felt curved, and by the way the faint gleam of light below them kept rotating without passing behind them, he guessed they were on a circular stairwell. The air, aside from being cool and dry, was surprisingly fresh. A faint draft issued from beneath them. He lost track of their descent after the fiftieth step, but they soon passed through an entrance in the floor. The room opening below them was the same as the one above, only this one was lit with purple and orange crystals sticking out of the rock walls. Calling them a wall would have been an injustice to the creator. Hewn from the rock were massive pillars shaped like leafless trees with expansive branches holding the stairway and the ceiling aloft. Between the pillars were murals -- illustrations of rocky figures planting trees and maybe flowers. He could now see his silent chaperone in the light. The most noticeable feature was her height. She towered over him. He guessed she was nearly nine or ten feet tall. Initially, he thought she was a gnome since they were known to be a quiet type of earth elemental. However, he dismissed that idea since her movements weren't quite fluid or natural. The smoothness of her skin and the massive, spherically cut rubies acting as joints were too unnatural. She was naked; naked as a white marble statue could be. She didn't possess any of the finer details one might find on a completed work, namely nipples or genitalia, and he wondered if maybe she was an unfinished or trial design. Whatever the case, the creator seemed to appreciate large breasts and long hair. He didn't expect an answer but attempted, "Are you a golem? Can you take me to your creator?" For the first time, she stopped and regarded him. A pair of rough-cut ruby eyes stared down at him, processing his request. Golems had varying levels of intelligence. Most had at least basic commands they accepted or understood even if they couldn't speak. She obliged, though not in the way he expected. Feeling himself go weightless, she scooped him up in her arms. He wasn't feeling very princess-like, despite being in the cliche carrying position, and he flailed a bit as she set off with a faster gait down the stairs. Devin calmed down and appreciated the faster speed even though he couldn't appreciate the wall murals at leisure. She looked down over her generous chest, squeezed him tight against it and jumped the rest of the way to the floor below. Neither the floor nor her legs were soft, so he felt a big jolt from the landing. She made a sharp turn upon landing and passed through one of four archway exits from the room. Plunged into darkness once more, they passed swiftly through another archway. As she slowed her pace, Devin's jaw dropped. They were in an extensive cavern with cerulean-colored pools separated into square, uniform sections. Inside each pool was a singular, tall, and narrow rock-like structure, each of a different color. "What is this place?" She pointed at herself, then at the pool. "This is how you were made?" Leaving his question unanswered, she passed through a wide door on the opposite side of the room and unceremoniously deposited him in the center of a brightly-lit room that smelled dry, dusty, and yet sweet. He stood up, brushing sawdust and woodchips off himself, and beheld the magnificent master carpenter's dream that lay about him. Planks of varying trees, cut and sanded, leaned neatly against three walls surrounding large workbenches. On the left and right tables were hand saws, chisels, planes, and adzes were neatly arranged around half-finished products. Through a hole next to the door frame he had entered, water flowed from the previous room. It wrapped around the edge of one wall and down through a hole in the floor. It likely powered the vertical saw that adorned a corner. At the center table, a red-bearded dwarf sat whittling on something Devin didn't recognize. Without looking up, the dwarf bellowed, "Ruby! Why in the name of the Great mountain did ya come through the pool room?" The golem, Ruby, made no attempt to answer and instead took her place by his left side. Without receiving a greeting or introduction, Devin stood awkwardly and said, "You must be Antoris the Dwarf!" "Is that what yer eyes be tellin' ya's, or do you just have a gift for compulsively stating the obvious?" "Sorry, I meant no disrespect. I was unsure if this was the right place, given the; um; abrupt greeting by your assistant and the location of your workshop." "Woodworking is my profession. Gems and golems are my hobbies. Expensive hobbies, I might add. I don't like going above ground -- too many people to deal with! Introductions, especially so. I'm also not overly fond of talking about most things or answering questions, so place your order and don't ramble." Devin handed him a slip of paper with Azalea's drawing. The dwarf looked at it for a moment, frowning. "Yer wants me to make; these?" He sighed and slumped on his stool. "My first customer in weeks and they turn out to be a pervert." "It's not for me. It's for a fairy friend." "I don't care who it's fer." I can make these tiny; toys, but I don't have any ravishwood big enough to make the big'un. You want the same wood for all of them?" "Does that mean you'll make it?" "Are ya daft on top of having poor eyes? I got a reputation for being reclusive but won't be havin' one for turnin' down a customer." Devin thought for a moment. "Cedar for the box, white oak for the knife-sheath, and ravishwood for the others. I've heard the last is a bit rare and hard to find, so I'll pay double the normal price." "Ya bet yer coin purse yer will. I hope you don't mean to stuff your fairy with this!" "The big one is for someone else." The dwarf showed no surprise. "Should take me about two-and-a-half hours. Ya can take a seat over there." He pointed a stubby finger to an overly-decorated stool in the corner. Turning to Ruby, he whispered something into her ear, and they both separated: She went into a back room while Antoris disappeared into a side room and then returned with several choice pieces of lumber. Devin watched him measure, mark, cut, and repeat until he grew bored. "Go ahead; ask yer questions." "Excuse me?" "Questions! Everyone has them." "But you said, " "My hobby is the small exception. Now, go ahead before it starts leaking out ya ears. Ya have the same look ever'one has when they see ma girls." "Oh, then; um; do they have names?" "The one er'brought a here, as you already heard, is Ruby. She's the third of four I've built. Sapphire and Emerald were the first and second rudimentary prototypes. They are out digging a new tunnel." "Who's the fourth?" "Diamond." Antoris rang a silver bell on the corner of the desk. From a different side room entered another golem. Earlier, Devin considered Ruby to look quite advanced, but she barely held a stalactite to her sister. Diamond was more normal in height and also naked, except for a craftsman's apron. Meticulous attention was given to her features. Her face was expressionless, fixed with either a neutral or gentle smile, depending on the angle. Her skin was glossy and smooth, with a glassy opaqueness overlaid to protect the milky white, tan and light-brown wood pattern underneath. Very fine veins of red-opal, and malachite-green just under her skin connected to the diamonds acting as her digits and joints. Her hair was chiseled to be long and wavy, a portion covering her left eye. She gracefully glided across the room on slender legs, her movements precise and willful. Assuming a demure position slightly behind and to the right of her creator, she faced Devin, bowed, and gave him a generous view of her cleavage. "I have an owlchemist friend who's working on her first golem," Devin commented. "What's 'er name?" "Jeni-feather, over in the manufacturing district." "Why does that name sound familiar? Oh, of course! Old man Nílo's assistant. I heard a rumor he took someone in. I thought it false since he's even more of a recluse than I am -- does all his business transactions via proxy. Maybe he felt he was getting too old for everything. How far along in her work is she?" "She's never showed me." "Poor friend who doesn't ask about their friend's hobbies -- especially those that involve pouring a large amount of their money, time, and life into it." "I can't argue with that," Devin lamented. "Diamond is my latest and first fully-complete construct," revealed the older dwarf proudly. "She's a masterful-looking piece of work," Devin agreed. "I'm especially proud of her eyes; multifaceted semi-precious gems." "They remind me of some insect demi-humans. Does she have, " The dwarf pulled Diamond's apron aside, revealing two pink nubs. "Rose quartz for her nips. Interchangeable cunt." "I like the amethyst clematis you have in her hair. My fairy friend has a dress of the same flower." "It's slow, delicate work carving flowers from gems but well worth it." "Is her body from stone or wood, and what are those veins?" "You saw those things in the other room, under the water? It's petrified wood -- more specifically, petrified dryad wood. Spotted a branch from an exotic merchant. Bought it for almost nothing since he thought it was just a pretty rock. It was a small piece, so I couldn't do much with it. I regrow and graft on bigger parts." "Why not just use regular stone or wood for all of them?" "because certain materials are more conductive to affinity. The grandfather of golemancy discovered a way to infuse one's own affinity, into inanimate objects. I ain't sure why it works, but things that were once alive conduct better, but other things can be used. My girl's core uses a chunk of amber," he explained while tapping a honey-colored teardrop embedded under her clavicle. A lot also comes down to what's available and what can be afforded." "Rarer materials; high cost. Makes sense." "And lastly, what the creator knows how to work with. Since I know a thing or two about mining, gems and rocks are easy enough for me to work with. All depends on the creator, but you can find a bit of a pattern depending where you go. There are very roughly three kinds. The middle kingdom's are generally made from clay, porcelain, and clockwork. Down in the desert lands, I've heard they use the flesh of their dead or some such morbid thing." "Feel free to pass any of this to your friend, though she probably knows most of it. Now let me get back to work." Devin took a seat. Not knowing what else to do, he decided to practice more with his glyph. —------------ Chitchat was usually more on her game when playing the poor, needy ratgirl, but it'd been a significant period since she'd eaten, and it was starting to affect her charisma. 'Thought I'd blown it with that clueless merchant. Can't believe he actually came back. Now, if I can just find those girls. Pretty sure I saw him give that Whitehorn some money. If I play my cards right, I can get paid and pick their pockets. That should feed me for maybe a few months!' Her nails gripped the cobblestone, expertly weaving and dodging through the forest of legs in the streets and alleys. Standing barely five feet on tiptoes, she decided to jump up on a barrel to search the many heads and ears for her quarry. —----------------------- "Reina! How do I look?" Azalea turned around to show off the hairpins holding together twin-tails. Before Reina could comment, "What's that smell? Roast corn! "Azalea dropped the hairpins in the bemused merchant's hands and zipped off toward a stall with a grill. "I wonder what spices they use! Trade secret? Understandable. So much delicious-looking food! Sweets I've never seen, fruits I've never tasted! Oh, what are those over there? They are what? Snowglobes? How do you get the snow in them? Are they edible? Speak up! I can't hear you!" Reina was feeling a bit overwhelmed. Aside from being in a new place, she was doomed to act as fairy herder for the day. 'How does such a small body have so much energy? She can't seem to focus on anything for more than thirty seconds.' She was happy to see her friend thoroughly enjoying herself but was afraid the endless distractions would delay them from their responsibilities. "Mmmphthigsgood!" "Azalea, swallow first, and where did you get that food?" "That nice man over there was selling some bread filled with jam. Said I was cute and gave me one. Try some!" Azalea bit off a generous portion with jam, pressed her petite lips to Reina's, and used her tongue to push the morsel in. Normally, Reina wouldn't have minded, but they were in public. She blushed as the few passersby failed to hide smiles. "You're so adorable when you're embarrassed," Azalea teased. Feeling a little indignant at her own awkwardness, she swallowed, scooped the hyperactive fae close, and licked some jam off her cheek. "Careful! I might end up eating you instead." Azalea face lit up. "Once, Life-mate put me in his mouth when I was covered in his cum, to clean me. I was pretty out of it when it happened. I wouldn't mind experiencing it again when I'm more lucid. Or maybe I should smear some jam in a very particular place that's more fun to lick," she whispered. "But for now, here, you can have the rest. I wanna go look at other food stall." She stuffed the rest of the pastry into Reina's mouth and flew off. Reina was about to follow when she felt something on her foreleg. "Finally found you!" squeaked a small girl gasping for breath. "Why are there so many more people than usual today?" "Is this an unusual amount? I'm new to this city." "I know. Where'd your fairy friend go?" "Um, she was looking at candles, but now where'd she go? Oh, there she is. Do we know you?" "Hey, it's you!" exclaimed a returning Azalea, nibbling on a piece of honeycomb. "You know her?" "No, but remember I mentioned someone watching us. Same eyes." "You were watching us?" "I, er, " the ratgirl stammered. "Did you need our help with something?" "Help? Help, yes; yes, I came to offer my services. Your friend hired me to guide you around till he got back." "Herd-mate did? He didn't mention that earlier." Reina glanced at Azalea. "He thought of it after he left. Here's proof!" She held out Devin's handkerchief. Reina took the handkerchief and sniffed it. "Smells like him." "Oh, I want to smell, too! I miss him already!" Azalea declared as she dived into the handkerchief in Reina's hand. "He's only been gone twenty minutes, Azalea, and try not to get it sticky." Turning back to the ratgirl, " We are glad to have your guidance, Miss, ?" "Chitchat." "That's an interesting name," commented Azalea as she licked her fingers clean. "It's my working name." "Nice to meetcha. This is Reina, and you already heard my name. We were just wandering around looking for a seamstress." "One of us was. The other was stuffing her face," Reina teased. "It's not good to shop on an empty stomach," Azalea shot back. "That only applies to grocery shopping!" Reina countered. Chitchat put a hand to her chin. "Seamstress, eh? I know one nearby." "Oh good! We are quite ready, aren't we?" urged Reina, cupping Azalea in her hands and hugging her to her chest so she wouldn't fly off again. Chitchat took the lead. "Then off we go!" "Have you lived in this city all your life, Miss Chitchat?" asked Reina. "Yep, all nineteen years of it. When my parents died, I spent the rest of my childhood in an orphanage. When I turned eighteen, I decided I had enough of being told what to do, so I left." Chitchat continued to rattle on about the city and her many observations about its inhabitants and peculiarities. Azalea was content to be held between Reina's soft breasts until she spotted a fenced-off street entrance. Wiggling out of her pillowy cocoon, she poked her head over Reina's shoulder. "Why's that street blocked off? And why is it pink?" Chitchat looked where Azalea pointed. A tall, wooden fence, engraved with a depiction of naked shoppers covered with strategically placed leaves, separated the two roads. "Have you noticed the edges of some streets have colored cobble?" "No, " "Probably because someone was too enamored with window shopping," Reina jested. "It's a decency indicator. Numerous demi-humans have different feelings toward modesty. As a compromise with the more prudish nature of humans, the city council implemented a color system to indicate which sections of the city you're allowed to expose which parts of your body. Green, you have to be fully clothed. Yellow is for topless regions, mostly centered around the milking quarters. Pink allows full nudity, and red areas allow public sex but are strictly regulated to the nightworker parts of the city. Independent businesses may have a separate set of rules, so they'll have an indication by the door." "Can we go take a look, Reina? Pleeeeaase!?! Then we can go straight to the seamstress." Chitchat didn't say anything. She didn't visit these adult areas unless she was in haste for a shortcut, and even then, she didn't linger. "You know it's tough to say no when you give such pleading puppy-dog-girl eyes." Reina opened the pedestrian gate and passed through. The landscape on the opposite side was exactly as the other, except the leaves were removed. "Where are all the people?" wondered Azalea "These neighborhoods tend to cater to very specific merchandise and customers. Also, it's winter. Not too many people are gonna take their clothes off when it's cold." "Well, there might be one, " Azalea shimmered out her dress and handed it to Reina. She floated a few feet forward, her breasts heaving with nervousness. "This is more embarrassing than I thought it'd be." Reina folded the dress away. "I never imagined I'd hear you say that, considering you fly around without undergarments." "Of course, I get embarrassed, but have you noticed I fly under eye level all the time when we are not alone? Sneak peeks are only for you and life-mate." "And me, I suppose," observed Chitchat, trying not to look too closely. Uncharacteristically for her, Azalea made an attempt to cover herself. "Sorry, Miss Chitchat. I've been a little brazen today. "Now look who's adorable when she's embarrassed!" chuckled Reina, offering her dress back. Azalea waved her hands to decline. "It's alright. I don't personally visit these kinds of places, but a job is a job. I have to wonder, though. Your dress doesn't look especially warm. Aren't you cold?" "A little," Azalea admitted and lowered her arms. "My nipples are most certainly stiff, but if I get too cold, I'll just hug my little Whitehorn for warmth." She winked. "I feel so, exposed. Is this what Jyora felt like?" "You seem to be getting a thrill out of it all the same." Azalea rubbed her thighs together to highlight her dripping. "Maybe it is a little exciting." Azalea, feeling bolder, picked up the pace, peering into different storefronts. She was about to move on from a brick-lined building when the door caught her eye. "Let me guess; you want to go in there?" discerned Chitchat. Azalea nodded. "This is definitely an interesting shop! Just look how amazing this handle is!" "I am looking. Any place with a door handle shaped like a centaur penis, paired with a centaur mare vulva lock; Public nudity aside, I have a hard time imagining it as a place you'd like to investigate," Chitchat stated with slight embarrassment. Azalea floated up to Chitchat and put a hand on her shoulder. "I cannot leave an establishment with such eclectic taste unexplored, can I? Surely, this is the work of a forward thinker! Besides, it's good to have a healthy curiosity." "I think you've gone well beyond sexual curiosity into connoisseur territory." Reina grasped the shaft, surprised at the feel of realism, and pulled. Out billowed the acrid smell of metal and coal. Azalea grabbed the hand of a surprised Chitchat and flew in. "Sorry for the smoke. I'll be done in a second," boomed voice from somewhere in the building. "Look at this place! It's, " "Organized chaos?" Reina suggested. "Amazing! I never dreamed that a big city sold these kinds of things!!!" Floor-to-ceiling shelves, stuffed with sex toys, lined the walls. Some toys were familiar, others incomprehensible. Azalea's eyes sparkled as she darted here and there, taking in all the merchandise. "Reina, there are so many dildos! Even more than at Grandpa Gylan's farm!" Azalea had swiped her dress back and put it back on. She was gleefully looking over the display table. "Centaur, wolfman, I think this is a bunny boy's, and this is a catboy's?" She pulled a screw-shaped dildo from a drawer. "This one reminds me of mom's husband's, very porcine shaped." She pushed it through her circled fingers. "Momma said the thickness is mediocre, but the way the tip pokes at her cervix really turns her on, especially when it pushes it in." "Oh! Look what we have here, Reina! Recognize this?" Azalea picked up a skinny black toy and held it up. "A Whitehorn! " She rubbed it against Reina's cheek. "I bet you'd like to try it." "You're sweet, dear, but I should probably tell you. Male whitehorns don't provide much stimulation. Mating is a very quick affair." "Ah, that's too bad," she said before returning the toy. "It is what it is. That's why herd-mate's fis; ministrations felt so good." Azalea held up some colored glass beads connected by a string, turning them over in her hands. "What are these for?" Chitchat peeked around Reina. "How do you not know what anal beads are?" "So you put them in your ass? I bet that feels interesting. Why are there whips and ropes here?" "Some people like being tied up and given a little pain." "Really? Huh; interesting." From somewhere in the back, beyond the haze of smoke, a sudden clink of metal, followed by a sharp sizzle, interrupted them. They could just make out the store's proprietor against the billowy flames of a forge. A light-green woman, with black hair haphazardly tied out of the way, squinted through a pair of magnifiers. Her strong arms vigorously polished a human shaped dildo. She got up from her work stool, leaving a glistening dildo where she had been sitting. Wearing only a front-facing smith's apron, she turned around, and a garnet-colored, heart-shaped assplug peeked out from between her ass cheeks. She stood on tiptoes and twisted a knob on the chimney, opening a flue to dissipate the smoke. Previously hidden within the haze, a bundle hanging from the ceiling was revealed. The goblin smith stepped over, rotated the bundle, and stuffed the dildo in one end, causing the bundle to moan. "How's that feel? I smoothed out the rough spots next to the vein." "Mphhfmmg!" "So it's good?" "Mhmmp." "Excellent! Another prototype finished. Now, let's see who our guests are." She pushed back an ear that had flopped over her shoulder, pulled the bandana off her head, and wiped her brow. "Looks like we got some rare customers! Welcome to Forging Pleasure. Sorry for da smoke. Sometimes the flue gets clogged. I'm de owner of dis here shop. Eitri Tehdä's ma name, and dis is ma toy tester and cousin, Avu." "Mmmppshh." The bundle called Avu had a gag stuffed into her mouth. She was suspended from the ceiling in a harness that held her torso. Her arms and legs were tied behind her back, cutouts allowed access between her legs, and her ample chest could hang freely. "What can I help you girls with? Let me guess; looking for something to spice up a threesome. I've been working on a three-sided dildo if ya feeling adventurous. No, wait, before you say anything, I forgot ma spiel." She cleared her throat. "Feeling a bit overwhelmed and in need of some de-stressing? Have an emptiness that needs satiating or a deep itch that needs scratching? Filling holes is our goal!" Azalea clapped her hands. "What a wonderful motto! My holes were definitely made to be filled! We are new, just arrived today, and were out shopping. I noticed your door and was intrigued." "Liked that, didja? Copied and replicated from a centaur couple who visited us last year. We pride ourselves on makin' 'em as realistic as possible. Well, as real as we can using metal or wood anyway." "You made a copy of them?" "Aye! Saves a lot of time, instead of craftin' by hand. Supposedly, there is a soft, springy substance hidden away in the southern country, that feels more like the real thing, but so far, we haven't been able to get our mits on any of the stuff." "They definitely felt life-like enough already. I noticed all the bumps and veins," commented Reina. "We always look for new and different for a wide variety of shapes and sizes. We pay 'em. They get one free copy, and the rest go on the shelves. Don't tell anyone, but I think they also secretly get a thrill out of imagining a stranger using 'em for personal time." Azalea pointed to the display table in the middle of the room. "So all these are from someone in town?" "Most of 'em. If you're secretly looking for someone in particular, we have many of the more notable folks." "Do you make girls, too?" "You mean vulvas? They are a lot trickier, so very rarely. Mostly decorative pieces." "I wish I could watch you make one," Azalea expressed. "Well, we should have a customer coming in any minute now. It's not as exciting as you might think. Takes about an hour." A small bell rang above Avu. "Punctual as usual. If you really want to watch, I just need to read you a disclaimer." She placed a parchment on the table, pointing to the first paragraph. "Do you consent to seeing real depictions of sexual imagery for the purpose of education and/or mercantile exchange? If you do, please sign here." "Most definitely!" Azalea signed her name with flare and an unnecessary winky face. "I'll sign, but I'm going to peruse the shelves some more." said Reina. "I guess I will. Just to expand my knowledge about such things, you understand, but; I don't know how to write," Chitchat mumbled. "I can help you! Just give me your hand, and we can do it together. C-h-i-t-c-h-a-t." She handed the scroll back to Eitri. "Everything looks in order. This way, please." Eitri led Chitchat and Azalea behind the front counter to the nook where Avu hung, pulling a curtain closed behind them. Azalea regarded the suspended goblin. "Miss Eitri, I was wondering why Avu is all tied up." "Cause it was her idea, as was toy testin'. Says it gets her creative juices flowin'. "Not just her creativity it looks like." Observed Chitchat, noticing a pile of damp straw beneath her. "Normally, she's tied up with ropes, but today she's demonstrating a new idea: The Shortstuff Carry-all! It's still a working name. We were thinking of manufacturing them for portability purposes." "Why would anyone want to carry a goblin around?" "It's not just for goblins. It can be used for any smaller demi-human race. Like most of her ideas, she gets 'em when she's horny. This time, it stemmed from her imagining being treated like a cock-warmer, ready for use, so she built it for herself, but then we started thinking of more practical consequences. Like, they can't just be used anywhere in the city because of the modesty laws. Though, I suppose it depends on how the user is dressed. Maybe during journeys, short legs can't walk or run as fast or as far as longer-legged people. At least, I can't. Or perhaps at certain festivals or gatherings." "I can somewhat understand that," asserted Azalea. "Fulfilling your partner's random bouts of horniness by being stuffed is the most fulfilling feeling for me! Or it will be when I can stretch wide enough." Eitri rapped on the wall near where four waist-high holes of differing sizes lined the wall. Out of the far-left one popped a penis. "A wolfman!" exclaimed Azalea. "That he is. He's a young man, very polite. Been a regular for a number of years. I asked if he wanted to be one of our models. The first attempt had a few errors, so today is a redo." "Why don't you make it with them in the same room?" "Some customers like to remain anonymous. Others get a bit shy if they see someone watch 'em. A few like the thrill of not knowing who's doing what to them." "I've never seen a canine demi-human up close. He sure is red." "His kind can be both difficult and easier to make a mold for. Their knot keeps them fixed in place nicely, but they usually start pre-cumming right away, which can make the plaster take longer to dry. Fortunately, we have a simple solution." Azalea cocked her head. "A metal tube?" "Aye! First, we put a little linseed oil on it and carefully insert it into the tip, not far, mind you, just long enough so we can get the casing around the glans. "Now we gotta swell 'em up. Normally, Avu does this part; tis why I 'ung her over 'ere, but I don't mind demonstrating today. I like working my way from the head toward the back." With stubby fingers, she encircled his glans. "Then we add a little more oil to get him all slick and start jerkin'." "How cute! He's humping your hand." "He's quite a horny boy. See his knot starting to swell?" "Can I touch it?" "I doubt he'd mind." Azalea wrapped her tiny hands around the small bulge. "Warm and squishy. I thought it'd be bigger and harder." "Oh, it will. Grab his shaft and push back on it. Keep up a constant pressure. Try to make it feel like he's prodding a tight cunt. Yes, like that. Do it a few times and then squish it through." Azalea squeezed and pushed back hard, popping it through her encircled hands. "Oh wow, he's swelling so fast! Here's the size I was expecting. It's as big as an apple!" "You can let go now. It'll be about thirty minutes before he deflates enough to pull out." A spurt of liquid splashed her hand. "Oh, is he coming already? Can I drink it?" Before Eitri could answer, Azalea's lips were already around the metal tube. Eitri raised an eyebrow. "Uh, well, ok, go ahead, I guess, and no, the first watery bit will be pre-cum. When you notice a thicker, coppery taste, then you'll know when he's cummin' proper. You also might get a bit more clear, watery fluid at the end." Eitri grabbed a flat metal tray. "While you handle that, I'll show you how we make the mold. We slide it into these grooves on the wall, so his penis is resting on it. Then we slide in the sides, creating a little box, and pour in some warm plaster roughly halfway up. Lastly, we lay this square wax paper frame around the edge, so we can easily split the two halves, fill in the rest to the top, and let it sit till it hardens." Chitchat sat down on a stool next to Avu, not finding the molding process as interesting as she had expected. Her libido was normally very low. The rare times she masturbated were usually to distract herself from being hungry or to help her fall asleep. Putting her chin in her hand, she disinterestedly watched Azalea sip her unexpected treat, wondering how she could do something so lewd so naturally. She peeked out the curtain at Reina."What do you think she's thinking about?" she said out loud to Avu, not expecting a response. "Think she's imagining how many dildos she could stuff into that huge body of hers?" "Mgpmh" Avu shrugged. She let the curtain fall back. "So uh; do you hang around here often?" Avu rolled her eyes. "That was pretty bad, wasn't it? I went for the; lowest hanging fruit," Chitchat giggled. Avu gave a low groan. "Alright, I'll stop." Typically, Chitchat was adept at small talk, hence her nickname. For some reason, though, she was really off her game today. It all started with meeting that merchant. "So, I'm guessing by the red ochre pattern painted on your body; you are from one of the marsh tribes?" Avu nodded. "And the whole tied-up thing; you're a masochist?" Avu nodded enthusiastically, her eyes lighting up. "I'm not really interested in this sorta stuff." Avu looked sad. "What? Oh, come on, don't look pleadingly at me. I already have been escorting someone who begs the same way. Ok, fine, but just a warning; I've never done anything you're probably hoping for." Avu smiled around the gag and tried to swing her body closer. "You're definitely a little horny, well-endowed goblin, aren't ya? Your belly and thighs were certainly blessed with ample pudginess." She cupped one of Avu's hanging breasts. "You have some curiously white nipple piercings." Avu let out a long moan as Chitchat rolled the tender flesh between her fingers. "I'm sorry! Did that hurt? Wait, maybe you'd actually like that?" Chitchat spun Avu around, stopping with her between Avu's legs. "Clean-shaven, I see. Makes sense if you are testing a lot of toys." She parted the fleshy lips. "Such a girthy dildo planted in ya! Sure does push your clit out." Chitchat flicked the fat little nub, instantly getting a whimper. "Interesting! You also have those little crystal bead piercings surrounding your clit and in a line down your cunt lips. Well, guess I'll just experiment and see whatcha like." Chitchat's actions got the attention of Eitri, who was leaning against the wall waiting for the plaster to harden. "If you're going to do that, could you aim her toward the straw, please?" Chitchat spun her again, aiming her ass toward the pile of previously damp straw. She experimented with rubbing the squirming goblin girl, trying to mimic the things she liked. With needy huffs and sharp cries, Avu's body jerked as a pearly stream of girl cum splashed over Chitchat's hand. "You came fast. Does that mean I did a good job?" "Mmmmpssh." Avu breathed heavily through the impediment in her mouth. "You're, uh, welcome, I guess. Hmm, I'm reminded of a little rumor I suddenly got curious to try." Avu tipped her head questioningly. Chitchat scooted very close and pulled her close till they were nose-to-nose. Smiling mischievously, she took hold of both of Avu's ears. Avu's eyes widened as Chitchat started to caress, massage, and stroke the floppy appendages. "Careful, you gonna make her get all melty-brained," laughed Eitri. Avu's eyelids sagged, and she started drooling profusely, making little gurgling sounds. "She's really getting spoiled today." "Is she?" Chitchat asked thoughtfully. "A goblin's ears are highly sensitive, sometimes even more than our sexy bits. It's like a direct connection straight to our brain. We become super relaxed and floaty-headed. Also, and I probably shouldn't say this, she becomes very impressionable. You could tell her to do just about anything, and she'd do it." "Is that so?" Reina pulled the curtain aside and poked her head in. "Sorry to interrupt your fun, but I was perusing your wares and was wondering what this curious device was." She held up a wooden object curled in the shape of a giant comma, carved from cedar and polished to a lovely sheen. Several taut strings stretched across it, anchored in place by brass knobs embedded into the surface. "Oh, I wondered where that went! Stroke your nail along the strings, and you'll see." Reina did as she was told. Raking her middle finger across the strings emitted a pleasant sound. Almost immediately, a throaty cry erupted from Avu. Surprised, Reina hesitantly stroked the strings again, leading to Avu straining and fighting against her restraints. Her cunt spraying cum again. "Am I doing that?" Reina buzzed in awe. "Indeed, you are! I named it the Sonorous Pleasure Acoustic Sex Machine, or S.P.A.S.M for short. Those studs in her nipples and cunt lips ya's was lookin' at, Miss Chitchat; each stud resonates to a particular cord. Depending on the tone and pitch, they vibrate softly or strongly. So, if you're musically inclined, you can literally make her feel the music." "Can I try?" begged Chitchat.Chitchat Reina handed her the device. Chitchat placed it on her lap and played a simple song she remembered growing up. Avu mewed and whined, jerking and twisting to the pleasure dancing through her nerves as the notes soared and dipped with the melody. Her body was the orchestra, and Chitchatt was the conductor. The song Chitchat chose was something you might hear at a tavern -- something with a quick tempo that caused Avu several body-clenching orgasms back to back. The song was only a minute long. With a flourish of her hands over the cords, she caused Avu to give one more short, erratic squirt before her body went limp, exhausted, and soaked with sweat. "Sorry, I kinda got carried away. Was that too much?" the ratgirl worriedly inquired. "Nah, she'll be fine. Though, maybe should have eased her into it first," snickered her cousin. "I should probably put a warning on it, for first-timers, about the intensity." "Dinner AND entertainment!" Azalea expressed, swallowing the last remnants. "He tasted pretty good." "Careful! Herd-mate might make you run laps around the back of the wagon if you get too heavy." Azalea stuck out her tongue playfully. "I think it should be hardened enough," Eitri pronounced while tapping the plaster lightly. She carefully lifted the top half. "Perfect separating! Look, you can see all his unique details." The girls looked at the impeccable inverted recreation. Its knot, shaft, and head all exhibited the minute veins accurately. Waving her hands around the mold, Eitri stated, "That pretty much sums up the process. I will make a clay copy later and recreate the mold out of brass, so it can be reused." "Thank you for showing us. That was fascinating!" Azalea cheered. "My pleasure." "And I know you can't hear me, Mr. Wolfman, but thank you for the snack," she praised, kissing the tip. "And thank you, Miss Chitchat, for playing with Avu. She gets bored when I'm working sometimes." "Mmmmpphfffmmph." "What's that? You want to give one to each girl? She wants to give each of you a present. Friendship assplugs." "Eh?" Reina and Chitchat replied in unison. "We'd be glad to accept them," beamed Azalea. "I don't know about this." fretted Reina. "Please, Rei-Rei. It's free and a present!" "Do we really need that level of friendship, though?" "Yes! It's a physical manifestation of our friendship!" Reina sighed. "Fine, " "Yay! Chitchat can go first." "Oh, no; you need not concern yourself with me. I doubt I'll even see you after tod, !" Azalea was already dragging her by the arm to a table where Eitri stood waiting with a multi-pronged measuring instrument. "We are totally gonna be friends from today onwards!" "I can't believe I'm doing this," Chitchat muttered. 'Calm down Chitchat. Just think of the money and all the food you can buy after you bleed these fools dry.' She separated the two belts that covered her intimates and lifted her cloak. Leaning low against the wall, she stuck her ass out. Azalea floated lower for a better view. "Look how cute and pink your anus is, Chitchat!" "That's not something I want to hear," she retorted with a red face. Eitri coated the pronged device with oil and carefully inserted it, making Chitchat clench her teeth, feeling herself opening before everyone's eyes. Eitri jotted down the measurement. "About average," she noted. "Next." Chitchat hurriedly covered herself as Azalea took her place. "Me!" Azalea sang, landing on the table and waving her rear at the bemused goblin. "Hmm, gonna need a super tiny one for you." Upon getting Azalea's measurements, she pointed out, "Color me surprised! You sure can stretch for someone so small." "Thank you! Training myself to be the best cock-sleeve I can!" Reina stepped forward. "I guess I'm last." "I'm dying to know how wide Reina is gonna be!" Azalea wondered. "Don't make me rethink this, Azalea." Eitri brought out a giant version of the probe. "Rarely get girls as big as you, so I don't use this one often. ready? I'm putting it in." Reina felt the three prongs enter her and start to expand. Eitra wrote down the numbers. "Despite being scaled up, yours is actually fairly average as well. Should take me about an hour for Reina's and Azalea's. Fortunately, I think I have one for Miss Chitchat's size already made up." Upon completion, she presented all three assplugs on a tray. Reina's dwarfed the other two. "Here you go. Three assplugs with a layer of silver over a brass core, and I embedded yellow citrine on the end to denote friendship between you all. Ready to try'em?" "Me first! Me first!" Azalea yelled with her usual excitement. She landed on her hands and knees on the work table. Spreading her cheeks, she stated, "Just stuff it in." Eitri applied some oil and pushed. Azalea hugged herself. "That's nice. Love that full feeling!" Chitchat had hers inserted next. "This feels; weird, " "Good weird or bad weird?" asked Azalea. "It doesn't hurt, but it definitely doesn't feel as good as you made it look." "You'll get used to it!'' The fae consoled as she rubbed the ratgirl's ass cheeks. "Reina's next. Can I put it in? Can I, Reina!?" "You're way too excited about all this." "Of course I am. My first time shopping for things with friends!" "Well, as long as your happy. Go ahead." Reina swung her tail aside and presented her ass. "Careful, it's heavy." Eitri handed it over, making sure Azalea had a good grip on it. "Let's put a generous amount of oil on." Azalea placed the tip against the Whitehorn's anus. "Ready? I'm pushing it in now." Bracing her shoulder against the base, she shoved, fluttering her wings vigorously. With some grunting and straining, she managed to push the widest part past Reina's tight muscle. Soon after, they both felt it slide in, firmly lodging in place. Azalea floated back to admire the accessory. "I can only imagine what that size must feel like." "Let's keep it that way. I don't care how much stretching you do. You're not fitting this in you." "I know, I know. How's it feel?" "I think I could grow to like it," Reina commented with closed eyes. "Glad you girls like 'em. Azalea, could you come over here for a second? I want to tell you something." Eitri whispered something into her ear, bringing a worrying smile to her lips. "We should be heading to the seamstress now, Azalea," reminded Reina. "Yes, off we go! Thank you, Eitri, Avu! I had so much fun!" Azalea raved. "Hope you see you girls back again sometime." Eitri walked the friends to the front door. To be continued in part 9, by Scholarly Mori for Literotica.

Wait! What?!? An episode where Sandra and Kasey don't focus on Sam and Dean? Yep. Known as heavenssexiestangel on tumblr, Arthur's bio makes it quite clear that Dean Winchester deserved better, Gadreel is their dearly beloved, and they are an Arthur Ketch apologist. As ArthursKnight on AO3, he's been publishing fanfiction since 2015, with 75 works for fandoms that include Supernatural, MacGyver and The Walking Dead. He is also a talented artist and Manta Ray for the SPN FanFic Pond. Where does he find the time? Have a listen and learn about the rarest of shipping pairs and Arthur's mission to shine the spotlight on his beloved Ree. Some of Arthur's FanFic Author Friends and RarePair Recs: LadyKnightSkye - Ducifer Mrs_SimonTam_PhD - Ketch/Dean Taste_of_Suburbia - Debriel hollyblue2 - Benny/Dean randomfills - Michean QuickSilverCastiel - Midam  Comfortably Queer - A Supernatural Fanzine - "Comfortably Queer" is a purely digital Supernatural Zine focusing on portraying the joys of being a Queer Person with the Characters of CW's Supernatural. A Safe FanFic Space for Minors. Sandra narrated Arthur's story "Stay the Night" (Gadreel/Dean - Explicit) last year. Have a listen or give it a read! ~~~ We're taking you for a spin in Baby's backseat. Dean's House Rules - Driver picks the music, shotgun shuts his cakehole, and the ones in the back enjoy the ride... idling in the Impala. ~~~~~ TL;DR - If you can't be bothered clicking on all the things in this description, just visit our website: idlingintheimpala.com We'd love to hear your thoughts. Send us an email (idlingintheimpala@gmail.com)! DM us on Twitter or leave us a voicemail! All the Socials and AO3 and Fiction links: https://linktr.ee/idlingintheimpalapodcast Our Discord #backseat Channel. Interested in being a guest on the podcast? Give us some info about you here so we can connect. Feel inclined to leave us a tip for all this AWESOME content? Visit our Ko-fi page. Supporters will get access to our #behindthescenes channel, content self-explanatory. We've got podcast merch for our fellow idlers. Take a look! ~~~~~ Charities supporting people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the October 2023 war in the Middle East World Central Kitchen and Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) ~~~~~ For Those in the US: Educate and Empower Yourself, Find Ways to Take Action U.S. Voting Registration - Vote.gov Support Basic Human Rights - American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Prioritize Your Mental Health - National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Thrive (Not Just Survive) After Abuse - Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)   ~~~~~ LGBTQ+ Charities Switchboard LGBT UK The Trevor Project - USA and Global --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/idlingintheimpala/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/idlingintheimpala/support

In der Schweiz setzen immer weniger Landwirtinnen und Landwirte auf Pflanzkartoffeln. Denn: Wegen des Klimawandels ist deren Anbau in den letzten Jahren komplizierter geworden. Warum Landwirt Simon Pfister aus Murten (FR) trotzdem darauf setzt. Weiter in der Sendung: * Der Kanton Bern hat den amtlichen Wert von fast 800 000 Grundstücken neu geschätzt. Nun informiert der oberste Berner Steuerverwalter, Claudio Fischer, über den aktuellen Stand. * In der Stadt Bern wohnen rund 140 000 Menschen – 1500 mehr als noch vor einem Jahr. Die Gründe. * Mitarbeiterinnen der Stadt Freiburg, die Menstruationsbeschwerden haben, sollen monatlich drei Tage freibekommen – dies hat das Freiburger Stadtparlament beschlossen.

Actor Michelle Williams delivers a tell-all memoir from singer Britney Spears. Host Jo Reed and AudioFile's Michele Cobb discuss this audiobook full of pain detailing how a vibrant performing talent was ultimately used by her family and circle of handlers to make money off of her life. Williams uses a direct approach to voice Spears's feelings, and her narration gives added perspective on the trauma, stress, and pressure Spears endured for so many years. Rarer joyful moments are delivered with warmth, reminding listeners that Spears is more than the spectacle the media has made her out to be. Read the full review of the audiobook on AudioFile's website. Published by Simon & Schuster Audio. Find more audiobook recommendations at audiofilemagazine.com Support for AudioFile's Behind the Mic comes from HarperCollins Focus, and HarperCollins Christian Publishing, publishers of some of your favorite audiobooks and authors, including Reba McEntire, Zachary Levi, Kathie Lee Gifford, Max Lucado, Willie Nelson, and so many more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not often that you get an expert, orthodox OR functional, who has walked the path of "patient" and so knows that journey intimately. Even more rare is one who has been touched by cancer. Rarer still one who has recovered from recurrence and metastases. Eddie Enever is THAT practitioner. He has had his fair share of ups and downs in life. He's battled with cancer and survived not once, but three times, struggled with anxiety and depression, experienced a marriage break up, and financial demise. He not only survived but now thrives living a life full of deep connection, meaning and purpose. He TRULY knows the stressful journey of those diagnosed with cancer, and indeed how this sinister diagnosis affects not just themselves but their family, friends and indeed their whole social network. Eddie was so powerfully moved by his own experience that he now devotes his clinical time to help patients learn the lessons of healing and find meaning to their cancer diagnosis. He has developed a course for patients to help them navigate this tricky web and find their path back to living and loving life. After working with thousands of clients in his role as a health professional, he has developed a unique way of seeing past the facades, drawing out blockages, perceptions and limiting belief systems and empowering his patients to discover their own unique gifts, talents, and power to change their lives. Listen in as we delve into Eddie's journey and his pearls of wisdom for those touched by cancer.Resources:Your Oncologist is not your enemy eBook:A diagnosis of cancer is one of the most terrifying and overwhelming experiences one can go through. The doctor-patient relationship is a powerful aspect of healing. I wrote this eBook especially for people like you who find themself facing cancer. This eBook guides you as to how to effectively communicate with your oncologist about your cancer-care. Your Guide to Integrative Oncology eBook:This eBook is essential reading if you want to take control of your journey with cancer and build a holistic, comprehensive and integrative approach to your treatment and create your own statistics.Your Hero's Journey Online Cancer Support ProgramUse this exclusive link for NMP listeners to receive 20% off ($99)!The ultimate program that guides you through every aspect of the cancer journey, from diagnosis and how to effectively communicate with your oncologist, to choosing your treatments and the ways you can best complement those treatments. You'll learn how to manage cancer anxiety and discover meaning and purpose within your diagnosis. No stone is left unturned with this comprehensive ONLINE program presented by experienced naturopath, cancer coach and 3 time cancer survivor Eddie Enever. 

It takes a special mind to see unobvious solutions to tricky problems.

[ASMR] Rarer Triggers  Rubbing, Rolling, Tapping, Scratching, etc. (NO TALKING) Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The Daily Shower Thoughts podcast is produced by Klassic Studios. [Promo] Check out the Daily Dad Jokes podcast here: https://dailydadjokespodcast.com/ [Promo] The Daily Facts Podcast. Get smarter in less than 10 minutes a day. Pod links here Daily Facts website. [Promo] The Daily Life Pro Tips Podcast. Improve your life in less than 10 minutes a day. Pod links here Daily Life Pro Tips website. [Promo] Check out the Get Happy Headlines podcast by my friends, Stella and Mickey. It's a podcast dedicated to bringing you family friendly uplifting stories from around the world. Give it a listen, I know you will like it. Pod links here Get Happy Headlines website. Shower thoughts are sourced from reddit.com/r/showerthoughts Shower Thought credits: Murda-P, Ok_Owl_9904, AMurkypool, CappinPeanut, LeviAEthan512, AceofSpadesYT, SlipperyPigHole, Rockso, Danny_fruitcake, CodyLeet, MikkerBoyDKHS, WeareStarstuff7, I_Zeig_I, CrazyKZG, officer897177, MythicArtifact, AeroHawkScreech, mongolian_bedsheets, thatpewpewguy, , kevin32, Dr_Edge_ATX, mikerona50, Aisha_23, GoodMojo_, MTiburontrois, jimbosdayoff, Razulisback, Ninja_In_Shaddows, engineerdrummer Podcast links: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ZNciemLzVXc60uwnTRx2e Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/daily-shower-thoughts/id1634359309 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/daily-dad-jokes/daily-shower-thoughts iHeart: https://iheart.com/podcast/99340139/ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/a5a434e9-da18-46a7-a434-0437ec49e1d2/daily-shower-thoughts Website: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/dailyshowerthoughts Social media links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DailyShowerThoughtsPodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DailyShowerPod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DailyShowerThoughtsPodcast/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dailyshowerthoughtspod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last Friday, May 19, pastor, theologian, and author Tim Keller passed away. The longtime pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan and author of books such as The Reason for God was known for his thoughtful sermons, calm demeanor, and a ministry that extended beyond his own denomination and even his fellow Christians to the wider world of elite society.  It's rare, especially today, for someone to be called “a giant” by both a top theologian and a New York Times columnist. Rarer still will such a prominent figure be regularly described as unassuming, living out the exhortation of Rudyard Kipling to be someone who can “walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch.” It's notable that even his critics, which he certainly had, have refrained from doubting his self-effacing grace and kindness for others.  Keller was in his forties before he showed up on the public's radar. Oddly enough, he went to Manhattan after pastoring a small-town Virginia church for nine years. Success in the Big Apple was by no means a sure thing. A theologically conservative pastor setting up shop in the “Babylon” of downtown New York City had all the makings of a fish-out-of-water story where the well-meaning parson was doomed to failure even before he set out.   Keller took pains to know his audience, leveraging his own intellectual rigor into sermons for his highly educated hearers. He refused to talk down, much less shout down. Nor did he attempt to make the distinctives of the Christian faith more palatable. He took strong stands on the deity of Christ, the reliability of Scripture, the resurrection, the hopelessness of secularism, and the enduring relevance of Christian sexual ethics.   From an initial church plant of 15 people in 1989, Redeemer Presbyterian Church grew to a network of multiple congregations with thousands of people attending each week. In time, his influence extended to other pastors, who were inspired by his example and teaching, and set out to emulate in their own communities what Keller had done in New York. Keller was also instrumental in cross-denominational efforts, linking like-minded Christians to share their ideas and cooperate in endeavors to enhance the presence of the Church around the world. He was a co-founder of The Gospel Coalition, a broadly Reformed network that is among the most influential voices of contemporary evangelicalism, and a central figure in a Reformed resurgence among those who became known as the “Young, Restless, and Reformed.”   He was also an original signer of the Manhattan Declaration, a Christian statement on life, marriage, and religious liberty because, as he put it at the time, “these are biblical.” Keller communicated a confidence that believers could maintain the classical faith of Christianity without being ashamed when dealing with cynical neighbors. Christians could, he believed, meet the claims of the world face-to-face because the Bible offers an accurate and holistic explanation for reality and the human condition and grounds the hope for which people are truly searching. His sermons offered a robust biblical analysis, a keen awareness and understanding of culture, and allusions to art, history, Lewis, and Tolkien.  Ironically, his critics include progressive Princeton students and faculty, who couldn't stomach the idea that he would be honored by their school, and conservative Christians, some of whom believed his winsomeness to be weakness, and others who, as I often did in recent years, disagreed with his posture about politics and political allegiance.  Even so, Keller was a remarkable gift to Christ's Church at an incredibly important cultural moment. Even in disagreeing, he made us better by, as St. Paul put it, “set(ting) the believers  an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity,” and reminding us that, in the end, the resurrection secures our hope for today and for eternity. As he said on a podcast near the end of his life, in his trademark thoughtful and calm demeanor, “If Jesus Christ was actually raised from the dead, if He really got up... then everything is going to be all right.”  This Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Timothy D. Padgett. For more resources to live like a Christian in this cultural moment, go to breakpoint.org. 

This week, the lads are trying not to speculate on the exact nature of the Pentagon 'leak' that came out over the Easter weekend. Is it disinfo or just someone with an axe to grind? It's unclear, which is why we're casting out to what may happen beyond the summer - what if catastrophic collapse does indeed come to Ukraine's teetering defences? Who wins what, and how do we keep the fragile world order together? Before he'd touched down in Paris from his China trip, Emmanuel Macron was back on manoeuvres. He gave an airborne interview to Politico in which he laid out a much more Sino-centric view of the coming order. One that had little time for the US line on Taiwan. What is he playing at? Philip Pilkington reckons this one may end up being 'the story of the year'. And then there's the rare earths. They're in everything now. And 85 per cent of them come from China. With a Chip Ban retaliation on rare earth metals in the offing, Andrew Collingwood recalls what happened when China gave Japan a brief taste of what life is like without these strange magnetic substances. Key finding: not good.

Becoming a poet laureate is a coveted role and rare honor. Rarer still is having two laureates in the same family. Jeffrey Brown traveled to Philadelphia to meet with a poetic family and hear how a mother-son duo is working to bring poetry to a wider public. It's part of our arts and culture series, "CANVAS." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Becoming a poet laureate is a coveted role and rare honor. Rarer still is having two laureates in the same family. Jeffrey Brown traveled to Philadelphia to meet with a poetic family and hear how a mother-son duo is working to bring poetry to a wider public. It's part of our arts and culture series, "CANVAS." PBS NewsHour is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders

Phil Whelan's is joined this week with Jim Grant and Pete Ward to catch up on four games after a little break.  westhampodcast.com  @westhampodcast  Produced by Paul Myers and Mike Leigh  Engineered by Leon Gorman  A Playback Media Production  playbackmedia.co.uk  Copyright 2022 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phil Whelan's is joined this week with Jim Grant and Pete Ward to catch up on four games after a little break. westhampodcast.com @westhampodcast Produced by Paul Myers Engineered by Leon Gorman A Playback Media Production playbackmedia.co.uk Copyright 2022 Playback Media Ltd - playbackmedia.co.uk/copyright

It takes a special mind to see unobvious solutions to tricky problems.

There are lots of different things that patients think are causes of sciatica and it's the role of the health care professional to explain when it is sciatica, what it is, what it is not and what you can do about it In this episode, Rob discusses vascular claudication, a less common cause of leg pain but due to its risk factors, it's one that healthcare professionals stay alert to. He  shares the diagnosis of intermittent vascular claudication with a patient and explains the crucial indicators that led to the diagnosis along with the treatment   KEY TAKEAWAYS Intermittent pain in both legs can have several causes Intermittent peripheral arterial disease is to do with the blood supply. When you are walking muscles in the legs require more blood supply and can't get it Patients often describe a cramping or burning sensation in the thighs Vascular risk factors including smoking, weight, diabetes and age increase the likelihood of intermittent peripheral arterial disease What he told us about the pain was crucial in making a clinical decision. The type and duration of the pain was an important indicator High blood pressure raises the likelihood of it being vascular A significant reduction in blood flow in the legs will be an indicator of a vascular issue Patients with vascular claudication have a much higher risk factor for an acute vascular episode   BEST MOMENTS ‘As health professionals, we often provoke pain to understand the source' ‘Changes can take time but will make a difference' ‘It's one we have to stay alert for as health care professionals'   THE BACK PAIN PODCAST PROVIDER MAP - FINDING SOMEONE TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR BACK PAIN https://thebackpainpodcast.com/index.php/members-map/   VALUABLE RESOURCES The Back Pain Podcast The Back Pain Podcast website The Back Pain Podcast recommended products affiliate link Our Rode Mixer https://amzn.to/3waU8bx Our Microphones https://amzn.to/3rzSZ9Z Second Microphone https://amzn.to/2ObKMeA XLR Cable https://amzn.to/3rBL8ZB Studio Headphones https://amzn.to/3u082LE Laptophttps://amzn.to/3dhfafT Our webcam https://amzn.to/31uUefQ    ABOUT THE HOSTS Dave Elliott Dave is the owner of Advanced Chiropractic, a chain of Chiropractic and massage therapy clinics in Essex, UK. Dave still sees patients during the week but has been working hard to talk to as many experts in the field of back pain as possible to help distil all the information and bring it to you in this awesome podcast. You can find Dave on any of the Advanced Chiropractic social media platforms, or you can contact him at hello@thebackpainpodcast.com   if you have any questions for him. -Instagram    Rob Beaven Rob owns and runs a multidisciplinary clinic, The Dyer St Clinic in Cirencester Gloucestershire. His team of Chiropractors, Physiotherapists, Osteopaths, Doctors, and podiatrists all collaborate on thousands of back pain patients every year. Alongside Dave, he has worked hard to bring to the table experts across all industries to give you the low down on back pain, with steps you can implement today to start feeling better. -Instagram -Twitter   SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS Instagram Twitter Facebook   CONTACT US hello@thebackpainpodcast.com    Support the show: https://thebackpainpodcast.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

THIS INSTALLMENT IS AN ENCORE PRESENTATION FROM AUGUST 2021Welcome to my first Ted talk.Two types of politics pervade most workplaces. One is the politics of possibility, the idea that, through sheer persuasiveness and appeals to values, people can be recruited and motivated to work together for good. That their passions and their intellect can be encouraged to join forces in common cause for the betterment of all.The other is sadly much more pervasive, the politics of power, which centers on the ego and the zero-sum game and relies upon the machinery of personal destruction. In this brand of politics, the we is never evoked but in service to the I. Accomplishments remain singular affairs. Even collaborative effort is merely the coming together of individuals in support of their individual interests. Practitioners of this political philosophy are the type who tend to claim most or all the credit no matter their contribution. For them, the betterment of the organization has no purpose but as a means or byproduct of the betterment of the self.As a recovering academic, I have too much experience with the politics-as-a bloodsport crowd and the untold damage they inflict on individuals and institutions. Unfortunately, in most industries, the same politics of winner-take-all overwhelmingly dominates. Individuals seek to position themselves to protect their interests at the expense of their organizations, their clients, and even their missions. The ignoble and petty politics of ego and personal gain flourish and prevail with sometimes devastating consequences. For an object lesson, look no further than the many and mighty deep and wide travails of higher education.So how about the politics of possibility, of getting things done, of maximizing and sharing the win? How can we assert the power of such politics in our organizations?Talkin' Ted: Ted Lasso vs Jamie Tartt (With occasional translations for those whose first language is American)In the first season of the television series Ted Lasso, two characters evoke two different world views for getting things done. On the one hand is Jamie Tartt a young football (soccer) star, noted for his brashness — hence the name Tartt. His idea of how to win games is to take control of the ball and charge toward the goal. The fact that he is a cracking (supremely talented) player means that his approach is relatively successful even if he is a bit of a prat (arrogant fool). When he scores a goal (point), he celebrates his accomplishment as a singularly personal event that just happens to benefit his club (team).In the clubhouse (locker room), he is a self-interested bully who demonstrates his lack of respect for his club mates (teammates) through his nonstop expressions of self-regard. He does not encourage his club mates, nor does he celebrate their successes since, in his zero-sum mind, their success somehow dulls his luster. For Jamie, the team is merely an accessory to his glory, a means for a winner like him to take all. If the team wins, it is because of him. If the team loses, it is despite his dazzling and lone(ly) play. Jamie will even throw a wobbly (have a temper tantrum) at his club mates in order to deflect blame. In the politics of the clubhouse, Jamie dominates by inspiring a bold mix of fear, hatred, and admiration in his mates (colleagues). If they do not openly adore him or, worse still, if they show him up, they will face his considerable wrath. His is the politics of power, ego, personal destruction, and self-promotion. For him, the club only exists to serve his needs. Elsewhere I have written of the overall deleterious effect of such beasts in the workplace.The set-up of the series is that the new gaffer (coach), Ted Lasso, is a hyper-amiable American whose experience is limited to coaching American football (football) at a uni (college) in Kansas. Ted, of course, knows nothing about football (soccer). He, in fact, has unwittingly been brought in to fail and to scupper (destroy) the team.As it turns out, though, Ted knows nearly everything about leadership and about clubhouse politics. His approach is relentless positivity enhanced by a distinctive cheekiness (slight irreverence), as he introduces the players to the power of possibility and ropes them in through sheer persuasion — hence the name Lasso. Eventually, instead of a team built in service of individual players and their performance on the pitch (field), these lads (men) begin to coalesce in service to the club. Ted's approach confuses and frustrates Jamie, to be sure, but it also fascinates him.Ted also knows that building a team is not about just collecting individual stars and sending them out onto the pitch. Instead, he slowly persuades those individual players that they are best when they work together in service to the club. His political approach is informed by his inherent human decency as it advances the art of the possible.Ted Lasso's clubhouse politics is expansive and optimistic, a world in which everyone can be a winner. Jamie Tartt's is insular and self-serving and only allows for one winner. In life, the most brilliant (very good) leaders are builders, like Ted. They are patient and consistent and are not overawed by raw talent and drive. Armed with fortitude, courage, and resilience, they serve the team or organization and never the other way around.In a world that demands quick results and instant gratification, the Ted Lassos are all-too rare. Rarer still is the environment that allows them to flourish. Instead, we most often see the Jamie Tartt philosophy of zero-sum individualism receive all the praise and resources despite its vapid and decidedly nihilistic outlook.The politics of possibility can be challenging to implement and even harder to maintain. Such a political approach is marked by inclusiveness, collaboration, and personal humility. Society's immediate rewards perversely go to the rugged individualist who gathers glory as though glory were a finite resource. Think about that. The politics of personal power, being a zero-sum game, regards glory and winning as finite. If you win, I lose, therefore… How obviously and utterly dozy (wrongheaded)! Yet, we insistently and persistently laud such counterproductive behavior.The politics of possibility is the antidote to the toxicity of personal destruction. Bad being stronger that good, it can be hard to break through by practicing the art of the possible, but the alternative is unacceptable. We need to be builders like Ted Lasso. Otherwise we will continue to live in a world overrun by gits (dipshits) like Jamie Tartt.Thank you for attending my Ted talk.Click here for an exceedingly gratifying four minutes of television.Share your thoughts on this topic or participate in a discussion by leaving a comment below or by contacting me directly by email: You must register with Substack to leave a comment, which stinks but is painless and risk free.I look forward to hearing from you.Post this essay on social media or send it by email to someone you want to inspire/annoy.Subscribe to receive my weekly newsletter and special editions directly to your mailbox.Thanks for reading On Leading with Greatness! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jimsalvucci.substack.com

Today on Rising, Uvalde cover up? Cops tackled parents, trapped shooter in room with kids for an HOUR (00:00)Gun rights activists must be HONEST about the price they'll pay for 2A freedom: Briahna Joy Gray (18:12)Mass shootings like Uvalde are RARER than you think, more cops won't help: Robby Soave (32:00)No immediate gun vote? Schumer searches for bipartisan path, Beto INTERRUPTS Abbott conference (42:01)WHISTLEBLOWER report on baby formula plant safety stalled for 4 MONTHS (1:00:36)Kim Iversen: Even HENRY KISSINGER says Ukraine should NEGOTIATE, not fight (1:09:21)Zelensky speaks at DAVOS, demands Putin negotiate FACE-TO-FACE (1:20:52)Where to tune in and follow: https://linktr.ee/risingthehillMore about Rising:Rising is a weekday morning show hosted by Ryan Grim, Kim Iversen, and Robby Soave. It breaks the mold of morning TV by taking viewers inside the halls of Washington power like never before, providing outside-of-the-beltway perspectives. The show leans into the day's political cycle with cutting edge analysis from DC insiders and outsiders alike to provide coverage not provided on cable news. It also sets the day's political agenda by breaking exclusive news with a team of scoop-driven reporters and demanding answers during interviews with the country's most important political newsmakers.

Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, is a classical composer, citizen of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma and is dedicated to the development of American Indian classical composition. His Washington Post review states that “Tate is rare as an American Indian composer of classical music. Rarer still is his ability to effectively infuse classical music with American Indian nationalism.” Tate is Guest Composer/Conductor/Pianist for San Francisco Symphony Currents program Thunder Song: American Indian Musical Cultures and was recently Guest Composer for Metropolitan Museum of Art's Balcony Bar program Home with ETHEL and Friends, featuring his commissioned work Pisachi (Reveal) for String Quartet. Recent commissions include Shell Shaker: A Chickasaw Opera for Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra, Ghost of the White Deer, Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra for Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Hózhó (Navajo Strong) and Ithánali (I Know) for White Snake Opera Company. His music was recently featured on the HBO series Westworld. His commissioned works have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony and Chorus, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Ballet, Canterbury Voices, Dale Warland Singers, Santa Fe Desert Chorale and Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival. Tate has held Composer-in-Residence positions for Music Alive, a national residency program of the League of American Orchestras and New Music USA, the Joyce Foundation/American Composers Forum, Oklahoma City's NewView Summer Academy, Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and Grand Canyon Music Festival Native American Composer Apprentice Project. Tate was the founding composition instructor for the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy and has taught composition to American Indian high school students in Minneapolis, the Hopi, Navajo and Lummi reservations and Native students in Toronto. Mr. Tate is a three-time commissioned recipient from the American Composers Forum, a Chamber Music America's Classical Commissioning Program recipient, a Cleveland Institute of Music Alumni Achievement Award recipient, a governor-appointed Creativity Ambassador for the State of Oklahoma and an Emmy Award winner for his work on the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority documentary, The Science of Composing. In addition to his work based upon his Chickasaw culture, Tate has worked with the music and language of multiple tribes, such as: Choctaw, Navajo, Cherokee, Ojibway, Creek, Pechanga, Comanche, Lakota, Hopi, Tlingit, Lenape, Tongva, Shawnee, Caddo, Ute, Aleut, Shoshone, Cree, Paiute and Salish/Kootenai. Among available recorded works are Iholba‘ (The Vision) for Solo Flute, Orchestra and Chorus and Tracing Mississippi, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, recorded by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, on the Grammy Award winning label Azica Records. Tate earned his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Northwestern University, where he studied with Dr. Donald Isaak, and his Master of Music in Piano Performance and Composition from The Cleveland Institute of Music, where he studied with Elizabeth Pastor and Dr. Donald Erb. He has performed as First Keyboard on the Broadway national tours of Les Misérables and Miss Saigon and been a guest pianist and accompanist for the Colorado Ballet, Hartford Ballet and numerous ballet and dance companies. Mr. Tate's middle name, Impichchaachaaha', means “his high corncrib” and is his inherited traditional Chickasaw house name. A corncrib is a small hut used for the storage of corn and other vegetables. In traditional Chickasaw culture, the corncrib was built high off the ground on stilts to keep its contents safe from foraging animals.

CME credits: 1.00 Valid until: 23-03-2023 Claim your CME credit at https://reachmd.com/programs/cme/coping-with-pah-in-rarer-forms-of-connective-tissue-disease/13858/ tbd

CME credits: 1.00 Valid until: 23-03-2023 Claim your CME credit at https://reachmd.com/programs/cme/coping-with-pah-in-rarer-forms-of-connective-tissue-disease/13858/ tbd

"We've got 8 billion people in the world. Which means there is 8 billion ways to be a person. And everybody that is alive is literally their own universe; their own beautiful universe of experience and perspective, with an incredibly colorful story." Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate, is a classical composer, citizen of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma and is dedicated to the development of American Indian classical composition. His Washington Post review states that “Tate is rare as an American Indian composer of classical music. Rarer still is his ability to effectively infuse classical music with American Indian nationalism.”Tate is Guest Composer/Conductor/Pianist for San Francisco Symphony Currents program Thunder Song: American Indian Musical Cultures and was recently Guest Composer for Metropolitan Museum of Art's Balcony Bar program Home with ETHEL and Friends, featuring his commissioned work Pisachi (Reveal) for String Quartet.Recent commissions include Shell Shaker: A Chickasaw Opera for Mount Holyoke Symphony Orchestra, Ghost of the White Deer, Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra for Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Hózhó (Navajo Strong) and Ithánali (I Know) for White Snake Opera Company. His music was recently featured on the HBO series Westworld.Jerod is the type of person who has a deep and intimate understanding of the craft and the business of being a musician. It felt as though every other sentence was a masterclass on becoming the person you know you can be. He exuberates absolute positivity with an optimistic perspective toward progress. This perspective is constant throughout our conversation, peppered inside of fascinating stories about his mother, a choreographer who commissioned Jerod's first piece; his father, a judge in tribal and American law; as well as advice on finding your superpowers as an individual, accepting the ups and downs of being a composer, the language of the Chickasaw tribe, and so much more on episode 27 of the Making Noise Podcast. I hope you enjoy it!—-Follow Jerod's work: jerodtate.com Check out his YouTube channel: youtube.com/c/JerodTateVideos Follow him on the socials: Facebook: facebook.com/jerodtate Instagram/Twitter: @Jerodtate —-Watch the podcast on YouTubeListen to the podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, iHeartradio, and my website where you can listen to music, purchase scores, and learn how to commission a new piece for your ensemble.

Synopsis These days, it's still considered “news” when the Metropolitan Opera stages an opera by a female composer, so one might assume that in the 19th century, the performance of any opera written by a woman would have been even more sensational. Well, that wasn't the case on today's date in 1895, when the Paris Opera staged “La Montagne noire,” or “The Black Mountain,” by Augusta Holmes, or “Augusta Holmès”  as she was known in France. Her opera was performed 13 times. The jaded French audiences were already quite familiar with the sensational Mademoiselle Holmès, it seems. Born in Paris in 1847 of Irish parents, Augusta was a prodigy as a child, a stunning beauty as a young woman, and a diligent composition student of César Franck's. And, rare for her time, she was a financially independent artist due to a fortune inherited from her father.  Rarer still: Augusta's scores were championed and premiered by Parisian orchestras, and she received major commissions for elaborate national celebrations. By the time of her death in 1903, however, Augusta Holmès was regarded as a curious but minor figure in the history of French music.  In our time, her works are being reappraised and occasionally performed. Music Played in Today's Program Augusta Holmès (1847 – 1903) — Irlande (Ireland), Symphonic Poem (Rheinland-Pfalz Philharmonic; Samuel Friedmann, cond.) Marco Polo 8.223449

A motorcycle — Sunny day — Continuing the serial — I hate manipulation — Playing games with people — Relevance to Field of Dreams — Simply a good man — Superman is meant to be a completely goodhearted person — His backstory — From another planet, but raised by really good people — A valuable concept — Many writers don't know what to do with this — Moving on — The connecting link — Whether you can trust someone or not — People reveal themselves over time — Assumptions can be telling — Nearly every superhero ends up being a compromised conception — A more innocent time in comics — Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner's character) would not crumble — Not violent — Rarer than we may realise — How much happens behind closed doors — A line in an early Sherlock Holmes story — Watson, Holmes, and the countryside — Sherlock has no romantic conception of the countryside — There terrible deeds can continue year after year undetected and unsuspected — Isolated places — Abuse — Real life — Circling back to Field of Dreams — A sunny film — Moving — Also scenes of twilight — The word “magical” — Interlude — The people who keep life going may also feel broken — Doing it regardless — Appreciating comedians and the ways they help — Norm Macdonald — Everyone has both dark and light sides — Anything that makes you feel more normal in a bad situation — Do I feel whole or completely together? — Isolation and loneliness are not what a human life is supposed to be — Everyone more or less breaks down at some point — Let it happen — Bending so as not to break — The limit of Ray's aggression — Strength can often be found in unexpected places — One thing sure to worsen depression or anxiety — The real heroes — The unassuming and non-underlined nobility of the main character — Ray and his wife Annie grew up in the 60s — Part of the hippie generation — Those ideals — Shoeless Joe by W. P. Kinsella — Carrying the ideals into adulthood — The essentially teen dream of just flower power and making peace signs — What creating peace actually takes — Lovely humorous strain — Ray tried to like sitar music — People who aim to project enlightenment — Dalai Lama cookie story recap — Breaking a monastic rule — Maturity — To be continued

It's 100 Times Rarer Than Gold, and 1000 Times More Valuable! That's a bold statement! It's something that I work to get and keep everyday of my life, and I can see people almost at every turn wasting it! And no it's not time! But I'm not going to tell you here what it is… Listen to the Podcast and have a great week! Hope you enjoy this week's podcast! AND if you will, please go to Apple's iTunes and leave a glowing 5 start review (or whatever you feel appropriate)… it will help us more than you can know! Go For It! Thanks for joining us this week! Expect the best of times and do all you can do to make each gathering a blessing to yourself and those around you! Take a moment and subscribe to The Chris Vaughn Show on iTunes and give us a review if you will…

For startups, achieving unicorn status is a big deal. Companies valued at more than $1 billion look more formidable to competitors, customers, and recruits---and less like the fly-by-night startups they may actually be. Thus, for the past three years, startup founders have asked investors to grant them billion-dollar valuations, regardless of whether they're worth that by any traditional business metric.

Katie Coleman joins Vinnie Tortorich on this Saturday episode of the Angriest Trainer podcast in which they discuss diabetes. PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Pure Vitamin Club KATIE COLEMAN Katie is from the Bay Area (northern California, south of the bay) Has type 1 diabetes Rarer, autoimmune form Had it since she was 11 years old Has to take insulin because her body makes no insulin, but she eats a low carb, paleo diet Has a food business At first had a whole-grain bakery, but now she doesn't eat grain Started realizing that grain is bad for your blood sugar etc. DIABETES Type 1 is genetic Protect micro biome and eat right Type 2 is (most usually) self inflicted Often times reversible There is genetic predisposition