Extra! Extra! Brand New Meme!

Have been working on this meme for over a month!  I wanted thoughtful and fun questions.  Am hoping that many of you will also respond to the questions.  It is such a cool way to get to know more about the people in blogland.  So, here we go!
 

1. Take a look at the walls in your home.  Which picture/object is your favorite and why?  Bonus points if you post a picture!
There is a print of the The Lady of Shallot hanging in my dining room.  It would be my favorite, because I love Tennyson's poem.  The massive original hangs in the Tate Museum in London.

The Lady of Shallot by John William Waterhouse

  
2.  What is/are your favorite perfume(s)?
Bobby Brown 'Bath', White Citrus from Bath and Body Works, and Ralph Lauren Blue.

3.  How many pairs of shoes do you own?  Have you ever hidden new shoes from your spouse?
OMG! Because Sam reads my posts, I am going to cap it off at 50.  If you want the actual count, send me an email.  Yes, I have stashed shoes, because I love my husband and don't want to cause him undue grief and irritation.
 

4.  Snacks - Sweet, Salty, or Both?  If you could choose 1 snack, and it magically had no calories, what would it be?
I would have to admit to both.  I adore big hot pretzels with a beer.  For a miracle, zero-calorie candy, M & Ms would be my choice.
 
5.  What are your favorite cut flowers? 

Anything white.  My top pick would be white tulips, 1 day old when they start to droop a bit.

6.  Without using a real name, describe one person in your life with whom you have a hard time being patient. 
Well, that's an easy choice.  You all know that would have to be my sister-in-law, Patty.  She is bossy and a know-it-all!

7.  What food do you love that your spouse hates?  What food does your spouse love that is "yecch" to you?
One of my favorite dishes would be steak and kidney pie (with a pint in a London pub is even better.)  Sam has to look away while I eat.  He loves just about any fish, and I cannot abide the smell.

8.  What is a song you associate with meeting your honey?
OK, this will really date me.  The first years we were dating, I loved Moon River by Henry Mancini.

9.  Do you have a favorite movie that you like to watch every few months or once a year?
There are so many that I watch over and over, especially for Christmas.  If I had to pick one, I would have to say To Kill a Mockingbird.

10.  What collection(s) do you have?  How did your collection start?  (Add a picture if you like.)
I collect glass birds that are displayed on my front patio.  It started when I got rid of the window box outside my kitchen window and added a few glass birds. The finches who visit my feeders look so cute walking among the glass birds.
 

11.  Where would you like to go on your next vacation?  Is there somewhere else on your Bucket List?
Would love to visit one of you on a vacation someday.  We are also saving for a trip back to London and a tour of the D-Day beaches across in Normandy.

12.  If you could only buy clothes at one store, at what store would you shop?
I love Ann Taylor Loft!

13.  What gift(s) from your spouse have been the most loved and appreciated?

Ella Draped Over This - Quite a Target

Sam brought me a pair of stone bird figurines from a trip to Texas.  I never stop marveling at how beautiful they are.

There is also a bolster pillow used for spanking.  I have a love/hate relationship with that gift.  It depends on what kind of spanking we are talking about.

14. Name one item of your spouse's clothing that you would love to throw away.
Any of the many "work outside" T-shirts with stains from the garage.  He feels these are also appropriate for indoor wear.


15.  What is the submissive action (or inaction) of which you are most proud?
Not saying anything when Sam got us lost in San Antonio.  I just kept smiling.  It actually did make the trip much more pleasant! 


Now, dear readers, it is your turn!  Leave us a comment, so we all know where to visit and read your answers.  If you are a lurker and do not have a blog, please send me any responses you like in an email.  Perhaps I can publish a few of your answers anonymously. 
Have fun!

Practically Perfect in Every Way

TTWD is the best thing that has ever happened to our relationship.  While we take it seriously, there are many times when things are going well that a little teasing brings us laughter, lots of lap-sitting, some playful swats, and maybe some happy love-making.  For the most part, this kind of light stuff happens after I buzz home from work.  

When Sam starts to ask about my day, he is also asking how I did with my driving.  I love to be able to look him right in the eye and say, "Practically Perfect in Every Way."  You know, like Mary Poppins!  And I like to deliver this message with a big smile on my face.  Sam might return the smile, but it doesn't mean he believes that I am anything like Mary Poppins.  He tips his head, and one eyebrow goes up.  I can hear him snorting about that comparison.

  

I do not come floating home holding an umbrella.  It's me and my speedy little truck (SLT).  Sam's question is about driving safely and being patient on the road.  He can't be with me, but he knows I will be truthful.

You have already heard about some of my failures in the SLT, but there are improvements and great successes, too  I have managed to have not just good days, but good weeks!  No horn, no swearing, no speeding, and no spanking.  Amazing!  I have, for now, stopped personalizing my anger when I am driving.  Sounds like a crazy solution, but I quit looking at the people in the vehicles.  I just pretend they don't exist. 

That slow car in the left lane is simply an innocuous gray Toyota.  The one that cut ahead of me and then slammed on the brakes is just a red pick-up truck.  The two cars who went through a red arrow to hold up the pack of cars who had a green light were only a little blue Honda and a big tan Jeep Cherokee.

I just deal with them like they are bees buzzing around my garden.  You have your slow meandering bees and your faster darting-around bees.  And you need to really be careful of those erratic,

aggressive bees.  It doesn't help to yell at bees or be aggressive back to the crazy bees.  So sing along with some music or listen to a good audio book.  Eventually you will navigate safely between all the bees and not get stung.  You can land softly at your own little hive and be practically perfect in every way.

It is also much better when the Big Bee, Sam, greets you with a cold brew instead of Mr. Paddle.  It is best to avoid that kind of "sting" if at all possible.

Ella - who at least for this week is
                          "Practically Perfect in Every Way"

Good Girl Gone Bad

When I walked in the house one evening this week, Sam grabbed me in a huge hug and added lots of long sweet kisses, too.  He told me how much he loved me, how much he looked forward to me coming home, and how happy I made him.  It was a lovely reception for a Thursday night!

Soon I was in Sam's lap to reciprocate all those sweet words in his ear.  Because he still doesn't always remember how much I enjoy a Good Girl Spanking, I whispered that this might be a nice night for showing all this love with a "happy" meeting of hand to ass.  When nothing happened, I started to do my little tidy the kitchen chores and forgot about it.

Sam did not forget.  When I brought my beer back to sit with him, he took the glass and set it gently on the table, grabbed a wooden spoon from the utensil crock, and pulled me across his lap.  He began to apply the spoon vigorously but over my jeans.  I hardly felt it.  Here's some advice.  Never laugh at your HOH during a spanking, even a happy one.  They do not see the humor at all.  It's like waving a red flag at a bull.  It's like delivering a double dog dare.  It's like poking a bear.

 Very quickly I was up off his lap and the jeans were coming down.  I really did try to wiggle away, because now he had this determined look on his face and the eyes were narrowed.  Now there was no cozy lap underneath me.  I was bent over the dining room table, and

his hand was on the small of my back.  When he holds me like that, I honestly can't get back up.  However, he was still using this rather small spoon.  Even though it was making a lot more racket on bare skin, it just wasn't really hurting much at all.  Now, when Sam is spanking, he likes me to make a lot of noise.  I am not sure that is the same for all your guys.  In fact I would be interested to know what you say or don't say.  Anyway, he likes to hear, "Ouch" and "I'm sorry", and Yessir, you are the boss!" So here's my next mistake.  I didn't say a word.  It just wasn't that bad.  

OK, now that was like a triple dog dare.  The bull was pissed off and the bear was growling.  Off the table and down the hall we went.  But all of sudden something distracted Sam.  I think the dogs barked, and he thought it might be someone at the door.  I took off like a shot.  By the time he followed, I was hiding in the closet.  That didn't fool him for more than 10 seconds.  He pulled me after him and over the bed.  All of a sudden, this wasn't a happy spanking, and I quickly found my voice.  "Now wait a minute....." I started.  But "no", Sam wasn't waiting.  Out came Mr.  Paddle.  Holy cow, what the hell happened?  Ten minutes ago I was wearing a halo.
  

So this turned into a real spanking, and it did not take more than 3 whacks with Mr. P, and I was making plenty of noise.  Sam was aiming lots lower, right under the curve of my bottom.  I hate that spot!  There's not enough fat right there, and it hurts like hell.


Luckily, this spanking was just a quick lesson about not laughing at your HOH even if he is madly in love with you.  There was lots of rubbing, and you know what that can lead to.  Well, that is exactly what makes Ella live Happily Ever After.

Book Report #1 - Cassie's Influence

As a former teacher, I can't tell you how many book reports I assigned or graded over the years.  Lately I have finished two books written by two of the women in this bevy of beautiful bloggers (alliteration is extra credit.)  The authors, P.K. Corey and Sarah Coltman, have both contributed nicely to our summer reading choices.  Since I enjoyed both their books very much, it seemed like the perfect idea to assign myself some book reports.  I was both an Education and English major, so I love to read and I love to write.  Sometime it would be interesting to examine why so many of us are teachers.  Mmmmm......?


If you are not or were not a teacher, dig back in time.  What were the components of a standard book report?  Let me see: title, author, # of pages, setting, theme, main characters, plot or rising action, climax, and denouement.  However, I have no intention of spoiling your fun if you have not yet curled up with the latest Cassie book.  This post is just to whet your appetite!
                   
                         "Be sure to use complete sentences!" 
                          she says in her best teacher voice.


Title: Cassie's Influence (6th in the Cassie series!)

Author: P.K. Corey (the Great, I might add)

Number of Pages: 147 
  
Theme(s) fun, friendship, spanking with love

Main Characters:

• Cassie - the sweet, happy, slightly madcap heroine of this story.  I think of her as the Lucy Ricardo of spanking fiction, and Cassie is every bit as loveable as Lucy!

 

•  Tom - her loving husband - handsome, successful, and old-fashioned.  The ultimate HOH.  He keeps Cassie on the straight and narrow (most of the time.) 

 

• Sue, Annie - Cassie's best friends.  Sue now lives close to Cassie along the river and can sometimes lead Cassie into trouble.  Annie visits from California. 

• Allie, Ryan - young friends and proteges of Cassie and Tom.

 

• Nancy - antagonist and general bitch.

 

Setting: Mostly Tom and Cassie's home along the river.  This volume in the series also features an island setting for a portion of the book.


Background - 

When Cassie first met Tom, she was partying hard and determined to be the "bad girl."  Tom fell in love with her despite her wild ways, and gave her life some structure.  He expects her to act like a proper lady, and when Cassie forgets Tom's rules, he reminds her with some serious spanking.  Their love story and their marriage have remained solid through the years.  Cassie rarely stays out of trouble for long, and her loving Tom is always there to set her back on course.



All the Other Book Report Stuff -

Cassie's Influence is full of delightful subplots! 

Cassie wants to help with Sue and Steve's marital setback, but is unknowingly dragged into a plan that Sue engineers to deceive the guys.  Sometimes I don't think I like Sue that much. 

Then Cassie gets an extraordinary surprise for her birthday when Tom whisks her off on a vacation to a Caribbean island.  The birthday present gets even better with a huge announcement.

Cassie's young friend, Allie, finds out the hard way that following in Cassie's footsteps isn't always the best choice.

My favorite subplot in this book is when a new character, Nancy, decides to stick her nose into Cassie's life.  Adios, Bitchacho!

This book takes Cassie through the calendar of another year.  The circular pattern was comfortable and familiar - like coming home.  Cassie herself is such an indomitable and joyful character that I am already looking forward to her next story. 

Thanks mucho, PK!  Well done.  
            

Theme Song from Outlander

Since it was several of you who got me started on the STARZ series, Outlander, I am sharing some interesting information on the theme song.  This tune just captivated me, and I started researching online.  Then the English major in me got hooked on the history of the lyrics to the song.  If you are not familiar with the song, listen to a YouTube clip; it is just one minute long. Theme to Outlander

Charles Edward Stuart

The composer who created the score for Outlander, is a man named Bear McCleary.  He adapted an old Scottish folk tune, "The Skye Boat Song."  It was first written to tell the story of when Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to the Isle of Skye after being defeated at The Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746.  Below are just a few verses from the original song:



 Original lyrics
[Chorus:] Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward! the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that's born to be King
Over the sea to Skye.

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunderclouds rend the air;
Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,
Follow they will not dare.

[Chorus]

Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,

Battle of Culloden

Ocean's a royal bed.
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head.

[Chorus]

Many's the lad fought on that day,
Well the Claymore could wield,
When the night came, silently lay
Dead on Culloden's field.

[Chorus]

Burned are their homes, exile and death
Scatter the loyal men;
Yet ere the sword cool in the sheath
Charlie will come again.


In 1892, the Scottish poet, Robert Louis Stevenson, rewrote the lyrics of the original song into a poem titled "Sing me a Song of a Lad that is Gone."  I thought, perhaps, my father had read it to me in a book from my childhood, A Child's Garden of Verses.  (My father was born in Greenock, Scotland.)  I pulled out my copy, but it was not in there.  The writing style of the poem, though, was very familiar to me.  Stevenson was still writing about Charles Edward Stuart.  In the Outlander series, Claire is right in the middle of the Jacobite Uprising and tries to warn the Highlanders that it won't be successful.  Below is the Robert Louis Stevenson poem:

Sing me a Song of a Lad that is Gone

By Robert Louis Stevenson

Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,

      Say, could that lad be I?

Merry of soul he sailed on a day

      Over the sea to Skye.

Mull was astern, Rum on the port,

      Eigg on the starboard bow;

Glory of youth glowed in his soul;

      Where is that glory now?

Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,

Isle of Skye

      Say, could that lad be I?

Merry of soul he sailed on a day

      Over the sea to Skye.

Give me again all that was there,

      Give me the sun that shone!

Give me the eyes, give me the soul,

      Give me the lad that's gone!

Sing me a song of a lad that is gone,

      Say, could that lad be I?

Merry of soul he sailed on a day

      Over the sea to Skye.

Billow and breeze, islands and seas,

      Mountains of rain and sun,

All that was good, all that was fair,

      All that was me is gone.

Finally, Bear McCleary changed the text of this poem from "lad" to "lass" to reflect the female character, Claire, and set the words to the melody of the folk tune.  There is one more verse in this adaptation that is not included in the opening to each episode.  It is such a beautiful theme, and Raya Yarbrough's voice is almost ethereal.  

Chorus:
Sing me a song of a lass that is gone,
Say, could that lass be I?
Merry of soul she sailed on a day
Over the sea to Skye. 

Billow and breeze, islands and seas,
Mountains of rain and sun,
All that was good, all that was fair,
All that was me is gone.

Repeat chorus 

Give me again all that was there,
Give me the sun that shone,
Give me the eyes, give me the soul
Give me the lass that's gone. 

Repeat chorus

Falling Short

Can't tell you how glad I am that is over.  It was like the weekend that would not end.  Before I explain any details, I want to thank all of you for your comments and encouragement.  PK's message that had you all hanging around my house gave me a mental image that really helped.  There was one time when I was in the kitchen that I accidentally poured an extra glass of wine.  I smiled to myself and thought perhaps PK was watching over me and needed some sustenance.

Katie, Ami, and Minelle all talked about leaning on Sam for support.  That worked really well.  I stuck very close to him, and the sisters never said a negative word to me when Sam had his arm around me.  I remembered to be kind like Sunny and Meredith suggested, but sadly, only part of the time.  I would ask a question about something they cared about, even if it was dreary for me.  Examples - opera, Mensa-level grandchild (Ha!), travel, sensible footwear, gas mileage, support bras and restaurants.  Lovely Jan kindly asked me to visit her far away - probably the most definitive solution.  Finally, I felt lots of good energy and prayers from Maggie and Terps.  When I thought of all of you, I was able to genuinely smile.


It was a very tough experience.  There wasn't even this much stress with older son's wedding several years ago.  For that occasion I made certain that Patty and Selma were staying elsewhere.  When they were at the house, we were always focused on some task for the rehearsal dinner or the wedding.  This time there were not specific preparations to occupy us, and both Patty and Selma commented on how I wasn't able to sit still.  They are right about that.  I know that is the way I am.  I would try to keep busy in the kitchen and keep a friendly exchange going at the same time.  The conversation was as scintillating as watching paint dry.

Believe me, I stayed close to Sam and to our sons.  Son #1 sent me funny texts that sounded like Patty or Selma, and he spent a lot of time being charming.  Son #2 stayed for at least 3 hours one night being witty and fun.  They absorbed a lot of the Blah, blah, blah.  They were the golden boys and may have been the reason for the only compliment I remember getting from Selma.  There were none from Patty. 

Perhaps the thing that saved me was that the 2 sisters can't get along with each other either!  I had really forgotten about that.  So after they had been with each other for several hours, Patty would leave in a huff.  Then Selma spent the next few hours ripping her apart.  Maybe it is not the most Christian of actions, but I almost encouraged that.

While grading my performance, Sam said instead of being gracious and happy, I just avoided engaging.  He was right.  Instead of chancing an altercation, I just became very quiet.  Once when there were a good number of people at the table just talking for hours, I slipped out to my garden at dusk and pulled some weeds.  I sang to myself and felt renewed. 

Selma and husband left on Monday.  Patty stayed away.  I took the day off, but Sam headed back to work.  I could tell when he came home from work at lunchtime that I was probably in trouble.  His voice was all businesslike, like we had things to discuss.  Sam was not angry, but he was disappointed.  He pulled me close and talked softly in my ear.  He agreed that I had not lost my temper but stated flat out that I had not done my best.  I knew he was right, and it made me feel ashamed.  I asked if we could talk before he spanked, and he agreed.  He folded his arms around me gently, and I spilled my thoughts.  What I had done well, and where I had fallen very short.  He nodded and rubbed my back as I talked.  It felt good to feel that close again, but I knew I had distanced myself from Sam and everyone else, too.

I was also bossy to him, and that was not acceptable.  I knew it was happening, and I would try to stop.  He did not think I tried hard enough.  He was especially firm about what I said to him in front of Selma.  Patty had called with some lame-ass plan about when she was coming over on Sunday prior to dining out.  For the tenth time this awful weekend, she was dodging any responsibility for entertaining her own sister.  Sam hung up the phone and told me what Patty had said in a way that implied he was OK with it.  Without thinking I blurted out, "That is just stupid."  His voice and face changed instantly.  I could pretend that I was only talking about Patty, but we both knew better.  I got tears in my eyes but managed to leave the table without saying anything else.  That is when I really crawled inside myself.

 

The spanking was not that long or that hard.  I was expecting worse.  It didn't matter.  I felt awful that I had a wonderful husband who loved me and that I had disappointed him.  His spanking was businesslike, too.  Let's get this done and move on.  He didn't pretend that he had a good time this weekend.  He knew it was miserable.  What made me feel so crappy was that I didn't make more of an effort for him.

There was a lot of hugging and many kisses when he came home for the day at 5:00 pm.  Then, surprisingly, there was what started out as a happy spanking.  Over his knee, bare-assed, right in the kitchen.  Soon though, it turned much more serious.  His voice was laughing, but his hand wasn't laughing at all.  It hurt like hell, and it went on much longer than I expected.  Sam is wise and knows me

so well.  It was just what I needed to forgive myself and start crawling out of my black hole.  When he moved me up to straddle his lap, the connection was back.

It felt so good to be alone and to have our house back to ourselves.  I enjoyed the quiet and the touching.  I thought how remarkable ttwd is in our lives and the quality it brings to our relationship.  I just put my head on his shoulder and held tight.  It is moments like those where you feel you are the only two people in the world.  Everything else just falls away.