Monday Musings: More Backyard Wildlife

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Does rape belong in a romance?

Tabby's Nocturnal Nights: Does rape belong in a romance?: This is a controversial topic in any setting, but in a story that is supposed to be about love and happy endings, it seems to have no place...

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite hair care product

Favorite Beauty Product: Lanza Trauma Treatment Healing Hair care

Product Description

Heal your hair and retain colour pigments with L'Anza Healing Colour Care Trauma Treatment. It's special system has proved to extend your hair colour up to 107% longer! Trauma Treatment has a revolutionary formula that heals your over processed hair.

This works great on non-color treated hair too. I live in the desert and even oily hair gets dry out here. Once I started using this product, my hair started to shine and feel soft again. The key is to only use a small amount and concentrate it on the ends, not the scalp.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com           

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

bien–pensant

foreign term bien–pen·sant \byaⁿ-päⁿ-säⁿ\

Definition of BIEN-PENSANT

:  right-minded :  one who holds orthodox views

Origin of BIEN-PENSANT

French

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: AZ Sunset pics #8

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite health and beauty product

Favorite Health & Beauty Product: Derma e Tea Tree & E antiseptic crème

Product Description

Derma E Tea Tree and E Antiseptic Creme Description:

• Soothing Skin Treatment
• Natural and Organic

Blends two of nature's most powerful ingredients into a rich soothing creme with unlimited uses for blemishes, sunburn, skin dryness, dermatitis and rashes including diaper rash.

A powerful antibacterial, antifungal and natural antiseptic. Vitamin E is well known for its restoring, hydrating properties. This product can be used as an everyday moisturizer to protect against future problems.

Free Of No animal testing, animal cruelty and paraben. Disclaimer These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

I use this all the time to prevent dry, itchy skin. Great product.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com           

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

bidet

noun bi·det \bi-ˈdā\

: a bowl like a small toilet with faucets that is used for washing your bottom

Full Definition of BIDET

:  a bathroom fixture used especially for bathing the external genitals and the anal region

See bidet defined for English-language learners

Origin of BIDET

French, small horse, bidet, from Middle French, from bider to trot

First Known Use: 1766

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: AZ Cloud Formation pics #8

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite time travel romance movie

Favorite Movie: Somewhere in Time

Product Description:

Somewhere in Time is the story of a young writer who sacrifices his life in the present to find happiness in the past, where true love awaits him. Young Richard Collier (Christopher Reeve) is approached by an elderly woman who gives him an antique gold watch and who pleads with him to return in time with her. Years later, Richard Collier is overwhelmed by a photograph of a beautiful young woman (Jane Seymour). Another picture of this woman in her later years reveals to him that she is the same woman who had given him the gold watch. Collier then becomes obsessed with returning to 1912 and the beautiful young woman who awaits him there.

This is one of my favorite time travel movies. The first time I saw it was in my high school English class. It’s a beautiful love story, how he travels back to the past to be with the woman he loves, and also a tragic one. Highly recommended.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com           

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

biddy

noun bid·dy \ˈbi-dē\

plural biddies

Definition of BIDDY

: hen 1a; also :  a young chicken

Origin of BIDDY

perhaps imitative

First Known Use: 1601

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: Bears in mythology and in relation to Artemis

Due to their strength and dominance, bears are the rulers of the forest. Fast, big and powerful hunters, they are one of the most feared and respected of the woodland animals.

In mythology, since bears hibernate in caves, and caves are associated with the goddess’s womb, they appear to die in winter and are reborn in spring. Because of their association with death and rebirth, they are believed to have the ability to communicate and travel to other worlds, the dream and spirit realms.

In her aspect as Bear Goddess, Artemis is fierce—queen of the forest—protector and destroyer, nurturer and hunter. Of all the animals in the forest, she-bears are fiercely protective of their young. Just like the bear, Artemis is a protector of mothers, children and those giving birth—human and animal. She rules her forest, defending what is hers and destroying any threats. She is mother, hunter, and guardian.

In The Bear Goddess, one nymph is chosen for the honored position of Bear Goddess. She safeguards the barriers surrounding Artemis’s forest, can travel in the dream realms and acts in the goddess’s stead when she is away. All nymphs can take the shape of forest animals, but only the Bear Goddess can take the shape of a bear. Just like in the original myth of Callisto, a bear plays an important part in my story.

Bears are awesome, magical creatures. It’s no wonder Artemis has a close relationship with them.

**********************************************************************

Excerpt from The Bear Goddess:

The bear roared, this time an enraged growl, and paced from side to side.

Kasin’s grip tightened around the end of the spear, his body coiled, ready for the bear to charge.

The bear remained in the same place, growling at him in an unusual way. He must be going mad because he was certain the bear was yelling at him.

And then he remembered: Callisto had told him only the Bear Goddess could change into a bear.

“Callisto?”

The bear stopped growling for a moment and stared hard at him.

He lowered his spear. Using caution, he took one step forward, keeping his gaze on the bear, prepared to throw his spear if necessary.

The bear calmly watched him.

Taking a deep breath, he took another step forward. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, calling on his faith, hoping it was Callisto standing before him and not a hungry she-bear. He also prepared himself for a deathblow to his head from a swipe with one of her huge sharp-clawed paws.

He looked the bear straight in the eyes. There was no emotion or other sign in its beastly gaze indicating the bear was Callisto. He had to believe it to be true or he knew he would die. I am either a fool or I have a death wish. He dropped his spear.

He could feel the heat of the bear’s breath, and he could hear the animal’s ragged breathing. Closing his eyes again, he imagined Callisto, her quiet beauty, her compassion. Slowly, he reached out to stroke her head. He waited for the pain of the deathblow. The pain never came. His fingers touched soft hair, not animal fur.

He opened his eyes. “It is you.” His voice came out sounding rough with emotion.

Her sorrowful eyes glistened. “I almost killed you. If you had not said my name…”

He pulled her against him. “You are quite frightening as a bear.”

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com        

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Favorite Friday: Sharing a favorite book on Celtic myths

Favorite book: Women in Celtic Myth by Moyra Caldecott

About the book on amazon.com:

In Celtic myth, the mixture of wise spiritual teaching and dramatic imagery creates new, potent, and disturbing visions. This selection of eleven stories some more than 3,000 years old focuses on the women of ancient British mythology, from the formidable women warriors who trained heroes to fight and kill to the beautiful companions who led them to higher realms of feminine intuition and spiritual wisdom. Caldecott goes beyond a mere recounting of female strength, providing lucid personal commentary that illuminates the complete myth and the culture from which it springs. These powerful stories transmit a recognition of the mystery of being and an understanding of the powerful magic of inner transformation.

This is a great book on myths featuring Celtic women: Rhiannon, Arianrod and Blodeuwedd, The Three Etains, Emer and the Women who Loved Cuchulain, Macha, The Morrigu, Deidre, Findabair and Maeve, Grania, The Farmer’s Youngest Daughter, and The Sea-Maiden. This is a great collection of stories and translated as close to the Celtic versions as possible. I love them all, but the tragic tale of Deidre and The Morrigu are my favorite ones. After each story, there is a commentary from the author discussing themes, which I really enjoyed reading. Ms. Caldecott also lists the sources she used for each one. Highly recommended.

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com           

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Weird Word Wednesday

bicameral

adjective bi·cam·er·al \(ˌ)bī-ˈkam-rəl, -ˈka-mə-\

: having two parts

Full Definition of BICAMERAL

:  having, consisting of, or based on two legislative chambers <a bicamerallegislature>

— bi·cam·er·al·ism \-rə-ˌli-zəm\ noun

See bicameral defined for English-language learners

See bicameral defined for kids

Origin of BICAMERAL

¹bi- + Late Latin camera chamber — more at chamber

First Known Use: 1856

 

Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author

Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly

http://www.kelleyheckart.com

http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/CelticChick

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604

Monday Musings: Game of Thrones: Lessons from The Red Wedding episode

The Rains of Castamere, the ninth episode of the third season, was one of the most disturbing one for me, and apparently for many others considering the large number of shocked comments on social media. It’s been widely referred to as “The Red Wedding” and for good reason: it’s a massacre, and I think the bloodiest episode to date.

It disturbed me for two reasons. The first one is because I really liked Rob Stark (though he did screw up by breaking his vow to Walder Frey) and the second one is because of the extremely deceitful and callous manner of the massacre.

There is also some great storytelling in this episode. So, in some ways it is one of my favorite episodes and also the most shocking.

The way Walder Frey went about his revenge is a terrible crime in the eyes of the old gods in the Game of Thrones realm and in our ancient world. Just about every culture has a story about the gods disguising themselves as travelers to test humans on their hospitality. Those who treat a traveler well are richly rewarded, while those who do not are gravely punished. The stories I remember are from Greek mythology and the lesson was: never harm a guest under your roof.

That’s why what Walder Frey did was so terrible. Why is this so unforgivable in the gods’ eyes? Is it because it’s such a treacherous act to welcome someone in with the promise of food and shelter, allow them to let down their guard, only to harm them? Maybe. It is pretty cruel and devious. And the old gods apparently didn’t like this sort of behavior.

In this episode, the story Bran tells his companions in the abandoned castle where they spend the night reflects this. He tells them about the king the gods turned into a large white rat, not for killing someone, but for killing someone under his roof. This is a foreshadowing of what is about to happen (and a great storytelling technique).

In our modern world we don’t really think about an ancient rule that forbids harming a person under our roof. But back in ancient times there were few, if any, hotels and restaurants, and it was dangerous to travel into unknown territories. Without a hospitality rule, strangers could be killed or captured in a foreign land. This is probably why the Greek guest-friendship ‘xenia’ was formed, which allowed people to travel into other territories and receive a place to stay and something to eat while not having to worry about being harmed. In fact, the Trojan War was started because of a violation of the xenia act—Paris kidnapped his gracious host’s wife, Helen.

It does seem strange to condone killing but not if it’s done to a houseguest. I mean, murder is still murder. However, it does seem especially cold-hearted to welcome someone in and then kill them. And that’s what bothered me so much when Rob Stark, his wife, unborn baby, mother, and all of his men were so callously slaughtered when they thought they were safe and among allies. What’s even worse is the act was committed during a wedding to join their houses. That’s doubly cruel. And it takes a special kind of evil to be able to do something like that. I still shudder thinking about the look on Rob’s face as he watches his wife being killed, and I’m guessing Walder Frey has a special kind of punishment from the gods coming his way. At least I hope so.
 
Kelley Heckart, Historical fantasy romance author
Captivating...Sensual...Otherworldly
http://www.kelleyheckart.com
http://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/
http://twitter.com/CelticChick
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kelley-Heckart/111838455604