The Worlds of Katherine Kurtz

(Recipe adapted from the "Million Dollar Moroccan Chicken" found here, although I have made a few small adaptations for the version I make for my family. This version is presented to the Castle courtesy of Lord Salim.)

To make this stewe, thou wilt need on hand the following:

- Of olive oil, one large spoonful (TBSP)
- Of chopped or slivered almonds, one fourth of a cup
- Of garlic, two cloves, minced
- Of chicken, eight pieces, of which the thighs are best suited for this dish, being tender and juicy. Obviously if one is using chicken thighs, more than one chicken shall be needed to procure eight pieces, unless thy Deryni magic is strong and well controlled.
-Of clean and fresh water, a fourth of a cup drawn from a clear spring or sweet-tasting well
-Of honey, one large spoonful (TBSP)
-Of ground cumin, three fourths of a small spoon (tsp)
-Of cinnamon, half of a small spoon (tsp)
-Of dried currants or craisins, two large spoons (TBSP). My personal preference is for the craisins, an imported Americian delicacy, especially if the orange or pomegranate flavored sort can be obtained. The markets of Kharthat have craisins in abundance.
-Of Salsa, one cup. (Salsa is a type of sauce favored in Andelonia, which is commonly made from diced onions, chopped green chilis, and a curious fruit from the faraway land of Americia which those native to that land call the Tomatl, and which the Fiannese call the Pomodoro and the Jouvians call the Pomme d'Amour. It is a curious large berry which more resembles some form of vegetable in flavor, and which can be obtained in the markets of Kharthat or any large sea port which trades with the New World.)
-Of pre-cooked chick peas (garbanzo beans), one cup. (In some realms, the markets carry these beans already cooked and ready for use.)

Thou shalt also require three cups of cooked couscous or rice. A curry flavored couscous suits this recipe best in mine estimation.

To make the stewe, thou must do the following:

Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium high flame until it is hot. Add the chopped almonds thereunto, stirring them in the oil and cooking them until they turn a light golden brown, lending their flavor to the oil. Using a slotted spoon, remove the almonds and set them aside to use later.

To the same pan used to brown the almonds, add the chicken pieces and minced garlic. Saute, turning once, until the chicken is browned, but be mindful that the garlic is not cooked to excess before adding the rest of the ingredients lest it take on a bitter taste.

Whilst the chicken is browning over the flame, mix together in a vessel the salsa, water, dried currants (or craisins), honey, ground cumin, and cinnamon. Once the chicken is browned, add this mixture to the pan along with the chick peas and stir well. Cover the pan and adjust your flame so the dish continues to cook at a medium temperature. Stir the chicken occasionally and baste the pieces so each piece remains juicy and flavorful, cooking the whole for twenty minutes, or roughly the amount of time required to pray a full Rosary. If needed to prevent the sauce from becoming too dry, add small amounts of water if required.

Once the stewe is fully cooked, ladle the chicken pieces and a generous portion of sauce onto a bed of cooked couscous or rice (couscous being better suited to it, in mine estimation), top it with the cooked almonds, and serve it forth. It is a dish fit for kings.

Come Friday morning and the rains have finally stopped. The city of Grecotha is one again coming to life. The towns people are out. Merchants and craftsmen make their way to appointments through busy streets.

The people are happy at the clear skies above the city. With the grey and wet fading away children find time to play again when not occupied by chores. Students and priests rush from building to building on the great university campus.

It truly is a day of celebration.

And there are some who silently nod to one another in passing. Sharing a smile that, on the surface is friendly, yet speaks of an untold horror to come.

It wont take long for the city to dry out and be ripe for the flames.

[18:03] * web62 () has joined #Deryni_Destinations
[18:03] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> And speak of the devil...
[18:03] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Hi KK!
[18:03] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Hi, web62 who is perhaps KK
[18:04] * web62 is now known as KK
[18:04] <~bynw> Hi KK
[18:04] * The_Bee () has joined #Deryni_Destinations
[18:04] <~bynw> Hi Bee
[18:04] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Hi Bee
[18:04] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> hi Bee
[18:04] <KK> Hello, all.
[18:04] <The_Bee> Hi all!
[18:04] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Howdy!
[18:04] <The_Bee> How was your week, KK?
[18:04] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Hey Strippy, no family this week?
[18:04] <~bynw> hi Strippy
[18:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> No, thank goodness
[18:05] <The_Bee> Hi strippy
[18:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I ordered those cookies you suggested, Strippy. They should hopefully arrive in a day or two.
[18:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Mmmm, cookies...
[18:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Hi everyone
[18:05] <KK> Cookies?
[18:05] <~bynw> hi DFK
[18:06] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Hi DFK
[18:06] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> DFK!! You're here! I've been worried about you!
[18:06] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> A certain brand he likes, KK
[18:06] <The_Bee> Hi DFK
[18:06] * ~bynw likes cookies
[18:06] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> How have you been this week, KK?  Any bad storms?
[18:07] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> I am , but having a lot of back problems, pain and trouble walking. Hope I will make it on the 20th
[18:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Oh, we hope you can
[18:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> We hope so, and that you feel better
[18:08] <~bynw> oh no. feel better DFK
[18:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Just noticed that we hadn't seen you in Zoom or Discord chat in a couple of months.
[18:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Back pain is the worst
[18:09] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> We have had storms off and on all weekend.
[18:09] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Amen to that!  I was unable to walk without a walker for three weeks when I had my slip and fall and landed on my back, and that was just a soft tissue injury
[18:10] <KK> A couple of serious storms, but no damage. Several days of almost continuous rain. but no flooding. Daphne does NOT like the sound of heavy rain, and does a Houdini, to I know not where. Especially does not like thunder.
[18:10] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> This is the result of osteoporosis not an injury. Injuries can be fixed, osteoporosis not so much.
[18:11] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Getting old stinks, but it's better than the alternative
[18:11] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Can taking calcium at least slow it down? Or is it too late for that to help?
[18:12] <~bynw> lots of little furry things don't like thunder
[18:13] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Have been taking calcium and Vitamin D as well as shots from my Dr. Helps some
[18:13] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I had to drive yesterday in the very worst of a summer storm that blew through here in the afternoon. I was bringing my folks back from Dad's high school class reunion.
[18:13] <KK> The big news, though, is that my former house is back on the market; the wife has gotten a new job that makes the commute untenable.  If you go to Zillow and look up 1417 North Augusta St. Staunton, VA, you'll see an amazing array of photos.  They've only been there for about 3 years.
[18:14] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Will check it out
[18:14] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Oh man, I hope I get to some some nice southern thunderstorm
[18:14] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> May you see one when I don't have to drive in it!
[18:14] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> @KK, do you miss the house?
[18:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Oh my goodness, what a gorgeous house!!!
[18:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Visibility was nearly zero percent at one point, and I had to get off the interstate at the nearest exit just to avoid wrecking.
[18:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I hope  you got around that much when you sold it
[18:16] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Ooh, I've seen one of those before. Quite unnerving!
[18:17] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> She's a lovely house, KK!
[18:18] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> The outside reminds me a tiny bit of the house where DS got married, only that one wasn't nearly as big or as grand.
[18:18] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I can see why you moved, too; that's a lot of house for one person.
[18:18] <KK> I'm gradually regaining strength after my encounter with the glider bench (with no arms) in early April, on my way to LA.  Balance is still crap, but I'm getting better for short distances with my cane.
[18:19] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> That's good at least
[18:19] <The_Bee> Keep up the good work, KK
[18:20] <KK> And back pain <is> a bummer. Sometimes I have to take a Tylenol before I can get out of the bed in the morning.
[18:20] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> That is an amazing house. Of course you formerly lived in a castle. How do they compare?
[18:21] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Back pain is the worst!
[18:24] <KK> Somewhat less than that, but they've done a LOT of landscaping and interior decor, with LOTS of beautiful antique furniture. My former office is now a small sitting room with TV, and my former TV room/den is now an office, but for the most part, I like the decor. A bit cluttered for my taste, but they could afford to install soe beautiful things.
[18:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> So KK, are you prepared for a fluffle of Derynifans to descend upon your city?
[18:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> And upon you?
[18:26] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I didn't want to scare her, DFK... 😄
[18:26] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> I think it's too late
[18:26] <The_Bee> I have a beautiful house in my imagination.
[18:26] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I have lots of beautiful houses in the Sims
[18:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Would that we could actually afford to build them and then decorate them properly.
[18:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> That would be great
[18:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Become a best selling author and you can!
[18:27] <KK> She is. I just hope the next owners preserve its historical features. Scott and I had the library built in what used to be a sunroom, and did the spendid wallpaper in the master bedroom and drawing room. Also had that little quatrefoil fountain built in the back yard.
[18:28] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Maybe when I figure out how to grow a money tree in my yard.  Around the same time I find that portal to Rhemuth.
[18:28] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I do like that little fountain. 🙂
[18:28] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Save me a cutting from the money tree
[18:29] <The_Bee> ditto
[18:29] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Yeah, just a little one. I'd do the rest
[18:30] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Unless it makes you a billionaire, I'm not sure it would help
[18:30] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Details
[18:33] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> The Tony Awards come on at 8 on CBS. Anyone watching?
[18:33] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Not me
[18:33] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> that's theater, isn't it?
[18:34] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Broadway
[18:34] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I only get a few local channels decently, so I barely bother tuning in
[18:34] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> They usually put on a good show
[18:34] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> My sister will probably watch, but I won't.
[18:35] <The_Bee> I'm not a big fan of award shows.
[18:35] <KK> Yeah, it was a lot of house. Dates from 1835, it says. And I much enjoyed my time there, but the stairs were already becoming too much when I sold it. In all, I think I liked Holybrooke more, but we were never able to afford to furnish it to the degree that they've done at Edge Hill.  And so far as I know, Edge Hill did not have any ghosts.
[18:36] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> A friendly ghost would add to the atmosphere
[18:37] <KK> Ours certainly did.
[18:37] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> You could name a friendly ghost Casper....  *slinks off*
[18:37] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Were the ones in Ireland friendly?
[18:37] <KK> Yes.
[18:37] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> KK, I've got a Gwynedd question for you: did you ever record the names of any of the little towns and hamlets along the Eirian and Molling rivers?
[18:38] <KK> Only as and when it became necessary to name them.
[18:39] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> That would be a lot of work unless needed for a story
[18:39] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> So  you've never named any between Ramos and Rhemuth. OK. We just needed some town names for our story. We can make up our own since it's AU.
[18:40] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> In my 15th Century Gwynedd story, I created a little borough called Millbridge across the Molling from Rhemuth, on the other side of Millsgate on the poster map, which I imagine to be a bit like Southward was to late medieval/Tudor London.
[18:40] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> The first town is Where, the second town is What, the third town is I Don't Know, ...
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Third base!
[18:41] <~bynw> speaking of the poster map. i am bringing mine
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Depends. Sometimes features on a map can help inspire things in a story; sometimes it's the story that inspires the map features.
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Hi Everyone
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I doubt I'd be able to fit mine in my luggage.
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Jerusha!
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Hi Jerusha
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> bynw: Is that a map of Gwynedd that's poster sized, or is it the map of posters on the forum?
[18:41] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Hi Jerusha
[18:41] <~bynw> hi Jerusha
[18:41] <The_Bee> HiJerusha
[18:41] <KK> True, Ebie.
[18:42] <~bynw> the poster sized map
[18:42] <KK> Evie. (Fat fingers.)
[18:42] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> I'm a larger poster than most; I hope it's not my size!
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> DH suggested I bring my poster map to get it signed, since the frame on it broke and needs to be replaced anyway, but I'm not sure I have a poster cylindar to transport it safely. I'll have to check.
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Thanks Nezz
[18:43] <~bynw> mine is laminated
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Hi Laurna
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Hello
[18:43] <~bynw> Hi Laurna
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Good to see you, Laurna 🙂
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Sorry I was rebuilding Coroth Castle and go lost in it
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Hi Laurna
[18:43] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Yeah, I was in my game too until 5:59
[18:44] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Which tower did you get lost in, Laurna?
[18:44] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> The Green Tower
[18:44] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> The one that didn't get blown up, J  😉
[18:44] <~bynw> that's the best one
[18:44] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> yes that one
[18:44] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> But of course!
[18:45] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> I needed a second Coroth castle for my 985 Sims.   Because I did not want to remove Alaric from his home
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Yeah, he'd hate that
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> 985?!  Lord love a dayglo rubber ducky!
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Year
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> not sim number
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Pray for her computer!
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Hey  983-985 is one of my favorite years.
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> *phew!*
[18:46] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Or at least the characters from there are
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Actually those are two of your favorite years.  😉
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Only if ouu survive
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Oh, it was A.D. 985! I thought it was trying to animate 985 characters.
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Yiu
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> 983 to 984, then 984 to 985.  😄
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Let's try this again.  You
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Me too!
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> LOL  sorry years not people
[18:47] <The_Bee> Remind me--What happened between 983 and 985?
[18:47] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I was about to say, no wonder your game lags!
[18:48] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Rengarth Wars
[18:48] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> (the computer would scream, release the magic smoke, and fall over)
[18:48] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Rengarth Wars? Whazzat?
[18:48] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Laurna be over here playing the centuries you haven't got around to writing for us yet, KK.  😉
[18:48] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> The Rengarth Wars is what caused me to find this forum in the  first place
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Back in 2011
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> I love all the people from that era
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> All the "fill in the blanks" stuff from the Codex
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> From reading about it in the Codes?
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> From reading about it in the Codex?
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> YEp
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Which people?
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> IIRC, Drakensis did a good job of it
[18:49] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Washburn and Muir Cynfyn  and Cluim Haldane
[18:50] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Drakensis was playing with 1025  I am playing with 40 years before that
[18:50] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> "RENGARTH—town in southern Eastmarch. a border town at the Gwynedd-Eastmarch-Torenth joining (SC) (CH) (CC); site of the betrayal of Duke Jared's army by Bran Coris Earl of Eastmarch. (HD)"?
[18:50] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Ah, OK.
[18:50] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> What about Jess's?
[18:50] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Did the Codex just say that there were wars about there?
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Yes but REngarth where Imre II meet his demiss
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Jess's?
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <marc_du_temple> Heyo!
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Yes Jessa Thuryn is and was my lay
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Hi Marc
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> TM, you must be looking at the website. 😄
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Yes Jessa Thuryn is and was my lady
[18:51] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Hi Marc
[18:52] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Marc, hi there!
[18:52] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Hello Marc
[18:52] <CambersGhost> [discord] <marc_du_temple> How's everybody doing?
[18:52] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Doing fine
[18:52] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> 🦆
[18:52] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> OK here
[18:53] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Marc I am so pleased that Bede finally got a sharp pointy object that can do harm
[18:53] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> No new storms here so far. Knock on wood.  Our traffic light at my interstate exit is still out from yesterday.
[18:53] <CambersGhost> [discord] <marc_du_temple> Me too! No more pushing and shoving when the other guys are trying to gut him
[18:54] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Gut them first!
[18:54] <The_Bee> At my church, the congregation got tangled up in a big ball of twine.
[18:54] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Besides his tongue, you mean?  😄
[18:54] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Um...how?!
[18:56] <KK> Ball of twine?
[18:56] <The_Bee> It was a demonstration of inter-connectedness.  We threw the ball from person to person.
[18:56] <The_Bee> trailing the yarn
[18:56] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I wish all y'all were going to be at Derynicon. KK needs to see you game players freak out in a live action RPG with Bynw making you play a scene out in real time.  😄
[18:56] <KK> Ah. What kind of church do you attend, Bee?
[18:56] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Church of Bast, it seems
[18:57] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> 😹
[18:57] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> https://tenor.com/view/cat-kitten-cats-kittens-babies-gif-3472991
[18:57] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> I don't think that fast on my feet.  Or in my seat
[18:57] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> OMG  Evie that would be fun
[18:57] <KK> Awwww.
[18:57] <The_Bee> Unitarian-Universalist.  But the guy  who started the yarn got the idea from a Jesuit priest.
[18:57] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Smol kitteh is smol
[18:58] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> (Reminds me of the wiring I'm doing on the kitchen light)
[18:58] <~bynw> kittens are so cute
[18:58] <KK> Sounds like something the Jebbies would come up with.
[18:58] * CambersGhost [discord] <jerusha2> watches for sparks
[18:58] * ~bynw needs to have another kitty someday
[18:58] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> "Jebbies"?
[18:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Hope it doesn't blow all your circuit breakers
[18:59] <KK> Jesuits.
[18:59] <KK> I think they're cool.
[18:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> I will be happy to read my part on Zoom
[18:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I was gonna ask if Jebediah started his own order.  😄
[18:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> My kitty Frankie is likely on his way out. Vet found a mass in his bladder the other day.
[18:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Oh, so sorry to hear that, Nezz
[18:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> So Sorry Nezz
[18:59] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> So sorry Nezz
[18:59] <KK> Oh, Nezz, I'm so sorry.
[18:59] <~bynw> oh no Nezz. so sad to lose a furbaby
[18:59] <The_Bee> bummer '=(
[19:00] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Thanks. He's had a good run, I'm just hoping to keep him from having to suffer any. We'll see how much longer quality of life is good.
[19:00] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Can't complain about 18 years
[19:02] <KK> 18? Wow! My Augustus was very nearly 18 when his kidneys went.
[19:02] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> His mommy is just about to turn 19, sometime this month.
[19:03] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Wow
[19:03] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Nice
[19:03] <KK> Wow, she was a young mama.
[19:03] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/479836521864888347/1381423444431736852/IMG_5808.jpg?ex=68477656&is=684624d6&hm=41a61cb3c0b3cc59159e40a15243ebb7489c375562f0e5e2b0e7d860c9567d02&;
[19:03] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> She was. Got preggers during her first heat.
[19:04] <CambersGhost> [discord] <marc_du_temple> The widdle baybee
[19:04] <KK> Sometimes ya just can't move fast enough.
[19:04] <CambersGhost> [discord] <marc_du_temple> It's a very beautiful cat. Sleek
[19:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> He (and his mama) have beautiful brown undertones to their coats
[19:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> You can see them when they're lying in the sun
[19:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> sun blushed tumtums
[19:05] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> And that's why you don't go into town when you're in heat!  (Family in-joke.  My grandmother once called my mom to ask if she wanted to go into town, and Mom quite innocently replied that she didn't think she should because she was 'in heat.'  She meant she was using a heating pad for her bursitis, but English isn't her native language. 😄 )
[19:06] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Thats cute
[19:06] <KK> LOL.
[19:07] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Grandma, a farm girl, was still laughing over that one years later.
[19:07] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/479836521864888347/1381424401832214678/IMG_5812.jpg?ex=6847773b&is=684625bb&hm=4ed60b6443d3c89cab17a13e1442929c9f244801eed766246954cc579d2b589d&;
[19:07] <The_Bee> When our family cat had kittens, she decided to raise them in a kitchen door full of rags.
[19:07] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Frankie's mom
[19:07] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> My family would be too.  in a family fun way
[19:07] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Hello Kitty
[19:07] <KK> Bee, how's your trike?
[19:07] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Frankie's Mom looks like she's had it with your nonsense.  😄
[19:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Let me sleep
[19:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> O)r "Don't even think it"
[19:08] <The_Bee> That cat looks very stern.
[19:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Hey, two of her babies never left to find homes of their own. She's been putting up with them for 18 years. She's totally had it with everyone's nonsense.
[19:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> It's the expression Elspeth has when Bede and Edwin start acting up
[19:08] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Yep
[19:09] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> LOL
[19:09] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> KK, before you go, another Gwynedd question, if I may. As best I recall, Brion in *The King's Deryni* was all nice and forgiving. Didn't he meet the Mearan Pretender and have a nice chat and let her go? But in *Deryni Rising*, I think it was, there's a comment about how Nigel, like his brother, neither gave or asked quarter. Did Brion get harder as he got older? Or am I misrememb <clipped message>
[19:09] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> ering or misinterpreting? (Or is it "the author reserves the right to have a better idea"?)
[19:09] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> (sorry to dump out a tome right there!)
[19:10] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> (I never was good at coming into a convo)
[19:10] <The_Bee> My trike is behaving. It didn't try to run me over today.
[19:10] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Kinda jealous of your trike. 🙂
[19:10] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Glad to hear it be
[19:11] <~bynw> that's good news Bee
[19:11] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Given what Caitrin was like, I imagine that even if Brion started off willing to be somewhat forgiving, he ended up with a Frankie's Mom expression very quickly after too much pushback from Caitrin.  😄
[19:12] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> young royals try to be good to all their people in the beginning but man don't cross them latter in life.
[19:12] <KK> I think Brion had a lot of experiences that hardened him, in the process of settling in as a king and as a man.
[19:13] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> For fanfic purposes, I'd prefer if he did get more stern and less forgiving later on. -- There was also Kelson saying something like, "He laughed some .. .but sometimes he had to do things as king" or some such.
[19:13] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> That might just be true of people in general. I'm a lot less tolerant of people's crap behavior now than when I was in my teens and twenties.  I'm like "Life's too short, kid; play nicely or get off my lawn."  😄
[19:13] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> He had had enough of the Murluk to not want to go there again.
[19:13] <The_Bee> Caitrin of Meara? or someone's cat?
[19:13] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> C of Meara
[19:14] <KK> I agree, Evie.
[19:14] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Caitrin Whose Name I can Never Remember, the preternder of Meara, mother of Ithel et al, wife of S...... Cathal's brother.
[19:14] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Fitz Arthur Quinnel
[19:14] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> Sigurd?
[19:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Married to a MacArdry
[19:15] <The_Bee> She lost everything and everyone.
[19:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> That would be wife of Sicard, who was the brother of Dhugal's dad (actually granddad) whose name has just escaped me
[19:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> One could say she threw it all away
[19:15] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> that is what happens when you do not play nice
[19:16] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Cauley?
[19:16] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> She brought it on herself
[19:16] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Caitrin had a stick up her fundament before her family got killed ... but I think she was the one who liost a chold in fleeing from a previous Mearan "housecleaning", so there was some cause.
[19:17] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> That was during Donal's reign, wasn't it? I vaguely remember that.
[19:17] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> I believe that was the twin sister who married Kincaid
[19:18] <CambersGhost> [discord] <stnezz> I'm going to bop out a little early: They're playing Season 5 episode 1 of *The Chosen:* This season is going to be Holy Week.
[19:19] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> see you later Nezz
[19:19] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> See you in a few days, Nezz
[19:19] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> I want to finish the wiring and test the tube lights while there's stilla  bit of sun to light the area. Thanks for the input to my question, all.
[19:20] <The_Bee> I wonder what would have happened if Meara had agreed o accept Gwynedd's king as a surerain.
[19:20] <The_Bee> suzerain
[19:20] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> https://tenor.com/view/cat-kitten-cats-kittens-babies-gif-3472991 embed: how did it come to this? - https://tenor.com/view/cat-kitten-cats-kittens-babies-gif-3472991
[19:20] <KK> Where is The Chosen being shown?
[19:20] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Posting the kitten again in honor of TM and his wiring
[19:21] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Annalind Twin sister of Roisian
[19:21] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> Compromise, then: Meara is a vassal but split among Ithel and his younger brother?
[19:21] <KK> None of them wanted to share.
[19:21] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Another off topic question.... Is motionaudiobooks.com a legit site? $45 for all 16 Deryni books seems too good to be true.
[19:23] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Sorry I can not answer that
[19:24] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I'd be interested to know too, even though I think I own them all, because something about that website is raising red flags for me, but I haven't identified what yet
[19:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Comments like "Original case is not included with your purchase" makes it sound like they're making illegal copies and selling a bundle.
[19:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> That's the vibe I get too
[19:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> https://www.reddit.com/r/discworld/comments/177g64s/motion_audiobooks_legit/
[19:25] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> "But it's also pretty clear that they are just repackaging "pirated" mp3's from elsewhere, as they have Audible exclusive books and similar." is one comment.
[19:26] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> https://www.reddit.com/r/audiobooks/comments/18draxl/pirated_books/
[19:26] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> has comments that agree.
[19:26] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
[19:26] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Yeah, that's what I figured.  *sigh*
[19:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> I have the first 3 but want all of them so I can listen in the car
[19:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> I am going to toddle off.  Have a good week everyone, and safe travels to Derynicon
[19:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I like the first three. Then they changed narrators to one I can't stand. I still have them all, though, unless new ones have come out since I last purchased audiobooks.
[19:27] <CambersGhost> [discord] <laurnarose> Have a good evening Jerusha. Lookinforward to more Elspeth this week
[19:28] <The_Bee> Have good week, Jerusha
[19:28] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> If there are any Camber era audiobooks, I haven't got those yet
[19:28] <CambersGhost> [discord] <jerusha2> Elspeth looks forward to it as well
[19:28] <~bynw> cya Jerusha
[19:28] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Bye Jerusha
[19:29] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> The bundle has all 16 novels.
[19:29] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> https://motionaudiobooks.com/products/563?_pos=1&_psq=kurtz&_ss=e&_v=1.0
[19:30] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> I guess I need to join Audible again so I can get the books I'm missing.
[19:30] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Unless there is another legit source
[19:31] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> Open Road Media is the publisher of the legit ones, isn't it?
[19:32] <CambersGhost> [discord] <derynifank> Think I'll sign off abs watch a little of the Tonys. Have a good week all
[19:32] <The_Bee> bye DFK
[19:32] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> If anyone finds a place to get legit copies, let everyone know.
[19:32] <KK> Strippy, I think all of my authorized audio books are via Audiblebooks.I've never heard of motionaudiobooks.  I do know that I've just signed new contracts with Tantor to do audio versions of the Camber books, and also the books I did with DH. Had a devil of a time actually signing them, because I couldn't get DocuSign to work, then finally printed
[19:32] <KK> out the 2 signature pages and signed them, then tried to scan those pages to send them back, but couldnt get this new-to-me printer to scan. A friend finally took them home, scanned them on her printer, and I forwarded her email with the files back to my agent the next day. Tomorrow I need to se if she received that. This has been going on since
[19:32] <KK> December. I would've liked to have t hose on signing payments in last years income, but it was not to be. I do get to approve the readers, and have done a pronunciation guide for. She's Welsh.
[19:33] <KK> Yes, Open Road is the superpublisher, but Audible is doing....the audible versions.
[19:35] <CambersGhost> [discord] <tm_9039> "'Gwynedd'? Let's get someone Welsh!" "Great! Uh, how do I pronounce R'Kassi, Millefleurs, ..."
[19:35] <KK> Guess I'd better also check out. See you all next week. And have a good one.
[19:35] <~bynw> cya KK have a great week
[19:35] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> When you  get to listen to the potential readers, can it not be the guy who did the Histories of King Kelson trilogy?  Because...he LOVES...his dramatic...ACCENTUATED WORDS and...PAUSES.  😄
[19:35] <CambersGhost> [discord] <strippy69> Heading out too. Thanks everyone!
[19:36] * KK steps onto her Portal, waves goodnight, and disappears in a shower of violet sparkles.
[19:36] <CambersGhost> [discord] <evie.delacourt> See you in a few days!
[19:36] <The_Bee> Good night and good week, KK! Cuddles to Daphne.
[19:36] <KK> Nighters!
[19:36] * KK () Quit (Quit: Client closed)

Thank you, Jerusha! It's a dangerous time there at Tolan-by-Sea, and it'll probably get more dangerous very quickly!

A nice summer pasta salad that isn't mayonnaise based so it doesn't spoil. It's best to prepare the day before you need it to allow the flavors to combine.

1 pound medium shells
1 large sweet onion
1 or 2 seedless cucumbers depending on taste (I use 1 1/2)
1 green pepper
1 jar pimento (drained)
1 can condensed tomato soup
3/4 cup oil (canola or vegetable)
3/4 cup cider vinegar
2 Tbl sugar (to taste)

Peel cucumbers, quarter them, then slice into 1/4 inch pieces
Dice onion
Seed and dice oepper
Combine soup, oil, cider vinegar, and sugar
Cook shells to al dente and drain
Combine ingredients other than pimento and refrigerate
Stir in the evening and morning
Just prior to serving, add 1/2 jar of pimento and stir again
Top with remaining pimento and serve

Quote from: strippy on June 08, 2025, 04:36:05 PMWell, I managed to pickup a second hard cover first edition! This one came with the slipcase! #196

Couldn't pass it up!

Ooooh, congratulations!!

Well, I managed to pickup a second hard cover first edition! This one came with the slipcase! #196

Couldn't pass it up!

Oh dear.  This becomes more dangerous with each paragraph.  Perfect!

Damn! Sir Airich O'Flynn was a man to behold!

Seated on his proud steed, Amy could drink this view in all day. It did not matter to Amy, those weary creases that ran under the knight's eyes and along his temples. Those eyes themselves were wide and bright in the heavily clouded morning light. The blue might not be in the overhead cloudy sky, but it was in those beautiful clear eyes of his. All those shielded-off memories were now part of Sir Airich in whole; Amy could feel this about the man. What a difference the ritual had brought forth.

Also, it mattered not that it was Elspeth, not herself, seated upon the horse pillion style. One day soon, Amy will sit in that saddle- Sir Airich truly had asked her to marry him and Amy had said Yes- she was confident with her future becoming the wife of this handsome knight. Elspeth too looked regal sitting there, a leader among them. Amy knew that Elspeth's hand on Airich's shoulder was not for holding on, but was her way of being certain Airich would not keel over any second. Elspeth would watch him, and take care of him. Amy was certain of it. And it pleased her. She mouthed the words, "Thank You" to her friend.

Not knowing what to do with her hands, for they wanted to betray her by holding Airich's hand and never letting go, she hitched them over the belt of her kirtle. She felt the string of the small bag she had tied there. She untied it and then dashed up the mounting block before Aran could take a second step away.

"Sir Airich, I forgot to give these back to you. You must have them wherever you go. And do not lose them again." The bag jingled as the knight's face warmed up to realize what was inside the bag.

His fingers brushed hers as they wrapped over the string. And seeing her stand at nearly his same height, he stepped the horse closer and pulled her to him. "I promise, I will do as you say."

Amy was sure he was only going to kiss her hand in front of all these people; instead, he leaned across the small distance, ignoring the twinge in his side, and his lips touched her lips with a grateful kiss. Elspeth cleared her throat when neither of the two shifted away from the other in good time.

Amy side-glanced at her friend and blushed. "Speth, take care of him," she said, standing straight while squeezing both of their hands in each of her own.

Amy did not retreat from the mounting block until the horse and his two riders had moved away, and Father Trevor had amusingly given her a hand to step down.

Friday morning
Master Collos' large safehouse
Grecotha

"I'm sorry Ams, I can't save it."

"Surely Speth, there is something more you can do!"

"There's too much blood. I've done everything I can think of. Perhaps Father Trevor can say a few words before we bury it."

"You need a few words from me?" Father Trevor asked as he entered the kitchen area of the safe house. 

Elspeth held up Airich's blood-stained tunic. All her hard work to try to get the blood out had only enlarged the tear where the dagger had driven through it. It was hopeless.

"Ah, I see," the priest said with a chuckle. "Where do you plan to bury it?"

"At the bottom of the rubbish heap. No one needs to see it as a reminder of what Airich endured."

Amy nodded her agreement. "Amen."

"Do I get any say in the matter?" Airich asked as he joined them.

"No," Elspeth and Amy answered in unison. 

Airich laughed and held his hands outward in a peace gesture. He was dressed in his spare tunic, freshly shaved, and hair neatly tied back. But he still looked pale and moved slowly; it would take time to work through the soreness that remained. Time he didn't want to spend.

"We need to leave for the bishop's palace soon," he said to Elspeth.

"Give me a moment or two to make myself more presentable," she replied as she untied the large apron she had been wearing to protect her own clothing from her struggles.

"I wish you would let me go with you," Amy said.

"I would love to have you at my side," the knight replied with a smile. "But the bishop asked specifically for Elspeth and me."

Amy looked at Trevor, who shook his head. "It's probably for the best. You don't need to answer questions about how Jasper's cronies ended up flat on the ground and unconscious. Bishop Bernard is not comfortable with our powers to begin with; let's not totally dismay him." 

Trevor's smile softened his words a bit and Amy nodded reluctantly.

Airich gingerly buckled his knight's mostly white belt carefully around his waist. His wound was healed but significant soreness remained. He would not go without his blade that Bede had returned, even though this time it was genuinely lashed securely to its scabbard.

Elspeth returned wearing a fresh gown and carrying her satchel slung over her shoulder.  "It's time to go," she said briskly, trying not to notice the priest's smile.

"I have Aran ready," Trevor said as he led them outside. 

Aran stood patiently, his reins tied to a ring by the door. A pillion saddle had been added for Elspeth's comfort.

"He is such a beautiful animal," Amy said as she moved forward to stroke the horse's soft shoulder. 

"I don't think Da has ever owned an ugly horse," Airich began and stopped  as Trevor moved a mounting block beside the animal. "A mounting block?" he asked, aghast at the thought he  might actually need it.

"It's for Elspeth," Trevor replied smoothly.

"It better be," Airich muttered under his breath. He mounted first, unprepared for muscles that complained when the action would normally be effortless. With a grunt he reached out his arm to steady Elspeth as Trevor boosted her onto the pillion.

"Godspeed," Trevor said, and Amy waved as Airich walked the horse forward.