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#my great-grandma's peppermint ...
chrollohearttags · 4 months
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where the heart is • eren x black!fem reader
synopsis: the holidays had never been a great time for you or EJ but that quickly changes when you guys share your very first Christmas together.
content + themes: super sweet fluff, domestic au!,musician eren, him being so in love, mentions of alcohol, very light mentions of angst, lots of humor, all around cuteness ♡♡
word count: 1.3K
📝: just something super short and cute. Realizing I hadn’t written any Christmas fics yet but I might do more with all of my characters if y’all like them!
───✱*.。:。✱*.:。✧*.。✰───────✱*.。:。✱*.:。✧*.。✰────
christmas…the time of year filled with cheer, delight and all things bright. Trees topped with snow, front lawns illuminated in bright colors and inflatable decorations waving about in the cool winds. Not to mention, the overwhelming scents of peppermint, chocolate and apple cinnamon wafting through the air at every establishment. A true sign of the times..of course for others..it wasn’t always the best occasion. For some, it was a reminder of the loneliness that came with being away from family and loved ones. Spending the cold nights by themselves and watching others celebrate the harmonious holiday surrounded by warmth and happiness. For EJ, he happened to be the latter. Always holed up in a studio, chained to his desk as he worked right through Christmas Day without so much as a pause..it didn’t bother him much. He wasn’t exactly close to his family after leaving home years ago and his friends preferred to spend the evenings partying alongside strangers. Not something he had an interest in engaging in. Needless to say, he couldn’t wait for it all to be over. That was until the renowned rapper wound up meeting (y/n)…
“ ‘Rennieeeee! Come dance with me, baby!”
“Princess! Get down from there, you’re gonna hurt yourself!”
the ever so lovely and vivacious pole dancer turned influencer who not only took the world by storm but captured his ice cold heart as well. In a couple years’ time, the two of you had gone from perfect strangers to absolute lovebirds, enjoying domestic bliss in the comfort of his spacious three story home as soon-to-be husband and wife. Being in a relationship meant learning about the other person, becoming accustomed to their habits and all of their lovely quirks and in between. That stood true for Eren as well..it wasn’t until the two of you were out on your usual Sunday stroll through the Downtown District of Miami that he’d learn that you were a huge fan of Christmas. Although the warm temperatures didn’t mirror the occasion, shops and streets alike were strewn about garland and ornaments. Snowmen, reindeers, the works..! It was all a little suffocating for the stoic producer but you? You were beaming as bright as Rudolph’s nose! He couldn’t believe it. Seeing those gorgeous brown eyes glowing with excitement at all the decorations and themed treats, it made his chest flutter. Seeing you happy brought him more joy than any cheesy flare and overhyped song ever could. Since childhood, you have adorned the holidays; baking and cooking with your grandma, going to church and of course, opening presents. You loved every aspect and couldn’t wait to celebrate with your own family someday. However, your future husband was a little concerned that you may have been going a bit too far in your celebratory efforts…
“C’monnnn, pleaseeee? You look so cuteee!” Alluding to the reindeer headband sitting atop his brown locks.
“Yes, (y/n). I will dance with you, baby. But would you please get down from that ladder before you fall?!”
the two of you had been living together for some time now and he had grown quite accustomed to your habits. Waking up to warm kisses as he cradled you, getting to spend all this time together and lately..watching you frolic about the living room with knee high socks, shorts and fluffy red sweater with gingerbread men knitted on the front. Your butterfly locs were laced with red bows and scents of sugar cookie body mist radiated from your skin. You had even managed to convince him to partake in the festivities by baking cookies and helping set up decorations. Something he would’ve never done on his own accord. But he’d listen to you recount your holidays growing up and knew that he’d have to help you recreate the magic. You guys would even make jokes about how you’d never experienced a ‘real’ Christmas because there was no snow in Florida. He was absolutely infatuated with you and how adorable you were. Eren had only retreated to the foyer for a moment to grab some more ornaments and such, only to find you dancing atop the ladder; twerking and whining to the music that played and even belting Mariah Carey to the top of your lungs in an off key. He was trying to feign his laughter and keep a watchful eye on you all the same. He knew you were trained to dance and twirl at these outrageous heights but the fact that he had just watched you down four glasses of spiked eggnog consecutively with no pause, had him a little concerned. Knocking them back and becoming quite lively.
“I’m fineee! Now can you hand me those angels, please? I want them up—“
but as you made your way down the rungs and to the floor with only a couple steps left, you’d come tumbling down in a drunken haze and right on top of your fiancé! Who could do nothing but laugh as you immediately ‘sobered’ up upon the sight of seeing him lying flat on his back, covered in glitter. “Oh my gosh! Baby, are you okay?! I’m so sorry—“ cupping those fingers decorated in sparkly red acrylic tips over your mouth as you examined him. Making certain that he was alright but honestly? He had never felt better and in fact..you were utterly confused as to why he was so hysterical. His cheeks were red and he was cradling his stomach as he cackled.
“Yeah. I’m fine, princess..never been better. I’m just really happy.” Which allowed you to breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time in a long time, Eren had felt joy like he had never experienced before. All those years of spending Christmas Eve throwing money on dancers, pretending to enjoy drowning his sorrows in liquor or even mashing away at keys to avoid taking a trip back home to confront his family, none of it seemed to matter at that moment. The realization had hit him that this was his future…he was going to get to spend every day, every year having these beautiful moments and exciting times next to the love of his life. Leaning up, he’d grab your face and place a kiss on top of your forehead. He’d take a moment to examine your gorgeous features and just take in your presence. “Aww! I’m so glad..but why? You just fell.” A little confused by his sudden confession. He found your almost innocuous nature to be the sweetest thing in the world.
“Because..I have you, don’t I? Knowing I get to do this for the rest of my life..I can’t help but to smile..” Out of all the jewels and handbags you had been gifted, this was by far the greatest. Quality time and unconditional love that was priceless beyond comprehension. Moments that couldn’t be bought with the largest of riches, and the two of you were forever grateful for it. “I love you, princess. I really do..” which unironically sent you into a fit of tears and he’d immediately try to console you. “What’s wrong?!” Nearly bursting into overwhelming hysterics. Attributing it to your drunken stupor. But soon, you’d drape your arms around his neck and fling yourself across him with a tight embrace. “I’m sorry—I just—love you too, baby! I love you so much!..you’ve made me so happy.” You honestly never thought you’d have another Christmas like this or truly feel this type of love again but he made it possible. It didn’t matter how far you guys traveled or where your busy lives took you..right here, home and in each other’s arms..
“..thank you for tonight. I’m having so much fun.”
was where his heart heart was!
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forthegothicheroine · 4 months
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Best Fragrantica reviews of (some of) my favorite perfumes, Part II
First installment here
Maison Martin Margiela By the Fireplace
Careful not to be worn by this perfume instead of being you the wearer. Not that it is oh so powerful, but it may be too bold of a statement piece for, ahem, some. Wearing BTF when you don't look the part and don't give it sense will have you smelling borderline unhealthy. Like your organs inside have worn off and darkened (and burned out, I guess). Truly as weird as it sounds. The raw thing smells very exciting. I love it ashy. I don't see myself daring any soon, however. And I don't find that it worked for the men I know either, as they have (and I cringe to say) whiter auras and don't fit the "handling cognac by the fire" thing. So I've yet to see it really work, which I'm sure will be great. It's a lovely perfume.
Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab Bewitched
This is the smell of a witch's brew. She made a special tea for you to drink. You pass out. When you awaken you find yourself in her garden full of poisonous berries, patchouli, weeds, clary sage, and flowers whose petals have been plucked. This is an herbal scent, like walking inside a shop selling only herbs. It's medicinal and like a tea. Not always easy to take in...The smell of sage and musk give it a unisex/masculine quality. I would say that it's more of a guy's type of cologne than a woman's. I would wear it for Halloween with a witch costume or as Morticia Addams. It's really a very engaging scent but it's linear and simple. It's a little green tea and berry. It's got a bite but it's witchy and dark, but not a strong cologne either. For a niche indie frag, not bad.
TokyoMilk Gin & Rosewater
I was in a boutique that carries the Tokyo Milk Curiosite & Bon Bon lines, and I was entranced by this. Florals are not usually my thing, by the way, because I get monster headaches from most of them. Suddenly the salesgirl is RIGHT NEXT TO ME leaning in conspiratorially and says in an awed tone that 'Blake Lively LOVES this one'. OMFG, Blake Lively, you say??!? Like for serious, the real Blake Lively?? OMFG, do you have like, more in the back?!? I'm totally going to buy every bottle you can shove in my basket because BLAKE LIVELY would hang out with me if we ran into each other and then my life could end. Um, not. I almost DIDN'T buy it because of the salesgirls then going into a tizzy about how amazing Blake is. I could not care less, although I'm sure Lively is nice enough. But it did smell cool, so home with me it came, along with the matching lotion.
Serge Lutens La Fille de Berlin
It’s an overwhelming fragrance that smells like the bottom of my grandma’s small square leather purse when we went to mass (her old dried up lipstick💄 the powder compact, the newspaper, the pack of strawberry-ish scented kleenex, the peppermints). It’s vintage, it’s a bit suffocating and I have it printed in my memory 4 ever.
Juliette Has a Gun Magnolia Bliss
Anastasia Steele, no longer a virgin. In her Audi A3, the smell of her new car, first edition books and a new life... That's what comes into mind with this perfume. The night Christian took her for the first time on his helicopter. I can imagine this is exactly what she smelled like that night. With Ellie Goulding's Love me like you do playing in the background. 
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540
I’m too embarrassed and ashamed to wear this in public just in case a fragrantica influencer comes out of a bush and starts pointing & laughing at me in front of everyone
Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille
what all the hot daddies in every lana del rey song smell like
Jo Malone Velvet Rose & Oud
If your family was religious, traditionally Asian, or both, you'll know this scent. This is the scent of a temple. This is the scent of an altar. Personally I can never wear this because smelling this brings back so many memories of burning incenses, visiting funerals, and saying prayers and wishes. My bottle is literally sitting on an altar.
Perfumer's Workshop Tea Rose
Speaking of the devil. This scent is the one with the Prada's shoes.
4160 Tuesdays Doe in the Snow
This is borne on a Christmas Eve, under the moonlight, a baby fawn just out of it's mother's womb. The moon is full light casting blue shadows snow lightly falling delicate flakes each one unique on the nose of the new born... Pure fresh Christmas morning air stillness not a sound blanketed with drifts of snow that is Doe In The Snow... pure white innocence...velvet petals so delicate under the driven snow...I have seen this in a dream... Another love... I get it...
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ms-m-astrologer · 3 months
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2023 Capricorn Solstice
Friday, December 22, 2023, 03:27 UT Chart erected for Washington, DC (Thursday, December 21, 22:28 EST)
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Merry Yule north of the equator, and Merry Litha south of it!
I just love this chart. There is a fantastic double sextile (I think some people call them “mini grand trines” but “double sextile” is more accurately descriptive):
the Sun and Mercury Rx in Capricorn, are sextile Saturn/Pisces;
Saturn/Pisces is sextile the Moon and Jupiter Rx in Taurus;
the Sun and Mercury Rx are trine the Moon and Jupiter Rx.
An Earth sign trine giving us great potential for practical, material achievement and blessings - and Saturn/Pisces working to help, asking us to aim high. Not so much “fabulous earthly success,” though, as “living up to our higher ground.” We’re really motivated to do things. With both Mercury and Jupiter retrograde, we’re more thoughtful. If you’re working on your New Year’s Resolutions, this is good energy for coming up with sterling ones.
Warnings include being aware (wary) of fanaticism, either our own or others’; going to emotional extremes because we’re bored; and staying in toxic situations because we are related or married to the perpetators.
It will also be easy to snooze on through the promise of the double sextile. We have to actively take advantage of it.
🎄🎄🎄
This time of year always makes me think of cookies. My maternal grandma absolutely excelled as a baker, my mom was a very close second - and every December they collaborated on baking many different kinds of cookies. My younger sister and I were allowed to decorate the sugar cookies, using colored icing and various sprinkles. Good times.
Alas, I did not inherit that “baking” gene - but my family had another tradition I can pull off: dessert after Christmas dinner was always peppermint ice cream. My daughter and I improved on that when we discovered that putting some chocolate sauce on the peppermint ice cream, is ambrosia.
Every year, on or about Christmas Eve, the transiting Sun is sextile my natal Neptune. This is one Neptune thing I can and do pick up on - even as a little girl, at night I would take myself off and sit alone by the Christmas tree, enjoying the silence and the lights. No thinking about “the significance and message of the season,” just the peace and quiet.
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penroseparticle · 3 months
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1, 2?
Unironically I knew you would ask me the two best questions on this whole damn list, thank you Izzy for being the GOAT.
Song of the year? God what songs even came out this year. I don't think this year was a year where new music happened for me. (One of the biggest hits this year was... Fast Car. Do you remember that??? What???) I'm a little tempted to say Fast Car, but that's cheating on Ms. Tracy Chapman, who is unimpeachably the best version of the song (And wouldn't it kind of suck if the song of the year was just. An inarguably well done but ultimately less meaningful rendition of a song from like 45 years ago) If I can pick songs that I encountered this year but didn't come out this year, I could go on for a while. Lonely by Jamila Woods, All My Girls Like To Fight by Hope Tala, Get Down by Woozy. I think Van Gogh by Mette is great but not the song of the year for me, certainly. Rush by Troye Sivvy? It's more honest but doesn't feel right to me totally. Is It New Years Yet has new toy syndrome, AND it's a holiday song, AND it's a Sabrina Carpenter song that complains about overplayed music. Like. Self aware much? And also means it can kick rocks because that is NOT song of the year material. But I like music with a groovy influence, I'm a little corny, and I can't lie about this kinda thing. I categorically refuse to put Build a Boat on my top anything list, regardless of Spotify telling lies about my listening habits. (This is me lying about this kinda thing). I don't want to repeat a year in review song, either, which kinda makes this harder. I guess I gotta give it to You Wish by Flyana Boss, because it's the only song that's not 1. on my year end list, or 2. a song that had a reservation/caveat/well, actually attached to it.
Album of the year? My two top albums of this year were Something To Give Each Other and Jaguar II, but I have to give it up to Victoria Monet honestly- I didn't take to a piece of music this fast since when I saw Young Empires open for Reptar and fell in love on the first song of the set. I listened to Smoke and I was hooked- maybe it's the drug culture references but joyful and openly honest, maybe it's the slick production and variety on the album, maybe it's that it's not afraid to be goofy as hell ("I'm so deep in my bag, like a grandma with a peppermint" is quite possibly an all timer goofy lyric that still hits the right timber for the braggadocio it's placed as in the song, "It's a bisexual blunt it can go both ways" is just. so fuckin stupid, I love it.), maybe it's the features (Lucky Daye? EARTH WIND AND FIRE???), maybe it's the touch of old hollywood glamour at the end and the clear love of motown sensibilities juxtaposed with her talking about her 4K titties. I don't know man, it just rewired my brain but in a good way. More than that, Victoria made me cognizant of her in the stuff I already liked. Like. She has writing credits/backing vocal credits for Ariana Grande. I CAN HEAR HER IN THE SONGS SHE HELPED WRITE. She's goofy and sexy and has some fun production preferences, and I can hear her sometimes now even when she's composing/producing for other artist. I haven't been able to peg a pop writer this hard since good ol' jackie, and that's because he's everywhere and also in like 3 solo projects and also Taylor Swift's silver bullet. But like I can directly point to how much she worked on Thank You Next and the all time greatest Ariana album, Dangerous Woman. She helped write Body Count, Sin City, On The Way... all songs I liked by other artists, but didn't realize who, you know, helped make. This is not to say I didn't love Troye Sivan this year- and both these artists made my year end retrospective. I really dig Troye's album (Though I run into the issue I have with a lot of albums where I like but don't love the second half of it, which is why Victoria took the W.). Give the songs In My Room or What's The Time Where You Are a listen for sure. It's just. so hard to find an album you unironically vibed with. Unashamedly and openly. I honestly don't care if anyone else likes this album, because I loved it. I'll stream it enough for all of us, a bitch might buy it on vinyl Anyways sorry for running on so long, it's Jaguar II by Victoria Monet, because if we have to say Goodbye, let's make it a Good Bye is something I want to live by now that I've heard it.
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imathers · 1 month
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2023 Loosies: Victoria Monét — "On My Mama"
These days, with modern pop, r'n'b, what have you, there are plenty of productions that sound like they were assembled. And I frequently love that! But something about the low key, plush charms of "On My Mama," I've gradually realized, comes down to the fact that this does in fact sound like it was done live. Whether it actually was or not (god knows artists have been using seamless studio techniques since, what, the 60s?), there's certainly evidence that it sounds sick as hell done by a live band. Regardless of how much of that is just ~studio magic~ (even live), the fact is that bassline and Monét's performance would be great in pretty much any context. Everyone justifiably quoted the grandma peppermint line, but really this works best for me just as an overall atmosphere. Album's good too.
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heyitssashag · 8 months
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It’s been a good day! This morning I finished my book (The Great Alone). It was heavy. The ending was bittersweet. It’s got great reviews but it’s not one of my favourites.
My next read will be a lot lighter. It’s by a local writer. I did a pre-order and got it autographed along with a few other goodies. It’s called To Have & To Heist by Sara Desai.
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This afternoon, I went for lunch with my Mom and then I had my appointment to get fitted for breast prosthetics. I went 2 sizes smaller than last time so they’re much lighter than my old ones. I also got 2 new bras for it. When I was trying them on, I felt like myself again.
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I remember (many years ago), my Grandma had a single mastectomy (from breast cancer) and she got a prosthetic boob. It looked like an old stuffed sock. The breast forms I got feel very natural and soft. I also had the option of having the ones that stick to my body but my chest is permanently sore and sensitive from my multiple surgeries (including a bilateral mastectomy). I can’t imagine having to glue something on there. Anyway, I’m very happy with the ones I got and look forward to trying them with my dresses.
I also got to hug my friends at the park. They’re nuts like me. 🤪
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It’s an art installation of 2 giant acorns. It’s weird - I know. lol.
I’ve got my peppermint tea next to me but before I dive into my new book, I’m going to watch the next episode of And Just Like That. It’s a terrible sequel to Sex & The City but I watch it anyway.
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nikkisqueenofsleaze · 3 months
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Hello again!
Hope you are doing well as we get closer to all the holidays.
I have a few music related tattoos and plans for a forearm sleeve dedicated to a lot of the bands that have had impacts on my life. It's very geometric though and it is all about finding the right artist for the job.
I understand totally about the too expensive tickets feeling, or too far away. I splurged on Steve Vai concert/backstage/Meet&Greet (I sort of clicked and bought before considering the price or travel.. oops) but that means I have to pass on some other shows to make up for that plus the fact I will have to travel and stay away overnight. I have until April to figure that one out. I couldn't pass it up though.
Alice and The Little Mermaid are among my favorites too. I also like Beauty and the Beast. One of my best friends and I used to watch the Little Mermaid on repeat until my dad got so sick of Under the Sea he hid it from us.
It is awesome that you have a good bond with your sister. I understand what you are saying about being through soo much together. Mine used to be about that far away before she had to move for work. I miss her being that close to me.
Do you do any food or have any food traditions for the holiday season? I make peppermint shortbread cookies every year. I used to do it with family but now there aren't any around my area. I think I will still make them and subject my co-workers to them.
Hope you have a good week.
Trygg
Hi!! How are you?! ❤️ I’m so sorry about the late response! It’s been a busy week and I just got home yesterday! I had so much fun on my trip, Disneyland was magical! I loved seeing it all decorated for Xmas! It was a lot warmer than I anticipated but cooled down later! Had some yummy food too. 🥰 The Christmas parade was so amazing! I loved it! Especially the Disney princesses 😭❤️
I saw that the Crüe years eve show got cancelled! Kinda bummed but also relieved 😅 only because I knew I wasn’t gonna be able to make it! I hope you have a killer time at your shows and meeting Steve Vai!! How awesome!!! 🔥🔥
I like beauty and the beast too! That’s my sister’s favorite! Awww nooo 😭 I remember watching it so much when I was little too! I just loved her and mermaids so much! I wish I still had all of my Ariel stuff from when I was little. My family moved a lot so 😢😢 but I have some Ariel things I’ve got myself in recent years! When I went to Disneyland back in August I got to meet her and I was so happy and excited 🥹❤️
Thank you! ❤️ I’m glad you have your sister too! Even though you guys live farther away from each other! During the holidays, my family and I make pozole and tamales 😍 my grandma was actually in town yesterday so we got to make some! My sister that lives in Texas is home too so I think we’re gonna make some more this weekend! Oooh! Peppermint shortbread cookies sound good! I don’t think I’ve ever had them before! Aw, you should definitely still make them! But I see what you mean about not having your family around!
Happy Friday, love! I hope you had a great week and have a great weekend! 💕💗 again, I apologize for the late reply!
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technoturian · 3 months
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Here's what I've been doing for the past two plus days. "I should make my grandma 9* different cookies for Christmas" sounds like a great idea until you're approximately 4/9ths through and start forgetting how to function without a timer to tell you what to do.
* I also made peppermint patty cookies but they didn't fit in the tin so they're going separately.
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lil-melody-moon · 4 months
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i totally get what you said about putting emotions into words, there's something so nice about being able to put words down as a reflection on tboughts, even if they are sad thoughts. do you have any favorite holiday related foods or drinks? i love gingerbread cookies so much, but really any kind of cookie is my fav holiday related foods bc i'm a sweets fiend. i also really love hot chocolate or any sort of peppermint flavored things :D also wondering if you have seen any cute animals lately, whether that be pets or wild animals! i've seen so many little birds and squirrels lately, they make my walks to class very enjoyable!
-pickle
Yeah, this is what I kind of need now and I kind of did I think.
For food it would definitely be carp. I love this fish <3 It's a tradition here to eat it and it's always that I am eating the rest of it and parents are waiting for me to finish XD My grandma did the same, I'm carrying her tradition! Your choices are very tasty as well, especially gingerbread
Oh yes, I saw a bunch of great tits lately. Classes were so interesting that I looked at them through window instead of paying attention to the lesson - old professors will be the end of this degree, i swear to God. I'm glad you can enjoy your walks to school with wild animals, that's actually very cute <3
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eddis-not-eeddis · 2 years
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My great-grandma didn't really focus much on herself when she told me stories about her youth. She mainly told me stories about her husband, a man I only met two or three times.
The most vivid memory I have of him was sitting on his lap when I was maybe seven or eight and 'typing'. He knew I was completely enthralled by his typewriter, so he got it out, put in the ribbon, gave me several sheets of paper and let me at it. I couldn't type at the time, so I just hammered away at the keys with complete abandon.
All at once he stopped me and pointed to the page before us. There, amidst the great swathes of keysmashes a single word stood out.
Butt.
I was mortified. Without meaning to at all I had typed a vulgar word! What must my great-grandfather think of me?
He laughed at me, and when he saw I was genuinely distressed showed me how to backspace and type over the frightful word. I typed over it so many times the page tore. He kept laughing and gave me a peppermint.
When he died he left me that typewriter.
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kaidans-alenko · 1 year
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Can you belive there's only 20 days left till Christmas? Thank you to my bestie @inquisitorlavcllan for helping me with this chapter <3
Kaidan took a deep breath and walked through the front door to his parents' place. Finding his mother in the kitchen, organizing dishes. “Hey mom.”
Lorraine jumped and turned around “Kaidan! What brings you over dear?”
Kaidan rubbed his hands down the front of his jeans “well…remember how when grandma died she left a couple rings for when I’m ready to get married?” Lorraine nodded, quite not understanding “can I see those?” 
The dishes slipped out of her hands, startling Kaidan and he immediately went to grab a broom. “Michael! It’s happening!” His mother called out into the living room.
“‘No, not that one.” She snapped, smacking his hand away from a simple and dainty diamond ring. 
“Lorraine, don't crowd him, you're making him nervous.” Michael chuckled.
“She’s like a daughter to me, I want her to have the best ring possible.” She responded.
“She’s Kaidan’s fiancé, I’m sure he knows better than we do.” He reasoned. 
“Exactly, whichever one she picks she’ll have to look at for the rest of her life.” She argued. “Actually you know what,” she hurried upstairs leaving Kaidan and his father confused at the kitchen table.
 “This was your grandmother’s actual wedding ring.” She said as she walked back down into the kitchen “I think Lily might like it.” She opened the box and Kaidan’s eyes went wide.
“That’s a real ruby?” He asked and his mother nodded.
“Indeed, they didn’t have much money back then but he wanted her to have at least one nice piece of jewelry.” She closed the box and handed it to him “she’d want you to have it.” 
“Okay,” Lily twirled in front of Aiden. “What about this one?” She asked, fixing her hair.
“It’s cute.” He said with a shrug.
Lily’s hands fell to her side and she gave him a disappointed look. “You said that about all of them.”
“You’re a very fashionable girl Lil.” He responded, not wanting to anger her further.
Lily stopped her foot “ugh! You men are useless!”
“Lily what’s wrong?” Aiden asked, his sister was a diva sure but this was different than normal. 
Lily sat on the couch with a huff, her arms crossed across her chest. “This Christmas doesn’t feel too Christmasy Aiden.”
Aiden frowned “what happened? Are you and Kaidan okay?” They live together so he likely would’ve heard if they weren’t but even still.
Lily nodded “it’s not Kaidan it’s….I don’t like that new Sarah girl.” 
“Sarah?” He didn’t really talk to her much, to be fair he didn’t talk to a lot of people here much. Preferring to keep himself occupied in the store. She seemed nice enough though. 
“I have a bad feeling about her, that’s all.” She said, She didn’t have proof after all. She couldn’t just outright accuse either of them of anything. Not that Aiden was much for gossip. Still if it was bothering her enough it must be more than gossip. 
“Why don’t we take a hot chocolate break and we can brainstorm more outfits?” He suggested and she gave a solemn nod. 
Lily stepped back and snapped a picture of the hot cocoa bar she had set up. “That’s gonna look great in the town paper.”
“Isn’t anyone who reads the paper going to be here anyway?” Kaidan asked.
“Sure but-“
“Oh wow Lily! This is quite the set up.” Sarah exclaimed, avoiding eye contact with the bottle of peppermint schnapps Lily had set out as well.
With an eye roll she put her phone back in her purse “thanks…Sarah.”
“Ideas like this are gonna make you such a fun mom.” She complimented before walking away, leaving the pair stunned.
“Kaidan. Lily said, shaking in her heels.
“Yes?” He responded.
“I’m getting my tubes tied.” She grumbled before storming off.
Lily looked towards the door to the refurbished barn, spotting Pershephone who was being flocked by the townspeople. She looked happy, standing there with Thomas and her siblings. Lily reached for her phone and discreetly snapped a picture. She had a gut feeling that this would be the last time she’d see Persephone smile for a while.
Thomas caught a glimpse of Sarah standing alone, he hadn’t had much time to see her now that Persephone was back and he missed her. “Excuse me a moment Percey, I see a client from work.” He kissed her cheek and gently detached himself, making his way inside and over to Sarah. 
He had decided to break up with Persephone tonight, maybe not during the party. But he couldn’t keep this lie up any longer. 
—-----------------------------------
Kaidan and Lily stood in the back, watching the nativity play “if I were to cast her as either of the marys it’d be Magdalene but whatever.” She said, sipping her drink.
Kaidan chuckled, “I feel like she’d stroke out if she got that role.” 
Lily shrugged “oh well.”
Kaidan took her hand “this play might be going on for a little longer, why don’t we go take a walk.” He whispered. 
Lily raised an eyebrow at him “lead the way Alenko.” 
She left her drink on the table and Kaidan led them outside. “I’ve never seen it this quiet.” Lily commented, looking around.
“Yeah, it’s nice.” He reached into his jacket pocket, making sure this ring was still there before making their way to the park. 
“The park?” Lily asked, eyes wide as she looked at all the lights.
“Yeah, it’s where we had our first kiss, remember?” He asked. 
Lily gave a sly smile and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Aw Kaidan, you wanted a re-enactment, did you?”
Kaidan took her face in his hands and kissed her “yes but also,” he pulled away and got down one knee “I also want to do this.” 
Lily watched him, confused “Do…what?” 
He took out the ring box and opened it up “Lily Shepard, will you marry me?” 
Lily covered her mouth with her hand and nodded, she was speechless. A rare occasion for her. 
Kaidan smiled and slipped the ring on her finger, standing up to hug her. “Is this actually happening?” She asked, voice muffled by his chest.”
“I think so, unless we’re both dreaming.” He responded. 
Lily pulled away “I have to tell Seph!”
Kaidan kissed her forehead “go ahead, I’ll catch up.” 
Lily turned and ran off back to the party, Kaidan watching her with a smile on his face. “You can come out now, Aiden.” 
Aiden poked his head up out of the gazebo “sorry…I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” 
Kaidan laughed, “I don’t think she'd be mad if she knew you witnessed the proposal.”
Aiden looked down, “I suppose not.”
He looked over his shoulder at him “but I won’t tell her I saw you, she’d probably try dragging you back to the party.”
“Oh, thank you…” he twisted his gloved hands together “congratulations.” He mumbled before hurrying back home. 
“Thomas we…I think we need to talk.” She said sternly, dragging him away from Sarah by the arm and through the crowd. He flocked to her the moment she got off stage. Without any regard to Persephone. She wasn’t so selfish Thomas couldn’t hang out with his friends but she wasn’t a friend. She knew that now. 
“What the hell Percey?” He asked once they were outside, yanking his arm away.
“At first I thought I was crazy, I could look past your not picking me up, the gaps in the journal entries…but you had the *audacity* to mention her in what entries you did fill out.” 
“Percey let me-“ he started but she cut him off.
“Don’t Percy me! If you were gonna sneak around behind my back you could’ve at least been smart about it!” Persephone rarely yelled, and didn't like to let her emotions get the best of her. But she couldn’t help it, she was angry, at herself for being so stupid and Thomas for doing it in the first place. 
“Don’t like I’m the only one to blame, you left for a year.” He argued back and Persephone’s jaw dropped.
“I was on deployment! Of course I was gone!” She shouted. 
“And you promised when you got back you’d take a break so we could get married. But now you’re going on about this new training program and.” He sighed “the truth of the matter is that right now Sarah can offer me something you can’t.” 
Persephone let out a breath like she’d just been punched in the stomach. “Are you….are we?” She couldn’t get the words out but he knew what she meant. 
“I’m sorry, Persephone.” He said, walking back inside leaving her there in the snow. Shell shocked.
“Seph, you’ll never guess what just-“ Lily stopped short when her friend turned to her, tears silently streaming down her face “Seph?”
“I accepted that spot with the training program.” Persephone told her and Lily watched confused as she took her ring and launched it into the snow.
Lily watched it land before whipping her head back around “Oh! That’s…great?” 
Persephone nodded and wiped her tears “yeah, it is isn’t it?”
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dameronology · 2 years
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Blooming tea and Peppermint ☕️
omg hi new mutual!! :D blooming tea: favourite flower?
this is so cliche but i love roses and also lavender!! my great grandma had loads of lavender on her balcony and it always reminds me of her
peppermint: what's your favourite holiday and why?
i love christmas!! there was a few years where i really didn't enjoy bc of some shit but now i'm older and i'm a little more in control of how i celebrate it, i've learnt to love it again
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Blooming Tea: ?
Peppermint: ?
Have a great day love♥️🌻
blooming tea: favourite flower?
Forget me nots, they remind me of my great grandmas ❤️
peppermint:what’s your favourite holiday and why?
I spent a month in Malaysian Borneo doing conservation work ( not really a holiday, I know) and it was the best experience of my life ❤️
Tea ask
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tipsycad147 · 5 months
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Plant Allies for Ancestral Healing
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October 25, 2023  /  Alexis J. Cunningfolk
I remember sitting alone as a kid, with my well-loved books on working with herbs open in front of me, and feeling like I was being gathered up not just by the stories of the plants themselves, but by something else alongside the green wisdom I was so eager for. I couldn't tell you what half the ingredients were in the botanical skincare book I was reading or yet identify a Peppermint (Mentha piperita) plant from a Sage (Salvia officinalis) from my gardening book, but I could tell that this feeling of being held was a good thing, a needed thing, a healing thing. I now reflect on these moments, where I experienced respite from the loneliness that can haunt strange kids, and recognize my ancestors drawing near and sheltering my curiosity of my plant kin so that it might grow into the life I live now. The books I was reading weren't full of ancestral magick (except for the occasional mention of "ancient people believed this plant to protect against lightning"), but reciting the names of plants worked like a spell, calling forth my ancient people, who understand the power of knowing a plant's name.
While I feel fortunate to have been introduced to working with ancestors as a path of healing early on in my life, I am fascinated and filled with hope by the ways that modern therapeutic practice is embracing the need to heal our ancestral lines, whether we call it epigenetics, inherited trauma or that story our great grandma used to tell. Of course, healing the ancestral line is not a new practice - this is an old path of healing, that some of us have been lucky enough to be raised in and others of us are getting to experience through renewed traditions. It makes my work as an herbalist easier, too, when folks come to me with some familiarity to the idea that the fears and anxieties their ancestors felt, especially from big traumatic experiences, have shaped all of us in all sorts of ways.
Before I was ever introduced to the concept of inherited trauma and epigenetics, however, I understood that some of the plants I was using today had been used by some of my ancestors for hundreds of years, and while I couldn't, as a child, give you a complex explanation of what that meant, I knew it was meaningful. While there is healing that takes place on a physical level through mediums like surgical interventions, appropriate medication, the tending of wounds, the healing that takes place on an emotional and mental level needs, amongst other things, meaning. It is meaningful, even if we don't know our ancestors' names, speak their language or have been offered any of their stories, to work with plants that our ancestors would recognize and feel at home with.
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Working with plants has always felt like ancestral practice because I started working with herbs as a way to reclaim and reconnect with the ways my ancestors. When I began practicing as an herbalist, and especially when I started working with other people of the global majority, especially mixed folks like myself, ancestral work and healing became increasingly centered in my work. For me, ancestral plant work starts with honoring plants as our ancestors - plants having watched our species evolve - so that every cup of tea can be a way of acknowledging the presence of and welcoming our ancestors in. One of the simplest ways to start an ancestral healing practice is to set out a cup of tea for your ancestors, inviting them in to enjoy it with you, every time you make a cup for yourself. 
If you are interested in developing an ancestral healing practice with plants as your allies, the following suggestions come from the plants themselves, my own experiences, and from plant folk who've shared them with me. I share them with you now in hopes of inspiring your own ancestral healing practice, as well as supporting the ancestral healing work of the communities you serve.
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Work with ancient plants as your ancestors
If you feel called to honor plants as ancestral spirits, you can work with ancient plants. A few years ago I was in a particularly hard stretch of examining, trying to name, as well as make sense of some of my family’s inherited trauma. I held a complex pain as I sat with these stories of knowing they were incomplete, that I didn’t know many of my ancestor’s names or where even where they came from. I had started working with Rose (Rosa spp.) daily around this time and at one point felt a very clear sense of Rose as ancestor, helping to fill in those gaps of knowledge with their gentle wisdom. I later learned that Rose is an ancient plant species, having been around for millions of years before our modern human species. This experience with Rose changed my relationship with plants within ancestral healing as not just herbs that our ancestors used, but as ancestors themselves, having evolved before and with us as a species.
I consider ancient plants to be species that we know have been with us for millions of years or plants that are particularly long-lived. Ancient plants include Rose (Rosa spp.) and Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) both of which you can work with as ancestor spirits to help you connect with your own ancestral line. There is something powerful about sitting in deep reverence with a plant like Rose who has watched us grow and evolve as a species. You're essentially connecting with Rose as the Mighty Dead in order to seek out your known and unknown Beloved Dead. Long-lived trees like Oak (Quercus spp.), Yew (Taxus spp.), and Redwoods (Sequoia spp.) are also good options as well as the ancient plants of folklore such as Mugwort (Artemisia spp.) which is known as the oldest of herbs in Anglo-Saxon lore. 
Working with ancient plants can include using them internally (i.e. teas, tinctures, food, and so on) and externally (i.e. baths, incense, herbal oils, and so on), creating altars, charms, and talismans featuring your ancient plant ally, writing poetry, creating art, journaling with them, dancing and singing with them, and whatever else you're called to do. As I mentioned in the introduction, you can leave out a cup of tea for your ancestors whenever you make one for yourself as a way to invite your ancestors into your home, your practice, and to offer them to participate in healing your ancestral lines (or just have a bit of a chat). You can make this into a deeper practice, by choosing to do this everyday, combined with some sort of meditative activity, for a few days to a full cycle of the Moon.
What I love about working with plants as ancestors is that it helps those of us who do not have direct connection with our ancestral lines or complicated ancestors who we are struggling to connect with, to still work with ancestral healing. Working with ancient plants is a wonderful community practice, especially when working with a group of folks from a mix of ethnicities.
Work with plants within your heritage
Another way to approach ancestral healing work is to work with plants that you either know for certain or can make an informed guess that your (cultural, ethnic, and/or spiritual) ancestors used. This idea is part of many modern Pagan traditions which encourage practitioners to connect with their ancestors through plants, places, food, songs, and anything that would be familiar to their ancient people. Where this idea of ancestral plants for present-day healing really became centered for me was when I was during my training as a doula (birth labor assistant) and my teacher spoke to the healing that can happen when you use foods and herbs with your pregnant client that would be familiar to their genetic line. She spoke of it as a way to help a birthing person connect with the lineage and strength of birthing people before them through inviting ancestors in through the food and herbs they eat during pregnancy. It is a view of healing I've carried with me throughout my herbal practice.
Besides explicit exploration of your own or a client's ancestral and plant medicine heritage, if I have a few similar plants that I am considering offering to a client, sometimes I end up choosing one that is an ancestral plant for them. I've seen a lot of magick happen between plant and person when the story of how this plant has been working with their family and cultural line for generations is finally able to be told and heard. Reintroducing Turmeric (Curcuma longa) to someone as not just a plant they saw their dad cooking with as a child, but a plant with deep-rooted ancestral meaning can be powerful stuff. Working with plants that your ancestors would've known can be one of the ways of addressing epigenetic trauma as you're partaking in a medicine that is familiar to your body and the bodies of (at least some of) your ancestors on a genetic level. 
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Work with trance plants
You can also work with plants that help to induce transcendent states to help you connect with your ancestors more directly. I'm not speaking about entheogenic plants, but herbs that are often classified as dream plants in traditional western herbal and magickal tradition. Plants like Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are good options. For example, I use Mugwort to help bring about dreams where I connect with my ancestors or to deepen my meditation, divination, and/or trancework practice where connecting to my ancestors is the goal. I do think that these herbs work best when you already have a meditation and/or trancework practice already in place and if you're looking to develop either or those, breathwork is a good place to start.
I hope you've found some inspiration for your ancestral healing practice. To be perfectly honest, it doesn't matter what plants you are working with - I think the most powerful way of working with plants in ancestral work is to view them as partners in calling in and making space for your ancestors.
If you're looking for more inspiration for developing a herbal healing practice, come this way. You can also peruse my collection of plant profiles to see if one speaks to your ancestral line. If you want to not only connect with your ancestors but your ancient self, I have a tarot spread for that. And if you want a classic, Samhain-inspired ancestor reading, I have a tarot spread for that, too. If you’re looking for a collection of Moon-centered rituals to support your ancestral practice, check out The Moonfolk Book of Shadows.
May your explorations of ancestral healing bear fruit while healing your roots.
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queer-jew-writes · 1 year
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I believe in ghosts
i believe in ghosts
in the moments I stand in-between my yard and the yard that used to be my great grandparents
new neighbors have moved in now and they're sweet enough
but that's where me and my brother rode our bikes
where my grandma's vegetable garden lived, not quite in her yard, not quite in theirs
where my great grandpa would sneak me snacks and peppermints before dinner
I think about the windows in the dining room sometimes
I believe in ghosts when the sun shines in just right
I believe in ghosts in the pictures albums
cheap printed pictures taken with my vtech camera of a beautiful white puppy
of our backyard
of that hole we dug one time in the summer and filled up with water
I believe in ghosts
in the tears in my journal pages
in the angry crying kid
in the half written memories
in the letter after letter after letter to my parents that never made it out of my room
I believe I ghosts in every dark corner
in every memory
in every flashback
I believe
I believe in ghosts because I am haunted
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walkonandtwo · 1 year
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Hard times better times
When the elders in my family talk about their past, I listen eagerly. They tell stories, of what most these days would consider hardship, with a sense of fondness. Simpler times, and a sense of peace many of them still long for.
My dad was raised in Appalachia. He grew up the son of poor, undereducated people. Not to be confused with lack of intelligence, for what they lacked in book smarts, they made up for in ingenuity. They made the most out of what very little they had.
I only saw glimpses of how my dad lived when we went to visit extended family in-between one of my dad’s many PCSs. It always fascinated me. I would always pretend I was Laura from Little House on The Prairie during our visits. I would spend my time gathering berries, running through the massive garden, sleeping in a wrought iron bed, warming next to the woodstove, or bathing in a steel washtub.
My grandma and grandpa lived in a run-down shack. The only running water was in the kitchen. There was no indoor bathroom. My dad never had the privilege of one of those until 1974 when he joined the Air Force. I didn’t realize how abnormal this was when I was a child. I just thought my dad was “old” and so it made sense to me for his parents to have an outhouse since they must be “really old”. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized my dad was raised in a manner that most people in the U.S. hadn’t lived in in decades.
My dad only got one pair of shoes a year. They were always bought at the beginning of the school year. Brogan’s is what he called them. He said by the end of the school year they were so worn out they went barefoot all summer.
For dinner, they mostly ate what they grew, killed, gathered, or canned. Squirrels, groundhog, bear, deer, trout, and the like could be found on the table. Along with some pinto beans, cornbread, biscuits, and a variety of vegetables.
My dad said he never felt like he went without. He didn’t even know he was poor until sometime around the 6th grade when other school children begged the teacher to not give homework on the nights Batman aired. My dad didn’t even have a TV so it didn’t matter to him.
Holidays went by without much fanfare. My dad never had a birthday party until he left home. Christmas gifts weren’t a thing.
My great aunt, who is my dad’s age, shared that Christmas wasn’t disappointing because they never knew to expect anything. She said at her house, my dad’s grandparents, would cut down a sapling and nail it to the floor. They would decorate it with tinsel that cost a nickel, little bulbs, and homemade ornaments. They didn’t have electricity, but the reflection of the fire from the woodstove danced across the tinsel. As she spoke you could tell it was a happy memory. She shared how her mom, my great-grandma, a very quiet woman, would get excited at the sight of the way the fire made the tinsel sparkle. She would exclaim "Ooooh isn’t that beautiful?”, as they sat there in the quiet, still, dark of the night. Sometimes her parents would buy a huge peppermint stick and break it apart so the whole family could share it. That was Christmas. Simple, but they were happy and content.
My dad often spent summers “up on the mountain” at his grandparent's tiny “homeplace” which was filled to the brim with family. At night the family would use the dim light of an oil lamp for what little illumination they had. The room was still so dark you couldn’t see the ceiling. Using a pee can in the corner to alleviate yourself. Waking up before the sun to the sound of a banjo. Filling your belly with red-eye gravy, biscuits, ham, and chicory coffee, before heading out to work that day. Working hard. Cutting lumber, sawing with a bow saw, hauling the wood… I mean literally strapping themselves to homemade yokes to drag timber down the mountain. My dad remembers joking about feeling like a real “jackass” as they were dragging their logs one day.
Oh, the stories they tell… not of just a different time, but of a different world altogether. It seems so foreign to me. It is still hard for me to comprehend how they lived. How a family in the United States of America, could not have electricity or indoor plumbing until the 1970s. As crazy as it all sounds to me, I have rarely heard them complain, or express a lack of contentment about their childhood. The people I have spoken with all felt loved and wanted. They felt a part of something bigger than material things. Something so few Americans feel these days. While I do not envy the pee can or 4:30 am banjo wakeups, I do wish I could feel the sense of community they felt. The peace they express feeling. The calmness they felt at the end of their day.
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