2017 August 12

The prompt for today's Whedonversepics is "Nightmares"

In this episode a young boy in a coma is responsible for nightmares plaguing the town of Sunnydale. As the spread of people's nightmares grows, the gang must face their own fears in order to stop the mayhem and save Billy from the real life nightmare that haunts him.

Not so surprisingly, in this era that she has grown up in, one of D2's nightmares revolve around guns. She has had nightmares of being caught in a school shooting since she was 7. Never a pleasant idea.

As for me, I have always suffered from an extremely mild bit of claustrophobia. It started when I was a little girl. For fun, my father one day bundled me up in pillows and blankets and thus padded, let me roll down the stairs. It was so much fun. However, my brother got the idea to continue this after my father left for work. Unfortunately, he got me all wrapped up and then my mother called us for lunch. I was trapped in those blankets for over ten minutes and ever since then, have had a moderate fear of blankets around my neck or being caught in a too small area. Understandable, I'm sure. 

Lately, with other fears and worries played out or dealt with, this one has been coming up for me to deal with in dreams. I don't panic so much in real life. Mostly because I don't go into situations where I'm likely to be confined or trapped. But my dreams are not so logical.

2017 August 11

The prompt for today was the Buffy episode "I Only Have Eyes For You".

In this episode, several members of Sunnydale High school are possessed by ghosts playing out their ill-fated romance and tragedy. Eventually Buffy and Angel, enemies at this point, are ensnared in the moments and the ghostly duo find resolution and peace at last.

The music of the episode is what we focused on, such a beautiful song. For D2, it reminded her of her older sister and that sister's boyfriend. Her best relationship yet!

For myself, the song made me think of my parents. They are fond of reminding people that they hadn't known each other for long when they married and most people in their family and friend circles didn't expect their marriage to last. 44+ years later, they are still going strong. 

2017 August 10

The prompt for this day was chosen deliberately. "A Hole In The World" from the show Angel, simply because today is the one year anniversary of my Uncle's passing. He was a huge influence on my entire life. There were times that I saw this man more often than my own parents, once I was grown and living with my husband and children in another country.

in the episode, Winnifred "Fred" Burkle accidentally ingests some contaminated dust that infects her. The gang discovers that she is being hollowed out by an ancient demonic creature known as Illyria, an Old One. Fred is slowly subsumed and decimated by this creatures possession. Though she and the other's fight it, one by one, they must come to terms with Fred's death and the dark being that rises in her place.

There are really no other words to say. Most adults and some children are familiar with death and grief and how different it is for everyone. 

D2 chose to remember our cousin's wife who had such a huge effect on our families life.

R.I.P. Margaret R

I was able to honour my uncle, who as I mentioned above, was a great guy. I can't even go into what he meant  to me and to my family without having a two hour tearfest, so I'll leave it here.

R.I.P. Michael T

2017 August 9

The prompt for this day's picture was the Angel episode "Lullaby" It was a wonderful episode that explored the character of Darla coming closer and closer to a horrible truth. What was the cost of her reckless encounter with Angel in the previous season. Yes, she became pregnant in what should have been an impossible situation. The nearer she came to the birth, the clearer things became for her. 

She realized finally that it wasn't impending birth that was staring her in the face, but death. Her child's death. 

As a Vampire, she couldn't continue to nourish the life inside of her. She couldn't give birth because her body just didn't work as a human's did. And when it was at the end, she chose to make the sacrifice of her life because a living child would be a greater thing than she could ever be. Their child would be the best thing either of them had ever done. And thus, Connor was born.

D2 of course has no children, but she understands well the love a parent of even a grandparent has for their children and their children's children. There is no shortage of love in her life. And that is evidenced in this lovely snow globe that plays a lullaby that her Nana gave her.

Having children, I've not been called upon to make life or death sacrifices. I suppose that I've made sacrifices, but it has never felt like I lost something for the exchange I made. And it was not often that I sang lullabies, as I have a terrible singing voice. But long, long ago, when afternoons were meant for naps, my children would allow themselves to be lulled by the Winnie The Pooh theme song. (Along with a medley of other tv theme shows.)

2017 August 8

The prompt for today was "Lies My Parents Told Me" from Buffy.

In the episode, the group must investigate the trigger that has been implanted in Spike's mind. Robin and Giles manipulations help Spike break through the trigger to understand the manipulation he suffered at the hands of the demon that invaded his mother.

D2 had a very quick answer as to lies that I may or may not have told her when she was growing up. I can't deny this one though and it was excellent. When she was little, D2 came to me, showing me her tongue, crying. She had either bitten it or burned it, but she had a raised portion that was damaged. 

She thought she had cancer of the tongue. (I nearly choked on trying to hold my laughter in.)

I calmly explained to her that it wasn't cancer and that it was simply a new taste bud. Because it was brand new, she needed to try out new foods to see what type it was. When she found the right food, it would go away. So, she began trying all sorts of vegetables and other things to discover her new taste bud category. Apparently her tongue liked corn. And this went on for years! She didn't understand until high school science class what a bluffer I was!

As for myself, my parents had a few teasing moments of "don't swallow gum, it will sit in your stomach for seven years" but that was something they really believed at the time. Or the old "if you keep making that face, your face will freeze!" 

However, as I was discussing this with my mother today, my youngest daughter reminded me that her tooth was loose. And that led to a discussion how the last time she lost a tooth, I couldn't have possibly put the money under her pillow, since I had already left for work. She doesn't really believe in the Tooth Fairy any more and decided it had to be me. But I pointed out all of the inconsistencies with her timeline and finally had her convinced that one of her sisters must have done that. As D4 walked into the other room, my mother asked me silently if it was me that put the money under the pillow. I nodded and she started howling with laughter. 

So here it is...

2017 August 7

The inspiration for today's picture was "Echoes" from the Dollhouse series.

In this episode, the central character, Echo has been sent out on an "engagement". However, seeing a newscast on tv prompts memories that she should not have and an overwhelming desire to save... someone? The echoes of her memory affect her every move.

D2 chose a picture of her little sister listening to her favourite song, "Echo".

Echo in my mind, is most clearly and easily seen in my own children. Genetics don't lie and these girls look like so many family members on my side. It's easy to see the features echoing in their faces.  (in other words, my uncle thought it was his daughter, my cousin, in this picture. Nope! It's D1 and D4)

2017 August 6

The prompt for this day was "Waiting in the Wings" from Angel. The episode focuses around an evening at the ballet. Enjoyable for some, until Angel notices some starting similarities to a ballet he'd seen ages ago. A little investigation, some illicit ghostly haunting/loving and a few tragicomedic battles and they discover that it IS the same ballet.

 So D2 went swimming with her sisters and this little one did an impromptu ballet in the wave pool that had everyone cracking up.

 And here is my little Queen Purry. She is still waiting for her turn to be the star in our house.