My GF and I (both 25- together 2 years) just graduated college and we went back to my families farm out of state because they wanted to celebrate our graduation and we wanted to house shop anyhow. GF has met my parents multiple times but hasn't met anyone else in the family and everyone was going to be here. We were given the downstairs guest bedroom. I guess this was an eye opener for me as to how my GF is. I already knew she wasn't big on crowds but I didn't expect it to go like this.
So, my family is semi-large I guess. I have 4 siblings. They all have kids. I then have my 3 aunts and 2 uncles and their significant others. And there are 2 family friends here. One is my sister's best friend and the other is a mTf transgender "Jackie" that I've known since LONG before her transition (back when she was married to her wife/mother of her children). I've noticed that most of my GFs issue is with Jackie. Not for any other reason aside from her being extremely invasive and will follow you around engaging you in 20 different conversations at once and doesn't exactly know boundaries. She just never, ever stops talking honestly. And between her and the family dogs, my GF is becoming like.. pissed almost.
So basically every morning when we wake up (being woken up by the dogs because the door is busted and they come in the room to jump on us at 5-6am) we will go out to get coffee and Jackie immediately corners my GF to engage her in conversation. To a point where my GF has been looking at me in the morning and saying "get the fucking dogs out of here" and if I asked if she wants coffee, it's a "I'd rather not be ear r*ped as soon as I wake up, thanks". And now, whenever Jackie comes near us or to our doorway to talk, my GF has been "checking out" and refuses to even look at Jackie. She will turn the other way, for instance. It's embarrassing. We are only here a few more days so I told her "you better not embarrass me. Please suck it the fuck up for 3 more days". She immediately snapped at me and told me that she's put up with this "BS" for over a week and when we get back home she's considering leaving because "she can't be with someone with a family so fucking invasive. Who tf talks someone's ear off from 6am to 11pm every fucking night?". She also went off about the disrespect because they don't even try to prevent the dogs from waking us up. They laugh it off. So I said "Do what you want but don't fucking embarrass me when we are here." She's been taking off during the day and won't answer my calls/texts.

You Ain't no cowboy if you've never roped a steer from the back of an Enduro.
I'm looking for ranch hands, field techs, or just do-it-all type workers. My farm will focus on dairy and beef production. RP encouraged. :) Farm construction will start this week. Feed procurement to follow. We hope to bring the animals home sometime in the next week or so.
Starting a new game online with multiple farms. Heavily modded dedicated server on PC. Most players on between 6-11PM CST. More on weekends.
Send me a message for details.
​

Now that the strawberries are here, and the rest of the produce is starting to become available, I plan to go picking at least a couple times a month. Looking for recommendations of pick your own farms and orchards in the Metro-West area (but willing to travel beyond it).
I love Nourse farms in Westborough, but looking to expand my horizons.
Lyman Orchards in Connecticut and Monadnock Berry Farm in New Hampshire are great, but both are a bit of a hike and more of a once a year occurrence than a regular weekend trip...

One of the features of Glenville is its natural beauty & dog friendly vacation homes Glenville cozy vacation home fully renovated and has old-style charm. The lake is surrounded by lush forests and towering mountains, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

Hello everyone,
We are new to the area and are looking for recommendations. We like camping near waterbodies, go for swim and small hikes. Hills/mountains would be great.
Looking for recommendation from fellow redditors for this summer.
We recently camped at Caddo River, AR recently and loved it there.
Thanks.

Day 1:
Arrive 10pm in Calgary
Day 2:
Drive from Calgary to Banff National Park
Lake Minnewanka and Lake vermilion
Johnston Canyon
Stay in Canmore
Day 3:
Emerald lake
Yoho area
Stay in Canmore
Day 4:
Arrive at 7am by bus to Lake Moraine and Lake Louise after
Plain of Six Glacier Tea Houses hike from Lake Louise
wondering how much time to stay in each Lake. No plans on doing any big hike in Moraine since we are doing the tea house at Louise
Stay in canmore
Day 5:
Drive towards Jasper National Park
Peyto lake
Bow Lake
Athabasca Glacier
Continue north to Sunwapta Falls
Don't know if it's too packed but we are starting very early
Day 6:
Maligne Lake Cruise
Medicine Lake
Maligne Canyon
Stay in Jasper
Day 7:
Sky Tram in Jasper
Sulphur Skyline Trail
Miette Hot Springs
Stay in Jasper
Day 8: Start heading back to calgary
Maybe make a few more stops along icefield Parkway
Sulphur mountain gondola
Day 9:
Morning flight back home

So I was going around Hateno Village giving mushrooms to a bunch of people. I was a little bit lost, so I started going around, entering every house and talking to everyone. One night I discovered a colorful house on the outskirts of the village, populated by just a little girl, Aster, who was sleeping. I got a little bit sad, cause it was fairly cute, she was sleeping, dreaming of froggies, but she was all alone. On the next day I decided to go around town again and spotted the girl leaving school on her way for some snacks.
https://preview.redd.it/qyszp3fe305b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=8cc8a45cf4df267ba51b429e62579cfa2bd372c4
She was basically going to her father Medda, a farmer taking care of a tomato farm behind the main street. I was glad, she wasn't alone, cause I feared the worst, but decided for some reason to follow her through her day.
https://preview.redd.it/6u9ale2t305b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=c74a14b052107f5159fa467ae9a1fc8558212a48
After some time she left her father and went for her house....
​
https://preview.redd.it/wzucl2ry305b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=942e86069775f4a96d34b15c08ff94461e140e8c
... or at least that's what I and SHE thought. She went to the house in front of the tomato farm and talked how this was her former house and she gets confused and goes back there by default. It seems she doesn't live there anymore for some reason. After that she went back to her real home to play with some frogs.
​
https://preview.redd.it/3j8csh3g405b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=6e146b3cc79ece5510a5db805f202cc404a32cf7
After talking to her during her frog "hunt", she says, she learnt hunting frogs from Zelda. She along the other children of the village misses Zelda a lot and seems to have formed a bond with her. Now that got me thinking again about the mother of the poor girl. It does seems like Zelda plays a mother role in her life (I am not implying Zelda is her mother) and she has developed this connection. I went digging into the wiki and it seemed as in BoTW, while sleeping, Aster will talk about her mother. In this game however...
https://preview.redd.it/s5voqxrx405b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=9c4af159abbb2f7621af62b1b2ad2cbd8c5056d1
... she talks about froggies in her sleep. It feels like her mother figure was found in Zelda. After some time outside in the evening, she goes inside and falls asleep. After a few more hours, her father arrives tired and just stands there watching her, while she is asleep. This was definitely sad to see, as when you ask him, he says this is the only time he can spend with her daughter. Medda doesn't seem to talk about his wife and as she has been missing for both games now, I would assume the worst happened... :(
​
​
https://preview.redd.it/fuj5rzpd505b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=9a60014ed45a778fa2c698f923ba4a5304850cdf
The drawings of her father and her near her bed, don't make it easier. I would guess, something bad happened to her mother and the two are now living alone, getting help from maybe Zelda and the other townfolk.
​
https://preview.redd.it/0uub3til505b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=b0ca0f74a36089739226ee64e31af77d94971c20
However ending it on a hopeful note, the girl wakes up early and sprints to school screaming "Gotta get there first!". She overtakes the old folk, including her father and indeed arrives at school earlier then all the other kids. :)
https://preview.redd.it/6azajfur505b1.png?width=1920&format=png&auto=webp&s=5ebe542cefef6178a1e84fba0460c05f0acd8118
I can't believe I actually got emotional, about a random NPC in a random village, that has 0 IMPACT on the game whatsoever (or at least for now). It felt so lifelike and sad for some reason, yet her inspiring sprint to school and her determination seem to give me a lot of hope for some reason. I don't know what happens with the school quest for now, so I couldn't say, if there is more concerning her mother or no. Now I do have a small theory, about the other house neighbouring theirs, which seems to be abanndoned. Could it be, that the owner of the house was Zelda herself?
Thanks for reading!
TLDR; a random small girl in Hateno village has more character, then some major protagonists from AAA games.

Previous Chapter - Read 10 weeks ahead on Patreon - Read the story so far on Royal Road
*
Chapter Thirteen - Bridge Over Swift Water (Part II)
​
The cottage beside the mill was not large, and its low ceilings were packed with all manner of cupboards, shelves, chairs and tables, pressed in against the walls in a maze of well-worn clutter. The result was a rather overcrowded space, and Ren was forced to take more care than usual so as not to bump into anything when they entered, but the hearth was broad, and the smell of cooking filled the air, so it did not take long to settle into a comfortable lull of pleasant talk around the table whilst they waited for their lunch. Ted's wife, a young, slender woman with dark, smiling eyes and shoulder-length fair hair, hurried about the fire busily, stirring and seasoning her pots with a methodical efficiency. A mug arrived for each of them (water for the boys, something stronger for Ted), and they talked for a time of small things, of the weather and the harvest, hoping for a mild winter, idle talk for idle minds. Even Trin seemed to have relaxed in the lazy firelight, though he was more quiet than usual. Ren thought of how scared he had been of the miller as a boy, remembering the fearsome man with his scarred neck and deep voice that had raked their dinner table at the farm with his dark eyes. It was a memory that fit the man beside him about as well as a child’s boot might fit its fathers. He started to feel a little guilty for avoiding him, whenever he visited the farm.
‘Heard you were heading to Overwood, last week.’
Ren blinked, looking up from the fire to find Ted watching him over his mug. He swallowed.
‘Took a cart to the market with grandfather.’
‘How is the old goat?’
Ren hesitated. ‘He’s… he’s well.’
Ted took a swig of his ale, not a little wistfully. ‘Used to live up there, you know. Overwood, I mean. After the soldiering, when the Black Breath took my Da. Coughed up his own lungs, ‘fore it got ‘im. Always was a scrapper. Not easy, losing someone like that.’
Ren swallowed, looking away, and the miller’s eyes softened.
‘Your Ma, too, boy, I know. Damn shame.’ he said apologetically, and Ren decided not to correct him. ‘Long time before I came out here, anyways.’
‘You fought in the war?’ Trin asked tentatively.
‘I fought in the rebellion, boy.’ Ted corrected him. ‘Was only one King, back then.’
Trin swallowed, looking at the floor.
‘But that was a long time ago now. Afore you were born, I reckon. Not a lot of work for soldiers in peacetime. Must have dug half the privies in Overwood before I earned the coin to up sticks.'
‘Earned?’ Werla snorted from beside the fire, cheeks dimpling. ‘Swindled, more like.’
Ren looked over at her. He had always thought her a little young for the old miller. He was well past forty, and with his weathered brow and ugly scar he was hardly an obvious match for a pretty young girl not long from twenty when they had wed a couple of summers back. He wondered, not for the first time, how they had fallen in together to begin with.
‘Now, don't be giving our guests the wrong idea.’ Ted told her, grinning, and the scar on his neck knotted. He turned back to the boys, holding up his hands earnestly. ‘An honest game of chance, I swear it. Northerner, he was, didn't know dice from a pebble.’
Ren and Trin both nodded sagely at his explanation, neither of them knowing one jot about dice, or gambling, or Northerners, for that matter. Werla swept to their rescue, appearing at the miller's shoulder and planting a kiss on his cheek.
‘Swindled.’ she said pointedly.
Ted smiled in spite of himself, shooing her away. She chuckled and turned back to the stew, humming softly to herself.
‘I hear there’s a lot of new folk in town.’ Ted said, turning back to the boys. ‘From up in the Stonelands.’
‘Enough to notice.’ Ren replied, thinking of the unpleasantness on the road. He frowned. ‘Unfriendly types.’
‘Been a while since I made it over that way. Couple of winters back, now.’ He frowned thoughtfully, then smiled in Werla’s direction. ‘A lot can change in two years, though.’
Werla looked up, flashing him a smile, then went back to her stew pot again, humming. The miller paused, scratching at his scar, then gave the boys a curious look. ‘So, then. What brings you out this far?’
Ren lowered his eyes, and Trin shifted uncomfortably beside him. Ted laughed, weathered face creasing into a smile.
‘Come now.’ he told them. ‘Can’t hardly turn you over to your grandfather from here, can I?’
Ren swallowed. ‘We were just out for a ride…’
‘Mister Derin told us never to cross the bridge.’ Trin finished for him, scowling. ‘He said it was too far from the farm. Not safe, he said. So of course that’s exactly where Ren has to go. We’ll be in for it when we get back!’
‘You didn't have to come, Trin.’ Ren told his friend patiently. He thought of his grandfather’s old map, carved with rivers and mountains and cities in dark ink. The Swiftwater wasn’t even big enough to merit a line, and the distance they’d travelled this morning wouldn’t be more than a nails-breadth.
‘Well you didn't tell me where we were going.’ Trin replied, fidgeting nervously. His fingers twisted around a stray tear in his shirt, tugging at it. ‘And besides... Hardly going to let you go running off on your own. Too risky. It's not safe this far from the farm, for you most of all, so they says.’
‘Who’s they?’ Ren asked, scowling.
‘Hector. Your grandfather. And Ma, too! Everyone!’
‘Your Ma doesn’t know everything, Trin.’
‘Still a damn sight more than you!’
‘Easy, boys.’ Ted was smiling, and his scarred neck twisted. ‘I wager the north side of the river is much the same as this one.’
Trin lowered his eyes, and his cheeks reddened. Ren thought of the shadows moving in the trees over the bridge, the way he had fallen when Ted had found him, and started to feel very foolish indeed. His thoughts had been dark, unpredictable, these past few days, since the trip to Overwood. He never had been a good sleeper, but his nights had been more restless than usual, too, his dreams a little thicker with shadows. Shadows with faces, and a hunchback with gold eyes to give them voice. Turning every doorway to the gloom of the fortuneteller’s tent, every flame the silver light of his brazier. He frowned at himself. Just rhymes and empty words. Best not to dwell on it.
‘Food's ready!’ Werla said suddenly from the fire, and a few moments later they had steaming bowls of fragrant brown stew sitting in front of them on the table. Ted carved up some slices of soft, pale bread for them to soak, and they set to eating it all in relative quiet for a time, content with good food and the soft warmth of the fire, and it was not long before all thoughts of the bridge, and the shadows beyond it, had gone entirely from Ren's mind. He found himself staring wearily into his cup, watching idly as the clear water rocked and rolled against the rim, listening to the rumble of the river outside.
‘Won’t turn to ale just by looking at it.’ Ted told him, and he looked up to find the miller looking at him curiously, taking another mouthful of bread. Trin was still quite engaged in his food, and Werla was sipping her mug contentedly, pale hair brushed back behind her ears.
‘What?’
‘Come, now, boy. What’s got you twisted?’ Ted asked, taking sip of his drink.
Ren hesitated. ‘I was thinking about the market.’ He said after a moment, looking up. It was true enough.
‘Ah. Town ain't what it used to be.’ Ted looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then began rubbing his thumb around the rim of his mug, staring at it. His young wife watched him with a slight frown. ‘All these unsavoury types arriving. You hear the talk, even out here. City folk, some of them, and worse. Heard… there’s talk of Brothers abroad, up in the Westmere. Out in the open, again, like.’ He pressed harder against the mug, thumb turning white. Werla reached out and pulled his hand away, folding it in her own and meeting his eye. Ted frowned, squeezing her hand, and the ugly scar on his neck gleamed. Trin had stopped eating.
‘But the Westmere’s a long way from here, and I ain’t one to be complaining. Got a good roof over my head, and a good living. A good woman, too, and might have a son of my own by next winter, Makers willing.’ He grinned at Werla, putting a hand to her belly, and she smiled, pulling it to her mouth and kissing it softly. ‘Reckon I’m a lucky man.’
Ren smiled at them both, lowering his eyes.
‘Say hello to your folks, for me, boy. Tell your old man I better see his arse over here before the snows.’
Some words of thanks, warm, earnest ones, and one or two more for goodbye, then they were homeward bound again, ponies snorting in the afternoon sun, promises of a return visit ringing in their ears. Ren was left with the distinct feeling that he had misjudged the old miller, scar and all. But it wasn’t long before his thoughts turned towards the rumours he had imparted from the Westmere, his white knuckles pressed against his mug. To Hector’s words in the shadow of the farm hill. To the ugly fortuneteller and his tent of oddities and silver fire. Words whispered in the dark. He’d not mentioned the encounter in the tent to anyone. Not even his grandfather. In truth, he’d been doing his best not to think about it at all, without much success. He frowned, hunching over his saddle.
A mask on fire.
Neither of them spoke for a long while. Trin, for his part, was busy trying to subtly feed Pol the stash of small treats he had smuggled away from the cottage, glancing over at Ren occasionally to make sure he hadn’t noticed. He had, of course, but there was little use in pointing it out.
‘Trin.’ Ren said once they had crested the hill, looking back towards the river-bound cottage in the distance. Trin started and stuck his hand quickly back into his pocket, hiding a scrap of bread.
‘What?'’
‘You heard what Ted said?’ Ren asked. ‘About Brothers?’
Trin frowned. ‘Suppose so.’
Ren was still looking back the way they had come. 'What do you make of it?'
‘Reckon he’s right.’ Trin shrugged. ‘Westmere’s a long way away.’
He hesitated, frowning.
‘But Hector’s been saying it for years. Overwood’s not what it used to be. Strange folk coming and going by night. No safe place for good folk that side of the Swiftwater. Brothers or no.’
‘Grandad says there haven’t been Black Hand this far south in years.’ Ren murmured, still looking back towards the river. ‘Not since we were born, at least.’
‘Wouldn’t pay it any mind. Plenty to worry about without them.’ Trin told him, giving him a serious look. ‘You’ve been acting up more, these past few weeks. Ever since the old man came calling.’
‘Have I?’ Ren scowled, shooting his friend a sideways glance.
‘You know what I think about him.’ Trin told him seriously. ‘Can’t be trusted, that one. And you can’t be taking so many risks. Not with your… Well, you know.’
‘Your ma tell you that, too?’
‘Don’t make it wrong.’ Trin grumbled, turning away in his saddle and trotting off south over the crest of the hill. Ren waited a moment longer, frowning to himself, then followed him reluctantly. The sound of the river was long gone behind him, but he caught one final glimpse the gleaming water before he shook the reins and disappeared finally over the brow of the hill, bound for home.

Read the story so far on Royal Road - Series Page - Read 10 weeks ahead on Patreon
*
Chapter Thirteen - Bridge Over Swift Water (Part II)
The cottage beside the mill was not large, and its low ceilings were packed with all manner of cupboards, shelves, chairs and tables, pressed in against the walls in a maze of well-worn clutter. The result was a rather overcrowded space, and Ren was forced to take more care than usual so as not to bump into anything when they entered, but the hearth was broad, and the smell of cooking filled the air, so it did not take long to settle into a comfortable lull of pleasant talk around the ta-ble whilst they waited for their lunch. Ted's wife, a young, slender woman with dark, smiling eyes and shoulder-length fair hair, hurried about the fire busily, stirring and seasoning her pots with a methodical efficiency. A mug arrived for each of them (water for the boys, some-thing stronger for Ted), and they talked for a time of small things, of the weather and the harvest, hoping for a mild winter, idle talk for idle minds. Even Trin seemed to have relaxed in the lazy firelight, though he was more quiet than usual. Ren thought of how scared he had been of the miller as a boy, remembering the fearsome man with his scarred neck and deep voice that had raked their dinner table at the farm with his dark eyes. It was a memory that fit the man beside him about as well as a child’s boot might fit its fathers. He started to feel a little guilty for avoiding him, whenever he visited the farm.
‘Heard you were heading to Overwood, last week.’
Ren blinked, looking up from the fire to find Ted watching him over his mug. He swallowed.
‘Took a cart to the market with grandfather.’
‘How is the old goat?’
Ren hesitated. ‘He’s… he’s well.’
Ted took a swig of his ale, not a little wistfully. ‘Used to live up there, you know. Overwood, I mean. After the soldiering, when the Black Breath took my Da. Coughed up his own lungs, ‘fore it got ‘im. Always was a scrapper. Not easy, losing someone like that.’
Ren swallowed, looking away, and the miller’s eyes softened.
‘Your Ma, too, boy, I know. Damn shame.’ he said apologetically, and Ren decided not to correct him. ‘Long time before I came out here, anyways.’
‘You fought in the war?’ Trin asked tentatively.
‘I fought in the rebellion, boy.’ Ted corrected him. ‘Was only one King, back then.’
Trin swallowed, looking at the floor.
‘But that was a long time ago now. Afore you were born, I reckon. Not a lot of work for soldiers in peacetime. Must have dug half the privies in Overwood before I earned the coin to up sticks.'
‘Earned?’ Werla snorted from beside the fire, cheeks dimpling. ‘Swindled, more like.’
Ren looked over at her. He had always thought her a little young for the old miller. He was well past forty, and with his weathered brow and ugly scar he was hardly an obvious match for a pretty young girl not long from twenty when they had wed a couple of summers back. He wondered, not for the first time, how they had fallen in together to begin with.
‘Now, don't be giving our guests the wrong idea.’ Ted told her, grin-ning, and the scar on his neck knotted. He turned back to the boys, holding up his hands earnestly. ‘An honest game of chance, I swear it. Northerner, he was, didn't know dice from a pebble.’
Ren and Trin both nodded sagely at his explanation, neither of them knowing one jot about dice, or gambling, or Northerners, for that mat-ter. Werla swept to their rescue, appearing at the miller's shoulder and planting a kiss on his cheek.
‘Swindled.’ she said pointedly.
Ted smiled in spite of himself, shooing her away. She chuckled and turned back to the stew, humming softly to herself.
‘I hear there’s a lot of new folk in town.’ Ted said, turning back to the boys. ‘From up in the Stonelands.’
‘Enough to notice.’ Ren replied, thinking of the unpleasantness on the road. He frowned. ‘Unfriendly types.’
‘Been a while since I made it over that way. Couple of winters back, now.’ He frowned thoughtfully, then smiled in Werla’s direction. ‘A lot can change in two years, though.’
Werla looked up, flashing him a smile, then went back to her stew pot again, humming. The miller paused, scratching at his scar, then gave the boys a curious look. ‘So, then. What brings you out this far?’
Ren lowered his eyes, and Trin shifted uncomfortably beside him. Ted laughed, weathered face creasing into a smile.
‘Come now.’ he told them. ‘Can’t hardly turn you over to your grandfather from here, can I?’
Ren swallowed. ‘We were just out for a ride…’
‘Mister Derin told us never to cross the bridge.’ Trin finished for him, scowling. ‘He said it was too far from the farm. Not safe, he said. So of course that’s exactly where Ren has to go. We’ll be in for it when we get back!’
‘You didn't have to come, Trin.’ Ren told his friend patiently. He thought of his grandfather’s old map, carved with rivers and mountains and cities in dark ink. The Swiftwater wasn’t even big enough to merit a line, and the distance they’d travelled this morning wouldn’t be more than a nails-breadth.
‘Well you didn't tell me where we were going.’ Trin replied, fidget-ing nervously. His fingers twisted around a stray tear in his shirt, tug-ging at it. ‘And besides... Hardly going to let you go running off on your own. Too risky. It's not safe this far from the farm, for you most of all, so they says.’
‘Who’s they?’ Ren asked, scowling.
‘Hector. Your grandfather. And Ma, too! Everyone!’
‘Your Ma doesn’t know everything, Trin.’
‘Still a damn sight more than you!’
‘Easy, boys.’ Ted was smiling, and his scarred neck twisted. ‘I wa-ger the north side of the river is much the same as this one.’
Trin lowered his eyes, and his cheeks reddened. Ren thought of the shadows moving in the trees over the bridge, the way he had fallen when Ted had found him, and started to feel very foolish indeed. His thoughts had been dark, unpredictable, these past few days, since the trip to Overwood. He never had been a good sleeper, but his nights had been more restless than usual, too, his dreams a little thicker with shad-ows. Shadows with faces, and a hunchback with gold eyes to give them voice. Turning every doorway to the gloom of the fortuneteller’s tent, every flame the silver light of his brazier. He frowned at himself. Just rhymes and empty words. Best not to dwell on it.
‘Food's ready!’ Werla said suddenly from the fire, and a few mo-ments later they had steaming bowls of fragrant brown stew sitting in front of them on the table. Ted carved up some slices of soft, pale bread for them to soak, and they set to eating it all in relative quiet for a time, content with good food and the soft warmth of the fire, and it was not long before all thoughts of the bridge, and the shadows beyond it, had gone entirely from Ren's mind. He found himself staring wearily into his cup, watching idly as the clear water rocked and rolled against the rim, listening to the rumble of the river outside.
‘Won’t turn to ale just by looking at it.’ Ted told him, and he looked up to find the miller looking at him curiously, taking another mouthful of bread. Trin was still quite engaged in his food, and Werla was sip-ping her mug contentedly, pale hair brushed back behind her ears.
‘What?’
‘Come, now, boy. What’s got you twisted?’ Ted asked, taking sip of his drink.
Ren hesitated. ‘I was thinking about the market.’ He said after a moment, looking up. It was true enough.
‘Ah. Town ain't what it used to be.’ Ted looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, then began rubbing his thumb around the rim of his mug, staring at it. His young wife watched him with a slight frown. ‘All these unsavoury types arriving. You hear the talk, even out here. City folk, some of them, and worse. Heard… there’s talk of Brothers abroad, up in the Westmere. Out in the open, again, like.’ He pressed harder against the mug, thumb turning white. Werla reached out and pulled his hand away, folding it in her own and meeting his eye. Ted frowned, squeezing her hand, and the ugly scar on his neck gleamed. Trin had stopped eating.
‘But the Westmere’s a long way from here, and I ain’t one to be complaining. Got a good roof over my head, and a good living. A good woman, too, and might have a son of my own by next winter, Makers willing.’ He grinned at Werla, putting a hand to her belly, and she smiled, pulling it to her mouth and kissing it softly. ‘Reckon I’m a lucky man.’
Ren smiled at them both, lowering his eyes.
‘Say hello to your folks, for me, boy. Tell your old man I better see his arse over here before the snows.’
Some words of thanks, warm, earnest ones, and one or two more for goodbye, then they were homeward bound again, ponies snorting in the afternoon sun, promises of a return visit ringing in their ears. Ren was left with the distinct feeling that he had misjudged the old miller, scar and all. But it wasn’t long before his thoughts turned towards the ru-mours he had imparted from the Westmere, his white knuckles pressed against his mug. To Hector’s words in the shadow of the farm hill. To the ugly fortuneteller and his tent of oddities and silver fire. Words whispered in the dark. He’d not mentioned the encounter in the tent to anyone. Not even his grandfather. In truth, he’d been doing his best not to think about it at all, without much success. He frowned, hunching over his saddle.
A mask on fire.
Neither of them spoke for a long while. Trin, for his part, was busy trying to subtly feed Pol the stash of small treats he had smuggled away from the cottage, glancing over at Ren occasionally to make sure he hadn’t noticed. He had, of course, but there was little use in pointing it out.
‘Trin.’ Ren said once they had crested the hill, looking back towards the river-bound cottage in the distance. Trin started and stuck his hand quickly back into his pocket, hiding a scrap of bread.
‘What?'’
‘You heard what Ted said?’ Ren asked. ‘About Brothers?’
Trin frowned. ‘Suppose so.’
Ren was still looking back the way they had come. 'What do you make of it?'
‘Reckon he’s right.’ Trin shrugged. ‘Westmere’s a long way away.’
He hesitated, frowning.
‘But Hector’s been saying it for years. Overwood’s not what it used to be. Strange folk coming and going by night. No safe place for good folk that side of the Swiftwater. Brothers or no.’
‘Grandad says there haven’t been Black Hand this far south in years.’ Ren murmured, still looking back towards the river. ‘Not since we were born, at least.’
‘Wouldn’t pay it any mind. Plenty to worry about without them.’ Trin told him, giving him a serious look. ‘You’ve been acting up more, these past few weeks. Ever since the old man came calling.’
‘Have I?’ Ren scowled, shooting his friend a sideways glance.
‘You know what I think about him.’ Trin told him seriously. ‘Can’t be trusted, that one. And you can’t be taking so many risks. Not with your… Well, you know.’
‘Your ma tell you that, too?’
‘Don’t make it wrong.’ Trin grumbled, turning away in his saddle and trotting off south over the crest of the hill. Ren waited a moment longer, frowning to himself, then followed him reluctantly. The sound of the river was long gone behind him, but he caught one final glimpse the gleaming water before he shook the reins and disappeared finally over the brow of the hill, bound for home.

FRIDAY

• Friday Night on White, White St., Wake Forest
• Two Durhams Beer Festival, Durham Central Park, Durham
• Subtronics, Red Hat Amphitheater, Raleigh
• Summerfest: Never Break the Chain: The Music of Fleetwood Mac, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
• SPECIAL EVENT: PETE DAVIDSON WORKING OUT NEW MATERIAL WITH FRIENDS, Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• The Monti: Freak, Carolina Theatre, Durham
• Cary's History of Hooch Tours, Downtown, Cary
• Shane Gillis, DPAC, Durham
• So Far Sounds, Secret Location, Cary
• Advance Auto Parts 160, Wake County Speedway, Raleigh
• Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater, Page Auditorium, Durham
• Elodie Farm Dinner, Elodie Farms, Durham
• Andrew Schulz, Raleigh Improv, Cary
• ONE OCEAN FILM TOUR, The Cary Theater, Cary
• Green Jelly, Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
• NCAA Division II Baseball Championship, USA Baseball National Training Complex, Cary
• Bluegrass and Brews, Nickelpoint Brewing Co., Raleigh
• Friday Family Flicks - Strange World, Garner Recreation Center, Garner
• Tour: Unsettled Things: Art from an African American South, Ackland Art Museum, Chapel Hill
• Angela Bingham w/Jim Ketch Quintet, Sharp Nine Gallery, Durham
• Retro Film Series - The African Queen & Key Largo, Carolina Theatre, Durham
• Triangle Restaurant Week, Various Locations, Triangle
• Pen Collectors of America: Triangle Pen Show 2023, DoubleTree by Hilton (RDU), Durham
• Carolina Tiger Twilight Tour, Carolina Tiger Rescue, Pittsboro

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SATURDAY

• Town of Cary's Pimento Cheese Festival, Downtown Park, Cary
• Summerfest: All Beethoven, Koka Booth Amphitheatre, Cary
• SPECIAL EVENT: PETE DAVIDSON WORKING OUT NEW MATERIAL WITH FRIENDS, Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• Nuv Yug India Fest, Jim Graham Building at North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh
• Geek and Grub Market (Pride Edition), Mordecai Historic Park, Raleigh
• Triangle Restaurant Week, Various Locations, Triangle
• THE BLOCK PARTY “Downtown Raleigh”, The Bridge & The Architect, Raleigh
• 2023 Annual Apex Pride Festival, Town Hall Campus, Apex
• Al Strong: Jazz Is My Religion, North Carolina Museum of History, Raleigh
• NCAA Division II Baseball Championship, USA Baseball National Training Complex, Cary
• Andrew Schulz, Raleigh Improv, Cary
• Brookside Bodega Summer Festival, Brookside Bodega, Raleigh
• Durham Art Parade, The Scrap Exchange, Durham
• 6th Annual Triangle Community Band Festival, Durham Central Park, Durham
• Orchard Park Jazz Picnic, Orchard Park, Durham
• Rock the Park Concert — Rockie Lynn (Americana/Country), Forest Hills Park, Durham
• Bull Durham Screening Series, Durty Bull, Durham
• Best of the Triangle, Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
• Caifanes, The Ritz, Raleigh
• Metal Show: An Offering to Bragi, Moon Dog Meadery, Durham
• Summer Fun Day (Wake Forest), Fortnight Brewing, Wake Forest
• BODYTRAFFIC, Reynolds Industries Theater, Durham
• Single Barrel Experience, Mystic Farm and Distillery, Durham
• Frankie Alexander Quartet, Sharp Nine Gallery, Durham
• Children’s Matinee: Rennie Harris Puremovement American Street Dance Theater, Page Auditorium, Durham
• Alley Twenty Six’s Islands in the Alley, Alley Twenty Six, Durham
• DIY & Drag Fundraiser, Nailed It DIY Studio, Durham
• Burlesque: The Rainbow Connection – Boom Boom’s Big Gay B-day Review, The Pinhook, Durham
• Pride, Hi-Wire Brewing, Durham
• Drag Trivia, The Avenue, Raleigh
• Shallow Cuts: Mad Mix Beyond Thunderpop!, Rubies on Five Points, Durham
• Taste of Music Festival, Friendship Chapel Rd., Wake Forest
• Lower Eno River Discovery Paddle, Eno River, Durham
• Friends of Geer Cemetery: Restoration Awareness Ceremony, Geer Cemetery, Durham
• American Tobacco Trail - Great Trail Day, American Tobacco Trail, Durham
• Learn to Ride a Bike, Lake Lynn Park and Community Center, Raleigh
• WILD (Movie Showing), The Cary Theater, Cary

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SUNDAY

• Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo, Durham Central Park, Durham
• Duke University's Ciompi Quartet, NCMA, Raleigh
• Ricardo Arjona, PNC Arena, Raleigh
• SPECIAL EVENT: PETE DAVIDSON WORKING OUT NEW MATERIAL WITH FRIENDS, Goodnights Comedy Club, Raleigh
• Triangle Restaurant Week, Various Locations, Triangle
• Al Strong Presents Jazz Brunch, Alley Twenty Six, Durham
• Kym Register + Meltdown Rodeo / Tami Hart / Dunums, The Pinhook, Durham
• Show Me Snakes Reptile & Exotics Show, Durham Armory, Durham

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Ep. 1 From the Bay to the Backwood
Ep. 2 Back Home for Harvestfest
Ep. 3 Starting Out
Ep. 4 A Proposal to Remember
Ep. 5 Fun With Friends
Ep. 6 More Reasons to Celebrate
Ep. 7 "Cast-Away"
Ep. 8 A Evening in the Valley
Ep. 9 A Night at the Farm
Ep. 10 Spencer's Folly
Ep. 11 Stormy to the Rescue
Ep. 12 Winterfest Travels
Ep. 13 An Ancestral Stroud Winterfest
Ep. 14 Cleaning Up for the Girls
Ep. 15 Moving Day
Ep. 16 The Beast Within
Ep. 17 A Day At Home
Ep. 18 An Engaging Reason to Celebrate
Ep. 19 Open for Business
Ep. 20 An Afternoon in Strangerville
Ep. 21 An Evening at the Fair
Ep. 22 New Year's Regrets
Ep. 23 A Celebration of Life and its Accomplishments
Ep. 24 Time to Wed - Times Two
Ep. 25 A Reception to Remember
Ep. 26 Family Planning
Ep. 27 Auntie Kori and Uncle Ed
Ep. 28 The Honeymooners
Ep. 29 Happy Birthday Baby
Ep. 30 Double Your Fun
Ep. 31 Sharing The News
Ep. 32 Advice and Preparations
Ep. 33 Brothers Are Doing It For Themselves
Ep. 34 The Joy of the Everyday
Ep. 35 Ways to Say I Love You
Ep. 36 Advice From Beyond
Ep. 37 The Helpmate
Ep. 38 Full Moon Rising
Ep. 39 Big Sad Wolf
Ep. 40 Second Chances
Ep. 40.5 Meet the "Mini-Me's"
Ep. 41 The "Traditional" Choice
Ep. 42 Gathering Support
Ep. 43 Fizzy Flea Market Fun
Ep. 44 A Little Mad Science
Ep. 45 Mixed Reactions
Ep. 46 Coming to Terms
Ep. 47 First Impressions
Ep. 48 Growing Pains
Ep. 49 Tears and Fears
Ep. 50 The Wonder of it All
Ep. 51 Staying Close to Home
Ep. 52 Electing to End Early - Welcome Peach Gen
Ep. 53 A Paternity Tale
Ep. 54 Time to Say Goodbye
Ep. 55 The New Normal
Ep. 56 Dealing With The Fear
Ep. 57 For the Love of Family
Ep. 58 Not Ready To Let Go
Ep. 59 Birthday at the Collective
Ep. 60 A Bridge Too Far
Ep. 61 The Aftermath
Ep. 62 Twins, Twins, Everywhere
Ep. 63 Righting the Universe's Wrong
Ep. 64 Family Dynamics
Ep. 65 Reaching Out
Ep. 66 Ed to the Rescue
Ep. 67 A Spooky Wedding
Ep. 68 Quality Time
Ep. 69 Harvestfest Down The Lane
Ep. 70 Back From Tour
Ep. 71 A Party For The Boys
Ep. 72 Goodbye and Hello
Ep. 73 An Art Lovers Outing
Ep. 74 An Oversized Adventure
Ep. 75 Bringing Brunch To Boomers
Ep. 76 A Day In The City
Ep. 77 Recreational Activities
Ep. 78 Arrival and Planning
Ep. 79 A Snowy Escape
Ep. 80 An Unexpected Proposal
Ep. 81 A Winterfest Wonderland
Ep. 82 A Celebration of Life
Ep. 83 Ash's Cry For Help
Ep. 84 Can't Get No Satisfaction
Ep. 85 A Midlife Malady
Ep. 86 House Hunting
Ep. 87 Llama Drama
Ep. 88 a Llama-tastic New Year
Ep. 89 The Triplet Trials
Ep. 90 A Little Get Together
Ep. 91 Midlife Mastered
Ep. 92 Childhood Trials
Ep. 93 A Show of Support
Ep. 94 Flower Bunny Day Fun
Ep. 95 Celebrate and Mourn
Ep. 96 Love and Marriage
Ep. 97 Reception At The Rec
Ep. 98 Goodbye to Childhood
Ep. 99 Chicken and Egg
Ep. 100 Tools of the Trade
Ep. 101 Growing Up
Ep. 102 New Adventures
Ep. 103 Everyday Happings
Ep. 104 The Youngest Teenage Mage
Ep. 105 Stranger Things
Ep. 106 Asking Around
Ep. 107 School Days
Ep. 108 Prom Court Machinations
Ep. 109 Classroom Struggles
Ep. 110 Up All Night
Ep. 111 Curios and Craters
Ep. 112 Dancing The Night Away
Ep. 113 A Strangerville Sleepover
Ep. 114 Paperwork, Plants, and Preparations
Ep. 115 A Friendly Competition
Ep. 116 Henford Helpers
Ep. 117 The Graduate
Ep. 118 The One Left Behind
Ep. 119 Spooky Discoveries

So my mom doesn’t work your regular job, she has a small business and goes to sell her products on conventions and fairs on multiple occasions throughout the year. So my dad, siblings and I tend to be „alone“ on most weekends (I am the oldest child). Its come to the point where I’m the one mainly doing the grocery shopping. My dad used to accompany me, but nowadays I mostly have to go alone. I wouldn’t really mind that much, but whenever he gives me the allowance for the groceries it’s kind of a tight budget and I had to pitch in with my own money more than once. Yes I could ask for more, but I feel shitty asking my parents for money and they usually leave comments like „it only ever flows in one direction“.
On top of all that, when my mom isn’t home, I’m expected to bring lunch onto the table. I bake almost every weekend, clear out the dishwasher almost daily, I’ve just finished foraging and preserving 17 pounds of wild berries over the span of 7h (my family likes to make jelly out of them and that’s about our yearly consumption) and while I was prepping in the kitchen one of them came inside the kitchen, ate 3 of the cupcakes I made yesterday and left the wrappers and everything on the table for me to clean up.
It’s just about afternoon, but I’m tired and ready to go to bed already. I love my family, but a little help would be nice sometimes.

My(32f) ex bf(33M) bf of 10 years came back, I am happy but anxious and not comfortable. Please help me?
I am (32F) from Asia and now live in Canada. I am a software engineer from a prestigious institution of UK and working in worlds biggest IT farms since 21. I met my boyfriend Sam(33M) 14 years back when I was studying in UK. He was a painter and I encouraged him to learn animation (funded the course fees) as his family was not present with both his mom and dad chose their own families after the divorce. He was vulnerable, used to work in a cafee near our university and lived in that cafee and used to draw cartoons on the road on his free time to sale to the tourists. Being a foreign student and very introvert, I had almost no friends from my class. I was always like this, busy with studies and not interested in anything else. Anyhow since I met Sam in the cafee he used to work, he became my only friend and best friend. Eventually I finished my Engineering and got job in a big company but the location was Germany. I was very sad to go to Germany leaving Sam behing but in my surprise he said he loved me and doesn't want to stay in UK alone. He accompanied me and we both started living in Germany in our 20s..due to language problem he didn't any job there(not even in cafee). I enrolled him to learn animation as he was very good in making cartoons. I fell in love with him eventually and we spent 4 years in Germany. But due to language issue Sam didn't get any job there I decided to take a job in Canada and we moved here together. It's high paying job so I bought a house and car. Sam got a job too in animation, it doesn't pay well but something that he likes. He had minimum contribution like sometimes groceries etc..almost all expenses were taken care by me. I used to travel all over the world till 2019 for my work(IT onsite work) and accompanied Sam everywhere with me. I told my family about Sam and they liked him. Only my mom was skeptical about not changing my religion, after marriage as Sam is Christian. Though we had no plan to get married when I told what my mom said jokingly and he took it in offense. Saying he is not thinking about marriage etc..I was offended like by 2020 we were already together more than 10 years so obviously we would get married sooner or later so what's the problem. It didn't set well with me so I pushed him about his reaction. He eventually told me that he is gay, he discovered this when he met a guy in an art exhibition and they clicked. They even secretly started meeting and he is from the same race as him(both are White). I asked if they are sleeping, he admitted yes and that's how he knew he is gay.
The whole world shattered for me. The guy whom I sheltered, taken care and till now taking care of told me that he is just with me because he didn't know he is gay! And everything became untrue. The affection for me became habit and he didn't want to tell me because how much I have done for him. I cried, shouted and was so angry to waste 10+ years of my life and I lost my golden years! I calmed down and let him go, it was difficult for me to do so. Because I have psoriasis, started around my 28 years and I am not comfortable with anyone else than Sam.
After our breakup in 2020 covid hit hard. My travels stop. I couldn't go home and lived in that big house in this cold country alone. Worked from home and barely took care of myself. I saw the posts of Sam and his handsome boyfriend and lost it again. Sam begged me to keep contact as I am his only friend in this world. But he soon forgot about me and never contacted. I felt used and betrayed. I worked almost 20 hours a day and that helped my career a lot. I got a huge promotion and started traveling again since end of 2021. I was just back from my latest work trip from Spain and found Sam sitting on front of my house in May 2nd week. I was shocked and happy to see him. He hugged me and said I became slimmer. I never loved anyone but him so I became emotional and asked him what happened why is he here? He said that he realized that no one can love him more than I loved him. He realized that he is not gay but bi sexual and broke off with his bf (as he is very rude and bossy) and came backe to me. He tried to contact me but I was travelling so he came directly. I thought something was off but I still took him in. I asked him repeatedly if he really broke with his bf and what if he again goes for other guy.
He brushed me off saying that I am the guy in our relationship as I provided for him and he doesn't need any other guy. I asked about him mentioning the same race thing. As I am from Asia will that be a problem again? He said that's the excuse his ex bf asked him to tell me so that I take offense and let him go. That night he wanted to kiss me but I told him not to rush and wait for some time. What if you patch up with your bf. He said he broke off totally and he is sure not to go back to him. but he understands my concerns and will wait till I am ready to take him back.
This time he wanted to contribute in household a lot more and also apologized me profusely for taking me granted. Also asked why I am single since last 2 years is that because of my psoriasis or I still love him. I told him both are the reasons. My psoriasis is not that bad, only on feet and palms and can be covered and not visible to others. But while undressed it's obvious to be noticed. So I am very afraid of dating anyone except Sam who knows me well and accepts me as I am. I am happy and wants to kiss him and hug him but I am anxious all the time what if he leaves me again for another guy! I am not comfortable staring any relationship again with him thinking what if he again does not like me and keeps comparing with him ex. I tried to openly discuss but he is not getting it. Should I just tell him that it's not possible anymore because of his sexuality I no longer feel comfortable?

(Not sure what happened to the category, but here are some Things To Do ideas)
SPORTS- HOME
SAT Austin vs SPORTING KC, 7:30p https://www.sportingkc.com/competitions/mls-regular-season/2023/matches/skcvsatx-06-10-2023/

SPORTS- Away
FRI ROYALS AT Orioles, 6:05p https://www.mlb.com/royals/schedule/2023-06
SAT ROYALS AT Orioles, 3:05p https://www.mlb.com/royals/schedule/2023-06
SUN ROYALS AT Orioles, 12:35p https://www.mlb.com/royals/schedule/2023-06
SAT KC Current AT OL Reign, 9pm https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/schedule
FRI KC Monarchs AT Winnipeg 6:30p https://monarchsbaseball.com/schedule/
SAT KC Monarchs AT Winnipeg 6:00p https://monarchsbaseball.com/schedule/
SUN KC Monarchs AT Winnipeg 6:00p https://monarchsbaseball.com/schedule

Concerts via WeHeartMusic.com (FRI-Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Knuckleheads; SAT-Luke Combs, friends at Arrowhead; T, Louis Tomlinson at Starlight, SUN-BNL w/Semisonic & Del Amitri at Starlight, Weezer w Modest Mouse, Momma at Azura Amph; more)
https://weheartmusic.typepad.com/blog/2023/06/wekc-june-9-15-2023-upcoming-concertsshows-kansas-city-lawrence-ks.html
IN KC picks (FRI/SAT- 36th Annual Sugar Creek Slavic Festival; SAT-KC Pet Project 5K; SUN- Future Stages Festival at Kauffman, more
https://www.inkansascity.com/events-photos/this-week/this-weekend-in-kansas-city-june-9-12/
FlatlandKC picks: (FRI- Christmas Con, KC Pride Fest starts; SAT- Legends Outlets movie night, Virgil's Plant Shop; SUN- KC Jurassic Farm, KCPL Negro Leagues discussion, more)
https://flatlandkc.org/arts-culture/weekend-possibilities-kc-pride-fest-luke-combs-and-christmas-con/
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