Bill W

Although it is a noun, supplication comes from the Latin verb supplicare, which means "to plead humbly." While a supplication is often thought of as a religious prayer (it is used 60 times in the Bible), it can logically be applied to any situation in which you must entreat someone in power for help or a favor. The word supplication was first used in English during the Middle English period (1150–1500). The earliest known use of the word was in the writing of John Gower, a poet, before 1393. Examples of supplication in a sentence: "He fell to his knees in supplication" "His gesture is somewhere between surrender and supplication." I supplicate you for assistance in this manner. ... All around the world, people supplicate themselves before her statues and pray, and yet somehow don't see it as breaking the commandment against idolatry.

If you'd like to read an off-beat mystery about a missing item at a drag queen performance, then you'll have to check this short story out. The characters' names will bring a smile to your face and their antics will cause you to chuckle, and even laugh out loud at times. It's a quick read, with some wonderful descriptions, and it will help to brighten a bad day, so do yourself a favor and give it a try.

That was the most off beat mystery I've ever read, but I found it deliciously comical and well done. Loved the names you gave your characters and the drama, however, I thought you might have taken it a bit too far with Delilah going off the rails at the end with Coco by blaming her for the confusion, when she'd left her wig at home. Other than that, I found it drag-delightful.

Yes, it seems Devin's injury will come back to haunt him going forward. I know you're hoping Gramps and Pops will be able to help him out, so we'll have to wait to see what happens. Yes, the drunken frat boys seemed to cause a bit of a mess, but at least they didn't cause any permanent damage to the jet. They may ban non-business groups from using the jet in the future, but chalk that incident up to a lesson learned. 😜 If the mess was made by a metal band, I think it would be more than just making a mess. They've been known to cause some damage as well. If that were to happen, I'm sure Captain Jack would open the door on the jet and toss them out, one by one, without the benefit of a parachute.

Yes, the boys, Gramps, and Pops are off to see if there is any treasure in the cave, although as you pointed out, not everyone is totally upbeat about that possibility. Devin's freak accident is coming back to haunt him again, because he won't be able to transition into the smaller animals, which might be necessary to get through to the sealed off portion of the cave. We'll have to wait and see how that turns out.

Chapter 59 – Back to the Ozarks “Isaac and Jacob, my old friends,” Captain Jack said as we walked up to the Cessna. “How nice to see you, and I see you’re bringing the boys with you on this trip.” “It’s nice to see you as well,” Pops replied in greeting. “The boys are with us because the job we started last year when we all flew with you wasn’t completed, so we’re back to tie up a few loose ends.” “Then I hope you’re able to accomplish whatever you have left to do.” “D

Foist is believed to derive from the obsolete Dutch verb vuisten, meaning "to take into one's hand." Vuisten in turn comes from vuyst, the Middle Dutch word for "fist," which itself is distantly related to the Old English ancestor of fist. The word foist was first used in English as a noun in the mid 1500s and was originally used to describe a cheating tactic in dice games. The earliest known use of the adjective foist is in the late 1600s. OED's earliest evidence for foist is from 1691, in the writing of John Ray, naturalist and theologian. Examples of foist in a sentence: "Please don't let anyone foist inferior goods on you" "I'm always suspicious when a previous generation tries to foist its heroes on me." This thing has been foisted on all of us. Both have had austerity measures foisted upon them and are seeking to make ends meet as best they can. Trump also appeared to foist some of the blame for the heightened tension on Democrats.

That's my birth month, so does that imply that I'm serene?

To answer your question Steve, I'm a retiree and my body clock is off for a while after the time change. I tend to go to sleep and wake up later than normal for several days, until I slowly adjust.

Serene is related to the Latin word serenus "peaceful, calm, clear". Serene was originally used in English, as in Latin, to describe calm weather. By the mid 1600s, however, it was used figuratively to describe a calm, untroubled person as well. The word "serene" first appeared in Middle English around the early 1500s, originating from the Latin word "serenus" which means "clear, cloudless, untroubled". OED's earliest evidence for serene is from 1508, in the writing of William Dunbar, poet and courtier. Examples of serene in a sentence: He appeared calm and serene as he always did. Her eyes were closed and she looked very serene. There wasn't a cloud in the sky to obscure the deep serene. He didn't speak much, he just smiled with that serene smile of his. We sailed serenely down the river. She carried on serenely sipping her gin and tonic.

My phone and the computer change time automatically, but I still have to adjust the clocks in the house!

You mean our little blue bear gets grumpier than normal with the time change? Oh my!

The ancient Egyptian gods have generations too, just like our families, and they aren't immune to family squabbles. In this particular short story, two of the younger generation have pulled a prank that has gone terribly amiss, much to the consternation of the older generations. They immediately attempt to have one of their own set things right, and it also involves a Pharaoh whose name you might recognize. To discover what the prank involved and which Pharaoh was included, you'll have to read this delightful tale.

An interesting follow-up to your first story about the ancient Egyptian gods. This one included a prank not pulled by Anubis or Horus, and it had greater ramifications for all of the gods and for all of Egypt. Nice job of pulling King Tut into the mix as well. Much enjoyed.

Reticent comes from Latin reticent- ‘remaining silent’, from the verb reticere, from re- (expressing intensive force) + tacere ‘be silent’. The adjective reticent first appeared in 1825 in a description of someone as “quiet, retired, and reticent in the writing of J. Quincy.” By 1875, however, as Merriam-Webster explains, “instead of just describing those who are reluctant to speak, it was being used to describe those who are just plain reluctant.” Taciturn and reticent are both words that describe someone who is quiet or reserved, but taciturn can also imply unsociability, while reticent can imply reluctance to speak. Examples of reticent used in a sentence: "She is so reticent about her achievements". "He was always very reticent about his wound". "Most of the students were reticent about answering questions". "At first she was reticent, but later she relaxed and was more forthcoming". "His reticence about his past made them very suspicious". "She had overcome her usual reticence and talked about their married life". "She was reticent about her plans for the future".

If you were fascinated by the stories of the ancient Egyptian gods when you were in school, or possibly you gained an interest in them from watching a show on TV, then you might want to read this story. It is a highly unusual and irreverent take on the private lives of some of the gods, and it makes some of them act more like rebellious and horny teenagers than the deities they are supposed to represent.

An interesting take of the ancient Egyptian gods. I found it very imaginative and irreverent take on how they acted behind the scenes of daily life.

I found this short story to be a highly unusual, yet satisfying romance. Matthew has become an orphan when his parents were killed in an automobile accident, which also left him with some disabilities. He is sent to live with an aunt and uncle that he hadn't even known had existed, and this leads to a remarkable and interesting tale based on ancient religious beliefs and a bit of paranormal intrigue wrapped in a modern setting.

Val, you never cease to amaze me. What a lovely blending of Puritanical and Druidic beliefs to tie it into a romantic love story. Matthew lost his parents in the accident, which disabled him and eventually cost him his first love. Then, he is sent to live with an aunt and uncle he'd never heard of and hadn't met. At school he's ostracized by by everyone at school, only to be warned away from the boy by his aunt and uncle. Then, he later comes to learn that his parents were members of the Cooke and Smith families, thus making Isaiah and him cousins. I do have one question though. Matthew is a Cooke, because his father was a Cooke, and if his father and aunt were brother and sister, how is she still a Cooke? Wouldn't she have taken her husband's name, since the Puritan were a Patriarchal society, or did somewhere along the line did they switch to becoming a Matriarchal society? Just wondering. Anyway, thurougly enjoyed this story, but with the mentioning of Samhain, I was beginning to think this story might be better around Halloween. Oh, and I'm wondering about the use of German by the markwarden. If their roots are Druidic, I would think they would be more inclined to use a Celtic language, such as Breton, Cornish, Irish, Scottish, Gaelic, Manx, or Welsh. Just curious.

I finished reading Aditus' story Voli Me Tangere, and when I went to post a comment, I was able to type it into the comment box, but when I clicked on the "add comment" box, nothing happened. I was able to write a review for the story without a problem, so I don't understand why it wouldn't accept my comment. Can anyone explain what went wrong?

What would you do or how would you feel if you lived in a world where the men and women lived in different hemispheres and we're only allowed to interact on the solstices every year? The women would raise male children until they reached a certain age, and then the male child would be forced to leave their birthmother and live in the male hemisphere, with almost no interaction with their birthmother from that point forward. And what would happen if fighting breaks out between the two sexes, which the gods have forbidden? Will the gods punish the combatants in order to keep the peace? If you wish to find out what happens in this short story, then take the time to read it and find out. What happens may surprise you.

Interesting prompts. The last handwritten letter I recieved was from an Aunt a few years ago, artistically written in her flawless cursive handwriting.

Solace is a 13th century borrowing from Latin by way of Anglo-French solas (noun), solacier (verb). Its Latin ancestor solari means “to console.” (Solari itself is from the Greek word hilaros, meaning “cheerful”—also source, of course, of hilarious.) The earliest known use of the noun solace is in the Middle English period (1150—1500). OED's earliest evidence for solace is from around 1290, in South English Legendary. Examples of solace in a sentence. "I found solace in writing when my father died three years ago". "They are friends and have given me good solace in times of need". "Music was a great solace to me". "He sought solace in the whiskey bottle"."She turned to Rob for solace". "We can take solace in the fact that he has said that he will not rush into making a decision". "Many people get their greatest solace from gardening". "In times of grief and loss, art speaks the compelling language of solace". "These days, Jones finds solace singing in his church choir".

If you like a good romance that isn't hurried and builds slowly, then this short story might be for you. The characters are well developed and flashed out, the storyline is interesting with plenty of mystery, drama, and excitement. You'll also discover there are a few twists that will garner a reaction from you, either it's a smile or a grimace. And don't let the fact that this is a western deter you, because I'm sure you'll find the story interesting enough and the dialogue a quaint and humorous look at the way some of your ancestors may have talked, especially if they lived in rural east coast locations or out west. Give the story a try, and I'm sure you'll find it worth the effort.

I loved this story, Gary. Great characters, wonderful storyline, and plenty of action, just not the intimate kind. I can see Cooper and Wiley moving to Wiley's little ranch, and when Cooper gets his inheritence from his mother's father, they can expand the ranch to something a bit more substantial. I can see them living a long and happy life, with Cholo studding many foals from the three mares and producing fine and highly desirable colts. I can also see that Wiley will want to find revenge on Cooper's father for two reasons: for the way the old man had treated and abused his son, plus for send the killers after Cletus. In a way, I hope he kills the bastard. 😲 By the way, have you written a follow-up to this story? If you have, I want to read it. I'd be interested in finding out how you took Cooper and Wiley forward from this story. No matter what you do, I'm sure I'd love it.