Van Kyzar
Okay, so I have come up with a great name for a male character in my new story – Van Kyzar. The only problem is I can’t decide if the name is for the villain or the hero. I think of a strong, intelligent, and confident man, such as this picture. But that’s where you come in. I’m hoping that you will comment in the box below and tell me what you think – villain or hero, and any other attributes you think the name conveys. Thanks for your feedback!
Grief
Grief. Five letters. Such a simple little word that has such an emotional impact. This past Saturday we said goodbye to our beloved dog, Beastie. We rescued her nine years ago when she was two years old from an Alaskan Malamute rescue group. At eleven, she had lived a long life. She lived a dignified life. She lived a full life. Most of all, she lived a love-filled life.
I thought I was prepared. I knew I would be sad. I knew I would cry. A lot. I did not know that I would be hurt, in the physical sense, as my heart broke in the spiritual sense.
Beastie was MY girl. Never mind that my husband took care of her primary needs, feeding and watering her. She appreciated that, but it was me that she chose. I was the one she came to first thing every morning and I was the last person she saw before going to sleep every night. Going to bed last night was a gut punch and getting up this morning was a left hook to my heart all over again.
Time heals all wounds; I’ve heard it said. I suppose that’s true. In the coming days and months, I’ll get used to not having her head under my hand as I walk through the house, her by my side. I’ll get used to not having to “Beastie-proof” the house anymore, because she isn’t here to chew on random household items we leave out. I’ll get used to not having her nudge me as I’m blow-drying my hair in the morning, looking for her ear-scratches. But I will never forget the pawprints she has left on my broken heart.
HIGHLAND COWS
Did you know that my favorite animal, Highland Cow
s, those adorable long-haired Scottish cows, are one of the world’s oldest cattle breeds? They date back archaeologically to the 6th century, and written records put them at the 12th century in the Scottish Highlands and western islands.
Their long hair is not only for adorable, good looks, it’s what gives them their hardiness. They are cold weather (and snow) resistant. They are also known for being friendly and disease resistant, as well intelligent with the ability to be halter trained. Can you imagine leading your highland cow down Main Street in a parade? How cool would that be?
They are also eco-friendly, treading lightly on the ground without damaging it for plants and other wildlife. They first came to the United States in the late 1890s to improve the hardiness of western cattle herds. Today they can be found all over the world.
Some fun facts about Highland cows:
1. Locally in Scotland they are known as Highland Coos
2. Originally, they were all black but are now most are ginger or brown
3. They become pollinators when wildflower seeds stick to their long fur and drop off in other places
What is your favorite animal? What are some historical and/or fun facts about that animal? Let me know in the Comments below.
HIGHLAND COO
1.5 oz Dark Grouse blended whiskey
5 oz ginger beer
dash elderberry syrup
2 drops lemon juice
Mix and serve over ice in a rocks glass
1 oz Vodka
5 oz Lemon Lime Soda
1 dash Grenadine
Cherry for Garnish
While the exact origins of the Dirty Shirley are murky, it’s a safe bet that it originated in Los Angeles in the 1930’s. It’s really a Shirley Temple with vodka. Despite being only a few ingredients, it can vary widely depending on the type of soda (some use ginger ale) as well as the type of grenadine (store bought will give it that iridescent red) used. At some point, someone thought to add vodka, and thus the Dirty Shirley was born.
Tell me, do you have a ‘Dirty’ drink? I’d love to hear about it! Let me know in the Comments below.
First of all, let me get this out of the way up front. Scotland is not “officially” a country by itself. It is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. That is the UK’s official full name. The UK is made up of Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland.
The coolest of the four, however, in my opinion, is Scotland. I mean, how can it NOT be, with the national animal being a unicorn? The reason behind this? Well, it all goes back to history. England and Scotland have traditionally been at odds (and sometimes war) for a very long time. England’s Royal Coat of Arms has a lion. The only animal said to be able to defeat a lion? You guessed it, a unicorn. The UK’s Royal Coat of Arms has both the lion and the unicorn today.
Another fun fact? Drambuie, that whiskey liqueur made from aged Scotch whiskey, spices, herbs and heather honey, can be traced back to Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Royal Apothecary having created it during the Jacobite uprisings. The recipe was passed to a trusted aide and remained on the Isle of Skye, where in the late 19th century it was improved and the liqueur was sold at the Broadford Hotel on Skye. To this day the Broadford Hotel claims to be the birthplace of Drambuie. The first commercial production of Drambuie began in Edinburgh in 1909.
What country or place do you think is the coolest? Why do you think it is the coolest place? Let me know in the comments below!
2 oz Johnnie Walker Black Label (made in four key distilleries that are chosen to represent the four corners of Scotland)
1 oz Drambuie
Pour both into a glass and stir with ice. Strain into a rocks glass to be served.