By Mary Romaniec Grafton News Reporter – Houlden Farm began its 40th growing season with more vegetables to sell. The owner, Ruth Houlden, explained how the humble beginnings of the local landmark took root when, one summer, her bored children asked if they could set up a vegetable stand in front of the house. The …
This elaborate early 17th century English goatskin binding represents the top end of the market. Many hours of work have gone into creating the ornate design and it would have been prepared either for a wealthy client, or for presentation to a person of standing.
Goatskin was the most expensive of the four standard animal skins used for bookbindings (goat, calf, pig, sheep), and was almost always chosen for high-quality work, because of its durability, its hard, shiny and well-grained surface, and because it can be effectively dyed in a range of colours.
The book of common prayer [bound with] Holy Bible [and] Whole book of psalms (1638).
I feel like I'm jumping around a little bit, but I'm sure you'll get over it.
Whilst in Cuenca we visited the Cuenca Panama Hat Company. Learned a lot about the Panama Hat and how they are made and the forming process. Really quite fascinating. This factory is where the bulk of Panama Hats are exported from.
One of the fascinating things was the sheer variety of styles of hats. The two we are modelling here were our favourites, however there really was quite a variety of fashions. You can get a feel for that from some of the hats in the background. Not only was there a range of styles, but colours too!
These were two of our favourites. The hats I mentioned we are kicking ourselves for not having purchased. I quite liked them and they were a steal of a price compared to prices we saw upon our return.
Oh well, perhaps another trip in the not so distant future. In fact, it is so cheap to visit Ecuador (once you've paid the airfare), you could stay for months so long as you were racking up kennel bills for you pets!
I forgot how much I enjoy roleplaying my Paladin. Argent Captain, healer by name and trade, solid fellow in and out of battle...
...with an unfortunate history of rampant promiscuity.
In the following scene one of his old trysts catches up with him in a most awkward (and hilarious) way. The scene begins with him heading into the Blue Recluse for a break and some wine, still dressed in full regalia from earlier goings on.
Remember: Metagaming is bad. I prefer to be consented if anyone wishes their character to be privy to the following exchange. Other than that, enjoy!
12:24:20 [Liucen]: A glass of your best red, please; and a cut of lamb, if you've any.
12:24:59 [Houlden]: Long time no see, Sparkles.
12:25:12 You blink at Houlden.
12:25:35 [Liucen]: Ah! Yes, um...fellow. It's been some time indeed. Faring well?
12:26:44 Houlden flattens, lips drawing to a straight, tight line. "..Fellow?" The echo of DISAPPOINT. "Fine here. Ya' look like a sore fuckin' thumb in here."
12:28:48 Liucen grimaces very slightly, awkwardness at COMPLETELY having forgotten the other's name somewhat visible on his neatly trimmed face. "Yes, I -- imagine so," He manages to reply. His wine is pushed to him on the counter. He glances at it, indicating to the drink with a small motion of plated fingers. "Have a glass with me?"
12:29:54 [Houlden]: I don't like -juice-. All yers, Sparkles. -- How ya' been? Or we not on talkin' terms? Don't right remember.
12:31:27 Icyy taps her foot as she waits for you.
12:31:40 Liucen nods, leaving his wine unattended-- for the moment. "I do seem to remember that we last parted on...ah....amicable...terms. Aside from that, however, I've been quite busy travelling with some colleagues."
12:32:14 [Icyy]: Hey, could you step out of the way from the counter so I can get a drink?
12:33:01 [Liucen]: Of course, dear girl, but perhaps a bit of manners would serve you well next time, yes?
12:33:20 Houlden narrows, one eye closed.. flitting between the woman and Paladin. Quiet scrutiny directed for the man's 'professional' and obviously displaced demeanor.. "Right. Well.. looks like yer about t'head right back out there, no?"
12:33:47 [Icyy]: You wish yes? Learn not to stand in the way of the counter at the bar would be easy to learn as well.
12:34:14 Houlden snorts a laugh...
12:34:29 Icyy sighs and sips her drink, slightly leaned forward onto the handrail.
12:35:16 Liucen sideglances as his lamb is slid to him, still sizzling and quite fragrant. "Actually," He mentions, plucking up the dish and glass, "I'll be in the city for a few more days." With a small motion of the head to follow, he takes a seat nearby, "Are you sure you'd not like a glass of wine?"
12:36:27 [Houlden]: Y'mean -juice-. With less sweetin's. No thanks.. makes m'nose hairs curl. Not that I really care, but what have ya' been doin on these 'travels' of yers?
12:38:50 Liucen takes a moment to cut into the meat, taking a savory chewing before sipping on the wine. His brow furrowed, criticism of the meal's quality darting behind bright green eyes....only for a moment, however, as attention returns to the other. "Touring the areas of the world affected by the Breaking and observing their progress and repair since then."
12:40:17 [Houlden]: Oh right. Yer one of them fancy-schmancy important people. Don't really get the point of all that. S'pose someones gotta do it. Like.. cesspool cleaners. Or somethin'.. -- Look, ya' don't remember who the fuck I am do ya'?
12:41:17 Liucen blinks, caught off guard. "I remember," He mumbles awkwardly, a clear -lie-, "But -- I'm afraid your name escapes me. Do forgive my impertinence."
12:43:31 Houlden sent a friendly fist to a plated shoulder, powered, knuckles clanking right off the steel. "I don't blame ya' Sparkles.. We didn't do much talkin' last meetin's, huh?" A bushy grin accompanied a low bellied chuckle.. oblivious to his possibly damning statements.
12:45:53 Liucen 's meal suddenly seems rather forgotten, a quick glance cut around to the bar -- caution. "Erm. I --imagine we didn't," He fumbles. He follows up with a rapid rambling, "Are you sure you don't want something to eat? Really. My treat."
12:48:06 Houlden drew back, rather taken off by the hesitations. "What do ya mean 'imagine'? Yer actin' like ya' never seen my face before. -- I ain't hungry.. nice basket o' rolls will do me good though." Inviting himself to the table, the big lug -collapsed- into the nearest chair, quickly leaning head to folded arms perched on the edge.
12:49:34 Liucen quickly swivels on his chair with a clatter, motioning vigorously for a fullfilment of the order. "Ah, don't be ridiculous! Your face I can place, it's the name, as I said. The name eludes me."
12:51:16 [Houlden]: Don't matter now, my friend. Don't think it would anyhow. You bein' all important n' shit. -- So ah.. ya' do remember me, that's all that matters.
12:52:15 Houlden fidgetted, knee bouncing beneath the table, effectively yet lightly shaking the legs of the entire structure.
12:52:47 Liucen busies himself with another cut and sip, a closer scrutiny of the other jarring memory bit by bit, along with a faint reddening of his ears. "And so it is," he murmurs awkwardly. "So, what do you do for a living?"
12:55:22 Houlden rolled a shoulder, gradually more animated as time passed without his rolls. "Cuttin' trees. Hittin' Orcs with em. Well, that's just a perk but you catch m'drift. Out there in the Hills y'know. Surroundin' areas are teemin' with you important sparkly types.
13:01:46 Liucen seems rather relieved as a basket of warm, buttered rolls is brought to the table, slid before the warrior with haste. "A lumberjack then," He acknowledges, "A worthy profession. And please -- the word 'important' makes me seem so stuck up. I'm just a man as any other, doing what needs to be done in whatever way I can." Another bite of lamb, another sip of wine.
13:04:26 Houlden looked rather over-excited as the hot buttered morsels arrived, quickly taking up the top of the pile, tearing the comparably unfilling roll in half. Out of habit, with the mashed up roll he dared to pluck up fallen gristle and fat from the Paladin's dish, shovelling it into his hungry gape as if he hadn't eaten in weeks.
13:05:14 [Houlden]: Yup! Sorta'... and it ain't me callin' ya' important that makes ya' look stuck up, man.
13:06:08 Liucen seems rather taken aback by both action and statement, unable to do anything but stare rather stupidly. "I beg your pardon?"
13:07:26 Caesareus glances upwards through his hood, sights returning to the table. "Would'nt be the first time."
13:07:46 Houlden used the other half of the mangled roll for another helping off the Paladin's platter.. enthralled in the feast, devoid of manners. "Ya' just look it. Comin' into a dump like this with yer polished 'spensive garb like that. Yer practically askin' for some ass-kissin'. Course ya' know that already.
13:10:30 Liucen blinks rather slowly, clearly unsure of whether he should be offended or not. Instead, doing his best to ignore the sniping off his plate (eyebrow twitching notwithstanding), he takes another cut of meat. "I hardly think that a stop at the Blue Recluse warrants a return to the inn to dress down in civillian attire just to have to put all this on again." In a more defensive tone, he adds, "And I did not come in here looking for ass-kissing. I came for -wine-."
13:12:26 Houlden literally stuffed an entire roll throughout the Paladin's response into his left cheek, chomping down open-mouthed..."Sure ya' are. But whatever. Y'know I'm kind ahurt ya' dont remember my name, Sparkles."
13:14:07 Liucen rests his knife and fork down onto the plate in crossed fashion -- an indication to the cultured that his meal is finished -- however a sizeable chunk of lamb remains on the place. "I beg your forgiveness, then friend. Give it to me once more, and I promise you I shan't forget it."
13:16:20 Houlden snatched the lip of the platter without regard for permissions, settling it in front of himself to devour. Roll by roll, pinch by pinch, constantly shovelling in the rest of the meal. "Daniel. -- You talk funny. Kinda glad all I heard from ya' before was gruntin' and ya' shuttin' up.
13:18:16 Liucen 's face reddens violently, his lips drawn into a wide, thin line. "Yes -- well -- Daniel," He manages in a broken stumble of words, "Your name won't be lost to me again. Liucen, or Lou if you like. I'm not partial to either." More eyebrow twitching.
13:20:48 Houlden jut an extended.. not to mention -buttered- finger towards the Paladin's cheek, a grin as wide as his face.. unchewed food and all. "I prefer Sparkles, Sparkles. What's with yer professional-like face 'ere? Relax. " More lamb stuffed into his gob.
13:24:25 Liucen recoils ever so slightly, his face tensing horribly in an ironic attempt to hide unease. "I prefer to remain professional as often as I am able, I apologize if it offends you," He garbles, "Don't want people saying that the Argent Captain is an ill mannered hoodlum now, would we?" The veiled insult slips unintentionally, and quite unnoticed to him.
13:26:46 Houlden finally polishes off the lamb, leaving unwanted gristle and scraps in a pile of crumbs. "There ya' go braggin' now. Who's says ya' need to be like -that-? Just pull th'stick outta yer ass, Sparkles. All I'm sayin'."
13:27:23 Cheyanná grins at you wickedly.
13:28:24 [Cheyanná]: 'ello Boys.
13:29:08 You wave at Cheyanná.
13:29:28 [Liucen]: Ah, hello there -- and, I'm not bragging! It's simply the way things are.
13:29:46 [Cheyanná]: may I sit?
13:29:52 [Houlden]: Er.. -- Hiya. Have at it.
13:31:05 Houlden shoved the plate back towards the Paladin, nodding in unintended thanks.
13:31:39 [Houlden]: Yer braggin'. If you were just like every other man ya'd not go fartin' around sayin what ya' are n' the like.
13:32:11 [Houlden]: Course.. I don't give two shits.
13:33:27 Liucen receives the dish with a rather owlish look, casting a defeated glance to his half-drunk glass of wine -- his appetite for it clearly gone. "Look -- Daniel," He places particularly reverant emphasis on the name, "I admit my faults, and I'll work to correct them--" He glances around at the rapidly filling table, looking quite more flustered than previously.
13:34:18 Houlden lofts a brow, startled and -jumping- to the side from SUDDEN GNOME. "As you were sayin', Sparkles?"
13:39:24 [Liucen]: I was simply apologizing for my behavior. It was rather rude of me.
13:41:05 [Houlden]: Wait. Yer behaviour? What makes ya' think bein' a flat, borin' stick-ass needs apologizin' for?
13:42:12 Liucen 's face collapses, portrayed tolerance withholding retort. "I wouldn't put it so...harshly, friend." Even his words possess a mechanical sense of control.
13:43:02 [Houlden]: But ya' are. No way o' sugarcoatin' that shit. --- What are ya' apologizin' for is the point..?
13:45:09 Liucen sighs in defeat, his plated shoulders sagging with a quiet clatter. "If you say so, Daniel. My apology was for, as you put it, bragging."
13:47:03 Houlden nodded, fingers pinching up stray crumbs, still fixated on filling his belly. "I was almost thinkin' you were apologizin' for the tumble in them sheets or somethin'. Ain't a big deal, Sparkles."
13:50:31 Liucen 's eyes swell to dish-plate size, jaw slacking to hang open. The astonishment remains for mere seconds before another quick appraisal of the tavern is made via frantic swivelling, both his face and ears attaining the consistency of a boiled beet. "Now I think -that- particular topic is unsuited for the erm...general public, hmm?" He manages in a broken tone.
13:53:32 Houlden lofted a shoulder, it dropping as soon as it peaked. "Suppose not. Don't think anybody's listenin' anyways. Yer paranoid." A boot kicked forward, colliding with the wooden leg with a clumsy crash.
13:54:53 [Liucen]: Nothing to do with paranoia, friend; I'm just quite tired of people being more privy to my personal life than they ought to be. It gets rather wearing, at --
((At this point, Houlden tries to hook his boot onto Liucen's from under the table.))
13:55:37 Liucen blinks, shifting in his seat, his face still burning, now -fixated- on the unfinished wine. He grabs for it, downing the rest in one gulp.
13:59:13 Houlden continued to swab the lamb juices and soggy crumbs with an index from the platter, an outright nonchalant slob. "Mhm. Well then. Forgiven. Paladin. Since we're on the subject.. sorta.. Why don't ya get yourself another.. stronger drink there?"
((The footsie continues!))
14:01:34 Liucen blinks at him, before training his gaze on the dregs of wine. "I -- perhaps I...ah. I suppose it couldn't hurt, even as early as it is," He fumbles. Another uncertain turn toward the barkeep, "Bourbon, please." A quick look back, "Would you like anything?"
14:02:49 Houlden 's head shook slowly, arms laid flat across the table, fists folded to white knuckles and -very- still. "No. Don't need it now. Ya look like ya' do, though."
14:03:21 [Liucen]: I wouldn't disagree. Hurry, please Barkeep.
14:04:16 [Houlden]: Dunno why my feet keep bringin' me here when ya' -decide- to arrive, Sparkles.
14:04:58 Liucen grasps at his delivered drink farm more eagerly than he would usually. "Providence, perhaps," He murmurs, drinking deeply.
14:07:19 Houlden 's arms retracted, hiding beneath the lip of the taple to rest on his knees.. "I ah.. speakin' of. Probly head back home..-- Y'know."
14:09:05 [Liucen]: Quite a journey, I think -- I'll be returning to my...usual inn room, soon enough. There hasn't been much opportunity for rest lately and I think it would be wise for me to take advantage of it.
14:09:19 Liucen takes another -deep- draught of the potent drink.
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We had to end the scene there since the other player needed to leave. I'm still wondering if Lou would have succumbed to temptation or not. Oh well! Either way, I enjoy playing him (and tormenting him) so much!
The fact that he's still -just a human man- under all that sparkly Paladin-ness is his appeal to me. So very often I see all these paragons of heroism and righteousness strutting about, completely disregarding the fact that they are after all, -human-, not statues of power and glory.
