Sign of the Times: A Thaelia's World Story

 10^th of Jenslu’s Moon, 1195

The blizzard was in full force outside. No one was on the gates for no one with any sense would be roaming in white-out conditions. In the private solar, Queen Gaelynn, her husband, Duke Ranulf, their one-year old twin sons Gawain and Gilbert along with her children from her previous marriage to King Arken I:  six year old Arken II, and two year old twins Prince Rivolyn and Princess Ranaia lounged in comfort by a roaring fire. Gaelynn’s brother, Sir Christopher of the Silver Serpents had made a rare journey from Foxwarre to visit.

Chris and Ranulf were enjoying a bottle of vorane while Gaelynn sipped on a nice white wine. Her ever present Lady, and fast friend, Beatrice of Wymerth, worked on a piece of embroidery. After the death of Arken, Beatrice had become a permanent member of Gaelynn’s household and had taken the place of Sophie, who was now happily married to Sir Edward of Faucione, and head of her own household.

“Ranulf, you have been promising to tell me how the practice of heraldry started. We’re a captive audience.” Gaelynn begged her husband.

“Now, Gael, you don’t want to hear that boring old story.” her husband replied as he moved a knight on the chess board.

She fixed her gaze on her husband “Don’t make me get on my knees and truly beg, my love. You know how I love history.”

He sighed “See, Chris, what I do for my wife?”

Gaelynn's brother studied the game board, looking for a way to avoid loosing. Ranulf had managed to set-up a win and one more move would have his Queen. “Don’t have to tell me, Ranulf. Remember, I grew up with her! She’s settled down from the wild girl I remember.” He let out a growl and moved his High Priest.

Gaelynn threw a pillow at her brother.

“Hey, watch it, sis. You almost knocked over the vorane!”

Ranulf immediately pounced, "Check-mate. I think we should put chess away and get out the dice or cards."

"Are you kidding? My pouch is light enough as it is without you relieving me of the few coins I do have. No thanks, brother, I'll hold on to my silver pieces."

“Suit yourself...very well, everyone get comfortable…” Ranulf warned “and please don’t interrupt me.”

2018 Stanley Cup Play-Offs Begin this week

The 2018 NHP Stanley Cup Play-Offs are back!

Starting on Wednesday, April 11^th, the top sixteen teams begin the battle for the Cup. The biggest story of the season, and the Play-offs, has to the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Who would have thought the first year expansion Golden Knights would have done as well as they have, much less made it to the post-season. The team is the first in the modern expansion era to finish first in its division in any of the four major sports leagues. Another story is the attempt by the Penguins to win the Cup for the third consecutive year.

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SD Curiosities

We are open for business. Come check out our booth at the Antique Treasures and Antiques at 151 N. Sierra Street, Reno. There are enough unique items and fun treasure to keep you browsing for hours!

A Medieval Murder Mystery

On August 02, 1100 about sunset, a group of men were finishing a stag hunt. On any other day in medieval England, a party of nobles searching for a deer probably wouldn’t have turned any heads but in this case the group included William Rufus, also known as King William II. Along with William was his brother Henry, Walter Tirel, the Count of Poix, and William de Breteuil. At the end of the hunt, one of the men would be lying on the forest floor, dead, with an arrow impaled in his chest.

Defiance at all costs: Nicola the first female Sheriff and the Battle for Lincoln Castle

Who was Nicola de la Haye?

She successfully defended Lincoln Castle against the French forces led by Prince Louis in 1217. This happened after the death of King John. A little back story: The English Barons, fed up with King John and his overbearing rule had actually offered the English throne to the French just after John reneged on the Magna Carta.  John felt betrayed by his barons and went on a rampage. In turn, the rebel barons fought back. After John died, Royalists, on behalf of John's son, Henry III kept up the fight when the rebel barons and Louie refused to back down.

Gerald of Wales (1146-123) had written about the insurrection and campaign in his The instruction of a Prince. In the document, Gerald stated “that England, so oppressed for so long under the insufferable yoke of servitude, would see at last complete liberation and liberty.” I wonder what he thought about events after John's death?

Expansion Teams and the Las Vegas Golden Knights

2017 -2018 NHL Season to date

It has been a fun first half of the National Hockey League. The surprise feel-good story has been the Las Vegas Golden Knights. A Cinderella story, no doubt, of a team that by League history, should be near the bottom of the pack but is sitting in the number TWO spot. Amazing! Everyone has been asking how this team compares to other expansion teams. One writer did his research and here is an excerpt (a link to the full article is at the bottom of this posting and I encourage you to read it).

Looking ahead: February 16, 2018

Writer's block is a horrible condition. I hope it has been purged for a long time.

This date is special for being Chinese New Year. Gung Hay Fat Choy. Am I writing about The Year of the Dog? No, even though I obviously love dogs - especially one chocolate colored crazy Chinese Shar-Pei (how appropriate for this new year).

The main purpose of this post about February 16 concerns every person in the United States of America but most of them will go about their business without noticing the benchmark. Why is this date special and why should every American care?

Read on and see. I promise, this is not a pyramid scam. I'm not asking you to buy anything and this isn't a story about politics, mass killing, or contain any harassing images.