I work a state job right next to the ada county courthouse, and my position allows me to leave my desk just about anytime I want. I frequently see a lot of news cameras out front, so I can only assume they're going to be speaking to the press since it's a closed trial. I often fantasize about wearing my state employee badge to blend into the crowd so I can ask a hilarious question; or at least a very interesting one. Something along the lines of "[my name] from HateWatch Pod, do you think Nancy Grace unfairly changed public opinion by covering the story to generate views because she's a washed up has been?" Or possibly "[my name] at HateWatch Podcast, is it possible you've just caught the wrong guy while a lunatic is still running around north Idaho? And if so are you planning on killing him Ruby Ridge style?"

Hi there Did anyone ever go to a lawn/garage sale off the Hume highway around 2014 in Marulan, NSW?
It was sign posted a few times “Lawn sale! 100s of records and book” along the Hume heading south from Sydney.
In January 2014, 2 friends and I were driving back to Melbourne from Sydney, we saw the signs and thought, let’s have a look.
It was a very hot morning from memory. We turned off the Hume (where the signs said to turn) and drove along a dirt road and up a dirt road driveway. All of us were joking around that we would be murdered etc.
We got to the Lawn sale (no lawn, just dirt) and geez it was a weird/amazing site. To my left I remember seeing a huge bonfire site with hundreds and hundreds of beer bottles, there were old cars and parts scattered around and then in the middle (infront of the house) were about 20 or so trestle tables with stuff for sale. Clothes, bric a brac, a table full of toy parts (babies heads, arms etc) books, records etc.
At one point I walked up towards the front row of tables, which was near a house. I heard a woman inside screaming and shouting, “f this and that” and some smashing of glass. One of my friends was looking at stuff nearby.
Then a man walked out of the house. This is where things got weird. This man walked onto the front deck of the house and paced back and forth staring at me. He was in his 50s/60s, skin was like leather from the sun and he had these piercing beady blue eyes furrowed into his face. I said hey and I swear he responded “you’re gonna die”. He said nothing else and kept pacing around.
I wasn’t sure what I’d heard and kept looking around for a minute (quietly freaking out). Then a lady arrived with her partner and I joined her looking at the records She asked me if I’d seen any Lee hazelwood/nancy Sinatra records. Which was kinda absurd considering what I thought I’d heard? Having these other “customers” there kind of relaxed me.
One of my friends bought a homemade bong and the other bought a super 8 camera. We got back in the car and I said to my friends “far out that was weird! Do you know what the guy said to me?” One of my friends said “yeah I heard what he said to you, I was behind you. He said “you’re gonna die”.
After all these years, I don’t know what to make of this place/lawn sale. It was a weird alright. The death threat, the huge bonfire with beer bottles (almost like a shrine), cars and car parts scattered everywhere. Felt like a death trap but then they may of just been f’ing with us (ha ha) Anyone been here before? Any similar stories? Thanks

So the title pretty much gives a bit of an overview. I, (15 f) have a sister who we’ll call Angie (18f), and one more sister who I’ll call Julie (30f another thing to note is that Julie is my half sister, we have different fathers) my father (51) married a woman who we’ll call Nancy (55). When I was 8 years old in 2017, my mother passed away from cancer. It hit my family hard. My father remarried in 2022 after dating Nancy for about 5 years. Now to get into what’s happening. Angie and Nancy used to be on better terms but their relationship has deteriorated. Angie constantly claims that Nancy is saying mean things ex. “You put so many miles on my car today because you decided your job had to be out here.” And according to Angie “All the stress you were causing me put me in the hospital.” And according to Julie “she did that because she felt as if her mother didn’t love her.” (That one in particular worries me)
Now, Angie has been saying that Nancy has a said these things (there are many more examples-) but my father ignores everything Angie claims Nancy has said. I know that things are only from Angie’s point of view and she’s the one telling the stories but I think it’s concerning that my sister is saying all this and my father won’t look into it especially after Julie’s attempted intervention about a year back. Julie and her boyfriend talked to my dad and Nancy about what had been going on and how Angie felt bullied by an adult and nothing came of it but my father saying that we couldn’t tell what was going on the house to Julie anymore.
Now with a recent huge fight my sister had with Nancy I’m concerned and asked my father for family therapy. He said okay and that Nancy would probably do it but I cant convince Angie to. I want to intervene so there are less problems but my father doesn’t really listen, even after the conversations I’ve had where I try to bring up what Angie says has happened, he listens but acts more so like Angie is lying about everything. I’m not going to act like Angie and I are complete angels, as we have said some things that have definitely upset Nancy.
However at this point I feel like what Angie has been saying is really concerning and I want to get help for it. My father is confused as to why I’m bringing up issues now instead of before but when they got together I was still only 8 so I feel like I wouldn’t have noticed things that were bad. At this point Angie feels like my father has chosen Nancy over us and I’m starting to feel that way too. I want to do something before our relationships are broken beyond repair. I’m sorry if this post was a mess, I'm pretty upset right now. Either way, does anyone have any advice? I know I can’t make Angie go to therapy if she doesn’t want it but I also know that it could help us to not fight as much in the future and repair what’s damaged- so random strangers on the internet, what do I do?

Ahoy Mateys! It is time for the 5th #letswriteamystery thread, Nancy Drew and the Curse of the Arctic Star, an adaption of the ND Diaries. If you are not familiar with these collaborative mysteries, I write a basic story and post chapters every Monday, each chapter has a poll at the end and you just comment if you want A, B, or C. You could even write in your own option if you feel like it. You have all week to vote, and then whatever option gets the most is used in the story! For the sake of clarity, I will post this week's chapter, and last weeks chapter in case you missed it. There are usually about 10 chapters total, so buckle up for a couple months of fun. Let's set sail on adventure!
NDARCTICSTAR #Titanic
“Dear Hannah,
Thanks to a client of my father, Becca White, my friends and I are off on a transatlantic journey of a lifetime! She works for Arctic Star Line, owned by an eccentric billionaire named Clive Parker whose passion project is finally coming to fruition, a full scale replica of the Titanic. Her maiden voyage is the most exclusive cruise in the world, and will have all sorts of famous celebrities and important people in attendance as we sail across the Atlantic, from New York City to Southampton and Belfast. Guests can dine on items from the original menu, enjoy a 5-piece band performing the set list of the doomed musicians before them, and sail to the site where so many souls were lost for a tasteful ceremony, hopefully returning unscathed to the Titanic’s port of origin. Becca assures me it has fully modern safety measures in place and there will be no iceberg. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, after a series of mishaps that have delayed the launch for several years, Becca is worried something very real is cursing this ship, and has asked my friends and I to go undercover and make sure nothing happens on her maiden voyage. Will she be doomed to the depths, like her namesake? Or sail off into the horizon, unscathed? Off I go, on an adventure through time. Bon voyage!
🚢🚢🚢 🌅🌅🌅 🧊🧊🧊

Email template for the Governor’s Cabinet and the Legislature below.
Yes, it is long, but it captures a lot of our frustrations.
This subreddit has over 38,000 people. If even 1,000 people emailed all of these folks from Governor’s Cabinet, the Legislature, and Other State Leaders, they will definitely take notice.
THIS IS OUR MOMENT.
There are areas in this email template for you to customize, so please read through it.
I highly recommend Hotmail or Yahoomail. If you use Gmail, you may need to click “Tab” multiple times when entering in so many emails.
You may also wish to send a copy to your own manager, section chief, branch chief, Dept. Director, etc.
Guidelines:

1. USE BCC (not in the “To” or “CC” section.
2. REMAIN RESPECTFUL.
3. OPTICS MATTER. Do not make us look bad in any way.

[dana.williamson@gov.ca.gov](mailto:dana.williamson@gov.ca.gov); [jason.elliott@gov.ca.gov](mailto:jason.elliott@gov.ca.gov); [Ann.Patterson@gov.ca.gov](mailto:Ann.Patterson@gov.ca.gov); [claire.cullis@gov.ca.gov](mailto:claire.cullis@gov.ca.gov); [senator.mcguire@sen.ca.gov](mailto:senator.mcguire@sen.ca.gov); [senator.gonzalez@sen.ca.gov](mailto:senator.gonzalez@sen.ca.gov); [senator.ashby@sen.ca.gov](mailto:senator.ashby@sen.ca.gov); [senator.wahab@sen.ca.gov](mailto:senator.wahab@sen.ca.gov); [senator.cortese@sen.ca.gov](mailto:senator.cortese@sen.ca.gov); [assemblymember.rendon@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.rendon@assembly.ca.gov); [assemblymember.ting@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.ting@assembly.ca.gov); [Wesley.Opp@asm.ca.gov](mailto:Wesley.Opp@asm.ca.gov); [Alexis.Foley@asm.ca.gov](mailto:Alexis.Foley@asm.ca.gov); [tram.truong@asm.ca.gov](mailto:tram.truong@asm.ca.gov); [assemblymember.rivas@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.rivas@assembly.ca.gov); [assemblymember.wood@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.wood@assembly.ca.gov); [Lien.Yee@asm.ca.gov](mailto:Lien.Yee@asm.ca.gov); [assemblymember.kalra@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.kalra@assembly.ca.gov); [assemblymember.mckinnor@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.mckinnor@assembly.ca.gov); [assemblymember.weber@assembly.ca.gov](mailto:assemblymember.weber@assembly.ca.gov); [Marcie.Frost@calpers.ca.gov](mailto:Marcie.Frost@calpers.ca.gov); [Kim.Johnson@dss.ca.gov](mailto:Kim.Johnson@dss.ca.gov); [Monica.Erickson@calhr.ca.gov](mailto:Monica.Erickson@calhr.ca.gov); [Eraina.Ortega@calhr.ca.gov](mailto:Eraina.Ortega@calhr.ca.gov); [amy.tong@govops.ca.gov](mailto:amy.tong@govops.ca.gov); [Miriam.Ingenito@govops.ca.gov](mailto:Miriam.Ingenito@govops.ca.gov); [Justyn.Howard@govops.ca.gov](mailto:Justyn.Howard@govops.ca.gov); [james.regan@govops.ca.gov](mailto:james.regan@govops.ca.gov); [Joe.Stephenshaw@dof.ca.gov](mailto:Joe.Stephenshaw@dof.ca.gov); [Erika.Li@dof.ca.gov](mailto:Erika.Li@dof.ca.gov); [Nancy.Farias@edd.ca.gov](mailto:Nancy.Farias@edd.ca.gov); [malia.cohen@sco.ca.gov](mailto:malia.cohen@sco.ca.gov); [tthurmond@cde.ca.gov](mailto:tthurmond@cde.ca.gov); [fiona.ma@treasurer.ca.gov](mailto:fiona.ma@treasurer.ca.gov); [mark.Ghaly@chhs.ca.gov](mailto:mark.Ghaly@chhs.ca.gov); [tomas.aragon@cdph.ca.gov](mailto:tomas.aragon@cdph.ca.gov); [yana.garcia@calepa.ca.gov](mailto:yana.garcia@calepa.ca.gov); [tomiquia.Moss@bcsh.ca.gov](mailto:tomiquia.Moss@bcsh.ca.gov); [stewart.knox@labor.ca.gov](mailto:stewart.knox@labor.ca.gov); [wade.crowfoot@resources.ca.gov](mailto:wade.crowfoot@resources.ca.gov); [jenn.eckerle@resources.ca.gov](mailto:jenn.eckerle@resources.ca.gov); [Mark.Tollefson@calsta.ca.gov](mailto:Mark.Tollefson@calsta.ca.gov); [karen.ross@cdfa.ca.gov](mailto:karen.ross@cdfa.ca.gov); [jeffrey.marino@innovation.ca.gov](mailto:jeffrey.marino@innovation.ca.gov); [notices@seiu1000.org](mailto:notices@seiu1000.org); [caps@capsscientists.org](mailto:caps@capsscientists.org); [pecg@pecg.org](mailto:pecg@pecg.org); [info@calattorneys.org](mailto:info@calattorneys.org)
Dear California State Leaders,
I write to you today as a voter, taxpayer, constituent, and as a State of California employee. My ________years of dedicated work serves Californians every day because my role focuses on supporting _________.
I want to share my personal story and provide some facts and data about the Governor’s new June 17 RTO (Return to Office) arbitrary mandate. This mandate will cost taxpayers more during this budget deficit crisis and it is a poorly thought-out, one-size-fits-all, chaotic approach. According to the survey data from 110 State Departments, telework was a huge success for recruitment, productivity, morale, collaboration, and decreasing office space. This chaotic, mandatory, arbitrary RTO simply creates a long list of unnecessary problems. For all of the reasons outlined in this email, I strongly support Assemblyman Josh Hoover’s audit request.
My message is simple: Encourage the Governor to rescind the June 17 arbitrary RTO mandate. The decision for the frequency that employees should all meet in-person and collaborate should rest with those closest and most familiar with the work: individual Unit Managers. These managers know the true collaboration, mentorship, and operational needs of their individual teams. Individual Unit Managers should be allowed to make decisions on accordingly to carry out the Department’s goals and mission. This is the bottoms-up approach that balances the needs of both the employer and employees. The Governor’s mandate and top-down approach fails to acknowledge the many financial and environmental repercussions to not only its own employees, but also to the State of California.
I want to share my personal story as a working class, public servant. With high inflation, I simply cannot afford to shoulder the cost of commuting, which averages $8,466 annually.. According to this 2023 LAO (Legislative Analyst Office) report, for most employees, our State provided wages have consistently been lower than the inflation rate, year-after-year, since 1999, constantly eroding our purchasing power. Other employees have it worse, such as scientists who have had their salaries be frozen for 4 years since 2020 as CalHR has refused to budge on reaching a contract. Purchasing power is a key metric since a $50,000 salary in 2024 buys far less than in 1999. This 2023 UC Berkeley Labor Center report confirmed that “State workers struggle to make ends meet throughout California.” Even the 2023 California State Auditor reports “that hiring and retaining qualified IT staff is the greatest challenge that they [State Departments] currently face.”
If the State is unwilling to provide market wages that keep up with inflation, the state can recruit and retain employees by improving working conditions, such as telework. Being allowed to telework 5 days a week has helped stretch my limited dollars, especially in this inflationary period. This arbitrary RTO mandate is effectively yet another pay cut for me that I simply cannot afford.
Personally, having the opportunity to telework 5 days a week has dramatically improved my quality of life by:
#############################################################
Tell them why the RTO issue is important to you, your family member and your community.
IF YOU DISCUSS CHILD CARE, ONLY TALK ABOUT THE HOURS BEFORE AND AFTER WORK. DO NOT DISCUSS CHILD CARE DURING YOUR REGULAR 8-5 JOB.
###########################################################

1. I have saved ____ hours on my roundtrip commute per week. This has allowed me to reinvest that time toward _____. [helping my kids with their homework, taking care of elderly relatives ]
2. I have saved $___ on commuting costs, which has helped me better afford ___ for me and my family. This has been especially helpful because high inflation has negatively affected me by _____.
3. By teleworking, I am reducing my environmental impact and contribution to climate change, which is _____
4. I have a physical disability and telework is more accommodating than using public transportation, etc. (Feel free to expand on it)
5. I do not live in an area with access to efficient public transportation, so teleworking helps by _____
6. For childcare during before and after work hours, it would cost me ________.

The State will incur many financial and environmental costs:

1. If even 33%, or 73,086 out of the 221,474 State employees use the monthly maximum IRS public transportation benefit,) that would cost the State $276.3 million every single year.
2. State Departments already spend $600 million per year on rent. Many State Departments also simply do not have enough office space for all of their employees currently. There is nowhere near enough quiet conference room space for employees to hold confidential meetings with stakeholders. Will these departments sign new leases for office space?
3. State Departments will be forced to buy many millions of dollars worth of additional office equipment for employees to effectively carry out their jobs including additional webcams, headsets, keyboards, standard office supplies, etc.
4. Pursuant to the reasonable accommodation process for employees with verified medical needs, State Departments will need to purchase other expensive equipment, including but not limited to specialized chairs and stand up desks.
   
   1. It is important to note that many employees have already invested their own money into equipping their own home office that best meets their needs. It is not simply not possible to ask an employee to bring in their own large equipment from home to the office and back, so the State Departments would incur these additional purchases.
5. State Departments will be spending much more in maintenance costs for elevators, bathroom repairs, printer repairs, electricity, water, gas, and other utilities.
   
6. State telework has also eliminated nearly 400,000 metric tons of carbon emissions. Mandating RTO will needlessly cause more carbon emissions, which directly runs counter to the Governor’s own words for his trip to the Vatican: “global temperatures [are] hurtling towards alarming new heights, the stakes could not be higher. There is no greater authority than moral authority — and the Pope’s leadership on the climate crisis inspires us all to push further and faster.”
   

The arbitrary mandatory RTO causes chaos among State Departments:
Across various departments, it’s common knowledge that a sizable number of executive-level leaders do not reside near Sacramento and instead live in other regions in California, such as the Bay Area and Southern California.

1. The next logical question is, will the state offer these executive-level leaders special exemptions and privileges not available to rank and file staff and risk the hypocrisy that undermines the Governor’s stated policy for more “collaboration?” This creates another “rules for thee, but not for me” situation.
2. Or will the State risk losing these executive-level leaders en masse across numerous departments, undermining policy and program implementation?
3. For Departments considering exempting those who live over 50 miles away, it also destroys employee morale. For example, a 20 year veteran staff member with technical expertise may be forced to commute and come into the office twice a week to train a newer employee over Microsoft Teams or Zoom simply because they live in Los Angeles. This naturally breeds frustration and resentment.
4. For exempted employees who live over 50 miles away, some Departments are creating policies that their 5 day remote status only applies to their currently held position, so these employees are “forever stuck” and cannot promote upward, even if they have the expertise the Department needs.
5. The State is starting to open itself up to lawsuits as some Departments are already denying reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities.
6. Being able to recruit employees from areas other than Sacramento helps ensure Departments get perspectives from different counties all across the State. People from rural, suburban, and urban areas all have different experiences and to best serve ALL Californians, we need a geographically diverse workforce.
7. As previously stated, many Departments already do not have the office space or needed equipment for all of their employees. With RTO, new equipment will be needed and purchasing equipment notoriously takes a long time. These factors, combined with many departments trying to implement a hoteling system, will ultimately result in a extremely chaotic return-to-the-office and tank productivity. Many Departments have held Q&A sessions and time and time again, HR offices have been unable to answer basic questions about RTO logistics.

Some state employees have discussed that this is their number one quality-of-life issue and may galvanize them to start engaging with media contacts and spread the hypocrisy on social media. Their goal is to highlight the glaring mismatch and hypocrisy between CA’s proud public policies and the actual reality of choices being made by this Administration. Quite frankly, I fear that this may hurt the Governor and other State Leaders in the future. By unilaterally imposing an arbitrary RTO mandate across the board, the Administration is actively choosing to make working class public servant’s lives worse off, so I understand my colleague’s sentiments.
As MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow recently stated to her own bosses, “Hearing legitimate criticism, responding to it and correcting course. Not digging in, not blaming others. Take a minute, acknowledge that maybe it wasn’t the right call. It is a sign of strength, not weakness, to acknowledge when you are wrong.”
To reiterate, my request is simple: Encourage the Governor to rescind the arbitrary, mandatory, one-size-fits-all, chaotic RTO mandate. Allow individual Unit Managers the flexibility to enact telework policies that best meet their team’s needs to effectively carry out the Department’s mission. They are the ones closest to the work and the ones most knowledgable about what the team needs to succeed.
I respectfully request a response within ten business days.
Respectfully yours,
_________

hello,
I am completely new to gaming (and to reddit). In the way of computers, I have an macbook air that I am almost positive will not be sufficient enough to support any actual gaming (right...?). so I have no idea where or how to find the right information on what I should get, how to understand any of the computer lingo and dense amount of information out there. like I literally don't know at all where to start. I don't know what I would need at all, still sometimes get confused over a computer and a monitor. I have no idea where to look or what to be looking for just to play a fun little game :). also obviously looking for essentially the cheapest options possible, things that would work well and fine and not interfere with capability, but really cost as little as it can. I also have no idea the expected price range for any the things I will need, so i am feeling a little intimidated by the not knowing anything at all.
As far as what game I am looking to play, I love worldbuilding and fantasy and stuff like that. I love being able to create my own character, choose what I look like and what I wear, and go on an adventure where I get to go through different stories that i get to participate in. I also love having powers and cool mythological connects. I hate talking about it like this bc it feels so silly to me to love all these things bc I don't know anyone else who does. no one talks about it. anyway, would love a game like this. I also like ones where you get to be a character in a story already made, but I don't really like the ones where you just have to complete certain things that are already set out for you. I can only think of the nancy drew game and ones like it but I know there are more lol. i get stressed out and like to do my own thing. loveeeee open world things. and getting to have and set up a little house or base or something like that.
I also don't really want to have to talk to people, like a chat or messaging would be fine but I don't want to have to speak or make noise.

This is the list that I wrote for Oklahoma's execution roster since the nationwide reinstatement of capital punishment in the late 1970s. Something that should be mentioned is that given the nature of many death penalty related crimes, many of the descriptions contain very disturbing details. Please read at your own risk.
Florida's list is next, and I'll post my list for Texas once I've completed it. With Texas, I've currently finished 464 entries out of the 587 cases to date. That will probably take 7 or 8 posts for it all to be released, so I'll probably do two posts a day with Texas to avoid spamming the sub. At the end of this year, I'll repost the states that have conducted further executions with the updated information.
As with Missouri and Virginia, Reddit's maximum character count limitations forced me to divide Oklahoma's list into two separate parts. Here is the link to part 2.
The currently 124 executed offenders, cases 1 to 62:
1. Charles Coleman (~1950s-1990, lethal injection): A month after he was released on parole in 1979, Coleman broke into a house. While sacking it for any valuables, the homeowner’s brother and sister in law, 68 year old John and 62 year old Roxie Seward, walked in on him and were both shot dead. Coleman stole Roxie’s purse, several packets of frozen meat, and the homeowner’s watch during the burglary, and was arrested shortly afterwards. However, Coleman managed to escape custody, and went on a rampage that involved several burglaries, auto thefts, slitting the throat of a policeman in a failed murder attempt, the shooting death of 49 year old Russell Lewis Jr. in a carjacking, and the abduction of a deputy. The kidnapped deputy was rescued following an armed standoff with other police officers. Coleman had an extensive history of animal cruelty, armed robberies, assaults, and carrying concealed weapons convictions dating back to when he was 11 years old. He was also heavily suspected in the murder of his teenage girlfriend’s father, but was acquitted by the courts despite the prosecution’s strong belief in his guilt.
2. Robyn Parks (1977-1992, lethal injection): During a gas station robbery, Parks shot and killed Abdullah Ibrahim, a 24 year old Bangladeshi immigrant that worked as the attendant. According to Parks, he murdered Ibrahim for catching him using a stolen credit card.
3. Olan Randle (1980-1992, lethal injection): Randle invaded a home and shot the occupants, 41 year old Robert Swinford, Sinford's fiance 42 year old Averil Bourque, and Bourque's friend 38 year old Julia Lovejoy, dead. He took a pocket knife and several watches from the victims.
4. Thomas Grasso (~1970s(?)-1995, lethal injection): While living in Oklahoma, Grasso strangled 87 year old Hilda Johnson, the best friend of his girlfriend's grandmother, to death with her Christmas lights. He took $8 from her purse, several coins that added up to $4, and a television set that he sold for $125. Grasso then moved to New York, and strangled 81 year old Leslie Holtz for his social security check. The trialing arrangements caused some controversy, as the New York governors at the time were anti death penalty, and tried to prevent Grasso's extradition in favor of giving him a life sentence in their jurisdiction. Grasso had several previous convictions for theft and was fired multiple times for stealing from his jobs.
5. Roger Stafford (~1974(?)-1995, lethal injection): Stafford was condemned for killing at least 9 people in two separate robbery incidents with his brother and ex wife, though his ex wife claimed that he was involved with as many as 34 murders nationwide. The first convicted incident was when he and the ex wife carjacked and fatally shot a couple, 38 year old Melvin and 31 year old Linda Lorenz, and their son, 12 year old Richard. A few weeks after the Lorenz murders, Stafford stormed a restaurant and gunned down 6 employees, 56 year old Isaac Freeman, 43 year old Louis Zacarias, 17 year old Anthony Tew, 17 year old David Lindsey, 16 year old David Salsman, and 15 year old Terri Horst. One of Stafford's additional attributed victims was 20 year old Jimmy Berry, who was killed in the hold up of an Alabaman McDonalds, but he wasn't charged by the state due to his death sentences in Oklahoma.
6. Robert Brecheen (1983-1995, lethal injection): Breechen was involved in a feud over money with 59 year old Mary Stubbs and her husband. In an attempt to take what he perceived was owed to him, Breechen carried out a night time burglary of their home. While rummaging through the house, Breechen stumbled upon old Marie in her living room and shot her to death. The gunshots and screams awoke her husband, and he chased him away with his own gun.
7. Benjamin Brewer (1978-1996, lethal injection): Brewer raped his neighbor, 20 year old Karen Stapleton, in her home and stabbed her to death
8. Steven Hatch (1979-1996, lethal injection): Hatch and another assailant, Glen Ake, forced themselves inside the home that Richard Dougass, a 43 year old reverend, shared with his wife, 36 year old Marilyn, and their two children, 16 year old Brooks and 12 year old Lesile. The pair tied up the family and raped Lesile in front of her parents and brother. All four family members were shot, and Hatch and Ake ran off with $43 and the parents’ wedding rings. Richard and Marilyn were both killed in the shootings, while their children survived the attack. Ake was also initially condemned for the attack, but his sentence was overturned and resentenced to life following mental health concerns, and passed away from undisclosed natural causes in 2011.
9. Scott Carpenter (1994-1997, lethal injection): In a convenience store robbery, Carpenter stabbed the owner, 56 year old A. J. Kelley, in the neck, and hid the body in the minnow room. He filled his truck with $37 worth of gas from the pumps and drove away from the scene. His execution caused some controversy, as it was reported that Carpenter gasped and spasmed for 11 minutes after being injected.
10. Michael Long (1997-1998, lethal injection): Enraged that his coworker, 24 year old Sheryl Graber, refused him sex and started screaming for help, he stabbed her over 31 times. Long also shot and killed her son, 5 year old Andrew, for being a witness.
11. Stephen Wood (1992-1998, lethal injection): While heavily intoxicated, Wood stabbed two other homeless men, 46 year old Charles Stephen and 34 year old Charles Von Johnson, dozens of times each. He was given a life sentence for both of their murders. During his incarceration, Robert Brigden, a 59 year old former minister that was serving a 40 year sentence for molesting several girls between the ages of 4-14 in his congregation, moved into his unit after refusing to go into protective custody. Woods killed Brigden in a stabbing attack, and his sentence was escalated to death by the courts for it.
12. Tuan Anh Nguyen (~1982-1998, lethal injection): By all accounts, Nguyen was jealously possessive over his wife, 21 year old Donna. During one of their arguments over his behavior, he stabbed Donna, her 6 year old nephew Joseph White, and her 3 year old niece Amanda White, in their home and left the bodies to be found by the children’s parents. He fled to Arizona, groomed a 14 year old girl into an illicit “relationship”, and impregnated her. After he convinced her to move in with him, Nguyen physically and sexually abused the girl until she fled and went to the local police for help. Nguyen was then deported back to Oklahoma to face trial for Donna and the White children’s slayings, and was sentenced to death for them.
13. John Duvall (1986-1998, lethal injection): During a fight with his wife, 30 year old Donna, Duvall stabbed and suffocated her to death with a pillow.
14. John Castro Sr. (1983-1999, lethal injection): Castro carjacked Beulah Cox, a 31 year old Oklahoma State University student, after she picked him up hitchhiking and shot her to death. A few months later, Castro held up a restaurant with an empty pistol, and attacked the manger, 29 year old Rhonda Pappan, after forcing her to open the register. During their struggle, Pappan was fatally stabbed, and he took off with her purse. During his mid teens, Castro was allegedly molested by his mother. Castro's attorneys made the argument that his glimpses of Cox's buttocks reminded him of his mother's reported abuse, and he was triggered into attacking her for it.
15. Sean Sellers (1985-1999, lethal injection): In 1985, a then 15 year old Sellers tried to buy beer from a convenience store, but the clerk, 32 year old Robert Bower, denied him due to being underaged at the time. Sellers gunned him down in a fit of rage. A year later, Sellers shot and killed his mother, 32 year old Vonda Bellofatto, and stepfather, 43 year old Paul, in their sleep. Due to being 16 at the time of his conviction, Sellers remains the youngest condemned offender to have his sentence carried out in the post Furman era. He also attracted national media attention for claiming that his crimes were the result of demonic possession.
16. Scotty Moore (1983-1999, lethal injection): Moore was fired from a motel for undisclosed reasons. In retaliation, Moore and a cousin (whom he was dating at the time), assaulted the motel, and gunned down the desk clerk, 42 year old Alex Fernandez. According to court documents, the pair took a total of $97 in the robbery.
17. Norman Newsted (1984-1999, lethal injection): Newsted tricked Lawrence Buckley, a 26 year old cab driver, into picking him up. He shot Buckley dead and took his wallet. In an attempt to cover his tracks, Newsted placed the body inside the cab, and drove it into a creek near a local church. Despite his best efforts, Buckley’s cab and remains were discovered a day later by the church’s pastor.
18. Cornel Cooks (1982-1999, lethal injection): Cooks and his accomplice broke into the home of 87 year old Jennie Ridling. She was gagged, raped, and suffocated to death with gauze wrappings. According to autopsy reports, the pair abused her for over 2 hours. They then sacked the house for any valuables and left with her checkbook.
19. Bobby Ross (1983-1999, lethal injection): While robbing an inn, Ross fatally shot a police officer, 30 year old Steve Mahan, that tried to intervene.
20. Malcolm Johnson (~1970s(?)-2000, lethal injection): Johnson invaded the apartment of 76 year old Ura Thompson and sexually assaulted her. Thompson either died from having her chest compounded during the abuse or was suffocated by Johnson’s hands covering her nose. He seized several possessions such as furs, typewriters, purse, watch, rings, and a hand mirror, which were discovered by police in his residence during an unrelated investigation of a firearms possession charge. Johnson had an extensive criminal history, which included several convictions of rape, armed robberies, and burglaries. The case attracted controversy when it was discovered that the lead chemist in the investigation misconducted several of her other cases, and forged some of the evidence used in the trial. Despite the other overwhelming evidence to the contrary, Johnson’s supporters took the opportunity to push a narrative of his innocence.
21. Gary Walker (~1960s-2000, lethal injection): Walker abducted, raped, and murdered at least 5 women, 36 year old Margaret Lydick, 35 year old Jane Hilburn, 32 year old Janet Jewell, 25 year old Valerie Shaw-Hartzell, and 24 year old DeRonda Roy, and non fatally assaulted several other women and teenage girls. The victims were mostly strangled to death with their bras and panties. Some of them were forced to withdraw hundreds of dollars from ATMs before they were killed. He also strangled a man, 63 year old Eddie Cash, with an electrical cord while robbing his home. Walker had dozens of previous convictions for burglary, carjacking, drug possession, and carrying concealed weapons. Some of his earliest arrests occurred when he was a teenager.
22. Michael Roberts (~1988-2000, lethal injection): A career burglar, Roberts was condemned for murder of 80 year old Lula Brooks. She was raped and her throat was slit by an intruder in her home. Roberts' death sentence and execution has been contested, as he was convicted on his later recounted testimony alone. He claimed that the investigators tricked him into confessing with the promise of a plea deal that was allegedly withheld from him.
23. Kelly Rogers (1990-2000, lethal injection): Rogers’ girlfriend lured 21 year old Karen Lauffenburger into her apartment with a fake pizza order. They accosted her when she arrived with the delivery. After the couple forced Lauffenburger to hand to over the $40 she earned from the night's pizza deliveries and withdraw $175 from an ATM, Rogers raped and stabbed her to death. The body was left in Lauffenburger’s apartment and was found by her boyfriend.
24. Ronald Boyd (1986-2000, lethal injection): During a robbery spree of several gas stations and supermarkets, Boyd engaged in a shootout with the responding officers. A Master Patrolman, 32 year old Richard Riggs, was killed in the exchange.
25. Charles Foster (~1980s(?)-2000, lethal injection): Foster suspected a grocery store owner, 74 year old Claude Wiley, of making sexual advances at his wife. He arranged for her to entice Wiley to their home with an order. When he arrived with the delivery, Foster stabbed and bludgeoned him to death with a baseball bat. He a history of convictions involving threats and violence, though my sources didn’t disclose any specific details.
26. James Robedeaux (1978-2000, lethal injection): In 1978, Robedeaux strangled his first wife, 30 year old Linda, and plead guilty to a second degree murder charges. He was released after serving 6 out of a 25 year sentence despite an escape attempt. In the following year, he began a relationship with 37 year old Nancy McKinney while he married a different woman. During an argument, Robedeaux beat McKinney to death, dismembered her body with a saw and machete, and scattered the remains across the state. While being investigated for McKinney's murder, he was arrested for choking and beating his estranged second wife. The cases were incidental and kept separate by the courts.
27. Roger Berget (~1985-2000, lethal injection): Berget carjacked and abducted 33 year old Rick Patterson with an accomplice, and shot him dead. He also admitted to the beating death of a roommate, 40 year old James Meadows, on the behalf of the man's wife. As a trivial side note, Berget's brother Rodney was executed in 2018 by the state of South Dakota for killing a prison guard [for more information, please see Rodney Berget's entry under the South Dakota section of my states with less then 10 executions post].
28. William Bryson (1988-2000, lethal injection): To collect a $300,000 life insurance policy, Marilyn Plantz recruited her boyfriend Byrson and his friend to kill her husband, 33 year old James. Byrson and his friend ambushed Plantz in his house as he was coming home from work and beat him to death with a baseball bat. With the intentions of staging an accident, Marilyn ordered the pair to burn the body in the couple's pickup truck.
29. Gregg Braun (1989-2000, lethal injection): Across several states, Braun shot and killed 4 women, 48 year old Geraldine Valdez, 31 year old Gwendolyn Miller, 28 year old Mary Rains, 27 year old Barbara Kochendorfer, and one man, 54 year old Pete Spurrier, while robbing stores.
30. George Wallace (~1970s-2000, lethal injection): Known as "the Mad Paddler" due to his habit of spanking abducted preteen and teenage boys with a wooden paddle, Wallace kidnapped his victims by posing as a police officer. After duping his targets into thinking that they were being arrested, Wallace restrained them with handcuffs and leg chains. The captives were then sexually abused and shot or stabbed to death. His crimes were exposed when an 18 year old man he abducted escaped from him despite being shot and stabbed numerous times. By his own admission, Wallace murdered 18 year old Thomas Reed, 15 year old William Domer, 14 year old Mark McLaughlin, 14 year old Jeffrey Foster, and 12 year old Alonzo Cade.
31. Eddie Trice (1987-2001, lethal injection): Trice snuck into the home of 84 year old Ernestine Jones and raped her. After he beat Jones to death with numbchucks, he terrorized and extorted her cognitively disabled son of $500 with threats of killing him if he told anyone of the murder. The son was also assaulted with a hammer, and he received injuries to his right eye, right cheekbone, and his right forearm.
32. Wanda Allen (~1981-2001, lethal injection): In 1981, Allen got into a fight with her live in girlfriend, 21 year old Dedra Pettus, and shot her dead. Despite giving a bungled story about her being accidentally killed in a shootout with Pettus’ ex boyfriend to the investigators, Allen managed to secure a 4 year sentence for manslaughter after pleading guilty to a plea deal, and was released after serving two years. While incarcerated, she started dating a fellow inmate, 29 year old Gloria Leathers, and continued their relationship outside of prison. The couple’s relationship was marred with extreme domestic violence on Allen’s end. In one incident, Allen struck Leathers with a rake. In 1989, while they were arguing in front of a shopping center, Allen shot and killed Leathers. Leathers herself also had history of violence, and had a conviction for stabbing a woman to death. Allen and her defense team tried to use Leathers’ previous convictions to make a self defense argument, but that was shot down by the courts.
33. Floyd Medlock (1990-2001, lethal injection): 7 year old Katherine Busch went to visit her family's old apartment, which Medlock was residing in, by herself. Busch knocked on the door and Medlock let her inside after she begged for food. He then choked and sexually assaulted the girl, dunked her head in a toilet bowl, and stabbed her to death. The body was hidden in a nearby dumpster. Busch's grandmothers were staunch pro capital punishment and anti death penalty activists respectively, and their public feud over Medlock's sentence and execution attracted some media attention. Medlock also had an extensive criminal history despite being only 19 at the time of Busch's murder, and was previously arrested several times for indecent exposure, arson, armed robbery, and marijuana possession.
34. Dion Smallwood (1992-2001, lethal injection): Smallwood walked into the home of his ex girlfriend's adoptive stepmother, 68 year old Lois Frederick, without invitation. He had a tumultuous and often violent relationship with her adopted stepdaughter that she strongly opposed, and they broke up under her pressure. After an argument, Smallwood knocked Frederick unconscious with a croquet mallet, locked her in a car, and burned her alive in it.
35. Mark Fowler (1985-2001, lethal injection): To get back at his ex employers for firing him, Fowler and his partner, Billy Fox, stormed a supermarket that he used to work out. The pair rounded up 3 employees, Chumpon Chaowasin, a 44 year old Thai immigrant, 33 year old Rick Cast, and 27 year old John Barrier, at gun point. Their hostages were shot, clubbed, and stabbed to death, and they took over $2,7000 in cash and checks.
36. Billy Fox (1985-2001, lethal injection): Fox assisted the above mentioned Mark Fowler in robbing a supermarket and murdering 3 of its employees
37. Loyd Lafevers (1985-2001, lethal injection): Lafevers and his accomplice, Randall Cannon, kidnapped 84 year old Addie Hawley from her home. She was raped, trapped in the trunk of a car, and burned alive in it. Although she was rescued, Hawley died from her injuries 6 hours later. The pair stole Hawley's wedding ring and Lafevers gifted it to a stripper. As Hawley's nephew was a Colorado state senator, her murder gained some attention from media outlets.
38. Dorsie Jones Jr. (1979-2001, lethal injection): While drinking at a bar, a barmaid chastised Jones for carrying an unconcealed gun. He shot at her in a fit of rage, but missed and injured his female companion instead. Jones then turned his attention to the other patrons and fired on them. 48 year old Stanley Buck Sr. was killed in front of his 19 year old son, who was also wounded in the shooting.
39. Robert Clayton (~1980s-2001, lethal injection): Clayton attacked 19 year old Rhonda Timmons while she was sunbathing near her apartment. She was raped, stabbed, kicked in the head, and strangled to death with her swimming suit. Her husband found Timmons' body laying next to their infant daughter, who was left unharmed. Clayton had a previous rape conviction in Tennessee and a robbery conviction in Texas.
40. Ronald Fluke (1997-2001, lethal injection): Out of despair that his gambling addiction drove his family to near poverty, Fluke shot and killed his wife, 44 year old Ginger, and their daughters, 13 year old Kathryn and 11 year old Susanne, while they were sleeping in their bedrooms. He initially attacked Ginger with a hatchet, but turned to shooting when she fought back.
41. Marilyn Plantz (1988-2001, lethal injection): The married girlfriend of William Bryson. As mentioned under Bryson's entry, Plantz arranged for him and his friend to kill her husband James to collect his life insurance policy.
42. Terrance James (1983-2001, lethal injection): While awaiting trial for a theft of government property charge, James and two accomplices strangled a fellow inmate, 25 year old Mark Berry, with wire out of their suspicions of him being a snitch. They then hung the body in an attempt to make it look like a suicide. Berry was another party in the theft of government property case, and James and his accomplices believed that it was his testimony that got them arrested.
43. Vincent Johnson (1991-2001, lethal injection): Johnson gunned down 44 year old Shirley Mooneyham in her home. The prosecution believed that Mooneyham's boyfriend arranged the killing to collect a life insurance policy, but he was acquitted at trial.
44. Jerald Harjo (~1980s-2001, lethal injection): Harjo snuck into the bedroom of 64 year old Ruth Porter, raped her, and suffocated her with a pillowcase. He then snatched Porter's car keys and drove off with her van. His past criminal history was extensive, and was in prison numerous times for burglary and autotheft.
45. Jack Walker (1988-2001, lethal injection): Disgruntled with the custody dispute over their then 3 month old son, Walker stabbed his ex girlfriend, 17 year old Shelly Ellison, and her uncle, 30 year old Donald, 32 and 11 times with an ice pick during a confrontation at their home.
46. Alvie Hale Jr. (1983-2001, lethal injection): Hale kidnapped 24 year old William Perry to extort a $350,000 ransom from his banking family. When the negotiations failed, Perry was shot dead, and Hale buried the body on his father's property.
47. Lois Smith (1982-2001, lethal injection): Smith, her son, and a female accomplice abducted her son's ex girlfriend, 21 year old Cindy Baillee, from an airport out of fear her testifying of his involvement in the drug trade. Baillee was taken to Smith's ex husband's house, and stabbed in the throat by her ex boyfriend while driving to their destination. Inside the home, she was taunted by Smith with a gun, and was shot 7 times in the chest and 2 times in the back of the head. While her son was reloading the gun, Smith jumped on and crushed Bailee's throat.
48. Sahib Lateef Al-Mosawi (1992-2001, lethal injection): Following a dispute over their newborn son's name, Al-Mosawi's estranged wife, 26 year old Inaam Al-Nashi, fled to the apartment of her uncle, 45 year old Mohammed. Al-Mosaw attacked the pair in the apartment and stabbed them to death. Inaam's sister was also stabbed, but she managed to escape with her life. The couple and their families were refugees from Iraq that were displaced by the First Persian Gulf War, and they fled into the United States.
49. John Romano (1985-2002, lethal injection): Romano and his accomplice David Woodruff robbed and murdered two of their acquaintances. One of the victims, 63 year old Lloyd Thompson, was attacked in his apartment. Thompson was held down by the pair while they stabbed him 22 times and served his spinal cord. The other victim, 52 year old Roger Sarfaty, was tied up, beaten, stabbed 5 times, and strangled to death in a jewelry store he owned. In the robberies, Romano and Woodruff stole several pieces of jewelry from Sarfaty, and took most of Thompson’s quarter collection.
50. David Woodruff (1985-2002, lethal injection): As mentioned under John Romano's entry, Woodruff took part in the robbery murders of Lloyd Thompson and Roger Sarfaty.
51. Randall Cannon (1985-2002, lethal injection): Cannon assisted Loyd Lafevers in abducting, sexually assaulting, and burning Addie Hawley alive in her car. Although he was acquitted of molesting Hawley, Cannon was still condemned for his part in the kidnapping and murder.
52. Earl Frederick Sr. (~1989-2002, lethal injection): Frederick beat Bradford Beck, a 41 year old veteran that was crippled during his service in the Vietnam war, to death in his home after befriending him. He ransacked the house and dumped Beck's body in a field. A second murder, the robbery and shooting death of a Texan man, 77 year old Shirley Fox, was also tied to him. However, authorities in Texas withheld from prosecuting Fredrick due to his death penalty trial and conviction in Oklahoma. Both Fox and Beck had physical disabilities, which led prosecutors to the conclusion that Frederick intentionally selected and depredated on disabled men.
53. Jerry McCracken (~1980s(?)-2002, lethal injection): McCracken and his accomplice shot up a bar, killed 3 patrons and the bartender, and made off with $350. The victims that lost their lives were 41 year old Carol McDaniels, 37 year old Timothy Sheets, 34 year old Steven Sheets, and 27 year old Tyrrell Boyd. Months before the mass shooting, McCracken was paroled after serving time for stabbing 3 people in a bar fight.
54. Jay Neill (1984-2002, lethal injection): During a bank robbery, Neill disemboweled and nearly decapitated 3 tellers, 42 year old Kay Bruno, 25 year old Joyce Mullenix, and 19 year old Jerri Bowles. A group of 4 customers, consisting of 33 year old Ralph Zeller, a married couple, and their 14 month old daughter, unwittingly walked in on him, and he herded them into a backroom to be shot. Zeller was killed, the couple were wounded, and Neill left the daughter unharmed due to running out of bullets. Neill's boyfriend was given a life sentence for the robbery and murders, despite not being directly involved.
55. Ernest Carter Jr. (~1989-2002, lethal injection): After being fired from an autoshop, Carter robbed it with an accomplice, and fatally shot a security guard, 35 year old Eugene Manowski. The pair stole the shop's tow truck, and later tried to burn it with Carter's girlfriend to destroy any traces of the crime. Carter was also previously accused of burning a friend to death in the previous year, but the charges were dismissed.
56. Daniel Revilla (1987-2003, lethal injection): While babysitting his girlfriend's son, 13 month old Mark Gomez, in their home, Revilla broke the boy’s ribs in a beating and scalded him with boiling water. When he brought the boy to a hospital, Revilla gave a story that he accidentally hit Gomez’s head with a door handle, which was quickly seen through by the staff. According to the accounts of his girlfriend and her family, Revilla was violently abusive to Gomez, and they recounted incidents of him trapping the boy in a kitchen drawer, dunking him in cold water, folding him into a pull up bed, and hanging him by his ankles with duct tape.
57. Bobby Fields (~1990s-2003, lethal injection): Fields shot and killed 77 year old Louise Schem while burglarizing her home. She had tried to shot him with her .25 calibre pistol, but he wrestled the gun away from her, and gunned her down with it. His intentions was to steal Schem's television set to sell for cocaine, but left empty handed after losing his nerves with the struggle and murder. According to court documents, Fields had a previous robbery and assault conviction, and several arrests for drug possession.
58. Walanzo Robinson (1989-2003, lethal injection): A member of the Gangster Bloods street gang, Robinson shot and killed 26 year old Dennis Hill, an affiliate of a rival gang, in a turf war over drug sales.
59. John Hooker (~1971-2003, lethal injection): As a teenager in 1971, Hooker attended a party at a friend's house, and got into an argument. In a fit of anger, he fatally shot 18 year old Alta Lang, and wounded two other partygoers. Due to the witnesses refusing to cooperate with the investigation and being unable to prove any calculated intentions, Hooker was given a manslaughter conviction, and released a few years later. After he was paroled, Hooker started dating Sylvia Stokes, and fathered several children with her. Their troubled relationship lasted for 8 years, and ended when Stokes filed a protection order against him. In retaliation, Hooker lured Stokes and her mother, 53 year old Durcilla Morgan, into his apartment and stabbed them both to death.
60. Scot Hain (~1980s-2003, lethal injection): Hain carjacked and abducted a couple, 27 year old Michael Houghton and 22 year old Laura Sanders. After taking $565 and some bags of clothing, he forced them into the trunk of their car at gunpoint, and burned them alive in it. He had several previous arrests for robbery, and was involved with a number of rapes and attempted kidnappings months before the Houghton and Sanders' murders.
61. Don Hawkins Jr. (1985-2003, lethal injection): Hawkins kidnapped 29 year old Linda Ann Thompson and her two daughters, aged 4 years old and 18 months old, from a mall. Although his original intentions were to ransom off Thompson and her children, Hawkins gang raped the captive woman with his cousin and his girlfriend's teenage nephew, and drowned her in a lake. Thompson's children were spared and simply left with a babysitter. Hawkins and his accomplice then went on a nation wide rampage with his accomplice that involved the abductions and rapes of several grown women and teenage girls, hanging 31 year old David Coupez of Colorado in his home while robbing him, and countless other robberies.
62. Larry Jackson (~1984-2003, lethal injection): In 1984, Jackson shot and killed his girlfriend, 19 year old Freda Washington. He accepted a plea deal that dumbed down the charges to second degree murder, and was given a 30 year sentence for it. During his incarceration, Jackson started a relationship with 29 year old Wendy Cade. Despite her promises of marriage after his release, Cade left him for another man, and they got engaged. When Jackson was assigned to a prison work crew, he snuck out and went to confront Cade. Reportedly, the two had bought alchool, cocaine, and cigerates together and had sex in Cade's apartment. However, they got into an argument, and he slashed Cade's throat and stabbed her 31 times with box cutters. Jackson then left with her jewelry, watch, and the keys to her jeep.

Hello!!! So I need some ideas for what my two main characters reason for hating each other is. My story is set in the late 70s. Some background:
Elowen and Matteo lived in the same neighborhood as kids, they were good friends then. Skip to boarding school, (7 th grade and in the present 9th grade) they have some kind of fight that has them mortal enemies. They pretend not to know each other, end up fighting whenever they are together, etc. they even end up merging friend groups and still act like strangers and enemies
character backgrounds: Elowen iis pretty irresponsible and tends to lie a lot. Though mostly everyone likes her since she's funny and gets everyone out of trouble. she doesn't really lie in malicious ways, she just knows how to lie and get what she wants. (ex. acting religious to suck up to the headmistress) She’s rebellious and often breaks the rules of the boarding school, getting her and her friend group into trouble. Her other mortal enemy is Nancy, they’ve got some history but just hate each others guts. Her mother was very young when she had her, so she was raised by her tough, no bullshit grandma.
Matteo has gotten the reputation of being some kind of scary gangster at the school bc he has scars and is always seen with bruised knuckles. This is bc him and his friends are being blackmailed by an older kid, who saw them uncontextual beating up some guys in town. They threaten to spread the recording around and make them look like bad people. So in return for keeping the video a secrete, the older kids have them stealing valuables from other kids in there grade. His father had ptsd from the military, so he turned to drinking. Unfortunately he took a lot of anger out on Matteo and his mother. Then his father died. He looked like his father so his mother couldn’t stand to look at him and sent him to the school.
That’s really all, anything would help! Thanks

1. Epic Fantasy
2. Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood
3. New Blood Saga: Book 1
4. W.D. Kilpack III
5. Full Cover
6. 2021 International Firebird Book Award Winner • 2022 The BookFest Award Winner • 2023 Finalist, Best Mentor Character, Indie Ink Awards • 2024 International Impact Book Award Winner • 2020 Runner-Up Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book of the Year, OnlineBookClub.org • Quarter Finalist Screencraft Cinematic Book Competition
7. www.Kilpack.net
8. Available in Paperback/eBook/KU/NOOK/Kobo/Smashwords
9. "The future of all men relies on the Guardian of Maarihk. Will his Sight be true? Or will his impure Firstblood prove the ruin of us all?"
10. Natharr is Guardian of Maarihk, one of a long line of protectors dating back to the Firstborn Age, before the Aa Conquest. Natharr's is an ancient role, rooted in his Firstblood, giving him Sight to see what is yet to be. He adheres to his sacred duties even in the centuries since the Firstborn were forced to the brink of extinction by the Aa. Natharr still stands guard over all men, Aa or Firstborn, Seeing what will come to pass, deciding what is unavoidable and what is not. He spends decades planning how to save the life of the newborn Crown Prince Vikari so he may one day reclaim the throne of the land where Mankind was created, back in the time when the Olde Gods still walked.
11. • "I've been won over by Crown Prince! The world is deeply conceived. The prose is well crafted. The solemn, almost-inhuman Guardian/seer standing guard during a deadly siege as the young queen gives birth makes for a hell of a great start! That weightiness to his character was a key point of interest to me that comes across right from the opening pages, plunging right into the thick of it for a wonderful change of pace. Crown Prince is intriguing, grand, strange, and shadowed by ill-omens. It is Shakespearean." — Tom Mock, author of The Long Nights • "A very good book ... [and] a very great read! Natharr is very much tested as he strives to save the life of newborn Crown Prince Vikari. This book reads wonderfully, and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know the story. It is full of pulse-pounding adventure and also features great, extensive world-building! Definitely a recommend from me!” — Philip Chase, Ph.D., medievalist and author of The Way of Edan • 5/5 Stars — "Author W.D. Kilpack III presents an atmospheric and immersive journey into a richly crafted fantasy world, balancing a strong character-led adventure with a wider web of plots, setting up a highly complex and enjoyable fantasy saga to follow. There’s a clear flair for character, dialogue, and attitude from the start, with Natharr's intense presence affecting all who encounter him and making for some really dynamic clashes. The weightiness of his responsibilities and the depth of the world-building immediately gripped my attention and, as the story unfolded, the way the characters’ attitudes and actions were shaped by the realism of the worldbuilding was totally compelling. This book delivers on every promise of pulse-pounding adventure — thanks to the swift pacing of the plot, coupled with dark storytelling, strong descriptive skills, and captivating character development that balances emotion with duty well. Overall, I would certainly recommend Crown Prince as an incredible opener to an exciting new fantasy series, and I’m all the more eager to continue exploring this fantastical realm." — K.C. Finn, USA Today best-selling author of The Book of Shade for Reader's Favorite • 5/5 Stars — "The literary creator in his act of creationism. Such is W. D. Kilpack III in his intriguing invention of Crown Prince: Book One of New Blood. Intermingling real world matters of both realm and state, and legendary phenomena of ancient times, Kilpack builds a mythical epic of worlds within worlds, all suspended in time and universal fantastical realism. He has crafted an imaginative tale perfect for lovers of mysticism, magic, ancient battles, romance, and supernatural fantasy. Natharr, the Guardian of Maarihk, is one of the Firstbborn [with] abilities like the gift of prophetic Sight, and he [is] charged with protecting and preparing the newly born prince of the realm, Vikari, until he is ready to take his rightful place as heir to his father’s throne. Set in a richly imagined and described enigmatic world, the story explores themes of family, love, friendship, destiny, time, and power. Adventure and action keep the reader quickly turning the pages ... deliver[ing] a strong narrative of structure, character development, and world building, which smoothly paves the way for the next book in the series, Order Of Light, which I cannot wait to read. Crown Prince is a masterful example of original storytelling, a phenomenal literary creation!" — K.L. Davidson, author of Ten Thousand Fields (British Columbia, Canada) • 4/4 Stars — "Crown Prince stands out with amazing descriptions, complex characters, and intriguing supernatural elements. Book one in the New Blood [Saga], the storyline is incredibly promising. The author has a flair for setting the scene and creating memorable characters. I absolutely loved the descriptive prowess of this author, the thing I enjoyed most about the book ... W. D. Kilpack III genuinely takes the time to help us immerse in the fantasy world, no matter if he describes a battle scene, a peaceful moment, or a mythological creature like a Hamadryad or a Manticore, he always manages to conjure the best images in our minds. The author does a great job of incorporating the supernatural elements in a general atmosphere of myth and legend ... there was nothing I disliked about this novel. I am rating Crown Prince 4 out of 4 stars ... fans of sword-and-sorcery fantasy will definitely find this novel a delightful read ... the series has the potential to acquire epic dimensions ... I am looking forward to reading the sequel, Order of Light." — OnlineBookClub.org • 5/5 Stars — "I absolutely love Crown Prince! It is a very dark epic-fantasy story following a very intimate cast of characters. The way things unfold, you’re thrown into the thick of the action right from the beginning that sinks you in right. The way events unfold to the way characters come together, you cannot help but keep flipping the pages. By the end, I was so invested, I felt so intimate with these characters, that I had to find out what happens next, so I immediately ordered book two, Order of Light! It’s such a good story! It’s such a dark-but-good story, with very good character work, you get really close with these characters, and you can’t help but want to know what happens next!" — Usman, host of Bards and Books YouTube channel (British Columbia, Canada) • 5/5 Stars — With the maps and appendix, "the characters' names, titles, and the names of fascinating places all conjured up by the mind of W. D. Kilpack III [helped] me better understand the intricate facets of this novel. Creating worlds and characters is not a easy, but the author did an excellent job. Crown Prince has everything you want: intertwining sword scenes, the battles of a war, kings, queens, knights, magic, fairies, love, sex, great beasts, and unthinkable dangers thatNatharr has to endure. Kilpack puts you in the middle as Vikari starts to grow and learn. So does Natharr for he begins to love the child as his own. Kilpack's ability to crystally describe a scene [was] like I was taking part in a meal or a sword fight. Crown Prince flowed smoothly and any fan of fantasy will rejoice [and] if you have never read a fantasy novel (like me), this one will get you hooked into the genre." — Jose F. Nodar, author of Books, Pens & Larceny (South Wales, Australia) • 5/5 Stars — "Crown Prince is one of the most brilliant fantasy novels that I have ever had the pleasure of reading and a book I am now obsessed with! Crown Prince is an incredible, thrilling and memorable story that will take its readers on a journey like no other. Crown Prince captivated me from the first page thanks to the book's sharp literature and strong opening ... [the author] is not only a phenomenal writer for his flawless ability to capture his reader's attention, but he is also a great writer for his descriptive powers and characterization of characters which will hook his readers! Crown Prince is a sensational, thrilling and addictive story that will thrill you as well as entertain you." — RedHeadedBookLover.com • 5/5 Butterflies — "Crown Prince was such a delight to read! Normally, we don't see the child growing up ... or really get a chance to get attached to whoever raised him. This author took that trope, shook it up and turned it into something amazing! We get to see the heir as a baby, to see him grow up [and] develop that close bond a son has with his father. It's a really beautiful thing ... normally glazed over in this type of story ... but you get to see how strong their bond is. I'm so grateful! Something else I really enjoyed is how well Darshelle and Natharr played off each other. Often, they have deep conversations that involve a culture clash, where they may not agree with each other's perspective, but they are willing to try to understand. I [also] loved this author's world building, especially the magic forest and all the interesting creatures that live in it! The village of the cat-people was such a fun scene and so interesting showing the cat-people society and how it was different. It was really fun! If you don't grab yourself a copy of Crown Prince, you're doing yourself a huge disservice! It's a wonderful story and such a fun read!" — Madam Crystal Butterfly • 5/5 Stars — "Kilpack delivers a stunning blow to the belief that Indie-Fantasy is worth any less that its salt. Crown Prince is a well-crafted epic with unique plot mechanisms, well-developed and believable characters, and a world grounded in the visceral and the real. I could not recommend this series any higher!" — Clay Vermulm, co-host of Sinister Soup Podcast • 5/5 Stars — "A fantastic world of swords and magic! A very strong start to the series! W.D. Kilpack III does know how to draw a reader into a world of swords and magic. I found myself unable to put the book down, diving deeper into the fantastic world. I can say, that I am a fan of his work and will soon be reading Order of Light, the second book from the New Blood [Saga]." — BooksShelf.com • 5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is "a great mix of fantasy and action and adventure! It kept me on my toes the whole time and I was completely hooked! The world building in this book is amazing. I could read 20 books in this world. The fight scenes and characters are amazing. They pull you in so deeply ... that I didn't want to stop reading way past when I should have!" — Jay.Rae.Reads • 5/5 Stars — Crown Prince illustrates "the burden of knowledge and the responsibilities involved in being able to see the future. Natharr is a great hero: think Aragorn/Alanon/Teddy Roosevelt. He bears the burden of being Guardian of Maarihk with dignity but, at the same time, is human and has flaws, like having a bit of a temper. Darshelle is conflicted and a walking contradiction, being proud and strong, while still insecure and flawed. I love the world, where magic is more subtle, while there is another element that reminded me of Greek mythology, because the gods are real and took direct action in history. There is some violence, which seems to fit well within the framework of this world where epic fantasy and realism are intertwined." — Critic, Salt Lake City, UT • 5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is "a fantastic tale filled with all things beautiful, dark, and magical! Filled with adventure and drama! The author's world is absolutely stunning, and I can't wait to read the next installment in the story!" — Cherumanalil (Bangalore, India) • 4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is "an adventure full of thrilling moments [that] hook you right from page one. Each page has a new secret to unfold. This book made a mark on my mind and now I cam curious to read the other books in the series. I loved reading it and have rated it four stars. Books like these deserve the hype!" — Read With Emilee • 5/5 Stars — "From the start you are drawn into a world of fantasy. With each page, you want more. The author gives the feel you are the character fighting for your life and those you defend. A great read, with the power to keep you from putting it down. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in something new, with a twist and feel of a classic fantasy!" — Tom Carr, author of Talking to Yourself in the Dark • 4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is "an absolutely brilliant fantasy read ... [Kilpack created] a master introduction. The plot building was incredible. The journey sucks you in so much that you immediately want to carry on with the series. I'll definitely complete this series." — Twilight Reader (Wales) • 4/4 Stars — "If you're looking for something new with a a twist of classic fantasy, this is for you. It amazes me that someone can create an entire world from scratch with everything that this involes. Character building is wonderful and the descriptions of what happens are good. It is very detailed, so you get immersed in the story. Lots of things happen in this book. [Crown Prince] is a good and strong start for a new series!" — June.Reads (London, England) • 4/4 Stars — Crown Prince is "a lovely fantasy. Great read! Great characters! Writing style amazing! I loved this world. A new author I discovered and hope to read more from this author in the future!" — Rhianny DD Morris (South Wales, Australia) • 4.7/5 Stars — Crown Prince "transported me into a world where life-and-death situations were commonplace and everyone had a cause to fight for! The distinction between the Firstborn and the Aa was fascinating [and] really got me hooked! The characters are fantastic, descriptions of battles draw in you and there's a shock in every chapter! I love fantasy books and I'll add this to my pile of highly recommended sagas!" — Books with Gina (England) • 4.5/5 Stars — Crown Prince is like "watching a movie. The author has narrated ... in a very fluent and visual way. It is an adventurous and twisted novel that will always keep the reader wanting more. Every page is a new unfolding and a new mystery. The plot is exquisite and emphasizes important values like willpower, determination, and truth. A captivating read [especially] those in search of something abnormally smart!" — Reads.Nancy • 4.5/5 Stars — "Crown Prince is one of the most fantastic fantasy books that I have read so far! The book is a blend of thrills, mystery, fun, excitement, and drama! It has got everything that a good book should have. The plot is unpredictable and twisted. So much is happening all at once, but the smooth narration takes care of it all." — Just Pratibha (India) • 4/5 Stars — "A fantastic read! What a grand story in Crown Prince. I am very impressed with the writing and storytelling. Kilpack does a great job of building a world filled with princes, pasts that dictate the future. Kilpack details the scenes, filled with action, and brings the creatures to life! Crown Prince is filled with swords and sorcery, magic, myths and legends, that really bring it as believable. This author is a great storyteller. The story brings the reader on a superb journey. Who could ask for more when it's filled with magical/fantastical creatures and other interesting beings?" — Amy's Bookshelf • "Once I got into [Crown Prince], I struggled to put it down! The world Kilpack has created is so detailed and imaginative you can't help but be drawn in. This book is a fantasy that give you war, knights, romance and hidden dangers. It covers it all! As the first in the series, it sets the scene brilliantly ... I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy books and fairytales!" — Kat Books Teas Cakes (UK) • "I had the pleasure of reading Crown Prince and Kilpack — he makes maps, folks! — emphasizes detail. The characters are living real lives, even though it's a fantasy. It was well done! He built his world with great care and precision." — Ken Weene, Ph.D., co-host of the Let's Talk It Over videocast
12. Warnings: Violence, Sexual Content, Mature Themes; suitable for older teens and adults.
13. Amazon NOOK Kobo Smashwords

ever since i read the story i kept thinking why 7 and maybe it’s bc of ananse ntontan? i know it’s a spider web but i also count 7 points. she can stand up, but it’s not mentioned if she has 1 leg or 2. it’s just a theory and i am no expert of any kind but i can’t help but wonder.
from olebrerrabbit blogspot
Seven Tales of Uncle Remus, 7: Brother Rabbit Doesn't Go to See Aunt Nancy This story was not published in Harris's lifetime, but there is an undated typewritten page in Harris's papers left at his death in 1908. The trickster spider "Anansi" has morphed into a deadly, dangerous creature called "Aunt Nancy" here. I have removed the frame material and standardized the spelling; click here for notes to the story.
It seem like that all the critters, big and little, long-tail, bob-tail, and no-tail, had to go once a year for to make their peace with old Aunt Nancy. She was the granndy of Mammy-Bammy-Big-Money - that's the way they hand it out to me. Her rule went further than where she live at, and when she went to call the critters, all she had to do was to fling her head back and kind of suck in her breath and all the critters would have a little chilld, and know that she was a-calling on 'em.
But old Brer Rabbit, he got over having the chill, and he say he weren't going traipsing way off to the far country for to see no Aunt Nancy.
The critters all tell him that he better come on and go, but he say he done been and seed, and he weren't going no more. He allow, "When you all get where you going just ask Aunt Nancy for to shake hands with you, and then you'll see what I done seed."
The other critters shook their heads, but went on and left Brer Rabbit smoking his corn-cob pipe and chewing his cud. They went on, and by and by they come to Aunt Nancy's house. If you'd've seed it, honey, you'd've said it look just like a big chunk of fog. I expect it was as big as this house, but it kind of waved in the wind just like the fog you see on the two-mile branch.
Old Brer Bear, he hailed the house, and then old Aunt Nancy, she come out with a big long cloak on her and sat down on a pine stump. She look round, she did, and her eyeballs sparkle red just like they was afire. "I hope all of you is here," says she, "and I expect you is, but I'm a-going to count you and call the roll." Every count she made, she'd nod her head, and the critter that she nodded at and had her red eye on, would dodge and duck his head.
Well, she count and count, and when she get through, she say, "I done counted, and if thre ain't one of you missing, I'm mighty much mistooken." She held Brer Fox with her red eye, and he up and say, "I expect it ain't nobody in the round world but Brer Rabbit."
Aunt Nancy say, says she, "I'll Brer him! Is he sent any excuse?"
And Brer Wolf, he took up the tale, and say, "No, ma'am, not as I know of."
Then old Brer Bear, he say, "Brer Rabbit sent word for to tell you howdy, and he ask us for to tell you to shake hands with us, and remember him in your dreams."
Aunt Nancy roll her red eye and work her jaws like she chewing something good. She say, says she, "Is that what he tell you? Well, you just tell him that if he'll come to this place I'll shake hands with him, and if he don't come as hard as his legs'll fetch him, I'll go and shake hands with him where he lives at."
Old Brer Bear, he up and say, "How come you don't shake hands with we-all, when we come so far for to see you?"
Aunt Nancy roll her red eyes and work her jaws. She got up from where she was sitting at, and try for to pull the cloak close 'round her, but it slipped off a little way, and the critters what was watching on her, seed with their own eyes that she was half woman and half spider. She had seven arms and no hands. When they see all this, the critters took to the woods, and got away from there just as hard as they can.
And that the reason the house look like it was made out of fog. It was wovened out of web; it was web from top to bottom.
The critters went back and told Brer Rabbit what they done seed, and he jump up and crack his heels together and holler "Ah-yi!" and then he went on chewing his cud like nothing ain't happen.

Why has there never been a historical television show on the life of Joseph Smith? Not a documentary but a fact based dramatic retelling of his story.
I don’t know who owns the rights to Fawn Brodie’s No Man Knows My History but I think that would be a terrific basis for a show. Just trace his life from birth to death.
Season One gets you through the first vision, writing the Book of Mormon and the organization of the church in 1830.
Season Two focuses on Kirtland, Fanny Alger (and the beginnings of polygamy), the first big fallout between Smith and key leaders and ends with the flight to Missouri and the aftermath of the Extermination Order.
Season Three takes you through the Nauvoo period, the secret practice of polygamy (including episodes about Helen Mar Kimball, Nancy Rigdon and others), the destruction of the Nauvoo Expositor and his death.
And if viewers want more, there’s always the story of Brigham Young that could fill another few years.
I think this could be a mainstream hit - especially after shows like Big Love and Under The Banner of Heaven. Non Mormons would flock to this show, I think.
What do you think?
(And maybe Jared Leto, Jason Momoa or even Keanu Reeves as Porter Rockwell?)

Just finished, and I have questions. Just want to make sure I didn’t miss something. At the end, Nancy points out that we didn’t find out who the original owner of the necklace was. Just left unanswered? What was the deal with the playing cards? What’s the deal with the texts from Zane at the end? I guess that’s supposed to be setting up the next game? But it feels so directly related to this one, so that’s a little weird to me. Any thoughts on any of these things? They’re all bothering me… I thought maybe there would be the ability to keep playing post-story because of these things, but nope.

Back in season one, I think Steve was on the path to grow up and become a new Lonnie.
Now I know there are a number of people on here who believe Lonnie was physically abusive to his kids and maybe Joyce. Personally, I think the evidence for this is weak.
We meet Lonnie after Jonathan drives to the city to seek him out. Jonathan pushes past Cynthia to search the house for Will. Cynthia, not knowing who Jonathan is, raises a ruckus. Lonnie charges in from the back yard and racks the intruder up against the wall. Once he realizes who it is, he tries to give him a hug. When Jonathan shoves him away, he says "Damn, you've gotten stronger."
Some people have suggested this (the shove, the comment) is evidence of abuse, but I think it's obvious that he pushes Jonathan against the wall because he thinks he's an intruder. And the "stronger" comment doesn't necessarily mean they've been physically fighting. It's more likely that Jonathan has been rejecting his father's hugs for years.
The point of that interaction is that Lonnie is an absent father who hasn't seen his son in so long that he doesn't even recognize him.
On to the character flaws he does have:
Joyce mentions his debts in their argument after Will's funeral, and we hear her yell "I'm sick of your excuses" at him over the phone when he backs out of taking Will to a baseball game at what seems to be the last minute.
When Jonathan confronts him about the fact that Lonnie hasn't called Joyce back about Will, Lonnie squirms. He'd hoped that the situation had resolved itself on its own, without requiring anything from him. He also wants to know if Hopper is still chief of police.
Because for Lonnie, everything is about himself and his comfort.
And that's how we segue to Steve.
He does a lot of red flag stuff (like snatching Nancy's bag so she can't leave the bathroom until she's ready to agree to meet him, or crossing every boundary she sets when he shows up at her bedroom window) that people overlook because he's so handsome and charming.
Less charming is the "Don't tell them about the beers" line. Steve's first response to hearing that someone has gone missing is to think of how it affects him.
Later, when Steve goes to Nancy to apologize for this selfish response, he admits it was an asshole thing to say. But instead of doing better, Steve immediately goes right back to focusing on his own comfort and pleasure. He wants to blow off the whole Barb thing to take Nancy to a movie. After, they can "park" (fingerquotes). He even starts talking about how much he looks like Tom Cruise.
Like Lonnie, he's hoping the situation will resolve on its own. He doesn't even want to think about it.
Obviously, Steve and Lonnie are not (at this point in their lives) equivalent. Lonnie has no interest in his two kids until one of them dies and offers him a chance for a lucrative lawsuit.
Barb is not even Steve's friend. She's a friend of his new girlfriend, and she clearly doesn't like him. What little effort he makes to help Nancy out--basically, asking Tommy and Carol if they know anything--he does reluctantly. But at least he does something. Lonnie can't be bothered to do anything for anyone until there's a big payout attached.
But just as Jason was a junior varsity version of Col Sullivan in season four, in season one Steve was a JV version of Lonnie. Hell, both characters talk smack about Will once he's gone missing.
Also the original version of the story had Lonnie show up at the end to save Nancy and Jonathan from the demogorgon, but Steve fit neatly into that slot in his place.
In season two, Steve is still trying to avoid bad consequences, but he's not doing it because of his personal comfort any more. He's still not great, but he's not a proto-Lonnie any more.

The King of Cult Roger Corman has passed away at the age of 98 after a life lived making movies at a breakneck pace. Corman went to Stanford for a degree in industrial engineering, got work and realized within four days he wanted something else. His brother Gene was a Hollywood agent, which convinced Roger to get a job in show biz, starting in the mail room at 20th Century Fox and working up to story reader. He grew resentful of the studio and decided to give writing and producing pictures a go, where his incredible efficiency blossomed. Tonight, a couple pictures he directed and produced, and a doc about the man himself.

• First up, Dick Miller is an artist who hides the dead body of his landlord's cat in one his sculptures, but then finds himself needing more "inspirations" for additional projects.
  
• Then, before Easy Rider there was The Wild Angels, when biker gang member Bruce Dern has his ride stolen, gang leader Peter Fonda and his old lady Nancy Sinatra find the thieves, but the cops get wise to the action and put one of the gang down. Now the gang is out to bury their own and hungers for revenge.
  
• Finally, this 2011 documentary pays tribute to the B-movie legend with interviews from many of the big names who got their starts working under him.
  

We are starting at 8:00pm Central.
All links here

• A Bucket Of Blood (1959 run 1:05:29)
  
• The Wild Angels (1966 run 1:26:28)
  
• Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011 run 1:30:02)
  

We pay our respects this Monday night.

and by favourite I mean trials you were riveted by.
I'll start!
CO v. Shawna Nelson - defendant testifies and she is fascinating to watch. A complete nut as well.
MI v. Nancy Seaman - Another defendant who takes the stand. Accused of murdering her husband- she said she was defending herself. One of her sons adamantly supports her story/version of events and the other testifies against her.
FL v. Christopher Sutton - adopted son accused of hiring someone to murder his parents. Both Christopher and the father who survived the attack testify.

[EU] The Crossroads Hotel universe.
You do not need to be familiar with the Crossroads universe to enjoy this short story. While it is set within the same universe, it stands alone as its own narrative.
***
A smash sounded a few yards away in the sundry shop and Nancy jumped, severely startled.
“Jesus Christ!” she exclaimed, losing the grip on her magazine, which went tumbling to the floor.
“What was that?” called a voice a moment later.
Nancy put her hand to her chest over her racing heart and took a deep breath before answering her boss, Marjorie, who was currently at the reception desk near the front of the hotel lobby. “Just a second,” she said. Picking up the magazine from the floor and putting it on the counter, she walked around some of the shelves and displays until she saw what had fallen. “Huh.”
If Nancy got a nickel every time she’d thought the phrase, “That’s new,” while working at the Crossroads Hotel, she would probably be able to retire. Being an ‘intersection’ of multiple dimensions occasionally made things appear out of nowhere, from objects to weird weather to even the occasional animal. The clatter had been from a ceramic potted plant shattering on the linoleum floor.
A moment later, Marjorie walked into the shop and where Nancy was standing, hands on her hips. “Don’t ask me,” Nancy said promptly. “I don’t know where it came from.”
“Where everything comes from,” the manager responded with a small smile. “Somewhere else. You got this?”
“Yeah, I got it,” she said with a dismissive hand wave. Marjorie nodded once before turning and walking back through the lobby.
Nancy took a look at the plant, unique as it was. It looked like the pot had been about six inches across, just the type of thing to put on a living room table as a centerpiece. The thick leaves were a gorgeous blue and purple color with white blotchy stripes, and there were deep purple flower blooms growing tall as well. Pursing her lips at the beautiful sight, Nancy couldn’t bring herself to sweep everything up and trash it, so instead, she just decided to only throw away the shattered pottery.
First, she went back to the counter and took a dustpan and brush from one of the drawers, as well as her small trash bin. After picking out the bigger pieces of the pot and putting them in the bin, Nancy picked up as much of the plant’s roots and dirt as she could, putting them aside, and then swept up the smaller pieces of shattered clay.
Once that was done, Nancy unlocked and went through the door marked Storage.
The storage area was her domain. As far as any of the employees knew, it was just storage, but they also knew it was so much more. If someone came to Nancy and requested any items, usually Marjorie or the chef Andrea on behalf of a guest or one of the guests themselves, Nancy would go fetch it. And by any items, that meant any items.
Shutting and locking the door behind her, Nancy went down the small hall to the storage room. The hallway had been purposefully added in, so no one could see into the room. Then she took out her wand, going over to her cauldron.
If she had any regrets about working here, it was that she wasn’t able to tell those she worked with that she retrieved the items they needed from a genuine large black cauldron in the middle of the room. She knew Marjorie in particular would get a kick out of it. But the fact was that it had been made from solid iron because it contained any magic that was done inside it, since iron repelled magic. It didn’t hold a stew, bubbling away like in movies. Instead, there was just a fine mist up to the rim, as if there was dry ice at the bottom.
The rest of the room was mostly empty. There was a long folding table against the wall to the right, for organization of any and all things she needed to give to those who’d requested them if there was a list. Then there were some shelving units that held boxes full of the sundry shop’s most popular items. Other than that, the room was empty.
The Crossroads Hotel was one of the rare places that had an artifact like the cauldron. Nancy had brought it with her when she’d started working there, and she knew without a doubt that the fact that she owned one was the reason she was hired.
Any witch could work at a sundry shop, and also it only took about a decade’s worth of training to properly use the cauldron. Aside from that, playing backup to the wizard who ran the hotel if the occasion presented itself was another thing on a resume that many witches out there had. But owning an artifact that could conjure items was extremely rare, and to be allowed to use them by the authorities was rarer. The witch had to be incredibly trustworthy, since only warded items were safe from its near-infinite reach.
Then there was also the door to her right, which lead to what could more properly be called Storage. It led to another location in a nearby city, a warehouse that stored any and all items that had been left by accident at the hotel. It was a warehouse because they kept things indefinitely, and the hotel had been open for over 150 years. That meant an absolute ton of items.
Nancy took out her wand, closing her eyes, and let herself slip into a calm and tranquil place. Then raising her wand, she spoke, “Afferte mihi ollam parvam plantae ex visu viso ubi multa sunt..” Roughly translated, it came out to, “Bring me a small pot for a plant from a sight unseen where they are plentiful.”
Her concentration on the direction and instruction of the spell was just as important as the words spoken and the power directed through her wand. It would take the item from somewhere on Earth where there were a lot of them and one wouldn’t be missed, for example a shelf at a closed Walmart, and teleport it to the cauldron. If it was longer than the cauldron was tall, it would allow the witch to pull it out, like a lamp from Mary Poppins’ purse. And it would work on any item as long as human eyes weren’t currently looking at it.
Once the spell had been cast, Nancy slowly drifted her wand around the top of the cauldron, murmuring, “Dissipare.” The smoke spread to the sides of the cauldron and dissipated into nothing, letting her lean down and pick up the small white ceramic pot that had appeared. Then, she walked back out to the sundry shop and knelt at the plant’s side. Sweeping together the dirt, she picked up it and the plant, carefully depositing it in the pot. Moving around and patting down the dirt, Nancy smiled in satisfaction.
After sweeping up the rest of the dirt into the dustpan and emptying it into the trash, she fetched a wet paper towel from the bathroom to get the last of it. Then she put it on the counter next to her cash register. Not long ago, they’d had a visit from some very special fae who’d been disappointed at the lack of live plants in the lobby. They’d remedied that, but Nancy figured they’d approve of any new live plant she added to the décor.
About two hours later, there was another noise, though this time it was a thump. Nancy’s attention was piqued and she stood up, walking out of the shop. It didn’t take much time to find the culprit: a cloth bag that looked like it held some kind of sand or dirt, probably about twenty pounds worth.
Marjorie was at her side a moment later. “What is going on?” she chuckled. “Do you think we could be getting presents from someone who thinks we need more plants?”
Nancy grinned. “That would be a nice surprise.”
At that, Nancy grabbed and hefted the bag up and onto her shoulder. She wasn’t buff by any stretch of the word, but she certainly had the strength to carry a bag of dirt. Returning to the shop, she dropped the bag with another thud behind the counter, near the wall. She knew it was likely that these items would end up in the Lost and Found warehouse, but she was still curious as to what might pop up next.
It was less than an hour later that Nancy was startled again with the thumps of no fewer than three medium-sized pots, probably ten inches across, appearing in the lobby. They were within eyeshot of her sitting on her stool and they looked like a relative of the first plant that had appeared, except orange and red. Putting down her magazine once more and wandering over, she remarked, “Well aren’t you pretty.”
“How long are we going to be receiving gifts from a garden store?” Marjorie asked with a dry grin, leaning over the counter so she could see the plants. I saw the assistant manager Josh behind her, leaning further forward so he could get a good view also. “If someone’s trying to give us a hint, they certainly have at this point.”
“No kidding,” Nancy chuckled. “At least they’re nice plants…”
Her voice trailed off as she felt a breeze start to pick up. There were no doors or windows open, though, so she had no idea from where the breeze was coming from. Doing a slow turn as the wind became strong enough to ruffle her gray hair, she saw Marjorie held down her own tight brown curls lest they become tangled. Then there was a blur in the air as the front doors slid open and the telltale mental fuzziness of something coming through from somewhere else.
It was a woman, wearing a dress that had clearly been worn for years of work in a garden, with faint imprints of dirt, worn from the sun, and having been washed many times. The woman herself was the most striking thing Nancy had seen in quite some time, as she had faintly purple skin. Instead of hair, she had leaves, a soft yellow that complemented her skin tone.
Nancy walked out from behind the desk and took a glance around. If anyone saw her, the woman’s appearance would have to be passed off as some sort of cosplay.
“Hello, I’m wondering if you could-” She let out a sigh, walking over to the plants that had just appeared. Carefully checking them over for any damage, she shook her head. “Here they are. You’re the Manager, aren’t you?” she asked, glancing to Marjorie. “This is the Crossroads Hotel?”
“I am and it is,” the young woman replied, walking over from the desk.
At that, the woman, who’d yet to give her name, Nancy noticed, gave a quick look around to make sure they were alone before waving her hand over the plants. They vanished in an indistinct blur.
“There’s also a bag of soil in the sundry shop, and a smaller plant,” Marjorie told her.
“Oh, good,” she said, turning and walking over, the two employees following her. “This pot…this is new. Did you replant it?”
Nancy nodded. “Yes, ma’am. It must have fallen from a good height because the pot smashed on the floor. I repotted it because it’s so beautiful. I couldn’t imagine putting it in the Lost and Found just to dry up and fade away.”
“That was so kind of you,” the woman sighed. “I just fixed the issue that was allowing this to happen, but then it was a matter of getting back what I lost. It’s my fault. I was doing some reworking of my wards and I made a mistake.”
“No problem at all,” Nancy replied.
“You know what? Keep the plant as a gift, an appreciation of my thanks for caring for it,” she said with a dimpled smile. “It will last for years and years and only needs watering once a week, but won’t get any bigger, so this is the perfect spot for it. And I’d be honored to have one of my plants at the Crossroads Hotel.”
Nancy blinked in surprise. “Well, that’s quite kind of you!”
“Think nothing of it. It’s my life’s work to find homes for all of my plants, and this one just managed to find a home all on its own. It’s a variety of pinguicula from where I live, and should flourish without much effort.” She walked around behind the desk and spotted the bag of dirt. With another wave of her hand, it vanished the same way. “Your hospitality is greatly appreciated,” she said, looking from Marjorie to Nancy. “I must be going.”
“It was nice to meet you,” Marjorie said. Nancy smiled, guessing that the Manager had just felt she needed to say something to wrap up the encounter.
“You as well.” With another thorough glance around the lobby for anyone who might see, the woman took a few steps through the air and disappeared.
Marjorie took a closer look at the plant, smiling at the flowers that bloomed a good six inches from the leaves. “It’s really pretty.”
“Yeah. I’ve got a hunch though, considering how high the flowers are,” Nancy said thoughtfully. She placed the tip of her pointer finger on the tip of one of the leaves, then found it difficult to pull it off of the sticky surface, removing it with a small snap from the adhesive. The leaf then curled up all the way to the base.
“Oh,” Marjorie stated. “Well. A carnivorous plant from an alternate dimension. Don’t see that every day.”
“I think I’ll give it to Andrea,” Nancy said with a satisfied smile, picking up the pot. “Nothing like a living insect trap to keep your kitchen free of flies.”
Marjorie grinned after Nancy as she went off to deliver the gift.

[EU] The Crossroads Hotel universe. You do not need to be familiar with the Crossroads universe to enjoy this short story. While it is set within the same universe, it stands alone as its own narrative.
***
A smash sounded a few yards away in the sundry shop and Nancy jumped, severely startled.
“Jesus Christ!” she exclaimed, losing the grip on her magazine, which went tumbling to the floor.
“What was that?” called a voice a moment later.
Nancy put her hand to her chest over her racing heart and took a deep breath before answering her boss, Marjorie, who was currently at the reception desk near the front of the hotel lobby. “Just a second,” she said. Picking up the magazine from the floor and putting it on the counter, she walked around some of the shelves and displays until she saw what had fallen. “Huh.”
If Nancy got a nickel every time she’d thought the phrase, “That’s new,” while working at the Crossroads Hotel, she would probably be able to retire. Being an ‘intersection’ of multiple dimensions occasionally made things appear out of nowhere, from objects to weird weather to even the occasional animal. The clatter had been from a ceramic potted plant shattering on the linoleum floor.
A moment later, Marjorie walked into the shop and where Nancy was standing, hands on her hips. “Don’t ask me,” Nancy said promptly. “I don’t know where it came from.”
“Where everything comes from,” the manager responded with a small smile. “Somewhere else. You got this?”
“Yeah, I got it,” she said with a dismissive hand wave. Marjorie nodded once before turning and walking back through the lobby.
Nancy took a look at the plant, unique as it was. It looked like the pot had been about six inches across, just the type of thing to put on a living room table as a centerpiece. The thick leaves were a gorgeous blue and purple color with white blotchy stripes, and there were deep purple flower blooms growing tall as well. Pursing her lips at the beautiful sight, Nancy couldn’t bring herself to sweep everything up and trash it, so instead, she just decided to only throw away the shattered pottery.
First, she went back to the counter and took a dustpan and brush from one of the drawers, as well as her small trash bin. After picking out the bigger pieces of the pot and putting them in the bin, Nancy picked up as much of the plant’s roots and dirt as she could, putting them aside, and then swept up the smaller pieces of shattered clay.
Once that was done, Nancy unlocked and went through the door marked Storage.
The storage area was her domain. As far as any of the employees knew, it was just storage, but they also knew it was so much more. If someone came to Nancy and requested any items, usually Marjorie or the chef Andrea on behalf of a guest or one of the guests themselves, Nancy would go fetch it. And by any items, that meant any items.
Shutting and locking the door behind her, Nancy went down the small hall to the storage room. The hallway had been purposefully added in, so no one could see into the room. Then she took out her wand, going over to her cauldron.
If she had any regrets about working here, it was that she wasn’t able to tell those she worked with that she retrieved the items they needed from a genuine large black cauldron in the middle of the room. She knew Marjorie in particular would get a kick out of it. But the fact was that it had been made from solid iron because it contained any magic that was done inside it, since iron repelled magic. It didn’t hold a stew, bubbling away like in movies. Instead, there was just a fine mist up to the rim, as if there was dry ice at the bottom.
The rest of the room was mostly empty. There was a long folding table against the wall to the right, for organization of any and all things she needed to give to those who’d requested them if there was a list. Then there were some shelving units that held boxes full of the sundry shop’s most popular items. Other than that, the room was empty.
The Crossroads Hotel was one of the rare places that had an artifact like the cauldron. Nancy had brought it with her when she’d started working there, and she knew without a doubt that the fact that she owned one was the reason she was hired.
Any witch could work at a sundry shop, and also it only took about a decade’s worth of training to properly use the cauldron. Aside from that, playing backup to the wizard who ran the hotel if the occasion presented itself was another thing on a resume that many witches out there had. But owning an artifact that could conjure items was extremely rare, and to be allowed to use them by the authorities was rarer. The witch had to be incredibly trustworthy, since only warded items were safe from its near-infinite reach.
Then there was also the door to her right, which lead to what could more properly be called Storage. It led to another location in a nearby city, a warehouse that stored any and all items that had been left by accident at the hotel. It was a warehouse because they kept things indefinitely, and the hotel had been open for over 150 years. That meant an absolute ton of items.
Nancy took out her wand, closing her eyes, and let herself slip into a calm and tranquil place. Then raising her wand, she spoke, “Afferte mihi ollam parvam plantae ex visu viso ubi multa sunt..” Roughly translated, it came out to, “Bring me a small pot for a plant from a sight unseen where they are plentiful.”
Her concentration on the direction and instruction of the spell was just as important as the words spoken and the power directed through her wand. It would take the item from somewhere on Earth where there were a lot of them and one wouldn’t be missed, for example a shelf at a closed Walmart, and teleport it to the cauldron. If it was longer than the cauldron was tall, it would allow the witch to pull it out, like a lamp from Mary Poppins’ purse. And it would work on any item as long as human eyes weren’t currently looking at it.
Once the spell had been cast, Nancy slowly drifted her wand around the top of the cauldron, murmuring, “Dissipare.” The smoke spread to the sides of the cauldron and dissipated into nothing, letting her lean down and pick up the small white ceramic pot that had appeared. Then, she walked back out to the sundry shop and knelt at the plant’s side. Sweeping together the dirt, she picked up it and the plant, carefully depositing it in the pot. Moving around and patting down the dirt, Nancy smiled in satisfaction.
After sweeping up the rest of the dirt into the dustpan and emptying it into the trash, she fetched a wet paper towel from the bathroom to get the last of it. Then she put it on the counter next to her cash register. Not long ago, they’d had a visit from some very special fae who’d been disappointed at the lack of live plants in the lobby. They’d remedied that, but Nancy figured they’d approve of any new live plant she added to the décor.
About two hours later, there was another noise, though this time it was a thump. Nancy’s attention was piqued and she stood up, walking out of the shop. It didn’t take much time to find the culprit: a cloth bag that looked like it held some kind of sand or dirt, probably about twenty pounds worth.
Marjorie was at her side a moment later. “What is going on?” she chuckled. “Do you think we could be getting presents from someone who thinks we need more plants?”
Nancy grinned. “That would be a nice surprise.”
At that, Nancy grabbed and hefted the bag up and onto her shoulder. She wasn’t buff by any stretch of the word, but she certainly had the strength to carry a bag of dirt. Returning to the shop, she dropped the bag with another thud behind the counter, near the wall. She knew it was likely that these items would end up in the Lost and Found warehouse, but she was still curious as to what might pop up next.
It was less than an hour later that Nancy was startled again with the thumps of no fewer than three medium-sized pots, probably ten inches across, appearing in the lobby. They were within eyeshot of her sitting on her stool and they looked like a relative of the first plant that had appeared, except orange and red. Putting down her magazine once more and wandering over, she remarked, “Well aren’t you pretty.”
“How long are we going to be receiving gifts from a garden store?” Marjorie asked with a dry grin, leaning over the counter so she could see the plants. I saw the assistant manager Josh behind her, leaning further forward so he could get a good view also. “If someone’s trying to give us a hint, they certainly have at this point.”
“No kidding,” Nancy chuckled. “At least they’re nice plants…”
Her voice trailed off as she felt a breeze start to pick up. There were no doors or windows open, though, so she had no idea from where the breeze was coming from. Doing a slow turn as the wind became strong enough to ruffle her gray hair, she saw Marjorie held down her own tight brown curls lest they become tangled. Then there was a blur in the air as the front doors slid open and the telltale mental fuzziness of something coming through from somewhere else.
It was a woman, wearing a dress that had clearly been worn for years of work in a garden, with faint imprints of dirt, worn from the sun, and having been washed many times. The woman herself was the most striking thing Nancy had seen in quite some time, as she had faintly purple skin. Instead of hair, she had leaves, a soft yellow that complemented her skin tone.
Nancy walked out from behind the desk and took a glance around. If anyone saw her, the woman’s appearance would have to be passed off as some sort of cosplay.
“Hello, I’m wondering if you could-” She let out a sigh, walking over to the plants that had just appeared. Carefully checking them over for any damage, she shook her head. “Here they are. You’re the Manager, aren’t you?” she asked, glancing to Marjorie. “This is the Crossroads Hotel?”
“I am and it is,” the young woman replied, walking over from the desk.
At that, the woman, who’d yet to give her name, Nancy noticed, gave a quick look around to make sure they were alone before waving her hand over the plants. They vanished in an indistinct blur.
“There’s also a bag of soil in the sundry shop, and a smaller plant,” Marjorie told her.
“Oh, good,” she said, turning and walking over, the two employees following her. “This pot…this is new. Did you replant it?”
Nancy nodded. “Yes, ma’am. It must have fallen from a good height because the pot smashed on the floor. I repotted it because it’s so beautiful. I couldn’t imagine putting it in the Lost and Found just to dry up and fade away.”
“That was so kind of you,” the woman sighed. “I just fixed the issue that was allowing this to happen, but then it was a matter of getting back what I lost. It’s my fault. I was doing some reworking of my wards and I made a mistake.”
“No problem at all,” Nancy replied.
“You know what? Keep the plant as a gift, an appreciation of my thanks for caring for it,” she said with a dimpled smile. “It will last for years and years and only needs watering once a week, but won’t get any bigger, so this is the perfect spot for it. And I’d be honored to have one of my plants at the Crossroads Hotel.”
Nancy blinked in surprise. “Well, that’s quite kind of you!”
“Think nothing of it. It’s my life’s work to find homes for all of my plants, and this one just managed to find a home all on its own. It’s a variety of pinguicula from where I live, and should flourish without much effort.” She walked around behind the desk and spotted the bag of dirt. With another wave of her hand, it vanished the same way. “Your hospitality is greatly appreciated,” she said, looking from Marjorie to Nancy. “I must be going.”
“It was nice to meet you,” Marjorie said. Nancy smiled, guessing that the Manager had just felt she needed to say something to wrap up the encounter.
“You as well.” With another thorough glance around the lobby for anyone who might see, the woman took a few steps through the air and disappeared.
Marjorie took a closer look at the plant, smiling at the flowers that bloomed a good six inches from the leaves. “It’s really pretty.”
“Yeah. I’ve got a hunch though, considering how high the flowers are,” Nancy said thoughtfully. She placed the tip of her pointer finger on the tip of one of the leaves, then found it difficult to pull it off of the sticky surface, removing it with a small snap from the adhesive. The leaf then curled up all the way to the base.
“Oh,” Marjorie stated. “Well. A carnivorous plant from an alternate dimension. Don’t see that every day.”
“I think I’ll give it to Andrea,” Nancy said with a satisfied smile, picking up the pot. “Nothing like a living insect trap to keep your kitchen free of flies.”
Marjorie grinned after Nancy as she went off to deliver the gift.
***
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Recession = Lower Home Prices? Not Guaranteed!
Recessions can be scary. Job losses, falling wages, and cautious consumer spending paint a bleak picture. But what about the housing market? Will a recession automatically make homes cheaper? Surprisingly, history reveals a different story. Out of the last nine recessions, only two (1991 & 2008) witnessed significant price drops.
So, What Drives Housing Prices During a Recession?
It's all about supply and demand. During a recession, job losses could lead to more homes flooding the market, potentially pushing prices down. However, another key factor comes into play: interest rates. Low interest rates, common during recessions, can make homes more affordable for buyers, keeping prices stable or even increasing them.
Let's Break Down the Key Players:
Interest Rates: Low rates make homes more attractive to buyers, even in a recession. Job Market: Widespread job losses can decrease demand, potentially leading to lower prices. Consumer Sentiment: Media and public perception can influence how people view the housing market. Fear and uncertainty can lead buyers to adopt a wait-and-see approach, impacting demand. The 2008 Crash: A Unique Scenario
It's crucial to remember that the 2008 housing market crash was a unique event caused by risky lending practices, not a typical recession. While a recession might be looming, the current signs – high employment and stable wages – don't necessarily indicate an immediate downturn.
The Future of Work and Housing: A New Twist?
The rise of automation and AI raises an interesting question: could widespread job losses due to technological advancements impact the housing market similarly to 1991? This is a complex issue we'll need to monitor closely.
Focus on Your Needs, Not Market Timing
Recessions and housing price drops aren't always linked. Focus on your personal reasons for buying a home. Whether it's for your growing family, the desire for stability, or achieving the American dream, homeownership is a valid goal, regardless of the market climate. Remember, there are always strategies to make homeownership affordable, from utilizing mortgage tools to choosing a strategic buying approach, like starting with a more affordable option.
Homeownership: Building Wealth Over Time
While timing the market perfectly is nearly impossible, homeownership is a proven wealth-building tool. By holding onto your home, you ride out the market's ups and downs and build equity over time.
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