#AMERICAN HAT MAKERS
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American Hat Makers
American Hat Makers
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WE ARE AMERICAN HAT MAKERS
We are working hard every day to continue to be the best hat makers in America. Though we are steeped in tradition, we embrace modern practices to deliver hats of the highest quality.
We proudly hand make our hats and hatbands in Santa Cruz, California using only the finest materials available. We guarantee our hats for a lifetime against defects in materials and workmanship.
THE AHM STORY BEGINS
American Hat Makers has been proudly handcrafting hats in the U.S.A. for over 40 years. Our founder, Gary Watrous, started selling handmade leather goods out of the back of his Chevy station wagon in the 70's and today we have become one of the largest hat businesses with a global presence.
https://americanhatmakers.com/
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Hey! Do you like rainbows and fun designs-like moons, witches, and frogs in hats?
Treat yourself and your friends to some rainbow today!
Please check out Solstrale Designs on Etsy or SolstraleDesigns.com to purchase these or the many, many other designs.
#shop small#small business#witch#American traditional#moon#frog#frog in hat#rainbow maker#rainbow making window cling#pride#lgbt
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In honor of Black History Month, let’s learn about Henrietta Duterte, the first African-American funeral home owner and first woman to own a mortuary – a mortuary that was a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Abolitionist, philanthropist, and wife of a Haitian-born coffin maker, Henrietta took over her late husband’s funeral home in 1859, becoming the first woman undertaker, not just in Philadelphia, but all of America.
She became known as an undertaker who was quick, empathetic, and served folks of all walks of life. (Side note, prior to this, she was a talented tailor who wore striking capes, cloaks, and hats, and I just think that’s iconic.)
Henrietta was an agent of the Underground Railroad, and would use her mortuary resources to hide runaway slaves in coffins and disguise them in funeral processions to help them pass safely through the city.
She also raised funds for a variety of institutions in Philadelphia’s Black community, including churches and nursing homes. By the time of her death in 1903, at the age of 83, Henrietta’s mortuary had become one of Philadelphia’s most successful businesses.
In the only surviving photo of Henrietta Duterte, she is clad in black, holding her recently-deceased child in her arms – a post-mortem photo meant to serve as a family keepsake in honor of her child. There is a grief about her, and a strength.
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How do you feel about CoD boys in a monster au? Whether they’re the monster or their s/o is the monster, I just think it would be neat. I’m partial towards werewolves but honestly I love anything that goes bump in the night. I LOVE the idea of a monster being afraid of hurting their partner but their partner knows that they could never hurt them. If you’re open to monster requests, I have so many ideas. Just… monsters, man
oooo are we spitballing bc I love throwing around ideas!!
I absolutely love monster AUs, one of my faves is @/bluegiragi's and I'm sure you all know that iconic one. I'm totally open to monster/hybrid requests, and a detailed list of what other things I write can be found in the cafe's Customer Service Policy aka rules :]
And monster-related plots? I'm a sucker for that shit, need more of that and monster!reader.
If I were to make a Monster Hybrid AU with my own specific ideas though, hmm...
Powerful and stoic, Price would make a great minotaur (lower half of a bull). Sure, maybe his back isn't what it used to be, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have the strength to send you back to your maker. Every step he takes on base acknowledges his presence, a posture that demands respect from its witnesses. The horns on his head aren't something to mess with either, though it takes him ages to scrape out the dried blood from the cracks and tailor his bucket hats.
On the other hand, the canine hybrid for Soap is oddly charming. Similarly to a werewolf, he would have the senses of one, but as a just hybrid, he's unable to fully transform. Instead, he's equipped with features like ears, tail, fangs, some fur on his arms and legs, and a longer tongue. I can see him being a border collie, the Scottish sheepdog just makes sense. But a kelpie/merfolk would also work with his callsign. Soap, a mischievous water spirit known for "cleaning out" rooms of enemies? A body with slick scales, gills, and a frilled mohawk when in monster form? Yeah, I can definitely see that.
For someone with a Queen's honor, a phoenix feels right for Gaz. Bright and burning wings and tail—a light that feels regal and elegant, yet so youthful and lively at the same time. With him in the sky, you're guaranteed to be safe under his watch. Or maybe a cervitaur with those doe eyes of his, gorgeous as ever. Yet equipped with a kick that's sure to shatter the ribs of those who mock him for being just a faun with a pretty face.
Undeniably, with such a specific callsign, Ghost can't be anything other than a wraith. Maybe mix in a bit of demonic blood, soul-eater tendencies, or even marks of an incubus for a little extra kick. His scars look more like shadowy cracks in his skin, smoke pours from the concerningly realistic skull he wears, he looks more like a reaper than a spirit. Regardless, this man is a shadowy phantom that provokes the fear of gods in whoever he sets his target as.
Roach, sure maybe his energy is fitting of a satyr or something more fitting and urban for our token American, like a roach version of Mothman. Bug wings and scales similar to the structure of an exoskeleton, But Roach came to be for being nearly indestructible, like the bug. In fact, it would be more accurate to call Roach, Roaches, as a bogeyman with a human body that can crumble into a swarm of those insects would explain why gunshots and explosions can hardly stop him.
Like Ghost, we can't deny who Hound is, either. Werewolf. Anything less would be criminal. For fun, mix it in with a bit of hellhound hybrid biology, so that he has to either go as a full hellhound or a human with hellhound features. Eyes that burn like Tartarus and a fanged snarl that even Cerberus would shudder at. Maybe even make him in charge of a hellhound K-9 unit, forced to face the very thing he fears.
As for the Reader? Well, that's up to you. Personally, I'm a little fond of shapeshifters. Might need to draw some of these ideas sometime...
Ah well, just some thoughts I had. Any other spitballs you guys have?
#coffee with kryptid#call of duty#cod#call of duty modern warfare#call of duty modern warfare 2#call of duty modern warfare 3#cod mwii#cod mwiii#simon ghost riley x reader#simon ghost riley#john price x reader#price x reader#captain john price#john soap mactavish x reader#soap x reader#john soap mactavish#kyle gaz garrick x reader#gaz x reader#kyle gaz garrick#gary roach sanderson x reader#roach x reader#gary roach sanderson#hound x reader#hound cod#x reader#cod au#cod headcanons#monster au#cod monster au
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As 'Barbie' becomes the only billion-dollar blockbuster solely directed by a woman, one doll maker in the Bay Area is hoping to break barriers of her own.
When 3-year-old Jillian Mak asked for her first doll last year, her mom, Elenor Mak, couldn't wait to get her one.
But her excitement turned to disappointment the moment she set foot in the store.
"There were rows and rows of Caucasian dolls [with] blond hair and blue eyes," she said. "And then, on the very side, there were these ethnic characters that looked ambiguously Asian, Latina. You just weren't sure."
She ended up buying the closest thing she could find, a doll with big green eyes and dark brown hair. But the idea that in 2022 she couldn't find a single accurate Asian American doll, in San Francisco of all places, was hard to wrap her mind around.
"Dolls are not just a toy that's in passing," she explained. It's the child's first imaginary friend. It's the child trying to make sense of the world."
That's when Elenor Mak decided to do something about it. She started by doing an online search for "How to make a doll?"
Then, she searched for an Asian toy maker. For the next few months, they researched everything from eye shape to skin tones to hair color.
"We would go out in the sun and look at our black hair and compare it to these samples," she said.
While there were a few Asian American dolls by big-name companies like American Girl, she thought they were "too stereotypical."
"We talk about how she loves sports," she said. "It's not a traditional association."
She named her doll Jilly Bing — Jilly for her daughter's nickname, and Bing is the Chinese word for cookie. One of Jilly's accessories is a hat that flips into an egg tart.
"We wanted kids to have fun and delight in learning about different Asian foods," she said.
Maria Teresa Hart, the author of the book 'Doll,' said being able to see yourself in them is critical.
"We have all of our feelings and assumptions about society are all contained in these toys and children are smart they do pick up on that" she said. "They may not be able to articulate it as well as we can, but they do understand what is being shown to them."
Elenor Mak is now planning a whole cast of "lovable characters" she said will reflect the entire Asian American experience, including bi-racial dolls.
Jilly Bing, which sells for $68 online, seems to have struck a chord, the dolls began shipping on Aug. 1, with hundreds of pre-orders.
But the only customer that really matters is the one living in her house.
When asked what she loved most about Jilly Bing, 3-year-old Jillian exclaimed: "Everything!"
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Sooo I am from the Southern United States,and so I can't help but picture Konig having to deal with a Southern!Wifey.
One thing Konig will have to get used to, if his little wife is Southern,is her food and drinks. She will make Biscuits and Gravy(White Gravy) and drink Sweet Iced Tea by the gallon. Also,if she is the home maker he will learn he can not set foot in her kitchen while she is cooking otherwise he will be put to work. "Oh handsy hmm? Well if you have energy to be handsy you can peel potatoes,shuck corn,and shell some peas now can't you?"
He will never go hungry,or have to worry about her defending herself. Nothing is scarier than an angry southern woman with a cast iron pan in her hand.
Sorry if this like came from no where,I just don't see a lot of southerner rep in COD headcanons or stories and sorta just wanted to share my thoughts!
Hi!! Omg sometimes I forget that Americans are real, it's sounds so cool!!
Konig is FOLDED. Southern wifey actually goes really well with his traditional values and how he perceives his possible wife-to-be. He was raised on the belief that a true Austrian woman should always care about home, cooking, going to church etc, and be ready to face the attackers with her own powers - so when his adorable wifey from overseas cooks for him, takes care of him, all with that cute accent of hers...poor guy is ready to get USA citizenship and buy a farm in the midwest.
He loves your food! He is a big boy and he needs meat, and he would gladly sacrifice his time to cook with you just so he could get an opportunity to grop your ass and steal a few kisses while you are too busy with doing the meat. Someone is trying to harass you and before Konig could step up, you already defeated the attacker?? Omg he wishes he could marry you a second time.....
He is a bit of a cringe cowboy fan because he is a loser who was reading that very old western and exported Italian cowboy movies, so he still thinks of you as a bit of a cowgirl...he would silently push a hat to your direction, but would actually fucking die if you'd wear it.
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Could you do the TADC cast x reader with a really heavy southern accent?
TADC cast x reader w/ a heavy southern accent!
hello i am back from my silly little lunch break i made a sandwich it was very yummy
i need to find a new set of music to listen to while typing, as much as i love jack stauber i think im going to go insane if i hear baby hotline one more time... oddly enough not the first time that specific song has driven me nuts from being overplayed
anyways
idk
side note idk what to do with gifs because i keep running out of TADC gifs and i got a reblog months back on a crp post that implies that gif makers get notified when you use their gifs?? is that true?? if so i am so so so sorry to the tadc gif makers TToTT
also still gif related but i keep getting. jumpscared by butts n boobs anytime i open the gif thing i cannot keep doing this!!!!
CAINE:
i think he would find it pretty, like, i dont know how to explain it! i think he would possibly mimic some of your speech mannerisms. probably gives you a cowboy hat. i dont know what it is but i think southern accents, at least from what ive seen, is one of the most romanticized of american accents... maybe its the whole rugged cowboy thing thats commonly associated with it. what im trying to say that i think caine would romanticize it the same way, thanks to him not really having the experience of going out and interacting with people from the south
he finds the accent pretty
POMNI:
i dont think she would really notice it unless she is really trying to pay attention to what you say. but maybe thats just self projection because i myself dont really notice other peoples accents unless its very prominent, or they say something that sounds so different to how im used to hearing things. i feel it would be the same with pomni, but i dont think she would treat you any differently! wish i had more ideas but pomni and gangle are particularly hard for me to write for some reason
RAGATHA:
honestly i like to hc that she grew up in a southern small town before getting stuck in the digital world, but of course she wouldnt remember it... perhaps she would feel some sense of familiarity around you anyways, even if she cant pin down why.. i think that would be nice... she likes listening to you talk
JAX:
writing these out of order, but i think jax would be similar to caine in the regard that he would tease some of your speaking mannerisms. "yaint! yall'd've!" stuff like that... which... i can be mad about because im from the south and the two examples are in my vocabulary... hes not really saying anything thats incorrect, at least in my case
probably asks why your digital form isnt a cowboy, shit eating grin on his face
KINGER:
thinks it sounds nice! for once i dont have any ideas for kinger, which sucks because i love kinger TToTT
your words probably rub off on him, i can see him probably picking up on some of your terms n slang
kinger saying yall isnt real he cant hurt you
kinger saying yall:
ZOOBLE:
similar to pomni they dont notice until theyre forced to notice.. no but imagine your accent becomes more pronounced when you get mad, you start saying more stereotypically southern stuff that people associate. probably does a double take if you say a rather insane variant of 'yall' but otherwise doesnt see much point in pointing it out
GANGLE:
absolutely loves hearing you talk, similar to ragatha! while ragatha clings onto your words thanks to unknown familiarity, gangle just thinks your voice sounds like and soothing, comforting! i dont know what it is but hearing someone trying to comfort you with a heavy southern accent as well as using casual terms of endearment (whether you see this as romantic or platonic is up to you!) in this soft tender voice just always hits different for me. maybe i am guilty of also romanticizing southern accents
#tadc x reader#the amazing digital circus x reader#digital circus x reader#caine x reader#pomni x reader#ragatha x reader#jax x reader#kinger x reader#zooble x reader#gangle x reader
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Rewind the Tape —Episode 1
Art of the episode
During our rewatch, we took note of the art shown and mentioned in the pilot, and we wanted to share. Did we miss any? Do you have any thoughts about how these references could be interpreted? How do you think Armand and Louis go about picking the art for their penthouse in Dubai?
The Fall of the Rebel Angels
Peter Bruegel the Elder, 1562
This painting is featured in the Interview with the Vampire book, and it was important enough to be included in the draft pilot script!
Bruegel the Elder was among the most significant Dutch and Flemish Renaissance artists. He was a painter and print-maker, known for his landscapes and peasant scenes.
Three Studies for Figures at the Base of a Crucifixion
Francis Bacon, 1944
Bacon was an Irish figurative painter, known for his raw, unsettling imagery and a number of triptychs and diptychs among his work. At a time when being gay was a criminal offense, Bacon was open about his sexuality, and was cast out by his family at 16 for this reason. He destroyed many of his early works, but about 590 still survive.
The Tate, where these paintings are displayed, says this about the work: "Francis Bacon titled this work after the figures often featured in Christian paintings witnessing the death of Jesus. But he said the creatures represented the avenging Furies from Greek mythology. The Furies punish those who go against the natural order. In Aeschylus’s tragedy The Eumenides, for example, they pursue a man who has murdered his mother. Bacon first exhibited this painting in April 1945, towards the end of the Second World War. For some, it reflects the horror of the war and the Holocaust in a world lacking guiding principles."
Strawberries and Cream
Raphaelle Peale, 1816
Peale is considered to have been the first professional American painter of still-life. [Identified by @diasdelfuego.]
Outfits inspired by J.C. Leyendecker
Leyendecker was one of the most prominent and commercially successful freelance artists in the U.S. He studied in France, and was a pioneer of the Art Deco illustration.
Leyendecker's model, Charles Beach, was also his lover of five decades. You can read costume designer Carol Cutshall's thoughts on these outfits on her Instagram.
Iolanta
Pyotr Tchaikovsky, 1892
The opera Louis and Lestat go to was composed by Tchaikovsky, another gay artist. The play tells a story "in which love prevails, light shines for all, lies are no longer necessary and no one must fear punishment," as put by Susanne Stähr for the Berliner Philharmoniker.
On the Hunt or Captain Percy Williams On A Favorite Irish Hunter
Samuel Sidney, 1881
The unidentified painting on the right might be from the same hunting series, though we couldn't identify the exact one. There's also a taxidermy deer, ram, and piebald deer on the wall. [Identified by @vfevermillion.]
The Artist's Sister, Melanie
Egon Schiele, 1908
Schiele was an Austrian expressionist painter and protege of Gustav Klimt. Many of his portraits (self portraits and of others) were described as grotesque and disturbing. [Identified by @dwreader.]
A Stag at Sharkey's
George Wesley Bellows, 1909
Bellows was an American realist painter, known for his bold depictions of urban life in New York City. [Identified by @vfevermillion.]
Mildred-O Hat
Robert Henri, undated (likely 1890s)
Henri was an American painter who studied in Paris, where he learned from the Impressionists and determined to lead an even more dramatic revolt against American academic art. [Identified by @nicodelenfent, here.]
Starry night
Edvard Munch, 1893
Munch was a Norwegian painter, one of the best known figures of late 19th-century Symbolism and a great influence in German Expressionism in the early 20th century. His work dealt with psychological themes, and he personally struggled with mental illness. [Identified by @vfevermillion.]
If you spot or put a name to any other references, let us know if you'd like us to add them with credit to the post!
Starting tonight, we will be rewatching and discussing Episode 2, ...After the Phantoms of Your Former Self. We hope to see you there!
And, if you're just getting caught up, learn all about our group rewatch here ►
#louis de pointe du lac#daniel molloy#lestat de lioncourt#vampterview#interview with the vampire#iwtv#amc interview with the vampire#interview with the vampire amc#amc iwtv#iwtv amc#IWTVfanevents#rewind the tape#in throes of increasing wonder#analysis and meta#art of the episode
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Jon Klassen CM (born 1981) is a Canadian writer and illustrator of children's books and an animator. He won both the American Caldecott Medal and the British Kate Greenaway Medal for children's book illustration, recognizing the 2012 picture book This Is Not My Hat, which he also wrote. He is the first person to win both awards for the same work.
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Happy birthday, Rose Schneiderman! (April 6, 1882)
A prominent socialist feminist and union organizer, Rose Schneiderman, birth name Rachel, was born in Congress Poland to a Jewish family. In 1890, Schneiderman's family immigrated to the United States, settling in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Her father died soon after and the family struggled to get by. By 1895 Schneiderman was forced to abandon her education and enter the labor force. She became involved in radical politics in her early 20s, and began to organize the women in her workplace, chartering with the United Cloth Hat and Cap Makers of North America. She quickly rose in reputation as a leader in the labor movement, and would eventually come to lead the Women's Trade Union League. She was also involved in the fight for women's suffrage, and was a founding member of the American Civil Liberties Union. She was friendly with Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, and served on the Labor Advisory Board of the National Recovery Administration during the era of the New Deal. Schneiderman was also involved in efforts to save European Jews from persecution and death in the 1930s and 40s. She died in 1972.
"The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too."
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Not a copypasta do you know any good resources for knitting I have been trying to learn and I don't understand what I'm supposed to do even though there are instructions 🫠🫠
Sure nonny! I'm more experienced with crochet but I do have my favorite places to go for knitting stuff lol.
So I'm not sure if you're right handed or left handed — if you're left handed just come back and tell me because learning how to knit as a lefty is a little harder, only because you have to read patterns a little differently.
But, to get started, Very Pink Knits is my favorite youtube channel, she's really great at showing how to do stitches. She's how I realized I was accidentally knitting twisted stitches for three years!
This is her YouTube channel.
She has MANY videos on how to do certain techniques for knitting and how to get started, even how to cast on!
Scrolling through, looks like she's starting on Crochet tutorials as well!
But she explains things very well and has a good tutorial lighting set up and everything. However, if you don't find her videos helpful, just keep typing in stuff into youtube and see what video tutorials are out there because there are many! Yarn companies, pattern writers, etc etc, they all have youtube channels. And, in the future, if you pick a pattern and find yourself getting stuck, a lot of the time the pattern maker will have a youtube video for you to follow to help.
I'm useless as making a video to help get started because I'm left-handed and I primarily crochet lol.
ALSO: SIGN UP FOR RAVELRY
There are communities, you can see notes people make on patterns to see if they had any issues you had, you can sign up to test patterns once you're getting good enough, and a lot of patterns are on there and you can really filter what you wanna find even down to the kind of yarn you have and how much of it you have. You can also save them as favorites and when you buy the pattern you can keep it in your library for safe keeping!
But here are some things to know that sometimes they don't tell you in these beginner videos:
When buying your knitting needles, don't use plastic for plastic yarn. If you're getting acrylic yarn, using plastic needles won't provide a kind of smooth working motion you need. Metal needles for plastic yarn. Slippery yarn like bamboo yarn or cotton or baby alpaca/merino wool can go on wooden/plastic needles. If they go on metal, you may have some issues keeping tension. If you google what kind of needles you should buy for what yarn you can also find this advice!
Buy shit yarn to practice with. If you have a Dollar General around you or anything, assuming you're American, get some of that yarn to first practice on. It's polyester/acrylic but it's so cheap that it's good to practice on. Don't get black! Not when you're first learning!
Plastic/budget yarn is okay to make things out of, and don't let any knitter try to tell you otherwise. There's more forgiveness in the crochet community when it comes to yarn type because we use so much of it and make bigger things than knitted things usually are. Therefore, we can't always afford the big fancy wool and baby yak yarn blahblahblah. So don't let anyone shame you for using yarn from Joann Fabrics.
When you're done with your knitted project, BLOCK! Always block your things, even if you just make a hat or a scarf. It helps with the drape and it helps with being able to see the stitches you just made! If you're using plastic yarn, buy a handheld steamer [mine was like $30 on Amazon], rust-free pins, and knitting block foam squares. You don't have to buy them specifically for knitting like you can buy children's foam play squares, but i like the ones specifically for knitting bc they have 1-inch x 1-inch grids on them so i know how much to stretch my blocking out lol. There are tutorials online for blocking. It's tedious sometimes, but it makes a world of difference and IMO, as you're learning, always make a habit of blocking your stuff. I didn't do it consistently until recently and boy oh boy
Always make a gauge swatch. Once you're starting looking for patterns to make, you're going to see stuff that's like: 10 rows x 10 rows stockinette stitch = 4 inches ... or something like that. And sometimes they'll tell you whether or not your gauge should be blocked before measuring. If you get into crochet this is even more crucial because crochet is less forgiving when it comes to measurements especially after you wash and block stuff. I made a cardigan once and didn't gauge swatch and essentially it'd look great on a woman who is 7 feet tall but not so much on me lol.
That also being said, if your gauge is off, sometimes you have to change your needles. It depends on how tightly you knit. I am a tight knitter so I usually have to go up a needle size lol. If you're struggling, google how to correct your gauge and it'll tell you what to do if you have too many rows going up or going left to right. Or, too little rows.
WEAVE IN YOUR ENDS! With crochet, people have found workarounds [even tho i still think weaving in ends with crochet is vital] but it's really vital when it comes to knitting because the fabric is thinner and it's more unforgiving and it's always good to have some extra yarn stashed away between the stitches just in case you ever needed to go back and adjust something. there are videos out there on how to weave in your ends without them showing in knitting. It's tedious if you've done a lot of colorwork especially but it must be done!
Be gentle with yourself - knitting can be hard to learn at first bc you're learning how to work both hands essentially at the same time. Same with crochet. Knitting takes a little longer because your stitches are smaller so use knitting as a meditative practice and just get in the zone.
When it comes to knitting, I find that working on circulars helped me with my hand-eye coordination and my tension. However, that may not be as easy for you to start off with. And yes you can knit flat pieces on circular needles. The weight of the straight needles sometimes made my hands tired. However, there are tutorials out there on how to get started on both! Also, circulars are great for teeny tiny decreases in the round like for sleeves or socks — instead of working with double-pointed needles which are my nightmare lol.
But — you're not gonna be making a sweater likely as your first thing so here are some patterns that I think would be simple for a beginner knitter!
You will be making a lot of squares first lol. But it's good practice, and it's good to do! These are all free:
CARON SIMPLE KNIT OMBRE BLANKET SCARF
I have this yarn and it's very lovely, and the scarf itself is very simple to make and will be good, especially to learn stockinette stitch!
LILY SUGAR'N CREAM GET LOOPED KNIT DISHCLOTH
This is a cotton yarn available at most craft stores. This is a free pattern and you're essentially making garter stitch squares. I actually recommend this first because garter stitch is essentially the first stitch you learn, THEN you learn stockinette. The different being stockinette is when you learn how to purl. Garter stitch is when you're just doing the knit stitch on both sides so you get the little wavy-looking thing.
SEAFARING SCARF
This looks cozy lol and it'll help you with practicing ribbing! And this one is FANCY ribbing called fisherman's rib! This is a little more advanced but they have videos in the pattern explaining things like "knit one below."
If you're done scouring the internet for free scarf patterns and have looked at tutorials on how to work in the round, here are some simple and basic tops you can make [I'm unsure how you like to dress or your gender or your presentation so I'm linking sweaters that are on the more feminine side just because it's what I have in my list lol]
GINGERBREAD SWEATER
This is a basic, simple, top-down raglan sweater. Raglan sweaters are ones i prefer to do lol i like the slant at the arm.
CLASSIC RIBBED BEANIE HAT
I make these so much especially when I don't know what to do with my yarn lol.
If you want to start getting a crack on triangle shawls, here's a good free first foray you can try!
THE AGE OF BRASS AND STEAM KERCHIEF
This has some fancy eyelets but they're not intimidating! I promise!
And here's another basic raglan sweater you can try!
WARM-UP SWEATER
Again, another basic, no fancy stuff sweater that is good to begin with when learning how to make sweaters.
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I know this is really long, I'm sorry nonny lol.
My favorite knitwear designer is Andrea Mowry who you can find here. She has basic patterns and more complicated ones. I find her patterns very easy to follow and she comes up with fantastic ideas. I was very close to finishing the bee sweater once lol. Find your Fade is a BIG one everyone made but that one is a commitment both of time and money so...
But yeah! If there's anything else I can help you with let me know! I'm more experienced with crochet now since I've been doing it longer and made more things, so if you ever wanted to venture into Crochet I got even more stuff for you xD
Woof this got long. I hope some of this helped!
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Mikey is streaming, he's testing a new system that allowed him to try a cooking stream with his VTuber model. So his model is dressed as a chef. River is sitting on the counter with her own chef hat, and a little bandana around her neck, while holding a wisk and mixing bowl.
He's grabbing what he needs for a few recipes.
"Okay, we're going to test out a new recipe, Pizza Waffles!" He exclaimed happily.
"You need 2 cups of flour, 1 tbsp of baking powder, 3/4 cups of milk, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 cup cold butter cut in small chunks, pepperoni and shredded mozzarella, or your preferred fillings." River lists off the ingredients with conversations all being listed above her head.
Mikey also preps a waffle maker as River virtually prepared the batter. "Don't forget to oil or grease the waffle maker so they don't stick."
River looks over the recipe while preparing. "Sift together the dry stuff, add the butter with a fork? Oh or pastry cutter... whatever, and stir in the milk" As she reads this off the instructions are appearing above her head, " Once mixed roll dough on floured surface to a 1/2 inch or 1.27 cm, cut out as many 3 inch, or 7.62 cm circles... or if you don't want to make that from scratch, premade biscuit dough like this," she shows a picture of an American Biscuit dough can, "You just cut them in half." She demonstrates this really quick.
Mikey is shown also prepping for the next part of the recipe. "Next, cut the dough circles horizontally just enough so you can stuff your choice of filling. After that seal them shut by pinching the edges of the dough." He places the filled balls of dough on a tray next to him.
River then grabs one while opening the waffle maker. "Then toss them into the waffle maker until they're golden brown and crispy!"
Mikeys model holds up a jar of marinara sauce, "And serve with your favorite pizza sauce to dip them in." He smiles while setting up a plate with a little bowl for the sauce. After waiting a good minute or two they check on their creations. "Just to be clear we're using a Belgian Waffle maker for this."
After they make sure the pizza waffles look good and done, they let them cool.
"Now, let's try these babies out!" Mikey shouts as he grabs one, dips it, and pops it whole into his mouth. " These are pretty good! I got to try this with different fillings, oh yeah!" He leans over to shout, "Who wants Pizza Waffles!!"
There was a slight rumbling sound, then suddenly the camera is knocked over while the sounds of the brothers fighting over the food can be heard.
Shelldon and River rush to the camera to check it over, before picking it up to show the kitchen set a complete mess, and Mikey looking very disappointed to the side.
"Well, they liked the food, but caused quite a mess. We gotta clean up before we move onto the next recipes. Please be patient with us." He bows before turning on music to clean up too.
Chat is spamming food emojis, and asking if everything was okay, only to realize Mikey won't see their messages for a good few minutes. He eventually moves onto the next recipe, and continues the stream.
----------------
Masterpost
I got a new waffle maker with a little recipe book that included this recipe. Haven't actually tried it yet, but it seemed like something Mikey would make.
#VTurtles!#vtuber au#rottmnt au#rottmnt michelangelo#rottmnt mikey#rise michelangelo#rise mikey#rise of the tmnt#tmnt rise#rise tmnt#rottmnt#rise of the teenage mutant ninja turtles#tmnt 2018#teenage mutant ninja turtles#tmnt au#rottmnt fanfiction#tmnt fanfiction#tmnt
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"How much safer has construction really gotten? Let’s take a look.
Construction used to be incredibly dangerous
By the end of the 19th century, what’s sometimes called the second industrial revolution had made US industry incredibly productive. But it had also made working conditions more dangerous...
One source estimates 25,000 total US workplace fatalities in 1908 (Aldrich 1997). Another 1913 estimate gave 23,000 deaths against 38 million workers. Per capita, this is about 61 deaths per 100,000 workers, roughly 17 times the rate of workplace fatalities we have today...
In a world of dangerous work, construction was one of the most dangerous industries of all. By the 1930s and early 1940s the occupational death rate for all US workers had fallen to around 36-37 per 100,000 workers. At the same time [in the 1930s and early 1940s], the death rate in construction was around 150-200 deaths per 100,000 workers, roughly five times as high... By comparison, the death rate of US troops in Afghanistan in 2010 was about 500 per 100,000 troops. By the mid-20th century, the only industry sector more dangerous than construction was mining, which had a death rate roughly 50% higher than construction.
We see something similar if we look at injuries. In 1958 the rate of disabling injuries in construction was 3 times as high as the manufacturing rate, and almost 5 times as high as the overall worker rate.
Increasing safety
Over the course of the 20th century, construction steadily got safer.
Between 1940 and 2023, the occupational death rate in construction declined from 150-200 per 100,000 workers to 13-15 per 100,000 workers, or more than 90%. Source: US Statistical Abstract, FRED
For ironworkers, the death rate went from around 250-300 per 100,000 workers in the late 1940s to 27 per 100,000 today.
Tracking trends in construction injuries is harder, due to data consistency issues. A death is a death, but what sort of injury counts as “severe,” or “disabling,” or is even worth reporting is likely to change over time. [3] But we seem to see a similar trend there. Looking at BLS Occupational Injuries and Illnesses data, between the 1970s and 2020s the injury rate per 100 workers declined from 15 to 2.5.
Source of safety improvements
Improvements in US construction safety were due to a multitude of factors, and part of a much broader trend of improving workplace safety that took place over the 20th century.
The most significant early step was the passage of workers compensation laws, which compensated workers in the event of an injury, increasing the costs to employers if workers were injured (Aldrich 1997). Prior to workers comp laws, a worker or his family would have to sue his employer for damages and prove negligence in the event of an injury or death. Wisconsin passed the first state workers comp law in 1911, and by 1921 most states had workers compensation programs.
The subsequent rising costs of worker injuries and deaths caused employers to focus more on workplace safety. According to Mark Aldrich, historian and former OSHA economist, “Companies began to guard machines and power sources while machinery makers developed safer designs. Managers began to look for hidden dangers at work, and to require that workers wear hard hats and safety glasses.” Associations and trade journals for safety engineering, such as the American Society of Safety Professionals, began to appear...
In 1934, the Department of Labor established a Division of Labor Standards, which would later become the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), to “promote worker safety and health.” The 1935 National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which legalized collective bargaining, allowed trade unions to advocate for worker safety.
Following WWII, the scale of government intervention in addressing social problems, including worker safety, dramatically increased.
In addition to OSHA and environmental protection laws, this era also saw the creation of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
OSHA in particular dramatically changed the landscape of workplace safety, and is sometimes viewed as “the culmination of 60 or more years of effort towards a safe and hazard-free workplace.”"
-via Construction Physics (Substack newsletter by Brian Potter), 3/9/23
#construction#osha#workplace#workplace safety#workers rights#labor rights#occupational health#nlra#collective bargaining#united states#us history#labor unions#industrial revolution#this is why unions and regulations are so fucking important by the way#if you have not studied late 1800s and early 1900s labor history in the US#you really can't grasp how incredibly dangerous things used to be#and how much proof we have that corporations suck#government regulations
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i find it so weird that people call so many medicines and such by their brand names... mostly because those are not at all universal... americans will say oh tylenol my steadfast brother or ah yes famous benadryl the hat-man-maker and then you have to google what magical potion they mean and it's like. paracetamol. antihistamines. okay why did you say it like that then
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Sulk in the Sun🍹
Ao3 link
While it’s quite out of character to do so; Penny loses her cool and storms off. Although it isn’t ladylike to admit that. Brains comes to join her by the pool. And of all people, is the one to try and talk her out of potential leaving International Rescue.
Boom! last fic of the year bay-beeee. Happy 2024
Story under the cut for those who prefer to read here
Lady Penelope was never a sun chaser. Or comfortable in great heat. Much as she was trying to relax. Forcing herself to relax might be the more operative term.
"Oh, I'd much rather be wrapped up in layers. With a walk on the heath any day.” she thought moodily, looking out over the ocean again. rather than facing the sunlight like the fellow tourists topping up their tans. “Bring on winter. It's probably a lovely chilly autumn day back home!”
Around the pool (but not actually in it), holiday makers and expats alike were turning over and over for an even bronze. Penelope privately thought most were cooking themselves to walnuts; all oiled brown and wrinkly. She decided she probably looked silly; sat in the near shade wearing a cover wrap and a large sun hat. And then decided she didn't care. Not particularly. Just like she didn’t care for this resort. And she didn’t care about International Rescue. No, not at all.
Penelope again tried to put ‘the day job’ from her mind. And tried to focus on just the sea breeze coming over the cliff side. The blue ocean. and blue almost cloudless sky stretching on for ever and ever. And somewhere out there, just beyond the horizon and further hidden by several clever mirage devices, hidden in plain sight was Tracy Island…
Drat.
"Your drink, M’Lady?"
Penelope did not jump. She refused to. Parker was now hovering at her side again, ever the faithful English butler. Even in his holiday cream chinos.
"Parker. You're on holiday too.” she scolded. “Do desist bullying the resort staff out of their jobs!"
"Begging your pardon milady. But they can't make a mixer or -pardon me language- a blooming cup of tea right.” He explained. “Not to your particular way of liking, at any rate."
Penelope sighed. He had a point.
"I do appreciate it, Parker. But you are fussing.”
“Sorry, milady.”
“Really. The world won't end just because of a little spilt milk or life providing lemons for the lemonade..." she said, taking the drink from the tray. then added with a rather viscous look back out to sea. "Despite what our American friends think."
"Quite? Erm...” Parker hesitated. It seemed he was not, for all their year's together, sure how to address a Ladyship whose pride had been wounded. Discussing Common enemies or wrong uns sure. Not catty remarks about ol’ pals and friendships possibly soured.
“Well… I’ll be off then? if you say so milady?"
"I do. Please Parker, go off and enjoy yourself?" She said, then added, “Preferably without a casino in sight?”
Parker sighed.
“No more gambling wot I ain’t got m’lady. You have my word on that. But.” Again, Parker hesitated. Then cleared his throat.
"If I might be so bold as to say so, milady-?"
"No. You may not." Penelope snubbed. And stubbornly turned back to the picture esc view.
“…Very good, m’lady.” Parker snubbed right back. Penelope sat tense, purposely ignoring him as he departed. then cursed her bad temper as even Parker left her too sit and stew.
Villains and hazards she could handle with ease. Emotions, or more unpleasant feelings, she’d always rather hated facing. Creighton-Wards don’t do very good at that. Especially without something constructive or some engagement to throw herself into.
“I wasn’t made for relaxing on sunbeds.” She thought. “That clearly skipped a generation.”
She did persevere, however, between sipping the fruity drink and reading the awful bad romance thriller book she’d brought with her.
(she’d initially brought the new hit bestseller to hide the history journal she had actually been reading. It wouldn’t do for the British tabloid press to think she wasn’t such a blonde. But then Diane had said the Book was so awful, it was actually good. So, Penelope had tried to read it for real. Then decided while she could trust Diane one many things, life and death things even; book recommendations was not one of them.)
The book, however bad, wasn't exciting enough to take her mind off things. Not properly. But She absolutely was not going to lose her temper, again or spend the whole holiday shut up in her room. Nor was she going to cry or shed one single tear over Jeff bloody Tracy. Or Scott for that matter. She hadn’t so far and was not about to start. Certainly not in public, thank you very much.
Lady Penelope was just debating if she should give it up? And see what the on-site gym had to offer, hoping to physically run away from her troubles. But when she went to sit up her ribs to remind her why she was on a ‘relaxing holiday’ in the first place. Trying not to wince was extra hard when she heard Parker’s heavy footsteps. (The ex-cat burglar was deliberately making himself heard and not sneak up on her again.) Instead, Penelope repressed a groan. not even forty minutes had gone past since she’d asked to be left in peace!
"Begging your pardon again ma'am. but there’s a gentleman wishing to speak to you?"
"If it’s anyone with the surname Tracy on the telephone I do not wish to speak to them." She snapped, not looking up from the book.
"Good thing it ain’t on the phone, then." Parker cut back, rather brutishly. then asked, "What can I get you to drink, young sir?"
"J-Just a c- cold soft drink please, Parker."
"Brains?!"
"H-hi Lady Penelope.”
Penelope bolted up (ouch) and lifted her sunglasses. Sure enough, there was International Rescues resident genius. He gave a little wave, as Parker gave a little nod and left. "My dear boy, how splendid to see you! What on earth are you doing here?"
“I’m dropping in on you, a-apparently. If that’s okay?" Brains smiled, sitting on the sun lounger next to hers. The young man stuck out like a sore thumb in his vest, shirt and tie. But despite the heat and the awkward way he held himself, (as if the lounger would bite him if he were to put his feet up,) Brains didn't seem to mind. Mind, Penelope supposed he was used to the heat of the southern hemisphere.
“I-I hope, I'm not interrupting anything?”
“Only my own ruminating. How did you know where I was?" She asked, astonished, putting down the rubbish paperback. Then narrowed her eyes at him. "And why are you here, even? Did someone put you up to this?"
Brains’ hands went up sharpish in surrender, like she’d levelled a pistol at him.
"N-no. no one! I came of my own accord.” He said. Then amended, putting his arms down. “Well a-actually, no. That's not true. I was coming here. Solo. then l-lost my nerve? and Tin-tin bullied me into actually going through with this. And then flew me here!"
Penelope whipped around. (Her ribs didn’t like that.) Tin-tin sat at the outdoor bar, looking resplendent in tangerine. with a drink to match. seeing she’d been spotted, Miss Kyrano saluted her.
"Tin-Tin said if you like, she's up for a trip out into town. but she’s also said to tell you she’s not coming over until she knows you definitely won’t judo throw her over the cliff. or be cross with her for bringing me over.” Brains explained.
“I would never-!” Penelope said aghast. Then remembered the rather vicious exchanging of words that had led to her checking into the resort rather than staying on Tracy Island. “…Not the first option at least.”
“T-that’s fair. And as for the how, John tracked the heli-jet to the mainland, and locating your communications was very simple. That and this is one of the nearest luxury adults only resorts to the airport. Tracy Industries has a gold card- “
"Oh of course he does." Penelope scoffed. And then felt a teensy bit bad for throwing Brains off his track.
Brains nervously cleared his throat. and continued. "Yes. to a suite? We stay here if the weather is too bad to get back across from supplies runs with the jet or the Ladybird. so, we simply walked onto site, dropped off our bags; Tin-tin got changed and then we came looking for you."
“Right. Well Brains, you’ve found me. Congratulations…”
Brains shifted nervously as she scrutinised him. Then turned away, pulling back down her sunglasses.
"A-a Penny for them, Lady Penelope?" Brains tried when the silence stretched a little too long.
"Right now, my thoughts do not make for good company." Penelope said coolly, not accolading the pun on her name, intentional or not.
Then sighed, rubbing her temple.
"My apologies. You are a pip for coming out to see me. I shouldn't take it out on you. Or dear old Parker, either for that matter."
"Less of the old." She thought she heard. Penelope glanced back to the bar where her butler was taking an awfully long time to fetch Brains his pop.
Penelope took off her sunglasses, folding them neatly back into their case.
"But Brains? Dear if you've come to apologise on their behalf or ask me to come back to the island, don’t bother. and I’m not apologising either, so don’t waste your time asking me too!" She said, feeling rather childish. Then added. “Even if it is bad form."
"No, I didn’t. And-and I'm not going to do that. I-I c c ccc.”
Brains paused and took a breath before continuing.
“I came on my behalf. Admittedly with a push. No one bar John was informed where we were heading. Just off base. And as for saying sorry-?”
“What about it?”
“Well, I think you’re both in the wrong? if it matters, Lady Penelope.” He said sincerely.
Penelope shot him a look that sent ‘stronger men’ running normally. This time Brains wasn’t affected.
“However, you came to Tracy Island for r-rest and recovery. And I’m sorry you fell out with Scott and Mr Tracy. That I will a-a-pp-p. That I am sorry for.” He continued. “I wanted to make sure you're okay. Really?"
"That, that is very sweet of you. I'm …fine, thank you." She said. Then teased just a little. "How many times do I have to say you’re free to call me Penny. or at least Penelope?"
"I don't think I could manage ‘Penny’." Brains shook his head. "It doesn't sound right from me."
“Alright.” She said, “But I mean it. And it is sweet, but I hate to think I’ve put you out. you could have just called?"
"W-would you have answered? "
"From you, yes.” Penelope said truthfully. “But then again I guess there's no way of screening calls outside of the home video phone and FAB One.”
"No. That is something I’ve been looking into? Assimilating a ringtone, different coloured lights for items. Or a caller id like on telly phones. It’s been simple enough to roll out on the vehicles so far. But on the watches and-!”
Brains stopped. “… Lady Penelope, you're letting me t-talk e-electronics again."
"You call it techno babble; I find it interesting." She shrugged. It might have sounded like false flattery to or from someone else, but she did genuinely enjoy listening to Brains. Even the bits that went over her head.
"Yes, but y-you're avoiding an awkward conversation." Brains frowned. "Where was I?"
"Television phone lines?" Penelope tried. Brains frown grew a little exasperated. "Oh, it was worth a shot. I said I would have answered. if it was you."
"Right. Well as I said I wanted to make sure you were okay. I was worried about you. So, were Tin-tin a-and the fellas? And we’re all missing you and had been looking forward to you visiting. Really. I hope I’m not wrong when I say I see you as a very good ‘pal’, Lady Penelope? even outside of work.”
Brains was not a great fan of spontaneous physical affection. or else Penelope might have reached over and squeezed his hand. She herself wasn’t one for mushy sentiments without substance.
“You aren’t wrong. Although I'm not using the term ‘pal’ , thank you. but You’re a dear friend of mine too Brains. One Whom I’m lucky to have I might add.”
“The gadgetry upgrades are an a-added bonus.”
He said it in his normal tone but punctuated it with a very over top wink. Ah a joke.
Parker did not bring Brains his cola. But allowed the automatic waiter to bring it to him instead. It was a shiny chirping dustbin looking thing with a flat tray head, running on wheels and a track. Nothing as sophisticated as Braman. Although someone had gone to great trouble to put a smiley face on its front using its order lights as eyes. Penelope glared at it all the same for intruding.
Brains took the drink, thanked the robot; And continued.
“And it was somewhat selfish of me too. Coming to see you I mean. I wanted to get off the island for a little while. or at least away from the house.”
“Oh? Brains, is something wrong?” Penelope wasn’t going to admit she was worried no. not at all.
Alright, perhaps a smidgen.
“hm. it isn't a nice atmosphere.” Brains said, plucking out the umbrella from the drink and rolling it in his fingers. “And the others are trying to hide in my lab which is-?”
The near splutter of giggle from her startled them both.
“Terribly sorry, Brains.” Penelope apologised. “I wasn’t laughing at you. I just got the ridiculous image of one or more of the boys physically hiding under your work bench like a game of sardines!”
“Ah. no. That would be funny! And that has happened before! Not with the work bench but the storage cupboard. I do have to remind them sometimes it is a working lab and workshop." Brains said with a chuckle. Then more seriously, "If they were working on their own projects, I wouldn’t mind. It would be simply a case of just being there at the same time? but it was more they all keep coming in rather than face one another. if that makes sense? to see how whatever it is I’m working on is going and small talk."
“Ah. No, I quite agree that it is quite bothersome when people do that. One moment.”
Penelope reached into her bag. And pulled out an anti-listening device, ironically disguised as a compartment pocket disc and radio player. While the one in her compact and Brain’s watch were probably more than adequate for any electronic bugs; this one packed a little more juice that’d allow them a little more privacy. Beaming white noise up out of its antennae, the gadget then echoed surrounding noise back outward, creating a barrier around in up to a five-metre radius. Both eves’ droppers and recording devices alike wouldn’t hear them now. Even Parker and Tin-tin’s own IR devices would struggle against it. Parker wouldn’t even hear what she was saying even if he hid in a nearby decorative pot plant.
“There. Then we speak a little more freely about your lab and the Tracy’s.” Penelope smiled, setting it on the table between their sun loungers. “You can never guarantee secrecy in these places. As you’ve proven!”
Only Brains was more focused on the not-a-radio. “Is the new synth mechanism working well for output you need it too outside of the testing conditions? I wasn’t certain it could generate the continuous voltage without compensating the battery life.”
“Now who’s talking shop to avoid discussions?” Penelope pointed out. Brains sighed and swirled the cola as if it might help.
"It isn’t a nice atmosphere.” He said eventually. “In any of the villas. But other than seeing you’re okay? I'm staying out of the actual argument please. So are Tin-Tin, Gordon and John. "
“That’s only two out of five brothers." Penelope said quietly.
“Alan is heading to Thunderbird Five two days earlier than he was meant to. John changed his mind and was going to let Alan owe him another week seeing as you weren’t there anymore? but I think Alan’s trying to escape too. " Brains said. “And his, Alan’s I mean. His stance is ‘I told you so’. but I'm not sure which side of the argument. Although John asked you to call him, and you can tell him your side of the story.”
“Our own little ‘bitch sesh’.” Penelope said, sipping her drink to avoid pursing her lips. “And Virgil's?"
Penelope wished she hadn’t asked. Brains’ face fell.
“Virgil isn't speaking to anyone." He said sadly. "Last time I saw him he was holed up in Thunderbird Two making adjustments to the starboard’s main averting b-six aid access. And he had been for nearly ninety minutes!"
"Which bit is that? That he’s repairing."
"Oh. On the hatch in the cockpit, for storage." Brains corrected. "It keeps sticking."
“What a nuisance that must be." Penelope frowned. “Especially as Two’s pilot.”
“Quite. But. It shouldn’t take all that long to fix. And… I’m not sure I should say this?”
“And?” Penelope prompted anyway.
“And Virgil is not even acting as Scott’s confidant." Brains said.
“Oh…goodness, that is troubling."
“Hmm. Yeah.”
The pair sat in silence for a moment or few.
There was a splash, which served as a fitting distraction as any.
Tin-tin had at some point put on her cap and stripped down to her swimsuit. making use of the pool she’d hopped in for a dip and started doing steady lengths. Parker was looking h’after her stuff. He sat watching the sunbathers like a guard dog, daring any dirty old men to ogle or approach the young lady. It was quite sweet how protective he was of Tin-tin. Parker had acted much the same in Paradise Peaks, despite them being on assignment.
Deciding they’d be alright, Penelope sighed again and turned back to Brains.
"It wasn't in my itinerary, you know? To upset Virgil. I didn’t set out to do so on purpose.”
“I know.”
“Or Jeff actually. Certainly not to anger him. or Scott. or any of you for that matter-."
“don't.” Brains frowned interrupting. “I know that. With what was said, I believe it was needed, giving the operation. but the way it was put, it wasn't right.”
“That's rather the crux of the matter. rather than quite what was said itself.” Penelope admitted. Brains nodded, leaning his elbows on his knees. “Does he often do that with the rest of you?”
“No, not a lot. Although sometimes Mr Tracy says things in that tone without meaning too. But He does it to even Kranyo? I don’t like it when he does that.”
“I doubt Kryano does either. Well, thank you for your honesty… I knew I was in for a lecture. Or possibly at worst a telling off. I just hadn’t expected it levelled at me quite so bluntly or on a personal level.” Penelope complained. “Oh dear. But you are right. And I shouldn’t have shot back either. At Jeff. I'm afraid my own father was a ‘give them as good as back, son’ sort of approach too.”
“Mine tried.” Brains agreed. “So did the professor.”
“Oh?”
Brains very very rarely ever talked about his family life before the Tracy’s. Adopted or otherwise. But he was slightly more casual here, just for a brief moment.
“It didn’t take. Sending me to boxing classes to t-toughen me up just gave the school bully an easier target. Especially if I couldn’t see them in the ring without my glasses.” He said. And waved off any sympathy.
“H-how did your parents find it?” Brains asked and at her questioning look clarified, “Not following the life they’d planned for you? If that’s not too personal?”
“From you, no, not at all. Hmm. I think switching from scouts to the guides helped? But it was being made head girl and going to finishing school that finally won mater over.” Penelope shrugged. Something her old tutor would have struck her with a ruler for, speaking of. “As for my father? In his own words better a strong daughter then another waste of an heir like his brother was. Yours?”
“The professor didn’t really mind what I wore or what I changed, so long as I didn’t miss any classes.”
Brains didn’t elaborate any further. Penelope picked up the thread of conversation before the silence became awkward.
“I'm afraid I’ve made papa sound a brute. He wasn’t. He was a good man in most respects. although I don’t think he and Jeff would have gotten on at all.” She said. But the augment was still playing on her mind. and the subject circled back and reared its ugly head. “But speaking of Jeff and fathers. This isn’t a case of simply being grounded or getting into trouble with a local constable, is it?”
Brains shook his head, and Penelope continued. “And yet Jeff spoke to me like a child.”
“But what you did was incredibly risky? He’s right to think that.” Brains replied.
“I don’t need to hear any more of his Opinions.” Penelope said curtly. “…or his mothers.”
"If it helps Mrs Tracy called him and Scott foolish. For speaking to you like that. Individually. and idiots collectively " Brains put in.
"It does actually." Penelope said, a little cattily. "Given Grandmama Tracy cannot stand me, she must really be quite galled to be on my side."
“y-yeah. Well partly on your side.”
"Was she very rude about me?" Penelope grinned. Brains thought for a moment reanalysing.
“Urm…you do know Mrs Tracy says your name odd. Like it’s an insult?” He said warily.
“Oh, she always does that. That's why I call her Grandmama.”
“Oh. But Mrs Tracy hates that?”
“I know. She pretends to flirt with Parker, and she knows we all hate that.”
“I'm not certain it is pretend. Wait, is that why she called you a snob?”
“Is that all? Well, I am. That’s not terribly rude. if it’s true.” Penelope smiled sweetly. “She also thinks I'm a bad influence on you Tin-tin and the boys. And Jeff to boot.”
“Really? I don’t believe it.”
“She told me that herself. And you’ve my word it’s the truth.”
"I don’t understand why you find that funny?” Brains said, “Oh well. Other than that Mrs Tracy wasn't so rude as to call you anything but ‘her majesty!’ behind your back… But that was before the fight."
“It was hardly a fight! Nothing was broken or hit." Penelope disagreed.
"Well, what would yo-you call it then?"
Penelope thought. "A mild skirmish.” She said, “Or perhaps the start of a rift."
"I- I’m not going to call it that first one. But Mrs Tracy is being very vocal about everything being ’bang out of order’. And that she ‘raised you boys better’.” Brains said, with air quotations. “And she keeps dishing out chores. The villa is spotless. And Mrs Tracy is hand washing the dishes despite having the dishwasher. She only does that when she’s cross.”
Brains then smiled and lowered his voice unnecessarily, "Can you keep a secret, Lady Penelope?"
"Always dear.” Penelope whispered back, conspiring for juicy gossip. “Go on?"
"Mr Tracy even got middle named!" Brains chuckled. "He was complaining about Virgil’s hiding. And Mrs Tracy told him to pull his own socks up. Metaphorically. B-but he doesn’t know Gordon and I heard him."
"Oh my!” Penelope tittered. “Although if Gordon heard? then it will go around the island like wildfire."
“T-true True.” Brains smiled.
But then that smile slipped somewhat.
"I-I'm afraid there’s no way to avoid Scott’s fussing or temper by the way. He gets very worried about any of us getting hurt. You and me? We might not be one of his brothers but Scott? He's always trying to look out for everyone."
"I know." Penelope conceded. "I know. But the hypocrisy? He cannot throw himself into ridiculous scrapes himself then join in with berating me like a child!"
"I know.” Brains echoed. “He does it a lot. Even worse since that accident with the ‘dish Monte Bianco? the others call him smother hen.”
Virgil had called it that and some several more rather expletive things, she knew.
“Gordon says it’s a compliment?” Brains continued. “Too you I mean. That Scott cares for you. As one of the team”
“It didn’t feel like a compliment.” Penelope pouted. Not that she’d admit that. “He didn't have to jump in and agree with Jeff quite so eagerly either. And the dressing down from Mr Jeff Tracy? I maintain; it really felt like I was being spoken to like a child!”
“Hmm.”
Brains paused tapping his shoe nervously.
"I I do respect Mr Tracy, a great deal. But sometimes..."
Brains took a deep breath.
“Sometimes Jeff can be a little frustrating to deal with.” Penelope suggested. “And it feels like he doesn’t take one seriously.”
“You hit the pr-pro p. you’ve hit the nail on the head there as it were, Lady Penelope.” Brains paused again. “I wish sometimes…”
Penelope gave him a moment. But Brains changed tack.
"You were worried about him. Last April? so you insisted Mr Tracy took a holiday, correct?" he said, placing the cola on the table next to hers and the fake radio.
"I did.” She said, curious to see where he was going with this. “After a very insistent message from a little thunderbird-ie prompted it. But they were right."
"Oh. I didn't know that bit… but You still had Mr Tracy’s best interests at heart, right?"
" I hoped so."
Jeff had been very against it…
"But then Scott burnt out trying to be in charge?" Brains said. "Even before the seascape called in. And Mr Tracy came back only to the island."
"I remember." Penelope said. This time it was her turn to pause before speaking. “I felt like I was being blamed without him saying so.”
"Hmm. he doesn’t like it. not being in charge?” Brains said. Penelope agreed. “But at the same time, he’s never given Scott any training or expertise into stepping up. He just expects Scott to ‘know’ what to do. Same with Tracy industries. And it isn’t just Scott. It’s all five of them. I know they had a say in the matter of making the operations. But not so much in how it’s run sometimes. Or how it’ll run in the future.”
“Hmm.” Penelope smiled and put her shades back on. “And that makes it all alright, doesn’t it?”
“Lady Penelope?”
“Yes?”
"Your jaw is doing that thing it does on missions where you’re really angry but pretending to be helpless."
“Good grief Brains! Remind me never to play poker with you.”
“You can count cards!” Brains shot back. "I prefer chess anyway. Scott was right in the lounge though, w-with what he said.”
“Scott was rude.”
“But correct. You don’t have to prove that you’re indestructible. We know you aren’t, even if you act like it!”
Penelope did not hide her scowl this time. “I can manage, you know? I'm aware this latest ‘favour’ I’ve done for Jeff is more of a blot on my record than a gold star. But I’ve been living this lifestyle for longer than they have.”
“I k-know that! We all do. We were all worried!” Brains said and put his head in his hands. He didn’t look up when spoke.
“He was right. So was Mr Tracy. but the way it was put wasn't. He does it to his brothers all the time! even when they’re out on a rescue. And sometimes Mr Tracy? He speaks to them as their dad when they’re running through protocols. or as a commander when they need their father?”
"That's the trouble with a family business I suppose." Penelope sighed. She drew out a cigarette case and her holder. At exactly the right moment Parker just happened to be walking past to light it for her with just a flip of his zippo. Barely breaking his stride. Remarkable talent of that man.
"I get I am essentially an employee in a family run enterprise. Albeit a rather extravagant one. As well as a friend of said family." Penelope continued, exhaling smoke out. "But to get a dressing down so publicly? With the lot of you in earshot, and Scott as his second jumping in and backing him up? Call me spoiled but I'm not used to it. I wouldn't do that to anyone who works in my home or working under me invited to the house. it's unseemly!"
That last bit came out a little loud and had it not been for the anti-eavesdropping device then heads may have turned.
Brains stifled a cough through his nose. And Penelope made sure to blow smoke the other way.
"What about your err... previous employment?" he asked, waving smoke away from his face. “Did You never get in this sort of trouble with them?”
“Oh goodness all the time. Not so much in journalism, but I’ve had some HORRID directors and horrible bosses. Far worse than Jeff. Especially within the fashion industry. thank goodness for houses like François Lemaire!” Penelope sighed again. "But I can get away with kicking up a fuss right back if needs be behind the catwalk and cameras if something is wrong. especially on behalf of the newer or younger models. Brands don't want the press of being outed as underpaying or cutting corners... That wasn't what you meant, was it dear?”
Brains shook his head. “Not really. But was there much difference? With modelling, interviews and being an agent.”
“The extortionate pay and more weapons pointed at my head.” Penelope quipped. Then really thought about it. “And bizarrely less sexism interestingly enough? Things were said to my face more, granted, but I could actively use that to an advantage.”
“Gee. T-that’s socially fascinating to observe. But I would not like to step into either of those worlds. With the exception of consulting and inventions.” Brains said. Then laughed. “Wait? You know those tacky souvenirs that say things like ‘you don’t have to be mad to work here-?
“But it helps.” Penelope said. “Yes, I know the ones you mean.”
“Well, I think we don’t have to be mad where we work?”
Penelope chuckled right back. “But it helps. True, very true.”
“I b-believe I might know what I'm contributing to the Secret Santa.” Brains said, making a note in his pocketbook. “”
“That’s very apt. regardless of whose name you pull out.” Penelope agreed. “What’s the limit this year by the way?”
The worst-best present was a Tracy Tradition. Had been since the boys had been pocket money age. save buying four presents each. And Grandma receiving five of the same mug or tea towel. The categories had become more wilder but if anything, the price limit had come down, to maintain the challenge.
“Gordon says up it to twenty dollars. but Alan wants to be extra hard and say ten.”
“I could be a bounder and include the postage then.” Penelope said, not meaning it really. “You get that slogan. I’ll contribute something with Alice in Wonderland. We're all mad here!”
“I'm sensing a theme.” Brains stammered.
“Let’s see if they notice. Mind I suppose Tracy Island is a wonderland somewhat.” Penelope smiled. “All your brilliant ideas? the bravery, the secrets.”
Brains however wasn’t laughing.
“Will you stay? In the organisation.” He said, suddenly serious and switching topics. It threw her, just a little.
“Why should I?!” Penelope retorted. She hadn’t thought of quitting. Not really. But she could!
“I can give you a list of reasons if that wasn’t rhetorical.” Brains replied.
“I don’t need a list.” She frowned. Penelope went to take another drag of her cigarette only to find it had burnt up.
“Can I ask why you don’t just fly back to England then?” Brains asked as she stubbed it out in the ashtray.
“No.”
The voice didn’t normally allow for any argument to bode. But Penelope wasn’t having much luck in being intimidating. Must be something with the factor seventy sunscreen.
“I m-maybe wrong but I think you were hoping someone would come. Here, from the island. To find you.” Brains challenged. “I like to think you’re giving them a chance to get their act t-together.
“Think what you like!” Penelope said. And in Trying to Give him the brush off, she snatched up her book again. She even started reading it again to ignore him. Unfortunately, she had it Upside down. And didn’t realise for a beat too long she was so annoyed. Still Penelope Powered through it. even tuning the pages. Brains in turn turned in his seat. and looked out over the same spot as she’d spent most of the day doing. He sipped his cola, politely ignoring her ignoring him.
“G-good book?” he asked eventually.
“Awful.” Penelope said, calmer. Brains was annoyingly very good at being a good influence. “And not in a way so bad it’s entertaining.”
“Ah. S-shame. Not even if it’s read the wrong way r-round upside down and back to front?”
“Not even then, darling.” She said, putting it back down. And steeled her courage to the sticking place. “And… going back to your question. admittedly I couldn’t face the flight. Home. Or Back to the island.”
Brains frowned. “Do you mean physically or psychologically?”
“Both-.”
“Lady Penelope-!” Brains interrupted.
“well-!” she interrupted right back. Goodness, this felt horribly vulnerable! “I just wasn’t in the mood for another argument. And a long-haul flight, even in a Fireflash, sounded extremely inadvisable at this point.”
“Are you in pain?” Brains asked. Then eyed her glass suspiciously. “Should you be drinking that on medication?”
“Now you sound like a Tracy. It’s a mocktail. I’m not so foolish to get white girl brit-abroad wasted, thank you! Not with bruises.” Penelope said, stirring it for emphasis. And gave a little scowl. “It's mostly fruity and syrup. Parker was right, this isn’t even close to a cocktail.”
“So, if you aren’t drinking a-alcohol, does that mean you are taking pain relief?”
“Yes, Brains I am.”
“The full prescribed dosage?”
Penelope didn’t dignify that with a straight answer. Brains pushed his glasses back up his nose and continued to stare incredulously at her till Penelope explained.
“I didn’t want to take them. They’re so strong. They make me woozy, and I cannot stand how at odds with my own limbs they make me feel.” She grumbled. “I came here to relax, not to be comatose.”
“You came to the island to relax. You went to recover enough to get out of any questions from the press.” Brains corrected. And sighed,
“Mr Tracy’s really gotten to you, hasn’t he?”
“I meant it when I said think what you like.” Lady Penelope said coolly. “I'm here and he’s there. And he’ll still be behind his desk when I get home.”
“Is that your solution for dealing with uncomfortable situations?” Brains accused. “j-just run away and hide.”
“Better to hide in plain sight then get caught." Penelope sniffed.
“That's not denying running away.” Brains retorted.
“It was hardly a run. Given how long it took to repack my bags.” Penelope said, Losing her temper with another old friend. It wasn’t a burning fiery thing this time; this burnt like ice. “And don’t act as if he has never upset you either? Or that you’ve never buried yourself in work to avoid Jeff. Scott told me about the smashed models.”
That last bit she added Rather unfairly. Beastly even. Penelope regretted it the instant she said it. Brains regarded her for a moment, and she thought he might get up and leave that time. She wouldn’t blame him.
Instead, he grumbled, "You’re all very alike y-you know? In that you're all sorry about how you spoke to each other but too stubborn to a-actually apologise. Plus, you’re British and not going to admit he upset you. Really upset you."
"For someone who just said he'd rather watch from the side-lines, you know a lot about how people tick Brains.”
“For someone who’s so cool under pressure she frustrates the Hood? you can be one heck of a hot head sometimes, Lady Penelope!”
Penelope considered he had a point. But didn’t verbally say so.
“What was in your cola to make you so direct today?” she said instead.
“Why didn’t you ask for help?” he replied instead.
“Because I do not always need to be rescued.” Penelope stated. “I’m not a damsel in some story. For every concern Parker or I have called the boys in, there must be a dozen or so missions I handle. sometimes without most of you even being aware of until afterwards.”
“I know.” Brains said quietly. “But you did need rescuing in that situation. Or should have been? And you didn’t ask for help.”
“I am aware, Brains. Hindsight is a marvellous thing.” She snipped. “Unfortunately, I was too late in my decision making.”
“P-Penelope? You were hurt.”
Maybe it was the fact he’d dropped the title? Or it was the unsaid parallels to another tragedy. but Penelope didn’t interrupt.
“In an avalanche of all things. And at one point even missing? And knocked unconscious. Enough to scare us all.” Brains said. “That might be the reason Mr Tracy was, either consciously or not, hard on you. But… It is frustrating that we’re an organisation that helps people; but we’re bad at looking out for each other. Especially to how everyone is feeling, e-emotionally.”
“…Brains, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. Or brought up the Thunderbird Six planning.” She said in a hush. “I'm sorry.”
“Thanks.” Brains nodded. Then added, “A -also how much did he tell you? About the model I broke?”
Penelope was Not glad to change the subject as such. But certainly, latching on to it.
“So, it was on purpose then?” Penelope asked.
“no.” Brains defected. “Frustration? yeah…Failure isn’t an option. Even just demonstrations and trials.”
“He said it was more than one.”
Brains looked up at that, worried.
“S-Scott knew about the other models?”
“No. You just told me.” Penelope pointed out. Brains’ mouth opened and closed twice before just settling on silently frowning. “Scott said they’d been other pitches…and then even after repurposing Alan’s biplane, you seemed to lose confidence in yourself for a little while. That was clear even to Parker and myself.”
“wouldn’t you? nothing was good enough.” Brains frowned. “Nothing I made was what Mr Tracy had in mind.”
This time Lady Penelope did reach across the gap to squeeze his arm. It was more on his sleeve if anything. She didn’t wish to overwhelm the poor fellow.
“There’s no shame in wanting to work to a specification.” She tried.
“Or wanting to stick to the mission.” Brains countered in agreement. “Just please have ah- an extra b- backup plan next time, Lady Penelope? And be more careful around missions with snow.”
Lady Penelope promised she would.
“Annoyingly, I'm normally rather good at them. And please don’t be cross about the models? Scott didn’t tell me a lot. Virgil and John filled me in a little more. It wasn’t gossip, they were worried for you, dear boy.” She continued. “But they told me enough to make me wish you’d gotten to be on board your airship’s maiden voyage. Even if it did get sabotaged and end up a rather dangerous affair.”
“Me too. I’d have liked to see the Sky Ship launch at least. Even if it had just been from inside a Thunderbird.” Brains said, a little wistfully. “Maybe if they ever build a second one? Ah-although I doubt it after the cost of the damage I caused-”
“You get that idea out of your head this instant!” Penelope scolded. Brains looked up at her, shocked. Whether it was her Tone of voice, or he hadn’t meant to say that bit aloud, she didn’t care.
“You didn’t cause Skyship’s nosedive into a controversial missile base.” She reminded him. “Those villains who killed the crew and then one another did. You saved us. The shoot-out caused the crash. None of the blame rests on your shoulders.”
“I know but it was my design-?” he tried.
“Absolutely none of the events are your fault and the blame does not rest on your shoulders. If anyone has said otherwise, then they are exceptionally stupid.” Penelope challenged. “And if you argue that it is your fault even out of misplaced guilt or the like, I will personally throw you in that pool, in what you are wearing right now!”
“You y-you’re not meant to lift anything heavy or do anything strenuous for at least two weeks?!”
“Then I will get Parkers and Tin-tin’s assistance. Don’t think I won’t!”
Brains gulped.
“…I-I don’t think I’ve ever known you so cross.”
“Likewise!”
“First at Mr Tracy, then me.”
“Jeff was being, pardon my language, an arse. you dear are listening to your insecurities. No one gets to make you feel small, Brains. not even your own thoughts.” Penelope said stubbornly.
Brains nodded slowly. And sighed, “I know the actions of others weren’t my fault. And no one said t-they were. The opposite in fact. But like you said earlier? About being blamed. It wasn’t in my control what happened. But I still feel bad?”
“And that was only after it crashed. I felt bad about being laughed at and I think that reflected in everything else I worked on for a while. And how I was with the Tracy’s.” Brains admitted. “I can design incredible machines. I know that. but having no brief made it e-extra challenging when its s-shouldn’t have been. And then the answer had been under our noses the entire time.”
“isn’t it just like that sometimes?”
“Hmm…also I’ve never heard you swear before? That’s t-twice in an hour now.”
“I blame the heat. It’s clearly getting to me.”
“If Mr Tracy apologises, Will you forgive him? and stay?”
Penny withdrew her hand.
“And if he doesn’t?” she suggested.
No one had called her. No one had stopped her leaving Tracy Island in the first place.
“Well, then my analyzation of the situation would be wrong. But I very much doubt Tin-tin and the Tracy brothers would let you leave without a fight. especially if you called Virgil. Middle brother and chief peacekeeper.”
“Why should I be the one to extend the olive branch?”
“Would I be here if you h-had? Because they're trying to give you space and also they are g-genuinely terrified of upsetting you further.” Brains said. “Scott will say he’s sorry the moment you get him on a private call. He’s admitted aloud he messed up.”
“If he messed up, then so did I. Disastrously so.” Penelope admitted. “With such an abysmal rookie mistake too. I'm surprised I wasn’t let go of on the spot.”
Brains had unfortunately taken a swig of his drink and nearly choked on it.
“Let Go!? You a-are our top agent!”
“That, I doubt.” Penelope said. “I failed a mission, old boy. Regardless of the weather and the results. The only reason that microfilm was recovered was sheer dumb luck. I didn’t even complete the task, Parker did it for me. All for what? a twisted ankle, bruised ribs and the whole island laughing at or scolding me!”
“We weren’t laughing!”
“It certainly felt like it.”
“w-what did you just tell me about not listening to your own thoughts?” he tried. “I c-could throw you in the pool!”
“Could you? Try it. Dear.” Penelope challenged, with an eyebrow.
Brains slowly backed down. Not without a complaint.
“Why is throwing people and t-things in the pool the biggest threat in my life recently?”
“You are a gentleman.”
“I mean it though. You’re both our friend and the best agent.” Brains insisted. “You go across the world for us, not just London. You’re the only agent he trusts to have a direct link too. And your portrait hangs on the wall. The only one of our networks. Alongside his own sons.”
“…And what if I’m sick of hiding in plain sight?”
It was very quietly asked. She wasn’t sure Brains had heard it. Penelope was about to pretend she hadn’t said it at all and carry on when he spoke again.
“Can you go without? The trills and the subterfuge.” Brains asked. “Sometimes I'm sick of being an inventor. But if I didn’t create? I’d die!”
“Spoke like a true artist…No. I doubt I could retire even if I needed to. And it has been the only enterprise I’ve been in in my life with some moral backbone.” Penelope admitted. “But I know one thing.”
“What’s t-that?”
“I definitely wasn’t made for relaxing when forced too.”
“M-most definitely a Tracy trait.”
“Tosh. I told you, I'm a bad influence on them, remember? But truly, shall we get out of here?” Penelope suggested. “I believe you said our favourite technician mentioned a trip out?”
“I b-believe I did. That's a good idea.” Brains grinned. “So long as this m-means you’re not cross with me for coming out here.”
“No. I'm rather glad you did.” Penelope smiled. “Give me time to change and arrange the car with Parker.”
“I’ll go let Tin-tin know.” Brains agreed getting up. “When will you be back?”
“Will you be coming with us?” Penelope asked with a frown.
“Hmm, no. not s-shopping at least. But I might come for the drive.” He said, “There's also p-plenty of galleries and museums in the town. and a rather fun shooting range just outside of it. Most of us prefer it to the island one even.”
“Oh darling, you love dressing room montage, and you know it.” Penelope teased. “Here. A toast?”
Brains was bemused. But raised his glass anyway. “T-to what?”
“To the whims of Jeff Tracy.” Lady Penelope joked, “And what we put up with sometimes for international rescue.”
“I’ll drink to that.” He beamed. And clinked his glass to hers.
“Oh, and Brains?” She asked. The scientist turned back.
“Y-yes, Penelope?”
“Thank you. For this.” she said sincerely. “I think a ‘little chat’ was long overdue. And far more needed than a holiday.”
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