The ever gracious stmargarets surprised me today with a written version of Molly Weasley's pendant that warms up when people are thinking loving thoughts about her. She even found a picture of a bear in a heart to represent what my magical pendant would look like. Dear Oatmeal collects bears so they are now a part of my life.

You will never know how much it means to me to have friends celebrate as I finish re-writing the Harry Potter stories from Molly's point of view. Nearly three years ago, I started out writing one story to answer the questions my grandsons had about who took care of Harry after his parents died and before he was left on the Dursley's doorstep. It was accepted at Phoenix Song. One thing lead to another, so I wrote a story from Molly's POV for each of the Harry Potter books, plus a Christmas Memories story and what I thought might happen in the year after the Battle.

Now, I am finished with that phase of my life. My husband's health is going to take more of my attention but I intend to keep reading, reviewing, and posting here and at Phoenix Song. I don't want to lose touch with the friends I have made. Thank you for rejoicing with me. I feel the warmth.

This is part of a press release from www.fire.ca.gov that my son's family received as an email late this afternoon.

"Mandatory Evacuation Lifted in Bonny Doon Area

As of 3:00 PM, Sunday August 16, 2009, residents with proper ID will be allowed to return to their place of residence. Residents should be aware that both fire and law enforcement equipment will still be working the area. Residents should remain diligent in their efforts to drive safe and be aware of their surroundings during this time."

The rest of the email is about where the roadblocks are and a warning that they may have to evacuate if the fire endangers their area again. The Lockheed Fire is 50% contained so it is in better shape than some of the other California fires. It's obvious that we have smoke in the air.

Thank you for your good thoughts. I will be able to sleep better tonight knowing that my family is going to be able to return home tomorrow.

My friend hgrhfan35 made this for me to celebrate finishing all the stories about Ginny at Hogwarts as told from Molly's point of view. I love it.





If I've installed it properly, it will show Molly and Arthur and 'Ginny growing up before our eyes', in a new window when you right click it.

During which there are some unexpected events and a happy ending...

Perhaps Brown's Hotel did not mind the after-hours 'Cream Tea That Became Breakfast' because we were such lively guests. Or it could have been the promise of exceptional gratitudities. But, most likely, it was the more than occasional Obliviate that Niall or Bill or Molly performed. No sense in making the help feel like they were not appreciated.

The cake was beginning to tilt a bit. Kate began to think it was one of those crock pot cakes that had pockets of hot fudge sauce, only greatly engorged. Surely, there couldn't be a man crouched in there, waiting for the Birthday Song to be sung. He'd be in no shape to do any bootie wiggling after hours up to his neck in hot fudge sauce.

Perhaps someone has a suggestion of how to solve that problem?

We've been on the journey for quite a while. It begins back at
http://grandma-kate.livejournal.com/68544.html

The Actual Party Begins...

As some of us may remember, the plans were to have an angsty Quidditch Match at Hogwarts, explore an island in the Hebrides (said to contain Magical Creatures and Scots worthy of Myths and Legends), and have a proper English High Tea at Brown's Hotel in London. 'What happens on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus and at its various stopping points, remains on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus.'

There are loads of descriptions of Afternoon Tea at Brown's (including the Strawberries and Cream variation with Rose' Tattinger's Champagne), but the one Clement posted at this site is more informative than most-
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/259991

Whenever you are ready to proceed.

Ginny Potter stepped away from the Floo Connection and wondered why she had agreed to drive a group of tourists anywhere they wanted to go on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus. She was only doing it as a favor for her mum's friend, grandma_kate. It wasn't that Grandma Kate wasn't a nice old lady, but Ginny was beginning to have doubts about the rest of the passengers, as described to her in far too much detail by her mother. Until last week, she hadn't even known that her mother (and occasionally her father), had been going on jaunts to celebrate the birthdays of a loosely connected group of witches and Muggles, most of whom write stories about Harry and her and their friends. Mum had said that they usually used Portkeys to get to the site of the party, but that Kate Wallace had insisted that the journey was the very foundation of the adventure. Then Kate had convinced her mother that her only daughter was the only qualified tour bus driver trustworthy enough to Apparate this festive group around.

When Kate had Floo Called to make the final arrangements for the weekend, she promised that the guest list included experienced relief drivers. She also suggested that Ginny bring her Firebolt along because they were going to play Quidditch during the Hogwarts leg of the trip. As a special incentive, she had also promised Ginny a proper High Tea at a reputable Muggle establishment when they returned to London. She said that it would include an enormous chocolate cake. Ginny was hooked because everyone knew that she did love chocolate.

So, here she was, about to put on the Magical Mystery Tour Bus driver's hat and Apparate the bus to the convenient alley next to Kings Cross station. Mum, Kate, Nic Meath, two of his grandchildren, and a friend of theirs were going to meet her there and vouch for the rest of the people who were taking the tour. Kate said that Nic's granddaughter's boyfriend was Oliver Wood, who had ben the captain of Harry's first Quidditch team. Ginny remembered Oliver and had been in the same class with Sara Meath. She wondered if that dishy Dom Meath, the former Puddlemere player, was the other grandchild.

The whole trip was in honour of the birthday of a woman named moonette1. Her Very Good, Very Close Personal Friend was Oliver's uncle. Both the birthday girl and her VGVCPF were Healers. Kate hinted that that having a couple of Healers was essential to the success of the trip. Ginny, nevertheless, packed the emergency first aid kit.

Before she left for Kings Cross, Ginny attached the requested extra carrier to the top of the bus. Surely, Kate hadn't said that there would be 300 well-oiled Spartans (complete with armor) riding in the third class seats up there. Apparently they were some sort of combination honour guard and personal recyclers that were magically bound to the birthday girl. Last of all, Ginny levitated the bar with the initials 'A.P.W.P.D.' engraved on a brass plate onto the bus and set it up in the back row. Whoever had sent it had enchanted the liquor compartment, mahogany bar complete with brass rail, and padded bar stools with very strong spells. Ginny packed a big jug of Sobering Potions.

Another thing that puzzled Ginny was the guest list. She'd never driven a party that included royalty. The birthday girl was a Grand Duchess. The Queen of Fluff had an entire section, reserved for people properly attired in turtlenecks. Much to Ginny's surprise, several of her brothers and doppelgangers that resembled them except for eye colour, were also expected. Why would any of her brothers want to ride around the British Isles on a weekend? Perhaps they had been promised that they could play Quidditch on the Hogwarts pitch. Sure enough, Hogwarts was listed as the first stop, followed by the Isle of Lewis. The destination list seemed to change every time she looked at it, but the bus could Apparate anywhere.

It was always a good idea to be prompt when transporting new witches, wizards, and Muggles, so Ginny was determined to arrive early at the appointed meeting place.

Although we won't be jaunting around the British Isles in the Magical Mystery Tour Bus until it has become Friday, Pacific Daylight Time, we can begin to wish our dear stiletto-shod friend fortuitous encounters with handsome scarred men and unnatural twists of fate that complicate relationships and plots.

Many happy returns.

PS. I am posting this without limiting it to my flist, because I know that some of [Unknown LJ tag]'s friends may not have received advance notice of the planned Magical Mystery Birthday Tour on Friday and Saturday. I will post about our departure from Kings Cross sometime Friday (Moonette and I are both on California Time, unless Arnold has sold the rights to it to raise money for our nearly bankrupt state). All are welcome as we have adventures that may include, but are not limited to- playing Quidditch on the Hogwarts pitch, overcoming creatures of myth and legend , ogling Scots in kilts, and having High Tea at Brown's Hotel.

This is a reminder that although Our Grand Duchess of Flangst's birthday is actually June 17 (which is Wednesday, for those of us on the Pacific side of the US), her daughters are winding up the school year so she'd rather have the celebration Friday night staggering on into Saturday. Sunday is the US Fathers Day, so it might be difficult for her then.

Therefore, the Magical Mystery Tour Bus will Apparate from Kings Cross sometime on the afternoon of June 19 PDT. I will leave this post public because some of moonette1's friends are not on my flist. Everyone is welcome to read and/or participate in the celebration. If you are joining us, you might want to ( Read more )

The first half seems to be up as far as Molly and Arthur in bed, as usual. I almost did this as two chapters because it is a lot longer than what I usually write, so maybe that is something else I need advice about. Fingers crossed on formating.

( Read more )

Live Journal may not be set up for taking so much text in one post so I've chopped this in half. Thanks to stmargarets and crumpledhornki and mollywheezy for letting me know about the problem.

( Read more )

It's your birthday, mollywheezy! May you have a delightful day of celebration and a year full of enjoying what you read and what you write.

Ryan, may you have a year that is as busy as you want it to be. Your daughter is growing right before your eyes making memories you will never forget. Thank you for being my friend.

This result seems to be fairly common. Maybe too many of us identify with Emma Thompson.

Your result for The Jane Austen heroine Test...

Elinor Dashwood

70% romance, 45% sauciness, 52% etiquette, 75% intelligence

Take The Jane Austen heroine Test at HelloQuizzy

"A) People who have been tagged must write their answers on their blog and replace any question that they dislike with a new, original question.

B) Tag eight people. Don't refuse to do that. Don't tag who tagged you. I tag:

Ha! I'm going to refuse to tag. Come and get me meme police! Er - I tag anyone who wants to do it. :)"



1. Make a list of 5 things you can see without getting up:
a. Big Mama's big screen
b. a room full of frogs (a legacy from my second husband)
d. a mosquito hawk on the window screen
e. The Brain that Changes Itself book that I am reading

2. How do you style your hair?
Traditional Japanese woman cut- short in front, long in back but up with a grabber

3. What are you wearing now?
long red night shirt with a cream terry robe and cream slippers

4. What’s your occupation?
retired educator/wise woman

5. The best thing to happen to you as of late?
I finished collecting the tax data right on time

6. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?
competent

7. What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction?
I just saw the new Australian trailer for Half-Blood Prince so I guess it's still HP

8. What was the last thing you ate today?
wheat toast, instant coffee, and cran-raspberry juice

9. What was the last instant message you received?
a shout-out from my grandson Devin

10. What websites do you always visit when you go online?
Live Journal, my family blog, The New York Times

11. What was the last thing you bought?
groceries- are there shops that sell other things?

12. What are you listening to right now?
Dear Oatmeal talking to his bears on the way to soak in the hot tub

13. What do you think about before you go to bed at night?
I hope I'll fall asleep but listen to NPR in case I don't

14. What was the last cd you bought?
Probably the Mama Mia soundtrack

15. What is your favourite weather, and why?
when the leaves change in fall because it looks good

16. If you could play any musical instrument, which one would you play?
cello

17. How are you?
Good, thinking about what I need to write for October, 1998

18. What's something you'd like to say to someone right now?
I wish I'd reminded dear Oatmeal to take a towel when he went out to the hot tub.

19. What's one of your favourite movies?
Love Actually

20. What's your dream job?
Being retired but still active and alert

Yea me! I finished the gathering of data for our taxes this morning while the California Legislature finally voted to pass a Budget. It was only 106 days late. Sigh! Now the voters will have to decide which of the many measures on the ballot May 19 will pass or fail. Some of them are good ideas (no pay for elected officials until there is a Budget passed) and some of them are pretty bad (removing the guaranteed funding for the schools).

The whole Budget process is complicated because a two-third approval is needed for it and raising taxes. All the Publicans took a vow to never raise taxes or fees for services, but three of them negotiated something extra that they wanted and the impasse was finally broken this morning.

We are now at 72% of normal rainfall after a very wet week. We have two days of sunny weather before the rains return Saturday. The important measure of snow moisture content won't be taken until March 1. We may have three storms between now and then if the computer models are correct.

The daffodils are blooming, the tulips have buds, and the ranunculus seem to be bigger than usual. Tomorrow is Hoodie Hoo Day in the Northern Hemisphere. Time to go out and yell for winter to go away.

My excellent beta sibtrelawney and pre-beta bookish_327 switched order this time and the fifth chapter of Ginny's Sixth Year was gone over first by Gerry, and then Bethany. They both found mistakes and had questions, so I am indebted to them both. Another chapter should be up at Phoenix Song this weekend. Since there are no quotes from JKR in Ginny's Seventh Year, I may start posting chapters here if anyone would be interested in reading the rough draft.

As most of you know, I have been learning to write fiction by using the plots and characters of JK Rowlings (along with some that belong to St Margarets, Moonette, Dogstar, and Gabriella duSult). With lots of help and advice I have managed to write a number of Molly-centric stories. So far, so good, as I allude to what is happening in the Harry Potter books and Molly's reaction to it. Except for the premise that Molly and Lily were friends and that Harry spent the 'missing 24 hours' at the Burrow, I've stuck rather close to canon.

Now, I am writing Ginny's Seventh Year at Hogwarts and there is no canon. JKR has revealed bits and pieces of what she would have written if she had wanted to and has stated that she wants to be the one who decided who marries whom and what they call their children and what they do as gainful employment. I, along with a number of fan fic writers, wrote stories about the lives of her characters that do not follow her later pronouncements.

When I decided on characters and plot for the year after Deathly Hallows, I wanted to strike a balance between what had happened in my earlier stories and what is now considered to be 'the official version'. Maybe you can give me some advice about whether I would be walking into a storm of controversy if, for instance, Bill and Fleur have a son before the official Victorie. I am not as bound to Percy and Penny (probably because I was so fond of St Margarets' Audrey and she fits in well with what Molly and Kate Wallace are up to about the still missing WWN
on-air talent and writers).

I'd appreciate any thoughts you might have about how much I should stray from canon. Philippe needs to be born in January, 1999 but Fleur is unaware that she is pregnant during the Battle of Hogwarts. Molly realizes that life goes on and it helps get her through the grief about Fred.

I try not to post too often but heard about this on NPR this morning and couldn't resist. The woman being interviewed said that there was a big demand for 'erotic novels' for Valentine's Day.

http://www.bookbyyou.com/romance/default.asp

Actually I got quite a few sites by Googling 'personalized romance novel'. Or you can get a children's book about blue -eyed, blonde-haired Mary Sue and her orange cat Pumpkin. or a mystery, or whatever.

'Rain, glorious rain, we suddenly have it!' Northern California has been in a terrible drought this year, the third year of the climate change effect that so many places are suffering from. Our unusually warm weather has been due to a persistent high pressure ridge that has shunted all precipitation up towards Canada and is probably responsible for the unusually cold temperatures the US has had east of the Rockies. We were at about half of the snow pack that we need for water for the summer and fall but, as the weather prophets on TV say, 'The storm door is open.' The computer long range models predict rain for the rest of the month. This story from AccuWeather explains it better than I can-
http://www.accuweather.com/news-story.asp?partner=google&traveler=0&article=5

We have snow down to about 2000' and all the ski resorts are booming. We may even see some grandkids if they have time to come up to go snowboarding. One family was on a ski weekend when it snowed in the central Sierras two weeks ago.

My tulips and daffodils are up and the daffodils have buds that will open within the week and some trees are already blooming. It is a balance between needing rain and not wanting rain when the almond orchards are in bloom. I vote for water to drink in the summer.

I continue to pray for those suffering losses in Australia. God grant them solace and strength.

This is the latest update that I could find about the Australian brush fires
http://apnews.excite.com/article/20090208/D9673J8G0.html

crumplehornedki has just moved there so I am most concerned about her and her family. It sounds horrendous.

Since the celebration starts on the day before and because we have the International Date Line between us, I may be the first to wish crumplehornki a great national day.
http://www.bambooweb.com/articles/w/a/Waitangi_day.html