Not too long ago Sarah Smith asked me what kind of guy voices I liked so instead of telling her, I made a CD for her! Here's the sheet that I made to go along with the CD so she'd know what songs were on it. Enjoy!
Sarah’s SEXY Guy Voice CD: Made Possible by the GENIUS of Ginny Romney! with much help from various family members
On this CD you will find many lovely male voices, all of them beautiful beyond belief. I hope that you enjoy them all, or at least some of them!
1. Do You Love Me- Dick Haymes: This song is from a really cute movie of the same movie. It’s definitely worth watching!
2. Here (In Your Arms)- Hellogoodbye: Forrest (the main singer) has such a sexy voice! That’s all I really have to say!
3. Sobbin’ Women- Howard Keel, Tommy Rall, Russ Tamblyn, Matt Mattox, Alan Davies, C. Parlato, Robert Wacker, Gene Lanham, M. Spergel & Bill Lee: I’m always up for a whole chorus of men singing, aren’t you?
4. You’ll Never Know- The Harry James Orchestra: I know that nobody sings in this song, but Harry James is a guy and he’s playing the trumpet incredibly well, does that count? I guess I’m the one making the CD so yes it is!
5. This is the Night- Clay Akien: This is the very best song to ever come from American Idol. EVER!
6. Your Man- Josh Turner: I know you don’t like Country, but isn’t his voice gorgeously low?
7. Live With Somebody You Love- Stephen Weller: My parents saw this musical (Martin Guerre) and brought back the soundtrack. Regardless to say, we all fell in love with this song!
8. Too Close For Comfort- Sammy Davis Jr: My mom stole this CD from my grandma. The reason why? This song and one other. (Alive was the other, but that’s another story.)
9. There Never Was A Time- Chuck Wagner (and Linda Eder): I know that a girl is singing too, but I just HAD to put this song on! (And she has a fabulous voice too, so it works!)
10. God Only Knows- The Nylons: This is the same group that does In the Jungle. Aren’t they fantastic?
12. Margurite- David Clemmons: He’s the bad guy in the musical (The Scarlet Pimpernel) but man can he hit that high note!
13. That’s All- Michael Buble: Mmmm . . . this CD could have easily become a Michael Buble solo album, aren’t you proud of me that I resisted the urge? And can you really blame me?
14. Stolen- Dashboard Confessional: I’ve heard that a lot of girl’s like the lead singer. Can’t really blame them.
15. You’re Awful- Frank Sinatra: No Sexy Guy Voice CD would be complete without Frank!
16. Where’s the Girl- Terrence Mann: His voice makes me melt. ‘Nuff said.
17. Where’s the Girl (Reprise)- Terrence Mann: I just couldn’t decide on which I preferred. Why choose when you can have both?
18. Confrontation- Bob Cuccioli: This song is from Jekyll & Hyde. Mr. Cuccioli sings both parts. Creepy but cool, eh?
19. Everytime- Rick Astley: This is my Uncle John’s very favorite artist and also his contribution to this CD.
20. Why God Why?- Matt Bogart: I find this a sort of melancholy song but his voice is incredible.
21. Smile- Michael Buble: Since this song is live, he talks for a while but I find that I don’t mind!
22. When You Say You Love Me- Josh Groban: What a way to finish off a CD! Sing to me, Joshie boy!
Monday, May 05, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
WICKED!
Over Spring Break, my family went to L.A. to see the musical Wicked. Let me tell you, it was a BLAST! I loved it oh so very much (well, except for Fieryo, but I'll get to that later.) For those that don't know, Wicked is a musical about the witches of Oz before Dorthy came. (It's based on a book that I haven't read because I've heard is extremely obscene.) My mom saw it last year and decided that Kendle and I would love it so she's been trying to find a way to make it possible for a while. Last week we finally saw it! It was way better than I anticipated! I've listened to the soundtrack for a while so I knew most of the words and figured out the plot for the most part but it's a totally different experience when you're actually there. We had really good seats (we were close enough to see facial expressions!) and the singers (is there a technical name for "singers?") were fantastic, except for Fieryo (the love interest.) That was probably because he was the "stand in." I was pretty bummed that he wasn't sensational but I'm still really thankful that I could go. If you ever get the chance, you should totally go and see Wicked! You won't regret it!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Hera: Chapter Three: Joyous News?
In a bust of brilliance, I decided that I would post the last of this story on Valentine's Day. What a wonderful idea, I thought, to post the last of my first really romantic (sort of) story. Alas, in true Ginny fashion, I was a little bit late doing it. It is still Valentine's Day but I doubt anyone will read it on Valentine's Day. Oh well. Well, without further ado, the end of Hera! Woot!
Chapter Three:
Joyous News?
Weeks passed by quickly now that Hera had found an ally in Echo. In the company of Echo and Chara, Hera was able to endure life in the near empty palace better than she thought possible. Zeus had been gone much more than was needful and Hera still couldn’t decide if that she was a blessing or a curse. He was her husband and she knew that when he wasn’t with her, he was with other women. If only there was something she could do about it! Of course, she had no love for Zeus and she felt more as ease without him but knowing that he was with flitting around infuriated her. If only she could get her hands on those sirens . . .
“What is that you’re working on?” Chara asked, looking curiously at the object in Hera’s lap.
Hera met Chara’s eyes, brushing all angry thoughts from her mind. “A sunset,” she lifted up the tapestry to show Chara the bright colors. “It has been a wile since we have had a purple sunset. I was getting tiered of the same old, drab pinks and oranges so I’ve made this new one.”
“The colors are so bright! And your stitches, so small and even; I must admit I’m envious of your skill,” Chara replied, a half smile on her lips.
“It’s only seemly that our queen would have such skills,” Echo laughed than showed the other two her own messy needlework. “I’m just too impatient for such tasks. It takes so long to do a simple flower for spring. I can’t even imagine sewing the colors for the sky.”
“There is such an accomplishment you hear the mortals praise your work,” whispered Hera, remembering the first sunset she had embroidered. “They find such joy in the colors and pleasure in the over all effect that I can’t help but try to please them.”
“You make it sound so poetic but I’m afraid it won’t be enough for me. The work just goes along so slowly. It’s as if it will never end, the constant up and down of the thread filled needle,” Echo impulsively stabbed her embroidery and stuck her tongue out at it.
“How are you feeling today, Hera?” Chara asked, intimating some secret knowledge. “Are you as sick as you were yesterday?”
Hera fairly glowed. “I’m much better than yesterday, although I imagine the nausea will return shortly. I suppose it will be worth it in the end, in fact, I’m sure of it.”
“What on Olympus are you talking about? Please tell me what you speak of!” Pleaded Echo, her brown eyes begging in such a way that no puppy could aspire to achieve.
Hera smiled shyly. “I recently discovered some joyful news. Only Chara knows besides myself.”
“What?” Echo was impatient now.
“I . . . I am with child,” Hera replied happily, bracing herself for the enthusiasm she knew Echo would exhibit.
Echo nearly burst, her happiness was so evident. “Congratulations! Does Zeus know? Is it a boy or a girl? When will it come?” The questions bubbled forth as a geyser from the earth.
“No, Zeus doesn’t know, at least he doesn’t know from me. It will be a boy and with any luck as strong as his father,” Hera tried to sound like se was enamored with her husband but she felt like her attempts came up short. She hoped that with any luck her son would be unlike Zeus in most aspects, such as fidelity.
“When are you going to tell him? It can’t be a secret forever,” Echo’s enthusiasm waned considerably.
Hera’s face flushed, embarrassed that a mere nymph was lecturing her in her wifely duties. The fact that Hera was supposed to be the goddess of wife and home just made it even more humiliating.
“Echo!” Chara flew to her cousin’s defense. “Zeus is a very busy God, he is, after all, God of the Earth and Heavens. Hera just doesn’t want to overwhelm him with such news.”
“That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard,” Echo pushed Hera her cushioned chair and ushered her towards the door. “You are his wife and it’s his child. He deserves to know.”
Before Hera could get a word in edgewise, she was standing in the corridor outside Zeus’s room. Echo had disappeared instantly, part of her powers as a nymph.
Hera tentatively knocked, both dreading and anticipating the response. The door slowly opened and Hera held her breath.
“Yes?” Zeus leaned against the doorframe, his mused hair and half clothed body revealing that he had been asleep minutes before.
Flustered for waking him, Hera shuffled back and forth while fingering her blonde locks. “May I speak with you?”
“Of course,” Zeus’s face displayed his shock quite openly. The whole of Mount Olympus knew that Hera avoided her husband if she could help it. “Come in.”
Hera took a deep breath and stepped into the chamber. “Zeus, I-“
A knock was heard outside the room. “Father?” A woman’s voice rang out clearly.
It was as if Poseidon had made the very blood in Hera’s veins freeze. Zeus opened the door for a second time.
A beautiful couple stood outside the doorway. “Father!” The young woman, whose brow shown like the moon, flung her arms around Zeus’s neck.
Stepping forward, the glorious young man grasped Zeus’s shoulder while the God of the Heavens returned the gesture.
Zeus turned to his wife, an arm around each of the apparent young god and goddess. “These two are my children, Apollo and Artemis.”
Overcome, Hera fled.
“Hera, wait!” Zeus yelled after her retreating figure but it was too late; she was gone.
Sobbing uncontrollably, Hera had made it to the room she had previously been in. The silent sobs racked her body as she felt her world collapse even further.
She knew that Zeus had affairs with other women but she had never met any of his children that were products of such unions, knowingly at least. Many a strange woman had she banished because she had found them in bed with Zeus but hadn’t she made sure that none of their children had been born? Curses weren’t her forte, though lately she had been using them increasingly more often. In this way these two twin gods were a shock to her, especially since it appeared that they were going to stay.
“Good work, Echo,” she heard another nymph named Axenia say, her voice laced with venom. “Beloved Hera will never know that Leto is the mother of our beautiful new god and goddess. You have kept Hera distracted the past months and for that we are all grateful.”
A chorus of voices tittered their thanks.
Hera was shocked once again. That wench Leto was the last woman Hera has cursed; Leto was promised she wouldn’t be able to give birth on mainland or island. How could such an order go wrong?
“You have surely saved Leto’s life. Because of your service we were able to sneak Leto on and off the mountain and help her find Delos,” another conspirator, a lesser goddess, added.
“Hera? Why are you out here? Aren’t you going to speak with Zeus?” Chara had appeared from behind Hera. “What is wrong?” She noticed Hera’s tear-stained face.
“Thank Gaia you aren’t among them,” whispered Hera, her voice taught with sorrow and anger. “Stay out here, I will be but a minute with the traitors.”
“Hera!” Chara grasped for Hera’s cloak, trying to hold her back but the filmy cloth slipped through her fingers. “Think what might happen!”
It was too late; Hera had entered the room, her wrath hotter than fire. “Echo!”
The nymph looked up, fear in her wide green eyes. “Hera, please forgive me! I never meant to hurt you!”
Hera’s laugh matched her cold eyes and ironic smile. “I thought that you actually meant all of your cheerful flattery. How refreshing to know that your chatter was a ruse. Of course, I must reward you for your hard work.”
“No, Queen Hera. Please no!”
“Echo, nymph of the woodland stream I banish your voice because of it’s monstrosities against me. You shall only repeat what others say from this day forward.”
“From this day forward,” Echo involuntarily said, tears springing from her eyes as she realized what was happening.
“Now leave, all of you!” One by one the nymphs and goddesses left the room, horror struck at the scene they had just witnessed.
Hera sunk to her feet, sobbing as quietly as she could.
“Hera?” Chara rushed to her cousin’s side.
“You are the only person I can trust in this entire court. Thank you for your loyalty,” her face was solemn.
“Before you say anymore I must tell you something,” Chara’s voice shook. “For so long I have heard you speak of Takis. Not too long ago, I began to watch him. My intentions were pure; I only wished to know of whom you spoke. But-” she stopped, her voice cracking, “it wasn’t long before I understood the feelings you had for him. Hera, I will not blame you if you punish me as you did Echo. Please know that I didn’t mean to betray you.” Chara looked down, as if awaiting some horrible punishment.
Hera’s heart broke. What unlucky star had she been born over to merit such a day? If she had any tears left, she would have shed them. “I wish you happiness.”
“What?” Chara was taken aback.
“I can never have him or true happiness, so why shouldn’t my most loyal friend have both?” Smiling, Hera’s eyes shone. “I know that it might not amount to much, but I bless you as well as a can. I suppose that I should be able to assure your happiness together since I am the goddess of marriage but I find joy something sadly lacking in my own. I know that you are good as is he; I know you will complete one another.”
Gently embracing her cousin, Chara radiated her gratefulness. “I was so worried that you would be angry. How could I have forgotten your giving spirit? Thank you, Hera.”
“Go to him,” urged Hera. Her cousin beamed at her and nearly flew out of the room.
Left to herself, Hera couldn’t help but feel despair. What was left for her?
She felt a small kick inside her womb. “Ares, your name shall be Ares,” she spoke aloud to her unborn baby. “You shall be my life now. I hope that you will be strong and valiant and accepted by this court, unlike I.”
The baby kicked her harder now and she grimaced as she looked out at Gaia below. If only she were like the mortals below. Soon they would die and go to a place of never-ending happiness. For the rest of eternity she would be bound to Zeus but, she reminded herself, there still was hope. She caressed her soon to be swollen stomach. There still was hope.
Chapter Three:
Joyous News?
Weeks passed by quickly now that Hera had found an ally in Echo. In the company of Echo and Chara, Hera was able to endure life in the near empty palace better than she thought possible. Zeus had been gone much more than was needful and Hera still couldn’t decide if that she was a blessing or a curse. He was her husband and she knew that when he wasn’t with her, he was with other women. If only there was something she could do about it! Of course, she had no love for Zeus and she felt more as ease without him but knowing that he was with flitting around infuriated her. If only she could get her hands on those sirens . . .
“What is that you’re working on?” Chara asked, looking curiously at the object in Hera’s lap.
Hera met Chara’s eyes, brushing all angry thoughts from her mind. “A sunset,” she lifted up the tapestry to show Chara the bright colors. “It has been a wile since we have had a purple sunset. I was getting tiered of the same old, drab pinks and oranges so I’ve made this new one.”
“The colors are so bright! And your stitches, so small and even; I must admit I’m envious of your skill,” Chara replied, a half smile on her lips.
“It’s only seemly that our queen would have such skills,” Echo laughed than showed the other two her own messy needlework. “I’m just too impatient for such tasks. It takes so long to do a simple flower for spring. I can’t even imagine sewing the colors for the sky.”
“There is such an accomplishment you hear the mortals praise your work,” whispered Hera, remembering the first sunset she had embroidered. “They find such joy in the colors and pleasure in the over all effect that I can’t help but try to please them.”
“You make it sound so poetic but I’m afraid it won’t be enough for me. The work just goes along so slowly. It’s as if it will never end, the constant up and down of the thread filled needle,” Echo impulsively stabbed her embroidery and stuck her tongue out at it.
“How are you feeling today, Hera?” Chara asked, intimating some secret knowledge. “Are you as sick as you were yesterday?”
Hera fairly glowed. “I’m much better than yesterday, although I imagine the nausea will return shortly. I suppose it will be worth it in the end, in fact, I’m sure of it.”
“What on Olympus are you talking about? Please tell me what you speak of!” Pleaded Echo, her brown eyes begging in such a way that no puppy could aspire to achieve.
Hera smiled shyly. “I recently discovered some joyful news. Only Chara knows besides myself.”
“What?” Echo was impatient now.
“I . . . I am with child,” Hera replied happily, bracing herself for the enthusiasm she knew Echo would exhibit.
Echo nearly burst, her happiness was so evident. “Congratulations! Does Zeus know? Is it a boy or a girl? When will it come?” The questions bubbled forth as a geyser from the earth.
“No, Zeus doesn’t know, at least he doesn’t know from me. It will be a boy and with any luck as strong as his father,” Hera tried to sound like se was enamored with her husband but she felt like her attempts came up short. She hoped that with any luck her son would be unlike Zeus in most aspects, such as fidelity.
“When are you going to tell him? It can’t be a secret forever,” Echo’s enthusiasm waned considerably.
Hera’s face flushed, embarrassed that a mere nymph was lecturing her in her wifely duties. The fact that Hera was supposed to be the goddess of wife and home just made it even more humiliating.
“Echo!” Chara flew to her cousin’s defense. “Zeus is a very busy God, he is, after all, God of the Earth and Heavens. Hera just doesn’t want to overwhelm him with such news.”
“That’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard,” Echo pushed Hera her cushioned chair and ushered her towards the door. “You are his wife and it’s his child. He deserves to know.”
Before Hera could get a word in edgewise, she was standing in the corridor outside Zeus’s room. Echo had disappeared instantly, part of her powers as a nymph.
Hera tentatively knocked, both dreading and anticipating the response. The door slowly opened and Hera held her breath.
“Yes?” Zeus leaned against the doorframe, his mused hair and half clothed body revealing that he had been asleep minutes before.
Flustered for waking him, Hera shuffled back and forth while fingering her blonde locks. “May I speak with you?”
“Of course,” Zeus’s face displayed his shock quite openly. The whole of Mount Olympus knew that Hera avoided her husband if she could help it. “Come in.”
Hera took a deep breath and stepped into the chamber. “Zeus, I-“
A knock was heard outside the room. “Father?” A woman’s voice rang out clearly.
It was as if Poseidon had made the very blood in Hera’s veins freeze. Zeus opened the door for a second time.
A beautiful couple stood outside the doorway. “Father!” The young woman, whose brow shown like the moon, flung her arms around Zeus’s neck.
Stepping forward, the glorious young man grasped Zeus’s shoulder while the God of the Heavens returned the gesture.
Zeus turned to his wife, an arm around each of the apparent young god and goddess. “These two are my children, Apollo and Artemis.”
Overcome, Hera fled.
“Hera, wait!” Zeus yelled after her retreating figure but it was too late; she was gone.
Sobbing uncontrollably, Hera had made it to the room she had previously been in. The silent sobs racked her body as she felt her world collapse even further.
She knew that Zeus had affairs with other women but she had never met any of his children that were products of such unions, knowingly at least. Many a strange woman had she banished because she had found them in bed with Zeus but hadn’t she made sure that none of their children had been born? Curses weren’t her forte, though lately she had been using them increasingly more often. In this way these two twin gods were a shock to her, especially since it appeared that they were going to stay.
“Good work, Echo,” she heard another nymph named Axenia say, her voice laced with venom. “Beloved Hera will never know that Leto is the mother of our beautiful new god and goddess. You have kept Hera distracted the past months and for that we are all grateful.”
A chorus of voices tittered their thanks.
Hera was shocked once again. That wench Leto was the last woman Hera has cursed; Leto was promised she wouldn’t be able to give birth on mainland or island. How could such an order go wrong?
“You have surely saved Leto’s life. Because of your service we were able to sneak Leto on and off the mountain and help her find Delos,” another conspirator, a lesser goddess, added.
“Hera? Why are you out here? Aren’t you going to speak with Zeus?” Chara had appeared from behind Hera. “What is wrong?” She noticed Hera’s tear-stained face.
“Thank Gaia you aren’t among them,” whispered Hera, her voice taught with sorrow and anger. “Stay out here, I will be but a minute with the traitors.”
“Hera!” Chara grasped for Hera’s cloak, trying to hold her back but the filmy cloth slipped through her fingers. “Think what might happen!”
It was too late; Hera had entered the room, her wrath hotter than fire. “Echo!”
The nymph looked up, fear in her wide green eyes. “Hera, please forgive me! I never meant to hurt you!”
Hera’s laugh matched her cold eyes and ironic smile. “I thought that you actually meant all of your cheerful flattery. How refreshing to know that your chatter was a ruse. Of course, I must reward you for your hard work.”
“No, Queen Hera. Please no!”
“Echo, nymph of the woodland stream I banish your voice because of it’s monstrosities against me. You shall only repeat what others say from this day forward.”
“From this day forward,” Echo involuntarily said, tears springing from her eyes as she realized what was happening.
“Now leave, all of you!” One by one the nymphs and goddesses left the room, horror struck at the scene they had just witnessed.
Hera sunk to her feet, sobbing as quietly as she could.
“Hera?” Chara rushed to her cousin’s side.
“You are the only person I can trust in this entire court. Thank you for your loyalty,” her face was solemn.
“Before you say anymore I must tell you something,” Chara’s voice shook. “For so long I have heard you speak of Takis. Not too long ago, I began to watch him. My intentions were pure; I only wished to know of whom you spoke. But-” she stopped, her voice cracking, “it wasn’t long before I understood the feelings you had for him. Hera, I will not blame you if you punish me as you did Echo. Please know that I didn’t mean to betray you.” Chara looked down, as if awaiting some horrible punishment.
Hera’s heart broke. What unlucky star had she been born over to merit such a day? If she had any tears left, she would have shed them. “I wish you happiness.”
“What?” Chara was taken aback.
“I can never have him or true happiness, so why shouldn’t my most loyal friend have both?” Smiling, Hera’s eyes shone. “I know that it might not amount to much, but I bless you as well as a can. I suppose that I should be able to assure your happiness together since I am the goddess of marriage but I find joy something sadly lacking in my own. I know that you are good as is he; I know you will complete one another.”
Gently embracing her cousin, Chara radiated her gratefulness. “I was so worried that you would be angry. How could I have forgotten your giving spirit? Thank you, Hera.”
“Go to him,” urged Hera. Her cousin beamed at her and nearly flew out of the room.
Left to herself, Hera couldn’t help but feel despair. What was left for her?
She felt a small kick inside her womb. “Ares, your name shall be Ares,” she spoke aloud to her unborn baby. “You shall be my life now. I hope that you will be strong and valiant and accepted by this court, unlike I.”
The baby kicked her harder now and she grimaced as she looked out at Gaia below. If only she were like the mortals below. Soon they would die and go to a place of never-ending happiness. For the rest of eternity she would be bound to Zeus but, she reminded herself, there still was hope. She caressed her soon to be swollen stomach. There still was hope.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Hera: Chapter Two: Memories of a Merrier Time
So, I don't know about you but I'm tired of not having this story completed, especially since this is one of the stories that I have finished! I'm not going to make any promises, but I want this who story to be up, even if it kills me. Hopefully I haven't lost my readership. I really enjoy your comments guys, so please don't abandon me! =>
Chapter Two:
Memories of a Merrier Time
“Isn’t it a lovely day today? If I were a mortal I would believe I had done something wonderful to merit such a beautiful day. Perhaps I danced well at the brook last night or enchanted someone with my singing. Soon the god I pleased might materialize before me, disguised of course, and snatch my up, spiriting me away from family and farm to some remote cloud where he shall shower gifts upon me,” a starry eyed nymph chattered happily.
“Are you so sure that would be a good thing, Echo? With my luck I would be kidnapped by one of the more undesirable gods,” Hera replied, her tone lighthearted but her eyes full of irony.
“For a mortal it would be convenient. Gifts are better than work and if your lover is not fair to look on than close your eyes! Coarse hair and ruddy skin can fade into golden locks and tanned muscles as long as ones mind’s eye is open.”
Hera smiled, the first real smile in several days. “You will never find yourself a consort if that’s your standard.”
“That’s just the beginning. My consort will have: icy blue eyes, long lashes, a strong jaw, wheat colored hair, a slightly crooked nose, not really crooked mind you but just enough to . . .”
Soon Hera began to stare down at the earth below, Echo’s list of perfect attributes politely ignored. Echo was a sweet nymph, bubbly and lively as a forest spring, but her incessant chatter could be exhausting.
Echo once lived on earth near a stream where she somehow quietly watched hunter’s come and go. Hera met Echo not long after the wedding and found herself enthralled by the nymph’s constantly enthusiastic attitude. Echo’s chatter kept Hera’s depression at bay though sometimes Hera needed to be alone.
“ . . . Polite, kind, witty, brave, heroic-” Echo was still rattling off her ideal man.
“Thank you for staying with me,” Hera interrupted as nicely as possible, “but I’m feeling a little fatigued. They should be serving mid-day meal soon. Please tell them I’ll be joining them in a while.”
“Of course, I’ll see you soon! Rest well,” Echo skipped out of the room, gaily singing as she continued down the hall.
Hera relished the silence.
Hera gazed down at the Earth below, trying to resist the temptation to spy on her beloved, Takis. She had been faithful to Zeus the past several weeks although she couldn’t say the same for her husband.
One little glance won’t hurt. She rationalized to herself and peered down at the mountainous countryside.
Even though only two and a half weeks had passed for the Gods it was now late summer, early fall for the mortals below. Harvest sacrifices lay on stone alters near the fields, still smoldering as the workers sweated under the golden sun.
Takis was working in the olive groves when Hera spied him at last. She was sure he was the hardest worker out of the lot, and the best looking. Oh to run her fingers through his dark hair and . . . she stopped herself mid-thought. It wouldn’t do to think like that, now that she was married. At least no one could say she wasn’t faithful.
It wasn’t that Takis was just good-looking, though. If Hera were going by looks she wouldn’t have any qualms about womanizing Zeus.
Evidence of Takis’s hard work lay below. As the owner of the orchard, he was well off enough to just hire villagers to do the work for him. Instead he worked along side them, doing as much if not more than the hired help. The house he lived in was made by his own two hands, the elegant woodwork all his own.
He was also kind. Hera knew this from personal experience. As it was custom among the gods, Hera would sometimes transform herself into a beggar by use of disguises. Roaming among the mortals, she would test them, deciding how dedicated they were to the gods. Some mortals had to be punished for their impudent ways if they mocked or mistreated her while others were blessed for their kindness and goodwill.
Hera had been disguised as a crippled woman, her legs lame and her back stooped with age. Stationed near Takis’s property on a dusty, blistering road, she watched, waiting to see what would happen.
Within minutes she was helped inside the cool house and offered food and wine. Takis even sat and ate with her, something no one else had done yet. The mortals had been taught to feed and clothe those who were in need but not many, if any, treated the unfortunate like equals. Granted, Hera really was above Takis but he didn’t know that. Chatting quietly, it didn’t take much to impress Hera. With an extensive knowledge of the surrounding areas and a respect for every creation of the gods, Takis was an admirable conversationalist. Hera found herself captive, her heart stolen by a mortal.
After a bath and a long night’s rest, Hera vanished and that was the last time Takis ever saw the crippled woman.
Whether he noticed it or not, Hera did bless him for his hospitality. His crops were excluded from any pestilences and his stock was kept healthy and strong. And she was sure that he was unaware of her infatuation. That was the real irony. The man she loved worshiped her but had no idea that she worshiped him more.
“Hera?” Echo knocked on the golden plank door and opened it, peeking around cautiously.
“Come in,” Hera replied, dazed.
“Are you alright?” Echo approached Hera slowly, afraid for disturbing what ever vision Hera was having.
“I was just daydreaming,” looking up, Hera smiled sadly. “Do you need something?”
Within seconds Echo brightened, returning to her cheery, babbling self. “You will never believe what just happened! One of the muses . . .”
Hera nodded appreciably and made the necessary obligatory noises at the right moments. Her thoughts still lay below on Earth. Oh that she had never been born! A tear of self-pity slid down her cheek, sparkling like a twinkling star.
“What’s the matter?” Echo exclaimed. “I know that the satyr is going to be in pain for a season or two but it isn’t worth one of your precious tears.”
“I’m sorry,” Hera built a lie around the excuse Echo had just given her. “You just tell the story so well I feel the poor wraith’s anguish. Maybe the muses have lost their touch and now you have become the patron of story-telling.”
The sun wasn’t as bright as the beams that radiated from Echo’s being. “Thank you Queen Hera. Praise from you is praise above any other.”
Hera’s lips parted into a real smile, not the feigned one she had practiced for so many weeks, and it was nearly natural. “You’re welcome, Echo. And thank you.”
Chapter Two:
Memories of a Merrier Time
“Isn’t it a lovely day today? If I were a mortal I would believe I had done something wonderful to merit such a beautiful day. Perhaps I danced well at the brook last night or enchanted someone with my singing. Soon the god I pleased might materialize before me, disguised of course, and snatch my up, spiriting me away from family and farm to some remote cloud where he shall shower gifts upon me,” a starry eyed nymph chattered happily.
“Are you so sure that would be a good thing, Echo? With my luck I would be kidnapped by one of the more undesirable gods,” Hera replied, her tone lighthearted but her eyes full of irony.
“For a mortal it would be convenient. Gifts are better than work and if your lover is not fair to look on than close your eyes! Coarse hair and ruddy skin can fade into golden locks and tanned muscles as long as ones mind’s eye is open.”
Hera smiled, the first real smile in several days. “You will never find yourself a consort if that’s your standard.”
“That’s just the beginning. My consort will have: icy blue eyes, long lashes, a strong jaw, wheat colored hair, a slightly crooked nose, not really crooked mind you but just enough to . . .”
Soon Hera began to stare down at the earth below, Echo’s list of perfect attributes politely ignored. Echo was a sweet nymph, bubbly and lively as a forest spring, but her incessant chatter could be exhausting.
Echo once lived on earth near a stream where she somehow quietly watched hunter’s come and go. Hera met Echo not long after the wedding and found herself enthralled by the nymph’s constantly enthusiastic attitude. Echo’s chatter kept Hera’s depression at bay though sometimes Hera needed to be alone.
“ . . . Polite, kind, witty, brave, heroic-” Echo was still rattling off her ideal man.
“Thank you for staying with me,” Hera interrupted as nicely as possible, “but I’m feeling a little fatigued. They should be serving mid-day meal soon. Please tell them I’ll be joining them in a while.”
“Of course, I’ll see you soon! Rest well,” Echo skipped out of the room, gaily singing as she continued down the hall.
Hera relished the silence.
Hera gazed down at the Earth below, trying to resist the temptation to spy on her beloved, Takis. She had been faithful to Zeus the past several weeks although she couldn’t say the same for her husband.
One little glance won’t hurt. She rationalized to herself and peered down at the mountainous countryside.
Even though only two and a half weeks had passed for the Gods it was now late summer, early fall for the mortals below. Harvest sacrifices lay on stone alters near the fields, still smoldering as the workers sweated under the golden sun.
Takis was working in the olive groves when Hera spied him at last. She was sure he was the hardest worker out of the lot, and the best looking. Oh to run her fingers through his dark hair and . . . she stopped herself mid-thought. It wouldn’t do to think like that, now that she was married. At least no one could say she wasn’t faithful.
It wasn’t that Takis was just good-looking, though. If Hera were going by looks she wouldn’t have any qualms about womanizing Zeus.
Evidence of Takis’s hard work lay below. As the owner of the orchard, he was well off enough to just hire villagers to do the work for him. Instead he worked along side them, doing as much if not more than the hired help. The house he lived in was made by his own two hands, the elegant woodwork all his own.
He was also kind. Hera knew this from personal experience. As it was custom among the gods, Hera would sometimes transform herself into a beggar by use of disguises. Roaming among the mortals, she would test them, deciding how dedicated they were to the gods. Some mortals had to be punished for their impudent ways if they mocked or mistreated her while others were blessed for their kindness and goodwill.
Hera had been disguised as a crippled woman, her legs lame and her back stooped with age. Stationed near Takis’s property on a dusty, blistering road, she watched, waiting to see what would happen.
Within minutes she was helped inside the cool house and offered food and wine. Takis even sat and ate with her, something no one else had done yet. The mortals had been taught to feed and clothe those who were in need but not many, if any, treated the unfortunate like equals. Granted, Hera really was above Takis but he didn’t know that. Chatting quietly, it didn’t take much to impress Hera. With an extensive knowledge of the surrounding areas and a respect for every creation of the gods, Takis was an admirable conversationalist. Hera found herself captive, her heart stolen by a mortal.
After a bath and a long night’s rest, Hera vanished and that was the last time Takis ever saw the crippled woman.
Whether he noticed it or not, Hera did bless him for his hospitality. His crops were excluded from any pestilences and his stock was kept healthy and strong. And she was sure that he was unaware of her infatuation. That was the real irony. The man she loved worshiped her but had no idea that she worshiped him more.
“Hera?” Echo knocked on the golden plank door and opened it, peeking around cautiously.
“Come in,” Hera replied, dazed.
“Are you alright?” Echo approached Hera slowly, afraid for disturbing what ever vision Hera was having.
“I was just daydreaming,” looking up, Hera smiled sadly. “Do you need something?”
Within seconds Echo brightened, returning to her cheery, babbling self. “You will never believe what just happened! One of the muses . . .”
Hera nodded appreciably and made the necessary obligatory noises at the right moments. Her thoughts still lay below on Earth. Oh that she had never been born! A tear of self-pity slid down her cheek, sparkling like a twinkling star.
“What’s the matter?” Echo exclaimed. “I know that the satyr is going to be in pain for a season or two but it isn’t worth one of your precious tears.”
“I’m sorry,” Hera built a lie around the excuse Echo had just given her. “You just tell the story so well I feel the poor wraith’s anguish. Maybe the muses have lost their touch and now you have become the patron of story-telling.”
The sun wasn’t as bright as the beams that radiated from Echo’s being. “Thank you Queen Hera. Praise from you is praise above any other.”
Hera’s lips parted into a real smile, not the feigned one she had practiced for so many weeks, and it was nearly natural. “You’re welcome, Echo. And thank you.”
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