And....exactly 100! For the first time in forever. ____________________________________________

"Can I see it?"

I allow the student to pull back the edge of tee to expose the limned markings decorating each shoulder blade. I feel a delicate touch, and it pulls away as if afraid to press too hard.

"What are they?"

"One’s an old Irish design that stands for life, death and rebirth, and the other is an owl off an ancient Greek coin, a drachma. It's the symbol for Athena, the goddess of wisdom."

A pause. "Why did you get tattoos?"

A good question; my turn to pause. Think. Smile.

"It's jewelry you can never take off."

Good one, Jilli!

Ooh, Erin, I like that, jewelry you can never take off. Nifty way of looking at it.

Also 100 words exactly:

By the time you had been here a week, the other nurses and I all knew the story behind each piece.

The silver chain holding your husband's wedding ring that lets it fall at just the right place on your chest.

The sapphire earrings your daughter gave you for Mother's day the year she got her first big promotion.

The simple silver wedding band you hadn't taken off for over 40 years, and the flashy engagement ring you got for your 18th anniversary.

The first time I see your son cry is when I lean down to take them off.

Oh, damn, Lee.

Last line is the killer.

Set 'em up, girl, and knock 'em down!

Thanks Erin. Love yours, and the rest of them.

For Jina

Glowing softly in the light
Against the neck
Above the breast
It rises on a pale crest


Smooth and round it
Rolls across the skin as
Clouds blown over desert sand


Satin, silk and velvet are as one
Pillowed there, the moon
Serene, at rest


Below its crown of tourmaline
Held in place
By chains of gold
It isn’t bold


No more than a
Child so soft
Skin so pure
Part of one


But not of one
Resting, too, upon
A breast, that dusky
Breast of death


Chained by love
No heart’s surcease
The pearl of love
In your embrace

Wow. Amazing stuff so far.

And since this the only style of drabble that my brain seems to generate and I don't wear jewelry myself (100 words exactly):

Sharing the Wealth

The towering barbarian slips the gaudy jeweled band onto his meaty finger. He frowns at the ring a moment, and then begins jumping up and down. Unsatisfied with the result, he hurls himself backwards, hitting the ground with a heavy thud and a grunt. Scowling, he climbs to his feet and barrels into a stone wall. The resulting thud is even heavier.

His slender companion watches this for a moment before gliding over to the robed man sitting in the corner. “It’s not really magical, is it?” he asks quietly.

“No.”

“Still pissed about him sitting on your familiar?”

“Yes.”

(I've always wondered about the ridiculous things gamers have their characters do trying to figure out how the newly-found magical item works. I've never been witness to someone having their wizard pull a prank like this, but I may have to try it in some future game.)

Does anyone have recommendations for good research material on English mythology and folklore? Basically all I know I got from Cooper or Tolkein.

I'm looking for more information about the Wild Hunt, Robin Goodfellow, Wayland Smith, the Green Man, stuff like that.

Actual print book preferred to internet site.

Ta ever so.

Ah Sail, you brought me to tears before 6am.