Aristaeus is the son of Apollo and the huntress Cyrene. He was raised by nymphs, from whom he learned the rustic arts of bee-keeping, mead-making, and cheese-making. He also studied with the centaur Chiron, from whom he learned the selection and uses of medicinal herbs. Aristaeus taught these arts to humanity and was widely revered as a benevolent deity.
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Today, May 20, has been designated World Bee Day by the United Nations!
Bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.
You can help by:
planting a diverse set of native plants, which flower at different times of the year
buying honey from local farmers
buying products from sustainable agricultural practices
avoiding pesticides, fungicides or herbicides in our…
Happy Victoria Day Weekend to my fellow Canadians! This weekend is the official first day of summer around here, and we celebrate with traditional activities, including: the first barbecue of the season, getting started on the garden, and your drunk neighbour setting off fireworks too close to your house.
For me, one of the best things to do on a long weekend is to get into a good novel. Join me and get your read on with one of my books:
If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Have a safe and fun weekend, no matter what your plans are… 🍁
Raise your hand if you remember Concrete Blonde! They weren’t around too long (although they’ve reunited a couple of times since) but they made an impression. Their album “Bloodletting” is damn near perfect, in my opinion. It’s moody, evocative, and lead singer Johnette Napolitano has a gorgeous voice.
I don’t think there’s a song I don’t like on “Bloodletting,” but my absolute favourite is, of course, Bloodletting (The Vampire Song). Give it a listen, and then go seek out more of their music. You won’t be disappointed.
(Trigger warning: the video includes images of rats, squirming maggots, and taxidermy.)
What do you think of this song or Concrete Blonde? Are you a fan? Share in the comments…
If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
True love is a forever thing– especially for vampires. Or it can be, anyway. These TV couples’ stories left us wondering, but I’d like to believe they got their happily ever after. Here are three vampires who were (probably) lucky in love…
Spoilers Ahead
Mick St. John and Beth Turner, Moonlight
Mick and Beth, Moonlight
Mick (vampire) and Beth (human) have a complicated relationship. Beth has a boyfriend and Mick saved Beth’s life as a child and has been keeping tabs on her ever since. It’s a tale as old as time. But as the show goes on, their feelings for each other grow and turn into something else (and just as complicated). There’s a lot of back and forth about whether a vampire-human relationship could even work, and when the series was cancelled it ended ambiguously on a kiss between Mick and Beth. These two have a real connection, even if their fears cloud their feelings at times, so I think they have a solid chance to make it work. The show hinted at the potential for a vampire cure, so Mick could eventually become human. He could also turn Beth. Love finds (fangs?) a way.
Is this love?: 8/10
Jessica and Hoyt, True Blood
Jessica and Hoyt, True Blood
Although it might not seem like it, Jessica (vampire) and Hoyt (human) have a lot in common. Both had traumatic childhoods with domineering, manipulative parents. Both have quieter, somewhat innocent/naive personalities with rebellious sides. Both also have to cope with situations they have no control over, and neither really knows where they fit into the world. When they meet each other, it’s love at first sight. They did try to make it work for a while, but there were too many things working against them, including Hoyt’s mother and Jessica’s vampire nature. Their breakup was both inevitable and necessary, giving them a chance to figure out who they were. They eventually reunite, and even though we don’t get to see how their life together plays out, chances are they make it work (at least, they’d better make it work after all the screen time the producers devoted to their wedding in the series finale).
Is this love?: 9/10
Alex and Hal, Being Human
Hal and Alex, Being Human
Okay, this one might be cheating since both characters are human by the end of the series, but sparks started flying while Hal was a vampire, so I’m counting it. Although both are attracted to each other, their budding relationship is cut short when another vampire takes it upon himself to kill Alex (and then gives her blood to an unsuspecting Hal to drink). Hal is horrified at what’s happened, and when he finds out Alex is still around in ghost form, he promises to get revenge for her murder. With nowhere else to go and few people to talk to (thanks to being invisible to humans) Alex ends up moving in with Hal. Their opposing personalities make them something of an odd couple: Hal is precise, compulsive, and terrified of losing control; while Alex is carefree, no-nonsense, and takes things as they come. But the real hindrance to a relationship is that one of them is incorporeal (and it doesn’t help that the other one is constantly fighting his blood lust). The series (officially) concludes with an interesting twist that has all supernatural beings become human again, finally giving Hal and Alex a real chance at a life together.
Is this love?: 8/10
What other vampires have a shot at love? Share your thoughts in the comments…
Want more vampires in love (and otherwise)? Get my books!
If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥
Although I wasn’t born in a Rabbit year, I’ve always felt a connection to rabbits. Besides being adorable (and having vicious bites, which I learned the hard way!), rabbits symbolize intellect and cautiousness. The Year of the Rabbit is supposed to be one of peace and prosperity– something I think we all need.
Chinese New Year also takes place during the new moon, which is a time of change and fresh starts. I’m fully embracing this aspect, as I’m in the midst of moving (finally!) My posts (and comments) might be on the light side for the next while (I’m also still working on the new book), but I will be around. In the meantime, I wish everyone all the best for the lunar new year!
Aspasía S. Bissas 