Richard Armitage as Frank and Jack Randall?

My Outlander Purgatory bud Carla sent in this suggestion... and I think it's fabu as this fellow is pretty scrumpdillyicious.   Richard Armitage from North and South... Spooks.... and Robin Hood - all BBC series.

He definitely has the ability to play both dashing and evil... so that's a major plus, right?! 


Richard Armitage Reading North & South (Birthday Video) from Spikesbint on Vimeo.

Outlander Chat Tonight!

Chat tonight, y'all. I have a feeling we'll be talking about Frank. LORDDDDDDDDD will we be talkin' about Frank. We all need to take the gloves off and leave our egos at the door!!! BWA HA HA HA HA!!!!!!!!

Let Me Be Frank....

I've gotten a few emails and comments about my love of all things Frank (snicker)... so I thought it was about time I blogged about the man. You know... 'cause he's such a great guy and all. (wink)

Here's the deal. Nothing is set in stone. Ever. This is how I feel about Frank... and how I feel about what Frank "knew".

Do I think Frank warmed up to the possibility that Claire was telling the truth after living with her and raising her daughter? Um... of course? Frank knew Claire to be a reasonable, responsible, honest person.  And she was mentally capable of surgery - whether it was at the hospital on a heart valve of a 70 year old man...  or at home on a splinter of a 6 year old girl. A girl she loved more than anything else in the world.

At some point, Frank MUST have said to himself "Well... I really don't WANT to believe this...but the woman is as sane as they come! How can it NOT be true?!"

At THAT point, I believe Frank started doing research on Jamie Fraser. Now... we all know what happened after Claire went back to the 18th century; she built a life with Jamie Fraser in North Carolina. And had a few adventures along the way in the Carribean... NY... PA....etc. And there HAD TO BE SOME RECORD of her life with Jamie Fraser....and their daughter, Briana Randall Fraser MacKenzie. And at THAT POINT, when he found those records, Frank decided that he'd better get Bree ready for anything that might come her way in the 18th century.

COMMA HOWEVER.... Frank was kindof bitter about Claire's love for Jamie. How could he NOT be? I would be... that is for damned sure. Was he a good and decent man for taking her in after 3 years when she was pregnant? Absolutely. Did he still love her? Absolutely - as we all know no mere mortal can resist the charms of Claire Fraser. (She's like RPattz in that way. ) But did he say to himself "I'll be damned if I'm going to just tell her that Red Jamie Fraser's friggin Scots ass didn't die at Culloden? Not s'fast lass." What's that word I keep using? Oh yeah.... Absolutely.

And that's one of the reasons I don't care for him.

I get that he didn't want to lose his daughter - or his wife - by telling them they had a whole other life in another century. But I am one of those annoying people who is sickeningly honest and just doesn't have it in her to lie. If that were my husband - no matter how much I loved him - I'd tell him what I knew and let the chips fall where they may. I am a big believer in fate... as well as that "If you love something, set it free" bullshiz. It would eat me up on a daily basis to know I had information that could potentially change someone's entire existence - and not share it with them. But hey; that's just me.

As for the other reason I never cared for Frank all that much... I just hated the way Claire was never very important to him until she was gone and wasn't kissing his ass 24 hours a day. And I don't care that it was the 1940s and that's how they did things back then. I just never felt a great love for Claire on Frank's part... more of a love of being catered to before she left... and a sense of obligation once she returned. Don't get me wrong... Did he love her? Sure. Did he know she didn't love him in that way? Yup. Which is actually a point for him, seeing as he stayed with her. But I just don't think he and Claire ever had anything remotely close to what she had with Jamie... and I wish Frank would have stepped aside all those years ago and told her Jamie Fraser was still alive.

And yes... yes... that would have opened a whole new can of worms regarding Bree. They would have fought over her and Frank would have told Claire she wasn't taking her back, yada yada yada. But that didn't happen so we don't even have to ponder it, ken?

Sooooo... that is where I stand on Frank. As far as what he "knew" about Jerry... I don't think he thought a thing of the fact that his plane was found near standing stones. They were all over bloody Britain at that point. It would be like me saying "Oh my god his car broke down near a 7/11! He must have traveled through time at the 7/11!" At that point when Jerry disappeared, Frank was still at war and hadn't even come home to Claire yet. He didn't know doodley squat about standing stones - other than a possible rumor about the fairies he may have picked up along the way. And lord knows he wouldn't have believed it. I think he knew Jerry disappeared... and felt somewhat responsible (see the part above about Frank being a good and decent man) since he was the one who sent him on his mission. He went to see Marjorie out of a sense of honor - not because he knew Jerry was trekking around 18th century Scotland with Buck Rogers.

That is my opinion today. However... as I said before...

Nothing is set in stone.

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows VIDEOS

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

Tracey will be arriving today... to partake in some turkey... and stuffing...

MY OUTLANDER PURGATORY VIDEO!!!!

Be afraid...

Get FREE SHIPPING at the My Outlander Purgatory SHOP!

Hey all - the holidays are coming for a limited time you can get FREE SHIPPING when you spend $30 at the My Outlander Purgatory shop! (Starts December 1st and runs through December 14th.) Take advantage of this offer and get some Outlander merchandise for someone you love!

Happy Birthday, Karen!

Just want to throw out a "Happy Birthday!!" to Karen who is the section leader over at the Compuserve Books and Writers Community. Karen has been a great friend to us over here at My Outlander Purgatory... and she is also celebrating 4 years of being an Outlander fan!  I can't imagine how much work she does over at Compurserve (I shiver to think, actually) and she is always very helpful when we're completely clueless about anything from Claire's love of herbs to Jamie's new-found pocket change (which we discussed at chat last night) to historical accuracies and such.

Karen tells a great story on her website, Outlandish Observations...about how she found the Outlander series...and how she went from not knowing a thing about it - to meeting Diana Gabaldon - and becoming the "Czarina of Traffic" at the Books and Writers Community -  a title given her by Diana, HERSELF.

This totally reminded me of last year when I first started blogging and found out my neighbor's mother in law has done some work (reading to the blind) with Diana in Arizona. Knowing Jean might tell her mother in law about the blog, I said "Wow - do you think Diana might actually hear of our website some day?!" Bwa ha ha! Oh I'm quite certain she's heard of us now...not sure what leads me to think that... could it be my BIG, FAT NOGGIN on screen making a complete ASS of myself at ComicCon?! ;)

So please join me in saying CONGRATULATIONS Karen!  And we hope you have a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! :)

Outlander Chat Tonight!

Outlander CHAT tonight - 9PM Eastern! Major discussion on A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows, y'all!!

40 Pages is NOT ENOUGH!!!!

Sigh. I am in massive withdrawal. I read the entire Outlander series - each book, back to back.. all 7 in a row. And then.... there was nothing. For months. And then, there was "The Exile"... and it rocked. But it was a quick read and not really full of DWG (Diana Wordy Goodness. ) Then came A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows... and at once I was transported into three drawn-out days of pure bliss. And now... now there's nothing. Just a blackness... a murky gloom that is darker than it was before the new book came out.  It is as if someone gave me one crack pipe - after I had just gotten over giving up my ten daily crack pipes....which I apparently smoked every day for 10 years. 

Sigh. And I'm having phantom reading pain. For instance, tonight, the Giants are Playing the Eagles... and I just realized my hubby will be in front of the tv from 8:30 until possibly midnight. And I thought "oooh I'm going to go upstairs and read 'A leaf on...'...sigh....nevermind".

OH yes. I am in withdrawal. Lordddddddd the withdrawal...

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows - Part Deux

SPOILER ALERT: DINNA read unless you have read "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows". 

OK here's the thing. I didn't mean "Why didn't Roger go WITH Jerry through the stones". I meant - Why didn't Roger go through the stones a few minutes after Jerry, in order to get back to his own time. He and Buck were clearly running away the uber-second that Jerry went through. So they didn't want to go through the stones at that point; they wanted to stay in the past. Why? I'm with Tracey on this - I think they're still looking for poor Jem who is wandering around in the mine at this point.

And you know what? I don't necessarily know that the fact that Jerry disappeared near standing stones would have made much of a difference to anyone in the 1940s; stone circles were all over the place in Britain. And most people either didn't know about the superstition, or thought it was just that; superstition. So.. when Claire said she went through the stones, Frank probably never even thought about Jerry's plane being found near stones.

Now HERE'S something odd... last night I watched Tristan and Isolde with James Franco (who I could have sworn was English and is actually from California!) Wow - talk about star-crossed love!!! Truly good flick - I highly recommend if you dig period pieces about the British isles.  It was set in the Dark Ages...and the costuming was spectacular.

Haven't read Songs of Love and Death yet? What are you waiting for?!?! :)

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows (and my horribly cloudy brain.)

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read (and loved...and scratched your head majorly at) "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows".

WTF, Y'all?!?!?!

I am confused. AND LOVING IT. But confused. Am I correct in assuming that Diana has TOLD US THAT ROGER WENT THROUGH with Buck in Echo....and went back too far...and somehow knew his father was hiding....and helped him get back through the stones to his own time?!?!

Here's what I loved: Here Dad, take one of my gemstones... I've got a bunch here in my satchel.

And why didn't they go through WITH him?? Or - not WITH him, to the 1940s - but right AFTER him to the 1960s?? Why would they have stayed behind??? Maybe just because those people were chasing them and they wanted Jerry to get safely through... and couldna go at the same thing. And what were those hillbillies speaking?? It wasn't the Gaelic... because Jerry knew/had some.  Holy shit - maybe...no wait, never mind. I was going to say "maybe they were in another country" but duh... they went through in Scotland.

The ending baffled me. And only because I'm anal and once I've made up my mind to something, I have a hard time veering away from it. Like...didn't Marjorie DROP Roger in the tube station during the raid? In this, she handed him UP to Jerry. Maybe Roger just forgot (the kid was what, TWO at the time? Seems to me his memory wasn't the best. Or maybe MY memory isn't the best, which is entirely possible...and why I occasionally put things like stuffed animals in the refrigerator or the milk in a cabinet... but I digress.)

WHAT AN AMAZING READ. I miss new Diana/Outlander so much it hurts me to the core of my being.

And how sweet was FRANK to Roger and Marjorie when he came to visit?? Because he felt guilty, y'all. GUILTY FRANK - what a new concept...NOT. I was cracking up like "See? Even MARJORIE HATES FRANK". LOL  Kidding...I get it, I get it. He's a good soul, even though I want him to be nothing more than a womanizing cheater.

SOOOOOOOOOO - shall we expect Roger and Buck to be missing in Book 8 because they're wandering around Scotland in some past century? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!!!!!

PS - CONGRATULATIONS to Lesley who just had a baby a week ago!! And I have to throw out another CONGRATULATIONS to our other friend and new mom, ANGELA, who I am way overdue in congratulating on the blog!  We wish you and your new babies all the best and hope they grow up to be Outlander fans! :)

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows".

Ho. Ly. CRAPOLA. OK so I go into this book thinking a) it's just going to be a nice story about Roger's parents....and b) it's going to be sad.

WOWWIE MACWOWWIE was I wrong-a-mundo!!!!!!

Let me clarify: I AM NOT FINISHED! So PLEASE - no spoiler comments!!!
OK - so - Jerry (that HOTTIE) just went through the stones. Poor bugger thinks his head hurts from the crash... but not-sa-fast Jerry old boy... you don't know what you are in for.
And the most AMAZING thing is that *I* dinna know what he's in for, either! I have no IDEA what time period he's going to FIND himself in!

And why is THAT so huge - to the point where I'm annoying mySELF with all these CAPS and exclamation points?!?

BECAUSE ROGER IS GOING TO EFFING MEET HIM IN BOOK 8, Y'ALL!!!!!!!!!  I could NOT be more intrigued... or more happy with this book. So get your ASS to the store - or my AMAZON link - and buy A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows if you have not already done so, mmmmkayyyyy???

MORE LATER! I'm headed to the school parking lot....to READ, y'all!!!!!!!

Songs of Love and Death

Lads and Lassies - dinna forget to get your copy of "Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love".  Diana Gabaldon's "A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows" short story is included in it.... and is the tale of Roger Mac's parents.

Y'all - I just ordered it for my Kindle and will be starting today. I am giddy with Glee....and no, I'm not talking about that silly show where they break into song (although Tracey keeps trying to tell me they don't) with the rudedog gym teacher played by Jane Lynch (whom I love more than words can say.)

Get Well Soon, Aunt Helen!!!

Aunt Helen - our favorite Outlander fan - is in the hospital. :(  Please keep her in your prayers and send some healing Claire Fraser vibes her way!!

The FOUR verses of The Star Spangled Banner

The Star Spangled Banner

(By Francis Scott Key 1814)


Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Oh! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander CHAT tonight! 9PM Eastern. Tracey will be late (like, verra late) but I will be there on time!

New William Lawson's Commercial

Yum! I've never seen this one!  Look at his cat eyes! 

Rob Roy

Oh. My. God. Am I the only person in the Outlander universe who hasn't seen this film? It's spectacular!! It's set in the early 18th century Highlands. The landscape is not to be believed. And I just watched a scene between Liam Neeson and Jessica Lang that was Jamie and Claire perfection!! OK, OK... one or two of the lead accents aren't perfect (pronounced "pairrrrrfect") but there are enough true Scots talking in this film to make you giddy for a week.

GO. RENT. THIS. FILM!!!

PS - Oh my god - they just threatened Rob with "The Tollbooth"!!! 

How the SCOTS Invented the Modern World

My Outlander Purgatory bud, Stephanie sent in this AWESOME book suggestion and said it was "something we could all appreciate; Himself included." I have to agree!

Best. My Outlander Purgatory Video. Ever.

I just laughed right out loud in my kitchen when I saw this. And might I say, we usually take our parents to a nicer restaurant for their anniversary... but we had short notice this year. Oy. It looks like we're in Sizzler! Tracey was calling the decor "Early American IHOP". LOL! Enjoy!

PS - I FORGOT to mention!  The restaurant was a house that was built in 1780... and is called Willie's Tavern!! Apparently a fellow built it for his son when he returned from the Revolutionary War!  Run and tell THAT... Homegirls! :)

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander CHAT tonight! 9PM Eastern y'all. I am looking forward to a little Philly discussion - aka ECHO discussion - and anything else you feel like talking about! See you then!

Philadelphia Freedom

SPOILER ALERT: Ye may not wish to read this post if ye havena yet read An Echo in the Bone.

So the kids were off from school this week... and what better place to visit but the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. BEN Franklin, to be exact.

Now - I didna take the Liberty Bell tour... (I have a few times in the past) but I did get some decent shots of Ben's likeness...and some things that may interest ye.

And please note the name of the fellow who made the bust of Benjamin Franklin. One James Earle Fraser. Mmm hmmm.

Just click the pause button if you want to read the notes about the sculpture and tea set!

No Official Chat Tonight!

Sorry y'all for the late notice - Tracey and I won't be able to be at chat tonight. Tracey has a meeting and I am enjoying a visit from PattzR and The Bagipe Dancer (aka our Mom and Dad) - and would feel pretty rude blowing them off for an hour when they're only here for one night!

Please feel FREE to use the chat room anyway! We don't have to be present!!

Sugar

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Outlander babbling...

Just wanted to pass along a link to a new blog I'm working on for a project that is really near-and-dear to my heart. It's about an upcoming film called "Sugar"...which will be shot in LA and is about homeless kids and the struggles they go through to survive.

The film will star Shenae Grimes (90210), Marshall Allman (True Blood), Alex Meraz (The Twilight Saga films) and a few others who will be announced soon.

The blog will show the ins and outs of making the film...which I hope will spread awareness about homeless kids who literally don't know where they'll sleep tonight...or where they'll find their next meal.

Thanks y'all. I now return you to our previously scheduled Jamie Fraser obsessing. :)

CUZ I'M SCOTTISH!!!

Amusing video of a kid blowing the Scottish stereotype wide open. Enjoy!

Claire's Birthday Videos

Outlander Chat Tonight

TONIGHT! Outlander Chat - 9PM Eastern - Be there or be square!

Go Visit Blue MOON Magnolia and Get BEHIND Jamie!!!

Get your ass over (PUN INTENDED!) to Blue Moon Magnolia and see the AMAZING pumpkin carving she made of Jamie's...um...ASSets from Page 5 of The Exile!!!!!

(And I thought the Edward Cullen carving stencils were cool!)

Dragonfly in Amber - AUDIBLE STYLE!

Lads and Lassies - I am currently downloading Dragonfly in Amber on Audible.com - for free! Go check out their free download deal (if you've never ordered before, that is.) I am so thrilled because a) so many of you have told me it's better on audio during round 2... and b) listening is way easier when you're me. Have dishes to do? Grab the iPod!  Have to fold clothes? Grab the iPod! Have to check homework? Ok well maybe not then. But still... I hope to have a thorough and decent DinA post for you soon. Until then...

DAVINA, HERE I COME!!! 

Happy Birthday Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser!!!

Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday to you...
Happy Birthday dear Claire...
Happy Birthday to you.

Skype video from Twitter Tracey and I coming later. Be afraid. ;)

Line Interviews at the WV Book Festival

Peacock flies to 'Outlander' - Entertainment News, Book Adaptations, Media - Variety

HERE WE GO, Y'ALL!!!!!

Diane and Charles in their Full Scottish Regalia!

Here is a very cool photo from another Diane who is a friend of My Outlander Purgatory - this one is from PA and is seen here with her husband, Charles:

"Diane and Charles at a wee Scottish wedding this weekend in PA.  We provided music on fiddle and clarsach (Gaelic for "Celtic harp"!)  It was a beautiful wedding and the whisky flowed!"

Awesome North Carolina Photos from Diane in GA

OK y'all - I have a special treat for you. Our bud Diane in Georgia has graciously shared some vacation photos with us... and I'll let her tell you in her own words what they are about. Trust me when I tell you; they are squee-rific!!!

They start with an old house in Salisbury, NC that was built in 1766. Kinda makes me think of J & C's house on the Ridge. Then come the pictures of Alamance. (The Fiery Cross) The sign for Tryon's camp is located 5 miles away. Next is Tryon Palace in New Bern. (DOA and Echo) Lastly, is Moore's Creek Battlefield. (ABOSAA)

My extra special thanks to Diane for taking the time to upload all of these to a separate Flickr page for me (and no worries that some are sideways, etc. It's all good!)  As someone who does a ton of uploading and photo editing, I TOTALLY appreciate it!!

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander Chat tonight - 9PM Eastern, y'all.

Diana Gabaldon in West Virginia: JE SUIS PREST, YA'LL!!!!!!!

OMG. GREATEST. PHOTO. EVAH!!!!!

Nikki is still gallivanting around West Virginia with Diana (where she was appearing at the West Virginia Book Festival) and WE ARE NOT WORTHY because she sent us this FABU shot of Diana wearing one of THE MOST AWESOME shirts I have EVER seen!!!

Here is a great shot of Diana yawning (and looking younger than my niece who just graduated from college, might I say) after a long day at the festival: 

And here is a shot of people waiting in line for Diana's autograph:

All in all, it looks like a tremendous time was had by all! But let me tell ya - I hope Diana can get some DOWN TIME soon! All this traveling would make me batty!

I want to throw a HUMONGOUS "Thank you!!!" out there to Nikki for being SO INCREDIBLY KIND and sending us these photos. You ROCK, HOOKA!!!

Diana Gabaldon - Hangin' with Nikki in West Virginia

Listen up, Hookas! "Herself" is visiting the lovely city of Charleston, West Virgina this weekend and is enjoying a little girl time with our tremendous bud, Nikki from the Official Diana Gabaldon Homepage on Youtube.

Nikki has been cool enough to take some photos for us... and Diana has been gracious enough to let her!

Do I feel slightly stalkerific posting these photos? Nah. Since I'm home on a Saturday night, I'm just living vicariously through them. Ahhhh how I love a good glass of vino.... it does not get any better than that! (Especially when my hub is out getting us frozen yogurt!)

And Post Scriptum - might I say this woman defies all laws of nature? LOOK. AT. HER. Jesus she's like a friggin LANCOME ad. It's maddening! Now - not only do I want her to write me "Claire's Book of Natural Remedies" but I ALSO want her to write me "Claire's Tips on How to Appear 30-Something When You're RUMORED to be 58"!!!

Traveling with 'Outlander' author Diana Gabaldon

Great article from the Charleston Gazette. I am so conflicted. On the one hand, I'm like "Yes, Diana, go home and WRITE!!!" and on the other, I'm thinking "I can listen as long as you can talk!"

Talk about a great college professor. She must have been so much fun in class.

"RT Book Reviews" Interview with Diana Gabaldon at ComicCon NYC

"The Birth of the Kilt"

Just got this from Joy (DeltaTN) and it's a wee bit HILARIOUS!! Enjoy!

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander CHAT tonight at 9PM Eastern. Hmmm.... wonder what we'll talk about?

Our Trip to ComicCon to meet Diana Gabaldon

For those of you not inclined to watch the videos... (I can't imagine why! wink)

Tracey and I went to ComicCon in NYC on Friday with Jenn M and Shannon, our partners in Outlander crime. We dressed in shirts from the My Outlander Purgatory Shirt Shop - and I have to send a special Thank You to Shannon for not only finding us the $11 "kilts" at Target, but also designing AND bedazzling her own shirt. She's got a future in design (H&M, perhaps? LOL)

We flew through the drop off line  at school - hightailed it into the city - and felt a little strange in our "costumes" while walking to the convention. COMMA HOWEVER - we felt MUCH better when we got around the corner from the Jacob Javitz center and saw Captain Marvel and his wife Wonder Woman pushing their baby, Superman in a stroller. Our "costumes" paled in comparison.

The Javitz center is huge and after some maneuvering, we found ourselves at the door to the room where Diana Gabaldon was going to give her presentation. As people started flooding in, we were able to meet a TON of friends from the internet who participate in daily antics and hijinks with us at My Outlander Purgatory. Deb, Susan, Lady Jane, the ladies from Outlander Book club, PCost, Sally, Aida, Marlene, Erin, Brandy... the list is endless. As we were all getting to know each other in person, "Herself" walked in with the Editor of The Exile, Betsy Mitchell. I'll be honest; we were all a little starstruck.

At this point, Betsy Mitchell comes over to Tracey and me... and proceeds to tell us she saw our Exile video and thought it was really funny. My first question "Gulp - WHICH Exile video?" Lord knows WHAT I might have said in any given video. And it's always an odd feeling when someone tells you they saw your video in the first place. You make the things in the kitchen half the time...with no one else around to watch...and you can't really wrap your brain around people actually viewing them.  At any rate, we had a great conversation; Betsy is an absolute hoot and a pleasure to talk to. Then people started heading into the room. As Diana is walking in the doorway, I notice she's talking to Tracey... and I (quite foolishly) say "Hi. I'm Carol. I go with her" and point to Tracey. Really? REALLY Carol? "I go with her"???  I know, I know... quite underwhelming. (You should have seen me when I met John Taylor from Duran Duran in my 20s after loving his band for so many years. All I could spit out after 20 years of fandom was "Great show!" Not too cool... but I digress.)  I'm a better typist than talker, I suppose. Believe it or not, I'm actually a little shy. (Snicker. Stop laughing. It's true!)

OK - let's move on - Diana and Betsy gave a fantastic presentation about The Exile. How it was made - what it was like to work with Hoang Nguyen - what kind of changes were made to the original sketches, etc etc. I was like a little kid at the movies for the first time. I just sat and stared and took it all in. When you're as interested in a book series as I an in Outlander, it's an indescribable feeling to listen to its author discuss its making... and the making of its visual form. I was in heaven.

At the end of their presentation, they had a little treat. The played a fan video that showed two fans' reactions to some early excerpts of The Exile. It was a lot of fun to watch... and probably would have been even more fun if I wasn't CRAWLING UNDER MY SEAT IN HORROR because the big noggin on the screen was MINE!! No seriously - it was an unbelievable honor to watch Diana Gabaldon enjoying one of our videos. That's the ultimate honor, really... and it was thankfully bestowed on us.

AFTER the presentation, we all went upstairs to get our books signed by Diana. Her signing line was the largest in the Javitz center (poor Richard Hatch) - which wasn't odd as The Exile is the best selling graphic novel in the country, let alone the convention center. While in line, Tracey and I were asked to give an interview to Random House - and enjoyed every second of our 15 minutes of fame (make that 12.) Diana signed my book "To Carol (filmstar!)" and I cannot tell you how great that made me feel. Even though I wasn't capable of forming many words,  she still made me feel special.

OK - SO - after this we all went to dinner at St. Andrews in NYC - and a special THANK YOU goes out to Sheila from Compuserve for arranging this. We were sitting there enjoying libations with other fans when "Herself" - Diana - walked in - and we were all shocked/thrilled/humbled that she'd actually choose to have dinner with the fans. At this, antics and hijinks ensued at our table (see my pitiful attempt at jokes from the videos for reference) and a great time was had by all.

Later in the evening, when it was appropriate (and the poor woman wasn't trying to actually eat her dinner) we approached Diana and gave her a shirt I had made for her. It said, simply, "Herself" on the front... with myoutlanderpurgatory.com on the back. She stood there and listened to a group of us tell her our stories for a good long while... and I cannot tell you how that made me feel. To have someone whose books are so important in your life actually care about what you have to say is a breath of fresh air in a world where almost everyone is too busy or too important to bother with the likes of us.

Sooooo - that is my (very long) story about meeting Diana Gabaldon - and I wouldn't change a thing. She's truly an amazing woman and I look forward to her future works with an eagerness I canna even describe, lassies.  If she writes it - I'll read it.

And that's all I've got to say about that.

My Outlander Purgatory Meets Diana Gabaldon at the 2010 NYC ComicCon

We're Not Worthy!

We have met Herself. Seriously guys... Diana Gabaldon is ridiculously friendly to her fans. And as Tracey so eloquently put, "patient". She came to dinner..even though there were 45 people there (which would have scared the pantalones off me if I were her) and talked to everyone. She let a million people take photos...and graciously listened to all of our stories about why we love Outlander. Oh and by the way... She is stunning. Literally...stunning. More later...with pictures. :)

Diana at Dinner

Just had to let you know we are at dinner at St. Andrews in NYC and "Herself" - Diane Gabaldon - is here. More later!!!

Scottish Halloween Costume

Got this from Diane in GA. Holy crap I laughed right out loud!

Do you think your husbands or boyfriends will be interested in wearing this? Something tells me.. um...NO! LOL!  Can you even imagine walking into a Halloween party with someone dressed like this? I'll tell you one thing... he'd better have the pects to go with it! ;) 

Danny Bhoy - Visitor's Guide to Scotland

Heard about this today from my friend Hugh from Scotland.  It's really funny. Careful at work or around kiddies; it's a little colorful in spots.

Outlander for Kindle FREE on Amazon!

SPECIAL BULLETIN: Outlander for KINDLE is now FREE on Amazon!  And apparently there is BONUS CONTENT - I'm told it's A Reader's Guide to Outlander" by Catherine MacGregor!

Thanks to Amanda for sending this in!

Druidry recognised as religion in Britain for first time

What does THIS remind you of?!?

Katherine Heigl Can Definitely Look the Part of Claire in Outlander

I have always said that Emma Samms - young and older - would be my ultimate Claire.

She was so attractive and had that spunky attitude and wasn't about to take any shite from anyone (at least not on General Hos-pi-TAL!)

Well this morning, Jenn M - who will be with Tracey, Shannon and me at ComicCon, YES! - sent me this photo of Katherine Heigl with dark hair. So you can imagine the double-take I did when I looked at the photo.

Let me ask you this: If Gwyneth Paltrow can win an Oscar for her stellar performance as an English woman in Shakespeare in Love... why can't Katherine Heigl do a bang-up job in Outlander? Only time will tell... I realize. But she's no fool. If these rumors are true, I bet she's brushing up on her British accent right now.

Outlander Fans Outside the US

I know we have some friends overseas who were frustrated about not being able to purchase The Exile. You all helped me out when I was down and out... so when I found out Diana Gabaldon has some info on her latest blog post about this - I wanted to post it.

Thanks to Karen from Outlandish Observations for pointing this out!

Outlander Chat Tonight

Outlander chat tonight at 9PM Eastern. Tracey is on vacation and will most likely not attend (unless she sends her unsuspecting hubby to the hotel bar for a beer and the game?!)

Outlander Scarf Kits!

Thanks to DIANE for this awesome info about Clan Tartan Scarf kits from Knitters Brewing Company. SO cool. I might have to learn how to knit!!! Scarves are SO in right now - and I'm so thrilled because I wear them all winter - in or out. They just make me happy and you can change your look in a microsecond with one! I actually bought a Fraser hunting tartan scarf at the Scottish festival I went to this summer with Jenn M and Shannon... but this is a WARM scarf, whereas that one was just for show. So GIDDYAP and buy a kit!!

So I Married an Axe Murderer

"So I Married an Axe Murderer" - So funny I canna contain myself!

Scotch Naturals

Check out this WAY COOL nail polish line sent in by Estee - it's called Scotch Naturals and it's an all natural line of nail polish that has a Scottish theme. It started by a woman who started a natural nail polish line for kids - Hopscotch. WAIT till you see how positively Scottish it is... and we all know that...


...IF IT'S  NOT SCOTTISH, IT'S CRAP!!!

Judge Not...Lest Ye Be Judged

Emmy win. That's all I'm saying. 

Katherine Heigl as Claire in Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER?!?

So apparently Katherine Heigl is interested in going from cutting LVAD wires to cutting sutures and herbs. I dinna know what to make of this, my friends.

My first reaction? WHAT THE %$#@???   Are you INSANE?!? Katherine Heigl is not ENGLISH!!!

My second reaction?  Um. Hmmm. Ya know... as much as every fiber of my being is telling me to hate this... I don't.

One thing I want to remind you before I go any further: Actors are not the parts they play. Just because she did an amusing little movie called "Knocked Up", it does not mean she can't do a perfectly good job in a drama. 

Case in point: if you've ever seen Love Comes Softly, you know Katie Heigl can handle a period piece. (I had to call her "Katie" as I once saw Jeffrey Dean Morgan - aka Denny Duquette - do that in an interview and it was totes cute.) And if you've seen the film, you also know she can play a strong-willed woman on her own in the middle of a terrifying situation that is completely foreign to anything she's every been though before.

Having said that.. Can she do an English accent??? THAT, friends, is the question.

Bottom line -  I am not hating this. Am I loving it? No. But it's the unknown....and only time will tell. Especially when Diana, herself, does not seem to know a thing about it:

@MyOutlanderPurg Nope. Hadn't seen that! #blinking

And - there doesn't seem to be a (decent) screenplay even written at this time. Either Katherine Heigl knows something even the author does not know... or she's got one hell of a PR sense...and knows how to get her name out there for wanted projects. And is a monstrous Outlander fan.

I prefer to go with scenario numero dos.

PS - HOW 'BOUT SOME PROPS FOR KATHERINE HEIGL FOR MENTIONING A LITTLE BOOK SERIES CALLED OUTLANDER, MMMMKAYYYYYYYYY???? WHOOO HOOO!!!

Deep (Jack Randall) Thoughts

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read Dragonfly in Amber.

Ya know, I don't think I've ever truly pondered what went down between Jamie and Black Jack Randall when they dueled. Or maybe it's just been a damn long time and my memory is not what it used to be. I have to go back through the blog archives.

Here's what's on my mind: Jamie didn't kill Black Jack. Now... did he do that on purpose, to appease Claire? So he could say "But I didna kill him - I only maimed him!"

But... he maimed him in such a way he'd never be able to father a child, right? Meaning Frank would never have been born - at least that's what Jamie and Claire thought at the time. (Yes I know Jack's brother was the real great great great whatever grandfather).

So what's the diff? Why not just go all the way with that sword and toast him for good?? He's still alive and can now continue to hurt others - winky or no winky.

What say y'all? Am I forgetting something? I must be. Why have I never pondered this before??

Blue Moon Magnolia

SPOILER ALERT: DINNA read unless you have read A Breath of Snow and Ashes.

Writing this blog is a ton of fun. And because we are Outlander-obsessed, we get a lot of email from die hard Outlander fans, just like us. And sometimes, because life is hectic, I drop the ball.

HO. LY. CRAP did I drop the ball with MOP bud, Blue Moon Magnolia.  BMM emailed me before The Exile came out and told me about a painting that Diana Gabaldon based the from-behind, er, em, well, BEHIND shot of Jamie in The Exile.  It's called An Académie. BMM confirmed this with DG - and I completely forgot to blog about it. My apologies to BMM! GO CHECK OUT HER BLOG. It ROCKS.

OK - so here's ANOTHER thing BMM just told us and I must post this, too. So she's going to the same beach in North Carolina for 28 years (38th Street Beach in Ocean City, New Jersey much, Tracey???)and just recently realizes it's the same beach Josiah Martin fled from to get to the HMS Cruizer in A Breath of Snow and Ashes. Um HELLO??? How cool is THAT??? That is one of my favorite storylines from all of the books. Claire and her transcriptions... Jamie coming quietly in the mist to rescue her... it's just so poignant.

OK - SO - make sure you visit Blue Moon Magnolia's blog, which can now be found in the My Outlander Purgatory links.

Sleep Tight...YEAH RIGHT!

Can someone please tell me why there is a BEDBUG epidemic in NYC NOW??? I've been waiting all year to go to this damned ComicCon and meet Diana Gabaldon...and now I've got to worry about BEDBUGS?!

What am I, CLAIRE????????

My Response to Comments from our Exile Video

These are my comments to your comments about the Exile Video blog entry. I got a Blogger hand slap for trying to post such a massive comment -  so I'm going to post them here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Delta - that rocks. I love this kind of stuff in the books. There is so much room for Diana to play, it's not even funny. LUVS IT!

Jeanie - they are real! They are, they ARE! ;)  LOL You cracked me up. You're so right. Sometimes it makes me sad that they're not real. But as long as DG keeps writing - they kindof are, right?

Rochelle: "Little old troll man" made my damn day. Right - a "mash up" is perfect. That's what they were. And while I don't love the idea... I can understand why they had to do it that way.

Brandy - No clue how far off I am but I say "Geel-is" or "Geel-ee" and "La-hair". Unless I'm calling her, LegHair, LegWhore, Wee Ho, or any number of lovely things we've come up with in the past year of reading. ;)

Terry - GREAT point re: Jamie's height. And that truly is something that we have every right to nitpick.

Bretam - absolutely. I mean- it was uncanny. I wonder if Sean Bean knows. Hmmm... maybe My Outlander Purgatory should email him... double hmm....

Lisa - it's funny - I haven't picked it up in a few days... so I wonder if I could have left it and not bought it. Nah. LOL But my hub has been reading it today. He's digging it. I wonder why? (ahem boobage, ahem.)

DedaMc97 - Yup. I'm with ya.

Jessica - THANKS. Now that's a compliment!!

Sally - My mouth is a agape. Wow. Great concepts. A free Scotland in 1999. I've always thought how much I'd love to turn on the Olympics and see "Scotland" representing itself... and not as the United Kingdom. (No offense to any of you from the UK, mind... I just get sad when Scotland doesn't get to stand up and... be). LOVE LOVE LOVE that you just put "we think" about Geillie's death. I've always taken it for granted because she seemed to bite it in the cave - but more importantly because of the bones in Joe Abernathy's office. But wowwy macwowwy. What if she didn't? WHAT a thing to ponder!!!  Looking forward to discussing at length in NYC! :)

Adventures North - LOL! Tracey will say I'm Regis. I don't know that either of us will win in this sitch. As much as I find both Regis and Kelly amusing, one of us has to be the clueless old guy and one of us has to be the stereotypical dumb blonde. Personally I think I have a lot of practice at the latter. ;)

You just nailed what I love most: What did Frank know? What did Frank do? I'm on Dragonfly and Claire just mentioned a trip Frank took to France. I have made it up in my brain that Frank took a summer away and actually traveled through the stones and is going to show up in Book 8. That would be the best present EVAH.

Stephlav - YOU AND ME BOTH, BABY!!! I AM SO with ya on that one. I hated the French girl! Then again - I had an incredibly hard time dealing with the Indian squaws, too... and yet - the LegHair marriage barely bothered me. Go figure!!!

Josie - Yesssssss!!! RIGHT! He was about to jump in the sack with Little Miss France! What was THAT all about?!? My god I canna even THINK about the possibility. My blood boils! And yup - Claire's boobs bothered me. And I'm tired of people saying "That's how it is in GN's" (including my HUSBAND who doesn't seem to mind) I GET IT. BOOBS ARE MASSIVE IN THE COMICS. I expected them to be big. I just didn't expect them to take on a life of their own and seem to jump up in my face and sing the national anthem every time I turned the page.

MichelleKCanada - LOL Lagobitch. That's awesome.

Sirena - No I don't think you're a loser. We all have our little DG quirks. Mine is avoiding everything that has anything to do with upcoming storylines...to the extent that I have still not decided what I'm going to do if my favorite author of all time decides to read some of her upcoming work at ComicCon. Seriously. If I can do it inconspicuously, I may actually get up and walk out. NOW who's the loser??

Amber - it's at the end when Jamie is on the ship back to the US with Jenny. Let us know when you find it!!

Megs - wow - brills theory on Jamie projecting his feelings for the French girl onto Claire! I don't know if I'm down with it -but it's still a neat thing to ponder! I think Jamie was drawn to Claire from day 1 (second 1) because she was from the future and had spunk and confidence and wasn't afraid to use her brains.. and Jamie was so smart and educated and really felt like he'd met his match. AND she was attractive with big boobage... and most likely way more attractive and groomed than what he had seen up until meeting her. (Wow I don't think I've ever voiced that. Hmmm. Might have to be a blog post.) As far as the way Jamie's face looks: Couldn't agree more. His face-changes are almost as distracting as Claire's bigguns.

Anonymous - verra interesting thought! But DG has already said the big chap (ew Frank speak, ew cooties) was Jamie's ghost. I canna WAIT until that is revealed! (Actually I can because that will mean the series is over and I don't know how I'll withstand that pain. I've already lived it with Twilight; I canna do it again.)

Beth - I just laughed heartily right out loud. "Super-Duper-Mega all-powerful traveler" is DA BOMB. Luvs it. I MUST use that on the blog soon. I'll give you credit. :)

ComicCon NYC 2010 - ROLLCALL

ComicCon is quickly approaching, y'all.

If you're going to be in NYC on October 8th and/or 9th - comment here and let us know!

At this point, the My Outlander Purgatory girls are planning on hitting up Jock Tamson's Bairns on Saturday - it's the only truly Scottish owned-and-operated bar in the city. We hope to be there at around 4PM if anyone is staying the weekend! Keep in mind that JTB's is a small place that doesn't serve food. But the whisky. My GOD, the whisky. And did I mention the real life Highlander behind the bar - Aiden MACKENZIE -  who actually used the term "sassenach" in casual conversation? Oh yeah. I thought I did.

Hope to see you all in NYC!!

PS - Sorry we'll miss those of you who aren't going but I haven't given up on my Purgatory Tour of Scotland just yet. We'll get there! No worries!! ;)

Outlander Chat Tonight!

Chat tonight! 9:00PM Eastern. LOTS to discuss, y'all!   Page 5, much?!? :) 

YOU'RE WELCOME

Discussing Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile"

"No Spoilers" Reminder

From time to time, Diana releases spoilers from "Book 8" on her website - and I avoid them like the plague.  Feel free to mention that Diana has a "Book 8 Excerpt" in the comments section - and even provide a URL or link to her website - but please don't describe the excerpt or talk about which storyline it is about.

Yes, I am that bad... and I TOTALLY APPRECIATE your help. :)

Sincerely,
The Spoiler Spaz

Photos of Fraser's Ridge

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have read Drums of Autumn. 

Did I ever post the link to JenniferTN's photos from her visit to North Carolina? These are truly awesome.

The other day Shannon said to me "I miss the Ridge" in a very somber tone. I tend to concur. I never thought I'd say that... but it's true.

THANK YOU!!!

My comment from my last entry; I had to post it just in case it's missed over there: 

You guys are all so awesome. I can't believe we've got friends in Canada and Australia waiting for their books too! (Well I CAN believe it but I love that you guys hang here in Purgatory with us and it's TOMORROW for Josie!) : )

Having said that - I got the book - I finished the book - I made a video with Tracey. My apologies because it's going to be longgggg. But not a stone was left unturned!

My absolute THANKS to all of you who "held my hand" while I was waiting for my book....

My absolute GOOD SHIPPING VIBES to those of you who haven't received the book yet - and I promised you, it is definitely worth the wait!

I GOT IT!!!!!!!!

IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE! IT'S HERE!

Gotta go read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS - I am still commiserating with those of you who haven't gotten it yet. LET ME KNOW!!!

Outlander CHAT

Hey all - dinna forget about the PURGATORY CHAT ROOM! I know those of you who have The Exile are dying to discuss - so get in there and TALK ABOUT IT!!!  I'm sure Tracey will pop in on and off if she's free at work.

ALSO - Is anyone interested in setting up a daytime chat anywhere between  9:00AM and 2:00PM Eastern?  I got a request for a daytime chat - and that works for y'all over in Scotland, England and Ireland as well!  Post a comment if you're interested!!

My Mailbox

Just two, lone Netflix movies...waiting to be picked up. I am still laughing at the anonymous poster who said she's going to take a lawn chair and some Pinot down to her mailbox and sit there. ROFLMAO!!! That makes me feel like people are here with me, holding my hand through my Exile vigil. 

The Day After

So my copy of The Exile didn't come yesterday. And I lived. And once again - I wait. Here's my agenda for the day:

8:00: Drop kids at school
8:30: Yoga
9:44: Check the mail
9:45: Shower
10:14: Check the mail
10:15: Make a cup of coffee
10:16: Read The Exile if it came
10:16a: Wait if The Exile did not come

I'll keep y'all posted. My sincere condolences to those of you - like me - who didn't get your copies.

My absolute joy for those of you who did. I canna WAIT to discuss with all of you.

Post Scriptum: Please keep your fingers crossed for me as I will most assuredly end up in a rubber room if that damned book does not show up at my dwelling today.

Post Scriptum Scriptum: Yes, I know I can go to Barnes and Noble but it's the principle of it. I ordered the book and I'm waiting for the book. I'm also just as stubborn about those shopping carts where you have to return the damn thing to get your quarter back. I buck the system. I say "eff you" to "the man" and I give my cart to someone and I don't ask for my quarter back. Not only do I feel like I'M in control.... but getting that quarter really makes some people's day. :)

No Exile Depressed Food Consumption Update #1

I just ate a spoonful of blue cheese dressing - straight.

Are You There God? It's Me, Carol.

WHY GOD? WHY?!?

Oh this is bad. This is really, really bad. I have now broken out the potato chips. While I'm MAKING DINNER.

WHY? WHY? (yelled like Nancy Kerrigan)

(Nancy, if you're a fan of Outlander, I apologize for that and totally wanted you to win.)

The Exile gods are NOT smiling down on me today...

2:25 PM and I still don't have it. It's coming via USPS... and my mail has already arrived today. Now - usually a book will arrive separately because it's too large for the mailbox. But the separate deliveries usually come in the AM.

I'm heading over to the Post Office now...to see if they can help me or give me any info.

I'll keep you posted. (NO PUN INTENDED!!!!!!)

PS - Nope. Not going to Barnes and Noble. I ordered it. I'm waiting for it. I'll know better next time.

THE EXILE ROLLCALL

Consider this a Gathering.

Who's gotten theirs?!?

Let's hear it!!!! (But no spoilers yet as I havena gotten mine!!!!)

Diana Gabaldon's "The Exile": Today's the Day!!!!

Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?Whereisit?!?

I have checked my front stoop no less than 3 times already; maybe four.

My copy of The Exile is coming via US Postal Service - and usually when I get something larger than an envelope, my postman makes a special trip to my house in the mail truck. If it comes via regular mail, it'll be here around noon, 1:00.

(If it doesna show today you will all here me crying all the way from your respective states.)

I am sending you all good Exile vibes (new Jamie... NEW JAMIE!!!!!!!!)

The Purgatory Tour of Scotland

OK so Tracey and I are in hysterics on the phone, pseudo-planning the Purgatory Tour through Scotland with y'all that we just joked about on Monday night Chat. Tracey and I decided we should give our own, personalized tour of the Outlander sights... complete with Chardy and Pinot for all! (Plain ol' Coca Cola's welcome!)

I am wiping away the tears because I just told Tracey the following:

If I were sober at Culloden, I'd be a weepy mess. But if I were drunk at Culloden, I'd probably throw myself on the moor and cling to the Fraser marker. Then I said "Tracey, can't you see the photo now? You and I on either side of the Fraser marker with wine glasses in our hands?!" (I hope y'all know I'd never actually do this).

Then Tracey decided that she and I are the Patsy and Eddie of Outlander.

I canna type any more...I am laughing too hard!!!!!

Is this Adso?!

Got this Paw Nation article about the "Scottish Fold" from our dear friend Christie!!!

Isn't Adso cute?!

I get that this cat is Scottish and Adso was American... but let's just pretend, shall we? Mmmmkay....

Outlander Chat Tonight

9PM Eastern - Chat tonight - Gee.... wonder what we'll talk about... hmmmmmm....

****UPDATE****  IF you have already read The Exile - absolutely NO SPOILERS will be allowed at chat!! Not even the slightest of hints or innuendo! PLEASE!! 

Thanks for your cooperation, lassies. Y'all know I'm a spoiler freak.

Need Your Diana Scientific Fix? Just Read Twitter!

Holy crap. So I've been missing Diana's natural remedies and scientific tidbits lately... and I go to Twitter to answer a question from Tracey... and what do I see?

And honest to god, I felt comforted.  Like Mrs. Bug had just made me a big, ol' bowl of parritch with bacon and bannocks....and the actual coffee was flowing, instead of the acorn coffee that I assume made poor Claire want to throw up in her mouth a little.

Am I the only one who wishes Diana would write a book of natural remedies and helpful information for women (sorry Richard and Charles, etc!) that would be easy to understand in that language we've all come to know and love???

The Most Beautiful Email in the World

From: "Amazon.com"
Date: September 19, 2010 4:31:06 PM EDT
Subject: Your Amazon.com order has shipped

Greetings from Amazon.com.

We thought you'd like to know that we shipped your items, and that this
completes your order.  Your order is being shipped and cannot be changed
by you or by our customer service department.

The following items have been shipped to you by Amazon.com:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Qty                           Item    Price         Shipped Subtotal

  1  The Exile: An Outlander Gr...   $13.50               1   $13.50
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Shipped via USPS

Dear Jamie

SPOILER ALERT: Dinna read unless you have a) seen "Dear John" and b) have read Dragonfly in Amber.

I was just watching "Dear John" with my hub... again. I love that film. Hub likes it but they lose him toward the end when Savannah gives John this speech and tells him how life was just as hard for her as it was for him while he was off fighting. And my husband's like "oh PLEASE! POOR YOU!" at the TV. "He's off risking his life and she's home and she thinks she has it as hard as HE does?!"

And of course this reminded me of Jamie and Claire. I'm uber-sensitive right now because I'm teetering on the brink of insanity, reading Dragonfly whilst waiting for The Exile to come out on Tuesday. And it hit me all of a sudden today.... the reason DinA was so difficult for me to get through in the beginning is because we know - beyond the shadow of a doubt - that Jamie Fraser never got to raise or even see his baby girl. We know that Bree knew nothing but Frank Randall as a father... and we know that Claire went back through the stones pregnant. So even during the first read, when we're walking around in a daze because we don't know why Claire went back... we know what didn't happen. And that's upsetting as hell.

And that's why some of us have such a hard time seeing Claire's life without Jamie as being as difficult as Jamie's life without Claire...no matter how many of Frank's boring stories Claire had to suffer through. (And lorddddddd she suffered through them. Of that, I'm sure.)

Now here is a random Channing Tatum shot because I just like looking at him. So what if his eyes are kindof cat like and he's got high cheekbones and a reddish tinge to his hair and a long straight nose and monstrous shoulders? So what?! He's not even Scottish. He's not even British for that matter. Can you imagine his Scottish accent? It's probably horrible! (Keep telling yourself that, Carol... just keeeeep telling yourself that...)

House of RFyre: OUTLANDER Style!

The houseofrfyre.com "Clan Series" might be THE COOLEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!!