Whisper, Tingle, Put Me to Sleep

"Are you kidding? You've never heard ASMR videos?" 

My 15 year old was shocked but quickly preceded to educate his outdated mom. 

Coined in 2010, ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body. Also known as "brain massage," it's triggered by placid sights and sounds such as whispers, accents, and crackles.

My young'un showed me a variety of videos. My response was a simple, "What the...? Why?" 

He then explained not all are "dumb" and turned me in the direction of ones I might relate to. He knows I enjoy comforting sounds and look for interesting techniques to improve sleep.

There is an entire "whisper community" and "tingleheads" or ASMR Artists who produce videos to induce calm, comfort and sleep. Some are videos of well groomed hands scratching and rubbing various surfaces to create calming sounds.

Check out this video of ASMR Best Triggers for Sleep.

Other videos are more direct with a woman whispering to you while she gives you a facial or brushes a friend's hair. All the while, the focus is on hand movements and sounds.  These stimulations trigger sensations usually a tingling feeling starting with your scalp and travel downward. Everyone has different triggers such as whispers, accents, crinkling paper, marbles on velvet or spa-role playing.

Check out this video for a Healing Session - AMSR Soft Spoken with Personal Attention

After viewing several different AMSR videos...

If I closed my eyes, I found the sound videos calming and could relax with the spa-role playing. However, if I watched the role playing videos I was somewhat sheepish then giggled at the the woman as she leaned into the camera and whispered what she was going to do to me. (She was going to use a large makeup brush on my face.) Her facial expressions were a cross between comical and perverse. I'm sorry, but I couldn't help but crack up with the whispering. (I guess my immaturity is returning.)

I guess I'm really out of the loop of things, here's an article written by German Lopez in 2018 that explains the popularity of AMSR videos.

Personally, I didn't relax enough to fall asleep but it's worth a try for anyone who has sleep issues. Keep in mind science has yet to find a biological explanation for the sedative sensation triggered by sounds. I think I'll leave the videos for others. I prefer my honey's sexy whispers giving me tingles then falls asleep to night beach sounds.

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#NewRelease from Trinity Blacio in Charity Anthology

Trinity Blacio is thrilled to be part of The Glittering World Anthology in support of The Navajo Nation CoVid-19 Fund. Ten fantasy and paranormal stories that will take you away from it all from Elle Boon, Jamie K. Schmidt, Stephanie Burke, Wendi Zwaduk, Lia Violet, Kate Richards, L. Loren, Barb Shuler, Trinity Blacio, and S.E. Smith.

The Night of the Coyote Moon is Trinity Blacio's new release story in The Glittering World anthology, coming July 21st.

Two lonely hearts are destined to find each other, but will that be enough?

One chance to find his chosen.

Every hundred years, Coyote is given one week to find the woman who will complete him—but it is also the time when he is at his most vulnerable. If he doesn’t succeed, he is destined to wait another hundred years. Tired and lonely, he can feel his resolve to stay strong weakening—until he sees Dibe.

 Dibe lives to serve her people, but deep in her heart she is lonely. She craves the man in her dreams. A man who will be there for her and only her, but can such a man exist?

 Two lonely souls are destined to find each other. Will the short time Coyote has be enough to convince Dibe he is the warrior to stand beside her, or will she choose her tribe over him?

 *****************

Preorder here 👉🏾 books2read.com/the-glittering-world

 All the proceeds from this anthology will be donated to The Navajo Nation COVID-19 Fund. Donations to the Fund can be made directly here: https://www.nndoh.org/donate.html 

************

Trinity Blacio has been writing now professionally for  over eleven years and is part of RWA, a Pan member. Currently she has available titles from Riverdale Avenue Books and Decadent Publishing with more to come. She also has many self published books too. Trinity is always excited to be writing, hearing from readers, and helping fellow authors.

 She has a BA in Psychology from Cleveland State, Associates degree in Social Work from Lorain County Community College.

 Readers can contact Trinity at http://www.trinityblacio.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InfiniteFantasies/

 

Social Media

 

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FB Readers Group:

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Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/Trinity-Blacio/e/B0039ALIO0?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1589403414&sr=1-1

Goodreads; https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2856931.Trinity_Blacio

Romance With An Apron

Since the bronze age, aprons have been used by priests, tradesmen and homemakers. In so many of the faded photos in our family album, women are wearing aprons for various designs and lengths.

Gram's aprons were used to hold small cucumbers and tomatoes from her garden. As a small child I enjoyed wrapping myself in the warm comfort of the material while she finished the dishes. I still think of Gram when I look at aprons. 

My mom had several different designs, as she was a great entertainer. An apron for each holiday and event! Dad would often tie Mom's apron for her then with a spin, he'd hold her tight, dancing to a song on the radio in the kitchen.

After ruining several very nice (and expensive) blouses while cooking, I've invested in an apron. 

Well actually, hubby purchased my first one and the boys picked out my second. I find an apron very useful, not just keeping my clothing clean, but also for holding a spoon and quickly wiping my hands.

I even bough hubby his own apron. (He's ruined several shirts while barbecuing.) 

Some of the moments I enjoy the most with hubby are when we have our aprons on, sharing a bottle of wine while cooking together. 

A little bit of romance while wearing an apron. Give it a try.

Cheers & romance from the Quast Kitchen.

New Release from SE Smith and Help a Worthy Charity

S.E. Smith is thrilled to be part of The Glittering World Anthology in support of The Navajo Nation CoVid-19 Fund. Ten fantasy and paranormal stories that will take you away from it all from Elle Boon, Jamie K. Schmidt, Stephanie Burke, Wendi Zwaduk, Lia Violet, Kate Richards, L. Loren, Barb Shuler, Trinity Blacio, and S.E. Smith.

The Warrior's Whisper is S.E Smith's new release story in The Glittering World anthology, coming July 21st.

A lone, modern-day warrior falls in love with the beautiful maiden who saves his life only to realize that she may not be real.

Aditsan Claw, adrift in a world he no longer understands, knows his spirit is slipping away. Lost, alone, and near death, he accepts that he will soon leave the world of his people. When the vision of a woman appears before him, he concludes he must be dreaming—until he feels her gentle touch against his skin.

Angeni heard the soft sigh on the wind. Curious, she follows the heartbroken whisper. Her journey leads her to a wounded warrior.

Forbidden to help, but unable to resist, Angeni risks her very existence to help the warrior. Can two souls, bound by different rules, find a way to stay together in a world where neither belongs?

 *****************

Preorder here 👉🏾 books2read.com/the-glittering-world

 All the proceeds from this anthology will be donated to The Navajo Nation COVID-19 Fund. Donations to the Fund can be made directly here: https://www.nndoh.org/donate.html 

************

S.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.

Readers can contact Susan at https://sesmithfl.com and chat with her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/se.smith.5

 

Social Media

Website: https://www.sesmithfl.com 

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FB Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadersofSESmith/

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Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/sesmithfl/s-e-smith 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/sesmithfl

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/S.-E.-Smith/e/B007Y85YQG/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/s-e-smith

@sesmithfl06

Art in Old Town

A recent trip to my hometown of Saginaw, Michigan made me a little nostalgic and proud of the "Old Town" district.

Old Saginaw City, aka Old Town, is one of the oldest commercial areas in the Saginaw Valley. Along the river, history is rich; including tales of Native American battles, a fort, early military and lumber barons. Despite devastating fires in the past and dealing with the loss of several historical buildings, new buildings were designed to keep the antiquity of the past and blend in with the old. Locally owned shops still line the streets that close down periodically to support local art fairs. 

I love how the arts still thrive in my hometown. On my recent visit I witnessed the raising of a sculpture by American painter-turned sculptor, Seward Johnson. Several people gathered to watch and photograph. I could feel the excitement within the community.

Several of Johnson's life size figures are featured throughout the riverfront district and will be on display through October. 

There are a couple of Frisbee players by the hospitals I need to find. I only managed to see a couple but will certainly return to check out more. For more info check out this article about the sculptures taking over Saginaw. 

If hubby is with me, I'm sure we'll stop in the Old Town Distillery. I heard their whiskey is on point, the vodka is smooth and the handcrafted cocktails are excellent. Watch for a review in the future.

Old Town Distillery

Check out Old Town Distillery on Facebook.

Check out Old Town Saginaw Association on Facebook for info on shops, restaurants and events.

Check out Saginaw Arts & Enrichment Commission of Facebook for more info on events.