Nice blanket.

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Two washings seem to have taken care of the smell, or... well enough.  The scent has invaded my home, and will be here for a while.  I aired out the bathroom last night, which was the worst of it due to the long soaking.  If I ever buy another woolen, I will do, pretty much, the same thing... only next time I would open a window to let it vent.  I did close the door pretty quickly, when first wetted the area absolutely reeked.  Live and learn.  But, for warmth, I was amazed.  Just because you order something, and the seller says it is one thing, doesn't mean it is.  Actually, you can count on it not being what it is said to be, one way or another, more so in these times.  The question is, is it good enough.

I ordered something else I have been meaning to get my hands on.  I have been looking for this for a very long time.  Thinking about it for even longer.  I have daggers, dirks, folding knives, and the rest.  But something I have known for longer than I have known this life, and... kept some faith with on a personal and *cough* social and political score... kept haunting my dreams.  You might or might not know of it.  You, most likely, think of a woman's type of shoe when you hear the name... stiletto.  Or, perhaps, if you are more keen to... various blades, but are of a modernist bent, you might think of a specific sort of switchblade.  Much as you might think of a claymore as an anti-personnel mine.

I remember various sorts of stilettos.  Daggers, of various sorts, used to pierce mail.  Well, you would call that chain mall.  In one time, at least, mail was a mix of metal plates and chain-linked undergarb or supplementary additions to plates.  This dagger was devised to penetrate the rings and to find the edges of the plates and pierce through undergarments.  And it does so with an efficiency and ease, for a pro, that the hearts of knights could never be at full ease.  It is one of the terrors that came to the dreams of knights... after a few... introductions.  I can use such a device as you might a can opener.  'Over the plate, through the knot, past the stuffing, into the voice-chamber.  No scream to foul the play.'  Or... some such comes to my mind.  I can't remember it, thus write it, correctly, for the tongue is both ancient and foreign.  Neither of us would understand it fully, or probably at all.  They used to speak horrible English.  Probably French, but ancient French is even worse horrible English!  The meaning should be clear.  Anyway, that, finally, arrived after days and... a week, two?  No worries.

After reviewing my order, over and over, I started to have concern.  Had I ordered the wrong thing?  Was this merely a dagger, being passed off as something more?  I hate being fooled.  But that is, more often than not, the way of merchants these days.  I thought, mildly, about just canceling the order.  Fearful thoughts can do that.  But, no.  I wanted to see if my various research and belief had been true.  It arrived today.  And, yes, it is as my heart desired.  I would say it is even better than I could have imagined.  This thing is wicked.  It has the point, but beyond, over some distance, turns into a, nearly, fine (but thick) tri-blade, well fullered and thick enough to not be fragile.  This thing is a bit of a redesign from my times-memory.  But a very solid redesign.  I am well satisfied.  Oh, I do know my gear.  Some part of my dark ancient heart is happy.  Do not think it does not still have a place on any field of battle, small or large, personal or grand.  War knows his implements better than you have known any of your loves or professions.

Fit and finish are sufficient.  Balance is slightly blade heavy, with an easy roll hilt to point and back even so.  For my purposes this is preferred.  It came slathered in packing grease, so a bit of work was needed and done.  Then a thin film of oil to coat the blade as it waits for something or nothing.  A show piece, for any who might ask.  But little do I have is merely for show.  No vault or wall queens, nothing I would not, or could not, use in a pinch or push.  For I have not the wealth for such.  A thing that brings great ease to the mind of one who has mastered these things.  And, yes, even in these days, armor will not withstand such a culmination of old tech, knowledge, and skill.
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A dream, early, as I was waking this morning(evening).  Yes, days and nights are tumbling again.  Jews.  Some personal friends, some about the general alliance between two old enemies and friends that our religions and nations have been.

I remember friends, Jewish, half Jewish, or... whatever they called themselves.  For some reason, in my doings, I have met many... befriended many... on a very personal score.  The ones I knew had a common problem.  Either hubris beyond belief, or humility beyond despair.  Not one or the other, but both.  Initially I went for the ride, and would cheer or woe with them.  After a bit, however, I saw the game.  I let them, those of them who were my friends, know that I would not put up with it.  I have the same... difficulty.  And I don't, when I realize it, allow it for myself.  So... hush it.  Realizations as one matures, noting ones political and other history, and things... notions... mature over time.  I can't say if all Jews are this way, just the ones I knew well, and as a common trait.  Not just with each other, however, a shared thing... despite my not being Jew.  Oh?  I don't care if you like my dream or thoughts!  A laugh in your general direction.

The other notion in the dream was about the West's, or really America's (until this admin) alliance with Israel.  While currently we have an Israel-hater in the WH, if too an anti-American traitor so go figure, we have generally politically, and as a people, been allied with Israel.  Some have suggested that Israel has not always played nice, been friendly, and some other things.  True.  Guilty as charged.  We play that game just so as well.  Allies, peoples with some.. more... common causes... than difference... always play that game.  It can be played to a very thin, fine, edge.  And so it has happened.  Our differences can be more pronounced on a little or big issue.  Still, overall, we have much more in mutual common as peoples.  We both, also, currently, have an enemy in US offices and bureaucracies.  They have gone through this themselves, and, as a smaller state, have had it worse... almost to the point of surrendering their nationhood.  Wounds, time, hope.  Just... a dream.  But it seemed to sum a few things up to me, personally and politically.
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I have some... things to do.  Mostly just to wake, right now.  But the hope is I will get back to my ventures and hit the kitchen, perhaps prepare a meal, and just enjoy my day and time... while... fancying my stiletto.  I do enjoy the feel and... having filled another part to my personal warchest.  It is so good to receive something that was done right an well, to have an ancient tool that lives well even in these times.  Yes, more coffee... just brewed a fresh spot of it after emptying the old into my "cup", then belly.  Be well, be warned, be wise, be ready.