#often overlooked part of our daily lives

[kemetic-dreams]

Land taken from African Americans through trickery, violence and murder

For generations, African American families passed down the tales in uneasy whispers: "They stole our land."

These were family secrets shared after the children fell asleep, after neighbors turned down the lamps -- old stories locked in fear and shame.

Some of those whispered bits of oral history, it turns out, are true.

In an 18-month investigation, The Associated Press documented a pattern in which African Americans were cheated out of their land or driven from it through intimidation, violence and even murder.

In some cases, government officials approved the land takings; in others, they took part in them. The earliest occurred before the Civil War; others are being litigated today.

Some of the land taken from African families has become a country club in Virginia, oil fields in Mississippi, a major-league baseball spring training facility in Florida.

The United States has a long history of bitter, often violent land disputes, from claim jumping in the gold fields to range wars in the old West to broken treaties with American Indians. Poor European landowners, too, were sometimes treated unfairly, pressured to sell out at rock-bottom prices by railroads and lumber and mining companies.

The fate of African American landowners has been an overlooked part of this story.

The AP -- in an investigation that included interviews with more than 1,000 people and the examination of tens of thousands of public records in county courthouses and state and federal archives -- documented 107 land takings in 13 Southern and border states.

In those cases alone, 406 African American landowners lost more than 24,000 acres of farm and timber land plus 85 smaller properties, including stores and city lots. Today, virtually all of this property, valued at tens of millions of dollars, is owned by Europeans or by corporations.

Properties taken from Africans were often small -- a 40-acre farm, a general store, a modest house. But the losses were devastating to families struggling to overcome the legacy of slavery. In the agrarian South, landownership was the ladder to respect and prosperity -- the means to building economic security and passing wealth on to the next generation. When African American families lost their land, they lost all of this.

"When they steal your land, they steal your future," said Stephanie Hagans, 40, of Atlanta, who has been researching how her great-grandmother, Ablow Weddington Stewart, lost 35 acres in Matthews, N.C. A European lawyer foreclosed on Stewart in 1942 after he refused to allow her to finish paying off a $540 debt, witnesses told the AP.

"How different would our lives be," Hagans asked, "if we'd had the opportunities, the pride that land brings?"

No one knows how many African American families have been unfairly stripped of their land, but there are indications of extensive loss.

Besides the 107 cases the AP documented, reporters found evidence of scores of other land takings that could not be fully verified because of gaps or inconsistencies in the public record. Thousands of additional reports of land takings from African American families remain uninvestigated.

Two thousand have been collected in recent years by the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, S.C., an educational institution established for freed slaves during the Civil War. The Land Loss Prevention Project, a group of lawyers in Durham, N.C., who represent blacks in land disputes, said it receives new reports daily. And Heather Gray of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives in Atlanta said her organization has "file cabinets full of complaints."

AP's findings "are just the tip of one of the biggest crimes of this country's history," said Ray Winbush, director of Fisk University's Institute of Race Relations.

Some examples of land takings documented by the AP:

After midnight on Oct. 4, 1908, 50 hooded European men surrounded the home of a African farmer in Hickman, Ky., and ordered him to come out for a whipping. When David Walker refused and shot at them instead, the mob poured coal oil on his house and set it afire, according to contemporary newspaper accounts. Pleading for mercy, Walker ran out the front door, followed by four screaming children and his wife, carrying a baby in her arms. The mob shot them all, wounding three children and killing the others. Walker's oldest son never escaped the burning house. No one was ever charged with the killings, and the surviving children were deprived of the farm their father died defending. Land records show that Walker's 2 1/2-acre farm was simply folded into the property of a white neighbor. The neighbor soon sold it to another man, whose daughter owns the undeveloped land today.In the 1950s and 1960s, a Chevrolet dealer in Holmes County, Miss., acquired hundreds of acres from African American farmers by foreclosing on small loans for farm equipment and pickup trucks. Norman Weathersby, then the only dealer in the area, required the farmers to put up their land as security for the loans, county residents who dealt with him said. And the equipment he sold them, they said, often broke down shortly thereafter. Weathersby's friend, William E. Strider, ran the local Farmers Home Administration -- the credit lifeline for many Southern farmers. Area residents, including Erma Russell, 81, said Strider, now dead, was often slow in releasing farm operating loans to Africans. When cash-poor farmers missed payments owed to Weathersby, he took their land. The AP documented eight cases in which Weathersby acquired African-owned farms this way. When he died in 1973, he left more than 700 acres of this land to his family, according to estate papers, deeds and court records.In 1964, the state of Alabama sued Lemon Williams and Lawrence Hudson, claiming the cousins had no right to two 40-acre farms their family had worked in Sweet Water, Ala., for nearly a century. The land, officials contended, belonged to the state. Circuit Judge Emmett F. Hildreth urged the state to drop its suit, declaring it would result in "a severe injustice." But when the state refused, saying it wanted income from timber on the land, the judge ruled against the family. Today, the land lies empty; the state recently opened some of it to logging. The state's internal memos and letters on the case are peppered with references to the family's race.

In the same courthouse where the case was heard, the AP located deeds and tax records documenting that the family had owned the land since an ancestor bought the property on Jan. 3, 1874. Surviving records also show the family paid property taxes on the farms from the mid-1950s until the land was taken.

AP reporters tracked the land cases by reviewing deeds, mortgages, tax records, estate papers, court proceedings, surveyor maps, oil and gas leases, marriage records, census listings, birth records, death certificates and Freedmen's Bureau archives. Additional documents, including FBI files and Farmers Home Administration records, were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act.

The AP interviewed black families that lost land, as well as lawyers, title searchers, historians, appraisers, genealogists, surveyors, land activists, and local, state and federal officials.

The AP also talked to current owners of the land, nearly all of whom acquired the properties years after the land takings occurred. Most said they knew little about the history of their land. When told about it, most expressed regret.

Weathersby's son, John, 62, who now runs the dealership in Indianola, Miss., said he had little direct knowledge about his father's business affairs. However, he said he was sure his father never would have sold defective vehicles and that he always treated people fairly.

Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman examined the state's files on the Sweet Water case after an inquiry from the AP. He said he found them "disturbing" and has asked the state attorney general to review the matter.

"What I have asked the attorney general to do," he said, "is look not only at the letter of the law but at what is fair and right."

The land takings are part of a larger picture -- a 91-year decline in African American landownership in America.

In 1910, African Americans owned more farmland than at any time before or since -- at least 15 million acres. Nearly all of it was in the South, largely in Mississippi, Alabama and the Carolinas, according to the U.S. Agricultural Census. Today, Africans own only 1.1 million of the country's more than 1 billion acres of arable land. They are part owners of another 1.07 million acres.

The number of European American farmers has declined over the last century, too, as economic trends have concentrated land in fewer, often corporate, hands. However, African American ownership has declined 2 1/2 times faster than white ownership, the U.S. Civil Rights Commission noted in a 1982 report, the last comprehensive federal study on the trend.

The decline in African American landownership had a number of causes, including the discriminatory lending practices of the Farmers Home Administration and the migration of Africans from the rural South to industrial centers in the North and West.

However, the land takings also contributed. In the decades between Reconstruction and the civil rights struggle, black families were powerless to prevent them, said Stuart E. Tolnay, a University of Washington sociologist and co-author of a book on lynchings. In an era when African Americans could not drink from the same water fountains as European and African men were lynched for whistling at white women, few Africans dared to challenge Europeans. Those who did could rarely find lawyers to take their cases or judges who would give them a fair hearing.

The Rev. Isaac Simmons was an exception. When his land was taken, he found a lawyer and tried to fight back.

In 1942, his 141-acre farm in Amite County, Miss., was sold for nonpayment of taxes, property records show. The farm, for which his father had paid $302 in 1887, was bought by a European man for $180.

Only partial, tattered tax records for the period exist today in the county courthouse; but they are enough to show that tax payments on at least part of the property were current when the land was taken.

Simmons hired a lawyer in February 1944 and filed suit to get his land back. On March 26, a group of Europeans paid Simmons a visit.

The minister's daughter, Laura Lee Houston, now 74, recently recalled her terror as she stood with her month-old baby in her arms and watched the men drag Simmons away. "I screamed and hollered so loud," she said. "They came toward me and I ran down in the woods."

The Europeans then grabbed Simmons' son, Eldridge, from his house and drove the two men to a lonely road.

"Two of them kept beating me," Eldridge Simmons later told the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. "They kept telling me that my father and I were 'smart niggers' for going to see a lawyer."

Simmons, who has since died, said his captors gave him 10 days to leave town and told his father to start running. Later that day, the minister's body turned up with three gunshot wounds in the back, The McComb Enterprise newspaper reported at the time.

Today, the Simmons land -- thick with timber and used for hunting -- is privately owned and is assessed at $33,660. (Officials assess property for tax purposes, and the valuation is usually less than its market value.)

Over the past 20 years, a handful of African families have sued to regain their ancestral lands. State courts, however, have dismissed their cases on grounds that statutes of limitations had expired.

A group of attorneys led by Harvard University law professor Charles J. Ogletree has been making inquries recently about land takings. The group has announced its intention to file a national class-action lawsuit in pursuit of reparations for slavery and racial discrimination. However, some legal experts say redress for many land takings may not be possible unless laws are changed.

As the acres slipped away, so did treasured pieces of family history -- cabins crafted by a grandfather's hand, family graves in shaded groves.

But "the home place" meant more than just that. Many Africans have found it "very difficult to transfer wealth from one generation to the next," because they had trouble holding onto land, said Paula Giddings, a history professor at Duke University.

The Espy family in Vero Beach, Fla., lost its heritage in 1942, when the U.S. government seized its land through eminent domain to build an airfield. Government agencies frequently take land this way for public purposes under rules that require fair compensation for the owners.

In Vero Beach, however, the Navy appraised the Espys' 147 acres, which included a 30-acre fruit grove, two houses and 40 house lots, at $8,000, according to court records. The Espys sued, and an all-white jury awarded them $13,000. That amounted to one-sixth of the price per acre that the Navy paid European neighbors for similar land with fewer improvements, records show.

After World War II, the Navy gave the airfield to the city of Vero Beach. Ignoring the Espys' plea to buy back their land, the city sold part of it, at $1,500 an acre, to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1965 as a spring training facility.

In 1999, the former Navy land, with parts of Dodgertown and a municipal airport, was assessed at $6.19 million. Sixty percent of that land once belonged to the Espys. The team sold its property to Indian River County for $10 million in August, according to Craig Callan, a Dodgers official.

The true extent of land takings from African families will never be known because of gaps in property and tax records in many rural Southern counties. The AP found crumbling tax records, deed books with pages torn from them, file folders with documents missing, and records that had been crudely altered.

In Jackson Parish, La., 40 years of moldy, gnawed tax and mortgage records were piled in a cellar behind a roll of Christmas lights and a wooden reindeer. In Yazoo County, Miss., volumes of tax and deed records filled a classroom in an abandoned school, the papers coated with white dust from a falling ceiling. The AP retrieved dozens of documents that custodians said were earmarked for shredders or landfills.

The AP also found that about a third of the county courthouses in Southern and border states have burned -- some more than once -- since the Civil War. Some of the fires were deliberately set.

On the night of Sept. 10, 1932, for example, 15 Europeans torched the courthouse in Paulding, Miss., where property records for the eastern half of Jasper County, then predominantly African, were stored. Records for the predominantly white western half of the county were safe in another courthouse miles away.

The door to the Paulding courthouse's safe, which protected the records, had been locked the night before, the Jasper County News reported at the time. The next morning, the safe was found open, most of the records reduced to ashes.

Suddenly, it was unclear who owned a big piece of eastern Jasper County.

Even before the courthouse fire, landownership in Jasper County was contentious. According to historical accounts, the Ku Klux Klan, resentful that African were buying and profiting from land, had been attacking African-owned farms, burning houses, lynching African farmers and chasing African American landowners away.

The Masonite Corp., a wood products company, was one of the largest landowners in the area. Because most of the land records had been destroyed, the company went to court in December 1937 to clear its title. Masonite believed it owned 9,581 acres and said in court papers that it had been unable to locate anyone with a rival claim to the land.

A month later, the court ruled the company had clear title to the land, which has since yielded millions of dollars in natural gas, timber and oil, according to state records.

From the few property records that remain, the AP was able to document that at least 204.5 of those acres had been acquired by Masonite after African American owners were driven off by the Klan. At least 850,000 barrels of oil have been pumped from this property, according to state oil and gas board records and figures from the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council, an industry group.

Today, the land is owned by International Paper Corp., which acquired Masonite in 1988. Jenny Boardman, a company spokeswoman, said International Paper had been unaware of the "tragic" history of the land and was concerned about AP's findings.

"This is probably part of a much larger, public debate about whether there should be restitution for people who have been harmed in the past," she said. "And by virtue of the fact that we now own these lands, we should be part of that discussion."

Even when Southern courthouses remained standing, mistrust and fear of white authority long kept Africans away from record rooms, where documents often were segregated into "white" and "colored." Many elderly Africans say they still remember how they were snubbed by court clerks, spat upon and even struck.

Today, however, fear and shame have given way to pride. Interest in genealogy among African families is surging, and some African whispered stories.

"People are out there wondering: What ever happened to Grandma's land?" said Loretta Carter Hanes, 75, a retired genealogist. "They knew that their grandparents shed a lot of blood and tears to get it."

Bryan Logan, a 55-year-old sports writer from Washington, D.C., was researching his heritage when he uncovered a connection to 264 acres of riverfront property in Richmond, Va.

Today, the land is Willow Oaks, an almost exclusively European American country club with an assessed value of $2.94 million. But in the 1850s, it was a corn-and-wheat plantation worked by the Howlett slaves -- Logan's ancestors.

Their owner, Thomas Howlett, directed in his will that his 15 slaves be freed, that his plantation be sold and that the slaves receive the proceeds. When he died in 1856, his European relatives challenged the will, but two courts upheld it.

Yet the freed slaves never got a penny.

Benjamin Hatcher, the executor of the estate, simply took over the plantation, court records show. He cleared the timber and mined the stone, providing granite for the Navy and War Department buildings in Washington and the capitol in Richmond, according to records in the National Archives.

When the Civil War ended in 1865, the former slaves complained to the occupying Union Army, which ordered Virginia courts to investigate.

Hatcher testified that he had sold the plantation in 1862 -- apparently to his son, Thomas -- but had not given the proceeds to the former slaves. Instead, court papers show, the proceeds were invested on their behalf in Confederate War Bonds. There is nothing in the public record to suggest the former slaves wanted their money used to support the Southern war effort.

Moreover, the bonds were purchased in the former slaves' names in 1864 -- a dubious investment at best in the fourth year of the war. Within months, Union armies were marching on Atlanta and Richmond, and the bonds were worthless pieces of paper.

The Africans insisted they were never given even that, but in 1871, Virginia's highest court ruled that Hatcher was innocent of wrongdoing and that the former slaves were owed nothing.

The following year, the plantation was broken up and sold at a public auction. Hatcher's son received the proceeds, county records show. In the 1930s, a Richmond businessman cobbled the estate back together; he sold it to Willow Oaks Corp. in 1955 for an unspecified amount.

"I don't hold anything against Willow Oaks," Logan said. "But how Virginia's courts acted, how they allowed the land to be stolen -- it goes against everything America stands for."

#afrakan #african #kemetic dreams #africans #afrakans #european american #european #europeans #land grab #land

[fighting-and-drawing]

15 Questions for 15 Mutuals

Thank you, @the12thnightproject, for tagging me in this post. Always great to get to know mutuals a bit more. 1. Were you named after anyone?

Nah, fam. But, there were apparently “talks” of naming me after Zinedine Zidane. Cool name, but thankfully they chose something else.

2. When was the last time you cried?

Maybe a month ago after watching a Disney Movie. I forgot which one though but sometimes they hit hard when you least suspect it.

3. Do you have kids?

No.

4. Do you use sarcasm?

Sarcasm? Pfft. Never...nah...yes.

5. What’s the first thing you notice about people?

Their overall build, physique, and face. I’m not too good with names, but I am a faces person.

6. What’s your eye color?

Boring Brown.

7. Scary movies or happy endings?

Happy Endings, but I do enjoy a good scary movie or story.

8. Any special talents?

Yep. The “fighting” part of my username isn’t too far off. I practiced and still train in various different martial arts, including Shito-Ryu Karate, WT Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Japanese Jujutsu, Filipino Eskrima and Dirty Boxing, Judo, and, most notably, Capoeira. While I don’t train to fight in a ring or cage, I feel like I could put up a fight should I need to. 

9. Where were you born?

Approximately somewhere in North America. I’ll give you a hint—it’s not Canada.

10. What are your hobbies?

Other than training martial arts, I both draw and write. Am I any good at them? That’s for you and the audience to decide.

11. Have any pets?

Just a stubborn pup who once stole an entire stick of butter, buried it, returned to it, and ate it.

12. What sports do you/have played?

I played soccer when I was in Elementary school and played Percussion in Marching Band for 6 years. And then I started training martial arts I referred to in Question 8.

13. How tall are you?

Approximately one Riddle Rosehearts tall.

14. Favorite subject at school?

Microbiology, which is also coincidentally my major. Often we overlook the omnipresent microbes that can affect our daily lives. And, even when we study them, a majority of people are only fascinated by the extremely deadly stuff (typhoid, cholera, botulism, etc.) whereas our normal human microbiome can affect our way of living just as significantly.

15. Dream job?

No idea.

Okay, 15 tags for 15 mutuals...

As always said in previous posts from others, don’t feel pressured to answer these. That being said, feel free to tag yourselves in. I don’t have a lot of mutuals (and a few of mine already were tagged). 

Okay, let’s see...

@ikemen-writer @lovely-bubb1es @silvioscape @0-n-1-c-h-4-n 

....and about 11 more who wanna play. Thanks for reading.

#tag game #Q&A #mutuals game

[urbanghoststories]

The Witch of Kinver Edge

The next few blogs will tell the tale of the Staffordshire Witches - This one is all about The Witch of Kinver Edge.

Nestled within the picturesque landscapes of Staffordshire, England, lies a captivating legend that has enchanted generations and stirred the imagination of locals and visitors alike. The tale of the Witch of Kinver Edge weaves a tapestry of mystery, magic, and the ethereal beauty of the natural world. Let’s delve into the heart of this captivating legend, exploring the folklore, history, and cultural significance of the enigmatic figure known as the Witch of Kinver Edge.

High atop Kinver Edge, a sandstone ridge that overlooks the charming village of Kinver, lived a woman shrouded in mystery and cloaked in legend. Known as the Witch of Kinver Edge, she was believed to possess supernatural powers that bridged the gap between the mortal and the mystical. A figure of wisdom and intrigue, the witch was said to have dwelled in a cave or secluded dwelling, engaging with the secrets of nature and the mysteries of the human heart.

She was often depicted as an old and wise figure, attuned to the rhythms of the natural world. Her magical abilities were said to extend to healing, as villagers sought her out to cure ailments and foretell the future. Her connection with the land and its creatures painted her as a guardian of the earth, a potent blend of ancient pagan practices and local Christian traditions.

Within the embrace of her enigmatic aura, the witch commanded both reverence and fear. The villagers' belief in her abilities spoke volumes about the intricate dance between humanity and the unknown. Her cave on Kinver Edge was rumoured to be a portal to a realm beyond, where ancient spirits whispered their secrets and the boundary between reality and the mystical blurred.

The legend of the Witch of Kinver Edge is not just a story; it's an integral part of the local cultural fabric. It resonates with the echoes of a time when folklore and oral traditions were woven into the daily lives of villagers. The witch's legacy reminds us of the importance of embracing the mystical and acknowledging our connection to the natural world.

Though time marches on, her spirit endures. Her legend continues to capture the hearts of those who visit Kinver Edge, drawn by its natural beauty and the lingering whispers of the past. Local historical societies, museums, and community organisations honour the witch's memory, celebrating the heritage she embodies and the tales she left behind.

Margaret of the Fox Earth: Margaret of the Fox Earth, or Meg O’ Fox Holes, was a real person who is reputed to have lived a solitary existence in the cave dwellings of Kinver Edge on the border between Worcestershire and Staffordshire during the 17th Century. Whilst others lived there in community, Margaret’s cave, known as Nanny’s Cave or Rock, was set apart, obscured by woodland. She may have been a witch, or a Christian hermit, or both; our own Desert Mother, but very little is known about her. What we do know is that there is an entry in Parish records telling us that a ‘Margaret-of-the-Fox-Earth’ died there on 8th June 1617.

Conclusion: The Witch of Kinver Edge stands as a bridge between the mundane and the magical, an embodiment of the timeless fascination with the unknown. Her legend reminds us that beneath the layers of history, within the contours of the land, and amidst the rustling leaves, stories of enchantment and wonder await those who dare to listen. As we wander the paths of Kinver Edge, we tread in the footsteps of generations who, like us, sought to unravel the enigma of the Witch of Kinver Edge.

#urban legends #witches of tumblr #witchcraft #pagan witch #mythology and folklore #folklore

[lotrthobbit]

If it isn't to much trouble could I please get some angst for revail and link? Maybe something where they have a fight with their s/o and leave to become a champion but feel bad the whole time and come back after a few months to ask for forgiveness and them back. Only to find their s/o has moved on with someone else??

If it has a happy ending or not that's up too you! I love your work so much! Thank you!

A/n : I also slightly changed it up a bit so sorry if it is not to your liking. I love requests they are actually fun and sorry guys I’m a huge over thinker when writing stories so I tend to always need to tweak it which is my reason for why it takes some time to complete.

Presenting….

In Another Life

I do not own any of the gifs

Botw Link x GN! Hylian!Reader

Warning : Angst, you have kids, Insecurity

[ Reader Pov]

" Let me tell you a story"

" A story?"

" yes, a story about two people who are not destined to be together in this life."

" [ parental name], is this a true story ?"

" yes."

.

.

.

I was a young hylian in Hateno Village. I worked alongside my father in the local clothing shop and spent time herding sheep. That's when I had met the most beautiful boy, Link.

He had a beautiful horse and often would be riding around the fields where my sheep would be frolicking

" That is a beautiful horse." I said as I looked into his blue eyes and he cracked a smile, " Thank you."

Such a small interaction turned into daily occurrences.

We would sit by the fields watching the sheep, overlook the beautiful waterfalls and even fight Bokoblins who dared to enter, they were dangerously close until one day, he didn't show up at all.

" Father, have you seen Link , he was supposed to meet me."

" No, I'm afraid not, have you tried asking his sister ?"

" no."

I walked toward their house across the bridge and knocked on the door. The door swung open to reveal one of the local ladies whose husband owned the small convenience store.

" [y/n], hello, is there something I can help you with ?"

" Yes, Ma'am, I was wondering if you have seen Link around ?"

" Oh my.. Did he not tell you ? "

" Tell me what ? " I asked as I became more and more concerned.

" I am overlooking their home, they have been sent to live near the castle, Link has been appointed as the Princess's Knight."

" Princess Zelda ?"

" Yes."

I simply smiled and thanked her as I left back to my home. I felt a pang of jealousy as I walked back, but part of me felt hurt that he never mentioned this to me.

A month passed before I saw him again... he was different, we were different.

I heard a knock at the door and opened it to reveal Link himself. I was in shock as I came face to face to the boy whom left me blind, but I could not help but throw my arms around his neck and pull him into a hug.

" I missed you..." I said but never received a response.

Did he not miss me ?

We hung out everyday for that week, he hardly spoke to me anymore about anything but he had apologized for his lack of presence.

On the day he left, he held my hand and placed a kiss on my forehead telling me that he will be back. It was unexpected when he had seemed to be distant the entire week, but part of me began to see the old Link resurface, MY link.

We still sent letters to one another, but while I sent a letter every day of the week I would only receive one. I rationalized that it must be because he was training to protect the princess and the kingdom.

But our town was small and the princess so happened to visit and that is when everyone spoke about how good they looked together that even I had begun to agree.

I remember walking towards the waterfall, sitting on the bridge and dipping my feet into the water. It was a nice day and Princess Zelda was the talk of the town, but 2 ladies who seemed to be the biggest gossip spoke about how Link would visit Zora's Domain almost everyday and spend time with the Princess, Mipha.

I felt pathetic that I felt jealousy.

" [y/n]", spoke a soft voice and I turned around to see the princess and Link. I quickly got up and bowed and she began to shake her hands ," no no , please, I have heard many good things about you from Link."

" You have ?" I looked to see lInk's face beet red. I smiled to myself as she sat next to me and put her feet into the water as well.

" I wonder how you put up with him ?"

" With Link ?"

" Yes, he can be quite a nuisance sometimes, follows me around and never talks."

I had began to laugh," he was like that at first, but with time you will see that he will never shut up." She smiled at me.

" you know...I may be a princess, but...I am sorry."

" Sorry ?"

" Yes, I can imagine how lonely it can be in this village, I was alone in the castle until the champions came along, and I feel as if I took your friend." I looked into her eyes and shook my head," Link...he seemed to always want to be a knight, when we were kids he had played swords with me and we used to fight many Bokoblins,but I never realized it would become a reality."

I felt his gaze on my face as he had began to walk away from us to let us speak in private.

She looked into my eyes and spoke," do you like Link ?"

" of course I do." I replied quickly.

" But do you love him ?"

" I- yes." I had confessed."

She smiled warmly, " He speaks highly of you, he also visits you almost everyday so I believe-"

" Everyday ? He doesn't seem me everyday its like a few times a month ."

" What ?"

" He does not see me as much as you think."

" Then who-"

" This town is small, so when travelers come by and see Link, they often talk about how they spotted him in Zora's domain."

" Princess Mipha.." whispered Princess Zelda.

I looked down at my hands nodding and I heard her stand up and walk away. It was silent, the confirmation was there and despite my feelings for him, I felt the need to swallow It.

I began to get up and walk back towards my house as it was becoming night until I heard my name.

I turned around to come face to face with Link

" Yes ?" I had not spoken to him much anymore and he seemed to increasingly become more mute upon every meeting.

" Are you going to talk or just stare ?" I asked a it harshly. He seemed to open his mouth and then just sighed and shook his head as he left. I gripped my clothing and walked into my house, I could not shake the feeling that I would no longer be seeing him for a long time.

minutes...hours...days...weeks...months...years.

They all went by, I had not seen Link not since that night 7 years ago. He no longer visited Hateno Village, his home seemed to slowly decay as the entire village stopped their regular maintenance after realizing everything inside had been emptied.

I came to the conclusion that he Is no longer coming back, his home was not here..not with me. I cried nights..wishing I could turn back time and speak to him that night.

Until I met them... A traveler was passing by Hateno and they were gentle and sweet. They explored all of Hyrule and we met on the very same field I had met Link. When he left the village I felt this sad empty feeling but he never stopped coming back. He always brought me small little trinkets from other villages and always shared his adventures with me. He then asked me to accompany him to travel and so we did. We traveled all of Hyrule and Link was far behind my mind as I felt myself falling in love with [travelers name].

We built a home near the lab up a hill where we could see all of Hateno, and the village had celebrated our relationship and welcomed them as a new member of the village. We spent time opening a tiny shop where we sold many goods from all of Hyrule.

.

.

The door to the shop opened making a small 'ding' sound due to the bell. I turned around to come face to face to someone I thought I would never see again.

"Link.."

"[y/n]"

I was in shock until I heard [traveler's name] come down the stairs to greet me.

" Hey love, where is th- oh hello welcome !" and there stood two people who were big aspects of my life staring at one another.

" Can I speak to you ?" asked Link. I nodded and sent a reassuring smile to [travelers name]

We walked out towards the very same field

" I.. I came to apologize, for not coming back enough, for not telling you anything, for not seeing you."

I stared down at my hands and spoke," you... you had 6 years to apologize yet you decided to only do it now-"

" Within those 6 years I never stopped thinking about yo-"

" I know I have no place to be jealous since I was not your significant other, but to hear you going to see Princess Mipha on a regular basis knowing the distance from the castle to Zoras Domain just confirmed that I was not the one in your heart."

" You wer-"

" Then why.. why did you not see me once within those 6 years? "

"I...I"

" You have no answer...and I have moved on, so should you." I began to walk away this time knowing I would no longer see him ever again.

.

"and I didn't see him..." I got up and turned off the lights and walked out of the room. The princess and the champions did not make it...I felt tears once again well up into my eyes

" I hope you're somewhere up there Link..."

[narrator's pov]

100 years after the calamity, Link rose once again and slowly regained his memories and rebuilt the home he once had 100 years ago. Yet within the very same village where he grew up he seemed to always find himself walking to an empty field where there laid a stone carved with the name, [y/n], the name was hardly readable and grass and moss had began to cover it.

"[y/n]" he whispered to himself hoping perhaps a fragment of a memory would come to him once again..

.

.

and it did, yet it was not a happy memory but instead a memory that led to a cycle of pain and regret. He who hopes that within his next life may [y/n] and him be one.

a/n: I am so sorry for how long it took, this week was hectic and sorry for changing a few things I thought this was somehow better suited and I was definitely feeling angsty especially after watching the recent season of Stranger Things lol

#botw link #botw link fanfic #botw #botw fanfic #botw imagine #link imagine #link fanfic #loz botw #loz botw fanfic #loz link #loz link fanfic #gn reader #x reader #link x reader #breath of the wild #legend of zelda #hateno

[mahayanapilgrim]

Embracing Zen Wisdom: Finding Motivation in Everyday Tasks

In the journey of life, the Zen proverb "Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood, carry water" holds profound lessons for our daily existence. This timeless wisdom encourages us to find meaning and motivation in the simplicity of our routines.

Before the dawn of enlightenment, we often grapple with the mundane tasks of life—chopping wood, carrying water. These routine activities might seem trivial, but they form the fabric of our existence. The essence lies in approaching these tasks with mindfulness and purpose, even before profound realizations.

As we embark on a quest for enlightenment, the proverb reminds us that the journey doesn't exempt us from the fundamental aspects of life. Post-enlightenment, the perspective shifts. The mundane isn't a hindrance but an integral part of the enlightened path. Chop wood with a newfound clarity, carry water with a deeper understanding.

Every action becomes a meditation, an opportunity to embrace the present moment. The enlightenment doesn't remove us from the world; it immerses us more fully in it. Thus, the act of chopping wood and carrying water becomes a celebration of life itself.

In our modern, fast-paced lives, it's easy to overlook the beauty in simplicity. This Zen wisdom encourages us to rediscover purpose in our daily routines, to approach each task with a mindful heart. The seemingly ordinary becomes extraordinary when infused with intention and awareness.

So, in the hustle and bustle of life, let us draw inspiration from this ancient wisdom. Whether in the pursuit of personal growth, career aspirations, or simply in the rhythm of daily chores, may we find motivation in the profound truth that even after enlightenment, the essence of life lies in embracing each moment, in chopping wood and carrying water with a heart full of presence.

#buddha #buddhism #buddhist #dharma #sangha #mahayana #zen #milarepa #tibetan buddhism #thich nhat hanh

[kotokoharrow]

So, we need to talk about Mikoto.

I’m sure you’re all intelligent people who know better than to take your understanding of a complex, highly stigmatised mental health condition from a YouTube series, but as a person with DID, I still feel compelled to make a post talking about the realities of the condition.

Whenever DID is represented in media, it’s shown as something flashy and eccentric, as well as often being associated with murderers, or at least violence. This makes it difficult for those of us with DID to reach out for support; I know multiple people with DID who, upon telling their support network about their condition, were met with jokes (and sometimes serious comments) about whether they’re violent.

So, take this as DID 101. At the end of this post I will include my masterpost of DID resources, which I strongly recommend checking out if you have any interest in this condition (especially if you’re a fan of Mikoto and plan to make analyses of him). Deco*27 may have no interest in understanding the reality of DID, but you can do better.

Please note that I am overlooking a lot of nuance in this post because I want people to understand the pure basics of DID. The resources linked at the end go into far more detail, and given that many of them come from medical sources or professional advocates, are far more reliable than just some guy on tumblr.

So, what is DID?

DID stands for Dissociative Identity Disorder. It’s a condition that forms in response to repeated early childhood trauma, most often abuse from a caregiver, but other forms of interpersonal trauma can also cause it.

As children, our brains are hardwired to attach to our caregivers no matter what, because that’s how we stay alive. Our caregivers give us food and shelter, they give us protection from strangers, they give us affection and attention, all things that are necessary for healthy development. Because of this, even if a caregiver is abusive, a child is still wired to attach.

One way that a child can ‘cope’ with having an abusive caregiver is by denying the abuse. The brain dissociates (disconnects/denies/fails to integrate) from the abuse, seeing it as happening to ‘some other child’. This process is called splitting. 

The part of the child that copes with daily life becomes amnesic of the abuse, or at the very least emotionally disconnects from and downplays it, while the part of the child that copes with the abuse develops their own sense of identity based around the experiences that they cope with.

Now that the brain has learnt splitting as a coping mechanism, it can continue to split for any experience that overwhelms the person’s ability to cope, creating more dissociative parts that may or may not develop their own senses of identity.

DID is a disorder that often forms in the face of violence, but this does not mean that the dissociative parts are violent, themselves. It is common for dissociative parts to hold repressed anger, or to be based on external abusers, but this does not make them violent or abusive themselves. It is common for those with DID to experience intense internal conflict and self-directed violence, but not to express other-directed violence, outside of situations where fight/flight is triggered.

What if someone with DID did commit a crime?

DID has been used as a defence in criminal cases before. However, within the DID community, there is an acknowledgement of the fact that every part is responsible for the behaviour of one part.

Despite the way that media may like to act, DID is not ‘multiple people living in one body’. It is one person with multiple, often radically different ways of perceiving themselves. One person with a fragmented sense of self. One person who experiences amnesia.

Due to this, if a part committed a crime, the entire person with DID would be responsible for it.

Something else to keep in mind about DID is this- because a person with DID is still one person, morals don’t radically differ between parts, unless there is a trauma-based reason for it. So, if one part is willing to commit murder, outside of any external pressures, that means every part is okay with it on some level.

What’s the harm of Milgram’s portrayal of DID?

Outside of what I mentioned in the introduction to this post, many people with DID are deeply afraid of their parts when they first discover that they have this condition. It’s a disorder based around denial of intolerable experiences. Fear and avoidance are central to how the disorder forms and maintains itself.

Many people with DID feel out of control when their parts ‘front’ (take control of the body), even moreso if they experience more intense amnesia and can’t remember what their parts do, or if their parts experience overwhelming anger/pain/fear that they struggle to understand.

Many people with DID struggle to understand their parts ways of thinking, belief systems and needs. This causes internal conflict that maintains dissociation. It is one of the major hurdles to recovery.

Media portraying people with DID as violent and murderous doesn’t help. Many people with DID do not realise that their parts will have the same morals/ethics that they have. Many people with DID are afraid of what their parts may do. The normalisation of DID as a disorder that causes violence makes this worse.

Many people with DID also experience shame of their condition. Shame is a very common emotion in survivors, and it causes many people to keep their trauma a secret, even from those who could support them. Many people will keep their condition to themselves due to not wanting to be seen as violent, and not wanting to have to educate people about the realities of their experiences.

Milgram has a huge issue of using mental illness as a shock-factor, both with Mikoto and Haruka. While this isn’t intended as a callout or to tell people to stop watching Milgram (I have every intention to continue watching, after all), I do want to encourage people to be critical and understand that the way mental health conditions, symptoms and behaviours are being associated with violence and ‘creepy’ imagery is not okay.

If you would like to learn more about DID, I have a document of resources here. The document is periodically updated, and includes resources about childhood trauma, attachment trauma, other disorders and coping skills, along with resources about DID specifically.

Thank you for reading.

#milgram #mikoto kayano #kayano mikoto

[sciencespies]

Tracking air pollution disparities -- daily -- from space

https://sciencespies.com/environment/tracking-air-pollution-disparities-daily-from-space/

Tracking air pollution disparities -- daily -- from space

Studies have shown that pollution, whether from factories or traffic-snarled roads, disproportionately affects communities where economically disadvantaged people and Hispanic, Black and Asian people live. As technology has improved, scientists have begun documenting these disparities in detail, but information on daily variations has been lacking. Today, scientists report preliminary work calculating how inequities in exposure fluctuate from day to day across 11 major U.S. cities. In addition, they show that in some places, climate change could exacerbate these differences.

The researchers will present their results at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS).

Air pollution levels can vary significantly across relatively short distances, dropping off a few hundred yards from a freeway, for example. Researchers, including Sally Pusede, Ph.D., have used satellite and other observations to determine how air quality varies on a small geographic scale, at the level of neighborhoods.

But this approach overlooks another crucial variable. “When we regulate air pollution, we don’t think of it as remaining constant over time, we think of it as dynamic,” says Pusede, the project’s principal investigator. “Our new work takes a step forward by looking at how these levels vary from day to day,” she says.

Information about these fluctuations can help pinpoint sources of pollution. For instance, in research reported last year, Pusede and colleagues at the University of Virginia found that disparities in air quality across major U.S. cities decreased on weekends. Their analysis tied this drop to the reduction of deliveries by diesel-fueled trucks. On weekends, more than half of such trucks are parked.

Pusede’s research focuses on the gas NO2, which is a component of the complex brew of potentially harmful compounds produced by combustion. To get a sense of air pollution levels, scientists often look to NO2. But it’s not just a proxy — exposure to high concentrations of this gas can irritate the airways and aggravate pulmonary conditions. Inhaling elevated levels of NO2 over the long term can also contribute to the development of asthma.

The team has been using data on NO2 collected almost daily by a space-based instrument known as TROPOMI, which they confirmed with higher resolution measurements made from a similar sensor on board an airplane flown as part of NASA’s LISTOS project. They analyzed these data across small geographic regions, called census tracts, that are defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. In a proof-of-concept project, they used this approach to analyze initial disparities in Houston, and later applied these data-gathering methods to study daily disparities over New York City and Newark, New Jersey.

Now, they have analyzed satellite-based data for 11 additional cities, aside from New York City and Newark, for daily variations. The cities are: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. A preliminary analysis found the highest average disparity in Los Angeles for Black, Hispanic and Asian communities in the lowest socioeconomic status (SES) tracts. They experienced an average of 38% higher levels of pollution than their non-Hispanic white, higher SES counterparts in the same city — although disparities on some days were much higher. Washington, D.C., had the lowest disparity, with an average of 10% higher levels in Black, Hispanic and Asian communities in low-income tracts.

In these cities, as in New York City and Newark, the researchers also analyzed the data to see whether they could identify any links with wind and heat — both factors that are expected to change as the world warms. Although the analysis is not yet complete, the team has so far found a direct connection between stagnant air and uneven pollution distribution, which was not surprising to the team because winds disperse pollution. Because air stagnation is expected to increase in the northeastern and southwestern U.S. in the coming years, this result suggests uneven air pollution distribution could worsen in these regions, too, if actions to reduce emissions are not taken. The team found a less robust connection with heat, though a correlation existed. Hot days are expected to increase across the country with climate change. Thus, the researchers say that if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t reduced soon, people in these communities could face more days in which conditions are hazardous to their health from the combination of NO2 and heat impacts.

Pusede hopes to see this type of analysis used to support communities fighting to improve air quality. “Because we can get daily data on pollutant levels, it’s possible to evaluate the success of interventions, such as rerouting diesel trucks or adding emissions controls on industrial facilities, to reduce them,” she says.

The researchers acknowledge support and funding from NASA and the National Science Foundation.

Video: https://youtu.be/SbQ87rZq9MA

#Environment

#2022 Science News #9-2022 Science News #acts of science #Earth Environment #earth science #Environment and Nature #everyday items #Nature Science #New #News Science Spies #Our Nature #planetary science #production line #sci_evergreen1 #Science #Science Channel #science documentary #Science News #Science Spies #Science Spies News #September 2022 Science News #Space Physics & Nature #Space Science #Environment

[prestigeflowair]

A Breath of Fresh Air: Elevating Your Life Through Proper Home Ventilation

The Invisible Necessity: Ventilation, though often overlooked, is the cornerstone of a healthy and comfortable home environment. It's not just about opening windows to let a breeze in; it's about expelling stale air, pollutants, excess moisture, and odors that accumulate indoors. Proper ventilation keeps the air you breathe fresh, ensuring your well-being in subtle yet profound ways.

Fresh Air, Fresh Mind: Picture waking up to sunlight streaming through your window and a gentle breeze carrying the scent of dewy grass. This isn't just a scene from a fairy tale – it's the potential reality when your home is equipped with adequate ventilation. Fresh air invigorates your senses, sharpens your mind, and sets a positive tone for the day ahead. The increased oxygen intake that proper ventilation provides can enhance cognitive function, improve focus, and even alleviate stress.

Banishing the Unseen Foes: Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, mainly due to the accumulation of pollutants like dust, allergens, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Without proper ventilation, these invisible foes thrive and circulate within your living space, contributing to respiratory issues, allergies, and an overall feeling of discomfort. Proper ventilation acts as a shield against these indoor pollutants, ensuring that you and your loved ones breathe cleaner and healthier air.

Moisture Management and Comfort: Excess moisture is another silent troublemaker that can compromise both your home's structural integrity and your comfort. Imagine the musty smell of dampness or the unsightly growth of mold and mildew on your walls. These issues can lead to allergies, respiratory problems, and even damage to your home. Effective ventilation helps maintain optimal humidity levels, preventing condensation and the associated problems while ensuring you enjoy the comfort you deserve.

A Connection to Nature: Proper ventilation is the bridge between your indoor haven and the great outdoors. It allows you to experience the changing seasons, from the gentle breeze of spring to the crisp air of autumn, all within the comfort of your home. It's a reminder that you're part of a larger natural cycle, nurturing your connection to the world beyond your walls.

The Emotional Impact: The influence of proper home ventilation transcends the physical realm. It's not just about clean air; it's about emotional well-being. The freshness that fills your living space can uplift your mood, boost your energy levels, and create an atmosphere of positivity. It's a silent yet powerful force that contributes to your overall quality of life.

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we often overlook the significance of proper home ventilation. Yet, it holds the key to a healthier, more vibrant existence. The air we breathe shapes our experiences, fuels our bodies, and soothes our minds. So, let's open our windows, embrace the breeze, and let the breath of fresh air transform our homes into sanctuaries of vitality and joy. Your lungs, your mind, and your heart will thank you for it.

#home #interiors #ventilation #smoke inhalation

[compassionatereminders]

To the anon who suspects they have avpd!

I just got the diagnosis a few months ago, and even though I didn’t even know what it was until I got the diagnose, I also feel imposter syndrome like you. I’m in group therapy with other people who also have avpd now and I continue to doubt myself (which is ironic cause that’s also kind of a huge part of avpd). I’m constantly torn between feeling like I’m too “well functioning” to qualify for the diagnosis or like I’m such a lost useless cause that the other people will judge me, either way every scenario in my mind results in me being told I don’t fit in with the group. But that’s the avpd talking. Because the truth is that avpd can look different in different people, like so many other things. And sometimes I have good days and sometimes I have bad days, and some things are more hard for me and some things are less hard for me and these things can be very different for the other people in the group. I learned that people with avpd is often overlooked or not treated for it because the nature of avpd is to hide and not seek help or believe that our problems are bad enough. Because for us our avpd symptoms are just daily life, it’s the norm for us so of course it’s hard to see that it’s enough to seek treatment for (even if we do recognize that something isn’t quite right, we might still not realize that it’s not a way to live and that we deserve treatment). Don’t become part of that sad statistic! Seek help! The worst thing that could happen is that you find out it’s not that but something else, and then you will still be on the right way to get better and find the right treatment for you!

(Also I heard something about that some places are starting to part avpd into different categories depending on severity, so even if you don’t struggle as much as some other people with avpd, you can still have avpd, just on another “level” of severity and then you have just as much of a right and need for treatment than everyone else).

Also generally speaking, the idea that a mental health issue has to be completely unmanageable to be worthy of diagnosis and treatment needs to die yesterday. The earlier you get help, the better

#chat with kat

[childofchrist1983]

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. - Luke 24:25-27 KJV

Because the people were looking for a strong leader, they often overlooked the Bible passages in the Old Testament that referred to Jesus Christ. Now, I don't pretend to know all the passages in Holy Scripture that Jesus quoted to the disciples on the road to Emmaus, but I do know some of them.

Psalm 22 was quoted by Jesus on the cross. The Jews believe that if you quote any part of a psalm, you are quoting the entire psalm. Jesus prayed the beginning of the psalm, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Even so, trusted that His Father would be with Him through it all. Further in the psalm we read, "All who see me, mock me" (Psalm 22:7), "They have pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all of my bones; (Psalm 22:16)" "They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing." (Psalm 22:18)

In the Book of Isaiah, we read: "Behold, the virgin will conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14) And then we have all of the Suffering Servant references: "Behold, my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights. I have put my Spirit on him. He will bring justice to the nations."(Isaiah 42:1) "I will also give you as a light to the nations that you may be my salvation to the end of the earth." (Isaiah 49:6) "I gave my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who plucked off the hair. I didn't hide my face from shame and spitting." (Isaiah 50:6)

These are but a few of the references that Jesus might have quoted to Clopas and his companion. With them, they finally understood what the Messiah was all about. However, they didn't recognize Jesus until the breaking of the bread. Thank the LORD Jesus for letting us see what those who came before could not see. Sometimes we, too, can be blinded by what we expect to see, instead of looking at what is right in front of us. May He help us to always see Him and His Truth.

Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His mercy and grace. May we all accept Him and His eternal gift of salvation and ask that He would transform our hearts and lives and give us a new direction according to His will and ways. Thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His Holy Spirit who saves, seals and leads us. May we always thank Father God Almighty and the LORD Jesus Christ for His almighty power and saving grace. For He is our strength, and He alone is able to save us, forgive our sins and gift us eternal salvation and entry into His Kingdom of Heaven.

May we make sure that we give our hearts and lives to God and take time to seek and praise Him and share His Truth with the world daily. May the LORD our God and Father in Heaven help us to stay diligent and obedient and help us to guard our hearts in Him and His Holy Word daily. May He help us to remain faithful and full of excitement to do our duty to Him and for His glorious return and our reunion in Heaven as well as all that awaits us there. May we never forget to thank the LORD our God and our Creator and Father in Heaven for all this and everything He does and has done for us! May we never forget who He is, nor forget who we are in Christ and that God is always with us! What a mighty God we serve! What a Savior this is! What a wonderful Lord, God, Savior and King we have in Jesus Christ! What a loving Father we have found in Almighty God! What a wonderful God we serve! His will be done!

Thanks and glory be to God! Blessed be the name of the LORD! Hallelujah and Amen!

[ainews]

Restrooms are often overlooked as a fundamental part of our daily lives, but efficient and aesthetically pleasing bathrooms can be sculptural landscapes that resolve a number of issues. Good design and practical features help ensure cleanliness, privacy, and accessibility for all users, while creative materials can help make a restroom a sculptural space that is both pleasing and useful.

Cleanliness is a major concern in creating an inviting restroom. Designers and architects have found a variety of ways to help ensure that the restroom is kept to high cleanliness standards. Specialty materials such as antimicrobial and self-cleaning surfaces can help keep the restroom free from germs. Design elements such as sloping floors, low curbs, and placement of sinks and toilets can help keep the restroom free from excess water and spills.

Privacy in a restroom is also important, and can be enhanced with expansive mirrors, solid walls, and high dividers between stalls. Materials such as wood, stone, and ceramic can help to create a sense of privacy and enclosure within the restroom, creating a space that is welcoming and calming for users.

Good design also helps create an environment that is accessible to all users. Features such as grab bars, low sinks, and well-positioned toilets can help improve access for people with physical disabilities. Clearing out excess plumb and structural fixtures, as well as painting the walls a light color to reflect daylight can help make the restroom not only more accessible, but brighter and more inviting to all users.

The combination of practical features and creative design materials can make a restroom into a truly sculptural space that is both useful and visually appealing. Innovative designs can also go even further in creating sculptural environments, incorporating interesting forms and textures, as well as interesting lighting effects. Good restroom design can provide a space that is welcoming, functional, and pleasing to all users.

#ai generated #fake news

[festivalgiftshop]

Best Mother's Day Gifts for Mom from Her Son

Mother's Day is a special time to celebrate the wonderful women who have nurtured, loved, and supported us throughout our lives. Finding the perfect gift can be a challenging task, but it doesn't have to be. For sons looking to express their gratitude and love, we've compiled a list of thoughtful and unique gift ideas that will make any mother feel cherished.

Whether you're shopping for a mom who loves cozy comforts or one who appreciates personalized touches, these gifts are guaranteed to bring a smile to her face. Plus, we've included some SEO-friendly tips to ensure you find exactly what you're looking for. Let's dive into the best Mother's Day gifts from son!

1. Personalized T-Shirt

A T-shirt can be more than just an item of clothing; it can be a heartfelt message. Opt for a custom-designed T-shirt featuring a loving quote, her favorite saying, or a fun graphic that represents her personality. This is a versatile and practical gift that she can wear proudly, knowing it was crafted especially for her by her son.

Why It’s a Great Gift:

Personalized Touch: Customizing a T-shirt adds a unique element that shows you put thought into her gift.

Comfortable and Practical: T-shirts are a wardrobe staple, perfect for casual outings or relaxing at home.

2. Scented Soy Candle

A scented soy candle is more than just a simple gift; it’s an experience. Choose a fragrance that reminds your mom of a special memory or one that simply helps her unwind after a long day. Soy candles burn cleaner and longer than traditional candles, making them an eco-friendly choice that's bound to impress.

Why It’s a Great Gift:

Ambiance: Candles create a calming atmosphere, perfect for relaxation.

Eco-Friendly: Soy candles are made from natural ingredients and are better for the environment.

3. Custom Printed Sweatshirt

A printed sweatshirt is another excellent gift option, especially for moms who love cozy and stylish apparel. You can customize it with a special message, family photo, or her favorite design. This is a wonderful way to keep her warm and remind her of your love every time she wears it.

Why It’s a Great Gift:

Warm and Comfortable: Perfect for chilly days, a sweatshirt is a hug from you that she can wear.

Personalized Design: Adding a unique print makes it a one-of-a-kind piece she will treasure.

4. Coffee Mug

If your mom is a coffee or tea enthusiast, a custom mug is a fantastic gift idea. Personalize it with a heartfelt message, a funny quote, or a beautiful design that she’ll see every morning. This simple yet thoughtful gift will start her day with a smile.

Why It’s a Great Gift:

Daily Use: Mugs are practical and used frequently, ensuring your gift remains part of her daily routine.

Customization Options: From quotes to photos, the design possibilities are endless.

5. Custom Coasters

Custom coasters are a subtle yet impactful way to add a personal touch to your mom's home. You can get them printed with family photos, meaningful quotes, or even her favorite artwork. Every time she sets her drink down, she’ll be reminded of your love and thoughtfulness.

Why It’s a Great Gift:

Practical and Decorative: Coasters protect surfaces while adding a decorative element to the home.

Personalized and Unique: Custom designs make them special and memorable.

6. Cozy Socks

Lastly, don't underestimate the joy of cozy socks. Choose a pair that’s extra soft and features a fun pattern or a heartfelt message. Socks are an often-overlooked gift that provides comfort and warmth, making them a delightful surprise.

Why It’s a Great Gift:

Comfort and Warmth: Perfect for keeping her feet warm and snug.

Fun Designs: Choose patterns and colors that match her personality.

[doggroomingsouthlake]

Pet Grooming in Southlake: Keeping Your Furry Friends Fresh and Happy

As pet owners, we all want the best for our furry companions. From their diet to their daily exercise, ensuring they lead healthy and happy lives is a top priority. One crucial aspect of pet care that often gets overlooked is grooming. Pet Grooming in Southlake In Southlake, pet grooming services are essential for maintaining your pet's health and happiness. This article explores the importance of pet grooming and highlights the exceptional services provided by Pawsome Mobile Grooming.

Why Pet Grooming is Important

Grooming is more than just making your pet look good; it plays a vital role in their overall health and well-being. Here are some reasons why regular grooming is essential:

Skin and Coat Health: Regular grooming helps keep your pet's skin and coat healthy. It prevents matting, reduces shedding, and keeps their fur clean and free of parasites like fleas and ticks.

Early Detection of Health Issues: Groomers often spot potential health problems such as lumps, infections, and skin conditions early, allowing for prompt veterinary attention.

Improved Hygiene: Grooming helps maintain your pet's hygiene, reducing the risk of infections and unpleasant odors.

Enhanced Comfort: Regular grooming, including nail trimming and ear cleaning, ensures your pet is comfortable and free from irritations or infections.

Strengthened Bond: The grooming process can be a bonding experience for you and your pet, enhancing your relationship.

The Convenience of Mobile Pet Grooming

In today’s busy world, finding time to take your pet to the groomer can be challenging. This is where mobile pet grooming services come in handy. Pawsome Mobile Grooming offers a convenient and stress-free solution for Southlake pet owners. Here’s why mobile grooming is an excellent option:

Convenience: Mobile groomers come to your location, saving you time and hassle.

Less Stress for Pets: Being groomed in a familiar environment reduces anxiety for pets.

Personalized Attention: Mobile grooming services often provide one-on-one attention, ensuring your pet receives the best care.

Pawsome Mobile Grooming: Exceptional Services at Your Doorstep

Pawsome Mobile Grooming is dedicated to providing top-notch grooming services for pets in Southlake. Their professional groomers are trained to handle all breeds and sizes, ensuring your pet receives the best care possible. Here are some services they offer:

Full-Service Grooming: Includes bathing, brushing, haircuts, nail trimming, and ear cleaning.

Specialized Treatments: Flea and tick treatments, deshedding, and medicated baths.

Senior Pet Care: Gentle grooming services tailored for senior pets.

Puppy Grooming: Introducing young pets to grooming in a gentle and positive manner.

Why Choose Pawsome Mobile Grooming

Professionalism: Their groomers are highly trained and experienced.

Quality Products: They use high-quality, pet-safe products.

Convenience: Flexible scheduling and on-site services make grooming hassle-free.

Care and Compassion: They treat every pet with love and care, ensuring a positive experience.

Conclusion

Pet grooming is an essential part of pet care that contributes to your pet's health and happiness. In Southlake, Pawsome Mobile Grooming offers a convenient and professional solution, bringing top-quality grooming services right to your doorstep. Pet Grooming in Southlake Whether you have a playful puppy or a serene senior, their expert groomers are ready to provide exceptional care for your furry friend. Schedule your pet’s grooming session with Pawsome Mobile Grooming today and keep your pet looking and feeling their best.

[kaylandn]

Portfolio Photobook Proposal

Concept/Theme:

In our daily lives, we encounter countless individuals who momentarily intersect with our existence but quickly fade from our consciousness. These transient interactions, although brief, contribute to the rich tapestry of human experience in urban environments. My proposed project, "Fleeting Figures," aims to explore this concept through a series of photographic portraits where the subjects gradually dissolve into their surroundings. This visual metaphor is intended to capture the fleeting nature of our everyday encounters, emphasizing the delicate balance between visibility and invisibility in the fast-paced modern world.

Photographic Style:

For this project, I plan to create portraits that intentionally blend the subjects into their backgrounds. This effect will be achieved using a combination of in-camera techniques, such as long exposure and motion blur, and post-processing methods to subtly fade the edges of the subjects. The long exposure technique will allow me to capture movement, symbolizing the passage of time and the ephemeral nature of human presence. Motion blur will add a sense of dynamism, reflecting the hustle and bustle of urban life. In post-processing, I will carefully manipulate the images to ensure that the subjects appear to be part of their environment, gradually fading into the background without losing their identity.

I envision capturing these portraits in various urban settings, including busy streets, public transport, parks, and markets. Each of these locations offers a unique backdrop that highlights the diversity and ubiquity of transient interactions. Busy streets and public transport are ideal for showcasing the constant flow of people, while parks and markets provide a contrast with their slightly slower pace yet equally transient nature. The goal is to create haunting yet familiar images that invite viewers to pause and reflect on the people who populate their daily lives.

Influences:

Philip-Lorca diCorcia: DiCorcia's work, particularly his "Heads" series, has been a significant influence on this project. In "Heads," diCorcia captures candid portraits of passersby in Times Square, creating a poignant reflection on the anonymity of urban life. His ability to highlight the individuality of each subject while presenting them as part of a larger, impersonal crowd resonates deeply with the concept of "Fleeting Figures." The way he captures moments of introspection amidst the chaos of the city will inform my approach to capturing the fleeting nature of human interactions.

Saul Leiter: Leiter's use of color and composition in street photography offers another layer of inspiration. His photographs often feature partially obscured subjects, framed through windows or reflected in mirrors, creating a sense of distance and fleeting observation. This approach aligns with the theme of "Fleeting Figures," where the subjects are both present and absent, seen yet overlooked. Leiter’s ability to find beauty in everyday moments and his subtle yet powerful compositions will guide my use of color and framing to evoke the transient nature of the subjects.

Edward Hopper: Hopper's paintings, such as "Nighthawks" and "Automat," convey a sense of isolation and anonymity within urban settings. The quiet, contemplative mood of Hopper's work informs the emotional tone I aim to capture in "Fleeting Figures," where each portrait will reflect a moment of solitude within the bustling city. Hopper’s use of light and shadow to create a sense of mood and his focus on moments of introspection will influence the emotional depth and lighting in my photographs.

Format:

Each page of the photo book will showcase a single photograph, creating a focused and immersive viewing experience. This layout makes sure each portrait gets individual attention, highlighting the unique presence of each subject within their urban environment. The photos will nearly fill the page, framed by a small white border for a clean look.

Each photo will have a brief narrative or caption on the opposite page (left side) to provide context and encourage deeper thinking about the theme of fleeting human connections. The text will be short yet meaningful, offering insights into the moment captured or a thought-provoking comment on the transient nature of the interaction. This format ensures the visual and textual elements enhance each other without overwhelming the viewer.

[canemucca]

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The Surprising Benefits of {{1.`4`}}: Unlocking a Healthier Life

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Stress Reduction for Wellbeing and Resilience

Welcome back to our ongoing well-being series, where we dive into the intricacies of mental health and lifestyle challenges. Today, we're zooming in on Australia, a country renowned for its beauty and diversity, but also grappling with the universal issue of stress.

Stress, the silent intruder of peace and well-being, knows no boundaries in Australia. Whether indigenous or non-indigenous, individuals from all walks of life find themselves entangled in its web, leading to sleepless nights, mental anguish, and even panic attacks. As Novak & Lev-Ari (2023) eloquently put it, the burden of stress manifests itself in the form of multiple sclerosis (MS) among students and professionals, a condition exacerbated by sleep deprivation—a direct consequence of stress and relentless study or career pressures.

But let's not overlook our young adults, often dismissed as the picture of health. Contrary to popular belief, this age group, spanning from 18 to 26, navigates a tumultuous period marked by risky behaviors, psychological vulnerabilities, and unhealthy habits, as noted by (Hartson et al.,2023).

Recognizing the urgency of this matter, the Institute of Medicine and National Research Council sounded the alarm in 2015. Their call to action highlighted a glaring gap in research focusing on young people, stressing the imperative to address the unique challenges jeopardizing their well-being in the modern era.

So, what exactly constitutes well-being? It's more than just physical health—it encompasses the delicate balance of mental, physical, and social facets, intertwined with the pursuit of happiness and fulfilment in life.

It has been demonstrated that the use of mind-body therapies is essential for fostering resilience to long-term stress. A variety of techniques known as mind-body interventions cause the body to go into a condition known as the "relaxation response," which is characterized by decreased sympathetic tone, increased parasympathetic tone, and decreased blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate at rest (Li & Lange, 2023, p.9240). Studies on the psychological concept of mindfulness, which originates from the Buddhist tradition, have found that rumination is reduced in those who participate in mindfulness-based programs that teach people how to develop mindfulness and apply it in their daily lives. Self-regulation of attention and adopting a specific perspective on one's experiences are the two parts of mindfulness. The two main, fundamental components of mindfulness that are now recognized are awareness and the nonjudgmental acceptance of one's experience at the moment (Cepeda-Lopez et al., 2023, p.848637). The role of mindfulness techniques in improving psychological well-being and decreasing reactivity to emotional stimuli may be explained by the way they encourage disengagement from laborious cognitive tasks and improve attentional skills through improvements in working memory. These cognitive improvements then support the development of adaptive and flexible emotion-regulation techniques as well as the ability to deal with negative thoughts and feelings.

Thus, the interventions are a step towards building proper resilience and well-being among the aboriginal communities which would allow them to lead a healthy life. Moreover, leading a stress-free life is the key to a reduction in other diseases as most of the diseases are associated with stress and trauma (Bagereka et al., 2023, p.133). The stress factor is a major part of life that is faced by every human being and this needs to be reduced to have a social and healthy lifestyle. The suitability of the provided interventions can be considered to bring good results in the coming days for the Aboriginal community residing in Australia.

References

Bagereka, P., Ameli, R., Sinaii, N., Vocci, M. C., & Berger, A. (2023). Psychosocial-spiritual well-being is related to resilience and mindfulness in patients with severe and/or life-limiting medical illnesses. BMC palliative care, 22(1), 133. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12904-023-01258-6

Cepeda-Lopez, A. C., Solís Domínguez, L., Villarreal Zambrano, S., Garza-Rodriguez, I. Y., Del Valle, A. C., & Quiroga-Garza, A. (2023). A comparative study of well-being, resilience, mindfulness, negative emotions, stress, and burnout among nurses after an online mind–body based intervention during the first COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Frontiers in psychology, 14, 848637. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.848637/full

Hartson, K. R., Hall, L. A., & Choate, S. A. (2023). Stressors and resilience are associated with well-being in young adult college students. Journal of American College Health, 71(3), 821-829. https://ir.library.louisville.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1900&context=faculty

Li, L., & Lange, K. W. (2023). Assessing the relationship between urban blue-green infrastructure and stress resilience in real settings: a systematic review. Sustainability, 15(12), 9240. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9240

Novak, A. M., & Lev-Ari, S. (2023). Resilience, stress, well-being, and sleep quality in multiple sclerosis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(2), 716. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/2/716