#Alpine Museum

[evalcea]

Alpine Pool

John Singer Sargent

oil on canvas, 1907

Metropolitan Museum of Art

[ghostlyfleur]

boyfriend bucky barnes ♡🦾

[arc-hus]

Muzeum Susch, Zernez, Switzerland - Schmidlin Architekten + LUVO ARCHITEKTEN

[artemlegere]

Ossian and Alpin's Son Hearing the Spirit of Malvina Touching the Harp. Illustrating Ossian's Swansong

Artist: C.G. Kratzenstein Stub (Danish, 1783-1816)

Date: 1816

Medium: Oil on canvas

Collection: Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark

Description

Ossian is the narrator and purported author of a cycle of epic poems published by the Scottish poet James Macpherson, originally as Fingal (1761) and Temora (1763),[1] and later combined under the title The Poems of Ossian.

[nsdclassic]

Alpine A310

[careful-disorder]

Giovanni Segantini, Alpine Triptych: Life

"He sometimes gave the closely observed mountain landscapes symbolic content, creating allegorical visions of extraordinary luminosity. This shift away from realistic genre painting came at a time when it was in crisis all across Europe." - Segantini Museum

[savageonwheels]

Car Spot: 85 Renault Alpine GTA

It could have been AMC's halo car. The Renault Alpine GTA is this week's spot.

Almost rebadged as the AMX in the US American Motors was trying its best to make the partnership deal with Renault work when the two connected in 1979. My dad was there at the time making sure parts got to every zone office throughout the country, and he was somewhat happy about it. It gave AMC the cash it needed and two Renault cars to be built in Kenosha, so it was a lifeline. I found this…

[memories-of-ancients]

Carved ivory casket, Alpine region of Europe, early 12th century

from The Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna

[uwmspeccoll]

A Black and Rosy Feathursday

Well, here's a rare bird: the Black Rosy Finch (Leucosticte atrata), a bird that only lives above the tree-line in the high alpine areas of the American west. Because of its remote and restrictive range, it is one of the least studied birds in North America. It was first classified in 1874 by American ornithologist Robert Ridgway, the painter of this image, which is reproduced as a chromolithograph in our 2-volume set of Our Native Birds of Song and Beauty, by the late-19th-century director of the Milwaukee Public Museum Henry Nehrling, and published in Milwaukee by George Brumder from 1893-1896. 

So little information is known about the breeding distribution of the Black Rosy Finch that it has been designated as a “species of greatest conservation need” by the Wildlife Action Plan Joint Team of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.

View more posts from Nehrling’s Our Native Birds.

View more Feathursday posts.

[kdrtsz]

Travel the World of Imagination: Journeys Beyond Border

Kieth Denmark M. Retes | BSIT1A OVERVIEW:

Switzerland originates from the Old Swiss Confederacy established in the Late Middle Ages, following a series of military successes against Austria and Burgundy; the Federal Charter of 1291 is considered the country's founding document. Swiss independence from the Holy Roman Empire was formally recognized in the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. Switzerland has maintained a policy of armed neutrality since the 16th century and has not fought an international war since 1815. It joined the United Nations only in 2002 but pursues an active foreign policy that includes frequent involvement in peace building.

Switzerland is the birthplace of the Red Cross and hosts the headquarters or offices of most major international institutions including the WTO, the WHO, the ILO, FIFA, the WEF, and the UN. It is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), but not part of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area, or the eurozone; however, it participates in the European single market and the Schengen Area. Switzerland is a federal republic composed of 26 cantons, with federal authorities based in Bern. references: Switzerland - Wikipedia

Switzerland, a small yet influential country nestled in the heart of Europe, stands out in many ways. From its awe-inspiring landscapes to its unique political system, Switzerland offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and global diplomacy that few other nations can match. Its distinct character is a product of centuries of neutrality, innovation, and a deep respect for its heritage, all of which contribute to the nation’s unparalleled reputation on the world stage.

One of the first things that captivates visitors to Switzerland is its breathtaking scenery. The country is dominated by the majestic Alps, with towering snow-capped peaks that attract adventurers and nature lovers from around the globe. Whether it’s skiing in world-class resorts like Zermatt and St. Moritz or hiking through verdant valleys and along crystal-clear lakes, Switzerland offers outdoor experiences that are hard to rival. Beyond the Alps, the country is dotted with picturesque towns, lush meadows, and sparkling lakes, such as Lake Geneva and Lake Lucerne, each offering their own unique charm. The country's commitment to environmental preservation further enhances the beauty of these landscapes, ensuring that they remain pristine for future generations.

Swiss culture is characterized by diversity, which is reflected in diverse traditional customs. A region may be in some ways culturally connected to the neighbouring country that shares its language, all rooted in western European culture. The linguistically isolated Romansh culture in Graubünden in eastern Switzerland constitutes an exception. It survives only in the upper valleys of the Rhine and the Inn and strives to maintain its rare linguistic tradition.

Switzerland is home to notable contributors to literature, art, architecture, music and sciences. In addition, the country attracted creatives during times of unrest or war. Some 1000 museums are found in the country.

Among the most important cultural performances held annually are the Paléo Festival, Lucerne Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, the Locarno International Film Festival and Art Basel.

Alpine symbolism played an essential role in shaping Swiss history and the Swiss national identity. Many alpine areas and ski resorts attract visitors for winter sports as well as hiking and mountain biking in summer. The quieter seasons are spring and autumn. A traditional pastoral culture predominates in many areas, and small farms are omnipresent in rural areas. Folk art is nurtured in organisations across the country. Switzerland most directly in appears in music, dance, poetry, wood carving, and embroidery. The alphorn, a trumpet-like musical instrument made of wood has joined yodeling and the accordion as epitomes of traditional Swiss music.

references: Switzerland - Wikipedia

[walnutcookie]

Get ready for the yappiest yap session to ever yap

(Guess who's tutorial i used to make this)

Synopsis ~

The Chronicles Of Crowns AU is a Dandy's World alternate universe where the Toons live in kingdoms with Grand princes, Grand princesses, Kings, and Queens as the highest authorities.

Some Toons are royalty, some are nobles, some are denizens, and some are lowly peasants.

The Continent Of Twilvaris ~

Twilvaris is a large continent full of forests, mesas, fields, and marshes. It's the ideal home thanks to a mysterious black substance it produces called Ichor. This substance is used for many reasons, as a power source, in medical remedies, and for studying it's mysterious properties.

Kingdoms Of Twilvaris ~

The Kingdom Of Astralis - A kingdom that believes getting the best sleep possible leads to a life of grand success, well known for being the highest quality exporter of sleep-supporting goods. Their Grand Prince, Astro Novalite, spends much of his time sleeping to preserve energy, proving to be a good mediator for other kingdoms' feuds, though sometimes having to use threats in order to regain the peace.

The Kingdom Of Paleoterra - A kingdom that has many, many paleontologists and historians, documenting their finds and discoveries and selling the information and artifacts to other kingdoms to remain prosperous. It's Grand Princess, Shelly Fossilian, is often overlooked in favor of the delightful facts and attractions the museums have to offer.

The Kingdom Of Sylvosia - A kingdom well known for its baked goods and it's many recipes and remedies using the lush forests' resources surrounding it. Grand Prince Sprout Seedly often encourages his citizens to never be afraid to try new foods or traditions in order to better formulate palette variety. He believes the more variety one's pallete has, the smaller the likelyhood of a famine.

The Kingdom Of Virelios - A kingdom full of aspiring inventors and well known inventors, throwing together new machines and technology in order to modernize Toon Civilization. The Grand Princess, Vivian Vaelthorne, preferring the name 'Vee', takes pride in how most toons consider it to be the spitting image of the future, displaying how life could be made easier in the years to come.

The Kingdom Of Lustropia - The "Capital of the World", being the largest, most well known and populous kingdom in all of the Twilvaris continent. The King, Dandicus Dancifer (Preferring Dandy), is very cheerful and friendly... until a kingdom stops buying goods from him. Never cease trade with Lustropia for longer than three months. You WILL regret it.

The Kingdom Of Yularia - The most festive and merry kingdom, having a special, month-long holiday called GleamFest important to their culture up in the snowy alpines. Their queen, Bobbette Honnuks, reigns with a kind heart, deporting many goods for half price during the month of December and a little ways into January.

The Kingdom Of Rosewood - A kingdom of elegance and grace, often not involving itself in other kingdom's political affairs in order to maintain it's high-class image. Its Queen, Teagan Rosebury, prides herself in meticulously crafting many tea recipes all herself, selling them to the highest bidders at her monthly auctions alongside the goods her scouts bring back from their weekly excursions.

The Kingdom Of Aurephine - A kingdom filled with many of the greatest skilled dancers, songwriters, and so on, considered to be the "Home of Perfection" with its Queen, Gloria LeClair, and her son, Crown Prince Glisten LeClair, serving as the epitome of the standard. For adults, of course. The prince has stated multiple times that children are to never be expected to be perfect, though his mother has yet to speak on the issue. This kingdom is the highest grossing producer of beauty products and classes for things such as song and dance.

The Kingdom Of Veritasia - A kingdom that strongly believes in justice and is populated by many curious minds. The king, Rodger Eyre, and his daughter, Toodles Eyre, often take up harder to solve mysteries together, creating a just and peaceful kingdom.

The Kingdom Of Thespia - Twin Crown Princes, Razzle and Dazzle who decided years ago to share the throne, have a flair for the theatrics that influences the rest of their kingdom. Full of the best actors and actresses, some hailing from the Kingdom Aurephine, it is considered the highest honor to be invited to perform in the Grande Theatre Of Thespia.

Name origins ~

Astralis - Idk i just wanted a whimsy sounding name and since it was meant to be Astro's kingdom, Astralis was born.

Paleoterra - Paleo- means ancient and Terra means earth. And i just liked the sound and "Paleoterris" wasnt as nice to me

Sylvosia - Mix of the words Ambrosia — meaning the food of the gods — and Sylvan — meaning the forest.

Virelios - The prefix- Virtuo, meaning excellence, and Helios meaing light/power.

Lustropia - Lustrous, meaning shining, with the suffix "opia" meaning wealth

Yularia - Yule + aurora (as in northern lights) + i = yularia.

Rosewood - I remembered there's like. Rose tea so.. But it couldnt just be called rose and i decided i like Rosewood.

Aurephine - Aurous means gold and uhhh phine makes me think of josephine and i had a major daughter of evil phase and "stable full of horses and her favorite josephine" yeah i couldnt resist

Veritasia - Verita means truth and if you're an investigator you want the truth and adding the 'sia' makes it feel more like a kingdom than Veritas, Veritithia, Veritum, or whatever else i thought of

Thespia - I just took the n out of thespian im not even gonna try to hide it

The Great War ~

Before the war, everything was peaceful. Trade went smoothly, the annual meetings with all of the other monarchs often ended in good news, and everyone was as happy as they could be.

One day, however, Vivian Vaelthorne and Shelly Fossilian had a major disagreement in a private meeting. According to both Grand Princesses, Vivian Vaelthorne had suggested using the artifacts and fossils that Paleoterra discovered and using it to progress innovation, but Shelly Fossilian , but it eventually devolved into crying out insults left and right.

Both kingdoms ceased trade with one another and began investing in weaponry and war supplies, making demands that other kingdoms choose a side to alliance with and battle on and to sever ties and cut off trade with the opposing side. When a kingdom joined a side, it was often the opponent that cut off trade first.

The two alliances have titled themselves to easily differentiate one another from enemies, allies, and those in between.

Shelly Fossilian and her allies chose to be called 'The Prehistoric Court' to emphasize their political prowess and the strength they hold over history's most infamous tales of battle and peace. The kingdoms that had chosen to join Shelly's forces are Sylvosia, Rosewood, and Veritasia.

Vivian Vaelthorne had decided upon 'The Obsidian Codex' being the name to represent herself and her allies, Aurephine and Thespia, to reinstate how Virelios has withstood great (self-caused) tragedies and is still one of the greatest technological producers of the past few decades despite the prior setbacks. Due to each of the kingdoms being on the larger side, they still have relatively even numbers despite having one less ally on their side.

Due to this war, many lush fields had been tainted with the blood of fallen soldiers and only the Crown Royals understand why.

The war has gone on for years as of the beginning of the story, and no one has backed down just yet.

Characters ~

Dandy - The King of Lustropia, incredibly business savvy. A merry and cheerful guy, though he often seems more ticked off the longer a kingdom ceases trade with Lustropia.

Bobbette - The Queen of Yularia and intensely sweet. Often takes over baking cookies during the Gleamfest and Christmas season

Astro - Grand Prince of Astralis, most often found sleeping when not doing anything for political reasons.

Shelly - Grand Princess of Paleoterra, head of The Prehistoric Court. She greatly treasures history and believes that respecting the past should be prioritized over technological advancements.

Vivian/Vee - Grand Princess of Virelios, head of The Obsidian Codex. She values the progression of society, preferring to overlook the past and opting to use it to speed up technological advancements.

Sprout - Grand Prince of Sylvosia. Closely acquainted with his personally appointed noble, Cosmo. He often helps with cooking in the royal kitchen, just to take a load off the workers now and then.

Razzle and Dazzle - Grand Princes of Thespia, sharing the throne.

Gloria (Original Character) - Queen of Aurephine, mother of Glisten. Teaches him everything herself to ensure he is perfect, like her.

Glisten - Prince of Aurephine, next-in-line for the throne as the only child of the LeClair family.

Teagan - Queen of Rosewood, fantastic at picking out ingredients for tea to get it to do exactly what she wants.

Rodger - King Of Vertasia, adopted Toodles when discovering her left on the doorstep of a newly vacant house.

Toodles - Princess of Vertasia, daughter of Rodger. Often wanders off to play games and give her father a heart attack.

Pebble - The royal pet dog/rock of King Dandy. Was found with Coal on the street when both were just puppies, cowering behind her.

Coal - The royal pet dog/coal of Queen Bobbette. Very gruff and moody most of the time. Was found with Pebble on the street when both were just puppies, standing in front of him and growling.

Gigi - One of Queen Teagan's higher up scouts. The highest yielding scout of all. Best friends with Flutter.

Flutter - One of Queen Teagan's lower scouts. Unfortunately, one with fewer yields. Best friends with Gigi.

Connie - Traveling trader, often showing up in kingdoms to sell unusual goods ranging from hand-sewn stuffies to hard-to-find gemstones to higher concentrations of ichor than what is most common to find naturally.

Scraps - Denizen of Virelios, aspiring inventor attending one of the many schools Virelios has to offer for tech-savvy creators such as herself.

Goob - Denizen of Paleoterra, royal taste tester for Grand Princess Shelly, appointed the same day she fell ill after eating. (Post-war declaration)

Cosmo - Noble of Sylvosia upon Grand Prince Sprout's appointment. Best friends with Grand Prince Sprout while also acting as his royal advisor.

Ginger - Royal Head Chef of Yularia, friends with Queen Bobbette. Shockingly precised despite having issues with her eyesight and depth perception

Rudie - Traveling Entertainer, though he often settles down back in Yularia during the month of December. He's work partners and friends with Looey.

Shrimpo - War general of Lustropia. Claims he hates his job yet seems to relish in the anarchy of battle.

Boxten - Librarian in Veritasia, working with Brightney. Shy and often found helping denizens find the books they're looking for and organizinf the shelves.

Brightney - Librarian in Veritasia, working with Boxten. Often shares fun facts with children who visit and does most of the checking in and out books.

Finn - Denizen of Lustropia, carries most of the fishing industry all by himself, though his coworkers help plenty.

Looey - Traveling Entertainer, though he takes a month long break yearly in his home kingdom, Thespia. He's work partners and friends with Rudie.

Poppy - Well-known fashion designer in Thespia, often hired to design clothes for royalty. Good friends with Looey, always pays to see his shoes when he is in town.

Tisha - Royal maid of Aurephine, incredibly precise and picky with her methods, often leaving naturally dull floors sparkling clean. She is sometimes hired to clean castles in other kingdoms.

Okay yap session done what do u think and do u have any questions?

Also Vee really wanted to kickstart the use of fossil fuels <//3 😢😢

HI . HOLY SHIT. THIS IS ALL SO FIRE.... REAAUGUHUSDFHHH I L OVE UR WORLDBUILDING AND ALL THE CHARACTERS SORRY THIS IS KIND OF TOO MUCH FOR ME TO GIVE SPECIFIC THOUGHTS BUT I ENJOUYED READING IT !!!

[scotianostra]

January 24th, 76AD, is said to be the likely date of birth forPublius Aelius Hadrianus, who built Hadrian’s Wall.

When the Romans invaded the British Isles they held, large parts of what is now Scotland, even after the construction of Hadrian’s Wall in AD 122, there were large forts around the country at varioustimes, the largest of which was Trimontium located at Newstead, near Melrose, in the Scottish Borders. It was occupied intermittently from about 79 to 184 AD and was the largest of the "outpost" forts after the construction of Hadrian's Wall

Hadrian’s Wall was largely abandoned for about twenty years from .AD 138, when the Romans established a new frontier in Scotland between what are now the Firths of Forth and Clyde, where they built the Antonine Wall.

The Antonine Wall was more of a very large ditch, and my old flat would have been part of the structure, part of the "wall" is on land only yards from me. I got into trouble for calling it a ditch from a Roman historian before, so will add that it was much more, the thing is it more or less looks like one just now, much of the fortifications are long gone.

Hadrian is noted for his interest in architecture and the number of provinces he visited whilst Emperor. He is likely to have visited Britain in AD 122, after some kind of conflict in the preceding years, and we know that it was in this period that construction of the Wall started. It has also been known as Picts' Wall, or Vallum Hadriani in Latin.

The origin of the Picts is clouded by the many fables and legends about them. There are numerous theories as to who the Picts were and where they came from. Experts even disagree over what they ate and drank and what language they spoke although some point to the existence of a distinct Pictish language, which today is believed to have been an Insular Celtic language, closely related to the Brittonic spoken by the Britons who lived to the south.

Often described as savages the Picts were an ancient and artistic people who defied the might of Rome which conquered the rest of Britain. They were a sophisticated , hardworking, clever people, skilled in farming and fishing.

You would have thought a savage tribe would have been an easy conquest for the Romans, but the Picts were anything but that. Picts are first recorded in history in the third century AD. Eumenius, a Roman writer, describes the "pictus" as fierce and skilled in battle. It is not clear whether "pictus" (the Latin for painted) was intended, or if this is a Latin form of some indigenous name. I prefer to think of them as the "Painted People"

Although the Romans reached Scotland and often defeated them in battle, they never conquered the Picts or Pictland. The Roman Empire's expeditions north resulted in few permanent gains.

Scotland's sculptured stones, created by the Picts of ancient Alba tell the stories of a race of people who defied Rome and survived the invading Vikings, thus preserving a separate culture and race in Scotland. It is in these sometimes mighty, sometimes delicate stones that the history of ancient Scotland is now recorded.

There are many of these slabs on display in The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, as well as a fine display in The Hunterian in Glasgow.

When the Romans left the Picts were often attacked by the Britons and eventually all the Pictish tribes agreed to support one High King who would rule all of Pictland.

It's said the Picts, unusually, were a matrilineal society, i.e. bloodlines passed through the mother. Pictish kings were not succeeded by their sons, but by brothers, nephews or cousins as traced by the female line in a complicated series of intermarriages between 7 royal houses. It is this rare form of succession which in 845 AD gave the crown of Alba and the title Rex Pictorum - King of the Picts - to the son of a Pictish princess by the name of Kenneth, Son of Alpin, he is generally accepted by most historians as the first of the kings of Scotland, follwing on from his reign as King of Dál Riata. As usual though, not al agree on this.

The Picts survived as a distinct people until early in the 10th century. However, there is no record of them dying out or moving elsewhere. It is most likely that the Picts simply integrated into the large population within the developing multi-ethnic nation of Scotti, Picts, Celts, Britons and Angles which we now call Scotland. The map, from wiki says this was how their lands looked as late as the 7th century. The last pics are of two Pictish people and a 15th century depiction of King Kenneth.

[thezombieprostitute]

Masterlist

By AU

Biker AU - Fate (Curtis Everett)

Coffee Shop AU - Barista!Steve Rogers

College AU - Tenure (Charles Blackwood, Curtis Everett) - Tutoring (Ari Levinson, Bucky Barnes, Lloyd Hansen)

Corporate AU - Tech Tuesdays (Multiple characters)

Fairy Tale AU - Magic (Jefferson/Mad Hatter)

Flower Shop AU - Flowers in Storms (Lee Bodecker)

Mafia AU - Changing Minds/Constant Change (Nick Fowler) - Dream Come True /Nightmares (Curtis Everett) - Hummingbird /Dragonfly (Steve Rogers) - Sparks Fly/Frayed (Mace)

Maid AU - Cleaning Up (Jonathan Pine)

Omegaverse - Alphas & Algorithms (Curtis Everett) - Beta!Reader (Bucky Barnes, Hal Carter)

Royal AU - Sir Everett (Curtis Everett)

Soulmate AU - All Your Lovin' (Captain Syverson) - Alpine (Bucky Barnes) - Lloyd's Soulmate (Lloyd Hanson) - Sleepy Surprise

Werewolf AU - Prologue (Hal Carter, Jake Jensen) - Werewolf Steve (Steve Rogers)

By Character (characters I've written more than a couple stories for)

Bucky Barnes

Curtis Everett

Hal Carter

Jake Jensen

Lloyd Hansen

Nick Fowler

Steve Rogers

Character Reactions

I need kisses

Tell me I'm pretty

Holiday Stories

Christmas - Baby's First Christmas (Curtis Everett) - Music in the Air (Bucky Barnes) - 'Tis the Season, Sir (Steve Rogers) - Last Christmas (Nick Fowler, Hal Carter)

Halloween - Laughingstock (Dark!Steve Rogers)

Valentine's - Lloyd's Valentine (Dark!Lloyd Hansen)

Miscellaneous

Always the Bridesmaid (Jonathan Pine, Nick Fowler)

Bad Day (James Mace) - Bad Day Alternate (Dark!Ari Levinson)

Bets (Bucky Barnes, Jake Jensen)

Bittersweet (Dark Skinny!Steve)

Cops and Robbers (Lee Bodecker)

Dandelion (Hal Carter)

Done This 100 Times (Mordecai)

Grumpy Days (Multiple characters)

In the Woods (Chris Beck, James Mace)

Missing You (Johnny Storm)

Museum Tours (Steven Grant)

Panic Attack (Walter Marshall)

Pen Pals (God the Bounty Hunter)

Photos (Jake Jensen)

Receiving Affection (Multiple Characters)

Retaliation (Dark!Jake Jensen)

Self-Care Weekend (Bucky Barnes)

Selkie Story (Mace)

Stickers (Bucky Barnes)

Stuck (Ransom Drysdale)

To the Rescue (Kyle "Gaz" Garrick)

Inspired by Others

Alpha to the Rescue (unnamed character)

Andrew's Downfall (dark!Andy Barber, dark!Lloyd Hansen)

Angry Ari (Ari Levinson)

At the Gala (Multiple Characters) - After the Gala (Harald Finehair)

At the Gym (Unnamed SStan character)

Bouquet Event Masterlist (Multiple Characters)

Charity Auction (Multiple Characters)

Detective vs. Mafia (Clark Kent, Steve Rogers, Walter Marshall)

Don't Open the Door (Curtis Everett)

Global Warming (God the Bounty Hunter)

Ice Cream (Hal Carter)

Jealous (Nick Fowler)

Kidnapped (Multiple Characters)

Quiet Night (Bucky Barnes)

Royal Security (Nick Fowler)

Sacrifice (Demon!Lloyd Hansen)

Secret Crush (Lloyd Hansen)

Speed Dating (Jonathan Pine, Lloyd Hansen)

Too Old? (Unnamed Character)

Unexpected Guest (Curtis Everett)

[mountrainiernps]

The shift from fall to winter conditions happens quickly on Mount Rainier. Paradise and other subalpine areas have already seen some snow, and more is likely this weekend. When visiting, plan ahead and remember you are responsible for your safety.

Before leaving home, check the current trail conditions and heed local weather forecasts, realizing weather can change for the worse in a very short period of time. Before starting your hike, stop by the Longmire Museum or Jackson Visitor Center in the southwest part of the park, or the Carbon River Ranger Station in the northwest, for the latest trail conditions. Note: While SR410/123 on the east side of the park are still open, all eastside visitor facilities have closed for the season.

Always carry survival gear with you in case you have to spend the night out, including the 10 Essentials: food, water, warm clothing, emergency shelter, stove/fuel, flashlight, avalanche transceiver/probe/shovel, map/compass/GPS, first aide kit, & repair kit for any equipment.

Wear footwear with good tread to minimize risks from slipping. Consider using traction devices like shoe chains or hiking poles for extra stability.

You may need a reliable map and compass skills to traverse snow-covered trails, which can be difficult to follow, particularly in backcountry areas.

Know your limits. Know your experience and ability to survive in an alpine environment and don’t exceed them. A trail that is easy in summer can be challenging in winter.

Find more safety tips at https://go.nps.gov/MORAWinterSafety

NPS Photo of snow on the Tatoosh Range, 10/23/24.

[sjsmith56]

Snowfall, Part 4 - Encounter

Summary: Over the next 10 days Bucky and Leia develop a routine that allows them to live normally. A fire alarm at the apartment building sets the stage for a showdown.

Length: 4.2 K

Characters: Bucky, Leia, Burnham, purse snatcher, stalker.

Warnings: Emotional turmoil, realization that the stalker is determined.

Author notes: FBI profiles are rarely static as new evidence can cause the authorities to redo them several times. Even then, too much emphasis may be placed on certain facets of the profile sending them looking in the wrong places.

<<Part 3

In the 10 days since the last letter was received and Leia revealed her little brother's tragic death, the FBI team redid the profile of the suspected stalker.  With the new information about the other half-siblings, at first expected to identify the stalker, it now pointed towards someone who knew Leia's real identity, someone with a clear sense of superiority, and was possibly related, but unconfirmed at this time.  It sent the investigation in a different direction that felt like a waiting game to Bucky and Leia.

The three known half-siblings, one older brother, one younger brother and one younger sister were under surveillance as their backgrounds were being checked but so far there was no indication they were involved.  All were married, with children, were gainfully employed, and well regarded in their communities.  None of them seemed to know about the others or about Leia; none of them belonged to an ancestry website or had registered with an agency that found birth parents.  Although their original birth registrations listed Leia's father as their biological father, two of the three were legally adopted at a young age by their mother's eventual husband and their official birth records changed to reflect that.  The third, whose mother was with Leia's father at the time of her brother's death, had initially drawn the most suspicion but a sample of his handwriting didn't match the stalker's handwriting at all. 

That left the possibility that the stalker was an as yet undiscovered half-sibling, his or her birth father either unspecified or named as someone else on the birth registration.  A DNA sample from Leia was prepared for comparison with ancestry websites that used such evidence to determine familial relationships, but that process took time.  It was frustrating but there was little recourse.

With an early winter fully ensconced in the Tri-state area, Bucky and Leia were committed to their burgeoning love affair.  Living together in the apartment was still in its honeymoon phase for the couple.  Their daily routine involved breakfast together, often cooked by Bucky, then Leia would write for a few hours, using the notes she placed in her phone app during the day.  Bucky would read, or lay on the couch with wireless headphones on, listening to 30s and 40s music; Alpine often curled up on his chest.  Lunch was usually undertaken at a small cozy bistro with windows steamy from the interior warmth colliding against the cold panes of glass that looked out on the wintry street.  They spent one afternoon shopping; with Bucky trying to get some Christmas presents for Sam and his family.  He even managed to get Leia a present by convincing Pepper Stark to pick up a necklace that she admired, relaying the amount to her via a money app.   The other afternoons were spent seeing several attractions that New York had to offer: the Empire State Building, the Museum of Modern Art, and the main branch of the New York Public Library.  It was all new to Leia, and Bucky loved seeing the city through her eyes.

Dinner was something they worked on together, or had takeout food delivered to them, courtesy of the food delivery service that had been previously vetted.  So far, their handful of evenings together had been quiet, watching a movie on TV, or listening to music together, sometimes dancing in the living room with the coffee table pushed out of the way.  That activity had led to early evenings in bed, exploring the physical relationship that had developed quickly between them and showed no signs of burning out.

When they were out, they were always aware of one or more of the FBI agents tailing them, without them being intrusive.  With Bucky wearing an earpiece that kept him in constant communication with the team, it helped to quickly identify and discount various individuals who seemed to give Leia too much attention.  It also proved invaluable on the day that someone snatched Leia's purse.  As they were on a crowded street, a person jostled her, causing her to be pushed away from Bucky.  He saw a flash of a box cutter, pulled her towards him and away from the potential weapon, then watched with disbelief as a man slashed through the shoulder strap of her purse, sliding it off and running through the crowds back in the direction they came, straight towards two of the FBI agents.

"Purse snatcher," he signalled to the other three, unwilling to leave her alone.  "Grey hoodie, black jeans, 6 feet tall, 180 lbs."

"Got him," replied Burnham.  "Not today buddy."

Seconds later the guy was down on the pavement, flat on his back, as pedestrians stepped around him while Burnham and DaSilva held their guns on him.  Bucky and Leia joined them moments later, and waited for the police, already called by Schultz.  As they waited, Bucky scanned the crowded sidewalk, ever vigilant, sensing something that didn't seem right about this crime of opportunity.  A man, wearing a navy-blue winter coat and a black beanie deliberately turned away from the scene, then looked back and smirked at the super soldier before turning away again.  It was a very deliberate movement from a bystander, and he couldn't ignore it.

"Stay here," he ordered Leia.  "I'll be right back."

Burnham immediately stood next to her, nodding at Bucky that he had her.  Wading through the mass of people on the crowded sidewalk, Bucky kept the person in sight, as he was led away from the scene.  Approaching a stairwell down into the subway, the person dropped out of sight and Bucky hurried towards the stairs, running down them.  With people streaming past him, he climbed on top of the gate to look at those already inside the paid area.  Just as he spotted the man, a transit officer challenged Bucky to get down. 

"I'm on a case," he answered, keeping his eyes on the suspect.

"Don't care, get off the gate."

With a huff, Bucky jumped down and went back up the stairs.  He stopped at the top and looked around again as that sense came back to him.  Scanning the busy intersection carefully, he noticed something at the other entrance to the subway station, set diagonally across the large crossing space.  The man was at the top of the stairs, watching Bucky intently.  He must have jumped across the tracks below and gone up the stairs that led from the other platform.  For a moment, the super soldier considered running across, but it would have caused a disruption in traffic that could have led to an accident.  It occurred immediately to him that the man wanted just that, creating a diversion that would keep Bucky occupied.  Without taking his eyes off of him, he pulled his phone out, then held it up as if he was going to take a picture.  The man disappeared down the stairs, suddenly camera shy.  It didn't matter.  Bucky saw enough of him to commit his appearance to memory.  As he made his way back to the others, he wondered if the man was testing their response to any physical action taken against Leia.  The more he thought about it, the more he realized he was right.

"Damn, it was a setup," he thought, straining to see them as he got closer to the scene. 

When he did finally get them in view, with Leia seeming to be lit by the sun’s reflection from a pane of glass, the would-be purse snatcher was leaning sullenly against a building.  Without hesitation, Bucky picked him up by the neck raising him above their heads, his intent clearly evident.

"Who paid you to steal her purse?"

"Can't breathe," stammered the man, his hands on Bucky's hand, frantically trying to pry it off.  "Stop, please."

"Bucky," said Burnham, quietly, leaning in close.  "You're attracting attention.  Put him down."

Breathing heavily, he loosened his grip, lowering his hand so the man was standing on the sidewalk but still kept his hand resting on the thief's throat.  Then he leaned forward, until his mouth was at the man's ear.

"I could snap your neck and walk away with a clear conscience."  He could feel the fear his words brought out of the man.  "Answer yes or no."  The man nodded.  "You were paid to steal her purse." Yes. "It was a man in a navy-blue coat and black beanie." Yes.  "Have you ever seen him before today?" No. "Now you're going to answer with words.  How did he know you were a thief?"

The purse thief turned his head to look at Bucky, who had pulled back slightly.  What the man saw must have frightened him even more because he nodded his head.

"I picked his pocket a couple of hours ago.  Just as I was opening his wallet, he put something in my back and said to keep walking until we made it to an alleyway.  He said not to look at him while he took his wallet back.  I thought he was going to kill me.  Instead, he offered me a grand to steal her purse; gave me the money right there and showed me a picture of her on his phone.  That red coat stands out so she would be an easy mark, and he said she often walks with a big guy, you.  He had a picture of you, too.  That's all I know, mister.  It's the honest truth.  Please don't kill me."

"You still have the money?"

"Yeah, yeah, in my wallet," said the guy, reaching towards his pocket but stopped by Burnham who patted him down from the side and took the wallet himself, putting a glove on first.

"Fingerprints," said Burnham, holding the wallet up.  Bucky nodded.  "Good thinking."

At the police station a short time later, while the thief was being processed, they were in an office with the station's captain, who was made aware of the stalker.

"It was a setup," scowled Bucky.  "He was testing us, led me to the subway trying to get me onto the platform.  I didn't take the bait and came up the stairs.  He was across the intersection at the top of the other entrance, watching me, almost daring me to come get him.  Tall, pale skin, blue eyes.  No hair visible as he wore a beanie.  He knows Leia has a security detail, and his next move will likely be to separate her from us."

"Did you see enough of him to talk to a sketch artist?" asked the station captain.  Bucky nodded.  "Okay, get that done and we'll put out a notice on him.  Let us take it from here."  Bucky glared at him.  "Look, I have no doubt that you can handle it.  Hell, I know what you and Captain America did for the city with the Flag Smashers, but you have no authority here."

"Actually, he does," said Burnham.  "He's on secondment with the FBI.  Since the stalker originally sent letters to Ms. Dunn in another state, that makes it federal jurisdiction.  I'm not trying to overstep any boundaries, Captain.  We did call you in to take the thief into custody, but Sergeant Barnes is more than capable of handling himself in this case.  We cooperate and maybe together we can get this guy."

Reluctantly, he agreed, and the sketch artist came in to get Bucky's description of the man in the beanie.  Leia sat next to him, knowing her presence helped him, and hoping that what they produced would show her a face she knew.  When the artist applied the finishing touches he showed the picture to her, but she shook her head. 

"No, there's no resemblance to my dad and I don't recognize him.  If he's from my original hometown, I wouldn't have known him as an adult and I saw so many people at the farmer's market where I lived when I was trying to sell the book myself, that they all just blurred together after a while.  I mean I didn't even recognize that Edward guy and I posed for a picture with him."

She was disappointed and sat back in the chair, feeling like they had wasted everyone's time.  The artist excused herself, while Bucky took Leia's hand.

"It's alright," he smiled.  "It's been a tough day but at least I know the face now."  She smiled, then leaned towards him for a kiss.  Just as they touched lips, he pulled back.  "You wouldn't have known him as an adult because you left your hometown when you were 12 years old.  What if you only knew him as a kid, maybe a friend or a classmate, of either yourself or your brother?"  He stood up, pulling her up with him.  "They can make someone in a picture look younger using a computer program now, can't they?"

"Yeah."  She realized what he was implying.  "They can make that sketch look like a kid.  There must be yearbooks from when I was in school.  We can compare the de-aged sketch to the yearbooks, so we get a name, right?"

With a smile, Bucky placed both hands on her cheeks, and kissed her intensely before looking at her with admiration.

"Right."

Sharing their insight with Burnham and the police captain produced a flurry of activity as the school district in Leia's hometown was contacted.  They did have a selection of yearbooks from the various schools and would make them available by the following day.  As the sketch was scanned and fed into the computer program that could render it at different ages, Bucky and Leia waited.

"Do you really think he's going to try again?" she asked.  "He must know that with you seeing him, you'll find out who he is."

"Yeah, but maybe that's what he wants.  I think this started out as a way to threaten you.  Since this most recent incident I get the feeling that he's playing with us.  He didn't seem afraid of me, that's for sure."

Burnham came in then, carrying several sheets of paper.

"Here they are," he said.  "The suspect as he might have looked at 6 years of age, 10 years of age and 15 years of age."

Leia took them and looked at the top image, the teenage one.  She shook her head, then looked at the 10-year-old and 6-year-old side by side.  She could feel her heart in her throat as she saw the face of a boy she hadn't seen since Mikey died.

"He lived next door to us," she said, recalling her neighbour.  "Mitchell Morrison.  Everyone called him Itchy because he had eczema and was always scratching his skin.  The really mean kids would say it was cooties or lice.  I didn't like him because he was always staring at me through the fence.  It gave me the creeps.  He liked Mikey, even though he was younger.  They played with Lego a lot.  He can't be my brother.  My dad didn't pay attention to him at all." 

She dropped the sheets and sobbed.  Bucky looked up at Burnham, who picked up the sheets and left, leaving him to comfort her.  Taking her hands in his, he kissed them, then pulled her up to stand as he hugged her. 

"Do you want to go?" he asked.  "I don't think they need us any longer."

She nodded and stayed in the room as Bucky stepped out to tell the three agents he was taking Leia home.  When he returned, he helped her on with her coat, making sure her scarf covered her throat, then helping her button it up and doing up the belt.  He frowned at the plastic bag they gave her to transfer her belongings into instead of her purse as it was now evidence.

"I'll get you a new one," he said, as he opened the door for her.

"You don't have to," she answered.  "I have others at home."

Burnham was waiting for them in the hallway.

"I was going to hail a taxi," said Bucky. 

"Nope, not after what happened today," said the FBI agent.  "I'm driving you, as usual."

He was emphatic on the need for them to keep to the protocol, and Bucky wasn't inclined to argue with him.  If Morrison was the stalker, he got too close today.  If he wasn't the stalker, then they needed to know why he targeted Leia and Bucky.  The FBI agents would do their part now, using the resources of the agency in cooperation with the local police to find the man.  Bucky's job hadn't changed; to be Leia's personal bodyguard.

"We're going to find him," said Burnham, once they were on their way.  "Once we confirm his identity and get it out to all law enforcement agencies, he won't be able to hide anymore." 

"I still don't think I'm related to him." 

He looked at Leia through the rear-view mirror. 

"Profiles are at most 80% accurate, so we may have got that wrong, but it was based on that most recent letter when he referred to your brothers.  You just provided more information that added to the profile of the suspect Morrison.  It's a process and I think there's much more to explore there."

She squeezed Bucky's hand as she kept looking out the window, still bothered that the man who wrote those filthy letters to her was someone she had known as a child.  Mikey's death changed her by exposing her to deep emotions that found their way into her writing.  It had changed Morrison into someone dangerous.  The same incident created two different outcomes. 

By the time they got to the building, it was dark, and Leia had a headache.  She waited for Bucky at the security door, as he unlocked it with his set of keys.  When they got to the apartment door, he suggested ordering a pizza for dinner.

"I'm not really hungry," she answered.  "I've got a headache and just want to have a bath and go to bed."

He rubbed her back, smiling grimly at her, wishing he could do more to soothe her on this roller coaster day.  Taking her coat, he hung it up, then listened as she went into the bedroom, coming out moments later in her robe.  As the water started running, he poured some cool water for her and got her some painkillers.  Knocking on the door, he entered on her say so, handing her the pills and water, while she sat on the toilet seat, waiting for the tub to fill.

"I'm going to eat some of the leftovers," he said quietly.  "Let you have some quiet time."

"You can join me after."  She looked up smiling but without any warmth behind her eyes.  "I'm sorry I'm so quiet.  They seem so sure they're going to find him, but I think he's smarter than they know, and it has me worried."

He bent down on one knee, taking her hands in his and kissing them.

"No matter what, he has to go through me," he murmured.  "I'll admit that even with my skills, there's a chance that he could take you.  If that happens, I won't let you go without a fight.  Believe that and believe that I will find you if I have to tear the city apart to do it." 

She caressed his face.  "How would you find me?"

He took her hand and flattened it on his chest.  "By what I feel for you here.  Everything about you is deep in my heart and my head.  I know the scent of your hair and body, I can recognize the beating of your heart in a room full of others, and that connection we have is something I can't even begin to explain. I think you were right that we are kindred souls.  We were meant to find each other and be together.  I believe that with all my heart."

After a soft kiss to her lips he stood up, stopping at the door to look back at her.  When he returned in 10 minutes, he was only in his briefs, pulling them down quickly and entering the bathtub behind Leia.  She turned the hot water on to warm up the water, then leaned back against him.  It felt good to feel him gently massage her shoulders, and she rolled her head to give him more access to her neck.

"That’s good," she murmured.  "You know just where to apply the right pressure."

"Beginners luck," he answered.  "It will be alright, Leia." 

She felt his kiss on her head and closed her eyes, allowing her body to relax.  When the water became too cold to stay in, Bucky dried her off first, then himself, and followed her into the bedroom.  As she sat on the bed, yawning with how tired she was, he helped her on with some flannel pyjamas, then spooned behind her after turning out the lights.  Alpine joined them and within moments he could hear the rhythmic breathing indicating she was asleep.  More than anything, Leia needed that.

The sound of the building's fire alarm jolted Bucky awake, and he sat up, listening for a second, before going to the door of the apartment.  He couldn't smell any smoke but when he looked out the peephole, he could see their neighbours filing towards the stairwell.  One of them was knocking on everyone's door to make sure they were awake, confirming the fire department were on their way.  With a sigh, he opened the door and announced they were getting ready.  Leia had the bedroom light on, stuffing her purse contents that she brought from the police station into another purse.

"There was a fire alarm the day after I moved in," she said.  "It was a false alarm, but you never know in these taller buildings, right?"

Pulling sweatpants on over her pyjama bottoms, and an oversized sweatshirt over the top, she quickly put some socks on and went out to the entryway to put her boots on.  Bucky put his jeans and a long-sleeved T-shirt on then his jacket and boots.  He helped Leia on with her red coat, making sure it was buttoned up properly, with the scarf protecting her neck. 

"Alpine," he remembered.  "I better take her in the cat carrier."

That took another few minutes to get her into it and they were among the last to leave their floor, although there was a steady stream of people in the stairwells from the floors above them.  On the way down they came across an elderly woman who was having trouble with the stairs.  Handing Alpine to Leia, Bucky stopped and offered to carry her.  She was quite impressed at how easily he lifted her into his arms, complimenting him often on his gallantry.  A city bus was already outside the building when they got down there, for the elderly and those with kids to sit in.  With the light snow that was falling it was appreciated to have someplace to shelter.  Bucky deposited her inside then came back out to where Leia waited with the cat carrier.  Someone else yelled that they needed help with an elderly resident and Bucky rushed over to help.  He placed them inside the bus, then came out to Alpine, still in her cat carrier, and Leia's purse on top, sitting on the snowy ground.  Leia was no where to be seen.

"Excuse me," he said to a man standing nearby.  "Do you know where the woman who was holding the cat went?  I left her here just a moment ago."

He looked at the cat carrier then looked around.  "There was a guy talking to her," he said, "but I don't see him either.  I think he needed help."

A cold feeling of dread settled in Bucky's belly.  "Could you just watch the cat while I look for her?" 

The man agreed and Bucky started to explore the scene, making his way past several fire trucks that responded to the alarm.  As he searched, all sorts of dark thoughts filled his mind.  It can't be him.  How would he know where we lived? I promised to protect her.  Half a block away he saw something dark on the ground and approached it, gingerly picking it up with his left hand.  The black beanie was proof that it was Morrison.  Kneeling down to catch his breath, he noticed dark spots on the snow.  Taking his phone out, he turned on his flashlight and shone it on the spots, revealing them to be blood.  Sitting down hard on the cold wet snowy road, he couldn't breathe for a moment then he looked at the phone and called Burnham.

"He has her.  Fire alarm at the apartment building.  I was helping someone, just for a moment, and when I came back, she was gone.  I found his beanie and there's blood nearby."

Dropping the phone, he sat there devastated at having failed at the one thing he promised to do.  He almost lost it to the despair he was feeling, then something in him hardened and he knew what had to be done next.  He promised Leia he would tear apart the city to find her.  When a police vehicle left the fire scene and came closer then pulled up near him, he handed the beanie to the officer.  They could investigate the scene.  Time was wasting.  He had to find Leia.

Part 5>>

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[thepastisalreadywritten]

“(In the name?) of St Titus.

Holy, holy, holy!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God!

The Lord of the World

Resists (to the best of his ability?)

All attacks(?)/setbacks(?).

The God(?) grants the well-being

Entry.

This means of salvation(?) protects

The human being who

Surrenders to the will

Of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God,

Since before Jesus Christ

All knees bow to Jesus Christ: the heavenly

The earthly and

The subterranean and every tongue

Confess (to Jesus Christ).”

There is no reference in the text to any other faith besides Christianity, which would also have been unusual at this time.

According to the Frankfurt Archaeology Museum, reliable evidence of Christian life in the northern Alpine regions of the Roman Empire only goes as far back as the 4th century AD.

‘Fantastic find’ made possible by modern technology

Wolfram Kinzig, a church historian and professor from the University of Bonn, helped Scholz to decipher the inscription.

“The silver inscription is one of the oldest pieces of evidence we have for the spread of the New Testament in Roman Germania, because it quotes Philippians 2:10–11 in Latin translation,” Kinzig explained in an interview published on the University of Bonn’s website.

“It’s a striking example of how Biblical quotations were used in magic designed to protect the dead,” said Kinzig.

Peter Heather, a professor of medieval history at King’s College London with a specialist interest in the evolution of Christianity, described the discovery as a “fantastic find.”

Heather, who wasn’t involved in the research, told CNN:

“The capacity to be able to decipher the writing on that rolled-up piece of silver is extraordinary. This is something that’s only possible now with modern technology.

If they’d found it 100 years ago they wouldn’t have known what it was. Silver amulets are probably going to contain some kind of magical scroll but you don’t know what – it could be any religion.”

He added:

“You’ve got evidence of Christian communities in more central parts of the empire but not in a frontier town like that in Roman Germany so that is very unusual, well it’s unique. You’re pushing the history of Christianity in that region back.”