#Houston land clearing

[texasacelandclearing]

Seasonal Considerations for Land Clearing in Houston

Land clearing is a critical step in preparing a property for various uses, whether for agriculture, construction, or landscaping. In Houston, the climate and seasonal changes play a significant role in determining the best times to schedule land clearing operations. Understanding how different seasons affect these activities can help property owners optimize their land clearing projects, ensuring efficiency and minimizing potential complications.

The Climate of Houston

Houston has a humid subtropical climate characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and a fair amount of rainfall throughout the year. This climate influences not only the type of vegetation that grows in the area but also the conditions under which land clearing can be effectively performed. The following sections analyze how each season impacts Land Clearing Services.

Spring: Ideal for Preparation but Caution Needed

Spring in Houston typically lasts from March to May and is marked by warmer temperatures and increased rainfall. While this season presents an excellent opportunity for land clearing, there are important factors to consider.

Advantages:

Soil Conditions: As temperatures rise, the soil begins to warm, making it easier to work with. The ground is usually moist but not overly saturated, which can facilitate easier clearing of vegetation.

Visibility: With leaves returning to trees and plants blooming, property owners can better identify which trees and vegetation they may want to clear or preserve.

Challenges:

Rainfall: Spring often brings significant rainfall, which can lead to muddy conditions. Wet soil can create difficulties for heavy machinery, making operations slower and potentially damaging the land.

Pest Activity: As temperatures warm, pests like mosquitoes become more active. Property owners should prepare for potential infestations when working on land during this season.

Best Practices:

To optimize land clearing during spring, schedule operations early in the season before rainfall peaks. Monitoring local weather patterns can help choose a window of time when the ground is firm but not dry, avoiding the muddy conditions that can delay progress.

Summer: Hot and Humid Challenges

Summer in Houston (June to August) is characterized by high temperatures and humidity, which can create unique challenges for land clearing operations.

Advantages:

Dry Conditions: After the spring rains, summer often provides drier soil conditions, making it easier to operate heavy machinery without causing soil compaction.

Extended Daylight: Longer days provide more hours of daylight for work, allowing crews to complete tasks more quickly.

Challenges:

Extreme Heat: The high temperatures can pose risks to workers, making safety a significant concern. Hydration and heat management become essential.

Thunderstorms: Summer often brings sudden thunderstorms that can disrupt clearing operations and damage newly cleared areas.

Best Practices:

Schedule tree removal services during the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. Ensure that all workers are equipped with adequate hydration and heat safety protocols. Additionally, keep an eye on weather forecasts to anticipate any potential thunderstorms.

Fall: A Transition Period

Fall in Houston (September to November) represents a transitional period as temperatures begin to cool, and vegetation starts to die back. This season can be a good time for land clearing, but careful planning is essential.

Advantages:

Cooler Temperatures: The cooling weather is more comfortable for workers, reducing the risks associated with heat stress.

Decreased Vegetation: As trees and plants begin to lose their leaves, it becomes easier to see and identify which plants need to be cleared.

Challenges:

Hurricane Season: Early fall is still part of hurricane season, with the potential for heavy rains and wind. This can disrupt clearing operations and create unsafe conditions.

Vegetation Regrowth: Certain plants may still be resilient, and regrowth can occur rapidly in the favorable conditions of fall.

Best Practices:

Plan land clearing operations later in the fall, when the risk of hurricanes decreases. Keep an eye on the weather forecasts and have contingency plans in place. As temperatures cool, maintain proper communication with your clearing crew about safety protocols related to changing weather conditions.

Winter: Dormancy and Preparation

Winter in Houston (December to February) is relatively mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. This season offers unique opportunities and challenges for land clearing.

Advantages:

Dormant Vegetation: Many plants are dormant during the winter months, making it easier to identify and clear unwanted vegetation without the complications of dense foliage.

Stable Soil Conditions: Typically drier conditions mean the soil is less likely to be muddy, allowing for easier access for heavy machinery.

Challenges:

Rainfall Variability: While winters are generally mild, rain can still occur, which may affect ground conditions.

Limited Daylight: Shorter days mean less time for clearing operations, requiring careful scheduling to maximize productivity.

Best Practices:

Utilize the clear, cooler days of winter for land clearing, taking advantage of the dormant state of vegetation. Schedule operations during the daytime to ensure maximum working hours. Make sure to monitor rainfall forecasts to avoid complications that could arise from unexpected rain.

Conclusion: Timing is Everything

Understanding the seasonal dynamics in Houston is crucial for property owners looking to clear land effectively. Each season presents its own set of advantages and challenges, making careful planning essential. By considering factors such as soil conditions, weather patterns, and the state of vegetation, property owners can select the optimal time for land clearing operations.

For the best results, consult with professional land clearing services that are experienced in working with Houston's unique climate. They can provide valuable insights and help navigate the complexities of seasonal land clearing, ensuring that your project proceeds smoothly and efficiently. Planning strategically around seasonal considerations not only saves time and resources but also sets the stage for successful future land use.

[coldmiraclewizard]

Hire our contracting company to clear your land or lot.

[thejteamtreeservice]

Enhance Your Landscape with Professional Land Clearing Services in Houston, TX and Spring, TX

Creating a picturesque landscape is a dream for every property owner, but sometimes, nature's growth can hinder your plans. Overgrown vegetation, fallen trees, and unruly bushes can mar the beauty of your property and pose safety risks. That's where The J Team Tree Service comes to your rescue! With their expert land clearing services in Houston TX, and Spring, TX, they can transform your outdoor space into a safe and beautiful oasis. Read on to discover how their professional team can turn your landscaping dreams into a reality.

Understanding the Importance of Land Clearing:

Land clearing is an essential step in any landscaping or construction project. It involves the removal of unwanted trees, shrubs, underbrush, and debris to prepare the land for various purposes. Whether you are planning to build a new structure, expand your existing property, or just want a clean slate to design a stunning landscape, professional land clearing services are a necessity.

The J Team Tree Service - Your Trusted Land Clearing Partner:

The J Team Tree Service is a reputable company known for its top-notch tree care and land clearing services. With a team of skilled arborists and state-of-the-art equipment, they offer unparalleled land clearing solutions in Houston, TX, and Spring, TX, catering to both residential and commercial clients.

Key Services Offered:

1. Comprehensive Land Clearing Solutions:

The J Team Tree Service employs advanced land clearing techniques that ensure efficient and safe removal of unwanted vegetation. From small residential lots to vast commercial spaces, they have the expertise to handle projects of any size and complexity. Their trained professionals meticulously clear the area, leaving no traces of debris behind, and carefully select which trees to preserve based on health and aesthetic value.

2. Tree Removal and Trimming:

Overgrown trees can pose a serious threat to your property during storms or high winds. The J Team Tree Service offers expert tree removal and trimming services to eliminate potential hazards and promote healthy growth. Their arborists are skilled in safely removing trees without causing any damage to nearby structures or landscapes.

3. Environmentally-friendly Practices:

The J Team Tree Service is committed to preserving the environment. They use eco-friendly methods to dispose of removed vegetation responsibly, recycling wherever possible. Additionally, they provide valuable advice on how to maintain a sustainable landscape after the clearing process is complete.

4. Storm Damage Cleanup:

In the aftermath of a storm, your property may be left with fallen trees and debris scattered across the area. The J Team Tree Service offers prompt storm damage cleanup services to restore your property to its former glory quickly and efficiently.

5. Stump Grinding and Removal:

Leftover tree stumps can be unsightly and pose a tripping hazard. The J Team Tree Service uses specialized equipment to grind stumps down to ground level, ensuring a smooth and clear landscape.

Conclusion:

Whether you are planning a landscaping project, building a new structure, or need to remove storm-damaged trees, The J Team Tree Service is your ultimate partner for land clearing services in Houston TX, and Spring, TX. Their skilled team, backed by years of experience and dedication to customer satisfaction, will transform your property into a safe and beautiful space. Don't let overgrown vegetation hinder your landscaping dreams – give The J Team Tree Service a call at +(832) 235-9745 or email them at info@thejteamtree.com to bring your vision to life!

[herbertten]

i’ll be watching you

summary: after a disappointing lost in the 2024 playoffs, y/n is there for her boyfriend.

word count: 1.1k

song: every breath you take by the police

Y/N had been a nervous wreck since arriving in Houston. She wanted nothing more than for her boyfriend, Justin, to win his first playoff game and lead his team to the divisional round. The Chargers' last playoff game had been a heartbreaker—leading 27-0 at halftime, only to lose by a single point. Y/N had seen firsthand how hard Justin had worked for this moment, so when Texas took the lead at halftime, her nerves got the best of her. She couldn’t help but worry, but she still held onto hope that the Chargers would pull through.

As the game progressed, though, she noticed Justin's quiet demeanor in the fourth quarter. Usually he would look back at her every chance he got, but during the fourth he kept his eyes only on the screen, the field, or the ground. The dead giveaway that he had lost hope in himself was that he kept his helmet on during most of the fourth quarter. With more interceptions than he’d thrown all season and multiple sacks, it was clear he wouldn't walk off the field the winner.

When the game finally ended, Y/N felt her heart sink into her stomach. It wasn’t just the loss—it was the way they’d lost, and how Justin had struggled throughout. The thought of the pain he must be in twisted her stomach. All she wanted was to be there for him, but that would have to wait a few more hours.

Walking out of the stadium felt heavier than usual. Every Texan fan she passed seemed eager to remind her of the game, of how “overrated” her boyfriend was. It stung, and she did her best to keep her head down. Her trip to the airport was even longer than expected. She found herself pushing through crowds, frustrated by every minute wasted. Then, as if the universe had a sick sense of humor, the TSA agent decided her time was up.

“Maybe it’s time to find a new team to support,” the agent said with a grin as he patted her down. “Or at least get a different player’s jersey.” His colleagues snickered behind him. Y/N forced a smile, doing her best to ignore the hurt. Grabbing her bags, as she practically sprinted to her gate.

Her flight had already started boarding, and the gate was on the other side of the airport. Out of breath, she handed her ticket to the flight attendant, making her way to her seat. As soon as she was settled, she texted Justin: “On my way home.”

His reply came almost instantly: “Be safe. I love you.❤️” A small smile formed on her lips. But when she saw his post-game interview, her smile soon became a frown. Before the game, he had been full of energy and hope; now, watching him take full responsibility for the loss, Y/N’s heart ached. It sank even further as she realized just how much the loss weighed on him. She wished she could be there, hold him, and remind him it wasn’t his fault—but for now, all she could do was wait for the hours to pass.

Once Y/N landed in Los Angeles, she made a stop at Target to gather all of Justin’s favorite snacks. She arranged them into a basket and picked out a card. In it, she wrote how proud she was of him—how, despite all the challenges and changes this year, he had managed to lead his team to the playoffs. She reminded him that next year, he would finally get his victory.

“Third time’s the charm, baby. I’ll be by your side the entire time,” she wrote, before finishing the basket and walking into the house.

The house was dark, except for a soft candlelight flickering in the living room. She set her things down by the door and followed the sound of commentators’ voices coming from the TV.

“If there’s one person to blame here, it’s Justin Herbert. He’s constantly shown us that while his numbers suggest he’s an MVP contender, every time a big game comes, he gets cold feet.”

Y/N sighed and switched off the TV before heading to her boyfriend’s side.

“Hi, my love,” she whispered, wrapping her arms around him in a comforting hug.

He mumbled a quiet hello and rested his head on her shoulder, holding her by her lower back. She could feel the tension leave his body as he melted into her touch. She gently played with his hair, whispering how proud she was of him.

“I know you’re hurting,” she said softly. “But I want you to know it’s not all your fault, and what they’re saying isn’t true.”

“I know, but… I don’t get it. How do I throw more interceptions in one game than I did all season? And the sacks…” He buried his face in his hands.

“That’s not on you, baby,” she reassured him. “The O-line is supposed to protect you, give you time to make a play. And the receivers are the ones who need to catch the ball. You’re part of a team—it wasn’t just you out there.” She rubbed his back as he nodded silently.

She paused, gathering her thoughts before continuing. “I know you’re probably not in the mood for gifts right now, but I still wanted to congratulate you on everything you accomplished this season. It didn’t end the way we hoped, but you led your team to an 11-6 record and into the playoffs. You did all of that with a new staff, new players, and a lot of change. You may not see it now, but you should be so proud of everything you did this season.”

Justin looked up at her, his eyes glassy with tears, a weak smile tugging at his lips. “Thank you,” he whispered, kissing her on the temple before taking the basket from her.

He quickly set it aside, pulling out the card last. As he read it, Y/N felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. It was as if she’d just handed her middle school crush a note confessing her feelings. But as she saw Justin’s tears start to fall and the smile spreading across his face, those nerves melted away.

“I love you,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you.” He wrapped his arms around her, pressing gentle kisses to the top of her head.

“Let’s get you to bed, okay?” she suggested softly.

Justin nodded, standing up and reaching for her hand. He gently pulled her down the hall to their room, his fingers intertwined with hers.

a/n: ahhh finally my first fic!! hope yall enjoyed it, can’t wait to write more for u!!

[meazalykov]

the younger morgan

alex morgan x morgan!USWNT!reader

part one / part two / part three / part four / part five / part six

Growing up in the Morgan household, I was always known as my own individual person. Y/n Morgan. I am described by my peers as someone who’s kind, sensitive, and humble. However, to some of the public and people who barely know of me, I am known as  "Alex Morgan's little sister." 

It wasn't a title I despised while growing up. Being born 14 years after her, I was adopted by the Morgans at birth. My sister and parents have been my family for my entire life, even if we aren’t blood. They’ve surrounded me in a blanket of love while supporting my athletic, famous sister at the same time.

Alex won her first World Cup in 2015 when I was eleven. I remember sitting in the stadium, the air electric with cheers and chants, watching her lift that trophy high. Having my sister as my idol while growing up was a blessing that most girls would dream of.

The pride I felt was immense, but it was always mixed with a yearning.

I played as a striker while growing up, just like Alex. My feet scored goals in every match i’ve had minutes in. By the time I was old enough to transition into taking soccer seriously, it was clear I had inherited the Morgan soccer genes, even if I wasn’t blood-related. 

With the best coaches in the country guiding me, I quickly became one of the best U21 strikers in the world, just like Alex. Success in high school championships, the USYNT national team (before my senior team call up in November 2022), and in my first year of college landed me a spot on the San Diego Wave alongside my sister. I forfeited my college eligibility so I can jump into taking soccer seriously, which I did.

Yet, I hide the fact that the inevitable comparisons to Alex bothered me. Anytime I made a mistake, I had people on social media saying that “Alex at your age would’ve never made that mistake!” and more that were way harsher and mean. I felt a hollowness inside me because I had to accept that San Diego wasn’t the club for me. Something I didn’t realize until half-way into the season.

This wasn't about the love or support I received from my family or the fans. It was about forging my path, I wanted to be my own person away from Alex. I love her so much, but I wanted people to see me for who I really am. I needed a moment which would give me the reassurance that my career was truly mine.

One afternoon, after a particularly grueling training session, I collapsed onto my soft beige colored couch for a nap. I knew I had plans with Jaedyn, Naomi, and Maria later— but I knew I could fit in a good three hour nap before I had to get ready for the night. However the ring of my phone jolted me awake after an hour into my nap. My eyebrows knitted at the sight of my agent's name, Maggie, flashing on the screen.

Usually, Maggie never calls unless we are discussing deals or contract negotiations. However, I asked her two weeks ago if she could contact SD Wave about putting me on the transfer market. Maggie said that wasn’t needed since there was something else that would excite me– but she didn’t explain what. 

"Y/n, I have some exciting news!!!" Maggie began without giving me the chance to say hi, her voice brimming with enthusiasm as I clicked on the speaker option. I rubbed my tired eyes trying to pay attention to what she’s gonna say.

“What happened?” I ask, sitting up from my laid down position and sitting criss-crossed on my couch.

"You know how you asked about a possible transfer? Well I already had a few offers coming in for you before you asked—'' Maggie started as I heard a few clicks on her side of the call, I’m assuming she's clicking stuff on her computer while on the phone with me. 

“So– *click*--- *click* — okay! There are a lot of NWSL clubs that have put in an offer for you. Houston, Gotham, Orlando, Kansas, and Washington have sent in their offers— but I understand that you wanted to go to Europe, is that correct?” Maggie says as I bite the skin around my nail beds. Growing up, I’ve always admired European clubs and the different cultures  Europe has. Playing in Europe would expose me to a better challenge that I’ve wanted in my career. A good chance to (hopefully) play in the Champion’s League too, another thing my sister won in 2017.

“Yes, that is correct.” I say, trying to sound as normal as possible. I am nervous, knowing that this call could change my life. 

“Okay- well that's amazing because several European clubs are interested in you. You have many clubs to choose from— Chelsea, Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham, Real Madrid, Madrid CFF, PSG, Wolfsburg— those clubs in particular all offered you a contract. Barcelona showed interest too but you’re not a free agent and due to their financial struggles, they cannot sign you unless you were free. However—- Bayern Munich in Germany offered you a very great deal– a four year contract with add ons—the salary they’re offering along with the add-ons is way better than all of the others. I feel like you would love this club." Maggie commented. Outside of work, Maggie and I had a somewhat good relationship for people who try to remain professional. Maggie had a good intuition and can read people, which means that she knows how I work and how my personality is in detail. 

Hearing about the clubs– my heart pounded in my chest at Bayern Munich. The name alone sent a feeling inside of my body that I couldn’t explain. I placed my hands on my forehead as I felt overwhelmed from the amount of clubs I could choose from. However, my curiosity and intuition wanted to look more into the Bayern Munich offer. 

“Maggie— I can’t lie—Bayern Munich is sticking to me right now.” I say, dragging out my last words as my voice breaks into a yawn. Training was intense today. 

“Okay! Okay! Here’s what we can do— I can come over now and drop off the documents to you— you can look over them and we can have an in-person meeting on your day off from training next Thursday at lunch, deal?” Maggie said. I can sense her smile through the phone call as I felt relieved from having to make such a quick decision. It's Friday so I have six days to make a final decision. 

"Deal," I said, barely able to handle the fact that my nervousness turned into small excitement. I couldn’t tell anybody about this but that was okay with me.

Thursday came and I chose to move to Munich in June. I can spend the season, before the olympics, with San Diego then i’ll move to play for Bayern on the four-year contract afterwards. I couldn’t tell anybody the news until I got the green-light to do so from Maggie. 

Keeping this news from Alex and my friends was one of the hardest things I've ever done. Alex was not just my sister but also my mentor and my rock. But I knew I had to wait until everything was finalized before telling her. She should understand that part. Meanwhile, rumors swirled online, speculating about my potential move to Europe in the month afterwards.

One evening as I played with Charlie, in Alex's living room, I could feel the weight of my secret growing heavier. I look at my niece with a light smile as she colored in a fairytale themed coloring book I got her last christmas. I am going to miss seeing her every-week when I move to Germany.

Eventually, Alex finished what she had to do in her kitchen and picked up Charlie. The little girl complained before her mother explained that it was late and it was time for bed. Its 8:30 which wasn’t late in my eyes but Charlie is a child so— 

After Alex put Charlie to bed, and after I cleaned up after Charlies crayon mess, she joined me in the living room and sat beside me on the couch, her expression serious.

"Y/n— we have to talk.” Alex said. My nerves were on fire hearing Alex say that. I knew she was going to mention Bayern— I can’t hide it anymore. The rumors on social media are increasing and everyone knows my move to Munich is inevitable, even if I haven’t addressed it yet. 

“I know.” I respond, my right leg is crossed over my left one as I cross my arms together.

“Are the rumors online true? You know I don’t like to search the media for answers, but the rumors are increasing and everyone is positive that they’re correct on their suspicions— Are you leaving here to play for Bayern?" Alex asked, her eyes searching mine for answers.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. I couldn’t lie to her "Yes, Alex, they're true. I'm going to play Bayern Munich in June."

After saying this, I thought Alex would be happy for me right away. 

However, her concern was palpable. "But why, Y/n? Why are you moving so far away? We have everything here."

"That's why, Alex," I replied, struggling to keep my voice steady. "I need to do this for myself. I want a new challenge and seeking something new has been my goal for since the off-season. I need to know if I can make it—-- without always being compared to you." I struggled to say the last part.

The argument that followed was heated but subdued, mindful of Charlie sleeping nearby. Alex didn't understand my need to step away, to find my own path. 

“Everyone knows you’re a great player, you have a higher record than me this season!! You don’t need to leave the country.” Alex argued. 

“Well you played for Lyon and Spurs at one point, which is outside of America—- the NWSL isn’t the only league in the world and I need to grow. If your concern is about safety, I promise i’ll be able to take care of myself. I need this Alex— You know I am a responsible person!” I stood up from the couch. Alex followed and looked at me with concern.

“You are– I’m not saying you’re not responsible– but you’re going to leave everything behind!” 

“No I am not? I will always come back during International breaks!” I argue. 

“Okay– but you shouldn’t “need” to move to Germany. You’re going to leave your friends behind too Y/n!” Alex continued to argue. My blood boiled at her words. 

"You know, Why can’t you just be supportive!!?? I can’t do this anymore–” I say as I ran to put on my shoes by the door, grabbing my tote bag with all of my items inside. 

“I'm glad I'm moving away Alex. Maybe they'll respect me as a good player and my own person– and not just Alex Morgan's sister!" I stormed out of her apartment, the rift between us widening.

We didn't speak after that night. Even at training with the San Diego Wave, we maintained a professional distance, our conversations limited to the bare necessities or anything related to Charlie. The silence was deafening, but I was resolute. This was my decision to play for Bayern, she needs to respect it.

When the SheBelieves Cup came around, Alex and I both made the roster, as usual. This was my last international break as a San Diego player. Since i’ll be living in Germany by the time the Korea friendlies happen in June. 

On the national team, I found solace in my closest friends Jaedyn, Sophia, Trinity, and Mallory. Jaedyn plays at San Diego with me so she has a better understanding about the situation. I told her that I am moving to Munich and we had a bittersweet moment, at least she was supportive of my decision. All of the other girls sensed something was wrong but respected my need for space, assuming that they shouldn’t come in-between family business. Especially if one of their captains is involved. 

On the pitch against Japan for the first she-believes game, my performance was excellent on the pitch. In my mind, I knew I wanted to do good so Bayern fans would be excited about my transfer to their club. 

After scoring twice against Japan, we were now in a penalty shootout with Canada. This is the second-time we’ve gon into penalties this year together. Once in the gold-cup a few months back. 

Emily Fox made the penalty against the Canadian goalkeeper, and the next Canadian kicker’s shot was blocked by Alyssa (Secretary of Defense). Everyone looked in my direction as the ball was passed into my hands. If I make this shot, I win the shebelieves cup for the United States.

My hearts pounded like a drum in my cheat as I looked ahead at Kailen, my San Diego teammate and friend who plays for Canada. She knows how I kick, and I know how she blocks shots coming her way. 

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm inside of me. I had practiced penalty shots countless times throughout my time in soccer, but this was different. This was the final. This was for the win.

The referee blew the whistle, signaling it was time for me to shoot. My body stepped forward, and my mind was clear. As I closed in on the ball, I locked eyes with Kailen, who was poised and ready, her eyes fierce with determination.

My foot struck the ball cleanly, sending it soaring through the air. Time seemed to slow as the ball arced towards the goal, the world holding its breath. Kailen dove to her right, stretching out in a desperate bid to stop the shot.

But it was too late. The ball sailed past her outstretched fingers and hit the back of the net with a satisfying thud. The crowd erupted in a roar of triumph, the sound crashing over me like a wave. I scored the winning goal!

Before getting a chance to process what had happened, my teammates rushed towards me. All of their faces showed joy and relief. They enveloped me in a jubilant embrace, lifting me off her feet as we celebrated the victory together. I looked around, taking in the ecstatic faces of my friends, the adoring fans, and the sparkling lights of the stadium. I looked to my right and saw my sister’s bright smile looking towards me, this made my heart warm up a little bit. 

After everyone broke away from me, before the trophy celebration and the part where I’ll be rewarded as SheBelieves MVP, Alex approached me. Her expression was softer than the last time i’ve talked to her at her apartment. Her eyes reflected a mix of hope, sadness and understanding.

"Y/n, can we talk?"

I nodded, and we found a quiet spot away from the rest of the team on the pitch.

"I'm sorry," she began. "I was selfish. I was thinking about how much Charlie and I would miss you, not about what you need."

Her words broke the dam of emotions I'd been holding back. "I know. But Alex— I just want to be seen for who I am, Alex. Not just as your little sister."

She pulled me into a hug, and for the first time in weeks, I felt a sense of peace. "You will be, Y/n. You'll be amazing, and I am so proud of you and that gorgeous penalty kick." Alex squeezed me and I laughed at her gesture. 

“Thank you, Thank you! I have the best sister who showed me what good penalty kicks are.” I smile. 

As the middle of June approached, after the Korea friendlies, I prepared for my move to Germany with a mix of excitement and nerves. Alex and I grew closer again, our bond strengthened by the fact that this new routine will give us a chance to miss eachother. 

The day I boarded the plane to Munich, with three suitcases and one carry on bag with everything I need for my apartment I found while spending a week in Munich last month—  Alex was there, cheering me on. 

“I’ll miss you sweetheart.” Alex hugged me. I hugged her back before hugging my smaller niece who stood beside us. "I will miss you both the most." I respond.

Later as the plane took off, I looked out the window, my heart full of hope. This was my chance to prove myself to the world and to the fans that I am more than just my sister. 

-----

part two here

<3

[quailbuster]

Loose Threads

-ONGOING, PART ONE-

CHECK OUT PART TWO HERE

Check it out on ao3! Kudos go a long way:))

Pairing: Javier Peña x Female Reader

Summary: A series of Flashbacks from your tumultuous relationship with Javier Peña.

Warnings: Explicit, Sexual content, Angst, mixed race reader, mentions of miscarriage, Grumpy Javier, Original characters, NON-LINEAR storytelling, swearing, slight reader x original character but that's a teeny sideplot, Leon is based on gabriel luna's version of tommy miller sorry he's so fine, poor mother relationship, ONGOING

Author's note: This is the first fic I've posted since 2021, first javi fic AND first x reader fic God! so many firsts! this is part ONE, includes two flashbacks :)

January 3, 1994

Houston, Texas

He was standing beside a flickering street lamp when you saw him, a moth floating not too far from his scruffy brunette hair, and the cigarette smoke from between his roughed-up fingers deterred it from landing on his shoulder. He took a long drag, eyes fluttering shut as he inhaled the taste of tobacco, tar, and some other bullshit you used to try and lecture him for. His other hand was stuffed into his jean pocket, and the exhalation of smoke was shooing away the moth that threatened to poke his eye this time. He looked like something straight out of a 1950s film.

He must have heard the light tapping of your shoes as you stalked over to his spot because his eyes shot open and his head turned towards you, hand now hovering over the gun in his other pocket. Once he realised who it was, his stance loosened, hand stuffed back into his jean pocket. He cleared his throat and took another inhale. You continued walking, stopping just a foot away to place a cigarette of your own into your mouth, holding your hand out to signal for a lighter.

You never used to smoke, a disgusting habit that your father exposed you to one too many times as a kid. One that he eventually passed away from. One that might have caused you to be attracted to men with the disgusting habit if you wanted to look at it from a Freudian perspective. You used to hate that the man next to you smoked.

“No soy tu novio.” He would say when you asked him to quit one night. You’d been sleeping together for nearly half a year by that point. He’d never tried to put a label on it, and you never dared to ask for fear of losing the best sex you’d ever had. You slept, cigarette smoke irritating your sinuses every night you stayed over.

As irony would have it, after he left you so abruptly that final night, the only thing that you could do was light a cigarette every once in a while. It distracted you enough to function, but it still hurt, all the same, seeing him like this again, hair falling across his forehead, moustache twitching slightly every time he took a drag, those beautiful brown eyes that you used to spend so long looking into in hopes of finding any silver of emotion towards you.

A cold metal Zippo lighter touched your hand. You quickly lit a flame while inhaling, passing the cube back to him. He usually used BIC lighters, so you wondered if someone had caused him to change.

“You cut your hair.” He pointed out, a seemingly drab remark which nevertheless made the dormant butterflies in your belly flutter awake. He never noticed before, why now? Why when it was the late hours of ass-o’clock did he notice something so miniscule? You trimmed your hair at home earlier in the morning, fingers twitching from the lack of nicotine in your system. Maybe that’s why he’d noticed. You’d done a horrible job on your ends.

“That bad?” You strained before a long exhale, turning your head towards him. You could’ve sworn you saw the hint of a smile before he took another long drag of his nearly-finished cigarette.

“Looks… nice.”

He paused.

“Could’ve done a better job on your ends.”

A soft chuckle was shared and he stepped on his cigarette, now burned to the filter. The pestering moth from before started to fly across his face. He moved away from it, closer to you. Your shoulders brushed against each other as you tried to avoid his soft stare.

“Lo siento.”

- September 13, 1987

Houston, Texas

“I think she likes you, Javi.”

Javier took a swig from his drink, hoping to avoid this conversation. Lorraine was still in the back of his mind.

“You tellin’ me you wouldn’t go for a woman like that? You need to get your brain checked, man. I’m goin’ over there.”

“Do whatever you want.”

You were in Houston for just a week, for your little sister’s shotgun wedding to a narcissistic older man. Probably 15 years her senior. She was utterly enamoured, and wouldn’t stop gushing about her perfect fiance with the loads of cash. Everyone knew why they got engaged. They had only met three months before. Tonight was her bachelorette party, and of course, she chose to spend it in a Todd's. Freshly 21, pregnant, yet still choosing to drink the biggest fucking glass of a mojito you’d ever seen in your life. She didn’t finish it, though. She switched over to an OJ after throwing up in the bathroom after a couple of gulps. Drinking away secret sorrows never ended well for her.

You weren't entirely engrossed in the ramblings of your sister's friend group. They were sweet girls, just not your crowd by a long shot. So, when you entered the bar, you started scanning the place to find some interesting people to stare at. Of course, your eyes landed on a man too attractive for his own good. His masculine aura enticed you. The second he reciprocated your stare though, your head snapped back, pretending to nod at something one of the girls said about her college coursework. If only you'd shaved today.

Suddenly, you felt a tap on your shoulder, the women in front of you stopping the conversation to gesture at the source. You turned your head to see an attractive man your age, maybe a year or two older. He smiled and asked you to dance. You turned your head towards the dance floor. There were probably about 5 people showing off their measly dance moves to their partners. You nodded and let him lead you towards the floor, listening as your girlfriends giggled and whispered amongst themselves.

The mysterious man had suave. His long hair was perfectly pushed back and he smelled of sweet cologne.

“Leon, darlin’.” He replied when you asked for his name. The two of you shared a slow dance to the music, his hand a soft grip on your waist. He seemed respectful, attractive, and God, you couldn't stop smelling him. You wondered if you were ovulating. Visually, he was exactly your type on paper. Leon looked like a man your dad would shake the hand of and say “Muy Bien, muy bien.” with a smile on his face. He swept you off your feet. You just couldn’t help but feel like there was a hole being burned into the back of your skull. A nagging feeling, telling you to look behind you.

So you did, and as Leon spun you around, you saw it.

That man. The man he was with. The one you were eyeing earlier, hoping he would pull you into the back alley and fuck the life out of you.

He was staring at the both of you, drink in hand. You couldn’t quite decipher the look on his face, though you didn’t even have much time to before Leon took you back in his arms and the music changed to something more upbeat. You talked for a bit, while he took you back to the bar and you tried to swallow the massive lump that was now growing in your throat.

The man was turned back around, swirling what was left of his beer. He spoke up once you reached the bar, and you somehow knew exactly what his voice would sound like. With slight amusement to his tone, not looking up from his glass, he said “Gettin’ lucky tonight, Leon?” and Leon chuckled awkwardly, looking at you with an apologetic expression. The man finally looked up, and Leon patted your back, introducing you to him. His eyebrow twitched up ever so slightly, and when you took out your hand to shake his, you felt a jolt of electricity between your legs just from staring at his frame. He cleared his throat and reached for your hand, staring deeply into your eyes. You shook it as he quickly darted his eyes over your body, barely noticeable. But of course, you noticed.

“Nice to meet you.”

Leon told you his name was Javier, and Javier shot him a glare when he told you they were brothers. Almost as if he was forced to be here too.

“What would you like, Darlin’?” Leon asked, already accustomed to the pet name he’d given you on the dance floor.

“Surprise me.” You smiled and waited silently as you listened to Leon talk animatedly about Houston. He and his brother were complete opposites. Javier only added his 50 cents when Leon would get something wrong about their hometown, Kingsville.

“It’s been a while…” He chuckled, “So what about you, where you from?” He finally asked you.

You saw Javier look up at you, still with that unreadable expression on his face, but obviously waiting to hear your answer. You wondered if he’d been hurt in the past for him to be so cold, or if that was just his regular state. It was getting to be a bit of a turn-on.

“Well, I’m mixed with Texan. Wanna guess?”

While Leon threw around a bunch of completely wrong answers, your eyes trailed over Javier, scanning every inch of his body. He was dressed in jeans, and a black shirt with the buttons open just enough that you could see his chest hair poking through. Something about him made your lower half burn in a crude anticipation. He was painfully attractive in this lighting.

When your eyes trailed back up, you suddenly realised he was staring at you the entire time. His eyebrow raised and you turned red, heart quickening to unimaginable speeds from embarrassment as he took another sip of his beer, focusing his attention towards Leon, who you tuned out a while ago. You felt guilty for eyeing his brother like this, but you’d just met the guy. It didn’t really matter.

“C’mon, there’s no way you ain’t from Hawaii! I give up. Javi, wanna take a shot at this?”

You turned your head back towards him, he pondered for a moment.

“¿Hablas español?”

Fuck.

Your eyebrows shot up, locking eyes with him. Leon rolled his eyes, “Hey, I already tried that one.” You ignored him as you replied with, “Sí, hablo español.”

“Colombia.”

You smiled, “Sorry Leon, he got it right.”

“Fuck, what the fuck? How’d you guess that shit so fast, man?” He asked in disbelief, you sensed that he might’ve noticed your little… ‘distraction’ earlier. But if he did, he didn’t point it out. You silently thanked the universe for avoiding the awkwardness.

Javier shrugged, made a noise, and finished off his beer.

“I didn’t think it would be that hard.” You laughed before a hurried clack of heels started increasing in volume.

One of the girls at your table greeted the two men next to you, “Hey, Hi!”

She turned her attention back to you, “Emergency. Tanya’s goin’ through it right now.” You snapped your head back to see your sister, Tanya, sobbing by a parking meter outside. You panicked and shot an apologetic look and a wave to the two men before being dragged outside. Javier stole your drink.

“Tanya, what the fuck happened?” You knelt next to her small frame, lightly shaking her shoulders. She only sobbed as she showed you her bloodied dress and fingers and all you could do was hold her until she calmed down enough to leave.

To much confusion from both families, her fiance called off the wedding the day after, and everyone flew home.

-

[floridaboiler]

(I had to recreate this post from the original person since it wouldn’t reblog for me)

LEGEND

BENAVIDEZ, ROY P.

Rank and organization: Master Sergeant. Organization: Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group, Republic of Vietnam

Place and date: West of Loc Ninh on May 2, 1968

Entered service at: Houston, Texas June 1955

Born: August 5, 1935, DeWitt County, Cuero, Texas.

Master Sergeant (then Staff Sergeant) Roy P. BENAVIDEZ United States Army, distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam.

On the morning of 2 May 1968, a 12-man Special Forces Reconnaissance Team was inserted by helicopters of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company in a dense jungle area west of Loc Ninh, Vietnam to gather intelligence information about confirmed large-scale enemy activity. This area was controlled and routinely patrolled by the North Vietnamese Army. After a short period of time on the ground, the team met heavy enemy resistance, and requested emergency extraction. Three helicopters attempted extraction, but were unable to land due to intense enemy small arms and anti-aircraft fire.

Sergeant BENAVIDEZ was at the Forward Operating Base in Loc Ninh monitoring the operation by radio when these helicopters, of the 240th Assault Helicopter Company, returned to off-load wounded crew members and to assess aircraft damage. Sergeant BENAVIDEZ voluntarily boarded a returning aircraft to assist in another extraction attempt. Realizing that all the team members were either dead or wounded and unable to move to the pickup zone, he directed the aircraft to a nearby clearing where he jumped from the hovering helicopter, and ran approximately 75 meters under withering small arms fire to the crippled team.

Prior to reaching the team’s position he was wounded in his right leg, face, and head. Despite these painful injuries, he took charge, repositioning the team members and directing their fire to facilitate the landing of an extraction aircraft, and the loading of wounded and dead team members. He then threw smoke canisters to direct the aircraft to the team’s position. Despite his severe wounds and under intense enemy fire, he carried and dragged half of the wounded team members to the awaiting aircraft. He then provided protective fire by running alongside the aircraft as it moved to pick up the remaining team members. As the enemy’s fire intensified, he hurried to recover the body and classified documents on the dead team leader.

When he reached the leader’s body, Sergeant BENAVIDEZ was severely wounded by small arms fire in the abdomen and grenade fragments in his back. At nearly the same moment, the aircraft pilot was mortally wounded, and his helicopter crashed. Although in extremely critical condition due to his multiple wounds, Sergeant BENAVIDEZ secured the classified documents and made his way back to the wreckage, where he aided the wounded out of the overturned aircraft, and gathered the stunned survivors into a defensive perimeter. Under increasing enemy automatic weapons and grenade fire, he moved around the perimeter distributing water and ammunition to his weary men, reinstilling in them a will to live and fight. Facing a buildup of enemy opposition with a beleaguered team, Sergeant BENAVIDEZ mustered his strength, began calling in tactical air strikes and directed the fire from supporting gunships to suppress the enemy’s fire and so permit another extraction attempt.

He was wounded again in his thigh by small arms fire while administering first aid to a wounded team member just before another extraction helicopter was able to land. His indomitable spirit kept him going as he began to ferry his comrades to the craft. On his second trip with the wounded, he was clubbed from behind by an enemy soldier. In the ensuing hand-to-hand combat, he sustained additional wounds to his head and arms before killing his adversary.[5][note 1] He then continued under devastating fire to carry the wounded to the helicopter. Upon reaching the aircraft, he spotted and killed two enemy soldiers who were rushing the craft from an angle that prevented the aircraft door gunner from firing upon them. With little strength remaining, he made one last trip to the perimeter to ensure that all classified material had been collected or destroyed, and to bring in the remaining wounded.

Only then, in extremely serious condition from numerous wounds and loss of blood, did he allow himself to be pulled into the extraction aircraft. Sergeant BENAVIDEZ’ gallant choice to join voluntarily his comrades who were in critical straits, to expose himself constantly to withering enemy fire, and his refusal to be stopped despite numerous severe wounds, saved the lives of at least eight men. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army.

[girlfriendsofthegalaxy]

tuesday again 7/16/2024

how your backyard hurricane go, the houston area? pretty good it doesn't seem

to be clear other than losing everything in my fridge and developing some mold around the windowframes IM personally fine and so are the girls and so is the lair. we lost power sunday afternoon and got it back friday morning (upside down smiley emoji x16)

listening

THREE CANONICALLY BISEXUAL CLUB BANGERS!!! also, trying out a new thing with spotify and youtube videos for songs bc my readership is about 70/30 and i want to streamline the process of actually listening to new music for ppl. it must be really annoying this week but that's bc there's three songs. sorry. it will rarely be this long

anyway.

ANXIETY by Lilyisthatyou is new to me, off the spotify autogenerated dance playlist. a chiller groove in the spelling-things-out genre of dance music. VERY flashy-lights music vid fyi

Why do I feel so alone? Does it show That I'm dancing to fill the void with pretty girls and pretty boys?

i know about kesha's joyride bc i happen to be an alive queer woman. im SO happy kesha is also alive and making music more regularly. this one is canonically bisexual bc kesha is bisexual. also a really flashy-lights lyric video. the most classically recession-pop/early KESHA sound of all three tuesdaysongs this week. im always fascinated when an accordion shows up.

Rev my engine ’til you make it purr Keep it kinky, but I come first Beep-beep, bitch, I'm outside Get in, loser, for the joyride

thank u new releases spotify playlist. also canonically bisexual bc the singer is, also an early KESHA feel but she is a metal artist first and foremost. very fun to headbang to at a stop light. i don't totally Love how it's an emasculating song but given how dudes in the metal scene generally are? i think she should make it more emasculating actually

Take you down a peg (And peg and peg and peg) If you're a macho man then beg (And beg and beg and beg) Bend you over the bed (The bed the bed the bed) It's time to take you down a peg (And peg and peg and peg)

-

reading

fun fact i still haven't seen this movie. i got this from the library the day before the hurricane proper and it gave me a really lovely two hours of not thinking about the active hurricane the day after. enormous format photographs! full-length shots of every look! ithe little personal notes from each designer were so fun to read, and i think this genuinely healed my heart a little. everyone was so excited to go into detail about what choices they made and what inspired them, and even though i would have loved more specific construction details, specific fiber types, and full-length shots of the Back of every look, i recognize i am a freak.

-

watching

watched a truly bonkers assortment of films at my bestie's house this week. her husband is big into godzilla and i sat down not really paying attention or planning to pay attention to Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024, dir. Wingard) but found myself actually paying attention. i unfortunately was a character i hate, Person Who Stops The Movie Halfway Through To Demand A Recap. loved these guys, whatever the fuck they were

the most fun thing about this movie is that it is not a silent film but it acts like one. there are long, long stretches of movie without dialogue bc all the political action is happening between a bunch of giant monkeys. this is going to sound like im damning it with faint praise but they really thought carefully about directorial and artistic choices here! there was a vision and they executed it! it's fun to look at and not just because there's a big monkey in most of the shots!

-

playing

got a look at characters for the new fire-themed land coming up this fall. ppl are understandably big mad that the land is based on Ring of Fire cultures and everyone is paper-white. i think it is correct to be mad and ask them to do better, and they have tweaked designs before release before, however, i don't think this will bring about a sea change in gacha games.

i am rolling along clearing out map markers and achievement hunting and my GOD are there a lot of time-gated achievements in inazuma (electricity-themed legally-not-japan). so so so many of them i originally got halfway through or did 1/5 and then wandered off bc i didn't realize there was a quest or achievement locked behind doing something for three or five days in a row. i now have a post-it on the corner of my monitor with nine different things i have to keep checking in on this week. please someone give me a REAL JOB!!!!!!

-

making

cross stitch progress. this was the only thing i did last week aside from shake like a chihuahua and sleep. very slow going! may have to ship the package off to my brother with an IOU bc it is already stressfully late.

made the bean influencer soup (creamy miso coconut butter beans). i made a batch before the hurricane last week so most of my notes are from then. the grocery did not have canned butter beans so i made the same thing (big lima beans) from dry. i have not made beans from dry since i was very small. these beans were so large, so pale, so aggressive.

changes: i was able to find a little carton of straight coconut cream at the grocery but they were out of miso paste. i did have miso soup mix and plopped that in. i also used frozen spinch bc it’s cheaper and i felt better about it than the somewhat questionable fresh spinch on offer. also used two onions instead of one and a hearty dollop of minced jarred garlic bc who do u think i even fucking am. i would have loved to use fresh dill, bc i did plant some and it was growing very well, but the caterpillars were very intense and ate almost everything on my balcony.

going in the rotation! im making it AGAIN as im typing up this post! pretty cheap, very tasty, i don't regularly keep butter beans or coconut cream in my pantry but that can change!

[lonestarflight]

Cancelled missions: AS-206 (repeat of Apollo 5)

"On March 15, 1968, NASA announced that the planned second unmanned test flight of the Lunar Module (LM) was not needed given the success of the LM-1 flight during Apollo 5 in January. The decision to not fly LM-2 resulted in a significant cost and schedule savings to achieve the goal of landing a man on the Moon before the end of the decade. And while LM-2 never got to fly in space, it’s use as an important ground test vehicle helped clear the way for the first Moon landing. Because LM-2 was configured for an unmanned flight, it would have been too costly to reconfigure it for a manned flight, primarily to fireproof the cabin. As a result, the first manned test would utilize LM-3, then planned to be launched aboard a Saturn V in late 1968.

The Lunar Module (LM-2) Ascent Stage during vibration tests.

The decision at first put LM-2 and its Saturn IB rocket into storage, but NASA managers decided to use LM-2 as a high-fidelity ground-test vehicle since it contained flight-like systems. After a short time in storage, LM-2 was shipped to the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, where engineers used it for dynamic testing in the Vibration and Acoustic Test Facility (VATF) to better understand the effects of the Saturn V pogo oscillations seen during the Apollo 6 mission in April 1968. The results of those tests contributed to NASA engineers clearing the next Saturn 5 to carry a crew. After the attachment of landing gear, between March and May 1969 engineers in the VATF used LM-2 to conduct drop tests to verify the structural integrity of the vehicle and its subsystems. Because LM-2 contained flight-like vehicle systems, the results of these high-fidelity tests helped clear the Apollo 11 LM-5 to land on the Moon just two months later.

LM-2 ascent stage on display at the 1970 World’s Fair in Osaka, Japan.

After its ground testing days were over, LM-2 continued to be useful. In 1970, its ascent stage spent several months on display at the US Pavillion at 'Expo ’70' in Osaka, Japan, mated to the descent stage of Lunar Test Article-8. When it returned to the United States, it was reunited with its descent stage, modified to appear like the Apollo 11 Lunar Module 'Eagle,' and transferred to the Smithsonian in 1971 for display. In 2016, curators restored and relocated it to the new Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall in the National Air and Space Museum. The Saturn IB rocket that was planned to launch LM-2 came out of storage in May 1973, when it launched the first crew to the Skylab space station."

LM-2 modified to appear like the Apollo 11 Lunar Module "Eagle," on display at the National Air and Space Museum.

NASA ID: link, LM-NOID-09

NASM Smithsonian Institute Archives: link

[spacenutspod]

On Jan. 19, 1965, Gemini 2 successfully completed the second of two uncrewed test flights of the spacecraft and its Titan II booster, clearing the way for the first crewed mission. The 18-minute suborbital mission achieved the primary goals of flight qualifying the Gemini spacecraft, especially its heat shield during a stressful reentry. Recovery forces retrieved the capsule following its splashdown, allowing engineers to evaluate how its systems fared during the flight. The success of Gemini 2 enabled the first crewed mission to fly two months later, beginning a series of 10 flights over the following 20 months. The astronauts who flew these missions demonstrated the rendezvous and docking techniques necessary to implement the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous method NASA chose for the Moon landing mission. They also proved that astronauts could work outside their spacecraft during spacewalks and that spacecraft and astronauts could function for at least eight days, the minimum time for a roundtrip lunar mission. The Gemini program proved critical to fulfill President John F. Kennedy’s goal of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth before the end of the 1960s.  Cutaway diagram of the Gemini spacecraft. Workers at Launch Pad 19 lift Gemini 2 to mate it with its Titan II rocket. At Pad 19, engineers verify the flight simulators inside Gemini 2. Following the success of Gemini 1 in April 1964, NASA had hoped to fly the second mission before the end of the year and the first crewed mission by January 1965. The two stages of the Titan II rocket arrived at Cape Kennedy from the Martin Marietta factory in Baltimore on July 11, and workers erected it on Launch Pad 19 five days later. A lightning strike at the pad on Aug. 17 invalidated all previous testing and required replacement of some pad equipment. A series of three hurricanes in August and September forced workers to partially or totally unstack the vehicle before stacking it for the final time on Sept. 14. The Gemini 2 spacecraft arrived at Cape Kennedy from its builder, the McDonnell Company in St. Louis, on Sept. 21, and workers hoisted it to the top of the Titan II on Oct. 18. Technical issues delayed the spacecraft’s physical mating to the rocket until Nov. 5. These accumulated delays pushed the launch date back to Dec. 9.  The launch abort on Dec. 9, 1964. Liftoff of Gemini 2 from Launch Pad 19 on Jan. 19, 1965. Engineers in the blockhouse monitor the progress of the Titan II during the ascent. Fueling of the rocket began late on Dec. 8, and following three brief holds in the countdown, the Titan’s two first stage engines ignited at 11:41 a.m. EST on Dec. 9. and promptly shut down one second later. Engineers later determined that a cracked valve resulted in loss of hydraulic pressure, causing the malfunction detection system to switch to its backup mode, forcing a shutdown of the engines. Repairs meant a delay into the new year. On Jan. 19, 1965, following a mostly smooth countdown, Gemini 2 lifted off from Pad 19 at 9:04 a.m. EST.  The Mission Control Center (MCC) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the MCC, astronauts Eugene Cernan, left, Walter Schirra, Gordon Cooper, Donald “Deke” Slayton, and Virgil “Gus” Grissom monitor the Gemini 2 flight. In the Gemini Mission Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Flight Director Christopher C. Kraft led a team of flight controllers that monitored all aspects of the flight. At the Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC), now NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, a team of controllers led by Flight Director John Hodge passively monitored the flight from the newly built Mission Control Center. They would act as observers for this flight and Gemini 3, the first crewed mission, before taking over full control with Gemini IV, and control all subsequent American human spaceflights. The Titan rocket’s two stages placed Gemini 2 into a suborbital trajectory, reaching a maximum altitude of 98.9 miles, with the vehicle attaining a maximum velocity of 16,709 miles per hour. Within a minute after separating from the Titan’s second stage, Gemini 2 executed a maneuver to orient its heat shield in the direction of flight to prepare for reentry. Flight simulators installed where the astronauts normally would sit controlled the maneuvers. About seven minutes after liftoff, Gemini 2 jettisoned its equipment section, followed by firing of the retrorockets, and then separation of the retrorocket section, exposing the spacecraft’s heat shield.  View from a camera mounted on a cockpit window during Gemini 2’s reentry. View from the cockpit window during Gemini 2’s descent on its parachute. Gemini 2 then began its reentry, the heat shield protecting the spacecraft from the 2,000-degree heat generated by friction with the Earth’s upper atmosphere. A pilot parachute pulled away the rendezvous and recovery section. At 10,000 feet, the main parachute deployed, and Gemini 2 descended to a splashdown 2,127 miles from its launch pad, after a flight of 18 minutes 16 seconds. The splashdown took place in the Atlantic Ocean about 800 miles east of San Juan, Puerto Rico, and 25 miles from the prime recovery ship, the U.S.S. Lake Champlain (CVS-39).  A U.S. Navy helicopter hovers over the Gemini 2 capsule following its splashdown as a diver jumps into the water. Sailors hoist Gemini 2 aboard the U.S.S. Lake Champlain. U.S. Navy helicopters delivered divers to the splashdown area, who installed a flotation collar around the spacecraft. The Lake Champlain pulled alongside, and sailors hoisted the capsule onto the carrier, securing it on deck one hour forty minutes after liftoff. The spacecraft appeared to be in good condition and arrived back at Cape Kennedy on Jan. 22 for a thorough inspection. As an added bonus, sailors recovered the rendezvous and recovery section. Astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom, whom along with John Young NASA had selected to fly the first crewed Gemini mission, said after the splashdown, “We now see the road clear to our flight, and we’re looking forward to it.” Flight Director Kraft called it “very successful.” Gemini Program Manager Charles Matthews predicted the first crewed mission could occur within three months. Gemini 3 actually launched on March 23.  Enjoy this NASA video of the Gemini 2 mission.  Postscript  The Gemini-B capsule and a Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) mockup atop a Titan-IIIC rocket in 1966. The flown Gemini-B capsule on display at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum in Florida. Former MOL and NASA astronaut Robert Crippen stands beside the only flown Gemini-B capsule – note the hatch in the heat shield at top. Gemini 2 not only cleared the way for the first crewed Gemini mission and the rest of the program, it also took on a second life as a test vehicle for the U.S. Air Force’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). The Air Force modified the spacecraft, including cutting a hatch through its heat shield, renamed it Gemini-B, and launched it on Nov. 3, 1966, atop a Titan IIIC rocket. The test flight successfully demonstrated the hatch in the heat shield design during the capsule’s reentry after a 33-minute suborbital flight. Recovery forces retrieved the Gemini-B capsule in the South Atlantic Ocean and returned it to the Air Force for postflight inspection. This marked the only repeat flight of an American spacecraft intended for human spaceflight until the advent of the space shuttle. Visitors can view Gemini 2/Gemini-B on display at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum.  

[texasacelandclearing]

Understanding the Different Types of Land Clearing Techniques

Land clearing is an essential process in agriculture, forestry, and urban development. The choice of land clearing technique can significantly impact the environment, cost, and future land use. Understanding the different types of land clearing methods helps landowners and developers make informed decisions that align with their project goals while considering ecological implications.

1. Selective Clearing

Selective clearing involves the careful tree removal services of specific trees and vegetation while preserving others. This method is often employed in forestry and conservation projects where the goal is to maintain a balance between resource extraction and environmental stewardship.

Appropriate Uses:

Forestry Management: When timber companies aim to harvest mature trees without destroying the entire ecosystem.

Habitat Preservation: In areas where wildlife habitats need to be preserved, selective clearing allows for the removal of invasive species while protecting native flora and fauna.

Aesthetic and Recreational Areas: This method is often used in parks and recreational spaces where maintaining a natural landscape is essential for aesthetic and ecological reasons.

Benefits:

Reduced Environmental Impact: By preserving existing trees and plants, selective clearing minimizes soil erosion and maintains the carbon sequestration capacity of the land.

Biodiversity Conservation: It helps maintain habitats for various species, promoting biodiversity in the region.

2. Clear-Cutting

Clear-cutting is a more aggressive Land Clearing Services method that involves the complete removal of all vegetation in a specific area. This technique is often employed in commercial forestry to maximize timber yield or in land preparation for agriculture.

Appropriate Uses:

Commercial Timber Harvesting: Clear-cutting is commonly used in logging operations where quick and efficient timber extraction is needed.

Agricultural Development: When preparing land for large-scale farming or pasture, clear-cutting can quickly clear an area of unwanted vegetation.

Fire Prevention: In certain cases, clear-cutting is used to reduce fuel loads in forested areas, thereby mitigating the risk of wildfires.

Drawbacks:

Erosion and Soil Degradation: The removal of all vegetation can lead to soil erosion and loss of soil fertility.

Loss of Biodiversity: Clear-cutting can decimate wildlife habitats and reduce biodiversity in the area.

3. Mulch Clearing

Mulch clearing is a method that involves grinding down trees and vegetation into mulch, which is then spread across the cleared area. This technique can be used for preparing land for development or agriculture while minimizing environmental impact.

Appropriate Uses:

Land Preparation: Ideal for preparing land for new construction projects or agricultural fields.

Erosion Control: The mulch acts as a protective layer, helping to prevent soil erosion while enhancing soil health.

Sustainable Practices: This method can fit well within sustainable agricultural practices by enriching the soil as the mulch decomposes.

Benefits:

Soil Health Improvement: Mulch adds organic matter to the soil, promoting microbial activity and improving soil structure.

Reduced Waste: By turning unwanted vegetation into mulch, this method minimizes waste and utilizes the biomass effectively.

4. Mechanical Land Clearing

Mechanical land clearing employs heavy machinery such as bulldozers, excavators, and stump grinders to remove vegetation. This technique can be utilized for various land clearing needs, from residential development to large-scale agricultural operations.

Appropriate Uses:

Large-Scale Developments: Ideal for clearing vast tracts of land quickly and efficiently.

Infrastructure Projects: Used in the construction of roads, bridges, and utilities where extensive land clearing is necessary.

Resilience Planning: Useful in areas prone to flooding where quick removal of vegetation can help manage water flow.

Benefits:

Speed and Efficiency: Mechanical clearing methods can accomplish large projects in a fraction of the time it would take to clear land manually.

Versatility: This method can be adapted to various terrains and types of vegetation.

5. Manual Clearing

Manual clearing involves the physical removal of vegetation by hand, using tools such as saws, axes, and machetes. Although labor-intensive, this method can be appropriate in specific scenarios.

Appropriate Uses:

Small-Scale Projects: Best for small parcels of land or sensitive areas where heavy machinery would be detrimental to the environment.

Recreational Areas: Used in parks or nature reserves where maintaining a natural appearance is vital.

Wildlife Habitat Restoration: In projects focused on restoring native habitats, manual clearing allows for precise removal of invasive species without damaging surrounding flora.

Benefits:

Minimal Environmental Impact: This method is less likely to compact soil or disturb ecosystems compared to mechanical methods.

Control and Precision: Manual clearing allows workers to make decisions on a case-by-case basis, preserving desirable plants.

Conclusion

Understanding the various land clearing techniques—selective clearing, clear-cutting, mulch clearing, mechanical land clearing, and manual clearing—enables landowners and developers to select the most appropriate method for their projects. Each technique comes with its own set of advantages and drawbacks, making it essential to consider factors such as environmental impact, project scale, and future land use. By making informed choices, stakeholders can ensure sustainable land management practices that benefit both the economy and the environment.

[theboywithburninghands]

Haven’t got anything to say this time. Hope you like the latest chapter! @fernstarsblog your tag as always

T/W: Era appropriate sexism

Primum Peccatum Ch. 6: Stuttering, Cold and Damp

Primum Peccatum was only about four miles long, the majority of it empty land purchased by rich families, waiting to be cultivated for their sons’ and daughters’ estates. The trees consisted mostly of black pine, with the occasional thicket of dogwood or white birch.

Landmarks were mostly gathered around the center of the island, other than the handful of completed estates scattered about such as the Shutnyk and Rooker Estates, and the post office, which was by the pier for obvious reasons. These landmarks included the island’s branch of The Gray Church, Lakepoint Assembly Hall, for Homeowners Association meetings and holiday events, and a small freshwater pond known as Falconhurst Cove, named after one of the founders of the island. It contained little, other than 8 feet of water, some small guppies, cattails, algae and a few ducks or loons on occasion. It had been public property for years, a quiet bit of unmanufactured nature for the residents to enjoy.

Pomni sat by Falconhurst with her novel. It wasn’t her favorite spot for reading, that would be her father’s library, but she didn’t want to be in her parents’ vicinity at the moment. Her mother would doubtlessly ask for her opinions on wedding decor and what Pomni wanted her dress to look like. Pomni had told her, several times, quite clearly, that she wanted nothing gaudy, and a black and white color scheme. Her favorite colors were red and blue, yes, but they looked good on flowers and birds, not people.

Falconhurst was a reasonable substitute. Pomni liked the pond. It was a tranquil place, and even in the summertime it didn’t attract very many mosquitos, mostly craneflies and pond skimmers. But the water was stagnant and too filthy for swimming, and while her parents enjoyed feeding bread to the waterfowl, Pomni didn’t much care for them. They were loud and greedy, and they left their droppings all over the grass. Cute as they were, she’d rather be alone.

She was enjoying rereading her novel, even if she had the whole thing memorized. Houston’s prose was so clean and precise. She described settings with such ease. The town in Humidity was as clear to her mind’s eye as was the pond right in front of her. If she were a better artist, she might have attempted to draw it.

There was a tap on her open book, like someone lightly drumming a finger on it. A blotch of water about the size of a pea sat in the middle of page 43. Pomni looked up at the sky, which was a soft gray. She heard other drops land on the leaves of grass and make rings on the pond.

“Oh, blast… I was hoping it would hold off a bit longer.” Pomni sighed. She wiped the raindrop off the page of her book to avoid smearing the ink, shut it and tucked it into her handbag. She got to her feet and began to walk to The Gray Church, about a half mile away. She could wait out the rain in the Assembly Hall just a short walk away, but the HOA President Mr. Kretschmann might have locked the door, and even then, she’d rather be at the church with a friend than in a dark function room by herself. She never liked that place much anyway, with all the tedious parties her parents had made her attend.

The few droplets of rain had picked up into a drizzle as she made her way to the road. Pomni walked beneath the treeline to keep the rain off, enjoying the pleasant sound of raindrops whispering in the pine needles above her. If this weather kept up, she might have actually tried to find an especially dry place to read, but the book didn’t belong to her. So the church it was.

As she walked towards the church, the rain gradually picked up in volume. Hm, this was starting to become risky. She didn’t want to run the risk of a head cold. That would force her to stay at home and listen to her mother’s nattering. She quickened her pace, droplets of water beginning to eke through the pine needles above her with increasing frequency.

She came upon the church on the horizon. What a relief… She hoped Ragatha had the kettle on. It was a bit selfish to think such a thing, but she hadn’t had the chance to enjoy solitude with one of her only friends on this island, at least without being interrupted by that dreadful shapeman with huge teeth.

“Well, it seems our paths align once again, my dear.”

Pomni nearly slipped and dropped her book upon hearing a familiar, glib voice nearby.

Jax Krolik stood out on the road under a black umbrella, clad in his usual gray on gray waistcoat and trousers, although this time with an ultramarine ascot rather than his usual red one. He smiled.

“Mr. Krolik. Is it truly a crossing of paths, or are you following me?” Pomni countered.

“Once again, your talent for presumption truly astounds.” Jax said, his smile not faltering. “I suppose any coincidence you encounter inspires a conspiracy theory, hm? Perhaps my being here was foretold by the very constellations.”

He gave a theatrical wave of the hand. Pomni scoffed, crossing her arms. “A true wordsmith. Do you employ such doggerel with all of your marks?”

“Only with my betrothed. You should come under the umbrella, the rain is picking up.”

“I’m just fine, thank you,” Pomni answered curtly.

“Somehow I find that difficult to believe. Is that a library book? You wouldn’t want that ruined, I’m certain. You have such a fine library at home, I figured you must have some appreciation of the written word.”

“Our agreement, need I remind you, Mr. Krolik-”

Jax merely walked over to Pomni, shading her with his umbrella.

“You needn’t remind me. I’m quite aware. However, it would be ungentlemanly to allow you to stand there and become drenched. You don’t honestly believe the rumors that we beastfolk bite, do you?”

Jax seemed to show more of his teeth.

“I… Appreciate the gesture, I suppose. Even if it is basic courtesy.” Pomni said. “Must you always act so… self-assured?”

“Act? My self-assurance is entirely genuine.”

“Genuine it may be, yet no less irritating. If you wouldn’t mind, please tell me why you’re here.”

Jax pointed to the church in the distance. “I was just about to inquire if the island’s Gray Sister had seen my sister-in-law. I heard footsteps and thought it may have been Kali, but, alas, it was only you.”

Pomni rolled her eyes. “Hmm. I encountered Kali on the ferry earlier. She said she was on her way to visit you. Has she become lost?”

“Hardly,” Jax replied. “I had one last query for her, but I had forgotten all about it until after she left The Rooker Estate. I saw her leave in this direction.”

“Yes, she told me she was going to the church,” Pomni said. “She may still be inside.”

“Wonderful! Let’s investigate together, shall we?” Jax strode forward, Pomni having to quicken her pace to keep dry beneath his umbrella.

This marked the second time her fiancé had intruded on one of her sanctuaries. It was fortunate he had an umbrella, but that was coincidental, surely. It seemed this fellow had no intention of following the agreement that he himself put forth… disappointing yet ultimately unsurprising.

“How are the wedding preparations coming along in your household, Ms. Shutnyk?” asked Jax.

“Er… I wouldn’t know. I’ve been doing what I can to remain distant from the whole business. I assume that’s why you’re living here on Primum Peccatum rather than on the mainland. Apart from ‘keeping up appearances,’ that is.”

Jax grinned yet again. His frequent smiling disturbed Pomni. She only smiled if something truly made her happy, otherwise her affect was neutral at all times. Her mother had scolded her so often for that. What was so amusing to Jax?

“You could say that’s one reason. Event planning always seemed like an exercise in drudgery. But I also wanted to explore where I would be living for the rest of my days. And what a charming little island it is!”

Pomni nodded. “Even in spite of your dyspepsia?”

Jax looked puzzled for a moment, before his smile lengthened again.

“My dyspep- Ah, yes! Of course. Apologies for leaving you so suddenly yesterday. I have a delicate constitution.”

Pomni squinted. It seemed as though he had forgotten about his ailments, even if they had him rushing to the water closet only yesterday. Which meant either these digestive issues happened so frequently that Mr. Krolik genuinely forgot about having them yesterday… or he wasn’t telling the truth. Perhaps he had become crawsick. Kinger did have a rather extensive wine collection.

Jax continued speaking. “I must say, it does rain quite often in New Hirnantia. Back when I was just a lad and my family still resided in Ediacara, we were lucky to get rain more than twice in one month. Yet here-”

“Mr. Krolik, is this conversation necessary?” Pomni interrupted.

Jax stopped walking. “…I suppose not. But, if we are to be wed, we should at least tolerate one another’s company. It would be a miserable existence if we spent our days bickering, would it not? I would call that a waste of a life.”

Pomni hummed. “Very well, but may we discuss something other than the weather? That topic is rather banal.”

The pair reached the heavy oak door to the sanctuary, Jax rapping on it smartly. After a moment, the hasp could be heard being undone and the door opened with an achy iron creak.

Sister Ragatha’s oddly grim expression brightened upon seeing a familiar face.

“Well good afternoon, Pomni! And who might you be sir?”

Jax extended a hand. “Good afternoon, sister. Jax Krolik. Miss Shutnyk’s fiancé.”

Pomni blinked for a few moments too long.

Ragatha looked at his gloved hand for a moment, uncertain of what to do, before she took it in both of her hands and squeezed it.

“Allfather bless you, Mr. Krolik. I am Sister Ragatha, acting priestess for this branch of The Gray Church. Please come in, both of you.”

She motioned the pair inside, Pomni removing her shoes at the door. Jax unzipped his wide boots and stepped out barefoot onto the carpet, sighing with relief. He hung his umbrella out the door and shook the rainwater off of it before closing it and hanging it on one of the hooks.

“What brings you to this house of worship in such unpleasant weather? Ah- pardon me,” Ragatha removed the hood of her habit, letting her bright red curls cascade onto her shoulders. She shook her head and sighed. “I’ve been meaning to get my hair trimmed.”

“I was wondering, ma’am, if you’ve seen my sister-in-law today. She looks much like me, but with orange fur rather than purple.” Jax explained.

Ragatha thought for a moment. “Hm… I don’t believe I have. The only people I’ve seen today are the two of you, apart from confessors. And naturally, I don’t know their identities.”

Jax’s face fell. “Ah, I see. No matter, thank you for your time, ma’am.”

“If you’re worried for her, I could help organize a search party. This is a rather small island, I’m sure we could have the whole community combed over in just a few hours.” Ragatha suggested, but Jax was already pulling his boots back on.

“That’s unnecessary, sister. I’m sure we merely missed one another. Have a truly sanctimonious day.” Jax pulled the church door open and marched off into the rain, which had hastened considerably.

“Mr. Krolik..!” Pomni called after him. She watched him splash down the road until he disappeared over the crest of the hill leading towards her parents’ and Mr. Rooker’s estate. She made a noise of annoyance and returned to the chapel.

“Sanctimonious..?” Ragatha said to herself. “I can’t tell if he was being rude or simply used the wrong word.”

“More than likely the latter. A poet, he is not.” Pomni replied, looking at the dripping umbrella Jax left on the hook.

“Hm, well, hopefully he won’t catch his death of cold. You’re welcome to stay here until the rain subsides, of course.” Ragatha said.

“Thank you, I may take you up on that offer.” Pomni hadn’t taken her eyes off of the umbrella. She sighed. He kept her dry long enough to get to a place of refuge. She had to return it. “No, I shouldn’t. He’ll be missing that umbrella.”

Ragatha smiled proudly. “Well, that’s a very charitable thing to do, Pomni. I’m sure The Hereafter just became a bit easier for you to see.”

“Hmph,” was Pomni’s reply. She stepped out onto the stoop, opening the umbrella in a shower of droplets. She held it over herself and tucked her book under her arm, and walked cautiously to the steps.

“Oh, Pomni! One moment before you leave!” Ragatha came to the doorway, a smile alighting her face. “Your mother plans on having your wedding here, at this very church. So I’ll be the officiater!”

Pomni smiled in return. It took some

effort, but she maintained eye contact. “Well, if it must happen, I’d be delighted to have you wed me, Ragatha. Have a wonderful day.”

“You as well, little sister. Stay dry.” Ragatha beamed and shut the door to the church. Pomni itched at her arm. While she abhorred this whole situation, she did feel a small bit better that one of her best friends would be officiating and not a stranger.

As she walked down the rainswept path, questions buzzed in her mind like irritating little fruit flies. Kali told her she was going to The Gray Church, yet Ragatha said she had only spoken to anonymous confessors today. So she must have been confessing. But what about? Something to do with Jax? Had she lied about thinking Pomni could run her father’s business? That would certainly be a dagger in her back… And why had Jax gone to find her? There was mention of a question, yes, but her fiancé had already told many half-truths… none of it added up. She supposed she’d have to ponder this more carefully once she wasn’t in the driving rain.

The pink Shutnyk Estate came into view, but Pomni walked right past it towards Mr. Rooker’s manor. Hopefully the rain would let up at least a little by the time she headed back home. Her book would be wet pulp if she walked uncovered in this deluge. She turned into Kinger’s raggy garden, and stopped when she saw a figure sat against the front door, elbows on their knees.

“Mr. Krolik?”

Sure enough, it was Jax, purple fur dripping wet, leaning against the Rooker estate’s locked door in water-darkened clothes. He looked over at Pomni, smirking.

“We meet again. Maybe it was preordained.”

Jax walked through this without any kind of protection? What a foolish thing to do. Still, her chest did ache with a mote of pity for the rabbit. No one deserved to be soaked to the bone and trapped outdoors, even if they were at fault. Thank goodness it was warm out or he may be risking his life out here…

“Why aren’t you indoors?!” Pomni demanded.

“Well, it would appear Mr. Rooker left for the day, and neglected to tell me.” Jax replied.

“And he didn’t give you an extra key?!” Pomni asked, having to raise her voice over the rain.

“No, he did not.”

Pomni scoffed and walked up onto the wet stoop. She took out her ring of keys, finding the extra one Kinger lent her ages ago to feed his insect collection, and unlocked the door. Jax climbed to his feet, water drooling off of his sleeves and pooling under his boots.

“There. I apologize on Mr. Rooker’s behalf. The old duffer’s memory isn’t exactly reliable. Be careful not to get water on any of his documents, or you’ll be out in the cold. Here’s your umbrella. Good afternoon.”

“You’re certain you want to go out in that?” Jax nodded towards the now torrential rain.

“I don’t have much say in the matter, do I?” Pomni retorted.

“You could always wait out the downpour.” Jax said.

“That is not ideal.” Pomni stated firmly.

“Sometimes the ideal choice isn’t possible. Look at us.” Jax said with a grin.

“Oh for the love of The Allfather… Very well. Only because I fear for my book.”

She stepped inside Kinger’s estate, removing her sunhat and placing it onto one of the stacks of paper. Jax stepped inside, removed his soaked-through boots and jacket.

“Excuse me. Please don’t disrobe in front of me.” Pomni requested sharply.

Jax didn’t reply, opening the door and wringing his sopping wet waistcoat out. There was a clink as a small glass tincture bottle fell out onto the stoop.

“Oh, thank goodness that didn’t break…” Jax picked it up hurriedly.

“What is that?” Pomni inquired.

“That is what’s going to keep me from falling ill. An Ediacaran holistic. Good for most minor ailments such as dyspepsia and immune health.”

He removed the dropper from the bottle, sticking out his tongue and squeezing two drops of reddish brown liquid onto it.

“I see,” Pomni said. “And it works?”

“Most certainly. I always carry a bottle on my person. Would you like to try some? The flavor is quite unpleasant.”

Pomni held a hand out in opposition. “I’m quite alright, thank you. I’d rather use real medicine…”

“Suit yourself, dear. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get into something more presentable.”

“Very well… You may do so.”

Jax nodded and began removing his shirt.

“In your bedchamber.” Pomni ordered.

“Ahhh, you must be more specific next time, dear.” Jax replied with a grin. He went upstairs to the second floor. Pomni shook her head in disbelief, going into the kitchen to put on the teakettle.

From outside, a shapeman in red watched through the window. He held a red umbrella above his head, made up almost entirely of teeth. Despite the downpour, both he and his umbrella were dust-dry. He checked to see if it was still raining. Water hit his glove and beaded off. He folded his umbrella, twirling it in his hand, and walked into the woods.

[reasoningdaily]

Wrapping his wife in a blanket as she mourned the loss of her pregnancy at 11 weeks, Hope Ngumezi wondered why no obstetrician was coming to see her.

Over the course of six hours on June 11, 2023, Porsha Ngumezi had bled so much in the emergency department at Houston Methodist Sugar Land that she’d needed two transfusions. She was anxious to get home to her young sons, but, according to a nurse’s notes, she was still “passing large clots the size of grapefruit.”

Hope dialed his mother, a former physician, who was unequivocal. “You need a D&C,” she told them, referring to dilation and curettage, a common procedure for first-trimester miscarriages and abortions. If a doctor could remove the remaining tissue from her uterus, the bleeding would end.

But when Dr. Andrew Ryan Davis, the obstetrician on duty, finally arrived, he said it was the hospital’s “routine” to give a drug called misoprostol to help the body pass the tissue, Hope recalled. Hope trusted the doctor. Porsha took the pills, according to records, and the bleeding continued.

Three hours later, her heart stopped.

The 35-year-old’s death was preventable, according to more than a dozen doctors who reviewed a detailed summary of her case for ProPublica. Some said it raises serious questions about how abortion bans are pressuring doctors to diverge from the standard of care and reach for less-effective options that could expose their patients to more risks. Doctors and patients described similar decisions they’ve witnessed across the state.

It was clear Porsha needed an emergency D&C, the medical experts said. She was hemorrhaging and the doctors knew she had a blood-clotting disorder, which put her at greater danger of excessive and prolonged bleeding. “Misoprostol at 11 weeks is not going to work fast enough,” said Dr. Amber Truehart, an OB-GYN at the University of New Mexico Center for Reproductive Health. “The patient will continue to bleed and have a higher risk of going into hemorrhagic shock.” The medical examiner found the cause of death to be hemorrhage.

D&Cs — a staple of maternal health care — can be lifesaving. Doctors insert a straw-like tube into the uterus and gently suction out any remaining pregnancy tissue. Once the uterus is emptied, it can close, usually stopping the bleeding.

But because D&Cs are also used to end pregnancies, the procedure has become tangled up in state legislation that restricts abortions. In Texas, any doctor who violates the strict law risks up to 99 years in prison. Porsha’s is the fifth case ProPublica has reported in which women died after they did not receive a D&C or its second-trimester equivalent, a dilation and evacuation; three of those deaths were in Texas.

ProPublica condensed 200 pages of medical records into a summary of the case in consultation with two maternal-fetal medicine specialists and then reviewed it with more than a dozen experts around the country, including researchers at prestigious universities, OB-GYNs who regularly handle miscarriages, and experts in maternal health.

Texas doctors told ProPublica the law has changed the way their colleagues see the procedure; some no longer consider it a first-line treatment, fearing legal repercussions or dissuaded by the extra legwork required to document the miscarriage and get hospital approval to carry out a D&C. This has occurred, ProPublica found, even in cases like Porsha’s where there isn’t a fetal heartbeat or the circumstances should fall under an exception in the law. Some doctors are transferring those patients to other hospitals, which delays their care, or they’re defaulting to treatments that aren’t the medical standard.

Misoprostol, the medicine given to Porsha, is an effective method to complete low-risk miscarriages but is not recommended when a patient is unstable. The drug is also part of a two-pill regimen for abortions, yet administering it may draw less scrutiny than a D&C because it requires a smaller medical team and because the drug is commonly used to induce labor and treat postpartum hemorrhage. Since 2022, some Texas women who were bleeding heavily while miscarrying have gone public about only receiving medication when they asked for D&Cs. One later passed out in a pool of her own blood.

Doctors and nurses involved in Porsha’s care did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Several physicians who reviewed the summary of her case pointed out that Davis’ post-mortem notes did not reflect nurses’ documented concerns about Porsha’s “heavy bleeding.” After Porsha died, Davis wrote instead that the nurses and other providers described the bleeding as “minimal,” though no nurses wrote this in the records. ProPublica tried to ask Davis about this discrepancy. He did not respond to emails, texts or calls.

Houston Methodist officials declined to answer a detailed list of questions about Porsha’s treatment. They did not comment when asked whether Davis’ approach was the hospital’s “routine.” A spokesperson said that “each patient’s care is unique to that individual.”

“All Houston Methodist hospitals follow all state laws,” the spokesperson added, “including the abortion law in place in Texas.”

“We Need to See the Doctor”

Hope marveled at the energy Porsha had for their two sons, ages 5 and 3. Whenever she wasn’t working, she was chasing them through the house or dancing with them in the living room. As a finance manager at a charter school system, she was in charge of the household budget. As an engineer for an airline, Hope took them on flights around the world — to Chile, Bali, Guam, Singapore, Argentina.

The two had met at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas. “When Porsha and I began dating,” Hope said, “I already knew I was going to love her.” She was magnetic and driven, going on to earn an MBA, but she was also gentle with him, always protecting his feelings. Both were raised in big families and they wanted to build one of their own.

When he learned Porsha was pregnant again in the spring of 2023, Hope wished for a girl. Porsha found a new OB-GYN who said she could see her after 11 weeks. Ten weeks in, though, Porsha noticed she was spotting. Over the phone, the obstetrician told her to go to the emergency room if it got worse.

To celebrate the end of the school year, Porsha and Hope took their boys to a water park in Austin, and as they headed back, on June 11, Porsha told Hope that the bleeding was heavier. They decided Hope would stay with the boys at home until a relative could take over; Porsha would drive to the emergency room at Houston Methodist Sugar Land, one of seven community hospitals that are part of the Houston Methodist system.

At 6:30 p.m, three hours after Porsha arrived at the hospital, she saw huge clots in the toilet. “Significant bleeding,” the emergency physician wrote. “I’m starting to feel a lot of pain,” Porsha texted Hope. Around 7:30 p.m., she wrote: “She said I might need surgery if I don’t stop bleeding,” referring to the nurse. At 7:50 p.m., after a nurse changed her second diaper in an hour: “Come now.”

Still, the doctor didn’t mention a D&C at this point, records show. Medical experts told ProPublica that this wait-and-see approach has become more common under abortion bans. Unless there is “overt information indicating that the patient is at significant risk,” hospital administrators have told physicians to simply monitor them, said Dr. Robert Carpenter, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who works in several hospital systems in Houston. Methodist declined to share its miscarriage protocols with ProPublica or explain how it is guiding doctors under the abortion ban.

As Porsha waited for Hope, a radiologist completed an ultrasound and noted that she had “a pregnancy of unknown location.” The scan detected a “sac-like structure” but no fetus or cardiac activity. This report, combined with her symptoms, indicated she was miscarrying.

But the ultrasound record alone was less definitive from a legal perspective, several doctors explained to ProPublica. Since Porsha had not had a prenatal visit, there was no documentation to prove she was 11 weeks along. On paper, this “pregnancy of unknown location” diagnosis could also suggest that she was only a few weeks into a normally developing pregnancy, when cardiac activity wouldn’t be detected. Texas outlaws abortion from the moment of fertilization; a record showing there is no cardiac activity isn’t enough to give physicians cover to intervene, experts said.

Dr. Gabrielle Taper, who recently worked as an OB-GYN resident in Austin, said that she regularly witnessed delays after ultrasound reports like these. “If it’s a pregnancy of unknown location, if we do something to manage it, is that considered an abortion or not?” she said, adding that this was one of the key problems she encountered. After the abortion ban went into effect, she said, “there was much more hesitation about: When can we intervene, do we have enough evidence to say this is a miscarriage, how long are we going to wait, what will we use to feel definitive?”

Around 8:30 p.m., just after Hope arrived, Porsha passed out. Terrified, he took her head in his hands and tried to bring her back to consciousness. “Babe, look at me,” he told her. “Focus.” Her blood pressure was dipping dangerously low. She had held off on accepting a blood transfusion until he got there. Now, as she came to, she agreed to receive one and then another.

By this point, it was clear that she needed a D&C, more than a dozen OB-GYNs who reviewed her case told ProPublica. She was hemorrhaging, and the standard of care is to vacuum out the residual tissue so the uterus can clamp down, physicians told ProPublica.

“Complete the miscarriage and the bleeding will stop,” said Dr. Lauren Thaxton, an OB-GYN who recently left Texas.

“At every point, it’s kind of shocking,” said Dr. Daniel Grossman, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California, San Francisco who reviewed Porsha’s case. “She is having significant blood loss and the physician didn’t move toward aspiration.”

All Porsha talked about was her devastation of losing the pregnancy. She was cold, crying and in extreme pain. She wanted to be at home with her boys. Unsure what to say, Hope leaned his chest over the cot, passing his body heat to her.

At 9:45 p.m., Esmeralda Acosta, a nurse, wrote that Porsha was “continuing to pass large clots the size of grapefruit.” Fifteen minutes later, when the nurse learned Davis planned to send Porsha to a floor with fewer nurses, she “voiced concern” that he wanted to take her out of the emergency room, given her condition, according to medical records.

At 10:20 p.m., seven hours after Porsha arrived, Davis came to see her. Hope remembered what his mother had told him on the phone earlier that night: “She needs a D&C.” The doctor seemed confident about a different approach: misoprostol. If that didn’t work, Hope remembers him saying, they would move on to the procedure.

A pill sounded good to Porsha because the idea of surgery scared her. Davis did not explain that a D&C involved no incisions, just suction, according to Hope, or tell them that it would stop the bleeding faster. The Ngumezis followed his recommendation without question. “I’m thinking, ‘He’s the OB, he’s probably seen this a thousand times, he probably knows what’s right,’” Hope said.

But more than a dozen doctors who reviewed Porsha’s case were concerned by this recommendation. Many said it was dangerous to give misoprostol to a woman who’s bleeding heavily, especially one with a blood clotting disorder. “That’s not what you do,” said Dr. Elliott Main, the former medical director for the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative and an expert in hemorrhage, after reviewing the case. “She needed to go to the operating room.” Main and others said doctors are obliged to counsel patients on the risks and benefits of all their options, including a D&C.

Performing a D&C, though, attracts more attention from colleagues, creating a higher barrier in a state where abortion is illegal, explained Goulding, the OB-GYN in Houston. Staff are familiar with misoprostol because it’s used for labor, and it only requires a doctor and a nurse to administer it. To do a procedure, on the other hand, a doctor would need to find an operating room, an anesthesiologist and a nursing team. “You have to convince everyone that it is legal and won’t put them at risk,” said Goulding. “Many people may be afraid and misinformed and refuse to participate — even if it’s for a miscarriage.”

Davis moved Porsha to a less-intensive unit, according to records. Hope wondered why they were leaving the emergency room if the nurse seemed so worried. But instead of pushing back, he rubbed Porsha’s arms, trying to comfort her. The hospital was reputable. “Since we were at Methodist, I felt I could trust the doctors.”

On their way to the other ward, Porsha complained of chest pain. She kept remarking on it when they got to the new room. From this point forward, there are no nurse’s notes recording how much she continued to bleed. “My wife says she doesn’t feel right, and last time she said that, she passed out,” Hope told a nurse. Furious, he tried to hold it together so as not to alarm Porsha. “We need to see the doctor,” he insisted.

Her vital signs looked fine. But many physicians told ProPublica that when healthy pregnant patients are hemorrhaging, their bodies can compensate for a long time, until they crash. Any sign of distress, such as chest pain, could be a red flag; the symptom warranted investigation with tests, like an electrocardiogram or X-ray, experts said. To them, Porsha’s case underscored how important it is that doctors be able to intervene before there are signs of a life-threatening emergency.

But Davis didn’t order any tests, according to records.

Around 1:30 a.m., Hope was sitting by Porsha’s bed, his hands on her chest, telling her, “We are going to figure this out.” They were talking about what she might like for breakfast when she began gasping for air.

“Help, I need help!” he shouted to the nurses through the intercom. “She can’t breathe.”

“All She Needed”

Hours later, Hope returned home in a daze. “Is mommy still at the hospital?” one of his sons asked. Hope nodded; he couldn’t find the words to tell the boys they’d lost their mother. He dressed them and drove them to school, like the previous day had been a bad dream. He reached for his phone to call Porsha, as he did every morning that he dropped the kids off. But then he remembered that he couldn’t.

Friends kept reaching out. Most of his family’s network worked in medicine, and after they said how sorry they were, one after another repeated the same message. All she needed was a D&C, said one. They shouldn’t have given her that medication, said another. It’s a simple procedure, the callers continued. We do this all the time in Nigeria.

Since Porsha died, several families in Texas have spoken publicly about similar circumstances. This May, when Ryan Hamilton’s wife was bleeding while miscarrying at 13 weeks, the first doctor they saw at Surepoint Emergency Center Stephenville noted no fetal cardiac activity and ordered misoprostol, according to medical records. When they returned because the bleeding got worse, an emergency doctor on call, Kyle Demler, said he couldn’t do anything considering “the current stance” in Texas, according to Hamilton, who recorded his recollection of the conversation shortly after speaking with Demler. (Neither Surepoint Emergency Center Stephenville nor Demler responded to several requests for comment.)

They drove an hour to another hospital asking for a D&C to stop the bleeding, but there, too, the physician would only prescribe misoprostol, medical records indicate. Back home, Hamilton’s wife continued bleeding until he found her passed out on the bathroom floor. “You don’t think it can really happen like that,” said Hamilton. “It feels like you’re living in some sort of movie, it’s so unbelievable.”

Across Texas, physicians say they blame the law for interfering with medical care. After ProPublica reported last month on two women who died after delays in miscarriage care, 111 OB-GYNs sent a letter to Texas policymakers, saying that “the law does not allow Texas women to get the lifesaving care they need.”

Dr. Austin Dennard, an OB-GYN in Dallas, told ProPublica that if one person on a medical team doubts the doctor’s choice to proceed with a D&C, the physician might back down. “You constantly feel like you have someone looking over your shoulder in a punitive, vigilante type of way.”

The criminal penalties are so chilling that even women with diagnoses included in the law’s exceptions are facing delays and denials. Last year, for example, legislators added an update to the ban for patients diagnosed with previable premature rupture of membranes, in which a patient’s water breaks before a fetus can survive. Doctors can still face prosecution for providing abortions in those cases, but they are offered the chance to justify themselves with what’s called an “affirmative defense,” not unlike a murder suspect arguing self defense. This modest change has not stopped some doctors from transferring those patients instead of treating them; Dr. Allison Gilbert, an OB-GYN in Dallas, said doctors send them to her from other hospitals. “They didn’t feel like other staff members would be comfortable proceeding with the abortion,” she said. “It’s frustrating that places still feel like they can’t act on some of these cases that are clearly emergencies.” Women denied treatment for ectopic pregnancies, another exception in the law, have filed federal complaints.

In response to ProPublica’s questions about Houston Methodist’s guidance on miscarriage management, a spokesperson, Gale Smith, said that the hospital has an ethics committee, which can usually respond within hours to help physicians and patients make “appropriate decisions” in compliance with state laws.

After Porsha died, Davis described in the medical record a patient who looked stable: He was tracking her vital signs, her bleeding was “mild” and she was “said not to be in distress.” He ordered bloodwork “to ensure patient wasn’t having concerning bleeding.” Medical experts who reviewed Porsha’s case couldn’t understand why Davis noted that a nurse and other providers reported “decreasing bleeding” in the emergency department when the record indicated otherwise. “He doesn’t document the heavy bleeding that the nurse clearly documented, including the significant bleeding that prompted the blood transfusion, which is surprising,” Grossman, the UCSF professor, said.

Patients who are miscarrying still don’t know what to expect from Houston Methodist.

This past May, Marlena Stell, a patient with symptoms nearly identical to Porsha’s, arrived at another hospital in the system, Houston Methodist The Woodlands. According to medical records, she, too, was 11 weeks along and bleeding heavily. An ultrasound confirmed there was no fetal heartbeat and indicated the miscarriage wasn’t complete. “I assumed they would do whatever to get the bleeding to stop,” Stell said.

Instead, she bled for hours at the hospital. She wanted a D&C to clear out the rest of the tissue, but the doctor gave her methergine, a medication that’s typically used after childbirth to stop bleeding but that isn’t standard care in the middle of a miscarriage, doctors told ProPublica. "She had heavy bleeding, and she had an ultrasound that's consistent with retained products of conception." said Dr. Jodi Abbott, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston University School of Medicine, who reviewed the records. "The standard of care would be a D&C."

Stell says that instead, she was sent home and told to “let the miscarriage take its course.” She completed her miscarriage later that night, but doctors who reviewed her case, so similar to Porsha’s, said it showed how much of a gamble physicians take when they don’t follow the standard of care. “She got lucky — she could have died,” Abbott said. (Houston Methodist did not respond to a request for comment on Stell’s care.)

It hadn’t occurred to Hope that the laws governing abortion could have any effect on his wife’s miscarriage. Now it’s the only explanation that makes sense to him. “We all know pregnancies can come out beautifully or horribly,” Hope told ProPublica. “Instead of putting laws in place to make pregnancies safer, we created laws that put them back in danger.”

For months, Hope’s youngest son didn’t understand that his mom was gone. Porsha’s long hair had been braided, and anytime the toddler saw a woman with braids from afar, he would take off after her, shouting, “That’s mommy!”

A couple weeks ago, Hope flew to Amsterdam to quiet his mind. It was his first trip without Porsha, but as he walked the city, he didn’t know how to experience it without her. He kept thinking about how she would love the Christmas lights and want to try all the pastries. How she would have teased him when he fell asleep on a boat tour of the canals. “I thought getting away would help,” he wrote in his journal. “But all I’ve done is imagine her beside me.”

[thomasthetankieengine]

apas-95 talking about World War II is always a menagerie of stupidity because she insists in interpreting the entire thing in terms of profit and treats Nazi Germany's racialism as something that can be argued in pure rational economic terms. To be certain, the Nazis' plan to exterminate and/or enslave most of the Slavs and Balts did have a clear economic dimension behind it, because the goal was for ethnic Germans to do a settler colonialism on the lands that they had formerly occupied. But this kind of analysis fails to explain Nazi animosity to Jews and the Roma, both of whom were minorities, and who held no significant amount of land in Europe or anywhere else.

One of Jenny's biggest problems is that she's incredibly uninterested in the fact that Nazi antisemitism was not their unique creation, but was built off of centuries of previous thought. Nor did they invent racial antisemitism. This specific idea is usually said to have had its roots in the Iberian idea of Limpieza de sangre and was developed further by 19th and early 20th century racialists such as Arthur de Gobineau and Houston Stewart Chamberlain.

My favorite part of this post, though, has to be apas referring to either the British Empire or the United States in 1941 as a merchant empire. Apas, honey… You do realize that they were both very much industrialized powers, right? Like, did you not learn in school that the Industrial Revolution started in Great Britain in the 18th century?

[sparkleplatypuswriter]

After Thursday's gut-wrenching reunion, I decided to post a much softer rendering - one that takes place in a magical AU of season 3. Summary: Margo and Sergei meet each other in her office for the first time after he and his family land in Houston.

[llewelynpritch]

UPDATES FROM UNIST'OT'EN

‘What’s been happening at the Healing Centre?

The Unist’ot’en Clan and the employees and volunteers at the Healing Centre had six successful land-based healing programs over the winter and spring, welcoming Wet’suwet’en people in need of treatment and healing from substance use and the trauma of colonization. The Healing Centre, with its remote location, offers a unique healing environment, allowing participants to enjoy the outdoors, go hiking or snowshoeing, take part in the sacred waters of the Wedzin Kwah, and otherwise be free to exist in a way that is impossible and unsafe in an urban rehabilitation clinic. At Unist’ot’en, participants are also able to engage in programming with their spouses and families, where as in other rehab spaces, participants are separated from their families and forced to heal alone.

The FNHA held a weeklong program at the Centre in June, with participants taking part in a Psychological First Aid Training and sharing powerful traditional knowledge from across nations. We hope to have them back and are grateful for their support of our work and space! What a pleasure to have you with us.

The annual Summer Work Party in June focused on Fire Prevention and Safety, with participants coming from all over Turtle Island and beyond, including New York, Washington, Montreal, and Germany. We cleaned up dry brush from all across the grounds, planted an herb and vegetable garden, and created connections and lasting friendships with both new and returning supporters.

Want to be a part of our Healing Revolution?

Come to our August Work Party!

We would love to have you join us in August. Come for as little as a week, or come early and stay late! We welcome visitors year round, but Work Party is the only time new supporters can come for less than two weeks.

But will I be helpful?

Yes, you will be! All skillsets are needed, but especially: Chainsaw operators, construction tradespeople, cooks, cleaners and organizers, gardeners, medics, fire fighters, drone operators, and people who love to get their hands dirty with hard work. Drivers are also needed, so if you have a reliable vehicle but only a few days to spare or are unable to stay at camp for long, please consider becoming a driver to get much needed supplies and people from Vancouver to Houston, BC.

What happens at Work Party?

We have structured days with three excellent meals and free time each evening for card games, hiking, and swimming in the clean river, just downstream from where we get our excellent drinking water. There is a set schedule for a morning meeting where we decide on our projects for the day and check in with each other about our capacities, then there are set times for meals, with projects happening between them. There are medics on site, snacks and drinks provided all day, tenting under the stars, hot showers a couple of times a week, laundry available once every ten days, and plenty of opportunity to get to know your fellow volunteers, the land, and the Unist’ot’en clan.

What’s happening with the Pipeline? Will I get arrested?

There is no active blockade on Unist’ot’en territory, and unfortunately the pipeline is still forcing its way through despite our clear and obvious lack of consent. Traffic from the construction still drives past our Healing Centre and disrupts our peace, but the chance of being arrested at camp is essentially the same as that of being in the city. By participating in helping to keep the Healing Centre operational, you are helping to preserve what few considerations are being taken by the province and industry. As long as the Healing Centre is in place, the river will be protected and her people will be able to continue to access desperately needed programming.

Okay, I want to come! What next?

Before applying to come to camp, please read the preparing for your visit page on our website and pay particular attention to the consent guidelines and guidelines for behaviour. Behaviour going against our guidelines will not be tolerated.

After reading the above page, we welcome you to register here! Please tell your friends and share with your community. The river needs you!’

LINK

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRvpF6BY6nkPDfCo9A8S3wkhcCnWsGwE4HZREKouZnS-7GgmcwY5clJ39yLNtQTepEfRrzOb1L7elhg/pub Unist'ot'en Updates and Work Party Details @UnistotenCamp ‘The Unist'ot'en Camp exists to uphold the clan's decision to prevent all pipelines from entering their unceded lands. Wet'suwet'en unistoten.camp’ ('Help Stop The Rot International UK CA' Llewelyn Pritchard 1 August 2024) 

'STOP THE ROT' LINKS 2024

2. https://lnkd.in/eKN2hQmR https://lnkd.in/eXdX799r STOP THE ROT INTERNATIONAL FREE RESOURCES UPDATED #FreeResources #International #StopTheRot #FossilFuelDisasters #CivilResistance #ClimateGenocide #ActNow #TellTheTruth #BeTheChange #RightsOfNature #ClimateJustice #HumanRights #GlobalCitizens #UpgradeDemocracy #Information #XRHumanitysEmergencyServicesSocialClimateJusticeLocal 22 July 2024

3. https://lnkd.in/eKN2hQmR https://lnkd.in/eXdX799r STOP THE ROT INTERNATIONAL FREE RESOURCES UPDATED #FreeResources #International #StopTheRot #FossilFuelDisasters #CivilResistance #ClimateGenocide #ActNow #TellTheTruth #BeTheChange #RightsOfNature #ClimateJustice #HumanRights #GlobalCitizens #UpgradeDemocracy #Information #XRHumanitysEmergencyServicesSocialClimateJusticeLocal 22 July 2024

4. https://pampalmater.com/ ‘Educate. Empower. Transform. Follow me on a powerful journey of education, empowerment, and transformation and be part of a growing community that is committed to meaningful reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and social justice for all!’ Dr. Pam Palmater Clearing the lands has always been at the heart of Canada's Indian Policy [blog] Originally published in Globe & Mail 27.2.20 Facebook YouTube Chair in Indigenous Governance @Pam_ X Twitter Instagram Publications Resources Blog Contact Shop #TransformationalPowerOfEducation #ClimateJustice #HumanRightsAreRightsOfNature  22 July 2024

Indigenous Truth Before Reconciliation

5. Russell Diabo Truth Before Reconciliation 'Defend the land, the environment and our people. Justin Trudeau's "Framework" legislation on "Rights Recognition" is a direct threat to Indigenous Peoples Right of Self-Determination. It needs to be stopped and be restarted with the People from the ground up.' X Twitter Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Threads YouTube https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/201/300/first_nations_strategic_bulletin/2021/FNSB_Jan_July21.pdf First Nations Strategic Bulletin Index https://mediacoop.ca/author/russ-diabo

6. https://youtu.be/9omxCI1lEMA RUSS DIABO TRUTH TELLER FIRST NATIONS TURTLE ISLAND #Landback #SelfDetermination #Justice #ClimateJustice #RightsOfNatureAreHumanRights #DefendTheDefenders

7. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED https://youtu.be/9omxCI1lEMA Q & A's About Recognition & Implementation of Indigenous Rights Framework Legislation Russ Diabo 22 July 2024