#Led Outdoor Lighting Boulder

[joelswritingmistress]

You Scare Me, Professor: Chapter 13

Summary: The reader is taking graduate classes at a local university in the wooded upstate New York. She is drawn to her professor, Dr. Joel Miller, though she is also inherently aware that he has something dark about him that she can't quite put her finger on. As the reader's attraction grows deeper, she has to decide whether to endure the danger or run away as fast as possible.

Pairing: Professor Joel Miller x f!reader

I was exhausted and exhilarated and it wasn’t even noon. A part of me was still wondering if I would wake up and this would all be a dream.

“I know you probably did your own exploring while I was gone,” he said with playful accusation, raising his eyebrows with a smirk once we were back to the main level and fully clothed. “But if you’d like a tour, I can show you around.”

My stomach sank just a bit. I shook my head. “I wasn’t snooping.”

“It’s okay,” Dr. Miller chuckled lightly, “I told you to make yourself at home.” He looked me directly in my eyes, “How far did you get?”

“Oh, uh..” There was no way I was about to lie to him. He would have known. I could tell he was in that human lie detector mode again, feeling me out, seeing if he could actually trust me. “I saw the pool table from the kitchen so I went in there and I couldn’t help but check out your library. I actually picked up a book and I hope I placed it back in the right spot.”

“Don’t worry about it.” He cleared his throat and led me by the hand again. “There’s another pool out back.” Dr. Miller walked us toward a set of French doors that opened up from the kitchen out back, where a light snow had begun to fall, covering a dark green pool cover.

I glanced around the area, eying what appeared to be an outdoor kitchen and bar and a little pool house to the right and left, respectfully. A black fence surrounded the area and beyond a grassy backyard behind the pool area were a collection of bare trees. In the distance I could tell there was a drop off, lined with oversized boulders and rocks.

We crossed into another living room space that appeared more casual than the one where I had made out with Dr. Miller on the couch the night before. This room had an oversized sectional couch that oozed with comfort. In the center was a giant, square coffee table with a rustic, wooden top and above it hung what appeared to be a chandelier made from deer antlers. The peaked ceiling was a pale wood, giving it a cabinesque feel with dark, wooden beams that crossed from wall to wall beneath. On either side of the triangular peak were two rectangle sky lights giving view to the overcast, snowy morning. A third, stone fireplace sat at the far end with what appeared to be a buffalo’s head mounted on the wall.

Dr. Miller placed his hands on my shoulders from behind and I swallowed hard. We both stared out a pair of windows to the left and right of the fireplace that gave a view of the snowfall. I shuddered when I felt his fingers dig into the muscles of my neck and he began to massage the area.

“This is beautiful,” I spoke, taking in the brightly lit surroundings that were offset by the first snow fall of the winter.

Dr. Miller’s phone made a subtle beeping noise, three consecutive beeps to be exact, and he suddenly froze and reached into the pocket of his pants.

I could tell from the look on his face that something was up. His fingers danced along the screen for a few seconds and then he looked back up to me.

“What’s wrong?” I could see that his expression had changed.

He reached for the remote that sat on an end table beside the short end of the sectional. “Get comfortable.” Dr. Miller reached for a cozy, plaid blanket on the back of the couch and walked me around to sit down.

I raised my eyebrows , “Okay. Are you going somewhere?” I sensed that would be his next revelation and already felt disappointed. I didn’t want to be away from him. I knew that was selfish, childish even; but I didn’t care. My face might as well have gone into a full pout.

“Just for a few minutes,” Dr. Miller explained.

“Okay.” I cleared my throat and couldn’t help but pry. “What was the notification? A text?”

He shook his head. “No.”

There wasn’t another woman, right? I immediately felt jealous and it was as if he could read my mind.

“It wasn't a message from anyone,” Dr. Miller explained. He sighed and squatted before me where I sat on the couch, placing a hand on my ankle. “I have to go take care of something.”

His phone jingled again and he kept it planted face down against his thigh. My curiosity piqued even more. I felt like word vomit was about to come out of my mouth and it would leave all of my inner insecurities completely transparent.

“Does it have to do with another.. umm.. someone else? Another woman?” I stuttered the words out but I had to know. I hated myself for asking.

Dr. Miller smiled and then walked his hands up the couch cushions and planted a steamy kiss on my lips. He then pecked them chastely and remained close as he spoke.

“There are no other women.”

I swallowed hard and let out a sigh against his lips.

“And I'm going to have to demand there are no other men in your life as long as you're with me.”

My eyes snapped open and I stared back at him. He held a little smirk but his voice hardened just a bite as he spoke the words. I smiled back.

“There are no other men.”

“Good,” Dr. Miller spoke against my lips now. “As of right now, you're all mine until further notice.”

I smiled again and closed my eyes as he kissed me again, resting a hand on his bearded cheek.

“But I do have to go take care of something. It won't take long.”

“Okay,” I said. I still wanted to dig deeper into whatever business he had to tend to but I didn't. For now, I could live with whatever was going on as long as it didn't involve someone else.

Dr. Miller pushed the power button on the remote and handed it to me. “Don't go anywhere.” He winked and wandered away, making me grin.

I listened for a moment as I heard the jingle of keys and then the opening and closing of the front door. A second later I heard a robotic voice sound off stating: House alarm on.

Being alone in the oversized living room felt odd because of the unfamiliarity of it all, but I couldn't deny that I was perfectly content beneath the warm blanket as I sunk into the cushions a little deeper, laying my head back.

I can get used to this, I thought.

I began to scroll through the stations, landing on the local news and weather to get in touch with how much snow was to be expected. I knew I should have been more in tune with that sort of thing.

The five day forecast was plastered across the screen as a voice narrated from behind the camera.

“We're anticipating two to three inches of snowfall, though by rush hour the precipitation is expected to stop. If you don't have to be on the roads before five o'clock, stay home. If you are out and about, drive slow.”

I glanced out the window at the big, chunky flakes that left the ground almost completely covered. I didn't know where Dr. Miller was off to but I hoped he wasn't going far.

“And onto our next story, two local women have been found dead on the campus of Woodbridge University. One of them was a student there, and no suspects are currently in police custody. Police are urging residents to travel in groups whenever possible, and while no town-wide curfew has been set, it is crucial for students on campus to abide by the curfew set by the Woodbridge University Police.” A woman spoke directly into the camera with one of the main stone buildings on campus in the background.

“It's really scary,” a young woman spoke into a microphone. She sported a winter hat with a blue W in the center. “You just can't be too careful. We have to look out for each other.”

“I can't believe this is happening here,” another student commented.

I shook my head and shuddered, suddenly worried for Tori. It had only been one night but she was at the house alone and the news triggered a reason to reach out to her.

My eyes searched the immediate area but I quickly realized my phone was still on a charger in the bedroom. For the first time in my adult life, I hadn't even thought about my phone for hours on end.

I tossed the blanket to the side and crossed back through the house and up the windy staircase. I had the urge to open the two closed doors as I passed by but I didn't dare.

The phone sat where I had left it on the nightstand, plugged in and fully charged. I began thumbing the screen, finding our last messages from earlier in the morning.

Hey, I wrote, Just checking in because of everything that's happening with the girls in town. Please be safe! I won't be home for a few days.

I slipped the phone into the pocket of my lounge pants and smiled to myself as I glanced upon the tossed about sheets on the oversized bed. I still hadn't had time to process everything.

With a sigh I left the room and peaked in through the open office door. I could picture Dr. Miller sitting there with his glasses and a stack of papers, licking his fingers as he flipped from paper to paper.

In the back corner of the room there were a collection of small screens, each with a black and white image.

Cameras. I knew it.

I looked over my shoulder before wandering across the carpeted floor. All of the images were broadcasting the exterior of the home from every angle possible. The two interior cameras gave a few of the collection of cars inside the garage.

At least they aren't inside. Still, I didn't rule out that he might have one or two hiding out somewhere.

The view of the main gates showed what appeared to be an idling black SUV. I couldn't tell if it was him at first but Dr. Miller stood beside it, speaking with whoever was in the driver’s seat.

Who could that be? I wondered. An arm extended out the window and extended a white package of some sort to Dr. Miller, who accepted it and tucked it into the back of his pants.

An envelope. That's what it was.

I shuddered and hurried back downstairs, not at all knowing what to make of the exchange.

Secrets. I knew Dr. Miller had secrets but what were his? Fear definitely made its way into the depths of my heart and soul, but all of my other emotions teamed up and continued to push the fear down so deep that I barely felt it.

I was captivated. Enthralled. Infatuated. I was oversexed with desire and blinded by all of my feelings for him. Fear, currently, didn't hold any weight. Recognizing that in itself was scary - but I wasn't in the mood for logic, not when this amazing dark fairytale was explicitly in my lap.

With my adrenaline spiked and my longing for Dr. Miller’s return in full effect, I tiptoed my way back downstairs, tucked myself neatly beneath the blanket and waited for him patiently. Like a good girl would do.

CLICK HERE FOR NEXT CHAPTER

@untamedheart81 @suttonspuds@cesspitoflove @michilandcof @grogusmum @morallyinept @akah565 @brittmb115 @magpiepills @poodlebae @gobaaby-blog-blog @mermaidgirl30 @mandijo17

[sciencespies]

Indoor air quality experiments show exposure risks while cooking, cleaning

https://sciencespies.com/environment/indoor-air-quality-experiments-show-exposure-risks-while-cooking-cleaning/

Indoor air quality experiments show exposure risks while cooking, cleaning

When you’re cooking or cleaning inside your home, what chemicals are you breathing, and are they potentially harmful? Colorado State University chemists have given us a solid start on the answer.

A large, collaborative research experiment that attempted to map the airborne chemistry of a typical home took place in 2018 and was co-led by Delphine Farmer, associate professor in the Department of Chemistry at CSU. The experiment, called HOMEChem, brought 60 scientists from 13 universities to a test house at the University of Texas at Austin to perform typical home activities like cooking and cleaning and to use sophisticated instrumentation to document the chemistry that resulted. The effort, called HOMEChem, was supported by the Sloan Foundation.

In a new paper in Environmental Science & Technology, Farmer’s team at CSU has taken the massive amounts of data collected during HOMEChem and sorted it out by health effects. They identified how many compounds they observed that are known human toxins, or, based on newer Environmental Protection Agency models, predicted to be likely human toxins. Most such compounds are emitted in low quantities and can be cleared through proper ventilation. But the health impacts of both the individual compounds and their complex mixtures indoors are not well understood by scientists.

The bottom line? “Indoor air isn’t going to kill you, but we do find that indoor air has many more – and often times at higher levels — known and potential air toxics versus outdoors, particularly when you’re cooking,” said Farmer, an atmospheric chemist who, before this experiment, had spent the majority of her career measuring more “traditional,” outdoor air toxics.

Data management

The feat of data management for meaningfully connecting the data from HOMEChem to toxins databases was led by co-author Anna Hodshire, a former CSU postdoctoral researcher with skill in analyzing data from atmospheric instrumentation.

advertisement

“I think it’s very interesting that there are so many compounds emitted from common household activities, and that the majority of these compounds have not been studied from a toxicity perspective,” Hodshire said. “This doesn’t automatically mean that all of these compounds are toxic – but it does point to the fact that a lot more work needs to be done to assess some of the compounds that are emitted frequently in high concentrations from household activities.”

From the vast array of compounds measured during HOMEChem, there emerged the usual suspects, like benzene and formaldehyde, in varying quantities. The lesser-known acrolein, which is a pulmonary toxicant emitted by lumber and heating of fats, came to light as a potential compound of interest for further investigation, Farmer said. Another compound that emerged from Hodshire’s analysis was isocyanic acid, which is not well studied and is known to react with proteins in the human body.

The researchers found that cooking activities produced larger amounts of potentially toxic compounds, similar to some seen in wildfire smoke — which made sense to Farmer, when you think of a wildfire as just an “extreme form of cooking.”

Gaps in understanding of everyday toxins

Contributing to the body of knowledge around indoor air chemistry through the HOMEChem experiment has given Farmer and her team a newfound appreciation of just how much is missing of our understanding of our everyday exposures to potential toxins.

“We have done our part now, and hopefully there’s enough information for others to pick up the charge and see what compounds are important to study,” Farmer said.

Farmer and collaborator Marina Vance from the University of Colorado Boulder led a follow-up experiment to HOMEChem in 2022 called CASA, which delved further into how chemicals emitted indoors react with surfaces such as floors, walls and furniture. Results from that experiment are forthcoming.

Story Source:

Materials provided by Colorado State University. Original written by Anne Manning. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

#Environment

[sadmachine1190]

10 Low-Maintenance Rock Garden Ideas for Drought-Affected Areas

Transform Your Landscape with Xeriscaping

Drought is an ongoing and critical issue in the U.S., affecting millions of acres of crops and millions of people. As the need to conserve water becomes increasingly urgent, homeowners can play a significant role in combatting drought by embracing xeriscaping. Xeriscapes are landscapes that require little water besides what the sky provides, often incorporating native plants.

Not only does xeriscaping help conserve water, but it also adds beauty and personality to any property. In this article, we explore 10 low-maintenance rock garden ideas that are not only environmentally friendly but also visually stunning in arid areas.

Intersperse Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks

Let your creativity shine by pairing broad splashes of brightly-hued flowers with craggy, rugged rocks. Create a sprawling terrace garden with alternating sections of ground-cover plants like flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums, and wide, relatively flat rocks that can double as stepping stones during maintenance.

Dig a Petite Pond

Add pizzazz to your backyard with a pint-sized pond filled with fish and floating lily pads. Surround the pond with stones in various sizes, such as large, chunky rocks interspersed with smaller pebbles, to delineate its perimeter and create a visually appealing water feature.

Add Gravel in the Garden

Transform an ordinary flower bed into a visually appealing space by incorporating a decorative bench tucked among flat rocks that are flush with the ground. The contrast between rich, dark mulch and small, multi-colored stones adds depth and visual interest to the area.

Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn

If you have a large lawn, consider dividing it into discrete areas that serve different purposes, such as an herb garden, butterfly or bee garden, or even beehives or a chicken coop. Use large, boulder-like rocks to separate these spaces and create distinct areas within your yard.

Rock That Walk

Create a minimalist rock garden by edging a sidewalk with a narrow border of smooth pebbles. This clean and asymmetrical style adds a touch of elegance to any outdoor space. Complete the look with deep-green, leafy plants that complement the rock border.

Use Lighting to Create an Otherworldly Atmosphere

Transform your rock garden into an enchanting evening scene by incorporating illuminated rocks. During the day, the rocks blend into the background, but at night, they create an eerily beautiful moonscape when softly glowing LED indoor/outdoor orb lights are added.

Pair Stone With Succulents

In drought-affected areas, inorganic materials are often used in larger quantities. Create a balanced and aesthetically appealing xeriscape by combining multicolored pebbles with a solitary palm tree, widely spaced succulents, and a low stone wall. This composition is both visually stunning and water-efficient.

Elevate an Outdoor Space With Stone Steps

If you have a sloping yard, embrace the split-level look by incorporating wide, irregular stone steps. These steps not only define the different levels of your outdoor space but also add visual interest and functionality.

Make a Modern Rock Garden

Create a modern and minimalist rock garden by using precisely pruned shrubs that resemble giant green Rubik's cubes, oversized square pavers, and a tidy rectangle of monochromatic stones. The simplicity of this design makes a bold statement and is perfect for those who appreciate clean lines and simplicity.

Add Some Country-Garden Charm

Create a charming garden path by using midsized slate chips. The horizontally oriented rocks add a touch of country-garden charm and can lead to a wishing well or a cozy seating area.

Create a River-Like Design Through It

Create a meandering river or rocky point effect by incorporating curving lines and seaweed-like tufts of foliage in your rock garden. This design not only adds visual interest but also helps reduce lawn maintenance while catching the eye of visitors.

Keep It Simple With Stones

Create an expansive rock bed that serves as a backdrop for showcasing exquisite plants, rocks, or sculptures. Whether you choose smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks, a simple surface of stones will enhance the beauty of your displayed items.

Get Creative With a Small Garden

Add drama to a small garden by choosing the right type of landscape rocks. Polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones can transform an ordinary area into a visually striking space that captures the imagination.

Think Inside the Box

Create a stylized lawn with a deliberately boxy composition. Fill each section with contrasting or complementary materials, such as stones of different sizes and foliage with varying heights, to create a unique and eye-catching "lawn-drian" masterpiece.

Transforming your landscape into a low-maintenance rock garden is not only visually appealing but also a smart move for conserving water in drought-affected areas. By embracing xeriscaping and incorporating rocks into your design, you can create a stunning outdoor space that requires minimal water while adding beauty and personality to your property. Whether you choose to intersperse bright hues with rough-hewn rocks or create a minimalist rock garden with stone steps, the possibilities for creating a stunning rock garden are endless.

Embrace your creativity and take the first step towards a water-efficient and visually appealing landscape.

[m5-6]

Transform Your Landscape with Low-Maintenance Rock Garden Ideas

Create an Environmentally Friendly and Drought-Resistant Oasis

Drought is a pressing issue in the United States, with millions of acres of crops and millions of people affected. To combat drought and reduce water consumption, homeowners can turn to xeriscaping, which involves creating landscapes that rely primarily on natural rainfall. One popular and visually appealing option is the installation of rock gardens.

These low-maintenance gardens not only add personality to any property but also help conserve water and support native plant life. In this article, we will explore a variety of rock garden ideas that are not only attractive but also well-suited for arid areas.

Intersperse Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks

A colorful landscape can bring cheer and vibrancy to any outdoor space. By combining splashes of brightly-hued flowers with rugged rocks, homeowners can create a visually stunning rock garden. This design utilizes ground-cover plants like flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums, interspersed with flat rocks that double as stepping stones during maintenance.

Dig a Petite Pond

A small pond can add a touch of elegance and tranquility to a backyard. Surrounding the pond with a variety of stones in different sizes creates a visually appealing perimeter. Mexican or Caribbean beach pebbles can provide a dramatic effect and enhance the overall aesthetic of the pond.

Add Gravel in the Garden

Adding a decorative bench among flat rocks that are flush with the ground can transform a flower bed. By using rich, dark mulch and small, multi-colored stones, the plants take a supporting role, allowing the contrast between the materials to shine. A few flowering bushes can provide the necessary greenery.

Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn

Large lawns can be overwhelming to maintain, but they offer ample opportunities for creativity. Dividing the lawn into different areas, such as herb gardens, butterfly or bee gardens, or even beehives or a chicken coop, can give purpose to the space. Using large, boulder-like rocks can help delineate these areas and save money on pavers.

Rock That Walk

A minimalist approach to rock garden design can be just as striking as more elaborate styles. A row of smooth pebbles edging a sidewalk creates a clean and asymmetrical look. Pairing this border with deep-green, leafy plants completes the aesthetic.

Use Lighting to Create an Otherworldly Atmosphere

Outdoor living areas take on a different ambiance at night. Illuminated rock garden ideas can create an enchanting evening scene. By strategically placing LED indoor/outdoor orb lights, rocks can blend into the background during the day and transform into a beautiful moonscape at night.

Pair Stone With Succulents

In drought-affected areas, inorganic materials are often used extensively. Using multicolored pebbles, a solitary palm tree, widely spaced succulents, and a low stone wall can create a balanced and visually appealing xeriscape. This design is as lovely as a grassy lawn or a garden in full bloom.

Elevate an Outdoor Space With Stone Steps

A sloping yard can be a challenge, but it also offers opportunities for creativity. Bi-level backyards can be ideal for entertaining or outdoor activities. Using wide, irregular stone steps can define and connect the two distinct spaces, creating an elevated design.

Make a Modern Rock Garden

A modern rock garden can be sleek and minimalist. By using precisely pruned shrubs, oversized square pavers, and a tidy rectangle of monochromatic stones, homeowners can achieve a stunning effect. Choosing marble chips instead of stones can elevate the design even further.

Add Some Country-Garden Charm

A charming garden path can wind its way through an assortment of blossoms and boulders. By using midsized slate chips, the path remains straightforward while adding visual interest. This type of path can lead to a wishing well or a cozy seating area.

Create a River-Like Design Through It

A broad border with gently curving lines and tufts of foliage can resemble a meandering river or a rocky point at the ocean's edge. This design is evocative and helps reduce lawn maintenance. It serves as a remarkable example of xeriscaping and catches the eye of visitors.

Keep It Simple With Stones

A rock bed can serve as a backdrop to showcase exquisite plants, rocks, or sculptures. Smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks can create a simple and elegant surface that reflects attention back to the displayed objects.

Get Creative With a Small Garden

For smaller spaces, decorative landscaping materials can be used to create dramatic rock garden ideas. Polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones can add interest and transform an ordinary area into a visually striking space.

Think Inside the Box

A stylized lawn with a deliberately boxy composition can provide a unique twist on traditional landscaping. Contrasting or complementary materials can be used to fill each section, creating divergent effects. This design allows for creativity while maintaining a strict layout.

Rock gardens offer a visually appealing and environmentally friendly solution to combat drought and conserve water. By incorporating various rock garden ideas, homeowners can transform their landscapes into low-maintenance oases that require minimal water consumption. Whether it's creating colorful terraces, adding ponds, or utilizing lighting to create an enchanting atmosphere, rock gardens provide endless possibilities for creativity and sustainability.

[flyhighhorny]

12 Low-Maintenance Rock Garden Ideas for Drought-Affected Areas

Transform Your Landscape with Environmentally Friendly Xeriscaping

Drought is a pressing issue in the United States, affecting millions of acres of crops and millions of people. In the face of this challenge, homeowners can play a crucial role in combating drought by embracing xeriscaping, a landscaping technique that reduces water usage and incorporates native plants. One popular and visually appealing aspect of xeriscaping is the creation of rock gardens.

These low-maintenance gardens not only add personality to a property but also help conserve water. In this article, we will explore 12 rock garden ideas that are perfect for drought-affected areas, providing both beauty and environmental sustainability.

Intersperse Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks

One way to create a visually striking rock garden is by pairing brightly-hued flowers with rugged rocks. By alternating sections of ground-cover plants, such as flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums, with flat rocks that can serve as stepping stones, you can create a cheerful and colorful landscape.

Dig a Petite Pond

Adding a small pond to your rock garden can bring a touch of serenity and beauty to your backyard. Surround the pond with stones of various sizes to delineate its perimeter and create a natural look. For a more dramatic effect, consider using Mexican or Caribbean beach pebbles.

Add Gravel in the Garden

A decorative bench nestled among flat rocks can enhance the visual appeal of a flower bed. By incorporating small, multi-colored stones and contrasting them with rich, dark mulch, you can create a visually appealing and low-maintenance rock garden. A few flowering bushes in different heights and shades of green can complete the look.

Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn

If you have a large lawn, consider dividing it into discrete areas to serve different purposes. Whether it's an herb garden, a butterfly or bee garden, or even beehives or a chicken coop, using large, boulder-like rocks can help set these spaces apart and add visual interest to your landscape.

Rock That Walk

For a minimalist yet eye-catching rock garden, consider creating a narrow border of smooth pebbles along a sidewalk. This simple addition can draw the eye and add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space. Pair it with low-water ornamental grasses, vibrant tiger lilies, or gladioli for a stunning effect.

Use Lighting to Create an Otherworldly Atmosphere

Illuminate your rock garden with soft, glowing LED lights to create an enchanting evening scene. During the day, the rocks blend into the background, but at night, they transform into a magical moonscape. This lighting technique can create a captivating atmosphere for outdoor entertaining or relaxation.

Pair Stone With Succulents

In drought-affected areas, incorporating inorganic materials like multicolored pebbles can tie together the natural and manmade elements of a xeriscape. Combine a solitary palm tree, widely spaced succulents, and a low stone wall to create a balanced and aesthetically appealing rock garden that rivals a traditional grassy lawn.

Elevate an Outdoor Space With Stone Steps

If you have a sloping yard, consider using wide, irregular stone steps to define and connect different levels. This elevated design not only adds visual interest but also makes your outdoor space more functional for entertaining or leisure activities.

Make a Modern Rock Garden

For those who prefer a clean and minimalist aesthetic, a modern rock garden is the perfect choice. With precisely pruned shrubs, oversized square pavers, and a tidy rectangle of monochromatic stones, this design is simple yet stunning. Opting for marble chips instead of stones can elevate the composition even further.

Add Some Country-Garden Charm

A charming garden path can be created by using midsized slate chips. This horizontally oriented rock complements cheerful blossoms and stately boulders, creating a visually pleasing and straightforward pathway. It's the perfect addition to a country-style rock garden.

Create a River-Like Design Through It

A broad border of rocks with gently curving lines and foliage can evoke the image of a meandering river or a rocky shoreline. This design not only adds visual interest but also reduces lawn maintenance. Its eye-catching appeal is sure to impress visitors and passersby.

Keep It Simple With Stones

A large rock bed can serve as a backdrop to showcase exquisite objects, whether they are rare plants, notable rocks, or sculptures. Smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks can create a simple yet striking surface that directs attention to the displayed items.

Get Creative With a Small Garden

A small garden space offers an opportunity to get creative with landscape rocks. Consider using polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones to add drama and interest to an otherwise ordinary area. Comparison shopping for the right type of rocks can help you find the perfect fit for your small garden.

Creating a rock garden is an excellent way to conserve water and add beauty to your landscape in drought-affected areas. By incorporating these low-maintenance rock garden ideas, you can transform your outdoor space into an environmentally friendly oasis. Whether you choose to intersperse bright hues with rugged rocks or create a minimalist composition, there are endless possibilities for creating a visually striking and sustainable rock garden.

[damasaknjigama]

Transform Your Yard with Low-Maintenance Rock Garden Ideas

Discover creative and environmentally friendly ways to enhance your outdoor space

Drought is an ongoing and critical issue in the U.S., affecting millions of acres of crops and millions of people. As water scarcity becomes increasingly prevalent, homeowners are searching for ways to combat drought and create sustainable landscapes. One solution that has gained popularity is xeriscaping, which involves designing gardens that require minimal water.

Rock gardens, in particular, offer a low-maintenance and attractive option for homeowners in arid areas. In this article, we will explore a variety of rock garden ideas that not only conserve water but also add personality and charm to any property.

Intersperse Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks

Let your creativity shine by incorporating vividly colored flowers with rugged rocks in your rock garden. By creating alternating sections of ground-cover plants like flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums, and using flat rocks as stepping stones, you can achieve a sprawling terrace garden effect. This combination of vibrant hues and natural elements will transform your space into a cheerful and visually appealing landscape.

Dig a Petite Pond

Add a touch of tranquility to your backyard with a small pond filled with fish and floating lily pads. Surround the pond with stones of various sizes to create a visually pleasing perimeter. Consider using large, chunky rocks interspersed with smaller pebbles for a more dramatic effect.

This addition not only enhances the aesthetics of your rock garden but also provides a soothing atmosphere for relaxation.

Add Gravel in the Garden

Elevate the visual appeal of your flower bed by incorporating a decorative bench surrounded by flat rocks and multi-colored stones. The contrast between the dark mulch and the small stones creates an eye-catching display. Keep the plant selection minimal, with a few flowering bushes of varying heights and shades of green.

This design allows the rocks and stones to take center stage while still providing a touch of natural beauty.

Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn

If you have a large lawn that feels overwhelming, consider dividing it into separate areas that serve different purposes. Create distinct spaces for a herb garden, butterfly or bee garden, or even beehives or a chicken coop. Use large boulder-like rocks to set these areas apart and save money on pavers.

This not only adds functionality to your yard but also adds visual interest and structure to the overall design.

Rock That Walk

For a minimalist approach to rock gardens, create a narrow border of smooth pebbles parallel to a walkway. This simple addition acts as a visual embellishment, drawing attention to the path. Pair the pebbles with deep-green, leafy plants to complete the clean and asymmetrical style.

Consider low-water ornamental grasses, vibrant tiger lilies, or gladioli for a stunning contrast.

Use Lighting to Create an Otherworldly Atmosphere

Transform your rock garden into an enchanting evening scene by incorporating illuminated rocks. During the day, these rocks blend into the background, but at night, they create an eerily beautiful moonscape when paired with softly glowing LED indoor/outdoor orb lights. This lighting technique adds a touch of magic to your outdoor living area, perfect for entertaining or unwinding after sunset.

Pair Stone With Succulents

In drought-affected areas, the use of inorganic materials is common. Create a balanced and visually appealing xeriscape by incorporating multicolored pebbles with a solitary palm tree, widely spaced succulents, and a low stone wall. This combination ties together the natural and manmade elements of your rock garden, offering a stunning alternative to a traditional grassy lawn or blooming garden.

Elevate an Outdoor Space With Stone Steps

If you have a sloping yard, embrace the challenge by incorporating wide, irregular stone steps. These steps not only separate different levels of your outdoor space but also provide a visually appealing design element. The elevated design creates a bi-level backyard perfect for entertaining, playing games, or enjoying outdoor meals.

Make a Modern Rock Garden

Simplicity meets sophistication with a modern rock garden design. Pruned shrubs resembling giant green Rubik's cubes, oversized square pavers, and a rectangular area of monochromatic stones create a stunning visual effect. Opt for marble chips instead of stones to elevate the minimalist composition even further.

This modern design is perfect for those who appreciate clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic.

Add Some Country-Garden Charm

Create a charming garden path by using midsized slate chips. The horizontally oriented rocks add a touch of elegance and guide visitors to a focal point, such as a wishing well or a cozy seating area. This design is perfect for those who desire a country-garden feel while maintaining the low-maintenance benefits of a rock garden.

Create a River-Like Design Through It

Add a touch of whimsy to your rock garden by creating a border that resembles a meandering river or a rocky point at the ocean's edge. This design not only adds visual interest but also reduces the need for lawn maintenance. The unique shape and texture of the rocks are sure to catch the eye of visitors and create a remarkable example of xeriscaping.

Keep It Simple With Stones

Create a showcase for your prized plants or treasures by using a simple surface of stones. Whether you choose smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks, the stones will reflect attention back to the exquisite objects on display. This design is perfect for gardeners who specialize in growing rare plants or for those who want to highlight sculptures or other unique features in their outdoor space.

Get Creative With a Small Garden

Transform a small space into a visually striking rock garden by choosing the right type of landscape rocks. Consider using polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones to add drama and interest to an otherwise ordinary area. This creative approach allows you to make the most of limited space and create a unique outdoor oasis.

Think Inside the Box

For those who appreciate abstract and geometric designs, consider creating a stylized lawn with a boxy composition. Fill each section with contrasting or complementary materials, such as stones of varying sizes and foliage with different heights. This design allows you to showcase your creativity while maintaining a structured and visually appealing rock garden.

As water scarcity continues to be a pressing issue, homeowners are turning to xeriscaping and rock gardens as sustainable and visually appealing solutions. By incorporating low-maintenance rock garden ideas, homeowners can create beautiful outdoor spaces while conserving water. Whether it's interspersing bright hues with rough-hewn rocks or using lighting to create an otherworldly atmosphere, there are endless possibilities for transforming your yard.

Embrace your creativity and make a positive impact on the environment with these innovative rock garden ideas.

[smilethroughtherain]

Transform Your Yard with These Low-Maintenance Rock Garden Ideas

Create a Beautiful and Drought-Resistant Landscape with Rock Gardens

Drought is a pressing issue in the United States, affecting millions of acres of crops and millions of people. As the need for water conservation becomes increasingly important, homeowners can play their part by incorporating xeriscaping techniques into their landscapes. Xeriscaping involves using native plants and minimal water to create stunning and environmentally friendly gardens.

One popular xeriscaping option is the rock garden, which not only adds personality to a property but also requires little maintenance. In this article, we will explore some low-maintenance rock garden ideas that are both visually appealing and suitable for arid areas.

Intersperse Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks

Let your creativity shine by combining vibrant flowers with rugged rocks. This rock garden idea creates a cheerful and colorful landscape by alternating sections of ground-cover plants, such as flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums, with wide, flat rocks that can serve as stepping stones. The contrasting textures of the plants and rocks add depth and visual interest to the garden, while the low-maintenance nature of the ground-cover plants makes it easy to maintain.

Dig a Petite Pond

Add a touch of tranquility to your backyard with a small pond surrounded by stones. Whether you choose to stock it with fish or simply enjoy the sight of floating lily pads, a pint-sized pond can be a captivating focal point. Use a variety of stones in different sizes to create a natural-looking perimeter for the pond.

Consider using large, chunky rocks mixed with smaller pebbles for a more dramatic effect reminiscent of Mexican or Caribbean beaches.

Add Gravel in the Garden

Transform a mundane flower bed into a visually appealing space by incorporating a decorative bench surrounded by flat rocks and colorful stones. The bench, nestled among the rocks that are flush with the ground, provides a unique seating area. The rich, dark mulch and small, multi-colored stones create a striking contrast, with a few flowering bushes adding a touch of color.

This design allows you to enjoy the beauty of the rocks while also providing a comfortable spot to sit and enjoy your garden.

Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn

If you have a large lawn that feels overwhelming to maintain, consider dividing it into different areas with distinct purposes. Create separate spaces for a herb garden, butterfly or bee garden, or even a chicken coop. Use large, boulder-like rocks to visually separate these areas and save money on expensive pavers.

This approach not only adds visual interest to your yard but also makes it easier to manage and care for different sections of your landscape.

Rock That Walk

Add a touch of elegance to your walkway by lining it with a row of smooth pebbles. This minimalist rock garden idea creates a clean and asymmetrical style that draws the eye. Pair the pebbles with deep-green, leafy plants or low-water ornamental grasses for a complete look.

The contrast between the stones and the plants adds a touch of sophistication to your outdoor space.

Use Lighting to Create an Otherworldly Atmosphere

Create an enchanting evening scene in your rock garden by incorporating lighting. During the day, hefty rocks blend into the background, but as night falls, they transform into an eerily beautiful moonscape when illuminated by softly glowing LED indoor/outdoor orb lights. This illuminated rock garden idea adds a magical touch to your outdoor living area and creates a captivating atmosphere for nighttime entertainment or relaxation.

Pair Stone With Succulents

In drought-affected areas, incorporating inorganic materials like stones is a common practice. Create a balanced and aesthetically appealing xeriscape by using multicolored pebbles to tie together the natural and manmade elements of your garden. Combine a solitary palm tree, widely spaced succulents, and a low stone wall to create a visually appealing tableau.

This design showcases the beauty of the stones while maintaining a drought-resistant landscape.

Elevate an Outdoor Space With Stone Steps

If you have a sloping yard, embrace the challenge by incorporating elevated stone steps. These steps not only separate different levels of your yard but also connect them, creating a unique split-level design. Choose wide, irregular stones for a natural look that complements the surrounding landscape.

This rock garden idea adds functionality and visual interest to your outdoor space.

Make a Modern Rock Garden

Simplicity meets elegance in this modern rock garden idea. With only three main elements—precisely pruned shrubs, oversized square pavers, and a tidy rectangle of monochromatic stones—this design creates a stunning visual effect. Opt for marble chips instead of traditional stones to elevate the minimalist composition.

This rock garden idea is perfect for those who appreciate clean lines and a contemporary aesthetic.

Add Some Country-Garden Charm

Create a charming garden path by using midsized slate chips. The winding path, adorned with cheerful blossoms and stately boulders, exudes country-garden charm. The horizontally oriented rocks provide a visually appealing footpath that can lead to a wishing well or a cozy seating area.

This rock garden idea adds a touch of whimsy to your landscape.

Create a River-Like Design Through It

Add a touch of nature to your rock garden by creating a border that resembles a meandering river or a rocky point at the ocean's edge. This design is not only visually striking but also helps reduce lawn maintenance. The curving lines and seaweed-like tufts of foliage make this rock garden idea a remarkable example of xeriscaping.

It is sure to catch the eye of visitors and create a unique focal point in your yard.

Keep It Simple With Stones

Highlight the beauty of your prized plants or sculptures by creating an expansive rock bed. The simple surface of stones, whether smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks, reflects attention back to the exquisite objects on display. This minimalist rock garden idea is perfect for gardeners who want to showcase rare and unique specimens.

Let your plants or treasures take center stage with a backdrop of stones.

Get Creative With a Small Garden

Even a small garden can become a work of art with the right choice of landscape rocks. Consider using polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones to add drama and interest to a compact space. The unique textures and colors of the stones will transform an ordinary area into a visually captivating garden.

Let your creativity shine by experimenting with different types of rocks and creating a stunning rock garden in a limited space.

Think Inside the Box

For those who appreciate abstract and geometric designs, a stylized lawn inspired by the paintings of Piet Mondrian is a perfect choice. Create a boxy composition using contrasting or complementary materials in each section for a striking effect. Use stones in various sizes and foliage with different heights to bring your "lawn-drian" masterpiece to life.

This rock garden idea is a unique and artistic way to transform your outdoor space.

Transforming your yard into a low-maintenance rock garden is not only visually appealing but also environmentally friendly. By incorporating xeriscaping techniques and using native plants, you can create a beautiful landscape that requires minimal water and maintenance. Whether you choose to intersperse bright hues with rugged rocks or create a modern and minimalist design, rock gardens offer endless possibilities for creativity and personalization.

Embrace the beauty of stones and let your imagination run wild as you create a unique rock garden that will enhance your outdoor space for years to come.

[littlestarwithoutsky16]

12 Low-Maintenance Rock Garden Ideas for Drought-Affected Areas

Transform Your Landscape with Environmentally Friendly Xeriscaping

Drought is a pressing issue in the United States, affecting millions of acres of crops and millions of people. As the need to conserve water becomes more urgent, homeowners are turning to xeriscaping as a sustainable solution. Xeriscapes, which feature landscapes that require minimal watering and often incorporate native plants, are an effective way to combat drought and reduce reliance on rainwater.

In this article, we will explore 12 low-maintenance rock garden ideas that are not only visually appealing but also environmentally friendly, making them perfect for arid areas.

Intersperse Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks

One way to add a pop of color to your landscape is by pairing brightly-hued flowers with rugged rocks. Create a terrace garden with alternating sections of ground-cover plants like flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums, and wide, flat rocks that can double as stepping stones during maintenance.

Dig a Petite Pond

Add a touch of elegance to your backyard with a small pond filled with fish and lily pads. Surround the pond with stones of various sizes, such as large, chunky rocks mixed with smaller pebbles, to create a visually striking perimeter.

Add Gravel in the Garden

Transform a dull flower bed into a visually appealing space by incorporating a decorative bench among flat rocks flush with the ground. Let the contrast between dark mulch and multi-colored stones take center stage, with a few flowering bushes adding a touch of greenery.

Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn

If you have a large yard, consider dividing it into distinct areas for different purposes, such as an herb garden, butterfly or bee garden, or even space for beehives or a chicken coop. Use large, boulder-like rocks to separate these spaces and save money on pavers.

Rock That Walk

Create a minimalist rock garden by edging a sidewalk with a narrow border of smooth pebbles. This clean, asymmetrical style can be complemented with deep-green, leafy plants or low-water ornamental grasses for a striking visual effect.

Use Lighting to Create an Otherworldly Atmosphere

For those who enjoy spending time outdoors after sunset, illuminated rock garden ideas can create a magical evening scene. Strategically placed LED indoor/outdoor orb lights can transform hefty rocks into an enchanting moonscape.

Pair Stone With Succulents

In drought-affected areas, inorganic materials are often used in xeriscapes. Combine multicolored pebbles with a solitary palm tree, widely spaced succulents, and a low stone wall to create a balanced and visually appealing xeriscape that rivals a traditional lawn or blooming garden.

Elevate an Outdoor Space With Stone Steps

If you have a sloping yard, make the most of it by creating a bi-level backyard. Use wide, irregular stone steps to separate and connect the two distinct spaces, providing a visually stunning design that is both functional and beautiful.

Make a Modern Rock Garden

For those who prefer a minimalist aesthetic, a modern rock garden is the perfect choice. Use precisely pruned shrubs that resemble giant green Rubik's cubes, oversized square pavers, and a tidy rectangle of monochromatic stones to create a simple yet stunning design.

Add Some Country-Garden Charm

Create a charming garden path by scattering midsized slate chips across the surface. This horizontally oriented rock path can lead to a wishing well or a cozy seating area, adding a touch of country-garden charm to your landscape.

Create a River-Like Design Through It

Add a touch of whimsy to your landscape with a border that resembles a meandering river or a rocky point at the ocean's edge. This broad border, with its gently curving lines and tufts of foliage, not only reduces lawn maintenance but also catches the eye of visitors and adds visual interest to your driveway.

Keep It Simple With Stones

Highlight your prized plants or treasures by creating an expansive rock bed. Whether you choose smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks, a simple surface of stones will draw attention to the exquisite objects on display.

Get Creative With a Small Garden

For smaller spaces, unleash your creativity by choosing the right type of landscape rocks. Consider using polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones to add drama and interest to an otherwise ordinary area, such as the front steps or mailbox.

Transforming your landscape into a low-maintenance rock garden is not only visually appealing but also environmentally friendly. By incorporating xeriscaping principles and using rocks creatively, you can create a stunning landscape that requires minimal water and is perfect for drought-affected areas. Whether you choose to intersperse bright hues with rough-hewn rocks or create a minimalist rock garden with stone steps, these ideas will help you create a beautiful and sustainable outdoor space.

[yumitsukiyoru]

Transform Your Yard with Stunning Rock Garden Ideas

Create a Low-Maintenance and Environmentally Friendly Landscape

Drought is a pressing issue in the United States, affecting millions of acres of crops and millions of people. As homeowners, we can play a role in combating drought by implementing xeriscaping techniques, such as creating rock gardens. Xeriscapes are landscapes that require minimal water, often incorporating native plants.

Not only do rock gardens conserve water, but they also add a touch of beauty and personality to any property. In this article, we will explore some low-maintenance rock garden ideas that are not only attractive but also suitable for arid areas.

Intersperse Bright Hues and Rough-Hewn Rocks

If you have ample space in your yard, consider turning it into a colorful landscape by pairing brightly-hued flowers with rugged rocks. Create sections of ground-cover plants like flowering thyme, phlox, and sedums, alternating with flat rocks that can serve as stepping stones during maintenance. This combination adds vibrancy and texture to your rock garden.

Dig a Petite Pond

Add a touch of tranquility to your backyard by incorporating a small pond filled with fish and floating lily pads. Surround the pond with stones of different sizes to create a natural border. Large, chunky rocks interspersed with smaller pebbles will not only enhance the aesthetics but also prevent young visitors from wading into the pond.

Consider using Mexican or Caribbean beach pebbles for a more dramatic effect.

Add Gravel in the Garden

Elevate the visual appeal of your flower bed by placing a decorative bench among flat rocks that are flush with the ground. This creates a contrasting effect between the dark mulch and the small, multi-colored stones. Keep the plant selection minimal, with a few flowering bushes in varying heights and shades of green.

Divide and Conquer a Large Lawn

If you have a large lawn, consider dividing it into different areas to serve various purposes. Create sections for an herb garden, butterfly or bee garden, or even beehives or a chicken coop. Use large boulder-like rocks to separate these spaces and save money on pavers.

Rock That Walk

Create a minimalist rock garden by lining a narrow border of smooth pebbles parallel to a walkway. This simple addition adds visual interest and draws attention to the walkway. Complete the look with deep-green, leafy plants or low-water ornamental grasses for a clean and asymmetrical style.

Use Lighting to Create an Otherworldly Atmosphere

Transform your rock garden into an enchanting evening scene by incorporating illuminated rocks. During the day, these rocks blend into the background, but at night, they create an eerily beautiful moonscape when lit with softly glowing LED indoor/outdoor orb lights.

Pair Stone With Succulents

In drought-affected areas, incorporating inorganic materials like stones is common. Use multicolored pebbles to tie together the natural and manmade elements of your xeriscape. Plant a solitary palm tree, a few widely spaced succulents, and create a low stone wall for a balanced and aesthetically appealing rock garden.

Elevate an Outdoor Space With Stone Steps

If you have a sloping yard, embrace the challenge by creating a bi-level backyard. Use wide, irregular stone steps to separate and connect the two distinct spaces. This design not only adds functionality but also enhances the overall aesthetic of your outdoor area.

Make a Modern Rock Garden

Create a modern rock garden with a minimalist design. Use precisely pruned shrubs that resemble giant green Rubik's cubes, oversized square pavers, and a tidy rectangle of monochromatic stones. Opt for marble chips instead of traditional stones to elevate the composition.

Add Some Country-Garden Charm

Create a charming garden path by using midsized slate chips. The winding path, adorned with cheerful blossoms and stately boulders, adds a touch of country-garden charm to your landscape. This simple addition can lead to a wishing well or a cozy seating area.

Create a River-Like Design

Create a broad border that resembles a meandering river or a rocky point at the ocean's edge. This design is not only visually appealing but also reduces the need for lawn maintenance. The river-like border is sure to catch the eye of visitors and add a unique touch to your driveway.

Keep It Simple With Stones

Create an expansive rock bed that serves as a backdrop for showcasing exquisite objects. Whether it's rare plants, notable rocks, or sculptures, a simple surface of stones, such as smooth pebbles, snowy-white pea gravel, or chunky creek rocks, will highlight them effectively.

Get Creative With a Small Garden

For smaller spaces, get creative with the type of landscape rocks you choose. Consider polished black pebbles or moonlike lava stones to add drama and interest to an otherwise ordinary area. The right selection of rocks can transform even the smallest garden into a stunning landscape.

Think Inside the Box

Create a stylized lawn with a deliberately boxy composition. Fill each section with contrasting or complementary materials to create divergent effects. Use stones of various sizes and foliage with different heights to create your unique "lawn-drian" masterpiece.

Rock gardens offer a low-maintenance and environmentally friendly solution for homeowners looking to combat drought and add beauty to their landscapes. By incorporating these rock garden ideas, you can transform your yard into a stunning oasis that requires minimal water and maintenance. From colorful terraces to minimalist designs, the possibilities are endless.

Embrace the beauty of rocks and create a rock garden that reflects your personal style and values.

[splashawaypoolspatx]

Creating a Resort-Style Oasis: Trends in Luxury Pool Remodel in Mansfield and Red Oak, TX

In the serene landscape of Mansfield, homeowners are increasingly turning their backyard pools into luxurious retreats reminiscent of upscale resort destinations. From elegant design elements to advanced technology, the latest trends in pool remodel in Mansfield and Red Oak, TX are all about creating a resort-style oasis right at home.

Infinity Edge Pools: One of the most captivating features of resort pools is the illusion of water extending infinitely into the horizon. Infinity edge pools, also known as vanishing edge or negative edge pools, achieve this effect by overflowing water over one or more edges, creating a seamless transition between the pool and its surroundings.

Waterfalls and Fountains: Incorporating water features like cascading waterfalls and tranquil fountains adds a touch of opulence to any pool area. These features enhance the visual appeal and contribute to the soothing ambiance, creating a serene atmosphere reminiscent of a luxury resort.

Spa-like Amenities: To elevate the relaxation experience, many homeowners incorporate spa-like amenities into their pool remodeling projects. This includes adding features such as built-in hot tubs, bubbling jets, and therapeutic massage seats, providing a rejuvenating escape from the stresses of daily life.

Smart Technology Integration: Modern pool remodeling projects in Mansfield embrace smart technology to enhance convenience, efficiency, and safety. From automated pool covers and lighting systems to remote-controlled temperature regulation and water quality monitoring, homeowners can effortlessly manage their pool experience with the touch of a button.

Outdoor Living Spaces: To complement the luxurious pool area, homeowners are expanding their outdoor living spaces to include comfortable seating areas, cozy fire pits, and stylish pergolas or cabanas. These additions create inviting spaces for lounging, dining, and entertaining, making the pool area a focal point of outdoor gatherings.

Customized Lighting Designs: Lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood and ambiance of a pool area, especially during evening hours. LED lighting systems allow for customizable color schemes and dynamic lighting effects, transforming the pool into a mesmerizing visual spectacle after dark.

Sustainable Features: As eco-consciousness grows, so does the demand for sustainable pool design and construction practices. From energy-efficient pumps and filtration systems to eco-friendly materials and water-saving features, homeowners in Mansfield are incorporating sustainability into their pool remodeling projects without compromising on luxury or style.

Resort-Inspired Landscaping: To complete the resort-style oasis, landscaping plays a vital role in creating a lush and inviting outdoor environment. Tropical plants, palm trees, and ornamental grasses can enhance the tropical ambiance, while strategically placed rocks and boulders add natural beauty and texture to the landscape.

The trend towards luxury pool remodeling reflects a desire for ultimate relaxation, comfort, and sophistication right in the comfort of one's backyard. With the help of a good pool company in Red Oak and Waxahachie, TX, it is easier for homeowners to get a resort-style pool right in their backyard.

[gardenartlandscaping]

Outdoor Garden Water Features Boulder l Outdoor Fire Pits Broomfield

At Garden Art Landscaping in Boulder, we specialize in water features of all shapes and sizes for residential and commercial applications.

More info visit our in Website: https://gardenartlandscaping.com/warterfeatures/

[kindofinprogress]

Part 2 to A little nerve(ous)

I originally planned for this to be three parts. But I'm not so sure anymore!

Read part one here

Harry sat at the dinner table with a heavy sigh. He could do nothing more tonight than watch a Weasley family dinner play out in front of his glazed over eyes. It had been a long day of meetings he had no business in- but everyone needed his input at the ministry these days. As if he wasn’t a drop out 17-year old. As if they hadn’t spent the better part of the last three years dragging him through the mud. Harry spent a lot of time letting his mind wander during these meetings. Much like he was now- committing the names of the Fallen Fifty to memory, wondering if there could have been a better way, if any of the deaths could have been avoided, how anyone could see him as a hero, what he was supposed to do next.

“Wanna go for a walk, mate?”

Ron’s deep voice shook Harry out of his trance-like state. The silence that followed was absolutely deafening. Where had everyone gone?

“Huh?”

“Erm… Dinner finished around 15 minutes ago. You’ve been a bit out of it for a while.”

Harry cleared his throat and made to get up with his dish (still full of food) in hand. “Right. Sorry. I should-”

Ron took the plate out of Harry’s hand and set it back on the table “You should come have a walk with your best mate.”

All Harry could do was nod his head and follow Ron. He felt simultaneously completely void of thought and full to the brim with it.

It was a while before Ron spoke again.

“Feels nice, doesn’t it? The breeze. I bet spending all those hours underground at the ministry aren’t doing you any good.”

“Right. Because we certainly haven’t had our fair share of nature and the outdoors over the last year.” Harry recoiled a bit at his own response. That was much too harsh with no reason. “Godric. Sorry, mate.”

“S’alright. It was funny.” Ron said, putting a large hand on Harry’s shoulder and shooting him a kind smile.

Harry felt a bit embarrassed at how nice it felt to have Ron’s hand on his shoulder. There was a time when physical affection was so foreign to him it’d made him uncomfortable. But being a plus one at the Weasley’s had meant having to go from deflecting touch to at least bearing it pretty fast. By fifth year he’d even welcomed Molly’s hugs, Bill and Mr. Weasley’s strong and lengthy handshakes, Ron’s hand on his shoulder, the twin’s ruffling of his hair, Ginny’s… A sigh escaped him at the thought of her. Ron must’ve known what was on his mind because he let her know Ginny was inside still, helping Hermione do some washing.

“But I’m sure she’d be up for a little after hours flying if you wanted me to get her? Or I could leave you two-” he started to suggest, with a raised eyebrow.

“Ron.”

“Oh as if time alone with my little sister isn’t exactly what you want.”

“I… No.”

Ron shot him a questioning look. “No?”

“Ugh. Not ‘no’. But… No.”

“Yeah, I’m not following mate.” Ron’s walking had stopped, he was leaning on a large boulder with his arms crossed. Harry noticed how far they’d walked from the Burrow. He wondered if they were still within the protective barriers. They should turn around. Had he even brought his wand? Was it too late for someone to be creeping around?

“Should we head back?”

Harry had only seen the expression which took over Ron’s face exactly three times before. Once, when Hermione revealed Krum had invited her to visit him over the summer, once when the pair of them had caught Ginny and Dean snogging in an abandoned corridor, and lastly when Ron had caught him kissing Ginny in her bedroom last summer. The look that said he wanted nothing more than to punch a bloke.

“What are you playing at?”

“I just think we should stick closer to the house-”

“About Ginny, you daft monkey!”

“It’s complicated, Ron.”

“No… it’s not. It’s really not, Harry. You pined after her at Hogwarts, you dumped her seconds after you finally got her- don’t interrupt me with your excuses. You pined after you dumped her, and, and… all that in the forest? Pouring over that bloody map day in and day out? The ‘If I come out the other end of this’ speech you gave me? What the hell, Harry?”

Harry’s lips formed into a thin line- keeping everything in he wanted to blurt out. About how much he missed her still. About how he couldn’t keep asking her to wait around for him. About how much better she deserved than a killer. He turned around and started walking faster than necessary toward the lit house. But there it was again seconds later- that huge hand on his bloody shoulder. Harry was tall but Ron had always had a bit on him. He should’ve known better than to think his friend couldn’t match his stride. Harry stopped and stared up at the sky. All that damned vastness. He kicked at the stump near them once, twice, and again and again and again until Ron had him by both shoulders and was steering him toward the pond- muttering something about going a round with a whomping willow.

Harry splashed a handful of water on his face and layed on the earth. Looking up once more at all the vastness up there. It didn’t take long for Ron to join him. Part of Harry thought he might care how silly they must look- two grown men laying side by side like that near a pond. He quickly waved this away though. There was a moment not long ago he and his mate had shared next to a much larger body of water, on a much colder and darker night that bonded them in a way probably not many people could understand. He’d always known Ron- but seeing a man's insecurities played out like Harry had witnessed- It allowed him to understand Ron better than ever.

“You don’t want to be with her anymore then? Think it all just got a bit much? You two seemed rather cozy before-”

“Before I got swept up into being a ministry troll.” He sighed again. “I miss her like you wouldn’t believe.”

“A little ball of light that sounded like Hermione floated into my heart and led me right back to her, remember? I think I know what you mean, mate.”

They laughed at that. Probably the first time Harry had laughed in days… or weeks.

“Yeah, alright. You might get it, then.”

Ron was quiet this time- not pressing him for more but knowing more would come.

“She deserves better.”

“I reckon you’re right. Ginny certainly deserve someone who’ll give her the time of day.”

“I haven’t been that cold.”

“Yeah, mate, you kind of have. This is the first night you’ve been home early enough for dinner in two weeks and you barely glanced at her. I only suggested getting her earlier because it’s been a while since I saw you two strolling around back here.”

Harry groaned and put his hands over his eyes, knocking his glasses backward onto his head. It had been a while. Too long. Godric.

“She does though, you know? Deserve someone better. I can’t give her… I don’t know. A normal life. Normal… happiness.”

“What the hell are you on about, mate?”

“Think about it. I can only travel by restrictive floo right now otherwise I get bombarded with cameras- remember all the gossip at Hogwarts? Imagine that but instead it’s all of Wizarding Britain. I’m as good as being treated like an auror nevermind I never trained or passed any N.E.W.T exams- It’s like you said, this is the first night I’ve been home for dinner in weeks, Ron. And I completely blew her off even though I miss her so much it feels like she’s as far as the moon sometimes.” Harry blushed and stole a glance at Ron, surprised a bit by his declaration.

Harry groaned.

“And it’s not just that, Ron.” A silence that beckoned more from his end met him in response. “How am I ever supposed to look her in the face and tell her the very same dark magic that allowed Tom Riddle to torture her for a year was inside me all along? How could she ever forgive me for Fred-” Harry felt a knot form at his throat. “How did I ever think I could soothe that pain away, knowing he was only in harm's way because of me?” Harry waited for Ron to say something. Anything. But nothing came and so his mind whirred with thoughts of Ginny and he sat there with nothing more to say. He really did miss her, his Ginny. No. Not his Ginny. Ugh.

“Hey.”

He looked up at Ron, who was sitting and staring down at him now.

“Remember fifth year, when Ginny talked to you about her being possessed and all? Really got through, didn’t it? I think… I think 11 year old Ginny could have really used that too. But there was no one around to give that to her. We all just kind of watched her seal all that away and couldn’t do anything about it because well, what did we know? I think… if anyone could understand the full story of the last year, the prophecy-doing things you didn’t want to do, the horcruxes, Kings Cross- everything. And take it in without judgement or.. Or fear or whatever you think they might, I think it’s Ginny.”

Harry wondered how true these words might be. He could only hope they were, even a little bit.

“So listen, you can sit around like a zombie and keep yourself away from… shit, from living your own life the way you want to for the first time ever or you can bloody get up and do something. Where’s that gryffindor bravery? Only let it out to defeat dark wizards? Not to talk to the girl you fancy? Bloody pathetic, mate.”

Harry and Ron allowed themselves to laugh full belly laughs again. They sat there staring at each other then back up at the stars again for a while after their laughter died off. Eventually, Harry got up first and after offering Ron a hand up, they walked back to the Burrow and Ron went up to bed while Harry poured himself a tea and sat out on the back porch by himself for a bit, enjoying the breeze.

[grim-faux]

8 - Twisted Warren

Too much had happened in this place, between the time Murkoff had lost control, and the MHS failed to regain control.  The patients had gotten free and had ample time on their hands to undertake all manner of hobbies.

I wasn’t certain what to make of the large hole chiseled through three feet of solid cement, and rebar.  Given there’s not a lot to do around this place but come up with creative ways to get around, I gave this one a seven out of ten.  I doubted that big ugly fucker would have been amused by a commission for big fuckin holes, he seemed dedicated to his current task of decapitating the former law.  I couldn’t envision the inmates having the tools for this sort of work, and then using them correctly to remove the cement, but they were just insane, not stupid.  There was a difference.

The problem was they were not stupid.

  To satisfy my lethal curiosity, I did return to the other side of where I had dropped down, to see if the egress guy was still lurking.  I didn’t want someone following me, I’d rather know at this point and try to lose them than get a nasty surprise in a dark cramped hole.

There was only a small room, and a door.  I tried the handle confirming it was locked, but perhaps earlier it was open and the patient decided to lock it.  Didn’t matter, my path was charted out.  It must’ve led into a lavatory, or female wash room, there were hand dryers on the wall, a mattress flung on its side, and the more important detail.  Sinks.

I tried the dial on one and received a fresh flow of water, its color I couldn’t tell due to the night vision but it looked clean and free of sediment.  After giving my perimeter a quick look I leaned under the tap and tasted it, first rinsing my mouth out of the reek and copper.  The water had a strong metallic quality, I wasn’t sure if I should drink it, much as I was advised not to drink the water when visiting another country, but I was dehydrated.  I reasoned with myself the lines couldn’t all be compromised, and drank just enough to quench my thirst.

There was also the issue of my bloody camera, and my backside, but I felt my jacket was a lost cause and it was cold.  In the dark I flushed water on my sleeve and used it to carefully dab the side of the camera until it felt like much of the stickiness was removed.  I didn’t expect to do a perfect job in the solid black.  I also took the time to rinse the blood from my scalp and the back of my leg, then flushed my tender brow.

I felt renewed, not meeting ready but stable enough on my feet to carry me onward.  I returned to the other side, squelching over the sticky puddle of blood back to the warrens entrance.

Below looked like an access space, for repairs or maintenance on broken pipes that might be reached through the basement.  It might’ve been installed in the past century if this place was as old as I suspected.

The hole wasn’t deep, but there was a passage dug out in the softer earth beneath the crawl space.  A small draft crept over my ankles, warmer air spilling into the cool shower.  The thick reek of natural gas coupled with moist earth reached my nose as I crouched down and used the night vision to navigate, I really didn’t need to get lost under this place. 

Though the path seemed straightforward, I was fully aware of how easy it was to get turned around in a short section of black crawlspace.  A few of the Outdoor Adventurer columns warned of how inexperienced cavers could get lost in less than twenty feet of cave.  One story mentioned a specific case in which a cavern had only a few extending tunnels, but the individuals involved thought only to bring one light source plus their cell phones.  As with any adventure destined to fail, the torch had a mishap and the cavers with their cell phones couldn’t distinguish between the details of the cave through the poor light source, nor could they call for help.  Many would scratch their heads or joke towards their expense, how can you get lost in such a small cave?  Few have ever experienced the total silence, the oppressive dark, and the disorientation that comes with confusion, then panic.  How easy doubt sets in and turns your instincts against you.

This is why they, like many, didn’t live to learn from their error.

Even a few feet into this passage, I could no longer see the light.  Not at all.  Thick pipes ran in orderly groups into the dark depths, railways of electrical input.  My path was carved around a cement pillar, going deeper.  My heart thudded harder against my ribs filling my head with a dull pulse of pain.  How deep did this go?  Would I be able to turn back if I lost my way?  I paused to listen in the crushing black, the total silence but for the thunder of my heart and my heavy breath.  I had my reservations for traveling deeper, I was terribly fucking lost running everywhere through the Asylums endless maze of halls, but this was fifteen times worse.  This was my grave.

I pressed on with no where else to look back on, I fortified my resolve to keep calm and find a way out.  There was nothing that could hurt me here, I could hear nothing, no shrieking, no pleas for mercy.  Dead silence.

The warmer air would’ve been a nice change of pace compared to the chilly asylum, but the reek of sludge and compost did not set me to ease.  Blood was, as always, my guide through this twisting nightmare.  Across the upper portion of the tunnel was a set of pipes, I had to stretch out and slip under them to get through.  It opened up a bit and I could stand, more pipes, for gas or water.

As I moved forward it looked like my path came to an end, but the earth shifted under my feet.  Looking down, I found a deep hole which I had nearly stumbled into.  I dropped down, making sure to evade the bricks on the one side.  The stench and heat was in full force at this point and I turned, locating where the bricks had been torn out of a wall.

The sewers beneath the asylum were huge, possibly to redirect the flow of water and alleviate erosion.  It wasn’t called Mount Massive for the jollies of it.  I glanced beyond the ruptured wall, crinkling my nose at the odor.  To my right was a light source, but my left was difficult to make out even with the NV.  Moisture in the air interfered with the feed.

Satisfied that the path was free of wavering figures, I sloshed into the filthy water of the drainage flow trying not to think about what might be floating in it.  The dark tunnel twisted around and after a few feet I could make out the collection of fallen boulders and earth.  A cave in, a weakness of some sort in the foundation.  This made me uneasy, the tunnels could be subjected to collapse while I was down here, especially with the heavy rainstorm currently hammering the mountain.  I didn’t bother to get closer should there be an opening I could squeeze through, it wasn’t worth it.

The lit tunnel offered two paths, I proceeded through the light, and presumably the path the patients had taken when they came down here.  At least I knew there must be a way out, unless they came down here and backtracked out.  I doubted that.  This was where the blood led me.

No matter how many times I repeated that phrase in my head, it always sounded wrong and insane.

A barricade for flotsam shed some perception on the water levels of these tunnels, if there was a good flood it could reach my hip.  I imagined the water was lower but even now the flow rolled over my ankles, I could only be thankful the water temper was tolerable or I’d succumb to hypothermia.  The barrier offered little trouble, but a sharp pain in my side.  Nice thing, I was growing accustomed to the jolts of pain.  Just had to avoid getting thrown out of windows, or kicked in the chest.

An intersecting tunnel came into view, but it was easy to decide which way from here with no detours.  My right was completely packed by another cave in, giving me some mild grief if that was my way out.  The ruble didn’t look fresh but I was no expert on collapses.

The right looked like another dead end from a distance, but as I moved closer I could see the small drainage tunnel in the shallow ditch was open.  A strong source of light soaked through a large grate overhead, offered by the upper floors perhaps, I couldn’t tell.  I stood off to the side of the gaping drain to look up, but the light from above was too bright to view past and make out its origins.  I thought I heard someone screaming, it could’ve been my imagination.  The echoing chatter of water spilled along the cobblestone bricks into the ditch below at a high frequency.

As I looked down, I thought I saw a body slumped by a grated drain.  It was a body, I crept in close to examine him through the NV feed.  He didn’t look like one of the patients that had come down earlier, a small relief.  He had been dead for some time, his pants and the lower area of his body had absorbed so much water he almost looked fluffy, but it was only skin dissolved and flaking away.  I didn’t need that thought on my mind, though I had already presumed I would find more bodies in the sewer, I didn’t need to see them immediately.  What a naïve hope that was.

Returning to my task at hand, I grimaced as I couched low and scooted along the water into the small tunnel.  The humid stench was overpowering and the cramped space of the drain had me nearly knelt in the foul water, but I managed to only submerge one knee as I felt along.  I tried to bury my face in my collar and hold the camera up so I could see where I was going and not put my knee into something unpleasant.  Blood was one thing, it was tolerable.

I tried to keep my hand along the ‘dryer’ side of the wall, where the tunnel sloped down but wasn’t in the water.  The cuts along the back of my leg stung like hell and I tried not to envision what sort of bacterial infections I’d come away with.  A piece of paper from something got caught on my foot, but I wouldn’t mess with that until I could stand.  The tunnel ended and I assured myself there was nothing here with me poised just beside the opening to lop my head off, before I shuffled out and stood.

Much of the same met me, no light and pipes suspended along the roof of the tunnel.  As I stared through the quivering visor I realized for the first time, I was shaken all over.  Not just mild tremors, I could literally not hold myself still as I inspected the open channel over.  I wasn’t cold, in fact a thin layer of sweat had spread under my coat causing it to stick against my shirt.

I was terrified.

Despite my small reprieve of isolation I was frightened, my nerves frayed.  Where was I going?  How did I get out of here?  What if there was no way out?  What if this was where I was meant to die?

Get ahold of yourself.  I stepped back and leaned beside the wall and touched the cool brick, feeling the vibrations of the Asylum against my palm.  Not gonna die here.  I would get out.  I would get out with the evidence and reveal this heinous mess to everyone.

I took a small breath through my mouth and stared at the long corridor ahead.  I wanted to believe that.  I wanted to make that the truth so bad.

The water sloshed over my shoes, and I flipped off the remains of that sheet of paper–

Something flittered into sight ahead.  I barely turned my camera up, night vision and everything I could see perfectly, and something glided by in the intersecting tunnel.  Looked black, like a shadow, but it was in direct light.  Was something there?

I took a few steps back to the tunnel and perched down, checking on my camera.  Features, playback, last five minutes.  I realized in reviewing the footage that I was breathing hard, I still was.  Didn’t care.

I paused the feed and stared at what was caught, it wasn’t very clear.  Just a black shape, it had passed in barely a second and looked almost transparent.  It wasn’t in the light as I had imagined, the NV had caught it in the dark of the intersecting tunnel.  Maybe it was a residual image, the camera had color mishaps since I flew out that window.  But…it looked suspended, a good six feet above the ground.

I took a deep breath through my mouth and exhaled.  Later I would review the evidence with better equipment, image quality enhancements.  And I’d make copies of everything.

First, I had to get out of here.  And the only route open to me was ahead, where that shadow was.

I exercised extreme caution as I proceeded forward, listening every few steps for sounds or stopping when I thought I heard something.  Carefully I picked my way along the tunnel with my eyes fixed ahead, the camera never picked up another image.

To my right where it must have gone, was a barricade or gap for high water levels.  I decided to avoid that path and check elsewhere, give whatever was there now a chance to clear out.

The left side extended a distance, all manner of trash was down here from dissolving files to cardboard boxes.  The path took a right path followed brick and on the left a drainage tunnel, grated up.  The path took a right and around the corner a light source, and possibly a way out.

I was disappointed to discover it wasn’t to be.  This was an exit, perhaps some time before, but the ladder set here was completely destroyed.  On the floor beneath lay the remains of a human, entrails, rotted limbs, and the ladder.  I attempted to lift it up but it was too short.  Even pushing some cardboard boxes over helped in no way, they were too soggy from sitting in the wet air.  The upper one cracked and folders scattered, patient letters.  I’m guessing Murkoff never sent these to the families, and probably forged return notes.  A few were stuffed into a file, which I took interest in

“"(Found scrawled in pencil on the back of an admittance form. Handwritting matches samples from patient “Father” MARTIN ARCHIMBAUD.)

This God is real. What we’ve mistaken so long for ghosts, spirits, madness. We were only willfully ignorant. The scales on Saul’s eyes were fear, and when you see beyond it, you truly see. This is the gift of the Walrider. The Gospel of Sand. The greatest sin in the world is willful ignorance of God. To receive a revelation and not spread it to the waiting flock. This place… To stand in the way of salvation is a sin for which there is no punishment too great’.”

For some reason this note caused goosebumps to crawl up my skin.  My mind brought back images of the MHS team, throttled and dragged away.  What had I seen?  What did Father Martin ask?  “Will you see?  Can you?”  I still didn’t understand, but I felt closer to understanding these mysteries through these sloppy scribbles.  Something about these words felt more than deranged delusions.  There was a truth.

I left the file and moved around the opposite side of the tunnel, lowering the camera where the lamps overhead still functioned casting deep yellow globs of light to spread over the moist stone.  Save batteries, live longer.

A soft tinkling…turned into an aggressive rattle as I passed under a large pipe.  I tried to find the source, but it sounded as though it were coming from within the pipe itself.  I raised my camera though there was nothing to record, but that sound was eerie, I could see nothing to generate that sort of sound.  Like pouring pellets into a bebe rifle.

I left that place and quickly returned to what must have been my route, where the shape had gone?  I don’t know at this point.  Peering through the tight gap I could make note of nothing threatening or otherwise, despite the distance I could tell there were areas where danger could lurk.  My progress so far had been quiet.

The barricade was tight, difficult even for me to get through.  I grunted as it rubbed on my bad side but I made it.  I’m sure there were hundreds of those down here.

The sewer opened up into another tunnel, a huge drainage gutter sat a few feet ahead with a grate over it.  To the right was a ladder swallowed up in a flood of murky water with a plaque reading Lower Junction

Fuck that.  I’m trying to get out of this place. 

A large pipe directed down into the lower area was clearly labeled ‘Female ward,’ and across from it an identical pipe with the faded words ‘Prison ward.’  More the reason not to go THAT way.  I continued to where some crates had been abandoned, probably filled with replacement parts or materials for the plumbing.  The asylum was nearly a city all in itself and required routine maintenance.

This made sense, they had a lot of people here on residence doing the experiments.  Probably the higher security clearance guys never went out on a sunny day, couldn’t risk them getting hurt or lost.

A loud thud echoed through the tunnel, I stopped near the crates and watched as a shape dropped down at the other end.  I stepped back and knelt behind them as he marched forward, struggling to breathe as he always did after the heavy exercise of killing.

The big ugly fucker just wouldn’t give it a rest!  What was his obsession?  Did he just follow me wherever he thought I was, or was it just chance?  Maybe he was following the patients, and somehow I was shepherd in with the flock.  Didn’t change matters, he was here now for whatever reason.  Damnit.

He moved towards the middle of the corridor and paused, glanced around as his breathing calmed.  Now that I saw him clearly in the light, I could make out details I hadn’t been able to pick out on when he threw me out a window.

No.  I will never let that go.

His face was indeed mutilated, by himself reports said.  I doubt he had sharp items while institutionalized.  Was it from the treatment he became so large?  Or just bad cardio, the guy ran like a horse.  The report also stated he had modified restraints to conform his massive size, and by modified they meant huge chains which he dragged around on his legs and arms.  The ones wrapped about his wrists appeared to have restricted his blood flow, I couldn’t tell from the distance if his hands still worked, they looked pale and skeletal.

Chris turned and began down a path on my right.  I listened to the sound of his chains as they grew soft and distant, with his heavy huffing.  At this point I wasn’t sure where to go, if I used my camera and zoomed, I could see to the end where he plopped down was grated.  One of the tunnels might lead somewhere, someplace where I could climb out of this sewer.  This option was more favorably than sitting here waiting for him to find me while I was indecisive about where to go.

I took hesitant steps forward, listening.  The sounds bounced around the walls, but I only heard the soft swish of water around my shoes.  He entered a tunnel further away on the left, as I moved it I could make out a dark entrance not far from my position on the right.

The tunnel was well lit, it set my nerves to ease but a coil of anxiousness knotted in my throat as I felt exposed.  I gave a small whimper unintentionally as I sprang over a flotsam guard when I twisted the wrong way, and I stopped to listen for a few seconds to assure the bug fucker hadn’t heard that.  As I resumed, the tunnel took a right into shadows and a cool draft, at the end I found a few planks of plywood and another grate drain.  And an open door brimming with light.

The room had little to offer.  Some shelves stacked with paints and boxes, a few batteries that I could use, lockers, and a large pipe with a valve labeled Prison drain

Apparently I was going into the Lower Junction. 

I shut the door behind me and griped the valve tightly and turned.  Or tried.  My arm ached and my ribs just couldn’t take it, a hot streak of pain pulsed in my side.  I stepped back and frowned at the valve.  Maybe I could trick Chris into turning it, or rig him up to it in some elaborate way.

Or I could stop being a pussy and turn that valve?

I took a few shallow breaths and steeled myself.  I was not halfway done with this place, and it wasn’t done with me.  If I was going to survive this, I would endure a lot more than some cheap shots and…

Crashing out a few windows.

I gripped the valve and braced myself, ignoring the throbbing or the red in my vision.  It would turn or so help me.

The valve gave in and wrenched.  I turned until it was all the way open, or what I presumed to be open.  I panted a bit as I turned and left the room.

Nothing.  That was nothing.  I could turn valves all day.  The pain would subside soon, and I could forget it in favor of more compelling matters.

In the dark tunnel I heard chains drag, and a voice mutter.  Two ways to spell dead.  Without a thought I pivoted and returned to the room, shutting the door behind me.  I stood waiting for a short while before I saw the knob twist.  My immediate instinct told me hide in the lockers, but the door was already opening and I was too far to get one open and stuff myself within.  I had already moved to the other side, where there was a large space behind the shelves where the light fell short.  I squatted in the furthest corner and watched as Chris entered.

He pushed the door open fully and stepped inside checking on the lockers.  Yes, they were very lovely.  He must not have known I was here, he didn’t bother opening a one.  Then, he turned looking at the shelves where I was hiding.  I held my breath and stared at him, directly at him.  I thought we made eye contact and my heart stopped, but the big fucker turned smoothly and left the room.

Even when I was certain he was well gone, I couldn’t move.  It felt like my body was frozen.  It took some effort but I managed to adjust my grip on the camera, then raise my arms and took a breath, then another.  I felt my mind begin to clear and the images replayed in my mind, Chris turning and his murky eyes dead on me.  In reflex I shut my own eyes and listened to the sounds of the sewer, soft hissing in pipes, water trickling down ancient mortar.  The tremors were back in full force, but I doubt they ever truly left me.  I only forgot they were there.

In some time I had coaxed myself enough to stand and move towards the open door, I wobbled on my feet and caught the frame before I could go charging out to make a thunderous descent on the slick plywood.

The dark was my only ally. 

I pushed myself off the doorframe and ventured into the tunnel, jumping at every little sound.  The drip of water was incessant, nerve wrecking.  I couldn’t see where he had gone from the opening of the tunnel, I stood waiting for some sign.  The idea that he might’ve left this area by some way was on my thoughts, but I knew better.  If he found a way out, I’d have a way out.  But he would exhaust his search first and that could take hours.

There were two large pipes leading into the lower junction, I already drained one.  The female drain was located on the left side of the tunnel, the pipe must’ve run that way.

While the coast was clear, I went ahead to the backside of the tunnel where the big fucker had initially entered from.  Maybe there was a way out I missed, a break in the grate.

Another dead end.  A dead guard, crumpled and broken, it looked like his legs had been twisted off and the only thing keeping them attached were his blood drenched pants.  I spun about when I picked up on the big fuckers approach, and ducked down behind the crates pressing myself into the edge where they met with the curved wall of the tunnel.  He was getting closer.

For a tense moment it sounded like he was right on the other side of the crate.  My only option was to hold still and pretend I wasn’t there.  The chains clinked as he moved and sniffed the air, I imagine this smell didn’t faze him a whole lot.  I was focused on the sleeve over my arm as I held perfectly still, studying the different colors and stains it had acquired.

“Scout the perimeter, then isolate the target.”

Eventually he continued on his way, his footfalls and muttering getting faint.  I waited a moment certain he took the left tunnel, towards the prison ward.  Of any tunnel, I just wanted to relocate and find a better vantage point.  Slowly I stood up, and there he was no more than fifteen feet away.

Chris bellowed something unintelligible and charged, sounded like “There you argh!”  I bolted, hitting the edge of the wall with my arm and skimmed off heading to the other side of the tunnel.  Had to find a place to hide, needed somewhere I can duck into.  He was screaming something after me, it was hard to tell between the splashing water and his dragging chains.

I vaulted over a drain guard and took a sharp left, into the dark.  No place to duck into, only a few alcoves that heightened my hopes only to crush them.  I slowed to toggle the NV and not drop the camera, he was nearly at my back when I picked up pace.  I nearly missed the sharp turn to the right, I stumbled when I stepped on a greasy cardboard box but managed to stay upright.  Ahead was light, revealing another cave in, but it looked like there was an opening I could squeeze through.  I wasn’t sure if this was a good idea, but standing around debating wouldn’t improve my health either.

The boulders and brick felt sturdy enough as I crammed myself between them, had to get deeper or the big fucker would drag me out.  Or rip my arm off in the process.

“Get out ‘ere!”  Chris was trying to dig me out as I crammed my body deeper.  He could topple the mound onto himself for all I cared.

As it was, I was nearly trapped in this alcove.  But with a firm shove I dislodged some rock at my feet and was able to slip down and crawl out.  It looked like the tunnel did continue down this way, but the cave in extended to that area and effectively blocked this path.

A bent door was lodged in the brick wall a few feet ahead, ripped off the lock by a force of science I didn’t wish to meet.  The plaque beside it read ‘Female drain.’  I pushed the door in and peered inside.  There wasn’t much to note, the room was small and there was no place to hide.  A shelf held a few of the paints, and a few boxes had been abandoned here.

I stepped across to the valve and braced myself before attempting to turn it.  I coughed a bit as my side tingled, but managed to get the handle to turn on my first try.  Small achievements were possible, now if I was able to get out of here.

I couldn’t hear him working to dig me out from the other side, or his heavy breathing.  He knew I was here and had no place else to go, it was likely he was camped on the other side waiting for me to emerge.  He was former military, he could afford to wait hours if necessary without losing focus.  If it came down to it, I could dodge him.  Or try, it worked but I had a sick feeling he’d remember that trick.

The rocks hadn’t shifted at all, I was able to get through with little effort.  I listened when nearly clear but picked up on nothing, only the constant drum of water running from the upper grates, and my own breathing.  The tunnel was large enough I could get around him if I timed it just right, but I didn’t care to test my reflexes against the big fuckers.  He was capable of nasty surprises, and the drain gutter was slick and unreliable.

I moved from the narrow space and took in a deep breath, then began to walk along the side of the drainage gutter where the water rolled down.  It was impossible to eliminate my movement completely, but I would hear him before he heard me.  I raised the camera for the night vision, but the power was getting low.  I paused on the corner checking for the clear before I pulled out the dead battery and put in a fresh one.

The sound of churning water caught up to me.  I didn’t pause as I quickly felt for the slot, and put in the battery before I turned to make a slow retreat.  There wouldn’t be time to crawl in the gap, especially once I hit the light.  I’d need to fake him out.  For a moment I thought I had gained some distance, the sound of his steps quieted.

Then I heard the rapid approach of chains.  “Little pig….”

I sprint the last stretch to my safety, but never made it.  A strangled yelp slipped from me as the back of my collar was snared, I clutched the camera to my stomach as he lifted me off my feet and flung me to the side of the channels drain. 

“Just lay there.”  He stepped over me as I was trying to recover.  Had to keep the camera out of the water, without it I was as good as dead!  I kicked at the slick bricks, I was dead anyway if he got his hands around my throat.  When I twisted my head to see where I was going, I spotted a missed tunnel that had a shattered grate.  A space Chris couldn’t fit.

I kicked at his ankles, throwing myself through the open passage.  Chris was still struggling to grip my shoes as I clambered inside thrashing in the shallow water until I was nearly soaked, but always making sure I was holding the camera away from the water.  I didn’t stop there, I flipped over and kept going when I saw that the other side was open as well.

With a roar of outrage, Chris stalked off, to head me off.  He had speed, I was severely limited as I struggled to move without knocking myself unconscious.

I cleared the other side and lunged to my feet, as I heard the water torn apart by his strides not far from my right.  I hurtled over the dam and ran, relying completely on the effectiveness of the pipes and the factor that they had finished draining.

“Outer perimeter breached!”  A crate flew by my head and shattered on the wall, I didn’t hesitate in my race.  Couldn’t dwell on the effectiveness of his aim either, I just needed to reach that ladder.  I shoved the camera into its hoister and practically dove down the ladder as the big fucker caught up to me.  “Don’t you hear it?”

I glanced up at his fuck grated face, in time to cringe against the ladder when he dropped a crate.  It crashed against the sides splinting in two, a piece hitting my shoulder but I barely felt it.  I continued down the ladder two and three steps, until I hit the bottom and stumbled away blindly in the dark.

Another crate fell smashing against the floor, the reverberation so close and sudden I felt my head spin.  I couldn’t see it until I had the NV active and took the time to give the soggy corridor a quick glance.  From the ladder I could still hear Chris, snarling at my escape.  I’m not sure why he didn’t pursue me, it didn’t seem impossible.  I gave up and accept these matters, and struggled to understand where I was now.

I took a few breathes, wincing at the stale sewage and raw metallic scent.  Not far from where I stood was another body of a patient, grotesquely bloated from being in the water for so long.  My stomach turned at the soured reek disturbed by the drainage.  This place just got better and better.

The heavy sounds of fresh drainage and falling water was tripled here.  In the pipes hung algae or liquefied rubbish, I couldn’t discern.  I only avoided it as I renewed my search, though it didn’t matter at this point, I was thoroughly soaked from my fall.  I suppose the red stains in my coat had either diluted or washed out completely, and yet I was more of a mess than before.  No surprise.

My path was literally straight forward, but I took it slow.  I could easily get turned around or something might’ve crawled down here.  I doubted it, as everything in here seemed to be in the advance stages of rot from the recent flood, but this place was full of unpleasant surprises that made you regret letting your guard down.

Much of them didn’t make any sense either.  I mulled over the thought of what this place might’ve been like if they didn’t use an asylum and crazy people for the experiments.

I took note of a thick pipe overhead which followed the same route open to me.  It didn’t have access through walls that had the small grated tunnels, but it gave me a direction.  I followed it around a sharp corner, and above was another bloated body, the skin around his bare arms slipping off his skeleton, without the water to cushion the buoyancy.  I made sure not to step directly under him, as I continued through the sewer.  A few crates bobbed in the water as I moved by, a few were marked with Murkoff’s faded logo.

More left over plywood, maybe used to board up areas down here where the scientist made their last stand.  Maybe a few of them came down here to shelter from the patients, but as of yet I had seen no evidence of this.  The wood gave me little trouble, stiff but soggy from its prolonged aquatic existence.  Above the pipe made a sharp turn and ended its path at a connecting pipe parallel with the wall.  I retreated as a sharp blast of hot steam shot out.  Damn pipes were now against me.

I skipped over another broken barrier of wood and boxes scattered in the drainage gutter, before finally coming to a ladder, and my escape.  Given, the big fucker hadn’t beaten me here somehow and was waiting above for me to poke my head out of the warren.  At least there was light above.

As I made my gradual progress up the tall ladder, I occasionally glanced up to my destination.  I tried to keep my steps soft, but someone had heard me.  They popped their head over the opening from above, curious to who was coming up.

I stopped debating what that might’ve been.  Too normal to be Chris Walker, but all patients were insane murders at this point.  A little slower I renewed my climb, unable to hear what the variant above might be planning.  It was likely he couldn’t see anyone down in the dark depths, but he did hear me.  He knew someone was coming.

I tightened my grip on the bars when I peered just over the edge, checking around as much as I could for the person.  I was relieved to find myself alone, but I thought I heard voices echoing in the distance.  Set to ease but still wary I climbed up onto the grate and kept low, I was certain they coming from somewhere….

“No.  I can hear it!”  There was a large grate in a tunnel to my left, that the voices echoed down.  Did they mean me? 

“Somebody—” 

“The Walrider!”  Guess not.  I pulled myself up a little more as shrieks splint the calm, I hung back as a sound came to me similar to crashing water, and a low rumbling.  Not rumbling, was it trickling?  Or a hissing, as something caught in the air and lashed out.  I winced as the howls began.

The voices intensified, as people somewhere shrieked with wild release.  I couldn’t place what I was hearing, a lifting swell of agony and terror as the multitude came to a crescendo, cracks and tears of bone and flesh and crushed windpipes catching voices midway through their final throes.  Somewhere, not far from where I was, people were slaughtered by something they had warned me about.

It couldn’t be.  The Walrider was a myth, it couldn’t exist.

Eventually the anguished cries fell silent, as did the sounds of what had enacted its punishment.

[wildcraftedwoman]

Gratitude list: A hygge apartment that I move into by the early morning, with the carnivorous baby plant who chose me (I swear they did.) Spending these upcoming nights cuddled on a new cozy sofa with my husband, catching up on Outlander. Watching black art and beauty come into the mainstream limelight as a ‘woman of color’. Thrifting vintage wooden furniture to upcycle with milk paint soon. All the blankets, faux fur rugs, candles, vases and string lights I purchased from IKEA today. Getting straight A’s this summer semester in my astronomy classes, while preparing to home school my six year old starting in the fall with a Waldorf-Charlotte Mason outdoor education. Meeting other homeschooling mamas out here soon who are just as rebellious, questioning of the world, and ever so protective over our children. My daughter who is abrasive and unapologetically girly and told me the other day, “I want you to be happy in life.” Hiking in the alpine with my love and a bottle of Cabernet, climbing some boulders freely without rope or eating snacks in the meadow with Led Zeppelin playing in the background. Finally having space for wicker chairs, and a small garden of edibles and flowers! And to my mother in law, who gifted me a very intensive thirty day holistic healing, nutrition + therapy program to address lifelong traumas. Bless her heart most of all.

[polandspringz]

Make It As Right As Rain- Pokemon SWSH Fic

Bede discovers the truth about what Chairman Rose has been doing behind the scenes of the League, and his world comes crashing down around him. Luckily, he has friends to help him pick up the pieces.

This is based on this post I made about the game’s potential conflict! You can also read the fic & give kudos on AO3 here!

The muddy, red dirt splashed against Bede’s knees as he collapsed to the ground. Rain sloshed down the sides of his coat, easily running off the surface but dripping down into his sleeves and collar as he reached up to claw at his scalp. The water seeping into his leggings was so cold, shocking his body as hot flashes burned white light behind his eyelids as the world turned to a sickly dark gray.

It was like a hoard of Wheezing had passed through, the sky was so thick, the air turned to smog as he struggled to breathe. He had stumbled away from the city, from the League in a daze. When the argument had exploded in Chairman Rose’s office, when Gloria had burst in with Leon and Hop and began hurling accusations he first thought it was all a big joke. Gloria had just lost twice to the eighth gym in the League, Hop hadn’t been doing so well either, and there were always tabloids spouting lies about his father, and he had laughed at the lot of them for such a pitiful display. Bede had defended Rose by saying that Gloria and Hop were merely trying to blackmail their way through battles they couldn’t win due to their incompetence, but inside he knew that wasn’t true. Leon was standing there, and although he was Hop’s older brother, Bede knew deep down that he wouldn’t stake his position and title on something like this if it was all a lie. Same with Gloria, as Bede watched the girl’s mouth twist into a frown and her recoil behind Hop with hurt at his words, something inside told him things were very wrong.

“I’m sorry, Bede,” Leon had said as he produced a pile of evidence, setting the items on Rose’s desk. Copies of photographs and contracts with the man’s signature on it caused Bede to freeze. His eyes skimmed over only a few of the titles, but suddenly all of the puzzle pieces came together in his head.

“Fa- Chairman…” Bede corrected as he swallowed the lump in his throat, and turned towards the man beside him slowly, “None of it is true, is it?”

When the man had merely laughed and gestured for Oleana to put in a call, Bede was horrified as his sister’s lifeless eyes glazed over the intercom system as she phoned for security. 

He was brushing past Gloria and Hop and shoving his way through Leon’s stupid cape as he sprinted for the door. Men in black suits got to him anyway, even as he was racing down the stairs to reach the glass doors underneath the blinking exit sign. They picked him up by the collar of his coat and began to toss him around as he struggled violently in their hold, but then there was the noise of a Pokeball opening and the roar of a familiar Obstagoon and the men were reeling back in pain, dropping him down the stairs and Bede was crawling, scrambling to his feet before his palm was smudging the crystal clean door as he burst through it and out into the rain.

The city was a blur as he charged through it, head tucked as he banged into people, tripped over Pokemon on deliveries, and knocked over displays as he tried to find somewhere, anywhere, away from all the noise and screaming around him. Cars honked as he flew in front of them as lights turned green, someone set their hands on him when he slammed into their back and he tried to move around them swiftly. It was probably a kind person, with nothing but the best intentions as she spoke to him calmly, but instead Bede flailed like a child and ended up slapping her as he broke away and back into the storm of the city.

Eventually, through a long tunnel and over a bridge, he broke through into the Wild Area, the whistling of the wind through all the greenery tumultuous and loud as thunder picked up and Bede sunk down into the path. He didn’t know what to believe. He had spent his entire journey defending his father, deflecting any sort of gossip he heard on the road with a resolute, crushing victory over some pathetic trainers, breaking into fits of word play with reporters when some sketchy magazine broke through to comment about a suspicious event. Shady deals done in a warehouse behind one of the gyms connected to the League, why Rose decided to sponsor him of all trainers, and what he planned to do once he became the next Champion.

He spent his entire life hiding in a big skyscraper, hiding what he was, where he was from, who he was from. When he was given his first Pokemon and showed his strengths to his father in a test Oleana had arranged for him, he felt pride when he was handed the “deal”, a contract and sponsorship that even though it was “strictly business” equalled acknowledgement, pride, love.

Now those hexagons on his back were burning holes through to his heart, scarring him as he inhaled smoke and fought to breathe. His hands fell from his head and instead reached for his throat. He was choking on nothing, his face was covered in sweat and everything was mixing with the rain and falling down into his mouth as he coughed and inhaled and inhaled again as he sucked up more and more but the tight feeling in his chest continue to constrict and bind him.

He felt like he was going to die. 

Something dark shot across his vision and then there was a splash by his knees and a hand on his shoulder. Someone was kneeling in front of him and trying to get him to lift his head. The hand on his shoulder was hot, like everything else. Like the air that was swirling around him, the air that he kept shoveling down his throat but instead it piled up like gravel. He continued to pant and gasp and the hand disappeared. Darkness kept jumping in and out of his vision as he blinked the tears away, eyes opening wide in desperation as he continued to suffocate. 

There was pain across his neck and then the fire was on his hands. The person was tugging his wrists down and away from his throat, pinning them into his lap as they leaned forward and brushed his hair back causing him to flinch, a caress turning into a strong grip as they jerked his chin up and settled their thumb harshly against his cheek.

Gloria’s warm brown eyes bore into him as she stared him down, mouth set into a thin line. She was never much for words, he was shocked when over an hour ago she had the voice to bite at his father with such an unwavering confidence-filled tone. Now, that he was locked on her, she let go of his face, and gestured.

Watch me. Follow me, or something in between. Either way, Bede watched her shut her eyes and open her mouth, sucking in a deep breath. She waited a second, then let it out. She opened her eyes and waited. Bede tried to do the same. When he exhaled, his gaze dropped to his hands, which were tangled together and pinned down by one of her own. He froze up, she loosened her grip, but forced him to look at her again. She breathed in and out again. He followed. She smiled and nodded, beaming as she continued. Slowly, it got easier and easier for Bede, and finally, the air around him became tolerable again.

She let go of his hands finally once he had settled, her forehead pressed against his as they finished their last exercise before she pulled away, fishing through her bag for something. Bede merely watched her curiously, wrapping his arms around himself as the chill of being rain-soaked began to settle in. Gloria’s warm hand came up to touch his again and suddenly he was being pulled to his feet, and her gentle voice- 

(Where had that been when they had been in the office? The one that had always spoke in whispers when they were huddled in caves, been nothing but kind to him even when he brushed her off with curt words and harsh, brutish shoves to any of her meager offerings of food or a listening ear.)

-Her gentle voice told him they needed to get out of the rain, and she tugged him along, a strong hold on his rough skin, covered by a glove that had been streaked in blood from scratches along his neck.

Interestingly enough, the shelter she chose was one of twinkling stone and red rocky walls, an old mine cart resting by the entrance, a few lanterns flickering on the walls. They had fought in this specific cave before, a few times outside of when they ran into one another in the waiting rooms of the stadiums. He liked it better here, in the quietness of the outdoors, the echo of the cave deflecting only the noise of their commands and their Pokemons’ shouts and attacks instead of the voice of authority stumbling in to stop their quarrel, telling them to save it for the big stage. There were no eyes in here, and as Gloria led him away from where the wind and rain still reached inside the cave’s entrance, she sat him down beside a boulder and dug out what she had been holding inside the bag since she found him. 

A first aid kit. 

She helped him take off his jacket and pulled out a sweatshirt from within her bag, setting it on the ground next to them as she reached forward with a cotton pad dabbed with some antiseptic and reached towards him. She spoke to him quietly, explaining what she was doing, and Bede tilted his head back as she rolled down the collar of his turtleneck, skin tight and waterlogged and beyond constricting even when she lowered it. He stared down at his bloody nails, long but jagged in some places from roughing it a few times on his journey. He must have broke through the skin when he felt like he was choking, but even now his brain couldn’t find any rationale behind that. Was he trying to create new holes for air to pass through? He didn’t even register the pain during the entire event, so it was a stupid, subconscious decision, really, he scoffed.

“It’s not stupid,” Gloria said, as she finished pulling out some band aids from the kit, and Bede realized he had spoken all of that out loud, “I didn’t… I shouldn’t have done that in front of you. I didn’t know you were in there when we went in but we should have requested a private meeting but we had already come so far and… I’m sorry,” she deflated finally. Bede shook his head.

“I can’t say that- that I’m happy that you did such a thing, but,” he swallowed, looking down at where her hands fidgeted with the wrapping on the bandaid. Her clothes were soaked through too, and her cardigan made from Wooloo wool was beginning to smell, “I’m thankful that you did. I… I always pretended to not know, but I had a feeling and… well I frankly don’t know where to go from here but I’m hoping you might have a better solution to all this than just stopping here.”

He looked up from underneath his wet bangs and she was grinning, and so he smiled back. Granted, it was still more of a smirk than a smile, as she pointed out much to his embarrassment, causing his arms to come up and cover it up, but it continued to grow wider and wider with each giggle from her throat.

After a short while, her brother Victor arrived, looking much more prepared for the rain as he tipped the Corviknight taxi before he stepped inside, shrugging off a poncho and handing over a spare pair of dry clothes for Bede to change into from his bag.

Behind the boulder, he tugged off the layers of water from his body and slunk them onto the cave floor, their weight instantly seeping out into a puddle as he slipped into the warm, clean clothes that were a bit too big or him. Gloria and Victor’s voices mingled over the firelight that spilled orange over the rock and shimmered angst the jewels on the cave walls as he rounded the rock and hung his clothes up to dry on a line they had drawn up over the fire. Gloria was still hanging something on her side, dressed in her damp, smelly clothes still. The rainwater shimmered golden in the glow against her as she turned to him. She was trying to hang his coat up, but the weight of the packs on it kept flipping it over and causing it to tug almost the whole line down.

He stormed over towards her, and gruffly nudged her away. 

“You seriously can’t figure out how to take these off? You could have at least emptied them. Or just thrown the whole thing away, I don’t really want to look at it anymore anyway.” 

His hands fumbled for a moment before he got the first pack off, letting it fall to the floor roughly before he worked on the ones at the sides. Gloria folded her hands behind her back, and stood beside him.

“But it’s important to you. I couldn’t just do that.”

Bede blinked twice in astonishment, before he turned back as the other two packs fell off and hit the ground. 

“Go get changed already, I can take care of this,” he managed to hide his face as a blush spread across it.

Gloria just stepped away and picked up the sweatshirt she had folded on the ground, extending it to him to wear. He took it from her as she scampered off, scooping up her bag before she dashed behind the rock. Bede finished up and managed to lay his coat evenly on the line and buttoned it up a bit to help hold it on. They didn’t have any clothes pins, so it would have to do. Victor gestured for him to sit down and handed him a bottle of water. Once Gloria rounded the rock in her clean, dry clothes too, they broke out the food and began to “feast”, as Victor put it.

There was much to do tomorrow, like Bede had said, they couldn’t just leave everything be now that they had brought it all forward. Throughout the night, when things got quiet, every so often the list of worries would come to the forefront of his mind and he would begin to get worked up again, but each time, Gloria, and sometimes Victor, was there to calm him down, bring him back with a smile or a corny joke or a giggle or some food to give to him or his Pokemon. With Victor’s Wooloo in his lap and Gloria’s Obstagoon guarding near the entrance, Bede watched the firelight crackle and dwindle as they all got ready to rest, and he wondered why for the longest time, he rejected this warmth.

When the cave at last had gone dark and the noise had faded, he pulled up the hood of the sweatshirt and stretched his legs out, careful not to disturb Gloria who was sleeping against his shoulder. Victor stretched a blanket over the three of them and sat down, crossing his arms as both siblings walled him in. Bede leaned his head back against the rock and breathed in the scent of wet earth as the ceiling of the cave disappeared when blackness crept into his vision. This time it was gentle, soothing, and natural as his muscles relaxed and he succumbed to slumber as well. 

***

I just wanted to hurt Bede, there’s no excuse for this fic other than that. Sorry, lol.