#More vulnerable to climates and getting sick more often maybe WHO KNOWS

[thecoolsquirrel]

An Aceyuu timeskip from the drafts that I'm quickly cleaning out as in preparation for a translation of the newest twst chapter

[citialiin]

ZIGGY ✰ STARDUST

i jacked this from @cardinalrot​. thank you dad. tagging: @gothsic​ ; @blossomingbeelzebug​ ; @betelguide​ ; @thatcertainnight​ ; @prophesyed​ ; you, specifically, reading this.

𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐬

FULL NAME.     [ redacted ] * NICKNAME.     ziggy  GENDER.     agender (he/him or they/them) / typically presents as a “man” for simplicity’s sake and also because he doesn’t care enough to think about it for more than 4 seconds HEIGHT.     5′10″ AGE.     26 (earth years) ZODIAC.     ??? (he wasn’t born under our stars ... so .......) SPOKEN LANGUAGES.     any/all (he doesn’t really know them, though, he uses an internal translator)

𝐩𝐡𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬

HAIR COLOR.     bright red, seemingly unnatural -- but it’s natural EYE COLOR.     left pale blue, right black SKIN TONE.     very, very, very pale BODY TYPE.     skinny. very skinny/slender/svelte.  willowy and tall and bony.  good for looking waifish on magazine covers but bad for lifting even vaguely heavy objects. VOICE.     posh, nasally, low, the slightest bit condescending.  speaks with an english accent despite not being english, let alone human.  drawls his vowels and enunciates his letters.  his voice is strangely clear and bright when he sings, unlike his somewhat unpleasant speaking tone, and he tends to sing in higher pitches than his speaking voice. DOMINANT HAND.     ambidextrous -- but he can only play the guitar left handed POSTURE.     very straight and proper, holds his head high and his shoulders square.  uncertain if it’s height alone or if he really is looking down upon you.   SCARS.     small incision in the back of his neck where the translator was placed. barely there and usually covered by a collar or his hair, anyways. TATTOOS.      none BIRTHMARKS.     a large yellow disc on his forehead, rimmed with a slightly darker yellow/bronze with the slightest hint of a chromatic shift affect due to reflecting/light catching pigment in skin cells.  this isn’t unique to him, however, as every member of his race has it. has the tiniest hint of a freckle above his lip, on the left side, and he hates it and wishes he could nuke it off his face.  both of these are usually covered, anyways. MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURE(S).     the circular mark, his unusual eyes, his sharp features, his bright hair. everything about him is weird and outlandish and strange, but it helps him maintain a striking, marketable image.  

𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝

PLACE OF BIRTH.     far away.  HOMETOWN.    faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away. SIBLINGS.    [ grabs the steering wheel and veers straight into worldbuilding headcanon territory ] the society he comes from is no longer sexually dimorphic and typically doesn’t reproduce the natural way.  having evolved far beyond such icky things, they use genetic samples from large swaths of the population to make consistent batches of new individuals -- the genetic samples are screened for defects and aberrations and sort of tossed together into a genome salad, and out comes however many individuals they need to fill in gaps in the population.  there’s a lot of consistency in his species due to this: everyone has reddish hair, everyone has heterochromia, everyone is about the same height, etc.  so technically, he’s related to everyone in his “batch.” PARENTS.   he wouldn’t ever know -- a lot of people, probably

𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞

OCCUPATION.    rockstar -- cultural icon -- celebrity -- musician -- singer -- model -- jerk CURRENT RESIDENCE.    london, LA, NYC, but he’s constantly moving and tours quite often CLOSE FRIENDS.    few and far in between -- he’s friends with his drummer who is named priscilla but usually goes by the stage name WEIRD, as well as siddharth, his bassist, who goes by sid in his personal life but GILLY on stage.  they were the first two humans to encounter him and taught him everything he knows, from how to tie his shoes (aliens wear boots, and you should know this) to the C major scale -- because they are among the few humans who know his secret, he views them as his closest and dearest friends.  his stardom isolates him from them, just a little -- he likes the spotlight but they don’t mind just being “the drummer” and “the bassist.”  they don’t quite have the star power that he does.  his manager  -- tama ahinariki, some guy from new zealand who seemed to bumble his way into becoming in charge of one of the most successful musicians of the decade -- also knows he’s an alien, but they tend to be more business partners than close friends.  tama is more interested in the money side of things whereas priscilla and sid are only interested in the music.  ziggy has stock in the music, money, and his personal brand.  

via rp, he’s made some friends with other characters! a few. very few.  RELATIONSHIP STATUS.    single -- he intends to stay that way.  he gets all the action he could ever need from his legion of devoted fans and groupies.  even in situations where he’s romantically involved and emotionally invested, he would never consider himself exclusive or monogamous.   a lot of tabloids make rumors that he’s involved with cardinal copia, fellow rock icon, but he tends to be sneaky at hiding any time they spent together.  it’s hard to keep things private when you’re both massively popular public figures, though. he goes out of his way to be sure no one knows about his predilection for spending time with thomas, because the last thing an awkward alien in disguise needs is a lot of public attention because people think you’re dating a celebrity (who they don’t know is also an alien). he hangs around annie a lot, too, but this is extra extra under wraps, because annie has a stalker named jonathan who may or may not go apeshit and try to tear his head off or something if he finds out.   FINANCIAL STATUS.    filthy rich. should be guillotined.   DRIVER’S LICENSE.    doesn’t have one. he has some paperwork, somewhere, with a “real” name and all that, but he has no idea where it is and lets his manager deal with that stuff. CRIMINAL RECORD.    none ! clean slate.  that doesn’t mean he doesn’t do illegal things, though.  he just doesn’t get caught.   VICES.    smoking, drinking, la cocaina, sex, impulsive spendng, rockstar stuff.  

𝐬𝐞𝐱 & 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

SEXUAL ORIENTATION.   bisexual. PREFERRED SEXUAL ROLE.     submissive  |  dominant  |  switch  | top |  bottom | verse. this doesn’t really come up in rp because i dont write nsfw. the way i view it is that he’s lazy and would rather you take care of him than the other way around LIBIDO.    pretty high, but it’s difficult for him to have as much sex as he might prefer because, uh, he has, uh, alien..............parts...........and stuff ..... like ....... some parts down there look different ....... so he’s stuck having sex with usually in the dark, under sheets, and he has to zip his pants up really quick afterwards. maybe it’s a little bit hilarious and i just think it’s funny idk LOVE LANGUAGE.    selflessness (which is big, for him, king of all douchebags and lord selfish dickhead the third), rambling to you about his day, physical affection, gifts, letting you see him without make up, opening up to you about his life before earth.  he might play you music, sing to you or write you songs if he’s feeling particularly sappy.  this is stuff reserved for people that he finds himself incredibly romantically/emotionally attached to, though, not the people he has one night stands with.  and he almost never forms any sort of lasting attachment to the people he sleeps with casually. RELATIONSHIP TENDENCIES.    he tends to fall for people who challenge him in some way, who aren’t easily beguiled by his status and physical looks, but who aren’t outright mean to him.  that being said, he is very vain, and he loves being showered in compliments, praise or attention.  he matches well with people who can put up with his antics and moodiness and odd behavior.  he likes the idea of being someone’s muse or someone’s idol, so he finds himself drawn to other creative types.  he has the most intimate/special connections with other nonhuman beings, especially other aliens, cuz he feels like they Get him and he wouldn’t be really giving himself in his fullest form if he had to still play pretend that he was a human being.  for whatever reason he goes apeshit for goth guys/dudes with black hair who wear a lot of black.  he really doesn’t like people who are too much like him, because HE’S HIM, and you’re YOU, and he really wants it to stay that way.  GET OUT OF MY DRESSING ROOM

𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐨𝐮𝐬

CHARACTER’S THEME SONG.   there’s a whole album about him .......... theres a song called “ziggy stardust” .......  HOBBIES TO PASS TIME.    singing, music, writing -- he lives for that shid.  he likes art in all forms, so he reads, watches movies, looks at paintings -- he has a lot of human culture to catch up on, and he loves all of it, from any time period and any culture.  he also likes buying things, shopping, looking nice, gossip.  he tends to be a party animal (party alien?) and often indulges in more hedonistic fun. LEFT OR RIGHT BRAINED.    his brain is not structured like a human brain. also, head empty.  no thoughts. FEARS.    being perceived as ugly or untalented, being outed as an alien, being rejected for being an alien, becoming a nobody, losing his social status, becoming a conformist, becoming “outdated” or “uncool” SELF CONFIDENCE LEVEL.    somehow sky high and on the floor at the same time. he usually thinks he can do anything and he’s pretty perfect, but that may just be from a solid few years of repeating that to himself and empty praise given by people who are just crazy obsessed with him -- he built his confidence level on a very shaky foundation, so it’s easy to start making him doubt himself and panic if you know what to criticize him on VULNERABILITIES.    a lot of things, and im sick of typing

* pay me 100000 USD to unlock my LEVEL 20 ZIGGY STARDUST LORE pack now with NAMING/TITLE INFORMATION, HOME PLANET CLIMATE/WEATHER PATTERNS and PAST OCCUPATION/EDUCATION information.  includes a piece of gum i found on the floor.

[paulasldkjf-blog]

(scroll down for references)

I’ve heard stories of athletes in their 30s/40s getting extremely sick

seek medical attention if: short of breath, blueness in lips/fingers, choking sensation, persistent pain/pressure in chest, mental confusion

symptoms take between 2 and 14 days to appear after infection

people experience mild symptoms, start to get better, then go into severe symptoms and pneumonia around day 7

mild symptoms: impaired sense of smell/taste, upper-respiratory tract infection that progresses to a lower-respiratory tract infection, dry coughing (from the chest not the throat), sore throat, headache, fever, high temperature, tiredness, aches/pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, diarrhoea

severe symptoms: shortness of breath, blueness in lips/fingers

"Seriously sick coronavirus patients in New York state’s largest hospital system are being given massive doses of vitamin C — based on promising reports that it’s helped people in hard-hit China"

if experiencing severe symptoms take 1500mg vitamin C every 6 hours (food-sources are not effective at high dosages, only liposome vitamin C will work: https://au.iherb.com/pr/SunLipid-Liposomal-Vitamin-C-Naturally-Flavored-30-Packets-0-17-oz-5-0-ml-Each/90757)

"fatality rate was 14.8% in people 80 or older ... 1.3% in 50-somethings, 0.4% in 40-somethings, and 0.2% in people 10 to 39"

"A new study found the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detectable in aerosols for up to 3 hrs, up to 24 hrs on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic/stainless steel."

home-made sanitiser recipe: "mix two parts 95% non-denatured (denatured contains toxic elements to prevent drinking) ethanol ... with 1 part aloe vera gel"

fabric over the mouth/nose should help against the virus contained in water-vapour in the air

weaken immune system: alcohol, sugar, stress

strengthen immune system:

adequate sleep

moderate exercise (intense exercise temporarily weakens the immune system)

spending time in nature

vitamin D (sunlight (sunscreen blocks vitamin-d intake), organ-meat) cuts risk of respiratory tract infection by 50%

hot bath/sauna

200-500mg vitamin C /day (1 orange contains 50mg or https://au.iherb.com/pr/California-Gold-Nutrition-Gold-C-Vitamin-C-500-mg-240-Veggie-Caps/61866)

vitamin A (fermented codliver oil (1t/day), organ meats https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0.A0.H0.Xblue+ice+cod+liver+oil.TRS0&_nkw=blue+ice+cod+liver+oil&_sacat=0)

fermented vegetables (high vitamin-c content + other)

garlic and onion

bone-broth (boil bones for 3 hours)

saturated fats (butter, coconut oil, meat fats, cream, cheese)

mushrooms (chaga, shiitake, maitake, turkey tail; https://au.iherb.com/pr/Four-Sigmatic-Superfood-Blends-10-Mushroom-Blend-2-12-oz-60-g/82309?rec=iherbtest-pdp-related&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6_vzBRCIARIsAOs54z47x95jolkYlc6bTCbEnxc_5MEJlm14Q1UmX5Okc5rNSqsHLrXnhywaAiiUEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)

berries

magnesium

essential oils

coconut oil

zinc

ground flaxseed

elderberry

licorice root

activated charcoal

chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine

peptides

oxide therapy

fermented vegetable recipe: 2g salt per 100g water (or 2.5g for warmer climate); fill jar with vegetables up to 2.5cm from the top, add salt-water up to 1.25cm from the top; taste-test every three days (or every day in warmer climates) until the taste is right, then refrigerate; they keep for months in the fridge; it should never smell/taste 'off' or be slimy; to prevent build-up of CO2, loosen/release the jar-lid every few days (fermentation-kit: https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/collections/cultured-vegetable-starter-cultures)

======================== SYMPTOMS/SEVERITY OF THE SICKNESS

"About half of the 109 Covid-19 patients (ages 22 to 94) treated at Central Hospital of Wuhan, researchers there reported, developed acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), in which fluid builds up in the small air sacs of the lungs" [1]

"About 5% of all COVID-19 cases need intensive care, and without it, all of them will die" [3]

"If you're starting to feel severely sick though, if you're getting short of breath, if you're having any blueness in your lips or in your fingers, if the illness just feels like it's taking hold of you, you do eventually have to go in because there are interventions in the hospital that are extremely necessary" [7.1]

"They've also noticed that the progression of the illness to the severe illness seems to be happening a bit later in the course. So, somewhere around that 7 to 10-day range. So, people will often start with sort of a mild upper respiratory tract infection, progresses to a lower respiratory tract infection. Then over the course of a week, progresses to the more severe illness where they start getting the inflammation and the acute respiratory distress syndrome or the ARDS. They've also noticed that the ARDS cases are not quite as bad, and a lot of times, the patients will actually recover from the ARDS, and then it'll actually be the dilated cardiomyopathy that gets them in the end. A cardiomyopathy is where your heart stops squeezing as well, basically. So, it doesn't squeeze as well as it normally does your ejection fraction, which is an estimate of how well your heart is performing decreases severely, and then patients end up dying of basically cardiogenic shock" [7.1]

if choking sensation, call doctor

every morning breath deeply and hold breath for 10seconds. If this can be done without difficulty/coughing all good [30]

impaired sense of smell [15, 44]

cough, fever, tiredness, dry cough, aches/pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat, diarrhea, difficulty breathing [39]

"These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually" [39]

symptoms that indicate severity and warrant seeking medical attention: trouble breathing, persistent pain/pressure in chest, confusion, bluish lips/face [40]

symptoms take between 2 and 14 days to show up [40]

"you sort of get better, then it comes back, you sort of get better, then it comes back" [42]

"little bit of cough, headache, runny nose ... for first 36hours ... got a little bit worse with muscle aches ... day five ... fever, muscle-aches, pain everywhere" [42]

"98% had fever, 76% had cough, 55% had shortness of breath" [43]

"incubation period of maybe about a week or two, and then there was the illness that lasted for 8 days, and then there was the shortness of breath" [43]

loss of taste and smell, fever, dry cough that comes from your chest, shortness of breath ("If your chest becomes tight or you begin to feel as if you cannot breathe deeply enough to get a good breath"), persistent pain/pressure in chest, blush lips, mental confusion, headaches, digestive issues, body aches, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat and sneezing [45]

"One possible sign that you might have Covid-19 is if your symptoms, especially shortness of breath, don't improve after a week or so but actually worsen" [45]

"you get better before it gets worse" [46]

"common cold, my nose was was stuffy, I had ear problems, sinus problems ... got better ... got hit with the flu ... headache ... was getting better with the flu and that's when I got hit with the pneumonia ... can't take a full breath like you need to" [46]

"very mild persistent headache ... that was a friday, then saturday I started to feel gradually worse during the day ... got to the sunday ... full flu-like symptoms, weak, achy ... cough at that point and high temperature ... felt like I was starting to turn the corner ... breathing problems" [47]

ibuprofen/advil could make it worse [48]

MOST VULNERABLE: ELDERLY AND THOSE WITH PRE-EXISTING HEALTH PROBLEMS

"this virus has been worse in the elderly and quite mild in children. And we think that's probably due to some immunity that's cross over from the other coronaviruses, which we typically get when we're children. So, that immunity is lost as we become adults and we age" [7.1]

"The people most vulnerable to viral infection and death are the elderly and those with acute or chronic diseases." [7.2]

Patients who have been tested for SARS-CoV-2 are disproportionately those with severe symptoms and bad outcomes [33.3]

"fatality rate was 14.8% in people 80 or older" [11]

"1.3% in 50-somethings, 0.4% in 40-somethings, and 0.2% in people 10 to 39" [11]

"The age-related death risk probably reflects the strength, or weakness, of the respiratory system" [11]

AVOIDING CONTAMINATION

"A new study found the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detectable in aerosols for up to 3 hrs, up to 24 hrs on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on plastic/stainless steel." [6]

"It's an enveloped virus (with a thin plasma membrane), so easily broken chemically: killed by soap/detergents" [8, slide 17]

90% of virus dies after 6h of weak sunlight [8, slide 17]

home-made sanitiser recipe: "mix two parts 95% non-denatured (denatured contains toxic elements to prevent drinking) ethanol ... with 1 part aloe vera gel" [8, slide 44]

"20 seconds of thorough hand-washing can take one down" [9]

fabric over the mouth/nose should help against the virus contained in water-vapour in the air [15]

"Covid-19 transmits very early in infection, even before people start to become unwell." [41]

"“I don’t think we know,” said Weiss when asked about the immunity question. “I think they’re going to be immune for a while." Perlman said some other coronaviruses — the four that cause colds and flu-like illnesses — can be caught more than once. He wonders if people who had asymptomatic infection would not develop enough antibodies to be able to fend off the virus on a later exposure but might have a mild infection on a second go-round." [41]

STRENGTHEN IMMUNE SYSTEM

"the less toxins we put in ourselves, the healthier we get our intestines and our heart and our lung, and the more we sleep and the lower our stress, and the more we exercise and we're doing everything to get our immune system and our biology working well, then that has potential to be a long-term strategy of preventing infections. And I would say that has been borne out in my clinical experience." [7.1]

"if you strengthen your immune system you will be okay" [11]

"The common denominator is a compromised immune system. People with robust immune systems have a much lower infection vulnerability and, if infected, a much higher survival prognosis." [7.2]

THINGS THAT WEAKEN IMMUNE SYSTEM

"Excess alcohol consumption affects booth innate and adaptive immunity, leading to a significant weakening of your defences and heightening the risk of infections. Avoiding not only sugary drinks but sugar in general will also benefit your immune function, while a high sugar intake is associated with an increased mortality risk from all causes" [33.4]

"She covers the role of 5G in weakening the immune system" [14.2]

ADEQUATE SLEEP

"I don't know if there's anything that's really going to have as much of an impact on your immunity than sleep" [7.1]

recommends [11]

"Shorter sleep duration, measured behaviorally using actigraphy prior to viral exposure, was associated with increased susceptibility to the common cold" [38]

EXERCISE

" immunity will actually be slightly lower when I'm training really hard. So, movement, staying in shape but not overdoing it will be important when you think about exercise" [7.1]

"Exercise boosts your immune system in multiple ways, including causing white blood cells, which fight disease, to circulate more rapidly, allowing them to detect illnesses sooner" [33.4]

"excess sitting is a risk factor for disease in its own right and has even been linked to an increased risk of death from all causes" [33.4]

SPENDING TIME IN NATURE

recommends [15]

"In a study of 20,000 people, a team led by Mathew White of the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter, found that people who spent two hours a week in green spaces — local parks or other natural environments, either all at once or spaced over several visits — were substantially more likely to report good health and psychological well-being than those who don’t" [22]

"time in nature — as long as people feel safe — is an antidote for stress: It can lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety, and improve mood" [22]

STRESS

"Worry and panic and stress deplete vitamin A, which we need to fight the virus" [14.2]

stress/anxiety weakens the immune system [33.4]

HOT WATER IMMERSION / SAUNA

"increase your own heat shock protein production and enhance your immunity, and that's via the use of frequent sauna exposure" [7.1]

recommends [11]

"sauna practice ... increases the expression of heat shock proteins and also boosts white cell counts" [7.3]

Men that used the sauna 2-3x per week were 27% less likely to get pneumonia and those that used it 4-7x per week had a 41% reduced risk compared to men that used the sauna 1x per week [25]

"Here we discuss the potential benefits and mechanisms of active (i.e., exercise) and passive heating methods (e.g., hot water immersion, sauna therapy) to reduce chronic low-grade inflammation" [26]

"Scientists are not sure why saunas have such a dramatic impact on respiratory illnesses but the theory is that the heat generated by them eases airway obstruction." [27]

VITAMIN C

(1 orange contain 50mg vitamin C)

"Extra natural vitamin C such as Pure Radiance C – 1 teaspoon two times a day or 6 caps daily" [2]

"I recommend camu camu, a bushy riverside tree. One teaspoon of its cherrylike fruit in powder form has 760% vitamin C" [4]

“People that have more vitamin C are less likely to get the illness, and if they do get it they’re more likely to have a mild case.” [5]

"Only 200mg of vitamin C...reduced the death rate of elderly pneumonia patients by 80 percent.” [5]

"So, there's some studies that have shown that vitamin C, when it was given intravenously, decrease mortality and prevent the organ system failure in patients with sepsis" [7.1]

small studies have found vitamin-c to help with sepsis (life-threatening illness caused by the bodies response to infection) [8, slide 36]

'liposomal' Vitamin C is required, regular Vitamin C will not be effective, even in high doses. 20ml/day [7.2]

"I suggest taking 200-500mg oral vitamin C during cold and flu season" [7.3]

"To find a good-quality vitamin C product, look for an all organic food based supplement, or a USP grade vitamin C, produced in a GMP certified facility. A few good brands that fit these criteria include Whole Foods Food Sourced Vitamin C, American Nutraceuticals and OrthoMolecular Buffered C capsules" [7.3]

"High dose vitamin C was discovered by Linus Pauling to fight disease" [17.1]

recommends [19]

recommends [29]

"Your best source is fermented veggies like sauerkraut" [17.3]

"vitamin C, found in foods like broccoli and kiwi, exerts anti-viral immune responses as well as has antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-infectious effects" [33.4]

"Seriously sick coronavirus patients in New York state’s largest hospital system are being given massive doses of vitamin C — based on promising reports that it’s helped people in hard-hit China" [21]

"said his intensive-care patients with the coronavirus immediately receive 1,500 milligrams of intravenous vitamin C. Identical amounts of the powerful antioxidant are then readministered three or four times a day, he said." [21]

"The patients who received vitamin C did significantly better than those who did not get vitamin C" [21]

"natural absorption of vitamin C above an intake of about 200 mg decreases sharply by 50%" [49]

"Liposomes are phospholipid containing microscopic spheres that carry vitamin C at their core. Their absorption does not depend on vitamin C transporters like SVCT-1 but rather on direct fusion of the liposome with the small intestinal cells resulting in direct intracellular release of the vitamin C and eventually into the blood circulation." [49]

"allows it to bypass the slow vitamin C transporters present in the gut" [49]

"some products labeled as “liposomal" vitamin C don’t utilize “liposome” delivery at all" [49]

"A good liposomal vitamin C supplement should be  non-GMO and preferably use phospholipids derived from sunflower lecithin" [49]

"Choose a formed liposomal or a well made pro-liposomal supplement that contains vitamin C and a fatty substance (phospholipids or phosphatidylcholine), but does not include ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl oleate, or cetyl ascorbate as they offer no advantage over regular vitamin C" [49]

"A good liposomal vitamin C supplement should be  non-GMO and preferably use phospholipids derived from sunflower lecithin" [49]

high-quality liposome vitamin C: https://au.iherb.com/pr/SunLipid-Liposomal-Vitamin-C-Naturally-Flavored-30-Packets-0-17-oz-5-0-ml-Each/90757

high-quality (USP, GMP) non-liposome vitamin C (meaningless to take more than 500mg at one time): https://au.iherb.com/pr/California-Gold-Nutrition-Gold-C-Vitamin-C-500-mg-240-Veggie-Caps/61866

GARLIC AND ONION

recommends both [11]

recommends garlic [19]

"Onion and garlic are natural sources which are known to possess antiviral properties. It is well known that onion and garlic are rich source of organosulfur compounds. Organosulfur compounds like quercetin and allicin are associated with inhibition of viral infection" [23]

"As far as the research goes, garlic has immensely powerful anti-infective (i.e. suppressing dysbiosis and opportunistic overgrowth of microbes) properties" [33.2]

recommends garlic [33.4]

VITAMIN A AND D WORK TOGETHER

"when you take [vitamin A and D] together, that can be synergistic" [7.1]

"How vitamin D works synergistically with vitamin A" [14.2]

Vitamin D works with vitamin A to give us a strong immune system. [17.3]

VITAMIN A

"Fermented Cod Liver Oil – 1 teaspoon per day" [2]

"Vitamin A turns out has a whole diversity of ways that can improve immune function ... You definitely need to have some of it, but you don't have too much [7.1]

"eating liver once per week" [14.2]

"vitamin A (from animal foods) is critical for fighting disease" [14.2]

"egg yolks, butter, liver, and cod liver oil are good sources of vitamin A" [14.2]

"vitamin A is a powerhouse for fighting disease" [17.1]

"Foods high in vitamin A are pastured yolks, beef liver, lamb liver, cod liver oil, mackerel, salmon, pastured butter" [17.1]

"Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin, which means if you are taking a supplement, first of all it’s synthetic and not often absorbed by the body, but also can’t absorb if it’s not taken with fat" [17.1]

"Orange foods, high in beta carotene, like carrots, butternut squash, and pumpkin, are powerful vitamin A support as the beta carotene goes to your liver, where it is converted to vitamin A" [17.1]

"Vitamin A is our number one protection against viruses" [17.3]

"Best sources are cod liver oil, egg yolks from pastured hens, butter from grass-fed cows" [17.3]

high-quality codliver oil: https://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2047675.m570.l1313.TR10.TRC0.A0.H0.Xblue+ice+cod+liver+oil.TRS0&_nkw=blue+ice+cod+liver+oil&_sacat=0 [50]

VITAMIN D / SUNLIGHT

"vitamin D deficiency may actually be considered a risk factor for sepsis and inflammatory disorders" [7.1]

"The next one would be vitamin D. They've called it the pro-survival molecule and it's felt to be helpful to the immune system in states of excessive or chronic stress" [7.1]

vitamin d3 every day: between 5000 and 50000 international units [11]

vitamin D/K blend (5000mg daily) [7.2]

UV helps fight virus's

recommends sunlight [15]

"sunscreen blocks vitamin D from getting into our skin" [17.1]

"Foods high in vitamin D include pastured yellow butter, seafood, fish eggs, organ meats" [17.1]

vitamin D (sunlight, meat, egg) [19]

Analysis of 25 randomised controlled trials from around the world found that vitamin D supplementation cut the risk of respiratory tract infections by 50% in people that were deficient and by 10% in people with normal vitamin D levels. [20]

"Vitamin D supplementation was safe and it protected against acute respiratory tract infection overall. Patients who were very vitamin D deficient and those not receiving bolus doses experienced the most benefit." [24]

vitamin D intake may be harmful if not paired with vitamin k [51]

FERMENTED FOODS

recommends [7.3]

This podcast (40mins) explains fermented foods and nutrition in general. [14.1]

"Drinking home fermented kraut juice or fermented garlic brine are both great options" [17.1]

"People are finding that when they take the maximum tolerated levels of kraut juice daily, they don’t get sick. Each person’s maximum tolerated level is specific to them, the amount just before they see die off" (recipe: https://www.nourishingplot.com/2014/06/02/kraut-juice/) [17.2]

"Fermented foods and beverages, such as yogurt and kefir, are also beneficial. Consuming a probiotic drink has been found to reduce the incidence of influenza in children[vi] while eating yogurt fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus augmented natural killer cell activity and reduced the risk of catching the common cold among the elderly" [33.4]

fermented vegetable recipe:

increasing your nutrition too drastically can cause 'die-off' [17.5]

"die-off ... when these gut pathogens are killed, causing their cell wall to burst open and dump toxins previously contained inside the bacteria into the intestines ... can cause uncomfortable symptoms" [52]

fermented vegetable recipe: 2g salt / 100g water (or 2.5g for warmer climate); fill jar with vegetables up to 2.5cm from the top, add salt-water up to 1.25cm from the top; taste every three days (or every day in warmer climates) until the taste is right, then refrigerate; they keep for months in the fridge; it should never smell/taste 'off' or be slimy; to prevent build-up of CO2, loosen/release the jar-lid every few days. (fermentation-kit: https://www.nourishmeorganics.com.au/collections/cultured-vegetable-starter-cultures)

BONE BROTH

recommends [7.3]

"bone broth is an excellent immunity booster and detoxing protocol" [14.2]

recommends [17.3]

boil bones for 3hours

SATURATED FATS

"we need saturated fats to keep the lungs working well ... found in butter, coconut oil, meat fats, cream, & cheese" [14.2]

"Coronavirus has an affinity for the lungs, and the lungs can’t work without saturated fats, so eat plenty of butter and avoid all industrial fats and oils" [17.3]

MUSHROOMS

mushrooms (chaga, Shiitake, Maitake, turkey tail). "My favorite way to get a daily dose of immune-boosting mushrooms is through Four Sigmatic’s 10 Mushroom Blend" [7.3]

recommends [33.4]

BERRIES/FLAVONOIDS

recommends (herbacetin, isobavachalcone, quercetin 3‐β‐d‐glucoside, and helichrysetin) [33.1]

"Flavonoids, for instance, found in berries and onions, among other produce, reduce the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections" [33.4]

MAGNESIUM recommends [11] recommends [7.2]

ESSENTIAL OILS recommends [11] recommends [7.2]

COCONUT OIL "1 Tablespoon of coconut oil per day" [14.2] recommends [17.3]

ZINC

"Zinc deficiency we know is associated with immune dysfunction, including some pro-inflammatory cytokines, atrophy to thymus, reduction in T regulatory cells. So, personally, I started taking a zinc supplement, which I wasn't in the past. So, about 15 to 30 milligrams per day" [7.1]

if exposed to sickness, dissolve 4 zinc lozenges in mouth per day [7.3]

recommends [29]

GROUND FLADXSEED flaxseed ground (if not ground it can't be digested, 2Tbsp twice/day) [7.2]

ELDERBERRY

elderberry in the form of juice, tea, tinctures, and supplements [7.3]

"Elderberries are commonly used with the onset of of a virus as it stops a virus from mutating inside the body. It is not recommended for the coronavirus due to an increase in cytokines." [17.1]

"Elderberries, small, dark purple berries grown on the Sambucus tree, are well known for their cold and flu-fighting properties" [33.4]

LICORICE ROOT licorice (1500mg / day) [7.2] recommends [7.3] recommends [33.1]

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL recommends [11] recommends [7.2]

CHLOROQUINE/HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE

"chloroquine works against sars-cov-2 in human cells" [8, slide 18]

"hydroxychloroquine was found to be more potent than cloroquine ... a loading dose of 400mg twice daily of hydroxychloroquine sulfate given orally, followed by a maintenance dose of 200 mg given twice daily for 4 days is recommended for sars-cov-2 infection" [8, slide 20]

"common side effects [of hydroxychloroquine] include vomiting, headache, changes in vision and muscle weakness" [8]

overdoses of hydroxychloroquine are rare but possible [8]

"despite its small sample size our survey shows that hydroxychloroquine treatment is significantly associated with viral load reduction/disappearance in COVID-19 patients and its effect is reinforced by azithromycin" [28]

PEPTIDES

recommends [7.1]

"The most effective immune enhancement substance I am aware of is the Russian developed Peptide Bioregulator Vladonix (for thymus/immune system)" [7.2]

OXIDE THERAPY

recommends [7.1]

Dr John Bergman recommends ozone therapy (blood is extracted, oxygenated then injected back in. Vitamin C must be consumed 1.5hours later [29]

OTHER

Arsenicum album 30C and Camphor 1M as homeopathic defense: First take one dose (about 2 to 3 pellets) of Arsenicum album 30C. If your flu-like symptoms are significant contact your local MD, describe your symptoms, and see about getting tested for coronavirus. If the Arsenicum album 30C helps alleviate your symptoms, continue dosing this remedy two to three times a day, for three days or more. If your flu-like symptoms are not being alleviated by this remedy however… Then take one dose (about 2 to 3 pellets) of Camphor 1M, from two times a day to every four hours (depending on the intensity of your symptoms), for three days or more. If neither the Arsenicum album or Camphor help reduce your symptoms within a few hours, contact me or your local homeopath as soon as possible. Early intervention is crucial. [2]

"Emu oil – 1 teaspoon two times a day" [2]

"CHAMP Pro Plus – From ½ to 1 scoop daily in water (GALT, Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue, regulates almost 70% of the immune system.)" [2]

"NotaSan 4X – 2 drops rubbed over the tonsil areas of the upper neck or snorted up the nose, three to six times a day, to help reduce cold, flu, sinus, or allergy symptoms when they arise." [2]

"Unfortunately, we do not know how long this immunity lasts. We already observe multiple strains of COVID-19, and will see many more, due to the large number of carriers." [3]

'Flattening the curve' is not a viable option. The virus is predicted to infect >40% of people it comes in contact with. In order for the 'curve' to be flattened to a point where our care/treatment facilities are not exhausted, it would have to stretch over an unrealistically long period (the article estimates 10 years). The article considers containment (eradication via preventing the spread until those infected are identified and cured) as the only option [3]

"Why doesn't the government, the CDC, offer any nutritional or dietary advice? Think about it." [4]

olive leaf extract [7.1]

hot soups, ginger, root vegetables, hot liquids, conscious breathing (breath out twice as long as you breathe in) [11]

"All of the nutraceuticals, other than the peptides, can be purchased at the Swanson Vitamins website. It is essential you use the specific products listed (referencing a list displayed below the quote, on the website I've taken it from) as each has the required potency and high-quality ingredients necessary to be effective. This is especially true of the liposomal Vitamin C. Regular Vitamin C will not be effective, even in high doses." [7.2]

beta glucan / beta right (500mg) [7.2]

"His research has shown that a specific combination of micronutrients can support and enhance the immune system. In addition to vitamin C, they include vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, magnesium, calcium, and iron" [7.2]

"What my Chinese herbologist friend specifically recommended was: Liposomal Vitamin C packets – 3x a day, L-Lysine 1000 mg – 3x a day, NAC 1500~1800mg – 3x a day. Be sure all of the above are taken together" [7.2]

"For adults, drink 10 mls Silversol 4-6 times daily; 1-2 teaspoons of Umcka four times daily; 6 squirts of BioCidin LS 4-6 times daily; 1 cap 50,000 units Vitamin D x 4 days; 2 tablets of Iodine 25mg daily for 4 days; 5 ml Silversol 2 times daily if there is possible contact with a virus; 1000mg of Vitamin C daily; Briotech HOCL – use as a spray and you can ingest orally" [7.2]

"Vitamin D/K, Ancestral Supplements Thymus blend, liposomal glutathione, colloidal silver, oil of oregano" [7.2]

Echinacea [7.3]

"John Douillard’s Decoction Tea Instructions: Soak 1 tablespoon of [slippery elm bark, marshmallow root, and licorice root] (you must source these herbs in a chopped, not ground, form) in 2 quarts of water overnight. Boil the mixture down to 1/2 quart in the morning. Strain the mixture through a metal strainer (use a large spoon to push it through. Save the liquid and discard the herbs. Take 1 tablespoon of the liquid every two hours on an empty stomach for one month, sometimes two months if needed." [7.3]

"look for oregano oil that contains a natural carvacrol level of over 80%. The “fake” stuff at the grocery store or bulk supplement website is typically comprised of thymol or is simply an oil harvested from thyme, which doesn’t give you the same potent effect as an oil high in carvacrol. Finally, should you purchase the 100% pure version of oregano, be very careful: it is extremely caustic and can burn the skin or the mouth, so you must mix it into a carrier oil" [7.3]

antiviral: sulfate (cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage); terpenoids (cannabis & other herbs, block uptake of virus into cell); glutathione, glycine, selenium; herbs/spices; avoid glyphosate [19]

"selenium, either oral or Iv's" [29]

hot liquids kill it [30]

ensure mouth/throat is always wet (drink something every 15 mins) [30]

"Cistus tea has been found to thwart off viruses" [17.4]

"food-derived substance with proven coronavirus-inhibiting properties: Chameleon plant " [33.1]

"Natural substances which have been studied for Coronavirus infections include: Black Tea, Cinnamon, Resveratrol" [33.2]

"turmeric and its active ingredient curcumin" [33.4]

SARS-COV-2 is the virus that caused COVID-19 (stands for "coronavirus-2019")

"I’m not planning on forgetting that earlier this week Joe Biden told the American public that anyone “not at risk of being exposed to COVID-19” (not a real category of person) should go congregate in public, including in dozens of low-income senior centers, to vote for him"

gargling salt water could clear the throat of bacteria and prevent infections getting worse

========================== [1] https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/03/who-is-getting-sick-and-how-sick-a-breakdown-of-coronavirus-risk-by-demographic-factors/ [2] https://www.louisawilliamsnd.com/post/coronavirus-recommendations-update?utm_campaign=3a59df04-d55c-4561-8259-a2d7ec266e69&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=7cd28690-a598-42af-abc5-feafcdce315b [3] https://medium.com/@joschabach/flattening-the-curve-is-a-deadly-delusion-eea324fe9727 [4] https://twitter.com/tao_lin [5] https://youtu.be/fwyAM7fCG44 [6] https://twitter.com/foundmyfitness [7.1] https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/transcripts/transcript-how-to-improve-immune-system/ [7.2] https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/lifestyle-articles/how-to-boost-immune-system/?preview=true [7.3] https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/nutrition-articles/shorten-cold-flu-duration/ [8] https://docsend.com/view/stajszk [9] https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2020/03/biography-new-coronavirus/608338/ [11] https://www.blogtalkradio.com/askdrjohnbergman/2020/02/25/im-not-afraid-of-the-corona-virus [14.1] https://www.westonaprice.org/podcast/202-what-you-dont-know-about-ferments/ [14.2] https://www.westonaprice.org/podcast/232-protect-yourself-from-the-coronavirus-or-any-virus/ [15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym-WGOq96G0 [17.1] https://www.nourishingplot.com/2020/03/04/natural-treatment-against-the-coronavirus-what-you-need-on-hand-to-be-prepared/ [17.2] https://www.nourishingplot.com/2017/02/07/natural-flu-shot-prevention-support/ [17.3] https://nourishingtraditions.com/how-to-protect-yourself-from-coronavirus-or-any-virus/ [17.4] https://www.nourishingplot.com/2020/03/17/cistus-tea-for-virus-and-bacteria-support-shows-to-reduce-tick-and-mosquito-bites/ [17.5] https://www.nourishingplot.com/2019/06/04/die-off-and-vitamin-c-sources-for-chronic-illness-gaps-approved/ [19] https://t.co/jtN1BOeJcN?amp=1 [20] https://t.co/rpD72lacR7?amp=1 [21] https://nypost.com/2020/03/24/new-york-hospitals-treating-coronavirus-patients-with-vitamin-c/ [22] https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health [23] https://pharmascope.org/index.php/ijrps/article/view/1738/2428 [24] https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.i6583 [25] https://t.co/htUYo4bFZL?amp=1 [26] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32139348 [27] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2017/10/09/saunas-cut-pneumonia-risk/ [28] https://mediterranee-infection.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Hydroxychloroquine_final_DOI_IJAA.pdf [29] https://www.instagram.com/drjohnbergman/ [30] msg mum sent (apparently info given to hospital staff) [33.1] https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/studies-find-natural-treatments-coronavirus [33.2] https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/medicinal-foods-and-beverages-protect-against-coronavirus-research-suggests [33.3] https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/fiasco-making-coronavirus-pandemic-takes-hold-we-are-making-decisions-without-rel [33.4] https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/who-five-ways-boost-immunity-fight-covid-19 [33.5] https://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/top-four-antiviral-benefits-elderberry [38] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4531403/ [39] https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/q-a-coronaviruses#:~:text=symptoms [40] https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html [41] https://www.statnews.com/2020/03/26/what-weve-learned-about-the-coronavirus-and-what-we-still-need-to-know/ [42] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzJgPvukzTE [43] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCG3xqtcL3c [44] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4eu-h_owaI&t=4s [45] https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/25/health/coronavirus-symptoms-list-what-to-do-wellness/index.html?utm_content=2020-03-28T07%3A58%3A01&utm_source=twCNN&utm_medium=social&utm_term=link [46] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9oqvJ3iXGI [47] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQPCfeywXQ [48] https://www1.racgp.org.au/newsgp/clinical/ibuprofen-and-covid-19-what-gps-need-to-know [49] https://coremedscience.com/blogs/wellness/how-to-pick-the-best-liposomal-vitamin-c [50] https://www.westonaprice.org/health-topics/cod-liver-oil/cod-liver-oil-basics-and-recommendations/ [51] https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-and-vitamin-k#section3 [52] https://justthrivehealth.com/blogs/blog/what-is-die-off

[hmhteen]

Happy 10th Anniversary, Gracelings!

I know, we can’t believe it, either. Ten years since Katsa came into our lives. Ten years since we fell head over heels for Po. Ten years since Kristin Cashore charmed us all with her YA fantasy about a world both brutal and beautiful, with characters who were often the same. 

That’s why we decided to give the book a brand new look, and asked Kristin to write new content inside of it! To get your copy, order from any of the outlets below.

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books-a-Million

IndieBound

Powell’s

And, just for you, a special letter from Kristin below! 

Dear readers,

There’s a point in Graceling where Katsa carries Bitterblue, who’s ten at the time, across a famously impassable mountain peak. Katsa does this wearing snowshoes that she’s built herself from scratch, on a mountain with no tools in her possession, after having seen snowshoes maybe once or twice in her life. She does it while recovering from a fist fight with a mountain lion. She does it while wearing no coat, because she’s given her furs (which she also made herself) to the little girl on her back. She does it in a shrieking blizzard. She does it without much consideration, because it’s what she has to do. By the time she’s done carrying Bitterblue across the mountain pass, she’s decided that it probably was a terrible idea, but it’s okay, because she’s done it, and she’s fine. Bitterblue is fine too. Everyone is fine. Katsa was born to do these things.

Next weekend, I’m boarding a three-masted tall ship in Svalbard, which is a Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean 10° from the North Pole. I’ll be on the Arctic Ocean for two weeks, living in this tall ship, experiencing one of the world’s most unique and beautiful environments, possibly encountering polar bears, and hopefully not puking my guts out. In case you think I’m anything like Katsa, however, allow me to disabuse you. This evening, I will carefully pack into at least two separate, wheeled suitcases a substantial amount of clothing composed of Gore-Tex, synthetic down, real down, fleece, and wool. (Can you imagine Katsa with a wheeled suitcase?) I have Arctic muck boots. I have a scopolamine patch behind my ear this very minute, because I’m trying out this powerful motion-sickness drug before I go, just to make sure it works for me (and the jury is still out on that one. I feel pretty darn weird). I have a bright orange coat, which friends suggested I bring rather than the navy blue coat I was considering, because “It will make you easier to spot.” Nice to hear that my friends, who sure knows I’m not Katsa, are imagining rescue scenarios. Anytime I’m on land in the Arctic, I will have an armed guard (because of polar bears). When I’m on the tall ship, I will have heat, a bed, a bathroom and shower, and delicious meals prepared for me. Not only am I not Katsa, I am Bitterblue. I am a fragile and delicate human, with lots of gear and food and other stuff created by other people’s genius, and with experts making my adventure possible.

And I’m so lucky! After all, I’m not really Bitterblue either. I’m not fleeing to the Arctic to escape a psychopath; I’m going there voluntarily, because my life has offered me the opportunity to join an artist residency called The Arctic Circle, designed by experts who make this amazing opportunity possible. I’ll be on board the ship with painters, photographers, filmmakers, composers, sculptors, muralists. Why has my life offered me this opportunity? Because I wrote a book once, and people took it into their hearts, and put me in the fortunate and rare position of being able to write full time. Because I found myself wanting to write more books, in which I was constantly drawn to tales of tall ships and cold climates, loneliness and adventure, and self-discovery. Because a painter friend did this residency once, came back home, and told me I should do it too. And because I always seem to choose to do things that feel just a little bit too hard for me.

Like writing a book.

I can’t believe it’s been ten years since Graceling was published. I wrote it on faith, not really understanding what it would mean or how it would change my life, but feeling that I had to at least try. It’s about people who don’t really know what they’re getting into, but they’re doing their best, and they’re stretching themselves, and they’re trying to find the best way to live in a world that sometimes feels a little out of their control. Katsa was born for physical adventure, but some other parts of her story are out of her ken… I think that’s what made her, and her adventure, interesting to me.

Similarly, I don’t really feel like I was born for this adventure I’m about to embark upon. Surely an adventurer should be more hardy, and less in need of scopolamine patches and Gore-Tex? Less anxious about silly things, like whether I’m going to forget to pack my toothbrush? Less paralyzed by the question of which socks to bring? But I think one of the things I’ve learned in my life — and I hope I write books in which my characters are learning this too — is that the most worthwhile adventures are the ones that you might not feel 100% equipped for as you set out to do them. It is really worthwhile to do things you’re not sure you can do.

Thank you, dear readers who have taken Katsa’s adventure into your hearts. Each of you is an adventurer in your own life. I hope her successes entertain you and her vulnerabilities comfort and empower you. I also hope you love her new look, and will celebrate ten years with me! :o)

Au revoir,

Kristin

[rheyareads]

Let Me Tell Ya Bout My Best Friends

I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships lately.

Losing someone so special to me has left this void of space in my soul and I spend a lot of time wondering if she knew just how much I loved and admired her. The more that I think about things, the more I realize that I have spent my life trying to become a person she would be proud of. I looked up to her so much more than I think I was even aware of myself, and I wanted to be someone kind and inherently as good as she was herself.

Now that she’s gone, I just think of all the things I’ll never get to tell her and that has me thinking of the other relationships in my life. So often we leave feelings unsaid and assume people know how we feel about them, so I’ve been trying to be better about saying how I feel in the moment and using the time I have to make sure people know that I care and admire them.

Reflecting on that, I come back to relationships in my life and the way that they have shaped me. Ultimately, our time here on earth is meant for relationship building and we are inherently shaped by everyone we encounter. Some harden our hearts, some brighten our minds, some enliven our souls, and some can even leave us damaged. It’s a scary idea because it’s something we can’t control beyond a certain extent – we can walk away from toxic relationships, but we also open ourselves up in this vulnerable position whenever we let someone new into our lives.

In thinking on that, I wanted this blog post to be about some of my most significant friendships that have shaped me. It’s hard to find an appropriate time or place to really tell people how you feel so I thought this would be a good space to do that. I think it’s important for me to be authentic when I’m feeling depressed, but it’s just as important to be authentic when I’m not. In moments where I’m thinking rationally, I want people to understand that I’m capable of understanding the depth of love and connection I have in this world. The problem is that depression confuses all of that and sometimes makes it impossible to sink in when you’re feeling hopeless and alone.

I’m going to group these into categories and then freely discuss. Full disclosure – when feelings are involved, I’m a lengthy narrator so this could get long.

  Your Work Friends Sometimes I think your work friends are actually your closest friends. These are the people who see you every single day. They go through the same daily grind as you and share a common struggle. What’s great about work friends is that they’re not people you would always seek out to form a connection with, so you get benefits from them that you don’t get with those who share similar interests with you. These people can be from totally different backgrounds or age ranges and offer so many differing perspectives that spice up the everyday mundane drone of the work week. They’re the only reason you even get through work, half the time. They’re the reason leaving even the crappiest of jobs can sometimes be heartbreaking. They’re the friends who save your every-day monotony and give you reasons to laugh throughout the week.

I love work friends. Work friends sometimes become some of the best friends in my life and I always appreciate the laughter they bring to my life. I have had A LOT OF JOBS in my lifetime and even though some of them weren’t the most exciting or glamorous jobs in the world, I was always happy at work because I had them there to laugh with or complain to. These are my work-week heroes who listen to crazy stories, celebrate birthdays and milestones, cover you when you’re sick or experiencing tragedies and are there for you when they really don’t have to be at all.

I don’t think work friends get enough credit on the friend spectrum but they’re some of the greatest people in the world and they are incredibly influential on your life. I’ve had some amazing work friends that I’m really happy became regular life friends as well because I can’t imagine my life without them. Some of my best stories, best laughs, and best memories come from my relationships with people at work.

These friendships have really shaped my work ethic. They help me to be a better driven person professionally by pushing me through the tough spots but they also have helped me to have a better understanding of relationships in general by exposing me to people I wouldn’t normally pursue a connection with.

The Pure Friend I think everyone in life has a friend who is literally so pure they are just the most precious gem in your friend treasure trove. If you don’t have one, then I hope and pray you find yours soon! I don’t mean pure in the sense that they are reserved or sheltered from the world in a white coat never swearing or uttering a bad thing – I mean pure as in just honestly the best. Fucking. Person. Period. Like, you don’t have a bad thing to say about them because they are just who they are and who they are is dope as hell and you are so thankful they stumbled into your life. You might not be super close with this person, but you never have a bad time with them and you’re always happy to see them when you do.

  For me, this is my friend Joe. I have a lot of negative feelings towards my time at Brockport and the way my career ended there, but I would do it all over again if I had to pick between that and never meeting Joe. He is the friend that can keep up with your crazy, understands your confusing thoughts, laughs at EVERY JOKE before you even say, and just straight up genuinely makes the world a better place. He also bakes, which is the best, because you reap the benefits of his hobbies in the form of treats. The granola to my Sponge, the struggle to my bus, the ying to my yang – this is a friendship that I treasure and brings me nothing but utter happiness. Joe and I could talk about serious issues in the political climate and seamlessly (maybe not seamlessly but very confusingly, over the course of six unrelated stories) transition into a conversation about the meaning behind a dream about a fish tank and not skip a beat. I just always felt understood with him and there was never any hiding who I was or fear of judgment – just laughter and food and drinks and procrastination and all the pranks.

  This friendship shaped my ability to believe there is good in this world despite all the messed-up shit you see every day. Things don’t have to be dramatic or complicated – they can just be good.

Side note – bonus points if this friend comes with the cutest puppy in the world who becomes your self-appointed God-Child/Nephew.

    The Unexpected Friend This is the friend you didn’t expect to become an important part of your life. I think this friend is special in a way that the others aren’t able to be, because this isn’t a friendship that really “should have happened’ in whatever way that works out for you. You meet a lot of people and it’s obvious some are just meant to be in your life, but then there are those who you meet in certain categories and you never expect to walk away one day having them be someone you care so deeply about.

My friend Sarah falls into this category. Aside from the fact that I actually thought she despised me the day we met; she was never someone I would have thought I’d still be spending time with on a regular basis with years later. In our case, she’s younger than I am, and I was her boss, but it was early on when I realized we shared the same old soul. What I appreciate most about our friendship is the fact that there’s still a mentor/mentee vibe that lingers underneath where I’m able to be someone to offer insight into situations I’ve experienced because I’m a little older. It’s nice to have someone who trusts you as that kind of person and it’s nice to be needed in that way.

This friendship helped me understand that relationships don’t have to make sense all the time. I don’t know why someone who’s 6 years younger than me wants to hang out with me and my friends – but does there really need to be a reason?

  Your Soulmate Soulmate is a complicated word and I think people define this differently. For me, this is the friend that was meant to be yours and completes you in a way other people can’t. This is someone who lifts you up, inspires you and makes you want to be a better person because their light brings out your best light.

My little is my soulmate and will always be my most precious jewel. It was evident in our first conversation with each other that we were meant to be together. I have never been so inspired by a person’s soul as I have by hers. She is kind, determined, unbelievably talented, and the most genuinely good person I have met. She is my little sister, but she is also the person I look up to. The person who makes me want to be better, to do better, to strive for better than I have. I look at her accomplishments and I am so proud of the woman she is.

We may not live together anymore, and we may not get our daily naps or cuddle sessions, but she is a person I know will always hold a special place in my heart above the rest. The fact that she married one of my high school friends (more to come) just brings out my hopeless romantic who believes in true love and fairytales and rainbows and everything that books and movies say can be true.

This friendship healed my heart. My little knew me during one of the worst times of my life, when I was an actual train wreck and she loved me through it all. She believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself and gave me hope. She healed the hurt I had from friends who taught me that friendship came with conditions by loving me without any.

    Your Second Family This is the family who adopts you as one of their own. These relationships are precious because they extend beyond the friend that brought you in – you share dinners, and holidays, and celebrations, and late-night talks, vacations and kitchen hangouts together. They roast you in the family group chat, or ask you to dinner on a week night. These are the people who will sit and talk with you for hours in a kitchen in your pajamas or make fun of you for snoring in your sleep. They’re your family and you’re a part of theirs and it’s a really special thing.

  Admittedly, I’ve always been that friend who likes to talk to people’s parents. I’m not sure why, I just always gravitate towards adults (I say that as a 29 year old like I’m not an adult myself). But when Danielle and I became close, it was a package deal with her family. I remember being utterly terrified of her dad the first day he met and accused me of trying to steal his guns (hahahaha) but from that day forward I was just part of the family.

These relationships are special to me because I have a lot of baggage when it comes to family. My family has had a lot of ups and downs and I’ve endured some crappy things (and some awesome things too, don’t get me wrong) and the Freeman Forest was this home away from home safe-haven for me. To know you have people who love you, when they don’t have to, is such a special thing and it heals a lot of the damage you may have picked up over the years. Group chats, and bus trips, outdoor adventures (and disasters), dinners and just hanging out in the kitchen are things you probably do with your friends all the time. These things were ordinary, but they were my favorite things to do for so long because of the people I was doing them with.

This family means so much to me in so many ways. You don’t have to like your kids friends or your siblings friends – that’s why we all go out and get friends because we’re all different – so when your friends with someone and their family chooses to care about you and include you in their lives as well, it’s a really powerful and beautiful thing. I’m really lucky to have a group of people who took care of me like I was one of their own.

  The Family Friends These are the family members in your life who are more than that. They’re your best friends and bridge the gap between two parts of your world. Cousins, sisters, aunts – these are people you were born into a relationship with but choose to deepen that connection outside of just family functions.

I’m really lucky to have two cousins who have been more like friends to me my whole life. Allie and Jenny have both brought me so many moments of laughter and have been the sanity I needed to get through crazy family parties, funerals, celebrations and everything in between. I would actually be lost without both of them and I’m grateful that we get to spend more time together because we choose to be more than just family by being friends as well.

  Your High School Friends These are probably some of your most complicated and yet simple relationships. That sounds contradictory but hear me out. These are the friends who’ve known you so long they have seen you through practically everything. They were there for the bad fashion decisions of your past, they were there through your awkward stages, your firsts of practically everything and you’ve grown up together. That much time complicates a lot of things – relationships have highs and lows, people grow apart, move far away or change and there’s a lot of room for negativity to creep in if you’re not careful. It’s hard to maintain these friendships but you do it anyway. The simplicity of it all is that no matter the time or distance, these are the people make you feel at home.

For me, its likely surprising to no one that these friends are “the boys” as I often refer to them. Looking back on our younger days, it’s sometimes really, really….REALLY hard to see why I even called them friends in high school but I promise you the deeper impact of our friendship makes the teasing and nicknames worth it. When I think about people who’ve shaped my life, these guys have a significant place in my emotional DNA.

It’s hard to change your identity when you’ve known someone since you were a kid. Sometimes I think the friendship I have with these guys clouds my ability to see myself as anything other than the annoying girl they made fun of in high-school because that’s how I’m used to defining myself. It’s hard to grow and become something better when you have a lot of people in your life who have seen you through that growth period and treated you a certain way. They have broken my heart in more ways than I can count, but they’ve also seen me at my absolute lowest points and stuck by me despite everything. When you grow up with people, you have to accept that you’ve probably hurt each other at certain points through that growth and that’s why I love them despite some of the not-so-picturesque parts of our past. As with all groups, there are some I have stayed closer to than others, but I can’t tell you how much joy these idiots bring to my heart when we’re all together. Seeing them grow up and accomplish things, get married and thinking of them starting families literally overwhelms my heart.

For me, these are the people who influenced how I viewed love and shaped me into the hopeless romantic who wants to believe that everything can have a happy ending. Most people don’t get to have friends from elementary school and still talk by the time they get married, but I do. That idea of perfection has been toxic for me at times, but it also brings joy to my heart and reminds of the good in this world.

  Your College Friends These are the friends who will never judge you because they have gone through the weirdest shit with you. (They’re actually probably judging you hardcore, but in a loving way because they’ve been there too.) These are the friends who were there for the transition years – the years where you weren’t quite an adult yet so you could afford to make horrible decisions and spend the next morning huddled together on a bed laughing and wondering how you were still alive. These are special friendships because it’s likely that they’ve seen you through horrible times that deepened your connection, but they also were there to have the best fucking time with you when you needed it.

For me, these are my sorority sisters and fraternity brothers. When you’re in college, everything is this heightened, dramatic experience but when you leave you realize just how lucky you are to have lived with 9 people and have room sleepovers, spontaneous parties, nights in playing just-dance, endless movie marathons on break and every party in between where someone did something insane. When I look back, I just remember all the laughter and fun (and some of the drama) and I’m so lucky to find people I know I can count on for my whole life.

People judge this era of my life – and for good reason, I was a disaster in college – but my sisters were there for me at my brother’s funeral to support me when he died even though we had only known each other a few months at that time. My roommate held me the night he died and let me cry until I fell asleep. I drove to be with her when her mom died. I’ve celebrated, and cried, and everything in between with these girls and they’ve never missed a beat if I needed someone to lift me up. My last blog post was intense and the first 10 people to comment on it and offer encouragement, love and support were these women who haven’t seen or talked to me in months/years.

I look back on this time in my life and it brings so much laughter to my soul. From parties, to fundraising for Push for America, to standards board, to life in a disgusting house filled with the best and worst people to live with (depending on whether or not you wanted to work the next day or eat your own frozen food items) these are friends I’m so thankful to have. These are the friends who shaped me through the most difficult time of my life. They are the ones who let me re-define myself, for better or worse, and still show up to support the woman I am today.

                     Your Tribe When you think about friends, these are THE friends. The friends who are literally your ride or die. They are probably the most judgmental of all your friends, but they do it from a place of love. They’re the people that just get you – no frills, no expectations – they accept and love you for your total person, even when that person is a disgusting pig or pain in the ass.

Everyone has a tribe and I’m thankful that my friendship with my cousin led me to finding mine. These are people I never would have thought I’d find, let alone would want me and my non-stop singing, harry potter loving, annoying ass self, around. These are the friends I can hang out with in my sweatpants all day, every day, but will also tell me when it’s been long enough in the sweat pants and I should probably start trying a little harder. They will tell me I’m beautiful and genuinely mean it just as genuinely as they will tell me I’m a troll who needs to brush my hair.

These people become family in a way that family never could. They’re the family you chose because your souls matched up in some way, not because you were born into it, and that relationship is special. There are too many of them to name individually, but they are invaluable in my life and something I wouldn’t trade for all the American dollars in the world.

These friends have helped me realize not take things so seriously all the time. School and work are great, but life is about being ridiculous in a restaurant at 2am as much as it’s about getting a degree or a good job. Friends should support and lift you up, but they should also tease you and help you realize you’re being a diva too. They bring the balance to your life and that’s why they’re the ones who stay with you throughout the whole rollercoaster ride.

  Have you fallen asleep yet? Are you still here? I told you this would be long. But I went to a Gender Reveal Party and I’m feeling sentimental and I thought it would be good to let out some positivity rather than always focusing on my self-deprecating thoughts of loneliness. If you take anything away from this, I hope that you become more honest with the people around you and let them know how much you care, now. I think people would be a lot happier if they had any idea how much they mean to others around them and brightening someone’s day always feels great. I hope this brightens some of yours!

  from WordPress https://rheyareads.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/let-me-tell-ya-bought-my-best-friends/

[takadasaiko]

Edit by the amazing @whimsyandsomething.

FFN II AO3

Summary: Howard and Scottie have to make a choice, Katarina tries to face the truth, and the Task Force, Tom, and Liz come together to remember Reddington.

Chapter Forty: Epilogue

The room was dark and cold, the chill the latest round of extremes that they had pushed the internal climate to. Conrad Davis sat strapped to a chair, teeth chattering, and face bloodied. They hadn't intended to leave a mark on him. It only added to the complications when they handed him over to the feds, but some complications were worth the trouble. Howard hadn't blinked an eye when Scottie had blackened Davis'.

The former CEO of Halcyon Aegis stood on the other side of the one-way window, arms crossed and studying the man. "You're sure you've gotten everything from him that you can?"

"Everything he's willing to give in the time you've given me," Solomon confirmed. "Beating on him harder won't change his answers."

"Advanced interrogation isn't reliable," Howard agreed, hearing the younger man humm in response.

"Should I give you two a moment before we get him ready for transport?"

"Yes." He broke eye contact with the glass to look over. "Mr Solomon?"

"Yes, Howard?" Solomon responded lightly.

"Nez is a grown woman and makes her own decisions, so I'll only tell you this once. You hurt her and they won't find your body. Am I clear?" The fact that it might just as well be Nez that killed him didn't need to be said. Howard would happily help bury any man that thought about hurting the woman he'd come to see as a daughter.

Solomon flashed a toothy grin. "Your son said something similar."

Howard snorted and Solomon's smile eased a little. "I have no intention of hurting Nez."

"Good."

Solomon slipped out the door, leaving Howard alone in the viewing area to stare at the man who had kidnapped his son so many years before. He had moved up in the ranks since then, both within the FBI and in the Cabal. None of that had saved him though. Not in the end. Solomon would make the call and the Marshals would send someone to pick up the fugitive that all of their paperwork said that they had apprehended just that morning. Howard didn't have long.

The door squeaked on its hinges as he entered and Davis grimaced as he straightened a little to look up. "Howard Hargrave. I wondered how long it'd take you to show. Come to finish the job?"

Howard let his lips tilt up at the corners. "I thought you had heard that I'm no longer the head of Halcyon. Tom is, and he's interested in forming a new kind of relationship with the FBI. One that is more transparent and useful to all parties involved."

Davis snorted. "You're handing me over to my own people?"

"They're not your people anymore, Conrad. You're a fugitive. Now-" he reached around for the extra chair, pulling it out and taking a seat- "here's how this plays out. We'll be delivering you into federal custody. My people will deliver you to the Marshals shortly, but that gives you and me time to chat."

"About what?"

"Anything you want to get off your conscious."

Davis met his steady gaze. "You've decimated my organization, taken me out of power, and gotten your son back. What else do you want, Hargrave?" There was a pause and Davis sat back. "I'm not going to make it to the Marshals, am I?"

"Why would you say that?"

"Your boy doesn't even know I'm here. No one does." The panic was growing. "You don't want to do this, Hargrave. You owe me."

"How do you figure that?"

"I'm the only reason your son didn't die thirty years ago."

Howard held his gaze. "Go on."

"I had him, the night that they wanted to send a message, but he fought. He managed to squirm free and took off along the beach. The tide swept in higher than before and the undertow pulled him out with it."

The mental image of Christopher, so small and vulnerable then, being dragged out and pulled under, coughing and choking against the water that was pulling him under played out across Howard's mind. His son had been thrown from one terrible situation to another to another from the moment Davis took him. "He never would have been in that situation if not for you."

"If I hadn't done it, it would have been someone else. Anyone else would have let the kid drown."

"But not you?"

"Not me."

Howard tilted his head a little, studying him. "Why can't he remember anything? What did you people do to him?"

"You want that information, I need assurances. You'll have to come see me in custody."

The blue-eyed man leaned forward. "There are two types of people in this world, Conrad. People that make themselves useful and people that don't. You know that. What I know is that you were terrified that Tom would recognize you when you showed up to the meet. That tells me there's more to your story than you'll ever want me to know. So, since the odds are stacked against you in every which way, I'd suggest you find a way to make yourself useful and fast." He didn't give Davis a chance to say anything as he scooted his chair back, the sound it made causing the other man to cringe. Howard moved towards the door.

"Wait. Frank and Eva Phelps."

Howard turned a glare on the other man. "I've already looked into them and I know everything I need to know about my son's adopted parents. You've just made my point." And then he was gone, moving through the door and out even as Davis shouted from behind. Howard let a small smile tug into place and he spotted Scottie waiting for him.

"Did you get it?"

"Some. We need to track down the Phelps'."

"We don't have to let him live, Howard."

He grimaced, risking the briefest glances back at the door that separated the howling man from them. "They might never be able to prove it, but they'd know, and that won't start Tom out on the right foot. You and I both know that." He paused, reaching a hand out to tuck a strand of dark hair back behind her ear. "That doesn't mean he has to know that. Let him think we're transporting him to his final destination."

"Solomon's made the call."

"Then let it run its course. The Marshals will take him and we'll make sure we have the evidence to put him away for good once trial takes place. Are Tom and Liz meeting us there?"

"That's the last I heard."

"Time to go then." Howard extended his arm and his wife took it.

"I haven't asked you. How are you holding up?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play coy. You were always fond of him."

A sad smile tugged his lips. "He was a charming bastard."

"When he wanted to be."

"Yes, when he wanted to be, and all in all, I say we owe him some gratitude."

"He didn't do it for us."

"Does that matter?"

Scottie paused and he could see her mask of indifference crack just a little out of the corner of his eye. "No, I don't suppose it does."

There was nothing more to say as they hit the end of the hallway and opened the door out into the air. A car was waiting for them to take them to the cemetery.

She remembered how it felt when Sam had died. There had been so much regret there, so many what ifs. She had sat in her living room pouring over photos and memories and desperately trying to hold on. She didn't have photos of Reddington, not really. Only memories. Those intricate stories and the way his head bobbled as he wove them together to the point he was trying to make, often with amusement laced into every word. He had loved her in his way. Maybe in the only way he knew how to love her, and while the last years had been a wild roller coaster that had left her sick and turned around more than it hadn't, she had loved him too. He wasn't her father, but he was. Blood didn't always make family. Liz's fingers moved over the brim of Reddington's fedora that sat on her breakfast table, its owner's face clear in her mind. She should give it to Dembe.

"Daddy!" Agnes shouted from her place in the floor with her colouring book and crayons. She was on her feet on an instant and Liz realized she must have heard the turn of the key in the lock. The door opened as the little girl raced forward and flung herself into Tom's arms.

"Hey, kiddo. You about ready to go?"

"Where're we goin'?" she asked and giggled as he kissed her round little cheek.

Tom's lips twitched down and he shifted her so he could carry her back into their DC apartment and the lightness left his voice. "A funeral, baby girl." His dark blue eyes flickered to meet Liz's gaze. "How're you holding up?"

"Ready to go."

Agnes started to squirm and he put her down, crossing the space over to where Liz was sitting at the kitchen table. She tried for a smile and took his hand when he reached out for hers. "That good, huh?

Liz shrugged. "I don't really know how to feel."

He pressed a kiss to her knuckles and she leaned into him. He stood there, her strength when she'd used up all of her own, and she felt his arm go around her where she sat. She wouldn't give him up for anything. She couldn't, and Reddington had known that. Still, knowing it and acting on it was entirely different. He'd given up his own life not just for hers, but for her family. It left her emotions more tangled than usual.

Tom's thumb moved in a soothing motion over her bare arm and she looked up at him. "What's the board say?"

He cleared his throat and released her so that he could pull a chair out for himself. He looked exhausted. They had picked the day before for their meeting on what to do with him, leaving that morning for their final decision. Liz had tried to tell him that he didn't have to be at the funeral, but he'd seen through it. He usually did. So her husband had gotten up at three in the morning and had been at the airstrip before four and at the office in New York by five. He had expected to be back with time to spare. As it stood, they had about five minutes before they needed to start wrangling Agnes into her car seat.

"It was pretty split. Leo Madden of all people was the swing vote."

Liz grimaced and reached out for him again. "Hey, you did what you had to."

Tom blinked hard. "What? No, he was the swing vote in my favour."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"So you're still the CEO?"

Her husband offered a small smile. "On the condition that I stay out of the field." Liz tried not to look too relieved and his smile broadened, finally reaching his eyes. "Yeah, I told them my wife would love that caveat."

"Are you okay with it?"

"You know… I am." His gaze drifted to Agnes. "I want to see her grow up. I want to come home to you. It still lets me do what I'm good at, but I can only push my luck so far in the field."

Liz stood, leaning in and she surprised him with a quick kiss. A small smile tugged at her when she broke it. "I guess that means we need to start apartment hunting in New York."

"Well…" Tom tilted his head thoughtfully and she knew that look. He was up to something.

"What?"

He eased to his feet. "We're moving headquarters to DC. Part of of the deal on whole was that we would be working more closely with the FBI. One unit specifically."

"Babe, the Task Force won't stay together without Reddington."

"They just need a blacklist. Trust me. Halcyon can provide plenty of leads. It's a win-win for both sides."

Liz opened her mouth and found the words stuck in her throat.

"Cooper and I talked about it. He verified that Ressler would stick around as long as the Task Force is together. If you want to move we can, but we don't have to-"

She didn't let him finish as she wrapped her arms around his neck, all the emotions she had tried to keep a lid on bubbling over and she could feel the hot tears as she kissed him. She felt his arms circle around her waist and hold her close even as she laid her head against his chest. He pressed a kiss to the side of her head. "I'll give you the details on the way. We're gonna be late."

She nodded and released her hold on him, thumbing at the tears. It wouldn't bring Reddington back, but it could help protect her husband and her team. It would help to protect her family, and she could find comfort in that.

Katarina hadn't believed it when the doctor had come out. How could she after so many close calls and faked deaths over the years? Even when she had worked her way into the morgue she had toyed with the idea of Halcyon swapping the bodies. Tom had sent their doctor in, after all. Surely there was more to it than this. An ending. Final and cold and more painful than she would have ever predicted.

But it was him. No duplicate was that good. She knew him from the tiny scar on his ankle to the ones along his back from the night of the fire. She wanted it to be some over-the-top scheme that perhaps Raymond had brought Howard in on, but it wasn't. He was gone and there was no fixing it. No reversing it.

"I had wondered if you would come to the funeral."

The redhead turned to find Scottie Hargrave standing there. She looked her own perfect part for a funeral in her designer black dress and heels sinking into the grass beneath her. She hadn't said a word as they had lowered Raymond into the ground and while Howard had stepped forward to add a shovel of dirt over the casket she had merely remained respectful, standing back. Even Tom had stepped forward for it, though Katarina thought that, like with most things, that had been more for Masha's sake than Raymond's.

"Could I count on you to tell me if this weren't real?" she asked after a long moment.

Scottie grimaced a little. "It's real, Kat."

The former KGB Agent loosed a breath. "Kate Kaplan is buried just up that hill. This is why people like us don't love, Scottie. Eventually we're left alone. Everyone either dies or leaves or we leave them for their own safety…. little good it does them. In the end we're left alone."

"You're only alone if you choose to be," Scottie answered softly.

"Masha doesn't need me."

"She does. More than you know."

Katarina's gaze shifted to where her daughter stood to say her goodbyes. She had spoken to her, briefly, but she hadn't made any promises that she'd be there after everything was done. To her credit, Masha hadn't asked her to. She knew. Katarina thought she knew. She didn't expect her to stay.

"But she's not the only one. Dom doesn't live far."

Katarina snorted. "Keep an eye on Agnes. She'll be a handful."

"Will be?"

She smirked and turned. She had never been good at goodbyes. They were too permanent, and in her life she had always found her way back to the ones that mattered. She just needed time.

Stories filled the Coopers' living room and stretched on even as the sun started its slow descent in the sky outside. Some of the crowd that had attended Reddington's funeral had gathered in the home after, a quiet place providing them with a safe location to sit and remember. It was a relatively new tradition which had apparently begun at Tom's own wake after Liz had woken up, and there was something sereal about taking part in this one. Well, he supposed it could have just as easily been him they were talking about that afternoon.

Tom offered Charlene a thin smile as he slipped past her, taking a quick detour to the kitchen after getting a very cranky Agnes tucked in for a late nap. He listened to the voices drift in as he walked to the fridge to grab a beer. He closed the door and turned, finding Donald Ressler waiting there. "Cooper told me what you did."

The dark haired man blinked. "You're gonna have to be more specific."

Ressler snorted and shook his head. "Halcyon and the Task Force. Listen, if you think that it's going to-"

"I'm going to stop you right there. I did it for Liz. She doesn't deserve to lose her team too after all of this. You didn't come up in the deal."

He watched the ginger agent weigh the words. They weren't untrue. He had done it for Liz and Cooper had only confirmed the deal he had struck with Ressler after Tom had pitched the idea to him. In truth, the deal hadn't been struck specifically for Ressler. The fact that Tom had grown almost fond of his wife's rule-toting partner was beside the point. It was for Liz.

"I made a promise to Cooper that I wouldn't leave as long as the Task Force was together."

Tom quirked an eyebrow and popped the top off his beer, the barest of smirks tugging at his lips. "Guess you're sticking around then."

"Guess I am." Without warning Ressler swung an arm around Tom's shoulders in an almost friendly fashion before moving towards the living room. "One more person hasn't shared," he announced, and it seemed like he was being held captive more than anything else.

"You're just looking for a reason to arrest me," Tom grumbled and jabbed Ressler in the ribs only hard enough for the other man to let go.

"I think we're past that by this point," Cooper assured him from his place on the couch.

Tom snorted and moved to take a seat next to Liz, finally choosing a relatively innocent story. He found himself smiling as he spoke, traits that had driven him crazy already beginning to soften in the wake of the man's death. He cleared his throat at the end. "It's not really a secret that Reddington and I didn't get along. Neither of us trusted the other, but in the end…. I owed him my life." He felt Liz's fingers intertwine with his and he lifted his beer up. "To Reddington."

They echoed and Tom felt Liz curl a little closer to him. She had been quiet most of the afternoon and remained that way into the evening. The wake came to a reluctant close as they moved from evening towards night, and Tom was a little surprised to find himself reluctant to leave as well. Leaving meant it was real. Leaving meant that this chapter was truly over and that the man that had, despite everything, brought them all together was dead.

Tom shifted a still groggy Agnes and she draped against his shoulder as they walked out of the house. "You okay?" he ventured.

Liz didn't answer immediately, but he saw the barest twitched as she turned her thoughts over in her mind. He didn't push, but as they slipped into their vehicle, Agnes in her seat in the back, he saw her lean back against the headrest. "I will be," she finally answered. "Okay, I mean." She squeezed her eyes closed and Tom reached out, his fingers brushing hers in a silent offer of support and she took his hand. A small, pained smile pulled her lips outward. "He made good on his promise."

"What promise was that?"

Her fingers tightened around his. "That I would have the life I wanted. That my family would be safe. He made sure of it." Bright blue eyes blinked open and a couple of tears escaped as she turned to look at him. "Let's go home, babe."

Tom nodded, not trusting his own voice as he put their vehicle into gear. After everything - all the close calls, all the the pain they had struggled through to bring their family back together - they could say they had won. They hadn't done it alone and the cost had been high, but they could finally go home.

End.

Notes: The first scene of this story sat by itself for maybe a month or two before I was finally able to start in on the rest of it. I was terrified I wouldn't be able to finish it and that somewhere along the way I'd just lose all interest and leave the show for good. Thankfully, as frustrated as I've been with the show, that hasn't happened. I have a friend in a different fandom that talked about her AU fic being the only way she continued watching it, and while it may not have been the only way for me this has helped on a lot of levels. Gotta love fanafiction, right?

There is a follow up story already in the works called Home from the War. It'll start posting next week on Friday and starts in about six months later. Thank you so much for all of your kind words of encouragement along the way. I'd love to know what you thought of the story on whole. Please feel free to drop a review in the box. Short, long, undiscernible sounds... I love it all lol

And a BIG thank you to my beta Whimsy. If you're a Saram fan, she just wrapped up a fantastic piece called Reset that I highly recommend. She's on AO3 under WhimsicalWombat.

Hope to see you guys next week for Home from the War!

[andreasjeffersona]

via Andrea Jefferson,

Are you researching ” lawn care expert done for you services?” you can trust?

Should Your Mow Yourself or Pay a Lawn Care Service? You’ve come to the right place.

Everyone wants to enjoy a beautiful lawn in the summertime, but almost no one loves mowing it. You do not have to spend several hours outside each week trying to take care of your lawn and the related problems. It’s better to hire a lawn mowing company to sort out these problems.

A healthy lawn can: •Prevent erosion by wind and water. •Improve flood control. •Help the breakdown of organic chemicals. •Reduce noise. •Provide wildlife habitat. •Create a cooling effect during warm weather •Add visual appeal.

We Offer Comprehensive Yard Maintenance Programs. Such as Spring Clean Up. Lawn Maintenance Programs.

Should You Hire a Landscaping Company to do your lawn care, or do it yourself? . This year, resolve to spend more time doing the things you really love and less time dealing with your lawn. Take back those extra moments from your day, time you will never get back, by hiring someone else to take care of your lawn for you.

Maintenance of your landscape, like that of your car or your heating & cooling system, is much more affordable than replacement. It’s more cost-effective in the long run to schedule maintenance regularly than wait until your lawn becomes unhealthy or damaged beyond repair. We can keep your yard lush and beautiful all year long. Your yard is one of the most appealing assets of your property, which is why it plays such a big role in its value. When you need residential landscaping services program, call us to provide trustworthy solutions of the highest quality.

Our’s is a complete landscape solution business that provides a selection of services for any kind of size commercial or household task.

Commercial Maintenance Services. Mowing Lawn Upkeep Autumn Clean-up Maintenance Services. Springtime Make Over Service. Grass Fertilisation on request. Aerating Lawn. Residential Lawn Services. Leaf Elimination Pruning. Plant Bed Routine Service. Watering Service.

Contact us and get a free estimate. Our friendly professionals look forward to helping you ensure the beauty of your lawn.

You feel a healthy and balanced lawn as soon as you see it– soft as silk, eco-friendly as jade, as well as just pleading for a few cartwheels or a game of bocce ball. To get and also, much more notably, keep that lawn in tip-top condition requires preparation, planning, as well as consistent attention. Water alone is not enough; improper mowing can swiftly trash your investment; and it’s a constant battle to keep weeds and also insects away.

Our team is acknowledged for placing clients first and looking after their yard as if they were our own.

We take pride in our landscape solutions and truly enjoy it. We respect what we do and it receives the quality services we supply. As an accountable business that is severe concerning our work, we see to it we are always promptly as well as talk with our consumers to make certain we know what they desire. You will always obtain high quality job done at practical rates. Call Us Today.

Your lawn care timetable will vary depending on the climate where you live, obviously- the calendar might call the month of march “early spring,” yet if you live in the midwest for example , your grass might still be a snow bank when your compare living in Florida where home owners are venturing out their lawn mowers for the very first time in the season.

WE MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK MORE BEAUTIFUL AND VALUABLE!

Our services include:

We provide overall yard tidy up to fulfill any kind of event: one time jobs, quarterly clean up, annual clean up, placing house up for sale, rental clean up, insurance policy cases, commercial residential or commercial properties, overgrown lawns, scrap removal and hauling.|Our general lawn solutions consist of – mowing, clean up of fallen leaves, bush trimming, bed edging, application of fertilizer as well as an evaluation of the general health of your yard. We provide additional lawn care add on solutions like over seeding and springtime tidy up to improve the look of your lawn.

Fallen leave Elimination & Weed Maintenance. General landscaping cleanup & hauling, bush & leaf removal, weekly lawn care, and special requirements such as aeration and lawn fertilization services

Seasonal packages are available. We turn your backyard dreams into a reality. We offer ideas for landscape projects for those who prefer to have low to no maintenance landscaping, using low maintenance shrubs/plants, and lighting to highlight focal points of the project Lawn care/maintenance we offer weekly grass cutting services, lawn reseeding, establish new lawns, and spring/fall leaf cleanups to name a few services we provide Our team will be dedicated to making your yard look great!

We provide exceptional lawn care services at affordable prices to property owners anywhere in Washington As a responsible company that is serious about our work, we make sure we are always on time and talk with our customers to make sure we know what they want. You will always get quality work done at reasonable rates.

Call Today Free Quote @ 253-525-5543

Given that we provide numerous alternatives as well as personalizations, you make certain to accomplish your landscaping needs with complete peace of mind.

Residential Routine Service Programs For the ease of our local residents, we offer various yard landscape maintenance programs.

The first option is fairly inclusive. It includes both spring as well as fall clean ups, trimming as well as hedge trimming, in addition to seasonal turf treatments. This choice in addition includes once a week mowing as well as trimming, over one dozen weeding services, a mulching application, and a lot more!

Our 2nd residential service program option is much more standard, yet comprehensive. The package deal includes spring and also fall cleanups, as well as once a week mowing and trimming services. We also have extra home maintenance, from lime application and grub control, to aeration as well as de-thatching, which are offered upon request and can be added to any routine service package.

Benefits of Our Routine Service Packages The benefits of having a lawn as well as landscape service package in the jobs are countless. Since our bundles provide multi-seasonal care, your lawn will continually maintain its health and also beauty, without the fear of preparing for each season independently. From preparing the building for cooler seasons, to supporting enriched vegetation during warmer periods, our service programs offer countless benefits all year long.

Best Garden Services ,we see to it that your landscape, commercial or residential, is well kept by our team. Our routine service team is very educated and led by a project manager particular to this division, with over two decades of experience. Together, our firm goes above as well as beyond to supply you with just quality yard and landscape service services.

Commercial Services Program Landscaping Services

Industrial Routine Service Package Deals We also provide commercial turf and landscape maintenance services in as well as Allegheny Area, which are customizable to fulfill your needs. Our seasoned team will adeptly keep your residential or commercial property, and also provide outstanding service with superior results. We provide the following maintenance service options to produce a bundle that is distinct to your property: regular maintenance, mulching, growing, pruning and also hedge cutting, bordering, weeding, seasonal garden therapies and tidy up, irrigation/sprinkler systems, and also a lot more! We deal with you to produce a customized industrial maintenance package deal that is sure to impress you as well as your prospective clients.

Mowing Lawn Tips.

Your landscape design is beautiful, isn’t it? It should be! after all the work you’ve put into it. Summer is the time to enjoy it to the fullest. Of course, you will still be mowing and watering your lawn on schedule for some time after too. Mow slightly higher than you were earlier in the year, and mow often enough so that you remove no more than 1/3 of the grass stem. When you water, remember that it is better to soak your lawn thoroughly once a week than to tease it with a little bit of water every day. The optimal time of day for watering your lawn is early in the morning.

Never reduce more than one-third of the elevation of your lawn. If your lawn is too short, it will damage it and also make it extra vulnerable to insects and lawn conditions. Additionally, remember to cut frequently up until the development of your yard either reduces or halts. Also, you need to make use of a varying pattern each time you trim. Otherwise, your yard blades will lean in the instructions you trim, and also your grass will certainly look strange. After yard cutting, leave the cuttings behind. They will disintegrate as well as become a rich plant food for your yard. This may look like a messy idea, yet it’ll increase the wellness of your grass. If you employed a grass solution expert, ensure to remind this person.

Bare patches Weeds love bald patches, so if you do not react promptly, they will. Spring’s cool, damp weather condition contributes to growing several kinds of turfgrass. Start by digging up the affected spot, along with 6 inches of surrounding, healthy grass, cutting around 2 inches deep. Then level the dirt as well as mix in a small amount of soil amendment, such as a plant-based compost, as well as starter fertilizer. If you’re utilizing seed, cover it evenly with straw as well as maintain the ground moist till germination. For turf, which is about 10 times extra pricey than seed but often tends to do the job better, a trimmed a part to fit, push it into place, as well as water frequently until it germinates

Why hire Residential Landscaping Services Plan

Whether its your real estate is household or industrial, it needs to be maintained. From visual appeals, to general health and wellness, all residential or commercial property require a bit of periodic care. We ensure best lawn and landscape services regardless of which maintenance package deal you select or create.

How often should I water my new lawn?

It is crucial to ensure that new lawns remain moist at the soil and sod levels, particularly during the warmest of summer months when the heat can easily destroy nascent lawns that are not maintained correctly.

There are several factors to consider including the heat of the day and the approach undertaken – seeding or sodding. •A new lawn growing from sod will require water several times a day until the roots are established. In either case, during the first weeks of life, we want to avoid the soil or sod drying out to prevent the death of new roots.

Cooler weather can be more forgiving to the soil because there is less stress than extreme heat and moisture is not as likely to evaporate as fast.

FAQ’S

Why Hire A Professional Landscaper? I know you worry about the cost. Don’t be bothered that much because you can ask for quotations before you start the work. This way, you will have an idea of how much you will be spending. Also, be reminded that the more demands you have for the project, the higher will be the cost. But if you have a simple landscape, the cost would be lower. So, before you decide to refuse the services of a landscaper, weigh things properly and go back to what we have mentioned above. Getting a professional isn’t really bad after all. Professional landscaping can help reinvent your outdoor space, boost your curb appeal, and get a major return on investment. Landscaping can encompass anything from adding new plants, trees and shrubs, to leveling the ground and laying sod for a lawn, to building in hardscaping such as sidewalks, water features or retaining walls. The national average landscaping price is $10,160. Landscaping prices can be far lower (with hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150) if you’re only seeking professional help with soft scaping or seeking consultation on landscape design. Softscaping means adding or changing horticultural elements, such as planting a garden or adding a hedge. Hardscaping is where costs can really start to rise. Hardscaping requires labor and heavy equipment to excavate the earth; you may need to pour concrete, or you may need a pro who can transport and place gravel and other inorganic elements. Your total landscaping cost will vary based on the amount of work you want to be done, how much labor is required, and the cost of the materials you are using. A good rule of thumb for a major landscaping project, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects, is to budget 5 percent to 10 percent of the value of your home.

Why You Should Hire A Landscaper Company?

If you are a busy person, you may not be able to work on your landscape because it would require a lot of time. This happens especially if you are not highly skilled. But if you just hire a landscaper, you will merely sit and watch the work progress.

Hiring A Professional Landscaper- Do You Really Need To?

While searching for a reputable landscape designer near you, you may come across a few landscape architects as well. They sound similar, but landscape designers and landscape architects serve different purposes and come with different costs.

Advantages of Hiring a Lawn Service.

Putting the responsibility for an attractive lawn on someone else’s shoulders can be appealing if you’re limited on time or commitment. Going the lawn service route involves some tradeoffs you’ll want to think through. Consistent schedule. With many lawn services, you’ll get consistent weekly service — same day, same time — rain or shine. Professional-grade lawn care products. Lawn professionals have access to premium pro-line products at trade-only pricing. Equipment provided. Lawn care services provide the equipment and fuel, along with repairs and maintenance. Skills and experience. Qualified lawn pros offer the benefit of focused training and industry expertise.

608 State St S, Kirkland, WA 98033 Call-Us (253)-(525) -5543) Lat: 47.6994957 Long: -122.1781315

kirklandlawncare.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default www.youtube.com/channel/UC_hoa1YVwyYfg9i8iY7P9-g?view_as=…

sites.google.com/view/kirkland-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/lynwood-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/bothell-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/edmonds-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/shoreline-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/woodinville-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/mountlake-terrace-lawn-mainten/home…

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redmond,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammamish,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issaquah,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercer_Island,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Hill,_Washington

youtu.be/4Q1npcEkQ5w youtu.be/n3jY3Isy-tE youtu.be/vZGeHooJltE youtu.be/LMYobs619yM youtu.be/WldGaz2cXd4 youtu.be/6nn-m0783vI youtu.be/eziiwEZs0oc

via Flickr https://flic.kr/p/2k5Ktks

from Kirkland Lawn Care https://ift.tt/3eV4ggu

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[kirklandlawncare]

Are you researching " lawn care expert done for you services?" you can trust?

Should Your Mow Yourself or Pay a Lawn Care Service? You’ve come to the right place.

Everyone wants to enjoy a beautiful lawn in the summertime, but almost no one loves mowing it. You do not have to spend several hours outside each week trying to take care of your lawn and the related problems. It’s better to hire a lawn mowing company to sort out these problems.

A healthy lawn can: •Prevent erosion by wind and water. •Improve flood control. •Help the breakdown of organic chemicals. •Reduce noise. •Provide wildlife habitat. •Create a cooling effect during warm weather •Add visual appeal.

We Offer Comprehensive Yard Maintenance Programs. Such as Spring Clean Up. Lawn Maintenance Programs.

Should You Hire a Landscaping Company to do your lawn care, or do it yourself? . This year, resolve to spend more time doing the things you really love and less time dealing with your lawn. Take back those extra moments from your day, time you will never get back, by hiring someone else to take care of your lawn for you.

Maintenance of your landscape, like that of your car or your heating & cooling system, is much more affordable than replacement. It’s more cost-effective in the long run to schedule maintenance regularly than wait until your lawn becomes unhealthy or damaged beyond repair. We can keep your yard lush and beautiful all year long. Your yard is one of the most appealing assets of your property, which is why it plays such a big role in its value. When you need residential landscaping services program, call us to provide trustworthy solutions of the highest quality.

Our’s is a complete landscape solution business that provides a selection of services for any kind of size commercial or household task.

Commercial Maintenance Services. Mowing Lawn Upkeep Autumn Clean-up Maintenance Services. Springtime Make Over Service. Grass Fertilisation on request. Aerating Lawn. Residential Lawn Services. Leaf Elimination Pruning. Plant Bed Routine Service. Watering Service.

Contact us and get a free estimate. Our friendly professionals look forward to helping you ensure the beauty of your lawn.

You feel a healthy and balanced lawn as soon as you see it– soft as silk, eco-friendly as jade, as well as just pleading for a few cartwheels or a game of bocce ball. To get and also, much more notably, keep that lawn in tip-top condition requires preparation, planning, as well as consistent attention. Water alone is not enough; improper mowing can swiftly trash your investment; and it’s a constant battle to keep weeds and also insects away.

Our team is acknowledged for placing clients first and looking after their yard as if they were our own.

We take pride in our landscape solutions and truly enjoy it. We respect what we do and it receives the quality services we supply. As an accountable business that is severe concerning our work, we see to it we are always promptly as well as talk with our consumers to make certain we know what they desire. You will always obtain high quality job done at practical rates. Call Us Today.

Your lawn care timetable will vary depending on the climate where you live, obviously- the calendar might call the month of march "early spring," yet if you live in the midwest for example , your grass might still be a snow bank when your compare living in Florida where home owners are venturing out their lawn mowers for the very first time in the season.

WE MAKE YOUR HOME LOOK MORE BEAUTIFUL AND VALUABLE!

Our services include:

We provide overall yard tidy up to fulfill any kind of event: one time jobs, quarterly clean up, annual clean up, placing house up for sale, rental clean up, insurance policy cases, commercial residential or commercial properties, overgrown lawns, scrap removal and hauling.|Our general lawn solutions consist of – mowing, clean up of fallen leaves, bush trimming, bed edging, application of fertilizer as well as an evaluation of the general health of your yard. We provide additional lawn care add on solutions like over seeding and springtime tidy up to improve the look of your lawn.

Fallen leave Elimination & Weed Maintenance. General landscaping cleanup & hauling, bush & leaf removal, weekly lawn care, and special requirements such as aeration and lawn fertilization services

Seasonal packages are available. We turn your backyard dreams into a reality. We offer ideas for landscape projects for those who prefer to have low to no maintenance landscaping, using low maintenance shrubs/plants, and lighting to highlight focal points of the project Lawn care/maintenance we offer weekly grass cutting services, lawn reseeding, establish new lawns, and spring/fall leaf cleanups to name a few services we provide Our team will be dedicated to making your yard look great!

We provide exceptional lawn care services at affordable prices to property owners anywhere in Washington As a responsible company that is serious about our work, we make sure we are always on time and talk with our customers to make sure we know what they want. You will always get quality work done at reasonable rates.

Call Today Free Quote @ 253-525-5543

Given that we provide numerous alternatives as well as personalizations, you make certain to accomplish your landscaping needs with complete peace of mind.

Residential Routine Service Programs For the ease of our local residents, we offer various yard landscape maintenance programs.

The first option is fairly inclusive. It includes both spring as well as fall clean ups, trimming as well as hedge trimming, in addition to seasonal turf treatments. This choice in addition includes once a week mowing as well as trimming, over one dozen weeding services, a mulching application, and a lot more!

Our 2nd residential service program option is much more standard, yet comprehensive. The package deal includes spring and also fall cleanups, as well as once a week mowing and trimming services. We also have extra home maintenance, from lime application and grub control, to aeration as well as de-thatching, which are offered upon request and can be added to any routine service package.

Benefits of Our Routine Service Packages The benefits of having a lawn as well as landscape service package in the jobs are countless. Since our bundles provide multi-seasonal care, your lawn will continually maintain its health and also beauty, without the fear of preparing for each season independently. From preparing the building for cooler seasons, to supporting enriched vegetation during warmer periods, our service programs offer countless benefits all year long.

Best Garden Services ,we see to it that your landscape, commercial or residential, is well kept by our team. Our routine service team is very educated and led by a project manager particular to this division, with over two decades of experience. Together, our firm goes above as well as beyond to supply you with just quality yard and landscape service services.

Commercial Services Program Landscaping Services

Industrial Routine Service Package Deals We also provide commercial turf and landscape maintenance services in as well as Allegheny Area, which are customizable to fulfill your needs. Our seasoned team will adeptly keep your residential or commercial property, and also provide outstanding service with superior results. We provide the following maintenance service options to produce a bundle that is distinct to your property: regular maintenance, mulching, growing, pruning and also hedge cutting, bordering, weeding, seasonal garden therapies and tidy up, irrigation/sprinkler systems, and also a lot more! We deal with you to produce a customized industrial maintenance package deal that is sure to impress you as well as your prospective clients.

Mowing Lawn Tips.

Your landscape design is beautiful, isn’t it? It should be! after all the work you’ve put into it. Summer is the time to enjoy it to the fullest. Of course, you will still be mowing and watering your lawn on schedule for some time after too. Mow slightly higher than you were earlier in the year, and mow often enough so that you remove no more than 1/3 of the grass stem. When you water, remember that it is better to soak your lawn thoroughly once a week than to tease it with a little bit of water every day. The optimal time of day for watering your lawn is early in the morning.

Never reduce more than one-third of the elevation of your lawn. If your lawn is too short, it will damage it and also make it extra vulnerable to insects and lawn conditions. Additionally, remember to cut frequently up until the development of your yard either reduces or halts. Also, you need to make use of a varying pattern each time you trim. Otherwise, your yard blades will lean in the instructions you trim, and also your grass will certainly look strange. After yard cutting, leave the cuttings behind. They will disintegrate as well as become a rich plant food for your yard. This may look like a messy idea, yet it’ll increase the wellness of your grass. If you employed a grass solution expert, ensure to remind this person.

Bare patches Weeds love bald patches, so if you do not react promptly, they will. Spring’s cool, damp weather condition contributes to growing several kinds of turfgrass. Start by digging up the affected spot, along with 6 inches of surrounding, healthy grass, cutting around 2 inches deep. Then level the dirt as well as mix in a small amount of soil amendment, such as a plant-based compost, as well as starter fertilizer. If you’re utilizing seed, cover it evenly with straw as well as maintain the ground moist till germination. For turf, which is about 10 times extra pricey than seed but often tends to do the job better, a trimmed a part to fit, push it into place, as well as water frequently until it germinates

Why hire Residential Landscaping Services Plan

Whether its your real estate is household or industrial, it needs to be maintained. From visual appeals, to general health and wellness, all residential or commercial property require a bit of periodic care. We ensure best lawn and landscape services regardless of which maintenance package deal you select or create.

How often should I water my new lawn?

It is crucial to ensure that new lawns remain moist at the soil and sod levels, particularly during the warmest of summer months when the heat can easily destroy nascent lawns that are not maintained correctly.

There are several factors to consider including the heat of the day and the approach undertaken – seeding or sodding. •A new lawn growing from sod will require water several times a day until the roots are established. In either case, during the first weeks of life, we want to avoid the soil or sod drying out to prevent the death of new roots.

Cooler weather can be more forgiving to the soil because there is less stress than extreme heat and moisture is not as likely to evaporate as fast.

FAQ’S

Why Hire A Professional Landscaper? I know you worry about the cost. Don’t be bothered that much because you can ask for quotations before you start the work. This way, you will have an idea of how much you will be spending. Also, be reminded that the more demands you have for the project, the higher will be the cost. But if you have a simple landscape, the cost would be lower. So, before you decide to refuse the services of a landscaper, weigh things properly and go back to what we have mentioned above. Getting a professional isn’t really bad after all. Professional landscaping can help reinvent your outdoor space, boost your curb appeal, and get a major return on investment. Landscaping can encompass anything from adding new plants, trees and shrubs, to leveling the ground and laying sod for a lawn, to building in hardscaping such as sidewalks, water features or retaining walls. The national average landscaping price is $10,160. Landscaping prices can be far lower (with hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150) if you’re only seeking professional help with soft scaping or seeking consultation on landscape design. Softscaping means adding or changing horticultural elements, such as planting a garden or adding a hedge. Hardscaping is where costs can really start to rise. Hardscaping requires labor and heavy equipment to excavate the earth; you may need to pour concrete, or you may need a pro who can transport and place gravel and other inorganic elements. Your total landscaping cost will vary based on the amount of work you want to be done, how much labor is required, and the cost of the materials you are using. A good rule of thumb for a major landscaping project, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects, is to budget 5 percent to 10 percent of the value of your home.

Why You Should Hire A Landscaper Company?

If you are a busy person, you may not be able to work on your landscape because it would require a lot of time. This happens especially if you are not highly skilled. But if you just hire a landscaper, you will merely sit and watch the work progress.

Hiring A Professional Landscaper- Do You Really Need To?

While searching for a reputable landscape designer near you, you may come across a few landscape architects as well. They sound similar, but landscape designers and landscape architects serve different purposes and come with different costs.

Advantages of Hiring a Lawn Service.

Putting the responsibility for an attractive lawn on someone else’s shoulders can be appealing if you’re limited on time or commitment. Going the lawn service route involves some tradeoffs you’ll want to think through. Consistent schedule. With many lawn services, you’ll get consistent weekly service — same day, same time — rain or shine. Professional-grade lawn care products. Lawn professionals have access to premium pro-line products at trade-only pricing. Equipment provided. Lawn care services provide the equipment and fuel, along with repairs and maintenance. Skills and experience. Qualified lawn pros offer the benefit of focused training and industry expertise.

608 State St S, Kirkland, WA 98033 Call-Us (253)-(525) -5543) Lat: 47.6994957 Long: -122.1781315

kirklandlawncare.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default www.youtube.com/channel/UC_hoa1YVwyYfg9i8iY7P9-g?view_as=…

sites.google.com/view/kirkland-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/lynwood-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/bothell-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/edmonds-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/shoreline-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/woodinville-lawn-maintenance/home sites.google.com/view/mountlake-terrace-lawn-mainten/home…

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bellevue,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redmond,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sammamish,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcastle,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issaquah,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercer_Island,_Washington en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clyde_Hill,_Washington

youtu.be/4Q1npcEkQ5w youtu.be/n3jY3Isy-tE youtu.be/vZGeHooJltE youtu.be/LMYobs619yM youtu.be/WldGaz2cXd4 youtu.be/6nn-m0783vI youtu.be/eziiwEZs0oc

via Flickr https://flic.kr/p/2k5Ktks

[newforworld]

7 BEST AND EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR HEALTH DURING THE COVID-19

It looks like the Coronavirus (COVID-19) could also be sticking around for quite a while. While a number of us may catch the virus and have none or few symptoms in the least, others could also be severely affected with symptoms including fever, pharyngitis, cough, muscle aches, nausea. loss of taste and smell and even more disturbing symptoms like shortness of breath, a sense of pressure within the chest, difficulty breathing. (1) Most folks should recover without complications if we do get infected within 2 to three weeks. But while doctors warn that those with preexisting conditions like diabetes, high vital signs, and obesity are at high risk for severe illness, if they catch the virus, there are cases where seemingly healthy individuals have required a hospital stay or maybe gave up the ghost.

The best we will all do immediately to guard ourselves against the virus is to stick to the recommended safety precautions like washing our hands, not touching our mouths or noses, and wearing a mask publicly settings. It’s also an excellent time to figure on getting healthy and giving our system what it must be ready to perform once we need it most. Keep reading to ascertain a couple of ways you'll immediately improve your health, support your system, and help those around you are doing an equivalent. you'll find all the recommendations at online health and wellness superstore iHerb.com. As always make certain to see together with your doctor before starting any new supplement

1. Take Your vitamin C An essential nutrient that our bodies can’t produce or store, vitamin C plays several roles keep our system strong. Not only does it act as an antioxidant protecting immune cell from damage from free radicals, but vitamin C also enhances immune cell function while helping the body make new white blood cells liable for fighting off infections. vitamin C also can recycle vitamin E within the body from its oxidized form. (1) vitamin C is often found in fresh vegetables, leafy greens, tomatoes and fruits like strawberries, oranges, and lemons and will be eaten a day. There haven’t been studies yet showing the effectiveness of vitamin C and COVID-19 specifically, but previous studies have shown that vitamin C can help shorten the duration and therefore the severity of symptoms of the cold which is additionally caused by an epidemic.

2. Melt Away Stress Believed to be the basis explanation for 90% of all illnesses, research has shown that a lifetime of chronic stress can weaken your system, making you more vulnerable to germs than those that have their stress in check. Stress can are available a spread of forms and may include mental stress, emotional stress, also as physical stress which will be induced from pollution, poor diet, injury, surgeries, illness, or chronic diseases. Stress can even fuel symptoms like anxiety, depression, and poor sleep which may successively cause even more stress on your body and further weaken your system.

According to the Mayo Clinic, stress that goes unchecked over time can eventually cause even more serious health issues including high vital signs, a heart condition, obesity, and diabetes. Stress has even been linked to other nasty physical symptoms including ulcers, allergies, and migraine headaches, and may make preexisting conditions even worse. It’s also not uncommon to feel tired, overwhelmed, sad, or irritable.

It’s impossible to eliminate stress since it's just a neighborhood of life. But there are some healthy ways to alleviate it including eating healthy, exercising (walking, yoga, bicycling, jogging, etc), taking time to try something you enjoy (painting, reading, photography, etc.), spending time outdoors, and meditating. Even meditating for five to 10 minutes each day can do wonders for your health.

If you get burned out easily or are experiencing stressful times (like most of 2020) it's going to be an honest idea to undertake a stress support supplement like this one from ZŌI Research Stress Support. It includes a mix of adaptogenic herbs that have shown studies to balance stress hormones. The ashwagandha during this formula has been specifically shown in studies to scale back the strain hormone cortisol, help symptoms of hysteria, and promote more restful sleep. The B vitamins during this formula nourish, boost mood and promote a robust and healthy systema nervosum while the aminoalkanoic acid L-Theanine found in tea leaves has shown in studies to market relaxation while maintaining a state of alertness which makes it perfect for while you’re working. Other ingredients like zinc are known immune boosters. With this formula, you ought to begin to feel balanced and calm without feeling drowsy.

3. Get A Daily Dose Of The Sunshine Vitamin Vitamin D referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” may be a super important anti-inflammatory vitamin that helps to activate the germ-fighting power of immune cells to guard us within the presence of infection.

If left unchecked within the body, low vitamin D levels are shown in studies to decrease proper immune reaction and are linked with a weaker lung function. Not getting enough vitamin D leaves us more vulnerable to viral and bacterial respiratory infections which successively are often harder for our bodies to fight without it. (3, 4, 5)

Since our body needs sunlight to supply vitamin D it is often easy to become deficient, especially for those that are older, have darker complexions, sleep in colder climates, or are now forced to quarantine indoors. Some foods are considered good sources of vitamin D including salmon, shrimp, egg yolks, milk, and mushrooms, but it’s extremely difficult to urge all the vitamin D you would like from diet alone. It’s recommended to supplement with 1,000 to 4,000 IUs of vitamin D per day but it’s an honest idea to possess your vitamin D levels checked by your doctor to work out if you would like a better therapeutic dose to bring low levels back to normal.

4. Try vitamin E In addition to promoting skin, hair, and vision health the body also uses vitamin E to assist keep the system strong to repel viruses and bacteria. (6) a crucial fat-soluble nutrient and a potent antioxidant, vitamin E has also been shown in studies to possess anti-inflammatory properties helping to guard and repair cells damaged by free radicals which will cause chronic diseases like heart condition and cancer. vitamin E is additionally important within the formation of red blood cells, helping to strengthen the capillary walls, widen blood vessels, and possibly reduce the danger of dangerous blood clots. Much research still must be done, but vitamin E supplementation may in time prove beneficial for those that get COVID-19. In fatal cases of the virus, autopsies are revealing an unusual amount of blood clots in not only the lungs but in every organ of the body despite the patients being given typical anti-clotting medications.

5. Wear A Mask to prevent The Spread We all get that wearing a mask is inconvenient and uncomfortable, but it's one of the foremost important things besides washing our hands and social distancing to attenuate the spread of the coronavirus. Any folks can hold and spread the coronavirus albeit we don’t feel sick or realize we’re yet infected. It’s the proper thing to try to to to guard people and therefore the at-risk loved ones in their lives.

The CDC advises:

“COVID-19 spreads mainly among people that are in close contact (within about 6 feet) for a protracted period. Spread happens when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and droplets from their mouth or nose are embarked on the air and land within the mouths or noses of individuals nearby. The droplets also can be inhaled into the lungs. Recent studies indicate that folks who are infected but don't have symptoms likely also play a task within the spread of COVID-19. ”

6. Support Your Gut Too Once believed to be just for food digestion, we now know our guts are liable for supporting over 160 differing types of living bacteria which account for a minimum of 70% of our system . meaning it’s important to stay our gut microbiome happy if we would like a robust system and a healthy body. To do so, it’s important to eat a clean diet that's low in sugar, high in fiber, and rich in plant-based foods. It’s also important to introduce new good bacteria into your body by eating a spread of naturally fermented foods like pickles, sauerkraut, yogurt (look for sugar-free or low sugar brands, kimchi, kombucha, and kefir which will be found within the refrigerated section of your food or grocery. Search for words like ‘naturally fermented,’ ‘live food’ or ‘contains live cultures’ on the label.

7. Omega 3’s To The Rescue! The building blocks of cell membranes, omega 3 fatty acids are one of the foremost important nutrients that research shows 90% folks aren't getting enough of. albeit you are doing have a diet and consider yourself healthy, it's still easy to be deficient during this important anti-inflammatory nutrient that has a crucial role to play in healthy system response. The importance of omega 3’s are studied since the 1970s and researchers learned early that, like all goodies, a balance of essential fatty acids are key to a properly functioning of the system . 

8. According to Dr. Michael Murray a number one world expert on natural medicine, omega-3 fatty acids regulate the organic phenomenon of white blood cells, which helps regulate proper immune function, reduce the assembly of inflammatory compounds which will damage the system and improve the way immune cells communicate with one another, resulting in improved system function.

With the fashionable American diet and increasing prevalence of foods made with soy and canola oils, we get many omega-6’s and just not enough omega-3’s. Our bodies can’t produce omega-3’s on their own so that’s why it’s important to supplement. Try adding an animal oil supplement to urge within the omega 3’s you would like to support your immune health. We love the California Gold Nutrition Omega-3 Premium animal oil from iHerb. These are an awesome value that gives 680mg of omega 3 carboxylic acid that's molecularly distilled to get rid of any impurities.

[thegreenwolf]

Note: This was originally posted on my Patheos blog in 2015; Patheos still has not taken down my content even though I have made formal requests for them to do so. So I am copying over some of my posts to my personal blog here, so that I and others can link to them without giving Patheos advertising revenue. ************************

My apologies for the light posting as of late; summer is festival season, which means I’m busy with vending and other activities, and it’s tough to find time and energy to write. However, this particular topic has been rolling around in my head, and I finally found the right words for it.

It all started a few weeks ago when birds–particularly crows–started fledging here in Portland. I began getting questions from people about scrawny, sick-looking birds that had others “dive-bombing” them as they sat on the ground. After seeing a few photos, it was pretty clear that people were seeing fledgling crows which, while ungainly-looking and still unsure of that “flying” thing, were in generally good health. The “dive-bombing” was parent crows feeding them, encouraging them, and otherwise staying close by in case danger threatened. Crows, after all, are highly intelligent and social; they understand what’s at stake during this vulnerable part of a young bird’s life.

I assured these folks that the crows were just fine and, with a little time and practice, would be up and off the ground with the rest. Thankfully no one decided to pick them up and put them into boxes in their garages, unsure what to do next. That’s just one example of how well-meaning humans think they need to interfere with nature’s ways and in the process make things worse. The instances in which human ignorance can be dangerous to human and non-human animals like are numerous; these are the ones that have cropped up on Facebook and elsewhere just in the past week or so:

–Every spring and summer there’s a cavalcade of people who find baby birds on the ground or baby rabbits huddled in the grass. Baby birds do fall out of nests before they’re ready to fledge, and mother rabbits often leave their babies hidden (with varying degrees of success) for hours at a time. What people should be doing is putting the birds back in the nest if they can, or making a new nest by nailing an empty plastic tupper to a tree and putting grass and the bird in it (parent birds will often feed their young even in these unorthodox holdings.) For bunnies, they should leave well enough alone, unless they look obviously ill, injured or otherwise distressed. Putting a circle of flour around them shows whether the mother has come back to check on them (thereby disturbing the flour) or not. Instead, they take possession of these little critters and either try to raise them themselves, or take them to a veterinarian or rescue facility. Even with the best of care, the mortality rate for birds and rabbits is significant, and quite often well-meaning humans sentence these animals to death by not leaving them in the wild. Here’s a good resource on what actually to do when you find baby animals unattended by their parents.

–While we’re on the subject of rabbits, there are enough domestic rabbit owners who don’t understand rabbit behavior and health that someone had to write an article on why rabbit bath videos aren’t actually cute. If you don’t understand how to properly care for an animal, maybe you shouldn’t own one–or should at least do a lot more research on that species’ behavior and unique needs.

—This video of someone feeding wild deer potato chips. Besides the fact that chips aren’t especially good food for anyone, least of all deer, these people are just encouraging the deer to lose their fear of humans. Why is this bad? Let me count the ways! Deer that aren’t afraid of humans are more likely to go wandering into people’s gardens and munch on the vegetables and flowers. They’re also at greater risk of getting hit by cars (bad for everyone involved) and they’re easier targets for hunters (the easier population control doesn’t justify the means.) The more you feed deer, the more the deer are able to reproduce and survive through hard winters that would normally thin their numbers. That means overpopulation leading to greater rates of starvation, disease and other unpleasantries.

—This misinformed person who thinks a picture of a long-dead, probably roadkilled, doe is proof hunters are routinely shooting does out of season. Fawns are born in spring and can be independent as early as two months of age, well before hunting season starts in fall (usually the second half of November). Guys, Bambi was fiction. Yes, there are poachers out there, but they’re the minority and other hunters would like to see them stopped as much as anyone else. For now, an imbalance of apex predators means hunters are one of the main ways to keep deer from becoming even more overpopulated. (Yes, I am in full support of natural, native predator reintroduction.)

—People laughing at this black bear that drank three dozen beers. Never mind that, again, beer isn’t good for a wild animal’s system. Like deer, bears are increasingly encouraged to see humans as a source of food. It’s not just a matter of campers not knowing how to bear-proof their food and drink, either. Many people deliberately feed bears and other wildlife, to include in mighty Yellowstone, because they want the animals to entertain them. They’re not content simply letting them be themselves. Eventually you end up with bears attacking people to get to their food, which all too often ends up with the bear being euthanized.

–Speaking of Yellowstone, there’s been a rash of idiots getting seriously injured while trying to take selfies with bison. (Dishonorable mention to the guy who almost died trying to take a selfie with a rattlesnake. Seriously, I can’t make this shit up.) Despite the fact that it’s illegal to get close to the bison, and despite numerous warnings from park staff, people still somehow think bison are docile cattle, just a part of the scenery. (Cows are dangerous too, by the way.)

—Apparently animal rights activists still think it’s a good idea to release farmed mink into the wild. What they think they’re doing is saving the mink from being skinned alive. (No, skinning animals alive is not a standard accepted practice in the fur industry.) Instead, they’re dooming most of those mink to slow, painful, cruel deaths by starvation or exposure because they come from generations of captive-bred animals. The ones that survive compete with native wildlife and cause many other animals to have slow, painful, cruel deaths by starvation because there’s not enough food to go around. Those mink can screw up ecosystems for decades as invasive species. So much for kindness to animals.

I could go on and on about our inability to treat other animals the way they need to be treated, and our own lack of skills for when we’re outside of a comfortably civilized setting. We learn in school how to determine the hypotenuse of a triangle, go over the Revolutionary War in excruciating detail every year in history class from fourth through twelfth grade, and our biology textbooks are distressingly generalized and sterile. With few exceptions, kids are kept corralled indoors except for recesses on blacktop playgrounds. We learn how to be good little worker ants in an industrial model, but we learn early how to ignore anything that isn’t human-centered. And we spend more time indoors than ever. We’re conditioned to see the outdoors largely as the place we have to traverse in order to get to the next indoor spot.

These people who ask about fledgling crows–if they spent a year studying their local wildlife in detail, watching from a window every day, do you suppose they’d get some sense of the rhythm of non-human nature? Maybe they’d get to watch a mated pair of crows build a nest, raise and feed their young, and then integrate those young into the greater corvid community. Perhaps they’d see a mother rabbit leave and return to her young in their hiding place, or watch deer grow up, lose their spots, and start their own lives well before November.

Our utter lack of nature literacy and our disgraceful self-centeredness is leading us to destroy the entire planet, ourselves included. We need to know these things–we knew them once, but as we stopped living close to the land, we forgot them, ignored them entirely. We need to understand how delicately balanced an ecosystem is, the webs of relationships and balances that formed over thousands of years of fine-tuning and evolution. We need to know how much our actions can screw the entire system up, whether through introducing an invasive species or destroying habitat for one more golf course. We need to have our hands in the soil, watching the creek for the flash of a salamander’s belly, our eyes to the trees for the first sign of autumn’s flush of color. We need a personal relationship with non-human nature that doesn’t end with a perfectly manicured, chemical-treated lawn.

But we don’t all have to know the particulars of climate science or marine biology or organic agriculture to be attuned to our local environment. It all starts with the little things, the individual animals, plants and fungi. What if the proper response to finding baby bunnies was as well-known as when the new season of Orange is the New Black starts? What if we looked forward to the fledging of baby birds as much as the arrival of Memorial Day? What if we knew how to watch the clouds, and were able to predict how long before rain showed up, so we could decide whether or not to water the garden?

We need to return to an ancestral way in which nature is not an Other, but an Us. If we truly love nature, if we consider ourselves friends to the animals, then we need to know nature itself, through books and observations, through science and questioning. We need to know the rest of nature as well as we know ourselves.

We can no longer afford nature ignorance; it is time to embrace nature literacy.

Did you enjoy this post? Please consider picking up a copy of my book Nature Spirituality From the Ground Up, which weaves together natural history and pagan spirituality.

[rheyareads]

I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships lately.

Losing someone so special to me has left this void of space in my soul and I spend a lot of time wondering if she knew just how much I loved and admired her. The more that I think about things, the more I realize that I have spent my life trying to become a person she would be proud of. I looked up to her so much more than I think I was even aware of myself, and I wanted to be someone kind and inherently as good as she was herself.

Now that she’s gone, I just think of all the things I’ll never get to tell her and that has me thinking of the other relationships in my life. So often we leave feelings unsaid and assume people know how we feel about them, so I’ve been trying to be better about saying how I feel in the moment and using the time I have to make sure people know that I care and admire them.

Reflecting on that, I come back to relationships in my life and the way that they have shaped me. Ultimately, our time here on earth is meant for relationship building and we are inherently shaped by everyone we encounter. Some harden our hearts, some brighten our minds, some enliven our souls, and some can even leave us damaged. It’s a scary idea because it’s something we can’t control beyond a certain extent – we can walk away from toxic relationships, but we also open ourselves up in this vulnerable position whenever we let someone new into our lives.

In thinking on that, I wanted this blog post to be about some of my most significant friendships that have shaped me. It’s hard to find an appropriate time or place to really tell people how you feel so I thought this would be a good space to do that. I think it’s important for me to be authentic when I’m feeling depressed, but it’s just as important to be authentic when I’m not. In moments where I’m thinking rationally, I want people to understand that I’m capable of understanding the depth of love and connection I have in this world. The problem is that depression confuses all of that and sometimes makes it impossible to sink in when you’re feeling hopeless and alone.

I’m going to group these into categories and then freely discuss. Full disclosure – when feelings are involved, I’m a lengthy narrator so this could get long.

  Your Work Friends Sometimes I think your work friends are actually your closest friends. These are the people who see you every single day. They go through the same daily grind as you and share a common struggle. What’s great about work friends is that they’re not people you would always seek out to form a connection with, so you get benefits from them that you don’t get with those who share similar interests with you. These people can be from totally different backgrounds or age ranges and offer so many differing perspectives that spice up the everyday mundane drone of the work week. They’re the only reason you even get through work, half the time. They’re the reason leaving even the crappiest of jobs can sometimes be heartbreaking. They’re the friends who save your every-day monotony and give you reasons to laugh throughout the week.

NYC with Katiuzca

Homecoming King Ben

If you look closely you can see “Kayla Sucks” on this cup

I love work friends. Work friends sometimes become some of the best friends in my life and I always appreciate the laughter they bring to my life. I have had A LOT OF JOBS in my lifetime and even though some of them weren’t the most exciting or glamorous jobs in the world, I was always happy at work because I had them there to laugh with or complain to. These are my work-week heroes who listen to crazy stories, celebrate birthdays and milestones, cover you when you’re sick or experiencing tragedies and are there for you when they really don’t have to be at all.

I don’t think work friends get enough credit on the friend spectrum but they’re some of the greatest people in the world and they are incredibly influential on your life. I’ve had some amazing work friends that I’m really happy became regular life friends as well because I can’t imagine my life without them. Some of my best stories, best laughs, and best memories come from my relationships with people at work.

These friendships have really shaped my work ethic. They help me to be a better driven person professionally by pushing me through the tough spots but they also have helped me to have a better understanding of relationships in general by exposing me to people I wouldn’t normally pursue a connection with.

Pure Friend I think everyone in life has a friend who is literally so pure they are just the most precious gem in your friend treasure trove. If you don’t have one, then I hope and pray you find yours soon! I don’t mean pure in the sense that they are reserved or sheltered from the world in a white coat never swearing or uttering a bad thing – I mean pure as in just honestly the best. Fucking. Person. Period. Like, you don’t have a bad thing to say about them because they are just who they are and who they are is dope as hell and you are so thankful they stumbled into your life. You might not be super close with this person, but you never have a bad time with them and you’re always happy to see them when you do.

  For me, this is my friend Joe. I have a lot of negative feelings towards my time at Brockport and the way my career ended there, but I would do it all over again if I had to pick between that and never meeting Joe. He is the friend that can keep up with your crazy, understands your confusing thoughts, laughs at EVERY JOKE before you even say, and just straight up genuinely makes the world a better place. He also bakes, which is the best, because you reap the benefits of his hobbies in the form of treats. The granola to my Sponge, the struggle to my bus, the ying to my yang – this is a friendship that I treasure and brings me nothing but utter happiness. Joe and I could talk about serious issues in the political climate and seamlessly (maybe not seamlessly but very confusingly, over the course of six unrelated stories) transition into a conversation about the meaning behind a dream about a fish tank and not skip a beat. I just always felt understood with him and there was never any hiding who I was or fear of judgment – just laughter and food and drinks and procrastination and all the pranks.

  This friendship shaped my ability to believe there is good in this world despite all the messed-up shit you see every day. Things don’t have to be dramatic or complicated – they can just be good.

Side note – bonus points if this friend comes with the cutest puppy in the world who becomes your self-appointed God-Child/Nephew.

    The Unexpected Friend This is the friend you didn’t expect to become an important part of your life. I think this friend is special in a way that the others aren’t able to be, because this isn’t a friendship that really “should have happened’ in whatever way that works out for you. You meet a lot of people and it’s obvious some are just meant to be in your life, but then there are those who you meet in certain categories and you never expect to walk away one day having them be someone you care so deeply about.

My friend Sarah falls into this category. Aside from the fact that I actually thought she despised me the day we met; she was never someone I would have thought I’d still be spending time with on a regular basis with years later. In our case, she’s younger than I am, and I was her boss, but it was early on when I realized we shared the same old soul. What I appreciate most about our friendship is the fact that there’s still a mentor/mentee vibe that lingers underneath where I’m able to be someone to offer insight into situations I’ve experienced because I’m a little older. It’s nice to have someone who trusts you as that kind of person and it’s nice to be needed in that way.

This friendship helped me understand that relationships don’t have to make sense all the time. I don’t know why someone who’s 6 years younger than me wants to hang out with me and my friends – but does there really need to be a reason?

Your Soulmate Soulmate is a complicated word and I think people define this differently. For me, this is the friend that was meant to be yours and completes you in a way other people can’t. This is someone who lifts you up, inspires you and makes you want to be a better person because their light brings out your best light.

My little is my soulmate and will always be my most precious jewel. It was evident in our first conversation with each other that we were meant to be together. I have never been so inspired by a person’s soul as I have by hers. She is kind, determined, unbelievably talented, and the most genuinely good person I have met. She is my little sister, but she is also the person I look up to. The person who makes me want to be better, to do better, to strive for better than I have. I look at her accomplishments and I am so proud of the woman she is.

We may not live together anymore, and we may not get our daily naps or cuddle sessions, but she is a person I know will always hold a special place in my heart above the rest. The fact that she married one of my high school friends (more to come) just brings out my hopeless romantic who believes in true love and fairytales and rainbows and everything that books and movies say can be true.

This friendship healed my heart. My little knew me during one of the worst times of my life, when I was an actual train wreck and she loved me through it all. She believed in me when I couldn’t believe in myself and gave me hope. She healed the hurt I had from friends who taught me that friendship came with conditions by loving me without any.

    Your Second Family This is the family who adopts you as one of their own. These relationships are precious because they extend beyond the friend that brought you in – you share dinners, and holidays, and celebrations, and late-night talks, vacations and kitchen hangouts together. They roast you in the family group chat, or ask you to dinner on a week night. These are the people who will sit and talk with you for hours in a kitchen in your pajamas or make fun of you for snoring in your sleep. They’re your family and you’re a part of theirs and it’s a really special thing.

  Admittedly, I’ve always been that friend who likes to talk to people’s parents. I’m not sure why, I just always gravitate towards adults (I say that as a 29 year old like I’m not an adult myself). But when Danielle and I became close, it was a package deal with her family. I remember being utterly terrified of her dad the first day he met and accused me of trying to steal his guns (hahahaha) but from that day forward I was just part of the family.

These relationships are special to me because I have a lot of baggage when it comes to family. My family has had a lot of ups and downs and I’ve endured some crappy things (and some awesome things too, don’t get me wrong) and the Freeman Forest was this home away from home safe-haven for me. To know you have people who love you, when they don’t have to, is such a special thing and it heals a lot of the damage you may have picked up over the years. Group chats, and bus trips, outdoor adventures (and disasters), dinners and just hanging out in the kitchen are things you probably do with your friends all the time. These things were ordinary, but they were my favorite things to do for so long because of the people I was doing them with.

This family means so much to me in so many ways. You don’t have to like your kids friends or your siblings friends – that’s why we all go out and get friends because we’re all different – so when your friends with someone and their family chooses to care about you and include you in their lives as well, it’s a really powerful and beautiful thing. I’m really lucky to have a group of people who took care of me like I was one of their own.

The Family Friends These are the family members in your life who are more than that. They’re your best friends and bridge the gap between two parts of your world. Cousins, sisters, aunts – these are people you were born into a relationship with but choose to deepen that connection outside of just family functions.

     I’m really lucky to have two cousins who have been more like friends to me my whole life. Allie and Jenny have both brought me so many moments of laughter and have been the sanity I needed to get through crazy family parties, funerals, celebrations and everything in between. I would actually be lost without both of them and I’m grateful that we get to spend more time together because we choose to be more than just family by being friends as well.

Your High School Friends These are probably some of your most complicated and yet simple relationships. That sounds contradictory but hear me out. These are the friends who’ve known you so long they have seen you through practically everything. They were there for the bad fashion decisions of your past, they were there through your awkward stages, your firsts of practically everything and you’ve grown up together. That much time complicates a lot of things – relationships have highs and lows, people grow apart, move far away or change and there’s a lot of room for negativity to creep in if you’re not careful. It’s hard to maintain these friendships but you do it anyway. The simplicity of it all is that no matter the time or distance, these are the people make you feel at home.

For me, its likely surprising to no one that these friends are “the boys” as I often refer to them. Looking back on our younger days, it’s sometimes really, really….REALLY hard to see why I even called them friends in high school but I promise you the deeper impact of our friendship makes the teasing and nicknames worth it. When I think about people who’ve shaped my life, these guys have a significant place in my emotional DNA.

It’s hard to change your identity when you’ve known someone since you were a kid. Sometimes I think the friendship I have with these guys clouds my ability to see myself as anything other than the annoying girl they made fun of in high-school because that’s how I’m used to defining myself. It’s hard to grow and become something better when you have a lot of people in your life who have seen you through that growth period and treated you a certain way. They have broken my heart in more ways than I can count, but they’ve also seen me at my absolute lowest points and stuck by me despite everything. When you grow up with people, you have to accept that you’ve probably hurt each other at certain points through that growth and that’s why I love them despite some of the not-so-picturesque parts of our past. As with all groups, there are some I have stayed closer to than others, but I can’t tell you how much joy these idiots bring to my heart when we’re all together. Seeing them grow up and accomplish things, get married and thinking of them starting families literally overwhelms my heart.

For me, these are the people who influenced how I viewed love and shaped me into the hopeless romantic who wants to believe that everything can have a happy ending. Most people don’t get to have friends from elementary school and still talk by the time they get married, but I do. That idea of perfection has been toxic for me at times, but it also brings joy to my heart and reminds of the good in this world.

  Your College Friends These are the friends who will never judge you because they have gone through the weirdest shit with you. (They’re actually probably judging you hardcore, but in a loving way because they’ve been there too.) These are the friends who were there for the transition years – the years where you weren’t quite an adult yet so you could afford to make horrible decisions and spend the next morning huddled together on a bed laughing and wondering how you were still alive. These are special friendships because it’s likely that they’ve seen you through horrible times that deepened your connection, but they also were there to have the best fucking time with you when you needed it.

For me, these are my sorority sisters and fraternity brothers. When you’re in college, everything is this heightened, dramatic experience but when you leave you realize just how lucky you are to have lived with 9 people and have room sleepovers, spontaneous parties, nights in playing just-dance, endless movie marathons on break and every party in between where someone did something insane. When I look back, I just remember all the laughter and fun (and some of the drama) and I’m so lucky to find people I know I can count on for my whole life.

People judge this era of my life – and for good reason, I was a disaster in college – but my sisters were there for me at my brother’s funeral to support me when he died even though we had only known each other a few months at that time. My roommate held me the night he died and let me cry until I fell asleep. I drove to be with her when her mom died. I’ve celebrated, and cried, and everything in between with these girls and they’ve never missed a beat if I needed someone to lift me up. My last blog post was intense and the first 10 people to comment on it and offer encouragement, love and support were these women who haven’t seen or talked to me in months/years.

I look back on this time in my life and it brings so much laughter to my soul. From parties, to fundraising for Push for America, to standards board, to life in a disgusting house filled with the best and worst people to live with (depending on whether or not you wanted to work the next day or eat your own frozen food items) these are friends I’m so thankful to have. These are the friends who shaped me through the most difficult time of my life. They are the ones who let me re-define myself, for better or worse, and still show up to support the woman I am today.

                     Your Tribe When you think about friends, these are THE friends. The friends who are literally your ride or die. They are probably the most judgmental of all your friends, but they do it from a place of love. They’re the people that just get you – no frills, no expectations – they accept and love you for your total person, even when that person is a disgusting pig or pain in the ass.

Everyone has a tribe and I’m thankful that my friendship with my cousin led me to finding mine. These are people I never would have thought I’d find, let alone would want me and my non-stop singing, harry potter loving, annoying ass self, around. These are the friends I can hang out with in my sweatpants all day, every day, but will also tell me when it’s been long enough in the sweat pants and I should probably start trying a little harder. They will tell me I’m beautiful and genuinely mean it just as genuinely as they will tell me I’m a troll who needs to brush my hair.

These people become family in a way that family never could. They’re the family you chose because your souls matched up in some way, not because you were born into it, and that relationship is special. There are too many of them to name individually, but they are invaluable in my life and something I wouldn’t trade for all the American dollars in the world.

These friends have helped me realize not take things so seriously all the time. School and work are great, but life is about being ridiculous in a restaurant at 2am as much as it’s about getting a degree or a good job. Friends should support and lift you up, but they should also tease you and help you realize you’re being a diva too. They bring the balance to your life and that’s why they’re the ones who stay with you throughout the whole rollercoaster ride.

  Have you fallen asleep yet? Are you still here? I told you this would be long. But I went to a Gender Reveal Party and I’m feeling sentimental and I thought it would be good to let out some positivity rather than always focusing on my self-deprecating thoughts of loneliness. If you take anything away from this, I hope that you become more honest with the people around you and let them know how much you care, now. I think people would be a lot happier if they had any idea how much they mean to others around them and brightening someone’s day always feels great. I hope this brightens some of yours!

  Let Me Tell Ya Bought My Best Friends I’ve been thinking a lot about relationships lately. Losing someone so special to me has left this void of space in my soul and I spend a lot of time wondering if she knew just how much I loved and admired her.

[adamgunton]

UK Election 2017

I don't post a lot online these days. My thoughts on films, the occasional tweet, more often a retweet, sometimes a photo on Instagram and I can't remember the last time I actually wrote a post on Facebook that wasn't for Cheesemint or The Reunion. I've been working on a website for months but something keeps holding me back from fully finishing it. I don't know when exactly I started using my voice less. Maybe it's through fear of judgment, maybe I got tired of adjusting my tone for the different circles of my life on here, maybe I'm sick of shouting into the void, feeling unable to compete with the shouting of others and I know there are people who can articulate what I want to say better then I ever could.

But tomorrow is an important day and if I don't contribute something more than just my vote I'll feel like I'm not doing enough.

The world is a mess. This country is a mess. Everyone is so angry all the time. I'm angry all the time. I wish I could say with sincerity that I know what the answer is but I don't. But I believe that if we stick with the Conservatives, stick with Theresa May, everything will get worse for the most vulnerable. Our doctors, our police and our teachers are telling us how dangerous this woman and her party is and we should be listening. These three institutions are the most important institutions in the entire country. One heals, one protects and one educates us. It's like the holy trinity of a community. The Conservatives and May are making an absolute mess of Brexit (something I still believe is a mistake) and we're isolating ourselves more and more from important allies and cozying up to a monster like Drumpf who fuels racism, Islamophobia and doesn't believe climate change is an actual thing. The recent terrorist attacks are abhorrent and everyone is right to feel worried and scared. I don't know how to stop these things but I would imagine giving more money to the Police and the bodies able to investigate and prevent these sorts of attacks would help. Scrapping human rights laws is not the answer and restricting freedoms of citizens is not the answer. What's to stop them from invading your privacy, removing your rights when it's convenient for them? If you think they'll stop at terror suspects then you're pretty naive. Governments never abuse their powers, right? May has consistently lied, flip-flopped and can't be trusted at all.

I know none of the parties are perfect, none of the candidates are perfect. But I want to hope for better than what we've got now.

So tomorrow, I'll be voting Labour because I believe it'll make the country better and help those less fortunate. I want to save the NHS, help our schools and and police get the money they need. I think Labour are more capable of negotiating a better Brexit deal than the Tories who are too busy trying to win over the UKIP supporters. Zero hour contracts are used to exploit hardworking people and they need to go. I think a £10 living wage should be a basic requirement for any job. I think free school meals and childcare are a good thing. Getting rid of tuition fees and brining back the EMA and grants will give more young people a better start as they begin the path to their careers.

I could go on but I think the most important thing people can do tomorrow when they go to the polls is to think beyond their own interests a little. See it from the point of view of someone less fortunate. If we all showed a little more empathy then everyone would be better off and someone would be looking out for you as well.

[skeevies]

Notes From Scooterville Tech Hell

Scooter start-up Skip has announced their intent to use homeless people as scooter gophers to keep their fleet charged. This is perhaps a more comically grotesque news blip than many of merely bloodless or aesthetically depressing ones that have preceded it since the launch of scooter share programs in Portland, but it’s only part of the sickening whole.

Even before the July 26th inauguration of these programs, some predicted they’d come bearing more problems than they solved. This Willamette Week article predicted many problems we’re already starting to see. The scooters splayed across sidewalks, or scooters with their guts ripped out, or scooter riders taking up entire lanes of traffic while travelling a little faster than walking pace did not come as a surprise.

And while it’s not quite worth razing City Hall over, the aesthetic of scooters as class of vehicle has always been awful, too. They require a weirdly erect, board-in-the-shorts riding posture and a riding skill set that rivals professional poker in its anti-athleticism. When I was a kid, the only people who could acceptably ride scooters non-ironically were retirees like my grandpa who bought them with visions of low-impact exercise filling their mid-day La-Z-Boy nap dreams. The scooter is a vehicle on which it is impossible to maintain one’s dignity unless that dignity is socially mandated.

But there are symbolic and pragmatic reasons to be bummed about these scooters that go beyond the visual pollution they bring.

Imagine you are a poor or working-class person in this city who has, over the last decade, seen your cost of living and rent prices skyrocket. Maybe you’ve seen your family members fall into addiction and despair in a city that does effectively nothing to help them. You probably work multiple jobs, and maybe have a hard time getting from one shift to the next due to ever-increasing traffic congestion and over-taxed public transit. Maybe you had a kid and maybe that kid got sick. You can’t afford to take him to the hospital, even with Obamacare (which is, it should be stated, a technocratic, center-right vision of health care), because you can’t afford the premiums. Your life, in every material sense, has become more difficult and more precarious month after month, every year.

It’s hard to know who to blame for your worsening situation because it’s too much to think about all at once. But the one thing you can see right in front of you is the new crop of people moving to the city, the ones who can afford the new high-rise condos and skyrocketing home prices, are now zipping around on scooters, clogging bike lanes, intersections and sidewalks. The place where once you were able to live is now a theme park for the corniest group of affluent people this country has yet produced.

It’s not difficult to understand why this builds resentment. Put more succinctly: There are people in this city that were forced out of the thousand-plus once-affordable homes that are now used as hotel rooms for wealthy tourists.

These scooter programs are just the latest proof that our Silicon Valley tech overlords are much better at inventing problems to solve than solving the ones that already exist. The questions these scooters answers might include, “how do you create alternative transportation for people who are able-bodied but too lazy to ride a bike and too proud to ride a bus? It might also be the answer to the question “how do you unnecessarily tax the flow of bike lanes and increase energy consumption while also clogging the City Council meeting agenda time slots with legislation for this novelty transportation?”

What these programs have not been good at is supplying transportation to riders from a wide range of income levels, physical abilities, and ages. Stop if you’re going to bring up their free rides for low income riders system some of these companies have proposed. You can’t take your toddler, groceries, or work tools on a scooter like you can a bus, bike, or car.

Christ almighty, they haven’t even created an alternative transportation that is functional in our climate! That is a real transportation problem in Portland where waiting for a bus or riding a bike in the pouring rain is a daily problem. The Bay Area may remain a comfortable 70 degrees at its coldest, but the 9-month dead period that happens from October to June in Portland isn’t going to boost ridership.

So back to the idea of using homeless people to wrangle scooters to charging stations, otherwise known as the answer to the imagined question, “how do we charge the scooters that no one will be using in three months?” How exactly will this system work? How would these homeless “juicers” (the company’s deeply awful name, not mine) get paid? Would they need ID? A bank account? These items are not in great abundance among the homeless population. Would helmets be provided? What if they get hit by a car? Would the company cover medical costs? If these companies avoid extending labor protections to contractors, how much worse will this lack of protections affect those who are most vulnerable?

There is just a basic level of cruelty to the whole idea that the tech bro can’t understand in his characteristic lack of self-awareness. Most people with functioning moral compasses can see why it’s disgraceful to pay homeless people peanuts to do a job we don’t want to do ourselves, and it’s only more disgraceful in a city like Portland that refuses to take even basic steps to help them otherwise. The message we are sending as a city is that the homeless aren’t worth enough for a spot in the public commons, but if we can get some use out of them, they can continue to live here. Sort of. As long as they’re not in the way when we want to go shopping.

Silicon Valley tech companies love to union bust, consistently fund Republican politicians, exploit any and every tax loophole they can, and set up their businesses to get around giving their labor full wages and benefits. They may not be entirely responsible for the stagnating wages, rising cost of living, and soaring real estate prices—i.e. the widening economic inequality in our society—that have harmed so many, but they’re certainly an important factor in it.

We cannot use the dirty money of Silicon Valley to try to patch the holes in our social safety net they themselves create. Until we see tech start-ups from the perspective of people whose problems are real and material, we’ll never see that they often create more problems than they solve.

[psychotherapyconsultants]

When Your Mate Touches a Nerve…

How do you talk to your partner about a sensitive topic? If he or she says something that makes you uneasy, do you feel tightness in your throat, chest or elsewhere? Forget to breathe?

Maybe you change the subject? Call the person selfish, unreasonable, or inconsiderate? Or withdraw?

Reacting means doing or saying what first pops into your mind. If you routinely do whatever you’re asked to do when you’d rather not, you’re likely to build up resentment. If instead of yielding, you belittle or stonewall your partner, you can expect ill will and conflict to increase.

By responding thoughtfully instead of impulsively, you’re more likely to create a receptive, friendly climate in which good feelings flourish. This kind of caring response often is worded as an “I-statement.”

What’s an I-Statement?

I-statements usually begins with the word, “I.” They provide a simple, powerful way to state our thoughts, feelings, wishes, or needs. Examples: “I felt hurt when you forgot it was my birthday.” “I’d like you to phone me if you’re going to be late.”

I-statements tend to foster connection, cooperation, and respect.  

What’s a You-statement?

On the other hand, a “You-statement” tends to create distance. It often starts with the word, “you.” It implies that the other person addressed is bad or wrong. Examples: “You’re a slob. You always leave crumbs on the counter.”  Some people think they are making an I-statement that is actually a disguised You-statement. Example: “I feel that you are a slob when you leave crumbs on the kitchen counter.” The sentence starts with “I” but it’s really expressing a negative judgment. This could be changed into a true I-statement instead, by saying, “I feel annoyed when you leave crumbs on the counter. I’d appreciate it if you would wipe it after you make your sandwich.”

A “You-statement” typically creates distance in a relationship.

What an I-statement Communicates

An I statement is a clear message that can express:  

what you are thinking, e.g., “I think it’s important to keep agreements,”

how you are feeling, e.g., “I like it when you open the car door for me,”

why you feel the way you do, e.g., “because when you this, I feel like you appreciate me as a women,”

what you want or need, e.g., “I want to get to married,” or

what you are prepared to do if you don’t get what you want or need, e.g., “If you’re interested in keeping our relationship uncommitted, I’m going to stop seeing you.”

Benefits of I-Statements

I-statements are powerful in marriage and elsewhere because they are likely to:

let the other person know what you want,

avoid arguments and misunderstandings,

help you state your thoughts and feelings calmly, and

increase clarity, understanding, and cooperation (from a spouse, dating partner, children, and others).

How to Make an I-statement

By following the steps below for making an I-statement listed below, you’ll be more likely to gain your partner’s understanding and cooperation:

Say how you feel about the behavior.

Name the specific behavior.

Say what you’d like or wouldn’t like to see happen next time.

(Optional) Say what you are prepared to do if the behavior continues.

Example:

A woman might say to a man she’s been dating, “I felt uncomfortable when you flirted with the waitress last night. When you’re with me, I want to feel like I’m the only woman you’re interested in. She might add now, or in the future is the flirting happens again, “If this continues, I’m afraid it will make it hard for me to keep seeing you.”

If you decide to say what you will do if your partner’s behavior does not change, it’s best to mention the consequence in a way that can encourage cooperation. So be friendly, and avoid sounding like you’re making a threat.

Strive for Progress, Not Perfection

Assuming that you are a nice person but not a saint, you can expect to slip into a reactive mode at times and say something you regret. When this happens, recognize your mistake and do the repair work promptly. Be generous with your I-statements. Let your partner know that you regret what you said, in a way that fits for you, such as, “I’m sorry. I wish I could erase what I said. I want to do better next time.”

When I-Statements Backfire

Usually, using I-Statements will help you feel heard, valued for your true self, and understood.  Exceptions happen, however. One situation where using them can leave you disappointed is when the other person doesn’t care about you or your feelings. Another is that some people aren’t comfortable being on the receiving end of an I-statement. They may have been taught as children that it is selfish to ask directly for what you want. They might have been told that they were “wrong” to express angry, upset, hurt, or sad feelings.

This sort of person learned that it is not safe to be vulnerable, which is what happens when we open up by expressing our feelings. He or she can easily grow up an adult who lacks self-understanding, and therefore finds it difficult to empathize with another. He or she might feel backed into a corner upon hearing your I-statements, and therefore respond insensitively, e.g., “I’m sick of hearing about your feelings. Get over it.”

If serious challenges are holding you back from empathizing with yourself and your partner, be aware that it’s very difficult to change an entrenched pattern on your own. If you want to create a healthier relationship, individual or couple therapy can help.

Most of us can learn to communicate positively, even when our buttons get pushed. If making I-statements feels challenging, make them anyway. Practice makes perfect. By using I-statements more often, we’re likely to relate more empathically to ourselves, our partner, and others.

Note: Step-by-step instructions for using I-statements and six other positive communication skills are given in in Marriage Meetings for Lasting Love: 30 Minutes a Week to the Relationship You’ve Always Wanted, by Marcia Naomi Berger (New World Library).

  from World of Psychology https://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2017/05/28/when-your-mate-touches-a-nerve/

[andreasjeffersona]

via Andrea Jefferson,

Are you shopping around ” lawn care expert done for you services?” If you want to have the most beautiful landscape in the neighborhood or a safe place for kids and pets to play?

We Save You Time & Money on Lawn Care Solutions. Our Landscaping Care Program offer the solutions you need.

Maintaining your lawn is part of being a responsible homeowner. We understand we’re providing more than just a beautiful yard. Here’s how your well-being benefits from a healthy lawn.

A healthy lawn can: •Prevent erosion by wind and water. •Improve flood control. •Help the breakdown of organic chemicals. •Reduce noise. •Provide wildlife habitat. •Create a cooling effect during warm weather •Add visual appeal.

We Offer Total Yard Service Programs. Such as Storm Clean Up. Landscaping Maintenance Packages.

Are you looking to save money on lawn care?. You might be surprised to learn how affordable lawn care service is. Take back those extra moments from your day, time you will never get back, by hiring someone else to take care of your lawn for you.

Keeping your yard green, vibrant, healthy, and free of weeds is a job for experts. That’s why our licensed specialists provide regular landscape care services designed to ensure your landscape looks its best year-round.

We focus on “Complete Landscape Routine service” that includes the following services:

Commercial Maintenance Services. Lawn Routine service Autumn Clean-up Maintenance Services. Garden Make Over Service. Yard Fertilisation on request. Aerating Lawn. Residential Landscaping Services. Leaf Elimination Plant or replace shrubs, annuals or perennials, small trees. Plant Bed Routine Service. Watering Service.

Contact us and get a free estimate. Our friendly professionals look forward to helping you ensure the beauty of your lawn.

You recognize a healthy yard as soon as you see it– soft as silk, eco-friendly as jade, and also just asking for a few cartwheels or a round of bocce ball. To get and, much more significantly, maintain that yard shipshape needs preparation, preparation, as well as consistent attention. Just watering alone is insufficient; inappropriate mowing can swiftly ravage your financial investment; and it’s a continuous battle to maintain weeds and insects at bay.

Our team is acknowledged for putting customers first and also caring for their backyard as if they were our very own.

We take satisfaction in our landscape services as well as genuinely enjoy it. We appreciate what we do as well as it receives the quality services we give. As a liable firm that is serious regarding our job, we see to it we are constantly on schedule and also talk with our clients to see to it we know what they desire. You will certainly always get top quality work done at reasonable rates. Get in touch with us.

Your lawn care schedule will certainly differ according to the climate where you live, of course- the calendar might call the month of march “very early springtime,” but if you live in the midwest for example , your yard might still be a snow bank when your compare living in Florida where home owners are getting out their mowers for the first time in the season.

Dare to Dream

Services we provide:

Mowing lawn, bordering, fertilising, aerating, thatching, new sod or seeding, bush cutting & bush pruning, moss & weed control are some of the services we provide.|Our basic yard services consist of – mowing, tidy up of fallen leaves, shrub trimming, bed bordering, application of plant food and also an analysis of the overall health of your lawn. We provide additional lawn care add services like over seeding and springtime clean up to enhance the look of your grass.

Leaf Removal & Weed Maintenance. General landscaping cleanup & hauling, bush & leaf removal, weekly lawn care, and special requirements such as aeration and lawn fertilization services

Seasonal packages are available. We turn your backyard dreams into a reality. We offer ideas for landscape projects for those who prefer to have low to no maintenance landscaping, using low maintenance shrubs/plants, and lighting to highlight focal points of the project Lawn care/maintenance we offer weekly grass cutting services, lawn reseeding, establish new lawns, and spring/fall leaf cleanups to name a few services we provide Our team will be dedicated to making your yard look great!

We provide exceptional lawn care services at affordable prices to property owners anywhere in Washington As a responsible company that is serious about our work, we make sure we are always on time and talk with our customers to make sure we know what they want. You will always get quality work done at reasonable rates.

Call Today Free Quote @ 253-525-5543

Because we provide various options and customizations, you make certain to meet your landscaping requires with complete peace of mind.

Residential Maintenance Programs For the benefit of our local home owners, we offer various lawn service packages.

The first option is rather comprehensive. It consists of both spring as well as fall tidy up, trimming and bush cutting, in addition to seasonal landscaping programs. This option in addition includes weekly mowing as well as trimming, over one dozen weeding services, a mulching application, and more!

Our second household routine service program option is a lot more fundamental, but worthwhile. The program consists of spring and also fall clean-ups, as well as regular mowing and cutting services. We also have additional home services, from lime application as well as grub control, to oygenation and also de-thatching, which are offered upon inquiry and also can be included in any kind of service bundle.

Benefits of Our Routine Service Packages The benefits of having a lawn and landscape routine service package in the jobs are countless. Since our bundles give multi-seasonal care, your yard will regularly keep its health as well as charm, without the concern of planning for each season independently. From preparing the residential property for colder seasons, to promoting enriched foliage throughout warmer periods, our service bundles offer numerous benefits all year long.

Best Turf Services ,we make sure that your landscape, commercial or residential, is well maintained by our personnel. Our maintenance team is highly trained and also led by a project manager particular to this division, with over twenty years of experience. Together, our company exceeds and also past to offer you with just top quality lawn and also landscape routine service services.

Commercial Maintenance Package Landscaping Care

Industrial Routine Service Packages We in addition offer commercial yard and landscape maintenance services in and Allegheny Area, which are adjustable to satisfy your requirements. Our skilled team will skillfully keep your home, and offer extraordinary service with remarkable results. We provide the complying with maintenance service options to create a package deal that is unique to your building: regular maintenance, mulching, planting, pruning as well as bush trimming, edging, weeding, seasonal turf treatments and also tidy up, irrigation/sprinkler systems, and also much more! We deal with you to create a customized industrial routine service package deal that makes sure to impress you and also your possible clients.

Lawn Mowing Tips.

Your landscape design is beautiful, isn’t it? It should be! after all the work you’ve put into it. Summer is the time to enjoy it to the fullest. Of course, you will still be mowing and watering your lawn on schedule for some time after too. Mow slightly higher than you were earlier in the year, and mow often enough so that you remove no more than 1/3 of the grass stem. When you water, remember that it is better to soak your lawn thoroughly once a week than to tease it with a little bit of water every day. The optimal time of day for watering your lawn is early in the morning.

Never cut greater than one-third of the height of your yard. If your turf is too short, it will compromise it and make it a lot more vulnerable to insects and yard conditions. Furthermore, keep in mind to trim regularly till the development of your lawn either reduces or stops. Additionally, you ought to utilize a varying pattern each time you mow. Otherwise, your yard blades will certainly lean in the direction you mow, as well as your yard will look strange. After yard cutting, leave the cuttings behind. They will decompose and also end up being a rich fertilizer for your yard. This might seem like an unpleasant concept, yet it’ll improve the health and wellness of your lawn. If you worked with a lawn service expert, make certain to advise this person.

Bare patches Weeds delight in bald strips, so if you don’t act quickly, they will. Springtime’s cool, wet weather contributes to growing several types of turfgrass. Beginning by removing up the damaged area, as well as 6 inches of bordering, healthy and balanced grass, cutting around 2 inches deep. Level the dirt and add a modest amount of soil amendment, such as a plant-based compost, as well as starter plant food. If you’re making use of seed, cover it evenly with straw as well as keep the ground moist till germination. For turf, which is about 10 times extra pricey than seed but often tends to do the job much better, cut an area to fit, push it right into spot, as well as water frequently until it takes root

Why hire Residential Landscaping Program

Whether its your property is household or industrial, it requires to be kept up. From aesthetics, to basic wellness, all residential property need a little periodic maintenance. We ensure best yard as well as landscaping services no matter which service package deal you pick or develop.

How often should I water my new lawn?

It is crucial to ensure that new lawns remain moist at the soil and sod levels, particularly during the warmest of summer months when the heat can easily destroy nascent lawns that are not maintained correctly.

There are several factors to consider including the heat of the day and the approach undertaken – seeding or sodding. •A new lawn growing from sod will require water several times a day until the roots are established. In either case, during the first weeks of life, we want to avoid the soil or sod drying out to prevent the death of new roots.

Cooler weather can be more forgiving to the soil because there is less stress than extreme heat and moisture is not as likely to evaporate as fast.

FAQ’S

Why Hire A Professional Landscaper? I know you worry about the cost. Don’t be bothered that much because you can ask for quotations before you start the work. This way, you will have an idea of how much you will be spending. Also, be reminded that the more demands you have for the project, the higher will be the cost. But if you have a simple landscape, the cost would be lower. So, before you decide to refuse the services of a landscaper, weigh things properly and go back to what we have mentioned above. Getting a professional isn’t really bad after all. Professional landscaping can help reinvent your outdoor space, boost your curb appeal, and get a major return on investment. Landscaping can encompass anything from adding new plants, trees and shrubs, to leveling the ground and laying sod for a lawn, to building in hardscaping such as sidewalks, water features or retaining walls. The national average landscaping price is $10,160. Landscaping prices can be far lower (with hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150) if you’re only seeking professional help with soft scaping or seeking consultation on landscape design. Softscaping means adding or changing horticultural elements, such as planting a garden or adding a hedge. Hardscaping is where costs can really start to rise. Hardscaping requires labor and heavy equipment to excavate the earth; you may need to pour concrete, or you may need a pro who can transport and place gravel and other inorganic elements. Your total landscaping cost will vary based on the amount of work you want to be done, how much labor is required, and the cost of the materials you are using. A good rule of thumb for a major landscaping project, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects, is to budget 5 percent to 10 percent of the value of your home.

Why You Should Hire A Landscaper Service Company?

With a landscaper, you are assured that the budget you set will be followed. You can just tell the landscaper how much is your budget and they will discuss to you what they can do with the said amount. You can then talk about things that you might want to add with the corresponding value. Also, the landscaper can give you a detailed estimate of the project.

Hiring A Professional Landscaper- Do You Really Need To?

There are things that they know that will help you improve it. For instance, they can give you tips on how to lesser soil erosion if your home is located on a steep slope. They can help you get not just a beautiful outdoor area but also the kind that is safe and functional.

Advantages of Hiring a Lawn Service.

Time savings. With a service, someone else does the work. That means extra free time for you. Consistent schedule. With many lawn services, you’ll get consistent weekly service — same day, same time — rain or shine. Professional-grade lawn care products. Lawn professionals have access to premium pro-line products at trade-only pricing. Equipment provided. Lawn care services provide the equipment and fuel, along with repairs and maintenance. Skills and experience. Qualified lawn pros offer the benefit of focused training and industry expertise.

608 State St S, Kirkland, WA 98033 Call-Us (253)-(525) -5543) Lat: 47.6994957 Long: -122.1781315

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[andreasjeffersona]

via Andrea Jefferson,

Are you shopping around ” lawn care expert done for you services?” If you want to have the most beautiful landscape in the neighborhood or a safe place for kids and pets to play?

We Save You Time & Money on Lawn Care Solutions. Our Landscaping Care Program offer the solutions you need.

Maintaining your lawn is part of being a responsible homeowner. We understand we’re providing more than just a beautiful yard. Here’s how your well-being benefits from a healthy lawn.

A healthy lawn can: •Prevent erosion by wind and water. •Improve flood control. •Help the breakdown of organic chemicals. •Reduce noise. •Provide wildlife habitat. •Create a cooling effect during warm weather •Add visual appeal.

We Offer Total Yard Service Programs. Such as Storm Clean Up. Landscaping Maintenance Packages.

Are you looking to save money on lawn care?. You might be surprised to learn how affordable lawn care service is. Take back those extra moments from your day, time you will never get back, by hiring someone else to take care of your lawn for you.

Keeping your yard green, vibrant, healthy, and free of weeds is a job for experts. That’s why our licensed specialists provide regular landscape care services designed to ensure your landscape looks its best year-round.

We focus on “Complete Landscape Routine service” that includes the following services:

Commercial Maintenance Services. Lawn Routine service Autumn Clean-up Maintenance Services. Garden Make Over Service. Yard Fertilisation on request. Aerating Lawn. Residential Landscaping Services. Leaf Elimination Plant or replace shrubs, annuals or perennials, small trees. Plant Bed Routine Service. Watering Service.

Contact us and get a free estimate. Our friendly professionals look forward to helping you ensure the beauty of your lawn.

You recognize a healthy yard as soon as you see it– soft as silk, eco-friendly as jade, and also just asking for a few cartwheels or a round of bocce ball. To get and, much more significantly, maintain that yard shipshape needs preparation, preparation, as well as consistent attention. Just watering alone is insufficient; inappropriate mowing can swiftly ravage your financial investment; and it’s a continuous battle to maintain weeds and insects at bay.

Our team is acknowledged for putting customers first and also caring for their backyard as if they were our very own.

We take satisfaction in our landscape services as well as genuinely enjoy it. We appreciate what we do as well as it receives the quality services we give. As a liable firm that is serious regarding our job, we see to it we are constantly on schedule and also talk with our clients to see to it we know what they desire. You will certainly always get top quality work done at reasonable rates. Get in touch with us.

Your lawn care schedule will certainly differ according to the climate where you live, of course- the calendar might call the month of march “very early springtime,” but if you live in the midwest for example , your yard might still be a snow bank when your compare living in Florida where home owners are getting out their mowers for the first time in the season.

Dare to Dream

Services we provide:

Mowing lawn, bordering, fertilising, aerating, thatching, new sod or seeding, bush cutting & bush pruning, moss & weed control are some of the services we provide.|Our basic yard services consist of – mowing, tidy up of fallen leaves, shrub trimming, bed bordering, application of plant food and also an analysis of the overall health of your lawn. We provide additional lawn care add services like over seeding and springtime clean up to enhance the look of your grass.

Leaf Removal & Weed Maintenance. General landscaping cleanup & hauling, bush & leaf removal, weekly lawn care, and special requirements such as aeration and lawn fertilization services

Seasonal packages are available. We turn your backyard dreams into a reality. We offer ideas for landscape projects for those who prefer to have low to no maintenance landscaping, using low maintenance shrubs/plants, and lighting to highlight focal points of the project Lawn care/maintenance we offer weekly grass cutting services, lawn reseeding, establish new lawns, and spring/fall leaf cleanups to name a few services we provide Our team will be dedicated to making your yard look great!

We provide exceptional lawn care services at affordable prices to property owners anywhere in Washington As a responsible company that is serious about our work, we make sure we are always on time and talk with our customers to make sure we know what they want. You will always get quality work done at reasonable rates.

Call Today Free Quote @ 253-525-5543

Because we provide various options and customizations, you make certain to meet your landscaping requires with complete peace of mind.

Residential Maintenance Programs For the benefit of our local home owners, we offer various lawn service packages.

The first option is rather comprehensive. It consists of both spring as well as fall tidy up, trimming and bush cutting, in addition to seasonal landscaping programs. This option in addition includes weekly mowing as well as trimming, over one dozen weeding services, a mulching application, and more!

Our second household routine service program option is a lot more fundamental, but worthwhile. The program consists of spring and also fall clean-ups, as well as regular mowing and cutting services. We also have additional home services, from lime application as well as grub control, to oygenation and also de-thatching, which are offered upon inquiry and also can be included in any kind of service bundle.

Benefits of Our Routine Service Packages The benefits of having a lawn and landscape routine service package in the jobs are countless. Since our bundles give multi-seasonal care, your yard will regularly keep its health as well as charm, without the concern of planning for each season independently. From preparing the residential property for colder seasons, to promoting enriched foliage throughout warmer periods, our service bundles offer numerous benefits all year long.

Best Turf Services ,we make sure that your landscape, commercial or residential, is well maintained by our personnel. Our maintenance team is highly trained and also led by a project manager particular to this division, with over twenty years of experience. Together, our company exceeds and also past to offer you with just top quality lawn and also landscape routine service services.

Commercial Maintenance Package Landscaping Care

Industrial Routine Service Packages We in addition offer commercial yard and landscape maintenance services in and Allegheny Area, which are adjustable to satisfy your requirements. Our skilled team will skillfully keep your home, and offer extraordinary service with remarkable results. We provide the complying with maintenance service options to create a package deal that is unique to your building: regular maintenance, mulching, planting, pruning as well as bush trimming, edging, weeding, seasonal turf treatments and also tidy up, irrigation/sprinkler systems, and also much more! We deal with you to create a customized industrial routine service package deal that makes sure to impress you and also your possible clients.

Lawn Mowing Tips.

Your landscape design is beautiful, isn’t it? It should be! after all the work you’ve put into it. Summer is the time to enjoy it to the fullest. Of course, you will still be mowing and watering your lawn on schedule for some time after too. Mow slightly higher than you were earlier in the year, and mow often enough so that you remove no more than 1/3 of the grass stem. When you water, remember that it is better to soak your lawn thoroughly once a week than to tease it with a little bit of water every day. The optimal time of day for watering your lawn is early in the morning.

Never cut greater than one-third of the height of your yard. If your turf is too short, it will compromise it and make it a lot more vulnerable to insects and yard conditions. Furthermore, keep in mind to trim regularly till the development of your lawn either reduces or stops. Additionally, you ought to utilize a varying pattern each time you mow. Otherwise, your yard blades will certainly lean in the direction you mow, as well as your yard will look strange. After yard cutting, leave the cuttings behind. They will decompose and also end up being a rich fertilizer for your yard. This might seem like an unpleasant concept, yet it’ll improve the health and wellness of your lawn. If you worked with a lawn service expert, make certain to advise this person.

Bare patches Weeds delight in bald strips, so if you don’t act quickly, they will. Springtime’s cool, wet weather contributes to growing several types of turfgrass. Beginning by removing up the damaged area, as well as 6 inches of bordering, healthy and balanced grass, cutting around 2 inches deep. Level the dirt and add a modest amount of soil amendment, such as a plant-based compost, as well as starter plant food. If you’re making use of seed, cover it evenly with straw as well as keep the ground moist till germination. For turf, which is about 10 times extra pricey than seed but often tends to do the job much better, cut an area to fit, push it right into spot, as well as water frequently until it takes root

Why hire Residential Landscaping Program

Whether its your property is household or industrial, it requires to be kept up. From aesthetics, to basic wellness, all residential property need a little periodic maintenance. We ensure best yard as well as landscaping services no matter which service package deal you pick or develop.

How often should I water my new lawn?

It is crucial to ensure that new lawns remain moist at the soil and sod levels, particularly during the warmest of summer months when the heat can easily destroy nascent lawns that are not maintained correctly.

There are several factors to consider including the heat of the day and the approach undertaken – seeding or sodding. •A new lawn growing from sod will require water several times a day until the roots are established. In either case, during the first weeks of life, we want to avoid the soil or sod drying out to prevent the death of new roots.

Cooler weather can be more forgiving to the soil because there is less stress than extreme heat and moisture is not as likely to evaporate as fast.

FAQ’S

Why Hire A Professional Landscaper? I know you worry about the cost. Don’t be bothered that much because you can ask for quotations before you start the work. This way, you will have an idea of how much you will be spending. Also, be reminded that the more demands you have for the project, the higher will be the cost. But if you have a simple landscape, the cost would be lower. So, before you decide to refuse the services of a landscaper, weigh things properly and go back to what we have mentioned above. Getting a professional isn’t really bad after all. Professional landscaping can help reinvent your outdoor space, boost your curb appeal, and get a major return on investment. Landscaping can encompass anything from adding new plants, trees and shrubs, to leveling the ground and laying sod for a lawn, to building in hardscaping such as sidewalks, water features or retaining walls. The national average landscaping price is $10,160. Landscaping prices can be far lower (with hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150) if you’re only seeking professional help with soft scaping or seeking consultation on landscape design. Softscaping means adding or changing horticultural elements, such as planting a garden or adding a hedge. Hardscaping is where costs can really start to rise. Hardscaping requires labor and heavy equipment to excavate the earth; you may need to pour concrete, or you may need a pro who can transport and place gravel and other inorganic elements. Your total landscaping cost will vary based on the amount of work you want to be done, how much labor is required, and the cost of the materials you are using. A good rule of thumb for a major landscaping project, according to the American Society of Landscape Architects, is to budget 5 percent to 10 percent of the value of your home.

Why You Should Hire A Landscaper Service Company?

With a landscaper, you are assured that the budget you set will be followed. You can just tell the landscaper how much is your budget and they will discuss to you what they can do with the said amount. You can then talk about things that you might want to add with the corresponding value. Also, the landscaper can give you a detailed estimate of the project.

Hiring A Professional Landscaper- Do You Really Need To?

There are things that they know that will help you improve it. For instance, they can give you tips on how to lesser soil erosion if your home is located on a steep slope. They can help you get not just a beautiful outdoor area but also the kind that is safe and functional.

Advantages of Hiring a Lawn Service.

Time savings. With a service, someone else does the work. That means extra free time for you. Consistent schedule. With many lawn services, you’ll get consistent weekly service — same day, same time — rain or shine. Professional-grade lawn care products. Lawn professionals have access to premium pro-line products at trade-only pricing. Equipment provided. Lawn care services provide the equipment and fuel, along with repairs and maintenance. Skills and experience. Qualified lawn pros offer the benefit of focused training and industry expertise.

608 State St S, Kirkland, WA 98033 Call-Us (253)-(525) -5543) Lat: 47.6994957 Long: -122.1781315

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